Brain Health Matters
When you think about health, what do you think of? For those fortunate enough to have lived their lives so far without brain health issues, that’s unlikely to be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet the brain is our most vital organ, affecting every aspect of our ability to function, from thinking to breathing.
In this podcast we'll learn how precious our brain health is, how many of us will be affected by neurological conditions and how, while many of those conditions are unavoidable, there are ways that all of us can protect and improve our brain health.
Brain Health Matters
Work Interrupted: Employment & Neurological Conditions
In the latest episode of the Brain Health Matters podcast, we explore the often-overlooked impact of neurological conditions on employment—not just for those living with these conditions, but also for their carers. From disrupted careers and workplace stigma to the emotional toll of balancing health and livelihood, we unpack the complex realities faced by millions across Europe.
This episode features a roundtable conversation with Elisabeth Kasilingam (Executive Director, European MS Platform), Hildur Önnudóttir (Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, Parkinson's Europe) and Elena Ruiz de la Torre (Executive Director, European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA)), who discuss systemic challenges—like lack of accommodations, inflexible work environments, and inadequate social support—and share actionable insights on how employers, policymakers, and healthcare systems can do better.
You’ll also hear firsthand stories from people who have had to adapt, and sometimes sacrifice their professional aspirations, with audio diaries from Lori RennaLinton and Ben Hunt.
Finally, you'll hear from Silvia Carter, Community Leader at Carering - Roche's internal community for employees who are patients or caregivers.
Whether you're a patient, a carer, an employer, or simply curious about the intersection of brain health and work, this episode offers a compassionate and informative look at what it means to stay employed while managing a neurological condition.
Links to resources mentioned:
- MSatWork.LIFE
- MS in the Workplace: A Practical Toolkit for Employers
- Welcome in the Workplace: Parkinson’s and your rights at work
- Parkinson’s workplace rights
- Parkinson's Europe 'Welcome in the Workplace' webinar 23 October 2025
- The Migraine Friendly Workplace project
- ERN-RND Patient Journeys
The Brain Health Matters podcast is written and produced by Elizabeth Cunningham on behalf of the European Federation of Neurological Associations, with support in 2025 from Roche, Alexion, PTC Therapeutics, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lundbeck.