The Neurological Disorder Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your own immune system prevents your nerves from properly communicating with your muscles? This week's episode features my conversation with Lauren Junge, one of the youngest individuals in the United States to be diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). Beyond navigating life with this rare neurological condition, Lauren is a college student, researcher, ambassador for rare disease organizations, and founder of a campus club dedicated to rai...

Send us Fan Mail What actually happens behind the scenes when someone is rushed to the hospital with a neurological emergency? And what decisions are doctors making so quickly? This week’s episode features my conversation with Joshua Saunders, a neurology nurse practitioner. When someone you love is suddenly admitted to the hospital with a neurological issue, the experience can feel incredibly overwhelming. Between the imaging studies, neurological exams, constant monitoring, and transfers be...

Send us Fan Mail What can Chiari malformation reveal about the gaps that still exist in neurological care and patient awareness? This week's episode features my conversation with Debbie Ryan, an inspiring mother of four from West Ireland who is studying anatomy and physiology, reflexology, and holistic massage, while also navigating life with Chiari malformation. In this conversation, Debbie opens up about her diagnosis journey, the symptoms that led her to seek answers, and the emotional imp...

Send us Fan Mail What if artificial intelligence could change how neurological diseases are diagnosed, treated, and even prevented? And how far are we from that future? This week's episode is with returning guest Dr. Aniket Natekar to explore how AI is actively reshaping neurology and modern healthcare. We break down what AI integration could look like in clinical settings, from neurosurgery and diagnostic support to reducing administrative burden, and how physicians are currently utilizing t...

Send us Fan Mail Could the key to brain health be found in your DNA—and on your plate? Welcome to Season 2 of The Neurological Disorder Podcast! This week's episode is with Dr. Kendal Stewart, a certified head and neck surgeon and otolaryngologist. In addition to founding several medical companies and even receiving a U.S patent for one of his technologies, Dr. Stewart treats individuals with neuro-immune syndromes through innovative techniques and by analyzing the root of issues at the cellu...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Jawanza Lamar, the founder of ParkingNSites, an organization dedicated to breaking down parking barriers and improving accessibility for mobility-challenged individuals. After experiencing a life-changing accident, Jawanza saw firsthand the struggles people with mobility challenges face—especially when it comes to accessible parking and ADA compliance. This inspired him to take action and launch ParkingNSites to improve accessibility and ensure cit...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Mary Anne Meskis, a founding member and the Executive Director of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF)—a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and funding research for Dravet syndrome. Dravet syndrome is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that begins in early childhood, typically caused by a mutation in the SCN1A gene. It leads to frequent and prolonged seizures, developmental delays, and other lifelong challenges, including ...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Tom Halkin, the Director of Public Affairs at the National Brain Tumor Society—the largest patient advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to curing brain tumors and supporting patients and their families. In our conversation, Tom sheds light on the harsh reality that, while survival rates for many other cancers have improved in recent years, brain cancer survival rates have remained largely stagnant. We explore the groundbreaking eff...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Nicole Kenyon, head of the National MS Society Community Council in Tampa and a passionate fitness enthusiast. Living with Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Narcolepsy, she is committed to empowering others through legislative advocacy, fundraising, and fitness and community initiatives. In our conversation, Nicole opens up about navigating the complexities of the healthcare system to ensure she receives proper care, and she shares the challenges she ...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Erica Renee Walker, a TBI survivor and coach who is dedicated to raising awareness and helping others navigate life with brain injuries. In this episode, Erica opens up about her experience with traumatic brain injury (TBI), discussing how she sustained her injury, the hidden symptoms she manages, and how she stays positive and hopeful throughout her journey. We also talk about the advocacy work she does through her Instagram and YouTube channels,...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Nic Brown, father of Beckett. After their 2-year-old son Beckett was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare genetic disorder, Nic and his wife Elizabeth became dedicated advocates for the cause. In this episode, Nic shares their long journey to obtain a diagnosis for Beckett and their challenges in navigating the healthcare system for his condition. He then discusses the various symptoms associated with TSC and the complexities of managi...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Michele Levoir Sloan, co-founder of the Foundation To Fight H-ABC. Michele and her husband started the foundation in 2015 after their daughter was diagnosed with H-ABC. Since then, they have supported families affected by this condition worldwide, collaborated with numerous nonprofits, and worked alongside biotechnology companies to support research for a cure. In this episode, Michele and I discuss her inspiration for creating the Foundation to F...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Samantha Sauer, a patient navigator and the Director of the Patient Helpline at Patients Rising. Patients Rising is an organization that aims to empower patients in America to advocate for reforms, placing them, alongside their doctors, in control of their healthcare choices. The Patient Helpline, a nonprofit program associated with Patients Rising, provides direct and personalized access to needed resources. Samantha and her team help patients nav...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Rachel Nesmith, a singer-songwriter, mother, and advocate. Rachel has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Type 1 Narcolepsy, so today, we begin by discussing the setbacks she has faced and overcome living with ASD and then transition to her Narcolepsy. Rachel and I start by talking about the misconceptions behind ASD, how she experiences and manages sensory overload, and how she advocates on her behalf in social settings. We also discuss her diagnosis jo...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Dr. Katinka van der Merwe, a Doctor of Chiropractic who focuses on nervous system rehabilitation to help those suffering from chronic pain. She grew up just outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, and immigrated to the United States to receive her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Since then, she has received numerous awards for her work, including the prestigious Global Chiropractor of the Year award in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Award of Innovation fo...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode features Monica Dudley-Weldon! Not only is she the founder and CEO of the Syngap1 foundation, but she also has a background in biology and teaching and attended Law School. Her son, Beckett, was the 6th person in the world and 3rd in the United States to be diagnosed with Syngap1-Related Disorder, an intellectual disorder often accompanied by autism, epilepsy, and other behavioral abnormalities. In this episode, Monica delves into the relatively un...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is with Lisa Lauter, a nurse and public health advocate, raising awareness for encephalitis and promoting holistic and conventional medicine approaches to recovery. When she received a devastating diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis (AE), Lisa deliberately began implementing changes to her diet and mindset and started utilizing holistic health practices, intensive rehabilitation therapy, and conventional medicine approaches to achieve recovery. By making chan...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Levi Peterson, a fighter of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Neuro-Behçet's syndrome, and Parksinon's disease. Levi has also experienced 10 major brain surgeries, resulting in her becoming an expert on shunting technology from past complications. In the past, she was an EMT, and currently, she is a patient navigator, which we expand on in the episode. In addition, Levi shares ways she maintained hope and remained strong through her 10 brain s...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is with the CEO and founder of Vistim Labs, James Hamet. In addition to building mind-controlled wheelchairs and ice sculpting, Mr. Hamet focuses on tracking cognitive decline in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, accelerating diagnosis while allowing for effective disease management in the future. This is done with a technology his company created, which we explore further in this episode. Currently, treatment for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, an...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Dr. George Ackerman, an attorney and Parkinson's Disease advocate. After being the primary caregiver for his mother, Sharon, who sadly passed away from Parkinson's, Dr. Ackerman strives to help other families experiencing similar struggles. In this episode, Dr. Ackerman starts by sharing heartfelt stories about his mother and the dreadful toll Parkinson's took on her independence and well-being. He later shares the struggles he faced as his mother'...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Carter Hemion, a public speaker, legislative advocate, and fighter of EDS. Carter shares his long journey with EDS and all the painful experiences and uncertainties he endured before and after diagnosis. We also explore the range of symptoms accompanying EDS, specifically focusing on the neurological symptoms that Carter experiences. Carter is also a dedicated legislative advocate and frequently meets with government officials to raise support and ...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode features board-certified neurologist and headache specialist Aniket Natekar, MD, MSc. After completing his undergraduate degree at the Western University of London, Ontario, he pursued medical school at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Hawaii. He later completed a residency in neurology and a fellowship in headache medicine. We all get headache, but does having a headache physically alter your brain? Does following a vegan or vegetarian diet make yo...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, I spoke with Tara O'Connor, dog mom, aunt, EMG technician, and warrior of Type 1 Narcolepsy (Narcolepsy with Cataplexy). Tara and I talk about the importance of self-advocacy--especially in the school setting--to receive proper accommodations. Unfortunately, Tara talks about how she was denied accommodations for Narcolepsy by her sleep technology teacher in college! How unbelievable is that! Tara also shares the numerous rude remarks she has received d...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Robin Powers, a warrior of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. In her free time, she also loves to write and recently published a book about her other rare condition: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). After experiencing multiple hardships in her childhood, Robin became a young advocate, giving a voice to others with rare conditions who cannot advocate for themselves. She truly turned her pain into motivation and continues to make a significant impact in the ...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Ashley Clarke, a devoted advocate for Huntington's Disease in Northern Ireland! After watching her father experience this terrible condition, she started to educate others about Huntington's Disease and research to create a safe and inclusive community. In this episode, she shares the numerous ways in which she advocates for Huntington's globally and continues to make a positive and supportive environment for all. She is also very involved with the...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Matthew Horsnell, a dedicated advocate and father of 3 with Type 1 Narcolepsy or Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. He is also a researcher and has co-authored 3 papers and is the lead author of 1 other! During our conversation, we talk about the changes Matthew has made to accommodate Type 1 Narcolepsy, the importance of legislative advocacy, how social media is affecting the portrayal of narcolepsy, and how we all can make a difference to raise awareness...

Send us Fan Mail This week's episode is with Jennifer Trujillo, an inspiring woman and warrior of Stiff-Person Syndrome. She loves to sing, spend time with her family, and was also featured in Céline Dion's music video! In this interview, we talk about Jennifer's long and terrible experiences with the US Medical System, the necessity of research and advocacy for Stiff-Person Syndrome, the benefits of Alternative medicine, and ways we, as a community, can help people with Stiff-Person Syndrome...

Send us Fan Mail This week's interview is with Jess Clough, from Australia! She has Functional Neurological Disorder, which affects how the nervous system sends and receives messages. In this interview, we talk about the stigma that Freudian psychology has brought to FND, the importance of modern perspectives in medicine, and a term I have never heard before--medical gaslighting. Make sure to subscribe to the Neurological Disorder Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you lis...

Send us Fan Mail This week's interview is with an amazing woman named Hasitha Illa who is a fighter of Friedreich's Ataxia. She is also an avid blogger and passionate writer who has just released a children's book on disabilities! In this episode, we talk about Hasitha's experience with FA, the importance of inclusivity, the value of advocating for neurological conditions, and much more. Be sure to subscribe to The Neurological Disorder Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you lis...

Send us Fan Mail This is some background as to what this podcast will be about If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me through neurologicaldisorderpodcast@gmail.com!