Brain & Life

In part one of this two-part episode, Brain & Life podcast host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Molly Burke. Molly shares her journey of navigating life with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and how it led her to create online content and write a book. She shares the importance of representation, advocacy, and rethinking societal perceptions of disability to create a more inclusive world. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Brittni Scruggs, a vitreoretinal surgeon and physician-scientist at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Scruggs explains inherited retinal diseases and how they are diagnosed and treated. Come back next week for part two to learn about the importance of advocacy and upcoming research!
 
Additional Resources
At a glance: Retinitis Pigmentosa
Customers and Professionals Weigh in on How to Make the Beauty World More Accessible
What Causes Color Blindness?
Molly Burke - Official Website
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Exploring Accessibility and the Arts at the Lincoln Center
Making the Years Count with Brooke Eby, Influencer Living with ALS
Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at [email protected]
 
Social Media
Guests: Molly Burke @mollyburkeofficial; Dr. Scruggs @mayocliniceye
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this special Rare Disease Day episode of the Brain & Life podcast, co-hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters respond to your listener questions. They explore how rare diseases can affect relationships, offer guidance on planning for the future, and share tips for explaining complex medical conditions to others.
 
Resources Mentioned
In the Mix with Rob Floyd: Lessons on Mixology and Moyamoya
What is Pompe Disease?
Surviving Stroke: A Story of Perseverance and Grace
CADASIL Foundation
Pompe Disease News
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at [email protected]
 
Social Media
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters speaks with advocate and author Lori Jones about growing up in a family affected by Huntington's disease (HD), reflecting on stigma, isolation, caregiving, and the inspiration behind her memoir, Spared: A Memoir of Risk and Resolve. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Katie Moore, assistant professor of neurology at Duke University Medical Center, who explains what Huntington's disease is and how genetic testing can impact individuals and families living with HD.
 
Additional Resources
Lori Jones
What is Huntington's Disease?
Promising Therapies May Help Huntington's Disease
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics
Author Tanita Allen on Existing with Huntington's Disease
Rare Thoughts on a Rarer Neurologic Condition  
We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at [email protected]
 
Social Media
Guests: Lori Jones @lorijoneswrites; Dr. Katie Moore @DukeNeuroRes
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by musical legend Gloria Gaynor. Gloria talks about her journey in music and opens up about living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), undergoing surgery, and navigating the long road to recovery. She shares what the experience taught her about resilience and adapting when life doesn't go as planned. Next, Dr. Correa is once again joined by Dr. Shelly Hsieh, attending physician and Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Hsieh dives further into the multifaceted approach to rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries and the lifestyle factors that support healing.
 
Additional Resources
How Spinal Surgery Helped Gloria Gaynor Beat Chronic Pain and Return to the Stage
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
HEP2go Rehabilitation
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics
Answering Your Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Dr. Shelly Hsieh
"Roll with Cole & Charisma" On Building a Life Together as an Interabled Couple
How Disability Advocate Wesley Hamilton Became Empowered by Adversity
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at [email protected]
 
Social Media
Guests: Gloria Gaynor @gloriagaynor ; Dr. Shelly Hsieh @MontefioreHealthSystem
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, professor of neurology at UCSF and Director of the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. Together, they explore how diet, microbiome, and environmental factors influence the progression of multiple sclerosis, with a special focus on pediatric cases. Dr. Waubant also discusses the role of dietary patterns and vitamin D and highlights how emotional well-being and physical activity can impact disease outcomes.
 
Additional Resources
Expert Insights and Practical Tips for Managing Multiple Sclerosis
How Ultra-processed Foods Can Have a Negative Effect on Brain Health
Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics
Advocating for a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis with Comedian Kellye Howard
Embracing Each Day with Author and MS Advocate Lilibet Snellings Kyte
Voices from the Multiple Sclerosis Community
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at [email protected]
 
Social Media
Guests: Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant @ucsfmedicine
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD