On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters talks with Samantha Lee Schmall, author of Beyond the Shunt, about her personal journey with hydrocephalus. Samantha reflects on growing up with the condition, what inspired her to share her story, and how she's found connection and support within the hydrocephalus community. Dr. Peters is also joined by Dr. Kristopher Kahle, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Center for Hydrocephalus and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, who explains what causes hydrocephalus, common symptoms, and current treatment options, including shunts.

Additional Resources

Samantha Lee Schmall- Beyond the Shunt

Understanding Hydrocephalus: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Average Joe- Speak Up

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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 BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Guests: Samantha Lee Schmall @beyondtheshunt; Dr. Kahle @mgbneurosurgery

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters answer questions they received at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting in Chicago last week! They explain how podcast topics are chosen, guest stories that have stuck with them, how they handle discussing ever-evolving science, and more.

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Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice

Lauren Miller Rogen on Facing a Parent's Early-Onset Alzheimer's Diagnosis

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 BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

This week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast was recorded live at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting in 2025! Hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters were joined by Joel Salinas, MD, MBA, MSc, FAAN, Andrea Lendaris, MD, MS, Andrew M. Southerland, MD, FAAN, and Eric J. Seachrist, MD to share what it's like living and practicing neurology with their own neurological condition(s) and neurodiverse perspectives, and explore how their experiences serve as a window into the patient and community perspective.

Brain & Life Articles Mentioned

Neurology® Podcast

Switching Roles: A Neuro-oncologist Reflects on his Own Experience with a Brain Tumor

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 BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD