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

Related Episodes of Brain & Life Podcast

Author Tanita Allen on Existing with Huntington's Disease

A Walk in the "Parkinson's" with Author Annmarie O'Connor

Movement and Healing with Adventure Athlete, Author, and Activist Rebecca Rusch

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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

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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.

Mentioned Episodes of Brain & Life Podcast

Matt and Kanlaya Cauli on Rebuilding Life After Stroke
We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay

Strength on Stage: Actor Michael Patrick's Motor Neuron Disease Journey

Comedy and Courage: Comedian Richard Lewis on Living with Parkinson's Disease

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

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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters respond to a listener question about simple, low-stress actions to support brain health using recent BrainandLife.org articles to guide you through a brain healthy day!

Brain & Life Articles Mentioned

Neurologists Share Tips on Recovering from Jet Lag

The Gut-Brain Connection: Why a Healthy Microbiome Is Key to Disease Prevention

Why Taking Care of Yourself Is One of the Most Important Things Caregivers Can Do

Everyday Wearables May Offer New Insight Into Multiple Sclerosis Progression

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

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Social Media

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

In part two of this two-part episode of the Brain & Life podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by influencer and podcaster Allie Signorelli. She shares her entrance into the world of advocacy and why she chose to speak up about her experiences and participate in research opportunities. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Rodolfo Savica, who explains what some of those research opportunities are, why they matter, and what's next for the Parkinson's community.

Additional Resources

Allie Signorelli: Living With Young Onset Parkinson's

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Factors That May Increase the Risk of Parkinson's Disease

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

A Walk in the "Parkinson's" with Author Annmarie O'Connor

Ed Begley Jr. on Utilizing a Healthy Lifestyle to Thrive with Parkinson's Disease

How American Ninja Warrior Jimmy Choi Rose Above Parkinson's

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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

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Social Media

Guests: Allie Signorelli @imstillallie; Dr. Rodolfo Savica @mayoclinic

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

In part one of this two-part episode of the Brain & Life podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by influencer and podcaster Allie Signorelli. She shares her experience living with young-onset Parkinson's disease, from noticing early symptoms to receiving a diagnosis at a time when she didn't see people her age represented in the Parkinson's conversation. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Rodolfo Savica, who explains the importance of early diagnosis, non-motor symptoms, and environmental and genetic factors. Come back for part two next week to hear about Allie's entrance into the world of advocacy and upcoming research.

Additional Resources

Allie Signorelli: Living With Young Onset Parkinson's

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Factors That May Increase the Risk of Parkinson's Disease

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

A Walk in the "Parkinson's" with Author Annmarie O'Connor

Ed Begley Jr. on Utilizing a Healthy Lifestyle to Thrive with Parkinson's Disease

How American Ninja Warrior Jimmy Choi Rose Above Parkinson's

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: Allie Signorelli @imstillallie; Dr. Rodolfo Savica @mayoclinic

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Emmy and Tony Award–winning actor Christine Ebersole. She shares a deeply personal side of her story: how caring for her husband during his recovery from an acoustic neuroma changed her life and her craft. Christine reflects on how that experience informed her approach to acting, deepening her empathy, emotional range, and understanding of vulnerability. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. David Kaylie, Professor of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences at Duke University. Dr. Kaylie explains what an acoustic neuroma is, how it differs from other similar conditions, treatment options, and the importance of hearing and vestibular rehabilitation.

Additional Resources

What is a Brain Tumor?

Acoustic Neuroma Association

What is Neurofibromatosis?

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Strength in Unity: Advocating and Advancing Research for Brain Tumors

Lawyer, Model Victoria Vesce Uses Her Platform for Brain Tumor Advocacy

Neurofibromatosis Advocacy and Community Building with the Gilbert Family Foundation

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: Christine Ebersole @christine.ebersole.official; Dr. David Kaylie @dukeschoolofmedicine

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by singer and songwriter James Durbin. James shares his powerful story of living with Tourette syndrome, navigating stigma, and finding strength through music. He also explains how performance became a transformative tool for self-acceptance and resilience. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Tamara Pringsheim, a neurologist and clinician-researcher at the University of Calgary who specializes in Tourette syndrome and tic disorders. Dr. Pringsheim explains how tic disorders manifest, evolve, and what misconceptions need to be dispelled.

Additional Resources

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Jerry Gidner Raises Awareness of Tourette Syndrome in Underrepresented Groups

How this Nurse Practitioner Tames Tics in People with Tourette Syndrome

James Durbin's Music

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

From Obstacle to Opportunity: David Begnaud on Living with Tourette Syndrome

The Singing Surgeon: Dr. Elvis Francois on the Power of Music in Healing

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: James Durbin @jamesdurbinofficial; Dr. Tamara Pringsheim @ucalgarymed

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