In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Isabelle Woloson and her mother, Eliza to talk about Izzy's work to promote inclusion, challenge stereotypes, and embrace individuality as a young woman with Down syndrome. Together, they share practical insights on self-advocacy, community acceptance, and creating meaningful opportunities. They also discuss practical approaches to community acceptance, self-advocacy, and the evolving landscape of support and opportunities. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Seth Keller, a nationally recognized leader in developmental neurology, for a conversation about supporting meaningful and fulfilling transitions into adulthood.

Additional Resources

My Friend Isabelle- Book

8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Moving Out of Pediatric Care

How Parents Advocate for Their Children with Rare Diseases

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Exploring Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant

Author Samantha Lee Schmall on Life Beyond the Shunt

Raising Awareness for a Rare Cancer with Love4Lucas President Hide Harashima

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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: Izzy Woloson @askIZZE; Eliza Woloson @elizawoloson

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by musician Amy Grant. Amy discusses her inspiring journey of recovery following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2022. She shares her personal stories of resilience, the symptoms she felt and how she dealt with them, and how music continues to be a source of connection and healing. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Shae Datta, co-director of the NYU Langone Concussion Center. Dr. Datta shares expert knowledge on concussion and TBI management, recovery, and innovative therapies, highlighting how personalized care can make a difference in prognosis.

Additional Resources

Amy Grant

After a Traumatic Brain Injury, Work Challenges May Last Longer Than Expected

Surviving and Thriving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is Reaching New Heights with Traumatic Brain Injury

U.S. Soccer Legend Briana Scurry on Concussion and Mental Health

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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: Amy Grant @amygrantofficial; Dr. Datta @nyulangone

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

On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters sits down with actor Ryan Reynolds, who opens up about his father's Parkinson's-related hallucinations—an often overlooked but common symptom for many people living with the disease. Ryan also reflects on the care-partner experience and shares the steps he's taking to support his own brain health. Later, Dr. Peters is joined by Dr. Jori Fleisher, a movement disorders neurologist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, who explains why hallucinations and other non-motor symptoms can occur in Parkinson's disease and what patients and care partners should know.

Additional Resources

More to Parkinson's

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Related Episodes of Brain & Life Podcast

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

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

Seen and Heard: Allie Signorelli's Young-Onset Parkinson's Story, Part One

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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: Ryan Reynolds @vancityreynolds; Dr. Fleisher @rushmedical

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

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

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.

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

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 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

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