The MS News Today Podcast

Jennifer Powell, who has been living with secondary progressive MS for 11 years, hosts a series of conversations with those in the greater MS community.

LATEST PODCAST

A talk with Megan Evans, founder of the MS Stage

Megan Evans used her background in dance and theater to create the MS Stage, a program that has helped cope with the challenges of living with MS. Megan uses movement, meditation, and mindfulness practices to help others move themselves onto a healing path.

Join Jenn and Megan them as they discuss her journey with the disease, what inspired her to start the MS Stage, and how believing in and loving her MS has helped her lead others to do the same.

March 30, 2023

Jenn talks to founder of The MS Guide Dominic Shadbolt

Diagnosed in 1994, Dominic went from patient to advocate, founding TheMSguide in 2021. He now hosts inspirational patient leaders and experts in the field of MS Neurology, making TheMSGuide a successful patient-to-patient YouTube channel where people across the world can share their experiences of MS.

Join Jenn and Dominic as they discuss what inspires him to educate and advocate for the MS community, the positive changes he has made for disabled Eurail passengers, and how his mindset helps him navigate life with a progressive disease.

February 23, 2023

Jenn talks to Kathy Costello from Can Do MS

Jenn speaks with Vice President of Programs for CanDo MS, Kathy Costello. Can Do MS is a nonprofit organization that delivers health and wellness education programs on exercise, nutrition, symptom management, and motivation to support families living with MS.

Join them as they discuss Kathy’s role at Can Do MS, and the programs, webinars and community-based activities Can Do MS offers.

January 26, 2023

Jenn Chats to Author Melissa Cook

Imagine living with MS with no nearby services and the closest medical care a 3-hour flight away. Melissa Cook spent 20 years managing her disease remotely and chronicling her daily experiences in her blog, MSSymptoms.me. After she could no longer teach, she went on medical disability.

Join Jenn and Melissa as they discuss how Melissa managed her MS and what inspired her to write “The Call of the Last Frontier: The True Story of a Woman’s Twenty-Year Alaska Adventure.”

December 22, 2022

Dr. Terry Wahls, Clinical Professor of Medicine With SPMS

Dr. Terry Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she teaches internal medicine residents, sees patients in a traumatic brain injury clinic, and conducts clinical trials. She also has SPMS.

Join Jenn and Dr. Wahls as they discuss her diagnosis and how she reclaimed her health through her own ‘Wahls’ Protocol; a combination of functional medicine, supplements and intensive nutrition.

Find out about recruitment for her study, Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis (EDQ-MS)

November 24, 2022

Dr. Susan Payrovi, Stanford physician with MS

Dr. Payrovi is the founder of TRUE Medicine, an online wellness program for multiple sclerosis. She practices integrative and functional medicine at Stanford’s Center for Integrative Medicine.

She also has multiple sclerosis.

Join Jenn and Dr.Payrovi as they discuss the benefits of functional and integrative medicine, grieving the loss of a career in anesthesiology, the beauty of reinventing oneself, and the healing power of community.

October 27, 2022

Inventor of the Neural Sleeve, Jeremiah Robison

Jenn talks with Jeremiah Robison, founder of Cionic and their FDA-cleared Neural Sleeve, the first product to combine sensing, analysis and augmentation into a wearable garment for mobility.

Join them as they discuss Jeremiah’s primary reason in founding Cionic, his passion for seeing others succeed, and his future plans to support those with mobility issues due to a neurological disease.

September 29, 2022

Dan and Jennifer Digmann, a couple takes on MS

Michigan couple Dan and Jennifer Digmann both have MS. Life with Dan’s RRMS and Jen’s SPMS can be tough, but so are the Digmanns. Listen in as they speak candidly with Jenn about marriage, navigating and overcoming obstacles, and how advocating for award-winning legislative change fueled a desire to help others do the same.

Check out their blog and podcast, ACoupleTakesOnMS.com.

August 25, 2022

Psychiatrist Amy Sullivan, Behavioral Medicine and MS Expert

Amy Sullivan works at the Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for MS, where her research is focused on multiple sclerosis, depression, mood disorders, and psychotherapy. She is passionate about identifying the prevalence of mood disorders in people with MS and finding ways to improve their quality of life.

Listen in as they discuss the prevalence of depression and anxiety in those with MS, how to eradicate the stigma around mental health, and the methodology behind the Cleveland Clinic’s multiple sclerosis mental health program.

July 28, 2022

Kathy Reagan Young, Patient Advocate

Kathy Reagan Young is the founder of website and podcast FUMS. She is also the founder of Patients Getting Paid, a membership community that helps people with chronic illnesses find employment that accommodates their health.

Join them as they discuss finding purpose outside of MS, the importance of helping others, and how one patient’s voice started a movement.

June 23, 2022

Dr. Annie Brewster, Author With MS

Annie Brewster is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, a practicing physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and the founder and executive director of Health Story Collaborative. She is also a person with multiple sclerosis.

Listen as they discuss how being a patient shifted Dr. Brewster’s perception of medical care, and what inspired her to share her own personal story in her book, “The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma and Loss.”

May 26, 2022

Dr. Gretchen Hawley, Physical Therapist and Multiple Sclerosis Specialist

As a Physical Therapist & Multiple Sclerosis Specialist, Dr.Gretchen Hawley FT, DFT, MSCS is passionate about helping people with multiple sclerosis gain strength, mobility, and independence.

Listen in as Jenn and Dr. Hawley discuss the online MS wellness program, The MSing Link, what inspired Dr. Hawley to specialize in MS, and the creative ways you can seek wellness.

April 28, 2022

Neurologist Dr. Brandon Beaber

Dr. Brandon Beaber is a board-certified neurologist with subspecialty training in MS and other immunological diseases of the nervous system. Dr. Beaber is also the author of Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, where he shares examples of people who have made great strides and life pivots despite their degenerative conditions.

Listen as they discuss why MS is affected by what you eat and how well you sleep and how the resilience in Dr. Beaber’s patients inspired him to write a book.

Mar 31, 2022

Tim Coetzee, from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Tim Coetzee is the Chief Advocacy, Services and Science Officer at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tim leads all efforts focused on state and federal advocacy, marketing and communications, services and connection programs. He leads staff for the International Progressive MS Alliance – a global collaboration of MS Societies, scientists, the pharmaceutical industry and people with progressive MS.

Join Jenn and Tim as they discuss why advocacy matters and the multiple ways the NMSS works positively for the MS community.

Feb 24, 2022

Stuart Schlossman, President of MS Views and News

Stuart Schlossman is an MS patient as well as president and founder of MS Views and News. MS Views and News (MSVN) is a Grassroots, Non-Profit 501C3, Nationally-based MS Patient Advocacy organization which provides educational programs, advocacy and resources to empower and enhance the quality of life, for the MS community. Join Jenn and Stuart as they discuss Stuart’s difficult journey toward a correct diagnosis and treatment plan, the evolution and success of MS Views and News, and what motivates Stuart to keep advocating for all in the greater MS community.

January 27, 2022

MS Influencer, Tyler Campbell

In 2007, Tyler Campbell, son of Hall of Fame legend Earl Campbell, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while playing football at San Diego State University but continued to play while keeping his diagnosis a secret. Unfortunately, shortly after his NFL Pro Day at San Diego, Tyler experienced a major setback that landed him in the hospital and in a wheelchair, unable to walk. After this episode, Tyler’s neurologist permanently sidelined his dreams of playing in the NFL.

However, Tyler believed that when one door closes, another opens. And it did. Join Jenn and Tyler as they discuss Tyler’s early symptoms and diagnosis, how he adjusted to being a champion off the field, and how he continues to touch, move, and inspire through sharing the realities of life with MS.

December 30, 2021

Cyndi Zagieboylo from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Since 1985 Cyndi Zagieboylo has dedicated her life’s work to achieving National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s vision of a world free of MS. While serving on the Society’s National Board of Directors as CEO and president, Cyndi serves on the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation CEO Advisory Group and Board of Trustees. A founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance launched in 2013, Cyndi provides leadership as chair of the executive committee. The Alliance exists to expedite the development of therapies for progressive forms of MS by connecting global resources and experts.

Join the discussion as Jenn and Cyndi talk about the MS Society’s many initiatives, resources, and programs. Cyndi has dedicated her life’s work to achieving the National MS Society’s mission of curing MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.