Podcasts about i am als

How can we address and recover from crisis? We must first learn to spot it well before it gets out of hand, then have the right resources to recover.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Recognizing that crisis can happen at any time and preparing for it is a sign of sophisticated leadership. In this episode you will learn:- The most common types of crises to land on the doorsteps of leaders -- and how to spot and mitigate them, - The role effective leaders play in connecting employees, clients, and stakeholders in a crisis, - The vital importance of creating a crisis readiness program that permeates the entire corporate culture. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Stephanie Craig has built her reputation as a crisis expert by guiding some of the world's most prominent people and organizations through their most trying moments. Combining her deep experience in politics, media and business, she mitigates crises, repairs reputations and inoculates against future reputation damage. In her career, Stephanie has guided media organizations, Fortune 50 tech companies and members of the House and Senate in the United States and Canada through some of their most trying days. She sharpened her crisis skills on several campaigns including three presidentials. She is a battleground specialist and likely the only person to have worked in both houses on Capitol Hill and Parliament Hill. Stephanie has counted former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the mayor of the nation's 10th largest city and some of the most notable global brands as clients. When not handling crises, Stephanie supports causes she cares about by helping to establish the groundbreaking group — I Am ALS and chairing the Force to End Harassment in Advocacy as an effort during the #Metoo movement.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/craigstephanie/https://kith.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/craigstephanie/https://kith.co#CrisisManagement #TheHardSkills #Leadership

Welcome to "I'm Dying to Tell You," where we shine a light on resilience and hope.  In this special episode, we're celebrating six years of I AM ALS, an organization created for patients, by patients.Why is this so important? Because for far too long, those most impacted by ALS weren't leading the charge in our collective mission for a cure. But I AM ALS changed the game. By putting patients at the forefront, they are not only better equipped to serve the ALS community, but we're operating on the ALS clock—pushing for accelerated progress every single day.Today, I'm thrilled to chat with four incredible volunteers, Tim Abeska, Randy Gregory Jr., Cristy Hardin & Deb Winters about how I AM ALS continues to be driven by patient voices, advocating, empowering, and fighting to make ALS a thing of the past. We'll dive into the work of the I AM ALS Community Teams, their ongoing efforts, and how YOU can get involved in this powerful movement.So, listen in and be inspired to join these teams of patients, caregivers, and advocates who prove that the impossible is possible—every single day.  Thank you for sharing this celebration.  Hugs, LorriFollow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

In this conversation, Aaron Lazar shares how he discovered a new life purpose after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, ALS.  Aaron has been in the spotlight for over two decades in his successful career as a singer, actor and now speaker and advocate.  Aaron took a couple years before going public with his ALS in order to discover how he would shape and control his future.  As a result, Aaron is currently rebuilding his life to achieve his new impossible dream which is healing in face of unspeakable adversity.  Here, Aaron talks about his perspective on the importance of a positive mindset and living in the present moment.  His beautiful message will inspire anyone seeking a more successful, purposeful and resilient life.  Aaron has found creative and entertaining ways to put his message out.  The most recent being a star studded album titled "The Impossible Dream" which was created to raise awareness and help end ALS.   'The Impossible Dream" is available now and includes artists such including Tony and Emmy winning film star Neil Patrick Harris, multi platinum, singer, songwriter, and Tony nominee Josh Groban, Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony and Emmy winner Kristen Chenoweth, Tony winner Kelli Ohara and Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner and Academy award nominee, Leslie Odom, Jr. and many more.  I'm so incredibly grateful to Aaron for opening up about his personal journey with ALS.  He inspires me in my own ALS journey.  Thanks for listening, Hugs, LorriI am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

In this episode, I sit down with ALS advocate Bob Scannell, whose personal journey through his wife's battle with ALS has fueled his mission to raise awareness about the disease. After enduring a series of misdiagnoses before finally receiving an ALS diagnosis, Bob is now at the forefront of a campaign to educate both the healthcare industry and the public on the critical importance of early and accurate ALS diagnosis. Join us as Bob shares his powerful story and discusses the urgent need for improved ALS awareness and diagnostic practices. Thank you for listening in. Hugs, LorriRequest an I AM ALS panel: https://www.iamals.org/action/request-a-panel/Email Bob Scannell: alspromptdx@gmail.comI am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

In this compelling podcast episode, I delve into an inspiring conversation with Sam Telgkamp, a resilient 27-year-old battling ALS. Despite her inability to speak due to the progressive nature of the disease, we explore her journey and outlook on life with grace and gratitude at the forefront. Sam's unwavering positivity and resilience shine through as she discusses the challenges of living with a terminal illness, navigating her speech device solely with her eyes. Her perspective offers a poignant reminder of the power of perspective and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.  Sam shares her heart & experiences through her blog which can be read here:https://stayingloudly.wordpress.com/. Thank you for listening & sharing with a friend. Hugs, Lorri I am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

For the month of May, which is ALS Awareness Month, I'm dedicating all of the Friendly Podcast Guide episodes to helping raise awareness of ALS and the amazing people in this community such as the I AM ALS organization.  Almost a year ago, my brother passed away from complications with ALS.  Before Ryan was diagnosed, I had a vague knowledge of what ALS is, but that was it. I didn't know that there is no cure and no treatments that are able to prolong the life of someone with ALS.   Now, I am intimately aware of this disease and I want to be part of the movement that is helping the ALS community thrive and eventually find a cure. I AM ALS is an organization on the forefront of that mission. Links from this Episode: I AM ALS Donation Page View the rest of the show notes on the Friendly Podcast Guide Website

Kith's President, Stephanie Craig, has built her reputation as a crisis expert by guiding some of the world's most prominent people and organizations through their most trying moments. Combining her deep experience in politics, media and business, she mitigates crisis, repairs reputations and inoculates against future crises. Prior to joining Kith, Stephanie was the founder and CEO of the Apeiron Strategy Group where she counted former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and the mayor of the nation's 10th largest city as clients.  When not handling crisis, Stephanie used her company to support causes she cares about by helping to establish the groundbreaking group — I Am ALS and chairing the Force to End Harassment in Advocacy as an effort during the #Metoo movement. In her career, Stephanie has guided media organizations, Fortune 50 tech companies and members of the House and Senate in the United States and Canada through some of their most trying days. She sharpened her crisis skills on several campaigns including three presidentials. She is a battleground specialist and likely the only person to have worked in both houses on Capitol Hill and Parliament Hill. Having known Kith's founder, Bill Coletti, since their time at Public Strategies, Stephanie jumped at the chance to work together again because of their shared belief that there is a better way to be a crisis consultant — the Kith way. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTSHolds distinction as one of the only people to ever work in the U.S. House and Senate, and the Canadian House and Senate.Led efforts for Fortune 50 CEO's campaign to raise over $5 million to support his chairmanship of a corporate giving campaign.Ran the global stakeholder network for a multinational technology company preserving billions of dollars.Developed and executed the 2020 political strategy for a former First Lady.Partnered to create, launch and grow a leading women's organization.Created a marketing and communications department for a global media and insights company that enabled them to completely shift their image in the midst of a complete change to their business-model, which has helped the company go from losing money to posting a $27 million profit in 2020.Navigated the nation's largest and most comprehensive tech policy group through lawsuits, corporate espionage, CEO transition and merger.++++++++++++++++++++++++Stephanie CraigPresident, Kith202-329-7545linkedin.com/in/craigstephanie www.kith.coSupport the showThis episode is sponsored by John Guilfoil Public Relations. From crisis communications to website development; visit our website JGPR.net or call 617.993.0003

In this episode of  ""I'm Dying To Tell You,"" I meet up with the resilient Sara Bennett, from Columbus, Ohio.  At just 36 years old, Sara was confronted with a devastating diagnosis: ALS.  In a candid and deeply moving conversation, Sara opens up about her extraordinary journey, bravely navigating the intricate balance of life as a mother to two young sons, aged 5 and 7, while grappling with the harsh reality of a terminal illness. With unwavering courage, Sara shares her poignant insights, offering listeners a profound glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.  Sara shares how she told her young boys about her diagnosis and how she is navigating parenthood in this new season.  Sara also shares how she is working with a death doula to assist her with end-of-life.  This episode is a reminder of the indomitable strength found within us all.  Follow Sara:  https://www.instagram.com/theanandapivot/Thank you for listening in.  Hugs, LorriI am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

3.11.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Social Security Plans, Biden's $30M Ads, Black Women Worries, ALS Diagnosis, Mike Brown Scholarship The presidential candidates are not waiting for an actual debate to discuss their Social Security and Medicare plans. One wants to make drastic cuts, and the other wants to make improvements.  The Biden campaign launches a $30-million ad blitz. In our "Where's Our Money" segment, we'll discuss how much of those dollars should go to black-owned media companies.  Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge says she's retiring.  A recent poll conducted by HIT Strategies on behalf of Higher Heights for America reveals what issues concern black women the most ahead of the November elections. Glynda Carr, the President and CEO of Higher Heights, will be here to break down the numbers.  In our Filt Live Win segment, we are looking at the disparities in diagnosing black people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. We'll talk to the communications director of I AM ALS will explain why advocating for your health regarding this fatal disease is essential.  And it's nearly 10 years since Mike Brown was gunned down in the middle of a Ferguson, Missouri, street by a police officer. His mother will be here to share what she's doing to keep her son's memory alive.  Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV. The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most common misconceptions about ALS is that it only affects older white men. In reality, the disease can affect anyone of any age – and of any ethnicity. Many Shades of ALS, a team within the I AM ALS organization, is working hard to dispel some of these misconceptions. Their mission is to bring attention to people of color living with ALS and the unique challenges they often face – as well as providing resources for their mental, physical, and social well-being. Juan Reyes is a veteran living with ALS, an advocate, and co-chair of Many Shades of ALS team. Lakeia Nard is a member of the team who lost her son, King'nazir, to a rare form of pediatric ALS and also runs her own nonprofit, Melanin Children Matter. Today, on Endpoints, they join us to talk about how the team came together, its mission, and how the ALS research and medical communities could be better serving people of color with the disease.Support the show: https://www.als.net/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I chat with Juliet Taylor & Tim Abeska who each lost spouse to ALS. They met in a virtual support group for widow & widowers.   Realizing they lived in the same area and had common interests, they met for coffee and their relationship grew from there.  Today they encourage each other to love & honor their late spouse, enjoy life and be active ALS advocates to help end ALS.   Here, Juliet & Tim share about their late spouses, Jeff Sarnacki & Mary Ann Abeska.  We talk about how they are supporting each other's grief journey and what advice they have for others who are experiencing loss.  It's incredible that both Juliet & Tim have jumped back in to the ALS community as key advocates.  Together, they are the co-chairs of the I AM ALS Community Outreach Team, which helps bring others into our fight for a cure.  Juliet writes a beautiful column for ALS News Today. Listen in to this hopeful chat and share with a friend.  Thanks for listening.  Hugs, Lorri I am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

Here you'll meet Tony and Karen Vick.  Tony, a brave U.S. Veteran, has been living with ALS for the past 6 years.  Karen, his dedicated wife, serves as his full-time caregiver, showcasing the strength of their bond.  Despite facing the challenges of ALS, Tony and Karen lead a fulfilling life and share their journey on Karen's Instagram account, https://www.instagram.com/thekaregiver/.  After realizing how many young caregivers are out there, they decided to share more on the day-to-day realities, triumphs, and tribulations of living with ALS.  They hope to help other caregivers and individuals grappling with illnesses like ALS.  Tune in to discover how they extend their reach and provide support through their engaging weekly LIVE sessions on Instagram @thekaregiver, where they update their journey, answer questions, and offer encouragement.  Both Tony & Karen are returning guests on this podcast.  We get an update on how Tony is doing and his thoughts on his positive perspective.  Tony also shares advice for other veterans living with ALS.  Listen in as I delve into the inspiring story of Tony and Karen Vick, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, love, resilience, and community can thrive.  Thank you for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriI am so incredibly grateful that you are here. It means the world to me! Thank you. Follow and see what's coming next: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn.

We have a special treat for you today! Erin interviewed Renee Hetzler, PT, DPT, NCS and Bernadette Cummings, OTR/L, ATP who both specialize in working with people with ALS to have a conversation about caring for individuals with ALS. There are do's and don'ts when working with this population and we wanted to bring it to you! If you're someone who doesn't see this population very often and you want to know what to focus on, the timeline of events you should be tuned into and how to prioritize your plan of care, this is the episode for you!   Some of the topics discussed include: The types of ALS, initial symptoms, warnings signs and timeline Outcome measures and assessments to consider How to be prepared based on the timeline How to have conversations with the patients and their families Favorite equipment recommendations from PT and OT Exercise recommendations Resources for individuals with ALS and their families  ALS Association: https://www.als.org/ Team Gleason: https://teamgleason.org/ Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/  I AM ALS: https://iamals.org/ Compassionate Care ALS: https://ccals.org/ https://shower-buddy.com/ https://razdesigninc.com/ https://www.fawssit.com/ https://www.etac.com/en-us/us/products/patient-handling/slings/molift-rgosling-toilet-highback/ https://www.performancehealth.com/air-soft-resting-hand-splint https://www.performancehealth.com/rolyan-adjustable-wire-frame-cervical-collar#sin=35206 https://www.amazon.com/DRIVE-Rollator-Walker-Removable-Storage/dp/B07TCTBLD9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 https://kineticresearch.com/product/the-noodle-classic-afo/ https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Lightweight-Transport-Wheelchair-Handbrakes/dp/B007WA1ZG4 And no need to take notes, we've got an info sheet with everything that was covered for you to download HERE

Andrea Goodman, the CEO of I AM ALS, joins Charity Talks.  I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra after he was diagnosed with ALS in 2017.  ALS is a terminal neurodegenerative disease that robs people of their ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe, usually in less than five years.  Brian and Sandra founded I AM ALS to find a way to empower people who are living with ALS to be a part of finding the solution for their disease.  As Andrea and Brooke discuss, I AM ALS is a patient-led community that provides critical support and resources to those living with ALS, caregivers and their loved ones.  It also empowers advocates to raise mainstream awareness and lead the revolution against ALS in driving the development of cures.  I AM ALS is infusing hope in so many who are suffering from this disease.  (0:30).   Website:  https://iamals.org/

Here I chat with military veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, Kate Peters.  She served in the USMC 2007-2015, USN 2015-2020 and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.   Kate is a mother of two boys, three and five and was medically retired from the military after being diagnosed with ALS, a fatal disease that has no cure.    She was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 a few weeks after her second son was born, after about 2 and 1/2 years of symptoms and a misdiagnosis.   I talk to Kate about her military experience, the connection between ALS & the military and her upcoming BIG adventure of traveling the world for a year with her young family.  Kate is considered a slow progresser with ALS, having symptoms for almost 6 years and still being fully independent and able to take care of her children.   She's been able to witness some blessings after being given a terminal diagnosis and shares some beautiful life advice that will encourage us all.   Thank you for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram  

This episode is just me answering YOUR questions.  I had a lot of requests for this format again, so I asked listeners to send in questions about anything and I answered them here.  I'm so grateful for all the questions that came in, about life, perspective, my ALS longevity, family and advice.  I love that my listeners feel comfortable asking me anything.  This was a super special experience.  I hope you enjoy and share with a friend.Connect: https://www.instagram.com/imdyingtotellyoupodcast/?hl=en and https://twitter.com/LorrisPodcast

Here I continue my talk with Amy, Jim and Matt who are living with ALS about having the toughest conversations of their lives.  When you're living with a terminal illness that doesn't have a cure and typically gives you just a few years to live, like ALS, the most difficult conversations come up quick.  In this Part 2 episode, I continue chatting with  Amy Stiens, Jim Plews-Ogan and Matt Klingenberg.  I am grateful for their willingness to chat about how they were told they had a terminal illness with no cure, how they told their children and friends and even the toughest conversations yet.  Amy, Jim & Matt share their advice on how to go about having "tough talks" like these as well.  Thanks for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri  

When you're living with a terminal illness that doesn't have a cure and typically gives you just a few years to live, like ALS, the most difficult conversations come up quick. In this episode, I bring together 3 others who are living with ALS to talk about their experiences with these tough conversations.  Here, I'm talking to Amy Stiens, Jim Plews-Ogan and Matt Klingenberg.  I am grateful for their willingness to chat about how they were told they had a terminal illness with no cure, how they told their children and friends and even the toughest conversations yet.  Amy, Jim & Matt share their advice on how to go about having "tough talks" like these as well.  Thanks for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri  Stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imdyingtotellyoupodcast/?hl=en  

During this year's alumni reunion Partio, we caught up with some alums right on campus. One of those alumni was Daniel Barvin ‘18.Daniel has held many different roles, in both financial advising and oil and gas sectors, and eventually earned an MBA from Rice Business in 2018. But in December of that same year that he tested positive for the C9orf72 gene expansion, which means may develop ALS later in life. Daniel's father, aunt, and uncle all have ALS. In 2020, he began volunteering at I AM ALS, and also joined Coya Therapeutics, a clinical-stage cell therapy platform company developing first-in-class therapeutics for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, where he is currently VP of operations and patient advocacy.In this episode recorded in the Rice Alliance space in McNair Hall, Daniel chats with host Maya Pomroy '22 about his journey, his passion for ALS research, and building community and support online with others affected by this disease.Owl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Changing the future of what it means to have ALS through Coya27:20 - We are in this age where we all know someone who's dealt with a neurodegenerative disease… [27:32] And Coya is looking to change what that experience is, change what it means to be diagnosed with these diseases, and show that through Houston's effort, through Rice's effort, through all of our efforts, we can change the future of what it means to have this disease and have it not be a death sentence.How I AM ALS helped launch the movement18:01 - I AM ALS has the beauty of being patient-led, letting anyone who comes say, "We'll let you start a team. We'll provide resources in terms of team management." And that was just the perfect place for us to start this ferocious movement.Empowering ALS patients with his story11:34 - The silver lining was after we came back from vacation, I was asked to do a talk for a high school, helping explain my story after an ALS documentary was shown. And I went and spoke at Carnegie Vanguard High School in front of the entire student body—800 students—and told them the story of my life. And the connection was palpable. And I said, "This is it. This is what I need to be doing."On being intentional about relationships16:33 - What I said when I was doing the advocacy part, I said I'm going to make less ALS patients. I'm going to make better ALS patients because I think that if I eventually get this disease, The fact that I'm able to plan, prepare, connect, comprehend, you know, this entire life of advocacy, and then I eventually get it, my mindset will most likely be far different than someone who just has to live with it.Show Links:  Coya Therapeutics End The Legacy I AM ALS Transcript Guest Profile:LinkedIn

Emma Terry is an accounting and finance student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the current Miss UAB where she uses her influence associated with this title to be an advocate for ALS. Her community service initiative is called Stomping Out ALS One Step at a Time. She created this platform in 2017 and her efforts and passion have continued to grow. Her social media presence has reached international audiences. She is the Chair of the upcoming Central Alabama Walk to Defeat ALS and also works to defeat ALS by being a member of the Legislative Affairs Team through I AM ALS. Topics covered in this episode: ALS Causes and Management of ALS Diagnostic Process Having Patience Finding Joy Advancing Care of Patients The Cost of Care Big Pharma Finding Resources Evolution of Body Image Overcoming Eating Disorders Beauty Standards Miss America Referenced in the episode: The Lindsey Elmore Show Ep 124 | Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America | Gerald Posner To learn more about Emma Terry and her work, head over to https://stompingoutalsonestepatatime.com/ __________________________________________________________ Somavedic is a device that can reliably mitigate unwanted influences of: EMF radiation (4G/5G, WiFi, phones) Geopathic stress, water crosses Curry and Hartmann lines Oxidative stress / Free radicals Head over to www.somavedic.com and use the code: LKE to save 10% off. __________________________________________________________ Wellness Made Simple is my functional medicine education website where you can learn the practical skills that you need to build a healthy lifestyle. If you want to live healthy, but you're over temporary diets and exercises, you don't know where to find reliable health information, you don't know what wellness options are even out there, and you definitely don't have enough time to cook or go to the gym every single day. Wellness Made Simple is for you. Get access to the site, watch the courses, and feel better as you implement simple daily changes that can positively transform your health. When you go to http://www.wellnessmadesimple.us and shop the code "Pod", you can save 20% off a monthly subscription or $100 off an annual subscription. Head over to http://www.wellnessmadesimple.us to start learning more about what functional medicine is and how you can implement simple daily changes that will lead you towards a path to health! __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.lindseyelmore.com/podcast.

This week Dr. Daniel Correa sits down with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) advocates and I AM ALS co-founders, Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya. Brian—who was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 at 37 years old—and his wife and care partner Sandra share their family's experience with ALS and how they have utilized their skills from working on legislation and political campaigns to become effective advocates and raise awareness about this neurodegenerative disease. Next, Dr. Correa speaks with Dr. Jinsy Andrews, neurologist and associate professor of neurology in the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine and director of Neuromuscular Clinical Trials at Columbia University. Dr. Andrews discusses the advances in treatment for ALS, the evolution of clinical trials in recent years, and how these trials benefit research for other neurodegenerative conditions.   Learn more about Brian and Sandra's advocacy work and find out how you can watch their documentary No Ordinary Campaign by visiting www.NoOrdinaryCampaign.com. Additional Resources Learn more about ALS Brain & Life Books series: Navigating Life with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Read more about ALS on Brandandlife.org: at Musician John Driskell Hopkins Turned an ALS Diagnosis into a Mission to Help Others Listen to the Brain & Life Podcast: Hop on a Cure for ALS with John Driskell Hopkins https://www.synapticure.com/ https://iamals.org/ 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:   Guest(s): Brian Wallach @bsw5020 (Twitter); Sandra Abrevaya @sabrevaya (Twitter); Synapticure @synapticure (Twitter); I AM ALS @iamalsorg (Twitter)

In this special Q&A episode, 3 young adults answer questions you sent in about ALS and living with a terminal illness.  May is ALS Awareness month.  So in the spirit of increasing awareness of ALS, a terminal illness with no cure, I chatted with 3 others living with ALS.  We answer the questions sent in by listeners of this podcast about what it's like being a young adult and living with a terminal illness.  My guests, Ashley Rivera and Mira Hudson were diagnosed at 24 and James Smith was diagnosed at 36.  They dig deep and open their hearts to answer your questions like, "Can you share about the moment you were diagnosed with ALS?"  "How do you find the strength day in and out to persevere and overcome fears, pain, negative emotions, etc.? "  "What's important now that wasn't before your diagnosis?"  "What makes you feel inspired or like your best self now?"  and "How are you dealing with the mental side of living with ALS."  Those are a few examples of questions they answer and generate a full conversation around.  Please consider sharing this episode to share their courageous spirits and to tell others about ALS.  Thank you. Hugs, Lorri  

Here I talk to 34 year old TikToker, Brooke Eby who is using humor and social media to navigate life after being diagnosed with a fatal disease.  Brooke was diagnosed with the terminal illness, ALS, at a young 33.   With the support of her family, friends, and co-workers, Brooke's been able to laugh in the face of ALS by using humor on social media..  Brooke created a TikTok account @LimpBroozkit to help explain what she  was going through without making it a heavy conversation.  Not only is creating TikTok videos about ALS a case of "laughter is the best medicine" right now, but Brooke is also educating others and creating new ALS awareness.   With millions of views, Brooke's ultimate goal is that her humor continues to boost others through any hard times.  Brooke said that after getting a terminal diagnosis, she felt a mix of shock and sadness and was depressed during the first couple of months.   Right now, Brooke's TikTok videos are helping her cope.   She hopes her videos can help start conversations to drive awareness, support and ultimately cures for ALS.  Check out Brooke's TikTok channel @LimpBroozkit .  Thank you for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

Here I talk to someone who has  ALS for over 25 years.  I reconnect with a former colleague from Kraft Nabisco, John Carthum.  It was a few decades ago when I heard John left the company for medical reasons.  I never knew what hand he was dealt that made him have to leave his career at such a young age until I was diagnosed with ALS in 2004.  That's when I learned that it was also ALS that John was diagnosed with in 1995.  Now he is outliving the typical 2 to 5 year death sentence that comes with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.  It's incredible that John has been living with ALS for 27 years now. I am so grateful that John decided to take me up on my invitation to chat for this episode.  I knew his precious insights would be a blessing to many.  Listen in and hear John share what it has been like living with a terminal illness with no cure for such a long time, how he and his wife decided to have children after his diagnosis and what keeps him living life to the fullest while struggling every single day.  Thanks for listening in and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriStay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imdyingtotellyoupodcast/?hl=enFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ImDyingToTellYouPodcast/ Connect more: http://www.ImDyingToTellYouPodcast.com

Here I chat with award-winning director/producer, Jared Callahan.  He shares the inspiration behind the film, SOMETIMES I SHAKE.  The documentary film follows PLNU music professor and jazz conductor Dan Nelson as he navigates his life and profession around an ever-increasing shake caused by his Parkinson's disease.  Then suddenly, Dan is devastated by the additional, and terminal, diagnosis of ALS. The film is an inspirational tale full of vigor, humor, and raw honesty, that follows Dan's wild pilgrimage toward death, and along the way, discovering how to fully live. The film takes us through Dan's final days as he decides if he will marry the woman he loves, when to end his career in music, and how to invest the remaining months of his life.  Dan has since passed away, but hopefully you will listen in and be moved to experience his spirit by viewing the film, SOMETIMES I SHAKE.  Jared Callahan also founded and runs People People Media, an Emmy-nominated production company and has had projects premiere at the best film festivals in the world.  Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend.

In this episode, it's just ME talking about LOVE :)Here I mix it up a little and talk about what's on my heart.  This releases on Valentines Day, so talking about LOVE ... specifically 4 Easy Ways To Spread More Love.  I talk about the first few things that came to mind, Listen, Words, Time and Action.  I thought to myself, these seem so simple but realized I always need reminders, so why not share?  We all have the power to show others they are loved and not alone. There are no limits on love with those who are close or even strangers.  Listen in, open your mind & heart and reach out to someone with these in mind.  Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs and Love, Lorri

You may say they are dreamers! Priyanka discusses how her fantasy of safely eating a walnut came true in her dreams. Sean wonders why his heart races while he sleeps. Everybody loves Phil Rosenthal! He joins the podcast this week to discuss his Netflix show, Somebody Feed Phil, and the incredible work of I Am ALS.

Here I chat with Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra Abrevaya, co-founders of  I AM ALS and Synapticure.  At 37, Brian was diagnosed with ALS—on the same day he and he and Sandra brought their second daughter home from the hospital.  In an instant, everything changed.  They went from being a couple only a few years removed from both working at the White House to not knowing if Brian would live to see his 40th birthday.  An otherwise healthy former college athlete, Brian expected to find a system built to help him and Sandra deal with this new reality.  Instead, they found a broken and failed system in which doctors told patients to “get their affairs in order and get ready to die.”   In this episode,  we talk about what happened next which was to do what they do best, put hope into action.  In 2019 they founded and built a patient-led revolution called I AM ALS, which is now  a community of over 50,000.  Next they completed a documentary film, No Ordinary Campaign.  The film follows them in real time as they fight for their own future while seeking to build a brighter one for thousands of others.   Recently they started, Synapticure,  a  telemedicine health care company for people living with ALS.  We catch up on all that and talk about how they do all this while living with a terminal illness and raising two daughters 5 and 7.  Today, there is no cure for ALS.   There are no treatments available to save lives.  As Brian puts it, you have two choices in a situation like this: curl up into a ball or act.  Listen in and hear how Brian and Sandra chose to act.  Thanks for sharing with a friend and leaving a review to help others join our fight to end ALS.  Hugs, Lorri

Here I talk to Kylan Morris, 25, who recently lost her mother to ALS about how she's already following her mama's marching orders to help those battling ALS.  "Please take my baton & run faster & farther."  That was Sandy Morris's last twitter message to her fellow advocates fighting for ALS cures with her.  Sandy Morris passed away on August 28, 2022 at age 56 from ALS.  I chat with Kylan as she shares what it was like losing her mom at such a young age.  Just a few months after losing her mama, Kylan was eager to share what she learned from her mom, her choice of dying with dignity, the final days together and the work that Kylan is doing to continue making a difference with those living with ALS.  Kylan describes how her mama helped move mountains in the ALS community, vowing to leave the disease space better than she was forced into it so that future ALS families could benefit.  Sandy was a fierce ALS advocate who was highly respected and admired for her many contributions.   Even in her final days, Sandy started a new ALS Clinic Survey project with Pat Dolan and his Geospatial Hub team.  Kylan talks about how she jumped in to take her mom's baton and complete this project.   The ALS Clinic Survey is now available and provides a summary of the type and quality of care at each ALS clinic in the U.S. based on personal experiences of persons living with ALS.  I loved hearing about how Kylan is honoring her mama, Sandy.  As a mom, I was overwhelmed witnessing the positive impact that Sandy has had on her young daughter.  It's really made me pause.  This is a beautiful conversation.  Excited for you to hear it and share with another mama.  Hugs, Lorri

In this episode I chat with those who created Luka, the first robot to have ALS and hear the inspiration behind it all.   I chat with the team that is bringing the  first robot with ALS to the big screen.  The film, Luka & the Lights, is inspired by the real-life of Sascha Groen and her husband Anjo Snijders who is battling ALS.   Sascha created the robot character Luka and wrote and illustrated his story to help explain to their children what's happening with their dad who was diagnosed with ALS.  Also in our chat is Toby Cochran, Director and Adrian Ochoa, Producer who are leading a professional animation team to bring this film to life.   This film is both heartbreaking and inspiring  and will create ALS awareness and help children and adults understand what ALS is.   Sascha and Anjo wrote the story explaining the ALS disease with the help of the robot lights.   I love how the significance of the lights helps illustrate what ALS does.  This one of a kind short animation film will be made available for free on various media.  In this film we get to know the little robot Luka. We see how everyday tasks get harder and how they find out Luka is ill and what this means  for Luka's life and environment. The film does not use words, but music, which makes it internationally applicable. I know this film will help so many families affected by this terminal disease.  Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri

Here I am on location in Boston to bring you a behind the scenes look and my  weekend experience with the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) the world's foremost ALS drug discovery lab focused solely on ALS.  I was so grateful to tour the lab and attend the ALS TDI Summit which was a day of updates on the progress of ALS Research.  I wrapped up the weekend by attending their White Coat Affair gala which is a powerful evening that brings together and honors those living with ALS and remembers those whom we've lost.I catch up with 5 inspirational guests as we chat about the love, passion and hope behind the lab doors of this ALS research lab.  My conversations start directly in the lab as I talk to three scientists, Valerie Tassinari, Associate Scientist III, Anna, Gill, Associate Scientist III, Program Manager and Kyle Denton, Ph.D., Director, Cell Biology to find out what it means to work every day to discover treatments for those living with ALS.Then I talk to Kevin and Tessa Geraghty, who are living with ALS and also attending the ALS TDI weekend events and ask them what it means to visit the lab and meet others fighting the same terminal illness.Finally I chat with Carol Hamilton, Vice President of Development about unique ways to support their ALS research.  I loved witnessing the special bond between those who work in the lab and those who they are trying to save.  From all of us living with ALS, thank you for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri

Meet the Guests:Since her diagnosis with ALS at age 32, Gwen Petersen has poured her energy into advancing the science of her disease. Gwen is not the stereotypical ALS face; thus, she does a lot of media work to dispel the myth that ALS is an older white man's disease. Prior to her diagnosis, Gwen worked as a Recruiter for one of the top ten medical centers in the country. Leah Stavenhagen is a globetrotter who began a career in management consulting in Paris at 26. At the same time, she learned that she had ALS. Almost five years after the onset of symptoms, she focuses her energy on advocacy work, having launched Her ALS Story in 2021 to create a network for young females with ALS.  Alexandra Cavaliere spent her 20's establishing her career as an attorney working in corporate law. When at the age of 28 she was diagnosed with ALS, she began shifting her focus to family, friends, and advocacy. She now devotes her time to and her work with the women of Her ALS Story. Key Insights:This episode features three women who are diagnosed with ALS. The conversation is powerful, heartfelt, and inspiring. They share the stories behind their diagnosis, advocacy work, and vision for the future of ALS. No One-Size-Fits-All Solution. ALS is a heterogeneous disease, and so is the experience of the symptoms, progression, and effective therapies for patients. These women share their unique stories in their advocacy to emphasize the dynamic approach law makers and healthcare need to take regarding ALS treatment. Her ALS Story. These women have a group where they can provide support, openly ask for advice, and motivate themselves and each other. All three women share that their advocacy work and the support group gives them purpose. Hope-focused. Sometimes framing around terminal diseases can be depressing, but these leaders want their message to be centered around hope. Hope helps patients find their voice and purpose. And there is reason to be hopeful, including the FDA's recent approval of a third ALS drug.  This episode is hosted by Sandra Abrevaya. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and the co-founder and CEO of synaptic care as well as the o-founder of I AM ALS.  Relevant Links:Learn more about I AM ALSWatch the I AM ALS episode with Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach on The Gary Bisbee Show

In this episode, I talk to Emma Terry who is a an ALS caregiver and a participant in the Miss America organization with her platform being ALS.    I catch up with this college student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who is an ALS advocate, caregiver and granddaughter of ALS warrior, Stewart Simpson.   Emma recently turned 20 and her grandfather "Grandy" was diagnosed with ALS right before she was born.  Emma has a special relationship with her Grandy as all she's known is a lifetime of ALS with him.  Even as a full-time college student, she continues to be a caregiver for her Grandy.  He is 84 years old and his ALS has escalated to the point where he is confined to a hospital bed in his living room.  Although her Grandy cannot speak, he still has the ability to write.  So I'm so grateful that he was able to be a part of this chat as well.  You'll hear what advice he has after living with a terminal illness for 20 years.  Emma is also a participant in the Miss America organization and recently was Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen.   Emma's platform is "Stomping Out ALS One Step at a Time" through which she raises awareness and funds to support the ALS fight.   She is also a member of I AM ALS Legislative Affairs Community Affairs team.   I love witnessing what life lessons Emma has learned through this incredibly difficult journey and the great love her and her Grandy have for each other.    Listen in and enjoy.  Hugs, Lorri

Hear my conversation with Lori Larson Heller as we talk about love, loss and moving forward instead of moving on.   Lori is a writer, speaker, fierce ALS advocate, and a widow.   She was in a season where life was going better than she could of planned.  Lori had a husband who was her best friend and soul mate, the absolute love of her life.  Then without warning, her plan changed.   On September 6, 2018 …  her husband Jim Heller was diagnosed with a terminal illness, ALS.  She left her successful commercial real estate investment career and became a full-time caregiver that day.   After losing her husband Jim to ALS, everything Lori was planning for her future vanished before her eyes, which is when she realized that we are not always in control.  Eventually Lori realized she had to make a choice.  Either stay stuck in a mindset of “why me”, or dig deep to see if she had the strength to shift her perspective for what the universe had in store.   We chat about "the old Lori" and "the new Lori."    She shares the superpower we all have: the ability to flip our script and view life through a different lens.   Lori shares that life doesn't happen to us, it happens for us.  You'll hear how she's found acceptance of adversities, and discovered blessings in all the tough stuff.   I love how faithful she is and encourages others that we're all here for a reason, and we have to find our purpose.  Be blessed, listen in and share with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri

Here I chat with ALS advocate and boa flouncer Katrina Byrd about her experience as a caregiver and what led her to write, "The Language of Forgiveness."  Katrina is a writer, playwright and ALS advocate, of Jackson, Mississippi.  She's an inspiration to many as she is a perfect example of courage, love, acceptance and forgiveness.  Katrina is legally blind and is no stranger to life obstacles of her own.  Yet, she cared for her partner, Dora Robertson who died from ALS just 76 days after being diagnosed with the disease.   Katrina also goes by "The Boa Flouncer" to help others going through a grief journey.  Fully aware of the devastating impacts of the journey of ALS, Katrina is honored to use her alter ego, "The Flouncer" which Dora helped to develop, to recognize others who advocate, educate and create ALS awareness.   She co-leads the Many Shades of ALS Community Team at I AM ALS which brings attention to and provides resources for the mental, physical and social health of people of color living with and impacted by ALS.   This time, we are flouncing our boat at you, Katrina.  Hugs, Lorri

This month is the 25th anniversary of the American classic book, "Tuesdays with Morrie."   Here I'm resharing my precious conversation with the author Mitch Albom.  We talk about love, faith, living and dying and the life lessons from his professor, Morrie Schwartz.  In this episode Mitch Albom shares the backstory of how he met his former professor Morrie Schwartz and how their relationship developed.  Mitch shared Morrie's life lessons in the best-selling memoir of all time, Tuesdays with Morrie.  Today, the book has sold 17 million copies in more than 50 editions around the world.  Mitch and I discuss some lessons that Morrie passed on during their weekly Tuesday visits.  Mitch also talks about his new novel, The Stranger In The Lifeboat.  Mitch Albom is a best-selling author, screenwriter, playwright, broadcaster and nationally syndicated columnist.   He has written seven number one New York Times bestsellers and his books have collectively sold more than 40 million copies.  Mitch has a generous heart as he has founded nine charities in his hometown of Detroit, and since 2010 he has operated the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage in Port-Au-Prince.  He lives with his wife Janine in Michigan.  Mitch is an inspiration to me for the beautiful books he writes and the love he pours out to others.  Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, Lorri

Listen in to my conversation with former Kansas City police officer, Sarah Nauser as we chat about  life and love while living with a terminal illness.  For eight years, Sarah earned high praise as a young, vibrant, rising star within the Kansas City Police Department.   She was living her dream until she was told she had ALS at the young age of 29.    Sarah, also a former body builder continues to be strong and determined.   In our conversation, we talked about life before ALS, her dream of being a police officer, her love for the Kansas City Royals, finding love after her diagnosis & even being a grandma at 33.  Sarah shares how she's able to live a joyful life despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Sarah has faced this devastating disease with a positive attitude and a resilience to focus on the good in her life.  "Your life can change in an instant like mine, don't wait.  Be kind you never know the lives you may touch or the difference you can make," Sarah.  I hope you'll tune in to our chat and share it with a friend.  Thanks for listening.  Hugs, Lorri

Meet Brian Wallach, J.D. and Sandra Abrevaya, J.D.:In 2017, Brian Wallach, J.D. learned that he was diagnosed with ALS. He and his wife Sandra Abrevaya, J.D. are dedicating their remaining time together to help ALS patients everywhere. They founded I AM ALS, a non-profit organization that successfully advocated for millions in research through major legislation. Brian and Sandra also launched Synapticure, a care platform for ALS patients, with the backing of GV and other investors. They are on a mission to reshape our understanding and treatment of ALS.Key Insights:Brian and Sandra are truly inspirational, revealing how a family can go forward with a devastating diagnosis and what two people can accomplish in such a short amount of time.Founding I AM ALS. Sandra and Brian founded the non-profit I AM ALS to create policy change. Their advocacy facilitated the passage of Act for ALS, which allocates $100 million annually over five years for research and expands treatment options for patients. I AM ALS also provides a platform for patients and caregivers to get support and share their stories, and for volunteers to take “micro actions” that advocate for patients. (12:32)Founding Synapticure. Synapticure provides ALS patients a care coordinator that helps manage the administrative burden of coordinating between the patient's entire care team. It also facilitates access to cutting-edge and personalized testing and treatment; ALS is a heterogeneous disease with many sub-types that respond differently to targeted therapies. Sandra and Brian founded this company to create the continuity of care they wished they had during their treatment experience. (21:28)Power in the Purpose. Brian gets his energy from the knowledge that he and Sandra can change the course of ALS with their advocacy. He is driven partially by necessity, but also the belief that he can make a difference, and potentially save his life and 1000's of others. (31:00)This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Think MediumRelevant Links:Learn more about I AM ALS and how to take actionLearn more about SynapticureRead “I am Brian Wallach” Read “I am Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach”

One year after her first appearance on Sorry, I'm Sad, Sandra Abrevaya joins Kelsie to talk about her life over the last 12 months, their friendship and their husband's shared illnesses. Sandra cofounded I Am ALS and Synapticure with her husband, Brian, after he was diagnosed with ALS about five years ago. More than an interview, this is a conversation between two friends, two women, two mothers, two wives, trying to make sense of lives they never envisioned for themselves, trying to find a way to  find joy and luck and gratitude and hope in a world that sometimes feels dark and filled with sadness. This is about finding a way to still ask, in spite of the odds -- what if it all works out? Listen to Sandra's first Sorry, I'm Sad episode. Learn more about I Am ALS. Learn more about Synapticure.Support the show

Here I chat with Alison Burell and David Stanley, who each lost the love of their life way too early.  Alison's husband Cory Burell, passed away from ALS at the age of 35 after a valiant fight with familial ALS.   David's wife Angela Stanley, died from ALS at a young  50 years old.   Through the ALS community, Alison and David met after they each lost their person.   Without even searching for love, their friendship grew and love found them.   Now they are building a new life together and sharing their journey through their new podcast,  "I Lost My Person."   Through the podcast, they chat about widowhood, juggling family responsibilities, a long distance relationship and how they are chasing  joy.   Their primary theme in their episodes illustrate how it's possible to find love after loss and keep the person you've lost in your life as well.   It's heartwarming to see how love is working through these two.  I hope you'll listen in and share with a friend.   Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

In this episode, I chat with three amazing women who are all involved with Hope Loves Company, a non-profit that provides support to children who have had or have a loved one battling ALS.  Hope Loves Company is the result of raising three children who had to learn about ALS (or Lou Gehrig's Disease) as young children.   Hope Loves Company's (HLC) founder, Jodi O'Donnell-Ames, lost her husband, Kevin, to ALS in 2001.   Their daughter, Alina, was almost three when Kevin was diagnosed.   Years after Jodi lost her husband to ALS,  Jodi married Warren Benton Ames and became the mother of his two children,  Nora and Adam who were then 11 and 8 years old.  They had lost their biological mother to ALS.  So after watching her daughter and her 2 step children experience life with ALS and the loss of a father and mother, Jodi realized the need to offer support to children of those living with ALS.  That was the inspiration to start this one of a kind community.  In this episode you'll hear about all that HLC offers to children like Camp HLC, Hugs of Hope care packages, two annual scholarships, a Young Ambassador program, virtual peer support groups, children's books and educational materials, teen retreats, the HLC Kids Count Conference, and more.   You'll even hear from a young adult who has benefitted from HLC.   I am in awe of these ladies and the love and support they pour into our children when they need it the most.  Thanks for listening and sharing.   Follow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

Meet Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya:In 2017, Brian Wallach learned that he was diagnosed with ALS. He and his wife Sandra Abrevaya are dedicating their remaining time together to help ALS patients everywhere. They founded I AM ALS, a non-profit organization that successfully advocated for millions in research through major legislation. Brian and Sandra also launched Synapticure, a care platform for ALS patients, with the backing of GV and other investors. They are on a mission to reshape our understanding and treatment of ALS.Key Insights:Brian and Sandra are truly inspirational, revealing how a family can go forward with a devastating diagnosis and what two people can accomplish in such a short amount of time.Founding I AM ALS. Sandra and Brian founded the non-profit I AM ALS to create policy change. Their advocacy facilitated the passage of Act for ALS, which allocates $100 million annually over five years for research and expands treatment options for patients. They also have reframed the narrative around ALS to focus on hope. (14:00)Creating Better Care for ALS Patients. Synapticure facilitates coordinated care and gives ALS patients access to cutting-edge and personalized testing and treatment. Sandra and Brian founded this company to create the continuity of care they wished they had in their treatment experience. (23:06)Power in the Purpose. Brian gets his energy from the knowledge that he and Sandra can change the course of ALS with their advocacy. He is driven partially by necessity, but also the belief that he can make a difference, and potentially save his life and 1000's of others. (32:38)Relevant Links: Learn more about I AM ALS and how to take actionLearn more about SynapticureRead “I am Brian Wallach”Read “I am Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach”

Listen in and hear how thousands of people have come together to better the lives of those living with ALS.  In this episode, I celebrate I AM ALS turning 3.  Here I chat with Mandi Bailey, Tony Rosello & Sandy Morris and hear how their involvement with the ALS patient-led group I AM ALS has showed them the power of a unified community.  Each of them are driven by their heart to end ALS and celebrate the progress over the past 3 years.  Listen in to their personal testimonies of why they continue to fight for a world without ALS.  I AM ALS was created to not only cure ALS but to unlock critical breakthroughs that will help defeat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Frontotemporal Dementia, and beyond.  You can join this fight here: https://iamals.org/.  Thanks for listening, sharing with a friend and leaving a review to help others find I AM ALS!  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram 

Here I chat with Andrea Peet and her husband, Dave Peet.  Andrea's been on a journey to become the first person with ALS to complete 50 marathons in 50 states.  Andrea was diagnosed with ALS at 33 years old.  Now at 40, she is super close to accomplishing her goal of completing 50 marathons in 50 states all while living with ALS, a fatal disease with no cure.  Andrea and Dave created Team Drea to raise awareness and funds to help cure ALS.  With only 3 races to go, the countdown begins with races left in California, New York and Alaska. The final race will be at Prince of Wales Island, Alaska as Andrea celebrates 8 years with ALS despite her 2-5 year death sentence.   Andrea's journey of traveling to all 50 states will be shown in a future documentary that's being created titled, "Go On Be Brave: The Drea Story."  Andrea's bravery and determination is incredibly uplifting.  Listen in and share this beautiful story with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

Here I reintroduce you to four 2021 guests and highlight how they are able to see love, hope, faith and joy in their darkest days.  I randomly selected these past guests and together their stories show us how it really is possible to focus on the good stuff when life seems impossible.  In this episode, you'll hear clips from Kanya Sesser, Leah Stavenhagen, Bernadette Okeke and Emma Benoit.  Kanya was born without legs and was left on the side of the road in Thailand as a baby.  However nothing holds her back and she is one of the strongest women I've met.  Leah & Bernadette both are living with a terminal illness, ALS but yet are helping others despite their own challenges.  Emma is a suicide survivor who tried to take her own life at 16.  Emma shares how faith has got her through her darkest times.  These samples of love, hope, faith and joy remind me of what to hold on tight to.  Enjoy this special episode and please share with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

In this Veteran's Day episode, I talk to Juan Reyes a military veteran battling ALS as he shares what's getting him through the toughest of times.  Since his ALS diagnosis in 2015, he's been in the fight of his life.  He's been fighting with grace and humor to improve treatment opportunities as well as advocating for others in the hopes of ending ALS.  Juan served in the United States Air Force for 21 years and has learned the art of resiliency — along with his wife, Meg.   Since veterans are twice as likely than the general population to develop ALS, Juan immediately realized the importance of speaking up and reaching out to others.  He does this in many ways.  Juan writes openly in his personal blog at https://alstexasdad.com/.  He also is a key driver in the international movement, I AM ALS as he helps pull together those looking out specifically for veterans and people of color who have ALS.  I love all that he's doing to include others and lift  their spirits, despite his own challenges.  He's pretty special. Listen in and see why they call him "The Juan and Only."  Enjoy, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram

Here I chat with Mitch Albom about love, faith, living and dying and the life lessons of Morrie Schwartz.  In this episode Mitch Albom shares the backstory of how he met his former professor Morrie Schwartz and how their relationship developed.  Mitch shared Morrie's life lessons in the best-selling memoir of all time,Tuesdays with Morrie.  Today, the book has sold 17 million copies in more than 50 editions around the world.  Mitch and I discuss some lessons that Morrie passed on during their weekly Tuesday visits.  Mitch also gives a preview of his new novel, The Stranger In The Lifeboat.  Mitch Albom is a best-selling author, screenwriter, playwright, broadcaster and nationally syndicated columnist.   He has written seven number one New York Times bestsellers and his books have collectivey sold more than 40 million copies.  Mitch has a generous heart as he has founded nine charities in his hometown of Detroit, and since 2010 he has operated the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage in Port-Au-Prince.  He lives with his wife Janine in Michigan.  Mitch is an inspiration to me for the beautiful books he writes and the love he pours out to others.  Thanks for listening and sharing wiith a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitter

In a cruel twist of fate and genetics, two twins both lost their young lives to ALS.  Here, I talk to their mother Lori Hermstad of Iowa who is speaking up to help keep their legacy alive.  Lori lost her 2 twin daughters to ALS at 17 and 26.   The youngest, Alex was diagnosed at 11, put on vent at 12, and died at 17. Eight years to the day that Alex died, Jaci was diagnosed at 25 and lived one year.  They had no idea Jaci would get ALS too.  I talked to Lori the week the girls would have turned 28.  Lori broke down - saying some days she wants to curl up in a ball and the next she wants to tear down walls.  It's been 16 months since Jaci passed in May 2020.  Lori's biggest fear remains that her daughters would be forgotten.  So in this episode Lori has a chance to talk about her daughters and how they inspired us to live this life to the fullest.  In this emotional chat you'll hear how the Hermstad family battled ALS and helped to develop a new treatment for this rare form of ALS.  Research is showing that there is a particular gene that appears to be common among some of the few child ALS sufferers – the FUS gene.   If you would like to help Lori keep Alex & Jaci's legacy alive, share this episode with a friend or leave a review on Apple podcasts.  That will help others find this and hear their story.  Thank you for listening.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitter

In this episode we talk with Chuck Schretzman and his wife Stacy about his diagnosis of ALS, also known  as Lou Gehrig's Disease. After playing football at West Point, serving in the Army for 26 years, and raising three kids, Chuck thought his toughest battles were behind him. He and Stacy were ready to step into the next chapter of their civilian lives. His story is the portrait of a true hero and will make you rethink ever uttering the words, "I can't."  Christopher Zinn, one of Chuck's therapists at CORA, will also join the discussion to highlight the role physical therapy has played in helping Chuck beat the odds of ALS and the upcoming 5K our community program, CORAUnites is hosting in October to raise money and awareness for the charity I AM ALS in Chuck's honor.

In this episode,  I catch up with Mike and Cheryl Smith who created Ales for ALS, a program that has raised over $3,500,000 for ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI).   Mike and Cheryl own Loftus Ranches, a fourth-generation hop farm in Washington's Yakima Valley.  Cheryl has lost 9 relatives to ALS, including her grandfather and father.  Along the way, they've learned that her family carries a gene that causes ALS and they have dedicated themselves to fighting the disease through their Ales for ALS program.   Each year the Smiths work with hop supplier Yakima Chief Hops to donate a unique hop blend to participating brewers.   Local brewers can brew whatever style of beer they want.  Ales for ALS brewers are asked to donate $1 to ALS TDI for each pint of the resulting Ales for ALS brew sold. The funds raised go directly to ALS TDI's research lab, where their research team works to discover and develop potential treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).    Ales for ALS goes full-circle, from the Smiths' hop fields to craft beer lovers' glasses across the country.  Their commitment and generosity inspire me.  Thanks for listening.  Follow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

Mass casualty events are rare and thus the mistakes made and lessons learned are often repeated, over and over. In this episode, emergency physician and former Special Forces medic Mike Shertz, MD walks us through the steps on how to be an effective first receiver of mass casualty victims and shares the lessons written in blood from previous events.  Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio: Mike Shertz MD is an emergency physician who spent 13 years as a Green Beret and a Special Forces medic. He is the founder and purveyor of Crisis Medicine which teaches and trains first responders in tactical casualty care. Check out this video that we did together in 2019 on how to place and remove a tourniquet and this one on how to pack a gunshot wound with combat gauze.    This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We Discuss: The First Receiver who is in a singularly unique position as it applies to a mass casualty [03:55]; The difference between a hospital's surge capacity and mass casualty preparedness [05:30]; What you might expect from EMS during a mass casualty as compared with a normal day [08:20]; The mindset of the medical provider after receiving a patient from EMS [10:32]; The value of a field triage score which is a simple way to stratify casualties [12:50];  How the success of a mass casualty event for the first receiver has to do with organization, throughput, and saving lives [16:15]; Lessons learned from the Christchurch, New Zealand mass shooter incident [29:45]; How your response to a mass casualty differs if you're unsure about the safety of your facility (as was the case in the 2020 Beirut explosion) [41:15]; One of the sayings of the Special Forces:  ‘All lessons are written in blood' [43:27]; The question Shertz thinks people should ask of their hospital disaster planners [45:45]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

Mass casualty events are rare and thus the mistakes made and lessons learned are often repeated, over and over. In this episode, emergency physician and former Special Forces medic Mike Shertz, MD walks us through the steps on how to be an effective first receiver of mass casualty victims and shares the lessons written in blood from previous events.  Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio: Mike Shertz MD is an emergency physician who spent 13 years as a Green Beret and a Special Forces medic. He is the founder and purveyor of Crisis Medicine which teaches and trains first responders in tactical casualty care. Check out this video that we did together in 2019 on how to place and remove a tourniquet and this one on how to pack a gunshot wound with combat gauze.    This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We Discuss: The First Receiver who is in a singularly unique position as it applies to a mass casualty [03:55]; The difference between a hospital's surge capacity and mass casualty preparedness [05:30]; What you might expect from EMS during a mass casualty as compared with a normal day [08:20]; The mindset of the medical provider after receiving a patient from EMS [10:32]; The value of a field triage score which is a simple way to stratify casualties [12:50];  How the success of a mass casualty event for the first receiver has to do with organization, throughput, and saving lives [16:15]; Lessons learned from the Christchurch, New Zealand mass shooter incident [29:45]; How your response to a mass casualty differs if you're unsure about the safety of your facility (as was the case in the 2020 Beirut explosion) [41:15]; One of the sayings of the Special Forces:  ‘All lessons are written in blood' [43:27]; The question Shertz thinks people should ask of their hospital disaster planners [45:45]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

Ashley Cavaliere is an air personality at KC 101. Her sister, Alex has ALS, and is too far along for trial programs. Proposing a bill to push a "Right to Try" bill to allow more access to experimental medicine. I AM ALS.org

In this episode, sweet inspiration comes from 10-year-old Varen Rogers who shares her perspective on life while her dad fights ALS.   Varen accidentally made a name for herself with one sweet gesture, a tribute to her father, Justin Rogers who was diagnosed with ALS at 35.  Varen wanted to give a shout out to her dad at the Cincinnati Reds first Lou Gehrig Day baseball game.  She had used her money from her 10th birthday to buy a memo board and wrote: “My dad has ALS. He is my Hero. I love you dad.”  The media captured Varen holding up this sign during the game and it spread all over social media. I, like many, fell in love with Varen's beautiful smile and tender heart.  I just had to have her on to let her know how she inspired me.  She was more than happy to give us an inside look at ALS from a child's point of view.  So happy for this special chat.  Varen invites you to share this with a friend in honor of her precious hero, her dad!  Thank you for listening. Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

The emergency mind is cool under pressure. But how do you get there? For most us, it's not an innate skill. Dan Dworkis MD, PhD lays out the path: graduated pressure, deliberate training, tired moves, and acknowledging the suboptimal. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Guest Bio: Dan Dworkis MD, PhD is an emergency physician who is a clinical professor of emergency medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine. He's also host of the Emergency Mind podcast that focuses on helping individuals and teams perform better under pressure and the author of The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure.  This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: Deploying psychological countermeasures when you're under stress and dealing with uncertainty [05:40]; Whether the approach to managing pressure is universal for all stressful situations [11:15]; Different modes of thought:  system 1, system 2, and the recognition-primed decision-making model [15:50]; The deliberate path to becoming an expert (beyond just repetition) [20:00]; The value of training with an idea of graduated pressure [21:45]; What it means to borrow pressure from other events to succeed in something that's unrelated [25:50]; The Yerkes–Dodson law [28:45]; Why sangfroid is a good thing and how you do it [35:20]; The path to excellence which goes far beyond mastery of a specific skill [38:30]; How acknowledging the suboptimal nature of a situation when something goes wrong can help you “regroup, recover, and evolve out of any crisis” [41:50]; What does it mean to train your “tired moves” [42:55]; Dan's challenge for the Stimulus audience [52:44]; And more. For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

The emergency mind is cool under pressure. But how do you get there? For most us, it's not an innate skill. Dan Dworkis MD, PhD lays out the path: graduated pressure, deliberate training, tired moves, and acknowledging the suboptimal. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Guest Bio: Dan Dworkis MD, PhD is an emergency physician who is a clinical professor of emergency medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine. He's also host of the Emergency Mind podcast that focuses on helping individuals and teams perform better under pressure and the author of The Emergency Mind: Wiring Your Brain for Performance Under Pressure.  This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: Deploying psychological countermeasures when you're under stress and dealing with uncertainty [05:40]; Whether the approach to managing pressure is universal for all stressful situations [11:15]; Different modes of thought:  system 1, system 2, and the recognition-primed decision-making model [15:50]; The deliberate path to becoming an expert (beyond just repetition) [20:00]; The value of training with an idea of graduated pressure [21:45]; What it means to borrow pressure from other events to succeed in something that's unrelated [25:50]; The Yerkes–Dodson law [28:45]; Why sangfroid is a good thing and how you do it [35:20]; The path to excellence which goes far beyond mastery of a specific skill [38:30]; How acknowledging the suboptimal nature of a situation when something goes wrong can help you “regroup, recover, and evolve out of any crisis” [41:50]; What does it mean to train your “tired moves” [42:55]; Dan's challenge for the Stimulus audience [52:44]; And more. For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

In this special episode I share my chat with ALS Ice Bucket Challenge co-founder Pat Quinn who inspired millions before losing his battle to ALS.  Pat Quinn was the last of three ALS warriors, Anthony Senerchia, Pete Frates and Pat Quinn to be the first to accelerate the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge while living with ALS.  Pat from Yonkers , New York passed away at 37 in November 2020 after a heroic, seven year battle.   He fought with positivity and courage and inspired me and all who knew him.  Pat helped generate awareness and raise more than $220 million around the world for ALS research through the Ice Bucket Challenge.  The campaign had over 20 million videos being created and shared around the world.   Pat changed the trajectory of the ALS fight forever.  He inspired millions to get involved and care about people who are living with ALS.  Even now, his words are inspiring others to face adversity with grace and grit.  In this episode you'll hear a partial interview that Pat and I were in the midst of preparing before he passed away.  You'll wanna hear his powerful words on how to handle adversity and live our precious lives out.  I also catch up with Fernando Vieira CEO of ALS Therapy Development Institute on how the Ice Bucket Challenge advanced ALS research.  I'm so grateful to have this message to share with you.  Thank you for listening, sharing and creating ALS awareness.  Pat would be so grateful as well.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

The phrase “too much on my plate” and word “busy” are pervasive in modern discourse. But does it have to be so? We certainly didn't start out that way as children! In this episode, Dr. Christina Shenvi walks us through the path to clear our ‘schedule plates' and open space in our lives, get un-busy, and conquer the email inbox. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio: Christina Shenvi MD, PhD is an emergency physician at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where she is the director of the UNC Office of Academic Excellence and the newly appointed president of the Association of Professional Women and Medical Sciences. A frequent guest on Stimulus, Dr. Shenvi is a world class time managment coach www.timeforyourlife.org where her goal is to help busy professionals find more peace with their schedules, feel less stressed, and use their time more effectively.. Her most recent Stimulus episodes were on Procrastination and Habits. This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: The insidious path of getting to the point of having too much on your plate [02:00]; A framework for deciding whether to say “yes” or “no” to things [05:45]; The 4 pillars Rob uses to help guide “yes” or “no” decisions [08:30]; Why it's problematic to think of life as a zero sum game makes  [10:20]; The Japanese concept of Ikigai [13:30]; Becoming more efficient by shrinking the amount of time you spend on things that are on your plate [15:45]; The 5 Whys technique for understanding the fundamental bedrock of your motivation [19:30]; Self worth theory, which helps explain both why we overwork/overcommit as well as why we sometimes procrastinate [25:00]; The concept of Stoic meditation and the Ozymandias exercise [30:10]; The constant struggle of determining if your work is aligning with your values and using Stoic indifference to suspend self-judgement [32:00]; Choosing to do things vs. “I should” [33:40]; Reframing the notion of being too busy [40:44]; Deep work [43:30]; The importance of creating a system for shallow work [46:15]; The freedom gained from managing your email inbox [51:50]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

The phrase “too much on my plate” and word “busy” are pervasive in modern discourse. But does it have to be so? We certainly didn't start out that way as children! In this episode, Dr. Christina Shenvi walks us through the path to clear our ‘schedule plates' and open space in our lives, get un-busy, and conquer the email inbox. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio: Christina Shenvi MD, PhD is an emergency physician at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where she is the director of the UNC Office of Academic Excellence and the newly appointed president of the Association of Professional Women and Medical Sciences. A frequent guest on Stimulus, Dr. Shenvi is a world class time managment coach www.timeforyourlife.org where her goal is to help busy professionals find more peace with their schedules, feel less stressed, and use their time more effectively.. Her most recent Stimulus episodes were on Procrastination and Habits. This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: The insidious path of getting to the point of having too much on your plate [02:00]; A framework for deciding whether to say “yes” or “no” to things [05:45]; The 4 pillars Rob uses to help guide “yes” or “no” decisions [08:30]; Why it's problematic to think of life as a zero sum game makes  [10:20]; The Japanese concept of Ikigai [13:30]; Becoming more efficient by shrinking the amount of time you spend on things that are on your plate [15:45]; The 5 Whys technique for understanding the fundamental bedrock of your motivation [19:30]; Self worth theory, which helps explain both why we overwork/overcommit as well as why we sometimes procrastinate [25:00]; The concept of Stoic meditation and the Ozymandias exercise [30:10]; The constant struggle of determining if your work is aligning with your values and using Stoic indifference to suspend self-judgement [32:00]; Choosing to do things vs. “I should” [33:40]; Reframing the notion of being too busy [40:44]; Deep work [43:30]; The importance of creating a system for shallow work [46:15]; The freedom gained from managing your email inbox [51:50]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

This podcast features Jessica Eastland as she gets REAL with us on the struggles illustrated by her father's fight with ALS and also the grace with which her family moves through challenges when life throws hard things at you. Jessica is an educator and a positive community builder committed to raising awareness and support for non-profits working to end ALS (ALS Association, ALS TDI, I Am ALS). Jessica Eastland: Jessica is an elementary school teacher with a passion for social emotional well-being. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, where they were both born and raised. They live very near to most of their extended family, and she loves every second of it! A woman of many hobbies, Jessica enjoys any opportunity to be creative and to get outside in nature. She is currently working her way through the 2021 52 Week Hike Challenge! Though life can throw many hard curve balls, she doesn't let the beautiful moments and lessons go unnoticed. Support this podcast

This episode is pure inspiration.  Here I chat with Scott and Jamie Smith.  As they fight Scott's ALS, they are sharing their hearts to encourage others.    Silver Linings, Courage Under Fire, Nothing to Lose and Riding On Hope are just a few of the topics Scott Smith writes about in his intimate blog, Flex On ALS.  He's documenting his personal experience by sharing his fears, regrets and what he wants us to realize before it's too late.  In this episode, I catch up with Scott and his wife Jamie.  Scott is a personal trainer, fitness advocate and young father from Kansas City battling ALS.   Scott and Jamie are tackling his ALS diagnosis head on and reaching out to educate and encourage.  Scott's writings are intended to tell the truth about one man's journey as he walks through the fire, but trust me they will inspire you as well.  Listen in to this mother & father of two daughters under 2 years old as they bring us into their world.  Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitter

Sandra Abrevaya shares what it's like to care for her husband, Brian Wallach, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), four years ago. She also discusses the mission of I Am ALS, the nonprofit the couple founded to provide hope for others with ALS -- and to help find a cure.

Sandra Abrevaya is the co-founder of I AM ALS and a caregiver to her husband, Brian Wallach, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2017. Jennifer invites Sandra on the show to discuss her family's journey post-diagnosis, explaining the disease to her two daughters, launching their successful patient-led nonprofit organization, navigating the isolating effects of COVID, and maintaining hope through the discomfort and difficulties of caregiving. Sandra also explains why now is the time to join the fight against ALS. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sandra Abrevaya is the co-founder of I AM ALS and a caregiver to her husband, Brian Wallach, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2017. Jennifer invites Sandra on the show to discuss her family's journey post-diagnosis, explaining the disease to her two daughters, launching their successful patient-led nonprofit organization, navigating the isolating effects of COVID, and maintaining hope through the discomfort and difficulties of caregiving. Sandra also explains why now is the time to join the fight against ALS. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Scott Weingart is arguably one of the most influential and polarizing physicians on the planet. He is not one to mince words and often comes across as definitive in how he describes his practice of medicine.  What people don't realize, he says, is that his clinical care is often guided by fear, not bravado, ego, or machismo. In this episode, Scott breaks down his five fears when it comes to medical practice and thinks that those who seek to follow his advice should take these fears into account before acting. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio:  Scott Weingart is an emergency physician who went on to complete fellowships in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and ECMO at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He is currently chief of the Division of Emergency Critical Care at Stony Brook Hospital and a tenured professor of emergency medicine at Stony Brook Medicine. He is best known for his podcast on Resuscitation and ED Critical Care called the EMCrit Podcast; it currently is downloaded > 400,000 times per month. Scott is the author of multiple books including Emergency Medicine Decision Making and the Resuscitation Crisis Manual.    This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter. We discuss: The distinction between carrying fear and being afraid [06:50]; Delayed sequence intubation (DSI) as an example for how healthy fear can keep things safe in the emergency department [09:30]; The importance of embracing the idea that sick patients don't take a joke [13:40]; Scott's fear number one:  lawyers [15:15]; A common fear that Scott does not personally experience: being an imposter [21:00]; Fear of Monday morning quarterbacking [28:10]; Fear of procedural complications [33:15]; How Scott Weingart is not a jerk. He's an acquired taste. [41:35]; Scott's final fear: a patient dying on his watch [46:55]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx  

Scott Weingart is arguably one of the most influential and polarizing physicians on the planet. He is not one to mince words and often comes across as definitive in how he describes his practice of medicine.  What people don't realize, he says, is that his clinical care is often guided by fear, not bravado, ego, or machismo. In this episode, Scott breaks down his five fears when it comes to medical practice and thinks that those who seek to follow his advice should take these fears into account before acting. Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio:  Scott Weingart is an emergency physician who went on to complete fellowships in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and ECMO at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He is currently chief of the Division of Emergency Critical Care at Stony Brook Hospital and a tenured professor of emergency medicine at Stony Brook Medicine. He is best known for his podcast on Resuscitation and ED Critical Care called the EMCrit Podcast; it currently is downloaded > 400,000 times per month. Scott is the author of multiple books including Emergency Medicine Decision Making and the Resuscitation Crisis Manual.    This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter. We discuss: The distinction between carrying fear and being afraid [06:50]; Delayed sequence intubation (DSI) as an example for how healthy fear can keep things safe in the emergency department [09:30]; The importance of embracing the idea that sick patients don't take a joke [13:40]; Scott's fear number one:  lawyers [15:15]; A common fear that Scott does not personally experience: being an imposter [21:00]; Fear of Monday morning quarterbacking [28:10]; Fear of procedural complications [33:15]; How Scott Weingart is not a jerk. He's an acquired taste. [41:35]; Scott's final fear: a patient dying on his watch [46:55]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx  

Former ESPN host, Emmy Award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, Kate Fagan and I chat about her latest book:  All the Colors Came Out.   It is an unforgettable, beautifully written memoir about the love between a father and a daughter.  Listen in as Kate Fagan shares her motivation for her beautiful love story about her father, Chris Fagan.  She  opens up about their special relationship that was built on the basketball court together and how that grew complicated over the years until they eventually grew apart.  Kate talks about when her father was diagnosed with ALS, she knew she had to make changes to help rebuild their special bond.  Leaving a high-profile job at ESPN to be closer to her mother and father and take part in his care, Kate spent the last year of her father's life determined to return to him the kind of joy they once shared on the court.  I admire Kate's courage to write this book and to share the highs and lows of her relationship and life with ALS.   Our chat reminds me to keep my focus on relationships, to forgive and to rebuild them before it's too late.  I hope you'll check out her book, All The Colors Came Out.  Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

Most of us don't give a lot of thought to how and when we listen to podcasts. But like most of life, an intentional approach can reap benefits. In this episode, Josh Russell walks us through: strategies for maximizing retention, listening based on brain state, new data on listening while driving, the value of silence.   Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio:  Joshua Russell, MD is clinician, writer, and educator.  Since completing residency training in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Russell has had a varied career including supervising PAs and NPs as a medical director for a regional Urgent Care network, contributing to various Hippo Education podcasts, and serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine (JUCM). Most recently, he has completed fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center. This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: Strategies for maximizing retention of podcast content [04:20]; How your working memory is like the RAM of your brain [08:40]; Why Josh prefers to listen to podcasts in the morning as this is when he is best able to focus [10:20]; The importance of using your brain for tasks that are appropriate for the state that it's in [12:45]; The fact that not every interstitial moment needs to be occupied by something educational or entertaining  [15:55]; How Rob consumes podcasts [17:10]; A recent study which evaluated the knowledge gained from listening to podcasts while driving compared to that gained from undistracted listening  [20:40]; The value of silence [24:10]; A functional MRI study which shows that listening to a story-based podcast lights up huge areas of the brain [28:35]; A study in mice which found that 2 hours of silence per day led to neurogenesis whereas background or white noise didn't [29:00]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

Most of us don't give a lot of thought to how and when we listen to podcasts. But like most of life, an intentional approach can reap benefits. In this episode, Josh Russell walks us through: strategies for maximizing retention, listening based on brain state, new data on listening while driving, the value of silence.   Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher   Guest Bio:  Joshua Russell, MD is clinician, writer, and educator.  Since completing residency training in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Russell has had a varied career including supervising PAs and NPs as a medical director for a regional Urgent Care network, contributing to various Hippo Education podcasts, and serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine (JUCM). Most recently, he has completed fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center. This episode is in support of the I AM ALS. I AM ALS was founded by Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra shortly after his diagnosis at the age of 37. He was given 6 months to live, and now 4 years later he is leading a revolution to find a cure. People often refer to ALS as rare, which is not really so. The lifetime risk is around 1 in 300. Since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed 80 years ago, available treatments have been shown to extend life a mere 3 months. I AM ALS supports research, legislation to fast track therapies, and provides critical resources to patients and caregivers. ALS is relentless, and so are they. The question is no longer if we'll find a cure for ALS, but when. This is an underfunded disease and every little bit makes a difference. We will match donations to I AM ALS up to $5000 -- get started here on our Stimulus Donation Page. And for your daily dose of positivity, follow Brian on Twitter.   We discuss: Strategies for maximizing retention of podcast content [04:20]; How your working memory is like the RAM of your brain [08:40]; Why Josh prefers to listen to podcasts in the morning as this is when he is best able to focus [10:20]; The importance of using your brain for tasks that are appropriate for the state that it's in [12:45]; The fact that not every interstitial moment needs to be occupied by something educational or entertaining  [15:55]; How Rob consumes podcasts [17:10]; A recent study which evaluated the knowledge gained from listening to podcasts while driving compared to that gained from undistracted listening  [20:40]; The value of silence [24:10]; A functional MRI study which shows that listening to a story-based podcast lights up huge areas of the brain [28:35]; A study in mice which found that 2 hours of silence per day led to neurogenesis whereas background or white noise didn't [29:00]; And more.   For complete and detailed show notes, previous episodes, or to sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stimuluspodcast.com/ If you like what you hear on Stimulus and use Apple/iTunes as your podcatcher, please consider leaving a review of the show. I read all the reviews and, more importantly, so do potential guests. Thanks in advance! Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Connect with us here Follow Rob: Twitter: https://twitter.com/emergencypdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stimuluswithrobormanmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emergencypdx

Disclaimer: This was recorded just before it was announced Justin Dunn was heading to the 10-day IL. Topics include:Dellin BetancesVibes are backYus-Ace Kikuchi? Who's lucky/unlucky through the first third of the season? What do we want for our birthdaysMLB Draft targets to watchMinor league roundupNine things about Mr. Ichiro, our new RFBike Ride of the WeekHydro of the WeekLinks:FangraphsBaseball SavantDonate to I AM ALS

Listen in as I talk to Leah Stavenhagen, 28, about her ALS journey and the "In Her ALS Shoes" movement she created.   "I was an active 26-year-old so why did I feel like my feet couldn’t quite keep up?   She couldn’t find my knee-jerk reflex and suggested that I visit a neurologist. Naively, I didn’t understand why I was being referred to a neurologist over a podiatrist. This quickly changed. I learned that I had ALS and a 2-5 year life expectancy."    That is from my guest, Leah.  In this episode, hear Leah share what it was like learning she had ALS, how it changed her perspective on life and  how she's empowering other young women.  Leah is leading a movement called "In Her ALS Shoes" where women who were diagnosed with ALS under the age of 35 are teaming up to support each other and to raise awareness that ALS can affect anyone.  Please consider supporting this movement by sharing this episode.  If you were diagnosed under the age of 35, share your story https://iamals.org/action/in-her-als-shoes/ here.  Detailing your ALS story will help other young women feel connected, relatable and less lonely.  Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend.  Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

In 2017, Sandra Abrevaya and Brian Wallach had it all. She was the president of Thrive Chicago, a non-profit in her hometown aimed at bettering the lives of the city's young people, he had his dream job as an Assistant US Attorney, and together they had two beautiful little girls. Then, on the day they brought their second daughter home from the hospital, Brian went to the doctor for a nagging cough. During the appointment he shared other strange symptoms he'd been having, most notably difficulty grasping a pen. The doctor eventually said he thought Brian had ALS and as little as six months to live.  Over the next many months, Brian and Sandra, who met while working on Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, realized there was a void in the ALS advocacy sector, and they could fill it. They founded I Am ALS, an organization that in just two years has propelled $83 million in federal money toward ALS research and treatments and, through its website, www.iamals.org, has given ALS patients and their families a place to go to find community, support and answers. This is a story of hope against the odds, of creating the change you want to see and of pressing on even as Brian's ALS has almost completely robbed him of his ability to speak and walk.

In honor of ALS Awareness Month,   I catch up with 4 people who are in the fight of their life as they battle ALS, a terminal illness that has no cure.    My guests are Bernadine Okeke, Taya Jones, Bruce Rosenblum and Zamir Kociaj.  I asked listeners, what they were most curious about when it comes to ALS.  My gracious guests, open their hearts and answer those questions and more. A few examples, How do you find joy every day, knowing you have a terminal illness?   After being diagnosed with ALS, is your faith more or less?  Do you see the world differently now?  It’s powerful to hear from those who realize their time on earth is more limited due to a fatal disease that doesn’t have a cure.  All of us living with ALS, ask you to share this inspiring episode and help bring others into our world.  Having others join our fight for a cure will help end this horrific disease and spare future generations to come.  Thank you for listening and  sharing.   Hugs, LorriFollow:  https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouInstagram and https://bit.ly/ImDyingToTellYouTwitterIf it's in your heart to rate and review this episode, please do.  It really helps new listeners find this special community.  Thank you.

A special shout out to charities and causes dear to my heart. Especially Brian Wallach who the heart behind I Am ALS who turns 40 today. Please consider his charity and fight. https://iamals.org/