Radio Shows

Stuart H Hoffman PhD is the Scientific Program Manager of the Brain Injury Portfolio in the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, and Senior Scientific Advisor for Brain Injury in the Office of Research and Development U.S.Department of Veteran Affairs.

Dr. Hoffman is the point of contact for VA/ORD on traumatic brain injury research. In this role, Dr. Hoffman has oversight for two VA TBI Research Centers and is the Co-chair of the Government Steering Committee for the VA/DoD Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, as well as a the VA TBI subject matter expert for the National Research Action Plan for Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. Dr. Hoffman also serves on several intra- and interagency advisory committees for VA and DoD, including the Congressionally-mandated Traumatic Brain injury Advisory Committee for the Veterans Health Administration. In addition, Dr. Hoffman is the VA representative on the Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders. Dr. Hoffman has more than 30 years of translational neuroscience research experience that focused on neuroprotection and methods to promote recovery of function after brain injury.

Lyrysa Smith has been a writer and journalist for more than 25 years in print, radio, and documentary television. Lately, she’s been working as an editor and doing freelance writing assignments as she completed her first book.

Now published, her book A Normal Life: A Sister’s Odyssey Through Brain Injury, tells the story of her older sister’s severe brain injury from carbon monoxide poisoning and its impact on their relationship and their close-knit family. More information can be found on her website: www.lyrysasmith.com.

Author Carol Shifflett penned the book Migraine Brains and Bodies, which discusses the Myths, Facts & Realities of this Monster that revisits so many of us with Brain Injury..

Carol is a science writer and former migraineur. She other books include Ki in Aikido, Aikido for Teaching & Training, and the much celebrated – Conquering Concussion with Dr Mary Esty. Check out that wonderful interview from June 22nd On Demand.

So many of us suffer the ill effects of migraine, that I wanted to bring Carol back to have a discussion of the intricacies of this specific issue. It seems little is understood about Monster Headaches/Migraines, that more investigation was warranted. Check out Carol’s site at www.migrainebrainsadbodies.com and join us for an enlightening show!

My guest tonight is Toni Samanie, who hosts valuable social media pages on RX Drugs, and the dangers that have occured. Though there are some who require medication, there is no doubt that we have an over prescribed society, the ramifications of which can be dibilitating or even lethal. We will be discussing some of the more currently advertised at the time.

See: www.facebook.com/groups/Cymbaltahurtsworse/
(with almost 6000 members) and
www.facebook.com/groups/Prescriptiondrugdangers.

Toni has become a worthy advocate since 2010 against Big Pharma because of a horrific personal tragedy. Join us for this eye opening interview.

Neurologist Harry Kerasidis, MD specializes in the full spectrum of concussion care, including education, advanced baseline testing, concussion detection, and recovery protocols. He co-founded XLNTbrain LLC, an online and mobile-based sports concussion system, and now has thousands of athletes following his protocols to help receive return-to-play and return-to-learn medical clearance.

Dr. Kerasidis also founded Chesapeake Neurology Associates, based in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Through this practice, he also treats other cognitive and behavioral disorders including memory loss, sleep deprivation, ADD, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury. At Calvert Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kerasidis serves as the Medical Director for the Center for Neuroscience, the hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center and Stroke Center. Dr. Kerasidis also contributes to PsychologyToday.com, Athletic Business magazine, NeurologyAdvisor.com, NeurologyTimes.com, and Dr. Oz’s sharecare.com. His new book, “Concussionology: Redefining Sports Concussion Management”

Cliff Drake served our country for 20 in the United States Army, holding several positions. He was medically retired for seizures brought on by brain injuries. Cliff’s journey includes many VA prescribed pharmaceutical, that didn’t prove effective, so he sought out and learned about NeuroTherapy. In doing so, he found Dr. Mary Lee Esty of the Brain Wellness of Bethesda in Maryland. The discovery has made hope come alive.

Anne Forrest PhD, was invited to speak by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) at the State of the Art of Post-Acute Rehabilitation in 2005 because of her remarkable recovery once she got to appropriate rehabilitation including neurooptometric therapy, vestibular therapy and cognitive rehabilitation over 3 ½ years after the accident. Like many patients with concussion, Anne had a difficult path getting to appropriate rehabilitation even though she was diagnosed with TBI/concussion within weeks after her accident in Washington DC in 1997. Like Anne, many people with concussion are told by well-meaning doctors that their recovery will be limited to 1 or 2 years. Her 2005 speech made the point that cognitive rehabilitation and other therapies had helped her long after the low expectations set by her doctors. Anne has given over 60 speeches mostly about the long term recovery she has had and she is still recovering after 19 years. Read her informative blog: aplasticbrain.com

Dr. Mary Lee Esty and Carol Shifflett address both Concussion & PTSD in their award-winning book: Conquering Concussion: Healing TBI Symptoms With Neurofeedback and Without Drugs. Winner of the Non-Fiction Writers Association Gold Award, Star reviews by Blue Ink Review. Named by Kirkus Reviews as one of 12 Best Edifying Non-Fiction Books (Indie) and one of 100 Best Books of 2014.

Mary Lee Esty, LCSW-C, Ph.D., is a licensed social worker with a Ph.D in health psychology. She is a Senior Fellowin Biofeedback and Neurotherapy with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Case histories in Conquering Concussion are drawn from her 20+ years of clinical experience and research.

Carol Shifflett is a science and technical writer with a background in earth sciences, physiology, sports and martial arts. Her other books include • Migraine B rains and Bodies: A Comprehensive Guide to Solving the Mystery of Your Migraines, Ki in Aikido, & Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training.

Amy Vega, MS, CCC-SLP holds her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech Language & Hearing Association (ASHA). In clinical practice, she specialized in adolescent and adult rehabilitation for patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, brain tumor & and other disease processes that affect communication, cognition, and behavior. She currently serves as Director of both the Clinical Education Department and the Clinical Advisory Board for Interactive Metronome, Inc. and is their Continuing Education Administrator. She provides clinical support to Interactive Metronome (IM) providers globally, serves as Editor in Chief for IM’s educational publications, develops IM certification & training materials, and is the master-trainer for IM certification instructors. The Interactive Metronome (IM) is a research-based training program that helps children and adults overcome attention, memory, and coordination limitations. More information can be found at interactivemetronome.com

Kathleen Bartl lived her life prior to THE FALL as a career woman in the food industry for 22 years. She was working as a Corporate Business Engineer, when a horse accident caused a severe closed head Traumatic Brain Injury in 1996. Waking six weeks into her coma, a long arduous climb to recovery began.

Kathleen became a Motivational Speaker, a guest speaker at the Brain Injury Conference for Families and Professionals, an author, and is involved in many other acts of advocacy. Her goal is to reach TBI survivors and help them understand that their recovery efforts must continue for every day and year they are alive.

The author has penned a Memoir taking the reader through her hard but motivating journey of progress toward a recovery that can be valued. Animals are the author’s greatest love, and have become an integral part of most of her independent recovery therapies.

Follow: facebook.com/thefallmemoir