129 Non-Medication Treatment for Insomnia
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Release Date: 01/27/2026
139 The Future of Parkinson's Care Is on Your Wrist
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
In our last episode, we featured a wearable device that uses gentle vibrations to help people manage Parkinson's symptoms and reduce anxiety. If you haven't listened yet, I encourage you to do so. It's a fascinating conversation about how something as simple as a vibrating wristband—BeechBand—may influence the brain in ways that help ease anxiety and tremors. Best of all, it's easy to use and fully refundable if it doesn’t work for you in 100 days.. This episode also explores wearable technology, but with a very different purpose—one that could transform how we manage Parkinson's and...
info_outline
138 The Wearable That's Getting People Talking
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Today we're talking about BeechBand, a wearable wellness device designed to support people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease. If you've spent any time in the Parkinson's community lately, you've probably heard the name. Carl Beech, the co-inventor and founder, seems to be everywhere sharing the story behind this innovative wearable. Friends of mine who have purchased a BeechBand rave about the results. Carl regularly appears in my Instagram feed, and when I attended the World Parkinson's Congress (WPC) in May, his booth was consistently packed with people eager...
info_outline
137 Learning to Grieve, Learning to Live
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
For some reason, I’ve always been fascinated by grief and the grieving process. It seems to be everywhere—in the TV shows I watch, the podcasts I listen to, and the conversations I have with friends. Every one of us experiences grief, yet no two people grieve in exactly the same way. I’ve become curious about why that is and what we can learn from one another’s experiences. That curiosity led me to attend a Support Group Leader session on grief at the World Parkinson Congress last May. One of the presenters was my friend, Karen McIntyre, who introduced an idea that really resonated...
info_outline
136 Intimacy: Staying Connected Through Change
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Intimacy is one of the most important topics we can discuss, yet it's also one that I've hesitated to bring to this podcast. For many of us, it's still considered a taboo subject. But the reality is that intimacy and relationships are an important part of life for everyone—and they can become even more important, and sometimes more challenging, for people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners. Since I'm certainly not the expert on this topic—and I'll admit it makes me a little uncomfortable—I've invited someone who is. Dr. Kelly Rees is a licensed sex therapist in...
info_outline
135 Improving Balance with Parkinson's: What You Need to Know
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
I have told this story many times. After my diagnosis, my doctor wanted me to learn the “Big and Loud” program or LSVP. The physical therapist at the outpatient clinic saved my life. He told me I was going to live a long life and how to exercise Big. He told me to do something for my brain like play Mahjong. I followed his directions. I go to physical therapy every year to continue to work on balance, posture and gait. I think a good PT is a key member of your medical team. Physical therapy is one of the most powerful tools available for living well with Parkinson's disease, and...
info_outline
134 Pins, Needle and Parkinson's : Understanding Neuropathy
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Today we are going to describe and explain neuropathy. What is it? Why am I experience the symptoms? What causes the symptoms to come and go? Is it due to my Parkinson’s disease or just old age? This is the second of three episodes in the “Dr. Ospina Explains” series. In this episode, we learn all about neuropathies. So, if you have or had or anticipate having any tingling, numbness, burning, weakness is your feet or elsewhere, this is the episode for you. Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more...
info_outline
133 Harmonica Can Improve PD Speech
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
I love bringing you innovative ideas that are improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s—and this one truly surprised me. I never thought learning to play the harmonica would make the list, but here we are. In this episode, I share the story of an inspirational physical therapist in Hawaii who received a grant to study how learning the harmonica can impact speech in people with Parkinson’s disease. Even though it was a small study, the results were encouraging, and he’s now expanding his work to bring this creative therapy to more people. It turns out the harmonica isn’t just...
info_outline
132 The Benefits of Tai Chi for PD
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
In this episode we explore Tai Chi for Parkinson’s disease - how this gentle, low-impact mind–body practice can support people living with the condition. As we know, Parkinson’s affects movement, balance, and coordination due to changes in the brain’s dopamine system. We will highlight how Tai Chi’s slow, controlled motions can help counter these challenges. We spoke with a long time Tai Chi instructor who has modified his instructions to include all people with Parkinson’s. He focuses on key benefits backed by research, such as improved balance, reduced risk of falls,...
info_outline
131 Completing World Marathon Challenge to Honor Father and Benefit PD Research
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
At the Parkinson’s Experience podcast, we love a powerful, uplifting story — and this is one you won’t forget. After battling Parkinson’s disease for nine years, Hank Bode passed away in January 2025. Throughout that journey, Hank and his son Lincoln closely followed the work of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, inspired by its commitment to directing 100% of donations to Parkinson’s research and its relentless pursuit of a cure. To honor his father and raise funds for Parkinson’s research, Lincoln decided to do something extraordinary. As a member of Team Fox, he took on the World...
info_outline
130 Explained Series Part 1 - Botox
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
This is the first episode in a three-part series I’m calling Dr. Ospina Explains. In this series, we’ll dive into topics many of you have been asking about recently. One of my favorite Movement Disorder Specialists, Dr. Ospina, has a wonderful way of explaining all things Parkinson’s in terms that are easy for the rest of us to understand. I hope you’ll tune in to all three parts as they’re released — I truly believe you’ll learn a lot. We’re starting with Botox. Like many people, I used to think Botox had only one purpose — cosmetic. But after speaking with Movement...
info_outlineDo you have trouble sleeping? It’s a topic you can’t avoid once you reach a certain age. And while sleep problems are common in people with Parkinson’s disease, they certainly aren’t limited to them.
Because of that, treatment is often the same as it is for anyone else. Until researchers uncover more specific biological causes in Parkinson’s—progress is being made—we rely on standard, evidence-based treatments for insomnia.
In this episode, we speak with an expert about one such treatment: a non-medication approach called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I. It helped me tremendously, and I hope you’ll listen. It may be something you want to try.
Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson’s disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches