Brain Bridges
Brain Bridges is a podcast exploring the journeys that shape leaders in global brain health. The series features conversations with Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health working across science, medicine, advocacy, and the arts to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world.
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Bringing Empathy to Life: Storytelling and Dementia Care
10/01/2026
Bringing Empathy to Life: Storytelling and Dementia Care
In this episode of Brain Bridges, neurologist, actor, and director H. Armağan Uysal shares how theater, film, and storytelling can deepen our understanding of dementia and help us see the world through another person’s eyes. Armağan joins host Victor Valcour to discuss bringing his interests in neuroscience and the arts together to make brain health education more accessible. He shares how creative approaches can help people understand the experiences of those living with dementia and give caregivers opportunities to reflect on how they respond in everyday situations. The conversation explores empathy in dementia care, the role of storytelling in translating complex neurological concepts, and Armağan’s work through “Dementia in Practice.” He also discusses the possibilities of digital media and immersive technology for reaching wider audiences and helping families and communities better understand dementia. In this episode Bringing neurology, acting, and directing together Using theater and film to make brain health education accessible Understanding everyday situations from the perspective of someone living with dementia Helping caregivers recognize and respond to the needs behind a person’s behavior Exploring empathy and caregiving through “Dementia in Practice” Evaluating creative approaches to dementia education The potential of immersive technology to expand access to learning About the guest H. Armağan Uysal, MD, is a neurologist, actor, and director based in İzmir, Türkiye, whose work focuses on dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and the intersection of neuroscience and the arts. As an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, he develops creative approaches to brain health education through theater, film, and digital media. He is the founder of “Dementia in Practice,” a public awareness initiative that translates complex neurological concepts into accessible stories, and leads projects exploring empathy, caregiving, and the lived experience of neurodegenerative disease. Learn more about Armağan and his work: About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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Earning the Photograph: Aging Through a Different Lens
08/31/2026
Earning the Photograph: Aging Through a Different Lens
In this episode of Brain Bridges, documentary photographer Alex Kornhuber shares how photography can reveal the lived experience of aging, foster empathy, and help us see our common humanity. Alex reflects on growing up between Brazil and Peru, inheriting his grandfather’s cameras, and discovering at an early age the power of photography to preserve memory. He discusses the curiosity and vulnerability behind his work, why he believes a photograph must be earned through patience, immersion, and presence, and how becoming an Atlantic Fellow helped him reconnect with his purpose as a photographer. The conversation explores aging and resilience in Peru, the ability of images to communicate what research alone sometimes cannot, and the value of bringing artists, scientists, and other disciplines together to advance brain health. Alex also reflects on his unconventional relationship with leadership and the importance of slowing down, being present, and making time for older people. In this episode How Alex’s childhood and his grandfather’s cameras shaped his approach to photography Photography as a tool for connection, empathy, and preserving memory What it means to “earn” a photograph through patience, presence, and dignity How images can deepen our understanding of aging and brain health Aging, resilience, and inequality in Peru Why multidisciplinary partnerships between the arts and sciences matter Alex’s evolving perspective on leadership and collaboration The importance of slowing down and being present with older people About the guest Alex Kornhuber is a documentary photographer from Peru and an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health. His work uses still photography, video, and sound to capture intimate human stories, with a particular interest in the lived experiences of marginalized communities. For more than two decades, Alex has photographed people and communities across Peru, including work exploring aging across the country’s coast, mountains, and Amazon. His photography examines how social and environmental conditions shape people’s lives and seeks to foster empathy, dignity, and connection through visual storytelling. Alex’s new limited-edition photobook, Tierra Que Somos, brings together his long-term exploration of Peru and its people, examining the relationship between land, belonging, resilience, and identity. Published by Eyeshot, the limited-edition book is available only through September 30, 2026. Learn more about Alex and his work: Photography: alex-kornhuber.com Tierra Que Somos: eyeshotstreetphotography.com/shop/books/tierra-que-somos-by-alex-kornhuber/ GBHI Profile: gbhi.org/profiles/alex-kornhuber About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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Finding Connection: Dance, Creativity, and Brain Health
08/04/2026
Finding Connection: Dance, Creativity, and Brain Health
In this episode of Brain Bridges, dance artist, researcher, and creative aging advocate Magda Kaczmarska shares how movement and creativity can strengthen connection, support brain health, and enrich the lives of people living with dementia. Magda reflects on her journey from growing up in Poland and immigrating to the United States to pursuing careers in both scientific research and dance. She shares how dance helped her find confidence, expression, and community, and how her scientific and artistic interests ultimately came together through her work with people living with dementia. The conversation explores how dance can foster connection, dignity, and belonging; the creative possibilities that can emerge from limitations; and Magda’s evolving understanding of leadership. She also discusses founding DanceStream Projects and her vision for helping communities guide conversations about dementia and brain health. In this episode Magda’s journey from Poland to the United States and her early connection to dance Bridging scientific research, dance, and brain health How creative expression can complement clinical care Building community through dance programs for people living with dementia Embracing limitations as opportunities for creativity and growth Authenticity, connection, and Magda’s evolving understanding of leadership How dance supports physical activity, social connection, and cognitive stimulation About the guest Magda Kaczmarska, MFA (she/they), is a dance artist, researcher, and Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health who advocates for dance as a catalyst for brain health. She is the founding Executive Director of DanceStream Projects, an arts and health nonprofit advancing evidence-informed, co-creative dance programs that support brain health, creative aging, and people living with dementia. Through partnerships with communities, artists, clinicians, and researchers, DanceStream explores how movement and creativity can strengthen connection, promote well-being, and expand access to brain health education and engagement. Learn more at https://dancestreamprojects.org/. Magda’s work bridges the worlds of science and the arts, helping to reimagine how creative expression can complement clinical care while fostering dignity, agency, and belonging. About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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Building a Ship: Brain Health in Togo
07/06/2026
Building a Ship: Brain Health in Togo
In the second episode of Brain Bridges, host Victor Valcour speaks with Mawuli Lawson, a clinical neuropsychologist from Togo whose work is expanding access to brain health, cognitive care, and dementia prevention in his community. Mawuli reflects on his journey from psychology student to becoming one of the first clinical neuropsychologists in Togo. He shares the challenges of building a new field with limited resources, the importance of culturally relevant approaches to brain health, and how trust, patience, and empathy have shaped his leadership. He also discusses his efforts to engage communities, mentor the next generation of brain health leaders, and ensure that voices from smaller countries are included in global conversations about brain health. This conversation explores what it takes to build brain health from the ground up and the power of leadership rooted in community, persistence, and hope. In this episode Mawuli's journey to becoming one of Togo's first clinical neuropsychologists Building brain health services and culturally relevant tools in Togo How community partnerships and trust support brain health awareness Leadership, patience, and empathy in creating lasting change Why amplifying voices from smaller countries matters for global brain health About the guest Mawuli Lawson is a clinical neuropsychologist from Togo and founder of the Ahonhon Neuroscience Research Center in Lomé. He holds a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and serves as a lecturer in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Lomé. His clinical expertise includes early detection and prevention of neurocognitive disorders, cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury and stroke, and EMDR therapy for psychological trauma. Through Ahonhon, meaning "brain" in a local Togolese language, he expands access to culturally relevant brain health education, cognitive assessment, and dementia care. His work develops community-based approaches to cognitive stimulation and public awareness. Learn more at . Mawuli is an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. His mission is to promote healthy aging, improve early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders, and strengthen dementia care through research, education, and community engagement across Togo. About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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Leading with Purpose: Women in Brain Health
05/15/2026
Leading with Purpose: Women in Brain Health
In the first episode of Brain Bridges, host Victor Valcour speaks with Elisa Resende, a neurologist and neuroscientist in Brazil whose work explores how education, literacy, and opportunity shape brain health across the lifespan. Elisa reflects on her journey into medicine, the experiences that shaped her leadership, and the importance of equity in brain health research and care. She also discusses her work connecting literacy and cognitive health, the influence of her family and mentors, and her experiences as a woman leading in global brain health. This conversation explores the human stories behind research and the role of education, community, and leadership in shaping healthier futures. In this episode How Elisa’s upbringing and family shaped her path into medicine The relationship between literacy, education, and brain health Challenges and opportunities for women in leadership Brain health equity in Brazil and globally The value of interdisciplinary collaboration in brain health About the guest Elisa Resende is a neurologist and neuroscientist based in Brazil. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, and serves as Coordinator of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging at the Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Elisa holds a PhD in Neuroscience from UFMG. Her research focuses on dementia, cognitive reserve, and the impact of education and literacy on brain health, including the PROAME study on literacy training and cognitive aging. She is also an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, and collaborates on international initiatives aimed at strengthening dementia research and care in low- and middle-income countries. About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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