The Parkinson's Podcast

This podcast is for people with Parkinson's, Parkinson's care partners and Parkinson's providers. You'll hear from movement disorder specialists, neurologists, psychiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, complementary therapists, people with Parkinson's and Parkinson's care partners on how to live well with Parkinson's today.

How Our Approach to Living With Parkinson’s Changes as It Gets Harder 01/09/2026

Parkinson’s Clinical Trials: Red Flags, Safety, and What to Consider 12/23/2025

Home Independence and Safety in Parkinson’s: What to Plan for at Each Stage 12/10/2025

Home Independence and Safety in Parkinson’s: What to Plan for at Each Stage Occupational therapist and aging-in-place expert Carol Chiang joins us to discuss her new book, Age in Place or Find a New Space. Carol explains why meaningful interactions—not just safety—belong at the center of planning for life with Parkinson’s, and how “the choices you make today become the consequences you live with tomorrow.” In this podcast episode, Carol discusses the importance of early-stage steps like decluttering and fall-prevention basics, practical visual cueing for freezing, how to break home updates into manageable pieces, and honest caregiver conversations. Carol also shares how to think about modifying a home versus considering a move, and why planning early protects both independence and connection. A grounded, hopeful conversation about creating a home that supports who you are and how you want to live. Learn more about Carol and her work, and find her book at: Explore the OT-curated home-modification resource she mentioned: Ask Samie: Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community: Learn more about the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinsons's: GUEST BIO Carol Chiang is an Occupational Therapist and founder of Evolving Homes®, specializing in aging-in-place, age tech, and smart home solutions. With 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and families decide whether to “Age in Place” or “Find a New Space®,” and supports them through the home changes required at each stage of Parkinson’s. A Certified Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery therapist and former Olympic-caliber athlete, Carol teaches the importance of planning ahead, using exercise as medicine, and building habits that protect long-term independence. She consults with organizations, startups, and universities worldwide, and has contributed to AARP, the Davis Phinney Foundation, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, and international aging conferences. /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/39359895

Parkinson's Related Exhaustion, Personal Care Challenges, and Why Exercise Helps 12/02/2025

Gene Therapy for Parkinson’s: Myths vs. Facts 11/17/2025

Pickleball and Parkinson’s: Building Dexterity, Balance, and Community 11/12/2025

ON-OFF Fluctuations in Parkinson’s: Why They Happen and What You Can Do 11/06/2025

Confronting Cognitive and Emotional Challenges: The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 3 10/08/2025

Confronting Cognitive and Emotional Challenges: The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 3 Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup In the final episode of this three-part series, Connie Carpenter Phinney and Dr. Mark Mapstone explore the emotional and cognitive changes that can occur as Parkinson’s progresses. They talk openly about issues like apathy, anxiety, executive function decline, and how these changes can affect relationships, communication, safety, and daily life—including decisions around driving and independence. While the conversation acknowledges grief, frustration, and loss, it also offers insight, practical advice, and strategies for living well through change. This episode is for anyone facing or seeking to understand the emotional and cognitive realities of Parkinson’s—people diagnosed, care partners, and clinicians alike. Connie Carpenter Phinney is a co-founder of the Davis Phinney Foundation and has been her husband’s care partner for over 25 years. Her background in science combined with her lived experience and curiosity helped shape this conversation with neuropsychologist Dr. Mark Mapstone. Connie is the host of the Foundation’s Care Partner Meetup, a monthly virtual meetup for Parkinson’s care partners held the first Tuesday of each month. To attend the meetup, sign up here: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/events/parkinsons-care-partner-meetup/ Dr. Mark Mapstone is Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He is a member of the UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders and a Fellow of the UCI Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. His research focuses on pre-clinical detection of neurological disease using cognitive tests and biomarkers obtained from blood. He has a special interest in developing strategies to maintain successful cognitive aging. In the clinic, he specializes in cognitive assessment of older adults with suspected brain disease. Dr. Mapstone earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University and completed fellowship training in Neuropsychology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Rochester. He received a Career Development Award from the National Institute on Aging and his research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Department of Defense. This content is possible thanks to the generosity of our listeners. Every day more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and this means our work is more important than ever. Please support our work by visiting https://dpf.org/donate. Interested in our Living with Parkinson's Meetup, Care Partner Meetup, or Live Well Today Webinars? Learn how to join. https://dpf.org/webinars /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/38501745

The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 2: What to Expect from a Neuropsych Evaluation 10/01/2025

The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 2: What to Expect from a Neuropsych Evaluation Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. In this episode, Connie and Dr. Mapstone dive into the role of neuropsychology in Parkinson’s care. They explain what a neuropsychological evaluation is, what to expect during an office or virtual visit, and how results can help guide treatment, daily planning, and care strategies. This episode also discusses why someone might be referred, how testing works, and what insights it can offer for both individuals and families. **This content is possible thanks to the generosity of our listeners. Every day more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and this means our work is more important than ever. Please support our work by visiting Connie Carpenter Phinney Connie Carpenter Phinney is a co-founder of the Davis Phinney Foundation and has been her husband’s care partner for over 25 years. Her background in science combined with her lived experience and curiosity helped shape this conversation with neuropsychologist Dr. Mark Mapstone. Connie is the host of the Foundation’s Care Partner Meetup, a monthly virtual meetup for Parkinson’s care partners held the first Tuesday of each month. To attend the meetup, sign up here: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/events/parkinsons-care-partner-meetup/ Dr. Mark Mapstone Mark Mapstone is Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He is a member of the UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders and a Fellow of the UCI Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. His research focuses on pre-clinical detection of neurological disease using cognitive tests and biomarkers obtained from blood. He has a special interest in developing strategies to maintain successful cognitive aging. In the clinic, he specializes in cognitive assessment of older adults with suspected brain disease. Dr. Mapstone earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University and completed fellowship training in Neuropsychology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Rochester. He received a Career Development Award from the National Institute on Aging and his research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Interested in our Living with Parkinson's Meetup, Care Partner Meetup, or Live Well Today Webinars? Learn how to join. https://dpf.org/webinars /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/38431185

The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 1: Brain Changes and Impact 09/26/2025

The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 1: Brain Changes and Impact Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup In the first episode of our three-part series about neuropsychology and Parkinson’s, Connie Carpenter Phinney and Dr. Mark Mapstone explore how brain chemistry, especially dopamine, relates to thinking, movement, and mood in Parkinson’s. They break down key terms like cognition and executive function and offer insights into how Parkinson’s affects brain systems beyond motor symptoms. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how the brain works—and what happens when it changes. **This content is possible thanks to the generosity of our listeners. Every day more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and this means our work is more important than ever. Please support our work by visiting https://dpf.org/donate.** Interested in our Living with Parkinson's Meetup, Care Partner Meetup, or Live Well Today Webinars? Learn how to join. https://dpf.org/webinars Visit https://dpf.org to learn more about the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's. Speaker Bios: Connie Carpenter Phinney Connie Carpenter Phinney is a co-founder of the Davis Phinney Foundation and has been her husband’s care partner for over 25 years. Her background in science combined with her lived experience and curiosity helped shape this conversation with neuropsychologist Dr. Mark Mapstone. Connie is the host of the Foundation’s Care Partner Meetup, a monthly virtual meetup for Parkinson’s care partners held the first Tuesday of each month. To attend the meetup, sign up here: https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/events/parkinsons-care-partner-meetup/ Dr. Mark Mapstone Mark Mapstone is Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He is a member of the UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders and a Fellow of the UCI Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. His research focuses on pre-clinical detection of neurological disease using cognitive tests and biomarkers obtained from blood. He has a special interest in developing strategies to maintain successful cognitive aging. In the clinic, he specializes in cognitive assessment of older adults with suspected brain disease. Dr. Mapstone earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University and completed fellowship training in Neuropsychology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Rochester. He received a Career Development Award from the National Institute on Aging and his research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Department of Defense. /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/38368715

Advanced Parkinson's, Feeling Velcroed to the Bed, and More 09/11/2025

Precision Medicine and Parkinson’s: The NEULARK Study 09/05/2025

Accessibility, Attention (ADD), and More in Parkinson's 08/06/2025

How Protein Affects Parkinson’s Meds and More 07/31/2025

Mental Wellness Essentials for Parkinson's 07/24/2025

The Cutting Edge of Parkinson's Exercise Research 07/16/2025

The Cutting Edge of Parkinson's Exercise Research To subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn/podcasts This episode of the Parkinon's Podcast features the full, unedited audio from a Live Well Today Webinar. During this live webinar, Dr. Corcos, Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, shared insights from decades of research focused on the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s. Listen in as Dr. Corcos discusses the latest findings in Parkinson’s exercise science and offers practical takeaways for incorporating effective movement strategies into everyday life. Some links discussed in this webinar: SPARX Phase 2 Trial--https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2664948 Dr. Corcos' Exercise Advice Article--https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/JPD-230277 Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test Article-https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1877718X251330814 Industrial Chemicals and Parkinson's Blog-- https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/industrial-chemicals-pesticides-and-parkinsons/ Climbing and Parkinson's Blog-- https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/stay-moving-with-parkinsons-tai-chi-ping-pong-and-rock-climbing/ ---- Speaker Bio Daniel Corcos, PhD Professor of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences Daniel Corcos obtained his PhD in Motor Control from the University of Oregon after obtaining his Master's Degree in Psychology. The primary research interests of Dr. Corcos are aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life, improve their mobility and cognition, and slow down the rate at which their disease progresses. Integrating neuroscience and expertise in conducting clinical trials, the research of Dr. Corcos focuses on interventions (such as resistance exercise, endurance exercise, stretching and balance training) that aim to reduce the symptoms of the disease and delay the rate at which the disease progresses. Within this context, Dr. Corcos uses exercise interventions whose dose (frequency, intensity, time and type) can be precisely controlled to achieve these goals and thereby develops and integrates laboratory-based interventions that people with Parkinson’s disease can employ in their local community. His current research, published in JAMA Neurology suggests that high intensity endurance slows down the rate at which Parkinson’s disease progresses. These findings have been covered in the New York Times and the general press world-wide. Dr. Corcos lectures nationally and internationally to physicians, neuroscientists, and people with the disease on the benefits of exercise for those with Parkinson’s disease. /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/37433755