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.

Is there a right time for DBS? Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, and People With DBS Weigh In 10/15/2026

Is there a right time for DBS? Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, and People With DBS Weigh In Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, raises a lot of questions, including what it is, who it's for, when the best time for it is, and what living with it is actually like. This episode brings the best of six Davis Phinney Foundation conversations on DBS into one twenty-minute walk through the whole journey, from the basics to what life is like years after surgery. You’ll hear from two neurosurgeons, two movement disorder specialists, and three people who have lived with DBS for years. Dr. Kara Beasley, DO, is a fellowship-trained functional and restorative neurosurgeon who has practiced in Boulder, CO since in 2012. Dr. Beasely also holds a master's degree in biomedical ethics. Dr. Chengyuan Wu, MD, is Professor of Neurological Surgery and Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he is Division Chief of Epilepsy and Neuromodulation Neurosurgery and directs the fellowship programin stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. Dr. Delaram Safarpour, MD, is Associate Professor of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University and medical director of the deep brain stimulation program at the OHSU Brain Institute. Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, is Medical Director of Movement Disorders Neuromodulation and Brain Circuit Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and former chair of the Davis Phinney Foundation’s Science Advisory Board. Jill Ater was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 42, in 2005, and had DBS surgery in 2013 and 2015, one side at a time. Marty Acevedo had DBS surgery in 2016 and has been active in the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. Kevin Kwok, PharmD, is a retired biopharmaceutical executive who was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s in his late forties and chose DBS in 2013. He has served on the Davis Phinney Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2015. For more on DBS and living well with Parkinson’s, visit dpf.org. /episode/index/show/parkinsons-podcast/id/43311979

Disease Modification in Parkinson's: What It Means and What's Coming Next 09/30/2026

A Dietitian with Parkinson's On Gut Health, Dairy, and Eating Without Guilt 09/21/2026

A Dietitian with Parkinson's On Meds, Meals, and Vitamin Levels to Check 09/17/2026

Is It Parkinson's? Early Signs, Diagnosis, and What Can Help 09/11/2026

Parkinson’s Treatment Gaps: How Emerging Therapies May Help 09/02/2026

Parkinson’s: When Desire Shifts, Touch Feels Different, and Bodies Change 08/20/2026

A Pocketful of Hope: The Harmonica Parkinson's Project 07/16/2026

What Makes Gravel Cycling Different—and Why It Matters for Parkinson's 07/08/2026

Walking Soccer for Parkinson's: Building Community and Confidence 06/30/2026

Urinary Urgency, Vertigo, and Vision Changes: Parkinson's and the Senses (Part 3) 05/27/2026

Sensory Overload, Proprioception, and Touch: Parkinson's and the Senses (Part 2) 05/20/2026

Phantosmia, Lost Flavors, and More: Parkinson's and the Senses (Part 1): 05/14/2026

Freezing in Crosswalks, Gratitude, and Saying Goodbye: The Parkinson's Podcast Unfiltered Finale 04/15/2026

Parkinson's, Love, and Making Room for the Hard Stuff 03/16/2026

Sexual Health, Levodopa Myths, Hypoxia Research, and More with Dr. Bas Bloem, Pt 2 02/15/2026

Holistic Approach to Parkinson's: Exercise, Supplements, and More With Dr. Bas Bloem, Pt. 1 02/11/2026

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

The Parkinson's Podcast

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