RealTalk MS

Jon Strum cuts through all the jargon and breaks down the latest multiple sclerosis news. You’ll meet the scientists who are creating tomorrow’s MS treatments today. You’ll hear from the experts discussing how the latest tweaks and changes to our healthcare laws will impact your MS treatment. And we’ll be talking to the courageous MS warriors who are out there advocating on behalf of the MS community every day, as well as the men and women who are committed to living their best lives with MS and living their best lives as MS caregivers. If you're dealing with multiple sclerosis in your life -- as a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend -- join us each week for RealTalk MS.

Episode 462: Taking Your MS to College? Understand Your Right to Accommodation with Britt Neff 07/06/2026

Episode 462: Taking Your MS to College? Understand Your Right to Accommodation with Britt Neff The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that people living with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations at work. That law also applies to students attending most colleges and universities. And the ADA doesn't limit itself to physical disabilities. It's often applied to invisible disabilities, as well. This week, Britt Neff, the Access Specialist at the University of Washington School of Law, joins me to explain all the ways the accommodation process can work for college students living with MS. We'll also tell you about PTD802, an oral remyelination therapy that's just been given a green light from the FDA to begin human clinical trials We're sharing evidence from an important study that should make you feel more confident about getting those MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chickenpox vaccines. You'll learn what researchers at the Cleveland Clinic discovered when they asked the question, "Can someone living with MS over the age of 60 discontinue their disease-modifying therapy?" And we're sharing the details about an AI application that can predict -- with 90% accuracy -- whether someone with MS is at risk of experiencing cognitive decline over the next few years. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Understanding "reasonable accommodation" at college :22 FDA approves oral remyelination therapy PTD802 for Phase 1 clinical trial 1:07 Study results: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chickenpox vaccines are shown to be safe for people with MS 4:52 Study results: Is it safe for someone living with MS over 60 to discontinue their DMT? 7:34 Study results: AI predicts future cognitive changes among people with MS with 90% accuracy 10:45 Britt Neff explains the many types of accommodation available to college students with MS 15:01 Share this episode 28:24 Next week 28:44 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at Pheno Therapeutics STUDY: Live Attenuated MMR and Varicella Vaccinations and Multiple Sclerosis Activity STUDY: Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Over Age 60: Comparing Clinical and Radiological Outcomes in Disease-Modifying Therapy Continuers and Discontinuers STUDY: Explainable Artificial Intelligence to Predict Neurocognitive Disorder Progression in Multiple Sclerosis Using MRI and Clinical Data JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 462 Guest: Britt Neff /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41965380

Episode 461: A New Disease-Modifying Therapy Has Been Submitted for FDA Approval with Dr. Jiwon Oh 06/29/2026

Episode 461: A New Disease-Modifying Therapy Has Been Submitted for FDA Approval with Dr. Jiwon Oh A short while ago, we shared very positive results from the Phase 3 clinical trials for fenebrutinib in both relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS. Those results have been submitted to the FDA for approval. This week, Dr. Jiwon Oh, the principal investigator in one of the Phase 3 trials for fenebrutinib, walks us through these positive results and explains what makes fenebrutinib a different kind of disease-modifying therapy and who might benefit most from it. We're also talking about the European approval of Cenrifki (Tolebrutinib) to treat nonrelapsing secondary progressive MS, and we'll share our perspective on why the FDA should have -- and should still -- approve this DMT in the U.S. We'll tell you about two studies funded by the National MS Society that will focus on identifying links between menopause and MS. We'll share some sobering news about healthcare affordability in America. And we'll share some good news from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, along with an opportunity for you to spend just 5 minutes doing some important advocacy work. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Fenebrutinib has been submitted to the FDA for approval :22 Cenrifki (Tolebrutinib) approved in Europe for Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive MS 1:09 National MS Society funds two studies to identify links between menopause and MS 4:19 Healthcare has become unaffordable for the majority of Americans 8:23 The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved $20 million in funding for the MS Research Program 11:57 Dr. Jiwon Oh explains why Fenebrutinib is a different kind of disease-modifying therapy, and who may benefit from it 15:36 Share this episode 32:22 Next week 32:43 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIAL: Tolebrutinib in Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis VIDEO: Principal Investigator Dr. Robert Fox Discusses the Phase 3 clinical trial for Tolebrutinib in Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive MS GALLUP POLL: U.S. Adults' Ability to Afford Healthcare at a Five-Year Low JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 461 Guest: Dr. Jiwon Oh /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41847680

Episode 460: Running Ireland with MS with Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman 06/22/2026

Episode 460: Running Ireland with MS with Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman Next week, Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for running the 350-mile length of Ireland with MS. This week, you'll meet Matt and Colin and learn why this undertaking is so important to each of them. We're also sharing survey results that point to gaps in how we approach MS care from the day of diagnosis. We'll tell you what it really means when you read that the prevalence of MS is increasing. It isn't bad news at all! We'll provide you with all the details you need to register for ECTRIMS Patient Community Day. And, if you can spare 20 minutes, we'll tell you how you can participate in an MS research study from the comfort of your own home. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're hitting the open road in Ireland with Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman :22 Survey points to gaps in how we approach MS care from day one 2:48 What does the increase in MS prevalence really mean? 8:48 Register for ECTRIMS 2026 Patient Community Day 12:33 An opportunity for you to participate in MS research without leaving home 14:10 Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman talk about their attempt to set a Guinness World Record for running the length of Ireland with MS 15:56 Share this episode 32:13 Next week 32:33 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Understanding the Unmet Needs of People with MS at Diagnosis and Throughout Their Care Journey: Insights from a Survey-Based Study STUDY: Drivers of Prevalence in Major Motor Neurodegenerative Diseases: Temporal Trends in Sweden and France (2003-2022) REGISTER: ECTRIMS 2026 Patient Community Day PARTICPATE IN RESEARCH: Survey: Automatic and Reflective Determinants, Fatigue, and Physical Activity for People with Multiple Sclerosis JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 460 Guest: Matt Knaggs, Colin Goodman /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41706960

Episode 459: This Is Not Your Father's MS Rehabilitation with Dr. Brian Sandroff, Dr. Brad Willingham, and Dr. Laura Rice 06/15/2026

Episode 459: This Is Not Your Father's MS Rehabilitation with Dr. Brian Sandroff, Dr. Brad Willingham, and Dr. Laura Rice For years, the standard medical advice for someone diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was simple, cautious, and as we now know, incredibly limiting: “Take it easy. Don't overexert yourself. And get plenty of rest.” Today, like almost every other aspect of MS care, neurological rehabilitation is being entirely rewritten. It’s no longer about just managing decline; it’s about leveraging emerging technologies to proactively build resilience, retrain the brain, and adopt cutting-edge exercise science to fundamentally change the trajectory of life with MS. This week, three experts share their thoughts on what MS rehabilitation looks like in 2026...and it's not your father's MS rehab! Dr. Brian Sandroff breaks down his groundbreaking research on how tailored exercise regimens—like treadmill walking—can actually improve memory, boost processing speed, and spark cognitive recovery. Dr. Brad Willingham discusses the game-changing world of continuous remote monitoring, explaining how wearable sensors and AI are turning real-world, 24/7 data into hyper-personalized, dynamic treatment plans. And Dr. Laura Rice delivers a practical exercise blueprint for individuals with MS who use wheelchairs. You'll learn how to jumpstart a safe fitness routine while effectively managing risks like heat sensitivity, shoulder overuse, skin breakdown, and the fear of falling. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're taking a deep dive into MS rehabilitation :22 Dr. Brian Sandroff answers the question, "Can exercise be used to treat cognitive impairment?" 2:10 Dr. Brad Willingham explains how AI can play a meaningful role in MS rehabilitation and clinical care 13:41 Dr. Laura Rice shares tips and strategies for exercising safely if you rely on a wheelchair for mobility 26:18 Share this episode 46:27 Next week 46:47 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 459 Guest: Dr. Brian Sandroff, Dr. Brad Willingham, and Dr. Laura Rice /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41623275

Episode 458 -- From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting: Part Two with Dr. Stephen Krieger 06/08/2026

Episode 458 -- From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting: Part Two with Dr. Stephen Krieger This week, our coverage of the Consortium of MS Centers annual meeting continues with my guest, Dr. Stephen Krieger. In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Krieger offers a very encouraging clinical trial update, shares his thoughts on what treating someone living with advanced MS ought to look like, and points out potential obstacles to implementing the updated criteria for diagnosing MS. Dr. Krieger is a Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and a Multiple Sclerosis Specialist at the Corinne Coldsmith Dickinson Center for MS. We're also sharing results of a study that revealed some surprising connections between caffeine, alcohol, opioids, and MS symptoms. And if you're living with MS and you're the parent of a young child, we'll tell you about a book that belongs on your bookshelf. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're at the CMSC annual meeting with Dr. Stephen Krieger :22 Study reveals the connection between caffeine, alcohol, and opioids and your MS symptoms 1:12 My Superhero with Wheels is the book you need if you're living with MS and have young children 5:15 Dr. Stephen Krieger discusses exciting clinical trial results, treating people with advanced MS, and potential challenges in implementing the updated criteria for diagnosing MS 8:39 Share this episode 30:22 Next week 30:41 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Daily Temporal Associations Between Psychoactive Substances and Fatigue, Pain, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms in People with Multiple Sclerosis BOOK: My Superhero with Wheels JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 458 Guest: Dr. Stephen Krieger /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41554015

Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove 06/01/2026

Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove Last week, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, best known as CMSC, hosted its annual meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, where we had a chance to talk with some of the world's top MS experts. We'll be sharing those conversations over the next few episodes of the podcast. Welcome to Part One of our coverage of CMSC 2026! In what has become an annual tradition at this conference, Dr. Kathy Zackowski, the National MS Society's Associate Vice-President of Research, joins me to share her impressions of the sessions and presentations that stood out to her. I also caught up with Dr. Valerie Block and Dr. Riley Bove on the first day of the CMSC annual meeting, and we discussed how wearable devices and digital tools are finding their way into MS care and how they can improve the quality of care for people living with MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're reporting from CMSC :22 Dr. Kathy Zackowski shares the CMSC presentations that caught her eye 1:04 Dr. Valerie Block and Dr. Riley Bove discuss how wearable devices and digital tools are reshaping MS care 14:29 Share this episode 28:20 Next week 28:39 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 457 Guests: Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, Dr. Riley Bove /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41486085

Episode 456:The First 100 Days Following Your MS Diagnosis with Dr. Nancy Sicotte 05/25/2026

Episode 456:The First 100 Days Following Your MS Diagnosis with Dr. Nancy Sicotte May 30th is World MS Day! This year, the theme for World MS Day is "My MS Diagnosis," and I've been thinking about what happens right after that diagnosis. After an individual hears, "You have MS." This week, Dr. Nancy Sicotte joins me to discuss the things you should know, the things you should be thinking about, and the things you should be doing in the first 100 days following an MS diagnosis. Dr. Sicotte is the Chair of Neurology and Director of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and she's the past Chair of the National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee. We're also sharing results of a study that showed an exercise hormone protected neurons from inflammatory attack in a mouse model of MS. And we're sharing encouraging news about an experimental nasal spray that's been shown to delay disability progression and improve fatigue among people with non-active secondary progressive MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: World MS Day! :22 Study reveals an exercise hormone has neuroprotective effects on a mouse model of MS 2:40 Tiziana shares evidence that Foralumab delays progression and improves fatigue in people with non-active secondary progressive MS 4:34 Dr. Nancy Sicotte looks at the first 100 days following an MS diagnosis 8:40 Share this episode 28:51 Next week 29:12 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at World MS Day Poster Maker STUDY: The Exercise Hormone Irisin Has Neuroprotective Effects in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis CLINICAL TRIAL: A Study of Nasal Foralumab in Non-Active Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 456 Guest: Dr. Nancy Sicotte /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41385825

Episode 455: MS and Your Oral Health with Dr. Ann Spolarich 05/18/2026

Episode 455: MS and Your Oral Health with Dr. Ann Spolarich When we talk about managing Multiple Sclerosis, our conversations naturally focus on things like disease-modifying therapies, mobility, MRI scans, and symptom management. But in this week's episode, we're shining a light on a critical aspect of MS wellness that doesn't get nearly enough attention: your oral health. Living with MS can introduce a whole host of unexpected challenges to maintaining a healthy mouth. And beyond preventing tooth decay and gum disease, emerging research suggests that chronic oral inflammation, like periodontal disease, can trigger systemic inflammation throughout the body. Dr. Ann Spolarich joins us to break down the science, explain the risks, and offer practical suggestions for maintaining oral health for people living with MS and their care partners. We're also sharing study results that revealed 1,000 differences between immune cells in men and women. (And we're explaining why that's important) If you're a parent or caregiver for a child or teen with MS, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the FDA approval of Ocrevus for treating pediatric MS. We're sharing the details of an AI partnership designed to shorten the time to an MS diagnosis and track progression in real time. We're sharing the details of another AI partnership designed to test a pill that will ease MS-related depression and fatigue. And we'll tell you about a way that you can participate in MS research from the comfort and convenience of your own home. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The connection between your oral health and MS :22 Study reveals 1,000 differences between men's and women's immune cells 1:30 FDA approves Ocrevus for children over the age of 10 with relapsing remitting MS 3:28 An AI partnership designed to shorten the time to an MS diagnosis and track progression in real time 5:43 An AI partnership to test a pill that will ease MS-related depression and fatigue 9:24 An opportunity to participate in MS research from the comfort and convenience of your own home 13:16 Dr. Ann Spolarich discusses the connection between your oral health and MS 13:16 Share this episode 29:45 Next week 30:05 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: The Impact of Sex on the Immune System Explored at the Single-Cell Level https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(26)00153-9 ONLINE SURVEY: Bladder-Related Fall Risk in People with MS JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 455 Guest: Dr. Ann Spolarich /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41322470

Episode 454: Managing MS-Related Depression with Dr. Anthony Feinstein 05/11/2026

Episode 454: Managing MS-Related Depression with Dr. Anthony Feinstein One out of every two people with MS will experience clinical depression at some point in their MS journey, making depression one of the most significant yet under-discussed aspects of living with MS. While the physical symptoms of MS often take center stage, the neuropsychiatric challenges can be just as impactful on an individual's overall quality of life and long-term outcomes. Joining us to shed some light on this important topic is Dr. Anthony Feinstein, a world-renowned neuropsychiatrist and professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Feinstein has spent decades researching the biological and psychological drivers of depression in MS. We're also sharing study results revealing that wait times to see a neurologist in the U.S. are way too long. We'll tell you about a pilot trial that's recruiting participants for an implantable device designed to promote remyelination. We're just two days away from the National MS Society's webcast on protecting federal funding for MS research, the NIH, CDC, and FDA. We're sharing all the details and info to register. And we'll tell you all about the MS Society's statement for the record at a congressional hearing, exposing how Pharmacy Benefit Managers often prioritize profits over patient welfare. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Managing MS-Related Depression :22 Study results reveal wait times for an appointment with a neurologist in the U.S. 1:45 A pilot clinical trial for an implantable device designed to promote remyelination 4:38 A webcast to update you on the National MS Society's advocacy efforts to protect federal funding for MS research, the NIH, CDC, and FDA 7:05 The National MS Society has submitted a critical statement for the record at a congressional hearing, exposing how Pharmacy Benefit Managers often prioritize profits over patient welfare 8:39 Dr. Anthony Feinstein discusses the latest research and strategies for managing MS-related depression 11:00 Share this episode 29:37 Next week 28:56 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Access to High-Efficacy Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Under Medicaid: Variation in Coverage and Utilization Across States STUDY RESULTS: Neurology Wait Times After Primary Care or Emergency Department Visits Among the Commercially Insured Population in the United States: 2019-2023 CLINICAL TRIAL: The SetPoint System as a Pro-Remyelination Therapy for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study WEBCAST: Make It Count Now: Mobilizing for Federal Funding in a Changing Policy Landscape READ: The National MS Society Statement for The Record: "Profits Over Patients: The PBM Business Model Under Scrutiny" AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 454 Guest: Dr. Anthony Feinstein /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41235205

Episode 453: MS and Pregnancy with Dr. Riley Bove 05/04/2026

Episode 453: MS and Pregnancy with Dr. Riley Bove For decades, an MS diagnosis came with outdated advice and significant uncertainty regarding starting a family. Today, the conversation has shifted from "Is it possible?" to "How do we optimize the journey?" This week, we're taking a deep dive into the essential considerations for family planning, managing MS during pregnancy, and the crucial postpartum period. We're joined by Dr. Riley Bove, an Associate Professor of Neurology at UCSF and a leading expert in hormonal influences on MS. Dr. Bove brings her extensive research background and clinical expertise to help us understand how to navigate disease-modifying therapies while planning a family, the biological shifts that occur during pregnancy, and how to build a robust support system for the "fourth trimester." We're also sharing study results that provide some optimistic news for people experiencing MS-related depression. We'll tell you about a study that explains the actual changes in the immune system that occur when someone with MS exercises. If you get your health insurance on the Affordable Care Act online marketplace, we'll explain why health economists feel certain that your premiums will be going up again next year. And we're also sharing some sobering research that highlights systemic inequities that prevent people with MS who rely on Medicaid from accessing high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: MS and family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum :22 STUDY: High-efficacy disease-modifying therapies are not available to all Medicaid recipients 1:08 Millions have failed to renew their ACA individual health insurance plans 5:05 STUDY: Cognitive-behavioral therapy improves MS-related depression 9:32 STUDY: Researchers identify the biological mechanisms that are impacted when people with MS exercise 11:29 Dr. Riley Bove discusses family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum issues that affect women with MS 14:48 Share this episode 35:31 Next week 35:50 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Access to High-Efficacy Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Under Medicaid: Variation in Coverage and Utilization Across States STUDY: Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis STUDY: Physical Exercise Modulates T Cell Activity and Mitigates Synaptic Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Through Vagus Nerve Engagement UCSF Clinical Trials: Pregnancy Registry, Infants, Serum/Milk Analysis (PRISMA) AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 453 Guest: Dr. Riley Bove /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41126535

Episode 452: Why Natural Myelin Repair Stops Working for People with MS (And How It Could Be Re-Started!) with Dr. Larry Sherman 04/29/2026

Episode 452: Why Natural Myelin Repair Stops Working for People with MS (And How It Could Be Re-Started!) with Dr. Larry Sherman Myelin repair is a natural function. But, for people living with MS, that ability to repair myelin eventually stops working. New research led by my guest, Dr. Larry Sherman, may explain why that happens and point to new possibilities for future myelin repair treatments. Dr. Sherman is a professor at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University, and his research focuses on how the brain and spinal cord respond to injury and disease, particularly in demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis. We're also sharing some potentially good news for people living with non-relapsing secondary progressive MS in Europe, but not in the United States. We'll give you the details about an experimental drug that's just been submitted to the FDA and EMA for approval for treating relapsing forms of MS and primary progressive MS. We'll share the results of a study that focused on the impact of a cancer diagnosis on MS care. We'll tell you how Fernando Mendoza celebrated being named the #1 pick in this year's NFL draft. And we're sharing news about a new AI tool for your doctor. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Why myelin repair stops working for people living with MS :22 EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommends approval of Tolebrutinib 1:35 Roche submits Fenebrutinib for FDA and EMA approval 4:45 Study results show the effect of a cancer diagnosis on MS care 6:13 The first pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza, partners with the National MS Society to launch the Mendoza Family Fund 9:43 OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Clinicians 10:56 Dr. Larry Sherman discusses why myelin repair stops working for people with MS, and how his team may have found a way to restart it 14:37 Share this episode 27:59 Next week 28:19 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at LISTEN: RealTalk MS Episode 440: An MS Specialist Responds to the FDA with Dr. William Conte STUDY: Impact of Cancer on Multiple Sclerosis-Related Healthcare and Disease-Modifying Drug Use: A Multinational Cohort Study STUDY (Plain English Version): Impact of Cancer on Multiple Sclerosis-Related Healthcare and Disease-Modifying Drug Use: A Multinational Cohort Study https://tremlettsmsresearchexplained.wordpress.com/2026/04/23/impact-of-cancer-on-multiple-sclerosis-related-healthcare-and-disease-modifying-drug-use-a-multinational-cohort-study-explained DONATE: The Mendoza Family Fund (in Partnership with the National MS Society) LEARN MORE: ChatGPT For Clinicians AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 452 Guest: Dr. Larry Sherman /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/41021145

Episode 451: Meet the 2026 Winner of the John Dystel Prize for MS Research with Dr. Ludwig Kappos 04/20/2026

Episode 451: Meet the 2026 Winner of the John Dystel Prize for MS Research with Dr. Ludwig Kappos The annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology is underway in Chicago this week, and one of the highlights is the presentation of the John Dystel Prize for Research in Multiple Sclerosis, awarded jointly by the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology. This year's winner of the Dystel Prize is Dr. Ludwig Kappos, a physician-scientist at the University Hospital Basel in Basel, Switzerland, and the director of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel. Dr. Kappos has played a major role in how clinical trials in MS are conducted. He helped establish the Expanded Disability Status Scale, or EDSS, which is the gold standard for measuring disability in people with MS, and Dr. Kappos and his team have advanced our current understanding of a key driver of disability in MS, known as progression independent of relapse activity, or PIRA. Dr. Kappos will be delivering the Dystel Prize lecture at the American Academy of Neurology meeting this week, and he's joining us to share a preview of that lecture in a conversation you won't want to miss. We're also sharing news about a blood test used to monitor MS disease activity that has just been approved by the European Union. We'll give you the details of a study focused on whether disease-modifying therapies can impact neurodevelopmental birth defects in children born to mothers with MS. We'll explain why yaks and Tibetan antelope may have opened a door to neuroprotection and myelin repair for people living with MS. And we'll tell you where healthcare providers and patients may differ when it comes to defining high-quality MS care. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research is awarded :22 A blood test to monitor MS disease activity is approved by the EU 2:28 Researchers determine whether disease-modifying therapies have an impact on neurodevelopmental birth defects among children born to mothers with MS 4:21 Researchers studying yaks and Tibetan antelope may have uncovered a pathway to neuroprotection and even myelin repair 7:24 Healthcare providers and people living with MS share their perspectives on what needs improvement in delivering high-quality MS care 10:01 Dr. Ludwig Kappos reflects on how MS clinical trials need to change 13:33 Share this episode 30:58 Next week 31:19 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Association of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Congenital Anomalies with Prenatal Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Real World Historial Cohort Study STUDY: A Gain-of-Function Retstat Variant from High-Altitude Adaptation Promotes Myelination Via a Neuronal Dihydroretinoic Acid-RXR-Y Pathway ARTICLE: Areas for Improvement for High-Quality Multiple Sclerosis Care: Insights from Interviews with People with Multiple Sclerosis, Providers, and Clinical Educators AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 451 Guest: Dr. Ludwig Kappos /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40918060

Episode 450: Exercise is Medicine for People with MS with Dr. Robert Motl 04/13/2026

Episode 450: Exercise is Medicine for People with MS with Dr. Robert Motl An exercise program can be hard to start and even more difficult to stick with. But the evidence-based benefits speak for themselves. For people living with MS, it can mean improving quality of life without having to rely on a pill, injection, or infusion. And exercise is 100% affordable! Dr. Robert Motl, the Director of the Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory at the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago, joins me to discuss how exercise can improve MS-related brain fog, reduce fatigue, and perhaps even support myelin repair. We'll also share the results of a study that shows having mononucleosis is a significant risk factor for developing MS. And we'll tell you about a powerful imaging agent that can identify which immune cells are causing the inflammatory activity that drives MS, determine disease severity, and track the immune system's response to disease-modifying therapy. It's a potential game-changer in MS care. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Evidence-based benefits of exercise for people living with MS :22 Study results show that having mono increases the chance that someone will develop MS 1:28 Researchers have created an imaging agent with the potential to be a game-changer in diagnosing and treating MS 4:29 Dr. Robert Motl explains how and why exercise can be medicine for people with MS 10:04 Share this episode 31:50 Next week 32:10 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at STUDY: Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Among Persons with Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Mononucleosis STUDY: A Radiolabeled Dendrimer Non-Invasively Identifies and Tracks Innate Immune Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 450 Guest: Dr. Robert Motl /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40807065

Episode 449: Putting People Affected by MS at the Center of MS Research with Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt 04/06/2026

Episode 449: Putting People Affected by MS at the Center of MS Research with Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt When you join the iConquer MS community, you’re no longer just a patient; you become a research partner. Not just a data point in someone's study. You become the person to suggest the study, to help define the study, and to participate in sharing the outcome of the study. In this week's episode, I talk with the iConquer MS leadership team about what it means to be part of this people-powered research revolution and how iConquer MS keeps people affected by MS at the center of MS research. The National Institutes of Health has just published a Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research. We're sharing all the details. And a research team analyzed data from 20 global studies to determine whether anti-CD20 disease-modifying therapies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Briumvi) were cost-effective. We're sharing their somewhat surprising results. And a research team analyzed data from 20 global studies to determine whether anti-CD20 disease-modifying therapies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Briumvi) were cost-effective. We're sharing their somewhat surprising results. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're talking about people-powered MS research :22 The NIH has published a Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research 1:15 Researchers determine whether anti-CD20 disease-modifying therapies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Briumvi) are cost-effective 6:05 Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt discuss what it means to put people affected by MS at the center of MS research 12:41 Share this episode 36:26 Next week 36:45 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at iConquer MS National Institutes of Health Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research STUDY: Economic Value of Anti-CD20 Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Studies AbleNOW JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 449 Guests: Sara Loud, Stephanie Buxoeveden, and Hollie Schmidt /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40731825

Episode 448: At the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with David, Cliff, and Michelle 03/30/2026

Episode 448: At the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with David, Cliff, and Michelle Last week, about 170 MS activists from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. It's hard to come away from this event and not feel outraged by the stories that are shared, but also inspired by the resilience and bravery of the MS Activists who are willing to share some of the worst moments in their MS journey to make sure that our elected representatives in the House and Senate understand why the legislation we ask them to support is so vitally important. I met so many truly amazing MS activists at this year's Public Policy Conference, and you'll meet some of them in this week's episode. We're also sharing survey results that paint a disturbing picture of the human consequences that resulted from losing Congressional funding to support enhanced premium tax credits for ACA Marketplace Enrollees The National MS Society has invested $2.3 million in 11 research projects focused on women's health issues and MS. We're sharing details of each new research initiative being funded. You'll learn about a clinical trial for a novel investigational therapy for MS and other autoimmune diseases. And we'll tell you about a study that you can participate in from home...and get compensated for your participation! We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're at the Public Policy Conference :22 Survey results show the human consequences of losing Congressional funding to support enhanced premium tax credits for ACA Marketplace Enrollees 4:45 The National MS Society invests $2.3 million dollars in research projects focused on women's health issues and MS 7:23 The first healthy participant is dosed in the clinical trial for ICP-538 11:24 An opportunity to participate from home in a clinical trial (and there's compensation!) 12:41 MS Activists David, Cliff, and Michelle share their thoughts on attending the MS Society's Public Policy Conference 15:27 Share this episode 30:10 Next week 30:30 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS JOIN: Become an MS Activist LISTEN: RealTalk MS Episode 446 -- MS Advocacy and the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with Steffany Stern SURVEY RESULTS: Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees PARTICIPATE: A Study to Determine How Well Different Fall Prevention Programs Work for People with Spinal Court Injury and Multiple Sclerosis JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 448 Guests: David Silbaugh, Cliff Currie, and Michelle Constantine Hibbs /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40652425

Episode 447: Walking with Many Sisters Toward a Cure with Brigitte Delaney 03/23/2026

Episode 447: Walking with Many Sisters Toward a Cure with Brigitte Delaney In 1988, there were just 42 Walk MS events, raising approximately $4 million. In 2025, there were 170 events across the country that raised over $30 million. As the largest private funder of MS research in the world, the National MS Society relies on funds raised at events like Walk MS to continue supporting the work that brings us closer to cures. This week, Brigitte Delaney, an amazing fundraiser and captain of the Many Sisters Walk MS team, shares her story, talks about the origin of the Many Sisters team, and offers her recipe for successful fundraising. We're also sharing study results that show adhering to the MIND diet slows brain aging (and we'll explain why that matters to someone living with MS) We'll tell you about NG01, a remyelinating cell therapy that just received an FDA designation that will accelerate its development. You'll learn about CoPilot Health, Microsoft's new AI health chatbot. And we're sharing study results that indicate people who receive their MS diagnosis over the age of 50 tend to experience a more severe MS disease course. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: It's WALK MS! :22 Study results show that adherence to the MIND diet slows brain aging 1:24 The FDA grants a designation that accelerates development of a remyelinating cell therapy 4:42 Microsoft launches CoPilot Health, an AI health chatbot 7:17 Study results indicate that people who are diagnosed over the age of 50 often experience a more severe MS disease course 9:32 Brigitte Delaney introduces us to the Many Sisters WALK MS team 12:07 Share this episode 22:28 Next week 22:48 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS JOIN: Become an MS Activist STUDY: Adherence to the MIND Diet and Longitudinal Brain Structural Changes Over a Decade: Evidence from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort STUDY: Effect of Late-Onset on Multiple Sclerosis Phenotype and Outcome: Evidence from a Multi-National Registry JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on X, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 447 Guests: Brigitte Delaney /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40571680

Episode 446: MS Advocacy and the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with Steffany Stern 03/16/2026

Episode 446: MS Advocacy and the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference with Steffany Stern 175 MS activists are heading to Washington, D.C. next week for the National MS Society’s Public Policy Conference. Their mission: to bring the concerns of the MS community directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. When it comes to the legislative support for healthcare and medical research, it's no secret that these are unusual times. Joining me to brief us on the National MS Society's ongoing advocacy efforts and give us a sneak peek at the specific legislative issues we'll be taking to Capitol Hill is the National MS Society's Vice President of Advocacy, Steffany Stern. We'll also share updated results from an important study that show the risk of developing MS if a close relative is living with the disease is significantly higher than researchers originally thought. And we'll give you all the details of a Phase 1 clinical trial that's focused on a novel approach to CAR-T cell therapy for MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Preparing for the MS Society's Public Policy Conference :22 I'm asking for your support: 1:37 An update to a 2015 study shows close relatives of people living with MS are 100 times more likely than the general population to develop MS 2:15 A novel approach to CAR-T cell therapy for MS is recruiting for a Phase 1 clinical trial 4:26 Steffany Stern, the Vice President of Research at the National MS Society, shares a major advocacy win and previews next week's Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. 7:27 Share this episode 33:04 Next week 33:25 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS JOIN: Become an MS Activist STUDY: A Prospective Study of Individuals at Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Informs the Design of Primary Prevention Studies GEMS Study Recruitment RealTalk MS Ep. 439: Preventing MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo PARTICIPATE: A Study to Assess the Safety and Clinical of Azer-cel in Participants with B-cell Mediated Autoimmune Disorders JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 446 Guests: Steffany Stern /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40447295

Episode 445: It's MS Awareness Week with Kristine Werner Ozug and Kim, Kim, and Kim 03/09/2026

Episode 445: It's MS Awareness Week with Kristine Werner Ozug and Kim, Kim, and Kim It’s MS Awareness Week, and this year we’re diving into a theme that hits home for millions: Unseen MS. Multiple sclerosis is a master of disguise; it can be entirely invisible to the naked eye while remaining profoundly life-altering for the person living it. In this episode, we’re exploring the spectrum of the MS experience through two distinct, yet deeply connected stories. First, you'll hear from RealTalk MS team member Kristine Werner Ozug. Kristine shares what it’s like to navigate a world that doesn’t always see her struggle, and how her "mostly invisible" MS symptoms still dictate the rhythm of her daily life. Then, you'll meet the two Kims (and a third). Kim W and Kim P, have been together for 16 years. They both live with MS—but in very different ways. While Kim P has navigated RRMS for 18 years with largely invisible symptoms, Kim W was diagnosed with PPMS just three years ago and faces much more visible physical challenges. Joining our conversation with Kim and Kim is Kim Fredsall, a physical therapist at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, who provides expert context on bridging the gap between diagnosis and daily management. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: It's MS Awareness Week :22 Kristine Werner Ozug shares her story 1:24 Kim W. and Kim P. share their story 24:49 Share this episode 39:14 Next week 39:34 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 445 Guests: Kristine Werner Ozug, Kim P, Kim W, and Kim Fredsall /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40351445

Episode 444: Treating MS with a GLP-1 with Dr. Ellen Mowry 03/02/2026

Episode 444: Treating MS with a GLP-1 with Dr. Ellen Mowry You know them by their trade names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. This class of medications is known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. And while they are best known for managing diabetes and promoting weight loss, researchers are finding that these drugs are also effective in a broad range of other health conditions. So, what about MS? My guest this week is Dr. Ellen Mowry, the principal investigator of a clinical trial to determine whether a GLP-1 drug can reduce brain inflammation and provide neuroprotection in people living with progressive MS. We're sharing details about the discovery of a new biomarker that not only confirms an MS diagnosis but also predicts the severity of an individual's disease course in the years ahead. We'll tell you about three studies focused on better managing some of the most common MS symptoms and funded by the International Progressive MS Alliance. And we'll explain how Merck and the Mayo Clinic are partnering to build a first-of-its-kind drug discovery platform using AI. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: A GLP-1 for MS? :22 I'm asking for your support: 1:31 Researchers discover biomarkers that can predict future disease course 2:13 The International Progressive MS Alliance invests $8.1 million in global studies that address the most common MS symptoms 5:44 Merck and the Mayo Clinic collaborate on AI-driven drug discovery platform 10:02 Dr. Ellen Mowry discusses the clinical trial to determine whether a GLP-1 drug can reduce inflammation in the central nervous system and offer neuroprotection to people with progressive MS 12:20 Share this episode 30:17 Next week 30:38 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS STUDY: Large-Scale Proteomics Across Neurological Disorders Uncovers Biomarker Panel and Targets in Multiple Sclerosis International Progressive MS Alliance https://progressivemsalliance.org JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 444 Guests: Dr. Ellen Mowry /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40265920

Episode 443: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 3) with Dr. Helen Tremlett, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, and Kathy Smith 02/23/2026

Episode 443: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 3) with Dr. Helen Tremlett, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, and Kathy Smith Welcome back to the third and final part of our coverage of the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. This week's episode bridges the gap between groundbreaking clinical research and the nuanced reality of living with MS every day. First, we'll dive into the "before" and "after" of a diagnosis, starting with Dr. Helen Tremlett’s insights into the MS prodrome—those subtle, early signs that appear years before typical MS symptoms. We'll also talk with Dr. Tremlett about how other health conditions can predict long-term outcomes in sometimes surprising ways. Dr. Ilana Katz Sand shares her latest research on the connection between diet, MRI findings, and clinical disability. Dr. Katz Sand also shares her list of foods you want to include and those you need to exclude when you choose the MIND diet. And Dr. Katz Sand explains the complementary roles of lifestyle choices and disease-modifying therapies in creating the most effective MS treatment plan. Finally, we ground these scientific advancements in the lived experience as Kathy Smith joins us to challenge the clinical labels we use to describe MS, questioning whether terms like "relapsing-remitting" or "secondary-progressive" truly capture the day-to-day reality of her two-decade journey with the disease. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 3) :22 Dr. Helen Tremlett discusses the prodromal phase of MS, which comorbidities are predictive of better or worse patient outcomes, and the role of the environment in pediatric MS 1:19 Dr. Ilana Katz Sand shares her latest research on the impact of diet on MS 10:44 As someone who has lived with MS for two decades, Kathy Smith takes on the question of whether the current labels like 'relapsing-remitting' or 'secondary-progressive' actually describe what life is like on a day-to-day basis for someone living with MS 22:35 Share this episode 34:29 Next week's episode 34:49 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS Find out about ABLEnow Accounts JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 443 Guests: Dr. Helen Tremlett, Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, and Kathy Smith /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40191460

Episode 442: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 2) with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kristine Werner Ozug 02/16/2026

Episode 442: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 2) with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kristine Werner Ozug Welcome back to Part Two of our coverage of the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. This week, we shift our focus to emerging therapies and clinical insights that are re-shaping the future of MS care. From the latest information on stem cell transplantation to evolving treatment strategies to the labels used to describe MS, we’re breaking down the complex science into the conversations that matter most to the MS community. Joining me to discuss one of the most significant presentations from the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum is Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, who opened the event with the Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture. Dr. Cohen’s lecture, "AHSCT: Current Status and Remaining Questions," tackled a topic of massive interest to both clinicians and the MS community: Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT). Often described as "resetting" the immune system, AHSCT is a complex and life-changing procedure that continues to evolve. In our conversation, Dr. Cohen delves deeper into his lecture, discussing transplant efficacy, the best candidates for AHSCT, the optimal time to consider AHSCT, and how people living with MS may qualify to participate in a clinical trial comparing the benefits of AHSCT with those of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies. Joining me for a deep dive into the future of MS care is Dr. Daniel Ontaneda. Our wide-ranging conversation explores the cutting edge of clinical practice and research, including the "early vs aggressive" treatment debate, how incorporating new imaging biomarkers will lead to faster, more reliable, and more accurate MS diagnoses, and whether the current disease classifications still serve the best interests of patient care. While MS research conferences like the ACTRIMS Forum are never short on world-class expert opinions and groundbreaking data, one perspective is often missing from the room: the voice of someone living with the disease. That’s why I was so glad to have Kristine Werner Ozug, a valued member of the RealTalk MS team, on the ground with me. As someone living with MS, Kristine brings a vital lens to these scientific sessions. After the final gavel fell, I sat down with her to get her "patient-first" perspective on the research that mattered most to her and what she’s taking away from this year’s Forum. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum (Part 2) :22 Dr. Jeffrey Cohen takes us on a deep-dive into Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) 1:23 Dr. Daniel Ontaneda discusses the ways that today's MS research will impact tomorrow's MS care 10:44 Kristine Werner Ozug shares her "patient-first" perspective on the research that mattered most to her and what she's taking away from the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum 28:17 Share this episode 43:31 Next week's episode 43:54 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS Find out about ABLEnow Accounts JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 442 Guests: Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kristine Werner Ozug /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40068740

Episode 441: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum with Dr. Manuel Friese, Dr. Amit Bar-Or, and Dr. Haritha Desu 02/09/2026

Episode 441: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum with Dr. Manuel Friese, Dr. Amit Bar-Or, and Dr. Haritha Desu Last week, over 1,400 scientists and clinicians gathered in San Diego, California, at the 2026 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. This week, in Part One of our coverage, you'll hear from three of the experts who presented their research at the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Manuel Friese, a clinician-scientist at the Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany, where he serves as the Director of the Center for Molecular Neurobiology, and the Director of the Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, is this year's winner of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis. I had an opportunity to talk with Dr. Friese about some of his truly remarkable research. Dr. Amit Bar-Or, the Director of the Centre for Neuroinflammation and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET) and Chief of the Division of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and related disorders at the University of Pennsylvania, presented encouraging results from two important clinical trials. Dr. Bar-Or and I discussed what those results might mean for people living with relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS. Dr. Haritha Desu, a young investigator at the ACTRIMS Forum, presented her cutting-edge research on how immune cells interact with cells already resident in the brain to drive damage or potentially promote repair. I talked with Dr. Desu about how her work could be key to stopping MS progression independent of relapse activity. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The 2026 ACTRIMS Forum :22 Barancik Prize winner Dr. Manuel Friese discusses his pioneering discoveries 1:34 Dr. Amit Bar-Or shares encouraging results from two important clinical trials 16:27 Dr. Haritha Desu discusses her research 25:27 Share this episode 32:23 Next week's episode 32:42 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS Find out about ABLEnow Accounts JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 441 Guests: Dr. Manuel Friese, Dr. Amit Bar-Or, and Dr. Haritha Desu /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/40048815

Episode 440: An MS Specialist's Response to the FDA with Dr. William Conte 02/02/2026

Episode 440: An MS Specialist's Response to the FDA with Dr. William Conte This past December, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter to drug manufacturer Sanofi in response to Sanofi's application seeking approval for Tolebrutinib, the first in a new category of investigational disease-modifying therapies to undergo FDA review. A Complete Response Letter is an official letter from the FDA to a drug manufacturer stating that the agency can't approve a new medicine in its current form. It's not an outright "no" that kills a project; it's more like a "not yet." However, this Complete Response Letter raised some issues which, at first glance, don't appear to be easily fixable. Sanofi has pointed out that the issues raised in the Complete Response Letter were markedly different from the guidance they received from the FDA over the course of this approval process. Sanofi has also indicated that it would work with the FDA to find a path forward for Tolebrutinib. Dr. William Conte, an MS Specialist and a principal investigator in the Phase 3 clinical trial for Tolebrutinib, has published an article responding to the FDA's Complete Response Letter. This week, Dr. Conte joins me to discuss the FDA's action and his response to that action. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum :22 Check out the official ACTRIMS Forum Insider podcast! :42 The FDA's Complete Response Letter about Tolebrutinib 1:09 Dr. William Conte responds to the FDA's Complete Response Letter 4:09 Share this episode 38:10 Next week's episode 38:30 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS Find out about ABLEnow Accounts JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 440 Guests: Dr. William Conte /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39939825

Episode 439: Preventing MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo 01/26/2026

Episode 439: Preventing MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo The first coordinated global research strategy to prevent MS has been announced. This week, Dr. Bruce Bebo, the National MS Society's Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Medical Affairs Officer, joins me to explain what MS prevention looks like and how experts plan to achieve this remarkable goal. We'll also tell you who won the 2025 Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research, and we'll explain how their groundbreaking research impacts MS care. We're sharing the details of a newly announced partnership designed to reduce delays in getting an MS diagnosis and expand access to MS care in Wisconsin. We'll tell you how an international drug discovery network found that a drug already approved for another condition could also protect nerve cells and promote remyelination. And we'll share research that shows that AI can accurately predict whether someone newly diagnosed with MS will experience progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in the three years following their diagnosis. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! I'm asking for your support: :22 This Week: Preventing MS 1:47 Dr. Manuel Friese is the winner of the 2025 Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research 2:41 National MS Society announces a partnership to improve time to MS diagnosis and access to MS care in Wisconsin 6:26 An international drug discovery network identifies a drug that protects nerve cells and promotes remyelination 8:05 STUDY: AI accurately predicts progression independent of relapse activity in individuals who are newly diagnosed with MS 10:51 Dr. Bruce Bebo explains the strategy behind the global research initiative to prevent MS 14:48 Share this episode 31:31 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Support Jon at WALK MS RealTalk MS Episode 424: I'm a Participant in a Clinical Trial for CAR T-Cell Therapy for MS with Jan Janisch-Hanzlik STUDY: In Silico Screening and Preclinical Validation Identify Bavisant as a Therapeutic Candidate for Multiple Sclerosis STUDY: Machine Learning Analysis Applied to Prediction of Early Progression Independent of Relapse Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Find out about ABLEnow Accounts JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 439 Guests: Dr. Bruce Bebo /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39863720

Episode 438: The Discovery of 2 MS Subtypes with Dr. Arman Eshaghi 01/19/2026

Episode 438: The Discovery of 2 MS Subtypes with Dr. Arman Eshaghi One of the more confusing aspects of MS is that it can present differently from one person to the next. A research team at University College London may have uncovered a reason for that when they identified two new, and quite different, subtypes of MS. Joining me to walk us through this discovery and to explain how it may impact MS clinical care is the study's principal investigator, Dr. Arman Eshaghi. We're also sharing study results that may explain how the Epstein-Barr Virus triggers MS in some individuals. We'll tell you about the free online fitness and wellness programs for veterans living with MS offered by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. And we'll explain how the latest entrant in the AI for healthcare revolution can prepare you for your next appointment with your neurologist. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Discovering 2 new subtypes of MS :22 Study results show how the Epstein-Barr Virus may trigger MS 1:20 The PVA is offering free online fitness and wellness classes for veterans with MS 5:45 Claude for Healthcare joins the AI in healthcare revolution 7:03 Dr. Arman Eshaghi discusses his team's discovery of 2 subtypes of MS 9:59 Share this episode 28:15 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at EBV Infection and HLA-DR15 Jointly Drive Multiple Sclerosis by Myelin Peptide Presentation STUDY: Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Serum Analysis Reveals Distinct Multiple Sclerosis Types PVA Offers Free Online Fitness & Wellness Classes for Vets with MS Find out about ABLEnow Accounts Claude for Healthcare JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 438 Guests: Dr. Arman Eshaghi /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39768010

Episode 437: Remembering David Mitchell 01/12/2026

Episode 437: Remembering David Mitchell I don't have to remind anyone who listens to this podcast that the cost of MS disease-modifying therapies is obscenely high. And we're not just talking about relatively new medications. Older medications -- some decades old -- continue to increase in price without any rational explanation for why or how. On January 2nd, we lost a true warrior in the ongoing battle to lower the price of prescription drugs when David Mitchell, the founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, passed away. I met David in 2018 at a National MS Society Public Policy Conference, and he was a guest on Episode 31 of RealTalk MS. This week, I'm re-sharing the conversation we had in 2018. We'll also tell you about an international workshop that represents the initial steps in developing a global research agenda to end MS. We're explaining how AI is about to have a major impact on healthcare. And we'll share the American Medical Association's brief to Congress, making the case for extending access to telehealth. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're remembering David Mitchell :22 The first steps toward a global research agenda to prevent MS were just published 1:02 Doctor AI will see you now 5:45 The American Medical Association asks lawmakers to extend access to telehealth 10:27 David Mitchell in his own words 12:41 Share this episode 27:56 Next week 28:16 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at Patients for Affordable Drugs PAPER: Toward a Global Research Agenda for Preventing Multiple Sclerosis AMA BRIEF: The Case for Permanent Telehealth Policy and Expanded Access to Virtual Care ChatGPT Health JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 437 Guests: David Mitchell /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39690200

Episode 436: 3 Questions Your Neurologist Should Be Asking Themselves with Dr. Leorah Freeman 01/05/2026

Episode 436: 3 Questions Your Neurologist Should Be Asking Themselves with Dr. Leorah Freeman Scientists are expanding our understanding of MS at an unprecedented pace. This week, Dr. Leorah Freeman discusses why, as new discoveries and medications enter clinical practice, neurologists and MS specialists should ask themselves 3 important questions when considering a patient's treatment plan. Dr. Freeman is the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, where she also leads the MS and Neuroimmunology fellowship program and the MS Imaging and Outcomes Research Laboratory. We'll also tell you about study results that reveal two distinct biologically-informed MS subtypes. We're explaining some of the confusing background to the FDA's decision not to approve a disease-modifying therapy that achieved positive results in its Phase 3 clinical trial. And did we really need a study to tell us that people living with MS fear experiencing a relapse or disease progression? Well, yes. We'll explain why. We're also reminding you to mail your insurance premium payments and other important documents earlier than you have in the past. And we're sharing details about the two clinical trials that received $4.1 million in funding as part of the International Progressive MS Alliance Experimental Medicine Trial Awards. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: 3 questions your neurologist should be asking themselves :22 Public Service Announcement: How the new rule about postmarks could affect your healthcare 1:16 FDA says it's not ready to approve Tolebrutinib 3:16 Study identifies two biologically-informed MS subtypes 6:29 Study results remind us that people with MS fear relapse and progression 10:09 The International Progressive MS Alliance invests $4.1 million in two clinical trials 14:04 Dr. Leorah Freeman discusses why neurologists need to ask themselves 3 important questions when considering a patient's treatment plan 17:18 Share this episode 33:16 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at The Multiple Sclerosis Insider STUDY: Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Serum Analysis Reveals Distinct Multiple Sclerosis Types STUDY: Fear of Disease Progression and Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Scoping Review JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 436 Guests: Dr. Leorah Freeman /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39580095

Episode 435: Revisiting ECTRIMS 2025 with Dr. Bruce Bebo and Kristine Werner Ozug 12/29/2025

Episode 435: Revisiting ECTRIMS 2025 with Dr. Bruce Bebo and Kristine Werner Ozug We're closing out the year by revisiting the most listened-to episode of RealTalk MS in 2025. And it shouldn't come as a major surprise that this year's most listened-to episode was our review of the largest MS research conference in the world, ECTRIMS. This episode features the annual conversation that I have with Dr. Bruce Bebo, right outside of the conference center, just minutes after ECTRIMS adjourns. Dr. Bebo is the Executive Vice President of Research at the National MS Society, and each year, he very generously closes out 3 days of nonstop meetings, presentations, and research reviews by sharing his initial thoughts on the announcements and presentations that caught his eye during the conference. When I produced this episode last September, I also wanted to capture a patient's perspective on what can easily become an overwhelming 3 days of presentations, news, and announcements. Kristine Werner Ozug, a member of the RealTalk MS team who lives with MS, joined me right after the conference to share her perspective on ECTRIMS 2025. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: ECTRIMS 2025 :22 Dr. Bruce Bebo shares his first impressions of the news and research presented at ECTRIMS 2025 1:22 Kristine Werner Ozug weighs in with an MS patient's perspective on the news and research presented at ECTRIMS 2025 10:35 Share this episode 22:45 Next week on RealTalk MS 23:06 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at RealTalk MS at ECTRIMS 2025 on YouTube Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 435 Guests: Dr. Bruce Bebo and Kristine Werner Ozug /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39458465

Episode 434: Revisiting Managing Menopause While You're Managing MS with Dr. Riley Bove 12/22/2025

Episode 434: Revisiting Managing Menopause While You're Managing MS with Dr. Riley Bove The holiday season gives me the opportunity to indulge in what's become a RealTalk MS tradition. I reserve the last two episodes in December to revisit the most popular conversations that I've had over the past year. Women represent two-thirds of the MS population. Yet, surprisingly, there isn't nearly enough data related to women's health issues and MS. With an estimated 300,000 women living with MS in the United States who are currently in peri- or post-menopause, researchers have started to focus on how menopause and MS interact, and the best ways to treat symptoms of each. This brings me to a conversation I had last March about managing menopause while managing MS with Dr. Riley Bove. Dr. Bove is a neurologist and the founding director of the Sex and Gender-Enriched (SAGE) Neurology Program at the University of California, San Francisco, and she's considered one of the world's foremost experts on women's health issues and MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Managing menopause while you're managing MS :22 Dr. Riley Bove discusses some of the issues facing the estimated 30% of the MS population who are currently in peri- or post-menopause 1:53 Share this episode 20:30 Next week on RealTalk MS 20:51 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at RealTalk MS at ECTRIMS 2025 on YouTube Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 434 Guests: Dr. Riley Bove /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39458445

Episode 433: Our Most Important Conversations of 2025 with Dr. John Corboy, Dr. Mikael Simons, Dr. John DeLuca, and Dr. Stehen Krieger 12/15/2025

Episode 433: Our Most Important Conversations of 2025 with Dr. John Corboy, Dr. Mikael Simons, Dr. John DeLuca, and Dr. Stehen Krieger As the year draws to a close, we wanted to share some of the most compelling conversations we've had over the past 12 months. And rather than make my own picks, we went through the hundreds of emails we've received over the past year from the RealTalk MS listener community to see which topics really connected with you. In this week's episode, you'll hear from four of the top MS experts in the world discussing the subjects you've told me are most important to you. First, we'll explore aging and MS with Dr. John Corboy, the principal investigator of the largest study designed to answer the question, "Once I turn 60, can I discontinue my disease-modifying therapies?" We'll talk about remyelination with the winner of the 2025 Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research, Dr. Mikael Simons. You'll hear our conversation with one of the world's top MS rehabilitation experts, Dr. John DeLuca, as we tackle one of the most disruptive MS symptoms -- fatigue. And we'll wrap up this episode by talking with clinician-scientist Dr. Stephen Krieger about the confusion around trying to reconcile the idea of progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Our most important conversations of 2025 :22 Dr. John Corboy discusses aging and MS 1:07 Dr. Mikael Simons discusses remyelination 10:54 Dr. John DeLuca discusses MS-related fatigue 19:20 Dr. Stephen Krieger discusses how the current course descriptors for MS (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive) may no longer be working for doctors or patients 26:11 Share this episode 42:10 Next week's episode 42:30 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the ! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the or at SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, , and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, . RealTalk MS Episode 433 Guests: Dr. John Corboy, Dr. Mikael Simons, Dr. John DeLuca, Dr. Stephen Krieger /episode/index/show/realtalkms/id/39358230

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