New podcast shines light on brain disorders

Brainstorming is a new podcast featuring top scientists from University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research and people with lived experience of brain diseases.

In-depth interviews will cover cutting-edge research on conditions ranging from dementia to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated blows to the head.

Journalist Clare de Lore, who produced the series in partnership with NZME, says it aims to offer hope to anyone affected by brain disorders.

“It’s about showing people there’s hope for breakthroughs, treatments and for people to live longer, healthier lives.

“Hope enables people to carry on through some of the toughest things – and some of these brain diseases are unimaginably tough,” de Lore says.

Each episode is 40 to 50 minutes long and focuses on one condition, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and motor neuron disease.

New Centre for Brain Research director Professor Hanneke Hulst, who took over the leading role in December last year, features in an episode discussing the latest research on multiple sclerosis.

“The podcast combines neuroscientists’ expertise with the experiences of people with brain disorders in a way that reflects the focus of the Centre for Brain Research.

“Everything we do is focused on bringing us closer to helping New Zealanders with brain conditions,” says Hulst.

The first episode on 6 May features Centre for Brain Research founder Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull and Mary Hiron, whose family has been devastated by Huntington’s disease, a fatal hereditary condition.

De Lore says the stories of people living with brain disorders and those caring for family members add a “moving, deeply personal dimension” to the podcasts.

“I’ve been touched by how willing people with brain conditions have been to take part, how they’ve opened up about the challenges and sometimes heart-wrenching realities of their lives,” says de Lore.

While some people talk about their determination not to let their condition rule their lives, others know they have limited time left.

“They’re focused on doing everything they want to do with the time they have remaining on this Earth.

“You learn the importance of doing it now,” de Lore says.

Brainstorming will launch on 6 May on iHeart and other podcast platforms. New episodes will be available every second Wednesday.