Parkinson's Europe website Parkinson’s Life – the online lifestyle magazine offering a voice to the global Parkinson’s community – launched its first podcast series in May 2019.
Designed to offer an uninterrupted space for people living with Parkinson’s, the podcast brings together two people to talk openly and honestly about the realities of life with Parkinson’s – and to share ideas about living well with the condition.
A second series – produced with support of a grant provided by the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe – was launched in May 2021.
Listen to all the episodes of the Parkinson's Life podcast below!
Second series – 2021-2022
Freezing, moving and cueing – understanding gait and Parkinson’s
In the sixteenth episode, a Parkinson’s expert and a person living with the condition discuss why gait impairment can “profoundly affect everyday life” – and how to manage the symptom.
“Freezing, moving and cueing – understanding gait and Parkinson’s” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Getting involved in Parkinson’s research
In the fifteenth episode, a research expert and two people living with Parkinson’s explore what it means to take part in research on the condition – and discuss the different ways people can get involved.
“Getting involved in Parkinson’s research” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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Women and Parkinson’s disease – the research gap
In the fourteenth episode, Dr Annelien Oosterbaan and Dr Soania Mathur explore the research gap impacting women with the condition – and discuss what needs to change.
“Women and Parkinson’s disease – the research gap” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Women and Parkinson’s disease – health and wellness
In the thirteenth episode, two guests based in Spain and the US discuss some of the unique challenges they face as women with Parkinson’s – and share why they want to speak up about their experiences.
“Women and Parkinson’s disease – health and wellness” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Breaking the silence on impulsive and compulsive behaviours
In the twelfth episode, person with Parkinson's Vicki Dillon and neurologist Dr Angelo Antonini share how impulsive and compulsive behaviours can impact the lives of people with the condition.
“Breaking the silence on impulsive and compulsive behaviours” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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Everyday life after DBS surgery
In the eleventh episode, person with Parkinson's Peter Schielzeth and Parkinson’s nurse Louise Ebenezer share their perspectives on life after deep brain stimulation surgery .
“Everyday life after DBS surgery” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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Deciding to have DBS surgery
In the tenth episode, professor of neurosurgery Keyoumars Ashkan and Parkinson’s advocate Cathy Molohan discuss what to consider before undergoing deep brain stimulation.
“Deciding to have DBS surgery” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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Special episode: three questions on life with Parkinson's
In this end-of year special episode, we share answers from 2021 podcast guests to the same three questions, designed to get to the heart of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s.
“Three questions on life with Parkinson's” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Pursuing passions with Parkinson’s
In the eighth episode, comedian Kitty Fitton and Parkinson’s Art founder Trevor Woollard discuss how the interests they’ve discovered since their Parkinson's diagnoses have changed their lives.
“Pursuing passions with Parkinson’s” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Lessons learned from the pandemic
In the seventh episode, four people with Parkinson's reflect on how life has changed since the pandemic – and the lessons they’ll be taking forward.
“Lessons learned from the pandemic” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
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How to keep moving with Parkinson’s
In the sixth episode, physiotherapist Mariella Graziano and Mirjam Hölzel, a person with Parkinson’s, explore the relationship between the condition and fitness – and share their tips on how to keep moving.
“How to keep moving with Parkinson’s” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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How to eat well with Parkinson’s
The fifth episode brings together dietitian Richelle Flanagan and chef Zarela Martínez – together, they discuss favourite dishes and share top tips for those living with the condition.
“How to eat well with Parkinson's” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Love, sex and Parkinson’s
The fourth episode brings together musician Robbie Tucker and writer and advocate Heather Kennedy for an honest conversation on the highs and lows of looking for love while living with Parkinson’s.
“Love, sex and Parkinson's” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Parkinson's and loneliness
The third episode brings together neurologist Dr Indu Subramanian and retired lobbyist Wytze Russchen, who has lived with Parkinson’s since 2008. Together, they discuss how loneliness can affect people with the condition – and how to counter feelings of isolation.
“Parkinson's and loneliness” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Living with ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s disease
The second episode, initiated and funded by Britannia Pharmaceuticals, brings together UK-based 74-year-old Colin Cheesman and geriatrician Dr Nishantha Silva. Colin has lived with Parkinson’s for the last 20 years; in the podcast, he and Dr Silva discuss life at an ‘advanced’ stage of the condition – from coping with changing symptoms to keeping a positive attitude when things are unpredictable.
“Living with ‘advanced’ Parkinson’s disease” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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How to sleep well with Parkinson's
The first episode, which was launched on Thursday 13 May 2021, brings together Ireland-based couple Cormac and Mary Mehigan, and Parkinson’s advanced nurse practitioner Brian Magennis. Cormac was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago but has experienced active dreaming and sleeplessness for around six years; he and Mary discuss how these symptoms affect their everyday lives, and Brian shares his advice on getting a good night’s sleep.
“How to sleep well with Parkinson's” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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First series – 2019
Parenting with Parkinson's
The first episode, which was launched on Thursday 16 May 2019, brings together Canada-based broadcaster Larry Gifford and American blogger and communications director Allison Toepperwein – both of whom have the condition and are also parents – to discuss family life with Parkinson’s.
“Parenting with Parkinson’s” is available now on iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Caring for a family member with Parkinson's
The second episode, which was launched on Thursday 20 June 2019, Ola Larsson from Sweden and Ivona Cudova from the Czech Republic – who both care for a family member with Parkinson’s – talk about how taking on the role of carer has impacted their relationships, and why seeking support from people in a similar position is an important coping strategy.
“Caring for a family member with Parkinson’s” is available now on iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube.
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Parkinson's and work
The third episode, which went live on 18 July 2019, Elisabeth Ildal from Denmark and Gary Boyle from Ireland – who both live with young-onset Parkinson's – discuss what it is like managing your working life with Parkinson's, connecting over their experiences of telling employers about their diagnosis and choosing whether to continue working or take a step back from a career.
“Parkinson’s and work" is available now on iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube.
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Parkinson's assessment tools
The fourth episode, which went live on 19 September 2019, Portuguese physiotherapist Josefa Domingos talks with her patient Idelta Oliveira, who lives with Parkinson's disease. Together, they discuss how a new clinical assessment tool, the Parkinson's Disease Composite Scale (PDCS), changed the way they communicate in their appointments and enhanced Idelta’s treatment: thanks to the rating scale, Idelta’s experience can be discussed in a “common language” that all healthcare professionals understand.
“Parkinson’s assessment tools” is available now on iTunes, SoundCloud and YouTube.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Women and Parkinson's
The fifth episode, which went live on 21 November 2019, features Parkinson’s campaigners and bloggers Omotola Thomas (UK), Sharon Krischer (USA) and Mariette Robijn (the Netherlands): together, they engage in a heartfelt and lively discussion on how a gender gap in knowledge and research affects the everyday lives of women with Parkinson's.
“Women and Parkinson's” is available now on iTunes, SoundCloud and YouTube.
You can listen to the episode below – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Getting creative with Parkinson's
The sixth episode, which went live on 19 December 2019, features rapper Walter J Archey III and artist Amy Mallett. Together, they discuss the impact creativity can have on the condition – and why sometimes getting out of your comfort zone allows you to “leave your Parkinson’s at the door”.
“Getting creative with Parkinson’s” is available now on iTunes, SoundCloud and YouTube.
You can listen to the episode – and please rate and review to help others find it!
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Related reading
Articles from Parkinson's Life online magazine
- Podcast roundup: conversations on the reality of Parkinson’s
