Cogent Conversations

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein is joined by Dr. Emily Maxwell, physical therapist and assistant coach of the U.S. women’s amputee soccer team, and Sarah Evans, a national team athlete, for a conversation about amputee soccer, adaptive sport, and the community that makes it all possible.Together, they discuss the growth of the American Amputee Soccer Association, the rise of the women’s program, and the role adaptive sport plays in expanding access and visibility for athletes with limb difference. From Sarah’s personal journey into competition to Emily’s path from physical therapist to coach, the conversation highlights how amputee soccer is opening doors, building community, and reshaping what opportunity in sport can look like.

Emergency planning in youth sports is only as strong as its enforcement. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein speaks with investigative reporter Stephanie Kuzydym about her deep dive into how schools fall short of athlete safety laws.Stephanie’s “Safer Sidelines” investigation uncovered widespread failures by Kentucky high schools to comply with state emergency planning laws, revealing how gaps in oversight and enforcement leave student-athletes vulnerable. Through public records requests, data analysis, and a first-of-its-kind national database tracking athlete deaths, her reporting exposes critical gaps in oversight and enforcement of athlete safety, revealing how breakdowns in preparation and accountability can have devastating consequences.This conversation explores the role of investigative journalism in advancing athlete safety, the importance of emergency action plans in high school sports, and how transparency and accountability can help prevent future tragedies.

Student-run EMS programs are powerful incubators for clinical skill and leadership. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein explores that model in action with Brad Morrison and Andrew Tang, crew chiefs for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology EMS Service in Cambridge, Massachusetts.Both MIT graduates and seasoned EMTs, Brad and Andrew discuss their work training and mentoring student volunteers who provide ambulance operations for the MIT campus and surrounding communities. The conversation explores the intersection of education and emergency care and how volunteer EMS programs can help develop clinical skills, leadership, and a lasting commitment to service.

Careers in sports medicine rarely follow a single path. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein is joined by Dr. Lisa Piropato, a dual-credentialed physical therapist and athletic trainer whose career spans clinical care, education, administration, business ownership, and residency leadership.Together, they explore how athletic training and sports physical therapy complement one another across the continuum of athlete care—from injury through return to sport. Dr. Piropato also discusses her work supporting pregnant and postpartum athletes, her involvement in adaptive sports, and her commitment to expanding access to high-quality care. Throughout the conversation, she shares insights for students and early-career professionals on navigating career choices, embracing diverse roles, and building a professional path that aligns with both personal goals and the evolving demands of sports medicine.

Each summer, the Warrior Games bring together service members and veterans from across the branches of the U.S. military to compete in adaptive sports and celebrate resilience, teamwork, and recovery. This episode of Cogent Conversations discusses the history of the Games and the behind-the-scenes coordination that keeps them running safely each year. Our host, Dr. Shelly Weinstein, is joined by Dr. Chris Meyering, medical director of the Warrior Games; Dr. Jessy McLean, sports physical therapy resident with the U.S. Navy in Quantico; and returning guest Dr. Megan Mitchell, physical therapist and instructor at Cogent Steps. Together, they discuss emergency action planning, on-site medical support, athlete rehabilitation, and interagency collaboration—reflecting on the powerful connections forged through adaptive competition and the lessons learned from serving those who serve.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein welcomes Dr. Nailah Coleman, a board-certified pediatrician and sports medicine specialist based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Coleman shares insights from her wide-ranging career spanning clinical practice, sports medicine leadership, and health equity advocacy.The discussion explores her roles with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine, her work with underserved youth athletes, and her leadership in major endurance events. Together, they discuss the evolving field of pediatric sports medicine, strategies for community-based athlete care, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in advancing the next generation of sports clinicians.

How does the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization keep its athletes healthy, prepared, and protected? In this special episode, Dr. Shelly Weinstein and Dr. Mike Turnwald speak with Dr. Heather Linden and Dr. Jennifer Neudorfer from the UFC Performance Institute about the intersection of performance science and emergency medicine. The discussion explores how the Institute sets a new standard in athlete health and safety, covering emergency response training, the development and implementation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), injury prevention, and performance optimization. The group shares lessons learned from Cogent Steps’ Emergency Response for the Athlete course, insights into high-stakes event medicine, and what it takes to prepare world-class athletes to perform safely at the highest level.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein sits down with Brian McGuire, who serves as the lead athletic trainer for the NFL Scouting Combine as well as an injury spotter in the league’s Player Health and Safety Program. Brian takes listeners behind the scenes of the combine, explaining the evolving role of athletic trainers in protecting athletes and highlighting the importance of preparation, communication, and emergency action planning at every level of sport.He offers an inside look at how spotters work behind the scenes to protect players and shares insights on how the role has evolved, the technology and training that support it, and why spotters are a crucial part of game-day safety in the NFL.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, host Dr. Shelley Weinstein speaks with Ann Marie Husk, Kerry Mullenix, and Jenna Austell—three dual-credentialed clinicians from Duke University—about the development and structure of Duke’s Sports Physical Therapy Residency and Division I Athletics Fellowship. The panel discusses the origins of the fellowship, its unique emphasis on immersive training within a Division I setting, and the critical role of mentorship in shaping future sports physical therapists. In addition to collegiate-level exposure, fellows also gain valuable experience working with high school athletes and engaging in care at the community level. Their conversation sheds light on how Duke’s program equips fellows with the experience needed to thrive in high-performance environments and contributes to the evolution of the field.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelley Weinstein welcomes Dr. Fran O’Connor, a medical director for the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), as well as a professor for military and emergency medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The conversation focuses on Exercise Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait (ECAST) and exertional sickling, as Dr. O’Connor shares insights from his decades of experience treating endurance athletes and military personnel. Together, they explore the critical differences between sickle cell disease and trait, and highlight the underrecognized risks associated with the trait, particularly in athletic and military settings. In having this conversation, we hope to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and the public about sickle cell disease and trait to prevent avoidable tragedies.The Director's Letter referenced in the podcast can be found here, and Dr. O'Connor's video on Sickle Cell Trait Implications on Exercise and Military Service, which was also mentioned, can be watched here.

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Dr. Brian Fischer, a sports physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Host Shelley Weinstein and Dr. Fischer discuss the long-term impact of inadequate care and the importance of specialized training in sports rehab.The conversation also touches on Dr. Fischer’s professional journey, his certifications, and his emphasis on ensuring athletes receive individualized and knowledgeable treatment plans. They highlight the need for collaboration among providers and the value of continuing education in sports-specific rehab to improve outcomes and prevent long-term injury, and Dr. Fischer’s work supporting the health and readiness of tactical athletes like firefighters and EMS personnel.

This episode of Cogent Conversations features a comprehensive discussion on mass casualty preparedness and the critical role of stress management in emergency training. Host Shelly Weinstein is joined by Cogent Steps Instructors Dr. Megan Mitchell and Joel Bannister, as well as Dr. Kristina Stanich, a physical therapist who works for the US government. The episode underscores the need for proactive training to ensure readiness for large-scale emergencies.The conversation highlights the value of stress management during training, as well as the benefits of training focused on mass casualty preparedness, using Cogent Steps' recent course with Rocky Mountain University to train students for a potential mass casualty event as an example. The panelists of guests also discuss the lack of prioritization for mass casualty preparedness at large-scale events and the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration among agencies when doing so. 

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Dr. John Jardine, an emergency medicine physician currently working at Kent Hospital in Rhode Island. Host Shelley Weinstein and Dr. Jardine discuss his experience in endurance medicine, exploring the challenges of providing medical support at events—particularly in treating exertional heat stroke—as climate plays a more prominent role in our lives.Dr. Jardine shares insights on the importance of rapid response, teamwork, and the unique demands of medical planning for large-scale athletic competitions, and highlights his work at events like the Beach to Beacon race and the Marine Corps Marathon.

This episode of Cogent Conversations features Fire Chief Brian Weston, a federal firefighter and paramedic overseeing Marine Corps Base Quantico's Fire and EMS services. Chief Weston and Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein discuss the unique challenges of emergency management on a military base, including differences from civilian departments and other logistical complexities. The conversation focuses on the importance of incident action plans (IAPs) for large-scale events, explaining how they enhance coordination among multiple agencies and improve response efficiency. Chief Weston also shares insights on overcoming communication barriers, the role of logistics in emergency planning, and best practices for event organizers to collaborate effectively with first responders.

This episode of Cogent Conversations explores the early stages of a medical career through the lens of volunteering at major events, featuring Gillian Styring, a second-year medical student at George Washington University. Gillian reflects on her roles as an Emergency Room Liaison at the Marine Corps Marathon and as a Marshall at the Isle of Man TT Races and how these have provided unique opportunities to build skills and gain insights into emergency medicine. Shelly and Gillian dive into the unique challenges of providing medical and logistical support at large-scale events, with Gillian providing great insight into the logistics of the mountainous 37-mile Isle of Man TT course. 

Dr. Josh Funk, founder of Rehab to Perform, joins Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein in this latest episode to discuss how innovative approaches to physical therapy can transform patients' experience. Dr. Funk kicks off this episode by reflecting on his journey as a multi-sport youth athlete and Division I competitor. He highlights the importance of sport sampling and advocates for diverse athletic experiences to foster lifelong physical activity and overall well-being. He also discusses the shortcomings of traditional physical therapy settings and how Rehab to Perform was designed to make rehab engaging, individualized, and community-centered. Dr. Funk’s story offers insights into enhancing patient care and fostering a more vibrant and impactful physical therapy profession.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Host Shelly Weinstein is joined by Battalion Chief Jack McGovern, the Deputy Emergency Manager for the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Chief McGovern shares his experience managing both planned events, like the Marine Corps Half Marathon, and unplanned crises, such as natural disasters and large-scale fires. Shelly and Chief McGovern dive into the importance of interagency collaboration, resource management, and community engagement in keeping the public safe. From mass casualty preparedness to supporting local communities in times of crisis, this episode underscores the critical role of leadership and planning in public safety.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Kori Hudson, a board-certified specialist in both sports and emergency medicine, shares her unique insights on emergency action plans (EAPs). Dr. Hudson and Cogent Conversations Host Shelly Weinstein discuss the critical role EAPs play in ensuring safety at sporting events, emphasizing the importance of preparation, practice, and collaboration between medical teams. From the high school field to professional sports arenas, this conversation highlights how effective planning can save lives. 

Scott Kaylor, board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy, joins Host Shelly Weinstein on this episode of Cogent Conversations. Scott, who owns Zone Physical Therapy in Greer, South Carolina, specializes in treating both upper and lower extremities, with a particular focus on runners. He shares insights from his career, including his personal experience as a runner and his expertise in guiding runners through every stage of their athletic journey.

Cogent Conversations' Host Shelly Weinstein sits down with MeMe Earnest to discuss MeMe's extensive background working with adaptive athletes. As a dual-qualified physical therapist and athletic trainer, and owner of Invictus Physical Therapy & Adaptive Training, MeMe shares her experience working with adaptive athletes and how she first got started in the field. 

Edison (Ed) Au is this month's special guest on Cogent Conversations. Ed dives into his impressive background as a physical therapist with host, Shelly Weinstein, and discusses his experience working with athletes, including Canadian national athletes and parathletes, across a wide range of sports to address their needs and injuries. 

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Shelly speaks with the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School's Head Physical Therapist Angelique Bannister and Head Athletic Trainer Jess Vera Cruz. The two discuss their experience at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and how they work together to treat acute injury and illness.

This month's edition of Cogent Conversations features Scott Larimer who discusses his extensive experience as an Amateur Radio Operator (ARO).

In our second podcast,  Cogent Conversations' host Shelly Weinstein talks with Katie Powers & Maureen Smith about their experiences working as nurses in the medical tent at the Marine Corps Marathon.

Welcome to the first episode of Cogent Conversations! In this inaugural podcast, we dive into the background and experience of Megan Mitchell in emergency medicine.