PODCAST · sports
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast
by Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients. DISCLAIMER: All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice of doctors or healthcare practitioners. If a listener believes they are suffering from a similar injury to one discussed by the author, please seek medical care of your doctor or physician and do not rely on the author's advice.
Episodes
-
Concussion, Women’s Health and Acupuncture with Dr Ayla Wolf
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Wolf is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the founder of Healing Response Acupuncture & Functional Neurology in Stillwater, Minnesota. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, she specialises in neurological acupuncture, post-concussion syndrome, and...
-
Probable CTE, Football & Brain Health with Valerie Wade & Former Socceroo Captain Paul Wade
Send us Fan Mail Paul captained the Socceroos throughout the 1990s, earning 84 caps and playing 345 National Soccer League games for clubs including Croydon, Green Gully, Brunswick and South Melbourne. He led Australia from 1990 to 1996, including at the Olympics and through two World Cup...
-
Edgework, Consent and the Violence Paradox in Martial Arts with Dr Alex Channon
Send us Fan Mail Dr Channon is a Principal Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport Studies at the University of Brighton, UK. His work covers sociology of sport, in particular martial arts and combat sports, examining topics such as gender and sexuality in participation, the role of martial arts...
-
Performance of Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome Criteria in Identifying Individuals with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy with Dr John Arena
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Arena is a neurosurgeon at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in the intersection of clinical neurosurgery, neurotrauma, and neurodegenerative disease. He has authored more than 54 publications in these fields. Before medicine, he was an accomplished football player...
-
Monologue: The Cost of Consent - Concussion, Vocation and the Assumption of Risk
Send us Fan Mail This episode picks up where our last one left off, brief update new developments in the Geelong concussion waiver case. But the real focus is bigger than one club: we're unpacking what "they accept the risk" actually means, why professional sport gets treated as a calling rather...
-
Monologue: The AFL’s Concussion Waiver Scandal
Send us Fan Mail NOTE: This episode reports on matters covered in the media and public statements; it does not allege guilt or wrongdoing by any individual or organisation named. Information is current as of recording and may have changed since. A factual look at the AFL's 2026 concussion-waiver...
-
Monologue: Should Kids Be Heading a Soccer Ball? The Rule-Change Debate
Send us Fan Mail Note: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. While I’ve done my best to accurately interpret the cited journal articles, please read the original sources yourself for full context before drawing conclusions. This episode picks up where last…
more -
Monologue: Probable CTE - What We Know, What We Don't and Why the Words Matter
Send us Fan Mail This episode unpacks what "probable CTE" actually means — where the term comes from, what the science can and can't currently tell us, and why a single case (former Socceroos captain Paul Wade) has reignited debate about diagnosing a disease that's only ever been confirmed after...
-
Concussion and Return-to-Drive with Dr Julianne Schmidt
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Schmidt is the Georgia Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia and Co-Director of the UGA Concussion Research Center. Her research program focuses on the continuum of concussion management, including injury assessment, clinical recovery,...
-
Return-to-Learn (RTL) and Concussion in Preforming Arts Populations with Dr Allyssa Memmini
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Allyssa Memmini, PhD, LAT, ATC, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences at the University of New Mexico and an internationally recognised researcher in concussion management. Her work has focused on improving recovery pathways for...
-
The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) with Dr John Leddy
Send us Fan Mail Dr. John J. Leddy is a primary care sports medicine physician with UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He serves as the Medical Director of the University at...
-
Tour de France, Concussion and ‘Life and Death: A Cycling Memoir’ with Dr Bridie O'Donnell
Send us Fan Mail Dr Bridie O'Donnell is a valedictorian graduate of the University of Queensland Medical School who paused her medical career to become one of Australia's most accomplished cyclists. A multiple-time Australian National Time Trial Champion, she represented Australia on the...
-
Concussion, Epilepsy and The Blood-Brain Barrier with Dr Colin Doherty
Send us Fan Mail Professor Doherty holds the Ellen Mayston Bates Chair in Neurology at Trinity College Dublin's School of Medicine and serves as a Consultant Neurologist in the Epilepsy Service at St James's Hospital. He is also a Principal Investigator at the Research Ireland FutureNeuro Centre,...
-
Concussion Policies and Litigation; The more things change, the more they stay the same with Dr Eric Windholz
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion We are honoured to introduce returning guest Dr Eric Windholz, a leading expert in regulatory theory practice and sports law. Dr. Windholz has made significant contributions to academic literature with numerous publications in esteemed...
-
History of Football, FIFA and the Soccer World Cup with Dr Tony Collins
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we welcome back returning guest Professor Tony Collins, is a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor, widely regarded as a leading authority in the field of sports history. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning…
more -
From FIFA and UEFA Independent Advisory to International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport with Professor Jon Patricios (Re-Release Feb 2025)
Send us Fan Mail Re-Release Feb 2025: Everything was correct at time of recording and subject to change Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're joined by Professor Jon Patricios, a leader in sports medicine since 1996. He is the Director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic…
more -
Paediatric Concussion and Emergency Medicine with Dr Rodger Zemek
Send us Fan Mail Professor Roger Zemek, an internationally recognised leader in paediatric concussion research and clinical care. Dr Zemek serves as a Paediatric Emergency Physician and Senior Researcher at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, while a Professor of Paediatrics and Emergency...
-
Concussion: Diagnosis, Management, and Guideline Development with Dr Steven Broglio
Send us Fan Mail Steven Broglio is a leading concussion researcher and Professor of Kinesiology, Neurology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, where he also directs the Michigan Concussion Centre. His research spans concussion prevention, assessment, treatment,...
-
Concussion in Combat Sports with Former UFC and Boxing Ringside Neurologist, Dr Nitin Sethi (Re-Release 2024)
Send us Fan Mail *Details of this episode where correct at the time of recording and may have change Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're thrilled to have the esteemed Dr. Nitin Sethi. Dr. Sethi is a former boxing and UFC ringside neurologist and a board-certified...
-
Concussion Advocacy and Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth with Sam Peters
Send us Fan Mail Sam has spent over two decades in sports journalism and is widely recognised for his work in rugby and athlete welfare. He led what was, at the time, a groundbreaking media campaign on concussion in rugby, earning a nomination for the Cudlipp Prize in 2014. Among his many...
-
Prelude to a Crisis: A History of Sports-Related Concussion Research and the Influence of Neuropsychology with Assistant Teaching Professor, Owen Griffith
Send us Fan Mail Owen’s work focuses on the neuropsychological mechanisms underpinning sports-related traumatic brain injury. His research explores how concussion impacts functional behaviour, cognition, and broader mental health and well-being. Prelude to a Crisis: A History of Sports-Related...
-
Participation in Professional American-Style Football and Suicide Mortality: 1979–2019 with Dr Rachel Grashow
Send us Fan Mail Dr Grashow is a senior research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of Epidemiological Research Initiatives for the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University. Her work focuses on the long-term health effects of sport—particularly...
-
From Professional NRL Player to Elite NRL Referee with Henry Perenara
Send us Fan Mail Henry Perenara played over 70 matches in the NRL at club level and also represented New Zealand internationally. Following his playing career, he transitioned into officiating, making his first-grade refereeing debut in 2011. He went on to officiate more than 200 matches…
more -
Combat Sports and the Integration of AI in Concussion Management with M2MMA General Manager Chris Cannon
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Chris Cannon. Chris is the General Manager of M2MMA, a combat sports organisation using artificial intelligence to improve athlete wellbeing across physical, psychological, and...
-
Motorsport Concussion Policy and Practice with FIM Medical Director Dr David McManus
Send us Fan Mail Dr McManus is the Medical Director of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, overseeing world-class competitions including MotoGP, motocross, and superbike racing. He also leads the FIM International Medical Commission, driving global standards in medical care and rider...
-
From AFL to WAFL and Concussion with Former AFL Player Tom Ledger
Send us Fan Mail Tom had an outstanding junior career, winning state championships for Western Australia and multiple league best and fairest awards. He was drafted to St Kilda in 2010, spending three seasons at the club and playing with Sandringham in the VFL. He later returned to WA, becoming a...
-
Understanding Concussion, Phenotypes and Rehabilitation with Concussion Nerds Founder Natasha Wilch
Send us Fan Mail Natasha is a registered physical therapist with more than a decade of clinical experience. She holds degrees in Health Science and Kinesiology, along with a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia. Over the course of her career, she has developed...
-
NRL Concussion and Head Injury Assessment Process with Former Melbourne Storm Chief Medical Officer Dr Jason Chan (Re-Release From December 2024)
Send us Fan Mail **This Episode is a Re-Release from Late 2024, information may have change since recording** Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we are privileged to have Dr. Jason Chan join us. Dr. Chan recently retired after a distinguished 10-year tenure as the Chief…
more -
Head in The Game: Sociocultural Analyses of Brain Trauma in Sport with Dr Stephen Townsend
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today Back by popular demand, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephen Townsend. A Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queensland University’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Dr. Townsend is a leading voice in sport…
more -
The Physiology of the Action Potential and Neuronal Signaling with Professor Amanda Ellison
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re honoured to be re-joined by Professor Amanda Ellison who disced all things about the brain and headaches on episode 92, Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches Professor Ellison has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, earning close to 3,000...
-
Concussion, Autonomy and Care Giver Burden of Neurodegenerative Disease with Dr Deana Simonetto and Dr Daniel Sailofsky
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Deana Simonetto is a sociologist and Assistant Professor of History and Sociology at UBC Okanagan. Her research examines crime and deviance, gender, families, and sport, with a focus on how women navigate public identities while married to professional athletes. Dr. Daniel...
-
Antonio Lo Lacono’s Legacy, Concussion Advocacy and Happy Lids with Wendy Smith
Send us Fan Mail Wendy Smith is a dedicated advocate for concussion awareness, athlete wellbeing, and brain safety in sport. Following the tragic loss of her son, Antonio Lo Lacono, in 2023 after a head injury on the sporting field, Wendy transformed profound heartbreak into purpose. She is the...
-
NFL and Light Helmets with CEO Nicholas Esayian and Engineer Kodiak Brush
Send us Fan Mail Nick is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of success founding and leading innovative marketing and technology companies, with background spaning direct-to-consumer marketing, advanced media analytics, and high-performance sports, bringing a unique blend of business...
-
Concussion and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) with Dr Jessica Povall
Send us Fan Mail Dr Povall, a Sydney-based physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in neurological health and rehabilitation, holding a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Boston Universityfocusing in the recovery of both acute and persistent concussion symptoms. Dr Provall specialises in...
-
The Doctor Who Fooled the World: Science, Deception, and the War on Vaccines with Brian Deer
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by acclaimed investigative journalist Brian Deer, one of the most influential figures in modern medical reporting. A two-time British Press Awards winner and Honorary Doctor of Letters recipient from York St John University, Brian is best known for…
more -
History of the NFL Forward Pass and 'The Big Scrum – How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football' with Professor John J. Miller
Send us Fan Mail Professor John J. Miller is the director of the Dow Program in American Journalism at Hillsdale College and one of the nation’s most respected literary journalists. A regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, he previously spent many years as a writer and podcaster for...
-
Academic Integrity and Fraudulent Research with Dr Elisabeth Bik
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege of welcoming Dr Elisabeth Bik. Trained originally as a microbiologist, Dr Elisabeth Bik has become a global authority on research ethics and scientific credibility. She is best known for her...
-
Best of 2025 Part 4: Concussion — Athletes Perspective and Experiences
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions featuring athlete’s perspective and experiences with...
-
Best of 2025 Part 3: Concussion — The Brain, Dementia, Litigation and Autonomy
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions brain function, dementia, litigation and autonomy this…
more -
Best of 2025 Part 2: Concussion — Youth Population, Ethics, Research, Sociology, and Journalism
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions around ethics in sport, emerging concussion research, the...
-
Best of 2025 Part 1: Concussion — History, Definition and the Impact of Repetitive Head Trauma and CTE
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening moments from our past episodes. If you’ve missed any of the crucial conversations we've had about history, concussions and CTE, this…
more -
NRL Premierships, State of Origins and Concussions with Newcastle Knights Legend Robbie O’Davis
Send us Fan Mail Robbie O’Davis is a name etched into Newcastle Knights folklore. To the red-and-blue faithful, he’s better known as “Robbie O’Save-Us,” the fearless fullback whose blistering speed, courage under pressure, and game-changing brilliance helped define an era. Across more than 200...
-
Repetitive Head Impacts (RHI), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) with Dr Robert Stern
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Robert Stern. Professor Stern is a Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Anatomy & Neurobiology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. As...
-
Orthopaedics, Concussion and Youth Sport Safety with Dr Bill Ribbans
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Bill Ribbans. Professor Ribbans is a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor of Sports Medicine, internationally recognised for his decades of work in elite sport and...
-
Understanding Youth Concussions with Dr Christina Master
Send us Fan Mail Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Christina Master. Dr. Christina Master is one of the world’s foremost experts in paediatric sports medicine and concussion care. She serves as a primary care sports…
more -
The Sociology of Concussion: Aaron Hernandez, Media Representation and the Woodpecker with Dr Greg Hollin
Send us Fan Mail Today we have the honour and privilege of being joined by Dr Greg Hollin. Dr Hollin is a research fellow in the Department of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield, where he explores the intersections of science, technology, medicine, and culture. His research…
more -
(Re-Release): NFL, Q-Collars, Woodpeckers and Concussion with Dr James Smoliga
Send us Fan Mail We are joined by Professor James Smoliga, who serves as the Director of Research and Faculty Development for Tufts University's, Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Seattle. Professor Smoliga previously held the position of Associate Director of the Human Biomechanics and...
-
NFL, Helmets, Concussion and No Game for Boys to Play: The History of Youth Football and the Origins of a Public Health Crisis with Dr Kathleen Bachynski
Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re joined by Associate Professor Kathleen Bachynski from Muhlenberg College. Her research explores injury prevention, sports safety, and youth health, examining how communities perceive brain injuries in sports—as accidents or preventable public health issues. She is…
more -
History of Australia vs England Ashes Rivalry with Dr Tony Collins
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we have the honour and privilege to be joined once again by Professor Tony Collins, who previously featured in Episodes 61 and 70. Professor Collins is a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor, widely regarded as a leading authority in the field of sports...
-
Chris Benoit, No Helmets or Shoulder Pads and Abuse in USA Swimming With Irvin Muchnick
Send us Fan Mail ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, murder, and abuse, Listener discretion is advised. Today’s episode features an in-depth conversation with Irvin Muchnick, an acclaimed independent journalist and author whose fearless investigations have exposed the...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients.
DISCLAIMER: All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice of doctors or healthcare practitioners. If a listener believes they are suffering from a similar injury to one discussed by the author, please seek medical care of your doctor or physician and do not rely on the author's advice.
HOSTED BY
Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast have?
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast currently has 149 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast about?
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients. DISCLAIMER: All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional...
How often does Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast release new episodes?
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast publishes regularly with 149 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast?
You can listen to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast?
Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast is created and hosted by Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro.
URL copied to clipboard!