Voices for the Brain

Katie Sale, Executive Director of the American Brain Coalition, sits down with Mary Anne Meskis, CEO of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, and Shannon Cloud, the Foundation's Patient Advocacy Director, for a conversation on the origins and impact of DSF. They discuss why the organization was founded, the critical advocacy work it leads, and the resources it provides to support patients and families affected by Dravet syndrome.

In this episode, ABC Executive Director Katie Sale sits down with Jane Powell, CEO & Executive Director, and Alejandro Bruner-Solas, Program Manager from PWN4PWN, for an inspiring conversation about advocacy, community, and living with narcolepsy. Together, they explore empowering individuals through peer support, workforce development, and inclusive programming, while sharing personal insights on navigating life with sleep disorders. 

In this episode, Katie Sale, Executive Director of the American Brain Coalition, is joined by Kris Corbett, RN, author of Bravely Bleeding and person with lived experience (PWLE) of Cerebral Cavernous Angioma; and Cornelia (Connie) Lee, PsyD, CEO of the Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation. Together, they explore the power of advocacy, the importance of patient voices, and the urgent need for awareness and innovation in addressing cavernous malformations. 

In this episode of the ABC Podcast, we're joined by Rick Willis, President and CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America, for a conversation with Katie Sale, Executive Director of the American Brain Coalition. Together, they discuss the power of collaboration across the brain injury and brain disease communities and highlight advocacy priorities to advance research, improve care, and elevate the voices of people affected by brain conditions.

American Brain Coalition Executive Director Katie Sale is joined by Meghan Buzby, Director of Advocacy & Volunteer Engagement at the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, and AFTD Advocates Mary and Colin Gibney, a person with lived experience and her care partner. This conversation highlights the power of advocacy, the importance of elevating patient and caregiver voices, and the strength of collaborating together.

In this episode, Katie Sale, Executive Director of the American Brain Coalition, speaks with Lindsay Miltenberger, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR). Lindsay provides an inside look at SWHR's mission, history, and its leadership in advancing women's health through science, policy, and education. This episode offers a comprehensive introduction to SWHR's impact and the initiatives shaping its advocacy today.

In our next episode, Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, sits down with Dan Feehan, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Listen in as Dan shares insights into MJFF's advocacy efforts and highlights a key Texas referendum, which—since this recording—has successfully passed with over 68% of the vote, underscoring the strong public support for advancing neurological disease research. Tune in for a brief but impactful discussion on policy, progress, and the power of advocacy.

Tune in to hear Katie Sale, Executive Director of the American Brain Coalition, in conversation with Aditi Narayan Minkoff, Vice President of Community Support at I AM ALS, and Linda and Mike Buhr, passionate ALS advocates sharing their journey as a person living with ALS and her caregiver. This inspiring discussion highlights the power of advocacy, resilience, and community in the fight against ALS.  

Join Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, as she sits down with Bruce Parkman, President of The Mac Parkman Foundation for Adolescent Concussive Trauma. Uncover the hidden dangers of excessive repetitive impacts and extended contact sports seasons on children's brain health. Understand how subconcussive impacts can lead to long-term physiological changes. Learn how you can help make a difference. 

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, catches up with Astrid Eberhart, Executive Director of International Brain Bee, a nonprofit that has inspired thousands of students to study and pursue careers in neuroscience. They promote student engagement with neuroscience through a three-tiered competition.

Join ABC Executive Director Katie Sale in conversation with long-time member Laura Weidner, Chief Advocacy & Government Relations Officer at the Epilepsy Foundation of America. In this episode, they explore the Foundation's impactful advocacy work advancing support, awareness, and initiatives for the epilepsy community.

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, sits down with Nichole Goble, Director of Community Initiatives, and Marvell Adams, Jr., CEO of Caregiver Action Network. Learn about their awareness work and the many resources available to all caregivers! 

Join Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, catches up with Brandon Staglin, Co-Founder and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer of long-time member, One Mind. Discover their innovative advocacy efforts in the mental health space, including their highly attended annual music festival.

Join Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, as she sits down with Jon Nelson, a lived experience expert in mental illness. He is a board member of the American Brain Coalition, founded Pulverize the Stigma, and currently works with Motif Neurotech and many others, representing the patient population. We encourage you to tune in, listen, learn, and help us to pulverize the stigma associated with mental illness. 

Tune in to hear a conversation between Katie Sale, Executive Director of American Brain Coalition, and Rachel Conant, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Alzheimer's Association, & Executive Director of Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM). Learn about the advocacy work for both and upcoming events and news for 2025. 

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, talks with the Association of University Professors of Neurology Board President, John England, MD, and 2nd Vice President, A. Gordon Smith, MD, to discuss the mission and vision of both organizations and how collaborating together makes a great impact. 

Celebrating our 50th Podcast Episode! Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, as she sits down with Michele Oshman, Chief Patient Advocate and Head, Patient Advocacy Center of Excellence, to discuss the long-term collaborative relationship ABC has with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Learn about BIO's daily patient advocacy work and the impact they have in our community. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Tune in to ABC's latest podcast featuring Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director and long-time member National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), with special guest Anita Burgos, PhD, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. Learn how community collaboration & awareness can drive real change, reduce stigma, and support those impacted by mental health. Don't miss this important conversation!

Join Katie Sale, Executive Director of ABC, for a conversation with Jeff Winton, Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds. Discover the history of Rural Minds and learn how they strive to be the informed voice for individuals affected by mental health issues in rural America.

Tune in to hear a conversation between Katie Sale, Executive Director of American Brain Coalition, and Becky Deusser, Executive Director of International OCD Foundation. Learn about the foundation's advocacy work and events coming up in 2025. 

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director has a conversation with Mary Allen, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Cure Brain Disease. Learn about how they advocate and educate for those impacted by mental health and how collaboration is assisting them with advancing their mission.  

Join us as we kick off Season 3 of AdvocacyChampions! Listen as Katie Sale, American Brain Coalition's Executive Director, talks with Joe Feldman, Founder & President of Cover My Mental Health. Learn how this organization came to be and their mission to help those impacted in the brain space. 

Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director for a conversation with Jennifer French, Executive Director of Neurotech Network. Learn about their dedication to improving the education of and advocacy for access to neurotechnology for persons with neurological conditions and to aid in the development of next-generation neurotech devices.

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director catches up with long-time member, Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Learn about this vital alliance and the advocacy it provides for those impacted by depression and bipolar disorder. 

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC's Executive Director, speaks with Brett Waters, Founder & Executive Director of Reason for Hope, a nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organization focused on policy and advocacy for safe and affordable access to psychedelic medicine and assisted therapies. 

Tune in to hear a conversation between Katie Sale, Executive Director of American Brain Coalition, and long-time ABC member, Kevin Jameson Founder & President of the Dementia Society of America. As a volunteer-driven organization, learn about its history, mission, and continued advocacy work for those impacted by all dementias.

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Robert Beets, Executive Director and Debra Mathews, PhD, MA, President, of the International Neuroethics Society. Learn about their society and their continued advocacy internationally in the neuroethics space.

Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director for a conversation with Brigid Brennan, General Counsel and Director of Advocacy for Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). Learn about their dedication to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and ultimately a cure for Friedreich's ataxia. 

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Julienne Verdi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. Learn about their history, mission, and continued advocacy work for those impacted by headaches.

Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director as she sits down with Evelyn Stevens, Senior Director of Community Engagement of the Parkinson's Foundation and Kevin Kwok, Parkinson's Patient Advocate. Hear of the advocating and educating efforts at the Parkinson's Foundation and learn how to come alongside them both to be impactful for the Parkinson's community.

Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director as she sits down with Josie Cooper, Executive Director, Alliance for Patient Access. Hear of their advocating efforts for health policy prioritizing patient-centered care and how you can help make in impact.

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Danielle Rosenberg, Founder and Executive Director of Dyspraxia DCD America f/k/a The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD. Learn about their history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work for those impacted by Dyspraxia.  

As we recognize Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, sits down with Lindsay Videnieks, Executive Director of The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum, to learn about their education and advocacy efforts for those living with migraine and headache. 

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with long time member Karen Ball, CEO & Founder of The Sturge-Weber Foundation. Learn about their history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work as together we raise awareness for Sturge-Weber syndrome during SWS Awareness Month! 

It's American Stroke Awareness Month! Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, as she sits down with Stephanie Mohl, National Vice President of the American Stroke Association. Learn about their education, advocacy efforts, and to act F.A.S.T.!

As we wrap up FND Awareness Month, listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, sits down with Amanda Hopper, Executive Director and Bridget Mildon, Founder & President for FND Hope, to learn more about their history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work for those impacted by Functional Neurological Disorder.

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, has a conversation with Erin Kreszl, Co-Founder & Executive Director and Christine Kondra Co-Founder & Director of Strategy Research and Policy of The Bee Foundation to learn about the history of their organization as well as, their mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work in this vital neuroscience space.

World Down Syndrome Day is TODAY! Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, as she sits down with Kandi Pickard, President & CEO and Charlotte Woodward, Education Programs Assistant of the National Down Syndrome Society. Learn about their education and advocacy efforts for those living with Down Syndrome and their families/caregivers. 

Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director as she sits down with past ABC Chair, Dr. Matthew Rizzo, Frances and Edgar Reynolds Professor & Chair, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, one of our academic members. Hear of the research and advocating efforts at UNMC and how the institution benefits from being a part of the larger brain community.

Rare Disease Day is February 29th! Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, as she sits down with Melisssa Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Learn about this rare condition and how we can bring awareness and help to advance research and innovation for those living with Rett Syndrome. 

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Ian Kremer, Executive Director of the LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease). Learn about their history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work for those impacted by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. 

Today is CTE Awareness Day! Join Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, as she sits down with Karen Zegel, President and Doug Zegel, Board Chair of STOP CTE Patrick Risha Awareness Foundation. Hear their personal story and help us to increase awareness and understanding of CTE and RHI and the impacts it can have on the brain and mental health.  

As we kick off 2024, listen in as Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director, sits down with Heidi Edwards, President & Founder of the Sisters' Hope Foundation. Help us to increase awareness and understanding of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP), and learn about the critical advocacy work they do for those living with ALSP. 

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Eileen Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the American Epilepsy Society. Learn about AES' history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work for those impacted by epilepsy. 

As we continue Epilepsy Awareness Month, listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, sits down with Dr. Tracy Dixon-Salazar, Executive Director for the LGS Foundation, to learn more about their history, mission, and continued advocacy & awareness work for those impacted by Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

Listen in as Katie Sale, ABC Executive Director sits down with Peggy Beem Jelley, Board Chair for the Epilepsy Alliance America, and Anto Bagic, MD, PhD, FAES, FACNS, Chair of Epilepsy Alliance America National Professional Advisory Committee to learn about the critical advocacy work they do for those living with epilepsy. 

Listen in as Katie Sale, American Brain Coalition's Executive Director, has a conversation with Dr. Lauren Palestrini, Chief Science officer for MTEC, Dr. Kasey Moritz, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Neurotrauma Portfolio, Combat Casualty Care Research Program, US Army Medical Research & Development Command & Dr. Ronda Renosky-Vittori, Program Area Manager, Psychological Disorders Treatment, Military Operational Medicine Research Program, Medical Research & Development Command, to learn more about the work of the MTEC.   

Listen in as Katie Sale, American Brain Coalition's Executive Director, has a conversation with Frank Amato, Chief Executive Officer and President of SYNAPS Dx Biomarker Technology to learn more about their organization's history and DISCERN™ the world's first easy-to-administer test that can accurately identify Alzheimer's Disease even at the earliest stages of onset by testing for the presence of 3 key proprietary biomarkers, unique to AD.

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, connects with Bill Griesar, Ph.D. & Jeff Leake, MA, co-founders of Northwest Noggin, a robust, creative, entirely volunteer-driven non-profit organization that brings together scientists, artists, and students of all ages to contribute their expertise, listen, and learn from others, enthuse young people about science and art, share area educational resources and inform and excite the public about ongoing, taxpayer-supported neuroscience research.

Listen in as ABC Executive Director, Katie Sale, sits down with Chinmayi Balusu, Founder and CEO of Simply Neuroscience, an international, student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering students' interdisciplinary interests in the brain, specifically through neuroscience and psychology education, outreach, and awareness.