CTE Talk Podcast

Hi everyone, Today we are joined by Chris Boyce. Chris a former ice hockey player who is living with suspected CTE. After a countless number of hits over the years, Chris struggles with anger, paranoia, and memory loss. Although these symptoms are challenging to deal with, Chris speaks out about his story to let others know that they are not alone. Please find a link to Chris's foundation/support group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164998687455984/?ref=share_group_link I hope you enjoy today's episode! See you next week, Georgia x

Hi everyone,    Today we are joined by Bruce Parkman. Bruce is a founding Director of the Green Beret Foundation, Chairman of the Board for the Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation, and the head of integration for Project Next Ridgeline, an initiative to help veterans reintegrate into society. Sadly Bruce lost his 17-year-old son, Mac Parkman, in 2020 after a struggle with mental illness and depression. Bruce has become an advocate for concussion and CTE research and awareness. Today he joins us to tell his story and the changes we need to make in youth sports. An insightful listen.   Mac Parkman foundation: https://www.mpfact.com/ I hope you enjoy the episode.  See you next week! Georgia x

Hi everyone, Today we are joined by former NFL player Paul Frase, who is here to talk about his experience in football and suspected CTE symptoms. Paul's connection to the medical world of CTE began in 2015 when he joined a clinical trial at Boston University led by Dr. Bob Stern. Paul’s friend, Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder of Boston University’s CTE center, has been a catalyst in the exploration of TBI and CTE research. Paul focuses on treatment and modalities concerned with diminishing inflammation in the brain, as well as throughout the body. Paul believes reducing inflammation in the brain is the path to neurological health in many indications, and focuses his energies on restoring healthy brain functions affected transversely from multiple TBI.  You can reach out to Paul through his Linktree: https://linktr.ee/paulfrase We hope you enjoy today's episode! See you next week, Georgia & Trisha

Hi Everyone, Welcome back to Season 2! Today we are joined by Vicky and David Vermillion, the father and step mum to Scott Vermillion. Scott started playing soccer at 5 years old and by 13 he was playing with the U15 National Team Program.  He continued playing with the National Team program all the way up to the full team.  While doing that he also, played at the University of Virginia where they went to two final fours.  Scott left Virginia a year early and entered the MLS under the Project 40 program and was assigned to Kansas City.  In his 5 year career, he played for Kansas City, Colorado, and DC United.  Scott was the first Soccer player to be diagnosed with CTE and sadly passed away on the 25th of December 2020.  We hope you enjoy today's episode! See you next week, Georgia and Trisha x

Hi Everyone, Welcome to the final episode of season 1 of CTE TALK!! Today we are joined by Chuck and Mary Hansen, who sadly lost their son Evan Hansen in September 2018 from CTE. Today Chuck and Mary bravely share their son's story and discuss the importance of a culture change in high-impact sport. Please find the links to their son's legacy page here: erh32.org - The 5th annual golf tournament will be held on July 29th. Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/evanhansentribute Thank you so much & we hope you enjoy the episode! See you soon for season 2, Georgia & Trisha x

Hi everyone, Today we are joined by Cyndy Feasel who shares the story of her husband and former NFL player Grant Feasel who played for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks. Sadly, Grant passed away from stage 3 CTE on 15th July 2012. Today, Cyndy speaks about the challenges of living with someone going through degeneration and how it affected her family life. We hope you enjoy the episode! See you next week, Georgia & Trisha x

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE. IF YOU FIND THIS TRIGGERING, PLEASE REFER TO ANOTHER EPISODE TO LISTEN TO. LINKS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.CTETALK.COM IF YOU NEED TO REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. Hi everyone, Today we are joined by Bill Benedict who shares the story of his 26-year-old son Matthew. On July 1, 2019, Matthew died by suicide at age 26. His parents Anne and Bill share his story today to raise awareness of the seriousness of the symptoms of concussion, erase the stigma surrounding those who suffer from mental health issues, and help other student-athletes struggling with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) so they understand they are not alone. We hope you enjoy the episode! See you next week, Georgia and Trisha x

Hi everyone, Today we are joined by the incredible Dr Daniel Amen, who discusses the psychiatric symptoms of CTE and the importance of looking after our brain health. If you are looking for some hope, this is the episode for you. See you next week, Georgia & Trisha x

Hi Everyone,  Today we are joined by Joy Dice, who shares the story of her son Kevin, who passed away in 2017 from CTE as a result of exposures to blasts during his three tours of duty from 2003-2012.  Joy explains the importance of sharing the stories of the everyday individual, and provides some great advice to those who may be unsure in doing so.  We hope you enjoy the episode! See you next week,  Georgia & Trisha x

Hi Everyone,   Today we are joined by the incredible Sylvia Mackey, who shares the story of her husband John Mackey, who played for nine seasons with the Baltimore Colts (1963-1971), ended his career with the San Diego Chargers (1972) and, in 1992, became the second pure tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When John Mackey was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2006, she became a huge advocate for her husband, and people like him living with FTD. Sylvia shares her perspective on CTE and FTD and discusses the incredible 88 Plan she inspired to help support NFL players and their family members if they are struggling with neurodegenerative symptoms.  You can find more information about 88 Plan here:  https://operations.nfl.com/media/1753/peguide_q5benefits.pdf See you next week!  Georgia & Trisha x

Hi Everyone,  Today we are joined by Mindi Blanchard who shares the story of her husband, and former NFL player Cary Blancard. Cary was a kicker who played eight years for five teams: the New York Jets for his first two years, the Indianapolis Colts after taking 1994 off, the Washington Redskins in 1998, the New York Giants in 1999, and the Arizona Cardinals in his final season. Mindi talks about how CTE made him into a man, she and their three children didn't recognize.  Enjoy the episode! See you next week,  Georgia & Trisha 

Hi everyone,  Today we are joined by Libby Bates from Coming Home Well organisation- a non-profit organisation working to support veterans suffering from TBI's and their family members.  As we know, many veterans can be affected by CTE due to the sheer amount of blasts they experience as part of their service.  Libby joins us to talk about what it's like to be a spouse of a veteran currently suffering from the aftermath of traumatic brain injuries.  See you next week! Georgia & Trisha x

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE. IF YOU FIND THIS TRIGGERING, PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN. GO TO OUR WEBSITE WWW.CTETALK.COM FOR SUPPORT, IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO REACH OUT.  Hi everyone, Today we are joined by Lori Mohr, who shares the story of her husband Jim Mohr.  Jim Mohr was a star athlete who played tackle football from age 8 all the way through his sophomore year of college at Northern Arizona University. He then went on to a successful career in finance, meet his wife Lori, and have three children. Mohr was extremely high functioning for most of his life but began suffering from cognitive difficulties, anxiety, and insomnia in late 2018. On May 10, 2020, Mohr died by suicide at age 60. His children suspected he may have been suffering from CTE, so his family worked together to have his brain be studied at the VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank. Researchers there diagnosed him with Stage 3 (of 4) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Lori shared Jim’s story to show how symptoms of CTE drastically changed her husband and to advocate for Flag Football Under 14. Enjoy the episode! See you next week,  Georgia & Trisha x

Hi everyone,  Today we are joined by Jason Mocca who shares the story of his brother Shannon Mocca, who lost his life to CTE.  This episode is called the 1 in 100, as Shannon didn't play professional sport, yet still had CTE.  This is an insightful listen about a unique story.  We hope you enjoy it.  See you next week,  Georgia & Trisha x

Hi everyone, Today is national CTE awareness day, so we thought we would spend some time answering some of the questions we have received over the last week! We hope you enjoy today's episode!  See you next Monday, Georgia & Trisha x

Hi everyone,  Today we are joined by Pam Webster, who was married to former NFL player Mike Webster. Mike played for the Steelers (15 yrs) KC Chiefs (2 years) and was the first NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE. Pam now lives with her son, Garrett, in an apartment in Pittsburgh Pa, and is a huge advocate for CTE. Today she shares the legacy of her husband and the dark side of CTE.  See you next week,  Georgia and Trisha x

Today we are joined by Brandi Winans who shares the legacy of her husband Jeffery Winans.  Brandi is a sought-after speaker, storyteller, and published author, taking non-profit and other organizations to the next level. Brandi helps teens and young adults develop their natural born gifts and talents, thru her Wannabe Outreach Ministry, and works with former NFL players, athletes, and their families as a Transition Coach. Aftercare focus is on Education, Empowerment and Support. Jeff Winans played for the Buffalo Bills in 1973 and 1975, the New Orleans Saints in 1976, and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1977 to 1978. He passed away Dec 21st, 2012 and in September 2013 from stage 3 CTE.

Mary Brooks’s father is the late George Andrie who played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys 1962-1972. After fighting the NFL for help for her sick Dad and others, she became an advocate for CTE awareness and education as well as personal support to players and their families. George died from stage 4 CTE in August 2018.

Hi Everyone,  Welcome to the first episode of CTE Talk!  On today's episode, we introduce ourselves, how we met and what you can expect from the podcast! We are so excited to help raise awareness and educate listeners on the realities of CTE for the patient, and their family members.  Join us every Monday! See you next week, Georgia & Trisha x