In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by actress, comedian, playwright, and storyteller Lauren Weedman. Lauren discusses her diagnosis of Bell's palsy after developing a sudden facial paralysis while filming in 2024 and how it changed her outlooks on work, motherhood, and mental health. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Gary Gronseth, Professor and Chair of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Gronseth explains what Bell's palsy is, why it happens, what recovery typically looks like, and why some people—like Lauren Weedman—continue to experience lasting symptoms long after the initial diagnosis.

Additional Resources

"This Is a Good Face": Lauren Weedman on Life After Bell's Palsy

Bouncing Back from Bell's Palsy

What Doctors Know About Bell's Palsy

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Playwright Sarah Ruhl Finds Inspiration in her Bell's Palsy Journey

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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

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Guests: Lauren Weedman @lauren_weedman

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and dives into his work with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family.

Additional Resources

Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy

What is Friedreich ataxia?

Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Guests: Bill Nye @billnye

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and explains why he is partnering with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family. Stay tuned for part two of this conversation next week.

Additional Resources

Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy

What is Friedreich ataxia?

Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Guests: Bill Nye @billnye

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD