Send us a text

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 episode is your chance to catch up with all the best bits. We’ve hand-picked highlights from each major theme, featuring expert guests who’ve shared their knowledge and research to shed light on the complexities of concussion and its long-term impacts.

History

05:29 - Stephen Townsend – Episode 93 (Re-release of Episode 34): History of Concussion in Australia

08:06 - Tony Collins – Episode 70: First Documented Cases of Concussion

13:15 - Stephen Casper – Episode 83: Historical Concepts and Activities of Brain Injury

What is Concussion

16:30 - Jon Patricios – Episode 65: What is a Concussion

19:20 - Tommy Wood – Episode 94: Understanding Concussions, mTBI, and the Egg Analogy

26:28 - Nick Rushworth – Episode 77: Differences Between Mild, Moderate, and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Repetitive Head Impacts & CTE

31:03 - Robert Cantu – Episode 81: What is RHI and CTE

35:34 - Robert Stern – Episode 105: Understanding RHI and CTE

43:58 - Matt Ventresca & Kathryn Henne – Episode 95: Sociocultural Perspectives

Send us a text

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 appearances for Newcastle, Robbie became one of the club’s most trusted match-winners, the kind of player teammates relied on and opponents feared.

His impact stretched far beyond club footy. Robbie represented Queensland in State of Origin and proudly wore the green and gold for Australia, placing him among rugby league’s elite. His list of achievements tells the story: two NRL Premierships, a Clive Churchill Medal, a Rugby League World Cup winner’s medal, the State of Origin Shield, and the Wally Lewis Medal—previously known as the Ron McAuliffe Medal—for player of the Origin series. Few players reach those heights, and even fewer do so with Robbie’s blend of flair, toughness, and heart.

Recognition followed throughout his career and beyond. He was named in the Newcastle Knights’ “Team of the Era” (1988–2007) and, in 2022, was inducted into the Newcastle National Rugby League Hall of Fame, cementing his place as one of the club’s all-time greats.

But like many athletes whose professional careers end long before the passion fades, life after football brought challenges that required just as much determination as his playing days. Retirement didn’t come with a roadmap, and navigating the transition demanded every bit of the resilience that made him a standout on the field. His story is not only about sporting success—it’s about identity, perseverance, and finding purpose

01:35 - Robbie’s Journey into Rugby League

08:20 - Robbie’O Grand Final Dance

12:00 - Athlete Mentality

16:10 – Robbie’s Broken Nose and Palate Injury

19:05 – Concussion Experience and Dad’s Influence

22:10 – Pressure of Playing for a Town Like Newcastle

26:00 – Repetitive Head Impacts, Concussions and Effects Post Career

32:25 – NRL Study and Independent Results

39:00 – Public Perception and Risk of Sport

46:00 – Thought on Family Playing Rugby

50:40 – Advice Through Lived Experience with Repetitive Head Impacts

58:00 – Favourite Moments/ Memories of Robbie’s Career

Robbie O Instagram: @robbieosaveus1

Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

Send us a text

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 co-founder of the BU CTE Center and former Director of Clinical Research, he has spent nearly two decades pioneering ways to detect and diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life, while uncovering the long-term neurological impact of repetitive head trauma in former athletes. His ground-breaking work includes major projects such as the landmark DETECT and DIAGNOSE CTE studies, the Head Impact & Trauma Surveillance Study, and numerous investigations into biomarkers and diagnostic criteria for concussion and CTE. With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, key advisory roles with the NFLPA and NCAA, and recognition such as the 2025 Leon Thal Prize for Research Excellence, Professor Stern is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts shaping modern concussion and CTE science.

01:50 - Dr Robert Stern’s Journey into neurology, neurodegenerative disease and Repetitive Head Impacts

08:00 - What Does Boston University CTE Do?

10:55 – Repetitive Head Impacts

15:45 – Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

19:35 – Dementia

23:25 – Neurological Disease’s and Clinical Testing In vivo

27:24 – Biomarkers, Diagnosis Dementia and Growth in the Field

35:00 – Nocebo Effect and Understanding/ Misunderstanding of What is Known

43:35 - Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome and Diagnostic Criteria

57:00 – Summary of Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome

01:02:00 – How to Help and Support Dr Stern’s Work

Professor Robert Stern:

https://www.bu.edu/cte/

https://www.bu.edu/cte/profile/robert-stern/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=42mlewcAAAAJ&hl=en

Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com