Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

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 key player for Claremont over eight seasons in the WAFL. Off the field, Tom completed a law degree and now works as a Special Counsel at Pragma Lawyers in Perth. 01:30 - Journey into Sports and Experiences of the AFL Draft 04:50 – Process Once Drafted 06:30 – Experience of Being In ‘AFL System’ and First Game 08:12 – Comparison of AFL to State Level 10:28 – Head Injury Assessment and Experiences 12:50 – Confounding Factors of Playing Through Injuries 14:40 – Attitude Now Towards Concussion Now 15:55 – Changes in Playing Style 17:47 – Perception Changed on Concussion? 19:50 - Favourite Memories of Career 21:50 – Transition from AFL to Everyday Life 23:00 – Where to Find Tom Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

Send a text 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 specialised expertise in concussion recovery, neurological rehabilitation, chronic pain management, vestibular therapy, and functional neurology. She is the founder of Symphony Brain Performance, a clinic that has become a sought-after destination for individuals seeking specialised care for concussion and brain health. Natasha’s innovative work has earned significant recognition, including Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Physiotherapist Leadership Award of British Columbia, and Vancouver Island’s Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Achievement Award. She has also recently been nominated for the Women of Influence Award. In addition to her clinical work, Natasha is the founder and host of the Concussion Nerds podcast and program, where she shares insights and conversations focused on brain health, concussion recovery, and performance. 01:35 - How Natasha Become a Physical Therapist 05:30 - Integration into Concussion Rehabilitation 12:50 - What is a Concussion? 16:40 - What are the Phenotypes of Concussion? 22:00 - Approach in Treating Concussion/ Misconceptions 30:00 – Psychology and Terminology of Concussion 37:35 – Myths Around Concussion 42:55 – Rewards of Natasha’s Job 44:30 - Where Can People Find Concussion Nerds and Natasha Concussion Nerds – Natasha Wilch https://www.natasha-wilch.com/concussion-nerds Podcast: The Concussion Nerds Podcast – Spotify/ Apple Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natasha.wilch.concussioncoach/ IG: @natash.wilch & @concussionnerds YouTube: @NatashaWilch-ConcussionNerd Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightly Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

Send a text **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 Medical Officer for the Melbourne Storm, where he oversaw the medical management of the team during an era marked by remarkable success. Under his leadership, the Storm appeared in five grand finals, securing two premierships and five minor premierships. Dr. Chan’s tenure also included overseeing nine preliminary finals and managing a total of 249 games. Despite his retirement from the role, he continues to contribute to the club as a medical consultant. Dr. Chan holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Medical Officer in the history of the Melbourne Storm. Beyond his role with the Storm, he has applied his expertise in various high-profile positions, including with the Queensland State of Origin team, the NRL Māori All Stars, and the Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball team, among others. He is also the founder of the Surgical Assistants Group of Victoria. With over 28 years of experience across multiple specialties, including general practice, orthopaedics, and general surgery, Dr. Chan is widely recognized as a highly regarded medical professional within the sporting and medical communities. His diverse experience and contributions to the field make him an invaluable asset in the areas of sports medicine and team health management. 01:34 - Background and the Role of Chief Medical Officer 05:47 - What Happens with An Athlete in Pre-Season & Baseline Testing 12:23 - Time to conduct a HIA and Make a Clinical Decision on Game Day 20:00 - Player Repour on Concussion Diagnosis 23:00 - HIA’s and Recovery Process of Concussion 27:20 - Perceptions of the Media 30:35 - Multifaceted Aspects of Culture and Public Acceptance of Concussion 38:17 - Over Arching Message Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightly Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

Send a text 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 social studies and concussion history. His acclaimed book Head in the Game explores the cultural and social history of concussion in sport—and sets the stage for today’s conversation. 01:30 - Head in The Game: Sociocultural Analyses of Brain Trauma in Sport 04:35 – Sociology of Concussion in Sport 08:35 – Main Message of ‘Head in The Game’ 14:30 – Sport/ War Nexus; Why Do We Always Compare the Two? 20:50 - Punch-Drunk Murderer: Boxing, Brain Trauma, and the Murder of Hilda Meek 34:55 - Cricket Is a Contact Sport 46:40 - Favourite Aspects of Researching History Dr Stephen Townsend Twitter/X: @historycarb Instagram: bigcrab_oncampus Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Send a text 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 citations, with research spanning visual neuroscience, sensorimotor systems, and neuronal disruption in conditions such as migraine and headache disorders. Her work provides valuable insight into how the brain functions—and malfunctions—following injury or dysfunction. Alongside her academic research, Professor Ellison is a passionate science communicator and the author of Getting Your Head Around the Brain and Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches, two widely respected books that translate complex neuroscience into accessible, real-world understanding. 02:00 - The Love for Action Potentials 04:20 – What is Neuron and Why are the Special? 07:30 – It Does Not Like the Text Book 11:00 – What is an Action Potential and What is the Physiology Behind it? 24:30 –How Neurons Communicate 29:35 - The Story of Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramón Cajal 34:35 – Chemical Signals of Action Potentials 43:50 – Mitochondria, ATP and Sodium Potassium Pumps 47:00 – Conceptualizing it All 54:10 – Fatigue, ATP and mTBI 59:00 – Calcium’s Role 01:08:54 – Favourite Thing About Professor Ellison’s Work Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-z_DSs4AAAAJ&hl=en Splitting: Inside Story on Headaches (https://www.amazon.com.au/Splitting-Inside-Headaches-Amanda-Ellison/dp/1472971396) Getting Your Head Around The Brain: https://www.amazon.com.au/Getting-your-head-around-brain-ebook/dp/B09HZ9FVSR?ref_=ast_author_dp 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 a text 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 Sailofsky is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto. A sociologist with a background in law and sport management, his work explores violence, gender, social harm, and the political economy of sport. He is the author of Playing Through Pain: The Violent Consequences of Capitalist Sport. 01:40 - How Dr Simonetto Become Involved in Concussion, Sociology of Sport & gender 04:10 - How Dr Sailofsky Become Involved in Concussion, Sociology of Sport & gender 09:55 – What is a Concussion/ CTE (Dr Simonetto) 13:50 - What is a Concussion/ CTE (Dr Sailofsky) 17:20 – Athlete’s as a Commodity, Fans as the Consumer and Sporting Work Place Injuries 21:15 – Athlete’s Identity and Cognitive Decline Post Career 29:00 – Impact of Neurodegenerative Disease 32:15 – Autonomy and Informed Consent of One’s Decisions 36:45 - Care Giver Burden of Neurodegenerative Disease and Inter Personal Violence 46:00 – The CTE Defence and Removal of Blame For Inter Personal Violence 50:15 – Relationship Breakdowns 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 a text 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 driving force behind Happy Lid Hats, with proceeds supporting the Concussion Legacy Foundation and vital brain health research. We are deeply grateful to Wendy for sharing her story and for her unwavering commitment to making sport safer for all. 02:40 - Happy Lids Mission 03:40 – Incident on the Football Field 06:25 – Air Lifted for the Football Field 10:00 – Explanation in the Hospital 12:04 - Organ Donation and Antonio Saving the Lives of Others 17:00 – Second Impact Syndrome 19:33 - Education and Meaningful Culture 23:20 – Concussion Awareness 26:11 – Removing Stigma of Concussion & Happy Lid Happy Lids https://www.happylids.com.au Instagram: @happy_lids 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 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 leadership and competitive insight to Light Helmets. Kodiak is Engineering & Production Manager at Light Helmets, brings more than a decade of experience across engineering, design, manufacturing, and supply chain management. Kodiak leads product development and quality control with a focus on athlete safety and performance. 01:00 - Nicks Journey to CEO of Light Helmets & How Kodiak Got into Engineering and Helmets 06:30 - Light Helmets and Practical Application 11:10 – Helmet Design, Testing and the ‘Mirror Test’ 14:00 – What Are Helmets Trying to Achieve? 19:15 – How Do You Approach Teams Getting Helmets into Circulation? 25:15 – Keeping Up to Date with Research 27:30 – Refurbishment of Helmets 34:00 – Cost Burden and Access to Equipment 38:00 – What Are the NFL Requirements for Helmets? 44:35 - What Should Athletes Look for in A Helmets & Where Can People Find Light helmets? Light Helmets: https://lighthelmets.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoouVTWUPkX0QXH2OWKSOHj9vtUSTcVMJc9jPJ2XGJCxPjmycobV Instagram: lighthelmets 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 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 functional rehabilitation for conditions including concussion, balance and dizziness disorders, neck pain, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. 01:00 - Journey into Physiotherapy and Concussion 02:45 - What is a concussion 03:50 - What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome 08:00 – Signs and Symptoms of ‘POTS’ 10:40 – Diagnosis 14:25 – Assessment Process 16:35 – Why is Vison Important? 18:00 – Rehabilitation Process (Return-to-Learn/Work/Play) 24:40 – Addressing Psychosocial Components 27:35 – Tolerance Nudging During Rehabilitation 30:00 – Treatments Tools Along Side Exercise Therapy 33:00 – Advice/ Misconceptions Around Concussion 35:00 – Assessing Difference Systems 37:15 - Where to Find Dr Provall The Brain Hub: https://brainhub.com.au/drjessicapovall/ Dr Jessica Povall: https://www.drjessicapovallphysio.com Instagram: dr.Jessica.Povall Social media: Twitter: @first concussion Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

Send us a text 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 his rigorous investigations into public health, drug safety, and medical ethics. His work for The Sunday Times exposed major failures in pharmaceutical oversight and unethical medical practices, including the investigation that dismantled the fraudulent research behind the claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism. That reporting culminated in his award-winning book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, a detailed examination of how a single false study triggered a global health crisis and lasting damage to public trust. Today’s conversation explores that story and its continuing impact. 01: 55 - Brian’s Journey into investigative Journalism 03:00 - The Vaccine Story 06:50 – What Made Brian Look into The MMR Vaccination and Andrew Wakefield? 10:00 – Turning Points in the Investigation 17:25 – How Did the Paper/ Study Get Published 20:00 – Push Back, Lawsuits and Personal Attacks 34:26 – Has the Public Completely Lost Trust in Vaccinations After Covid-19 38:55 – Was it Coincidence Book Released During Covid-19? Website: https://briandeer.com Twitter/X: @deerbrian

Send us a text 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 National Review. Miller is also the founder and executive director of the Student Free Press Association, the non-profit organization behind The College Fix, which supports and promotes collegiate journalism. The Chronicle of Higher Education has described him as “one of the best literary journalists in the country,” a reputation reflected in his body of work. He is the author of several books, including The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football, which explores the surprising truths behind presidential intervention that helped shape the sport’s modern identity and the topic of today discussion. 01:20 – Journey into Journalism and What Inspired Writing: The Big Scrum 06:00 - Walter Camp and Theodore Roosevelt History with Football 10:30 – Early Violence and Brutality of Football & Charles Elliot’s Dislike for Football 17:40 – The Introduction of the Forward Pass 24:00 – Fights, Yale vs Harvard and the Flying Wedge 27:00 – Moments in Researching the Big Scrum 32:40 – Walter Camps Wife and Football 34:10 – Where You Can Find and Support Professor Miller Twitter/x: @heymiller https://www.heymiller.com/

Send us a text 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 meticulous investigations into altered images and questionable data practices in academic publishing. Her work has flagged potential problems in thousands of research papers and has played a role in more than a thousand formal retractions tied to compromised scientific standards. Beyond her investigative impact, Dr Bik’s own research has been widely cited, and her efforts to safeguard the integrity of science have been recognised with several prestigious international honours. Now working independently, she advises on research integrity while continuing to advocate for transparency and ethical responsibility across the scientific world. 01:59 – Dr Elisabeth Bik Journey into Microbiology and Plagiarism 04:44 – Why is Scientific Integrity Important and Why Should We Care? 07:44 – Reasons People Fabricate Result 10:54 – Choosing Research to Sleuth and Common Fabrications 15:44 – Process When Investigating Paper’s 18:53 – Biggest Case Dr Bik Has Worked on and Personal Attacks / Push Back 26:14 – Collateral Damage of Fabricated Research 29:49 – What Questions to ask About ‘Catchy’ Headline’s? 33:14 – How We Can Support and Help Dr Bik’s Work Dr Elisabeth Bik X/Twitter: @MicrobiomDigest Patreon.com/elisabethbik Website: https://scienceintegritydigest.com/about/

Send us a text 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 concussion, this episode brings the best of it all together. Best of Episode 4: Athlete 02:20 - Andy Clarke - Episode 87: How Knock Differs from Other Sports 06:00 - Robbie O’Davis - Episode 106: Robbie’O Grand Final Dance 09:50 - Wally Lewis - Episode 73: Concussion Overtime + Awareness and Education 16:30 - Ian Roberts - Episode 63: Culture Over Time and Playing Experiences 22:00 - Hamish Brayshaw - Episode 78: The Open Letter to the AFL 24:10 - Will Schofield - Episode 79: Unrealistic Expectations of a Player 27:17 - Ian Greener - Episode 90: FA Guidelines and Old vs New Balls

Send us a text 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 episode brings the best of it all together. We’ve carefully curated standout highlights from each major theme, featuring expert guests who have examined this complexities of concussion. Brain and Dementia 01:40 Amanda Ellison Episode 92 – Lobes and Functions of the Brain 07:50 Tommy Wood Episode 94 - Inflammation in the Brain: Causes and Effects 11:40 Robert Stern Episode 105 – Dementia 13:36 Rachel Grashow Episode 82 - Co-morbidities Mimicking Dementia Like Disease 17:17 Judith Gates Episode 89 - Bill Gates and Personal Experience Law 25:32 Peter Jess Episode 85 - Concussion Protocol Stand Down Times and Unpacking AFL litigation 33:06 Eric Windholz Episode 96 - Legal Case’s Club vs Organisations Autonomy 36:30 Stephen Casper Episode 83 - Consent and Bodily Autonomy Versus Fiduciary **Full episode and context Dr Casper asked my thoughts on the question before his responses**

Send us a text 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 social impact of brain injury, or the role of journalism in shaping public understanding, this episode brings the best of it all together. We’ve carefully curated standout highlights from each major theme, featuring expert guests who have examined the cultural, ethical, and scientific complexities of concussion—and why these conversations matter now more than ever. Youth Concussion 02:00 - Christina Master - Episode 103: Most common Ways Youth Population are Concussed 09:30 - Julie Stamm - Episode 66: Hippocampus and Brain Development in Children Equipment/ Research/Ethics 14:00 - Lopez Frias - Episode 71: What is Ethics and Why is It Important in Sport 21:55- Joe Warne - Episode 59: Research Methods 28:30 - Kathleen Bachynsski Episode 100: Media and Marketing of Helmets in Football Causing Confusion 33:00 - James Smoliga – Episode 101: Q-Collar and the Flawed Science Sociology/ Journalism 48:15 - Dominic Malcom - Episode 76: Concussion in Sports: It’s Time to Drop the Tobacco Analogy 52:13 - Rachel Grashow - Epsiode 82: Perceived Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Suicidality in Former Professional Football Players: 57:47 - Stephanie Convery – Episode 68: Understanding the Adrenaline of Boxing and After the Count: The Death of Davey Browne 01:07:30 Irvin Muchnick - Episode 98: Chris Benoit and Irvin’s Work Journalistic Work in Concussion/ mTBI

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

Send us a text 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 lower-limb orthopaedics. He trained in London, completed Fellowships in Sheffield and at Harvard, and began his Consultant career at the Royal Free before returning to Northampton, where he now works in full-time private practice. A prominent figure in sports medicine, Professor Ribbans has supported organisations such as Northampton Saints, Northampton Town FC, the English National Ballet, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, and UK Athletics—caring for Olympians, world champions, and international teams. Alongside his clinical practice, he remains actively involved in concussion research and athlete welfare, contributing to national conversations on head-injury management while supporting the safety-driven work of Progressive Rugby and Luca Health. He has published more than 150 scientific papers and authored several books, including Knife in the Fast Lane, which blends autobiography with reflections on his 40 years working at the crossroads of medicine and sport. 01:50 - Professor Ribbans Journey into Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery? 03:40 - Biggest Challenges Working as Team physician 07:33 – Is There an Over Emphasis on Return to Play Causing Increased Injuries? 12:35 – Return to Play Pressures 14:00 – Culture Around Injuries 16:51 – What is a Concussion? 19:47 – Process of a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) 27:15 – Advocacy’s for Youth Sports 35:10 – Implementation of Education Around Concussion in Youth Sports 43:10 – Advice for Parent and Coaches 49:30 – Most Rewarding Aspects of Professor Ribbans Job 52:10 – Where We Can Find Professor Ribbans Progressive Rugby: https://www.progressiverugby.com Luca Health: https://luca.health Books: - Knife In The Fast Lane : A Surgeon’s Perspective from the Sharpe End of Sport - A Plague on All Your Sports: When Sport and the Pandemic Collided 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 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 medicine specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she also co-directs the Minds Matter Concussion Program—a nationally recognized Frontier Program dedicated to advancing care and research in youth concussion. A Professor of Paediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, and a member of the Academy of Master Clinicians, Dr. Master has been widely honoured for her contributions to the field. Her accolades include research awards from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Paediatric Research in Sports Medicine, and CHOP’s Joanne M. Decker, MD Memorial Mentorship Award. With over 125 peer-reviewed publications and more than 8,000 citations, Dr. Master continues to shape the future of paediatric concussion care through ground breaking research, mentorship, and clinical excellence. 01:35 Journey into Paediatric Medicine and Concussion? 03:30 Concussion Over the Years and Addressing the Research Gap 05:40 What is a concussion and Differences Between Adult and Paediatric Populations 08:45 Impacts of Terminology and Language Around Concussion 11:50 Most common Ways Youth Population are Concussed 18:00 Listen to Child or Adolescence Regarding Symptoms of a Concussion 21:00 Signs/ Symptoms for Parents & Career Givers Regarding Medical Specialist Visit or Emergency Department 25:55 What’s Return-to-Play/Learn Look Like for Youth Population 35:30 Miss Conception About Concussion 39:50 Dr Master Research and How Can we Help/Support? Dr Christina Master Twitter/x @drtinamaster https://www.chop.edu/doctors/master-christina-l https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P3b3zh4AAAAJ&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