Best UHN Podcasts (2024)

1
What Women Need to Know About Stroke Prevention & Recovery 46:51

9d ago46:51

46:51

A stroke happens when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the brain or bleeding in the brain, which can result in symptoms such as numbness or weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, or dizziness. The type of symptoms one might experience depends largely on the type of stroke, and the area of the brain affected. But one thing is clear – desp…

1
I Don’t Want to Just Survive, I Want to Live 58:53

14d ago58:53

58:53

In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice, was joined by Dawn Ethier, a police officer and mother of four. Dawn had thyroid cancer over 10 years ago. The cancer was treated, but she was left with hypoparathyroidism, which caused horrible side effects, changed her lifestyle, and took a lot of time away from her family, her work,…

1
Are Reading Disabilities Genetic? 42:15

26d ago42:15

42:15

Do you know a child who has difficulty spelling or sounding out words? Maybe they feel stressed or anxious when it comes to reading, or they try to avoid it altogether? These symptoms could be a sign of a reading disorder, which is the most common form of a learning disability. In this episode, we discuss the prevalence and impact of reading disord…

1
Erasing the Stigma of Neurofibromatosis 29:08

1M ago29:08

29:08

Have you ever heard of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, also known as NF? It’s one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting about 1 in 3000 people globally. NF causes different types of tumours to form in various parts of the body. Because so little is known about the condition, it’s often misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all. …

1
My Mom is My Person 55:18

2M ago55:18

55:18

In this episode of the Living Transplant podcast, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Kelsey Hannah, an OR nurse and mother who went on a journey of health and wellness to lose weight to save her mother's life by donating a portion of her liver to her. We talked about her journey of self reflection, empowerment, dedication, and what it felt like to …

1
Can Exercise Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s? 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

Parkinson’s disease is the fast-growing neurological condition in the world. In Canada, more than 100,000 people are currently living with Parkinson's and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. In this episode of Your Complex Brain, we discuss the latest science surrounding the benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s, including whether exercise ca…

1
25 Years of Momentum in Spinal Cord Injury Research 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was injured in a horseback riding accident, leaving him quadriplegic - paralyzed from the shoulders down. He became a tireless advocate and a passionate supporter of research. Christopher’s dream was for those living with spinal cord injuries to have a better quality of life, and one day to walk again. More than 25 …

1
A Piece of Me in Heaven 56:53

3M ago56:53

56:53

WELCOME TO SEASON 5! In this episode, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Vanessa Tait, a Cree woman from O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation who put her heart and soul into supporting her father, Kenneth, through his kidney health journey. She uprooted their lives to move from her father's home community of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, over 700km north o…

1
Reduce Your Chances of Alzheimer’s. Here’s How. 35:04

3M ago35:04

35:04

In the time that it takes to say this sentence – three seconds – someone in the world will develop dementia, a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, mood, behaviour and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. With people living longer, even into their 90s and beyond, dementia is becoming the …

1
Check out season 3 of Your Complex Brain 1:21

3M ago1:21

1:21

We are once again bringing you inside UHN's Krembil Brain Institute – one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres – to meet the scientists and physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us and the care teams who support them. This season, we're exploring some big new research in brain health, including: Wha…

1
The Lonely Brain 24:44

3M ago24:44

24:44

In a sweeping 2023 report, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness an epidemic and a public health emergency. According to the report, loneliness and isolation can lead to a significant increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as a nearly 30% increased risk of heart disease, stroke and among old…

1
Season 3 of the award-winning 'Your Complex Brain' podcast is back! 1:00

3M ago1:00

1:00

We are once again bringing you inside UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres, to meet the scientists & physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us, and the care teams who support them. This season, we’re exploring some big new research in brain health, including: What y…

1
Dr. Gelareh Zadeh’s pioneering research in brain tumours 1:05:10

7M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

UHN’s Dr. Gelareh Zadeh sits down to talk about her pioneering research of meningiomas – or skull based tumors, and her discovery of the biology – or makeup – of these meningiomas. She also speaks to her amazing career journey, starting with her family's decision to escape their homeland in Iran following the Iranian Revolution, landing in Winnipeg…

1
Dr. Kathryn Curtis' 5-Minute breathing practice 6:01

7M ago6:01

6:01

Breathing exercises are simple techniques can help improve your overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness. Listen to this original 5-minute 'Breathing Space' practice created by Dr. Kathryn Curtis for listeners of Your Complex Brain. Dr. Kathryn Curtis is a clinical psychologist at the Comprehensive Int…

1
Dr. Howard Abrams champions innovative housing solution to help seniors age at home 45:42

7M ago45:42

45:42

Dr. Howard Abrams leads a team that is pioneering an innovative solution to the gap in housing for older adults, along with providing health supports so that they can age at home with dignity. It’s called NORC – short for Naturally Occurring Retirement Community. What is a NORC? Everything from a co-op to a condo to an apartment building where olde…

1
Sleep disruption research by UHN’s Dr. Tatyana Mollayeva shows the impact on recovery from brain injury, cognitive reaction 51:07

7M ago51:07

51:07

In the latest episode of UHN podcast Behind the Breakthrough we feature KITE researcher Dr. Tatyana Mollayeva, who talks about her pioneering research on sleep disruption and its impact on patients with neurological disease and brain injury. Her research, for example, reveals a connection between a patient’s ability to recover from mild traumatic b…

1
Harry Forestell on his Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for Parkinson's 13:45

7M ago13:45

13:45

Harry Forestell is a journalist with CBC Television. In 2013, he noticed a tremor in his right hand and was unsure what it was. It was later determined to be Parkinson's disease. He was referred to Dr. Tony Lang and the team at Toronto Western Hospital, a movement disorder clinic. They confirmed the diagnosis and began treatment. The symptoms of th…

1
Hunting the origin cell of Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma 39:35

8M ago39:35

39:35

Dr. Laurie Ailles is an award winning senior scientist at UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Center whose pioneering research revealed the origins of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Her discovery is now paving the way towards more accurate and individualized prognoses that better inform potential treatments and improve outcomes for patients with…

1
Leveraging the human microbiome to be a therapeutic agent 51:53

8M ago51:53

51:53

The human microbiome consists of viruses, fungi, bacteria - even parasites and protozoa - that live on and in our bodies. And today the microbiome is having a ‘scientific moment’. Researchers are testing its uses to improve health, and, as a therapeutic agent to treat everything from bloodstream infection to the ill effects of cancer treatment. In …

1
Why Fran Rider has donated her brain post-mortem to the Canadian Concussion Centre 11:32

8M ago11:32

11:32

Fran Ryder is the president of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and has been involved in women's hockey for many years. She has played and volunteered in various capacities in the sport. She has also been involved in research and initiatives related to spinal injuries and concussions in hockey, working closely with Dr. Charles Tator, a world-…

1
UHN’s Dr. Cristina Nostro pioneers stem cell research to cure Diabetes 39:05

8M ago39:05

39:05

In this episode, we interview Dr. Cristina Nostro, a Senior Scientist at the McEwen Stem Cell Institute at UHN, on her developments in curing type one diabetes through the use of stem cells. She dives into the uptake of islet transplantation as a treatment option, along with the different methods and technological advancements to improve the life o…

1
Identifying novel acute pain treatments following major surgery 41:28

8M ago41:28

41:28

The podcast "Behind the Breakthrough" features Dr. Hance Clarke, an anesthesiologist and director of pain services at Toronto's University Health Network, discussing the challenges of managing pain after surgery. Dive into the consequences of the lack of a protocol and the scope and scale of addiction in Canada as a result of post-surgery pain. Dr.…

1
Natalie Ladly on parenting a child with special needs & the importance of supporting research 14:06

8M ago14:06

14:06

Natalie Ladly is the president and fundraising chair for CDKL5 Canada. She lives in Heathcoate, a town outside of Collingwood, Ontario, with her husband Eric and their three children: Brynn, Reece, and Cullen. Brynn has CDD, a rare disease that prevents the brain from developing normally. She was diagnosed with the disease at nine months old, and s…

1
Pioneering UHN research targets long-term complications of liver transplantation 46:50

8M ago46:50

46:50

On this episode of Behind the Breakthrough, Dr. Mamatha Bhat shares how she and her team of UHN researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence to help predict complications resulting in long-term outcomes for liver transplant patients. This novel, world-first approach has the ability to determine the personalized predictors of outcome for each …

1
Grateful for the Little Things 38:35

8M ago38:35

38:35

In this episode, host, Candice, is joined by Melissa Sidhu who works in healthcare, is a passionate volunteer and living liver donor to her brother over 10 years ago. We spoke about her journey as a donor, relationships with loved ones, how to find tiny moments of joy and gratitude throughout this episode. You will also hear clips from members of t…

1
Dr. Andrew Boozary prescribes housing to curb homelessness 57:53

9M ago57:53

57:53

Season 5 launches with an interview with pioneering social medicine advocate Dr. Boozary, who speaks to how UHN is tackling one of the biggest challenges to health for those who are marginalized – homelessness. Dr. Boozary and UHN helped create an ambitious hospital-first in Canada – the construction of a supportive housing site in Parkdale, Toront…

1
Why Jack Conway is participating in a VR research trial to improve his vision after a brain tumour 10:11

9M ago10:11

10:11

Jack Conway, a 19-year-old from Toronto, Canada, is a huge fan of video games and roller coasters. His family includes his mom, Kim, his dad, Steve, and his older brother, Brian. Jack plays a variety of video games, from Call of Duty to Minecraft, and he loves roller coasters. He also has a vision impairment due to a brain tumor he had when he was …

1
I Choose Life 47:54

9M ago47:54

47:54

In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Afsana Lallani, a cat lover and nursing graduate who made a public social appeal to find a living liver donor to save her life. They talk about being young and living with a chronic illness, facing death and how a supportive community can make all the difference. They are later joined by Dilshad L…

1
Lindsay Bongard-Batori on losing her mom Barbara to Alzheimer's 17:55

9M ago17:55

17:55

Lindsay's mother Barbara had Alzheimer's disease. Lindsay, her brothers, and her father noticed changes in her mid-sixties. They started noticing her repeating herself and she stopped coming to the pool with them when they went to visit her and their dad in Florida. She also forgot where she parked her car and had to ask for help. Her memory was no…

1
Pressure for Change 58:30

9M ago58:30

58:30

In this episode, we're celebrating Living Donation Week. Host, Candice was joined by Sylvie Charbonneau, past president of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, advocate, change maker, and living kidney donor to her son. We were also joined by Dr. Joseph Kim, Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at the Ajmera Transplant Center. We discussed barrier…

1
What Lara Pingue wants you to know about living with chronic pain 14:55

10M ago14:55

14:55

Lara Pingue shares her story about living with chronic back pain and the challenges of getting a diagnosis and finding effective treatment. She describes the initial onset of her pain and the various treatments she tried, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and prescription medications. She also discusses the impact of the pain on her da…

1
Ajmera Transplant Centre's 2nd Annual Education & Research Conference 1:33:41

10M ago1:33:41

1:33:41

In this episode, host Candice, takes you behind the scenes of the Ajmera Transplant Centre's 2nd Annual Education and Research Conference, to hear about incredible science, clinical, and research aspects of transplantation. Hear from the following: Samrat Ray: Expanding the transplant pancreas donor, using an ex vivo perfusion model. Adriana Robert…

1
How Nikki Ashworth's epilepsy diagnosis changed her life 18:42

10M ago18:42

18:42

As a child, Nikki experienced seizures that she did not realize were seizures. She would feel "other" and disconnected from the world. Her earliest seizure memory is from when she was six years old, triggered by looking out the window of her parent's house. She would sometimes go to the window to see if she would have a seizure. Today, her seizures…

1
I've done this before, I can do it again. 52:14

10M ago52:14

52:14

In this episode, host Candice Coghlan was joined by Justin Poy, a father, entrepreneur, and businessman who has lived with multiple types of renal replacement therapy since the age of 10, including three kidney transplants, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, as well as home dialysis. Justin spoke about mental health, resiliency, parenting with a ch…

1
Farrah Schwartz's take on stress and the importance of prioritizing your mental health 15:08

11M ago15:08

15:08

Farrah Schwartz is the manager of Patient Education and Engagement at UHN. Her work entails assisting patients in actively participating in their care and improving organizational processes. The Patient Education and Engagement program provides resources, training, and coaching to help Team UHN engage patients in their care. They are also working o…

1
Playing with New Lungs 54:09

11M ago54:09

54:09

In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Tara Lisabeth, who received not one, but two double lung transplants at a young age. She spoke about life with cystic fibrosis, what it felt like to take deep breaths and how transplant gave her the opportunity to walk down the aisle and get married. Later we were joined by Dr. Marcelo Cypel, the …

1
Season 2 Recap 0:51

11M ago0:51

0:51

In the second season of Your Complex Brain, join us on a thrilling journey as we delve into the boundless realm of neuroscience, brain health, and ground-breaking research and its impact on our lives. Through thought-provoking discussions, expert interviews, and captivating patient stories, we unravel the mysteries of our brain. The Your Complex Br…

1
Top 5 Science-Based Tips to Keep Your Brain Fit & Healthy 59:07

11M ago59:07

59:07

From new Alzheimer’s drugs, to novel treatments for brain cancer, to chronic pain, many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of health news in the media and confused about what to believe - and how it applies to our own health. In this special episode of Your Complex Brain - our last of the season - we bring back five of our featured UHN brai…

1
Completely Insulin Free 53:32

11M ago53:32

53:32

In this episode host, Candice Coghlan sat down with Craig Lindsay, the Senior Manager of Programs and Public Policy for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch. Craig not only works tirelessly supporting this community, but he's also part of it, having lived with diabetes, which eventually caused his kidneys to fail. Craig did home dialysis…

1
Chronic Pain & The Brain 56:05

12M ago56:05

56:05

More than eight million Canadians are currently living with the effects of debilitating chronic pain. In this episode, we discuss the connection between chronic pain and the brain, including the latest & most effective treatments, the stigma - how do you study and treat something that you often can’t see? And, is there a way to build ‘pain resilien…

1
I've Learned to Walk 3x in My Life 47:11

12M ago47:11

47:11

In this episode, host Candice Coghlan sat down with Shilpa Raju, an epidemiologist who finished her degree while battling cancer. She survived the cancer, however unfortunately the side effects from her treatment caused severe lung damage, resulting in her need for a double lung transplant. Shilpa spoke about being a young person battling illness a…

1
Unraveling the Genetics of a Rare Disease 45:16

12M ago45:16

45:16

When Brynn Ladley was born, she was a smiling, happy and healthy baby, hitting all of her developmental milestones. Then, at six weeks old, she began having seizures and eventually was diagnosed with CDKL5, a rare and debilitating genetic disorder that has no cure. Upon Brynn’s diagnosis, her mother Natalie became an advocate and connected with Dr.…

1
Waiting for the Science to Catch Up 52:02

1y ago52:02

52:02

Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Darryl Wallis, who was diagnosed with Hollow Visceral Myopathy at age one. He grew up in and out of hospitals and unable to eat, but about 16 years ago, he received a multi-organ transplant including a liver, bowel, stomach and pancreas, which gave him his life back. He was able to have a family and become a pharma…

1
The Truth About Concussion 51:37

1y ago51:37

51:37

Every year, 40 million people worldwide sustain a concussion – a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a hit or jolt to the head. We often hear about concussions in the context of sports, but most occur as a result of everyday life, from running or biking, accidental falls and motor vehicle accidents. While the vast majority of those who suffer …

1
The Rest of Your Sight Life 1:03:36

1y ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Amber Needham and her living eye stem cell donor, Kathy O'Toole. They discuss how Amber lost her eyesight twice from unique situations. Amber, Kathy and Candice talk about their remarkable journey as Amber went from 2020 vision to blindness and how she was given a second chance with sight when Kathy donated stem ce…

1
The Mystery of our Memory 50:25

1y ago50:25

50:25

When you think about your favourite memories, what comes to mind? Is it the championship win at your high school football game? Your child’s first words? Or the lyrics to a song you loved? In this episode, our experts tackle the big & thought-provoking questions, such as: How does our brain log & store memories? Where do memories go as we age? And …

1
I Got My Voice Back 1:04:13

1y ago1:04:13

1:04:13

Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Ivica, an opera singer who loves baking, teaching others, and above all else, his family. Ivica discusses his journey with kidney failure and how his brother stepped forward to be his donor, giving him back the strength to sing beautifully. Later we're joined by Margot Mitchell, a retired social worker who worked a…

1
Using Virtual Reality to Restore Vision 45:59

1y ago45:59

45:59

What happens when a vision researcher has a chance meeting with a pediatric oncologist and that collaboration leads to unexpected and promising results? In Episode 5 of Your Complex Brain, we’re talking about a homegrown vision rehabilitation program helping young brain cancer survivors, whose sight has been impacted by their tumours, improve their…

1
The Queen of My Heart Function 47:43

1y ago47:43

47:43

Host Candice Coghlan is joined by Charles Cook, an incredibly brave and vibrant person who is a heart and kidney transplant recipient. After far too many close cases with death, Charles has implemented the life motto of ‘keep bangin’. Charles and Candice are later joined by the one of a kind cardiologist, Dr. Heather Ross who is highly decorated wi…

1
A New Theory of Alzheimer’s 50:18

1y ago50:18

50:18

Whether as a patient, a caregiver, a neighbour or a friend, chances are, one day, we will all be touched by Alzheimer’s or dementia. This disease steals our memories and cruelly robs us of our loved ones, often when we need them the most. But, there is hope and momentum in the world of Alzheimer's research. In fact, a new theory suggests that Alzhe…

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