What the Ef?!

What if a neuro conference had a space that centered around people with epilepsy—not just as patients, but as creators, leaders, and connectors? Enter the Otherside Lounge, a first-of-its-kind experience launching this September at the New England Epilepsy Conference (NEEC) in Boston. Part café, part gallery, part community hub, the Lounge is designed *by* people with epilepsy *for* people with ep...

Dr. Avtar Roopra couldn’t believe what he was seeing: a medication that *stopped seizures * in mice—even AFTER they stopped taking it. No seizures. No meds. And even better? It restored cognitive function. Skeptical? So was Roopra and other scientists—until they repeated the results twice with the same outcome. Even more shocking? This drug is already FDA-approved for other chronic conditions. So...

She left her job as a newscaster because of epilepsy—and now she’s back at the same anchor desk. In this episode, Sarah Carlson talks about pretending she didn’t miss the job (she did), how she seized the opportunity to get back in, and the joy of being four years seizure free...while knowing her brain is still unpredictable. We also get into survivor’s guilt, pressure to be perfect with sleep, an...

Former Marine Jack lives with post-traumatic epilepsy—and calls it a “blast radius” of its own. From memory struggles to mindset shifts, he shares how he stopped apologizing for what epilepsy changed and started treating himself with compassion. Oh, and he also announced the introduction of the National Plan for Epilepsy to Congress. No big deal. Shout out to the folks who support us in our blast...

Tommy had his first seizure (and dislocated shoulder 😬) senior year of high school—but kept chasing his dream of swimming at University of South Carolina. After the 2024 SECs, another seizure and shoulder pop (double ouch) changed everything. Still, he refused to let epilepsy take the water from him. Big shout out to these folks for keeping the podcast afloat! Community partners Epilepsy Foundati...

Diagnosed at just  six days old , kinda makes Paige Wade the OG of epilepsy. As an adult, her seizures subsided until two popped up, taking away her driver's license. Paige teaches second grade, and her students weren't the only ones getting dropped off by their moms. (Awkward.) Paige opens up about how losing her independence led to depression—and how she slowly climbed her way back. Now...

​​When Sarabjeet Bhutani was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, she understood the secrecy that came with it. The cultural stigma in her community ran so deep, that for decades Sarabjeet stayed silent. And when her daughter was also diagnosed at age 10, the cycle continued. (If only they were born in Gen Z!) But that all changed when Pree had a seizure in front of her school. (Can’t hide that, ri...

Live from the National Epilepsy Walk in D.C., Landis Wiedner and Miles Levin hit the National Mall with one big question: What do you wish more people knew about epilepsy? The answers were real, raw, and sometimes even funny! What do YOU wish more people understood? Comment below and join the conversation! Thank you Community Partner Epilepsy Foundation of America and sponsors Neurelis and SK life...

JP Severin thought his epilepsy was controlled—until his seizures decided to make a comeback right in the middle of his career and dad life. JP shares what it’s like when your kids witness your seizures, the emotional aftermath, and the challenge of accepting what’s beyond his control. With humor and heart, JP dives into the weird wisdom seizuresbring, and how life’s unpredictability can reshape p...

When Nancy Iida’s son went off to college, she had to face a hard truth: she couldn’t control his seizures. That lesson deepened when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer and she herself battled Lyme disease. Through it all, Nancy turned to art as a way to create peace in a life filled with uncertainty. In this episode, she shares how she’s learned to let go, find balance, and embrace the practi...

So, what's it like being married to someone with epilepsy? Steve and I get real about our relationship—how we met, the challenges we’ve faced, and the moments that make it all worth it. From seizure depression to the Kid Decision (to have kids or not?), and yes, even who gets the last French fry, we’re sharing it all. Appreciate these folks giving this podcast their "I do's": Epilepsy Foundation o...

What happens when your epilepsy meds turn against you? Mere Davis found out the hard (and very painful) way. On her way to an epilepsy walk, a bad case of medication toxicity caused her to pass out, faceplant on the sidewalk, and start a long journey of medical treatment. In this episode, Mere shares her story with wit and wisdom, breaking down what medication toxicity is, how to avoid it, and why...

Ever felt dismissed by a doctor? Author Ilana Jacqueline gets it. In this episode, she shares what medical gaslighting is, how to spot it, and *three game-changing tips* to stand your ground in the doctor’s office. She opens up about her own medical journey and how it led her to become a self-advocacy pro. If you’ve ever struggled to feel heard in the doc’s office, tune into this convo and order I...

When Dr. Amee Shah’s epilepsy, long under control, returned, she faced a tough question: should she share her story? After keeping seizures a secret her whole life, she chose to open up. While many people were supportive, others were not – even requesting Amee to take down social media posts about her epilepsy. Instead of letting that hold her back, Amee turned it into fuel for advocacy, becoming...

How do you turn epilepsy into a motivator for growth and success? Justice Bartley, a former NBA player development coach, takes us courtside to share his journey from high school basketball to the NBA coaching staff—all while navigating life with epilepsy. Hear how Justice found the right support, embraced accountability, and transformed challenges into life lessons. Plus, a sneak peek at his stea...

Santa called, and he’s giving the reindeer the night off—because Mary from Beverly Dry Goods is here to sleigh your holiday parties with three ridiculously good mocktail recipes! Learn how to turn everyday ingredients into holiday magic (without the hangover). Whether you’re naughty, nice, or somewhere in between, these drinks will have you saying, "What the ELF was I drinking before?" Get ready t...

Ever heard of VNS Therapy but have no idea wtf it really is? You're not alone! Track star turned bodybuilding buff, Jenee Leger faced a major setback when seizures made a comeback in her late 20s. Tune in to learn how VNS Therapy helped control her epilepsy and how she went onto reclaim her fitness, recently becoming a marathoner! Jenee's even channeling her journey into advocacy and created the f...

When Bree began her advocacy journey, it was a doctor’s requirement before brain surgery. But what started as atherapeutic writing exercise quickly evolved into something much bigger—connecting with countless others on their epilepsy journeys. In this episode, we explore why anger is often dismissed, why acceptance is sometimes seen as the only path, and how embracing both can be the key to sparki...

Gear up for a double date you’ve never seen on Netflix: one police officer, one firefighter, each married to an epilepsy advocate. Illinois State Police Officer, Duane Chappell, and Chicago firefighter/EMT, Steve Paluck, share eye-opening insights about seizures in the field and the necessity of seizure safety training for first responders. Jessica Chappell (Duane’s better half) rejoins the podcas...

Like many of us, Melanee Stovall felt overwhelmed and isolated after her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. Navigating the complexities of healthcare and education, Melanee chose to keep her daughter’s condition a secret, hoping to protect her from stigma. But as she learned more, she discovered her voice and began advocating for fair treatment both in the classroom and in medical care. In this...

Ready for the sweetest, most non-traditional love story? Alison Kukla and Preston Reilly share their Meet Cute, Zoom wedding, and when “family planning” doesn’t go as planned. These two should legit have their own Hallmark movie that rewrites the script for happy endings. Tune in to hear how this powerhouse couple is changing the narrative of managing epilepsy in marriage, careers, and support sys...

In this powerful episode, JenVon opens up about the raw realities of living with epilepsy, from the cognitive challenges and isolation to the struggles with depression, anxiety, and dating. She bravely shares her escape from an abusive relationship, highlighting the critical importance of self-care and a supportive network. As the founder of Epitome of Epilepsy, JenVon discusses themission of her...

Ever felt like an outsider, even within your own community? You’re not alone! After Mark Slater hid his epilepsy for years, becoming an advocate didn't erase that feeling. But then came a pivotal moment that changed everything—Mark realized he succeeds because of his epilepsy, not despite it. Now we’re teaming up to create a space where people with epilepsy can truly connect. Tune in for the e...

Ever heard of a rescue med but not sure wtf it really means? Join Dr. Becker, a top epileptologist at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, as she explains rescue meds, how to use them, and how to talk to your doctor about them. And check out how Dr. Becker and her team are revolutionizing epilepsy treatment through cutting-edge research and compassionate care. Take this survey about rescue...

Growing up, Anna faced relentless bullying and doubt from both peers and teachers because of her seizures. But instead of letting the stigma define her, she transformed her pain into power. Now a Community Outreach Specialist for her local Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin, Anna is a source of inspiration 🌟 and support 🤝, ensuring that no one feels alone on their epilepsy journey. Tune in to hear...