Brain Chat with the Nerdy Neurologist

How do neurologists know whether someone has MS or NMOSD? In the next epside of  #BrainChat , I sit down with Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Nolan-McEwen to discuss the latest diagnostic criteria for MS and NMOSD, common causes of misdiagnosis, and why getting the right diagnosis can change everything. From MRI findings to antibody testing, this conversation breaks down the science behind diagnosis in a wa...

Ever feel like your muscles have a mind of their own? 🤔 In the latest episode of Brain Chat, I got to sit down with Dr. Deitrick Cox and Sheree Love to dive deep into the world of spasticity. Some days, your muscles can feel like they're in a tug-of-war, and other days they're as calm as a summer breeze. We unpacked those muscular mysteries together, breaking down symptoms like stiffness,...

In this episode of Brain Chat, I’m joined by MS advocate Nana Opong-Owusu and exercise physiologist Sheree Love for an honest and empowering conversation about movement and brain health. We talk about what it really looks like to stay active while living with Multiple Sclerosis—, rom navigating fatigue and fear of symptom flares to letting go of unrealistic expectations around exercise. This conve...

Sleep isn’t just rest… it’s your brain doing some of its most important work 🧠💤 On this episode of  #BrainChat , I’m joined by sleep medicine expert Dr. Chantale Branson and we’re getting into what’s really happening while you sleep and why it matters more than you think. We talk about how different stages of sleep support memory & mood and what happens when sleep is disrupted by stress, pai...

Tremors can look a lot of different ways—and if you’ve ever had questions, this one’s for you. In this episode of  #Brainchat , I’m joined by Dr. Chantale Branson and Dr. Kisha Young, two movement disorder specialists, to break down what tremors are, how they show up, and how we evaluate them. We get into the different types of tremors, what can cause them, and how to tell them apart—plus when it’...

MS research is evolving—but what does that actually mean for you? On the next episode of Brain Chat, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jacqueline Rosenthal to break down the biggest updates in MS care—from new therapies to how we’re tracking the disease over time. We keep it real: what’s promising, what’s practical, and what it means for your everyday life.

Why does healthcare suddenly feel more expensive at the beginning of the year? In this episode of Brain Chat, Dr. Mitzi sits down with , Patient Billing Expert ,Carol Coleman from Joi Life Wellness Group to break down what patients need to know about insurance resets, deductibles, and prior authorizations. They discuss why costs increase in January, common insurance misconceptions, and practical t...

We're back with a powerful new episode: Your Brain on Menopause! I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Riley Bove—neurologist, researcher, and true champion for women’s brain health. From MS care during menopause to what the research really says about hormones and our brains, this convo is packed with insight. I promise this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and smarter about your heal...

I’m so excited for next week’s episode of Brain Chat because I’ll be joined by my right-hand in healing, Dr. Jakai McEwen, for MS 101 Part 2! At Joi Life Wellness Center, Dr. McEwen brings a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to MS care and neurology. From her neuroscience degree at Vanderbilt to fellowship training and work with the CDC, she’s dedicated her career to empowering patients and provi...

In this episode of Brain Chat, we’re joined by Dr. Mima Akinsanya, a board-certified neurologist and MS specialist who’s reshaping what MS care looks like—especially in communities that need it most. As the first MS specialist in Prince George’s County in over a decade, Dr. Akinsanya is expanding access, challenging disparities, and making space for Black patients to be seen and heard. She’s also...

We’re diving into What’s New in MS? with the incredible Dr. Annette Okai — a powerhouse in the MS world. Dr. Okai is a fellowship-trained MS specialist, Director of Clinical Neuroimmunology at North Texas Institute of Neurology and Headache, and Clinical Associate Professor at Texas Tech. She’s also a key voice in research and advocacy, serving on advisory boards for the MS Association of America,...

Your brain is your greatest asset—so how do you protect it? On the next episode of Brain Chat, Dr. Mitzi sits down with Dr. Susan Payrovi, MD, an expert in Integrative and Functional Medicine, to explore how lifestyle, nutrition, and holistic care can support brain health—especially for those living with MS. Don’t miss this conversation! Tune in and learn how to invest in your brain health.

We’re diving into Gut Health & Autoimmune Disease with none other than Dr. Sonza Curtis, aka The Gut Doctor. Dr. Curtis is a trailblazer in functional medicine, with over three decades of experience helping people achieve optimal health through natural healing. She’s been featured in Ebony, Rolling Out, and Shine Magazine and is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur. Tune in to hear...

Don’t miss the next episode of  #BrainChat , where we discuss memory loss and dementia with Stephanie J. Monroe, JD. As Vice President of Health Equity at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, Stephanie has spent her career addressing Alzheimer’s impact on communities of color and advocating for greater minority participation in clinical trials. 🧠💡

In Part 2 of Holistic Health, we’ll dive deeper into resilience, self-care, and practical ways to stay balanced every day with Dr. Tanya Beaubrun and Victoria Rodgers. Don't miss it!

Ready to embrace holistic health? Join us on Monday for a new episode of  #Brainchat , featuring two powerhouse guests who are redefining wellness! ✨ Dr. Tanya Beaubrun, known as the MOre JOy MD, is a Women’s Wellness Warrior who blends functional and integrative medicine with lifestyle empowerment coaching. ✨ Victoria Rodgers, founder of CenteredSoul Consulting, is a mindfulness expert and MS w...

I’m beyond excited to be joined by Dr. Alexis Simpkins, Director of Vascular Neurology Research at Cedars-Sinai and a leading expert in stroke prevention and treatment. We’ll cover everything you need to know about stroke, from cutting-edge research to prevention tips. Don’t miss this insightful episode with one of the top minds in vascular neurology!

So excited to welcome Dr. Hope O’Brien to the next Brain Chat! We’ll be discussing Headache and Facial Pain: Migraine and Trigeminal Neuralgia. 🧠💥 Dr. O’Brien is a leader in headache medicine, having directed the Headache Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s and founded the Headache Center of Hope. Don’t miss her expert insights on managing these conditions!

On the next episode of  #BrainChat  we'll explore neck and back pain from degenerative disk disease with Dr. Vanessa Lane, a physical therapist specializing in neurological conditions, and Dr. Marcus Gates, a neurosurgeon focused on minimally-invasive spine surgery and complex spinal disease.

The next episode of Brain Chat is all about  #Neuropathy —a condition that affects millions but doesn’t get enough attention. Special guest Dr. Tamara Greene is here to break it all down. From treating neurological disorders to working with NFL athletes, Dr. Greene knows her stuff. Don’t miss this deep dive into everything you need to know! 🧠

Join us for an insightful discussion on the connections between cancer and autoimmune diseases with our expert guests, Dr. Tirisham Gyang and Dr. Porter. ✨ Dr. Tirisham Gyang is a neuro-immunology specialist and Program Director for the Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at Ohio State University. She’s dedicated to advancing treatments for demyelinating conditions and exploring neurotoxicity linked to...

We're talking about MOVEMENT and MS with  @doctor.gretchen  and  @yogamovesms

As a  #neurologist  and  #musician , I’m so excited about our next episode Brain Chat, Music and the Brain. I’ll be sitting down with Allison Lockhart, a licensed and nationally board-certified music therapist, to discuss how  #musictherapy  can positively affect  #mentalhealth , neurodevelopment, and overall well-being. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply curious about the power of...

Protecting Your Peace: Mental Health and You with the incredible Dr. Ericka Goodwin 🧠✨ Dr. Ericka is a Harvard-trained, double board-certified psychiatrist, bestselling author, top-rated speaker, and creator of the hit podcast, “Better with Dr. Ericka.” She’s on a mission to help you Be Better, Do Better, and Live Better. Don't miss out on her insights and practical steps to elevate your men...

We're back this Monday with another episode of  #BrainChat , diving into part 2 of Self Advocacy. This topic is so important that we had to continue the conversation! We'll be focusing on telling your story and who better to discuss this than storytelling experts: 🧠  @picturethisvic , CEO and Founder at  @weareillmatic 🧠  @damianwashington , Content Creator at  @msviewsandnews