Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman discusses the mission and ongoing work of the Mac Parkman Foundation, an organization focused on preventing and treating repetitive brain trauma in sports and military service. Bruce outlines upcoming initiatives, educational resources, and advocacy efforts aimed at improving brain health awareness and protecting future generations....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman speaks with Tom Christian from HitIQ about the role of technology in improving athlete safety and monitoring head impacts in contact sports. HitIQ’s instrumented mouth guards collect real-time data on head impacts, helping coaches, parents, and medical teams better understand concussion risks and brain health. In This Episode • The s...

Send us Fan Mail Bruce Parkman on Concussion Caps and Brain Safety in Youth Sports In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman examines the effectiveness of concussion caps and other protective sports gear used in contact sports. Bruce explains why these devices often fail to address the real danger: repetitive head impacts that accumulate over time and lead to long-term brain injury. In This...

Send us Fan Mail   What really happens to the brain after years of blast exposure in combat? In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman speaks with military veteran Colin Lightfoot about the hidden impact of blast exposure, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and combat trauma on brain health. Colin shares his personal journey from military service to recovery, discussing how brain injuries of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman discusses the devastating impact of repetitive brain trauma and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the veteran community. Many veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety may actually be suffering from undiagnosed brain injuries caused by blast exposure and combat environments. This episode explores the urgent need for better...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman speaks with veteran and Physician Associate Ben Askins about repetitive brain trauma and emerging treatment options. Ben explains how ketamine therapy, neuroplasticity, and new approaches to mental health care may help veterans recover. This episode explores the future of brain healing. In This Episode: • Understanding repetitive br...

Send us Fan Mail Are concussion prevention devices truly protecting young athletes? In this episode, Bruce Parkman discusses: • Brain trauma in youth sports  • The truth behind the Q-Collar  • Why developing brains are vulnerable  • Long-term effects of repetitive impacts  • What parents need to understand Protecting the brain protects the future. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podca...

Send us Fan Mail Retired Special Forces Master Sergeant Geoff Dardia joins Broken Brains to discuss the devastating impact of traumatic brain injury and toxic exposure on veterans. Geoff shares his personal journey and explains how functional medicine, family support, and innovative treatments are helping veterans recover and rebuild their lives. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing th...

Send us Fan Mail Could repetitive brain trauma be the hidden cause of mental illness in veterans — and could a Special Forces medic have accidentally found the answer? Bruce Parkman sits down with Chief Warrant Officer Jacek — Special Forces medic, TBI survivor, and creator of the HERO Protocol — for a conversation about brain trauma, cognitive recovery, and what happens when the military can&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Ken Sharlin joins Broken Brains to explain how integrative neurology and functional medicine redefine mental health by treating the brain’s root causes—trauma, inflammation, and injury.   Topics Covered: • Brain trauma and mental health • Chronic inflammation and neurology • Childhood trauma and brain development • CTE and repetitive head injury • Functional medicine for brain...

Send us Fan Mail Frank Larkin joins Bruce Parkman to discuss veteran brain trauma, moral injury, suicide prevention, and systemic failures following 9/11. A powerful call to action for reform and accountability. Topics Covered: Repetitive brain trauma Veteran mental health Moral injury Suicide prevention VA treatment challenges Legislative advocacy Chapters 00:00 Repetitive Brain Trauma in Veteran...

Send us Fan Mail   What is the hidden cost of fighting wars at sea?  In this episode of The Broken Brains Podcast , host Bruce Parkman sits down with retired U.S. Navy SWCC operator Anthony Smith to expose the long-term neurological damage caused by repetitive blast exposure and high-impact boat operations. They discuss how years of sustained force on the water can lead to traumatic brain injury (...

Send us Fan Mail What happens to the brain—and identity—when the game ends?  In this episode of Broken Brains , host Bruce Parkman sits down with Kurt A. David, Emmy Award–winning TV host, producer, and former professional basketball player, to unpack the often-overlooked connection between repetitive brain trauma, mental health, and life after high-performance careers. Kurt shares his personal jo...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when brain trauma starts earlier than we realize—and recovery never truly begins?  In this episode of The Broken Brains Podcast , host Bruce Parkman sits down with neurobiologist Dr. Allison Breger to examine the growing crisis of repetitive brain trauma in youth sports and military environments. They explore how repeated head impacts, poor sleep, and cumulative expos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Daniel Pace, CEO of Invicta Prospects Group, to confront the growing crisis of repetitive brain trauma in the military. Drawing from personal experience and ongoing research, Daniel explains how blast exposure and head impacts contribute to cognitive decline and mental health issues often misdiagnosed as PTSD. The...

Send us Fan Mail   In this episode of Broken Brains , host Bruce Parkman sits down with George Visger, former NFL player and brain injury advocate, to expose the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma. George shares his deeply personal journey through concussions, hydrocephalus, multiple brain surgeries, and mental health struggles following his football career. Together, they discuss t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , Bruce Parkman speaks with Dr. Drew Thodeson, a pediatric neurologist specializing in concussions and brain trauma. Together, they explore the hidden dangers of repetitive head injuries, their long-term impact on mental health, and the connection to neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Thodeson explains the challenges of diagnosing concussions, the co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , Bruce Parkman speaks with physician and psychedelic researcher Dr. Pamela Kryskow to explore the powerful connection between brain trauma, mental health, and emerging psychedelic therapies. Dr. Kryskow discusses how psychedelics can promote neuroplasticity, emotional healing, and spiritual growth—especially for individuals facing chronic pain or...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , Bruce Parkman speaks with public health expert Dr. Helen Epstein about the rising suicide crisis and the complex mental health challenges driving it. They explore the societal factors that normalize suicidal thoughts, the role of long-term counseling, and how community support, art, and expression can promote healing. The conversation dives into...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman , Bruce speaks with Bruce Bottorff, Board Chair of Manatee PAL, about the growing concerns surrounding repetitive brain trauma in youth sports. They discuss the shift from tackle to flag football as a safer alternative, the importance of data-driven decisions, and how mentorship, community engagement, and youth development go han...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Broken Brains , Bruce Parkman is joined by Travis Wilson—a 20-year Army veteran and former Green Beret—to explore the harsh realities of brain trauma in veterans. Travis shares his personal experience with blast exposure, his mental health journey, and how innovative treatments like M.E.R.T., stem cells, and psychedelics are offering new hope. He also d...

Send us Fan Mail In this emotional and insightful episode, Bruce Parkman speaks with Tatiana McCall Wimberly, founder of the RL3 Foundation, about the tragic loss of her son Ray Ray and her mission to advocate for brain health in youth sports. They dive into the dangers of repetitive brain trauma, the cultural pressures in football, and how education, legislation, and community action are key to p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , host Bruce Parkman talks with Dr. Chris Frueh, a leading authority on Operator Syndrome, brain trauma, and mental health among veterans and first responders. They examine the devastating effects of repetitive brain trauma, PTSD, and hormonal imbalances, while spotlighting alternative treatments like ketamine and psychedelics. The conversation cal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , Bruce Parkman speaks with Trevor Millar, a leading advocate and expert in ibogaine therapy. They explore the powerful potential of this psychedelic medicine to treat brain trauma, PTSD, and addiction—especially in veterans and athletes. Trevor discusses its origins, research-backed success stories, and the urgent need for awareness and legal refo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Broken Brains , host Bruce Parkman sits down with researchers Gracie Recht and Claire Buddenbaum to unpack the hidden dangers of repetitive brain trauma in contact sports. They explore the mental health crisis emerging in former athletes, the science behind Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), and the urgent need for more research—especially involving women....