The Equity Podcast

🧠 How do menopause, dementia risk, brain fog, and women's health affect brain health? In this episode, neuroscientist Francesca explores the latest research on dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive aging, hormones, and brain health across the lifespan. We discuss menopause and cognition, dementia prevention, brain health education, healthcare communication, cultural influences on healt...

What if Alzheimer’s disease could be detected—and even prevented—decades before memory loss begins? In this eye-opening conversation, Professor Craig Ritchie challenges everything we think we know about dementia care, early diagnosis, and the future of Alzheimer’s treatment. From blood biomarkers to prevention in midlife, he explains why the biggest breakthroughs in brain health are happening outs...

In this powerful and emotional episode, I sit down with John Richard Pagan to discuss his journey living with younger-onset Lewy body dementia, navigating stigma, surviving healthcare trauma, and becoming a global advocate for people living with dementia. John shares the devastating moment he received his dementia diagnosis over a telehealth call, the mental health struggles that followed, and how...

Delirium vs Dementia: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention Delirium is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed conditions affecting older adults—especially in hospitals. Often mistaken for dementia, delirium is a sudden and serious change in brain function that can lead to increased mortality, long-term cognitive decline, and higher healthcare costs if missed. In this episode, psychiatrist Dr...

“I wasn’t ready for this.” Eben thought he was just being a husband… until he became a full-time caregiver. In this deeply honest conversation, he shares what it’s really like watching the person you love change because of Lewy Body Dementia —a complex condition linked to Parkinson’s that affects memory, behavior, and reality itself. This episode isn’t clinical. It’s personal. It’s about the quiet...

What happens to consciousness when we die? Can the brain still be aware near the end of life? And why do some people with dementia suddenly become clear and lucid moments before death ? In this fascinating episode, Professor Loretta Norton explores the science and philosophy of consciousness, brain health, and death . We discuss groundbreaking research on paradoxical lucidity , near-death experien...

Can tinnitus signal deeper changes in the brain? In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Anusha Mohan joins The Equity Podcast to explore the fascinating relationship between tinnitus, hearing loss, brain health, and dementia risk . Often described as ringing in the ears, tinnitus may actually reflect how the brain processes sound, stress, and sensory signals—offering new insights into neurological he...

In this episode, I speak with Cyprian Mostert, a global brain health economist, about how funding decisions shape brain health and dementia outcomes, especially in developing countries. We explore equity in global health, the gap between policy and implementation, and whether current brain health funding truly reflects dignity. We also discuss shifting from hospital-centric systems to community an...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with William Dean, a passionate young-onset dementia advocate from Wales, to explore the deeply personal realities of living alongside a dementia diagnosis at a young age. William shares his journey as a young carer, the emotional weight of supporting a parent with young-onset dementia, and the life-changing impact it has had on his identity and advocacy work....

In a world where brain health often remains shrouded in complexity, the importance of sharing real-life stories cannot be overstated. This podcast episode featuring Grant Longwe offers a transformative perspective on brain health, equity, and the powerful narratives that emerge from lived experiences. Join us as we explore how these stories challenge traditional perceptions and foster a deeper und...