The Most Painful Podcast

In this episode of The Most Painful Podcast, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Jessi Beyer to explore the often unseen world of invisible pain and its deep connection to mental health. Jessi brings a unique perspective as a crisis mental health clinician working with law enforcement, fire services, and a regional SWAT negotiation team. Together, they discuss the challenges of living with chronic pain th...

In this episode of The Most Painful Podcast, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Ashwin Juneja to explore the growing field of pharmacogenetics and its role in chronic pain management. Following up on our recent discussion about High‑Intensity Interval Training, this conversation shifts to how genetics can influence the way individuals respond to medications. Dr. Juneja explains what pharmacogenetics...

Dr. Martin Gibala returns to The Most Painful Podcast after his popular Season 6 appearance on High‑Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). In this episode, Tom Hoppe dives into new and emerging research on HIIT, exploring what’s changed, what we’re learning, and how these insights can help you train smarter and improve health outcomes. Whether you’re new to HIIT or already using it in your routine, t...

Welcome to Season 7 of The Most Painful Podcast. We want to kick off the new season by thanking listeners from Canada, the U.S., the UK, and Europe for their continued support and feedback, which helps shape the topics that matter most to you. In this premiere episode, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Philippe Fournier to explore the latest research on tinnitus—a condition that affects millions and can...

In this encore episode of The Most Painful Podcast, host Tom Hoppe welcomes back Dr. Brenda Lau, a renowned pain specialist from Vancouver, BC. Together, they unpack how reframing women’s health and chronic pain leads to better outcomes not only for women, but for all genders. Dr. Lau shares insights on the gaps in current approaches, the importance of inclusive research, and how broadening our un...

In this encore episode of The Most Painful Podcast, host Tom Hoppe speaks with Dr. Andrea Furlan, a pain specialist from Toronto, Ontario. Together, they explore how journaling can be a powerful tool for managing chronic pain—helping individuals process their experiences, reduce stress, and support overall well-being. Dr. Andrea Furlan - https://www.doctorandreafurlan.com/ For more about the Chron...

In Season Five, Episode 6, we spoke with Andrew Thomas about the benefits of cold-water therapy. Since then, new research has emerged highlighting both the potential advantages and risks of this popular practice. Today, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Markus Besemann and Dr. Francois Hanman to discuss the latest scientific findings on cold-water therapy. They begin with a brief overview of what co...

Today, host Tom Hoppe welcomes Tanja Yardley, Head of the Brain Innovation Network, to explore the forefront of brain health research. Tanja shares her expertise on the latest advances in brain health assessment tools, emerging treatments, and innovative technologies designed to support cognitive function and neurological wellness. Together, they discuss how these developments are shaping the futu...

Chronic pain can be a lonely journey, with many sufferers feeling isolated and misunderstood. This struggle often extends beyond the individual, deeply affecting family members and caregivers. In this episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Dinna Icatar, a Concussion Management Specialist and Chiropractor at Health Max Physio Clinic. Together, they discuss how families can navigate the challenges...

Reinjury is a common challenge following an initial injury—especially in high-demand environments like sports and military service. Understanding how to prevent it is crucial for long-term recovery and performance. In this episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Daniel Crumback, a highly credentialed expert in rehabilitation and performance. Daniel is a Physiotherapist, Sport Physiotherapist, Clinica...

In previous episodes, we've discussed the deep connection between mental health and chronic pain. Today, we take that conversation further with Dr. Venue Karapareddy, a psychiatrist with specialized expertise in brain health, neuroplasticity, and innovative mental health treatments. Dr. Karapareddy is a clinician and researcher who focuses on complex conditions such as PTSD, treatment-resistant de...

Today, we welcome back Dr. Jeffrey Mogil, E.P. Taylor Chair in Pain Studies at McGill University, to explore the fascinating world of preclinical pain research—specifically, the role of gender differences. In this episode, host Tom Hoppe asks Dr. Mogil to explain what preclinical research is and why studying sex differences in animal models, like rats, is critical for understanding how pain is exp...

In Season One, we explored how chronic pain can affect children—and how parental pain may increase the risk of chronic pain in the next generation. In this episode, host Tom Hoppe welcomes back Dr. Melanie Noel, Principal Investigator of the original study, to discuss her latest research examining the unique needs of Veteran families living with chronic pain. Together, they explore how chronic pai...

How does mindset influence chronic pain, recovery, and treatment outcomes? And what role does identity play in the healing process? In this episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Nicholas Held, Interim Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR). Nicholas shares insights from his recent research exploring mindset, identity, and transition during ph...

Many of you may be familiar with the biopsychosocial model of pain, which recognizes that chronic pain isn’t just physical—it also has psychological and social dimensions. In this episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Tim Salomons, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University. They explore the phenomenon of pain flashbacks, treatment options including mindfulness an...

We’ve often discussed the importance of movement, exercise, and muscle strength on this podcast. But as we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass—a process that can significantly impact chronic pain and overall function. So, how can we slow muscle loss and maintain strength over time? In this episode, host Tom Hoppe welcomes back Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur to explore the science behind muscle loss...

Many people living with chronic pain also experience inflammation, which can significantly affect their quality of life. But what exactly is inflammation, and how can you reduce it? In this episode, host Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler, a doctor and healer who works out of Clementine Natural Health. Dr. Perel-Winkler brings an integrative approach to health care, focusing on the...

Welcome to Season Six of The Most Painful Podcast! This season, we’re diving deeper into the science and stories behind chronic pain with evidence-based insights to help improve your health and quality of life. Topics this season include inflammatory burden and how to reduce it, the intersection of sex and chronic pain, supplements for muscle loss, and much more—so be sure to subscribe! In this ep...

Back by popular demand, Dr. Max Sun—Professor at UBC and Pain Specialist—returns to the podcast to dive deeper into a topic that affects millions: inflammatory arthritis. In Season 4, Dr. Sun gave us a broad overview of arthritis, and since then, we've heard from many listeners wanting to learn more.  In this episode, Tom Hoppe explores the different types of inflammatory arthritis, how they’re di...

In this episode, Tom Hoppe explores how chronic pain research translates into real-world impact. This episode's guest is Cam Kowalski, the Director of Operations at the CPCoE. Cam shares how the CPCoE supports cutting-edge research and what that means for people living with chronic pain.  Whether you're a clinician, caregiver, or someone living with pain, this conversation will give you insight in...

Today, Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur to discuss a topic that was requested by the audience, postmenopausal symptoms. This episode will cover what postmenopause symptoms are, how to manage them and some helpful tips. Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur - https://drsarahv.ca/ Dr. Sarah’s Podcast - https://drsarahv.ca/podcast-page/ For more about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence visit https:/...

In this episode, Tom Hoppe speaks to Dr. Pavlos Bobos, an Assistant Professor in musculoskeletal health and a clinical epidemiologist who received education in physiotherapy. Dr. Bobos has just completed the latest research on regenerative procedures for Osteoarthritis. For more about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence visit https://www.veteranschronicpain.ca/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/...

In today’s episode, we dive into how brain health plays a crucial role in chronic pain management. Tom Hoppe is joined by Dr. Brenda Lau, the Medical Director and renowned pain specialist at ChangePain in Vancouver, B.C. ChangePain - https://www.changepain.ca/ For more about the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence visit https://www.veteranschronicpain.ca/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chronicpai...

Accessing healthcare can be challenging for Canadians without a family doctor, and Veterans are no exception. For Veterans, having a family doctor is often essential to navigate Veterans Affairs Canada benefits, as assessments, referrals, and documentation require a physician’s involvement. Unfortunately, many Veterans leaving the Canadian Armed Forces face additional hurdles when they find themse...

Welcome back to The Most Painful Podcast! We’re wrapping up our Live from Invictus series, bringing you one last inspiring conversation from the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC. Today, I have the great opportunity to speak with Oleksandr Androschuk , an athlete competing with the Ukrainian team . He shares his journey of resilience, the challenges of preparing for the Games, and what it means...