The Raw Nerve

Reflecting on the recent  World Continence Week 2025  which spotlighted bladder, bowel, incontinence, mental health and other issues, MS Australia explores this important subject area which is common for many people including those living with MS. What is incontinence? What are some of the typical bladder and bowel issues people with MS experience? How do MS nurses assist people with continence is...

Marking  International Men’s Health Week 2025 , MS Australia explores the important issue of men’s health - physical, mental, also emotional wellbeing - particularly as it pertains to the male lived experience of MS. How do men experience MS? What is it like living with MS and being male? What is Boccia? What is MS Australia’s Lived Experience Expert Panel? How do lifestyle and support networks pl...

In this special World MS Day episode of  The Raw Nerve ,  MS Australia's Head of Research Dr Julia Morahan, MS Australia research coordinator Dr Jo Gamble, and Lived Experience Expert panel member and artist Deanna Renee join Raw Nerve host Jeremy Henderson to discuss the new MS Australia publication  Living well with MS: Your guide to adapting your lifestyle . Together, they explore the impor...

On  International Nurses Day 2025 , MS Australia’s focus is the important role of MS nursing as outlined in our new Report:  Our Nurses. Our Future.  Caring for MS Nurses . What are MS Nurses and MS Nurse Practitioners and how do they work together with neurologists? How can we better support and improve community access to MS Nurses? What are the recent improvements to prescribing for MS Nurse Pr...

In this episode of  The Raw Nerve , host Jeremy Henderson sits down with Evie Boven, an Occupational Therapist at Grafton Base Hospital in New South Wales, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in May 2024. Evie shares her compelling journey from experiencing initial symptoms to finally receiving a diagnosis, highlighting the challenges and misdiagnoses she faced along the way. Evie discu...

Do Australians care enough about healthcare at election time? What are the biggest public health challenges we face? What would it take to put the election spotlight on neurological health? And why is the Australian government continuing to underspend on health and medical research? In this episode of The Raw Nerve, host Jeremy Henderson is joined by Dr Lesley Russell, Terry Slevin, and Rohan Gree...

The May 50K  is fast approaching, ready to inspire people once again to move with purpose and support  MS research . Since launching in 2019, this fun and flexible fitness challenge has raised more than 23.4 million dollars to support world-class research into the prevention, treatment and cure of multiple sclerosis. Each May, thousands of people in Australia and around the world walk, run or roll...

Victorians Cate Green and Clare Reilly both live with MS and are setting out on epic – but very different – journeys on wheels to raise awareness and funds for MS. Cate is preparing to ride 20,000 kilometres around Australia on a traditional road bike, accompanied by her dog Kobe, to shine a spotlight on MS and on business owners with disability. Her journey begins Saturday 5 April 2025. Cate prev...

MS Australia has funded a record number of projects targeting MS research priorities - including causes and prevention, better treatments and cures via repair and regeneration of cells.  Join us on the Raw Nerve, on this, our 50th episode, as we delve into four exciting new research projects and talk with the researchers from around the country who are leading this work. Dr Seyhan Yazar  from the ...

On the latest episode of the Raw Nerve we're joined by Lynda MacCallum, a professional cutting horse trainer, accredited health and wellness, coach wife and mother of two. A former high school teacher. Lynda has a passion for teaching and an interest in nutrition, fitness and health.  Lynda believes that if we focus on our health, our well-being and developing a strong mindset, anything is pos...

In this episode of the Raw Nerve, host Jeremy Henderson sits down with journalist, producer and Mum of two, Brooke Campbell Bayes. Brooke was recently diagnosed with MS. On the podcast Brooke delves into her recent Sydney Morning Herald series that highlights chronic disease and disability, and discusses her insightful interview with legendary Australian comedian Tim Ferguson. Brooke discusses the...

In this episode, we chat with Chris Henderson, a former Richmond wheelchair football champion who recently took on the role of Player Coach at Essendon. Chris shares his inspiring MS diagnosis story and of finding renewed purpose through wheelchair football. We delve into the exciting world of this dynamic sport, learning about its unique rules and the incredible athleticism of its players. Chris ...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, we dive into a compelling panel discussion from the Frontiers in MS Research Symposium on how emerging research and clinical trials are transforming the landscape of MS prevention, care and treatment. Our expert panel, featuring researchers, clinicians, and individuals living with MS, addresses key questions shaping the future of MS care. We explore the most promi...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, host Jeremy Henderson sits down with Associate Professor Des Graham, the outgoing President of MS Australia. As Des prepares to step down from his role on 28 November 2024,  he reflects on a rich career trajectory that has culminated in over a decade of distinguished leadership of the MS community in Australia. The self-described ‘boy from the bush’ began his work...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, the panel discusses the new  Crisis Toolkit  to help people living with MS with crisis planning. With summer fast approaching, it’s more important than ever to talk about crisis planning. Whether it’s preparing for heatwaves, bushfires, or any other emergencies, having a plan in place can make all the difference for people living with MS. Dr Tennille Luker dives d...

On this episode of The Raw Nerve, host Dr Julia Morahan, Head of Research at MS Australia is joined by retired police officer, Michael Butler who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), and his neurologist, Dr Jennifer Massey from St Vincent’s Hospital, New South Wales, for an in-depth conversation about Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) and MS. This episode is for those who want...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, we meet James Riley a young father from Ballarat, Victoria who works in the telecommunications industry and like the guest on our previous episode, is a passionate runner. James’s story is a little different, however. His running routine, his marathons and ultra marathons, were halted by an MS diagnosis, and now after over a decade, he has returned to running, alb...

Derek Stefureac was diagnosed with MS at age 39 after experiencing a sudden attack of numbness and paralysis. Though initially frightened and uncertain about his future, he became determined to take control of his health embracing positive lifestyle changes; quitting smoking and taking up running. Despite early challenges Derek persisted with his running, completing his first marathon in 2018. Fas...

In the latest episode of the Raw Nerve recorded on Friday 13 September, guests Julia Morahan and Heidi Beadnall sit down with the CEO of MS Australia to dive deep into the highlights of the upcoming ECTRIMS 2024 (18-20 September) – the world’s largest MS research congress. The event, attracting over 10,000 delegates from around the globe, serves as a crucial platform for researchers, clinicians, a...

In this heartfelt episode of the Raw Nerve, host Julia Morahan delves into the personal and pivotal experiences of living with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). Joining Julia are Debbie and Alex, two remarkable individuals who share their journeys with NMOSD, shedding light on their daily challenges, and the vital role of timely, effective treatment in their lives.  This episode also...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, we mark Women’s Health Week 2024 and explore multiple sclerosis, the lived experience of MS and women’s health. This in-depth, powerful episode is tailor-made for people living with or newly diagnosed with MS, those curious to learn about MS, also MS research. Joining our host, MS Australia Board Director Sharlene Brown, today’s guests include Lilian Law, a young...

The Paris Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September will feature more than 4,000 athletes from around the world, including 160 Australian athletes competing in 17 sports.  In this special two-part episode of The Raw Nerve, host Jeremy Henderson chats with two-time Paralympian Emily Petricola OAM PLY (cycling) and first-time Paralympian Ameera Lee (archery) to explore what it means to wear Gre...

The Paris Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September will feature more than 4,000 athletes from around the world, including 160 Australian athletes competing in 17 sports.  In this special two-part episode of The Raw Nerve, host Jeremy Henderson chats with two-time Paralympian Emily Petricola OAM PLY (cycling) and first-time Paralympian Ameera Lee (archery) to explore what it means to wear Gre...

The MS community is brimming with extraordinary people whose remarkable contributions inspire us all. To celebrate and recognise more of these outstanding individuals, MS Australia has renewed its annual award program in 2024. Today we talk about the important change to the MS Australia Awards including two new awards open to public nomination, the remarkable legacy of the late John Studdy and why...

In this episode of The Raw Nerve, we mark National Pain Week 2024 and explore an important subject area – chronic pain and MS. Our introductory guest, Nicolette Ellis, Chair of Chronic Pain Australia explains to podcast host, Dr Julia Morahan, the focus of this year’s National Pain Week and the ‘painchanger’ theme which is focussed on the lived experience of chronic pain.   For many people living...