The UpTic

In this episode of The UpTic , I'm joined by two amazing sisters, Emily and Amanda Muldowney, who open up about what it’s like to navigate life when one sibling lives with Tourette Syndrome—and the other doesn’t. Emily, who has TS, ADHD, and anxiety, shares her journey from struggling to understand her tics to becoming a fierce advocate. Amanda, her older sister, brings a heartwarming and gro...

In this episode, I sit down with Hallie Hoffman—a longtime NJCTS volunteer, youth advocate, and all-around powerhouse—to dive into her personal journey with Tourette Syndrome. Hallie shares her early experiences with tics, her decision to seek a diagnosis at 13, and how that moment catapulted her into advocacy and leadership. With honesty and warmth, she reflects on how self-awareness, support sys...

Hey everyone, Michael here! In today’s episode of The UpTIC, I’m joined by Lorenzo Tiozzo, a passionate advocate who’s navigated Tourette Syndrome across two continents. Lorenzo grew up just outside Venice, Italy, and recently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunication, specializing in Film and TV Production. He’s also part of the Rising Leaders Program with the To...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christine Conelea, a brilliant research psychologist from the University of Minnesota, who's leading the charge in cutting-edge research around Tourette Syndrome (TS), OCD, and anxiety. We dive into the transformative innovations happening in her lab—from developing computer vision tools that can detect tics via video recordings to clinical trials testing th...

In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Marla Deibler, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in behavioral and cognitive psychology, to explore a topic that's not only often misunderstood but deeply important: Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). These include things like hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting — behaviors that are frequently dismissed or min...

What happens when you receive a life-changing diagnosis at 16—and decide to turn it into your superpower? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly driven and insightful Sree Lakkamraju. She’s a high school senior, NJCTS Youth Council member, TAA Youth Ambassador, and soon-to-be NYU student. But beyond the titles, Sree is someone who’s turned self-awareness and advocacy into action, and her jo...

In this episode, I sit down with dancer, choreographer, and advocate Marissa Lazovick for a heart-centered conversation that moves through performance, diagnosis, and the power of self-expression. Marissa shares how her journey with Tourette Syndrome has intersected with her passion for dance, leading to the creation of her powerful solo piece, "(Tic)kled." We talk about what it really m...

In this episode, I sit down with someone I’ve known and admired for years—Emily Fleischman. Emily is a nurse at Mount Sinai West in New York City and a longtime advocate within the Tourette Syndrome community. From her early days as a Youth Ambassador with NJCTS to publishing a children’s book about her experience with TS, Emily’s story is one of courage, transformation, and advocacy. We dive into...

What does it mean to be truly free in our creativity? How do obstacles—both personal and societal—shape the way we express ourselves? In this episode, I sit down with Sara Henya, a Philadelphia-based composer, singer, harpist, guitarist, pianist, and music teacher, to explore these questions and more. Sara shares her journey as an artist, her deep connection to the Tourette Syndrome (TS) community...

What does it take to overcome barriers and achieve your dreams? In this episode of The Uptick , I sit down with Jenna Smith, a senior at Duke University and a newly awarded Rhodes Scholar, to talk about her journey navigating Tourette Syndrome while excelling academically and pursuing a career in law and criminal justice. From her early struggles with tics in the classroom to standing on some of t...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a life-changing leadership program designed specifically for teens with Tourette Syndrome? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Fowler, director of the Tim Howard Leadership Academy, to explore how this immersive four-day experience at Rutgers University helps young adults develop self-advocacy, resilience, and leadership skills. We dive into the evol...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Wilamena Dyer to explore her journey living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD. We dive into the challenges, triumphs, and surprising lessons that come with embracing neurodiversity, self-acceptance, and resilience. Wilamena shares candid stories about her experiences with tics, coping strategies, and how music has become a transformative force...

Welcome back to The UpTic ! As 2024 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on the incredible conversations we’ve had this year and the powerful insights shared by our guests. In this special highlights episode, we revisit some of the standout moments from the season, featuring discussions on occupational therapy, neurodiversity advocacy, groundbreaking research, and more. Dive into inspiring stories, ac...

Joining me this week are two incredible guests from the NJCTS Community Connections program: Peyton Estabrook, a long-time participant, and Alina Lawas Osborn, the program coordinator. In this episode, we discuss how creating safe spaces for people with Tourette Syndrome can foster connection, reduce isolation, and empower individuals to thrive. From the challenges of starting new communities to t...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lori Rockmore and Dr. Daniela Colognori, two clinical psychologists with extensive experience treating individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) and related conditions. Both have a rich history of working at the Rutgers TS Clinic, where they gained invaluable insights into providing holistic, family-focused care. Throughout our conversation, we discuss their pers...

Let’s get to work and discuss job searching and career building as a neurodivergent professional. Whether you're dealing with Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, or other conditions, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you navigate the often tricky job market. I’ll share advice on disclosing your condition during interviews, the importance of requesting accommodations, and how to frame yo...

In this episode, we’re excited to sit down with Hilary Kruchowy, the new Executive Director of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome (NJCTS). Hilary shares her journey, from her beginnings in art history to her transition into nonprofit leadership, culminating in her new role at NJCTS. We dive into Hilary’s vision for the organization, particularly how she plans to build on the legacies of p...

In this episode of The UpTick, I chat with Dr. Robert Zambrano, a clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist specializing in Tourette Syndrome (TS), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders. Dr. Zambrano shares his journey from an OCD-focused practice to becoming a key figure in the treatment of Tourette's, discussing the overlap between TS and OCD and the uniq...

In this episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with siblings Anna and Eric Baldwin, both of whom grew up with Tourette Syndrome (TS). Anna, a middle school math teacher, and Eric, a senior at Franklin and Marshall College, share their unique experiences of living with TS in a family where it was openly discussed and supported. We explore the dynamics of their childhood, the challenges and triump...

In this episode, I sit down with Ray Nardella, the Assistant Director of Resident Life for Student Conduct at the University of Maryland. Ray shares his extensive experience with public policy, disability law, and grassroots organizing, all while adding a touch of humor and warmth to our conversation. We discuss securing accommodations for individuals with Tourette's syndrome and other disabi...

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Drs. Jay and Max Tischfield, father and son renowned Tourette researchers at Rutgers University. They share their fascinating journey into the world of Tourette Syndrome research, discussing how they use genetic data to create groundbreaking mouse models that mimic the human condition. We delve into the intricacies of gene mutations, the challenges...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben Mooney, an Occupational Therapist based in Colorado, specializing in insomnia. He has Tourette syndrome and is a certified CBIT practitioner. We uncover how brain imaging has shed light on the nocturnal activities of our brains, particularly for those with tic disorders. Ben shares practical insights on the importance of consistent wake-up t...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeff Lichtman and his son, Jeremy Lichtman, PsyD, for an intimate conversation about parenting a child with Tourette syndrome. Jeff, a renowned psychologist and visionary leader in special education, shares his personal journey of coming to terms with Jeremy's diagnosis and the challenges they faced as a family. Jeremy, now a successful psycholog...

On this insightful episode, I sit down with author Michele Turk to discuss her newly released memoir "What Makes Him Tic? A Memoir of Parenting a Child with Tourette Syndrome." As both a journalist and mom, Michele shares her candid journey navigating the unpredictable waters of raising a child with Tourette's - the challenges, misconceptions, hard-won wisdom, and unexpected gifts....

If you're looking to be inspired, you're in for a treat with today's episode of our podcast. I had the privilege of speaking with Daniel Ferron, an extraordinary individual whose journey with Tourette Syndrome is nothing short of incredible. Daniel has navigated life's highs and lows with a condition that was scarcely understood when he was diagnosed in the 1970s. His story is...