Season 6 of On Time: A Parkinson’s Podcast launches on Monday, October 7, 2024. Host Larry Gifford leads a four-part series on the environmental toxins linked to Parkinson’s disease. His conversations with top researchers, people with Parkinson’s having known toxin exposure, and champions leading advocacy efforts, all help us understand the alarming relationship between toxic chemicals and Parkinson’s and the actions we all can take to address the problem.
Episode 1: Environmental Toxins and Parkinson’s – Airs Monday, October 7, 2024
In this opening episode, guest Dr. Ray Dorsey, Neurologist and Author of “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” explores how chemicals in our daily environment, from pesticides in food to industrial pollutants in the air, may be linked to the rise of Parkinson’s disease. Despite mounting scientific evidence, we discuss why these chemicals remain in use, the implications for public health, and steps we can take to avoid these toxins.
Episode 2: The TCE and Pesticide Connection – Airs Monday, October 14, 2024
In this episode we get the historical context and regulatory challenges surrounding pesticide use with researcher Dr. Caroline Tanner, Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center. Then, retired lawyer, Dan Kinel, shares his journey with Parkinson’s, his story of Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure working for years in downtown New York, and his work in patient advocacy.
Episode 3: A Champion for Veterans – Airs Monday, October 21, 2024
We hear from Dr. Sara Whittingham, a USAF Veteran, physician, Ironman triathlete, wife and mother. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She has become a vocal advocate for Veterans who have been denied benefits despite known exposure to chemicals linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Episode 4: Advocating for a Safer Future – Airs Monday, October 28, 2024
In this final episode of season 6, Brian Grant and his mother, Dorella Grant talk about their time at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base, and the ongoing battle for accountability and justice for those affected by military environmental exposures. Then, Ted Thompson with the Michael J. Fox Foundation discusses major policy advancements and the role of advocacy in driving legislative change.
Our podcasts can be heard at On Time: A Parkinson’s Podcast or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
