Past Episodes

Welcome to a bonus ACTRIMS Forum 2021 episode of RealTalk MS. ACTRIMS is an acronym that stands for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and this year, the ACTRIMS Forum is a virtual meeting, bringing together over 1700 MS research scientists and clinicians to share the latest MS research news and insights. We'll take you inside the proceedings at ACTRIMS and share highlights from some of the most compelling presentations. And I'm sitting down to talk with th...

If you spend more than a minute on social media it can seem like there's more misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines than there is legitimate, fact-based information. And I've heard it said that if you repeat a lie enough, it becomes the truth. So we're doing some major COVID-19 vaccine myth-busting with Dr. Scott Newsome. Dr. Newsome is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine. He also serves as the Co-Dire...

A fulfilling sexual relationship with your partner can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health in a variety of ways. But studies suggest that about 80% of the people living with MS are affected by some kind of sexual dysfunction. We're devoting this entire episode of RealTalk MS to talking about sex and MS with my guest, Dr. Linda Mona. Dr. Mona is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Inclusivity Clinical Consulting Services. She's been recognized by the American Ps...

The National MS Society has updated their COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS, providing detailed recommendations for timing your disease-modifying therapy with the two COVID-19 vaccines that are approved in the U.S. If you're on a disease-modifying therapy and you've been wondering about your DMT and the COVID-19 vaccines, this episode is for you. My guest this week is Dr. Jaime Imitola, the Director of the Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Translational Neuroimmunology at UCo...

Research has shown that, for people living with MS, regular exercise and physical activity can improve their quality of life while helping to manage MS symptoms. But research has also shown that people living with MS tend to be less active than people in the general population. In response, the National MS Society convened a group of experts to develop fact-based guidance for promoting exercise and lifestyle physical activity for all people with MS, regardless of their ability level. Joining m...

Paleo...Wahls...Swank...Mediterranean...intermittent fasting. Is there such a thing as "The MS Diet"? Joining me to offer an expert opinion about diet and MS is Dr. Ilana Katz Sand, the Associate Director of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS and Co-Director of the Center's Wellness Program. Dr. Katz Sand's recent and current research studies include a clinical trial of dietary interventions for MS and exploring the role of the gut microbiome in MS. Dr. Katz Sand is also a member of ...

As Chair of the National MS Society's National Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Nancy Sicotte led the expert task force that the MS Society convened to develop the COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS. Dr. Sicotte is returning to RealTalk MS to answer your questions about the vaccine and MS. Dr. Sicotte is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she's also the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology P...

The National MS Society has issued its initial COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS and we're covering every detail of this anxiously awaited and important announcement. We're also taking a look back with Dr. Barbara Giesser at some of the things that made life better for people living with MS in 2020. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! National MS Society releases COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS 1:44 Some of the things that made li...

Research creates the future for people affected by MS. And clinical research can't happen without your participation. Joining me as my guest is Sara Loud, the CEO of iConquerMS, the people-powered-research network that puts you at the center of MS research. We're also celebrating a whole list of MS advocacy wins that will translate into making life better for people living with MS in the United States. We'll tell you about a study that clearly demonstrates why it's essential to start disease-m...

In this episode of RealTalk MS, we're re-visiting my conversation with Dr. Bruce Bebo, the Executive Vice-President of Research at the National MS Society, about some of the most interesting research announcements made during the MSVirtual2020 conference. This is one of my favorite conversations of the entire year, and you've made it this year's most downloaded and listened to RealTalk MS episode. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Happy New Year! :23 My interview w...