Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

• Concussion and The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Biopsychosocial Perspectives with Dr Matt Ventresca and Dr Kathryn Henne

  Send us a textWelcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to be joined by Dr Matt Ventresca and Dr Kathryn Henne. Dr. Ventresca is a critical sports studies scholar and Research Associate at Western University and Brock University, as well as a Visiting Fellow at Australian National University. His decade-long research focuses on how social and cultural inequalities shape our understanding of brain injuries in sport, especially concussions and CTE, examining the roles of media, science, and public narratives. He has also held research positions at Georgia Tech and the University of Calgary.Professor Kathryn Henne directs the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) at ANU and is a leading expert in regulatory governance. Her work explores how science and technology influence health, safety, and social policy, with a special focus on concussion and CTE regulation. Dr. Henne has published over 76 academic articles, cited more than 1,700 times.  00:30 - Episode Introduction 01:30 - What is a Concussion, Repetitive Head Impacts and CTE?  06:30 - Biopsychosocial Models/ Qualitative Research with Concussion? 13:14 – What is Meant by Functionalism in Concussion? 19:05 - Concussion Across Gender 32:44 - CTE a defence for murder or A Criminal mind?  42:24 – Cultural Aspects of CTE 45:23 – Violent Impacts: How Power and Inequality Shape the Concussion Crisis   Dr Matt Ventresca:https://mattventresca.caGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L-UuJWkAAAAJ&hl=en Dr Kathryn Henne:https://katehenne.comGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PIyJCfAAAAAJ&hl=en  Books Violent Impacts: How Power and Inequality Shape the Concussion Crisis: https://www.amazon.com.au/Violent-Impacts-Inequality-Concussion-Crisis/dp/0520396987/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0  Sociocultural Examinations of Sports Concussions:https://www.amazon.com.au/Sociocultural-Examinations-Sports-Concussions-Ventresca/dp/1032085320   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weeklySocial media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

  --------  

  57:05

  --------

  57:05
• Concussion, Dementia and Unlocking Brain Health with Dr Tommy Wood

  Send us a textIn this episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we welcome Dr. Tommy Wood. A neuroscientist and physician, discussing his journey into human optimization and brain health. We explore the complexities of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI), the role of inflammation in brain health, and the nuances of cognitive decline and dementia. Dr. Wood emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes and actionable steps to improve brain health, introducing his 3S model: stimulus, supply, and support. The conversation also highlights the Better Brain Fitness podcast, where listeners can find more resources and insights on brain health.  00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Tommy Wood01:50 - Journey into Human Optimization and Brain Health07:12 - Understanding Concussions, MTBI and The Egg Analogy: Explaining Brain Trauma15:00 – Teaching and Conveying the Message About Concussion 19:10 - Inflammation in the Brain: Causes and Effects23:38 - Understanding Cognitive Decline33:40 - The 3S Model for Brain Health39:21 - Exploring the Better Brain Fitness Podcast and Dr Wood’s Up and Coming Book  -Better Brain Fitness Website: https://www.betterbrain.fitness/about-Better Brain Fitness Podcast: https://www.brainjo.academy/the-better-brain-fitness-podcast/ -Dr Tommy Wood’s Website:   https://www.drtommywood.com -@drtommywood   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weeklySocial media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

  --------  

  44:50

  --------

  44:50
• Re-Release: Concussion: A Cultural and Historical Perspective with Dr Stephen Townsend

  Send us a text**Re-Release Episode with Dr Stephen Townsend. Original air date: July 2nd, 2024** Welcome to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast In this episode, we are privileged to host Dr. Stephen Townsend as our special guest. Dr. Townsend holds the position of Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queensland University with the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences specializing in sport social studies. Dr Townsend is renowned for his work in sports history, with his extensive academic contributions including multiple journal publications, authored books, and published chapters. Notably, his PhD dissertation titled Becoming Ali: A Digital History, Newspaper Discourse, and America's Most Famous Boxer, 1969-1975 reflects his deep exploration of sports history.Dr. Townsend brings a unique perspective to our discussion, providing expert opinions and analytical insights into the history of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury. Join us as we explore the intersection of history, sports, and concussion research with Dr. Stephen Townsend. -      What is a concussion and lack of consistent definition? (2:20)-      Earliest reports/ history of concussion/ History of concussion in Australia (6:58)- -      Boxings Role in awareness and Brief NFL History on “Death Harvest of 1905” (9:35)-      Cultural Relationship with Concussion, Societal Perceptions & Possible Sensitization to Violence (13:10)-       World War 1 Divergence Point in Concussion (19:00)-      Historical lessons or insights that can inform our approach to preventing and managing concussions in the future (26:10)  Dr Stephen Townsend:Article:“‘The Tragedy of the Punch Drunk': Reading Concussion in Australian Sporting Newspapers, 1843–1954”:  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.676463/fullTwitter/X: @historycarbInstagram: bigcrab_oncampus   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightlySocial media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected] 

  --------  

  34:59

  --------

  34:59
• Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches with Professor Amanda Ellison

  Send us a textWelcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we are joined by Professor Amanda Ellison, a neuroscientist and physiologist at Durham University with more than two decades of experience. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers with close to 3,000 citations, and her research covers areas including the neuroscience of vision, neuronal disruption in migraine headaches, visuomotor systems, and sensorimotor cortical function. Beyond her academic work, Professor Ellison is the author of two well-regarded books, Getting Your Head Around the Brain and Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches, which bring complex neuroscience concepts to a wider audience.-       How Did Dr Ellison Got Involved in Physiology and Neuroscience? (01:51)-       Lobes of the Brain and Their function? (08:00)-    Whys It Called a Stroke (15:49)-       What are Headaches (19:20)-    Big Ticket Items Regarding Headaches (30:00)-    Migraines (34:10)-       Common Myths About Headaches? (51:10)-       Where to Find Dr Amanda Ellison (58:33) Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-z_DSs4AAAAJ&hl=en Splitting: Inside Story on Headaches (https://www.amazon.com.au/Splitting-Inside-Headaches-Amanda-Ellison/dp/1472971396) Getting Your Head Around The Brain: https://www.amazon.com.au/Getting-your-head-around-brain-ebook/dp/B09HZ9FVSR?ref_=ast_author_dp   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly Social media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

  --------  

  1:05:25

  --------

  1:05:25
• Dietary Protocols to Promote and Improve Restful Sleep: A Narrative Review with Dr Federica Conti

  Send us a textWelcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honor and privilege of welcoming back Dr. Federica Conti, who first joined us in Episode 60. Dr. Conti brings a remarkable background in cognitive neuroscience, holding a Master’s in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing from Oxford University and a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.Her research lies at the intersection of sleep science, neuroscience, and nutrition—key areas in optimizing brain health and recovery. Dr. Conti’s work includes influential papers such as:·       Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols·       Dietary Protocols to Promote and Improve Restful Sleep: A Narrative ReviewBoth highlight how lifestyle interventions—particularly nutrition and sleep—can play a vital role in supporting the brain during recovery. -       Dr Federica Conti Journey into the Field of Sleep and Nutrition (01:54)-       What is Sleep (03:40)-       Sleep Cycles (06:35)-       REM (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) 13:50-       How Much Sleep Should We Get (18:04)-       Sleep Hygiene + UK Sleep Study (20:30)-       Circadian Rhythms (28:10)-       Concussion and Sleep (36:40)-       Melatonin and Sleep (44:10)-       Dietary Protocols to Promote and Improve Restful Sleep: A Narrative Review (50:00)-       Take Home Message (58:05)   Previous Episode: Episode 60 Nutrition and Supplementation Strategies for Concussion, mTBI and Brain Health with Dr. Federica Conti Dr Conti’s Journal Articles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Federica-Conti-4Instagram: @fede.rica.conti Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly Social media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

  --------  

  1:02:01

  --------

  1:02:01

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast