Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

• The Sociology of Concussion: Aaron Hernandez, Media Representation and the Woodpecker with Dr Greg Hollin

  Send us a textToday we have the honour and privilege of being joined by Dr Greg Hollin.Dr Hollin is a research fellow in the Department of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield, where he explores the intersections of science, technology, medicine, and culture. His research focuses on areas such as neuroscience, concussion, CTE, biomimetic technology, and ethics. Throughout his career, Dr Hollin has received several major research awards, including the Welcome Trust Research Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science and the Welcome Trust University Award (2022–2027). His extensive body of work has been widely cited, with over 800 citations to date, and he is recognised as a highly respected figure in his field. 01:45 - About Dr Greg Hollin03:40 - What is a concussion and Social Definitions09:10 - History of Arron Hernandez 11:11 - Way Media Reporting on Hernandez, Concussion and CTE May Shape Discussions16:00 – Narrative Around Brain Injury and Copiability 20:15 – Q-Collar, Woodpeckers and Commercial Interests In Animals31:00 - What is Hard Knock Life: Negotiating Concussion and Dementia in Sport37:00 – Where to Find Dr Greg Hollin and Support His Work https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&hl=enMaking a murderer: Media renderings of brain injury and Aaron Hernandez as a medical and sporting subject: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619305933#bib16 Consider the woodpecker: The contested more-than-human ethics of biomimetic technology and traumatic brain injury: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&citation_for_view=s1mkGeYAAAAJ:TFP_iSt0sucC

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• (Re-Release): NFL, Q-Collars, Woodpeckers and Concussion with Dr James Smoliga

  Send us a textWe are joined by Professor James Smoliga, who serves as the Director of Research and Faculty Development for Tufts University's, Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Seattle. Professor Smoliga previously held the position of Associate Director of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory at High Point University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and was awarded the 2022 Guy Simoneau Excellence in Research Award. With over 175 publications that have been cited nearly 4,000 times, Professor Smoliga brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion. In this episode, we explore the criteria for trustworthy research, the essential questions to ask, and how to apply these principles to proposed concussion mitigation devices such as the Q-Collar. We examine from a physiological and evidence-based perspective, why such devices are ineffective in reducing the risk of concussions. 07:05 – What is Research?13:00 – Ramifications of Unethical Research15:35 – Introduction, Proposed Method of the Q-Collar & the Flaws in These Studies18:27 – Why the Altitude Proposal Does Not Work, the Scientific Reasoning, and the Demonstration of Data Interpretation32:57 – Jugular Compression and Blood Flow37:17 – Does a Woodpecker Have a Relationship with Concussion & the Q-Collar?57:06 – The Increased Risk with Potentially No Benefit & How Did It Get FDA Authorized?1:06:02 – Why Are We Resorting to Possible Protective Equipment for Concussion?1:11:40 – Fun Research Projects by Professor Smoliga – The Taylor Swift EffectHow an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL: https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2028 Dr Mu Yang Episode 55: Academic Research Sleuthing with Dr Mu YangDr James Smoliga: Twitter/X: @jsmoliga Pseudomedicine for sports concussions in the USA:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442219302509?via%3DihubWoodpeckers don’t play football: implications for novel brain protection devices using mild jugular compression: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/20/1262Reconsidering the woodpecker model of traumatic brain injury: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442218301571?via%3DihubTeam Logo Predicts Concussion Risk Lessons in Protecting a Vulnerable Sports Community from Misconceived, but Highly Publicized Epidemiologic Research: https://journals.lww.com/epidem/fulltext/2017/09000/team_logo_predicts_concussion_risk__lessons_in.17.aspxYou can find all Dr Smoliga’s publications here: https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/james-smoliga/publications?favouritesFirst=true&perPage=25&sort=dateDesc&startFrom=0

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• NFL, Helmets, Concussion and No Game for Boys to Play: The History of Youth Football and the Origins of a Public Health Crisis with Dr Kathleen Bachynski

  Send us a textToday, we’re joined by Associate Professor Kathleen Bachynski from Muhlenberg College. Her research explores injury prevention, sports safety, and youth health, examining how communities perceive brain injuries in sports—as accidents or preventable public health issues. She is the author of No Game for Boys to Play: The History of Youth Football and the Origins of a Public Health Crisis (2019), winner of the 2020 North American Society for Sport History Book Award, and a widely cited expert in the field. (01:30) How Dr Kathleen Bachynski Become Involved in Public Health Ethics/ History?(04:00) What is a Concussion (05:20) What is CTE? (07:20) History of Youth Football(11:47) Historical View of Helmets in Football(18:46) Media and Marketing of Helmets in Football Causing Confusion(23:25) Start of Litigation on Helmets and Mix Messaging(27:10) Chocolate Milk Preventing Concussion and Pseudoscience of Devices(32:08) Consent and Ethics(38:40) Actionable Steps to Make Football Safer(43:15) Where Can We Find and Help Support Associate Professor Kathleen Bachynski  Kathleen Bachynski: Muhleberg College: https://www.muhlenberg.edu/facultysearch/facultyresults/kathleenbachynski/No Game for Boys to Play: The History of Youth Football and the Origins of a Public: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/No-Game-Boys-Play-Football/dp/1469653702University of North Carolina Press: https://uncpress.org/9781469653709/no-game-for-boys-to-play/Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4eagFpAAAAAJ&hl=en  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]

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• History of Australia vs England Ashes Rivalry with Dr Tony Collins

  Send us a textIn today’s episode, we have the honour and privilege to be joined once again by Professor Tony Collins, who previously featured in Episodes 61 and 70. Professor Collins is a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor, widely regarded as a leading authority in the field of sports history. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning several decades, he has authored more than a dozen books and is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Aberdare Prize. His expertise has also been featured in major media outlets, including BBC Radio 4’s Sport.(01:30) - Origins and History of The Ashes? (03:10) - Why It Synonymous with Cricket Only?(05:20) - How Was the Australian V England in Sports Built?(10:40) - Biggest Historical Moments in Ashes Series?(14:30) – The Cricket Bodyline Series(16:21) – First Rugby League Ashes Series(20:00) – Meaning of Beating Our Foe’s in the Ashes (25:45) – Players picking Elegances (29:17) – What Keeps the Ashes Alive?(34:30) – Dr Tony Collin’s Favourite Ashes Moments(44:26) – Cricket and Politics(47:00) - Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black LeaderTony Collins:x/twitter: @collinstonyhttp://www.tonycollins.orgRugby Reload Podcast: http://www.rugbyreloaded.comSubscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly Social media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

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• Chris Benoit, No Helmets or Shoulder Pads and Abuse in USA Swimming With Irvin Muchnick

  Send us a text⚠️ Content Warning:This episode contains discussion of suicide, murder, and abuse,Listener discretion is advised.Today’s episode features an in-depth conversation with Irvin Muchnick, an acclaimed independent journalist and author whose fearless investigations have exposed the darker, hidden side of sports. Irvin’s reporting has been featured in leading outlets such as Sports Illustrated, People, The Washington Monthly, the magazine sections of The New York Times, and as a contributing writer for Salon.He is the author of several powerful books, including Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death, Concussion Inc., and Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads: The American Way of Death in Football Conditioning. His most recent work, Underwater: The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe, continues his focus on systemic corruption and abuse in youth and Olympic sports.In this episode, we dive into Irvin’s  reporting, the ethical challenges of covering tragedy in sports, and the broader cultural issues that allow exploitation  (01:10) - Journey into investigative journalism (04:40) - Chris Benoit and Irvin’s Journalistic Work in Concussion/ mTBI(11:10) - Narrative Around Public Health Harm’s in mTBI/ Injuries(17:15) - Are We Desensitised?(23:00) – WWE Wellness Policy(31:24) - Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads: The American Way of Death in Football Conditioning.(39:52) - Underwater: The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe.(44:00) – How Does Irvin Keep Going in Investigative Journalism?  Irvin Muchnick: https://concussioninc.net/?page_id=14210Twitter/ X: @irvmuch   Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weeklySocial media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion  Email: [email protected]

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