Tourette's Podcast

What an episode. Winter Tashlin is a name you might know from the Twittersphere and acceptance messaging. But hearing him speak is something else. From his accent, you’ll quite understandably assume he’s British. Many of his fellow Americans do. This -- along with his creativity, queerness, self-acceptance and other central elements -- all interact with his Tourette Syndrome. He also has the airport story none of you want to experience and a real neckbreaker of a tic (really, literally) in his past, but gluing this whole episode in place is Winter’s sense of command and honesty with his story. He regards his Tourette in a sophisticated way. Hello new listeners! Winter Tashlin on Twitter Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook

Getting it done in a rural area with little to no support for Tourette Syndrome is just one of the vitals we hit with our guest this week, Amelie, a 15-year-old who lives in a small village in Ireland and depends on herself to not only live with her TS but educate peers as well -- something she's done a solid job with. Great takes from a seriously thoughtful teenage ambassador here. Plus: A difficult self-observation project. And a listener tries to keep it together despite real frustrations judgmental people. Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook Tourette's Action UK

Dan Zerin is here! The Iceland-based comedian and podcast host welcomes room for lighter-side talk about Tourette et al. He in fact was part of an award-winning comedy stage show about Tourette Syndrome, "My Voices Have Tourettes," which ran weekly to sold out rooms -- for years. Since the pandemic hit, it's been a podcast you'll want to bookmark if you haven't already. Somewhat in the spirit of Kurt Vonnegut's compassion-through-levity, this episode hits the real stuff and gets silly. First, though, responses to Episode 4, about the "TikTok Tourette" thing happening. It becomes a great discussion. Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook

Bonus episode! If you're new to Tourette Syndrome, it's fair if you haven't heard the name Oliver Sacks before. But he's one of the most acclaimed figures in all of neuroscience -- arguably in all of medicine, and his humanization of disorders including Tourette had incalculable benefit. In May, Ben got to interview people closely involved with Sacks and the new documentary about his life, "Oliver Sacks: His Own Life." On this bonus episode we have film director Ric Burns; Oliver Sacks Foundation Executive Director and close friend to the late doctor Kate Edgar; photographer Lowell Handler, also a close longtime friend to Sacks; and Tourette Association of America President and CEO Amanda Talty. The panel discusses Sacks' contributions, but also the early difficulties he faced being taken seriously within his own profession, drug use, and his isolating experiences as a gay man. This talk was part of the Tourette Association of America's annual conference in May 2021.

Let's crack into a mystery. Scientists began to notice it as the pandemic revised our lives -- young people, almost all of them women, started showing up to the doctor in surprising numbers with what looked like Tourette Syndrome. Out of nowhere. No such prior symptoms. The common denominator? They'd all been watching Tourette content on the social media video-making-and-sharing app TikTok. Is the TS stuff on TikTok somehow bringing out some dormant, previously undocumented tic disorder in its viewers? Are they faking it? What's going on? We bring on a couple scientists -- Drs. Tamara Pringsheim and Davide Martino of the University of Calgary -- to investigate. And, yeah, it gets interesting. Plus: Revisiting a question from a struggling parent. And Tourette Awareness Month continues. Going Viral: Social Media May Be Increasing Cases of New-Onset Tics Work from Drs. Tamara Pringsheim and Davide Martino Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can

What better way to celebrate Tourette Awareness Month (May 15-June 15) than to open up about having the disorder? For the first time, ever, we mean (to whom it applies). Just a few days before this episode's conversation took place, our guest, 26-year-old Jhonelle, spoke up for the first time publicly about her life with Tourette Syndrome. To classmates, everyone. Which came with self-questioning. Would people treat her differently? Would they doubt her? Take her seriously? Plus: A parent of a 13-year-old with TS is doubting her ability to help. And a few science facts that Touretters should know. Jhonelle on Instagram Dr. Christine Conelea (TS scientist) on Twitter Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook

This is a milestone of sorts; we're talking with the first guest Tourette's Podcast ever had -- Maddie -- to hear how life has been since she opened it up to the world on Season 1, Episode 1. This is one of those roaming, casual-paced conversations that covers so much -- from self-evaluation to relationships to Elon Musk and cyborgs to transition points to openness with one's employer and so much more. Lots of laughing.  Hope you enjoyed the Tourette Association of America's virtual conference last weekend. We catch up on it in the episode's intro. Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook

Episode 1 of Season 7, "Whispering For Too Long," is one of the best conversations Tourette's Podcast has ever recorded. Our guest is Gogo. She's lived with TS her entire life, but didn't know it as such until much later in adulthood -- and that's a big factor for her. When she finally got the diagnosis, it was like the world turned different colors. One thing to know about Gogo -- she speaks her mind. With that, you get some of the funniest takes ever; but there's a lot of raw stuff here, too (with uncensored language, if you need such notice). Seriously, it doesn't get any more honest than this. Gogo White on Instagram Tourette Association of America 2021 Virtual Conference Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook

Popping with Tourette Awareness Month (May 15-June 15), here's your entry to lucky number Season 7 of Tourette's Podcast with, as always, a twofer. Episodes 0 and 1 are out simultaneously. Episode 0 of Season 7, "Launch," captures a super solid conversation between podcast host Ben and two giants in the Tourette advocacy world -- TV presenter and wine/spirits expert Aidy Smith; and advocate, author and YouTuber Britney Wolf. This conversation, recorded live with a big online audience, kicked off the Tourette Association of America's 2021 virtual conference (May 14-16). Funny, sharp, serious, emotional -- we hit all the strings when it comes to life with Tourette and take some great audience questions. Past Tourette's Podcast conversation with Aidy Smith Past Tourette's Podcast conversation with Britney Wolf Aidy Smith on Instagram Britney Wolf on Instagram Tourette Association of America 2021 Virtual Conference Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support

Folks! Season 7 is here, and just ahead of Tourette Awareness Month (May 15-June 15), kicked off PROPERLY by 2021 Virtual Conference with the Tourette Association of America. Here we catch up with Meghan Burns from TAA to talk about why this one is so significant. And just drops some cool breaking news on us. Listen! Check in! Lots coming up and we couldn't be more excited.  https://www.touretteconference.org/ https://tourette.org/ - https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast  

On the finale episode of Season 6, we close out an important ticket with a parent who wanted to know how to tell his young son he'd been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome; we start up a book list; we urge your participation in National Advocacy Day (for U.S. residents); and then we get to the perfect guest to close out the season, Calvin Ramirez. This one feels like it answers a lot about where we've been and why we are the way we are at this point in our lives, and questions how it could be any different -- in a non-cheesy way, we promise. This one's power fun. Ben and Calvin even bring Gossip Girl into it. XOXO - Tourette's Podcast  THANKS, EVERYBODY!  Apply for scholarships for Tourette Students (thanks to Scholastic Tourette Supporters for supporting Tourette's Podcast!) Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/touret

On this (great) episode, we have Eli, who works in American politics and campaigning. Lots of "yeah, me too!" talk about anxiety and fear and how it influences our behavior and, often, inaction, even on things we'd love to do. Also: a question -- with lots of answers -- from a parent on how to tell his young son he's been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Plus: correcting the spelling of "scholastic."  Apply for scholarships for Tourette Students (thanks to Scholastic Tourette Supporters for supporting Tourette's Podcast!) Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast

Things that Ben and this week's guest, Becky of London, have in common: Both were young rebels. Both had a frustrating school experience. Both are creativity-driven. Both totally immerse themselves in specific interests in short blasts before moving onto the next total immersion. Both are learning how to slow down and take breaks. Becky is a barber. And Ben badly needs a haircut. But it's Becky in the chair on this episode, with a great story of how she arrived at a late Tourette diagnosis and how it applies looking back through earlier life. Ben also shares a ridiculous story from his young schoolboy days involving a number-two pencil. A chance to get a Tourette scholarship. And a listener question about the intersection of colored lighting and emotion. Apply for scholarships for Tourette Students (thanks to Scholastic Tourette Supporters for supporting Tourette's Podcast!) Becky on Instagram  Jim Jams Resin Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the To

By request, this is the audio of Ben's remarks at the 2021 Virtual Teen Summit, which the Tourette Association of America held Jan. 9, 2021. With full remarks and some Q&A with the many teenagers on hand, the focus here is on self-acceptance and the power ingredient of vulnerability.  Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast

She freestyles her life experience. She holds rhythm. She's a self-taught musician. She owns her Tourette. She's 8 years old. Ky'lee Da Kid has so much in her command, but she lives in an area lacking on Tourette awareness, and so her coprolalia and other aspects don't get proper regard. But her mom, Sparkle, has something to say about it. She's the advocate, knows what Ky'lee has to offer, and won't negotiate less. They're both on this episode of Tourette's Podcast, which goes long on the power of creativity and letting people be their best selves. Ky'lee Da Kid  Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Jan. 20, 2021 - Just for Dads: A Discussion on Tourette Syndrome and Parenting Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast

It hasn't been easy for Shikhar, an 18-year-old from India. New to N. America, he's been constantly bullied for his tics in school. "It's not easy for me to tell anybody that I have Tourette's," Shikhar says. To make it worse, the racism he experiences adds all the more painful weight. But he's pushing through to the clearing. He's found the Tourette community, a proclivity for music, a has a career-eyed higher education drive. It's not easy. At all. But he's doing it. Listen to how he lays it all out, with a really strong finish. To everyone listening, never doubt the power of your listening ear and role in the community. Hichki (Indian movie about Tourette referenced in episode) Virtual Teen Summit, Jan. 9  TAA Progress Made in 2020  Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Jan. 20, 2021 - Just for Dads: A Discussion on Tourette Syndrome and Parenting Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual s

Self-isolation. Social tension. Fighting sleep because we want to be productive. Being resistant to our own nature. Sounds like heavy stuff, and it is, but why is this episode such a pleasure? Our guest, a 54-year-old woman with Tourette and all the things that come with it, lays it out in such an accessible, nod-your-head way. We get into the compassion of art, the effect of mindblowing sights, and finding that oasis of contentment. And we really get somewhere. Thanks to Christopher Mudie, new to the executive producer team (via support on Patreon.)  JEWEL . Z . on Instagram TAA Virtual Teen Summit in January Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Jan. 20, 2021 - Just for Dads: A Discussion on Tourette Syndrome and Parenting Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Support! You can give Tourette’s Podcast individual support at https://www.patreon.com/tourettespodcast

Hey, parents -- freaking out about your young child's future? Is his or her Tourette diagnosis all you can think about? Understandable, but give yourself a break and listen to TS parent Christina (who also happens to be a school teacher) describe what she found as her son got into his teen years and became someone she didn't have to worry about so much in that regard. But, indeed, she's been there: perceiving suffering, trying to figure it out, what to do to intervene, how to feel about it and whether anyone else out there had the same experience. This is one of those episodes of relief and comfort. Experiences vary of course. But, bottom line, there are lots of parents out there like you. Worry not. TAA Virtual Teen Summit in January Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Jan. 20, 2021 - Just for Dads: A Discussion on Tourette Syndrome and Parenting Clearing up the questions about strep and Tourette: 1. From the American Academy of Neurology  2. From the National Institutes of Health Tour

Disclosing Tourette for the first time in one's adult life is an experience. You ask yourself a lot of questions, maybe look over your shoulder a bit. But the revelations coming flying. Your host certainly knows. And now so does Ben Gardner, who contacted Tourette's Podcast just before he told the world for the first time that he had Tourette Syndrome. It was actually a pretty awesome unveiling. Gardner hosts his own podcast, called the TOTs Podcast, which he used to deliver the news. On this episode of Tourette's Podcast, he talks about what's happened since, how his friends and family reacted, and how rattlingly good vulnerability can be. The two Bens also reveal a giant goal they're going to pursue together, and you might be able to help. As of this episode, Season 6 is dedicated to a masterful mom named Natalie. We share a message from her. Press play and listen. TAA Virtual Teen Summit in January Virtual National Advocacy Day 2021 (Get on board now!)  Ben Gardner's disclosure episode of the TOTs Podcast 

Considering he's going for the rare title of first professional boxing champ with Tourette Syndrome, Zack Rice has the perfect ring name: TicNTimebomb. We could pun the description of this episode as a hard-hitting interview, but it's so deep into the realities humanity that ... hard-hitting is probably appropriate, actually. Zack's a boxer, and while it's possible you're not into the sport, it's really just kind of an operative backdrop in this episode -- especially for the second half. Yeah, he answers questions about what got him into pugilism, how he trains and what it means to him, but from there it opens up wide into the philosophies of self acceptance and the personal punishment of being a people pleaser -- focusing on earning the admiration of other people due to insecurity, to the degree where you're subtracting too much from yourself. We talk about the motivation that gets him out of bed everyday with lots of good reminders for living a better life. This one just gets better as it goes. Hang out wit