Tourette's Podcast

A different kind of episode this week. After hearing from Touretters on the Tourette's Podcast Answering Machine, we talk Tourette science and medicine with one of the best -- Dr. John Walkup, Chair of the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. We get his backstory, how he wandered into Tourette as a focus, and then we cover the most frequently asked question submitted to Tourette's Podcast -- what's the lowdown on marijuana as a Tourette treatment? Valid? Problematic? Needs work? Let's circle up and learn. In the second half of the episode, we talk anxiety science -- what's going on in our brains when we feel it? What's the use of it? Where can we take it? Hugely thankful to have Dr. Walkup guide us through. Tourette's Podcast is made possible with the support of the Tourette Association of America. Dr. John Walkup  Tourette Association of America (give your support!)  TAA position on medical marijuana  Virtual Confer

When Ben was in the hospital (as talked about on Episode 0 of this season), one of the things that got him through was a book called "Twist and Shout: An Awkward Life With Tourettes." The author, Tyler Oberheu, had loaded it with stuff to laugh or nod over. On every page. Snarky angles. Oddities. Trials. Existential silly-string. That "can this be real?" feeling. And some warm, honest takes on what the point of all this might be. On this episode, we hear from the author himself, who immediately conveys that the personality he shows us in the book is sincere. Tyler also discusses his own time in the hospital. Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. Twist and Shout: An Awkward Life With Tourettes Tourette Association of America Virtual Conference May 15-16  Geeks Rising 

Matt Sawyer AKA noMad is a rapper from St. Paul, Minnesota who hadn't put much thought into writing anything about Tourette Syndrome until his producer told him to. Seems like it would be a challenge to condense a life of experience with TS, associated school-ground ridicule and personal healing into a radio-length song. But he'd spent a lot of time learning himself, and the instincts poured out of him. This conversation captures a lot of what orbited that process and how it's good to evaluate ourselves and whether we're doing what we want or what society wants. The measures of prestige sometimes have nothing to do with our own personal quests, Matt points out. Major takeaways here. Do not miss this episode. Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org. noMad  "Ticcin'" music video  Tourette Association of America Virtual Conference, May 15-16 TAA website and COVID-19 resources  Geeks Rising 

Daisy is a solid mom. She didn't let all the Tourette-flattening forces of the world set the course for her 8-year-old son, Angel, who was diagnosed with TS about a year ago. Even the diagnosis was a migraine, coming with some odd advice about what the world would be like for Angel. Daisy shut it down, did what solid parents do and figured out how to give her child a world he could shape for himself. This is a highlight episode, especially for parents but certainly for everyone. Plus: An update on Treating Tourette Together. A reminder about the Tourette Association of America's Inaugural Virtual Conference, FREE, May 15-16. And your voices on the Tourette's Podcast Answering Machine. Have a message to leave? Record it (you can do it on your phone's voice memo app) and send it to tourettespodcast@gmail.com. Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org, and is part of the Geeks Rising podcast network, geeksrising.com. Links: Treating Tourette Together

Lewis Rossignol is a widely known and followed artist who makes his entire living off of his work, often on commissions, and has Tourette Syndrome at the core of it. Art was his way. On this episode, Lewis discusses what's behind his work, why Tourette is so connected to it, his decision to make art his career without spoiling what he loves about it, and advice to the younger creatives listening. Lately, he's been selling prints from his sketchbook and giving proceeds to fight hunger during the pandemic. We also hear from listeners (send a voice note to tourettespodcast@gmail.com to have it played on the show) and update you on the Tourette Association of America's accessible backup plan after having to cancel its annual conference (per COVID-19). @lewisrossignol on Instagram Lewis Rossignol Art Thumbnail: A Visual Arts Podcast touretteconference.org with info on the Virtual Conference tourette.org

Ben starts Season 5 by opening way up about his recent experience in the hospital and how it was the best thing that ever happened to him. (And also check out Episode 1, released the same time as this one).  Thanks to the Tourette Association of America for making this podcast possible. https://tourette.org 

Unbelievably, we're at the season finale! This episode looks at big takeaways from Season 4 (so much unforgettable stuff) before a close-out conversation with Haley from Alabama, U.S. She didn't receive a Tourette Syndrome diagnosis until she was 18, but all along "I pretty much knew I was different," she said. "It was easy to tell." We cover loads of relatable things -- perfectionism, handling rage, depression, the importance of awesome home support, and much more. Thanks everyone for making this season such a packed highlight.

Giveaway winners! Touretters on "Motherless Brooklyn"! And magic! Really! We're joined this week by professional magician Jason Michaels, who has Tourette Syndrome. And I know what you're wondering: How does one master sleight of hand with body tics? Is anxiety a factor on stage? And how does one get past total embarrassment of Tourette to the point of using it straight-up for relatability? Jason is clearly worth listening to. He's also authored a book about his experiences and is check-out-able at jasonmichaelsmagic.com. Plus: Free webinars! And what's your favorite app for relaxation or sleep? Send suggestions to tourettespodcast@gmail.com. Links: Jason Michaels Magic https://www.jasonmichaelsmagic.com/  Motherless Brooklyn video spot for TAA https://youtu.be/IZkvThNvfGY  Free webinars https://tourette.org/resources/taa-webinars/ Treating Tourette Together info and survey https://www.treatingtourettetogether.org/survey

We're joined by a high-ranking federal official in the States who has LOTS of wisdom on running a diverse and appreciated workplace, and how Tourette Syndrome has given him, if anything, advantages to that end. He's also got a great story about his first awareness of Tourette. PLUS: Giveaway winners! Discussion group stats! Upcoming events! Tourette.org!

Occasionally a listener asks what we've done on tic disorders OTHER than Tourette Syndrome. And the answer is: not much. Until now. Rachel has chronic motor tic disorder and, as you might expect, stories familiar to any Touretter and probably eye-opening to anyone unfamiliar. But she, and many others with non-Tourette tic disorders, raises a good point about the weirdness of finding community when you're sort of an asterisk ("it's not Tourette exactly, but..."). Rachel, it turns out, is a highlight. https://www.treatingtourettetogether.org/  Free TAA webinars and other events https://tourette.org/get-involved/events/  Online Support Groups – Spanish https://tourette.org/online-support-groups-spanish/ 

1. Yuki is strong, and you'll agree after hearing what has to be the foremost tic story ever told on this podcast. She deals with coprolalia, paralysis tics and other pressures to stay ahead of. Saying it again -- she's strong. Have a listen. 2. It's time for an amazingly cool giveaway! Details in the episode. Links:  Treating Tourette Together executive summary TTT survey 12 Days of Giving at TAA

It's #TourettesCop day on the podcast! We've got him, among our most in-demand guests, and it's great. What's it like to be a police officer with Tourette Syndrome? Answers ahead. Also: weighing in on Nick Cannon's "Tourette's" lyric and a followup on the Treating Tourette Together Summit, with a call to action. Links:  Treating Tourette Together executive summary https://www.treatingtourettetogether.org/survey TTT survey https://sjsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UrOSuek1qXvnA9 12 Days of Giving at TAA https://tourette.org/12-days-of-giving/ Everyday Experience podcast https://jonsarge08.podbean.com/    

First thing -- we have a winner to our pop-quiz question! And he has a special message. And then we get to Daphne, our guest this week who has a lot to say about creativity as an artist and identity as a trans woman, all of it fitting into the Tourette context with important takeaways for anyone listening. Please spend time absorbing this one.  John's donation page https://secure.everyaction.com/P2P/RaHab869RUy_KiuArgcHMw2/MS_PhAJDEeqCiygYeE1taA2 Upcoming Tourette events and webinars https://tourette.org/get-involved/events  Double your impact! https://tourette.org/support/    

Rejuvenated after a little break, we're back, this time with Jason from Australia. He knows the value of a good break from the grind to sort out one's head, and we get into that (and how difficult it can be, too). Jason, professionally, is a diversity and inclusion specialist in sports and event management -- which can be fast-paced, and certainly in the context of Tourette Syndrome. But he handles it. Listen how. David Begnaud honored at the Tourette Association gala (TAA's YouTube) https://youtu.be/yvcWz3Fnl00  TAA webinar ahead on Dec. 5: Sleep Problems and Management in Youth with Tourette Syndrome https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8417301772873766157 

Hey folks! Quick mental-health week. That is to say it's a one-week break, and then right back to standard next week with another fantastic longform episode. Gotta address life's priorities. Let's talk in the meantime, though -- tourettespodcast@gmail.com. Thanks, everyone! --Ben