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

Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, discusses all things concussion. From the physiology, effects, treatment and rehabilitation process. All with the aim of providing the tools and education to help patients.

DISCLAIMER:
All information discussed and provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice of doctors or healthcare practitioners. If a listener believes they are suffering from a similar injury to one discussed by the author, please seek medical care of your doctor or physician and do not rely on the author's advice.

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Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast

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

September 16, 2025 • Dr Reece Granger BSc (Hons), BChiro • Episode 95

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Welcome 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.ca

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L-UuJWkAAAAJ&hl=en

Dr Kathryn Henne: