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.
Episodes
126 episodes
Participation in Professional American-Style Football and Suicide Mortality: 1979–2019 with Dr Rachel Grashow
Dr Grashow is a senior research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of Epidemiological Research Initiatives for the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University. Her work focuses on the long-term healt...
From Professional NRL Player to Elite NRL Referee with Henry Perenara
Henry Perenara played over 70 matches in the NRL at club level and also represented New Zealand internationally. Following his playing career, he transitioned into officiating, making his first-grade refereeing debut in 2011. He went on to offi...
Combat Sports and the Integration of AI in Concussion Management with M2MMA General Manager Chris Cannon
Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Chris Cannon. Chris is the General Manager of M2MMA, a combat sports organisation using artificial intelligence to improve athlete we...
Motorsport Concussion Policy and Practice with FIM Medical Director Dr David McManus
Dr McManus is the Medical Director of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, overseeing world-class competitions including MotoGP, motocross, and superbike racing. He also leads the FIM International Medical Commission, driving global s...
From AFL to WAFL and Concussion with Former AFL Player Tom Ledger
Tom had an outstanding junior career, winning state championships for Western Australia and multiple league best and fairest awards. He was drafted to St Kilda in 2010, spending three seasons at the club and playing with Sandringham in the VFL....
Understanding Concussion, Phenotypes and Rehabilitation with Concussion Nerds Founder Natasha Wilch
Natasha is a registered physical therapist with more than a decade of clinical experience. She holds degrees in Health Science and Kinesiology, along with a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia. Over the course o...
NRL Concussion and Head Injury Assessment Process with Former Melbourne Storm Chief Medical Officer Dr Jason Chan (Re-Release From December 2024)
**This Episode is a Re-Release from Late 2024, information may have change since recording** Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we are privileged to have Dr. Jason Chan ...
Head in The Game: Sociocultural Analyses of Brain Trauma in Sport with Dr Stephen Townsend
Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today Back by popular demand, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephen Townsend. A Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queensland University’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, D...
The Physiology of the Action Potential and Neuronal Signaling with Professor Amanda Ellison
In this episode, we’re honoured to be re-joined by Professor Amanda Ellison who disced all things about the brain and headaches on episode 92, Splitting: The Inside Story on Headaches Professor Ellison has published more than 80 pee...
Concussion, Autonomy and Care Giver Burden of Neurodegenerative Disease with Dr Deana Simonetto and Dr Daniel Sailofsky
Dr. Deana Simonetto is a sociologist and Assistant Professor of History and Sociology at UBC Okanagan. Her research examines crime and deviance, gender, families, and sport, with a focus on how women navigate public identities while married to ...
Antonio Lo Lacono’s Legacy, Concussion Advocacy and Happy Lids with Wendy Smith
Wendy Smith is a dedicated advocate for concussion awareness, athlete wellbeing, and brain safety in sport. Following the tragic loss of her son, Antonio Lo Lacono, in 2023 after a head injury on the sporting field, Wendy transformed profound h...
NFL and Light Helmets with CEO Nicholas Esayian and Engineer Kodiak Brush
Nick is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of success founding and leading innovative marketing and technology companies, with background spaning direct-to-consumer marketing, advanced media analytics, and high-performance sports, bring...
Concussion and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) with Dr Jessica Povall
Dr Povall, a Sydney-based physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in neurological health and rehabilitation, holding a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Boston Universityfocusing in the recovery of both acute and persistent concussion sympt...
The Doctor Who Fooled the World: Science, Deception, and the War on Vaccines with Brian Deer
In this episode, we’re joined by acclaimed investigative journalist Brian Deer, one of the most influential figures in modern medical reporting. A two-time British Press Awards winner and Honorary Doctor of Letters recipient from York St John U...
History of the NFL Forward Pass and 'The Big Scrum – How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football' with Professor John J. Miller
Professor John J. Miller is the director of the Dow Program in American Journalism at Hillsdale College and one of the nation’s most respected literary journalists. A regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, he previously spent ...
Academic Integrity and Fraudulent Research with Dr Elisabeth Bik
Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege of welcoming Dr Elisabeth Bik.Trained originally as a microbiologist, Dr Elisabeth Bik has become a global authority on research...
Best of 2025 Part 4: Concussion — Athletes Perspective and Experiences
In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions featuring athlet...
Best of 2025 Part 3: Concussion — The Brain, Dementia, Litigation and Autonomy
In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions brain func...
Best of 2025 Part 2: Concussion — Youth Population, Ethics, Research, Sociology, and Journalism
In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful, challenging, and eye-opening moments from our past conversations. If you’ve missed any of our critical discussions around ethics in...
Best of 2025 Part 1: Concussion — History, Definition and the Impact of Repetitive Head Trauma and CTE
In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening moments from our past episodes. If you’ve missed any of the crucial conversations...
NRL Premierships, State of Origins and Concussions with Newcastle Knights Legend Robbie O’Davis
Robbie O’Davis is a name etched into Newcastle Knights folklore. To the red-and-blue faithful, he’s better known as “Robbie O’Save-Us,” the fearless fullback whose blistering speed, courage under pressure, and game-changing brilliance helped de...
Repetitive Head Impacts (RHI), Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) with Dr Robert Stern
Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Robert Stern. Professor Stern is a Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Anatomy & Neurobiology at the Boston University Choban...
Orthopaedics, Concussion and Youth Sport Safety with Dr Bill Ribbans
Welcome back to headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Bill Ribbans. Professor Ribbans is a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor of Sports Medicine, internationally recog...
Understanding Youth Concussions with Dr Christina Master
Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Christina Master. Dr. Christina Master is one of the world’s foremost experts in paediatric sports medicine and concussion ...
The Sociology of Concussion: Aaron Hernandez, Media Representation and the Woodpecker with Dr Greg Hollin
Today 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,...