"Talk About It!" with Greg Grunberg

Greg Grunberg is joined by an amazing group of epilepsy advocates working together to create Seizure Smart Schools in their states and ultimately around the country:

Cyndi Crunk and her daughter Lyndsey championed Kentucky’s Lyndsey Crunk Act in April 2018. Barbara Watkins, in loving memory of her daughter Samantha championed Texas’ Sam’s Law in June 2019. Colleen Quinn and her son Paul St. Pierre championed New Jersey’s Paul’s Law in January 2020.

Hear all of their amazing and inspiring stories and learn how you can help create seizure safe schools in your community.

Join their Facebook page/group: National Epilepsy Advocates for Seizure Safe Schools.

This podcast series is sponsored by Greenwich Biosciences, the US leader in the field of cannabinoid prescription medicines.

Talk About It with Greg Grunberg is produced by The ‘Talk About It!’ Company who is solely responsible for the content. Visit us at TalkAboutIt.org.

Greg Grunberg welcomes to the Pod a new young filmmaker Miles Levin. Miles is the writer and director of “Under the Lights,” a short film about a young man with severe epilepsy who goes to his prom and meets an unexpected new friend. The film is supported by the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.

In addition, Greg talks to his best friend, J.J. Abrams, about epilepsy in the movies and the state of moviemaking today.

Plus, the stars of Star Trek — Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto — on seizure first aid... and Harrison Ford reveals what he hopes will happen very soon for people living with seizures.

Wicked, Wicked, WICKED! Everyone is talking about Wicked! Well, do we here at Talk About It have news for you... there is a brand new musical playing in Los Angeles that is all the rage in the epilepsy community, and it will make you forget all about good witches or bad witches. That musical is "It's All Your Fault, Tyler Price" and it tells the story of a middle school boy whose younger sister has epilepsy and is being bullied, shining a light on the high and low moments of a family dealing with epilepsy, how it affects the parent, and the challenges they are forced to overcome. It's a fresh, honest perspective and a wonderful opportunity to highlight epilepsy awareness on the stage! Greg sits down with the show's creators, Emmy award-winning composer and songwriter Ben Decter and Tony-nominated director Kristin Hanggi, to tell the story of what inspired Ben to start writing this show, how he and Kristin developed the final iteration of the musical, and so, SO much more! Plus! You'll get a sneak peek of one of the numbers that they shot a music video for. This episode is so much fun, you do NOT want to miss it!

The Talk About It podcast is sponsored by Seizures Are Signs — dedicated to educating families on the importance of early and specific diagnosis by providing an assessment to help get the conversation started, educational information, stories from families who have found a diagnosis, links to advocacy groups, and more. For more information, go to SeizuresAreSigns.com. Seizures are Signs is made available by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

This month on Talk About It, we are cooling off the summer heat with some refreshing and delicious lemonade! Greg hosts three different interviews with people who are taking the sourest of lemons that life hands them and squeezing out incredible creative initiatives that make the world a much, MUCH better place.

Up first is Landis Wiedner who developed epilepsy after a traumatic brain surgery to remove a tumor. She was disrupted by this sudden change in her adult life and realized there weren't enough resources to help her deal with the struggles of "adulting" with epilepsy. So, she started a podcast! The "What the EF" Podcast she started has now been on for five seasons and aims to be an outlet for those everyday conversations that aren't as accessible for adults in her situation. Way to go Landis!

Then, Greg has some very special guests to the studio - his son Jake’s girlfriend Morgan, and her incredible mom Karen and brother Kyle! Kyle was born with cerebral palsy, but Karen never let his condition affect his ability to play sports and enjoy recreational activities. In fact, she came on board the AYSO VIP Program for kids and helped to expand it to now host hundreds of special needs participants, from 4-year-olds to 40-year-olds! From basketball to soccer, Karen is leading the way to establish communities and provide a safe environment for individuals like Kyle to learn and grow through playing sports. Greg and Nick headed out to watch the basketball program in action, and we get a full recap of their incredible experience!

Finally, Greg talks with Sue Seserman, a writer and new author that harnesses her conditions and turns them into superpowers! Sue has epilepsy and type 1 diabetes, and has such a brilliant creative vision on how to use them for good. She has now released her new graphic novel Epilectra that centers around a woman who becomes a superhero by converting the electricity in her brain that causes seizures and uses them for super electric abilities! She is joined by a cast of characters - Team SEEZ - who all have a disability, but use them as “superabilities” to change the circumstances of their adversaries and save the day. She is a visionary, and we are so excited that this novel is finally here!

Plus, we recap Greg’s trip to the Epilepsy Walk at the Rose Bowl with some familiar faces and some new friends! Don’t miss this episode!

The Talk About It podcast is sponsored by Seizures Are Signs — dedicated to educating families on the importance of early and specific diagnosis by providing an assessment to help get the conversation started, educational information, stories from families who have found a diagnosis, links to advocacy groups, and more. For more information, go to SeizuresAreSigns.com. Seizures are Signs is made available by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Greg unravels the mind of author/activist Kurt Eichenwald Kurt Eichenwald to discuss his groundbreaking new book and his struggles and triumphs living a remarkable life with epilepsy.