Making Lemonade: "When Life Gives You Lemons"

06/27/24 • 57 min

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

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!

Previous Episode

'The Sandy Hook Promise' with Mark Barden

Some topics are so heavy they are difficult to discuss, but gun violence has become such a problem in America that it is vitally important for us to talk about it in order to bring change.

In this special episode of Talk About It, Greg is joined in studio by some great new friends -- Mark Barden, founder of Sandy Hook Promise and co-founder of Artist for Action, and Matthew Reich and Neal Saini, co-founders of Artist for Action. Mark Barden experienced the unimaginable when his 7-year-old son Daniel was killed in the Sandy Hook massacre of 2012, an event that sent shockwaves throughout the country.

Mark and his family continue to go through periodic episodes of depression, anger, hopelessness, and warding off bad actors who spread conspiracies. However, he has harnessed those emotions to start Sandy Hook Promise (SandyHookPromise.org) that works to educate communities and school districts about gun violence and notify law enforcement through a tip line when a student or school is in danger. The work he is doing is literally saving lives.

Mark also co-founded Arist for Action with Matthew and Neil, an organization that platforms causes for artists to easily promote to fans. Together, they put on major events to promote gun reform and are producing a documentary feature with major musical stars attached. This episode is heavy, but this is a conversation that needs to be had.

Next Episode

Epilepsy Innovations: 'Make It Stop' with Craig Chambliss

In this month’s episode of Talk About It, Greg and his guest Craig Chambliss, CEO of Neurelis Inc, explore the importance of rescue therapies – or immediate use medications – in overall seizure treatment. Talking to your health care team about whether immediate use medications is right for you is critical, even if your seizures are mostly under control.