Episodes

The hardest losses aren’t always the obvious ones. Sometimes it’s the moment you realize you might never ride again, never rebuild the full set of tools you spent decades collecting, or never feel as fearless in your body as you once did. Travis opens up about a brutal stretch of life with Parkinson’s disease, the aftermath of a house fire, and how a DBS battery failure can spark a terrifying thought: is this a snapshot of my future? We talk about grief and mourning as something that can hit in ...

Freezing can feel like your body hits a hard pause at the exact worst time, mid twist, mid bend, halfway to the thing you’re trying to pick up. Travis opens up about what freezing looks like for him, why it doesn’t always match the “feet glued to the floor” description, and how he learned to get unstuck without gadgets, panic, or waiting for someone to rescue him. We talk through a simple mindset shift: stop fighting the big movement and find the small part that can still move, then use it to cr...

A Parkinson’s diagnosis can feel like a trap door, but it can also become a turning point if you build the right kind of plan. We sit down with Steve Yellen, author of Living Parkinson’s, to trace his path from a small left-hand tremor to the life-changing words “I think you have Parkinson’s” and then to a decision that many people struggle to make: stop waiting and start steering. Steve explains how reassurance about life expectancy initially lulled him into passivity, and why research particip...

A wildfire can take your house in minutes. What it can’t take—if you fight for it—is your ability to choose what comes next. We open up about losing our Altadena home in the Eaton Fire, the chaotic evacuation with two poodles and two cats, and the gritty, unglamorous path to rebuilding when Parkinson’s is part of daily life. From “well begun is half done” to letting go of what can burn, this conversation moves from shock to action, and from paperwork to purpose. We break down the steps that turn...

A slipper, a sudden freeze, and a screen that reads “DBS unit failed.” That’s how our morning began—and how years of carefully managed Parkinson’s symptoms vanished in seconds. What follows is an unvarnished look at life when a single device holds up half your world, and what it takes to stand it back up when that device goes dark during the holidays. We walk through the cascade: dystonia locking all four limbs, a voice reshaped by stimulation, and the way DBS can both give back a life and compl...

Stress isn’t just a feeling—it’s your body mobilizing resources to meet a moment. We sit down with a neuropsychologist to map what stress actually is, how it differs from anxiety, and why chronic activation can make the “on” switch hypersensitive and the “off” switch hard to hit. From there, we wade into depression and apathy in Parkinson’s—two experiences that look similar from the outside but feel very different inside—and why apathy in particular is tough on families and tricky to treat. We c...

Something extraordinary has happened. After five days on a new medication, Travis's speech has transformed dramatically. Gone are the long pauses, the facial dystonia, and the whisper-quiet voice that made mountain climbs particularly challenging. Listeners familiar with Travis's speech patterns will immediately notice the difference – and no, we haven't edited a thing. This transformation highlights a fascinating psychological phenomenon Travis has observed throughout his Parkinson's journe...

When Parkinson's disease progression begins to steal your voice and your stability, what options remain? Travis opens up about a frightening downward spiral that left him falling repeatedly and struggling to communicate - the very foundation of his identity and independence. "If I can't talk to you and have you understand me, then I am trapped and I'm no different than somebody locked in a cage," Travis shares, revealing the profound isolation that comes when Parkinson's affects speech. Afte...

Fire took everything Travis owned in just 15 minutes. With his Parkinson's disease symptoms flaring from stress, he faced the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding a life from scratch while his body fought against him. This raw, powerful episode explores the unexpected challenges that emerged when Travis had to relocate to a new house in just four days—a home that, while larger, presents accessibility nightmares with its multiple levels and problematic doorways. Travis takes us on his rece...

When 12-year-old Evie chose to make Parkinson's disease awareness part of her Bat Mitzvah project, she opened a window into how this condition affects not just patients, but entire families across generations. Her grandfather's diagnosis four years ago became a pivotal moment for their family, but not in the way you might expect. What emerges in this candid conversation is a refreshing perspective on family communication during health challenges. While many families shield children from diff...

Robert Campuzano refuses to let Parkinson's disease define his life. Diagnosed at age 56, this former sales professional transformed what could have been devastating news into a remarkable journey of resilience and joy. The moment of diagnosis hit like "a shot in the stomach." Robert found himself driving aimlessly, struggling to process what this would mean for his active lifestyle. But rather than surrendering to despair, he methodically evaluated what he could keep and what he might need ...

Simon's voice carries the weight of a decade battling Parkinson's disease as he shares his raw, unfiltered experience with dystonia – one of the condition's most debilitating manifestations. Despite undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery twice, Simon continues to struggle with both the physical torment of involuntary muscle contractions and the emotional burden of depression and apathy that often accompany Parkinson's. The conversation takes a profound turn when Simon contrasts his journey wi...

Travis and Judy discuss navigating life’s challenges, focusing on resilience and preparedness in the wake of a devastating fire. They share personal stories of loss, emotional coping strategies, and the importance of community support. • Importance of resilience in facing trauma • Preparations for unexpected emergencies • Emotional toll of loss and community impact • New partnership with Parkinson's Community Los Angeles • Suggestions for emergency planning and triaging possessions • Key takeawa...

What would you save if a fire threatened to consume everything you hold dear? Join me, Travis Robinson, alongside my co-host Judy Yarris, as we recount the harrowing moments when flames forced Sarah and me from our home in Altadena. From the heart-wrenching choices on what to rescue—my priceless photography gear and Sarah's cherished handmade furniture—to navigating the chaos of evacuation, our story is one of loss, resilience, and gratitude. With Judy's steadfast support, we also tackle the pra...

What if maintaining a positive mindset could change your life, even in the face of Parkinson's? Join Judy and Travis as they share stories of gratitude and resilience from 2024, while eagerly anticipating the new year. Experience the power of positivity and creativity as Travis embraces watercolor painting and authors two photography books, showcasing how art and mindfulness can enrich lives regardless of challenges. Tune in to hear how moments of sadness are natural, but focusing on joy and wha...

Discover the groundbreaking world of Magnes, the Swiss innovators reshaping Parkinson's care with their state-of-the-art shoe technology. Join co-founder/CEO Olgac Ergeneman and Business Development Manager Chinouk Van Nijen as they unveil how their sensor-equipped sneaker changes the walking game for Parkinson's patients. Hear about the journey from the clinical setting to your living room, where these shoes act as personal gait coaches, providing real-time feedback to combat symptoms such as f...

What if the silent heroes of Parkinson's care aren't the patients themselves but the dedicated partners standing beside them? Join us as we uncover the vital, yet often overshadowed, role of care partners in navigating the Parkinson's journey. Hosts Travis Robinson and Judy Yarris, bring our personal experiences to light, highlighting the emotional and physical hurdles faced by those supporting someone with Parkinson's. Our conversation delves into the reality of denial in newly diagnosed indivi...

Ever experienced a day where everything seems to go wrong? Travis shares his story of a challenging day that began with a fall and spiraled into a series of frustrating mishaps, including an unexpected demand from his doctor. Judy, drawing from her own experiences as a care partner, offers valuable advice on how to mentally reset and manage the compounding frustrations that come with living with Parkinson's. Together, they emphasize the importance of mindset in overcoming the daily hurdles and f...

Learn how Botox isn't just for wrinkles but can be a game-changer for Parkinson's symptoms like dystonia, toe curling, and drooling. Discover Sandy's transformative experience with Botox for long-term relief and hear the inspiring story of Mike Wyman, who used Botox to regain his speech and reduce drooling after a stroke. Mike's proactive approach, combining speech pathology and boxing, offers a hopeful blueprint for anyone navigating the complexities of living with Parkinson's. Falls are no jok...

Hello Dear Listeners, Did you miss us? We've been on break for the summer holidays. We're back now and in this episode, Judy and I talk about some of the summer adventures that we've each had, and hint at some exciting things to come both in our lives personally and in the world of PD. Please note: I was coughing throughout this recording, hence why my voice was cutting in and out. I'm better now. Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras Audio Engin...

Have you ever wondered about what its like to climb a big mountain? With Parkinson's disease? Judy and I discuss my upcoming trip to the Sierra Nevadas. Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras Audio Engineering Intern: Ana MacAller Social Media Intern: Ana MacAller www.INDYpodcast.net

Hello Dear Listeners, In this episode Judy and I talk about resilience, what it is and how we both apply it in our lives. I want to warn you, the audio on this on is rough. I had a hell of a time speaking on this episode. As our regular listeners will note, I make it a point to not hide this symptom of my PD. If you're new to our show, please consider listening to a couple of other episodes before making a final judgment. My voice goes in and out from time to time and I feel that our listeners ...

Hello Dear Listeners, Saturday June 15th, 2024 there's ad Parkinson's Disease syymposium and art show. In this episode Judy and I speak with Dr. Petzinger from USC's Keck medicine about it. Enjoy. Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras Audio Engineering Intern: Ana MacAller Social Media Intern: Ana MacAller www.INDYpodcast.net

Hello Dear Listeners, Did you know that Los Angeles county has a department of aging and disability? Do you know what they can do for you? Tune in as Judy an and I talk with Charles Schiell. Charles was a care partner for his father & now runs a support group for care partners. We spoke with him back in EP-39 and we invited him back to the show o talk about the abilities expo and share some of the resources that he's collected. Enjoy! Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson Editor & Audio Engine...