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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Stephen Casper, first featured in Episode 30. A globally respected medical historian, Dr. Casper is Professor of History and Associate Director of Honors at Clarkson University, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His groundbreaking research has profoundly influenced how we understand the cultural and intellectual history of neuroscience—especially in relation to concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Casper is also a prolific author, with numerous acclaimed publications including The Neurologists and his upcoming book Punch Drunk and Dementia: A Cultural History of Concussion, 1870–Present. He has published over 100 articles, chapters, and reviews throughout his distinguished career.

- Historical Concepts and Activities of Brain Injury (02:00)

- Low Risk to High Risk ‘Vocational’ Activities (05:10)

- Normalisation of Dangerous Acts (09:06)

- Run It Straight/ Dwarf Throwing – Concussion Alliance (11:30)

- Consent and Bodily Autonomy Versus Fiduciary Duties (18:15)

- Socioeconomical Aspects of Dangerous Activities (27:37)

- Favourite Historical Aspects When Researching (34:00)

Stephen Casper:

- Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Casper

- Run It Straight:

https://www.concussionalliance.org/blog/runit-a-historical-perspective-from-stephen-casper-phd

- Run it straight white paper: https://www.repercussiongroup.com/white-paper

- Muhammad Ali in Atlanta:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mohamada+aali+1996+alanta+olympics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#cobssid=s&fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7c1b4c5c,vid:80wMMFAcweQ,st:0

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Dr. Rachel Grashow, director of epidemiological research initiatives for the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University and co-lead of the Family Experiences Managing Football Lives project. A research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Grashow’s work focuses on how environmental exposures shape brain and overall health in vulnerable groups from children and pregnant women to veterans and professional athletes. With over 40 publications and more than 2,500 academic citations, Dr Grashow is committed to translating rigorous science into real-world impact through community engagement and health equity none more so than today’s topic of ‘Perceived Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Suicidality in Former Professional Football Players’

Dr Rachel Grashow Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=7KMbpPAAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39312218/

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast,

This episode, we're diving deep with Dr. Robert Cantu — world-renowned concussion expert, clinical professor at Boston University, co-founder of the CTE Center, and medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

With over 550 publications and 34 books to his name, Dr. Cantu has shaped the global conversation on brain trauma in sports. From the NFL to World Rugby, his advisory roles have influenced concussion protocols at the highest levels.

- How you become involved in sports and concussion space? (01:52)

- What is concussion? (03:00)

- What is Second Impact Syndrome? (04:46)

- Recovery Times (08:24)

- What is CTE and Repetitive Head Impacts? (11:05)

- Stages of CTE (15:51)

- What is TES and treatment options? (19:30)

- Ways to make the sports we love safe/ Advisory Pannels (21:42)

- How can people help support your work and research? (29:50)

Dr Cantu:

Boston University: https://www.bu.edu/cte/profile/robert-cantu/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PLB5X4EAAAAJ&hl=en

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Today, we’re honoured to welcome Sarah Willey—a dedicated volunteer and board member with conneCTErs, an organization raising awareness and offering support around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Sarah brings a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, but she joins us today in an even more personal role: as a wife and mother.

In this episode, Sarah shares what conneCTErs is all about and opens up about her family's journey with what is believed to be CTE. It’s a powerful and heartfelt conversation about the real-life impact and we’re grateful for her courage in sharing her story.

- What is CTE & Probable CTE? (01:35)

- ConnCTErs Organisation (04:35)

- Diagnosis of Probable CTE (07:50)

- Differences in Personality (15:30)

- How to Communicate and Family Dynamics (20:40)

- Conversation with Children (26:30)

- Step by Step Process (31:13)

- Help and The Organisation and Resources. (32:26)

Facebook: ConneCTErs Australia

IG: @connecteraustralia

Sarah Willey Linked in: https://au.linkedin.com/in/sarah-willey-b13a69b2

Dr Rowena Mobbs: Episode26

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast.

Today, we’re joined by former West Coast Eagles defender Will Schofield. Over his 14-year AFL career, Will played nearly 200 games, appeared in two grand finals, won a premiership, and earned life membership with the club.

Post-retirement, he’s become a respected voice in media through Fox Footy and 6PR Perth. Will is also the co-founder and CEO of Backchat Studios, leading innovative media ventures and reshaping how athletes engage with the world beyond sport.

- From Geelong Falcons to West Coast (01:15)

- General Perception of Concussion Throughout Wills Career (04:35)

- Athlete Mentality (07:00)

- Transition of Concussion Protocol (09:20)

- Perception in the Media (11:00)

- Unrealistic Expectations of A Player (14:45)

- Rule Exploitation (18:00)

- Favourite Moments in Sport (21:04)

- AFL Premierships (26:08)

Eddie McGuire Interview on BackChat Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeCZ3YjB16Y

Back Chat Social Media Channels

Website https://www.backchatpodcast.com.au

IG: @backchat_

Youtube: @backchat

Twitter/X: @backchat_

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're thrilled to be joined by Hamish Brayshaw.

Hamish is a former AFL player who now stars in the WAFL with East Perth, where he serves as co-captain. In 2023, he was honoured with the Sandover Medal, recognising him as the league’s best player.

His impact on the game extends beyond the field—Hamish has lent his expertise as a midfield coach for the West Coast Eagles’ AFLW team. Off the field, he’s also made his mark as a columnist for The West Australian and as a key voice on the widely loved BackChat podcast.

- How you become involved in footy

- Your Perception and Understanding of Concussion (03:00)

- Family’s Experiences of Concussion (04:29)

- Hamish Approach to Playing (07:45)

- Implementation of AIS Stand down Policy and Personal Concussions (09:43)

- The Open Letter to the AFL (14:18)

- Football Act vs Suspension? (16:22)

- Complexities of Rule Adaptations and Changing the Way You Play (19:00)

- Favorited Memories and Moments in Footy? (25:30)

Hamish Open Letter: https://www.backchatpodcast.com.au/hamishs-open-letter

Back Chat Social Media Channels

Website https://www.backchatpodcast.com.au

IG: @backchat_

Youtube: @backchat

Twitter/X: @backchat_

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Welcome back to headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to be hosting Nick Rushworth.

Nick Rushworth is the Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia, a position he has held since 2008. Before joining Brain Injury Australia, Nick worked for the Northern Territory Government setting up their Office of Disability whilst also formerly a producer with the Nine Television Network’s “Sunday” program and ABC Radio National, where Nick’s journalism has won a number of awards, including a Silver World Medal at the 2003 New York Festival, a National Press Club and TV Week Logie Award.

Nick’s current primary focus is facilitating a national “community of practice” in brain injury for the National Disability Insurance Agency. Furthermore, Nick serves as a consumer representative for numerous organisations some of these include but not limited to: Mission for traumatic brain injury: A medial research future fund-initiative providing $50 million in federal government funding over 10 years), the Australian Trauma Quality Improvement Program Steering Committee; the Victorian Neurotrauma Advisory Council; the Executive of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate of New South Wales Health; the Victorian Transport Accident Commission/ Monash University Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research Behaviours of Concern Project; the Monash Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre Advisory Board; the Disability Advisory Committee of the Australian Electoral Commission;

Nick is also a Director of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, and is an Ambassador for the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and the Queensland Brain Institute’s concussion research.

In April 2024 Nick was appointed to the Australia Government Medical Research Traumatic Brain Injury Mission Expert Advisory Panel.

- How Nick Become Involved in the Brain Injury and Concussion Space? (02:30)

- Ways the mTBI/ concussion space has change since late 1990’s to now? (04:10)

- Differences in Mild, Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (06:37)

- Raising Awareness of mild Traumatic Brain Injury outside of Sports-Related Concussion (12:05)

- Indigenous Australian’s and Concussion/mTBI (17:02)

- Incidences Rates of mTBI (20:30)

- Language Around mTBI (22:30)

- Falls in the Elderly (23:51)

- Difficulties When Talking About Policy Changes and Research Grants? (27:34)

- Brain Injury Australia (33:00)

Brain Injury Australia: https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're honoured to be joined by Professor Dominic Malcolm, a leading expert in the Sociology of Sport from Loughborough University. As Director of Doctoral Programmes and former editor of the International Review for the Sociology of Sport, Professor Malcolm's work explores the critical intersections of sport, medicine, and health. His recent research delves into how the media shapes public understanding of concussion and CTE. With over 100 publications and nearly 5,000 citations, his contributions continue to shape both academic thought and real-world practice.

- How Professor Malcom Become Involved in Sociology and Concussion (02:00)

- What is a Concussion (03:45)

- Book The ‘Concussion Crisis” (06:00)

- Sociocultural Aspects of Concussion (10:08)

- Dementia & Mental Health in Society (12:00)

- CTE and the Social Determinants

- Concussion in Sports: It’s Time to Drop the Tobacco Analogy (18:30)

- Why Did We Compare Concussion/ CTE to Smoking? (23:50)

- How to Access Both Sides of the Academic Debate (25:45)

- Repetitive Head Impacts in Soccer/ Football (30:00)

- Dementia in Society (34:30)

- Main Message (36:30)

Domonic Malcom:

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/dominic-malcolm/

Twitter/X = @sportsociologis

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NU4YziMAAAAJ&hl=en

Todays Articles:

Sport-related concussion research agenda beyond medical science: culture, ethics, science, policy: https://jme.bmj.com/content/51/1/68.abstract

Concussion in sport: It's time to drop the tobacco analogy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S144024402400032X

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