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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 care. She serves as a primary care sports medicine specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she also co-directs the Minds Matter Concussion Program—a nationally recognized Frontier Program dedicated to advancing care and research in youth concussion.

A Professor of Paediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, and a member of the Academy of Master Clinicians, Dr. Master has been widely honoured for her contributions to the field. Her accolades include research awards from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Paediatric Research in Sports Medicine, and CHOP’s Joanne M. Decker, MD Memorial Mentorship Award.

With over 125 peer-reviewed publications and more than 8,000 citations, Dr. Master continues to shape the future of paediatric concussion care through ground breaking research, mentorship, and clinical excellence.

01:35 Journey into Paediatric Medicine and Concussion?

03:30 Concussion Over the Years and Addressing the Research Gap

05:40 What is a concussion and Differences Between Adult and Paediatric Populations

08:45 Impacts of Terminology and Language Around Concussion

11:50 Most common Ways Youth Population are Concussed

18:00 Listen to Child or Adolescence Regarding Symptoms of a Concussion

21:00 Signs/ Symptoms for Parents & Career Givers Regarding Medical Specialist Visit or Emergency Department

25:55 What’s Return-to-Play/Learn Look Like for Youth Population

35:30 Miss Conception About Concussion

39:50 Dr Master Research and How Can we Help/Support?

Dr Christina Master

Twitter/x @drtinamaster

https://www.chop.edu/doctors/master-christina-l

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P3b3zh4AAAAJ&hl=en

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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, medicine, and culture. His research focuses on areas such as neuroscience, concussion, CTE, biomimetic technology, and ethics. Throughout his career, Dr Hollin has received several major research awards, including the Welcome Trust Research Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science and the Welcome Trust University Award (2022–2027). His extensive body of work has been widely cited, with over 800 citations to date, and he is recognised as a highly respected figure in his field.

01:45 - About Dr Greg Hollin

03:40 - What is a concussion and Social Definitions

09:10 - History of Arron Hernandez

11:11 - Way Media Reporting on Hernandez, Concussion and CTE May Shape Discussions

16:00 – Narrative Around Brain Injury and Copiability

20:15 – Q-Collar, Woodpeckers and Commercial Interests In Animals

31:00 - What is Hard Knock Life: Negotiating Concussion and Dementia in Sport

37:00 – Where to Find Dr Greg Hollin and Support His Work

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&hl=en

Making a murderer: Media renderings of brain injury and Aaron Hernandez as a medical and sporting subject: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619305933#bib16

Consider the woodpecker: The contested more-than-human ethics of biomimetic technology and traumatic brain injury: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&citation_for_view=s1mkGeYAAAAJ:TFP_iSt0sucC

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We are joined by Professor James Smoliga, who serves as the Director of Research and Faculty Development for Tufts University's, Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Seattle. Professor Smoliga previously held the position of Associate Director of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory at High Point University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and was awarded the 2022 Guy Simoneau Excellence in Research Award. With over 175 publications that have been cited nearly 4,000 times, Professor Smoliga brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion.

In this episode, we explore the criteria for trustworthy research, the essential questions to ask, and how to apply these principles to proposed concussion mitigation devices such as the Q-Collar. We examine from a physiological and evidence-based perspective, why such devices are ineffective in reducing the risk of concussions.

07:05 – What is Research?

13:00 – Ramifications of Unethical Research

15:35 – Introduction, Proposed Method of the Q-Collar & the Flaws in These Studies

18:27 – Why the Altitude Proposal Does Not Work, the Scientific Reasoning, and the Demonstration of Data Interpretation

32:57 – Jugular Compression and Blood Flow

37:17 – Does a Woodpecker Have a Relationship with Concussion & the Q-Collar?

57:06 – The Increased Risk with Potentially No Benefit & How Did It Get FDA Authorized?

1:06:02 – Why Are We Resorting to Possible Protective Equipment for Concussion?

1:11:40 – Fun Research Projects by Professor Smoliga – The Taylor Swift Effect

How an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL: https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2028

Dr Mu Yang Episode 55: Academic Research Sleuthing with Dr Mu Yang

Dr James Smoliga: Twitter/X: @jsmoliga

Pseudomedicine for sports concussions in the USA:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442219302509?via%3Dihub

Woodpeckers don’t play football: implications for novel brain protection devices using mild jugular compression: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/20/1262

Reconsidering the woodpecker model of traumatic brain injury: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442218301571?via%3Dihub

Team Logo Predicts Concussion Risk Lessons in Protecting a Vulnerable Sports Community from Misconceived, but Highly Publicized Epidemiologic Research: https://journals.lww.com/epidem/fulltext/2017/09000/team_logo_predicts_concussion_risk__lessons_in.17.aspx

You can find all Dr Smoliga’s publications here: https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/james-smoliga/publications?favouritesFirst=true&perPage=25&sort=dateDesc&startFrom=0

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In today’s episode, we have the honour and privilege to be joined once again by Professor Tony Collins, who previously featured in Episodes 61 and 70. Professor Collins is a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor, widely regarded as a leading authority in the field of sports history. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning several decades, he has authored more than a dozen books and is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Aberdare Prize. His expertise has also been featured in major media outlets, including BBC Radio 4’s Sport.

(01:30) - Origins and History of The Ashes?
(03:10) - Why It Synonymous with Cricket Only?
(05:20) - How Was the Australian V England in Sports Built?
(10:40) - Biggest Historical Moments in Ashes Series?
(14:30) – The Cricket Bodyline Series
(16:21) – First Rugby League Ashes Series
(20:00) – Meaning of Beating Our Foe’s in the Ashes
(25:45) – Players picking Elegances
(29:17) – What Keeps the Ashes Alive?
(34:30) – Dr Tony Collin’s Favourite Ashes Moments
(44:26) – Cricket and Politics
(47:00) - Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader

Tony Collins:
x/twitter: @collinstony
http://www.tonycollins.org
Rugby Reload Podcast: http://www.rugbyreloaded.com


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⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode contains discussion of suicide, murder, and abuse,

Listener discretion is advised.

Today’s episode features an in-depth conversation with Irvin Muchnick, an acclaimed independent journalist and author whose fearless investigations have exposed the darker, hidden side of sports. Irvin’s reporting has been featured in leading outlets such as Sports Illustrated, People, The Washington Monthly, the magazine sections of The New York Times, and as a contributing writer for Salon.

He is the author of several powerful books, including Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death, Concussion Inc., and Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads: The American Way of Death in Football Conditioning. His most recent work, Underwater: The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe, continues his focus on systemic corruption and abuse in youth and Olympic sports.

In this episode, we dive into Irvin’s reporting, the ethical challenges of covering tragedy in sports, and the broader cultural issues that allow exploitation

(01:10) - Journey into investigative journalism

(04:40) - Chris Benoit and Irvin’s Journalistic Work in Concussion/ mTBI

(11:10) - Narrative Around Public Health Harm’s in mTBI/ Injuries

(17:15) - Are We Desensitised?

(23:00) – WWE Wellness Policy

(31:24) - Without Helmets or Shoulder Pads: The American Way of Death in Football Conditioning.

(39:52) - Underwater: The Greed-Soaked Tale of Sexual Abuse in USA Swimming and Around the Globe.

(44:00) – How Does Irvin Keep Going in Investigative Journalism?

Irvin Muchnick: https://concussioninc.net/?page_id=14210

Twitter/ X: @irvmuch

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jamie Woodman, chiropractor and captain of the Perth Thunder in the Australian Ice Hockey League, the premier competition in the southern hemisphere. Jamie’s career on the ice stretches back more than ten years, beginning with a bold move to Canada at just 16 to skate with the Banff Bears, followed by time in the U.S. with the Palm Beach Hawks. Since then, he’s gone on to represent Australia at multiple levels, wearing both the “C” and “A” for club and country while balancing life as a dedicated health professional.

(01:00) - Journey into the World of Ice Hockey

(02:45) - Pathways in Australia

(04:35) - Overseas at age of 16 years old and Differences in Styles

(08:30) - Hockey and Brief Overview

(11:09) - Hockey Injury Leading to Chiropractic Professional

(15:00) - Base Line Testing and Set Up in Australian Ice Hockey

(19:24) - Personal Perspective of Impacts in Hockey

(21:58) – Physical Toll of the Travel Schedule

(25:21) – Favorited Moments in Jamie’s Career

(27:45) – Stories Form the Locker Room

(30:00) – Where Can You Find Jamie

Willagee Chiropractic: https://www.willageechiropractic.com

Instagram: @jamie_woodman

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Today we are honoured to invite back by popular demand, returning guest Dr. Eric Windholz, a highly respected expert in sports law and regulatory theory. A senior lecturer at Monash University and a member of several prominent sports law boards, Dr. Windholz has been a favourite among listeners since his appearances in Episodes 28 and 49.

In this episode, he returns by popular demand to delve into the latest legal developments surrounding sports injuries and insurance, a topic many people have requested.

(01:26) - Backgrounds of the AFL lawsuits and Medical Retirements

(03:44) - Why De-class a Lawsuit and Implications

(08:00) - Legal Case: Club vs Organisations

(12:00) - Possible Club Doctor Litigation

(13:38) – Trials by “Time Block”

(15:05) – Second Class Action Lawsuit

(16:32) – Possible Reasons Why Players Involve Clubs

(18:17) – Medical Retirement of Players

(20:00) – Insurance on Medical Retirement

(22:20) – Medical Payouts

(25:20) – AFL/ AFLPA Hardship Fund

(27:45) – Possibly Implications at Community Level

(32:06) – Biggest Case in Australian Sport Which Set Legal Precedence

Book chapter: Footballers, Umpires and Boxers in the Supreme Court

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5277759

Journal: Professional athletes and injury insurance: A better way forward

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1037969X251337131

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Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to be joined by Dr Matt Ventresca and Dr Kathryn Henne.

Dr. Ventresca is a critical sports studies scholar and Research Associate at Western University and Brock University, as well as a Visiting Fellow at Australian National University. His decade-long research focuses on how social and cultural inequalities shape our understanding of brain injuries in sport, especially concussions and CTE, examining the roles of media, science, and public narratives. He has also held research positions at Georgia Tech and the University of Calgary.

Professor Kathryn Henne directs the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) at ANU and is a leading expert in regulatory governance. Her work explores how science and technology influence health, safety, and social policy, with a special focus on concussion and CTE regulation. Dr. Henne has published over 76 academic articles, cited more than 1,700 times.

00:30 - Episode Introduction

01:30 - What is a Concussion, Repetitive Head Impacts and CTE?

06:30 - Biopsychosocial Models/ Qualitative Research with Concussion?

13:14 – What is Meant by Functionalism in Concussion?

19:05 - Concussion Across Gender

32:44 - CTE a defence for murder or A Criminal mind?

42:24 – Cultural Aspects of CTE

45:23 – Violent Impacts: How Power and Inequality Shape the Concussion Crisis

Dr Matt Ventresca:

https://mattventresca.ca

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

Dr Kathryn Henne:

https://katehenne.com

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

Books

Violent Impacts: How Power and Inequality Shape the Concussion Crisis:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Violent-Impacts-Inequality-Concussion-Crisis/dp/0520396987/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Sociocultural Examinations of Sports Concussions:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Sociocultural-Examinations-Sports-Concussions-Ventresca/dp/1032085320

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