Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman talks with Dr. Chris Frueh, a leading authority on Operator Syndrome, brain trauma, and mental health among veterans and first responders. They examine the devastating effects of repetitive brain trauma, PTSD, and hormonal imbalances, while spotlighting alternative treatments like ketamine and psychedelics. The conversation calls for urgent, holistic solutions to combat the rising mental health crisis—and save lives. 🎧...

Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman speaks with Trevor Millar, a leading advocate and expert in ibogaine therapy. They explore the powerful potential of this psychedelic medicine to treat brain trauma, PTSD, and addiction—especially in veterans and athletes. Trevor discusses its origins, research-backed success stories, and the urgent need for awareness and legal reform to make this life-saving treatment accessible to those who need it most. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify,...

Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman sits down with researchers Gracie Recht and Claire Buddenbaum to unpack the hidden dangers of repetitive brain trauma in contact sports. They explore the mental health crisis emerging in former athletes, the science behind Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), and the urgent need for more research—especially involving women. With personal stories and cutting-edge findings, this conversation sheds light on how education, pr...

Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman discusses the critical issue of repetitive brain trauma with expert Sheila Thelen. They explore the impact of vestibular training on brain health, mental well-being, and recovery from injuries. Sheila explains how the vestibular system affects balance, cognition, and sleep, and shares success stories of individuals who have benefited from her innovative training methods. The conversation highlights the importance of awareness...

Send us a text What does it really take to rebuild your life after a traumatic brain injury? Could your mental health struggles actually be caused by untreated brain trauma? In this groundbreaking episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce Parkman interviews Dr. Mark Gordon, a world-renowned expert in neuroendocrinology, TBI, and neuroinflammation. Together, they dive deep into the science behind traumatic brain injury, its long-term mental health consequences, and the treatment ...

Send us a text What does it really take to rebuild your life after a traumatic brain injury? In this compelling episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce Parkman speaks with Gail Waitkun, a TBI survivor, brain health advocate, and educator, who shares her journey of resilience, recovery, and reinvention after a life-altering brain injury. Gail opens up about: The hidden struggles of living with a traumatic brain injuryThe 7 steps to recovery that guided her healing journeyHow nu...

Send us a text What if the sport you loved left a permanent mark on your brain? In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, we explore the life-altering impact of repetitive brain trauma in high-impact sports like football and rodeo. Bruce is joined by Paul Frase, former NFL player, and Corey Berry, former rodeo competitor, who both open up about their personal experiences with concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and the mental health consequences that follo...

Send us a text 🎧 In this eye-opening episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, we sit down with Dr. Robert Baric, a leading expert in concussion care and brain wellness, to uncover the hidden crisis of repetitive brain trauma affecting veterans, athletes, and everyday people. Dr. Baric breaks down: 🧠 The long-term effects of untreated concussions and subconcussive impacts🩺 Why early intervention is critical to prevent permanent brain dysfunction🥦 The shocking link between gut health and co...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, we dive into the urgent conversation around repetitive brain trauma in sports with Dr. Judith Gates—founder of HeadSafe Football and fierce advocate for athlete brain health. Dr. Gates opens up about the devastating impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on her late husband, Bill Gates, a former professional footballer. Through her personal loss, she has transformed grief into action—launching a movement ai...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Sharon Gilmartin, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, to tackle one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time—repetitive brain trauma. Together, they break down the hidden dangers of head impacts in sports and everyday life, exposing the serious gaps in care, education, and prevention. Sharon shares key insights into how brain injuries affect not just...

Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, Bruce Parkman talks with retired Green Beret Pat Flatley, who shares his journey through traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and the shortcomings of traditional treatment. After years of pain, anger, and depression with little help from the VA, Pat found a breakthrough through psychedelic-assisted therapy with Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, supported by VETS.org. These treatments helped him process trauma, reduce symptoms, and reconnect with his family in w...

Send us a text 🏈 In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, former NFL player Matt Skura opens up about his journey from youth sports to the biggest stage in football—and the mental and physical battles that came with it. Matt shares raw insights into the toll that injuries, concussions, and the pressures of professional sports can take on an athlete’s brain health and emotional well-being. From navigating life-changing injuries to redefining his identity afte...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, presented by the Mac Parkman Foundation, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Super Bowl Champion and former NFL tight end Ben Utecht to uncover the harsh realities of repetitive brain trauma and life after the NFL. Ben shares his deeply personal journey through concussions, memory loss, and identity struggles—offering insight into how brain injuries can alter not just performance, but purpose. Now an author, spe...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Brigadier General Kathleen Flarity to discuss the devastating effects of repetitive brain trauma on veterans, athletes, and first responders. Drawing on her expertise and the groundbreaking work of the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Kathleen sheds light on the complexities of diagnosing traumatic brain injury (TBI), the impact of blast exposure, and the critical conn...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce sits down with Dr. Michael Lewis—renowned brain health expert and founder of the Brain Health Education and Research Institute—to unpack the devastating impact of repetitive brain trauma, especially among veterans, athletes, and youth in contact sports. Dr. Lewis reveals the science behind omega-3 fatty acids and their potential to reduce inflammation, support traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, and i...

Send us a text In this compelling episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, we’re joined by former U.S. Army Green Beret and co-founder of Revival Hyperbarics, Wren Murray, for a powerful discussion on traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and the groundbreaking role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in veteran recovery. Wren shares his deeply personal experience with repetitive brain trauma from combat and training, and how HBOT changed the trajectory of his life. He unpacks the sc...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, retired U.S. Army Green Beret Chris Lessard and his wife, former police officer Marcia Lessard, open up about their deeply personal battles with traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and the mental health crisis affecting veterans and first responders. Chris shares the harsh reality of living with invisible wounds from combat, while Marcia explains how her background in law enforcement led her to explore functional med...

Send us a text In this episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman engages with Dr. Annabelle Shaffer, a neurosurgery resident, to discuss the critical issues surrounding repetitive brain trauma, particularly in youth sports. They explore the impact of concussions, the importance of education for coaches and parents, and the ongoing research into brain health. Dr. Shaffer shares insights from her studies on concussions in high school athletes and emphasizes the need for awareness and prevent...

Send us a text In this episode of "Broken Brains," host Bruce Parkman welcomes Alexandra de Roos, a former pre-professional ballerina turned brain injury advocate. Alexandra shares her journey from the prestigious School of American Ballet to her unexpected pivot towards advocacy after a severe concussion ended her dance career. Now a student at the University of South Florida, Alexandra is on a mission to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries and mental health. She discusses the imp...

Send us a text In this transformative episode of Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Christi Myers, founder of Flow Integrative and a leader in psychedelic-assisted therapy, to explore how ketamine therapy is revolutionizing mental health care for veterans and first responders suffering from repetitive brain trauma and PTSD. Christi shares her personal journey from working in emergency medical services to pioneering psychedelic wellness, and the science behind ...