Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman

How Contact Sports May Harm Young Brains: A Personal Story

13 min · 4. juni 2026
episode How Contact Sports May Harm Young Brains: A Personal Story cover

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Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new] What happens when personal tragedy becomes a mission to save lives? In this episode of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman shares the heartbreaking story behind the creation of the Mac Parkman Foundation and his ongoing fight to raise awareness about repetitive brain trauma, CTE, and youth sports safety. Following the loss of his son, Mac, Bruce dedicated his life to understanding the science behind brain injuries and advocating for changes that could help prevent future tragedies. This conversation explores the link between repetitive head impacts and long-term brain health, the growing body of research surrounding CTE, and why education and prevention are critical for parents, coaches, and athletes. Bruce also discusses the importance of early detection, policy reform, and practical steps families can take to better protect young athletes from unnecessary brain trauma. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Brain Health Matters More Than Ever 00:27 The Story Behind the Mac Parkman Foundation 01:57 Grief, Loss, and Turning Pain Into Purpose 04:28 Understanding CTE and Repetitive Brain Trauma 09:33 The Link Between Brain Injury and Mental Health 10:44 How We Prevent Future Brain Trauma in Youth Sports 13:30 Early Detection and Intervention for Brain Injuries 16:45 Why Parents Must Understand Concussion Risks 20:12 The Future of Youth Sports Safety and Policy Reform Produced by Security Halt Media

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113 episodes

episode Bruce Parkman on Why Brain Injury Research Isn't Enough: The Urgent Need for Action | Broken Brains Podcast artwork

Bruce Parkman on Why Brain Injury Research Isn't Enough: The Urgent Need for Action | Broken Brains Podcast

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new] How much more research do we need before we start taking meaningful action to protect brains? In this solo episode of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman delivers a powerful message about the growing brain health crisis affecting athletes, veterans, first responders, and millions of families across America. While decades of research have confirmed the dangers of repetitive head impacts, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries, Bruce argues that society has failed to turn that knowledge into meaningful action. This episode explores the gap between research and implementation, the consequences of inaction, and why protecting brain health requires urgent changes in policy, education, treatment, and prevention. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts   📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.   Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL  CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW! [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL]  https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/ [https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/]   Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Action Over Research 02:58 Failures in Research and the Need for Change 05:45 The Call to Action for Mental Health and Brain Health Produced by Security Halt Media

18. juni 202612 min
episode Robert Gallery on NFL Brain Trauma, Ibogaine, and the Future of Brain Health | Broken Brains Podcast Ep. 99 artwork

Robert Gallery on NFL Brain Trauma, Ibogaine, and the Future of Brain Health | Broken Brains Podcast Ep. 99

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new] What happens when the hits stop, but the symptoms don't? In Episode 99 of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman sits down with former NFL offensive lineman Robert Gallery for a powerful conversation about repetitive brain trauma, life after football, and the innovative treatments helping athletes and veterans recover from the invisible wounds of brain injury. Robert shares his personal journey from elite athlete to brain health advocate, discussing the physical and emotional toll of contact sports, the challenges of living with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and how Ibogaine therapy helped transform his life. Together, Bruce and Robert explore the growing evidence surrounding brain trauma, neuroplasticity, CTE, and the urgent need for better education, prevention, and treatment options.   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts   📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.   Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL  CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW! [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL]  https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/ [https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/]   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Repetitive Brain Trauma 02:21 Robert Gallery: A Football Journey 10:01 The Physical Toll of Football 15:01 Mental Struggles and Identity Crisis 24:30 Finding Healing and Hope 29:19 Understanding the Impact of Trauma 31:10 The Journey to Diagnosis and Acceptance 33:28 The Role of Treatment and Healing 37:10 Advocacy and Community Support 41:48 The Need for Education and Awareness 45:48 Addressing the Crisis in Contact Sports 48:08 Evolving Safety in Sports 57:13 Building a Supportive Community   Resources Athletes for Care - https://athletesforcare.org Ibogaine Treatment at AMBO - https://ambowellness.com Vets on Marcus Luttrell's Podcast - https://marcusluttrell.com/podcast Stanford Study on Brain Injury - https://stanford.edu   Produced by Security Halt Media

16. juni 20261 h 5 min
episode Bruce Parkman on Brain Health, Contact Sports, and Protecting the Most Important Organ You'll Ever Own | Broken Brains Podcast artwork

Bruce Parkman on Brain Health, Contact Sports, and Protecting the Most Important Organ You'll Ever Own | Broken Brains Podcast

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new] What if the biggest threat to your long-term health isn't what you eat or how much you exercise—but the impacts your brain experiences every day? In this solo episode of The Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman explores the complexity, fragility, and importance of the human brain. Drawing from years of research into traumatic brain injury, repetitive head impacts, and neurological health, Bruce explains why brain protection should be a top priority for parents, athletes, coaches, and anyone concerned with long-term cognitive performance. From youth sports to professional athletics, this episode challenges conventional thinking about contact sports and highlights the growing body of evidence connecting repetitive impacts to long-term mental health and neurological challenges. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of the Brain 05:07 Understanding Brain Fragility and Sports Risks 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts   📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.   Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL  CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW! [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL]  https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/ [https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/] Produced by Security Halt Media

13. juni 202610 min
episode How Contact Sports May Harm Young Brains: A Personal Story artwork

How Contact Sports May Harm Young Brains: A Personal Story

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new] What happens when personal tragedy becomes a mission to save lives? In this episode of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman shares the heartbreaking story behind the creation of the Mac Parkman Foundation and his ongoing fight to raise awareness about repetitive brain trauma, CTE, and youth sports safety. Following the loss of his son, Mac, Bruce dedicated his life to understanding the science behind brain injuries and advocating for changes that could help prevent future tragedies. This conversation explores the link between repetitive head impacts and long-term brain health, the growing body of research surrounding CTE, and why education and prevention are critical for parents, coaches, and athletes. Bruce also discusses the importance of early detection, policy reform, and practical steps families can take to better protect young athletes from unnecessary brain trauma. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Brain Health Matters More Than Ever 00:27 The Story Behind the Mac Parkman Foundation 01:57 Grief, Loss, and Turning Pain Into Purpose 04:28 Understanding CTE and Repetitive Brain Trauma 09:33 The Link Between Brain Injury and Mental Health 10:44 How We Prevent Future Brain Trauma in Youth Sports 13:30 Early Detection and Intervention for Brain Injuries 16:45 Why Parents Must Understand Concussion Risks 20:12 The Future of Youth Sports Safety and Policy Reform Produced by Security Halt Media

4. juni 202613 min
episode Todd Strader on Blast Exposure, Brain Injury, and the Future of Veteran Brain Health | Broken Brains Podcast Ep. 97 artwork

Todd Strader on Blast Exposure, Brain Injury, and the Future of Veteran Brain Health | Broken Brains Podcast Ep. 97

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359455/fan_mail/new]   What if the greatest threat to a warfighter's brain isn't a visible injury—but the cumulative effects of blast exposure over time? In Episode 97 of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman sits down with Todd Strader to discuss the science behind blast-induced brain injury, the urgent need for greater awareness, and the innovative solutions being developed to protect military personnel from invisible neurological damage. Todd explains how blast waves impact the brain, why traditional approaches to traumatic brain injury often miss the full picture, and how emerging technologies like the PELTA-6 helmet shield could dramatically improve protection for service members, law enforcement personnel, and others operating in high-risk environments. The conversation also explores the growing evidence linking blast exposure to long-term neurological issues, mental health challenges, and veteran suicide—while highlighting ongoing legislative and policy efforts aimed at improving recognition, prevention, and treatment. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts   📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.   Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL  CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW! [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL]  https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/ [https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/] Chapters: 00:00 The Hidden Impact of Blast Exposure on the Brain 01:24 Why Blast Injury Is Often Missed in Veterans 03:44 Understanding Blast Physics and Brain Trauma 08:03 How Blast Waves Damage Brain Tissue 13:20 Cavitation: The Silent Threat Inside the Brain 18:25 Raising Awareness About Blast-Induced Brain Injury 24:30 VA Challenges in Recognizing Blast Exposure Injuries 29:45 Legislative Efforts to Improve Veteran Brain Health 32:12 The Connection Between Blast Exposure and Suicide Risk 36:46 Emerging Technologies for Blast Injury Prevention 44:51 PELTA-6: A New Approach to Blast Protection 52:40 How Brain Health Innovation Can Save Lives Produced by Security Halt Media

2. juni 202658 min