Sex, Intimacy, and Parkinson’s

Before Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Preparation & Mindset

Jump in the time machine with cohosts Mel, Esther, and Chris to revisit a past conversation from 2024 when Chris and Mel were both preparing for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Learn about their mindsets and quality-of-life going into the procedure, then next month, come back to hear their DBS impressions almost 2 years later!   ~~~ HOSTS ~~~ Melissa Livingston | @missmliv [https://www.instagram.com/missmliv/] Esther Labib-Kiyarash | @shakinginmyboots1 [https://www.instagram.com/shakinginmyboots1/] Chris Sutphin | @cesutphin [https://www.instagram.com/cesutphin/] with support from hosting organization, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance [https://www.pmdalliance.org/] ~~~ LEARN MORE ~~~ READ EARLY ONSET PARKINSON'S DBS STORIES * “It’s Worth It”: Tiffany’s Deep Brain Stimulation Journey | PMD Alliance Blog [https://www.pmdalliance.org/2026/06/02/its-worth-it-tiffanys-deep-brain-stimulation-journey/] * Insights from DBS | PMD Alliance Blog [https://www.pmdalliance.org/2021/07/31/insights-from-dbs/] * "It Was Life-Changing" - Roger's DBS Story | PMD Alliance Blog [https://www.pmdalliance.org/2021/12/14/roger-dbs/] RECOMMENDED DBS RESOURCES * Monthly DBS Corner Zoom Meeting for Q&A with Peers & Specialists | Parkinson's Orange County Group [https://www.pmdalliance.org/listings/dbs-corner/] * Deep Brain Stimulation and Parkinson’s From Decision-Making to Daily Life with DBS | Comprehensive Guide from the Michael J. Fox Foundation [https://viewer.joomag.com/deep-brain-stimulation-and-parkinsons-from-decision-making-to-daily-life-with-dbs/0873008001720617459/p10?short=] JOIN YOPN | PMD Alliance's Free Membership Program for People with YOPD & Care Partners [https://yopnetwork.org/] * Members can join the monthly community gathering held live on Zoom every 4th Tuesday/month, and you'll likely see our co-hosts there!  GET IN-PERSON SUPPORT | PMD Alliance's Directory for Groups, Providers, & Events [https://www.pmdalliance.org/directory/] Don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share! Because the conversation continues in the comments on Podbean [https://yopn.podbean.com/e/thetruthaboutacure/?token=e3869bd027118a8bbbe9ac8361fa92f8], across social media, and in YOPN's Monthly Community Gatherings. Tell us what you think! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the authors/producers/guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of YOPN or PMD Alliance.

Coping with the Financial Cost to Your Family

Tune in for a frank discussion on the financial and bureaucratic hurdles you may have to overcome while living with Young Onset Parkinson's. Co-hosts Esther, Mel, and Chris open up about the juggling they've done, the hard choices they've had to make, and the guilt that they manage.   ~~~ HOSTS ~~~ Melissa Livingston | @missmliv [https://www.instagram.com/missmliv/] Esther Labib-Kiyarash | @shakinginmyboots1 [https://www.instagram.com/shakinginmyboots1/] Chris Sutphin | @cesutphin [https://www.instagram.com/cesutphin/] with support from hosting organization, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance [https://www.pmdalliance.org/] ~~~ LEARN MORE ~~~   FIND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | PMD Alliance's Quick-start Guide to Assistance Programs [https://www.pmdalliance.org/treatments/financial-assistance/] * PMD Alliance's Free Membership Program for People with YOPD & Care Partners [https://yopnetwork.org/] * Members can join the monthly community gathering held live on Zoom every 4th Tuesday/month, and you'll likely see our co-hosts there!  MORE ON PD COST | What Does Parkinson's Actually Cost You? by Beatrice Zatorska, Founder and CEO of PD Buddy App [https://www.pmdalliance.org/2025/08/07/what-does-parkinsons-actually-cost-you-a-frank-look-at-the-financial-toll-of-living-with-young-onset-pd-by-beatrice-zatorska-founder-and-ceo-of-pd-buddy-app/] GET IN-PERSON SUPPORT | PMD Alliance's Directory for Groups, Providers, & Events [https://www.pmdalliance.org/directory/] Don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share! Because the conversation continues in the comments on Podbean [https://yopn.podbean.com/e/thetruthaboutacure/?token=e3869bd027118a8bbbe9ac8361fa92f8], across social media, and in YOPN's Monthly Community Gatherings. Tell us what you think!

Hope We See You at the 2026 World Parkinson's Congress!

In this special mini-episode, Mel and Chris talk Parkinson's travel and the importance of gathering with community members in anticipation of the upcoming World Parkinson's Congress in Phoenix, AZ. ~~~ HOSTS ~~~ Melissa Livingston | @missmliv [https://www.instagram.com/missmliv/] Chris Sutphin | @cesutphin [https://www.instagram.com/cesutphin/] with support from hosting organization, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance [https://www.pmdalliance.org/] ~~~ LEARN MORE ~~~ JOIN YOPN | PMD Alliance's Free Membership Program for People with YOPD [https://yopnetwork.org/] GET IN-PERSON SUPPORT | PMD Alliance's Directory for Groups, Providers, & Events [https://www.pmdalliance.org/directory/] Don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share! Because the conversation continues in the comments on Podbean [https://yopn.podbean.com/e/thetruthaboutacure/?token=e3869bd027118a8bbbe9ac8361fa92f8], across social media, and in YOPN's Monthly Community Gatherings. Tell us what you think!

The Truth About Finding a Cure with Alberto Espay, MD

"We need to start moving away from the idea that there will be 'a cure.' There will be many cures, and all cures are not going to come in an equal way..." In this deep-diving episode, we sit down with Alberto Espay, MD to dig into what's really stalling the research community, how bad actors take advantage of the placebo effect, and what people with Parkinson's can do to push for change. ~~~ HOSTS ~~~ Melissa Livingston | @missmliv [https://www.instagram.com/missmliv/] Esther Labib-Kiyarash | @shakinginmyboots1 [https://www.instagram.com/shakinginmyboots1/] Chris Sutphin | @cesutphin [https://www.instagram.com/cesutphin/] with support from hosting organization, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance [https://www.pmdalliance.org/] ~~~ GUEST ~~~ Alberto Espay, MD Professor and Endowed Chair of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Center for Parkinson’s Disease at the University of Cincinnati Explore his work > [https://www.vjneurology.com/speaker/alberto-espay/] ~~~ LEARN MORE ~~~ READ | The Science Behind Parkinson's from Cure Parkinson's UK [https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/about-parkinsons/the-science-behind-parkinsons/] WATCH | Parkinson's Research YouTube Playlist from PMD Alliance [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2HoMK6NmADjdfVOjIKpA2dbkch-ui5Z0&si=71FHqCWuWmZ0DyEZ] JOIN YOPN | PMD Alliance's Free Membership Program for People with YOPD [https://yopnetwork.org/] Don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share! Because the conversation continues in the comments on Podbean [https://yopn.podbean.com/e/thetruthaboutacure/?token=e3869bd027118a8bbbe9ac8361fa92f8], across social media, and in YOPN's Monthly Community Gatherings. Tell us what you think!

"Random OFF Is My Failure": Hot Takes with Rodolfo Savica, MD, PhD

"If somebody has random OFF time, it's my failure. I'm failing as a physician..." In this validation-packed episode, we sit down with movement disorder specialist and researcher Rodolfo Savica, MD, PhD to get his perspectives on YOPD and the problems with the current care approach many were taught. Our guest this episode: Rodolfo Savica, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic [https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/savica-rodolfo-m-d-ph-d/bio-20152692#!]   Young Onset Parkinson’s Network: https://yopnetwork.org/ [https://yopnetwork.org/]