What the Ef?!

Music, Seizures, & Showing Up with Drew Dixon (ft. Electric Minds co-founder Dr. Dan Snelgrove) 16.06.2026 53min

You’d never guess that Drew Dixon quit guitar lessons at 7 years old. But through this same childhood whimsicality, a journey began in which he discovered a deep belief in music’s effects on the brain and the soul. Now Drew has a successful music career that his 7-year-old self would never believe — including his recent hit "Running." (Stay to the end for an acoustic play of it!)Drew shares his songwriting process, what it actually takes to survive the music industry (full rooms, empty rooms, overnight tours — you play them all), and his work doing music therapy with hospital patients. And how he manages all of this while managing his epilepsy. We rewind and talk about the normalcy of keeping epilepsy a secret as a teenager and why Drew didn’t even tell his childhood friend who *also* has epilepsy and what happened when he did….you might recognize this friend! Dr. Dan Snelgrove (re: “The Pitt” episode) joins the convo to talk about his and Drew’s journey co-founding Electric Minds Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy — and Disneyland — to kids with epilepsy.Check out Electric Minds Foundation: https://www.electricmindsfoundation.org/ Shout to Neurelis, SK life science, Epilepsy Foundation, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America for believing in this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How AI Helped Me Process Epilepsy with Katie Czyz 09.06.2026 57min

Never did Katie Czyz think she'd become an expert in AI. She started using it while trying to process her epilepsy diagnosis and quickly realized it could be something much more than a chatbot—it could be a thought partner. That experience changed the trajectory of her career and inspired work that eventually landed her in the New York Times Modern Love column.We talk about the promise and responsibility of AI, why it should help us think instead of think for us, and how technology can create space for reflection during some of life's hardest moments. We also get into getting drunk in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, killing an embarrassing number of plants, and the strange ways a diagnosis can send your life in a direction you never saw coming.Check out Katie's writing!Substack -- A Voice Returned: avoicereturned.substack.comNew York Times Modern Love: "Learning to tell the truth to those I love"Huge shout to out the folks who believe in this podcast! Thanks sponsors Neurelis & SK life science and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turning Seizures Into Stand-Up with Jake Lambert 02.06.2026 52min

It started with jokes on Twitter. Now comedian Jake Lambert is touring internationally with his stand-up show, The Sunshine Kid. Jake joins the podcast to talk about building a comedy career while living with epilepsy, surviving a schedule where nights are work and days are recovery, and why he started joking about seizures in his act.We get into epilepsy running in his family, varying audience responses to his epilepsy jokes, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and trying to explain a completely ridiculous aura to another person. We also discuss Jake's attempt to convince the BBC that epilepsy was more interesting than competitive slapping.Come for the comedy. Stay for the seizure stories, weird auras, and British accent.Subscribe to Jake's newsletter to stay up-to-date on his tour schedule: www.jakelambertcomedy.comShout to Neurelis, SK life science, Epilepsy Foundation, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America for believing in this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What If This Wearable Could Predict Your Seizures? with Chris Fitz and Truman Pierson 26.05.2026 30min

What if there was something you could wear that gave you a heads up before a seizure? Truman Pierson and Chris Fitz are working on making that a reality. In this episode, they share their evolving device that uses EEG technology – without the wires OR the glue – to create a wearable device that predicts your seizures based on brain wave patterns. That means we could wear something the size of a paperclip, go about our lives, and get to safety before a seizure hits. They share how much warning time the device may be able to give before a seizure, when they hope people with epilepsy could actually get their hands on it, and what inspired them to create it.And there’s something you can help with – naming this device! Truman and Chris are looking to folks in the community for inspiration. Submit your ideas here: https://forms.gle/Gzc1SeTJ7GRQhTtT7Learn more about their work: https://www.thetaneurotech.com/Shout to Neurelis, SK life science, Epilepsy Foundation, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America for believing in this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Epilepsy Vent Session with Ivana Garcia, Alison Kukla, & Torie Robinson 19.05.2026 1t 6min

Calling your boyfriend by an ex’s name post-seizure. Avoiding “Bridget Jones-ing” your seizure moments. Forgetting conversations, faces, and entire vacations. (We all agree remembering names is out of the question).Ivana Garcia, Alison Kukla, and Torie Robinson join the podcast this week and get brutally honest about the weird, embarrassing, heartbreaking, and hilarious parts of living with epilepsy. (If nothing else, tune in for the sexy British, Argentinian – and Ohio – accents!)But underneath the chaos and laughter is something deeper: we get real about mental health, the isolation of not feeling understood, and why we became advocates in the first place.Come hang on the couches with us and tune into this messy, funny, vulnerable convo!Shout to Neurelis, SK life science, Epilepsy Foundation, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America for believing in this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Changing Epilepsy Care: When Patients, Moms, & Researchers Hang Out 12.05.2026 1t 15min

Put epilepsy powerhouses together for a weekend, and what happens? Real change. Tune in for convos about everything, like taking leave from work to do a med change, eclampsia-triggered seizures (The Pitt fans, you’ll recognize this one), loopholes when insurance won’t cover meds, and moms being told there are “no other options” for their kids.Researchers living with epilepsy themselves share what it’s like to study SUDEP and new treatments, plus the real deal on what clinical trials actually mean for people trying new epilepsy medications.Thank you to the Epilepsy Foundation of America for letting the podcast crash the Research Ambassador Program!Help keep "What the Ef" going! Subscribe and rate on whichever platform you listen to!Subscribe to YouTube:  @WhatTheEfPodcast Follow on Insta: @whattheefpodcast Shout out to the folks who help keep things real in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Danny Did Foundation & Epilepsy Alliance America!Check out Matthew's TED Talk here: https://youtu.be/uLjnPYJiBFE?si=BENTwG_T1wRyz1qd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real-Life "The Pitt": Docs with Epilepsy with Dr. Patrick Brown and Dr. Dan Snelgrove 05.05.2026 1t 9min

Two neurologists. Both have epilepsy. (Anyone watch “The Pitt”? Here’s the real life version.) Docs Dan and Patrick share their stories about growing up with epilepsy—like failing 9th grade and why your town's Baptist choir showed up after your first seizure. We talk about the awkward moments in med school, what it’s like to understand their patients’ perspective, and get into the weird guilt of not having seizures anymore.Tune in to meet docs you'll wanna grab a beer with and for the peak behind the curtain of living two sides of the epilepsy story.Help keep "What the Ef" going! Subscribe and rate on whichever platform you listen to!Subscribe to YouTube:  @WhatTheEfPodcast  Follow on Insta: @whattheefpodcast Shout out to the folks who help keep things real in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Danny Did Foundation & Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seizures Every Day, Every Night with Mia Randell 03.03.2026 48min

Five years of memories: gone. Landis sits down with Mia, who lost most of high school to undiagnosed epilepsy—and no, the memories don’t come back if you show her photos (people keep trying). She still has seizures every day and every night—and yes, she’s still doing life anyway. Mia shares her vibrant approach to life when memory, sleep, and certainty are a luxury.Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, & TikTok! @whattheefpodcast Shout out to the folks who help keep hope alive in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Actually Sleep Better with Dr. Chris Allen (aka Sleep Dr. Chris) 24.02.2026 44min

Are you a late-night scroller who swears it “helps you relax”? Yeah… this episode is for you. Landis sits down with neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Chris Allen to break down how to actually build better sleep habits with epilepsy — not just why sleep matters, but what to do when your brain won’t shut off.Tune in for realistic tools that can help protect your sleep — and your seizure threshold — without turning into a monk or throwing your phone across the room.Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! @whattheefpodcastCheck out more from Sleep Dr. Chris here: https://www.sleepdrchris.com/ Shout out to the folks who help keep hope alive in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors SK life science & Neurelis AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a Teacher With Epilepsy with Charlie Dishman 17.02.2026 42min

Teaching high school is hard. Teaching high school with epilepsy? Next level. Charlie joins Landis to talk about navigating the classroom with epilepsy — including student teaching, when seizures required using a wheelchair. They share what it’s taken to advocate for safety at work, why being friends with the school nurse is basically a survival skill, and why explaining epilepsy to new students every year feels a lot like coming out: vulnerable, emotional, and rooted in the hope of being accepted.Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t the seizures — it’s explaining them, repeatedly, forever.Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! @whattheefpodcast Shout out to the folks who help keep hope alive in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Danny Did Foundation, & Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do I Need a Seizure Action Plan? (Probably. Here’s Why.) with Jason Raether, RN 10.02.2026 41min

This week, Landis sits down with Jason — a longtime nurse and fellow person with epilepsy — to talk about what seizure action plans really look like in real life. Not the perfect-on-paper version. The messy, human, constantly evolving one.Jason shares his own epilepsy journey, what it’s like as a school nurse, caring for hundreds of kids while managing seizures himself, and why seizure action plans matter more than most of us realize. They unpack what should actually be included, how plans change over time, and why not having one (yes, even as an advocate 👀) is way more common than we admit. Note: Landis openly admits she didn’t have one at the time of recording… but swore she would by the time this episode came out. Accountability, baby.👉 Want help creating your own seizure action plan?Copy & paste into your phone: https://www.whattheefpodcast.com/resourcesMore templates: https://seizureactionplans.org/sap-examples/Shout out to sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Thank you for supporting “What the Ef?!” podcast!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Your Neurologist Might Be on TikTok with Dr. Jessica Lowe 03.02.2026 51min

If you’ve ever Googled your symptoms at 2 a.m. and immediately decided it was “probably fine but also definitely fatal” — this one’s for you.Landis sits down with neurologist and epileptologist Dr. Jessica Lowe — aka Dr. Brain Barbie — to talk about the messy middle between medicine and social media. From meeting patients where they already are (hi, TikTok), to the fear doctors have around posting publicly, to why showing personality — pink nails and all — can actually help patients feel safer, heard, and more confident walking into appointments.Make sure to follow the podcast on all channels for more convos!Instagram, YouTube, TikTokLearn more here: whattheefpodcast.comHUGE shout outs to the folks that continue to keep this podcast going! Sponsors Neurelis & SK life science and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diagnosed with Epilepsy as an Adult (finally) with Lakesha Floyd 27.01.2026 43min

Anyone else been told their seizures were “just stress”? That’s what doctors told Lakesha Floyd for DECADES until she was finally diagnosed with epilepsy at 45. Lakesha shares how her seizure years of being dismissed, the complicated emotions that come with an adult diagnosis, and what happens when denial stops feeling safe. It’s a conversation about finding self-trust when your world is turned upside down and not letting “it’s just stress” be the final answer.Because if you need to hear it today: epilepsy is not the end.Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! @whattheefpodcastLearn more here: whattheefpodcast.comShout out to the folks who help keep hope alive in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors SK life science & Neurelis AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Do I Actually Track My Seizures? with Mukki Gill 20.01.2026 36min

In this convo with Mukki Gill, founder of ZOR!, she talks about changing the game in epilepsy apps by synthesizing all of that data into one clear, usable place. After watching her mom take notes that look like “Santa’s list” for her brother’s Dravet’s Syndrome, Mukki wanted to create a simpler, more useful format for people with epilepsy.My seizure info seems to be everywhere—Notes app, calendars, wearables, half-remembered symptoms, and “I’ll explain it to my doctor somehow.” Enter the ZOR! app, which takes data from your Apple Watch to coexist with your epilepsy info. No matter searching for patterns–this app does it for you!  Oh, and have you ever wondered how seizure alert dogs know when a seizure is coming? Mukki has, too–and is planning on elevating the ZOR! app to use that science to *predict* our seizures! Get ready to be inspired and excited about some life changing tech!Learn more and sign up for ZOR! app: https://zor.llc/Be sure to follow @whattheefpodcast on Insta, YouTube, and TikTok for more on the good, the bad, and the hilarious parts of living with epilepsy.Learn more here: whattheefpodcast.comHuge shout out to the people who believe in this podcast! Sponsors SK life science & Neurelis and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can I Play Pro Sports with Epilepsy? Yes, If You're Spenser Jaye. 13.01.2026 49min

This week I’m joined by Spenser Jaye—a former D1 and professional soccer player who’s been navigating epilepsy since she was 13. We get into what it really looks like to chase big goals when your nervous system has its own agenda: the decision points, the fear, the disclosure question, the stuff people don’t see… and the ways support can change everything.We also talk about why Spenser built 1in26 Athlete Foundation—a space for athletes and active people with epilepsy to feel included, capable, and genuinely safe (without being told “you can’t” as the default).If you’ve ever wondered, Can I still do the thing? — this one’s for you.Learn more about 1in26 Athlete here: oneand26athlete.orgBe sure to follow @whattheefpodcast on Insta, YouTube, and TikTok for more on the good, the bad, and the hilarious parts of living with epilepsy.Learn more here: whattheefpodcast.comTHANK YOU to these folks for keeping the podcast kicking! Sponsors SK life science & Neurelis and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Tips in 5 Minutes on Surviving the Holidays! 16.12.2025 5min

Every year, my brain has a fun holiday tradition of doling out seizures. Like my epilepsy is Santa but with a very dark sense of humor.So this year I came up with 5 strategies to (hopefully) mitigate the holiday seizen. From bathrooms to booze to holiday blues--I'm hoping these tips help!Tune into this 5-minute What the Elf?! episode and let me know if any of these work for you!But above all, remember no matter how many strategies we put in place, seizures are not our fault. They happen when we do everything "right." So please be kind to yourself. I promise you are not alone in this.Thank to you the amazing support we had in 2025 from sponsors Neurelis & SK life science and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Didn’t Know I Could Ask My Doctor That with Dr. Claude Steriade 28.10.2025 48min

Ever sit in your doctor’s office like, “Wait… what did you just say?” Dr. Claude Steriade, an epileptologist at NYU, is here to translate the medical jargon and hand over her playbook for better communication with your doc.She shares the *one magical thought* she wishes every patient could have, explains autoimmune epilepsy (the sneaky diagnosis that hides in plain sight), and shows how to ask for the right tests. Oh, and don’t miss her 3 game-changing tips for making conversations with your doctor way less awkward.Follow on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for extra clips and community convos!Shout out to community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, Epilepsy Alliance of American AND our sponsors Neurelis and SK life science! Thanks for helping bridge the communication gap in the epilepsy world! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Woke Up To A Boot Kicking In My Windshield with Brian Garcia de Leon 21.10.2025 33min

The first thing Brian remembers after his first seizure is a boot smashing through his semi-truck windshield—strangers pulling him from the wreckage as his world changed forever. After a misdiagnosis, years of drug-resistant epilepsy, and 30 seizures a month, Brian found the strength to keep fighting. With cutting edge brain technology—and with the steady support of his loved ones—he’s celebrating seven months seizure-free and a brand-new chapter.Follow on socials for more convos and clips!YouTube:  @WhatTheEfPodcast Insta: @whattheefpodcastTikTok: @what.the.ef.podcastShout out to community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation & Epilepsy Alliance America AND our sponsors Neurelis and SK life science! Thank you for keeping this community going!Learn more about Legacy Bridges Foundation that helped Brian through recovery: https://www.legacybridgesfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*LIVE* from Lisbon! Backstage Pass to the International Epilepsy Congress 14.10.2025 42min

What happens when thousands of epilepsy nerds take over Lisbon? Tune in for chats with people from all over the world–Argentina, UK, Australia, Colombia, Kenya and more! Convos about the ethics of AI in epilepsy treatment, the move from pediatric to adult care, to how gut health affects seizures.Turns out, the biggest conference in the world isn’t just about science—it’s about connection, curiosity, and a whole lot of hope. 🌍💜Subscribe YouTube, follow Instagram and TikTok for extra clips and community convos!Shout out to community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America AND our sponsors Neurelis and SK life science! Thank you for supporting the epilepsy sphere! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Does This Research Feel Like a Hug? with Dr. Sandi Sam 08.10.2025 49min

Ever feel like you keep shouting, "Epilepsy is more than seizures!" but no one’s listening? Medical rockstar Dr. Sandi Lam certainly hears you, which is why she’s spearheading a massive, groundbreaking study focused on Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) that aims to change healthcare forever. Dr. Lam shares how she's trying to measure the "unmeasurable," like how treatment affects behavior, communication, and overall quality of life. (It sure does!) She’s also addressing caregiver burden and family support needs.Tune in to hear why this patient-led science is so revolutionary, and how this study is transforming the future of epilepsy care.Follow the podcast on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for extra clips and community convos!Learn more about Dr. Lam's research here: www.lgsresearch.orgThanks for ALL the hugs from our community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America AND our sponsors Neurelis and SK life science! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.