Movers and Shakers: a podcast about life with Parkinson's
Movers and Shakers is a podcast where six friends, including Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, and Jeremy Paxman, gather in a Notting Hill pub to discuss the realities of life with Parkinson's disease. They share personal experiences, challenges, and silver linings while advocating for change through the Parky Charter petition.
Episodes
Drinking, Drugs and Genes
This week we're offering listeners a bit of a 'potpourri' episode, featuring updates from each of us, as well as our loyal Northern Correspondent, Christopher Lambton. We're focussing on drinking, drugs and genes, asking the questions we all want answers to: Does drinking actually make our Parkinson's worse? What new developments are there in the field of drugs trials? And coul
Osteoporosis
Do you have brittle bones? This week we're talking about osteoporosis, the health condition that weakens bones and makes sufferers more prone to breaks. We've all got our own experiences to share, but to give us expert information on the topic, we're joined by endocrinologist, Dr Mark Vanderpump. We also hear from Gillian's first female Ping Pong partner, Pauline Jones, who, when w
Voice Messages
Voice Messages - that's the name of our upcoming webinar series. Why did we give it that name? Well, this year we're campaigning for the Parky Voice, the lesser known symptom of Parkinson's disease that up to 90% of us living with PD suffer from! We've got several strands to our campaign, including our YouTube channel (linked below), which features fantastic videos sent in by you u
Perception
Do we stoop? Does our facial expression change? Do we sound different? And if we do do any of those things, have we, ourselves, even realised? We spoke to four(!) experts to find out more about perception, including physiotherapist and academic, Dr Julie Jones; Mark's speech and language therapist, Dr Elina Tripoliti; neurologist, Ed Newman; and fan of the show and Parkinson's advocate, Do
Parky Books
The Movers & Shakers are back for another season of informative, inspiring and possibly even entertaining conversations. To kick off season 9, we're speaking to three Parky authors, who have written about... Parkinson's! Miller Caldwell, David Blacker and Jodie Forbes joined us to talk about their writing, of course, why we write, and how creativity can come to us when we least expect it.Mover
Parky Profiles: Andy Cassy, the Parky Brit Taking Part in a Landmark Trial for a Cure
This week on Parky Profiles, we're speaking to Andy Cassy, friend of the podcast, fellow Parky ping-pong player, and the only Brit to take part in what has been described as 'a landmark first-in-human clinical trial' in the search for a Parkinson's cure. Andy underwent stem cell surgery in 2024 as part of said trial, organised by one of our other Parky Profile guests, Professor Roger Barker. We sp
Parky Profiles: Christopher Lambton, Former Voice of the BBC & our 'Northern Correspondent'
This week on Parky Profiles, we're speaking to Christopher Lambton, a former voice of the BBC. One of our most dedicated fans, Christopher has listened to every Movers & Shakers episode, and, having found our conversations of good use (his words), wanted to get involved himself. After bumping into Gillian somewhere in and amongst the Edinburgh Fringe throng, he proposed himself a Northern Corr
Parky Profiles: Lloyd Taylor, Cyclist, Author & Campaigner for Parkinson's
This month we’re interviewing a handful of fascinating people as part of our summer ‘Parky Profiles’ series.The Parky author, adventurer and cyclist, Lloyd Taylor joins us this week to talk about the journey to writing his best-selling book 'The Kindness of Strangers'. When Lloyd was diagnosed with Parkinson's, he had trouble sharing his news with others. But then, he was invited to join a cycle r
Parky Profiles: Roger Barker, Cambridge Professor of Clinical Neuroscience
This month we’re interviewing a handful of fascinating people as part of our summer ‘Parky Profiles’ series.This week we're joined by renowned academic and researcher, Roger Barker. Roger is professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Cambridge and a consultant neurologist at the Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Not only is our guest well known for his groundbreaking research into the use of fo
Parky Profiles: Deborah Brooks, CEO of the Michael J. Fox Foundation
This month we’re interviewing a handful of fascinating people as part of our summer ‘Parky Profiles’ series.It’s hard to ignore the activities of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Since its founding in 2000, it has raised over $3 billion in the hunt for a Parkinson's cure. It's the largest non-profit funder of research in to the disease.We’ve all heard of its founder and namesake, but who is the head
Singing
This year we're campaigning for the voice, and it would be remiss of us not to put a spotlight on the power of raising one's voice in song for people with Parkinson's! For our final episode of season 8 of Movers & Shakers, we spoke to soprano, vocal coach and creative health specialist, Nicola Wydenbach (who some may remember from our Big Sing event outside Parliament), and Dr Trish Vella-Burr
When Should We Start on Drugs?
When is the right time to start taking Parkinson's drugs? Having put the question to the Movers & Shakers Facebook group, we had a range of responses from those who didn't take Levodopa (the widely prescribed and most effective medication for treating Parkinson's symptoms) at all, to those who swore by starting early. In this episode, we hear from some of those people, and receive myth-busting
My Parent Has Parkinson's: what should I know?
We spend most of out time talking about how Parkinson’s impacts us Parkies, but we don’t often speak about the experience of those family members, particularly the children, who live with it too. One of our guests for this week reached out to us with his reflections on caring for his dad, so we asked a couple of our very own Parkinson’s kids to come along to the pub too to tell us what it's like l
Pain
Does Parkinson's cause pain? Can a non-Parkinson's pain be aggravated by the disease? Or is just our old age? Dr Susan Duty, Professor in Pharmacology and Neuroscience at King's College London, joins us this week to explain why it is we're all enduring so much discomfort. Movers & Shakers is brought to you in partnership with Cure Parkinson's.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solym
Brain Bank
We can't quite believe it either but this week's episode was recorded at the UCL Brain Bank headed by Consultant Neurologist Tom Warner (also notably, Gillian's neurologist!). Thanks to expert guidance from Consultant Neuropathologist Zane Jaunmuktane and Clinical Research Fellow Patrick Cullinane we now know a considerable amount more about how banks like this one can use brains and other donatio
Walking Football
The Movers & Shakers are back in the pub to talk walking football. We're big fans of activities that help slow down the progression of Parkinson's Disease, particularly walking football; it may even rival ping pong (but not according to Gillian!). We didn't have a kick about in situ but we had some experts in to tell us all about it - and Rory went to his local club to give us a taste of the r
Risky Drugs
The BBC Radio 4 investigative programme 'Impulsive' shocked listeners across the world. Aired at the beginning of the year, 'Impulsive' revealed the devastating effects that the readily prescribed Parkinson's drugs, dopamine agonists, were having on their users, including causing hypersexuality and compulsive gambling, among other extremes. We've actually covered this topic before on Movers &
The World Parkinson's Congress
Live from Phoenix, Arizona, for the World Parkinson's Congress 2026; it doesn't get much better than that if you ask us. We all took turns speaking to Parkinson's experts, whether that be on dancing, singing, or even finding a cure. There's almost no one we didn't try to speak to.. We even got to hear a fantastic comedy set from Paul, of which you will get a taste. Tune in to find out what we got
The Chelsea Flower Show
We're at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! This year's event has a special focus on Parkinson's with the newly named Parkinson's Resilience Rose and the beautifully designed Parkinson's UK show garden. Unsurprisingly, the weather chose to be less than impressive for the day of our visit, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the sites and exploring the PUK plot with the help of the Head Gardeners and c
Try-Athlon 2026
To kick off our eighth season of Movers & Shakers, we're reporting to you from this year's Try-Athlon at the Twickenham Stoop. Organised by the Sports Parkinson's team, the annual event gathers together Parkies from far and wide to partake in a range of Parkinson's-friendly sports, from golf, to walking rugby, and even ballet (which one of our team members had a crack at!). We all put our trai
World Parkinson's Day 2026: Speak Out!
This year for our special World Parkinson's Day episode, we're coming to you live from Sutton (Mark's local branch) where they've arranged a day of amazing events to raise awareness of PD, with a particular focus. The voice will be our big campaign for 2026 and we're encouraging everyone to speak out (or sing out, if the desire takes you). Go to moversandshakerspodcast.com for more details on how
Positivity
For the final episode of this seventh season of Movers and Shakers, we're looking on the bright side of life. Can positivity actually improve your condition? Or does it mask the hardship of life with PD? And what on earth is 'toxic positivity'? To discuss all this – and put the gang on a spectrum from Tigger to Eeyore – we've gathered at the Notting Hill pub for "a laugh and a moan".Movers & S
Driving
Driving is something that people often take for granted – right up until they can't do it. With a Parkinson's diagnosis comes a lot of insecurity about being behind the wheel. When do you know if it's time to stop? How do you manage the DVLA's red tape? And what's the situation with those mythical blue badges? To run through these considerations, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the Notting Hi
Oral Health
We're sinking our teeth into another important issue this week, as we look at oral health and the role that it might play in Parkinson's. The Movers and Shakers are joined at the pub – where Paul is caught, live on microphone, snarfing a chocolate mousse – by experts from both dentistry and neurology to look at the chicken and (chocolate) egg question of whether PD affects oral health, or if bad o
The Dopamine Debate
This week we're doing something a little bit different on Movers & Shakers. We're joined in the pub by Dr Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein, a distinguised American cardiologist with a controversial idea: that Parkinson's might be caused by too much, rather than too little, dopamine. Sackner-Bernstein's ideas call into question the underlying assumptions of the condition and have been refuted by many
Hallucinations
One of the strangest symptoms of Parkinson's is the sudden appearance of unexplained figures – whether that's a cat or a small child, a barking dog or a fully clad Venetian – in your environment. There hallucinations can be benign, but they can also be unsettling, and this week we're trying to find out what's causing them. Are they related to night terrors? Can they always be rationalised? And are
Paraquat
This week we're returning to one of the most contentious subjects in Parkinson's world: what causes the condition? Research has increasingly focused on the role of pesticides – particularly one called Paraquat – which are routinely used in agriculture yet are severely toxic to humans. Could investigations into the role of Paraquat prove a connection to PD? And, if so, does that mean that we could,
The 2026 Campaign
Last year was a landmark year for the Movers & Shakers team, as our Parky Charter project reached 100,000 petition signatories and generated a parliamentary debate. So how will we be following it up in 2026? To debate the possible campaigns we could embark on this year, the gang are joined by Mark 'Crippo' Cripps, our marketing guru, to try and come up with an impactful, yet achievable, propos
Exercise: the evidence
If certain windsurfing former Judges are to be believed, there's nothing quite like a bout of vigorous exercise for easing the symptoms of Parkinson's. But does the medical evidence support this? Cramped into their booth in the Notting Hill pub, the Movers & Shakers pick over the verifiable scientific facts behind the assumption that exercise can alleviate PD symptoms. Is it possible to fairly
Freezing
Freezing is one of PD's most unusual symptoms. Whether it's a threshold, a zebra crossing or just getting out of bed, the sudden inability to move can strike at any moment. Why does it happen? And is there anything that can be done to combat this mysterious immobilisation? The Movers and Shakers – who have experienced very different types of freezing – squeeze into the Notting Hill pub (and hopefu
Parkinson's: the Sitcom
After our festive break, the Movers & Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub with glad tidings for the new year. Gillian and the Judge have been sunning themselves (in Antigua and Australia, respectively), Rory has been hitting the Vegas strip, Mark has been battling with Turkish Airlines, and Paul has finally completed shooting of his new film. But Paul isn't the only Mayhew-Archer bringing
2025: The Year in Review
It's the end of another year – and what a year it's been! From the Big Sing on World Parkinson's Day through the Parky Petition campaign and getting our debate in Parliament, 2025 has been a stellar year for the Movers and Shakers and our community. For this final episode before we tootle off for Christmas, we've gathered at Chez Lacey-Solymar (minus Gillian herself, who was struck down by flu) to
Parkinson's in Africa
From our little corner of the Notting Hill pub, it can be hard to see what life is like for people with Parkinson's across the rest of the UK – let alone around the world! Today, however, we're talking about Parkinson's care in Africa, a continent where levodopa access is limited and where stigmas around the condition still impact countless lives. We're joined by experts – both in the pub and down
The Mega Trial
How do you run clinical trials that maximise the efficiency for patients, clinicians and drugs developers? That's the challenge being addressed by world's largest ever clinical trial of Parkinson's medications. To discuss this new, and potentially extremely effective, way of runnings multiple trials simultaneously, the Movers & Shakers are joined at the pub by some of the core team from the pr
The Parky Charter Debate
So, after two long years of campaigning, this week the Parky Charter – our set of demands for the government – had its moment in Parliament. With the Movers & Shakers and other supporters in attendance, MPs debated the need for improved care for people with Parkinson's across the UK. But what were the important moments from the debate? What wasn't mentioned? And where do we go from here? To ce
The Funding Machine
This week, the Movers & Shakers are joined in the pub by our friends from Cure Parkinson's and Parkinson's UK. They are two of the charities working so hard to find ways of dealing with Parkinson's and improving the lives of those with the condition. But they also face huge challenges. Is enough being invested in research? Are the charities forced to compete with one another for limited resour
What Causes Depression?
We try not to shy away from the less cheerful topics here on Movers & Shakers, and this week we're once again looking at depression. We're joined in the pub by a top expert – Professor Dag Aarsland – to look at how depression affects Parkies, whether there's something specific about the condition that causes it, and what responses are available. As ever, this is a candid chat that gets to the
Light
Let there be light! Well, certain types of light, at least. That's what we're discussing down at the Movers and Shakers Arms today, where the gang are joined by Professor Glen Jeffery, an expert in the use of light therapies. Why are some lights – like infrared – good for us, whilst others – like UV – are bad? How does light impact on our mitochondria? And, most importantly, what does any of this
Local Heroes ft. the Bexhill Superstars!
Over the summer months, we at Movers & Shakers HQ ran a competition: the local group who acquired the most signatures towards the Parky Charter petition would get their own special episode. And here it is, with the superstars from the Bexhill and Battle area, who acquired a whopping 573 signatures! Three of them joined the Movers & Shakers in the pub, and we also speak to the TikTok poet w
Falls
There are few great anxiety inducers for Parkies than the prospect of having a fall. Squeezed into the Notting Hill pub – having dodged bustling waiters, stray chair legs and a labyrinthine tangle of cables – the Movers & Shakers are joined by two experts, Laura Douglas from Neuro Heroes and the University of Exeter's Dr Will Young, to discuss the reality of falls. Are people with Parkinson's
Cannabis
On today's Movers & Shakers, we're putting down our pints and rolling a joint talking about how cannabis could be an important part of Parkinson's treatment. Subject to stigma over its use, have we been ignoring the therapeutic qualities of the plant? To discuss this, we talk to Professor Mike Barnes, a world expert in medical cannabis, and hear from many of our listeners who have dabbled with
Can You Hide Your Parkinson's?
Can you hide your Parkinson's? And should you? Those are the questions we're tackling today, as we're joined in the pub by Rob Burley, a former BBC producer and author of Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?, a book about the lost art of the political interview. After his PD diagnosis, Rob went on television and found himself subjected to unfortunate social media feedback. Do we always know when
Remembering John Stapleton
This week, we're issuing a special episode to remember the life of John Stapleton, who died last week. We were privileged to have John join us in the pub earlier this year to discuss his life, career and PD journey. From getting pecked off our screen's by Rod Hull's intemperate Emu to making a film about his diagnosis with his award-winning documentarian son Nick, John led an extraordinary life. I
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism is the term used to refer to a group of conditions – like multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and Lewy Body Dementia – which resemble Parkinson's in some of their symptoms. To discuss these sibling conditions, the Movers & Shakers are joined at the pub by guests from across the spectrum who share their stories – ofte
The Produodopa Pump
The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub after a relaxing summer. Oh, who are we kidding? It's been a frantic struggle to get the #ParkyCharter petition to 100k signatories but we – which is to say: you – did it! Now we're kicking off the new series with a look at Gillian's big news. She's had the brand new produodopa pump installed. But is it the blessing its champions suggest? Or do the downsi
Parky Profiles: Jagdeep Aujla
Our final profile of this summer series has a very particular set of skills... Jagdeep Aujla is a London-born karate champion and martial arts enthusiast who, since his Parkinson's diagnosis, has established the Dopamine Warriors Boxing Club. Jagdeep joins the Movers & Shakers in the pub and shows all the resilience you'd expect from the Bruce Lee of PD – but also some cheering optimism about
Parky Profiles: Alison Anderson
Our profile this week is of a Parky on a mission: Alison Anderson who is, as you listen to this episode, cycling across America to raise money for Cure Parkinson's. This isn't Alison's first marathon bike ride, she's previously zoomed across Southeast Asia, raising money and awareness. An inspiration for both her athletic endeavour and fundraising prowess, Alison is living, cycling proof that Park
The Parky Petition Hits 100,000!
This Wednesday, our titanic campaign to reach 100,000 signatures on the Parky Charter petition reached its climax. After a marathon effort involving Gillian commandeering EasyJet planes, the Judge haranguing cricket-goers at Lords, and an unexpected segue into TikTok virality, that target was reached. To celebrate, we gathered 80% of the Movers & Shakers at Gillian's to raise a glass of bubbly
Parky Profiles: John Caulcutt
In a long and varied career, John Caulcutt has worn many hats: rock musician, stockbroker, marketing man, bobsled champion, fundraising extraordinaire, and, since 2019, parky. He joins us for this, the latest in our summer interview series, to discuss a life well-lived and how he ended up a prolific philanthropist who believes that a breakthrough for PD could be just around the corner...Don't forg
Parky Profiles: Linda Grant
This summer we'll be interviewing a handful of interesting people who are living with Parkinson's. First up: the novelist Linda Grant. Linda started life as a journalist before becoming acclaimed fiction writer who won the Women's Prize in 2000 for her novel When I Lived in Modern Times, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2008 for The Clothes on Their Backs. Here, she talks for the first
Petition Update!
Earlier this month, the Movers and Shakers descended on Brighton in order to drum up enthusiasm for our petition. We're looking for 100,000 signatures in order to guarantee that our Parky Charter – a list of demands/requests that would improve Parkinson's care – gets a debate in Parliament. On this special episode (during our summer break) we report back from the (very rainy) seaside, and catch-up
Live from Henley!
As a special extra, to round out this fifth season of Movers and Shakers, the show is coming to you live from Henley! Away from the pub (and with a live audience) the gang talk about their Parkinson's progress and are joined by a couple of special guests, representing the local area and giving you a glimpse inside Paul's brain...Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPeti
The Parky Charter Debate in Parliament
This week saw the first substantial debate in the UK Parliament on the subject of Parkinson's – and it was initiated by an enterprising Scottish MP, Graeme Downie, off the back of the Movers and Shakers' Parky Charter. So, for this emergency episode, Gillian and Mark report live from Parliament, introducing some highlights from the debate, and speaking to Graeme and his office manager, the inimita
Relationships
In this, the last episode in our current series, the Movers & Shakers have gathered at the Notting Hill pub with (most of) their spouses, to talk about how to navigate a relationship after the diagnosis. With the able assistance of a relationship expert, Gillian and Mike, Mark and Jo, Paul and Julie, Nick and Liz, and Rory – riding solo – talk through the ups and downs of coupledom in the wake
Travel
Travelling with Parkinson's shouldn't be a nightmare – but often it is. From long lines at the airport to the constant battle for a seat on the Tube, how can people with Parkinson's navigate the frenetic world of travel? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers gather at the pub to consider their experiences – good and bad – and whether there's the chance to reinvent the way that companies and the
World Parkinson's Day: The Big Sing!
On this very special episode of Movers and Shakers, the gang head out of the Notting Hill pub to take, once again, to Downing Street. But handing over the latest petition is only the start of an action packed day – from there, it's on to the Houses of Parliament to convene with hundreds of Parkies for The Big Sing! This episode is a little journey through the day, as we speak to people who made th
Inside the Movers & Shakers
Each time we, the Movers and Shakers, convene at the pub for a recording session, we follow it up with an anarchic planning session, where we analyse the episodes that been recently broadcast and debate what should be featured on future instalments. This week, we're leaving the microphones running during this meeting to give you the inside scoop on how the podcast is made, and a little preview of
Music!
There's no doubting the ability of music to uplift the soul – but could it also help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's? That's what the Movers and Shakers are discussing today in the Notting Hill pub, as they're joined by musical experts, including a man who whistled for Monty Python's The Life of Brian and a Welsh samba band (who have brought their drums all the way to W11). Whether it's a co
The Gut
It's said that the most consistent symptom of Parkinson's isn't the tremor, but constipation. Could this rather inconvenient truth reveal a relationship between our gut microbiome and development of the disease? To help with this deep-dive into the gut, the Movers & Shakers are joined by a gastroenterologist, a professor of microbiome, and the creator of a probiotic for gut health. Tune in, an
Parkinson's in the Media
A recent spate of Parkinson's related headlines – from miracle pumps to worm-based solutions – have had the Movers and Shakers questioning exactly how the condition is portrayed in the media. Are we getting a good balance between raising the salience of the diseases ill effects, on the one hand, and inspiring hope on the other? To discuss this, the (rather depleted) team in the pub are joined by a
Mitochondria
Do you know what mitochondria are? Don't worry, neither did the Movers & Shakers until they gathered two top experts with them at the Notting Hill pub in order to probe this line of enquiry. Could "aberrant" (as the Judge is prone to call them) mitochondria be responsible for Parkinson's? And, if so, are there possible therapies that might impact the development of the disease, and, if not cur
Fundraising
Would you rather: bid for a rugby shirt signed by the mysterious "Mike Tiddle", run a marathon around Loch Ness, or paraglide off the top of Mont Blanc? Those are some of the extraordinary fundraising projects undertaken in the name of Parkinson's, and that's what the Movers & Shakers are discussing in the pub today. With inspirational stories from great fundraisers as well as a look at how ef
Intimacy
It's getting rather hot in the Notting Hill pub this week, as we convene to discuss the (t)horny question of intimacy. Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it – but do Parkies? The Movers and Shakers are joined by an expert sexologist and an intimacy co-ordinator to get to the bottom of the issues around sex. It's a candid conversation – covering everything from erectile dysfunction to
Tech Tips
A man walks into the pub wearing vibrating shoes – no, that's not the start of a joke, but exactly what happened to Rory Cellan-Jones. On this week's episode, the Movers and Shakers are looking at some of the new technology, from fancy footwear to rhythmical cuing devices, to look at what tech can do for Parkies. They're also joined by the author of a snazzy new guide to Parkinson's gadgets, which
John Stapleton
In October last year, broadcasting legend John Stapleton, a former host of shows like Nationwide and Watchdog, was diagnosed with Parkinson's. This week, he joins the Movers & Shakers in the Notting Hill pub to discuss his life, career and his PD journey so far. From getting pecked off our screen's by Rod Hull's intemperate Emu to making a film about his diagnosis with his award-winning docume
Our Parkinson's Journeys – LIVE!
We're back! But today's episode isn't coming to you from the Notting Hill pub – instead, it was recorded live at the Middle Temple. In this special episode Rory, Gillian, Nicholas, Paul and Mark talk through their Parkinson's journeys and are joined, from the gallery, by a number of special guests (you'll have to tune in to find out who but they include a star neurologist, a research director and
Reasons to be Cheerful
We're back in the Notting Hill pub for our final episode of 2024. And after some rather gloomy subjects in recent weeks – from caring responsibilities to assisted dying – the Movers and Shakers are turning their attention to something a little more optimistic. With contributions from listeners – and a couple of special guests – this episode looks at the reasons all Parkies have to be cheerful. Whe
Pumps
Could discreet pumps, constantly providing adjustable doses of your top Parky drugs, be the future of 24-hour care? That's one of the suggestions made by advocates of a new range of pumps, one of whom, Professor Ray Chaudhuri (aka the Judge's neurologist), joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub. And if that's not a sufficiently bumper discussion, Prof Chaudhuri also discusses a new p
Pets
This week the Movers & Shakers are celebrating our four-legged friends, both canine and feline. But how do pets help or hinder the experience of having Parkinson's? With expert testimony from Bilbo Mostyn, Derek Paxman, Sophie Cellan-Jones and Lana Del Grey Mardell – not to mention several listeners calling in – and some special guests, this episode explores the special bond between animals an
Sports! (Live from The Belfry)
In this special live edition of Movers and Shakers half of the gang – The Judge, Rory and Paul – head to the famous Belfry golf club, where Sport Parkinson's were hosting their annual Four Nations golf tournament. In this wide-ranging conversation about the merits of sports (and a few pitfalls), special guests join to discuss the various initiatives for motivating Parkies into athletic endeavour.
Women and Parkinson's
Women make up about 40% of all Parkinson's cases – but the Movers and Shakers panel doesn't often reflect that! Do we pay enough attention to women's experience with the disease? And does medical science have the same blindspot? On this week's episode of the show, we're talking about the female experience with PD, how the disease differently impacts the genders, and what we need to do to even the
Bas Bloem
In the world of Parkinson's, Bas Bloem is something of a rockstar. The Dutch neurological giant (in more ways than one) joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub for this special interview, where he talks about his personal journey into PD research, his suspicions on the causes of the illness, and his pathological optimism for the future of the condition. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones,
Help!
When Paul titled his episode "Help! (me please, I beg you, because I've been a bloody pillock)" we knew he'd bring his typical humour and candour to the trickiest of subjects. This week, the Movers & Shakers (minus Rory and Jeremy) are talking about care, and the assistance that can be offered both by loved ones and the state. If you haven't thought about how to arrange and finance care – whet
Assisted Dying
Assisted dying is currently on the agenda in the UK, as a private member's bill enters Parliament. But with legislation comes a moral debate: should the state be involved in easing the passing of the sick? And, if so, what should the conditions be? What guardrails can be put in place to ensure that what ought to be about mercy doesn't become the subject of abuse? To discuss this difficult topic an
The NHS Health Check
Keir Starmer's new Labour government have been in power, now, for 100 days. After big promises to raise pay, slash the backlog and reduce waiting times, have Labour, and new Health Secretary Wes Streeting, made any in-roads? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Gaynor Edwards and Professor Michele Hu (Paul's neurologist), as well as, down-the-line, by new social care mi
Who's To Blame?
Were it not for the eventual verdict of the Court of Appeal, Holmes vs Poeton may well have been a landmark case for Parkies. Or so claims the (ex) Judge, Nicholas Mostyn, who serves as the guide in today's episode, where the Movers & Shakers look into some thorny questions: what causes Parkinson's? And who, if anyone, is to blame? Our guide is Professor Yoav Ben-Shlomo from the University of
Targeted Ultrasound
Targeted ultrasound might sound like something a Bond villain would use to incinerate a Swiss canton, but, in reality, it could be the next big, breakthrough Parkinson's treatment. On today's episode, the Movers & Shakers gather in the Notting Hill pub to discuss this new therapy and are joined in that undertaking by returning guest Professor Ludwic Zrinzo, an expert in both this technique as
Music
If music be the food of love (or, given we're in the pub, "the love of food"), play on. On this week's Movers and Shakers, the gang have gathered to discuss music, and the many ways it can impact the Parky community. From vocal warm-ups and singing helping to bring back Mark's booming voice, through to dance and gesture exercise keeping you fit and lyric translations keeping you brainy, music can
Enzyme Blockers
Every hero needs a sidekick: Batman and Robin, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Ronald McDonald and Grimace. And, in Parkinson's world, if Levodopa is the crime-fighting vigilante, then enzyme blockers (or inhibitors) are keeping the seats warm in the Batmobile. To discuss the vital role that this group of drugs play, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Professor Peter Jenner, a pharmacologi
We Will Survive!
Pour yourself a drink and pull up a chair: the Movers and Shakers are back in the pub! To open our fourth (yes, fourth – we can hardly believe it either) season, the gang gather to discuss their summer holidays – from Scottish ping pong to Alpine dystonia – and make a big announcement. Whilst pretending to be on their jollies, Gillian and Mark have been leading the charge with a brand new music vi
