Movers and Shakers: a podcast about life with Parkinson's

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 heart of a matter which is too often left silent.If you'd like to download a template for writing to your MP, you can find one here.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 have to do with Parkinson's?! Join us for a fascinating dive into a less-discussed, but possibly very important, piece in the puzzle of searching for a PD disease modifier. If you'd like to download a template for writing to your MP, you can find one here.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 whose viral video spurred the campaign on. But most importantly, this episode contains important instructions on what you – yes: you! – need to do next. Write to your MP, share your experience, and urge Britain's politicians to give this debate proper consideration.If you'd like to download a template for writing to your MP, you can find one here.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 at greater risk? And, if so, what can we do to a) prevent falls, and b) mitigate the seriousness? Navigating our way, ever so carefully, through this issue should shine a light on how to stay safe and help your loved ones.A note for listeners: Will Young and his team are currently running a research project looking at the psychological impact of various potential symptoms of Parkinson's. The aim is to validate a new questionnaire (the Lo-Co-Motion) that could be used as part of training/therapies for managing symptoms and any associated anxiety. This in an online survey that takes about 30-50 minutes. Further information and the online survey can be found here. Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 the various strains. With uses for everything from pain to sleep, this is an in-depth look at a much-maligned treatment option.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 it's time to reveal a diagnosis? And can you really keep things private as symptoms set in? This candid chat explores the difficult reality, especially for people still in the workforce. Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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. In this episode, we reflect on what made him a great presenter and a superb advocate for people with Parkinson's, and replay our conversation with him.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.Artwork by Till Lukat.PR by Sally Jones.

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 – often very uplifting – about learning to live with the new realities brought on by their illnesses.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.

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 downsides outweigh the positives? To discuss, we're joined by international expert Professor Camille Carroll, as well as hearing some testimony from other users.Sponsored by Albion Chambers.Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sound mixing by Ewan Cameron.Music by Alex Stobbs.