Best Willamette Week Podcasts (2026)

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a condition caused by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. The symptoms of this condition mimic those of a brain tumor, giving it the name pseudotumor cerebri, meaning "false brain tumor." The increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and…

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Welcome Christmas: Love 41:52

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17d ago41:52

41:52

By John Rosensteel

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Welcome Christmas: Joy 47:07

24d ago47:07

47:07

By John Rosensteel

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Meet Marcus D. Mazur, MD 1:51

27d ago1:51

1:51

Marcus D. Mazur, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeon. His clinical practice focuses on adult spinal surgery for disorders on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of adult spinal deformity, complex revision surgery, spinal oncology, and minimally invasive spine surgery…

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Welcome Christmas: Hope 41:44

1M ago41:44

41:44

By Alex Lessler

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Inside the Mind of a Top Neurosurgeon: Dr. Dan Kelly on Risk and Resilience | Guest Podcast 1:05:15

1M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Dr. Daniel Kelly joins Dr. Stephen Sideroff this week on the Quantum Leadership Podcast. In this powerful episode of the Quantum Leadership Podcast, Dr. Stephen Sideroff sits down with Dr. Dan Kelly, one of the nation’s leading neurosurgeons and co-founder and director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, for an illuminating look at the inner wor…

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Entrusted to Serve 42:05

1M ago42:05

42:05

Find ways to Pray, Give, and Serve • /entrusted • This season, let’s love our city through prayer, generosity, and service.By Josh Butler

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What Are Meningiomas? with Dr. Nouzhan Sehati 4:06

1M ago4:06

4:06

A meningioma is a type of tumor that arises from the meninges, which are the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is typically a slow-growing, usually benign tumor, derived from the cells of the arachnoid cap cells or the meningeal cells themselves. Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor. Fortunately, most a…

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Entrusted to Give 44:08

2M ago44:08

44:08

Find ways to Pray, Give, and Serve • /entrusted • This season, let’s love our city through prayer, generosity, and service.By Alex Lessler

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The Indomitable Dr. Howard Krauss | Guest Podcast 53:29

2M ago53:29

53:29

The Indomitable Dr. Howard Krauss Guest podcast: Out of the Blindspot with Dr. Ore-ofe Adesina Originally aired in 2 parts March 10 & April 21, 2025 Dr. Howard Krauss is a pioneering surgical Neuro-ophthalmologist specializing in minimally invasive orbital and oculoplastic surgery and adult strabismus. A leader in ophthalmology and medicine, he has…

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Entrusted to Pray 36:53

2M ago36:53

36:53

Find ways to Pray, Give, and Serve • /entrusted • This season, let’s love our city through prayer, generosity, and service.

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How to Identify and Treat Thyroid Nodules with Vivian Wu, MD 2:36

2M ago2:36

2:36

Thyroid nodules are growths on your thyroid. They are usually benign (not cancer). They may become overactive and make too much of the thyroid hormone. All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) causes your thyroid to make more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Hyperthy…

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Entrusted to Love 42:12

2M ago42:12

42:12

Find ways to Pray, Give, and Serve • /entrusted • This season, let’s love our city through prayer, generosity, and service.By Daniel Knutson

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Multiple Sclerosis and Wellness with Dr. Barbara Giesser 2:13

2M ago2:13

2:13

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. In multiple sclerosis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, called myelin, in the central nervous system. This immune-mediated damage disrupts the norm…

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Galatians: Do Not Grow Weary 41:30

2M ago41:30

41:30

By John Rosensteel

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Chris' Story - Hemifacial Spasm 4:16

2M ago4:16

4:16

Hemifacial Spasm is a potentially debilitating condition where the facial muscles of expression spasm uncontrollably. Botulinum toxin can control the spasm, but in severe cases, minimally invasive surgery for microvascular decompression of the facial nerve is more efficacious. Listen to Chris B's story as he dealt with this issue and sought definit…

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Galatians: Freedom to Love and Care 49:02

2M ago49:02

49:02

By Alex Lessler

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Neurosurgical Fellowship Training at Pacific Neuroscience Institute 2:40

3M ago2:40

2:40

The Pacific Brain Tumor Center and Pacific Pituitary Disorders Center offers a 1-year neurosurgery fellowship in minimally invasive surgery for brain, pituitary and skull base tumors. Our clinical training program is focused on endoscopic endonasal and keyhole surgical approaches, neuro-endoscopy, pituitary tumor management and multimodality neuro-…

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Galatians: Freedom From Performance & Sin 37:00

3M ago37:00

37:00

By Alex Lessler

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70. The Lifestyle Roadmap to Improving Your Memory and Brain Health 33:54

3M ago33:54

33:54

Our memory isn't just a passive function. Just like our muscles, it's something that can be trained, optimized, and protected. Subtle changes in our memory can signal the earliest stages of cognitive decline, but preventative interventions can make a huge difference. That's exactly what Dr. Karen Miller, Senior Director of the Brain Wellness and Li…

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Galatians: Faith That Sets Us Free 53:06

3M ago53:06

53:06

By Josh Butler

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Our Philosophical Approach to Spine Care with Jean-Philippe Langevin, MD 2:03

3M ago2:03

2:03

Spinal disorders may be caused by spine trauma, genetic components or disease including cancer. As the backbone is made of bone, a misconception is that all spine issues are taken care of by orthopedic surgeons. In reality, neurosurgeons are integrally involved in spinal surgery due to the delicate nature and proximity of major nerves in these regi…

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Cochlear Implants Crash Course with Mathilde Tranberg, Cochlear Implant Ambassador 5:00

3M ago5:00

5:00

A cochlear implant for hearing loss is an electronic device that is implanted into the inner ear (the cochlea) and is used to restore hearing in patients who no longer benefit from traditional hearing aids or have hearing loss in just one ear. While a cochlear implant does not re-create normal hearing, it allows individuals to understand speech and…

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Galatians: A New Identity in the Family of God 45:19

3M ago45:19

45:19

By John Rosensteel

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Malia's Grateful Patient Story | AVM Treatment at PNI 3:01

4M ago3:01

3:01

While traveling with her family, 17-year-old Malia experienced a grand mal seizure while she was sleeping. Her parents immediately brought her back to Los Angeles to the care of Dr. Walavan Sivakumar at Pacific Neuroscience Institute South Bay, in Torrance, Ca. An MRI showed that Malia had an Arteriovenous Malformation which likely had been growing…

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Galatians: The Gospel That Sets Us Free 39:59

4M ago39:59

39:59

By Josh Butler

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69. A Silent Revolution in Hearing Loss Treatment 42:15

4M ago42:15

42:15

Cochlear implants are leading a revolution in the treatment of hearing loss. According to a 2022 study, only about 10% of those who qualify for cochlear implants have received them. Cost, accessibility, and lack of awareness are only some roadblocks for potential patients. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Courtney Voelker and Dr. Chester Grif…

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Good Things Are Happening Here, Part 2 41:52

4M ago41:52

41:52

By Alex Lessler

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Smell Dysfunction Challenges & Treatment with Dr. Michael Yong | A PNI Minute 2:52

4M ago2:52

2:52

Smell loss after viral infections can be difficult to manage. Dr. Yong uses various techniques to target smell recovery which is a complex process involving neurons in the nose and brain. Smell is intricately linked in both emotional and functional terms with quality of life. Learn more about smell dysfunction and treatment.…

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Good Things are Happening Here, Part 1 43:10

4M ago43:10

43:10

By Alex Lessler

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Multidisciplinary Voice Clinic at PNI 4:57

4M ago4:57

4:57

Having a healthy voice is important for everyone, whether you are a professional singer, teacher, salesperson or simply like to read aloud to your grandchildren. Similarly, our ability to swallow is an essential part of everyday life and when comprised can feel frustrating and even embarrassing in public settings. If you suffer from hoarseness or t…

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A Headful Of Dreams: Daydream Believer 37:44

4M ago37:44

37:44

By Megan Lemmons

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68. Innovative Techniques for Stroke Intervention and Prevention 36:56

5M ago36:56

36:56

Approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, which blocks blood flow to the brain. When it comes to treating strokes, knowing the signs and symptoms is important so you can act fast. Dr. José Morales is a vascular neurologist and neurointerventional surgeon at Pacific Neur…

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A Headful Of Dreams: Dream On 43:12

5M ago43:12

43:12

By Alex Lessler

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Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Tremors with JP Langevin, MD & Natalie Diaz, MD 2:38

5M ago2:38

2:38

Focused Ultrasound is an incisionless treatment for patients with Essential Tremor (ET) and Tremor Dominant Parkinson’s Disease (TDPD) who have not responded to medication. It uses high intensity ultrasound waves guided by MRI to treat deep areas in the brain associated with tremor, with no permanent implants or general anesthesia. There is little …

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A Headful Of Dreams: Wildest Dreams 41:07

5M ago41:07

41:07

By John Rosensteel

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Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment Options with Vivian Wu, MD 1:43

5M ago1:43

1:43

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and involves abnormal growths of skin cells that can form anywhere on the body, but most frequently appear on skin that is exposed to the sun, such as the face. Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH, is a surgeon-scientist specializing in all cancers of the head and neck, including those of the ton…

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A Headful Of Dreams: Sweet Dreams 42:25

5M ago42:25

42:25

By Josh Butler

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Introduction to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) with Walavan Sivakumar, MD 2:25

5M ago2:25

2:25

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is revolutionizing perioperative care by shifting away from conventional methods toward a patient-centered, evidence-based approach. ERAS protocols focus on optimizing recovery across all surgical stages—before, during, and after the procedure—through personalized therapies. Key elements include nutritional su…

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A Headful Of Dreams: Genesis 38 42:58

5M ago42:58

42:58

By Aline, Jon, & Marty

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A Headful Of Dreams: The River of Dreams 41:45

5M ago41:45

41:45

By Alex Lessler

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Cancer Treatments with Dr. Vivian Wu 1:24

6M ago1:24

1:24

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a small DNA virus that infects skin and wet surfaces of the body. The virus is typically spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There are over 100 different types of HPV. The most common types of HPV are found on the skin and appear as warts. It is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections wor…

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A Headful Of Dreams: A Head Full of Dreams 46:41

6M ago46:41

46:41

By Alex Lessler

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67. Decoding Pituitary Disorders Through Hormone Investigation | Noa Tal, MD 32:25

6M ago32:25

32:25

Tucked deep within the brain and no larger than a pea, the pituitary gland is often called the body’s “master gland.” It oversees the endocrine system—a network of glands and organs that produce hormones regulating everything from growth and metabolism to reproduction and mood. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Pituitary Disorders Center, endocri…

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A Headful Of Dreams: Boulevard of Broken Dreams 37:08

6M ago37:08

37:08

Find Care • /care • Is life feeling extra hard at the moment? There are many ways Willamette can help.By Josh Butler

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Synkinesis after Bell's Palsy | Nicky's Grateful Patient Story 2:48

6M ago2:48

2:48

Five days after the birth of her second son, Nicky developed Bell's palsy, a facial paralysis affecting one side of the face. In a majority of people symptoms resolve with steroids and anti-viral treatments. The symptoms lingered for a year despite treatment at which point she was diagnosed with synkinesis, or abnormal facial nerve movement, which …

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A Headful Of Dreams: Don't Dream It's Over 28:36

6M ago28:36

28:36

By Alex Lessler

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The Things That (Should) Happen at Your Appointment with Your Neurologist with Barbara Giesser, MD | Guest Podcast 15:16

6M ago15:16

15:16

Most people living with MS don't see their neurologist often. For many, it might be only once or twice a year. A lot of important things take place during that appointment. Symptoms are assessed. Decisions about disease-modifying therapies are made or, sometimes, changed. Questions get asked and, hopefully, answered. Dr. Barbara Giesser returns to …