Best Kris Zackowski Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 408: Explaining Your MS to All Those Well-Meaning Family Members and Friends Who Get It Wrong with Kris Inman 30:43

Play Pause

19m ago30:43

30:43

Have you experienced those familiar feelings of frustration when the people closest to you don't seem to get your MS? Do you find yourself explaining and re-explaining things to well-meaning friends, co-workers, and even family members? Kris Inman's wife, Mariah, was diagnosed with MS in 2020, and, since then, Kris has been Mariah's care partner an…

1
Episode 19 Season 7: Cooling Paints, Anger Management, and Dr. Lori Palen with Data Soap Box 59:17

2d ago59:17

59:17

Send us a text Innovations in science are making daily life better through passive cooling paint and insights into pet interactions. In the Science News section we explore technologies that could transform how we maintain comfortable living spaces and manage our emotions at work. • Cement-based cooling paint from Nyang Technological University uses…

1
Episode 407: Overcoming Sleep Issues When You're Living with MS with Dr. Katie Siengsukon 35:02

6d ago35:02

35:02

Getting a good night's sleep is something that benefits everyone. And if you're someone who's living with MS, it's perhaps even more important. But research suggests that more than half the people living with MS experience poor sleep. Dr. Katie Siengsukon, the Director of the Sleep, Health, and Wellness Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Cente…

1
Episode 18 Season 7: Big Splash, Pain Meds, and Crappy Dogs 29:41

10d ago29:41

29:41

Send us a text We explore the physics behind making the biggest splash in pool jumping and examine a promising new non-opioid painkiller that could revolutionize pain management without addiction risks. Our investigation into canine health reveals which dog breeds are most prone to diarrhea—with some surprising findings for particular designer bree…

1
Episode 406: From the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting: Part Two with Dr. John DeLuca, Dr. Brian Sandroff, and Kristine Werner Ozug 32:46

15d ago32:46

32:46

Welcome to Part Two of our coverage of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers annual meeting! In this week's episode, Dr. John DeLuca shares research that has identified an effective behavioral treatment for MS-related fatigue. Dr. Brian Sandroff discusses how MS rehabilitation has evolved and then answers some of your questions about exercis…

1
Episode 17 Season 7: Bye Bye Earth, Singing to Babies, and Crafty Cockatoos 25:36

18d ago25:36

25:36

Send us a text The cosmic dance of our solar system is more precarious than we realize, with rogue stars potentially disrupting Earth's orbit and sending us hurling into space—though the probability is a reassuring 0.2% over 5 billion years. Recent research reveals singing to babies significantly improves their overall mood, highlighting the univer…

1
Episode 405: From the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting -- Part One with Dr. Kathy Zackowski and Dr. Stephen Krieger 33:30

20d ago33:30

33:30

Last week in Phoenix, Arizona, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) held its annual meeting, and we had a chance to talk with some of the top MS experts in the world. Welcome to Part One of our coverage! First, you'll hear Dr. Kathy Zackowski, the National MS Society's Associate Vice-President of Research, share her overview of the s…

1
Episode 16 Season 7: Giant Sloths, Swimming Robots, and Science Whiz Liz on Measles! 54:12

24d ago54:12

54:12

Send us a text We dive into the fascinating world of extinct giant sloths, explore how dogs are inspiring better swimming robots, and discuss the alarming resurgence of measles with immunologist Dr. Elisabeth Marnick. • Ancient sloths evolved wide body size diversity based primarily on their habitat preference • Tree-dwelling sloths evolved to be s…

1
Episode 404: World MS Day 2025 with Meredith O'Brien 26:26

28d ago26:26

26:26

Every five minutes, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. But getting that diagnosis can be challenging. And the evidence is clear that early intervention makes a difference. The sooner someone can begin a disease-modifying therapy, the better their outcome is going to be. World MS Day is May 30th, and this year, World MS Day is focu…

1
Episode 15 Season 7: Fungal Apocalypse, Dinosaur Digs, and The Orange Cat Gene! 33:38

1M ago33:38

33:38

Send us a text We explore the science behind HBO's "The Last of Us," investigating whether a fungal apocalypse could happen in real life and if a vaccine for fungal infections is possible. The Royal Tyrrell Museum's new "Breakthroughs" exhibit showcases five groundbreaking fossil discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life…

1
Episode 403: Moving Toward a Biologically Based Description of MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kathy Smith 37:14

1M ago37:14

37:14

Last week, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis convened a meeting in Dublin, Ireland, to dive deeper into what a new framework for describing MS might look like. There's still a tremendous amount of work to be done here. But, considering that whatever language is eventu…

1
Episode 14 Season 7: Chilly Dips, Flatfaced Pets, and Extending Dog Lifespan with Celine Halioua 56:21

1M ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text We explore the cutting-edge science of extending dog lifespan through innovative drug development with Loyal founder and CEO Celine Halioua, who shares the company's groundbreaking approach to canine longevity and health. In Science News: • Cold water immersion after exercise shows no benefits for women despite its popularity among f…

1
Episode 402: The Importance of Asserting Your Personal Style When You're Living with MS with Jeri Zink Denz 31:00

1M ago31:00

31:00

If you're living with MS, you might experience days when it feels like you're losing your sense of who you are, as your sense of self gets redefined by your symptoms. Reasserting your personal style can be a powerful way to rediscover joy in who you are while reclaiming your identity. Jeri Zink Denz lives with MS and works in the luxury fashion ind…

1
Episode 13 Season 7: The Science of Fluoride, Fancy Cats, and guest Dr. Katie Burnette 51:45

2M ago51:45

51:45

Send us a text On this show we explore the contentious debate around fluoride in municipal water, the science behind pedigree cat adoptions, and innovative approaches to teaching science to non-science majors. • Examination of the fluoride controversy using Calgary, Alberta as a case study • Discussion of how fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and p…

1
Episode 401: The Things That (Should) Happen at Your Appointment With Your Neurologist with Dr. Barbara Giesser 32:09

2M ago32:09

32:09

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 …

1
Episode 400: The President and CEO of the National MS Society Looks Back at the Past and Shares a Vision of the Future with Dr. Tim Coetzee 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

Welcome to the 400th episode of RealTalk MS! Over the past nearly eight years, it's been my absolute honor to bring you insights from leading experts, researchers, advocates, and, perhaps most importantly, from people living with MS themselves. And we have no intention of stopping here! We're excited to continue bringing you the information and con…

1
Episode 12 Season 7: Autism Rates, Dire Wolves, and Puppy Training 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Send us a text This week we look to deunk myths about rising autism rates and explain the genetic and environmental factors at play, while exploring the resurrection of dire wolves through genetic engineering and how puppy cognition predicts adult dog behavior. • CDC data shows autism diagnoses increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 in…

1
Episode 399: How Spirituality Can Make a Difference If You're Living with MS with Dr. Mana Ali Carter 32:14

2M ago32:14

32:14

Research shows that spirituality can benefit mental health and improve overall well-being. And it can play a meaningful role in helping people cope with life’s challenges, like living with MS. This week, Dr. Mana Ali Carter, a rehabilitation psychologist at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C., joins me to discuss the positiv…

1
Episode 11 Season 7: Alien Life, Sleep Deprivation, and Public Health with guest Sabina Vorah-Miller 1:01:12

2M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Send us a text In this episode we explore potential signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b and discuss how pets impact our sleep quality, while special guest Dr. Sabina Vorah-Miller provides expert insights on vaccine misinformation and avian flu safety. • Bunsen's recovery from a UTI and continued mobility improvements • Recent James Webb Space T…

1
Episode 398: How Breakthrough Discoveries in MS Research Will Impact MS Care with Dr. Amit Bar-Or 24:05

2M ago24:05

24:05

Last week, at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, Dr. Amit Bar-Or received the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research for his multiple achievements that have advanced our knowledge of neuroimmunology, precision medicine, and biomarkers in MS. We talked with Dr. Bar-Or about how some of the latest discoveries in MS research …

1
Episode 10 Season 7: Lightning Trees, Space Miso, and Fostering Cats 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

Send us a text On this week's episode we dive deep into nature's most shocking survival strategy exploring how the Alamendro tree has evolved to harness lightning strikes as a competitive advantage. We also examine the fascinating results of fermenting miso in space and discuss the challenges and rewards of cat fostering programs. • Lightning-resis…

1
Episode 397: Managing Grief and MS with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor 35:34

3M ago35:34

35:34

For many people, it can be difficult to talk about the feelings of loss that can accompany MS. For some, it's the loss of the way they imagined their life would turn out. For others, it's the more specific loss of function. Perhaps the loss of their mobility. Or a decline in their cognitive skills. It's painful to imagine any of these scenarios, le…

1
Episode 9 Season 7: Shingles, Dog Context, and The Immune System with Dr. Mohseni 1:07:08

3M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Send us a text On this week's show we dive into the hidden connections between shingles vaccines and decreased dementia risk, while exploring how humans often misinterpret their pets' emotions based on environmental context rather than actual animal behavior. Our guest, Dr. Yasmin Mohseni blows us away with the inner workings of the immune system. …

1
Episode 396: The Importance of Cancer Screenings for People Living with MS With Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

Managing MS means staying focused not only on your MS but also on your overall health. That includes getting routine health screenings to stay ahead of potential complications. Recent research has shown that, compared to healthy people, people with MS are more likely to develop some cancers. Clinician-scientist Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie joins me to discu…

1
Episode 8 Season 7: The Perfect 13-Degree Angle, One Foot Jumps, and Pet Power 28:23

3M ago28:23

28:23

Send us a text This week on The Science Pawdcast: • MIT researchers identified a 13-degree threshold in pedestrian movement patterns, below which people naturally form orderly lanes • Angular spread exceeding 13 degrees creates chaotic, inefficient pedestrian flow in public spaces • UC Berkeley engineers developed SALTO, a one-legged jumping robot …

1
Episode 395: Things You Need to Know When You're Managing MS While You're Managing Menopause with Dr. Riley Bove 34:28

3M ago34:28

34:28

When you look at a list of the typical symptoms associated with perimenopause, you'd think you were looking at a list of MS symptoms. And, for women living with MS, that's where the confusion begins. With an estimated 30% of the current MS population now in peri- or post-menopause, researchers are beginning to focus on how menopause and MS interact…

1
Episode 7 Season 7: Seal Oxygen, ER Dogs and The Heart of Anesthesia with Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen 1:00:15

3M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Send us a text From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen. • Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive duratio…

1
Episode 394: Probably The Most Important Conversation About MS Advocacy That We Will Ever Have with Steffany Stern 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

Next week, a couple of hundred MS activists will gather in Washington, D.C. for the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference. As we're seeing devastating cuts in funding for MS research, layoffs in every major governmental agency that impacts our healthcare, including the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, CDC, Health and Human Services,…

1
Episode 6 Season 7: E-taste, Moon Landing, and Snacky Labs 30:04

3M ago30:04

30:04

Send us a text The Science Podcast explores cutting-edge taste technology that lets you experience flavors in virtual reality through chemical delivery to your tongue, along with updates on private lunar missions and the genetic basis of Labrador retrievers' food obsession. • New "eTaste" technology delivers five basic taste chemicals directly to u…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Kristine Werner Ozug 18:36

3M ago18:36

18:36

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Kristine Werner Ozug lives with MS and, full disclosure, she's a member of the Real…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Emanuelle Waubant 9:26

3M ago9:26

9:26

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Emanuelle Waubant is a neurologist who specializes in treating patients with MS…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Mikael Simons 7:46

3M ago7:46

7:46

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Mikael Simons is a neurologist and researcher at Technical University Munich an…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Conversation with Dr. Daniel Reich 6:04

3M ago6:04

6:04

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Daniel Reich is a neurologist and neuroradiologist. He is the Director of the T…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Christina Azevedo 8:27

3M ago8:27

8:27

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Christina Azevedo is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of S…

1
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Peter Calabresi 6:22

3M ago6:22

6:22

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Peter Calabresi is the Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology and the Dire…

1
Episode 393: MS Awareness Week with Case Jernigan and Suni Conway 37:43

4M ago37:43

37:43

It's MS Awareness Week, and the National MS Society is asking everyone in the MS community to tell MS exactly what they think of it. We're kicking off MS Awareness Week by introducing you to two difference-makers in the MS community who have each found their own way of talking back to MS. Case Jernigan is an experimental animator, narrative gamemak…

1
An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Nara Michaelson 7:16

4M ago7:16

7:16

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Nara Michaelson is a Multiple Sclerosis Fellow at Harvard's Massachusetts Gener…

1
An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Darin Okuda 11:23

4M ago11:23

11:23

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Darin Okuda is the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Imagi…

1
Episode 5 Season 7: Advanced Hands, The Woolly Mouse, and Irish Chemistry with Dr. Kevin Morgan 55:48

4M ago55:48

55:48

Send us a text Through groundbreaking prosthetic hand technology and controversial genetic engineering, this episode explores where science meets the ethical boundaries of what we can versus what we should do. • Revolutionary prosthetic hand from Johns Hopkins University combines rigid 3D-printed structures with soft polymers to mimic human capabil…

1
Episode 392: From the 2025 ACTRIMS Forum with Dr. Lilyana Amezcua and Dr. John Corboy 23:22

4M ago23:22

23:22

Last week, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. I'm kicking off our coverage of this important conference by sharing two of the conversations I had a…

1
Episode 4 Season 7: Probiotics, Martian Soil, and a Dog Eats 44 Foreign Objects 26:45

4M ago26:45

26:45

Send us a text Energized by scientific discoveries about probiotics and ancient Mars, we share insights into pet health, including urgent safety tips for pet owners. Today brings stories of microbiology—with probiotic sugars—and pet news worth reflecting on. • Discussion on probiotics and sugar cravings • Key takeaways from the Mars studies reveali…

1
Pet Chat February 22: Adventures with Bernoulli and Friends 47:45

4M ago47:45

47:45

Send us a text This week, we dive into the delightful world of our pets, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and touching on important behavioral topics. Join us as we celebrate the joy pets bring into our lives, share training insights, and engage with our listeners' experiences. • Highlights from Bernoulli's day at Waggles • The joy of sharing treats …

1
Episode 391: Choosing the Right Mobility Device with Dr. Evan Cohen 32:26

4M ago32:26

32:26

MS can limit your ability to get around and do the things you like to do. And when that happens, the right mobility device can be a game-changer when it comes to staying safe, staying active, and improving your quality of life. This week, Dr. Evan Cohen joins me to discuss how to know when it's time to consider a mobility device, and how to choose …

1
Episode 3 Season 7: Wiggling Ears, Generous Parrots, and Ethical Museums 1:08:25

4M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Send us a text This episode merges the light-hearted exploration of ear wiggling with insightful discussions on human-animal interactions and ethical considerations within archaeology. We discover how our ear muscles connect to hearing and how animal encounters, like at zoos, drive donations. The conversation also addresses the importance of repatr…

1
Special Episode: A Consensus Paper on Smoldering MS with Dr. Antonio Scalfari 21:19

4M ago21:19

21:19

This special episode of RealTalk MS is sponsored by Sanofi. By now, you may have come across the term smoldering MS and wondered what it means. An international panel of MS experts has published a consensus statement on the definition, biology, and clinical implications of smoldering MS. Joining me is the lead author of that paper, Dr. Antonio Scal…

1
Pet Chat February 15th: Mistaken Identities and Love is in The Air 53:18

4M ago53:18

53:18

Send us a text This episode showcases the delightful chaos of pet ownership during winter, emphasizing stories about Bunsen, Beaker, Ginger, and Bernoulli. It highlights the joys and challenges pets bring to their lives, offers insights on pet care during harsh weather, and celebrates the strong sense of community among pet owners. Ginger's new fri…

1
Episode 390: Managing MS Pain with Dr. Bianca Weinstock-Guttman 30:49

4M ago30:49

30:49

More than half of the people living with MS live with pain. And, too often, the distraction and discomfort of MS-related pain can stop you from fully engaging in every aspect of your life. Dr. Bianca Weinstock-Guttman joins me to discuss treatment options for managing MS pain. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman is a neurologist and professor of neurology at the…

1
Season 7 Episode 2: Cosmic Concerns and Preventative Teaching Limits Animal Harm 16:21

4M ago16:21

16:21

Send us a text This episode highlights the urgency of planetary defense against a potentially threatening asteroid while also addressing the importance of educating children about responsible pet care and empathy towards animals. The discussion emphasizes two critical areas where science and compassion converge: the efforts to monitor and understan…

1
Episode 389: Overcoming the Stigma of MS with Denise Schnieders and Fox Rigney 34:17

4M ago34:17

34:17

Living your best life with MS means learning to overcome the stigma of having a disability, successfully navigating social relationships, and learning how to ask for and accept help. Joining me to share their perspectives and their experiences in overcoming some of these social obstacles are Denise Schnieders, who was diagnosed with MS just about a…

1
Pet Chat February 8th: Community, Compassion, and Canine Stories 1:03:24

4M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Send us a text Bunsen's recent battle with a herniated disc has brought our family a rollercoaster of emotions as we navigated medical diagnostics and treatment options. This episode is filled with heartfelt stories and advice from our community, emphasizing the importance of support in pet parenthood and the joy that pets bring into our lives. • B…