Tourette's Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Simon, a 31-year-old from the Toronto area, to talk about his personal journey living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD. Simon shares what it was like growing up without knowing anyone else with Tourette's, navigating early symptoms that were often dismissed, and the persistence it took for his family to finally get a diagnosis. He opens up about the overlap between Tourette Syndrome and co-occurring conditions like anxiety and OCD—and how those connections have shown up in his own life. We also dive into the impact of COVID-19, exploring how isolation, stress, and life changes affected both tics and mental health. Simon offers a unique perspective on how some aspects of the pandemic brought comfort and connection, while others intensified challenges. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Simon's approach to managing OCD—personifying it as "Bob"—and learning how to separate intrusive thoughts from his sense of self. It's an insightful and relatable strategy that many listeners may find helpful. Now stepping into advocacy, Simon is using his experiences to educate others through public speaking, sharing his story in schools and community spaces to break down misconceptions and increase understanding of Tourette Syndrome.

After a small(ish) break, we're back with the first episode of Season 10! And what better guests than Amanda and Ellie! They graciously came on the podcast to discuss how Amanda and Ellie navigate school with Tourette Syndrome, how the school has supported them, and what has been included in their 504/IEP plans to help Ellie access the necessary resources to succeed in school. This episode is helpful for those with questions on how to navigate school, teachers, and advocating for yourself! If you would like to be a guest on Tourette's Podcast, reach out to us on Instragram or through email at Tourettespodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Jhonelle and Britney speak to Shadayne, an incredible woman from Jamaica who shares her story of diagnosis, daily life, and the ups and downs of living with Tourette Syndrome. Shadayne brings a light to being diagnosed as an adult, what it's like to live with Coprolalia as a person who is not comfortable with swearing and learning how to live inside of a body that she can no longer control. This is a great episode and one that is sure to teach so many people so much! Tune in and remember to subscribe to never miss an episode! And if you want to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at Tourettespodcast@gmail.com    For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community. 

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Max and Jasmine and talking about what it's like for them to be in a relationship where both people have Tourette Syndrome and other co-occurring conditions. We discuss what it's like for them in their relationship, what kind of accommodations do they set up for each other, how they help each other and so much more! It was another great conversation that we are sure everyone is going to love!    For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community. And as a reminder, be sure to check out their replay of the webinar on March 18th, 2025 at 7:00pm: Navigating, Dating, and Disclosure for Adults. 

This week, Jhonelle and Britney sit down with Anthony to talk about his upcoming bike ride across the United States for Tourette Syndrome Awareness. Anthony will be biking across the United States to raise awareness for Tourette Syndrome and funds for the Tourette Association of America. Anthony starts his journey in San Diego on March 2nd, 2025, concluding in St. Augustine, Florida on April 14th. If you would like to follow along on his journey, be sure to follow him on Instagram at anthony_cycles4ts and if you'd like to donate, you can do so by going to: https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/anthonycycles   To be a guest on Tourette's Podcast, reach out to us by email at tourettespodcast@gmail.com For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

In this episode, Jhonelle sits down and speaks with our guest, Jaylen Arnold. Arnold is the founder of Jaylen's Challenge, a non-profit that spreads awareness on anti-bullying. Jhonelle and Jaylen speak about their years of friendship, Jaylen's story of how he started Jaylen's Challenge when he was getting bullied for having Tourette Syndrome, the impact his organization has made across schools, tips for dealing with bullying in school, and much more! For more information on his organization, you can visit jaylenschallenge.org For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

This week, Britney and Jhonelle sit down and speak with our guest, Kel Hannum. In this episode, we talk about his experience serving in the U.S. Airforce for 23 years as a civil engineer officer, others' responses to learning he had TS while serving, his experience with PTSD, parallels between tic disorders and PTSD, being diagnosed later in life, and much more!  For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

This week, Britney and Jhonelle have a special guest: Colleen! In this episode, we talk about OCD, how it's stigmatized just like Tourette Syndrome is, and the real debilitating toll it can take on a person.  If you want to learn more, head over to the Tourette Association's YouTube channel to watch "Living With Tourette Syndrome & OCD: A Community Perspective."  For further information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

In this episode, Jhonelle and Britney take a lighthearted approach and talks about weird and humorous things their tics have made them do. They also talk about the importance of being able to laugh them off from time to time and how laughing with a person who tics instead of at them are two different and important distinctions. For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

In this episode, Britney and Jhonelle share their stories on how they began advocating about Tourette Syndrome, the ups and downs that come with advocacy, the Tourette Association's National Conference in June, and advice and tips for what to be prepared for if you're interested in advocating. For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

In this episode, Britney Wolf and Jhonelle Bean talk about how tics affect them, some features of tic disorders, like echopraxia, tics versus stimming, imposer syndrome, and much more. For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

It's a whole new season of Tourette's Podcast! Ben is back at the interview mic with two very special guests who bring us a path-altering twist. On this episode, we pass the torch to your amazing new hosts from the Tourette advocacy world: Britney Wolf and Jhonelle Bean. After a bit of hello and reintroduction, Ben, Britney and Jhonelle get to the classic Touretter conversation that this podcast has been about from the start. Enjoy, relate, share, and please show your love for Britney and Jhonelle as they take over and expand perspective on the Tourette community's favorite podcast. This is an awesome development. For more information and resources regarding Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, visit the Tourette Association of America at tourette.org. Fight stigma, raise awareness, expand community.

Talking with professional writer Tara Lerman about a great many things, including the vitality we can find in highlighting Tourette stories and ongoing issues the community faces. Plus: a heap of answers to the question about good/constructive activities for a young person with Tourette.    https://www.taralerman.com/  Tara Lerman, 'Why We Need to Change the Conversation Around Tourette Syndrome' Tourette Association of America FY22 Annual Report

On this episode, a thoroughly good-vibe conversation with Raven, aka @poecrastinator on the socials. The conversation covers stigma, ticcing openly without disclosure, developing coprolalia and much more. Plus: A parent wants some ideas for activities his son can take up that might help him live with Tourette.  https://www.youtube.com/@poecrastinator  https://www.instagram.com/poecrastinator/ TAA resouce directory

A very special episode today with guest Bianca Saez and guest host Kass @ticsntatts, two adult women with Tourette sharing raw experiences. Both from Australia, the voices you hear today are well-known in the community -- Kass for her many angles on neurodiversity awareness on social media, and Bianca for her popular YouTube channel and appearances on television highlighting the dynamicism of her Tourette. Guided by Kass, Bianca shares powerful stories and perspective on what it means to have Tourette. Content warning: Brief but significant mentions of suicide and rape; some uncensored, casual language (Tourette's Podcast never censors coprolalia).  Bianca Saez on YouTube World's most severe Tourette's case doesn't want a cure | 60 Minutes Australia Kass @ticsntatts on Instagram Kass on TikTok https://tourette.org/resource/understanding-coprolalia/ https://tourette.org/

Stephen DiJoseph of Pennsylvania is a lifelong musician whose work connects art and Tourette Syndrome and came to the podcast's attention by way of a short film he made expressing just that -- in a really effective way. It's an art film, but comes off relatable to people with Tourettic brains, and this episode -- exploring Tourette, OCD and so on through music and expression -- flows in that spirit. DiJoseph has a concert coming right up that people can stream online Nov. 11. See below. Watch - A SynapTic Adventure: Tourettes and Beyond Stephen DiJoseph concert on NOV 11 @ 8pm EST at The Royal Glenside PA - Ticket link: https://www.facebook.com/events/663317678837203/?sfnsn=mo   https://www.stephendijoseph.com/  www.facebook.com/dijosephmusicandfilm  www.instagram.com/stephendijoseph

We welcome back to the podcast Amanda Talty, president and CEO of the Tourette Association of America. We talk about what TAA has been up to, the upcoming TAA gala (Nov. 10 in NYC), science and research, and more. Don't miss this one! Plus: A question from a parent about a situation at school.  Tourette Gala, Nov. 10 in NYC TAA's YouTube  Update on wearable devices for Tourette Amanda's bio

Dan was diagnosed in the 90s, when he was in first grade, forcing him to navigate Tourette when there wasn't much easy access to community. How could he explain it? Did he need to? Could he just get by with masking? Familiar questions-to-self for many with tic disorders like Tourette. Plus: A dad explains Tourette to his 5-year-old.    Tourette Gala, Nov. 10 in NYC

Our guest is Erick, a trans man and lifelong Touretter who, in navigating outsider judgments, became his own boss, found success with it, and realized that you "can't waste your energy anymore worrying about the people who try and deny who you are or what you have," as he put it. The discussion covers self-acceptance, co-occuring conditions like OCD, working in one's own, best way, and the difference between group advocacy success and exhausting, individual battles.  Tourette Gala, Nov. 10 in NYC

We talk with the eloquent Tom White, who works in the space of startups, in a great conversation covering pursuit of intellectual curiosities and how to keep momentum through often serious challenges. Plus, listener questions: 1) How do Touretters get used to ticcing in public?; and 2) When is Billie Eilish going to be on the show?  Tourette Gala, Nov. 10 in NYC https://www.tomwhitenoise.com/