Dementia Untangled

A dementia diagnosis can feel like the ground shifting beneath your feet for the person receiving it, and for everyone who loves them. In this deeply compassionate and practical episode, we sit down with Barb Johnson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to help make sense of what comes next. Whether you're the one diagnosed, a family caregiver, or a concerned friend, Barb walks us through the emotional, practical, and relational landscape that follows a dementia diagnosis. From understanding what the diagnosis actually means to navigating difficult conversations with loved ones, Barb brings both professional expertise and genuine warmth to one of life's most challenging journeys. 

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults, and for those living with dementia, the risk is even greater. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Ron Porter, a seasoned occupational therapist, to unpack the complex relationship between cognitive decline and fall risk. Ron walks us through how dementia affects balance, spatial awareness, and decision-making — and why traditional fall prevention strategies don't always work for this population. From home environment modifications to caregiver communication tips, Ron shares practical, compassionate strategies that families and healthcare professionals can start using right away.

What does it feel like to notice your thinking has changed — but not quite know what that means for your future? In this deeply personal and profoundly moving episode, we sit down with Mike Zuendel, who opens up about his lived experience with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) — the space that exists between normal age-related memory changes and a diagnosis. Mike's story is one of honesty, resilience, and remarkable self-awareness. He takes us inside the day-to-day reality of living with MCI — the moments of frustration, the adjustments he's made, the relationships that have shifted, and the outlook that continues to carry him forward. This is not a clinical conversation. This is a human one. Too often, we hear from caregivers and clinicians, and while those perspectives are invaluable, there is something irreplaceable about hearing directly from the person living the experience.

When most people hear the word dementia, they think of memory loss. But the truth is, dementia reaches far beyond forgetting names or misplacing keys. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Dr. Anna Burke, Geriatric Psychiatrist and Director of the Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute, to explore the full landscape of how dementia affects the way we think, reason, communicate, and experience the world. Dr. Burke brings a rare combination of clinical depth and compassionate clarity to one of the most misunderstood aspects of dementia, and by the end of this conversation, you'll have a much richer understanding of what your loved one may be experiencing, and why. Because when we understand what our loved ones are going through, we can show up for them in a whole new way. 

We're thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeremy Pruzin, Cognitive Behavioral Neurologist, for a conversation that could genuinely change the way you think about your brain health and your future. In this episode, we dive deep into the landmark U.S. POINTER Study (U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk), one of the most significant dementia prevention trials conducted on American soil. Dr. Pruzin breaks down what the results actually mean, cuts through the noise, and helps us understand how this research translates from the lab into real, everyday life. Whether you're navigating a loved one's dementia diagnosis, worried about your own cognitive future, or simply want to be proactive about brain health, this episode is packed with insight and actionable takeaways you can start today.