In the world of Parkinson's, Bas Bloem is something of a rockstar. The Dutch neurological giant (in more ways than one) joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub for this special interview, where he talks about his personal journey into PD research, his suspicions on the causes of the illness, and his pathological optimism for the future of the condition.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Paul titled his episode "Help! (me please, I beg you, because I've been a bloody pillock)" we knew he'd bring his typical humour and candour to the trickiest of subjects. This week, the Movers & Shakers (minus Rory and Jeremy) are talking about care, and the assistance that can be offered both by loved ones and the state. If you haven't thought about how to arrange and finance care – whether that's domiciliary or residential – then this episode will guide you through the opportunities and pitfalls (and offers The Judge a chance to pick through the benefits system once again).

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assisted dying is currently on the agenda in the UK, as a private member's bill enters Parliament. But with legislation comes a moral debate: should the state be involved in easing the passing of the sick? And, if so, what should the conditions be? What guardrails can be put in place to ensure that what ought to be about mercy doesn't become the subject of abuse? To discuss this difficult topic and the impact that the contemporary political push could have on the Parky community, the Movers & Shakers are joined in the pub by Lord Falconer, whose bill in the House of Lords has set out many of the expected parameters of this new attempt to change the law.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's new Labour government have been in power, now, for 100 days. After big promises to raise pay, slash the backlog and reduce waiting times, have Labour, and new Health Secretary Wes Streeting, made any in-roads? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Gaynor Edwards and Professor Michele Hu (Paul's neurologist), as well as, down-the-line, by new social care minister Stephen Kinnock MP, and Parkinson's UK CEO Caroline Rassell.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were it not for the eventual verdict of the Court of Appeal, Holmes vs Poeton may well have been a landmark case for Parkies. Or so claims the (ex) Judge, Nicholas Mostyn, who serves as the guide in today's episode, where the Movers & Shakers look into some thorny questions: what causes Parkinson's? And who, if anyone, is to blame? Our guide is Professor Yoav Ben-Shlomo from the University of Bristol, who dissects the evidence – from controversial twin studies to a contaminated Marine encampment – and delivers his verdict on the balance of probability.

This episode was generously sponsored by Purdy & Figg. For 50% off your first starter kit, as well as a free bottle for life and cloth, click here.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Targeted ultrasound might sound like something a Bond villain would use to incinerate a Swiss canton, but, in reality, it could be the next big, breakthrough Parkinson's treatment. On today's episode, the Movers & Shakers gather in the Notting Hill pub to discuss this new therapy and are joined in that undertaking by returning guest Professor Ludwic Zrinzo, an expert in both this technique as well as its main rival, Deep Brain Stimulation (so expert that he had the honour of performing Gillian's procedure). Is this a less invasive alternative to DBS? Or are we some way away from this being offered on the NHS?

This episode was generously sponsored by Purdy & Figg. For 50% off your first starter kit, as well as a free bottle for life and cloth, click here.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If music be the food of love (or, given we're in the pub, "the love of food"), play on. On this week's Movers and Shakers, the gang have gathered to discuss music, and the many ways it can impact the Parky community. From vocal warm-ups and singing helping to bring back Mark's booming voice, through to dance and gesture exercise keeping you fit and lyric translations keeping you brainy, music can have a huge impact. The team are joined in the pub by opera singer Bibi Heal (who gives a very special performance) along with the team from Neuro Heroes.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every hero needs a sidekick: Batman and Robin, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Ronald McDonald and Grimace. And, in Parkinson's world, if Levodopa is the crime-fighting vigilante, then enzyme blockers (or inhibitors) are keeping the seats warm in the Batmobile. To discuss the vital role that this group of drugs play, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Professor Peter Jenner, a pharmacological expert, and Lynn Guldin, a new PhD student looking into Parkinson's treatments.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.