2 Parkies in a Pod: a Parkinson's Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

A new study published today reveals a worrying trend: there are now 166,000 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s but a further 21,000 are estimated to be undiagnosed.. and unsupported.

The Parkinson's UK study, the largest of it's kind, also reveals more than a third (36%) were of working age when diagnosed.

Separately the number of people with a more complex form of Parkinsonism (e.g. Lewy Body Dementia, MSA, PSP) has increased to 28,000.

The study also finds stark differences in rates based on ethnicity.

Even more concerning, in some parts of the country people are waiting up to five years to see a neurologist. The charity has called it a “Parkinson’s diagnosis crisis.”

With someone in the UK diagnosed every 20 minutes, we ask: why are the numbers rising, what’s driving the crisis, and what needs to change?

Join us as we dig into the data, with 3 experts from Parkinson’s UK and explore what this means for the Parkinson’s community — now and for the future.

For more information:

Parkinson's UK News Article:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/thousands-are-living-parkinsons-undiagnosed-and-unsupported-our-new-research-finds

Read the Parkinson's UK Research Blog:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research-blog/our-research/parkinsons-uk-what-do-we-know

Parkinson's UK Statistics:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/parkinsons-statistics

Research Paper:

https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mdc3.70368

www.parkinsons.org.uk

UK Helpline 0808 800 0303

Join the Research Support Network:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research-blog/our-research/parkinsons-uk-research-support-network

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/race-equality-research

Join the Black, Asian, Arab and Mixed Heritage Support Group:

https://localsupport.parkinsons.org.uk/activity/black-asian-arab-and-mixed-heritage-support-group-meeting

Listen to Will I Die from Parkinson's:

https://www.2parkiesinapod.com/podcast/episode/1e8a6b26/will-i-die-from-parkinsons

https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/

In this episode, we’re joined by specialist Parkinson’s nurse Becky Heslop, who recently starred in a film highlighting the vital role nurses play in supporting people living with Parkinson’s.

Becky talks us through what a Parkinson’s nurse actually does, from being a key part of your care package, to offering advice, reassurance, and hands-on treatments. We hear about some of the more practical – and sometimes challenging – aspects of her work, including giving Botox injections and helping people manage the Produodopa pump.

Please consider donating to the Nurse appeal at:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate/donate-great-care

In this episode we head to Scotland and the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh. We chat with Professor Tilo Kunath one of the world’s leading experts in stem cell research. The hope is that one day, implanted cells can reverse Parkinson’s. Just how close are we to that elusive cure? What’s happened to the people who’ve been given stem cells? How freezing cockroaches in his mum’s fridge kicked off his scientific career…

Getting Involved in Research

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/get-involved-research

Deep Brain Stimulation

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/deep-brain-stimulation

Dave’s new shoes 

https://www.nike.com/gb/easyon

Amazing Things

Ozzie Osbourne / Black Sabbath mega gig

Ukulele playing Peter

Aloha to Island living Lisa on Insta

In this episode, Dave and Kuhan explore the differences between men and women when it comes to Parkinson’s.

We hear from Clare Bale (associate director of research at Parkinson’s UK), Dr Clare Lehman (a General Practitioner who was diagnosed aged 37) and Jo Tosh (a retired nurse and star of the award winning DBS and Me series).

Together we discuss the unique challenges that women face with Parkinson's including getting diagnosed, the impact of hormonal changes and medication-related dyskinesia.

We also have a special announcement about our new partnership with Parkinson's UK.

People do amazing things:

The Parkinson’s raver

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3j988jkwno

Judo for  Parkinson's

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czepkeexw4xo

Walk for Parkinson's 2025 is now open for sign ups!

https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/event/walk-parkinsons/home

A letter to my newly diagnosed Parkinson’s self

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/your-magazine/stories/letter-my-newly-diagnosed-parkinsons-self

www.2parkiesinapod.com

We’ve reached a milestone on the podcast, our 40th episode, so we thought we’d celebrate with you the listeners.  We dip into the mail bag and share some of your Parkinson’s stories.  

Plus Dave walks into a tree, Kuhan reveals who inspired him to stay out until one in the morning dancing and drinking tequila and hear about a real life STAR of the community -  a young woman who travelled half way around the world to share her experiences of the condition.

Brisk walking tunes 120 Beats Per minute

Propranolol for Parkinson's

Dave Clark Independent article

AMAZING THINGS

Springsteen raises $ for Parkinson’s

Why 2 parkies in a pod loves Leah Forster

The press upping pig farmer with Parkinson’s

The pitch perfect Parkie (Parkinson's UK)

We take a trip to Parkinson’s UK’s new office, learn about their recent brand refresh and talk to the boss Caroline Rassell. She gives us the low down on all things Parkinson’s UK, shares her plans for the year ahead and reveals how Parkinson’s has got more personal for her recently. 

Parkinson UK helpline on 0808 800 0303

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved

https://techguide.parkinsons.org.uk/

People With Do Amazing Things

Michael J Fox award

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c2dx6gd0k66o

Kayaking scientist  Guillaume Brachet …

https://parkinsonseurope.org/2024/12/13/person-with-parkinsons-is-developing-new-drug-

 The Parky Blinders - Boxercise classes  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9gy4vqvrvo

In this festive episode we talk to illustrator, mime artist and educator Barbara Salsberg Mathews @SalsbergMathews She’s the perfect person to put you in a great mood for 2025. Barbara has created and illustrated an amazing book about  What Parkinson’s Feels Like' with contributions from the Parkinson’s community around the globe.

What Parkinson's Feels Like (free ebook)

What Parkinson's Feels Like (Amazon)

Parkinson's Europe

Parkinson's Canada

PD Avengers

Mime Over Mind

Paradoxical Kinesia

⁠If art were a drug ⁠

Walk to reduce anxiety

Doing Amazing things ..

The story of one man and his dog

Michael J. Fox CNN Heroes Legacy Award

Larry Gifford honored with King Charles III Coronation Medal — PD Avengers

Meet the amazing Joy Milne who has the nose to diagnose Parkinson’s.

She first noticed the smell of Parkinson's on her husband Les. Years later a chance encounter made her realise that she could smell Parkinson’s on other people too.

Find out how her superpowers have changed the face of diagnosis, how scientists are using this amazing discovery and what Parkinson’s smells like.

Plus joy tells us  the famous t shirt story about how the nose really did diagnose…

The Woman who can smell Parkinson’s BBC Documentary

Audrey’s 2025 Calendar: Dawn Diaries from Orford Quay

Ellie PD Mama Youtube

John Stapleton Good Morning Britain

www,2parkiesinapod.com

In this special live video episode Dave and Kuhan chat to one of the world’s leading Parkinson’s experts, Bas Bloem, about living well with the condition. 

We talk about everything from exercise to cannabis, dystonia to diet and how some people get “chemical creative”  when using Parkinson’s medication. Plus the audience tell us what activities make them feel like they don’t have Parkinson’s.

This podcast was recorded live in front of a large audience at Parkinson UK’s Parcon conference at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

We hope you enjoy!

For the second year running Dave and Kuhan join a Walk for Parkinson's at London's Battersea Park, hosted by Parkinson's UK.

Along the way they hear from Geoff, Ruth, Matt and his lovely family about diagnosis, the importance of exercise and tips for living well with Parkinson's. They also bump into volunteer steward Tara who tells them about her promising work in gene therapy.

Dave has his annual neurologist appointment, tells us about his new Parkinson's pants (!) and rummaging around TK Maxx.

Kuhan shares his secret for managing dystonia pain, explains his chemical rollercoaster and comes up with a new jingle for the podcast!

Show links

www.2parkiesinapod.com

hello@2parkiesinapod.com

@DaveClarkTV

@morethanatremor (Kuhan)

Walk for Parkinson’s (UK)

Cure Parkinson’s October Walking Challenge

BBC Miracle Cure Documentary

Chefs Pants

Beech band

Spotlight

Bradford Neuro Rehab

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