RealTalk MS

RealTalk MS is celebrating our ninth anniversary, and we're marking the milestone with a special guest! Dr. Tim Coetzee, President and CEO of the National MS Society, returns to the show for a candid, forward-looking conversation about why today represents one of the most promising moments for advancing MS research and transforming clinical care.



We're taking a hard look at the game-changers on the horizon: what it will take to shorten the diagnostic journey from years down to mere hours, why it's time to retire outdated disease labels in favor of true precision medicine, and the surprising science behind testing GLP-1s for neuroprotection.
From unlocking massive clinical data sets to fighting for research dollars on Capitol Hill, Tim pulls back the curtain on the Society's strategic plan to end MS once and for all. Pop in your earbuds and join us in celebrating nine years of community and conversation!
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  Dr. Tim Coetzee briefs us on the National MS Society's strategic priorities and shares his vision of the future of MS care  :18
Download the new RealTalk MS app for your iOS and Android smartphone and tablet  1:56
We gave the RealTalk MS website a glow-up!   2:37
Check your congressional representative's grade in the Congressional Healthcare Access Report Card  3:07
Dr. Tim Coetzee discusses the MS Society's strategic priorities and shares his vision of the future of MS care  3:46
Share this episode  37:04
Next week  37:24

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/473
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day 2026
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu

DOWNLOAD: The New RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 473
Guest: Dr. Tim Coetzee
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We are less than 40 days away from MSToronto2026—the joint ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS Scientific Congress. While the congress brings together the world's leading MS researchers and clinicians, Patient Community Day —in person and online—is designed specifically for people affected by multiple sclerosis. This week, Dr. Jennifer Graves and Brett Drummond join me to preview what to expect from Patient Community Day 2026.





With less than 50 days until the midterm elections in the United States, the National MS Society is hosting a webinar you can't afford to miss, titled MS Advocacy in Action: What the 2026 Elections Could Mean for Healthcare Policy and Access to Care. We'll tell you how to register (And we'll remind you why you should!).
A 22-country survey of over 17,000 people with MS revealed that the invisible symptoms of MS remain critically unaddressed. We're sharing the details of this landmark survey.
We're sharing early trial results of a precision red blood cell therapy designed to halt myelin attacks without shutting down the immune system.
We'll tell you about the German research team that's repurposing a common, low-cost medication into a skin patch designed to jumpstart natural remyelination.
And we'll share a study showing how simple, short voice recordings can predict long-term cognitive changes and brain volume loss in people living with MS.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  A preview of Patient Community Day 2026  :22
The National MS Society is hosting a webinar you shouldn't miss   1:32
Results of a landmark survey reveal critical unmet needs among people living with MS   5:27
A new approach to preventing MS inflammatory attacks while keeping the rest of the immune system intact   8:27
Could a skin patch successfully promote myelin repair?  11:42
Can analyzing regular speech predict future brain atrophy in people with MS?  14:34
Dr. Jennifer Graves and Brett Drummond give us a preview of Patient Community Day 2026  18:53
Share this episode  33:01
Next week  33:20

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/472
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day 2026
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu

WEBINAR: Advocacy In Action: What the 2026 Elections Could Mean for Healthcare Policy and Access to Care
https://nmss.quorum.us/event/37051
STUDY: Impact of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Survey: Patient-Reported Data on the Prevalence, Burden, and Management of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms in Europe
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13524585261480514
STUDY: Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis with Peptide-Coupled Red Blood Cells Induces Antigen-Specific T Regulatory Cells
https://pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2614908123
STUDY: Automated Speech Analysis Reveals Progressive Linguistic Changes Associated With Subsequent Gray Matter Loss in Multiple Sclerosis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585261477213
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 472
Guest: Brett Drummond and Dr. Jennifer Graves
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Relapses make life with MS unpredictable. Understanding what they are, why they happen, and how best to manage them can make a relapse less scary and easier to navigate.
 

This week, Dr. Gabriela Karolidis, a board-certified neurologist and neuroimmunologist at Thomas Jefferson University, joins us for a deep dive into MS relapses.





The MS International Federation has just updated the Atlas of MS, showing more than 3 million people living with MS worldwide. We're sharing the details behind the new numbers.
We'll also share a study showing how wearable activity trackers add a dimension of real-world data that provides a more complete picture of an individual's mobility throughout the day.
We'll tell you about research on Vitamin D supplements that fails to determine whether they are beneficial for people living with MS.
We're sharing study results showing that social and socioeconomic factors clearly affect cognitive function among people living with MS. 
We're also sharing results from a nationwide study in Denmark that focused on whether high-efficacy DMTs affect progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).
And we'll tell you about a fall prevention study that you may be eligible to participate in (compensation provided!).
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Navigating a relapse  :22
Global MS prevalence surpasses 3 million   :57
A study shows that wearable activity trackers help create a more complete picture of an individual's mobility   6:38
Researchers attempt to determine whether Vitamin D supplements help people living with MS   10:14
A study provides evidence that social and socioeconomic factors impact cognitive function in people living with MS  13:58
A nationwide study in Denmark focuses on whether high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies have an impact on progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA)  17:20
You may be eligible to participate in a fall prevention study (compensation is provided)  21:11
Dr. F. Gabriela Karolidis takes us on a deep dive into MS relapses  22:58
Share this episode  37:52
Next week  38:12

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/471
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
STUDY: Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Surpasses 3 Million: 2024 Update of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation Atlas of MS
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13524585261479954

RESOURCE: Multiple Sclerosis International Federation Atlas of MS
https://msif.org/atlas
STUDY: Diurnal Step Count Patterns in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13524585261475910
STUDY: Vitamin D Supplementation and Its Effect on Relapse Frequency and MRI Activity in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.71692
STUDY: Social and Socioeconomic Factors and Cognitive Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221103482600475X
STUDY: Effectiveness of Escalation Versus Early High-Efficacy Therapies on Progression Independent of Relapse Activity In Multiple Sclerosis: A Danish Nationwide Study
https://neurologyopen.bmj.com/content/8/2/e001690
PARTICIPATE: University of Illinois Disability, Participation, and Quality of Life Research Laboratory Fall Prevention Study
Email: DPQoL-FallPrev@illinois.edu
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 471
Guest: Dr. Gabriela Karolidis
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Wise men and women remind us that life is a marathon, and not a sprint. Joining us this week is Benji Wilkins. Benji is a magician in the U.K., and for 42 days this summer, his life was quite literally a marathon. In the process, Benji raised money to help his mom, who lives with MS, and he raised awareness of MS across the U.K. and around the world.  


We're also sharing results of a study that focused on gait training using a powered exoskeleton for people living with MS.
We'll tell you how you can participate in the MOMENT-MS study and help researchers develop a smartphone app that takes a novel approach to managing MS-related pain.
And we're reminding you to register for ECTRIMS Patient Community Day. It's your opportunity to participate in the largest MS research conference in the world!
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Running a marathon a day (when you're not a runner) for MS  :22
Cleveland Clinic researchers look at gait training using a powered exoskeleton for people with MS  1:02
University of Washington researchers are developing an app to manage MS pain using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. And you can help them!   6:53
Sign up to participate in the largest MS research conference in the world   5:27
Benji Wilkins describes what it's like to run 42 marathons in 42 days on behalf of his mom, who lives with MS  6:53 
Share this episode  29:01
Next week  29:20

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/470
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
STUDY: Feasibility and Outcomes of Gait Training With a Powered Exoskeleton in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40465831

SUPPORT: Marathons For Mum
Web: https://marathonsformum.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/benjitwilkins
PARTICIPATE: MOMENT-MS Study
Web:   https://uwmsrehabwell.org/moment-ms
Email: momentms@uw.edu
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6TA5-9dy7s
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 470
Guest: Benji Wilkins
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Cognitive changes in MS—fluctuations in processing speed, memory, and executive function—can significantly impact daily life, yet they're often misunderstood or overlooked in routine clinical exams. This week, we are joined by Dr. Anna Kratz, clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, to discuss actionable, evidence-based ways to navigate cognitive challenges. 


Dr. Kratz breaks down the latest findings from the CogDetect-MS study, exploring how daily symptom fluctuations, complex medication regimens, and common substances like caffeine and cannabis influence brain fog. She also shares practical compensatory workarounds and introduces a no-cost digital self-management resource, My MSToolKit.
We'll also explain the new framework for describing MS that's been proposed by the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis.
We're sharing study results that reveal why detecting even a single silent lesion on an MRI should trigger an immediate conversation about stepping up to high-efficacy therapy.
And we'll tell you about 2 advanced MRI markers that can predict future cognitive decline — even in the absence of any relapses or new lesions on MRI.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Maintaining and improving cognitive function  :22
The International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis calls for updating the way MS is described   1:12
A study provides evidence for switching your DMT when there's even a single silent lesion on your MRI   6:53
Scientists identify two MRI markers that can predict future cognitive decline in early relapsing-remitting MS   10:53
Dr. Anna Kratz discusses maintaining and improving cognitive function  15:33 
Share this episode  42:13
Next week  42:33

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/469
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
PAPER: Towards a Biologically Informed Description of Multiple Sclerosis Disease Course -- A Roadmap for Transition
https://rdcu.be/fxBw1

STUDY: Treatment Escalation After Clinically Silent MRI Lesions in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awag252/8741305
STUDY: Paramagnetic Rim Lesions and Choroid Plexus Volume at Diagnosis Are Associated With Cognitive Progression Independent of Relapse and MRI Activity in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acn3.70448
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 469
Guest: Dr. Anna Kratz
Privacy Policy