Send us Fan Mail

“If you’ve seen one traumatic brain injury, you have seen one traumatic brain injury.” Clinical researcher, author, and retired Navy Special Operations veteran Dr. Joe Dituri joins host Bruce Parkman to talk about recovering from his own traumatic brain injury (TBI) and why brain injury care has to be individualized.

In 2021, Dituri was hit by a car and suffered a hemorrhagic brain injury. He was told he needed “a tincture of time.” Instead, he built his own multi-pronged recovery plan using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, cold-water immersion, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. He paired those with simple daily basics: hydration, exercise, sleep, sunlight, and time in nature.

Bruce and Dr. Dituri discuss why every TBI is different depending on the injury mechanism and the brain region affected, and why one-size-fits-all treatment falls short. Dituri explains how hyperbaric oxygen works and describes the 420-participant hyperbaric clinical trial he started at the University of South Florida. He also shares his principle for judging any recovery approach: “Keep it simple and scientific.”

The conversation also covers what caregivers and families need to know about TBI-related behavior changes, why patience and empathy matter, and Dituri’s cautions about alcohol and sleep medication during recovery.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

In this episode:

• Why every traumatic brain injury presents differently
• A do-no-harm approach to TBI recovery
• Exercise, hydration, sleep, sunlight, and nature as brain-health basics
• How hyperbaric oxygen therapy works, and the 420-person USF trial
• Combining neurofeedback, cold-water immersion, PT, and CBT
• How to become an informed consumer when weighing treatment options
• Supporting loved ones whose behavior changes after a brain injury

Free book for the military community: Dr. Dituri offers his book free to service members, veterans, reservists, National Guard, and Coast Guard personnel. Email info@ibum.org.

Dr. Dituri shares his personal experience and research. This episode is not medical advice. Discuss TBI treatment options and risks with a qualified clinician.

Chapters
00:00 Why repetitive brain trauma needs wider awareness
05:14 Why every TBI presents differently
07:31 How different injury mechanisms complicate treatment
09:36 A do-no-harm mindset and basic interventions
12:11 Exercise, blood flow, hydration, and sunlight
14:46 Nature, grounding, and simple daily practices
17:44 Dituri explains hyperbaric oxygen’s mechanisms
20:27 Personalized treatment and limits of clinical evidence
23:10 The 420-participant hyperbaric trial
26:17 Combining approaches and finding a path forward
28:10 The experience that led Dituri to write his book
31:22 Building a multi-part recovery routine
34:11 Sleep, hydration, and nervous-system regulation
37:16 Why the book emphasizes science and access
40:03 Preparing to evaluate treatment options
41:25 Dituri’s cautions about alcohol and sleep medication
44:00 Hope, treatment systems, and recovery
47:06 Helping caregivers understand TBI-related behavior
50:03 A story about empathy for a patient and his mother
52:18 Where to find Dituri and get the book

Resources

• Dr. Joe Dituri: www.drdeepsey.com
• Free book for military and veterans: info@ibum.org
• The Body Keeps the Score

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of Broken Brains, host Bruce Parkman shares his personal experience with psychedelic therapy, from ketamine and ayahuasca to psilocybin and ibogaine, and how each played a part in his efforts to process grief, trauma, and anger.

Bruce opens up about turning to ketamine during a period of anxiety, panic, and intense personal stress, and how that experience led him to recognize the trauma beneath his anger and coping habits. He recounts joining combat veterans for ayahuasca ceremonies, where he confronted buried childhood pain and began the work of forgiveness. He also describes a solo psilocybin journey centered on his late son, Mac, and his mission to support injured athletes, and a guided ibogaine experience in Mexico that shifted his priorities and renewed his love for his wife.

Throughout the episode, Bruce reflects on ego death, faith, humility, and the power of love in healing. He makes the case for safe, medically supervised adult access to psychedelic treatment and more research, while stressing that treatment standards still need work, that psychedelics are “a path, not the path” to brain health, and that children should never use them.

In this episode:

• Ketamine therapy for anxiety, grief, and ego death
• Ayahuasca ceremonies with combat veterans
• Psilocybin and processing grief after losing a child
• Ibogaine treatment in Mexico and what changed afterward
• Forgiveness, faith, and the ego versus the true self
• The case for safe, supervised adult access to psychedelic therapy

This episode is Bruce Parkman’s personal account. It is not medical advice or a recommendation to use psychedelics. Talk with a qualified medical professional before considering any treatment.

Chapters
00:00 Why Bruce is sharing his personal psychedelic experiences
02:19 Ketamine enters the picture during a period of crisis
04:07 How Bruce describes ketamine’s effects and ego death
07:23 Recognizing the trauma beneath anger and coping habits
10:02 Joining combat veterans for an ayahuasca experience
13:13 Confronting buried childhood pain and painful memories
16:23 Group connection, processing, and the work of forgiveness
19:12 Mentoring veterans and witnessing their efforts to rebuild
22:14 A psilocybin journey centered on his son and injured athletes
24:44 Traveling to Mexico for ibogaine despite his doubts
27:01 A guided ibogaine experience and a shift in priorities
30:21 Returning home with renewed love for his wife
32:19 Making the case for safe adult access, not a single answer
34:52 Remembering Mac and closing thoughts on brain health

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

What happens after a service member survives a catastrophic combat brain injury? Retired Navy Captain Michael Hartford joins host Bruce Parkman to discuss traumatic brain injury (TBI), blast exposure, and repetitive brain injury in veterans, and why survival is only the beginning for wounded warriors and the family caregivers who support them for life.

Hartford went from a VA medical clerk to a VA CEO in about 15 years, and later served in Navy and brain-health leadership. He explains how battlefield protection and rapid medical evacuation have kept more post-9/11 service members alive while leaving more of them with severe brain injuries and multiple limb loss. He also shares the story of a severely wounded service member who spent years in a coma before coming home, and what that recovery demanded of his family.

Bruce and Michael break down the individualized, interdisciplinary care model used at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and the Avalon Action Alliance network, where every patient’s treatment plan is customized and adjusted as they progress. Hartford also discusses why evidence-informed treatments often remain costly and out of reach for veterans, and why the system must shift from a mental-health model to a brain-health model of care.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters

00:00 Why repetitive brain trauma deserves broader attention
02:39 Hartford’s path from military service to VA leadership
06:11 At the bedside with catastrophically wounded service members
08:02 Building a network of veteran brain-injury care
12:26 Survival, lifelong support, and caregiver strain
18:19 How battlefield advances changed injury and survival
21:34 Blast exposure, moral injury, and missed diagnoses
25:31 The Marcus Institute’s individualized interdisciplinary model
29:06 Clinical studies and access to emerging modalities
32:28 Why Hartford argues for a brain-health model
37:29 Evidence, reimbursement, and reforming the care system
42:17 Building advocacy and state-level momentum
47:32 Invisible brain injuries and Purple Heart recognition
50:28 Hartford’s priorities for changing the status quo
53:08 Bruce’s closing message and foundation updates

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

Why do we continue to overlook repetitive brain trauma in youth sports, even as awareness of concussions and long-term neurological health continues to grow?

In Episode 113 of the Broken Brains Podcast, host Bruce Parkman sits down with Dr. Nicole F. Roberts, a public health expert, neuroscientist, researcher, and CEO of the Lee Steinberg Foundation for Brain Health, to discuss the challenges of preventing repetitive brain injuries and the urgent need to improve brain health education for children, athletes, and families.

Dr. Roberts explains why traumatic brain injury (TBI), repetitive head impacts, and sports-related concussions remain difficult public health challenges. From the invisible nature of brain injuries to the cultural importance of contact sports, she explores how misinformation, denial, and limited resources can prevent meaningful conversations about athlete safety.

The discussion examines youth football, concussion prevention, childhood brain development, sports safety policies, sleep and brain health, and practical strategies for reducing unnecessary head impacts. Dr. Roberts emphasizes that protecting young athletes doesn't require eliminating sports. Instead, schools, parents, and coaches can focus on education, appropriate recovery, reduced contact during practice, and safer approaches to athletic development.

Bruce and Dr. Roberts also explore the importance of communicating brain health through positive outcomes rather than fear. By connecting brain health to athletic performance, resilience, and longevity, she believes advocates can reach broader audiences and encourage healthier decisions.

Dr. Roberts shares how she worked with sports agent and brain health advocate Lee Steinberg to develop the Brain Health Summit, bringing together neuroscientists, researchers, professional athletes, technology leaders, policymakers, and military brain health advocates.

Episode 113 offers an educational discussion about repetitive brain trauma, concussion awareness, public health advocacy, youth sports safety, and the future of brain injury prevention.

The goal isn't to take sports away from children. It's to make sports healthier and safer for the next generation.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters
00:00 Why Broken Brains focuses on repetitive brain trauma
02:50 Roberts’ path from neuroscience interests to public health
07:06 Why brain injury stays invisible and difficult to discuss
10:26 How sports and military service become “their” problem
16:10 The tobacco playbook and the cost of denial
20:27 Why prevention must work for schools and volunteer coaches
27:55 Reframing the message around positive outcomes
32:29 Safer development, multi-sport athletes, and rest
39:09 How Roberts and Lee Steinberg built the Brain Health Summit
48:00 What summit themes reveal about brain health
55:46 Access, family choices, and flag football
59:13 The Lee Steinberg Foundation and what comes next

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

Are youth football and other contact sports putting children's developing brains at unnecessary risk?

In this solo episode of the Broken Brains Podcast, host and brain injury advocate Bruce Parkman examines the risks of repetitive head impacts in youth sports, the science of concussion and brain trauma, and what parents and coaches should understand before allowing children to participate in contact sports.

Bruce explores how impacts can cause the brain to move within the skull, potentially stretching nerve fibers and affecting neurological function. He discusses why developing brains deserve particular attention, the potential consequences of repeated head impacts, and his recommendation that parents consider delaying collision sports until at least age 14.

The conversation addresses youth football safety, concussion prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI), repetitive head impacts, childhood brain development, sports-related brain trauma, and long-term neurological health. Bruce also questions how sports are marketed to families and whether parents receive enough information to evaluate the risks.

Beyond identifying concerns, Bruce offers practical recommendations for making youth sports safer, including reducing unnecessary head contact during practice, improving concussion education, and encouraging informed decisions about athletic participation.

This educational episode challenges parents, coaches, athletic organizations, and communities to examine how they approach children's brain health.

The message is straightforward: children should have opportunities to participate in sports, build confidence, and develop teamwork without exposing them to avoidable head injuries.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the issue of brain trauma in sports

01:57 The science behind brain injuries and neuron damage

04:02 Risks of early contact sports for children

06:46 How sports marketing misleads parents about safety

10:07 Practical steps to make sports safer for kids

13:11 The importance of delaying contact sports until age 14

15:07 Changing practice routines to prevent injuries

16:53 The role of education and awareness in protecting children

17:51 Hope and future innovations in sports safety

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the repeated blasts and invisible injuries of military service begin affecting a veteran's brain, mental health, and ability to rebuild life after combat?

In Episode 112 of the Broken Brains Podcast, host Bruce Parkman sits down with combat veteran and certified physician assistant Jordan Wilkins, PA-C, to explore the impact of military blast exposure, repetitive brain trauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the challenges veterans face when seeking effective mental health care.

Drawing from his experience in military medicine, including supporting Marine special operations and serving in Afghanistan, Jordan discusses the demanding world of combat medicine, the skills required of special operations medics, and the neurological and psychological consequences that can follow years of military service.

The conversation examines blast-related brain injury, PTSD, veteran suicide prevention, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuroplasticity, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and emerging approaches to veteran mental health treatment. Bruce and Jordan discuss the gaps in conventional care, the importance of appropriate medical evaluation, and why veterans deserve access to treatment options supported by scientific evidence.

Jordan also reflects on the role of faith, spirituality, hope, and personal responsibility in his understanding of recovery.

Episode 112 is an educational conversation about the invisible consequences of military service, the need for continued brain injury research, and the importance of helping veterans and active-duty service members find appropriate care before their struggles become a crisis.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest

02:02 Guest background: military service and medical training

05:08 Journey to Marine Special Operations Battalion

08:15 Experience as a combat medic in Afghanistan

12:11 The skills and capabilities of special operations medics

15:27 Post-military career and veteran health challenges

22:12 Impact of blast exposure and repetitive brain trauma

29:54 Healing modalities: TMS and psychedelics

36:34 Gaps in current veteran mental health care

45:40 The moral and spiritual aspects of healing

54:12 Advice for veterans and active service members

01:01:34 Closing thoughts and resources for healing

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

Can psychedelic experiences help people confront trauma, process painful memories, and discover a deeper understanding of themselves?

In this solo episode of the Broken Brains Podcast, host and retired Green Beret Bruce Parkman shares his personal journey with psychedelic substances, including ketamine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin, and reflects on their psychological, physiological, and spiritual significance in his life.

Drawing from his military background and experiences with trauma, Bruce discusses why he began exploring psychedelic approaches, what he experienced during these sessions, and how concepts such as ego death, forgiveness, gratitude, and self-discovery influenced his understanding of healing.

The conversation examines psychedelic-assisted therapy, veteran mental health, trauma recovery, neuroplasticity, ketamine treatment, ayahuasca, psilocybin, and spiritual growth. Bruce also explores the importance of appropriate guidance, preparation, and continued research into the potential therapeutic applications and risks of these substances.

Throughout the episode, Bruce reflects on the emotional challenges faced by military veterans and athletes and why addressing trauma may require examining both psychological symptoms and deeply personal experiences.

This episode offers an honest, first-person perspective on psychedelic experiences, mental health, forgiveness, and the ongoing search for healing and purpose.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Bruce's background

01:26 Bruce's first experiences with psychedelics

04:04 Ketamine and its healing effects

07:03 Spiritual insights and ego death

12:10 Ayahuasca and DMT experiences

22:59 The impact on trauma and forgiveness

29:58 Bruce's journey to Mexico and deeper healing

32:54 Physiological and spiritual transformation

36:57 The importance of access and research

38:52 Closing thoughts and encouragements for listeners

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan Mail

Can the brain recover after a traumatic brain injury, and what role does neuroplasticity play in healing?

In Episode 111 of the Broken Brains Podcast, Bruce Parkman sits down with neuroscientist and brain injury survivor Dr. Daniel Avesar to explore the science of brain injury recovery, neuroplasticity, mental health, and the challenges of rebuilding life after neurological trauma.

Dr. Avesar shares his personal experience with brain injury and the seven-year journey of rebuilding cognitive function, managing symptoms, and understanding the complexities of neurological recovery. Drawing from his experience as both a scientist and a survivor, he discusses gaps in conventional brain injury care, the importance of individualized treatment, and the potential role of holistic approaches in supporting recovery.

The conversation examines traumatic brain injury (TBI), neuroscience, neuroplasticity, mental health, emerging brain therapies, and the need for greater awareness and support for brain injury survivors.

Episode 111 offers an educational perspective on the challenges of living with brain trauma and the importance of continued research, appropriate treatment, and community support.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts
📲 Be sure to follow, share, like, and subscribe to support brain health awareness and bring real treatments to those who need them most.

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by The Mac Parkman Foundation

Support The Mac Parkman Foundation by donating today!

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CR24MY2GDUCZL

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

https://www.mpfact.com/headsmart-app/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest

01:21 Dr. Absar's background and what led him to neuroscience

03:07 The impact of his brain injury and initial recovery

06:15 Rebuilding cognition and managing symptoms over seven years

10:59 The state of brain injury treatment and societal gaps

16:03 Modalities and approaches for healing the brain

22:05 Healing the mind and addressing mental health challenges

27:56 The role of neuroplasticity and holistic care

34:14 Emerging therapies and future directions

43:57 Societal change and improving brain health awareness

49:53 Dr. Absar's projects and how to connect

51:34 Closing remarks and key takeaways

Support Broken Brains

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman is sponsored by the Mac Parkman Foundation.

Mac Parkman Foundation

Donate to the Mac Parkman Foundation

Produced by Security Halt Media