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Artwork for PANS/PANDAS STORIES

PANS/PANDAS STORIES

Jo Joyner and Lucy McDonald
Mental Health
PANS and PANDAS
OCD
Patient Advocacy
PANS/PANDAS
Community Support
Parenting
PANS PANDAS
Therapeutic Approaches
Childhood Development
Social Media
PANS
Pandas
Occupational Therapy
Depression
Eating Disorders
National PANS, PANDAS Youth Alliance
Ssris
Sanford PANS Clinic
Bipolar Disorder

Welcome to The PANS/PANDAS Stories. In the first series, actor and charity campaigner Jo Joyner, and child counsellor and journalist, Lucy McDonald, meet children and families affected by this neuropsychiatric disorder. They also interview experts at the cutting edge of treatment. Awareness is growing, and the pair hope this podcast will offer hope and support to sufferers as they navigate an ofte... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes21Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental Health

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Artwork for PANS/PANDAS STORIES

Latest Episodes

Dr Zoe Gillispie is one of the world's leading neuroimmune-psychiatric psychologists, working with children and families with PANS/PANDAS from her Californian practice. Here she shares insights and expertise about the illness with Lucy McDonald, incl... more

Michelle Newby thinks that Occupational Therapy should be the fourth pillar of PANS/PANDAS treatment, after controlling inflammation and infection and psychiatric and psychological help. She works closely with PANS/PANDAS children in Australia and ex... more

"I want every single kid, every single teen, every single young adult, every single adult with PANS/PANDAS to realise what they are capable of because they are capable of so much more than their disorder gives them the notion of..."

One of my favour... more

In this episode of PansPandas Stories, host Lucy McDonald interviews Freya Shacklock, a 19-year-old who shares her inspiring journey of recovery from PANS-PANDAS, a condition that caused her severe mental health challenges and physical symptoms from ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Dr. Zoe Gillispie
Clinical psychologist focused on neuroimmune psychiatric disorders
California, USA
Episode: OCD, PANS & Dr Zoe Gillispie: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know
Michelle Newby
Occupational Therapist specialising in PANS/PANDAS
New South Wales, Australia
Episode: Why Children With PANS Struggle With Everyday Life | Occupational Therapy Explained
Kirk Lord
Founder of the National PANS, PANDAS Youth Alliance (NPYA)
National PANS, PANDAS Youth Alliance
Episode: Living With PANS/PANDAS and Fighting Back | Kirk Lord’s Story
Freya Shacklock
19-year-old who has recovered from PANS/PANDAS
Episode: Recovering From PANS/PANDAS: A Teenager’s Story of Hope
Dr. Kiki Chang
Leading psychiatrist in neuroimmune dysfunction illness
Stanford PANS Clinic
Episode: PANS Flares, Medication and Recovery | Dr Kiki Chang

Host

Lucy McDonald
Co-host and guide to discussions with families and experts; provides context and empathy.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings
  • KNOWLEDGEABLE HOST AND GREAT GUESTS

    Wonderful host who is knowledgeable and empathetic- she guides the guests to the questions we want to know! Great variety of guests really informing various research and personal life and families. Keep going!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Upwhilemyboyfriendsnores
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent Content - Awful Audio Quality

    This content is incredible and helpful. Thank you for your commitment to raise awareness for PANDAS. My 12yo son has been on this horrible journey since his strep diagnosis in March of 2023. With a challenge of finding a pediatrician who recognizes PANDAS in Minnesota, we are now going back and forth to Colorado every three weeks as we are committed to getting our son the treatment he needs. We need more awareness and appreciate you both for doing this.

    Please consider investing in better audio... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Snoop Robbie Robb
    United States2 years ago
  • Invaluable for anybody who works with children

    All the stories are in this series are told so sensitively. Even though these can be hard to listen to, the warmth and hope of everyone involved shines through. The information and tips conveyed here are invaluable for anybody who works with children. A must listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Becca_Whyte
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • What a gift. Thank you!

    We are at the beginning of exploring PANS/PANDAS as a diagnosis for one of our children. Your stories brought me to tears throughout, but left me with hope.

    I am a fellow parent trying to find answers for our child’s constellation of sudden medical/psychiatric issues, and not once has a provider brought this up as a possibility. We’re on waiting lists to be evaluated but I’m so frustrated our child - and family - have suffered for more than a year. My child is hospitalized right now and I feel ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AttemptingtolearnSpanish
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent and very informative well presented podcast

    Many thanks for both presenters for the valuable discussions, information and stories and for the calm presenting style.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reem Tu
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the host's empathy and ability to guide conversations with powerful guest stories.
Guests are described as knowledgeable and the discussions as respectful and informative.
Audio quality varies; high-quality content is praised, with calls for better sound equipment.
Episodes are seen as invaluable for those who work with children and families, offering practical tips and supportive narratives.
Stories inspire hope and a sense of community for families navigating PANS/PANDAS journeys.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

OCD, PANS & Dr Zoe Gillispie: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know
Q: What role do tracking and data play in treatment?
Tracking multiple neuro symptoms and immune triggers helps differentiate immune-mediated symptoms from behavior, demonstrates treatment effects, and guides medical and therapeutic decisions.
OCD, PANS & Dr Zoe Gillispie: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know
Q: How do you assess severity and decide what therapy to apply?
Use home-based observations, videos, and family input to gauge real-world functioning; determine whether the patient can tolerate psychotherapy, and start with psychoeducation and safety before introducing more intensive therapies.
OCD, PANS & Dr Zoe Gillispie: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know
Q: Tell me about OCD treatment when the etiology is PANS or immune-mediated.
ERP is still central, but success relies on medical stabilization first; DBT and ICBT can support mood and cognitive aspects, and pacing is essential to match the patient's medical readiness.
PANS Flares, Medication and Recovery | Dr Kiki Chang
Q: What is the role of SSRIs during acute flares?
SSRIs should not be given during acute flares as they can worsen symptoms; they may be considered once inflammation is down.
PANS Flares, Medication and Recovery | Dr Kiki Chang
Q: What is your closing advice for parents who have children who have PANS, PANDAS?
Advocate for your child, join support groups, and remain hopeful—it's more common than you think and it can get better.

Audience Metrics

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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About PANS/PANDAS STORIES

What is PANS/PANDAS STORIES about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on neuroimmune sleep disorders that affect children, focusing on PANS/PANDAS and how they intersect with OCD, mood changes, and behavior. Episodes typically feature clinicians, therapists, and affected families sharing clinical insights, treatment pathways, and personal resilience stories, with recurring emphasis on realistic diagnosis, medical collaboration, and practical strategies for families navigating care. A standout pattern is the blend of expert perspectives with powerful first-hand experiences, illustrating both medical complexity and hopeful outcomes for youth and their families.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PANS/PANDAS STORIES. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PANS/PANDAS STORIES and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does PANS/PANDAS STORIES get?

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How many episodes of PANS/PANDAS STORIES are there?

PANS/PANDAS STORIES launched 3 years ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on PANS/PANDAS STORIES?

Recent guests on PANS/PANDAS STORIES include:

1. Dr. Zoe Gillispie
2. Michelle Newby
3. Kirk Lord
4. Freya Shacklock
5. Dr. Kiki Chang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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