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RealTalk MS

Jon Strum
Multiple Sclerosis
National MS Society
Clinical Trials
Exercise
Mental Health
Mcdonald Criteria
Neurology
Women's Health
Artificial Intelligence
Menopause
Progressive MS
Precision Medicine
Neuroprotection
Caregiving
Covid-19
Tolebrutinib
Sanofi
Healthcare Advocacy
Myelin Repair
Neuroimmunology

Jon Strum cuts through all the jargon and breaks down the latest multiple sclerosis news. You'll meet the scientists who are creating tomorrow's MS treatments today. You'll hear from the experts discussing how the latest tweaks and changes to our healthcare laws will impact your MS treatment. And we'll be talking to the courageous MS warriors who are out there advocating on behalf of the MS commun... more

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Artwork for RealTalk MS

Latest Episodes

For years, the standard medical advice for someone diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was simple, cautious, and as we now know, incredibly limiting: "Take it easy. Don't overexert yourself. And get plenty of rest."

Today, like almost every other as... more

This week, our coverage of the Consortium of MS Centers annual meeting continues with my guest, Dr. Stephen Krieger. In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Krieger offers a very encouraging clinical trial update, shares his thoughts on what treating som... more

Last week, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, best known as CMSC, hosted its annual meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, where we had a chance to talk with some of the world's top MS experts. We'll be sharing those conversations over the ... more

May 30th is World MS Day! This year, the theme for World MS Day is "My MS Diagnosis," and I've been thinking about what happens right after that diagnosis. After an individual hears, "You have MS."

This week, Dr. Nancy Sicotte joins me to discuss t... more

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Recent Guests

Stephen Krieger
Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; MS Specialist
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS
Episode: Episode 458 -- From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting: Part Two with Dr. Stephen Krieger
Kathy Zackowski
Associate Vice President of Research, National MS Society
National MS Society
Episode: Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove
Valerie Block
Physical therapist, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
Episode: Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove
Riley Bove
Neurologist, Clinician Scientist
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
Episode: Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove
Dr. Nancy Sicotte
Chair of Neurology and Director of MS and Neuroimmunology at Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai
Episode: Episode 456:The First 100 Days Following Your MS Diagnosis with Dr. Nancy Sicotte
Ann Spolarich
Professor and internationally recognized clinical researcher in dental therapies for medically complex patients
AT Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Episode: Episode 455: MS and Your Oral Health with Dr. Ann Spolarich
Dr. Anthony Feinstein
Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto; expert in the neuropsychiatry of multiple sclerosis
University of Toronto
Episode: Episode 454: Managing MS-Related Depression with Dr. Anthony Feinstein
Larry Sherman
Professor at Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University
OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Center
Episode: Episode 452: Why Natural Myelin Repair Stops Working for People with MS (And How It Could Be Re-Started!) with Dr. Larry Sherman
Ludwig Kappos
Physician-scientist and director of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel
University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
Episode: Episode 451: Meet the 2026 Winner of the John Dystel Prize for MS Research with Dr. Ludwig Kappos

Host

Jon Strum
Host of RealTalk MS

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 223 ratings
  • Because Science

    This podcast makes MS research approachable without losing the depth that actually matters.

    I value how the host, Jon Strum, walks through the latest research and explains not just the WHAT, but WHY it matters—what it could mean for treatment, progression, and everyday life with MS. Jon helps turn complex studies into something you can understand and think about.

    Listening to this podcast makes me more informed. It’s become a go-to for staying up-to-date on MS research in a way that is clear, th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zia Nova
    United States3 months ago
  • Amazing and informative! I love how things are broken down for easy understanding.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    PodcastListenerL
    3 months ago
  • Use your voice

    Excellent podcast 10/28/25. US Const protects MS pts. Current admin disallows DOJ to prosecute. In this situation, ride your State & US Reps hard. Speak out loud about this. Strongly consider not only suing co but also Board Members of co personally. That’s where you will see change. Too often folks are unaware that Board Members jobs are demanded legally. Therefore, if they fail to esp deliberately to do their duties, they are in violation of most often reg law. Seek out an admin or reg attorne... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Written Art
    United States8 months ago
  • Helpful and inspiring

    Wow- I can’t believe I just found out about this podcast! It is so informative and keeps me educated on so many things. The resources provided are super!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bubblesforver123
    United States2 years ago
  • Episode after episode I come away feeling far better informed and empowered. Jon is gifted at breaking down the science in ways we can all understand. He also works very hard to deliver on topics that are close to many of our hearts in really important ways. Also his work before and during the podcast is only outdone by the "Session Notes" and the "Bonus Content" that make it so easy to access information, materials, research, etc. We are thrilled that he is so committed and so impactful.

    Podchaser
    5
    John Bradley
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise accessible MS research explanations and practical takeaways.
The host is knowledgeable and asks thoughtful questions that illuminate complex topics.
Show is informative, balancing science with real-world policy and advocacy coverage.
Guests are top experts across MS research, policy, and patient perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove
Q: Dr. Block, how does a tool like the Bridge Precision Medicine Dashboard translate into daily clinical practice, and how does it support both neurology evaluations and rehabilitation settings?
The dashboard is intended to show trends over time, provide visual feedback to patients and clinicians, and facilitate goal-oriented care; it should be actionable in the clinic and encourage patient engagement while supporting clinicians' decision-making.
Episode 457: From the 2026 CMSC Annual Meeting with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, Dr. Valerie Block, and Dr. Riley Bove
Q: So I'll ask each of you, what's the primary roadblock preventing a validated digital biomarker or wearable tool from becoming a standard part of an outpatient neurology visit?
The experts point to the combination of interface issues, billing and workflow challenges, and the heterogeneity of MS itself; a tool must be adaptable to many symptom profiles, integrate into medical records, and be cost-effective to become routine.
Episode 455: MS and Your Oral Health with Dr. Ann Spolarich
Q: How does MS affect daily oral care and what practical workarounds can patients use?
MS-related tremor and fatigue can make brushing and flossing difficult, but using wide-handled tools, electric toothbrushes, and assistive devices, along with caregiver support, can help patients maintain effective oral hygiene.
Episode 454: Managing MS-Related Depression with Dr. Anthony Feinstein
Q: Can you explain how MS actually rewires the brain's emotional circuits to cause depression?
Dr. Feinstein explains that MS can directly affect brain regions involved in mood, forming a depression network that makes depression more likely when these areas are damaged, independent of emotional reaction to diagnosis.
Episode 452: Why Natural Myelin Repair Stops Working for People with MS (And How It Could Be Re-Started!) with Dr. Larry Sherman
Q: I hope you'll start us off by explaining what myelin is and the role it plays in MS.
Myelin wraps around nerve cells to protect them and speeds up signal transmission; its loss in MS disrupts motor, sensory, and cognitive functions, creating widespread symptoms.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About RealTalk MS

What is RealTalk MS about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A clinically informed, policy-aware program that situates MS within medical research, patient care, and advocacy. Across recent episodes, the show consistently covers advances in diagnosis, treatment options, and emerging therapies, while also spotlighting real-world challenges like pregnancy planning, access to care, and the cost/value of high-efficacy therapies. Expect accessible explanations from neurologists, researchers, and patient advocates, plus practical guidance for caregivers and people living with MS. A notable strength is pairing rigorous scientific discussion with actionable insights and patient-centered perspectives, including clinician guidance, trial updates, and policy advocacy that affects care access and funding.

Where can I find podcast stats for RealTalk MS?

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How many listeners does RealTalk MS get?

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How many subscribers and views does RealTalk MS have?

To see how many followers or subscribers RealTalk MS has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of RealTalk MS are there?

RealTalk MS launched 9 years ago and published 513 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact RealTalk MS?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for RealTalk MS?

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What guests have appeared on RealTalk MS?

Recent guests on RealTalk MS include:

1. Stephen Krieger
2. Kathy Zackowski
3. Valerie Block
4. Riley Bove
5. Dr. Nancy Sicotte
6. Ann Spolarich
7. Dr. Anthony Feinstein
8. Larry Sherman

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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