Welp....that happened. We're not really sure what the report this week so welcome to our post-election real-time brainstorm session! Brain Trust Live is Lila Nordstrom and Brent Thornburg's look at the week in electoral and political news. Join the millions of falling phones, sirens, helicopters, barking dogs, and computer beeps who love our podcas…

🚨ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 5th!!! Need help with your CA ballot? Looking for a breakdown of the props? Check out the BTL CA Prop Guide: https://tinyurl.com/CApropguide2024 🚨 In Which We Discuss: 1. What do you do when the one outlier poll is the most respected state pollster in the nation? 2. Newspapers are afraid of Trump. Is it possible …

In Which We Discuss: 1. Early voting numbers. We’ve got ‘em, and we don’t know what they mean! (Don’t worry, nobody does.) 2. The Trump Nazi Rally adds insult to injury by denying New Yorkers their daily bagel run. 3. Harris’ ability to stay on message in front of television cameras is expiring. 4. Beyhive and KHive finally become one. 5. Latest de…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Early voting is happening and you should do it! 2. How is it possible that we haven’t left Elon Musk on the moon yet? 3. Donald Trump would like you to know something about Arnold Palmer. 4. Jon Tester’s opponent either got shot in a gunfight in Afghanistan, or shot himself with a pistol while visiting a national park. Just …

Our ballots have arrived in the mail, and now we have to actually fill them out. It's not such an easy task, though. In every election, Californians are asked to parse a truly unconscionable number of ballot propositions and make informed votes on a number of obscure topics. But here at Brain Trust Live, we're here to help! Enter: The CA Prop BTL S…

Season 1, Episode 11: In this episode, we tackle a question from Ethan Yen about creating competitive TTRPGs. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/.

In Which We Discuss: 1. Californians, if you just got your 94 page sample ballot, never fear! Our prop guide is on the way! 2. Eric Adams: He’s not just bad at funding libraries, he’s bad at criming too! 3. What is going on with the Nebraska senate seat? A question we never thought we’d ask! 4. Tim Walz was a model of Minnesota nice even when prese…

Season 1, Episode 10: In this episode, we answer listener questions, specifically about monster design, art, and “quiet innovation”. Appendix N: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/rock-paper-scissors---a-method-for-competitive-game-play-design Made Out Of Meat: Health Systems In Video Games Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few…

Season 1, Episode 9: In this episode, we talk about how we communicate what our games even are, and how we can meld minds with people who run games via the page. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/.…

In Which We Discuss: 1. This week’s Police Commissioner FBI raid in New York felt eerily similar to last week’s Police Commissioner FBI Raid. 2. Mark Robinson is playing GOP scandal Mad Libs. 3. Donald Trump’s assassination attempt sequel is a ratings flop. 4. Somehow RFK’s sex scandal is the least provocative of the lot. 5. We’re on the precipice …

Season 1, Episode 8: We were both… ACTUALLY… at Gen Con. Here’s our report! Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/.

Hold onto your dogs and cats, it’s a Brain Trust Live Harris/Trump Debate Extravaganza (the first of what we *hope* will be many)! Plus, don't miss Lila's appearances on NPR: WNYC's All Things Considered: https://www.wnyc.org/story/23-years-after-911-women-and-children-survivors-are-asking-for-more-resources/ WBUR's Here and Now: https://www.wbur.o…

Season 1, Episode 7: In this episode we join our hosts mere minutes after the end of a successful Kickstarter. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/.

In Which We Discuss: 1. Polling: Not sure if you’ve heard, but the presidential election is close 2. New York Times makes unforced error using in an extended tennis metaphor during coverage of Kamala Harris’s CNN interview 3. Kamala Harris, our greatest philosopher on the concept of time, shows surprising discipline in a major new interview 4. Havi…

Season 1, Episode 6: In this episode, we talk everything Plasmodics, a big update on our lives and project, and how we highlight the usness of our games. Find Plasmodics: mutant freaks in the weird future here. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more…

YOU MADE IT TO OUR 500TH EPISODE! We're so happy you're here and hope that in honor of this milestone we hope you'll subscribe and share this special episode featuring Grant Sloss! This Week We Discuss: 1. Our favorite guest and secret research consultant Grant Sloss is here to celebrate this milestone! 2. Kamala Harris makes her DNC debut in “coco…

In Which We Discuss: 1. We have a VP candidate! We like him! 2. Democrats are making a slew of good decisions and nobody has any experience with this so we don’t know how to act. 3. What if we all just tried to enact the Democratic party platform? Is that a thing? 4. Trump’s interview with the National Association of Black Journalists somehow went …

In Which We Discuss: 1. The French don’t want their love of ménage à trois to get lost in the olympic frenzy. 2. British pop star Charli XCX makes most important endorsement of the US campaign season. 3. Kamala Harris could set herself apart from past democratic candidates by not making an absolute donkey-brained choice for VP. 4. Nobody wants to s…

It's a Presidential chaos spectacular! Listen, we’d write a rundown, but it’s not worth it. Just listen. Brain Trust Live is Lila Nordstrom and Brent Thornburg's look at the week in electoral and political news. Join the millions of falling phones, sirens, helicopters, barking dogs, and computer beeps who love our podcast and tell your friends abou…

It’s a June debate and SCOTUS season spectacular with special guest Ben Softness! (Plus the presidential pep talk you’ve been needing.) Brain Trust Live is Lila Nordstrom and Brent Thornburg's look at the week in electoral and political news. Join the millions of falling phones, sirens, helicopters, barking dogs, and computer beeps who love our pod…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Sadly Donald Trump is not yet a political prisoner! If only. 2. GOP frustrated that the Hunter Biden conviction they’ve long sought is now here. 3. First presidential debate shaping up to be more physical comedy than content. 4. Democrats mysteriously unbothered by spooky parallels to ‘68 Chicago convention. 5. Did Donald Tr…

In today's episode, hosts Dr. Raj Shah and Dr. Eukesh Ranjit revisit foundational lessons on Alzheimer's diagnosis, stressing the importance of practical techniques and understanding the critical role of office staff and caregivers in recognizing early signs. Primary Care physicians gain insights into evaluating cognitive issues, medication lists, …

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD is joined by Susan Frick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, to talk with caregiver Jeanne as she shares her heartrending experience recognizing her husband John's early signs of Alzheimer's. Jeanne talks about profound changes to simple tasks, like dressing and driving, when faced with th…

In Which We Discuss: 1. MMT: Now you don’t have to read the book. (But you should!) 2. To celebrate his 80th, Rudy Giuliani was served birthday cake and birthday indictment papers. 3. Democracy is not, in fact, on the ballot in New York State care of the state Dems. 4. Democrats shocked at 700th poll showing Joe Biden losing battleground states. 5.…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Brain Worms: Somebody in the presidential race finally admits to having them! 2. A plea to have fun with the Donald Von Shitzinpants Trial. 3. Some political advice: Dog killing = bad. Hope that helped. 4. Bidenomics, we hardly knew ya! 5. To the surprise of nobody but Nancy Pelosi, Trump-loving Democrat Henry Cuellar is als…

In Which We Discuss: 1. There’s been elections. Lots of elections. We’ll tell you about them. 2. Republicans continue to flee the scene of the crime. 3. Everytime a new government funding bill passes, a new GOP speaker gets their wings. 4. Democrats try to make a splashy announcement, seem unaware that everybody else denounced Netanyahu twenty year…

When your world revolves around the delicate balance of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, each day can bring a torrent of emotions and challenges. That's the reality James Litchfield faced when his father, Buddy, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Host Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center talk about …

When Leslie first noticed her husband Phil's memory lapses and moments of disorientation, little did she know that these were signs of younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. In our heartfelt discussion with Leslie, Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick, traverse the intricate realities of early signs of Alzheimer's. Leslie discusses the day-to-day…

When Donna's husband, Scott, began showing signs of young-onset Alzheimer's, their world turned upside down. Their story, shared with raw honesty in our latest podcast episode, brings to light the harsh reality of seeking an accurate diagnosis for Alzheimer's, particularly in younger individuals. Their journey through a maze of dismissive attitudes…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Ezra Klein condenses twelve years of Brain Trust Live into one hour of reasons why Joe Biden should not run for president. 2. George Santos wishes “you fucking idiots” good luck raising funding next quarter! 3. For once, Joe Manchin’s “Listening Tour” resulted in him listening. 4. The fate of America rests on one simple ques…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Note on Joe Biden’s Super Bowl tiktok: In the wise words of Hillary Clinton, delete your account. 2. Jon Stewart is back and has already thought-crimed us so things are looking up! 3. The Santos special election is almost as bizarre as him. 4. Nikki Haley lost Nevada to “none of these candidates,” which is exactly how we’d l…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Ben Softness, our resident legal expert, who is in no way representing the views of Alphabet Inc., joins us to discuss the recent Trump legal action. (Skip to 39:02 to start there) 2. Can we move on, as a people, from caring about Taylor Swift? 3. If a tree falls in the South Carolina primary, and no voters hear it, did an e…

The Brain Trust Caregiver Mini-Series brings you into the quiet strength of Alzheimer's/Dementia care partners, as Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center guide us through the delicate tapestry of caregiving. When the familiar fabric of life begins to unravel with the onset of Alzheimer's, it falls on the…

Season 1, Episode 5: In this episode, we talk about shock jocks, graphic design, and studying adventures, and in the middle we design the Born to Die TTRPG! Listen to part two of this episode only on Ko-Fi, on 2/6. Find the Born to Die RPG at https://worldchampgameco.itch.io/. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month t…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Don’t worry, all. Marianne Williamson will soldier on in the presidential race. 2. E. Jean Carroll continues her mission of making Donald Trump look poor. 3. Reminder: Regardless of who Fani Willis is vacationing with, Trump still did the crime. 4. Texas is finally starting that Civil War they’ve always dreamed of. 5. Joe Bi…

Season 1, Episode 4: In this episode, we chat about IKEA, save points in TTRPGs, and how we research games, and who our “game parents” are. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/. Appendix N: Baldur’s Gate 3 big…

In Which We Discuss: 1. The New Hampshire Primary and Iowa Caucus were both over before they started. 2. Tim Scott is now fake engaged to his fake girlfriend because now he’ll be Veep material…or something. 3. Joe Biden is staking his entire campaign on the one issue he doesn’t personally care about at all. 4. Dean Phillips is getting bad media adv…

Season 1, Episode 3: In this episode, we talk about companions and how we love to use them. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/. Appendix N: Baldur’s Gate 3 Follow Imp of the Preverse Plasmodics: mutant freak…

Season 1, Episode 2b Bonus: In this episode, we enter the Therapy-G zone to talk about how to run dungeons while playing digitally! Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/. Appendix N: Western Kabuki Wolves Upon …

Season 1, Episode 2: In this episode, we talk about the meta roles at the RPG table, asymmetrical stats, and a playstorm where we go goblin mode. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales, and more! Find us at https://braintrust.rocks/. Appendix N: Sixth Sense S…

Season 1, Episode 1: In this episode we talk about the structure of the show, how we plan to make it, and what kind of things we’ll talk about. We introduce the Techlab with our first topic: what makes a good first sentence or intro paragraph of an RPG? Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus ep…

Season 1, Episode 0 Adam Vass and Will Jobst are back with another season of the Brain Trust podcast, starting this Thursday! In this preview episode, get to know our new format, release schedule, and how to support us. Visit https://ko-fi.com/thebraintrust and throw us a few bucks a month to hear seasonal bonus episodes, get access to merch sales,…

In our latest Brain Trust podcast episode, Dr. Raj Shah chats with Dr. Tonja Austin, family physician and assistant professor from Rush University. Dr. Austin shares her valuable insights, stemming from her extensive, frontline experience within the African-American community in an area commonly referred to as Illinois Southland. They delve into th…

In Which We Discuss: 1. The House now “formally” working on a fake impeachment case 2. More people are leaving Congress due to self-inflicted embarrassment 3. Why was there another GOP Debate? An important question you will not be hearing an answer to on this podcast. 4. New Iowa poll leaves us wondering, why are we even still doing new Iowa polls?…

In Which We Discuss: 1. Henry Kissinger is dead, and not even his dear friend Hillary Clinton offered a statement. 2. George Santos can finally move into his next stage of D-List celebrity. 3. Ron DeSantis is the latest GOP figure to proudly announce he’s carrying pornography on his person. 4. Democrats in Florida move ahead with their plan to save…

Connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers: Advancing Early Detection and Diagnosis of ADRD. Join hosts Raj Shah, MD and Eukesh Ranjit, MD as they discuss the importance of connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers to advance early detection and diagnosis of ADRD. They chat with Tracey Smith, Director of C…

Special episode with Dare To Care radio show connecting social workers, community members and primary care physicians on the importance of efforts being made across the state in the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We invite you into the world of the Dare to Care program and the Brain Trust initiative this…

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director at Loyola Hines VA Geriatric Fellowship, to discuss the adaptations primary care will need to make with the introduction of new ADRD treatment modalities. Learning Objectives: •Describe one reason why current processes for early ADRD diagnosis will have t…

Discussion on ways physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by leveraging caregiver support Learning Objectives: Identify opportunities to guide caregivers and families of persons with dementia to appropriate care and support resources. Describe the ways a Care Consultation can be beneficial to families dealing with Alzheimer’s…

We have an exciting new opportunity for you, and some tickets to sell. We chat about mentorship and how to knowledge share with others, and preview some upcoming games! ____ Find Adam on Twitter at @wcgameco and Will at @will_jobst Music by Will Jobst, available at https://soundcloud.com/willjobst. Also, there’s a discord! We’d love for you to join…