Unexplainable (Vox) – “Casey gets his voice back”
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Julia Longoria
Episode Overview
This compelling episode of Unexplainable explores the story of Casey Harrell, an environmental activist diagnosed with ALS, who lost his ability to speak and communicate with his family, friends, and colleagues. Thanks to a groundbreaking brain-to-speech AI computer interface developed by researchers at UC Davis, Casey regains a version of his voice. The episode dives deeply into how this newfound technology works, Casey’s emotional journey, and the impact on his family—particularly his wife, Lavonna Saxon.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Technical Difficulties and Setting the Stage
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Early Awkwardness: The episode begins with Julia attempting to connect with Casey for a remote interview, highlighting the challenges and awkwardness of setting up a conversation with someone who relies on advanced assistive technology.
- “Starting a remote interview can be a little awkward. Takes a while for everyone to get settled… But this is different.” – Julia Longoria (01:49)
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Introduction to Casey’s Condition:
- Casey was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, which started affecting his limbs and eventually his voice. He underwent surgery to have 256 electrodes implanted in his motor cortex.
- “It was a slow motion car crash. You wake up one morning and you cannot sing anymore.” – Casey Harrell (10:23)
2. The Brain-to-Speech Interface
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How It Works:
- The electrodes in Casey’s brain pick up speech-related activity, which an AI interprets to help him communicate.
- “Researchers say it’s 97% accurate. And it’s fast… described as instantaneous.” – Julia Longoria (04:07)
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Reality vs. Perception:
- Despite reports of its accuracy and speed, the process remains slow and laborious—marked by long silences as Casey selects or edits words before speaking them aloud via the AI.
- “For 3 minutes and 48 seconds, I’m just staring at Casey’s face. I don’t know that I’ve ever looked at someone’s face for that long in silence.” – Julia Longoria (06:01)
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Learning the Cadence:
- Casey’s interface sometimes requires corrections using his eyes and can be thrown off if he tries to ‘speak’ too quickly.
- “I am doing this to myself because I am still in a mindset that is for a normal person.” – Casey Harrell (16:23)
3. Emotional and Human Impact
4. Behind the Scenes with Technology
5. Lavonna's Perspective: Caregiver & Partner
6. Challenges and Silver Linings
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Notable Frustration:
- Despite technical advancements, communication remains slow and exhausting—for both Casey and those around him.
- “I had never been so, like, simultaneously in awe of a piece of technology and so frustrated by it.” – Julia Longoria (32:09)
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Changed Practical Life:
- Basic requests (“I’m thirsty,” “scratch an itch”) can now be met promptly, greatly improving Casey’s daily comfort and reducing Lavonna's sense of helplessness and panic.
- “Now, you know, when he’s thirsty, he can get water. When he has an itch, he can get scratched ... it’s just a massive shift.” – Lavonna Saxon (34:04)
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Dreams Deferred:
- When asked if Lavonna now hears Casey’s voice in her dreams, she reveals she barely dreams at all due to sleep deprivation from caregiving.
- “I don’t sleep enough to dream anymore.” – Lavonna Saxon (36:55)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “It makes people cry who have not heard me in a while.” – Casey Harrell, on using the interface for the first time (04:25)
- “It is just a flesh wound.” – Casey Harrell, referencing Monty Python after a coughing fit (12:34)
- “Losing my voice is the number one problem that I have regarding this disease. It is utterly crippling to me.” – Casey Harrell (13:11)
- “If we went directly from, like, him speaking normally to this technology, then, yeah, sure, I’d probably be frustrated. But … his communication is getting better all the time ... to me, it’s fantastic.” – Lavonna Saxon (32:33)
- “I don’t sleep enough to dream anymore.” – Lavonna Saxon (36:55)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:13] – Details on Casey’s brain implant and AI system.
- [06:01] – Julia describes the long silences and how communication isn't instantaneous.
- [13:11] – Casey on the impact of losing his voice.
- [14:23] – Parallels between his daughter’s speech development and his loss.
- [25:45] – Lavonna describes the “particular sort of torture” in losing communication with Casey.
- [30:49] – Lavonna recalls Casey’s first synthesized words.
- [32:09] – Julia expresses simultaneous awe and frustration at the technology.
- [34:04] – Lavonna discusses the real-life impact of efficient, basic communication.
- [35:11] – Discovery that the interface sometimes works in deep sleep.
- [36:45] – Lavonna on not dreaming anymore due to exhaustion.
Tone and Language
The episode maintains a warm, emotionally honest, and gentle tone throughout, balancing marvel at technological innovation with candid discussion of struggle, frustration, and the irreplaceable value of human connection. Both Casey and Lavonna’s voices are witty and resilient, infusing even difficult moments with humor and perspective.
Summary
The episode “Casey gets his voice back” offers a profound look at how cutting-edge brain-computer interfaces are starting to restore the fundamental human ability to communicate—while reminding listeners that even near-miraculous technological advances can’t fully bridge the gaps left by diseases like ALS. Through slow, sometimes halting conversation, we are reminded of the incalculable value of a voice—of being heard, understood, and loved.
