Podcast
What the Ef?!
Hosted by What the EF · EN
What the Ef?! is the podcast that says out loud what everyone else with epilepsy is thinking: WTF is happening right now?! Hosted by Landis Wiedner, this show unpacks the unfiltered, often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking realities of life with epilepsy. Each week, Landis brings together neurologists, advocates, celebrities, caregivers, and everyday people to share raw stories, expert insights, and those “you-can’t-make-this-up” epilepsy moments no one talks about—but everyone should.
It’s equal parts education, community, and comic relief. Whether you’re living with seizures, supporting someone who is, or just curious to learn more, this show creates an approachable, stigma-busting space where laughter and real talk fuel change.
⚡ Epilepsy • Seizures • Awareness • Advocacy • WTF moments ⚡
Special thanks to SK Life Science and Neurelis for sponsoring 2024 and supporting conversations that matter.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing shared here should be taken as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Do I Need a Seizure Action Plan? (Probably. Here’s Why.) with Jason Raether, RN
Feb 1000:41:30Tap to summarizeThis week, Landis sits down with Jason — a longtime nurse and fellow person with epilepsy — to talk about what seizure action plans really look like in real life. Not the perfect-on-paper version. The messy, human, constantly evolving one.Jason shares his own epilepsy journey, what it’s like as a school nurse, caring for hundreds of kids while managing seizures himself, and why seizure action plans matter more than most of us realize. They unpack what should actually be included, how plans change over time, and why not having one (yes, even as an advocate 👀) is way more common than we admit. Note: Landis openly admits she didn’t have one at the time of recording… but swore she would by the time this episode came out. Accountability, baby.👉 Want help creating your own seizure action plan?Copy & paste into your phone: https://www.whattheefpodcast.com/resourcesMore templates: https://seizureactionplans.org/sap-examples/Shout out to sponsors Neurelis & SK life science AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Thank you for supporting “What the Ef?!” podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Why Your Neurologist Might Be on TikTok with Dr. Jessica Lowe
Feb 300:51:40Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever Googled your symptoms at 2 a.m. and immediately decided it was “probably fine but also definitely fatal” — this one’s for you.Landis sits down with neurologist and epileptologist Dr. Jessica Lowe — aka Dr. Brain Barbie — to talk about the messy middle between medicine and social media. From meeting patients where they already are (hi, TikTok), to the fear doctors have around posting publicly, to why showing personality — pink nails and all — can actually help patients feel safer, heard, and more confident walking into appointments.Make sure to follow the podcast on all channels for more convos!Instagram, YouTube, TikTokLearn more here: whattheefpodcast.comHUGE shout outs to the folks that continue to keep this podcast going! Sponsors Neurelis & SK life science and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Diagnosed with Epilepsy as an Adult (finally) with Lakesha Floyd
Jan 2700:43:46Tap to summarizeAnyone else been told their seizures were “just stress”? That’s what doctors told Lakesha Floyd for DECADES until she was finally diagnosed with epilepsy at 45. Lakesha shares how her seizure years of being dismissed, the complicated emotions that come with an adult diagnosis, and what happens when denial stops feeling safe. It’s a conversation about finding self-trust when your world is turned upside down and not letting “it’s just stress” be the final answer.Because if you need to hear it today: epilepsy is not the end.Be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! @whattheefpodcastLearn more here: whattheefpodcast.comShout out to the folks who help keep hope alive in the epilepsy community! Thank you sponsors SK life science & Neurelis AND community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →How Do I Actually Track My Seizures? with Mukki Gill
Jan 2000:36:08Tap to summarizeIn this convo with Mukki Gill, founder of ZOR!, she talks about changing the game in epilepsy apps by synthesizing all of that data into one clear, usable place. After watching her mom take notes that look like “Santa’s list” for her brother’s Dravet’s Syndrome, Mukki wanted to create a simpler, more useful format for people with epilepsy.My seizure info seems to be everywhere—Notes app, calendars, wearables, half-remembered symptoms, and “I’ll explain it to my doctor somehow.” Enter the ZOR! app, which takes data from your Apple Watch to coexist with your epilepsy info. No matter searching for patterns–this app does it for you! Oh, and have you ever wondered how seizure alert dogs know when a seizure is coming? Mukki has, too–and is planning on elevating the ZOR! app to use that science to *predict* our seizures! Get ready to be inspired and excited about some life changing tech!Learn more and sign up for ZOR! app: https://zor.llc/Be sure to follow @whattheefpodcast on Insta, YouTube, and TikTok for more on the good, the bad, and the hilarious parts of living with epilepsy.Learn more here: whattheefpodcast.comHuge shout out to the people who believe in this podcast! Sponsors SK life science & Neurelis and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Can I Play Pro Sports with Epilepsy? Yes, If You're Spenser Jaye.
Jan 1300:49:58Tap to summarizeThis week I’m joined by Spenser Jaye—a former D1 and professional soccer player who’s been navigating epilepsy since she was 13. We get into what it really looks like to chase big goals when your nervous system has its own agenda: the decision points, the fear, the disclosure question, the stuff people don’t see… and the ways support can change everything.We also talk about why Spenser built 1in26 Athlete Foundation—a space for athletes and active people with epilepsy to feel included, capable, and genuinely safe (without being told “you can’t” as the default).If you’ve ever wondered, Can I still do the thing? — this one’s for you.Learn more about 1in26 Athlete here: oneand26athlete.orgBe sure to follow @whattheefpodcast on Insta, YouTube, and TikTok for more on the good, the bad, and the hilarious parts of living with epilepsy.Learn more here: whattheefpodcast.comTHANK YOU to these folks for keeping the podcast kicking! Sponsors SK life science & Neurelis and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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5 Tips in 5 Minutes on Surviving the Holidays!
Dec 1600:05:46Tap to summarizeEvery year, my brain has a fun holiday tradition of doling out seizures. Like my epilepsy is Santa but with a very dark sense of humor.So this year I came up with 5 strategies to (hopefully) mitigate the holiday seizen. From bathrooms to booze to holiday blues--I'm hoping these tips help!Tune into this 5-minute What the Elf?! episode and let me know if any of these work for you!But above all, remember no matter how many strategies we put in place, seizures are not our fault. They happen when we do everything "right." So please be kind to yourself. I promise you are not alone in this.Thank to you the amazing support we had in 2025 from sponsors Neurelis & SK life science and community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, and Epilepsy Alliance America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →I Didn’t Know I Could Ask My Doctor That with Dr. Claude Steriade
Oct 2800:48:02Tap to summarizeEver sit in your doctor’s office like, “Wait… what did you just say?” Dr. Claude Steriade, an epileptologist at NYU, is here to translate the medical jargon and hand over her playbook for better communication with your doc.She shares the *one magical thought* she wishes every patient could have, explains autoimmune epilepsy (the sneaky diagnosis that hides in plain sight), and shows how to ask for the right tests. Oh, and don’t miss her 3 game-changing tips for making conversations with your doctor way less awkward.Follow on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for extra clips and community convos!Shout out to community partners Epilepsy Foundation of America, Danny Did Foundation, Epilepsy Alliance of American AND our sponsors Neurelis and SK life science! Thanks for helping bridge the communication gap in the epilepsy world! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What the ELF: Holiday Mocktails with Beverly Dry Goods
Dec 10, 202400:23:57Tap to summarizeSanta called, and he’s giving the reindeer the night off—because Mary from Beverly Dry Goods is here to sleigh your holiday parties with three ridiculously good mocktail recipes! Learn how to turn everyday ingredients into holiday magic (without the hangover). Whether you’re naughty, nice, or somewhere in between, these drinks will have you saying, "What the ELF was I drinking before?" Get ready to jingle all the way to flavor town! Check out Beverly Dry Goods in Chicago! https://beverlydrygoods.com/ Want a bottle of Ritual Zero Proof? Take this 2-min survey, type your email address, and your entered to win! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WTEF Gift a Brave Bear this holiday seizen! https://bravebearsclub.com/ Want What the EF merch? Use discount code: WhatTheELF for 25% off! https://wtefpodcastshop.etsy.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wtefpodcast/support
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What's VNS Therapy? with Jenee Leger
Oct 29, 202400:58:48Tap to summarizeEver heard of VNS Therapy but have no idea wtf it really is? You're not alone! Track star turned bodybuilding buff, Jenee Leger faced a major setback when seizures made a comeback in her late 20s. Tune in to learn how VNS Therapy helped control her epilepsy and how she went onto reclaim her fitness, recently becoming a marathoner! Jenee's even channeling her journey into advocacy and created the first epilepsy awareness 5K in her town of Lafayette, Louisiana. Thank you LivaNova for sponsoring! Thanks to our Community Partner Epilepsy Foundation of America and sponsors Neurelis and SK life science for making conversations like this possible. . . . The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients 4 years of age and older with partial onset seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. Incidence of adverse events following stimulation (>5%) were voice alteration, increased coughing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, sore throat and nausea. Infection is the most common side effect of the procedure. See important safety information at VNSTherapy.com/safety --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wtefpodcast/support
Transcribe →The power of anger in advocacy with Bree (aka @SoCal.Epilpesy)
Oct 22, 202400:49:25Tap to summarizeWhen Bree began her advocacy journey, it was a doctor’s requirement before brain surgery. But what started as a therapeutic writing exercise quickly evolved into something much bigger—connecting with countless others on their epilepsy journeys. In this episode, we explore why anger is often dismissed, why acceptance is sometimes seen as the only path, and how embracing both can be the key to sparking real change. Check out Bree's Work! Insta: @SoCal.Epilepsy https://www.instagram.com/socal.epilepsy/ Podcast: What's Shakin https://www.youtube.com/@whatsshakin615 Thank you to our Community Partner Epilepsy Foundation of America and sponsors SK life science and Neurelis for making conversations like this possible. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wtefpodcast/support
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