PsA HQ Podcasts
PsA HQ Podcasts
Mel
Welcome to PsA HQ! I'm your host Mel, and I'm passionate about fostering peer support within the Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis and broader autoimmune and inflammatory conditions community. This channel is a space for sharing experiences and I believe in the power of discussion and knowledge sharing. Join me and my guests sharing lived experience, bridging communication gaps and helping to create an impactful research landscape. Remember, all opinions are our own or those of our guests. Always seek proper medical advice. Thank you for listening.
Voices Making A Difference: Rebecca Beesley & The JAR Project
Hello and Welcome to PsA HQ Podcasts -  I’m Mel Brooke, and I am hosting a podcast mini-series called “Voices Making a Difference”, highlighting people who have used their musculoskeletal or chronic condition experiences to drive positive change  - whether through advocacy, research, writing, or community support.In this conversation, I sit down with Rebecca Beesley from The JAR Project, sharing a powerful and honest story of living with arthritis, parenting through it, and finding a voice in advocacy. This is a gentle, real conversation about challenges, resilience, and what it means to turn personal experience into something that helps others.Please tune in again, follow this channel and help celebrate Rebecca and more people in this series – all making a difference in MSK. Lived experience doesn’t just tell a story - it can drive real change.The JAR Project can be found here: https://www.jarproject.orgAnd on Instagram they are @_jarproject  If you would like to share your experience or think of someone who would be a great fit for this series please get in touch. My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes! DisclaimerThis episode reflects personal experiences and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.*Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠*
May 12
44 min
Voices Making A Difference: Gillian Best 'CHRONIC: Understanding Pain' Book
Hello and Welcome to PsA HQ Podcasts -  I’m Mel Brooke, and this year I am hosting a new podcast mini-series called “Voices Making a Difference”, highlighting people who have used their musculoskeletal or chronic condition experiences to drive positive change  - whether through advocacy, research, writing, or community support.In this episode, I speak to Gillian Best, author of "Chronic: Understanding Pain," we discuss her background and motivation for writing the book. She shares her experience living with multiple autoimmune conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease and how she wanted to find an answer to why Chronic pain is so poorly understood and hard to treat.  Gillian explains how the book began, shares how she reached out to researchers to help get an answer -   and why writing it has been part of a personal quest to find a cure for her conditions. Please tune in, follow and help celebrate Gill and more people in this series – all making a difference in MSK. Through relaxed, meaningful conversations, each episode explores personal journeys, the motivation behind their work, and the impact they’re making. Because lived experience doesn’t just tell a story - it can drive real change. Gills book can be found online via Amazon and in many high street book shops. Also mentioned in the podcast was Gills instagram: @gillianebest If you would like to share your experience or think of someone who would be a great fit for this series please get in touch. My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠This podcast shares real conversations and insights to support people living with inflammatory arthritis and related conditions. It aims to amplify patient voices, improve understanding, and make information more accessible. DisclaimerThis episode reflects personal experiences and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.
Apr 15
44 min
2026 Podcast Season news & Updates!
Hello and a warm welcome back to PsA HQ. I’m Mel Brooke, and I’ve been supporting people with rheumatic conditions since 2011.In this short episode, I’m introducing our new season theme, Voices Making a Difference, and sharing what’s coming next following the Research Bridging Series in 2025.If you would like to nominate someone for the new series or share your experience please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!This podcast channel shares real conversations and insights to support people living with inflammatory arthritis and related conditions. It aims to amplify patient voices, improve understanding, and make information more accessible.DisclaimerThe PsA HQ podcast episodes reflect personal experiences and discussion. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak to a healthcare professional for individual guidance.Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Apr 12
3 min
Who gets involved in rheumatology.. Part 2
Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am currently on a mission to break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in rheumatology research! In this super short podcast episode I’m sharing another ⁠PsA HQ blog⁠ post with results from the UK Rheumatology Patient Research Partner survey, this time as an audio video production featuring another 'ai friend'. I hope you are enjoying these creative approaches to information sharing :-) My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!If you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
May 23, 2025
3 min
Who Gets Involved in Rheumatology Research—and Who Gets Left Out?
Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am currently on a mission to break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in rheumatology research! In this episode I’m sharing an audio version of a PsA HQ blog post with results from the UK Rheumatology Patient Research Partner survey as a discussion between our ai friends - starting with this post that looked at 'Who Gets Involved in Research—and Who Gets Left Out?'My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!If you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Apr 18, 2025
13 min
Patient Research Partner Survey Insights with Jana
Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am currently on a mission to break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in research! In this episode I’m joined by long time 'PsAZZer' and patient expert partner friend Jana James. Join us as we chat around some more of the insights and comments coming out of the PRP survey...Links mentioned in the podcast:NICE websiteJames Lind Alliance Top 10 PsA Priority Setting ProjectInfo on GRIPP2Jana's earlier podcast on PsA HQ If you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Mar 27, 2025
32 min
Patient Involvement: a catch up with Russ Cowper
Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am on a mission to break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in research! In this episode I’m joined by patient expert partner and friend Russ Cowper. We catch up on his role with the Psoriasis Association and research projects he’s currently involved in. We discuss some of the insights coming out of the PRP survey and Russ shares a poem from a recent community based project in Manchester and a few of his funny research experiences with us so listen out for those!  Links mentioned in the podcast:Psoriasis Association https://www.psoriasis-association.org.ukManchester ARC.    https://arc-gm.nihr.ac.ukHealth Innovation Manchester https://healthinnovationmanchester.comManchester Memories e-book: https://arc-gm.nihr.ac.uk/projects/understanding-experiences-GM-covid-vaccination-programmeIf you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes!Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Feb 20, 2025
38 min
New Year update, AI ...and could I be out of a job as a podcaster?!
Happy New Year and a Warm Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am on a mission to support people with rheumatic diseases and break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in rheumatology research! In this first episode of 2025 I want to give you a bit of an update from me mixed in with a bit of ai related fun ! Do have a listen in :-)   If you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes! Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Jan 17, 2025
13 min
Patient Involvement: Every voice matters - with Clive McIntyre
Welcome back to PsA HQ! I’m Mel Brooke and I am on a mission to break down the barriers that can put people off getting involved in research! In this episode I talk to Clive McIntyre, a passionate volunteer and patient ambassador, to explore the transformative power of patient voices in research and healthcare. Clive shares his journey of living with rheumatoid arthritis and how it inspired him to advocate for better patient involvement in research and clinical practice. From discussing the challenges of ensuring diverse representation to the ripple effects of small contributions, Clive’s insights offer a compelling case for why every patient’s perspective matters.   If you would like to share your experience of research involvement from a patient or researcher perspective, or share a research opportunity or news please get in touch - send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠psazzgroup (at) gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ My website and contacts can be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes! Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠
Dec 23, 2024
29 min
Unlocking Psoriatic Arthritis: Inside the Groundbreaking HPOS Study
Welcome back to PsA HQ where we explore important topics in health, research, patient involvement and advocacy! I’m Mel Brooke and in this episode we are diving into the HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study (HPOS for short) with guest Prof. Oliver FitzGerald, University College Dublin.  Psoriatic arthritis is a potentially debilitating condition, and the HPOS study aims to identify the factors that put certain individuals at risk. This work is essential not only for improving diagnosis and treatment but also for exploring ways to prevent PsA from developing altogether. We also have a candid discussion about the challenges of recruiting participants across Europe, how innovative online methods are making the study more accessible, and what it means to have patients at the heart of this research.  Useful Links: PsA Hq website  HPOS News article HPOS Study Link We would also like to acknowledge the following members of the HPOS team: -University of Oxford: Laura Coates (Principle Investigator), David Kerr and Timeo Mtenga.    -University College Dublin: Stephen Pennington, Colette O'Donnell and Teresa Grohmann.   -HIPPOCRATES PRP Heidi Bertheussen - Natasha de Peyrecave (UCB and EFPIA lead) If you would like to share your research projects, news, experience or research involvement experiences please get in touch to enquire - simply send an email me at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ My website and contacts can all be found via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one of my links here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and I would love it if you follow me on your listening platform for news of more episodes! Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yevhen Onoychenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠
Dec 3, 2024
30 min
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