The Forgetting

The Forgetting podcast: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s

David Shenk and Greg O’Brien talk about the challenges that come with dealing with Greg’s dementia during the pandemic. Movies – including the classic Jaws – have helped Greg during some tough times, but he still grows weary from the challenges of daily life while dealing with the disease. 

The Forgetting podcast: Inside The Mind of Alzheimer’s

Dealing with Alzheimer's amid the pandemic has particular challenges for patients and caregivers. Greg and David talk about isolation, rage, and coping.

The Forgetting: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s

The world is getting a sense of the isolation, frustration and fear that Alzheimer patients and the people who care for them live with every day. David and Greg discuss how everyone’s lives have changed during this pandemic. Their hope is that people can develop a better understanding and empathy for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia from this shared experience.

 The Forgetting podcast: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s

Greg and David welcome special guest, actor David Hyde Pierce, who has personal experience with the disease, which touched both his father and his grandfather. 

The Forgetting: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s, Season 2, Episode 3

Greg and David are both feeling melancholy as they talk about Greg’s problems keeping his balance. To add a bit of humor, Greg tells the story of falling off a treadmill and feeling like George Jetson.

The Forgetting podcast: Season 2, Episode 2

Greg and David welcome their special guest, Lisa Genova, the author of “Still Alice” and a Harvard-trained neuroscientist. Greg talks about welcoming a new grandchild to the family and how that has touched his life. Lisa tells a funny but revealing story about how she once met Greg for coffee and Greg arrived with his clothes soaking wet. And, as always, David and Greg express their love and admiration for each other.

The Forgetting podcast: Season 2, Episode 1

Greg and David are back with season 2 of their conversations around Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode, Greg talks about how he often wants to be alone – more so than ever before. David asks Greg his thoughts on Joe Biden and accusations that Biden is battling dementia. And, a bare-chested Greg hits the wrong button on his cell phone, prompting an embarrassing moment with a bishop. But Greg, and the bishop, have a sense of humor about the situation.

This episode was recorded Sept. 17, 2019

The Forgetting, A Special Edition: Dementia In The Age of Coronavirus

Recorded March 27, 2020

The world is getting a sense of the isolation, frustration and fear that Alzheimer patients and the people who care for them live with every day. David and Greg discuss how everyone’s lives have changed during this pandemic in this Special Edition of The Forgetting. Their hope is that people can develop a better understanding and empathy for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia from this shared experience.

The Forgetting: Episode 13

In the finale of “The Forgetting Podcast: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s” Season 1, we learn that there will be a season 2, slated for release in the fall. We also hear from co-hosts Greg O’Brien and David Shenk about the response they’ve received since the podcast was released. Greg talks about his hero, Larry David, who sent Greg a gift. An 85-year-old woman asks Greg a question about his Jeep and probably regrets it. David talks about the recent loss of his own mother to dementia. And Greg has an adventure in an Uber.

This episode was recorded June 7, 2019.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 12

Special guest George Vrandenburg talks about his work pushing the federal government to spend more on research. George tells talks about the loss of his wife Trish to Alzheimer’s and how the disease impacted their family. Greg recalls an event in Los Angeles that reinvigorated him in the fight against the disease. Other topics: people need to talk about Alzheimer’s and dementia in order to demystify the disease; people need to look out for caregivers, who could find their own health compromised as they care for loved ones.

George Vrandenburg is chairman and co-founder of the organization UsAgainstAlzheimer's. Find out more about the organization here.

This episode was recorded October 11, 2017.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 11

Greg reveals that he blacked out twice while going to a business meeting, but he did not tell anyone. David tries to surprise Greg with two mystery guests. The surprise fails. Greg’s two sons, Conner and Brendan O’Brien, join the podcast for an honest discussion about their dad and dementia’s impact on their lives. Greg and his family discuss a difficult conversation they recently had about the family’s financial future.

This episode was recorded on July 27, 2017 at the WGBH Studio at the Boston Public Library Café in front of a live audience.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 10

Greg and David are joined by Gloria Clayborne, the wife and caregiver to jazz icon Junior Mance, who has dementia. Greg talks about going into a rage and stepping out of a cab in Manhattan. Gloria discusses some of the strategies she uses to deal with her husband’s hallucinations and incontinence. David, Greg and Gloria talk about sex, and how some Alzheimer’s patients still have strong sex drives and a desire for intimacy.

This episode was recorded on May 24, 2017.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 9

Greg talks about the death of Trish Vradenburg, who, along with her husband George, helped create US Against Alzheimer’s – one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the Alzheimer’s world. Greg says his mind is telling him to do things he wouldn’t normally do, which makes him worry. David talks about the plan for how long the podcast will go on so that people can get the blunt truth about the disease.

This episode was recorded April 27, 2017.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 8

Greg loses his friend. Greg gets upset with people who do the “drive by.” An encounter of the 3rd kind. Greg tells a joke about Alzheimer’s, reminding us to keep our senses of humor. A discussion of the disease before symptoms. Greg has advice for his friend as he faces dying.

This episode was recorded April 13, 2017.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 7

Greg talks about flipping off drivers on the way to the station. David and Greg discuss when it’s appropriate to correct someone with Alzheimer’s, and when it’s be best to just let things go. David surprises Greg by bringing on special guest Lisa Genova, the author of the novel, “Still Alice,” and a close friend of Greg’s. Once again, the conversation turns to suicide, with Lisa offering some valuable context and information. Lisa tells a story about ALS.

This episode was recorded March 16, 2017.

Special guest: Lisa Genova

KEY WORDS: Alzheimers; Dementia; Depression; ALS; Lisa Genova

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 6

Greg talks about caregivers, and how it’s never just one person who has Alzheimer’s, but the whole family. Greg tells a story about being so filled with rage, he crossed a street without caring to even look for cars. Working out at the gym still helps Greg. And David asks Greg about why he continues to talk about “checking out,” and what he means by it.

This episode was recorded February 2, 2017.

Keywords: caregiver; rage; exit strategy; confession.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 5

Greg feels that he's becoming more like Larry David, blurting out his thoughts and feelings. Another problem at airport security: Greg throws a shoe. An outburst at the Harvard Club. Why humor helps. A discussion of Glen Campbell with his wife Kim, who talks about how her faith helped while caring for Glen through his Alzheimer's disease.    

This episode was recorded January 10, 2017.

With special guest Kim Campbell. 

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 4

Greg talks about how he often doesn't recognize people he knows. Greg gets upset when his first grandchild is being born, and his older sister sets him straight. Greg gets lost in his hotel. And while giving a speech, Greg senses a woman standing behind him on stage giving him support.

This episode was recorded November 22, 2016.

Keywords: faking it; alone on a bus; caregivers.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 3

David takes away Greg's laptop. Greg talks about ongoing rage issues and how his anger almost put him on the federal no-fly list. Greg says that in some ways Alzheimer's has given him a purpose. Greg no longer has confidence in himself; but he has confidence in his soul and his heart.

This episode was recorded June 1, 2016.

Keywords: pity; being late; 100 bucks.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 2

Greg talks about a humiliating experience that's becoming more common. He discusses how he tries to conceal his symptoms (what he calls "the train wreck"), because he doesn't want people's sympathy. Greg mistakenly kisses a girl he does not know. And Greg explains to David why he must blurt things out and talk over people when he has a thought.

With special guest Dr. Rudy Tanzi.

This episode was recorded November 20, 2015. 

Keywords: snowflakes; exit strategy; gorgeous girl.

The Forgetting podcast: Episode 1

In the first episode of The Forgetting, we meet Greg O'Brien and David Shenk. We  hear about Greg's long history with Alzheimer's, including taking care of family members with the disease before his own symptoms came on. Greg's friends joke about him owing them money. And Greg makes a promise to his mother.

With special guest Jed Levine.

This episode was recorded September 10, 2015.

Keywords: rage; humor; hope.