About Defy Dementia – The podcast for anyone with a brain, by Baycrest
Defy Dementia is an empowering new podcast by Baycrest that is dedicated to helping you reduce your dementia risk. Join us on a captivating exploration of key dementia risk factors as we interview experts, hear inspiring stories from persons with lived experience, and share practical advice to help you optimize your aging journey. Tune in and subscribe at defydementia.ca (http://defydementia.ca/) or anywhere you get your podcasts, and unlock the power to age fearlessly and defy dementia.
Each episode will be complemented by a short video, infographic, and related resources to help you take control of your brain health.
Defy Dementia is hosted by Jay Ingram (Canadian author and broadcaster) and Dr. Allison Sekuler (President and Chief Scientist, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation). The podcast is generously funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Dance is more than movement. It brings together physical activity, social connection and cognitive engagement.
In this episode, we explore how dance can benefit people of all ages and abilities. We join a dance class at Canada’s National Ballet School with Michael Farewell, a community-dwelling older adult dancer. Then Dr. Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, shares insights into the growing evidence behind dance and healthy aging.
Whether in a studio, community centre or living room, there’s no right or wrong way to dance. Making dance a regular part of your life can benefit your overall wellness and remember… dance like no one is watching.
Soon to be 79, Michael Farewell has attended older adult dance classes at Canada’s National Ballet School for many years. A Tai Chi enthusiast, he participates in Tai Chi and line dancing at Toronto’s Mon Sheong Centre. He retired from Bell Canada two decades ago.
Dr. Rachel Bar was a professional ballet dancer before she completed her PhD in psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and a post-doctoral fellowship at Trent University’s Trent Centre for Aging & Society. Since 2020, Rachel has been Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School where she oversees the School’s Research Institute and Artistic Health Department. Her research spans broadly across both the health and wellness needs of dancers and the benefits of dance for community health and wellness. Specifically, much of her work in community research has focused on dance in older adulthood, including its benefits for people living with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and the knowledge mobilization of this research.
Megan Ferris is the Manager of Older Adults and Community School Programs at Canada's National Ballet School (NBS). She is a graduate with distinction from the NBS Teacher Training Program and the Faculty of Arts at Ryerson University specializing in Early Childhood Studies. In her role, Megan focuses on providing dance programming to people of all ages and abilities, while coordinating partnership development as well as evaluation for on-site, in community and online programming. Along with her extensive work in NBS' Community Dance Programs, Megan is also a faculty member and student mentor in NBS' Teacher Training Program.
Jeannie Yeun is a Toronto-based pianist and accompanist who works with Canada’s National Ballet School, the School of Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre and Royal Academy of Dance examinations. A University of Toronto graduate, she maintains an active freelance career and piano studio in the Greater Toronto Area.
19 Aug 2026
Dispatches from AAIC 2026 - the Frontline of Alzheimer’s Research
This episode explores some of the latest dementia research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, UK, with guest Dr. Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Vice President of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association and a leader in global dementia research and scientific collaboration.
Alongside co-hosts Jay Ingram and Dr. Allison Sekuler, Dr. Edelmayer discusses emerging findings that could shape the future of dementia prevention, treatment and care. Topics include research from two studies on brain changes observed in former professional soccer players and physician-supervised use of an oil containing active ingredients of cannabis, which may calm agitation in people living with dementia, respectively.
The conversation also examines a study in Latin America showing that lifestyle interventions designed to reduce dementia risk can be successfully adapted across different cultures and communities. Together, these studies offer new insights into early detection, risk reduction and improving quality of life for people affected by dementia.
Tune in at defydementia.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Guest Speaker
Dr. Rebecca M. Edelmayer
Vice President of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, where she leads major national and international dementia research initiatives. A neuroscientist and pharmacologist with experience in academia, industry and the nonprofit sector, she advances biomarker development, clinical research, scientific collaboration and education.
28 Jul 2026
Spotlight on Improv
This episode brings together performers, educators and a neuropsychologist to explore how improvisational theatre (“improv”) can support healthy aging. Drawing on experiences across comedy, performance and research, the speakers highlight how improv may help reduce depression and anxiety, which are key risk factors for dementia.
Alongside co-hosts Jay Ingram and Dr. Allison Sekuler, guests Tim Paul, Romy Teperson, Robert E. Daniel and Dr. Kristin Krueger (Rush University Medical Center, Cook County Health) share how improv promotes social connection, physical movement and cognitive engagement.
From training to community programs, the conversation underscores how humour, creativity and practice can build confidence, resilience and well-being, making improv a powerful and accessible tool for enhancing quality of life across the lifespan.
Guests:
Tim Paul
Improv teacher and performer since 2010; Second City, Annoyance Theatre; Chicago and screen credits; psychology student focused on applied improvisation.
Romy Teperson
Actor-writer trained at Harvard, Yale, Juilliard; improviser with major comedy programs; credits include TV, film and comedy writing roles.
Robert E. Daniel
Founder and Chief Comedy Officer of Standups & Startups helping leaders communicate through comedy; trained performer, workshop leader and creator of Pitches Get Stitches®.
Dr. Kristin Krueger
Board-certified neuropsychologist from Rush University Medical Center and Cook County Health, studying aging and improv; leads Chicago-area groups.
Who has been a guest on Defy Dementia – The podcast for anyone with a brain, by Baycrest
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Susan Gapka
Dr Samir Sinha
Walter Kuntz
Dr Walter Wittich
Jane Enright
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
754,647
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
29
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
85
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Guest appearances
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