“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” – Willy Wonka Last Halloween, my beard became part of a bit. I dressed as Gene Frenkel, Will Ferrell’s iconic SNL  cowbell character. To make the look, I dyed my beard from salt-and-pepper to nut brown. It worked. And it was fun. As I leaned into the character,  really exploring the space, baby , I started playing with the idea of “More Cowbell for Parkinson’s.”  Parkinson’s showed up uninvited in our lives, so w

A few weeks ago, I did something simple but meaningful: I wrote a fan letter to Adam Sandler. This is akin to throwing a message in a bottle and tossing it to sea. I wasn’t really expecting a reply. I wrote to Adam about his Netflix special Love You , because his show helped shape the film I’m currently finishing, Boys of Summer: Third Base . It's the fourth film in our documentary series about my dad Dan and our journey through his life with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In Love

I had the pleasure of talking with Eli Pollard , Executive Director of the World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC) , on  Your   Daily Dose of Dopamine . If you haven’t seen the interview yet, you can watch it here: What struck me most wasn’t just the breadth of topics we covered, but the genuine heart behind the WPC mission, and what that means for people living with Parkinson’s (PD), researchers, clinicians, care partners, advocates, and artists alike. When the first World Parkinso

Some songs are written. Others are lived. “Dad Was Here”, crafted with my long-time composing partner, Will Townsley, PhD (a.k.a. Brother Will ),  grew out of miles on the road, long conversations between innings, and the quiet understanding that forms when a parent and child share something bigger than either of them. It sits at the emotional center of Boys of Summer: Third Base , the fourth film in the Boys of Summer  documentary series that spans more than two decades of

If you’re caring for someone with a chronic illness, you’ve probably gotten very good at holding things together. You manage appointments. You anticipate needs. You stay calm when things feel anything but. And somewhere along the way, your own story can start to fade into the background. This Stand By Me Cinema Therapy  class isn’t about fixing anything. It’s not about writing “well.” It’s about having a place where you  get to show up, honestly, creatively and wholly. Usin

There is only one time any of us truly have: now . No, it isn’t convenient. No, it isn’t fair. And no, despite all our planning, striving, and bargaining, we will never fully control what comes next. What we can  do is influence this moment. And storytelling, if we’re courageous enough to work hard and with others, can transform the world - not just for ourselves, but for others who are quietly waiting for permission to believe their story matters. This is the power and the g

by Karen Patterson It’s time to unite. To shine our light. Yes, and join the fight To do what’s right With all our might. Yes, and time to cross that line— To admit we are not “fine.” With your stories and mine, Memories traced along the third base line. Unite is the word I’ve chosen for 2026. It comes from unity —a state in which we are at our best. Unity means connection, understanding, and love, our most powerful force and emotion. Love was my word for 2025, and what I l

Vulnerability. I don’t like this choice because it threatens me. I know the power of the word. I teach it often in my improv and storytelling classes. I ask students to say the first thing that comes to mind, to put their characters in peril, to raise the stakes by increasing vulnerability. But making it my  word of the year? I don’t like it. Which means I’ve got work to do. A dear friend of mine, Diane, uses vulnerability alongside another word: visible . Visible and vulnera

Life really isn’t fair. People in the Parkinson’s community know this very well. Most of us heard this truism early, but it never stops hurting when it shows up unexpectedly, cruel, and senseless. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, being gone isn’t fair.  And yet, here we are. I keep thinking about Stand By Me , a film that has called out to me since the first time I saw it as a teenager.  Gordie: Do you think I'm weird ?   Chris: Definitely.  Gordie: No man, seriously. Am I

I’m heart-broken. Like so many, the devastating news that Rob Reiner, whose work shaped how I see movies, storytelling, and life itself, was taken from this world along with his wife in a violent tragedy. My heart goes out to their family, friends, collaborators, and all who loved them. Rob’s work made us laugh, cry, scream, and think - one hell of a package. I first remember Rob on television as Meathead  — Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law on All in the Family.  I was a ki

Empowering the PD Community Through Success Stories™ Parkinson’s disease has always been surrounded by stories—some helpful, many harmful. “It’s just tremors.” “You don’t look like you have PD.” “It’s not that bad.” These phrases, often spoken casually, can land with surprising weight. They erase complexity. They minimize struggle. And, perhaps most damaging, they silence possibility. Hope may not be the best strategy, but hopelessness is definitely an emotional tourniquet. L

For many, the words “Parkinson’s disease” (PD) elicit fear. Decline. Stillness. A gradual shrinking of life. That’s part of the narrative people in the PD know and subscribe to—the one dominated by stigma, misunderstanding, and hopelessness. But that isn’t the whole   story. It ’s not even the most important one. Success Stories™  were created to shift the narrative. They are a vibrant, storytelling celebration of real people living with Parkinson’s disease. Produced by Yes,

Cinema Therapy is a creative therapeutic approach that leverages the power of film narratives to support emotional insight, healing, and personal growth. Rather than simply watching movies for entertainment, Cinema Therapy invites participants to witness, reflect, and respond  to cinematic stories as mirrors of their own inner lives. ( Link )  At Yes, And…eXercise! , we use Cinema Therapy as a narrative engine . We help people not just heal, but create Success Stories™ whose

I’ve been a Stephen King fan for as long as I can remember, but The Long Walk  has always held a special place for me. Written under his...

Dear John, From the moment we met, you brought wisdom, humor, and heart into the Yes, And…eXercise! circle. You were one of the first to...

Up until the mid-2000’s, Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment was almost entirely pharmaceutical. Exercise wasn’t yet validated as...

“Stories don’t matter—facts do.” It’s a common refrain, especially in an age obsessed with data, evidence, and measurable outcomes. But...

​​ The Transformative Power of Cinema Therapy You’ve heard the phrase “hurt people hurt people.”  But what if we flipped that narrative?...

Whether we realize it or not, our brains are always  telling stories. From the moment we wake up—sometimes even before—we’re stitching...

Ready to step into the storytelling ring? We’re inviting you —Rock Steady Boxers, care partners, family members, and coaches—to join a...