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August 8, 2025 • 46 mins

Keywords

Die Hard, Bruce Willis, personality change, frontotemporal dementia, neuropsychology, Phineas Gage, brain disorders, emotional impact, caregiver burden, identity, Bruce Miller, UCSF


Summary

In this episode, Dr. Tom Kiely explores the profound impact of brain disorders on personality and identity, using the iconic film 'Die Hard' and the story of Bruce Willis as a backdrop. He discusses the historical case of Phineas Gage to illustrate how brain injuries can alter personality, and delves into frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition that robs individuals of their character and affects their loved ones. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding these changes through the lens of neuropsychology and the need for support for families dealing with such challenges.


Sound bites

"The brain shapes who we are."


Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Die Hard on Tom's Life

10:12 Understanding Personality Changes in Brain Disorders

15:08 The Story of Phineas Gage: A Historical Perspective

20:29 Exploring Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

26:23 The Family Experience with FTD

29:37 The Role of Neuropsychology in Understanding FTD

45:59 Living with FTD: Support and Resources


ASSOCIATION FOR FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION (AFTD):

AFTD WEBSITE


60 MINUTES SEGMENT ON FTD:

FTD: YOUTUBE LINK

SUBSCRIBE:

🔔 Subscribe to access bi-weekly podcast episodes: 

[PODCAST LINK] 


GET IN TOUCH WITH DR. KIELY:

PRIVATE PRACTICE WEBSITE

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM


PSYCHOLOGY TODAY:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us


SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE: 

Dial 988

https://988lifeline.org/


MUSIC:

Rock Your Surfboard: Yeti Music

https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/rock-your-surfboard

License code: 343U0UCD8ZHJYTR


Ambient Piano: bdProductions

https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-piano/10369873

License code: 75a61e2f-0346-452d-b744-f539a56697da


Pop Rock Logo: DmitriySimf

https://audiojungle.net/item/pop-rock-logo/27226150

License code: 5424026d-0261-4ca6-9c5d-019f56fe5116


Summer Pop Lemonade: SonicMood

https://audiojungle.net/item/summer-pop-lemonade/53371178

License code: 14a92b7e-e924-4c82-9de5-f8aa3518b752


Country: CustomMelody

https://audiojungle.net/item/country/8082106


Life Ny Life: Antarcticbreeze

https://audiojungle.net/item/life-ny-life/15333514

License code: 7351086c-b195-492a-a775-2ddf27af5707


Upbeat Retro Synth Pop: AlexanderRufire

https://audiojungle.net/item/upbeat-retro-synth-pop/26157896

License code: 23a2642f-4df5-49c3-9c87-591eacb43e63

 

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