Thursday/Jeudi May/Mai 21, 2026
It's Zack's
Birthday! 🎉
Thursday is our Medicine & EDS Edition — and this week it lands on a personal milestone. Thank you to everyone who reached out. The work continues, the episodes keep rolling, and today we look at some truly important research at the intersection of music therapy, emotional well-being, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and the growing conversation around video games as therapeutic tools.
The Ebola Pandemic in Africa
I am appalled by the ongoing aggravation of the Ebola pandemic across Africa and I want my readers to know: my next #LongReads OpEd article will address this crisis directly. The world cannot look away. As always — take precautions, stay informed, protect yourself and your community. More soon.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome — Research
Take Part in Research
The Ehlers-Danlos Society actively maintains open research participation opportunities for those living with EDS and HSD. If you or someone you know is affected, contributing to research is one of the most powerful ways to advance understanding of these complex connective tissue disorders. Every participant matters.
Join the Research →Mental Health & DJ Culture
Jerry Ropero: Bipolar In The Booth — A DJ's Tale
A deeply candid account of navigating bipolar disorder as a working DJ and music producer. Jerry Ropero opens up about the highs, the crashes, the booth, and the path toward stability. This is the kind of story the music industry needs to tell more — and listen to more. Essential reading for anyone in the scene.
Read the Interview →Music Therapy — Peer-Reviewed Research
Effect of Music Therapy on Emotional Resilience, Well-Being, and Employability
A quantitative investigation exploring the mediation and moderation effects of music therapy on emotional resilience and well-being outcomes — including employability. This NIH-published study backs what many of us who use music therapeutically have known all along: it works. Deeply, measurably, transformatively.
Read the Study →Video Games & Therapy
Videogames and Therapy: A Narrative Review of Recent Publication and Application to Treatment
A compelling review of how video games are being applied in therapeutic contexts — covering cognitive rehabilitation, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, and more. As someone who has personally found healing through games like Death Stranding, this research resonates. The overlap between play, healing, and technology is real and it deserves serious attention.
Read the Review →