What if surgery and virtual reality could dramatically reduce phantom limb pain?
On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Glenn Gaston, orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon, to explore groundbreaking innovations in amputee care — including the Starfish Procedure and a virtual reality treatment for phantom limb pain.
Dr. Gaston shares how a life-changing patient experience led him to build a dedicated amputee clinic and push beyond century-old methods of care. We dive into:
- The Starfish Procedure — restoring individual finger control for partial hand amputees
- A non-opioid VR therapy that reduces phantom limb pain by up to 50% in a single session
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and advances in prosthetic control
- How VR retrains the brain after limb loss
- Osseointegration and emerging sensory prosthetic technology
- The international Brecon Conference coming to Charlotte this April
- Arms for All and expanding access to upper-limb prosthetics – https://armsforall.org/
Dr. Gaston also shares his journey into amputee care, the inspiration behind his innovations, and why collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, therapists, and mental health professionals is shaping the future of limb loss recovery.
If you or someone you love is living with limb loss, chronic pain, or exploring prosthetic options — this conversation offers real hope and cutting-edge insight.
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In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Jason A. Jones—motivational speaker, author, and founder of Positive Pieces—for a powerful conversation about resilience, mindset, and growing up with a congenital hand difference. Mike and Jason share a unique connection: both were born with a difference in their right hand. Together, they explore the realities of childhood, school, friendships, sports, and the challenges of first impressions when living with a visible disability. Jason reflects on the role his parents played in building confidence and accountability, encouraging him to adapt without excuses and believe in his own abilities. Jason also discusses his motivational memoir, 3 the Hard Way, which chronicles his journey from adolescence through college—including major setbacks like a serious car accident, job loss, and navigating employment with a disability. The conversation dives into the importance of mindset, and how resilience is built through lived experience.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Steven Vine for a raw and deeply honest conversation about survival and rebuilding life after everything changes. Steven shares how an undiagnosed genetic heart condition led to a sudden medical emergency in 2016, leaving him in a six-month coma. When he woke up, he was blind, a right above-knee amputee, living with an ostomy bag, and navigating chronic pain. Once a nationally ranked teenage track and field athlete who idolized Steve Prefontaine, Steven later owned and managed a fine dining Italian restaurant before his life was upended. In this episode, he reflects on depression, anger, opioid use and withdrawal, and the importance of caregiving support. Steven also explains how his journey inspired The Disability Diaries podcast and his upcoming memoir, Beyond These Green Eyes, offering hope through honest storytelling.
Are you thinking about starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? So many people reach out asking how to get started. And while podcasting isn’t terribly difficult, those first few episodes can feel time-consuming and a bit overwhelming. Here’s an easier way to try it out: 👉 Come guest-host a solo episode of We’re Not Stumped and share your personal story. These are single-person episodes — no guests allowed — giving you the space to speak openly and authentically. Episodes are 10–15 minutes long, making this a simple, low-pressure introduction to podcasting. All you need to do is record on your own device (yes, your phone works great) and tell your story or share insights from your experience. I’ll handle the intro and outro, along with all final edits, to ensure the episode matches the tone and quality of the show.
