Listener supported, WNYC Studios.

A Parkinson's diagnosis can be scary, but actor Alan Alda looks at it a little differently.

If you get a diagnosis of Parkinson, it's not a good idea to think, oh,

that's it, everything is over. But many, many people have years to go. And it's a progressive

disease, but you can slow the progress. It's Friday, November 29th, and you're listening to

Science Friday. I'm sci-fi producer D. Peter Schmidt.

For the next week, we're celebrating our 33rd anniversary with some of our listeners' favorite

segments. Thanks to everyone who voted. First up is someone who's been on the program many

times over the years, actor and science communicator Alan Alda. In 2018, he joined us just after

he first publicly discussed his

Parkinson's disease diagnosis. He talked about his life since then, how science informs his

perspective on his condition, and what keeps him hopeful for the future. Here's Ira Fleda with more.

Alan Alda has had many roles in life on stage, television, and in the movies. More recently, as a teacher of communication at the Alan Alda has had many roles in life on stage, television, and in the movies.

More recently, as a teacher of communication at the Allen Alda Center for Communicating Science.

And this week, he stepped into a new role as a public figure diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Alan Alda is a friend of the show.

He's also here to talk about it, and he's got a new podcast, Clear Plus Vivid.

Welcome back to Science Friday.

The plus sign is supposed to mean and.

Oh, and I'm such a nerd.

I look at the plus sign.

I say it's a plus.

...