38 Parasites Podcast

Aim

Raise awareness of a rare disease via a podcast about a woman who found 38 parasites living in her brain and became an unrecognisable person

🪱 TAPEWORM CLIP - SNEAK PEEK 🪱

Find us on Instagram & Facebook

Nicola Brown, Producer

"Everyone who's heard Lowri's story tells us we have to turn it into a podcast. Every time its been told to friends, on dates, at parties, to colleagues.. it gets the same responses ... “What??”... “That’s gross!!”... “How is that even possible??”  People can’t believe it happened and no-one has ever heard the word neurocysticercosis. Yet this little known disease is one of the biggest causes of epilepsy worldwide. 

There was a moment in time when I wondered if the Lowri I met 20 years ago had gone forever. I've watched her become someone unrecognisable and then - THANK GOODNESS - bounce back. Lowri's strength and determination truly blows me away and when she asked me to help get this story out there I of course said yes!

We've been trying to get the podcast off the ground for a few years now and feel  from the snippets we've managed to capture around full time jobs feel it's got some real potential. Our challenge to make it a reality is funding and that's where we're hoping you can help."

What’s the story? 

A carefree backpacking trip to India would result in twenty-something Lowri Denman finding a tapeworm in the toilet back home in Cardiff the discovery of 38 parasites living in her brain a year later. A ten year rollercoaster ride that at its peak would see her almost sectioned and confined to a neuropsychiatric ward, an unrecognisable version of herself to family and friends. 

Lowri: “When we’re young we can feel so invincible but life can throw you the most unexpected curveballs. The effect it had on my physical and mental health is something I really want to share. Especially my mental health journey as I’m aware it’s something so many of us wrestle with. There was a moment in time where it felt impossible to see a bright future, but I pushed through. Today I feel like myself again but there are still so many unanswered questions.

It’s been a huge transformative journey to get to where I am today. Many people - including myself - thought it might not be possible, but here I am - stronger than ever and ready to share my story. I’m a little apprehensive about some of the conversations I need to have with family and friends in making this podcast as I know it may bring up hard memories. But I also know we’ll share some laughs along the way! And together I hope we can heal and raise awareness of this cruel disease.”

Why a podcast?

During recovery Lowri was shocked to learn there is little information out there about neurocysticercosis and felt compelled to warn others that such a life changing disease can be picked on travelling. So she asked producer friend Nicola for help with getting the story out there. 

“I’ve watched Nicola work passionately as a producer over the years and as a friend, she’s been a big part of my journey so telling this story together feels like the perfect fit."

Together we hope to help others and along the way, to answer many of the unanswered questions Lowri still has. We initially pitched it as a documentary idea to Netflix in 2018 and had some initial interest but ultimately it fell down because of a lack of visuals. Lowri was so embarrassed by her behaviour at the time that photos and messages got deleted. Over a beer one night we had the realisation a podcast would be the perfect format. Especially because we want to dive into what was happening in Lowri’s brain during peak psychosis. 

After years of trying to develop the podcast in our spare time, we were chuffed to get shortlisted for the prestigious Whicker Awards at Sheffield DocFest last year where we had the opportunity to pitch live on stage, we didn’t win the funding but it really made us fine tune the idea. We decided on a name, created our artwork and experimented with sound design. Leading us to realise that immersive sound is a compelling way of creating a sense of the psychosis in Lowri’s brain during ‘the dark days’. The only thing we don’t have to bring it all to life is funding!

Why are we Crowdfunding? 

We’ve managed to record bits and pieces over the past few years where time has allowed around work but the reality we’ve struggled to find the proper time we need to do the story justice. 

Funding would allow us to bring this 12 part series to life. We could bring an editor, sound designer and composer on board - we have some amazingly talented people on standby and we’d love to be able to work with them. It would allow us to pay for kit, software and studio time so we can record content with family, friends and medical professionals. We want to give this story the dedicated time it deserves and with Nicola juggling three different projects it would allow her to actually carve out time to focus on this.

Another big part of this podcast for us is building a community online. Recognising that many people out there are supporting loved ones go through challenging health experiences. Our ambition is to create spaces where people can connect and talk about things that aren’t easy to talk about. We’d love it if you’d join us in this journey of support and care.

Not only is this podcast an opportunity tell a jaw dropping story and to find Lowri some answers, it’s a chance to shine a spotlight on a disease little is known about yet it affects millions of people.

Who are we?

We originally met as runners on Doctor Who around 20 years ago! (During the David Tennant days in Cardiff). Since then we've shared lots of adventures together and even lived together in Bristol - which is where the idea of the podcast was formed!

Host & Subject: Lowri Denman

Lowri's story is the heart of the podcast and it's a journey that spanned over a decade of her life. Lowri works in TV and film production as a Production Coordinator. 

Impact Producer & Host: Nicola Brown

Nicola specialises in digital storytelling and short-form production that aims to create an impact in the real world -  usually about environmental stories so this story is a slight curve ball! But it's one she's passionate to tell. 

A huge thank you for your time 🫶

(especially if you made it this far!)

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th July 2026 at 5:49pm