Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

Living with post-concussion syndrome often means navigating a disorienting loss of identity, unpredictable symptoms, and the frustration of feeling like a stranger to yourself. When a good day is suddenly followed by an overwhelming crash, the uncertainty of recovery can make finding a clear path forward feel impossible. Today, we are exploring how to navigate the emotional and physical toll of lingering symptoms, adapt to an invisible injury, and discover true peace in the midst of life's chaos.

Today, host Cristabelle Braden interviews author and speaker Tara L. Banks, who candidly shares her personal experience recovering from multiple concussions. Listen as Tara opens up about grappling with a shifted sense of self, managing light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, and brain fog, and learning to advocate for herself when her struggles aren't visible to others. We also discuss redefining victory through the "little wins" of daily life, leaning on faith and supportive community, and cultivating internal peace when external circumstances remain uncertain.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center on hope for post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Schmoe shares the importance of looking beyond traditional rehab to explore blood chemistry, gut health, neuro-inflammation, and supporting the brain's glymphatic system.

🧠 In this episode:

• Navigating the deep sense of losing your identity and feeling disconnected from yourself after a concussion.
• Managing unpredictable day-to-day symptoms, light and sound sensitivity, and "invisible" recovery struggles.
• Learning self-advocacy and extending patience toward loved ones who may not fully understand post-concussion syndrome.
• Redefining resilience, embracing vulnerability, and celebrating the "small victories" in daily healing.
• Finding peace through faith and community support.

The Hope Collective: read and share reflections on life after brain injury: hopesurvives.org/thehopecollective

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Tara:.taralbanks.com

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:05 Welcome with Cristabelle

4:24 Hope for PCS - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe

8:26 Tara’s Concussion Story

15:14 “Looking Fine” - Not Feeling Fine

20:18 Finding Peace in Post-Concussion

23:25 Sense of Self & Not Giving Up

31:10 Finding Everyday Fruit - Tara’s Book

32:22 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

Have you ever felt stuck and unsure how to move forward in your recovery journey? Today, as we kick off Season 6, we are talking about how learning about brain health can make a huge impact - and giving you some practical tools to take with you.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Luke Bohnenberger, known as Luke Speaks TBI, who shares his powerful journey from a severe car accident and mental health struggles to becoming an advocate for others. Listen to discover how understanding your brain’s needs on a neurological level can remove shame, empower recovery, and help you regain a sense of control over your life and recovery journey.

We also feature a spotlight on brain health with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe explains practical, daily habits for supporting your neurology, focusing on blood sugar regulation, hydration, and simple ways to activate your brain through movement, visualization, and stress reduction.

🧠 In this episode:

• Reframing post-injury symptoms as "signals" and learning to listen to your brain before it reaches an overload state.
• Exploring 6 pillars of brain health: connections, movement, diet, novelty, environment, and rest.
• Why establishing a sense of neurological safety is a required foundation for deep healing.
• How to navigate the "push and pace" dynamic to challenge your brain without causing a setback.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Luke: lukespeakstbi.com

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

1:45 Welcome with Cristabelle

2:59 Brain Health - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe

6:02 Introducing Luke

8:45 The TBI Journey

14:35 Foundation of Brain Health

23:00 Understanding Safety in Nervous System

26:45 Takeaways and Small Steps

31:35 Final Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

At Hope Survives, we know that life with brain injury isn’t easy - so we're here to talk all about the ups, downs, and in-betweens, and offer some encouragement and practical tools to help you on your journey. Today we're sharing a preview of where we're going in Season 6.

This season, we’re having thoughtful conversations with clinicians and individuals impacted by brain injury: connecting expert insight with the real-life, day-to-day experience of life after brain injury. Today’s preview episode includes a first look at some of our conversations. Subscribe and stay tuned for the official premiere!

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after a brain injury, with the mix of symptoms, daily stress, and simply coping with how your life has changed. It’s also common after brain injury to end up in survival mode, feeling disconnected from your body, and pushing yourself - which may be okay short term, but can add to long term stress and chronic symptoms. Today, we are diving into the topics of grounding, mindfulness, and how learning to regulate your nervous system can help you to move forward with healing after a brain injury.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Occupational Therapist Shelley Latendresse, who shares practical insights on how mindfulness and grounding techniques can aid recovery from a brain injury. Listen to discover how simple daily practices can help manage symptoms, reduce cognitive load, and promote healing. We also talk about coexisting with pain, symptoms, and the ways that we can acknowledge where we are at while also moving forward.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe explains how to bring your nervous system out of a hyper-sympathetic "fight-or-flight" state using targeted neurological stimulation as well as ways to do it at home.

This is also our Season 5 finale! We are so grateful for the conversations we've had this season and we look forward to staying connected as we enter a break to prepare for the next season.

🧠 In this episode:

• Navigating the process of managing symptoms, pain, and cognitive load post-concussion.
• Why focusing on simple, everyday habits can bring forward healing after brain injury.
• Understanding mindfulness as a core skill for present moment awareness to reduce stress after brain injury.
• Exploring grounding techniques that actively involve your senses and nature.
• Ways to stimulate your vagus nerve for nervous system regulation.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

1:53 Welcome with Cristabelle

3:00 Season 5 Finale

7:15 Nervous System Regulation - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe

13:00 Introducing Shelley Latendresse, OT

17:51 Why Mindfulness Matters

19:55 Feeling Disconnected from Your Body & Mind

21:40 Ways to Connect to the Moment

31:30 Grounding for Coexisting with Pain and Symptoms

40:44 Finding Beauty in the Everyday

42:22 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

When you are recovering from a brain injury, simply trying to get through a daily task can feel like an absolute mountain to climb. Executive dysfunction can make it incredibly frustrating to finish what you start: you might find yourself losing your place mid-task, getting easily distracted, or completely forgetting what you were doing in the first place, leaving behind a trail of half-finished projects and not knowing how to continue.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down for a full interview with Stacia Bissell and Katya Bowen to discuss the ins and outs of task completion after brain injury - and how you can map out a plan to get your focus back.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center all about some of the neurological and metabolic reasons behind executive dysfunction.

*Join the Maps for Task Completion Live Virtual Workshop - coming up on September 18 - register now! https://hopesurvives.org/maps-workshop

🧠 In this episode:

• Why a brain injury makes it incredibly difficult to stay organized, manage your time, and follow through on daily tasks.
• How to create your own “map” to finish your task.
• How setting a simple, repeating alarm can systematically interrupt distractions and pull your focus back to the job at hand.
• Importance of breaking the cycle of self-criticism and internal pressure, which actively drains the cognitive energy you desperately need to get things done.
• Encouragement to step forward into initiation when it can feel like a struggle to just start.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:10 Welcome with Cristabelle

5:00 Executive Dysfunction - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe

8:45 Introducing Stacia & Katya

16:55 Task Completion

19:25 Creating Your Map

26:00 Setting Yourself Up for Success

34:35 Encouragement

36:25 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

Imagine a world where brain injury recovery isn't a frustrating game of trial and error, but a precisely mapped, tech-driven path designed for how your unique brain heals. The future of neuro-rehabilitation is no longer a distant dream - it is happening right now, and it brings so much hope.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center to unpack some of the recent groundbreaking technology advancements reshaping rehabilitation. If you or a loved one has ever been stuck in survival mode or told your scans look "normal" despite a daily battle with brain fog and fatigue, this conversation is an exciting look at the advanced care happening across the globe.

🧠 In this episode:

• Why the most effective way to spark neuroplasticity and rewire the brain is by activating multiple systems at once.
• A look at a cutting-edge tablet technology out of Paris that measures how your eyes converge and diverge using light and sound cues in a natural, active environment.
• How functional near-infrared spectroscopy from South Korea images real-time blood flow changes in the frontal and temporal cortex during everyday movements.
• Why interactive testing in free space uncovers subtle visual and tracking deficits that standard, stationary medical testing completely overlooks.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

1:47 Welcome with Cristabelle

6:05 Introducing Dr. Schmoe

12:25 New Visual Tablet Tech - REMOBI

21:20 New VR Assessment Tech - NESPLORA

24:52 New Brain Imaging Tech - NIRSIT

28:20 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

Music has a unique ability to reach parts of the brain that regular speech or traditional therapies sometimes cannot. For those who have experienced a brain injury, the rhythmic and multi-sensory nature of music can bridge neurological gaps and provide a distinct pathway toward healing. In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down with neurologic music therapist Serenna Wagner and her client, Alice Collier, who has experienced a brain injury to talk about the profound impact of music therapy on recovery.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Harvey explains the mechanics of auditory stimulation and music, breaking down how it triggers multi-sensory integration to stimulate neural pathways without overloading a recovering patient's sensory system.

🧠 In this episode:

• Understanding Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) - how specific, standardized techniques use music to manipulate brain activity, join the brain's hemispheres, and circumvent damaged networks.
• A story of resilience and finding new dreams after Alice survived a traumatic brain injury from a bike accident
• How matching auditory cues to visual and physical actions drives the brain's timing and sequencing networks.
• How music therapy can be dynamically paired with physical therapy to make repetitive, challenging, or tedious physical movements highly motivating.
• Host Cristabelle shares how music and songwriting helped her reclaim her emotions, speech and motor skills following her own brain injury.

Connect with Serenna: https://thisinnervoice.com/

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

1:53 Music on Cristabelle’s Journey

6:10 Music and Multi-Sensory Integration in Brain Injury Rehabilitation with Dr. Harvey - Spotlight

9:43 Introducing Alice and Serenna

15:05 Finding New Life after Brain Injury

18:15 Understanding Music Therapy

23:05 How Music Brings Growth after Brain Injury

27:27 Creativity in Brain Injury Recovery

32:45 Playing “The Drunken Sailor”

35:28 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

Concussions are incredibly complex, and because they can disrupt up several systems in your body at once, recovery never looks the same for any two people. If you have ever felt like your (or your loved one’s) symptoms are completely overlapping, today we are going to help you understand why - and what to do about it.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden is joined by neuro-rehabilitation specialist and clinician Dr. Melissa Biscardi to break down "concussion phenotypes,” which are the distinct categories of symptoms that can present in concussion. From visual and vestibular disruptions to autonomic and cervical triggers, Melissa offers a path forward in reading the body's post-injury baseline and creating an order of operations for physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery.

We also feature an expert clinical spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe helps us understand concussion rehabilitation, including explaining why pairing multi-system tasks (such as combining cognitive tracking with physical movement) drives neuroplasticity and can safely accelerate healing.

🧠 In this episode:

• A breakdown of the core concussion phenotypes and how they constantly interact.
• Why your nervous system must feel foundationally stable and safe before you can successfully rehabilitate through targeted cognitive therapy.
• How subtle formatting issues or structural injury in the neck directly spark secondary symptoms like nausea, blurry vision, and tracking headaches.
• Honoring the intense identity shifts, irritability, and anxiety that naturally occur when an unexpected injury flips your daily life upside down.
• How physical movement, even a simple sequence of marching in your bedroom for 10 seconds, drives essential oxygen and blood flow straight to a healing brain.
• Why changing or rotating clinicians as your baseline improves is a sign of therapeutic progress, not failure; different phases of recovery demand different clinical specialties.

Melissa's previous episodes with us:

57- Female Hormones after TBI/Concussion: https://hopesurvives.org/podcast/57

54- Pillars of Concussion Care + Holistic Approach: https://hopesurvives.org/podcast/54

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

1:55 Welcome with Cristabelle

3:10 How to Treat Concussion with Dr. Schmoe - Spotlight

8:00 Introducing Dr. Melissa Biscardi

12:12 Breaking Down Concussion Phenotypes

20:50 How Symptoms Show Up in Everyday Life

27:18 Intentional Movement

29:24 Metabolic Factors

33:25 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

Have you ever wanted to share more about your story, but weren’t sure how to start? The hidden realities of living with brain injury can feel overwhelming to explain, especially to people in your life - and it can feel daunting to know where to start with sharing. In this episode, our host Cristabelle sits down with bestselling author Laura Conaway to explore the vulnerable journey of living with POTS and dysautonomia following a childhood concussion. Laura shares personal insights on breaking the cycle of shame, the struggle with sharing symptoms with people around you, learning to give yourself grace during unpredictable flare-ups, and how the act of writing can become a powerful vehicle for healing.

We are also introducing The Hope Collective: a space on the Hope Survives website that gathers the voices and creative expressions of our community reflecting the complexity and resilience of life after brain injury.This space is designed specifically for you to read and share your own reflections, stories, and triumphs whenever you feel ready. Whether you want to process your own healing, provide comfort to someone else walking a similar path, or take advantage of the opportunity to be officially published on Hope Survives, The Hope Collective is here for you. Learn more: hopesurvives.org/thehopecollective

*FREE ACCESS to Laura’s Writing With Hope On-Demand Course: https://hopesurvives.org/writingwithhope

Plus, we feature a spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Harvey explains the fascinating relationship between creative writing, fine motor skills, and neuroplasticity, showing how putting your thoughts on paper actively re-wires the cerebellum and strengthens emotional control.

🧠 In this episode:

• Processing the difficult feelings of looking “fine” on the outside while managing symptoms internally.
• The struggle with feeling initial shame in sharing your limitations with others - and learning to give yourself grace and take small steps forward.
• How creative writing and fine motor expression stimulates core neural pathways to enhance recovery.
• Why stepping out of isolation and linking arms with a community can calm an overactive nervous system.
• Encouragement for why your story matters, and some small steps forward towards sharing.
• Practical tips on breaking through the fear of writing, setting aside rigid formatting, and letting your authentic voice shine.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:20 Welcome with Cristabelle

6:40 The Value of Writing after Brain Injury - Spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey

9:30 Introducing Laura

12:56 Managing Symptoms

16:04 Processing Shame & Sharing with Others

20:50 Courage to Start Writing

26:33 Encouragement to Try Writing & Sharing

34:30 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠

When you are dealing with the overwhelming changes of a brain injury, it can easily feel like you are stuck in constant survival mode. There are so many changes in identity, dreams, and goals. So how do you move forward and find purpose? In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Jackson Davis, who shares his powerful story of turning trauma into a deeper purpose. After surviving a catastrophic car accident that left him in a multi-month coma with severe physical and brain injuries, Jackson had to completely rebuild his life, reframe his goals, and discover what it truly means to endure - even becoming an ultra-endurance Ironman athlete.

We also feature a special spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center on finding meaning during recovery. Dr. Harvey discusses the vital psychological shift from focusing on feeling "broken" to intentionally making yourself whole again, and how a purpose-driven perspective can actively build your neurological resilience.

🧠 In this episode:

• Navigating survival mode & why it is completely okay to just focus on getting through the day one moment at a time when your system is overwhelmed.
• Coping with the sudden loss of your old life plans and learning to accept and love the person you are today.
• How finding new purpose doesn't have to look like a massive plan right away; it can be found in the small ways you choose to show up for yourself and your community each day.
• Ways that Jackson defied medical expectations, overcame severe physical limitations, and trained to compete in multiple long-distance triathlons.
• The importance setting goals for yourself to take those small steps forward - even if it’s pacing your daily actions one hour at a time.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:00 Welcome with Cristabelle

4:55 Spotlight - Finding Purpose within Recovery - Dr. Ryan Harvey

7:55 Introducing Jackson Davis

9:30 Jackson’s TBI Story

19:30 Emotional & Physical Recovery

21:50 Finding New Dreams & Goals

23:13 Defining Purpose

25:05 Journey to Ironman

27:45 Encouragement in Walking in Purpose

30:10 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠