On a freezing winter day in Chicago, architecture critic and writer Kate Wagner slipped on the ice — a fall that left her with a concussion and a long, difficult recovery. What followed was a struggle with persistent post-concussion symptoms, heightened anxiety and depression, and difficulty sleeping. In this episode of Invisible Impact, Kate joins CLF’s Julia Manning to share how an unexpected injury forced her to confront questions of identity and purpose when the work that had always defined her suddenly became impossible. 

👤 About the guest: 

Kate Wagner is the architecture critic for The Nation Magazine. She is also a writer and purveyor of the blog and social account McMansion Hell. Kate has struggled mightily since suffering a concussion in January of 2025, which she detailed in an essay which is linked below.  

Read Kate’s essay here: https://www.late-review.com/p/the-hairshirt-doldrums 

Connect with Kate: 

• Instagram: @KateGWagner & @McMansionHell

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• Website: ConcussionFoundation.org 

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

In 2018, professional parkour athlete, free-runner, and Hollywood stuntman Corbin Reinhardt was touring the country with his team when he suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury left him with lasting effects on his speech and memory, sparking a long and difficult journey through persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). In this episode of Invisible Impact, Corbin joins CLF’s Julia Manning to share his story — from the height of his stunt career to the realities of recovery and resilience after brain injury. 

🔑 What you will hear in this episode:  

• The injury that changed everything (1:10) 

• Dealing with speech difficulties, changes to hearing, and coordination (6:50) 

• Realizing how serious the injury was (12:37) 

• Staying determined through recovery (14:30) 

• Overcoming the challenges of an invisible injury (18:18) 

• Words of wisdom to those struggling (24:35) 

• Lasting symptoms (27:30) 

• Strategies for managing symptoms (46:00) 

• Don’t give up on yourself (54:00) 

👤 About the guest: 

Corbin is a professional parkour athlete, SAG/AFTRA stunt performer, and free-runner with Tempest Academy based in Los Angeles. 

Connect with Corbin: 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• Website: ConcussionFoundation.org 

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

Two concussions in one summer led to post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and a new normal for CarmenRose Fiallo. Just before her senior year of college, what was supposed to be an exciting time turned into months of recovery and uncertainty. Living with PCS and chronic migraines meant pressing pause on school and learning how to navigate a world full of triggers. 

In this heartfelt conversation, CarmenRose sits down with CLF’s Julia Manning to share her story — from the tough decision to take a semester off to the small wins and daily challenges of living with an invisible injury. She opens up about how documenting her journey on social media has helped her find community, bring visibility to the often-unseen struggles of life after concussion, and remind others that they’re not alone. 

With warmth, honesty, and hope, CarmenRose offers a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear, and that sharing our stories can make all the difference. 

🔑 What you will hear in this episode:  

• CarmenRose’s story of sustaining two concussions in one summer and how it changed her senior year of college (1:05) 

• Realizing it was PCS and symptoms were persistent (6:45) 

• Pushing through wasn't an option (8:32) 

• Seeing a neurologist and learning to advocate for yourself (11:20) 

• Navigating a new reality and taking brain injury recovery seriously (14:49)  

• Impact on social life and personality changes (21:00) 

• Journey with chronic migraines & finding community by sharing experience online (26:15) 

• Strategies for managing symptoms & avoiding triggers (32:18) 

• Communication and honesty led to improved understanding among friends & family (38:41) 

• Healing isn’t linear & honoring your own journey (42:33) 

• Message of hope for those struggling (45:00) 

👤 About the guest: 

CarmenRose (she/her) is a queer Latina disability advocate and digital storyteller. Her work has led to features with CBS Mornings, VICE, Healthline, and more.  

CarmenRose is passionate about building community while raising awareness around her experience with Chronic Migraine and Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms. 

Beyond her professional and advocacy work, she finds joy in long walks or bike rides through Central Park with her fiancée, a fresh set of acrylics, and catching the latest film on the big screen. 

Connect with CarmenRose: 

• Instagram: @CarmenRoseFiallo 

• TikTok: @CarmenRoseFiallo 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• Website: ConcussionFoundation.org 

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

What happens when your dream career gets derailed in an instant and no one can see your injury? U.S. Moguls Ski Team athlete Alli Macuga shares her powerful journey through post-concussion syndrome (PCS), revealing the hidden struggles behind concussion recovery and how she found her way back. Whether you’re an athlete or just navigating your own healing, Alli’s story is a must-listen reminder that recovery isn’t linear — and you're not alone.

👤 About the guest: 

Alli Macuga is a member of the U.S. Moguls Ski Team. Based in Park City, Utah, Alli has been skiing nearly her entire life and is quickly making her mark on the international stage. In 2024, she earned her first World Cup podiums — taking 3rd place in Dual Moguls in Alpe d’Huez, France, and 2nd place in Moguls in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She finished the season ranked 5th in the world. 

Despite facing a challenging season due to PCS, Alli continues to train with her sights set on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

 Connect with Alli: 

• Instagram: @alli_macuga 

• TikTok: @alli_.macuga 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• ConcussionFoundation.org 

  
  

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

In this episode, CLF’s Julia Manning is joined by professional soccer player Kennedy Faulknor of the Vancouver Rise. Kennedy opens up about the concussion that sidelined her for over a year and a half—not just from soccer, but from most all activities of her daily life.

Though she had endured multiple concussions throughout her athletic career, it was her most recent brain injury that changed everything. Kennedy faced persistent post-concussion symptoms that lingered for months, taking a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally. Beyond the headaches and fatigue, she shares the deeper, often invisible challenges of recovery: the identity crisis, the isolation, and the uncertainty about her future.

As someone who has experienced PCS herself, Julia brings empathy and insight to this vulnerable conversation. Together, they explore what it truly means to heal from an invisible injury—and why it’s so important to talk about it.

👤 About the guest:

Kennedy Faulknor is a professional soccer player from Toronto, a UCLA graduate, and the youngest center back ever to play for the Canadian women’s national team. After three concussions, she aims to raise awareness and offer guidance to those affected by post-concussion syndrome. 

Connect with Kennedy:

Instagram - @kennedyfaulknor

📞 Need support after a concussion?

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine.

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.

💬 Connect with us:

Instagram - @concussionfoundation

Website - ConcussionFoundation.org

⭐ Enjoyed the episode?

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Anthony Bartley, a Chicago-based visual artist who transforms personal pain into creative expression. Anthony opens up about the life-altering concussion he suffered during high school soccer and the long, difficult journey that followed. From persistent post-concussion symptoms to mental health struggles and isolation, Anthony shares the unseen challenges that many brain injury survivors face every day. 

Through acceptance, vulnerability, and artistic expression, Anthony found a path forward—and a community that helped him heal. His artwork now serves as a beacon for others navigating invisible injuries, and his voice adds an important perspective to the growing conversation around mental health and traumatic brain injuries.

🔑 What you will hear in this episode:  

• Difficulty at school and having to quit sports (3:07) 

• Sleep issues impacting daily life (10:18) 

• Struggling with mental health symptoms in high school (14:50) 

• Finding help after suicidal ideation (16:18) 

• Turning to art as an outlet (18:08) 

• New mental health disorders after concussion (24:43) 

• Message of hope to others struggling (41:00)  

👤 About the guest: 

Anthony Bartley is a Chicago-based visual artist whose art is rooted in healing, honesty, and community. Following a severe concussion in high school, Anthony’s life took a dramatic turn—one that ultimately led him to explore art as a means of healing and connection. Today, he uses his platform to raise mental health awareness and to make others feel seen and less alone. 

Last Spring, Anthony had his debut solo art exhibition, Words I’ve Never Said. He’s gearing up for a pop-up exhibition at this year's Miami Art Week, which aims to bring video gaming and community to the fine art world. 

Connect with Anthony: 

• Website: ⁠fadingroyalty.com⁠ 

• Instagram: ⁠@fadingroyalty⁠ and ⁠@happy.days.apparel⁠ 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

📞 Need mental health support? 

Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are common after concussion. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or experiencing thoughts of suicide, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988 by phone, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• ⁠ConcussionFoundation.org⁠ 

  
  

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

Stuntwoman and parkour champion Sydney Olson opens up about her journey through multiple concussions, how recovery reshaped her mindset, and the surprising ways slowing down made her stronger. She shares hard-earned lessons on brain health, resilience, and hope for anyone navigating post-concussion syndrome. 

🔑 What you will hear in this episode: 

• Slowing down all aspects of life to recover (9:42) 

• The role of meditation, journaling, and nutrition in her healing (19:47) 

• Her message of hope for anyone navigating post-concussion syndrome (24:14) 

  
  

👉 Core Message from Sydney: Healing takes time. Slowing down isn’t failure — it’s how you get better. 

👤 About the guest: 

Sydney Olson is a SAG/AFTRA stuntwoman, actress, mindset coach, professional parkour champion, and podcast host. She has performed around the world, competed in events like the Red Bull Art of Motion, and doubled actors in major productions. Through her podcast Collecting Scars, Sydney shares powerful stories of resilience, and today she brings that same openness to her own concussion journey. 

Connect with Sydney: 

• Website: sydneyolson.com  

• Collecting Scars podcast: ⁠Listen here⁠ 

• Instagram: @sydneyolson1  

• YouTube: youtube.com/sydneyolson 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• ⁠ConcussionFoundation.org⁠ 

  
  

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

A game of laser tag in 2017 changed Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban’s life. She suffered a concussion that led to post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and persistent symptoms she still manages today. In this powerful conversation, Melissa sits down with CLF’s Julia Manning, who also developed PCS in 2017, to share the profound impact PCS has had on her life - from her role as a mother and leader, to her relationships and mental health. 

Through honesty, vulnerability, and insight, Melissa opens up about the challenges of navigating an invisible injury, and what has helped her cope and heal along the way. 

🔑 What you will hear in this episode:  

• Realizing it was PCS and symptoms were persistent (4:15) 

• Doubting yourself and pushing through symptoms (9:32) 

• What vision and cognitive symptoms can feel like (13:31) 

• Exercise challenges and dysautonomia (25:06)  

• Finding your new normal, navigating social and emotional impact (33:35) 

• Motherhood with a concussion (41:46) 

• Strategies to feel better (47:56) 

💬 About the guest: 

Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30 and an authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is an eight-time New York Times bestselling author and has been featured by People, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Connect with Melissa: 

• Website: melissau.com 

• Do the Thing Podcast: Listen here 

• Instagram: @melissau 

• TikTok: @melissa_u 

📞 Need support after a concussion? 

If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. 

Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 

💬 Connect with us 

• Instagram: @concussionfoundation  

• ConcussionFoundation.org 

  
  

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? 

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

For about 20% of people who suffer concussion, symptoms don’t resolve within a month, and they are left navigating life with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Those symptoms are often invisible and debilitating. The recovery journey can be challenging and incredibly difficult to navigate alone. 

This is a podcast for those people. We see your struggles and understand what you’re going through. 

Each episode, we’ll sit down with someone who has been there and knows what it’s like to have their life dismantled by an invisible injury. We’ll tackle the emotional, cognitive, and physical toll of a brain injury and share the real struggles, and incredible stories of resilience. We’re here to share relatable experiences, coping strategies, inspiration, and a reminder that healing is possible.

Invisible Impact is hosted by CLF’s Julia Manning and produced by Katelyn Walker.