The NeuroNerds: A Brain Injury Recovery & Pop Culture Show

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds

Summary

It’s our 40th episode! So of course this is an extra special episode. It’s host Joe Borges’ first interview with a fellow brain injury survivor in-person! But it’s really less of an interview and more of a candid talk between two brain injury survivors. This episode’s interviewee is AVM survivor Thomas Mejia. Thomas is also our December Patreon Donation spotlight supporting his 4th craniotomy surgery and recovery. This is our first month donating a portion of the proceeds from our Patreon supporters to causes and individual survivors like Thomas. Every month we will be featuring a different donation spotlight and we’re very excited to kick off this new initiative with Thomas! So take a listen as Joe and Thomas explore and reflect on Thomas’ journey as he prepares for what will hopefully be his last craniotomy surgery this December.

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds- Plus this month we will be donating a portion of the proceeds from our Patreon supporters to Thomas' GoFundMe to help with his 4th craniotomy surgery and recovery
• Follow Thomas' journey at @tmejia111 on Instagram. And in addition to supporting through our Patreon, you can support him directly at https://www.gofundme.com/brainiatomy-round-2
• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano
• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter
• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae
• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram
• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter
• Sponsored by Avid Technology and our Patreon Supporters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

This episode is a tribute to the late, great, king of the nerds - Stan Lee. Co-host Lauren is out due to her recent pup, Destiny passing away (we love you Destiny!) so host, Joe reflects on Stan Lee and all of his achievements with guest (and NN producer/girlfriend) Felice LaZae. Together they walk down memory lane and discuss all of the amazing Marvel characters and stories, Stan created. Plus Felice serenades us with an acapella rendition of Spider-Man theme song; they talk about the future of the MCU; character and story predictions; how Stan’s characters are an inspiration to stroke and brain injury survivors on the hero’s journey and oh yeah, SPOILER ALERTS ahead! What’s your favorite Stan Lee memory, character or story?

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds
• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano
• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter
• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae
• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram
• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter
• Sponsored by Avid Technology and our Patreon Supporters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

SummaryLauren explains the symbolism behind the turtle carrying the world on its back which gets to the heart of this episode where Joe talks about the pressure and guilt he puts on himself when he compares his recovery journey to others. Lauren reminds him that ultimately comparison is the thief of happiness. Our hosts examine better ways to reframe and have compassion for others while still feeling good about their recovery process at the same time.

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds
• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano
• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter
• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae
• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram
• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter
• Sponsored by Avid Technology and our Patreon Supporters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

Summary

Co-hosts Joe and Lauren discuss change in this episode. They mainly focus on change post brain injury, during recovery including its challenges, how it affects relationships and how it can help prevent future health issues. They discuss their own personal experiences with making health and lifestyle changes post brain injury and compare the differences between recovering from a traumatic brain injury like Lauren’s concussion and an acquired brain injury like Joe’s stroke. What are some changes you have made post brain injury or after a similar life changing experience?

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story

• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology and our Patreon Supporters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

Summary

It's almost Halloween and fresh off of seeing the new 'Halloween' movie, host Joe Borges discusses the movie with fellow horror movie connoisseur, friend and hit producer Sleep Deez! Sleep has been a guest on the show before and is the producer of our NeuroNerds theme song. The two scary movie junkies talk about everything from Chuckie, Friday the 13th to ghosts and their favorite bad scary movies. Plus Joe is super excited about his new sound fx sampler! Can you guess who's laugh that is playing throughout the episode? And what's your favorite scary movie?

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story

• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology and our Patreon Supporters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

Summary

It's October so co-hosts Joe and Lauren are talking about their favorite vampire lore in this episode! They go through vampire lore over the centuries from Dracula's origins to Marvel's Morbius. Joe's favorite is 'Blade' and Lauren 's favorite is 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'. What's you're favorite vampire lore? The more obscure, the better!

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

• Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story

• Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show notes for Episode 34

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

SummaryThis episode is all about post-stroke and neuro-fatigue. Co-hosts Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano discuss their experiences with this condition and how they manage and cope with it. They give tips from seeing a therapist, seeking a community even if it is long distance and the importance of being patient with yourself and your progress throughout recovery. Plus, Oct 15th (the day of this podcast release) is the 3-year anniversary of Lauren’s concussion so we are celebrating her recovery and how far she has come!

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Post-stroke fatigue and neuro-fatigue

• Lauren reads the definition of neuro-fatigue

• Joe talks about his struggles with neuro-fatigue and post-stroke fatigue

• Your brain can bounce back more easily without injury, but with a brain injury, it takes longer.

• Joe thought he was over neuro-fatigue, but it has been coming back lately

• Everyone is different in their brain injury recovery. Some end up recovering faster and slower. Don’t compare yourself to other survivors.

• Community is important to not feel alone

• Patience is important during recovery

• The goal of recovery is not to go back to where you were before your brain injury. You have to find your new normal.

• Survivors are like Pokemon, we’re always evolving during recovery.

• Joe talks about his goal of being a better version of himself everyday. Lauren helps him alleviate the pressure of that goal. Joe realizes that he’s going to make his goal have less pressure and instead attempt to be better each day and it’s ok if he doesn’t always make it.

• 3-year anniversary of Lauren’s concussion brain injury is on Oct 15th

• Lauren has trouble remembering words because of her brain injury.

• Therapy helped Lauren stop minimizing her brain injury

• Accepting your new normal is a big part of the recovery process. It allows you to heal.

• Joe and Lauren encourage survivors to see a therapist.

• Your community may be not be local. Search online.

• Recovery isn’t a straight line.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Oddish - https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Oddish_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

• Gloom - https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Gloom_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

• Vileplume - https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Vileplume_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

  • Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
  • Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

SummaryCo-hosts Joe and Lauren talk about imposter syndrome, the irrational fear of being exposed as a fraud. This condition is talked about a lot in business, but Joe and Lauren talk about how it can affect survivors. They both reflect on their own experiences with this feeling and how it has affected their recovery. Plus they relate this condition back to DC, Marvel and even The Addams Family. And Joe talks more about the new NeuroNerds Patreon and the YouSoRock Facebook Support Group. Have you joined yet?

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

  • Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
  • Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

SummaryCo-host Lauren is out kicking ass so Joe’s partner and girlfriend Felice LaZae is our guest host for this episode. Joe revisits and updates us on his mental health journey with his therapist. Plus they discuss the YouSoRock Facebook Support Group and The NeuroNerds new Patreon page! Have you become a part of the NeuroJedi High Council yet?

Credits

• Support The NeuroNerds podcast on Patreon and join our NeuroJedi High Council at www.Patreon.com/TheNeuroNerds

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

  • Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
  • Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All episodes available at http://TheNeuroNerds.com. Follow @TheNeuroNerds on Twitter/Instagram and Like us at Facebook.com/TheNeuroNerds.

SummaryIt’s another nerd heavy episode all about Kaiju monsters! Co-hosts Joe and Lauren dig into Godzilla, King Kong and other classic monsters discussing their film adaptations both good and bad. Plus they talk about their favorite devil cinematic adaptations and anime. And they hint at some big news that will be announced in the coming weeks, The NeuroNerds are getting a Patreon page where you can support the show and get cool insider stuff to connect you to the show even more so. More details coming soon!

Credits

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

  • Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
  • Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter

• Sponsored by Avid Technology

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.