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.

SummaryCo-host Lauren is back to nerd out with host Joe about their mutual love of nerd king, Viggo Mortensen. What makes an actor a nerd king? Any actor who has been in movies with big nerd fandom and is almost irreplaceable as the character they played like Viggo in Lord of The Rings as Aragorn, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine or Hugo Weaving in pretty much any role he’s played. Who’s your favorite nerd king?

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.

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

SummaryWith co-host Lauren out for a pole dance competition, this episode features host Joe Borges with special guest co-host Bethany Noelle aka BooBoo. Bethany is very special to The NeuroNerds because she is our art department! She created The NeuroNerds logo and is currently designing our t-shirts which are coming soon. In this episode, Joe and Bethany discuss their quests for new psychological therapists to help with PTSD, anxiety and more. They talk about their coping mechanisms like meditation, leaning on support systems and how service and therapy dogs are great for psychiatric support.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Guest co-host artist Bethany Noelle aka BooBoo

• For Halloween, Bethany is going to be Dustin from Stranger Things. Joe has beef with Dustin for almost killing everyone on the show with his pet Demogorgon, D'Artagnan.

• D'Artagnan is the name of Bethany’s dog plus she has two other dogs named Raven and Shasta.

• Joe has been a little down because he is looking for a new therapist. Joe has been seeing a psychological therapist since his stroke. A big cause of his stroke was stress so he’s managing it now through therapy

• Joe hemorrhagic stroke was a right basal ganglia bleed.

• Joe summarizes his journey of finding a therapist and working with several different ones. He had found a therapist that he really liked, but she disappeared suddenly. His current therapist doesn’t specialize in PTSD so he’s looking for a new one.

• Bethany is in the middle of looking for her first therapist. She says there are so many factors in searching for the right therapist like gender, insurance, LGBT friendly, etc.

• They both agree that finding a therapist is a little like dating.

• Joe talks about how much his service dog Stella has helped him with his PTSD and night terrors. Bethany talks about her dog Dartanian who helps her at home as a comfort animal.

• Joe and Bethany talk about their meditation practices using the app Headspace.

• They discuss dealing with anxiety and overstimulation

• They talk about how they have to fight withdrawing from friends and disappearing when they’re going through mental issues. Short moments of solitude are ok especially if they go meditate, but disappearing for days is not ok. They have gotten better about leaning on their friends and family for support.

• Joe isn’t looking forward to starting over with a new therapist.

• They discuss the importance of finding a therapist you really like. The therapist is working for you so you should feel really comfortable with them.

• Art is an outlet for Bethany. She is The NeuroNerds art department. She also plays piano for hours as therapy. Art therapy is very helpful to Bethany to get through her anxieties. She feels most comfortable behind the piano and creating.

• Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Dave Gilmore are Bethany’s favorite guitarists.

• Bethany talks about her anxiety with driving and how she copes by talking on bluetooth during long drives and how parking can set her off

• Bethany is an introvert/extrovert while Joe used to suffer from horrible social anxiety and still does, but it is more manageable now. Bethany stresses more about the process of going out, but is comfortable being around people once she’s there.

• Bethany talks about how she designed The NeuroNerds logo after a super hero logo.

• Bethany creates custom art on shoes and is going to create some NeuroNerd sneakers for Joe. She’s also going to be designing NeuroNerd t-shirts.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Bethany’s Links - www.boosquared.com, https://www.redbubble.com/people/vintagelycan, https://society6.com/vintagelycan | Bethany’s Instagram Handles - @vintagelycan, @bootothetwo

• D'Artagnan the Demogorgon from Stranger Things - http://strangerthings.wikia.com/wiki/D%27Artagnan

• Headspace app - https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app

• Jimi Hendrix - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix

• Eric Clapton - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton

• Dave Gilmour - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gilmour

• Chinese Democracy (album) by Guns N’ Roses - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Democracy

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.

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

SummaryHost, Joe Borges is interviewing not one, but three amazing guests in this episode. These guests are the Three Stromies - three women who connected through their common experience of surviving major strokes at young ages. They share their experiences from suffering their strokes to recovery to their lives after stroke. Plus they talk about how they found purpose in sharing other stroke survivor’s stories as well as their own to inspire and empowering our stroke survivor community.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Introduction of the The Stromies - Sarah, Tamson and Angie

• Homies + Stroke = Stromies

• They discuss how the Stromies all met each other

• Everyone shares what type of strokes they suffered - Joe suffered a hemorrhagic stroke due to high blood pressure; Sarah suffered two strokes; Tamson had a an Ischemic stroke due to holes in her heart that are a genetic mutation so she’s basically like an X-men mutant; and Angie’s adrenaline and blood pressure spiked to 300/155 due to a tumor on her adrenal gland so she’s not sure what kind of stroke she suffered because there were so many things that happened to her during her ordeal.

• They discuss trouble connecting with people post stroke and losing friends because they can’t relate to their experience.

• The Stromies talk about how fulfilling it is to share other stroke survivor’s stories on their platform.

• Sharing your stroke story can be therapeutic, but also not everyone is ready because it makes it too real.

• Sharing your story gives strength to others going through the same journey.

• Everyone shares their first memories after leaving the hospital.

• How the Stromies got started and how they started a blog

Links to Topics Mentioned

• American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/

• Find The Stromies at Stromies.com, Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/three_stromies; Twitter - https://twitter.com/ThreeStromies; and Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stromies

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.

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

SummaryThe NeuroNerds are getting physical in this episode and discussing the importance of fitness and exercise during the brain injury recovery process. Joe and Lauren both maintain workout regimen and give tips and advice on how to start and stay consistent. In true nerdy fashion, they somehow connect fitness to video games and super heroes as well.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• This episode focuses in on the importance of maintaining a fitness regimen especially during brain injury recovery.

• Joe and Lauren ironically kick off the episode about fitness with video game talk.

• Joe doesn’t like RPG games and shames Lauren’s nerdom

• Joe has been slacking on his exercise regimen and is getting back on track.

• Lauren pole dances, teaches dance and Taekwondo classes for exercise

• Important to listen to your body and take breaks and be patient. Don’t push yourself too hard when recovering.

• Moderation is key when sticking to a healthy diet. It’s ok to cheat and eat junk now and then, just not regularly.

• Not all diets fit all. General practitioner doctors aren’t necessarily experts on diet unless they specialize in it.

• Seek out advice from different sources. Lauren hired a nutritionist. Joe consulted Felice’s dad who has a lot of knowledge about diet.

• If you don’t sync with your doctor philosophically, find another doctor.

• Do research when you have to make a medical or fitness decision to see what works best for you so you can make an informed decision.

• Walking is a great way to start an exercise regimen. It’s also a great way to keep your blood pressure down.

• There’s a link between better mental health and regular physical activity and exercise.

• There are many ways to exercise without a gym like walking at a park, running/jogging on a school track, swim at high school pools during the summer, fitness classes at YMCA or local community centers, take dance classes, workout videos on YouTube, etc.

• Seek professional help before starting an exercise regimen for the first time

• There are people online who have created workouts based on different super heroes.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Kingdom Hearts - https://www.kingdomhearts.com/home/us/

• Space Jam - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117705/

• Final Fantasy X - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_X

• Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate:_Dark_Alliance

• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173840/

• World of Warcraft - https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/

• Witcher - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher_(video_game)

• Star Wars: Battlefront - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Battlefront

• Diablo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_(video_game)

• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic

• RPGs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_game

• Mortal Kombat - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Kombat

• McRib - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McRib

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.

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

SummaryTo continue Joe’s August month-long Stroke-iversary, he continues the talk about his recovery with co-host Lauren. They get real about their hang-ups and issues with admitting their disabilities and deficits from their respective brain injuries and how important it is to accept it and face these challenges head on.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe and Lauren continue to talk about Joe’s recovery

• They discuss vanity and not wanting to admit their disabilities

• “Imposter Syndrome” - am I really injured?

• Joe talks about having the mental yips - not being able to trust his own brain

• It takes true strength to admit that you need help

• What should The NeuroNerds tribe be called?

• They discuss being ready to share your story or not. Not everyone is ready to face their trauma from a brain injury

• Joe is overcoming his fear to be vulnerable because when people reach out, it makes him feel a responsibility to share, inspire and support others

• Ina - there’s no disability, only ability

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Luke Cage Season 2 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322314/episodes

• The Faculty (movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133751/

• Fellow stroke survivor, Ena - https://www.instagram.com/kingena_ybg, https://www.instagram.com/nodisabilityonlyability

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.

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

SummaryIt’s a special 25th episode of The NeuroNerds celebrating our host, Joe’s 2-year Stroke-iversary! It’s a celebration because since suffering a major hemorrhagic stroke on August 4, 2016, Joe has gained a new lease on life and made it his mission to live his Best Life. With his partner, girlfriend and caregiver Felice guest co-hosting this episode, they both go down memory lane and reflect on Joe’s stroke recovery journey offering tips, advice and lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• It’s Joe’s stroke-iversary episode with special guest co-host Felice LaZae.

• Joe and Felice reflect on Joe’s stroke recovery journey for the past two years.

• Joe’s timeline and milestones during recovery.

• Discuss the importance of patience during recovery

• The importance of talking to your doctor about handicap placards if you’re suffering physical deficits from brain injury

• Finding the positive aspects of going through a brain injury experience. Joe got a new lease on life for instance.

• The important role of Joe’s occupational therapist, Kaley Meister, in his continuing recovery.

• Joe is working on managing his schedule with his occupational therapist

• Discussed the importance of routine during recovery and how meditation helps Joe create routine.

• The importance and role of Joe’s service dog in his continued recovery. Discusses the difference between a service animal and emotional support animal

• Find your tribe/community to support you through your recovery

• How video games serve as occupational therapy for Joe.

• Joe talks about his struggle with post stroke fatigue

• Joe had to learn how to accept help. He was always the strong one and he had to learn how to lean on others for support.

• Keep up with your healthcare during recovery. If you aren’t feeling well, see a doctor!

• How to know when it’s time to go to the ER when you have a history of stroke or brain injury.

• Joe talks about how a CT scan with contrast makes you feel like you pissed yourself.

• Caregivers and supporters of brain injury survivors can sympathize, but don’t say that you’ve gone through the same thing. That’s frustrated for survivors.

• Take preventative measures to avoid a stroke by seeing your doctor regularly.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Kaley Meister’s latest blog article on Kaley’s Korner - https://www.joesorocks.com/kaleys-korner/

• Links about psychiatric service animal - https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html, https://www.amazon.com/Training-Your-Own-Service-Dog-ebook/dp/B015SJ32AM, https://www.amazon.com/Training-Your-Own-Service-Book-ebook/dp/B015RV08J4

• Fellow stroke survivor Rianne on Instagram and Twitch - https://www.instagram.com/go.with_the.grow, https://m.twitch.tv/riri_games/profile

• Fallout 4 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_4

• Uncharted - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted_4:_A_Thief%27s_End

• Grand Theft Auto V - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_V

• CT Scan with and without contrast - https://healdove.com/health-care-industry/CT-Scan-of-Abdoman-and-Pelvis-with-Contrast

• Fellow stroke survivors, The Stromies - https://www.instagram.com/three_stromies

• Fellow stroke survivor, Kyle of Stroke of Genius - https://www.instagram.com/thereelkylestyle, https://www.instagram.com/shareyourstrokeofgenius

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

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.

SummaryJoe and Lauren are talking all about their favorite Disney Princesses from the classics like Snow White to the new school like Mulan to the newly inducted Star Wars Princess Leia! What’s a Disney Princess without magical hair? They talk about their favorite hair powers and how important hair becomes when facing surgery for brain injuries. Who’s your favorite Disney Princess and if you could have any hair power, what would it be?

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

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

This episode features our first remote interview! Our first interviewee is with fellow brain injury survivor, Mimi Hayes. Mimi is currently living in New York living the creative life as a comedian and soon to be published author just a few short years after suffering a cavernous angioma that hemorrhaged in her brain. Defying all odds, Mimi is flourishing and her book “I’ll Be OK, It’s Just a Hole in My Head” will be published on September 18, 2018. Listen to co-host Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano interview this inspiring NeuroNerd superstar!

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

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 a special San Diego Comic Con 2018 episode of The NeuroNerds! Not only is this episode is jam packed with nerd news from Comic Con, but also on-location interviews with our NeuroNerd adjacent correspondent, Ashley Hopson who attended Comic Con and gave us some inside news, scoops, reactions and fun from the convention in-person. Joe and Lauren give lots of their reviews as well plus theories and hopes for what’s to come in the world of nerdom. Joe also discusses PTSD and dealing with overstimulation at large events like Comic Con.

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
  • Find NeuroNerd Adjacent Ashley Hopson on Instagram at @ashlena_71

• 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

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 a special Friday the 13th episode of The NeuroNerds (ok Friday the 13th was a few days ago, but still!) IT, H.P. Lovecraft and all things Cosmic Horror are the focus of co-hosts Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano in this scary edition of The NeuroNerds. They talk about their favorite horror movies, the varying types of horror genres and dissect the novel turned movie, IT at length so major spoiler alert! What are your favorite horror movies?

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

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