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.

SummaryLauren is back just in time for The NeuroNerds’ 20th Episode! This is extra special because it’s the first time Joe and Lauren are recording an episode at Joe’s new home. They discuss the importance of family in the recovery process along with their favorite and least favorite families in nerdom. What’s your favorite nerdy family?

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 host Joe Borges’ birthday and with moving to a new home plus co-host Lauren Manzano being tied up, he’s doing a special JoSoloRocks episode. He reflects on the move, his birthday, his plans for the future of The NeuroNerds and YouSoRocks as well as shouts out his survivor community that has helped him tremendously with his recovery.

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.

SummaryBetter late than never, co-host Lauren has finally seen The Last Jedi so naturally she and co-host Joe are diving deep into Star Wars nerdom in this episode. ( They’re talking Star Wars past, present and future. What’s your favorite Star Wars movie? Share with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Lauren finally saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi so they’re discussing and reviewing the movie in detail

• Joe talks about The Clone Wars

• It’s hard for Lauren to get into Star Wars because there is so much absolutism when it comes to good and evil

• Lauren likes Last Jedi because Kylo and Rey aren’t totally good or evil

• Joe strongly dislikes Hayden Christensen as an actor in the 90s/00s Star Wars franchise

• Joe wanted more Luke Skywalker in The Force Awakens

• Snoak’s death was disappointing

• Joe thinks there’s a villain issue with Star Wars

• Lauren and Joe discuss alternative plots and theories for The Force Awakens

• Lauren and Joe talk chemistry between characters

• The new Solo movie is discussed. Joe still hasn’t seen it, but will soon. They both would rather see a Bobba Fett movie

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Last_Jedi

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Awakens

• Canto Bight, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Canto_Bight

• Star Wars: The Clone Wars, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:The_Clone_Wars(2008_TV_series)

• Hayden Christensen, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0159789/

• Snoak, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Snoke

• Knights of Ren, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Knights_of_Ren

• Solo: A Star Wars Story, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solo:_A_Star_Wars_Story

• “This Is America” song, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_America_(song)

• Andrew Garfield, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1940449/

• Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/

• The Phantom of the Opera, http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/

• Little Shop of Horrors, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Shop_of_Horrors_(musical)

• The Addams Family musical, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Addams_Family_(musical)

• Star Wars at Hollywood Bowl, https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/392/

• C3PO/Anthony Daniels, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Daniels

• Sly Snootles and The Rebo Band, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Max_Rebo_Band/Legends, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sy_Snootles

• Shyriiwook and Droid (Binary or Droidspeak) languages, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shyriiwook/Legends, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Binary

• Inside Out, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/

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.

Show notes for Episode 17

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

SummaryWouldn’t it be great to have a conference or meet-up with fellow stroke and brain injury survivors!? Co-hosts Joe and Lauren discuss ideas of just that in this latest episode. Plus they list their favorite fictional teams/support groups in comics, TV, movies and books. Warning, random spoilers ahead.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe talks about how he chats with a lot of other stroke survivors. He offers support and they also offer support to him in return.

• Joe talked with another support group called The Stromies about a stroke survivor meet-up

• Podcast guests are coming soon

• More on-location podcast recordings sessions soon

• YouSoRock Facebook Group is going to become more active

• Joe is thinking of putting on a NeuroNerds/YouSoRock conference

• Every super hero in fandom has a support group

• A musical band is a team too

• Lauren and Joe discuss different teams/support groups in comics, TV, movies and books

• What’s your cool super hero names?

• What’s your favorite non-DC or Marvel team, legion or group?

Links to Topics Mentioned

• The Stromies, https://www.instagram.com/three_stromies

• Tom Holland’s Spiderman has Ned for support, https://screenrant.com/spider-man-homecoming-ned-leeds-explained/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Batalon

• Avengers are a support group (Earth’s Mightiest Heroes), http://marvel.com/universe/Avengers#axzz5IrHwn9UO

• The Fellowship of The Ring, http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring_(group)

• The Golden Trio, http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Trio

• Brotherhood of Mutants, http://marvel.com/universe/Brotherhood_of_Mutants#axzz5IrHwn9UO

• Legion of Doom, http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Legion_of_Doom

• Death Eaters, http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Death_Eaters

• Daenerys in Game Of Thrones is amassing allies as her team to fight against the North, http://www.thisisinsider.com/daenerys-alliance-game-of-thrones-2016-6

• Cersei has Euron and The Golden Company to support her, https://screenrant.com/game-of-thrones-euron-cerseis-betrayal-plan-explained/, http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Golden_Company

• White Walkers have their legion of zombies as support, http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/White_Walkers

• Justice League, http://dcau.wikia.com/wiki/Justice_League

• Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Chip_%27n_Dale_Rescue_Rangers

• Gargoyles, http://gargoyles.wikia.com/wiki/Gargoyles_(TV_series)

• Spongebob, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpongeBob_SquarePants

• Buffy has the Scoobies - Willow, Zander, Jiles, Jenny Calendar, Wesly windham Price, Cordelia Chase, Faith Lahain, Tara, and Spike, http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Scooby_Gang

• Angel Investigations/Team Angel - Doyle, Cordelia, Wesley, http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Angel_Investigations

• Gummy Bears, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney%27s_Adventures_of_the_Gummi_Bears

• Darkwing Duck and his crew, http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Darkwing_Duck

• Care Bears, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Care_Bears

• Fast and Furious crew, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fast_and_the_Furious

• GI Joe team, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe_Team

• Simba’s support team - Timon, Pumba and Nala, http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Simba

• Scar’s support team - the hyenas, http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Scar

• Grand Theft Auto 5 - Michael, Franklin and Trevor, http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Characters_in_GTA_V

• Final Fantasy 10 - Tidus, Yuna, Lulu, and Wakka, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Final_Fantasy_X_and_X-2

• Baldur’s Gate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate

• Left 4 Dead, http://left4dead.wikia.com/wiki/Left_4_Dead

• Dungeons and Dragons, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons

• Etrigan - DC demon, http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Etrigan_(DC_Legends)

• Buffyverse Canon, http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Canon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffyverse_canon

• Star Wars Canon books, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeline_of_canon_books

• Darth Jar Jar, https://www.buzzfeed.com/isaacfitzgerald/darth-jar-jar?utm_term=.vce2OGLky#.slezQkOX4, https://io9.gizmodo.com/ahmed-best-is-a-darth-jar-jar-truther-1764014960

• Bumble Bee movie trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAIX12F6958

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.

Show notes for Episode 16

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

SummaryIt’s been a tough week with the loss of public figures, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain to suicide. Last episode’s discussion of mental health continues with a focus on suicide prevention. Co-hosts Joe and Lauren share their own personal stories and struggles with mental health and how to find help to get through it.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe and Lauren talk about the new show Cloak And Dagger.

• Joe is mad that Marvel TV shows don’t completely connect to the Marvel Cinematic Universe/

• Joe and Lauren talk about mental health in relation to the recent suicide deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain.

• They talk about how Anthony Bourdain encouraged you to explore the world through other culture’s food. Joe and Lauren talk about their personal experiences traveling.

• Lauren talks about her own personal experiences being their for friends who felt suicidal.

• How to get help if you’re feeling suicidal - call 911, go to an ER, college students can go to counseling or student health center on campus, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

• Joe talks about his own personal battle with depression.

• Post concussion syndrome can cause suicidal thoughts.

• New mental illness symptoms can manifest in your 20s and 30s.

• If you’re feeling new mental illness symptoms, check the side effects of medication you’re taking. Sometimes medication for depression and other mental illnesses can cause suicidal thoughts.

• Friends and family are a reason to live and to take your recovery journey seriously.

• The NeuroNerds are here to help - Joe and Lauren are here for you if you need someone to talk to to.

• Joe discusses going to therapy every week.

• Lauren relates the inner monster that is depression to Bruce Banner battling his inner monster - The Hulk.

• Joe relates depression and inner monsters to The Dark Phoenix.

• Try to create out of darkness instead of falling into it - write, draw, create music. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just be artistic to make you feel good.

• Ways to improve mental well-being - Get out of the house, meditate, get some sun (vitamin D deficiency can affect brain chemistry and lead to depression) and sitting in the rain can make you feel better.

• Reach out and check in with your friends to make sure they’re doing ok.

• Public figures like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain are under a large amount of pressure to be an example/role model. And this goes for anyone who is a role model or inspiration to others. Everyone is allowed to be vulnerable and not perfect so check in with your friends who seem like they have it all together publicly/on social media just to make sure they’re really doing ok in private.

• Go to a local pet store or animal shelter and pet a dog, cat or other furry animal because it is so therapeutic and can help you feel better if you are down.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Cloak And Dagger on Freeform, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak_%26_Dagger_(TV_series)

• Agents of Shield, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agents_of_S.H.I.E.L.D.

• Netflix Marvel shows, https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/765282/Marvel-Netflix-timeline-Daredevil-Jessica-Jones-Luke-Cage-Iron-Fist-Defenders-release-date

• Marvel’s The New York Incident (Battle of New York), http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_of_New_York

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ - call 1-800-273-8255

• Local Resources for US and Canada, 211 http://www.211.org/

• Bruce Banner/The Hulk, http://marvel.com/universe/Hulk_(Bruce_Banner)#axzz5I5upc5sZ

• Dark Phoenix, http://x-men.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Phoenix

• “The Darkness” by Peter Gabriel, https://youtu.be/G6jS-Y6yF8wn

• Reylo, https://www.fanfiction.net/community/Reylo-Realm/126017/ (just some examples of Reylo fan fiction)

• The Gray Jedi tenets, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gray_Jedi, http://swfanon.wikia.com/wiki/Gray_Jedi_Code

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

Co-hosts Joe and Lauren were so busy focusing on Stroke Awareness Month in May that they didn’t get a chance to touch on the fact that May was also Mental Health Awareness Month so they’re diving into discussing it in this week’s episode. They both talk about their personal struggles with mental health as well as more about Joe’s stroke recovery journey and how it affects him mentally.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• May was Mental Health Awareness Month

• Joe had a weird week after seeing photos from his time in the hospital. He talks about dealing with the emotions it brought up and how his stroke community helped him get through it.

• Why Joe describes himself as crazy - the chaos and overwhelmed feelings make him feel that way.

• Joe’s occupational therapist, Kaley, has been one of the most important pieces of Joe’s recovery

• Joe feels like Morph from X-Men - he feels like himself, but he’s not quite himself. Lauren said that Joe is like the elves that Melcor/Morgoth kidnapped and corrupted to make the Orcs.

• Joe talks about his journey with his therapist.

• Joe used to keep all his feelings inside and it eventually affected his health and contributed to causing his stroke.

• Joe’s mental health has improved a lot post stroke. Memory issues make him feel impatient with himself. Doesn’t always know who he is like he’s walking in someone else’s skin.

• Taking steps back on the journey to recovery is ok because it’s a learning opportunity.

• Joe talks about how Lauren has really helped him with his recovery.

• It feels weird after a brain injury because you’re searching to find your purpose. This reminds Joe of an android character in the DC Animated Universe (A.M.A.Z.O.) who doesn’t understand his purpose or Butter Robot on Rick and Morty who didn’t know his purpose and then was sad when he found out it was just to spread butter.

• Joe and Lauren love horrible movies like Biker Boys, Demolition Man, Volcano, Dante’s Peak, Armagedon, Deep Impact plus Hunt For Red October and Blade

• Joe processes having had a stroke and his mental health through humor.

• Joe’s gratitude to his stroke survivor community.

• They touch back on villains with purpose.

• Favorite characters that are searching for purpose - Joe loves the Punisher and The Question and Lauren loves Xena

• Joe is finding purpose in helping fellow survivors while also getting better about caring for himself. He likes to help others so much that sometimes he forgets about himself.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Mental Health Awareness Month, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

• Morph from X-Men, http://x-men.wikia.com/wiki/Morph

• Melkor/Morgoth, http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Melkor

• Lulu lemon yoga pants, https://shop.lululemon.com/c/women-pants/yoga/_/N-7yhZ1z141d0

• Joe’s new blog post Reflections on Stroke Awareness Month, https://www.joesorocks.com/joesowrites/2018/6/1/reflections-on-stroke-awareness-month

• A.M.A.Z.O. (android character in the DC Animated Universe), http://dcau.wikia.com/wiki/A.M.A.Z.O.

• Butter Robot on Rick and Morty, http://rickandmorty.wikia.com/wiki/Butter_Robot

• Biker Boys, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0326769/

• Demolition Man, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106697/

• Volcano, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120461/

• Dante’s Peak, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118928/

• Armageddon, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/

• Deep Impact, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120647/

• Hunt For Red October, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099810/

• Blade, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/

• Deadpool as Bob Ross, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Cjsnq8kVU

• Dirty Birdy - Australian pole dancer, https://www.instagram.com/dirdybirdy/?hl=en

• Rorschach is like Coronel Horacio Carrillo, the Incorruptible from the TV show, Narcos, http://watchmen.wikia.com/wiki/Walter_Kovacs, http://totalwar-ar.wikia.com/wiki/Horacio_Carrillo

• Fan fiction of Reylo (Rey and Kilo hooking up) and Storm Pilot (Po and Finn), https://www.fanfiction.net/community/Reylo-Realm/126017/, https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11759082/1/Stormpilot-Drabbles (these are just examples, there are a ton of fan fiction like this out there!)

• General Hux actor Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley (Ron Weasley’s older brother) in the Harry Potter movie adaptions, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1727304/

• The Punisher, http://marvel.com/universe/Punisher_(Frank_Castle)#axzz5HalGXsiN

• The Question, http://dcau.wikia.com/wiki/Question

• Xena Warrior Princess, http://hercules-xena.wikia.com/wiki/Xena:_Warrior_Princess

• Chemtrails, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemtrail_conspiracy_theory

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

WARNING: Spoiler alert (again)! Joe and Lauren have a lot to process about the Avengers: Infinity War and they couldn’t fit it all in last week’s episode so this is part 2 of their reviews, theories and reactions to Infinity War. So process all the emotions and tears along with them and let us know what were your favorite parts of the movie!

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Infinity War was really an origin story of Thanos

• Thanos and Captain America’s opposing ideologies - we don’t trade lives vs one life for millions/kill the few to save many

• Frustration with Starlord - he lost everything so he couldn’t let go of Thanos killing Gamora even if it was for the greater good

• Joe thought everyone was going to die and Vision would bring people back with the time stone

• Lauren knew who was going to die, but still cried through the whole movie

• Joe and Lauren discuss their major dislike of spoilers without warnings

• Joe’s theory about which characters are actually dead - he thinks it’s everyone who died before Thanos’ snap

• Lauren’s theory - maybe the bearers of each stone will be trapped in their stones

• Joe’s theory - maybe they’ll start using multi-verse and not bring characters back

• Thanos’ altruistic, utilitarian goal to bring balance to the universe

• They finally really gave Thor the power of a God and emphasized how he and Loki are Gods by Loki telling Thanos that he’ll never be a God

• They discuss how Infinity War is about loss - Thor lost Loki, Thanos lost Gamora, Akoye lost Black Panther, Captain America lost Bucky (lost him twice), Iron Man lost Spiderman (father/son relationship), Scarlet Witch lost Vision, Rocket lost Groot (lost him twice, father/son relationship)

• Theory - what if the people who disappeared now never existed?

• Where’s Hawkeye?

• How are they going to tie in Ant-Man?

• Captain Marvel teaser - Lauren wants Rogue to come in and absorb her

• Is Loki The Hulk?

• Next stage in Marvel movies? Will they go cosmic? Maybe they’ll bring in Fantastic Four, Galactis and/or X-men since the Fox deal went through?

• Don’t forget, it’s Stroke Awareness Month!

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Avengers: Infinity War, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154756/

• Star Lord, http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Star-Lord

• Hawkeye, http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Hawkeye

• Ant-Man, http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Ant-Man_(film)

• Proposed acquisition of Fox By Disney (game changer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe!), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_acquisition_of_21st_Century_Fox_by_Disney, http://www.slashfilm.com/fox-superheroes-in-the-mcu/

• Captain Marvel movie, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154664/

• Stroke Awareness Month, http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/AmericanStrokeMonth/American-Stroke-Month_UCM_459942_SubHomePage.jsp

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.

SummaryWARNING: Spoiler alert! In this episode, The NeuroNerds are talking all about their feelings, reactions and favorite parts of Avengers: Infinity War. It’s also Stroke Awareness Month which is really important especially to host, Joe who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke almost two years ago. Joe and co-host Lauren will be offering some advice and tips on how to spot a stroke early on and what to do if you or someone you love is experiencing a stroke.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe and Lauren’s feelings, reactions and reviews of Avengers: Infinity War

• Lauren’s beloved Loki died and she cried 60% of the movie

• Sometimes Lauren wishes there wasn’t so many comedic quips downplaying the dramatic parts in Marvel films

• Joe an Lauren discuss Stroke Awareness Month

• Signs of a stroke and F.A.S.T. - steps to follow to determine if someone is having a stroke and what to do

• Signs of Joe’s stroke and how they weren’t all obvious so it’s important to call 911 just to be safe even if you aren’t sure if you are having a stroke

• Health app on the iPhone - list emergency health info, list pre-existing conditions

• NeuroNerd night at the movies - Joe loved seeing Lauren’s reactions Infinity War

• The acting in Infinity War was on point. Lauren and Joe are glad Elizabeth Olsen gave up on accent for Scarlet Witch. Plus Joe also lost his accent like Scarlet Witch. He’s from Brooklyn like Captain America.

• Several facts and statistics about strokes are covered

• Thanos winning was all Peter Quill’s fault - Spiderman almost had the gauntlet off when he hit Thanos for killing Gamora

• Theme of Infinity War - we don’t trade lives, one life vs many

• Be a stroke hero - if you feel like you’re having a stroke act fast at the first sign of stroke. 80% of strokes are preventable. Watch your blood pressure, eat healthy, keep stress levels down and go to the doctor for regular check-ups.

• The importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure - Average healthy blood pressure is 120/80. Regular exercise, meditation and eating well will lower blood pressure.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Avengers: Infinity War, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154756/

• Stroke Awareness Month, http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/AmericanStrokeMonth/American-Stroke-Month_UCM_459942_SubHomePage.jsp

• F.A.S.T., http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp

• Children of Thanos (The Black Order - Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, Corvus Glaive and Cull Obsidian (real name is Black Dwarf, but changed it because there was already a giant dwarf named Eitri played by Peter Dinklage in the movie), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Order_(comics)

• Eitri played by Peter Dinklage, https://nerdist.com/peter-dinklage-avengers-infinity-war-character-explained/

• Proxima Midnight actress is Carrie Coon from FX Show Fargo, https://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-carrie-coon-actress-playing-proxima-midnight-avengers-infinity-war-767912

• American Stroke Association, http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/#

• Andy Dwyer aka Johnny Karate from Parks and Rec, http://parksandrecreation.wikia.com/wiki/Andy_Dwyer

• Ronan The Accuser from Guardians of the Galaxy - Lee Pace (also played Thranduil, the father of Legolas in Lord of the Rings), http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Ronan_the_Accuser, http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Thranduil

• Understanding blood pressure readings, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/KnowYourNumbers/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp#.WwMGUFMvzBI

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.

SummaryLauren is back! It’s a reunion episode and Joe is so happy to have his co-host back from Spain. They talk about her trip, Joe’s creepy birthday voicemail and how learning a new language can help with the brain injury recovery process even if it’s a fictional language from Lord of the Rings or Star Trek. Plus they discuss reading vs listening to audio books and the brain’s relationship to language.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe’s creepy birthday voicemail for Lauren

• Joe’s occupational therapist has him learning Spanish and he discusses his challenges with learning a new language

• Lauren’s gift from Spain to Joe - a Darth Vader comic book in Spanish

• Audio books as an alternative to reading for brain injury recovery

• The power of language and our brain’s relationship to language. How we build new neural pathways in brain when learning a new language, music or math and how it helps with brain injury recovery.

• How learning different writing systems other than the Roman alphabet like Arabic is another way to exercise your brain

• Joe’s challenges with dyslexia as a kid.

• Fictional languages from Lord Of The Rings, Game Of Thrones, Star Trek, Star Wars, etc

• Lauren finally saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi

• Which fictional languages Joe and Lauren want to learn

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Duolingo, https://www.duolingo.com/

• You Are A Bad Ass, https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699

• Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/

• Baby Chibi Amine, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chibi_(slang)

• Dyslexia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia

• Elf species in Lord of the Rings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_(Middle-earth)#/media/File:The_Sundering_of_the_Elves.png

• Wookiee languages, http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Wookiee_language

• Star Wars: The Last Jedi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Last_Jedi

• Humble by Kendrick Lamar, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI

• Aegyo, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegyo

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 Joe Solo episode! Today’s show is hosted by Joe Borges and an occasional bark from his service dog, Stella. He’s talking all about the challenges of recovering from a brain injury and how the journey, even with a support system and caregivers, can still feel lonely at times. It can be difficult for non-brain injury survivors to relate, but that’s why Joe is working hard to create community of support through his blog JoeSoRocks.com and the YouSoRock Facebook group. He offers tips for coping and overall hope and motivation to keep persevering through your own brain injury recovery journey to not just survive, but thrive!

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• Joe’s mental deficits and PTSD and how his girlfriend helps with this as his caretaker and support system. She is very supportive, but he still feels lonely. He reflects on how his recovery journey has been one of the hardest times of his life, but also the best time of his life because he’s becoming a better version of himself.

• The difficulty for non-brain injury survivors to understand. He and most brain injury survivors don’t want people to feel bad or pity them. They just want empathy. That’s why it’s great to connect with fellow survivors because they really understand how it feels.

• Memory issues like how he used to be able to memorize lyrics really quickly and now it’s a lot more challenging.

• Questioning yourself is hard like when Joe suffers from dissociative episodes as a result of his PTSD and he thinks he’s reacting well, but finds out that he didn’t. It can make you like you do not know yourself and make you question whether you can trust your own brain when recovering from brain injury.

• Joe reflects on having a great time at Coachella, but questions if he really did as well as he thinks. He wore earbuds the whole time to help block out noise to prevent overstimulation. It was nice having fellow stroke survivor, Rian, reach out to ask how he was coping after Coachella.

• Shares a story from comedian, Mimi Hayes who suffered a brain hemorrhage, about how she hides things from herself by accident. Joe also hid his Apple Watch from himself by accident. Discusses the frustration of their post-brain injury brains playing tricks on them.

• Joe doesn’t want to just survive. He wants to thrive and live his best life. The more he gets better, the more he wants and that’s why the mental deficits are exhausting emotionally and mentally.

• The importance of routine for brain injury recovery.

• Meditation helps Joe balance out especially through overwhelming experiences. Helps him focus and be more mindful.

• Discusses how multi-tasking is difficult for Joe now post stroke.

• Sometimes Joe and other survivors, may lash out on those closest to them when frustrated from deficits and how both sides cope.

• Its a long and lonely journey so Joe is very proud of his brain injury survivor community. The brain injury survivor community inspires Joe to keep going. Everyone sharing their stories helps to inspire and motivate each other. That’s what YouSoRock spotlights on Joe’s blog is all about.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Coachella, https://www.coachella.com/

• Brain injury survivor, Mimi Hayes, https://www.instagram.com/mimihayesbrain/

• X by Kendrick Lamar · ScHoolboy Q · 2 Chainz · Saudi, https://youtu.be/Zv479MCnThA

• Stroke survivor, Rianne, https://www.instagram.com/go.with_the.grow/

• Headspace app, https://www.headspace.com/

• YouSoRock Facebook Group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/yousorock

• Submit your story to be featured on YouSoRock, https://www.joesorocks.com/yousorock

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.