In this episode of 'When Words Don't Come Easy', hosts Justin and Roger speak with Matthew Thomas, a traumatic brain injury survivor who shares his incredible journey of resilience and recovery.

After a devastating car accident left him with a severe brain injury and a prognosis of only 5% chance of survival, Matthew defied the odds through determination, rehabilitation, and the support of his family.

He discusses his life before the accident, the challenges he faced during recovery, and how he found purpose in hydrobiking, ultimately setting a world record. Matthew's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief that recovery is possible, no matter the circumstances.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Thomas shares his journey from a life-altering head injury to discovering new passions in photography, golf, acting, and radio. He reflects on the lessons learned from his past mistakes, the importance of resilience, and his mission to inspire others through his experiences.

Matthew's story emphasizes the significance of community, personal growth, and the power of sharing one's journey with others.

Matthew Thomas is a brain injury survivor who was left in a coma after a devastating injury, with doctors unsure if he would ever wake up. After surviving, Matthew faced a long road to recovery, including struggles with alcohol and multiple trips to rehab. Today, he’s been sober for 15 years and shares his story of resilience, recovery, and never giving up.

Justin and Roger Chlowitz are the father-son hosts of *When Words Don’t Come Easy*, a podcast about brain injury, stroke, aphasia, recovery, and connection. After Roger experienced a hemorrhagic stroke that left him with aphasia, the two turned their personal experience into a platform for sharing honest stories from survivors, caregivers, families, and professionals.

Together, they aim to raise awareness, break down misconceptions, and remind people that losing language never means losing intelligence, personality, or the ability to connect.

Keywords

resilience, traumatic brain injury, recovery, rehabilitation, hydrobikes, personal growth, family support, overcoming challenges, substance use, inspiration head injury, photography, MAD, recovery, golf, acting, radio, DUI, life lessons, personal growth

In this episode, Justin and Roger discuss the often-overlooked journey of recovery after a stroke or brain injury with Kerri Potthoff from the Brain Healing Collective. They explore the challenges faced by survivors and their families once traditional rehabilitation ends, the importance of community support, and the innovative Reconnect program designed to help individuals navigate life post-rehab. The conversation emphasizes the emotional and cognitive aspects of recovery, the need for connection among survivors, and the journey of finding a new identity after injury. In this conversation, Kerri Potthoff discusses the emotional and cognitive challenges faced by stroke survivors, emphasizing the importance of identity, communication, and support in the recovery process. She addresses misconceptions about recovery plateaus, the impact of aphasia on relationships, and the significance of finding meaningful activities that can serve as therapy. Kerri highlights the need for ongoing support and understanding from families and society, advocating for a shift in perspective regarding the lifelong nature of recovery.

Takeaways

Recovery doesn't just end when you leave the hospital.

The Brain Healing Collective helps individuals navigate life after stroke.

Isolation is a common theme for survivors post-rehab.

Community connection is vital for emotional support.

The Reconnect program targets identity and mindfulness post-injury.

Survivors often feel alone in their journey.

Cognitive and emotional support is crucial after rehab.

It's important to understand the challenges of living with aphasia.

Finding a new identity after injury can be difficult.

Hope and support can lead to a better version of oneself.

Many stroke survivors struggle with loneliness and fear of the future.

Grieving the loss of one's previous self is a common challenge.

Plateaus in recovery do not signify the end of potential for growth.

Aphasia can significantly impact identity and relationships.

Invisible challenges like cognitive and emotional struggles are often overlooked.

Support from family should focus on fostering independence and communication.

Finding personal interests can transform into therapeutic activities.

Recovery is a lifelong journey without a defined endpoint.

Small, achievable goals can lead to significant improvements in confidence.

Community support is crucial for ongoing recovery and connection.

Brain Healing Collective helps stroke survivors and their families reconnect, rebuild, and move forward after stroke. Through personalized support and community, they help people create a new version of themselves and discover what’s possible beyond recovery.

https://www.brainhealingcollective.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brain_healing_collective/

When Words Don’t Come Easy is a podcast about connection, stroke recovery, aphasia, and the people navigating life after stroke. Hosted by Justin and his father Roger, the podcast shares real stories, expert insight, and resources to help survivors, families, and caregivers feel less alone.

Keywords stroke recovery, brain injury, aphasia, Brain Healing Collective, emotional support, community connection, rehabilitation, survivor stories, post-rehab challenges, identity after injury stroke recovery, brain injury, emotional support, aphasia, identity, therapy, healing, support groups, cognitive challenges, independence

In this powerful episode of When Words Don’t Come Easy, Justin and Roger sit down with stroke survivor and advocate Stephen Scharf for an honest and inspiring conversation about life after stroke.

Stephen opens up about surviving two strokes, the unexpected challenges that followed, and what it was like to have to rebuild skills and confidence after making progress in his recovery. He shares the impact stroke had on his speech and communication, the frustration of knowing what he wants to say but struggling to get the words out, and the emotional ups and downs that come with starting over.

Stephen and the hosts also dive into the world of aphasia and communication after stroke, discussing why patience, understanding, and awareness are so important when talking with stroke survivors.

Beyond the physical challenges, Stephen talks about the importance of having a strong support system, staying connected to the hobbies and interests that make you who you are, setting realistic goals, and finding the determination to keep moving forward when recovery gets difficult.

He also shares how his own experience inspired him to advocate for other stroke survivors and help create an international support community.

This is a conversation about resilience, starting over, and refusing to let stroke have the final word. Stephen’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't always a straight line, but every step forward matters.

00:00 Introduction to Stroke Awareness and Advocacy

01:24 Life Before the Stroke: A Young Professional's Journey

03:12 The Unexpected Reality of a Stroke0

4:34 The Day of the Stroke: A Vivid Memory0

8:19 Hospitalization and Initial Recovery

10:21 Recognizing Speech Difficulties and Aphasia

15:44 Challenges in Communication During Recovery

17:09 The Impact of a Second Stroke

20:09 Understanding the Causes of the Second Stroke

22:46 Regaining Confidence and Identity Post-Stroke

24:22 Communicating with Stroke Survivors: Key Insights

26:29 Understanding Aphasia and Misconceptions

28:49 The Importance of Support Systems

30:15 Physical Challenges in Recovery

31:56 Finding Joy in Hobbies Post-Stroke

35:53 Creating a Global Support Community

40:00 The Disconnect in Stroke Awareness

44:17 Advice for New Stroke Survivors

Keywords stroke awareness, aphasia, recovery, resilience, communication, advocacy, support groups, young stroke survivor, health challenges, personal stories Aphasia, stroke recovery, support groups, physical challenges, hobbies, awareness, community, determination, long-term recovery, advocacy

When Words Don't Come Easy is a podcast hosted by Justin and his father, Roger, exploring life after stroke and the realities of aphasia. Through conversations with stroke survivors, caregivers, speech-language pathologists, researchers, advocates, and other experts, we share real stories, practical insights, and honest conversations about recovery, communication, and life after stroke.

Listen and watch: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and Amazon Music.

New episodes: Sundays at 9 AM PT.

Follow When Words Don't Come Easy for more stories about aphasia, stroke recovery, communication, disability, and connection.

What does life really look like after a stroke?

In this episode of When Words Don’t Come Easy, Tina Orkin returns to the show for her second appearance for an honest and inspiring conversation about stroke recovery, aphasia, disability, and life in a wheelchair. Tina wanted to come back because sharing her experience with aphasia, stroke, and life in a wheelchair is deeply important to her, and she wants others to understand what life can really be like after a stroke.

Tina shares her personal journey of rebuilding her life after stroke, including the challenges of communicating with aphasia, adapting to life in a wheelchair, navigating a world that isn't always designed with people with disabilities in mind, and learning to find independence in a completely different way.

We talk about the physical and emotional realities of stroke recovery, the frustrations that can come with accessibility barriers, and the importance of patience, persistence, advocacy, and having the confidence to keep moving forward.

Tina also gives us a firsthand perspective on what she wishes more people understood about wheelchair users, accessibility, aphasia, and life after stroke. Her story is a reminder that recovery isn't always about getting back to the person you were before. Sometimes, it's about discovering a new version of yourself and figuring out how to thrive in that life.

This is a conversation about resilience, independence, accessibility, identity, and finding your voice after stroke, even when communication gets hard.

If you or someone you love is living with stroke, aphasia, or a disability, Tina's story offers an honest look at the challenges, victories, and everyday realities that come with life after stroke.

Topics include:
• Stroke recovery and life after stroke
• Living with aphasia
• Life in a wheelchair
• Disability and accessibility
• Independence after stroke
• The emotional challenges of recovery
• Advocating for yourself and others
• Finding confidence and purpose after stroke
• What people should understand about wheelchair users
• Why aphasia does not mean a loss of intelligence

When Words Don't Come Easy is a podcast hosted by Justin and his father, Roger, exploring life after stroke and the realities of aphasia. Through conversations with stroke survivors, caregivers, speech-language pathologists, researchers, advocates, and other experts, we share real stories, practical insights, and honest conversations about recovery, communication, and life after stroke.

Listen and watch: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and Amazon Music.

New episodes: Sundays at 9 AM PT.

Follow When Words Don't Come Easy for more stories about aphasia, stroke recovery, communication, disability, and connection.

In this episode of When Words Don’t Come Easy, we sit down with Vincent Van den Broeck, author of Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done and a TBI survivor, for an honest conversation about rebuilding confidence, finding your identity again, and pushing forward when life suddenly feels unfamiliar. When Words Don’t Come Easy is a podcast about connection, communication, stroke recovery, aphasia, brain injury, and the people navigating life when words don't come easily.

Vincent was once the kind of person who brought incredible energy into every room. But after his brain injury, that confidence and sense of self were challenged in ways he never expected. He opens up about losing confidence, struggling with communication, and learning to navigate moments that once came naturally.

Vincent also talks about something many people can relate to, regardless of whether they have experienced a brain injury: the discomfort of stepping outside your comfort zone. Talking to a stranger, trying something new, or putting yourself in an unfamiliar situation can be intimidating. But sometimes, the things that make us uncomfortable are exactly where growth begins.

Together, we talk about resilience, positivity, confidence, communication, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you. Vincent shares the lessons he has learned throughout his recovery and why progress does not always look the way we expect it to.

His story is a reminder that recovery is not simply about getting back to who you were. Sometimes, it is about discovering who you can become.

About Vincent Van den Broeck:
Vincent Van den Broeck is the author of Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done and a TBI survivor. Through his writing and advocacy, Vincent shares his experiences with brain injury, recovery, confidence, and overcoming obstacles in hopes of helping others realize that even when something feels impossible, it does not mean it is.

📖 Get Vincent’s book, Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done, on Amazon.

About When Words Don’t Come Easy:
When Words Don’t Come Easy is a podcast about connection, communication, stroke recovery, aphasia, brain injury, and the people navigating life when words don't come easily. Hosted by Justin and his father Roger, the podcast shares honest conversations and real stories from survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, advocates, and others working to better understand aphasia and recovery.

What happens when a stroke survivor turns his own struggle with aphasia into an AI tool designed to help others communicate?

In Episode 29 of When Words Don’t Come Easy, Justin and Roger sit down with Stephen Albright, a stroke survivor, entrepreneur, and creator of AphasiaGPT, an AI-powered platform designed to help people with aphasia practice communication, language, and real-world conversations.

Stephen's story is remarkable. In 2020, he suffered a devastating stroke that left him with severe aphasia and underwent two brain surgeries with a reported 13% survival rate. When he woke up, he had lost much of his ability to communicate, including speaking, reading, writing, and understanding language. His recovery became a years-long journey involving intensive speech therapy and practice.

But Stephen didn't stop at his own recovery.

After experiencing firsthand how difficult and limited some available tools could feel, he began building AphasiaGPT, an AI platform created specifically around the needs of people living with language disabilities. It uses AI-powered conversations, exercises, word-finding tools, and real-world communication practice to help people work on language skills outside traditional therapy sessions.

In this conversation, Stephen talks openly about his stroke, aphasia recovery, the emotional challenges of losing the ability to communicate, and what motivated him to turn his experience into technology that could help others.

• Stephen's stroke, two brain surgeries, and recovery
• Living with severe aphasia and losing the ability to communicate
• Why aphasia affects language, not intelligence
• Speech therapy and long-term recovery
• Why Stephen created AphasiaGPT
• AI, word finding, and real-world communication practice
• Technology and the future of aphasia recovery
• Stephen's journey from stroke survivor to entrepreneur and inventor

Stephen has described AphasiaGPT as the technology he wishes he had during the earliest years of his recovery. The platform is designed to make language practice more accessible and engaging outside traditional therapy.

Stephen Albright is a stroke survivor, entrepreneur, and founder of AphasiaGPT. He was a University of North Carolina football player before his stroke and later earned his MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. His experience with aphasia became the driving force behind his work developing technology for people with communication disabilities.

Stephen says his goal with AphasiaGPT is to build tools that make recovery more accessible, practical, and engaging for people living with aphasia.

🌐 AphasiaGPT: aphasiagpt.ai
💼 Stephen Albright: LinkedIn
🔗 AphasiaGPT: LinkedIn
📱 AphasiaGPT App: App Store

When Words Don't Come Easy is a podcast about connection, recovery, and life after stroke and aphasia. Hosted by Justin Chlowitz and his father Roger, the podcast brings together stroke survivors, caregivers, speech-language pathologists, doctors, researchers, and advocates. New episodes are released Sundays at 9 AM Pacific.

Roger is a stroke survivor living with aphasia, and Justin uses their personal experience to create honest conversations about communication, recovery, family, therapy, brain injury, and life after stroke. The goal is simple: increase awareness of aphasia, reduce isolation, and remind people that aphasia affects language, not intelligence.

📺 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart and other major podcast platforms

Subscribe, follow, and share the episode with someone affected by aphasia, stroke recovery, speech therapy, or communication challenges.

#Aphasia #AphasiaGPT #StephenAlbright #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRecovery #AphasiaRecovery #SpeechTherapy #AI #BrainInjury #StrokeAwareness #AphasiaAwareness #AssistiveTechnology #WhenWordsDontComeEasy

In this episode of When Words Don’t Come Easy, Justin and Roger sit down with Trent Peterson, stroke survivor, advocate, podcast host, and co-founder of The Broken Road Project, a nonprofit focused on helping people navigate stroke, medical trauma, recovery, and life after a major medical event.

Trent opens up about the parts of stroke recovery people don't always talk about, including depression, isolation, mental health, finding purpose, and the importance of community. We also talk about rehabilitation, the incredible resilience of survivors and caregivers, and why the entire caregiving team deserves more recognition for the constant support they provide throughout recovery.

One of Trent's biggest messages is simple: people need connection and something to look forward to. Sometimes that can be as simple as a weekly peer support group or having people who understand what you're going through.

🌐 Website: https://www.thebrokenroad.org/

🔗 All Socials & Links: https://linktr.ee/thebrokenroadproject

🎙️ The Broken Road Project Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/lr/podcast/the-broken-road-project-podcast/id1886555690

🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f0385cf8-de49-4d9a-a6d6-b589ca0ec796/the-broken-road-project-podcast

When Words Don't Come Easy is a podcast about connection, even when communication gets hard. Justin and Roger talk with stroke survivors, caregivers, speech-language pathologists, doctors, researchers, advocates, and other experts about aphasia, stroke recovery, rehabilitation, caregiving, communication, and life after stroke.

If this episode resonates with you, like, subscribe, follow, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

#StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #Aphasia #StrokeAwareness #DepressionAfterStroke #StrokeSupport #CaregiverSupport #TheBrokenRoadProject #TrentPeterson #WhenWordsDontComeEasy

CONNECT WITH TRENT & THE BROKEN ROAD PROJECTABOUT WHEN WORDS DON'T COME EASY

Rob Baugh: Finding Purpose After Brain Injury | My Life Rewired | Brain Injury Recovery & Mental Health

What happens when your entire life changes in an instant?

In this powerful episode of When Words Don't Come Easy, we sit down with Rob Baugh, traumatic brain injury survivor, author, speaker, and host of the Life Rewired podcast. After a devastating brain injury turned his world upside down, Rob faced chronic headaches, memory problems, depression, anxiety, and thoughts of giving up. Instead, he found a new purpose: helping other brain injury survivors and caregivers realize they are not alone.

Rob shares his deeply personal recovery journey and explains why every brain injury is different. Some survivors return to demanding careers, while others require lifelong support. Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all, and comparing yourself to someone else's journey can be one of the biggest obstacles to healing.

During this conversation we discuss:

• Rob's traumatic brain injury and the challenges that followed

• Living with invisible disabilities, memory loss, headaches, and cognitive changes

• Depression, suicidal thoughts, and the importance of asking for help

• Why every traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery story is unique

• How caregivers play a critical role in recovery

• Building resilience after trauma

• Creating the Life Rewired podcast to give hope to survivors worldwide

• Finding purpose by helping others through shared experiences

• Advice for newly injured brain injury survivors and their families

• Mental health, hope, and learning to move forward one day at a time

Whether you're living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, stroke, aphasia, PTSD, or another neurological condition, Rob's story is a reminder that healing isn't always about returning to who you were. Sometimes it's about discovering who you can become.

🎙️ Life Rewired Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-injury-podcast-life-rewired/id1854130871

▶️ Life Rewired YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@liferewiredpodcast

🌐 Website:
https://www.myliferewired.com

When Words Don't Come Easy is a podcast dedicated to raising awareness of aphasia, stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, communication disorders, neuroplasticity, caregiving, and rehabilitation. Through conversations with survivors, caregivers, speech-language pathologists, neurologists, therapists, researchers, and advocates, we share real stories that educate, inspire, and remind people that communication challenges do not define intelligence or potential.

If this episode inspired you, please:

👍 Like the video

💬 Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about stroke recovery, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, and brain health

📤 Share this episode with someone who needs hope today.

#BrainInjury #TraumaticBrainInjury #TBI #BrainInjuryRecovery #BrainHealth #Neuroplasticity #MentalHealth #StrokeRecovery #Aphasia #InvisibleDisability #CaregiverSupport #RecoveryJourney #Hope #Resilience #MyLifeRewired #LifeRewired #WhenWordsDontComeEasy #Podcast #BrainInjuryAwareness #SurvivorStory

Connect with Rob BaughAbout When Words Don't Come Easy

In this episode of When Words Don't Come Easy, we sit down with Laura Malis, stroke survivor, aphasia advocate, and founder of Aphasia at Home.

Learn more at www.aphasiaathome.com and follow Laura on Instagram @aphasiaathome for free resources that help people with aphasia improve their language, reading, writing, communication, and overall recovery. The website also offers book clubs, conversation groups, technology tools, caregiver resources, and practical exercises you can use at home.

After her stroke, Laura committed years of hard work to rebuilding her language, reading, and writing skills. That journey inspired her to create Aphasia at Home, a resource designed to help people with aphasia, caregivers, families, and speech-language pathologists continue recovery beyond traditional therapy.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Laura's stroke and aphasia journey
• How she regained her language through consistent practice
• The importance of reading and writing in recovery
• Practical tools for communication at home
• Advice for stroke survivors, caregivers, and speech-language pathologists

If you or someone you love is living with aphasia, this episode is filled with hope, encouragement, and actionable resources to support your recovery journey.

About the Podcast

When Words Don't Come Easy is hosted by Justin and Roger, a father and son sharing real conversations about aphasia, stroke recovery, caregiving, speech therapy, and life after stroke. Our mission is to raise awareness, educate families, and remind everyone that aphasia is a loss of language, not intellect.

Can you really stop recovering after one year? Stroke survivor Mike Jankowski says absolutely not.

In this episode of When Words Don't Come Easy, we sit down with stroke survivor Mike Jankowski to discuss his journey through stroke recovery, living with aphasia, and why one of the most common messages patients hear after a stroke may be one of the most damaging.

Four years after his stroke, Mike continues to improve, proving that recovery doesn't follow a calendar. He shares how persistence, therapy, support, and hope have helped him regain skills and confidence long after many people expected his progress to stop.

Whether you're a stroke survivor, living with aphasia, caring for a loved one, or a healthcare professional, Mike's story is a powerful reminder that every recovery journey is unique and that progress is possible at any stage.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why the "one-year recovery" myth needs to change
• Living with aphasia after stroke
• The role of neuroplasticity and lifelong brain recovery
• Finding hope during the hardest moments
• The importance of support from family, friends, and the stroke community
• Why stroke survivors are still the same intelligent, capable people they were before their stroke

At When Words Don't Come Easy, our mission is to raise awareness about aphasia, share real stories from stroke survivors and caregivers, and bring expert insights from speech-language pathologists, researchers, and advocates. Through honest conversations, we hope to educate, inspire, and remind people that communication challenges do not define a person's intelligence or potential.

If Mike's story resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode. Every share helps raise awareness about aphasia and gives hope to others navigating life after stroke.

Keywords: stroke recovery, aphasia, stroke survivor, aphasia awareness, neuroplasticity, brain recovery, speech therapy, stroke rehabilitation, caregiver support, life after stroke.