Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

When you are dealing with the overwhelming changes of a brain injury, it can easily feel like you are stuck in constant survival mode. There are so many changes in identity, dreams, and goals. So how do you move forward and find purpose? In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Jackson Davis, who shares his powerful story of turning trauma into a deeper purpose. After surviving a catastrophic car accident that left him in a multi-month coma with severe physical and brain injuries, Jackson had to completely rebuild his life, reframe his goals, and discover what it truly means...

When facing cognitive challenges after a brain injury, your mindset has a massive impact on your overall recovery. Today, Cristabelle talks with speech-language pathologist Jenny Traver about mindset, learning, emotional recovery, and returning to school after a brain injury. Whether you are a student trying to go back to a busy school, a parent figuring out how to guide your child, or anyone navigating a unique path to wellness, this episode offers practical tips for your journey.

We also have a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center on learning and neuroplasticity. He explains...

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, yet it has never received distinct, individualized attention from the world’s largest health policy bodies. For years, TBI has been treated as a "footnote" in broader neurological discussions, but that is about to change.

In this episode, our host Cristabelle is joined by Paul Dubetz, whose lived experience with traumatic brain injury eventually led to working with a global coalition to bring a historic resolution before the World Health Organization (WHO). Paul also shares his story of survival after a catastrophic ac...

Recovery after a brain injury can feel like solving a puzzle, uncovering the pieces and trying to put it all together. For many, dysautonomia is the missing piece of the puzzle that explains why symptoms like brain fog, lightheadedness, and extreme fatigue persist long after the initial impact.

In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center to pull back the curtain on the autonomic nervous system and explain why a problem with the autonomic nervous system and blood flow might be the real reason you’re struggling to find stability. Dr...

Navigating life after brain injury often means managing a complex overlap of symptoms where the lines between neurological changes and mental health can become blurred. Too often, individuals find their very real neurological symptoms misdiagnosed as purely psychological issues, leaving them without the comprehensive care they need. Or there can be mental health needs that go overlooked due to the brain injury, leading to things getting missed.

In this episode, we sit down with trauma neurosurgeon Dr. Edie Zusman to discuss the often-overlooked mental health aspects of brain injury and the necessity of a holistic approach that...

One moment can alter the course of a lifetime, but no one should have to navigate that new reality alone. Brain injury is a journey that impacts the entire family, often requiring a level of patience and resilience that must be discovered along the way.

In this special episode, Cristabelle leads us on a look back on Brain Injury Awareness Month by sharing a diverse range of perspectives- including an introduction to the conversations happening on a broader scale in the current landscape of brain injury as well as deeply personal stories shared during our recent virtual...

When words feel out of reach, the frustration and isolation of aphasia can become one of the most challenging parts of the recovery journey, especially because maintaining communication is essential for the social connections that fuel our healing. So how do we navigate this?

In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Tawni Ballinger (M.A., CCC-SLP), a speech-language pathologist specializing in aphasia, to explore the deep impact of language challenges on individuals and families and to share practical strategies for finding your voice again.

We also feature a special spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe, founder...

Navigating conversation after a brain injury can often feel like a series of constant roadblocks, but rebuilding connection starts with understanding the "why" behind these challenges. In this episode, we sit down with Roberta Brooks (M.A. CCC/SLP (ret), CBIS), a neuro resource facilitator and retired speech-language pathologist who has spent her entire career spanning 40 years in the field of brain injury. This episode explores the complexities of communication that can happen with brain injury, along with encouragement and strategies to help you have better conversations - both for the person with the injury and their loved ones.<...

Even when they are not immediately obvious to outsiders, the symptoms of a brain injury are valid and real- yet it can be so frustrating to feel misunderstood while navigating these invisible effects. Today, we’re discussing the reality of living with an invisible injury with Judy Kim Cage, who has experienced a hemorrhagic stroke and brain surgeries due to MoyaMoya, and also lives with hypermobile EDS.

We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center to explore the science behind what is happening in the brain when symptoms aren't visible. There ar...

Nutrition is one of the most overlooked, yet most powerful tools for healing from brain injury. Let’s dive into how what we choose to eat can actually help our brains to recover in this conversation with Dr. Karen Carpenter, a clinician with over 30 years of experience in Chiropractic Neurology and Functional Medicine.

🧠In this episode:

***FREE Downloadable Resource Guides:

🥗Small Steps To...

At Hope Survives, we know there is no one-size-fits-all path to recovery. Today we’re sharing a preview of where we are going in Season 5.

This season, we’re having thoughtful conversations with clinicians and individuals impacted by brain injury: connecting expert insight with the real-life, day-to-day experience of life after brain injury. Today’s preview episode includes a first look at some of our conversations. Subscribe and stay tuned for the official premiere coming on March 19!

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It's okay if your holidays feel different this year... there is hope to find comfort and joy this holiday season, even while navigating brain injury.

Today, Cristabelle offers encouragement and practical tools to help you move through this season with grace - and beyond - because these strategies work anytime of year!

We’ll discuss sensory regulation strategies, graceful social "scripts" for setting boundaries, and brain-healthy ways to find joy. Join us as we learn to redefine what celebration may look like, and it's okay if the holidays feel different this year.

***FREE Do...

Have you ever wondered why the healing brain’s battery seems to drain so quickly, even after simple tasks? Today, we’re diving into the complex and often misunderstood topic of neuro fatigue after brain injury.

In this informative episode, host Cristabelle Braden welcomes back Dr. Jeremy Schmoe of the Functional Neurology Center to uncover the science behind this exhausting symptom. Dr. Schmoe explains exactly what happens when neurons become unstable and lack the oxygen, activation, and nutrition they need to communicate effectively. Listen as they distinguish the difference between general physical tiredness and true neurological fatigue, vali...

How do you hold on to thankfulness when you’re navigating symptoms, setbacks, or the emotional weight of daily challenges? Together we’ll explore how gratitude can coexist with grief, struggle, and healing - along with a podcast spotlight on the power of gratitude from Dr. Jeremy Schmoe.

In this heartfelt panel, host Cristabelle Braden invites Holly Kostrzewski, Joi Kue, and Robin Luftig for an honest conversation about gratitude, reflection, and resilience. Each panelist brings a unique story: Robin’s sudden medical crisis and brain tumor; Holly’s traumatic injury at 18 and decades of ongoing symptoms & reinjury; and Joi’...

Unseen struggles, PTSD, and the mental battle… how do you keep moving forward? In this two part series we’re sitting down with veterans as they share the “necessary conversations” that need to be had in our communities. Stay tuned to hear once in a lifetime stories filled with raw emotion and genuineness. Let’s discover how the heroes of our country beat the odds in the service and how they found hope after hanging up the uniform.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden and special co-host Jeremiah Griffin sit down with Army veteran Vinnie Morales and Marine Cor...

Combat Deployments, Brain Injury, and Healing..?! Where does your help come from? In this two part series we’re sitting down with veterans as they share the “necessary conversations” that need to be had in our communities. Stay tuned to hear once in a lifetime stories filled with raw emotion and genuineness. Let’s discover how the heroes of our country beat the odds in the service and how they found hope after hanging up the uniform.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden and special co-host Jeremiah Griffin invite listeners to peek into the lives of Army Veterans...

When you first realized that this brain injury would impact you or your family’s life, what thoughts or emotions came up for you?

Today, we’re asking questions about the emotional side of brain injury. We want you to know you’re not alone, and it’s natural to have these feelings… but it’s what you do with them that matters. So let’s explore these very real feelings and talk about how to find hope - together.

In this powerful panel episode, host Cristabelle Braden invites listeners into a real conversation with three inspirin...

Brain injury affects every single person in the family - so how do we move forward, together?

In this heartfelt episode, Cristabelle sits down with Lindy Boone Michaelis to explore the journey of hope, heartbreak, and healing after her family's life-changing experience with traumatic brain injury.

Lindy is the daughter of beloved singer/entertainer Pat Boone and the founder of Ryan’s Reach, a nonprofit organization providing group homes for TBI in Orange County, CA. Lindy’s son had a severe TBI, and in this conversation she opens up about the reality of walking through long...

Have you ever had days that felt like hope is just out of reach? You wake up already exhausted, feeling anxious, foggy, and afraid of what the day might bring? If you can relate, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Cristabelle is sharing honestly about the fears she faced through her brain injury recovery, and how she has learned to acknowledge them without letting them take over. We’ll talk about the balance between being real about what you’re feeling and choosing faith one small step at a time - because healing starts with honesty, commun...

Brain injury can affect every part of your life - so it’s important to understand what your personal boundaries are, both with yourself and others. But it’s a lot easier said than done… let’s talk about navigating boundaries in the recovery process!

Join our host, Cristabelle Braden, as she introduces 3 panelists: Chaandani Khan, Alfinie Mayes, and Farook Outhmani. This panel of brain injury survivors opens up about their personal journeys and the importance of setting boundaries in recovery, including their experiences with empathy, resilience, and the challenges of communicating needs to others. We talk about th...

There are so many misunderstandings about concussion - and today we’re here to clear them up.

Did you know that 81% of U.S. adults don’t know concussions are traumatic brain injuries, according to a recent study by the BIAA? That might sound shocking to those of us who understand TBI, but unfortunately, it’s representative of the general public’s perception of concussions. So let’s bring awareness together for National Concussion Awareness Day!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Have you ever felt like you were pushing so hard, that you ended up in cycles of burnout, overwhelm, and exhaustion? Life with brain injury is… a lot. But there is hope to get out of those loops of symptom cycles. Today, we’re diving into the topic of care, support, and boundaries. We also have a podcast spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe sharing the importance of boundaries and what can help your brain be in a better environment to heal.

Let’s talk about the importance of:

Communication can become a big challenge after a brain injury - which affects all relationships, but especially the ones that are closest to us. So let’s talk about communication in relationships & marriage after brain injury! We also have a podcast spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe sharing some of the neurological reasons why communication can be hard after a brain injury.

Whether you are a survivor, family member, single, or married, there is something in this episode to encourage and uplift you, and practical communication tips that can help us all to maintain better relationships post-injury. You ar...

If relationships have been hard post-concussion / brain injury, you are not alone. Our ability to connect with others is an important part of life - so what do you do when your communication skills and ability to read social cues becomes affected after a brain injury? Let’s talk about it!

Join our host, Cristabelle Braden, as she introduces 2 panelists: Elayne Masters and Hunter Schulz. This panel of brain injury survivors opens up about the challenges of staying connected and the need for understanding support while navigating cognitive overload, shifting relationships, and the struggle to communicate. We’ll s...

Brain injury impacts how we express ourselves, how we connect with others, and how we're understood. In this heartfelt episode, Cristabelle Braden shares her personal journey through the communication challenges that follow brain injury.

Through real-life examples, she opens up about the emotional toll of feeling misunderstood, how memory and social difficulties can impact relationships, and the ongoing process of rebuilding confidence in social situations. The struggles of communication often impact connection with others, but this isn’t always seen on the outside - let’s talk about it!

Register for our upcoming workshops: https://hope...

After a brain injury, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, unsure how to truly care for your brain in the day-to-day. What habits actually help? What mindsets make a difference? And how do you know when something just isn’t working?

Join our host, Cristabelle Braden, as she introduces 3 panelists: Stefanie Beeney, Charlotte Endorf, and Farook Outhmani. Each of our panelists has lived experience with brain injury, and shares openly about their personal journeys: what has helped them, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned along the way. You’ll hear honest insights about shifting mindsets, learning t...

We often feel like we are in “survival mode” after a brain injury - our lives have changed so much, and it’s all we can do to get through each day. But what if healing could feel gentle, and less overwhelming?

In this relatable episode, Cristabelle Braden opens up about her own journey through multiple traumatic brain injuries - moving from survival mode to embracing small, powerful brain health rhythms that foster true recovery. Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, or family member, you’ll find hope, practical tips, and heartfelt encouragement, reminding you that progress is possibl...

Everyday resilience after brain injury isn’t always big or loud - sometimes it’s a quiet determination to keep going, or simply getting out of bed. Today, through the voices of our Brain Injury Community Panel, we will bring you some tools to recognize your own resilience, and how to continue to move forward and find strength in the struggle.

Join our host, Cristabelle Braden, as she introduces our 3 panelists: Rob Baugh, Christine Lawrence, and Angie Weber - and they courageously share their personal journeys through the challenges of brain injury. Each panelist opens up about navi...

Did you know that our brains are resilient? Today, we’re exploring neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to rewire and form new pathways - as it relates to brain injury!

In this uplifting episode, host Cristabelle Braden welcomes Dr. Michelle Eisenmann, a passionate advocate, Functional Neurology doctor, and expert in brain resiliency. Dr. Eisenmann brings both professional insight and personal experience with traumatic brain injury, offering a compassionate perspective that resonates with survivors and their families alike.

Listen as we explore the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and heal, debunking common...

Cristabelle Braden has fought through multiple traumatic brain injuries to come out on the other side carrying a strong message of resilience, hope, and healing.

She is the host of this podcast - the founder of Hope Survives - and today, in something much different than our usual episodes - she shares her story!

Listen for practical advice, takeaways, and lessons learned from her over 15 years of living with TBI and working with so many survivors & their families through her online support groups, as well as in the brain injury community. We hope you’ll be...

There is a common phrase, “new you” after brain injury - but what if it’s more nuanced than that? There are parts of ourselves that feel new and unfamiliar, but there are other parts of ourselves that have been there all along… how do we piece it all together?

How do we find ourselves again? What does “identity” mean anyway? Why does society define us by what we do - and how can we get to a deeper understanding of who we really are? Get ready to explore all this and more with our second Brain Injury Commu...

Sense of self is often affected after brain injury - you just don’t feel like “you” anymore. This happens for both survivors and family members, and today we are exploring these identity shifts, and how to find yourself again even in the midst of brain injury recovery.

In this episode, Cristabelle is joined by Bethany Lewis, a Neurological Occupational Therapist passionate about combining occupational therapy, brain health, and mental and emotional well being, to explore the profound impact of brain injuries on identity. Let’s dig into why these identity shifts may happen, what could be going on...

Navigating life after brain injury often leaves survivors and families facing a sense of loss that lacks clear answers or closure - with emotions that are overwhelming and hard to describe. Today, we’re discussing some tools to help process these big emotions - there is hope!

In this episode, Cristabelle welcomes Dr. Daniel Ignacio, a clinical neuropsychologist and TBI survivor himself, to explore the concept of ambiguous loss and the unique grief that follows brain injury. We discuss how these emotional challenges can deeply affect identity, relationships, and the journey to healing. Our conversation also dives in...

A brain injury can bring unexpected changes in identity, abilities, and relationships… and when things feel different, grief is a natural response. Today, we are exploring the concept of “ambiguous loss” - a type of loss that remains unclear, unresolved, or without closure - with our first Brain Injury Community Panel.

Today’s panel features 3 brain injury survivors, each with their own unique journey: Helena Jacobson, Stefanie Beeney, and Scott Tribble. Our conversation will help you to learn more about the concept of ambiguous loss, the impact on identity and social relationships for survivors, and tools to help nav...

Healing is a journey, and we’re here for the long haul. As Brain Injury Awareness Month is drawing to a close, this remains true: brain injury doesn’t just impact survivors and families for a month—it’s every day, all year long.

In this episode, Cristabelle Braden sits down with her mother and Hope Survives board member, Cyndie Braden, to share personal experiences through more than a decade of navigating Cristabelle’s brain injuries, along with insights into the impact of brain injuries on families and the need for better support systems. This is an encouragin...

Have you ever felt “stuck” in brain injury rehabilitation, unsure where to go next? Finding the right care and tools for brain injury recovery can be confusing and frustrating, leaving many feeling lost and unsure where to turn. But you're not alone, and there is hope for continued healing.

In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe, founder and director of The Functional Neurology Center, to explore the power of integrative care in achieving lasting results for brain injury recovery. Dr. Schmoe shares his expertise on the importance of a holistic approach that combines functional neur...

Brain injury survivors and their families often feel isolated and disconnected from others while navigating the challenges of a “new normal”. If you can relate, you’re not alone - and we are here to encourage you to know there is hope.

In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Jasmine Balignasay-Chavez, managing director of Hope Survives, to discuss the profound impact of brain injuries, the isolation many survivors face, and the transformative power of connection. Jasmine shares her personal journey through brain injury, and some of her own experiences with isolation and the importance of knowing you’re not a...

Join us for a conversation of hope for the first week of Brain Injury Awareness Month!

In today’s episode, Cristabelle is joined by Tameka Wolfe, vice president of the board at Hope Survives, who shares her personal experience as a caregiver after her husband's traumatic head injury. Tameka discusses the challenges faced during her husband's recovery, the daily routines they've established, and the importance of offering grace to oneself as a caregiver. She shares how they have learned that every small step in the recovery journey matters, with encouragement for survivors & family members. Their story is on...

Big announcements today - listen to this special episode of our livestream celebration for our newly launched nonprofit organization, Hope Survives!

Our vision: a world in which every survivor of brain injury and every member of their family are seen, loved, heard, valued, supported, uplifted, and never alone.

We are excited to share our newly expanded support groups, new programs, new workshops, new volunteer opportunities, and more!

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Find more resources, podcast episodes, & our monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ | @hopesurvives

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cris...

When every day is a challenge through symptoms, it can be hard to feel even any sort of “well.” Today we are talking about how to redefine the concept of wellness on our brain injury journey to help us uncover our own path of recovery!

After a brain injury, wellness can feel distant. In this episode, Cristabelle invites Taryn Barlow, a speech language pathologist and cognitive health coach who owns a private practice called The Well Brain, for a conversation to encourage survivors & families to explore how to redefine wellness. We dig into finding your own path of w...