Did you know that healing the gut can be a powerful tool in brain injury recovery?

Let's learn about the Gut-Brain Connection.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, Dr. Meaghan Kirschling is here to explain the way that the brain and gut are connected, including how chronic inflammation can adversely affect healing. There is so much hope in learning things that we can do to take our power back in healing. This is an informative and educational episode that will bring a deeper understanding of what we can do to further our brain healing through the gut.

When you are so overwhelmed that every little thing is causing symptom overload & emotional responses... it may be time to step back and allow your brain and body to rest.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle shares a personal story and encouragement for the days when everything is all too much.

After a brain injury, the vestibular system can be impacted and cause symptoms such as feeling off-balance, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, vision, and more.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, we are discussing all things vestibular recovery with Sonia Vovan, PT! 

Sonia is here to share her expertise and educate us on all things vestibular rehabilitation, focusing on things we can do to improve recovery. We will also talk about the difference between chronic vs. acute vestibular issues, and practical things we can do to maintain vestibular recovery over time.

What does it mean to have a creative mindset - and how can it help brain injury recovery? Let’s talk about it!

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle is joined by fellow survivor Ali Rheaume to discuss the benefits of creativity, and how having a creative mindset can aid in adaptability.

The “loss of identity” can be so hard to describe after a brain injury. On the one hand, you are still “you” - but you also don’t feel like yourself. There is also a grief that comes with losing the life you had before the injuries.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle dives deep into this struggle that survivors face and provides hope in knowing you are more than your brain injury. Then, Cristabelle’s mother Cyndie Braden is here to talk about the caregiver side. Loss of identity does not just affect the survivor, but also the family, as everything changes for them too. We also discuss what is like to grieve the “old life.” You are not alone.

How do you define yourself when everything about your life has changed?

Cali Lonardelli is a survivor of multiple brain injuries, and this week she shares her story of perseverance and hope. As a teenager, she went from an accomplished athlete in gymnastics and pole vaulting to struggling to be able to walk. Her journey has taken her through many years of symptoms and learning to live with a new reality, as well as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) eating disorder.

Cali is a true overcomer and is now a Physical Therapy student and an intern for the non-profit PINK Concussions. Take a listen as she joins Cristabelle for an inspiring conversation shining a light on what it is like to live with brain injury.

When a brain injury changes your cognitive abilities, your self-worth can be affected. For survivors attending school or in any type of learning environment, it can be hard to keep up because of symptoms and fatigue. Cristabelle knows this firsthand, as she had her first TBI during high school and attended college post-injury.

This week on Hope Survives® | Brain Injury Podcast, we are talking about difficulties with learning after a brain injury, what sort of accommodations are helpful, and how to advocate for yourself. Educator Carly Endres, MS, CBIS, also joins to share insight from her special education background.

This episode will provide insight for survivors, parents, families, and anyone in a learning environment. We also talk about some studying tips that are applicable to survivors- whether you are currently in school or not!

Did you know? It is common to develop exercise intolerance while recovering from a brain injury.

This week on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Dr. Mark Heisig is here to explain why this happens, and give advice for survivors on how to increase movement.

Some topics covered: the relationship between symptoms and exercise, autonomic system dysfunction, different types of exercise affect on the brain, suggestions for where to start with increasing movement, and more.

What does it mean to be a brain injury warrior?

To kick off the new year, here are some words of hope from 6 incredible survivors.

There is a trend to post highlights of the year on social media. But do you find that actually hard to do, or even see from others?

Living with brain injury, it is easy to feel discouraged from setbacks, or a recovery timeline you had in mind, or comparing to the "old you" and grieving the life before, as well as coping with symptoms on a daily basis. This week on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle discusses all of this, while also sharing some of her personal journey through TBI. 

Life is not a highlight reel. And that is okay. Let's talk about it!

Lisa is a fighter, living with both an invisible injury (TBI) and physical disability. She was born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), contracted spinal meningitis as an infant, and has been an advocate for disabilities her entire life. Then, in 2011 she sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident playing wheelchair basketball. 

This is an episode that is sure to inspire and encourage all who listen, as Lisa Pubantz eloquently shares her story of victory. She joins Cristabelle to discuss the tension between the invisible injury and the physical disability, how society treats people with disabilities, and how the TBI symptoms are often misunderstood.

Did you know that hormones can be affected by a brain injury? Hormonal imbalances can actually be a contributing factor to persistent symptoms, along with affecting sleep, stress response, and reproductive systems.

Today on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Dr. Meaghan Kirschling is here to talk about some of these potential hormonal changes, and how it could potentially affect a brain injury survivor. We also discuss variables in age, differences between male and female, and sex drive.

Emotional responses after brain injury can come in extremes - highs, lows, outbursts - or just feeling "blank" or nothing at all. Survivors also could have a hard time expressing their emotions and verbalizing it. Emotions also affect our identity, how we view ourselves, and directly impact our relationships.

Today, Cristabelle leads us through all of this, sharing some personal examples along with encouragement for listeners.

How do you handle emotions after brain injury? What are some ways to help? Let's talk about it!

This week on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle is joined by Rebecca Quinn & Carly Endres from the North Dakota Brain Injury Network for a conversation about emotional dysregulation as it relates to brain injury. We cover some common "tells" including outbursts and overstimulation, the cognitive behavioral spiral, the importance of mindfulness, and encouragement for both caregivers and survivors.

How do you realistically implement medical recommendations into your lifestyle?

Let's talk about it!

Today on Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast, Cristabelle is joined by Marlene Rivera, CBIS, to learn about how to develop a balanced life post-injury. We discuss some of the barriers that people might encounter, and also strategies such as how to communicate with medical professionals, the importance of a routine, prioritizing, and community.

The Holidays are upon us - and that can be overwhelming for brain injury survivors! In this episode, Cristabelle will walk us through some strategies and practical tips to manage symptoms and get the most out of your holiday gatherings.

Listen below or on your mobile device by subscribing on podcast platforms!

Today we're kicking off Season 2 of Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast with five time concussion survivor and Miss Oregon USA, Allison Cook, on finding confidence and knowing your worth. We talk about coping with symptoms, overcoming imposter syndrome, the invisible injury, and more!

Today is an inspiring episode all about finding hope, featuring survivor and Emmy Award winning host Tracy Yatsko. In 2005, she sustained a serious traumatic brain injury from playing basketball that completely derailed her life. From dealing with the invisible injury, grieving the old self, debilitating symptoms, and deep depression, she candidly shares her story.

This episode is all about encouragement to anyone listening - survivors, caregivers, family members - it is possible to find your way out of the darkness.

After a brain injury, fatigue can become one of the most draining and difficult parts of getting through the day or week.

Today we going to talk about some strategies and tips on how to manage that fatigue with Natalie Mackenzie, who has worked in the field of Neuro Rehabilitation for 20 years. Part of this is learning about what Natalie calls the 3 P’s: Planning, Prioritization, and Pacing.

Let’s talk about brain health after sustaining a brain injury with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe.

These are some simple strategies that you can begin to incorporate into your routine to help optimize your brain for healing.