Have you or a loved one experienced a traumatic brain injury, stroke, concussion, or ABI? This podcast is for you. Providing practical tools and inspirational interviews to equip, educate, and encourage the brain injury community. Hosted by TBI survivor, advocate, and singer/songwriter Cristabelle Braden, this is an uplifting podcast to bring hope to your darkest days.
The Official Podcast of Hope Survives, a nonprofit organization for brain injury support: https://www.hopesurvives.org
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Ways to Strengthen Resilience on the Brain Recovery Journey (with Wendy Ellmo, CCC-SLP)
Season 6 · Episode 146
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 33:30
Recovering from any type of concussion or brain injury can feel like a really long journey. But what if you have been developing a resilience you didn’t know you had all along? Whether you’ve had the injury yourself, or if you are a loved one - join us in this episode for some encouragement.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Speech-Language Pathologist Wendy Ellmo, who shares both her professional expertise and personal insight after sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury at age 17. Wendy breaks down the foundations of cognitive recovery, offering practical tools to reframe accommodations and strategies as empowering safety nets rather than limitations. Listen for practical ways to foster resilience and find purpose along the journey.
We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center on neurological resilience and neuroplasticity. Dr. Schmoe shares how intentional stimulation, including quick eye movements, visualization, breath mechanics, and cognitive dual-tasking, helps neurons fire and wire together while calming microglial neuro-inflammation.
🧠 In this episode:
Recognizing attention as the foundational building block for memory, word-finding, and cognitive organization.
Overcoming resistance to compensatory strategies and embracing accommodations as supportive tools.
Making the crucial mental shift from "rehab mode" into "living mode" after brain injury.
How gratitude and tracking small daily victories physically alter brain chemistry and elevate mood.
Navigating the grief of changed identity and learning to give yourself grace on tough days.
How family members and friends of the brain injured person can adapt communication and stay connected to prevent isolation.
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:55 Welcome with Cristabelle
2:50 Neuroplasticity & Brain Resilience - Dr. Jeremy Schmoe
7:07 Introducing Wendy
11:45 How Personal TBI Experience Helped in SLP Practice
13:15 Common Changes after Brain Injury
16:48 Ways to Strengthen Resilience
25:04 Small, Practical Steps
29:08 Encouragement for Family Members
31:18 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Finding Peace in the Uncertainty of Post-Concussion (with Tara L. Banks)
Season 6 · Episode 145
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • Duration 34:23
Living with post-concussion syndrome often means navigating a disorienting loss of identity, unpredictable symptoms, and the frustration of feeling like a stranger to yourself. When a good day is suddenly followed by an overwhelming crash, the uncertainty of recovery can make finding a clear path forward feel impossible. Today, we are exploring how to navigate the emotional and physical toll of lingering symptoms, adapt to an invisible injury, and discover true peace in the midst of life's chaos.
Today, host Cristabelle Braden interviews author and speaker Tara L. Banks, who candidly shares her personal experience recovering from multiple concussions. Listen as Tara opens up about grappling with a shifted sense of self, managing light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, and brain fog, and learning to advocate for herself when her struggles aren't visible to others. We also discuss redefining victory through the "little wins" of daily life, leaning on faith and supportive community, and cultivating internal peace when external circumstances remain uncertain.
We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center on hope for post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Schmoe shares the importance of looking beyond traditional rehab to explore blood chemistry, gut health, neuro-inflammation, and supporting the brain's glymphatic system.
🧠 In this episode:
Navigating the deep sense of losing your identity and feeling disconnected from yourself after a concussion.
Managing unpredictable day-to-day symptoms, light and sound sensitivity, and "invisible" recovery struggles.
Learning self-advocacy and extending patience toward loved ones who may not fully understand post-concussion syndrome.
Redefining resilience, embracing vulnerability, and celebrating the "small victories" in daily healing.
Finding peace through faith and community support.
How the 6 Pillars of Brain Health Transform TBI Recovery (with Luke Bohnenberger)
Season 6 · Episode 144
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 34:09
Have you ever felt stuck and unsure how to move forward in your recovery journey? Today, as we kick off Season 6, we are talking about how learning about brain health can make a huge impact - and giving you some practical tools to take with you.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Luke Bohnenberger, known as Luke Speaks TBI, who shares his powerful journey from a severe car accident and mental health struggles to becoming an advocate for others. Listen to discover how understanding your brain’s needs on a neurological level can remove shame, empower recovery, and help you regain a sense of control over your life and recovery journey.
We also feature a spotlight on brain health with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe explains practical, daily habits for supporting your neurology, focusing on blood sugar regulation, hydration, and simple ways to activate your brain through movement, visualization, and stress reduction.
🧠 In this episode:
Reframing post-injury symptoms as "signals" and learning to listen to your brain before it reaches an overload state.
Exploring 6 pillars of brain health: connections, movement, diet, novelty, environment, and rest.
Why establishing a sense of neurological safety is a required foundation for deep healing.
How to navigate the "push and pace" dynamic to challenge your brain without causing a setback.
Hope through Life with Brain Injury | Season 6 First Look
Season 6
Saturday, September 26, 2026 • Duration 05:20
At Hope Survives, we know that life with brain injury isn’t easy - so we're here to talk all about the ups, downs, and in-betweens, and offer some encouragement and practical tools to help you on your journey. Today we're sharing a preview of where we're going in Season 6.
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!
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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How to Regulate Your Nervous System after Brain Injury with Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques (with Shelley Latendresse)
Season 5 · Episode 143
Thursday, July 2, 2026 • Duration 43:19
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after a brain injury, with the mix of symptoms, daily stress, and simply coping with how your life has changed. It’s also common after brain injury to end up in survival mode, feeling disconnected from your body, and pushing yourself - which may be okay short term, but can add to long term stress and chronic symptoms. Today, we are diving into the topics of grounding, mindfulness, and how learning to regulate your nervous system can help you to move forward with healing after a brain injury.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Occupational Therapist Shelley Latendresse, who shares practical insights on how mindfulness and grounding techniques can aid recovery from a brain injury. Listen to discover how simple daily practices can help manage symptoms, reduce cognitive load, and promote healing. We also talk about coexisting with pain, symptoms, and the ways that we can acknowledge where we are at while also moving forward.
We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe explains how to bring your nervous system out of a hyper-sympathetic "fight-or-flight" state using targeted neurological stimulation as well as ways to do it at home.
This is also our Season 5 finale! We are so grateful for the conversations we've had this season and we look forward to staying connected as we enter a break to prepare for the next season.
🧠 In this episode:
Navigating the process of managing symptoms, pain, and cognitive load post-concussion.
Why focusing on simple, everyday habits can bring forward healing after brain injury.
Understanding mindfulness as a core skill for present moment awareness to reduce stress after brain injury.
Exploring grounding techniques that actively involve your senses and nature.
Ways to stimulate your vagus nerve for nervous system regulation.
CONNECT
How to Actually Complete Tasks after Brain Injury (with Stacia Bissell and Katya Bowen)
Season 5 · Episode 142
Thursday, June 25, 2026 • Duration 38:28
When you are recovering from a brain injury, simply trying to get through a daily task can feel like an absolute mountain to climb. Executive dysfunction can make it incredibly frustrating to finish what you start: you might find yourself losing your place mid-task, getting easily distracted, or completely forgetting what you were doing in the first place, leaving behind a trail of half-finished projects and not knowing how to continue.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down for a full interview with Stacia Bissell and Katya Bowen to discuss the ins and outs of task completion after brain injury - and how you can map out a plan to get your focus back.
We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center all about some of the neurological and metabolic reasons behind executive dysfunction.
*Join the Maps for Task Completion Live Virtual Workshop - coming up on September 18 - register now! https://hopesurvives.org/maps-workshop
🧠 In this episode:
Why a brain injury makes it incredibly difficult to stay organized, manage your time, and follow through on daily tasks.
How to create your own “map” to finish your task.
How setting a simple, repeating alarm can systematically interrupt distractions and pull your focus back to the job at hand.
Importance of breaking the cycle of self-criticism and internal pressure, which actively drains the cognitive energy you desperately need to get things done.
Encouragement to step forward into initiation when it can feel like a struggle to just start.
The Future of Healing: How Cutting-Edge Tech is Redefining Brain Injury Rehab (with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe)
Season 5 · Episode 141
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 29:37
Imagine a world where brain injury recovery isn't a frustrating game of trial and error, but a precisely mapped, tech-driven path designed for how your unique brain heals. The future of neuro-rehabilitation is no longer a distant dream - it is happening right now, and it brings so much hope.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center to unpack some of the recent groundbreaking technology advancements reshaping rehabilitation. If you or a loved one has ever been stuck in survival mode or told your scans look "normal" despite a daily battle with brain fog and fatigue, this conversation is an exciting look at the advanced care happening across the globe.
🧠 In this episode:
Why the most effective way to spark neuroplasticity and rewire the brain is by activating multiple systems at once.
A look at a cutting-edge tablet technology out of Paris that measures how your eyes converge and diverge using light and sound cues in a natural, active environment.
How functional near-infrared spectroscopy from South Korea images real-time blood flow changes in the frontal and temporal cortex during everyday movements.
Why interactive testing in free space uncovers subtle visual and tracking deficits that standard, stationary medical testing completely overlooks.
Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |
The Power of Music in Brain Injury Recovery (with Serenna Wagner and Alice Collier)
Season 5 · Episode 140
Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 37:50
Music has a unique ability to reach parts of the brain that regular speech or traditional therapies sometimes cannot. For those who have experienced a brain injury, the rhythmic and multi-sensory nature of music can bridge neurological gaps and provide a distinct pathway toward healing. In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden sits down with neurologic music therapist Serenna Wagner and her client, Alice Collier, who has experienced a brain injury to talk about the profound impact of music therapy on recovery.
We also feature a spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Harvey explains the mechanics of auditory stimulation and music, breaking down how it triggers multi-sensory integration to stimulate neural pathways without overloading a recovering patient's sensory system.
🧠 In this episode:
Understanding Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) - how specific, standardized techniques use music to manipulate brain activity, join the brain's hemispheres, and circumvent damaged networks.
A story of resilience and finding new dreams after Alice survived a traumatic brain injury from a bike accident
How matching auditory cues to visual and physical actions drives the brain's timing and sequencing networks.
How music therapy can be dynamically paired with physical therapy to make repetitive, challenging, or tedious physical movements highly motivating.
Host Cristabelle shares how music and songwriting helped her reclaim her emotions, speech and motor skills following her own brain injury.
Concussion Phenotypes: Unpacking the Multi-System Reality of Brain Injuries (with Dr. Melissa Biscardi)
Season 5 · Episode 139
Thursday, June 4, 2026 • Duration 36:05
Concussions are incredibly complex, and because they can disrupt up several systems in your body at once, recovery never looks the same for any two people. If you have ever felt like your (or your loved one’s) symptoms are completely overlapping, today we are going to help you understand why - and what to do about it.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden is joined by neuro-rehabilitation specialist and clinician Dr. Melissa Biscardi to break down "concussion phenotypes,” which are the distinct categories of symptoms that can present in concussion. From visual and vestibular disruptions to autonomic and cervical triggers, Melissa offers a path forward in reading the body's post-injury baseline and creating an order of operations for physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery.
We also feature an expert clinical spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Schmoe helps us understand concussion rehabilitation, including explaining why pairing multi-system tasks (such as combining cognitive tracking with physical movement) drives neuroplasticity and can safely accelerate healing.
🧠 In this episode:
A breakdown of the core concussion phenotypes and how they constantly interact.
Why your nervous system must feel foundationally stable and safe before you can successfully rehabilitate through targeted cognitive therapy.
How subtle formatting issues or structural injury in the neck directly spark secondary symptoms like nausea, blurry vision, and tracking headaches.
Honoring the intense identity shifts, irritability, and anxiety that naturally occur when an unexpected injury flips your daily life upside down.
How physical movement, even a simple sequence of marching in your bedroom for 10 seconds, drives essential oxygen and blood flow straight to a healing brain.
Why changing or rotating clinicians as your baseline improves is a sign of therapeutic progress, not failure; different phases of recovery demand different clinical specialties.
Writing with Courage and Hope - Small Steps for Sharing Your Brain Injury Story (with Laura Conaway)
Season 5 · Episode 138
Thursday, May 28, 2026 • Duration 37:45
Have you ever wanted to share more about your story, but weren’t sure how to start? The hidden realities of living with brain injury can feel overwhelming to explain, especially to people in your life - and it can feel daunting to know where to start with sharing. In this episode, our host Cristabelle sits down with bestselling author Laura Conaway to explore the vulnerable journey of living with POTS and dysautonomia following a childhood concussion. Laura shares personal insights on breaking the cycle of shame, the struggle with sharing symptoms with people around you, learning to give yourself grace during unpredictable flare-ups, and how the act of writing can become a powerful vehicle for healing.
We are also introducing The Hope Collective: a space on the Hope Survives website that gathers the voices and creative expressions of our community reflecting the complexity and resilience of life after brain injury.This space is designed specifically for you to read and share your own reflections, stories, and triumphs whenever you feel ready. Whether you want to process your own healing, provide comfort to someone else walking a similar path, or take advantage of the opportunity to be officially published on Hope Survives, The Hope Collective is here for you. Learn more: hopesurvives.org/thehopecollective
Plus, we feature a spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center. Dr. Harvey explains the fascinating relationship between creative writing, fine motor skills, and neuroplasticity, showing how putting your thoughts on paper actively re-wires the cerebellum and strengthens emotional control.
🧠 In this episode:
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Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
2:05 Welcome with Cristabelle
4:24 Hope for PCS - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe
8:26 Tara’s Concussion Story
15:14 “Looking Fine” - Not Feeling Fine
20:18 Finding Peace in Post-Concussion
23:25 Sense of Self & Not Giving Up
31:10 Finding Everyday Fruit - Tara’s Book
32:22 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:45 Welcome with Cristabelle
2:59 Brain Health - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe
6:02 Introducing Luke
8:45 The TBI Journey
14:35 Foundation of Brain Health
23:00 Understanding Safety in Nervous System
26:45 Takeaways and Small Steps
31:35 Final Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:53 Welcome with Cristabelle
3:00 Season 5 Finale
7:15 Nervous System Regulation - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe
13:00 Introducing Shelley Latendresse, OT
17:51 Why Mindfulness Matters
19:55 Feeling Disconnected from Your Body & Mind
21:40 Ways to Connect to the Moment
31:30 Grounding for Coexisting with Pain and Symptoms
40:44 Finding Beauty in the Everyday
42:22 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
2:10 Welcome with Cristabelle
5:00 Executive Dysfunction - Spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe
8:45 Introducing Stacia & Katya
16:55 Task Completion
19:25 Creating Your Map
26:00 Setting Yourself Up for Success
34:35 Encouragement
36:25 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:47 Welcome with Cristabelle
6:05 Introducing Dr. Schmoe
12:25 New Visual Tablet Tech - REMOBI
21:20 New VR Assessment Tech - NESPLORA
24:52 New Brain Imaging Tech - NIRSIT
28:20 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:53 Music on Cristabelle’s Journey
6:10 Music and Multi-Sensory Integration in Brain Injury Rehabilitation with Dr. Harvey - Spotlight
9:43 Introducing Alice and Serenna
15:05 Finding New Life after Brain Injury
18:15 Understanding Music Therapy
23:05 How Music Brings Growth after Brain Injury
27:27 Creativity in Brain Injury Recovery
32:45 Playing “The Drunken Sailor”
35:28 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
1:55 Welcome with Cristabelle
3:10 How to Treat Concussion with Dr. Schmoe - Spotlight
8:00 Introducing Dr. Melissa Biscardi
12:12 Breaking Down Concussion Phenotypes
20:50 How Symptoms Show Up in Everyday Life
27:18 Intentional Movement
29:24 Metabolic Factors
33:25 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
Processing the difficult feelings of looking “fine” on the outside while managing symptoms internally.
The struggle with feeling initial shame in sharing your limitations with others - and learning to give yourself grace and take small steps forward.
How creative writing and fine motor expression stimulates core neural pathways to enhance recovery.
Why stepping out of isolation and linking arms with a community can calm an overactive nervous system.
Encouragement for why your story matters, and some small steps forward towards sharing.
Practical tips on breaking through the fear of writing, setting aside rigid formatting, and letting your authentic voice shine.
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more: https://www.thefnc.com
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0:00 Intro
2:20 Welcome with Cristabelle
6:40 The Value of Writing after Brain Injury - Spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey
9:30 Introducing Laura
12:56 Managing Symptoms
16:04 Processing Shame & Sharing with Others
20:50 Courage to Start Writing
26:33 Encouragement to Try Writing & Sharing
34:30 Words of Hope
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: hopesurvives.org/podcast
