Wired for Hope – Details, episodes & analysis

In our first episode, Dr Jess speaks with Dr Alan Gray, a consultant clinical psychologist, with a specialism in neuropsychology, about the transformative power of hope in brain injury rehabilitation. 

We explore why hope matters for both mental and physical recovery, the surprising statistics about brain injury prevalence in the UK, and how goal-setting can foster meaningful progress. 

Alan explains the two key components of hope - agency and pathways - and discusses the delicate balance between maintaining realistic expectations and nurturing optimism. 

The conversation also touches on the vital role of family members in the recovery journey and why supporting caregivers is essential for patient wellbeing. 

In 'What's New in Neuroscience', we examine cutting-edge research on robotic-assisted gait training for brain injury survivors.

Links:

Effect of robotic-assisted gait training on functional independence measure scores in patients with acquired brain injury: retrospective study: 10.3389/fresc.2025.1575148

Mark Holloway: family experience of brain injury – surviving , coping, adjusting: http://bit.ly/4nKrSH3

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER: 

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Wired for Hope, where we explore the brain, behaviour, and mental health with people who have lived with brain injury and those who have studied it.

I'm Dr. Jess, an NHS clinical psychologist in the UK, university lecturer, and published author, passionate about making neuroscience more accessible.

We’ll explore a range of topics from sports related concussion, to feminist perspectives on disability, and mental health and identity.

We’ll also shine a light on some of the latest research from around the world, in our regular feature ‘what’s new in neuroscience’.

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Wired for Hope podcast, Dr Jess speaks with Dr Phil Butler, a social worker and researcher who completed her PhD on the lived experiences of mothers with acquired brain injury. 

Phil discusses her groundbreaking research using feminist disability theory to explore why parents with ABI, particularly mothers, have been largely overlooked in the literature, with most studies focusing on child protection rather than parental wellbeing. 

She shares powerful insights from her cooperative inquiry group, where mothers moved from guilt and shame to self-compassion and advocacy. 

The conversation explores concepts such as interdependence, the "misfit" identity, and practical recommendations for healthcare services. 

In 'What's New in Neuroscience', we examine research on nature-based interventions for brain injury recovery and reflect on the complex ethics of VR nature simulations.

Links:

Mothers with Acquired Brain Injury (Including Stroke) - Best practice considerations for the health service

Nature-based interventions and nature interaction for people with acquired brain injury: A systematic scoping review

Headway

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER: 

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr Jess welcomes Andrew Jenkins to the Wired for Hope podcast.

Andrew survived a devastating car accident 25 years ago that left him in a coma for four weeks. 

He shares his raw and honest journey from silently struggling with shame, identity loss, and toxic masculinity to finding self-compassion and purpose. 

He discusses the turning point of meeting the surgeon who saved his life, working through 24 years of grief, and ultimately becoming a mental health advocate.

Andrew offers powerful insights on the importance of involving family in your recovery, the value of lived experience working alongside professionals, and practical tools for recovery.

Before we jump into the conversation with Andrew, Dr Jess explores mental health after brain injury, first examining the biological, social, and psychological factors that contribute to emotional difficulties following a brain injury. 

In 'What's New in Neuroscience', we examine research on the gut-brain axis and how nutrition impacts neuroinflammation and cognitive function.

Links:

The Gut-Brain Axis and Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Headway

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

DISCLAIMER: 

This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.

UK Resources Include:

• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999

• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123

• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111

• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.

• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.

Limitation of Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.

Please see full disclaimer in the show description.

Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

Produced by Anthony Zahra

Music Credit: SigmaMusicArt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.