Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast cover art

Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

Written by: Cristabelle Braden and Hope Survives
Listen for free

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.orgHope Survives Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Concussion Phenotypes: Unpacking the Multi-System Reality of Brain Injuries (with Dr. Melissa Biscardi)

    Concussion Phenotypes: Unpacking the Multi-System Reality of Brain Injuries (with Dr. Melissa Biscardi)
    Jun 4 2026
    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.Melissa's previous episodes with us:57- Female Hormones after TBI/Concussion: https://hopesurvives.org/podcast/5754- Pillars of Concussion Care + Holistic Approach: https://hopesurvives.org/podcast/54CONNECTFollow @hopesurvivesVisit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠Reach out to us anytime: ⁠hi@hopesurvives.org⁠Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------SponsorThank 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-------0:00 Intro1:55 Welcome with Cristabelle3:10 How to Treat Concussion with Dr. Schmoe - Spotlight8:00 Introducing Dr. Melissa Biscardi12:12 Breaking Down Concussion Phenotypes20:50 How Symptoms Show Up in Everyday Life27:18 Intentional Movement29:24 Metabolic Factors33:25 Words of Hope-------DisclaimerThis podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Writing with Courage and Hope - Small Steps for Sharing Your Brain Injury Story (with Laura Conaway)

    Writing with Courage and Hope - Small Steps for Sharing Your Brain Injury Story (with Laura Conaway)
    May 28 2026
    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*FREE ACCESS to Laura’s Writing With Hope On-Demand Course: https://hopesurvives.org/writingwithhopePlus, 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: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.CONNECTFollow @hopesurvives Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠Reach out to us anytime: ⁠hi@hopesurvives.org⁠ Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------SponsorThank 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 -------0:00 Intro2:20 Welcome with Cristabelle6:40 The Value of Writing after Brain Injury - Spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey9:30 Introducing Laura12:56 Managing Symptoms16:04 Processing Shame & Sharing with Others20:50 Courage to Start Writing26:33 Encouragement to Try Writing & Sharing34:30 Words of Hope-------DisclaimerThis podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Turning Trauma into Purpose - from TBI to Ironman (with Jackson Davis)

    Turning Trauma into Purpose - from TBI to Ironman (with Jackson Davis)
    May 21 2026

    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 to endure - even becoming an ultra-endurance Ironman athlete.

    We also feature a special spotlight with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center on finding meaning during recovery. Dr. Harvey discusses the vital psychological shift from focusing on feeling "broken" to intentionally making yourself whole again, and how a purpose-driven perspective can actively build your neurological resilience.

    🧠 In this episode:

    • Navigating survival mode & why it is completely okay to just focus on getting through the day one moment at a time when your system is overwhelmed.
    • Coping with the sudden loss of your old life plans and learning to accept and love the person you are today.
    • How finding new purpose doesn't have to look like a massive plan right away; it can be found in the small ways you choose to show up for yourself and your community each day.
    • Ways that Jackson defied medical expectations, overcame severe physical limitations, and trained to compete in multiple long-distance triathlons.
    • The importance setting goals for yourself to take those small steps forward - even if it’s pacing your daily actions one hour at a time.

    CONNECT

    Follow @hopesurvives

    Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

    Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

    Reach out to us anytime: ⁠hi@hopesurvives.org⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -------

    Sponsor

    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

    -------

    0:00 Intro

    2:00 Welcome with Cristabelle

    4:55 Spotlight - Finding Purpose within Recovery - Dr. Ryan Harvey

    7:55 Introducing Jackson Davis

    9:30 Jackson’s TBI Story

    19:30 Emotional & Physical Recovery

    21:50 Finding New Dreams & Goals

    23:13 Defining Purpose

    25:05 Journey to Ironman

    27:45 Encouragement in Walking in Purpose

    30:10 Words of Hope

    -------

    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
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet