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When Words Don't Come Easy

When Words Don't Come Easy

Written by: Justin and Roger Chlowitz
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About this listen

When Words Don’t Come Easy is a podcast about connection — even when communication gets hard. I’m Justin, and my dad Roger is recovering from a stroke that left him with aphasia. We talk. We struggle. We laugh. We guess the words. But this show isn’t just about us. It’s also about the people who’ve been there: Other stroke survivors. Families. Speech therapists. Doctors. Advocates. People who know what it’s like when the words won’t come — but the love is still loud. If you’ve ever felt alone in this journey, this podcast is for you. Subscribe and join the conversation.Justin and Roger Chlowitz Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Ep.6 When Words Don't Come EasyFinding Your Voice Again | Aphasia Phil
    Jan 18 2026

    In this episode, we sit down with Aphasia Phil (Phil Oxendine), an aphasia advocate who turned a lack of representation into action.

    After his stroke, Phil noticed something missing. There were very few real, relatable aphasia voices on YouTube. So instead of waiting for someone else to tell those stories, he started telling his own.

    Phil shares his personal journey with aphasia, what recovery has really looked like, and the moment he realized how critical support groups and community are for people living with communication challenges. We talk about isolation, finding people who truly understand, and why being seen and heard matters just as much as therapy.

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    49 mins
  • Ep.5 When Words Don't Come Easy - Ep.5 The Work No One Sees
    Jan 11 2026

    In this episode, Bonnie shares her story as Roger’s wife and primary caregiver, beginning with the moment she discovered him during his stroke and the call to 911. She walks us through the shock and uncertainty of those early hospital days, learning on the fly, staying present, and making decisions when nothing felt clear.Bonnie talks candidly about what came next. The long hours in therapy, the repetition, and the progress that feels invisible from the outside. She opens up about the emotional whiplash of caregiving, the quiet victories, the frustration, the exhaustion, and the joy that still finds its way in.

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    23 mins
  • Ep.4 When Words Don't Come Easy - Chasing My Voice
    Jan 4 2026

    In this episode, we sit down with Annie Humling, who had a stroke at just 20 years old—making her story unique and incredibly inspiring. Since then, she’s faced the daily challenge of finding her words, rebuilding her voice, and navigating life with aphasia. Annie shares the long, frustrating, and sometimes hilarious journey of speaking again, giving a rare perspective on persistence, patience, and the effort it takes to make every word count.

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    50 mins
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