We're Not Stumped | Survival Stories, Disability Stories & Recovery Journeys Podcast

Mike Bolland
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  • Updated twice weekly

We're Not Stumped is a motivational podcast featuring survival stories, recovery journeys, disability stories, amputee stories, and inspiring conversations about overcoming adversity. Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. Hosted by Mike Bolland—a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour—We're Not Stumped explores what it truly means to overcome adversity, adapt to life's challenges, and rebuild with purpose. Launched in 2022, the podcast was created to give a voice to people navigating amputation, limb loss, disability, and other life-changing challenges. Each episode features powerful conversations with amputees, caregivers, medical professionals, advocates, athletes, and inspiring individuals who share practical insights on adaptive living, prosthetics, disability advocacy, inclusive employment, mental resilience, and finding purpose after adversity. These are more than interviews—they are real survival stories and recovery journeys that offer hope, perspective, practical encouragement, and proof that life's greatest setbacks can become new beginnings. Beyond the podcast, Mike is also a keynote speaker and stand-up comedian, using humor, authenticity, and real-life experience to connect with audiences while challenging perceptions about disability and resilience. Whether you're looking for a motivational podcast, survival stories, disability stories, amputee stories, recovery journeys, or inspiring stories of resilience, We're Not Stumped delivers honest conversations that educate, encourage, and remind us that we're capable of more than we think. Join a growing community built on resilience, connection, and the belief that no one has to face life's challenges alone.

  1. 5 days ago

    Angie Sandow: Poland Syndrome, Motorcycles, Music & Living With One Hand

    Angie Sandow was born with one hand and Poland syndrome—but that hasn't stopped her from riding motorcycles, playing guitar, performing onstage, and finding plenty of reasons to laugh along the way. In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland reconnects with Angie for a candid and often funny conversation about growing up with a limb difference, dealing with bullying and unwanted attention, and learning to turn difficult experiences into something positive. Angie shares how music became an important part of her life, including performing with bands and using a custom prosthetic guitar holder. She also talks about becoming a one-handed motorcycle rider and the modifications that allow her to ride, including moving the throttle to the left side. Mike and Angie also discuss breast cancer, speaking and advocacy, aging with a disability, handling unsolicited help, the importance of supportive communities, and the unique experiences of people born with limb differences compared with those who experience limb loss later in life. And, of course, there's plenty of conversation about humor, hockey, the Buffalo Bills, and refusing to let other people's expectations determine what's possible. It’s an entertaining and thoughtful conversation between two people born with one hand who have spent their lives finding their own ways to do things. 🎙️ We’re Not Stumped shares real stories of limb loss, limb difference, disability, recovery, resilience, and the people who prove that life doesn't end when circumstances change. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Angie Sandow: Poland Syndrome, Motorcycles, Music & Living With One Hand

  2. 1 Sept

    10% Chance of Survival: Vincent Van de Broeck’s TBI & Coma Recovery

    Vincent Van de Broeck was given just a 10% chance of survival after a devastating e-scooter accident left him with a severe traumatic brain injury. After spending three weeks in a coma, surviving was only the beginning. In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Vincent about his extraordinary recovery—relearning how to walk, talk, eat, and handle everyday tasks most of us take for granted. Vincent shares what it was really like to gradually wake from a coma, the difficult prognosis his family faced, and the extensive damage to his skull that eventually required a custom 3D-printed implant. He also discusses the people who refused to give up on him, particularly his wife and family, who lived through weeks of uncertainty while Vincent was unconscious. Through his recovery, Vincent came to see resilience not simply as something you're born with, but as something you can develop and strengthen. That experience also helped shape the ideas behind his book, Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done  (https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Feels-Impossible-Until-Done/dp/1911774360) . In this episode: • Surviving a severe traumatic brain injury • Being given a 10% chance of survival • What waking from a three-week coma was really like • Relearning how to walk, talk, eat, and live independently • Reconstructing his skull with a 3D-printed implant • The impact on Vincent’s wife and family • Why hope mattered when the prognosis was bleak • Developing resilience through adversity • The role of mindset and consistent action • The story behind Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done Vincent’s story is a powerful reminder that something feeling impossible doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for conversations about disability, resilience, recovery, self-advocacy, and people facing extraordinary challenges. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    10% Chance of Survival: Vincent Van de Broeck’s TBI & Coma Recovery

  3. 26 Aug

    Hanger Foundation’s Night to Inspire 2026: Rob Pittman on Supporting the Limb Loss Community

    What happens when the limb loss community, prosthetics professionals, nonprofits, and supporters come together for a weekend built around giving back? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with Rob Pittman of Hanger, Chairman of the Hanger Foundation’s Night to Inspire, about the upcoming 2026 Night to Inspire in Nashville, Tennessee. Now in its third year, Night to Inspire is expanding into a full weekend experience designed to raise funds, build awareness, and support organizations helping people with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility challenges. Rob shares what attendees can expect, including a Friday evening kickoff at Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, bourbon experiences, a golf outing, and a Saturday night dinner, reception, and concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Mike and Rob also discuss: How Night to Inspire got startedThe mission of the Hanger FoundationOrganizations supported through the foundation, including Camp No LimitsRob’s lifelong career in orthotics and prostheticsThe evolution of prosthetic technologyWhy peer support can be so important after limb lossHelping new amputees understand what is possibleRaising awareness and financial support for the limb loss communityHow people can support Night to Inspire even if they can’t attend in personRob also reflects on growing up in the orthotics and prosthetics profession and why, after decades in the field, helping people regain mobility and quality of life continues to drive his work. Night to Inspire 2026 takes place September 19, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. Listen to this episode of We’re Not Stumped to learn more about Night to Inspire, the Hanger Foundation, and the people working to make a difference throughout the limb loss and limb difference community. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Hanger Foundation’s Night to Inspire 2026: Rob Pittman on Supporting the Limb Loss Community

  4. 25 Aug

    Limb Salvage vs. Amputation: When Is Saving the Limb Not the Best Outcome?

    When should a limb be saved—and when might amputation provide a better quality of life? On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with podiatric surgeon Dr. Danny Ghannoum about limb salvage, diabetic foot complications, Charcot neuroarthropathy, bone infections, and the difficult decisions that can lead to lower-limb amputation. Dr. Ghannoum explains how diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, poor circulation, foot ulcers, and osteomyelitis can put a limb at risk. He also shares complex patient cases that illustrate an important point: saving a limb isn't always the same as achieving the best outcome for the patient. The conversation explores advances in limb salvage and reconstructive surgery, including bone fusion techniques, while emphasizing the importance of considering each patient's lifestyle, goals, and quality of life when making treatment decisions. Mike and Dr. Ghannoum also discuss patient advocacy and second opinions, with Dr. Ghannoum encouraging patients to take an active role as the “quarterback” of their healthcare team. Topics include: Limb salvage vs. amputationDiabetes and amputation riskPeripheral neuropathyCharcot foot / Charcot neuroarthropathyDiabetic foot ulcers and infectionsOsteomyelitisBelow-the-knee amputationLimb reconstruction and fusionPatient advocacy and second opinionsQuality of life when making treatment decisionsWe’re Not Stumped shares conversations about limb loss, limb difference, prosthetics, adaptive living, advocacy, and the people working to improve outcomes for the limb loss community. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Limb Salvage vs. Amputation: When Is Saving the Limb Not the Best Outcome?

  5. 18 Aug

    Service Dogs, Self-Advocacy & Life After Amputation with Stevia Walker

    What are you actually allowed to ask someone with a service dog? Do service dogs need paperwork? And what happens when businesses get the rules wrong? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with upper-limb amputee Stevia Walker about service animals, disability, prosthetics, self-advocacy, and life after limb loss. Stevia shares an encounter at a hotel where employees demanded documentation for her service dog and incorrectly assumed the dog was an emotional support animal. She discusses what people and businesses should understand about service animals and why these interactions matter. Stevia also shares the remarkable journey that brought her into the limb loss community. After developing severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) following a 2021 car accident and subsequent surgeries, she ultimately chose to have her hand amputated in December 2023. She talks about fighting to be heard by doctors, adapting after amputation, trying different prosthetic technologies, and participating in a clinical trial at UT Southwestern. Stevia also explains why there is no single prosthetic solution that works for every amputee—and how learning to advocate for herself has shaped her journey. Organizations discussed: Hands of Gratitude Dallas Amputee Network 🎙️ We’re Not Stumped shares conversations about limb loss, limb difference, disability, advocacy, adaptive living, and the people who refuse to let circumstances define what’s possible. Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for more conversations from the limb loss and disability communities. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Service Dogs, Self-Advocacy & Life After Amputation with Stevia Walker

  6. 11 Aug

    What does it take to overcome a challenge you've faced since birth?

    What does it take to overcome a challenge you've faced since birth? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes Nathan Winston, who was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a rare limb difference that led to the amputation of his left leg at the age of four. Nathan shares his incredible journey from adapting to life with a prosthetic to excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His determination eventually carried him to the Little League World Series and into the ranks of professional baseball. Along the way, Nathan reflects on the challenges he faced, the resilience he developed, and the mindset that helped him keep moving forward—even when the path wasn't easy. In this episode, you'll hear about:  Growing up with PFFD and limb loss  Competing in multiple sports with a prosthetic  Overcoming obstacles on and off the field  The lessons that shaped his "Next Level Mindset"  Why confidence is built by doing uncomfortable things  His mission to inspire others through his story Nathan's journey is a powerful reminder that our limitations don't define us—our mindset does. Whether you're facing adversity, pursuing a dream, or looking for encouragement to take the next step, this conversation will inspire you to keep going. Join us for another episode of We're Not Stumped, where resilience, determination, and the human spirit take center stage. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    What does it take to overcome a challenge you've faced since birth?

  7. 6 Aug

    Behind the Scenes of We're Not Stumped: How I Built a Podcast from Scratch

    In this solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I take you behind the scenes of the podcast and share what it really takes to create a show from the ground up. After producing more than 200 episodes featuring inspiring guests from the limb loss, disability, healthcare, and advocacy communities, I've learned a lot—both about podcasting and about telling meaningful stories. In this episode, I discuss:  Why I started We're Not Stumped How I find guests  My recording equipment and production workflow  The editing process behind each episode  Mistakes I made and what I'd do differently if I were starting today  Practical advice for anyone thinking about launching their own podcast Whether you're an aspiring podcaster, a content creator, or simply curious about what happens behind the microphone, this episode offers an honest look at the work, challenges, and rewards of producing a podcast. If you've ever thought about starting your own show, this conversation may be the encouragement you need to take the first step. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Behind the Scenes of We're Not Stumped: How I Built a Podcast from Scratch

  8. 4 Aug

    Janne Kouri: Turning Paralysis into Purpose Through NextStep Rehabilitation

    What happens when a life-changing injury becomes the catalyst for changing thousands of lives? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes entrepreneur and NextStep founder Janne Kouri. After a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed in 2006, Janne discovered activity-based rehabilitation that transformed his recovery—and inspired him to create a nonprofit dedicated to helping others access the same life-changing therapy. Janne shares his journey from entrepreneur to advocate, the challenges of making advanced rehabilitation more accessible, his remarkable 3,100-mile power wheelchair journey from California to Washington, D.C., and how he balances leading NextStep while building Loncaro Finnish Long Drink, one of the fastest-growing ready-to-drink beverage brands in the U.S. Learn more about NextStep: https://www.nextstepfitness.org Learn more about Loncaro Finnish Long Drink: https://loncaro.com/ Whether you're living with paralysis, supporting someone on their recovery journey, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and innovation, this conversation is packed with hope and practical insights. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    Janne Kouri: Turning Paralysis into Purpose Through NextStep Rehabilitation
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About

We're Not Stumped is a motivational podcast featuring survival stories, recovery journeys, disability stories, amputee stories, and inspiring conversations about overcoming adversity. Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. Hosted by Mike Bolland—a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour—We're Not Stumped explores what it truly means to overcome adversity, adapt to life's challenges, and rebuild with purpose. Launched in 2022, the podcast was created to give a voice to people navigating amputation, limb loss, disability, and other life-changing challenges. Each episode features powerful conversations with amputees, caregivers, medical professionals, advocates, athletes, and inspiring individuals who share practical insights on adaptive living, prosthetics, disability advocacy, inclusive employment, mental resilience, and finding purpose after adversity. These are more than interviews—they are real survival stories and recovery journeys that offer hope, perspective, practical encouragement, and proof that life's greatest setbacks can become new beginnings. Beyond the podcast, Mike is also a keynote speaker and stand-up comedian, using humor, authenticity, and real-life experience to connect with audiences while challenging perceptions about disability and resilience. Whether you're looking for a motivational podcast, survival stories, disability stories, amputee stories, recovery journeys, or inspiring stories of resilience, We're Not Stumped delivers honest conversations that educate, encourage, and remind us that we're capable of more than we think. Join a growing community built on resilience, connection, and the belief that no one has to face life's challenges alone.

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