On A Good Day

Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi
  • 4.9 (26)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
On A Good Day

On A Good Day is the podcast delving into brain injury and its impact on all involved. Hosted by Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi, our lives changed forever after our husbands suffered a brain injury. It also had a ripple effect on others in our wider family and community. We’ll be sharing our experiences to help others feel more connected, get inspiring stories from people affected by brain injury and learn more about the condition from our specialist guests. Expect honest conversations about what goes on behind closed doors: the challenges and triumphs, the good days and the not so good days. Come join us as we aim to strengthen the communities of people impacted by brain injury and empower others in a similar situation to help them feel less alone and better equipped to take on any challenges - so we can all have more of the good days.

  1. 10 HR AGO

    Vulnerability, identity and The Traitors - with Traitors star Andrew Jenkins

    He was one of the most popular contestants on BBC series The Traitors but Andrew Jenkins reveals he hated himself for a long time after a life-changing car accident left him changed physically and he sustained a brain injury. In this episode, he talks to Elizabeth and Julia about how the impact of the crash, his recovery and how the physical scars may have healed but mentally he felt lost and impacted much of his life. He felt he lost his identity and had to put on a "mask" on for many years of his life until he started to find himself again, and not only help himself, but others as well. With honesty and emotion he talks to Elizabeth and Julia about all aspects of his life from family, his past relationships and how meeting the man who saved his life changed the trajectory of his life. It encouraged him to speak to his parents for the first time about the accident as well as his brothers and son. Andrew he then went on The Traitors, using it as a platform to help others who may be struggling with their mental health and challenges life can bring. When this was recorded, Andrew was about to set off on his Big Trek, walking 1,200 miles across four nations to raise money for the UK charity Headway which supports brain injury survivors and their families. You can support Andrew's challenge and the charity by making a donation. Andrew also mentions taking part in a documentary called Sound Lad with his son. _______ If you enjoyed this episode, you will also enjoy listening to former stuntman Joe Watts and Joe Borges who says he feels his stroke was a blessing. Plus, Elizabeth and Julia's husbands Paul and Hector on the progress they have made in the last year. _______ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 6m

  2. 15 AUG

    The Former Stuntman Rewriting His Story After Brain Injury - with Joe Watts

    Joe Watts was a successful stuntman working on films such as Mission Impossible and the Star Wars franchises when it abruptly ended after a stunt went horribly wrong. Joe fell 25ft onto concrete and was left with a severe brain injury, ending the career he so loved. In this episode, Joe opens up to Elizabeth and Julia about what happened on the day of his accident and the impact it has had on him and those around him. Having made a remarkable recovery, he tells Elizabeth and Julia how he is rebuilding his life using a concept he has developed called the Mountain Method. His goal now is to help others using this method and sharing his story through public speaking. Joe also speaks honestly about the anger he has felt following his brain injury and how art has helped him channel his negative energy into something positive and purposeful. He shares his outlook for the future and why he is glad to be the person he is now, rather than the one he was before. Connect with Joe on instagram @Joewattsart, check out his linktree page and download Joe's Mountain Method worksheet If you enjoyed this episode, you will also enjoy listening to Charlie Well's story of managing his mindset after brain injury as well as Satinder Sanghera in episode 2 who went on to complete her medical studies after her stroke. Plus, Elizabeth and Julia's husbands Paul and Hector on the progress they have made in the last year. There's also Joy and Ross's honest story of stroke, love and overcoming negativity towards disability in episode 12. _______ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  3. 22 JUL

    The Changing World of Loving Someone After Acquired Brain Injury - Elizabeth Callaghan, Julia Ajayi and Able To Care podcast host Andy Baker

    Brain injury changes lives in an instant and not only for the survivor but those closest to them. In this episode of On A Good Day, Elizabeth and Julia share an episode from the Able To Care podcast which they were invited on to talk about their experiences as a carers. Hosted by Andy Baker, they talk to him about their personal journeys and how they navigate the challenges of being with someone who has a brain injury. Elizabeth and Julia explain how they connected and set up On A Good Day and the importance of being about to speak and hear from others who have been in similar situations. Listeners will gain insights into the complexities of brain injuries, the emotional and practical adjustments and the invaluable support networks available. Get ready for a heartfelt conversation filled with resilience, understanding, and the importance of community support. ____ Find out more about Andy Baker and Able Training. Listen and subscribe to the Able To Care podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify and watch on YouTube: _______ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  4. 9 JUL

    How Can Independence Be Achieved After Brain Injury? - with Special Guests From Independence Day Brain Injury Conference Hosted By Irwin Mitchell

    Becoming independent is one of the most important things brain injury survivors strive for - but how can independence be achieved? In this special episode, Elizabeth and Julia go on the road to a Brain Injury Conference and speak to some of the speakers and those in attendance about how they are helping support brain injury survivors and some of the key issues. Hosted by Irwin Mitchell, a law firm which specialises in brain injury claims, the theme of the conference was independence, on Independence Day (and also polling day in the UK). The event bought together experts and those with lived experience of brain injury to discuss the elements of rehab and post brain injury support that have helped survivors regain their independence. Some of the issues discussed include: How important family support is in helping brain injury survivors to recover What charities are doing to help ABI survivors and their families Why sexual relationships need to be talked about after brain injury Key health issues which the new government could address Why tapping into an individual's interests can boost recovery How you can get help after a brain injury when on holiday or working abroad Some of the episodes discussed in this one include, Living With Locked In Syndrome and Claiming Compensation After Brain Injury. _______ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  5. 20 JUN

    Brain Injury Progress In One Year - With Survivors Paul Callaghan and Hector Ajayi

    How much progress can brain injury survivors make over time? It has been six years since Paul had his brain injury, and nearly 15 years for Hector, and despite that, they both identify things that they feel have improved for them over the last year. In this episode, they join Elizabeth and Julia (their wife's) to talk about the progress they have made in the last year, some of their continuing challenges and also the impact of some major life events. Some of the topics discussed in this episode include. Acceptance of brain injury how life has changed The importance of continuing to try new things Neurofatigue Volunteering Grief after a parent has died Epilepsy and driving after epilepsy Future planning including travel _____ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  6. 6 JUN

    What Benefits Could You Be Entitled To After Brain Injury? - Benefits Advisor Alice Hamilton, Citizens Advice

    What benefits could you claim after you've had brain injury or are a carer? The system in England and Wales can be mind-boggling, especially if it's your first experience of applying for benefits. In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia speak to Alice Hamilton from Citizens Advice to get her insight into what financial help the government can provide. They quiz her on some of the financial issues which may arise following a brain injury and what benefits are available both in the short term and long term. Alice is based in Cambridge and can talk about the system in England and Wales but the system in Scotland can vary. In this episode, you will learn: What financial help you can get from the government in a moment of crisis and longer term, including housing costs Advice on filling out forms for Personal Independent Payment (PIP). How to appeal a decision from the Department from Work and Pension and why it can be worth doing. Why it is important to focus on the negatives when undergoing a health assessment and what you can no longer do The links to the benefits calculators Alice mentioned in the podcast are below. Benefits Calculator - entitledto - independent | accurate | reliable Turn2us Benefits Calculator The information in this episode is specific to the United Kingdom in particular but we hope that for those living outside of the UK they still find it a useful and thought provoking episode. Citizens Advice started in 1939 and is supported by a small number of paid staff and over 14,000 volunteers. It can give advice on a range of other issues but this conversation focused on what can be claimed following brain injury. _____ On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

  7. 23 MAY

    Living With Locked In Syndrome, a Daughter's Story - Georgie Tyler-Collings

    What is locked-in syndrome? How does it affect someone? Locked-in syndrome might be a condition you have heard of - but may not know much about. This episode will help you understand more about locked-in syndrome and what it is like to live with or support a family member with the condition. To shed a light on the topic, Georgie Tyler-Collings joins Elizabeth and Julia to tell them about her inspiring dad, David Collings. He was left with locked-in syndrome after suffering an ischemic brain stem stroke aged 59 while on holiday in France. Although paralysed, David is fully cognitive and communicates using his eyes. Alongside her wider family, Georgie talks about what happened, how they got him home to Sheffield from France and the impact it has had on her and other family members. She says: "It's tough, but if my family can do it, then you can too". Before his stroke, David would take part in various cycling and swimming challenges - and his motivation for a challenge has not waned. In 2018, he used a special motorised bike to cycle two hours a day for 80 days from his care home and, using the same method, he is currently clocking up the miles to get to New Zealand. This is a story of a family coming together in crisis for a special man, the ups and downs, the impact and loss. But it is also a story of plenty of laughs and support to help David live a happy life with locked-in syndrome. Do leave a comment if this episode resonated and subscribe to ensure you don't miss future episodes. ___ You can read a bit more about the family's fight to get David home from France when it covered by BBC news. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-38557886 And more about his first cycling challenge post stroke in 2018. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-44288944 On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Connect with Us On Instagram @onagood.day and X @onagood_day And you can join our Facebook community too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m

  8. 9 MAY

    On A (Not So) Good Day: Our Challenges With Brain Injury - Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi

    What's it like to be the partner of a brain injury survivor? The truth is, some days are not so good. There are times which can be challenging, frustrating and upsetting. In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia acknowledge the (not so) good days and share with honesty some of the challenges they face living with a brain injury survivor. They share their own vulnerabilities and struggles in this bite-sized episode in the hope it will resonate with others and help people feel less alone. Some of the topics discussed include: The strain brain injury can put on marriages and relationships Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated Being the main decision maker Dealing with mood changes and altered emotions How little things can build up to dampen the good days Why sharing and talking always helps _____ In this episode, Elizabeth and Julia mentioned their conversation with Dr Fergus Gracey which you can listen to in episode 11. Hear more about Allison's story of parenting young children after stroke in episode 27 Connect with Us On Instagram (@onagood.day) and X (@onagood_day) And you can join our Facebook community too! On A Good Day Thank you for listening to On A Good Day! Please share this podcast with others it will benefit and subscribe, rate and review to help make it more visible! We'd be so grateful! Do go back and catch up on any missed episodes. For a full recap of Elizabeth and Julia's stories, listen to episode #1: How Brain Injury Came Into Our Lives - And Changed Them Forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
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4.9
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About

On A Good Day is the podcast delving into brain injury and its impact on all involved. Hosted by Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi, our lives changed forever after our husbands suffered a brain injury. It also had a ripple effect on others in our wider family and community. We’ll be sharing our experiences to help others feel more connected, get inspiring stories from people affected by brain injury and learn more about the condition from our specialist guests. Expect honest conversations about what goes on behind closed doors: the challenges and triumphs, the good days and the not so good days. Come join us as we aim to strengthen the communities of people impacted by brain injury and empower others in a similar situation to help them feel less alone and better equipped to take on any challenges - so we can all have more of the good days.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Callaghan and Julia Ajayi
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit

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