The Mindful Return Podcast: From Brain Injury to Back at Work

Kelly Tuttle
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🎙️ The Mindful Return Podcast Hosted by Kelly Tuttle, Neurology Nurse Practitioner and brain injury survivor, The Mindful Return Podcast helps brain injury survivors, caregivers, and employers move from recovery to meaningful work. After experiencing her own mild traumatic brain injury, Kelly used her nurse practitioner knowledge and hard-won personal strategies to rebuild her focus, confidence, and career. Now, she shares those same tools to help others do the same. Each episode offers: 🧠 Practical ways to understand and manage your brain injury symptoms 💡 Strategies to improve focus, memory, and communication 💼 Tools to boost your brain’s best performance at work 💬 Real stories of recovery, resilience, and return-to-work success Whether you’re newly injured or navigating long-term recovery, you’ll find compassionate guidance, evidence-based insights, and renewed hope in every episode. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and review The Mindful Return Podcast — and visit www.KellyTuttle.org to learn more and access free brain injury recovery tools.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 15: Overcoming Speech Challenges After Brain Injury Kelly Tuttle's Guide to Communication Recovery

    Summary: Kelly Tuttle shares her personal journey and expert insights on speech difficulties after a brain injury, including symptoms, coping strategies, and the importance of professional support.   Key topics: Speech difficulties after brain injury Symptoms and signs of communication issues Practical strategies for improving speech The role of therapy and assessments Emotional and social impacts of speech impairments   Takeaways: Practice handwriting and journaling to reconnect brain and body. Slow down speech and responses to aid processing. Use humor and deflection to handle communication mishaps. Seek professional assessment and therapy for targeted recovery. Engage in supportive environments, such as support groups. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Speech Difficulties After Brain Injury 02:41 Understanding Communication Challenges Post-Injury 09:56 The Impact of Brain Injury on Speech and Language 16:05 Strategies for Improving Communication Skills 22:09 Coping Mechanisms and Support for Brain Injury Survivors 31:53 Seeking Professional Help and Conclusion   Resources & Links: Kelly's Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program: Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, along with additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel.   Additional Resources: Speech Therapy Resources Neuropsychological Assessment - Hashtag: #braininjury #speechdifficulties #communication #recovery #therapy #copingstrategies, #neuropsychologicalassessment #support groups

  2. Jul 8

    Episode 14: How Binocular Vision Dysfunction Affects Brain Injury Survivors

    Summary: Kelly Tuttle shares her journey with binocular vision dysfunction, its impact on brain-injury recovery, and how behavioral optometrists can help diagnose and treat this often-overlooked condition.   Key Topics: Binocular vision dysfunction and its symptoms. The role of behavioral/neuro-optometrists in diagnosis and treatment. Personal recovery journey and impact of vision correction. Importance of early diagnosis and treatment for brain injury survivors.   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Binocular Vision Dysfunction 03:00 Understanding Behavioral Optometry 05:15 The Impact of Treatment on Recovery 05:56 Raising Awareness for Brain Injury Survivors   Resources: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) https://nora.memberclicks.net/find-a-provider#/ Kelly Tuttle's Book: After the Crash - Kelly Tuttle's Website -   #binocularvisiondysfunction, #braininjury, #behavioraloptometrist, #neurooptometry, #visiontherapy, #recovery, #symptoms, #treatment   Resources & Links: Kelly’s Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program:Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, along withadditional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel.

  3. Jun 24

    Episode 13: Overcoming Sound Sensitivity After Brain Injury: Practical Strategies and Personal Insights

    Summary: This episode explores sound sensitivity after brain injury, sharing personal experiences, symptoms, and practical tools for management. Learn how to recognize, assess, and treat this common but often overlooked symptom to improve quality of life.   Key Topics: Sound sensitivity and hyperacusis in brain injury Tools and technology for managing sound overload Personal recovery journey and practical tips   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Sound Sensitivity in Brain Injury 00:54 Pre-Injury vs Post-Injury Sound Processing 01:35 Understanding Sound Sensitivity and Hyperacusis 02:28 Recognizing Symptoms of Sound Sensitivity 03:09 Impact of Noise on Concentration and Social Life 04:55 Effects of Brain Injury on Sound Prioritization 05:36 Misdiagnosis and Overlap with Anxiety 05:50 Using Noise Counseling Technology for Relief 07:21 Personal Experience with Noise-Canceling Devices 09:08 Adjusting Noise Levels and Focused Listening 10:49 Low-Tech Solutions: Ear Loops and Earplugs 11:28 Assessment Tools and Resources for Sound Sensitivity 12:18 Seeking Professional Help: Audiologists and Tests 13:08 Controversies in Desensitization Treatments 14:05 Progress Over Time and Managing Neurofatigue 15:33 Transition from Heavy Use to Less Dependence 16:19 Travel Tips and Managing Noise in Public Spaces 17:08 Final Thoughts and Resources   Resources: Active Noise Canceling Headphones - Book: After the Crush by Kelly Tuttle - https://www.kellytuttle.com   Keywords: #braininjury, #soundsensitivity, #hyperacusis, #neurofatigue, #noisecanceling, #recoverytools, #braininjurysymptoms, #managingsoundsensitivity, #neurorehabilitation   Resources & Links: Kelly’s Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program: Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, as well as additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel.

  4. Jun 10

    Episode 12: Understanding Dizziness After Brain Injury: Causes and the Specialist to See

    Summary: This episode explores the symptoms of dizziness following a brain injury, including causes and when to seek medical help. Host Kelly Tuttle shares insights into recognizing symptoms and the importance of professional assessment.   Key Topics: Symptoms of dizziness after brain injury Causes of dizziness and balance issues When to seek medical help and assessments   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dizziness Symptoms Post-Brain Injury 00:58 Common Symptoms: Vertigo, Balance, and Disorientation 01:55 Impact of Additional Injuries and Persistent Symptoms 02:41 Triggers and Situations That Worsen Dizziness 03:03 Expected Recovery Timeline and Persistent Symptoms 03:47 Challenges in Diagnosing Dizziness: A Nonspecific Symptom 04:23 How the Brain Uses Sensory Pathways for Balance 04:50 Disruption of Balance Systems After Brain Injury 05:18 Energy Deficits and Symptom Exacerbation 05:57 When to Rest and Avoid High-Risk Activities 07:04 Supporting Brain Recovery with Rest and External Tools 07:31 Medical Evaluation: Who to See and What Tests Are Needed 08:49 Specialists for Dizziness: Neurotherapists, OT, PT, and ENT 11:21 Role of ENT and Inner Ear Assessments 13:19 Preparing for Medical Appointments: The Medical Stressless Worksheet 14:53 Communicating Symptoms Effectively to Your Doctor 16:46 Using the Medical Worksheet for Better Outcomes 18:43 Resources and Support for Brain Injury Recovery   Resources: KellyTuttle.org - Medical Stressless Worksheet -   #brain injury, #dizziness, #balance, #concussion, #neurorehabilitation, #symptoms, #recovery   Resources & Links: Kelly’s Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program:Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, and additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel.

  5. May 27

    Episode 11: The Surprising Connection Between Brain Healing and Rebuilding Your Reading Skills

    Summary: Uncover the strategies to reclaim your love of reading after a brain injury — even if it’s been years. Kelly Tuttle shares her inspiring journey from struggling to read for five minutes to devouring complex books again. In this deeply personal episode, Kelly reveals the cognitive and visual hurdles that make reading difficult after brain injury — from blurred vision to brain fog. She details the surprising role of energy reserves and how slowing your reading pace can improve your reading comprehension. You’ll discover practical techniques, such as using audiobooks, text-to-speech technology, and mindful pauses, that help rebuild your reading stamina.   Takeaways: Healing requires pacing, not pushing. The brain’s capacity to process information can be slowed after injury, so faster reading or multitasking can hamper reading after a brain injury. Tactical aids like sticky notes, highlighting, and guiding paper help offload mental effort, freeing up energy for your brain’s reading processes. Starting with simple, short, and visually accessible material enhances confidence and restores reading enjoyment. Consider options like large print, audiobooks, and text-to-speech technology, which make reading more accessible and less taxing. Incorporating short, consistent, low-pressure reading rituals—like one poem a day—creates a positive emotional association with reading as your brain heals. Resources & Links: Kelly’s Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program:Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, and additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel

  6. May 13

    Episode 10: How Slowing Down and Repetition Can Boost Your Brain’s Learning Power Post-Injury

    In this episode, Kelly Tuttle shares her personal journey and practical strategies for relearning and regaining cognitive functions after a brain injury. Discover techniques that can help you slow down, adapt, and support your brain's healing process. Main Topics: Impact of brain injury on learning and memory processes Practical strategies to support relearning and cognitive recovery Importance of environmental adjustments and self-compassion during healing Key Points: Brain injury disrupts the organization and retrieval of learned information, though memory remains largely intact. Slowing down the intake of information and being intentional helps the healing brain process better. Using short reading chunks, taking breaks, and allowing extra time for learning are effective techniques. Repetition, note-taking, and reviewing reinforce new learning during recovery. Minimizing environmental distractions (noise, light, visual clutter) supports focus and reduces fatigue. Listening to audiobooks and using visual aids, such as printed materials, can accommodate different learning preferences. Ensuring proper vision and hearing assessments can address additional barriers to learning. Patience, self-compassion, and collaborative therapy (speech, occupational, behavioral optometrists) are essential for progress. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to learning challenges after brain injury 00:29 - Changes in reading ability post-injury 00:56 - How brain injury affects information organization and retrieval 1:19 - The importance of slowing down during healing 2:24 - Strategies: intentional reading and slowing down absorption 3:27 - Attaching new info to previous knowledge to improve recall 4:11 - The significance of taking time and avoiding rushing through information 5:16 - Brain processing delays feel like slow thoughts 6:41 - Visualizing the brain as a sloth managing information flow 7:20 - Slow filing process affecting retrieval and day-to-day conversation 8:56 - Learning remains possible despite changes in how the brain processes info 9:14 - The brain's energy demands increase during healing 10:39 - Damage to mitochondria reduces energy availability for brain functions 11:38 - Summary: Slowed processing and low energy levels impact learning 12:11 - Practical tips: slow reading rate and short chunks 12:39 - Taking brain breaks and gradually increasing learning time 13:09 - The benefit of giving yourself more learning time 13:45 - Kelly's online program "The Road to Recovery" for flexible learning 14:29 - Repetition through listening, reading aloud, and reviewing notes 15:26 - Writing notes by hand to reinforce learning and slow intake 16:16 - Creating a distraction-free environment to enhance focus 17:23 - Using noise-canceling headphones and lowering environmental stimuli 18:53 - Reducing visual distractions and visual sensitivities 20:36 - Avoiding multitasking and focusing on single tasks to build cognitive stamina 22:38 - Using alarms to structure breaks and task transitions 23:27 - Printing information for external memory support 23:53 - Listening to audiobooks and podcasts as alternative learning methods 24:49 - Combining audio and visual cues enhances comprehension 25:42 - Benefits of videos, captions, and rewinding for complex topics 27:05 - Personal stories about audiobooks and verbal reading techniques 28:59 - Individual differences in learning methods vary and should be personalized 29:29 - Encouraging communication with healthcare providers for tailored support 30:16 - Importance of vision and hearing evaluations post-injury 31:16 - Correcting vision issues to reduce fatigue and improve reading 32:09 - Ensuring audiologists are experienced with brain injury survivors 32:54 - Final encouragement: be gentle with yourself and trust the recovery process Resources & Links: Kelly's Linktree If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program:Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, and additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel.

  7. Apr 29

    Episode 9: How to Handle Denied Disability Accommodations: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Summary: This episode provides guidance for employees facing denial of disability accommodations by their employers.   Key Topics: Legal rights under the ADA The interactive process for accommodations Reasons for denial and how to respond Alternatives and reasonable accommodations   Takeaways: Ask why your accommodation was denied. Suggest alternative accommodations during the interactive process. Keep detailed records of all communications and interactions. Understand the concept of undue hardship and request detailed reasons. Involve union reps or legal counsel if facing unfair treatment. Practice self-care and seek support from mental health professionals. Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Disability Accommodations 04:26 Steps to Take When Accommodations Are Denied 08:17 Navigating Undue Hardship Claims 09:38 Seeking Support and Legal Help   Resources: AskJAN.org - https://askjan.org/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - https://www.ada.gov/ Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - https://www.eeoc.gov/   Keywords #disabilityaccommodations, #employmentrights, #ADA, #workplaceadvocacy, #legalsupport, #interactiveprocess, #unduehardship, #employeerights, #workplacediscrimination, #mentalhealthsupport   P.S. As a brain injury survivor, I understand the challenges of reintegration into the workforce. If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program: Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, and additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel. Linktree My TikTok:  @brainlovingnp

  8. Apr 15

    Episode 8: The Brain Injury Survivor's Guide to Workplace Accommodations

    Summary: This episode explores the complex process of returning to work after a brain injury, focusing on disability accommodations, legal rights, and practical strategies for a successful transition. Key Topics Disability accommodations in the workplace Strategies for returning to work after brain injury Chapters 00:00Introduction to Disability Accommodations 01:12Personal Journey with Brain Injury 05:46Deciding to Ask for Accommodations 09:58Understanding Your Rights and Policies 13:53Preparing for the Request 17:07Exploring Accommodation Options 23:04The Importance of Accommodations 24:36Conclusion and Support Resources Resources Job Accommodation Network (askjan.org) #braininjury, #workplaceaccommodations, #disabilityrights, #neurorehabilitation, #ADA, #workstrategies, #supportsystems P.S. As a brain injury survivor, I understand the challenges of reintegration into the workforce. If you're also a survivor looking to return to work, please visit my website for my online program: Return to Work and Life After a Brain Injury.  You can also find my book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, and additional resources. My book, After the Crash, is also on Audible. My book, After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury, can be found on Amazon or at your favorite independent bookstore I created a journal just for you! Check out My Brain Injury Recovery Journal  My eBook, Getting Back Behind the Wheel Please check out my YouTube channel. Linktree My TikTok:  @brainlovingnp

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About

🎙️ The Mindful Return Podcast Hosted by Kelly Tuttle, Neurology Nurse Practitioner and brain injury survivor, The Mindful Return Podcast helps brain injury survivors, caregivers, and employers move from recovery to meaningful work. After experiencing her own mild traumatic brain injury, Kelly used her nurse practitioner knowledge and hard-won personal strategies to rebuild her focus, confidence, and career. Now, she shares those same tools to help others do the same. Each episode offers: 🧠 Practical ways to understand and manage your brain injury symptoms 💡 Strategies to improve focus, memory, and communication 💼 Tools to boost your brain’s best performance at work 💬 Real stories of recovery, resilience, and return-to-work success Whether you’re newly injured or navigating long-term recovery, you’ll find compassionate guidance, evidence-based insights, and renewed hope in every episode. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and review The Mindful Return Podcast — and visit www.KellyTuttle.org to learn more and access free brain injury recovery tools.

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