82 episodes

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 award-winning TBI survivor, advocate, and singer/songwriter Cristabelle Braden, this is an uplifting podcast to bring hope to your darkest days.

Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast Cristabelle Braden

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 44 Ratings

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 award-winning TBI survivor, advocate, and singer/songwriter Cristabelle Braden, this is an uplifting podcast to bring hope to your darkest days.

    81. The Road to Concussion Recovery (with Dr. Brittni Charle)

    81. The Road to Concussion Recovery (with Dr. Brittni Charle)

    After experiencing a concussion or any type of brain injury, the road to recovery can be one that is full of ups and downs, and unexpected twists and turns. Today, Dr. Brittni Charle joins Cristabelle for a conversation all about setbacks, flare ups, and re-injuries and all the unexpected bumps in the road that can hit — and also the wins and victories that we can celebrate along the way! Recovery looks different for each person, but there is help to be prepared for what might be around the bend.



    0:00 Intro with Cristabelle

    8:45 Introducing Dr. Brittni Charle

    14:00 Common Struggles & Symptoms

    19:00 Flare-Ups

    22:30 Self-Awareness

    26:15 Different Types of Flare-Ups

    30:15 Everything is Harder

    35:15 Flare Ups vs. Re-Injuries

    40:15 Ways Impact to Brain Can Happen

    42:00 Everyone has a Unique Recovery

    46:65 Setbacks and Victories

    48:30 Moving Forward

    50:45 Words of Hope



    Connect with Dr. Brittni Charle: - IG: @asenseofstability



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives⁠

    • 54 min
    80. Wordlayer - Speaking Life, Love, and Hope through TBI (with Lindy Boone Michaelis)

    80. Wordlayer - Speaking Life, Love, and Hope through TBI (with Lindy Boone Michaelis)

    Today, Cristabelle is joined by Lindy Boone Michaelis, sharing her family’s journey with her son Ryan’s severe TBI. Brain injuries affect the entire family: "You get a call or you get notified, and for me, my life is now divided into two halves: before June 19, 2001 and after June 19, 2001... because everything changed."

    Listen as Lindy shares from a place of vulnerability, wholehearted compassion, and kindness - and you are sure to be uplifted as she shares her story and words of life, love, and hope for both survivors and caregivers / family members. You are not alone!



    0:00 Intro wtih Cristabele

    6:45 Introducing Lindy

    9:30 Her Son Ryan’s TBI

    13:15 Processing, Praying, Journaling

    16:00 Ryan’s Rehabilitation Journey

    22:00 Growth in Communication

    25:15 Family’s Journey

    32:00 Ryan’s Reach - Nonprofit + Group Homes

    39:30 Lindy’s Song - Wordlayer

    43:45 Words of Hope



    Lindy Boone Michaelis was born into an entertainment environment as the second daughter of singer/entertainer Pat Boone and grew up in Beverly Hills, California. For 7 years, the Boone Family toured all over the U.S. and internationally. The Boone Girls recorded several Christian albums, including “First Class” which was nominated for a Grammy award. Lindy is mother to Ryan, Jessica, and Tyler. She has been happily married to Mike Michaelis for 38 years. She has authored a book called “Heaven Hears” after her son Ryan had a tragic 3 story fall in 2001, telling of the family’s faith and the faithfulness of the Father to see them through this ordeal. The family started Ryan’s Reach, a foundation to support families of brain injury survivors in 2003 out of gratitude for Ryan’s survival and continued recovery. Lindy has just released her first original single, called “Wordlayer,” sung with her sisters Cherry Boone, Debby Boone, and Laury Boone. It is a beautiful song inspired by her son Ryan’s journey with traumatic brain injury.

    Lindy’s new song- Wordlayer: ⁠https://www.ryansreach.com/wordlayer⁠
    Lindy’s book- Heaven Hears: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/141438324X/⁠ 

    Ryan’s Reach foundation: ⁠ryansreach.com⁠ 



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives⁠

    • 49 min
    79. Hope in Neuroplasticity + New Research and Technologies in Rehabilitation (with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe)

    79. Hope in Neuroplasticity + New Research and Technologies in Rehabilitation (with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe)

    Whether you just had a brain injury or if you are years or decades out, there is hope. Concussion protocol is continually evolving, there is always new research coming out, and new technologies that completely change the game! It is so encouraging to know that the future is bright in brain injury rehabilitation.



    Today, Cristabelle is joined by Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center to share some examples of cutting edge research and technologies within the field of brain injury rehabilitation. There is so much hope for people to continue to get better after brain injury!



    0:00 Intro with Cristabelle

    7:00 Welcome Dr Schmoe + Hope for Neuroplasticity

    10:45 Integrating Multi-sensory Stimulation

    15:00 Addressing Brain Feeling “Off” or in Chaos

    16:00 Putting the Pieces Together to bring Stability Back

    18:15 Importance of Finding Root Cause

    21:30 Hope in New Research

    26:00 Concussion Protocol is Evolving

    28:45 Newer Technologies for Rehab

    35:50 Importance of Precise Exam for Precise Rehab

    45:50 Metabolic Function, Nutrition, Inflammation, Histamines

    48:30 Visual and Vestibular Integration

    49:45 Words of Hope 



    Previous Episodes with Dr. Schmoe:

    #64 "How to Improve Symptoms on Hard Days"

    #23 "Brain Health - Strategies to Optimize Your Brain for Healing"

    Connect with Dr. Schmoe at thefnc.com

    Email Cristabelle with questions at cristabelle@hopeafterheadinjury.com



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠⁠⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠⁠⁠

    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives⁠

    • 53 min
    78. Your Voice Matters + TBI Act Reauthorization Efforts

    78. Your Voice Matters + TBI Act Reauthorization Efforts

    Did you know your voice can make a huge difference? Today Cristabelle shares about her experience advocating for brain injury in Washington D.C. and explains some of the specific asks for members of congress and senate. Brain Injury is invisible - so using our voice for awareness is even more important.



    Significantly, this year the TBI Act is up for reauthorization. You can join the Brain Injury Association of America's letter writing campaign and ask your representative to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force! More info: https://biausa.org/get-involved



    Also, this episode includes a brief interview with 3 fellow advocates: Melissa Carmen (survivor), Tonya Nagle (caregiver), and Kevin Bingham (board member of BIAA)



    Let's make a difference together! There is always hope!



    0:00 Intro

    5:45 Brain Injury is Invisible

    11:30 What You Can Do

    13:45 Summary of TBI Act & Our Asks

    18:45 Recognizing BI as Chronic Condition

    20:20 Expanding Eligibility Criteria to all ABIs

    23:30 TBI Model Systems of Care

    27:30 Interview in DC with Fellow Advocates

    34:10 Words of Hope



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠⁠

    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives

    • 36 min
    77. Season 3 Premiere! + Embracing Your Unique Brain Injury Journey (with Ali Rheaume)

    77. Season 3 Premiere! + Embracing Your Unique Brain Injury Journey (with Ali Rheaume)

    We’re back and ready to kick off Season 3 with some special episodes for Brain Injury Awareness month! Join our host Cristabelle and guest Ali Rheaume for an inspiring and honest conversation about the challenges on the brain injury journey. You are not alone!



    Ali Rheaume is an award-winning artist, public speaker, disability advocate, and spokesperson who is an encouraging light in the journey of overcoming brain injury. Connect with her on social media @alison.rheaume or at https://www.alirheaume.com



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠⁠⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠⁠⁠

    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠

    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    0:00 Intro

    1:50 Updates with Cristabelle

    11:00 Introducing Ali

    12:20 Ali’s Concussion Journey

    16:00 Coping Strategies

    18:00 Energy Management

    21:25 Memory

    23:20 Seeing How Far You’ve Come

    26:30 Encouragement for Newly Injured

    29:00 Comparison

    32:30 Taking Breaks and Letting Go

    39:20 Identity

    46:00 Words of Hope



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives

    • 50 min
    76. Be Kind to Yourself + Encouragement from Brain Injury Professionals

    76. Be Kind to Yourself + Encouragement from Brain Injury Professionals

    You can't see it on the outside, but every day living with a concussion / brain injury brings an internal struggle. You're constantly fighting what you want to do, what you used to be able to do, and what your brain will allow you to do. There's the physical toll- the fatigue, the headaches, the balance issues... There's also the emotional toll- the grief, the depression, the loss of identity... and more. Today we wrap up Season 2 with an uplifting episode. Cristabelle opens with an encouraging reminder to be kind to yourself, and then we hear some empowering words of hope from brain injury professionals. You are not alone - and there is always hope!



    March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!

    This is the final episode of Season 2 - stay tuned for Season 3 which will premiere later this year!



    Featuring a lineup of some of our incredible brain injury doctors, professionals, and therapists from Season 2: Rebecca Quinn (Ep.29), Dr. Jen Blanchette (Ep.50), Natasha Wilch (Ep.52), Melissa Biscardi (Ep.54), Sonia Vovan (Ep.40), Katherine Noyes (Ep.55), Dr. Meaghan Kirschling (Ep.42), Dr. Thompson Maesaka (Ep.72), Taryn Barlow (Ep.61), Dr. Michelle Eisenmann (Ep.67), Natalie Mackenzie (Ep.74), Dr. Mark Heisig (Ep.35), Dr. Jeremy Schmoe (Ep.64), Dr. Kelsy Rayl (Ep.59).



    CONNECT

    Join the online community & monthly zoom support group: ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/community⁠



    Listen to the intro song "Hope Survives" by Cristabelle Braden on all music streaming platforms!



    Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden | ⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠

    Hope After Head Injury: @hopeafterheadinjury | ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com⁠

    Brain Injury Bible Study: @braininjurybiblestudy | ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/brain-injury-bible-study⁠



    This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.

    More: ⁠hopeafterheadinjury.com/hopesurvives

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
44 Ratings

44 Ratings

Teresanderson ,

Seen and understood 🧡

I stumbled on this podcast randomly after I found out one of my doctors was interviewed for it —The amazing Dr. Michelle Esielmann (aka the brainfluencer!) This podcast has made me feel so seen and understood in relation to my TBI. I have a couple of concussions plus a TBI from a car accident as a kid. It’s hard to connect with people when my injury was from such a young age and I’m 20+ years post injury. Hearing the current struggles of people with older injuries like myself makes me feel less alone. I highly recommmend the episode on post concussion headaches vs migraines. Clarabelle, I was put on topamax too and felt the same symptoms you did! So crazy! Anyways, thank you for continually sharing your time, your stories, and your hope!

Dillonjames225 ,

Thank you message 💚 Beating the odds

These podcasts have always been an inspiration for me. I was honored to be featured on one of the episodes (beating the odds). Every episode shares inspiration to help you go through the day with hope !

I’ve learned so much from them, and I appreciate everything you do to make this a reality. There is always hope 😁

-Dillon Berenty

schmoeFNC ,

5 star from Dr. Schmoe

Cristabelle’s podcast has been a game changer for many of my patients who are struggling with lingering post concussion symptoms. They love her positive attitude and outlook on life as well as her educational information. I highly recommend her podcast to anyone who has had a Brain Injury. There is Hope!

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