When Words Don't Come Easy

Justin and Roger Chlowitz
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 26 Aphasia At Home W/ Laura Malis

    In this episode of When Words Don't Come Easy, we sit down with Laura Malis, stroke survivor, aphasia advocate, and founder of Aphasia at Home. Learn more at www.aphasiaathome.com and follow Laura on Instagram @aphasiaathome for free resources that help people with aphasia improve their language, reading, writing, communication, and overall recovery. The website also offers book clubs, conversation groups, technology tools, caregiver resources, and practical exercises you can use at home. After her stroke, Laura committed years of hard work to rebuilding her language, reading, and writing skills. That journey inspired her to create Aphasia at Home, a resource designed to help people with aphasia, caregivers, families, and speech-language pathologists continue recovery beyond traditional therapy. In this episode, we discuss:• Laura's stroke and aphasia journey• How she regained her language through consistent practice• The importance of reading and writing in recovery• Practical tools for communication at home• Advice for stroke survivors, caregivers, and speech-language pathologists If you or someone you love is living with aphasia, this episode is filled with hope, encouragement, and actionable resources to support your recovery journey. About the Podcast When Words Don't Come Easy is hosted by Justin and Roger, a father and son sharing real conversations about aphasia, stroke recovery, caregiving, speech therapy, and life after stroke. Our mission is to raise awareness, educate families, and remind everyone that aphasia is a loss of language, not intellect.

    Ep. 26 Aphasia At Home W/ Laura Malis

  2. Jul 19

    Ep. 25 Your Way to Say: Finding Your Voice After Aphasia W/ Mike Jankowski

    Can you really stop recovering after one year? Stroke survivor Mike Jankowski says absolutely not. In this episode of When Words Don't Come Easy, we sit down with stroke survivor Mike Jankowski to discuss his journey through stroke recovery, living with aphasia, and why one of the most common messages patients hear after a stroke may be one of the most damaging. Four years after his stroke, Mike continues to improve, proving that recovery doesn't follow a calendar. He shares how persistence, therapy, support, and hope have helped him regain skills and confidence long after many people expected his progress to stop. Whether you're a stroke survivor, living with aphasia, caring for a loved one, or a healthcare professional, Mike's story is a powerful reminder that every recovery journey is unique and that progress is possible at any stage. In this episode, we discuss:• Why the "one-year recovery" myth needs to change• Living with aphasia after stroke• The role of neuroplasticity and lifelong brain recovery• Finding hope during the hardest moments• The importance of support from family, friends, and the stroke community• Why stroke survivors are still the same intelligent, capable people they were before their stroke At When Words Don't Come Easy, our mission is to raise awareness about aphasia, share real stories from stroke survivors and caregivers, and bring expert insights from speech-language pathologists, researchers, and advocates. Through honest conversations, we hope to educate, inspire, and remind people that communication challenges do not define a person's intelligence or potential. If Mike's story resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode. Every share helps raise awareness about aphasia and gives hope to others navigating life after stroke. Keywords: stroke recovery, aphasia, stroke survivor, aphasia awareness, neuroplasticity, brain recovery, speech therapy, stroke rehabilitation, caregiver support, life after stroke.

    Ep. 25 Your Way to Say: Finding Your Voice After Aphasia W/ Mike Jankowski

  3. Jun 28

    Ep. 24 A Psychologist's Stroke Recovery | Matthew Liebman

    What happens when a psychologist suddenly becomes the patient? In Episode 24 of When Words Don't Come Easy, Justin and Roger sit down with Matthew Liebman to discuss his stroke recovery, living with aphasia, and how his professional background gave him a unique perspective on healing. Matthew shares what it was like going through a full psychological evaluation after his stroke, the frustration of experiencing cognitive changes firsthand, and how stress can make communication even more difficult. He also opens up about amusia, a condition that left him unable to feel rhythm or keep a beat despite having no physical limitations. This honest conversation explores the emotional, cognitive, and often invisible challenges of stroke recovery, while offering hope and understanding for survivors, caregivers, and clinicians alike. In this episode: Life after strokeLiving with aphasiaStress and cognitive overloadAmusia and losing the sense of rhythmRecovery from a psychologist's perspectiveFinding purpose after strokeIf you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help raise awareness about aphasia and stroke recovery. About the Podcast When Words Don't Come Easy is hosted by father and son Roger and Justin Chlowitz. After Roger's stroke left him with aphasia, they created this podcast to educate, inspire, and connect the aphasia community through honest conversations with survivors, caregivers, and experts.

    Ep. 24 A Psychologist's Stroke Recovery | Matthew Liebman

  4. Trailer

    When Music Doesn't Sound the Same: Living with Amusia After Stroke

    Most people have never heard of amusia. After his stroke, Matthew lost the ability to feel rhythm, find a beat, or sing along to music, even though his body works perfectly. Hear his incredible story this Sunday on When Words Don't Come Easy. You won't want to miss it.

  5. Trailer

    “Aphasia Is More Than Word Finding” | Dr. Matthew Liebman on Identity After Stroke

    🎙️ NEW EPISODE THIS SUNDAY Psychologist and stroke survivor Dr. Matthew Liebman joins When Words Don’t Come Easy for a powerful conversation about the experience of aphasia beyond “difficulty with word finding.” “Aphasia isn’t just struggling to find words. It’s worrying that everyone around you is seeing what you’ve lost instead of who you still are.” Available Sunday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and Amazon Music. #Aphasia #AphasiaAwareness #StrokeRecovery

  6. Jun 21

    Ep. 23 Larrys Speakeasy

    In this episode of When Words Don’t Come Easy, we sit down with Robert, the creator of LarrySpeakeasy, a new communication app inspired by his family’s experience with aphasia and stroke recovery. Robert shares how a simple idea grew into a tool that is already helping people reconnect through conversation, with users in more than 18 countries in less than 60 days. We talk about the inspiration behind the app, the importance of communication after stroke, and how technology can support survivors, caregivers, and families living with aphasia. Whether you're a stroke survivor, caregiver, speech-language pathologist, or simply interested in the power of connection, this conversation offers hope and practical insight. 🎙️ When Words Don’t Come Easy is a podcast about connection, recovery, and life with aphasia. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Sunday. https://larrysspeakeasy.com/ #Aphasia #StrokeRecovery #LarrySpeakeasy #Communication #StrokeSurvivor #SpeechTherapy #CaregiverSupport #BrainHealth #Neuroplasticity #WhenWordsDontComeEasy

    Ep. 23 Larrys Speakeasy

  7. Jun 7

    Ep. 22 Food, Recovery, and Connection After Stroke With Nicholas Kelly , RD

    When Words Don't Come Easy welcomes Nicholas Kelly, a registered dietitian and cystic fibrosis advocate, for a conversation about the role nutrition plays in stroke and aphasia recovery. Nick shares practical tips for making mealtimes easier, managing dietary challenges after a stroke, and reducing frustration around eating and communication. Together, Justin and Roger discuss how food is about more than nutrition. It's about connection, routine, and maintaining quality of life during recovery. Whether you're a stroke survivor, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insight into the intersection of nutrition, aphasia, and recovery. https://nicholaskellyrd.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJptaU9148mJT0ugk2Azeg https://www.instagram.com/NicholasKellyRD

    Ep. 22 Food, Recovery, and Connection After Stroke With Nicholas Kelly , RD

  8. Trailer

    Simple Nutrition Tips for Stroke Recovery

    Registered dietitian Nicholas Kelly shares an easy nutrition tip: smoothies and meal replacement drinks can be a simple way to get healthy calories and nutrients when meals feel challenging. What simple nutrition tips have helped you or a loved one? #Aphasia #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #NutritionTips #Dysphagia #AphasiaAwareness #BrainInjuryRecovery #SpeechTherapy #CaregiverSupport #WhenWordsDontComeEasy

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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Justin and Roger Chlowitz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Justin and Roger Chlowitz
  • Show Website
    When Words Don't Come Easy