Truly Universal: Life After TBI

Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio

Truly Universal: Life After TBI, is a podcast that challenges what people think they know about traumatic brain injury. Hosted by Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio, the show centers lived experience, conversations with people navigating life after TBI, not just talking about them. Each episode shares real stories exploring recovery, identity, relationships, mental health, work, resilience, and hope. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, the podcast is candid, compassionate, educational, and sometimes fun, because life after TBI isn’t just survival. It’s being seen, heard, and understood.

Episodes

  1. Jul 10

    Meet Donna: Creating Spaces Where Recovery Can Thrive

    What if recovery wasn't just about therapy—but also about creativity, community, and feeling like you belong? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Donna DeRitter, Community Engagement Therapist at Universal Institute, to explore how music, design, nature, and meaningful experiences can transform the rehabilitation journey. Donna shares her unique path from professional musician to cognitive therapist and explains how creative thinking has helped shape innovative programs at Universal—including adaptive music groups, horticulture therapy, community art projects, and opportunities that connect clients with the world beyond the clinic. In this episode you'll hear about: How creativity supports recovery after traumatic brain injuryWhy the environment around us affects healing and cognitive growthThe importance of music, art, plants, and purposeful activities in rehabilitationBuilding confidence through community engagementWhy every person with a brain injury has a unique story and recovery journey Donna also shares her philosophy of meeting every client where they are, helping people feel safe enough to grow, and creating opportunities that build confidence both inside and outside of therapy. Of course, the conversation wouldn't be complete without debates about Star Wars vs. Star Trek, favorite cheeses, escape rooms, and a few laughs along the way. This episode is a reminder that rehabilitation isn't just about restoring abilities, it's about creating environments where people can rediscover purpose, creativity, and connection. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

  2. May 28

    Meet Muzna: Gratitude, Discipline, and Recovery After TBI

    What happens when your entire life changes overnight, and doctors still can’t explain why? In this powerful episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris is joined by guest co-host Greg alongside guests Muzna Naz and Tiffany Cabreja for an emotional and deeply honest conversation about survival, recovery, mindset, and rebuilding life after traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Muzna shares her incredible story of developing a mysterious illness while attending college at Rutgers University, an illness that eventually left her in a six-week coma and completely paralyzed. Despite doctors warning her family that she might never walk again, Muzna refused to accept those limitations. The conversation explores: • Life after traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury • Recovery after paralysis and extended hospitalization • The emotional and mental side of rehabilitation • How discipline, gratitude, and empathy transformed recovery • Returning to college after TBI • The importance of family support during rehabilitation • Physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and long-term recovery goals Muzna also opens up about rebuilding confidence, learning to adapt to a completely different life, and why mindset became one of the most important parts of her recovery journey. Along the way, the group dives into food obsessions, dogs, fitness, recovery motivation, and the small everyday moments that help keep people moving forward. This episode is an honest reminder that recovery after brain injury is not just physical, it’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

  3. May 13

    Meet Jovanna: Therapy, Music, and Personal Growth

    What happens when recovery after a traumatic brain injury changes your life, but not your passion? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Universal client, Jovanna Cedeno for an honest conversation about therapy, recovery, music, identity, and learning how to move forward after life-changing injuries. The gang is also joined by Universal client, Joey. "Jovi" shares her experience recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a car accident and how music became a major part of her healing process. A drummer in the band Last Minet, she talks about the challenge of relearning how to play after her injury — and finding confidence again through persistence, creativity, and support from her bandmates. The conversation explores: • Recovery after traumatic brain injury• Relearning physical and creative skills after TBI• Cognitive therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation• Building confidence after injury• The importance of patience and consistency in recovery• Finding community and connection through therapy and music The group also dives into favorite foods, wrestling, pizza toppings, music, cheese debates, and the little moments that make recovery feel human and relatable. This episode is a reminder that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, creative, social, and deeply personal. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey Check out Last Minet HERE

  4. Apr 24

    Meet Greg: 20 Years of Recovery, Mindset, and Life After TBI

    What does 20 years of recovery after a traumatic brain injury actually look like? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Greg, a long-time client at Universal Institute who has spent two decades committed to his recovery journey. Greg shares a powerful perspective on long-term brain injury rehabilitation, including the mindset, effort, and consistency required to keep moving forward. The conversation explores: • What it means to live with TBI over the long term • Why recovery is directly tied to effort and participation • How therapy becomes a “full-time job” for personal growth • The importance of community and connection in rehab • Finding positivity and purpose after life-changing injury Greg also opens up about his personal progress — including regaining mobility — and how staying engaged has helped him continue to improve over time. Beyond therapy, the episode highlights the role of adaptive sports and lifestyle, including: adaptive surfing along the Jersey Shore adaptive skiing and plans for adaptive mountain biking This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t quick — and it isn’t easy — but with the right mindset, support system, and effort, progress is always possible 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

  5. Apr 15

    Meet Daevon: Art, Growth, and Life After TBI

    What does recovery really look like after a traumatic brain injury, years into the journey? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric connect with Daevon, a long-time client at Universal Institute, for their first-ever virtual interview. Daevon shares his experience living with multiple head injuries, the challenges of recovery, and what it’s like continuing to rebuild over time. The conversation dives into: • Life after traumatic brain injury and long-term recovery• Finding purpose through graphic design and video editing• The importance of consistency and support in rehabilitation• Taking on new challenges, including transitioning to a new program• Personal growth, independence, and creative identity Davon also opens up about what brings him joy, from music and creativity to exploring his roots and looking ahead to new opportunities. Along the way, the conversation blends humor, personality, and real-life perspective, covering everything from pizza toppings and music to confidence, mindset, and staying true to yourself. This episode is a reminder that recovery isn’t linear — and that growth, creativity, and purpose can continue long after the initial injury. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

  6. Mar 16

    Meet Will and Joey: Fun with Purpose - Games, Therapy, and Life After TBI

    In this episode of Truly Universal, hosts Chris and Eric welcome Will and Joey into the studio for a conversation about recovery, recreation, and life inside the Universal Institute community. Will, a recreational therapist, explains how games and activities can become powerful therapy tools for people recovering from traumatic brain injuries.  From music trivia and Wheel of Fortune to tabletop games and decision-making exercises, the goal is simple: fun with a purpose. Joey shares his experience as a client at Universal and how activities like card games and group sessions help strengthen memory, communication, and confidence. Together, the group talks about: How recreational therapy supports brain injury recoveryTurning games into cognitive and memory exercisesThe importance of engagement and community in rehabilitationJoey’s experience participating in therapy at Universal InstituteThe conversation also takes a few fun detours into wrestling rivalries, favorite pizza toppings, ice cream flavors, and the eternal debate between Taylor Ham and pork roll. Because recovery after a brain injury isn’t just about therapy,  it’s about connection, laughter, and continuing to live life. Recorded and produced at Universal Institute in Livingston, NJ.

  7. Mar 5

    Meet Tiffany: The Science and Heart Behind TBI Rehabilitation

    What does recovery really look like after a traumatic brain injury? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Tiffany, Director of Cognitive and Vocational Therapy at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey. Tiffany shares her journey from studying psychology and cognitive neuroscience to leading two of the institute’s most impactful programs. She explains how cognitive therapy helps rebuild thinking skills after brain injury, including attention, memory, communication, and real-world decision making. The conversation explores: What cognitive therapy looks like after a TBIWhy engagement and meaningful activities are critical to recoveryHow vocational programs help clients build real work skillsThe emotional and human side of brain injury rehabilitationWhy helping people rediscover purpose is the most fulfilling part of the work Along the way, Chris, Eric, and Tiffany talk about resilience, community, life after trauma, and the importance of creating programs that give clients real opportunities—not just busy work. This episode offers an inside look at how rehabilitation programs help people rebuild confidence, independence, and identity after brain injury. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

  8. Feb 12

    Meet Noah: From Rehab to Real Jobs

    In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Noah, Lead Vocational Specialist at Universal Institute in New Jersey, to talk about real-world employment, purpose, and independence after TBI. Noah breaks down how vocational rehabilitation works inside a TBI day program — from paid client jobs and skill trials to building confidence through responsibility. The conversation highlights Winston’s Café, a client-run coffee program where individuals with traumatic brain injuries work as baristas, cash handlers, delivery staff, and menu planners. This episode explores: How vocational rehab helps adults with TBI return to meaningful workWhy getting paid matters for confidence and identityHow client-run programs like Winston’s Café build real-life job skillsThe role of community employment after brain injuryWhy progress after TBI takes time — and why that’s okay This is not a clinical lecture or inspirational hype. It’s an honest conversation about life after brain injury, the power of purpose, and what recovery looks like when people are trusted to contribute. 🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute, Livingston, NJ 🎙️ Featuring staff, clients, and lived experience

  9. Feb 1

    Meet Tyree: Art, Food, Music & Finding Your Confidence

    In Episode 3 of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric welcome their first-ever guest, Tyree Bray, and the conversation goes everywhere in the best way. Tyree shares his journey through art, cooking, music, service, and life at Universal Institute, talking about confidence, creativity, faith, and believing in yourself again. From soul food and shrimp scampi to R&B legends, drawing angels, helping others, and even a little love for Muenster cheese, this episode recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, is full of laughter, inspiration, and real talk. It’s a reminder that recovery isn’t one thing, it’s many paths coming together.

  10. Feb 1

    New Year, New Goals & a Whole Lot of Positive Mental Attitude

    In Episode 2 of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric are back after the holidays and catching up—talking dogs, family time, New Year goals, and what it really means to show up with a positive mental attitude (PMA). The conversation wanders (in the best way) through growth, communication, learning new things, staying present, and why believing in yourself matters—especially after a traumatic brain injury. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, this episode is relaxed, thoughtful, occasionally goofy, and full of real-life reflections about moving forward, one day at a time.

  11. Jan 29

    Welcome to Life After TBI

    Truly Universal: Life After TBI starts with a simple idea: let’s talk about what life after a traumatic brain injury is actually like. In Episode 1, hosts Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio kick things off with real stories, laughs, side tangents, and yes, an unexpected but passionate discussion about Muenster cheese. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, this episode sets the tone for a podcast that’s honest, unfiltered, sometimes serious, sometimes funny, and always human. No medical lectures. No pretending there’s one TBI story. Just real conversations about recovery, daily life, creativity, resilience, and figuring it out as you go.

  12. Jan 29

    Truly Universal: Life After TBI Trailer

    Truly Universal: Life After TBI is a podcast that challenges what people think they know about traumatic brain injury. Hosted by Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio, the show centers lived experience—conversations with people navigating life after TBI, not just talking about them. Each episode shares real stories exploring recovery, identity, relationships, mental health, work, resilience, and hope. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, the podcast is candid, compassionate, educational, and sometimes fun—because life after TBI isn’t just survival. It’s being seen, heard, and understood.

  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Truly Universal: Life After TBI, is a podcast that challenges what people think they know about traumatic brain injury. Hosted by Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio, the show centers lived experience, conversations with people navigating life after TBI, not just talking about them. Each episode shares real stories exploring recovery, identity, relationships, mental health, work, resilience, and hope. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, the podcast is candid, compassionate, educational, and sometimes fun, because life after TBI isn’t just survival. It’s being seen, heard, and understood.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio
  • Show Website
    Truly Universal: Life After TBI