A Midwest Minute With Matt

Midwest Concussion Clinic - Matt Campbell
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Simple Concussion Conversations That Just Make Sense Hosted by Matt Campbell, a brain injury specialist and founder of Midwest Concussion Clinic, this podcast breaks down recovery into clear, actionable insights—so you can better understand your symptoms, your progress, and your path forward. Making the Invisible Visible.

  1. 6d ago

    Why Can't I Concentrate After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 27

    Episode 27: Why Can't I Concentrate After a Concussion? "I used to be able to do this. Why is it so hard now?" Maybe you're reading the same paragraph over and over. Maybe you lose track of conversations. Maybe you sit down to work and can't stay focused. Or maybe everyday tasks that used to feel automatic now leave you mentally exhausted. Difficulty concentrating after a concussion can be frustrating, overwhelming, and sometimes frightening. But here's something I want you to understand: Difficulty concentrating doesn't mean you've lost your intelligence. In Episode 27 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're exploring what people actually mean when they say they can't concentrate after a concussion. Because concentration isn't just one thing. Attention, processing, memory, environmental distractions, and cognitive fatigue can all influence how well we manage everyday tasks. And two people describing the same concentration problem may be experiencing very different challenges. In this episode, we'll explore: Why changes in concentration can feel so frightening. Why defining what "I can't concentrate" actually means is so important. How new concentration difficulties may differ from pre-existing challenges, including ADHD. The relationship between attention, processing, and memory. Why something as simple as a conversation can create significant cognitive demand. How noise, lights, movement, and competing tasks can contribute to cognitive overload. Why understanding patterns helps guide individualized concussion care. Sometimes what feels like a concentration problem is actually cognitive overload. And sometimes the most important first step isn't trying harder. It's understanding what's happening. If you've been struggling to focus after a concussion and wondering why your brain doesn't seem to work the way it used to, this episode is for you. A Midwest Minute With MattSimple Concussion Conversations That Just Make Sense. Listen at mwconcussion.com/podcast. Explore our concussion education and resources at mwconcussion.com/resources. Making the Invisible Visible.

    Why Can't I Concentrate After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 27

  2. Oct 8

    Why Am I Nauseous After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 26

    Episode 26: Why Am I Nauseous After a Concussion? “Nausea is a concussion symptom.” You've probably heard that before. And while it's not necessarily wrong, it doesn't answer the question you're actually asking: “But WHY am I nauseous?” Maybe you wake up feeling sick. Maybe nausea hits after you eat. Maybe you're fine until you get into a car, walk through a grocery store, or start scrolling on your phone. Or maybe the nausea seems completely unpredictable. Here's what I want you to understand: Two people can experience the same symptom without having the same underlying problem. In Episode 26 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're taking a deeper look at nausea after concussion—not by giving you a list of quick fixes, but by walking through how I approach this symptom clinically. We'll explore: Why nausea doesn't necessarily have one cause. Why I start by asking when nausea happens. The difference between what you eat and when you eat. How visual and vestibular processing can contribute to nausea. The potential roles of autonomic regulation, cervical dysfunction, medications, and gut-brain communication. Why several factors may contribute to nausea at the same time. How identifying patterns helps guide individualized treatment. Because recognizing a symptom is only the beginning. Understanding what's contributing to it is how we begin building a plan. If you've been struggling with nausea after a concussion and feel like nobody has explained why it's happening, this episode is for you. And remember: Sometimes the next step isn't another treatment. It's asking a better question. A Midwest Minute With MattSimple Concussion Conversations That Just Make Sense. Learn more about individualized concussion care and explore our free educational resources at mwconcussion.com/resources. Making the Invisible Visible.

    Why Am I Nauseous After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 26

  3. Oct 1

    When Can I Drive Again After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 25

    Episode 25: When Can I Drive After a Concussion? Driving isn't just transportation. Driving is independence. It's how you get to work. Take your kids where they need to go. Make your appointments. Run errands. Participate in your life without having to ask someone else for another ride. So when a concussion takes driving away—even temporarily—it can feel like you've lost much more than your car keys. In Episode 25 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're answering one of the most difficult questions in concussion recovery: “When can I drive again?” The problem is there isn't one universal date or simple checklist that applies to everyone. Because driving asks a lot of your brain at the same time: vision, vestibular processing, depth perception, head movement, attention, processing speed, reaction time, decision-making, and coordination. As I tell my patients: “Driving is the masterclass of everything that bothers you after a concussion.” In this episode, we'll talk about why feeling better doesn't automatically mean you're ready for every driving environment, the symptoms I don't want you driving through, and the gradual “Be 16 Again” progression I use to think about returning to the road. We'll also break down the variables that can make one drive completely different from another—speed, traffic, distance, visual complexity, lighting, weather, and duration—and what to do if symptoms increase while you're behind the wheel. Most importantly, we're talking about the part of driving restrictions that often gets overlooked: The loss of independence. If you can't drive yourself to work, take your kids somewhere, get to an appointment, or simply go where you want without asking someone else for help, that's significant. Taking away someone's independence may be temporary. That doesn't make it insignificant. The goal isn't to get you behind the wheel as quickly as possible. And it isn't to keep you away from driving longer than necessary. The goal isn't to take away your independence. It's to help you safely get it back. 🎙️ A Midwest Minute With MattSimple Concussion Conversations That Actually Make Sense. Learn more about Midwest Concussion Clinic and access our free concussion recovery resources at mwconcussion.com/resources. Making the Invisible Visible.

    When Can I Drive Again After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 25

  4. Sep 24

    How Long Should I Use Screens After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 24

    How Long Should I Use Screens After a Concussion? 30 minutes? An hour? Two hours? Should you avoid screens altogether? When someone asks me, “How long should I use screens after a concussion?” I'm usually less interested in giving them a universal number and more interested in answering a different question: What's your current capacity? Because screen time isn't one thing. Thirty minutes answering emails isn't necessarily the same demand as 30 minutes scrolling social media. Watching TV across the room isn't the same as using your phone. A Zoom meeting isn't the same as playing a fast-paced video game. And simply telling someone to “avoid screens” doesn't teach them how to get back to a life that increasingly requires them. In Episode 24 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're breaking down the system I use to help patients think differently about screen tolerance: Use → Check → Break → Recover → Resume. We'll talk about: Why I may start around 30-minute intervals when appropriateWhat to actually do during a 3–5 minute breakHow symptoms can provide useful feedbackWhy work and recreational screen time aren't necessarily the same demandWhy phones can be deceptively difficultHow to think about TV, social media, gaming, and other recreational screensWhy you should be intentional about where you spend limited capacityHow to gradually progress instead of simply pushing through The goal isn't to answer: “Can I survive eight hours?” It's: “How can I structure eight hours so my brain can tolerate the demands?” Because we're not just trying to get you back to your responsibilities. We're trying to get you back to your life. A Midwest Minute With MattSimple Concussion Conversations That Actually Make Sense. Download our free concussion resources at mwconcussion.com/resources. Making the Invisible Visible.

    How Long Should I Use Screens After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 24

  5. Sep 10

    When The Hope Fades - MMM - Ep. 23

    Brain Injury, Suicide & Hope “I don’t feel like myself.” For someone recovering from a concussion or brain injury, those words can represent much more than symptoms. Sleep changes. Energy changes. Emotions can change. Work becomes harder. Relationships can feel different. The roles that once helped define who you are may suddenly be disrupted. And when those struggles persist, “Why am I still feeling like this?” can sometimes become something heavier: “I can’t do this anymore.” In Episode 23 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we’re having a conversation that needs to be part of brain injury care: suicide. We’ll talk about what research tells us about suicide risk following brain injury, why increased risk does not mean inevitability, and how persistent symptoms, changes in identity, loss of independence, and uncertainty can affect someone’s sense of hope. We’ll also discuss why Midwest Concussion Clinic asks about suicide and self-harm when there is a concern—and where our role ends. At MCC, our responsibility is simple: Recognize. Educate. Refer. Midwest Concussion Clinic is not a crisis service. This episode isn't intended to create fear. It's about recognizing when someone may be struggling, being willing to have a difficult conversation, knowing when additional help is needed, and reminding people that not having the answer yet doesn't mean there isn't another step. Because when hope starts to fade, that's when the conversation matters most. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate danger or emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care. Caregivers, friends, and family members can also contact 988 if they're concerned about someone and need guidance. 🎙️ A Midwest Minute With MattSimple Concussion Conversations That Actually Make Sense. Making the Invisible Visible.

    When The Hope Fades - MMM - Ep. 23

  6. Sep 3

    What Do I Do After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 22

    What Do I Do After a Concussion? You've left the emergency room with someone you love. You've been told they have a concussion. You've been told what warning signs to watch for. You've been told to follow up. Then you get into the car and realize: What do I actually do now? For patients and caregivers, the first few days after a concussion can feel overwhelming—not necessarily because no one has helped, but because you still may not have a clear picture of what comes next. In Episode 22 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're talking about why emergency care and concussion recovery care serve different purposes, why finding the right follow-up can sometimes be frustrating, and why a good concussion plan doesn't need to be complicated. We'll also share the story of a caregiver who reached out after struggling to find direction for someone they loved. After talking through what the next few days could look like, they said something simple: “I feel better having a plan.” That's what this episode is about. Not predicting exactly how recovery will go. Not giving you a complicated list of rules. Giving you a framework for understanding what to do next. We'll discuss: Protecting and recovering earlyGradually returning to normal responsibilitiesIncreasing activity as toleratedPaying attention to how you respondAdjusting the plan as recovery progressesKnowing when individualized guidance is needed Because: A good plan doesn't tell you exactly how recovery will go. It helps you know what to do next. If you or someone you love is in those first few days after a concussion, download our First 48 Hours After a Concussion Guide at mwconcussion.com/resources. And if you're unsure where to go next, contact Midwest Concussion Clinic. Even if we're not ultimately where you receive your care, we'll do our best to help you understand your next step. 🎙️ A Midwest Minute With Matt Simple Concussion Conversations That Just Make Sense. Making the Invisible Visible.

    What Do I Do After A Concussion? - MMM - Ep. 22

  7. Aug 27

    What If I Can't Sleep Again Tonight? - MMM - Ep. 21

    What If I Can't Sleep Again Tonight? You had another bad night. Now bedtime is approaching, and before you've even tried to Sleep, you're already thinking: “Here we go again.” Sleep is incredibly important during concussion recovery. But when sleep becomes difficult, knowing how important it is can create something else: pressure. You start trying to make yourself sleep. Worrying about what will happen if you don't. And eventually, last night's experience starts shaping your expectations for tonight. In Episode 21 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're not talking about ten sleep hacks or the perfect bedtime routine. We're talking about your relationship with sleep. We'll explore how sleep can become something you feel like you have to accomplish, why every night deserves to be treated as a new opportunity, and why preparing for sleep may be more useful than trying to force it. We'll talk about: Why sleep can start feeling like a nightly performanceHow a bad night can influence expectations for the next oneWhy sleep starts in the morningHow to focus on preparation instead of obsessing over the outcomeWhy one difficult night doesn't automatically mean your recovery is moving backwardWhat it means to control the controllables Most importantly: Last night isn't tonight. Do what you can to prepare. Learn from what happens. Adjust. And try again tomorrow. Because one bad night isn't a setback. 🎙️ A Midwest Minute With Matt Simple Concussion Conversations That Actually Make Sense. Explore our free concussion recovery resources at mwconcussion.com/resources. Making the Invisible Visible.

    What If I Can't Sleep Again Tonight? - MMM - Ep. 21

  8. Aug 20

    When Your Role Changes - MMM - Ep. 20

    Before your concussion, maybe you were the person everyone depended on. The parent who handled everything. The spouse who kept things moving. The employee everyone could count on. The caregiver. The provider. The independent one. Then concussion changed what you were capable of doing—and suddenly, you were the one who needed help. In Episode 20 of A Midwest Minute With Matt, we're talking about a part of concussion recovery that doesn't show up on a symptom checklist: what happens when your role changes. As you begin to look more like yourself again, expectations can return faster than your capacity does. That's when guilt can start creeping in: "My spouse is doing everything." "I'm not pulling my weight." "I should be able to do more." But recovery doesn't only affect the person who was injured. The people supporting them are navigating changing roles too. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why needing help can be so difficult when you're normally the one helping everyone elseWhy looking normal doesn't necessarily mean you're back to normalWhere the guilt of "not pulling your weight" comes fromWhy the people supporting you are allowed to struggle tooHow better communication can reduce frustration and isolationWhy small victories deserve to count as real progress Brain injury recovery is a 24/7 job. Your role may look different right now. That doesn't mean who you are has changed. 🎙️ A Midwest Minute With Matt Simple Concussion Conversations That Actually Make Sense. Making the Invisible Visible. Learn more and access free concussion recovery resources at mwconcussion.com/resources.

    When Your Role Changes - MMM - Ep. 20
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About

Simple Concussion Conversations That Just Make Sense Hosted by Matt Campbell, a brain injury specialist and founder of Midwest Concussion Clinic, this podcast breaks down recovery into clear, actionable insights—so you can better understand your symptoms, your progress, and your path forward. Making the Invisible Visible.

Information

  • Creator
    Midwest Concussion Clinic - Matt Campbell
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Midwest Concussion Clinic - Matt Campbell
  • Show Website
    A Midwest Minute With Matt