36 episodes
The Unexpected Journey Tim Brown
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- Society & Culture
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5.0 • 84 Ratings
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Summiting and skiing an 11,000 foot volcano, completing a DIY adaptive sport decathlon in one day, harnessing a passion for art to help spinal cord injury survivors adapt and bond, flying in a wing suit as a double amputee, giving birth to and mothering twin girls as a quadriplegic...these are just a few of the powerful stories you will hear on The Unexpected Journey. Adaptive athlete and quadriplegic, Tim Brown, talks with other disabled folks to learn how they challenge preconceived beliefs, push boundaries, and get after it - ultimately leading to a life fulfilled. The Unexpected Journey gives you the experience of listening to two friends sitting at a kitchen table, around a campfire, or on a boat, letting you eavesdrop on an intimate conversation about their shared experience, their passions, and the challenging, rewarding and exhilarating elements of their life. The episode plays like an audio memoir of the guest with the host providing clarity and narrating the biographical details so you can enjoy and appreciate the real and raw moments of the conversation. You’ll hear a sonic backdrop of original music to add emotional richness and additional sound design to bring into the moment with the guest as they describe their most formative and powerful experiences. The host, Tim Brown, is quadriplegic from a ski accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury 11 years ago. He prefers to listen before speaking and shares his own experience along with the guest. Our mission is to elevate, educate, and empower our disabled and able-bodied listeners on the disabled experience through creative and powerful storytelling. Our vision is to be a leader in the creation and distribution of empowering disability-centric storytelling and to provide an accessible platform for participants in the disabled experience to share their stories with the world. The Unexpected Journey is a podcast about adaptive athletes, adventurers, and creators. Each episode features an individual with a disability sharing their powerful story of learning how to challenge preconceived beliefs, push boundaries, and get after it - ultimately leading to a life fulfilled. Listen to guests like Anna Soens talk about being the first paraplegic woman to summit and ski Mount Hood, Greg Durso share his love for adaptive sports and completing an adaptive decathlon, and Channing Cash on her childhood and Laos and becoming a Team USA ocean paddle racer. Hosted and produced by Tim Brown, a surfer, sailor, and skier who is quadriplegic from a skiing accident 10 years ago.Our goal is to Educate. Elevate. Encourage.
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Louis Arevalo on Relationships and Representation
Louis Arevalo is a writer, photographer, filmmaker, outdoor adventurer, husband, and father who grew up and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was paralyzed in a backcountry skiing accident in 2020. In the nearly 3 years since, he has been on a journey recovering his career, his ability to experience the outdoors, and finding renewed focus and commitment in his relationships and in his ability to elevate underrepresented individuals through storytelling.
Guest info:
@louisarevalolouis@scenicbylines.comAdditional Resources:
highfivesfoundation.orgContact us:
Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: tim@unexpectedjourneypod.com Hosted and produced by Tim BrownAudio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine, Louis Arevalo, Kevin O’ConnellEpisode cover art by David McCaulley Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt -
Indiana Porta on Finding Community in NYC
Indiana Porta was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease, her senior year in high school. While it has always presented challenges, she pursued her dreams - traveling abroad, graduating from law school, and landing a job as an attorney in New York City. In 2021, an incident related to her lupus resulted in paralysis, paraplegia, and full-time wheelchair use. She shares her story of recovery during Covid in Manhattan, finding community and navigating NYC in a wheelchair, and looking toward the future.
Guest info:
@indianaportaesq Additional Resources:
empowersci.orghighfivesfoundation.orgContact us:
Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: tim@unexpectedjourneypod.com
Hosted and produced by Tim BrownAudio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaineEditing by Louis Arevello and Kevin O'ConnellEpisode cover art by David McCaulley Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt -
Jack Trottier on Making the Next Checkpoint
Jack Trottier grew up in Northern Massachusetts an athlete and a hometown kid. When he was 17 years old, he was paralyzed in a backyard snowboarding accident resulting in quadriplegia. In the years since, Jack has built a purposeful life for himself, recently riding his handcycle from Massachusetts to Atlanta to raise awareness and funds for the Shepherd Center, a spinal cord injury rehab hospital. Now, he is putting his energy toward growing his foundation to support others with spinal cord injuries.
Guest info:
@jtrott07@jacktrottierfoundationAdditional Resources:
highfivesfoundation.orgjacktrottierfoundation.orgContact us:
@unexpectedjourneypodcasttim@unexpectedjourneypod.com Hosted and produced by Tim BrownEditing and sound design by Jesse LaFountaine, Louis Arevello, Kevin O'Connell Episode cover art by David McCaulley Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt -
Trevor Kennison on Backflips and Being Vulnerable
Trevor Kennison is one of the best adaptive skiers in the world and now a household name in the ski community. He is continually pushing the limits of what is possible as a sit-skier, and goes by the moniker #sitskiboss social media. He is currently on a film tour for his full length documentary "Full Circle" that follows the story of his accident, the life of a kindred soul Barry Corbett, and the realities of living with a spinal cord injury. It is a moving and eye-opening film. But Trevor was not always on top of the world. In our conversation, he vulnerably shares the challenges as well as the triumphs of his journey.
Guest info:
@trevor_kennisonAdditional Resources:
www.highfivesfoundation.orgwww.fullcirclefilm.cowww.level1productions.comContact us:
Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: tim@unexpectedjourneypod.com
Hosted and produced by Tim BrownAudio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaineEditing by Riss Bickford and Kevin O’ConnellEpisode cover art by David McCaulley Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt -
Bonus: Kirk Williams on Baja Overland
In episode 23, we spoke with Kirk Williams about his journeys traveling the Americas in his wheelchair accessible camper vans. At the time of the interview, Kirk was about to head down to Baja, California for some rugged exploration. When he eventually returned stateside, Kirk and I caught up again and he shared some stories from an epic adventure!
Guest info:
@impact.overlandkirk@impactoverland.com
Contact us:
Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: tim@unexpectedjourneypod.com
Hosted and produced by Tim BrownAudio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaineEditing by Riss BickfordCover art and logo design by Anne Holt -
Jacques Matellus on Music and Modeling
Jacques Matellus is a model, actor, and musician. From an early age he was drawn to performing. As an adult, Jacques was paralyzed in a stage accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. After taking time to focus on physical and mental recovery he returned to his career as an artist. Recently he has modeled for big-name brands like Target and Tommy Hilfiger, and released his first single "Love Me" on Spotify. Jacques speaks about expression, creativity, and exploring new pathways.
Guest info:
@jacques_matellusAdditional Resources:
highfivesfoundation.orgempowersci.orgContact us:
Instagram: @unexpectedjourneypodcastEmail: tim@unexpectedjourneypod.com
Hosted and produced by Tim BrownAudio engineer and sound design by Jesse LaFountaineEditing by Riss BickfordAudio cleaning by Kevin O’ConnellEpisode cover art by David McCaulley Cover art and logo design by Anne Holt
Customer Reviews
T12 incomplete listening to this podcast
My name is PJ and I’ve been injured for about two and a half years. Listening to this podcast has helped me so much to see that there is life after paralysis. I love this podcast and Tim is the best interviewer. He asks all of the right questions and gets into the details that really effect us with paralysis. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone, especially those of us with a spinal cord injury.
The unexpected journey
I am so engaged with this podcast. I find it intriguing and powerful and each story is a testament to the guests courage and strength. Thanks Tim for bringing these to light and to the guests for sharing their lives with us. Update: Season 3, just 2 episodes in, has clearly improved. I am finding Tim’s comfort with his guests and his willingness to share his own experience has deepened my understanding of how individuals with disabilities and the unexpected journey that follows move forward with their life. What I find so powerful and ironic, as a psychologist, is that every individual moves along the narrative of their life balancing what they are wish for in a full actualized life versus one limited by defectiveness. This show demonstrates that it is the meaning that we ascribe to our life that really matters and the challenge of disability can heighten that awareness in individuals prepared to be great. Jonathan Inz
An Original
We all have stories, but there's a definite art and skill to taking those stories, translating them and shaping them into a medium such as a podcast. Tim is one of the best at this, asking the right questions, empathetically listening, and filling in the narratives where need be. These are beautiful, inspiring, often harrowing and heartbreaking stories told by the individuals who lived them and transmuted them into dynamic lives. An excellent worthwhile listen in a crowded podcast universe. Hands-down one of my favorites!