When Words Don't Come Easy

Justin and Roger Chlowitz
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 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. 4D AGO

    Ep. 14 When Words Don't Come Easy - From Chaos To Comeback

    Rich and Lizzie’s story is still very recent. Just five months ago, in October 2025, Rich had a stroke and was diagnosed with aphasia, instantly turning their world upside down. Even in that short time, he’s already made real progress through hard work and consistency. Lizzie has been all-in on his recovery from the start, and their 8-year-old son Richie has been a huge source of motivation. It’s clear this is something they’re taking on together as a family. By sharing their journey, they’ve started gaining traction on social media, even catching the attention of Dunkin’ Donuts along with other media and print outlets. This is a really special episode for us, because Roger was once where Rich is now, and it’s a reminder of how far recovery can go and the hope that comes with it.

    1h 36m

  2. MAR 22

    Ep. 13 When Words Don't Come Easy - From Stroke Survivor to Coach

    Tristan Gibson, also known as “Captain Orangutan,” is a stroke survivor, mindset leader, and coach who has completely redefined what recovery can look like. After experiencing a life-altering stroke at a young age, Tristan refused to accept limits. Instead of staying stuck in the question of “why me,” he shifted his perspective to “why not me” — choosing to become the person who could take this challenge head-on and use it to help others. Through relentless work, belief in neuroplasticity, and a commitment to growth, Tristan has rebuilt his life in a way that most people wouldn’t think possible. If you spoke to him today, you might not even realize everything he’s overcome — and that’s exactly the point. His recovery is a testament to what’s possible with the right mindset, consistency, and support. Now, as a coach, Tristan works directly with stroke survivors and individuals facing neurological challenges, helping them navigate recovery with structure, purpose, and belief. His philosophy is rooted in ownership, positivity, and pushing beyond perceived limits — not ignoring the struggle, but refusing to be defined by it. “Cap Orangutan” isn’t just a nickname — it represents resilience, individuality, and embracing the journey, no matter how unconventional it looks. We’re honored to share his story and his message, as he continues to inspire and guide others through one of the hardest battles a person can face. Check him out_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captain_orangutan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Coaching: https://www.skool.com/the-orangutan-way-8853/about?ref=9520f8641f924a0ab8e2aa1f072115ec

    38 min

  3. MAR 15

    Ep. 12 When Words Don't Come Easy - The Start of the Speech Recovery Journey

    In this episode, Justin and Roger are joined by Susan Hakimi, the head speech pathologist at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and the speech therapist who first worked with Roger during the earliest days of his recovery in the hospital. Susan shares how she got into speech pathology and explains the critical role speech therapists play in the immediate aftermath of a stroke. Together, they discuss what happens during inpatient speech therapy, how clinicians evaluate communication after a stroke, and why conditions like aphasia affect speech and language the way they do. Susan also offers insight into the early milestones therapists look for, the challenges patients face in those first days, and how families can support a loved one navigating stroke recovery. Through both professional expertise and personal perspective, this conversation sheds light on where the recovery journey truly begins for many stroke survivors.

    30 min

  4. MAR 8

    Ep. 11 When Words Don't Come Easy - Recovery Isn’t What People Think

    In this episode we introduce Tina Orkin and learn about the life she built both before and after her stroke. Tina shares her journey into healthcare, becoming a nurse and working in OB-GYN, and talks about the work she was passionate about and the patients she cared for. She also opens up about her stroke and the recovery that followed. By exploring both her career and her stroke journey, we get a fuller picture of Tina’s strength, resilience, and the experiences that have shaped her life.#StrokeRecovery #StrokeAwareness #AphasiaRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #LifeAfterStroke #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealth #Wellness #HealthStories #HealthcareHeroes #Resilience #Inspiration #PodcastLife #PodcastClips #WhenWordsDontComeEasy #Motivation #SelfCare #Mindset #LifeStories #HumanExperience

    42 min

  5. MAR 1

    Ep. 10 When Words Don't Come Easy - The Speechless Language Of The Soul

    In this episode, we talk with Francis Muldowney, an Irish stroke survivor who rebuilt his life after aphasia took his speech but not his mind. At a time when little was understood about communication disorders, Francis was often underestimated. He began using impressions and character voices to express himself, slowly carving a path back to connection and identity. At one of his lowest moments in the hospital, he considered ending his life. A quiet realization changed that decision and shaped everything that followed. He later walked 4,000 miles across Australia, proving to himself and the world that he was far from finished. This is a story about voice, survival, and choosing to stay.

    35 min

  6. FEB 22

    Ep. 9 When Words Don't Come Easy - Building My Own Recovery

    Fourteen years ago, Eric Jackson survived a stroke that changed the way he communicates and sees the world. When his insurance ran out early in his recovery, formal therapy stopped, but Eric didn’t. He built his own routine, practicing speech and physical exercises every day, reading anything he could out loud, even the back of a mustard bottle, determined not to lose ground. For more than a decade, no one officially diagnosed him with aphasia, and he didn’t even know the word until two years ago. In this episode, Eric shares what it was like to live with something he couldn’t name, how fatigue still affects his speech, and the resilience it takes to rebuild your voice when the system runs out but you refuse to.

    33 min

  7. FEB 15

    Ep. 8 When Words Don't Come Easy - What No One Told Me About Surviving a Stroke

    Ralph Cortese, host of Stroke Warrior Radio, joins us to share his story. From the shock of his stroke to the early hospital days where information felt incomplete and overwhelming, Ralph opens up about what he wishes someone had told him from the start.He talks candidly about the frustration and the mental health battle that followed. This episode is deeply personal. It is about rebuilding confidence, reclaiming your voice, and facing the emotional side of recovery that often gets ignored. Ralph’s honesty makes this conversation one that every survivor, caregiver, and family member needs to hear.

    35 min

  8. FEB 1

    Ep.7 When Words Don't Come Easy - A Stroke Of Luck

    In this episode, we talk with Aithal, a stroke survivor and author of A Stroke of Luck. He shares what it was like to lose language, and still feel a deep need to tell his story. We talk about recovery, family across continents, and what it means to keep communicating when the words don’t always come.#aphasia #stroke #strokerecovery #strokesurvivor #strokeawareness #aphasiaawareness #speechtherapy #braininjury #slp #strokewarrior #speechtherapist #speechpathology #apraxia #aphasiatherapy #autism #strokerehab #invisibleillness #hopeafterstroke #thestrokestoryteller #mysayforstroke #strokeresearch #strokerehabilation #pictureaphasia #notalone #braininjuries #strokewarriors #believeagain #smallsteps #strokefighter #mindset

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Justin and Roger Chlowitz
  • Show Website
    When Words Don't Come Easy