F*** It, I Have a Brain Injury

S2Ep5: The Hopeful Architect: Robert de Miguel on Recovery and Accessibility After TBI

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:14:23 -0300

On recommendation from our previous guest, Rachel Levy, we sit down with architect and traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor Robert de Miguel to hear his incredible story. Using Voiceitt technology to assist his communication, Robert shares his incredible journey from studying architecture around the world and earning a master's degree at Harvard to surviving a devastating car accident that left him with a severe brain injury and only a small chance of survival.

Robert discusses the challenges of rebuilding his life, and how his experience inspired him to focus his efforts on educating Barcelona city officials on accessibility and inclusive design. He discusses TBI resourc es in Spain and his Brain City research, which explores how cities function like the human brain—dynamic, adaptive, and designed to better serve people of all abilities.

This conversation is filled with hope, resilience, and a fresh perspective on recovery, architecture, and creating communities where everyone belongs.

S2Ep4: Advances in Speech-recognition Technology After ABI: Dr. Rachel Levy

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:27:53 -0300

Co-hosts talk with Dr. Rachel Levy, SLP and co-founder of The Babel Group in New York City. Rachel explains advances in technology to support non-standard speech after stroke and TBI or other causes of dysarthria. She provides a demonstration of Voiceitt, an AI-driven speech recognition tool, and shares insights about how technology can help make sure everyone who has something to say gets heard.

Visit The Babel Group here

Learn about Voiceitt here

S2Ep3: Redefining Creativity After Stroke with Inspire Arts: LaRey and Rebecca

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:58:09 -0300

Introduced by our last guest, Jamie Arber from The Supported Living Group, Ken and Jesse talk with artist and stroke survivor LeRay Pablo and Senior Art Program Manager Rebecca Maloney from Inspire Arts about how creative, person-driven programming supports rehabilitation, and provides meaningful opportunities for community participation through exhibitions and workshops. Hear LaRey's inspiring journey back to art and how Inspire Arts provides a space where shared creative interests unite survivors.

Visit Inspire Arts here

Visit The Supported Living Group here

Visit The Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut here

S2Ep2: Meaningful Engagement in a Connecticut ABI Waiver Program: Jamie Arber

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:27:15 -0300

In this episode, hosts interview Jamie Arber, Licensed Professional Counselor, TBI survivor and Executive Director of The Supported Living Group (SLG). Jamie discusses how his personal experience influenced his work in helping people with Acquired Brain Injury find a new purpose. He describes the challenges and realities with ABI Waiver Services in Connecticut and specific programs SLG provides in order to ensure opportunities for meaningful engagement and optimal long term rehabilitation for adults with ABI.

Click here to visit the Supported Living Group

Click here to visit Inspire Arts

S2Ep1: Neuropsychology, Positive Behavior Support and Cyberscams with Dr. Kate Gould

Tue, 26 May 2026 08:03:59 -0300

To kick off Season 2, the co-hosts interview neuropsychologist Dr. Kate Gould from Monash University in Victoria, Australia. In this episode, Kate provides a simplified definition of neuropsychology and its role in helping people who have had changes in behavior after ABI. She describes the Positive Behaviour Support + Plus approach and discusses cyberscams and CyberAbility—a collaborative project that resulted from a person's experience with a cyberscam after his ABI.

Click here for Free resource and training materials on Cyberscams

Click here for Relentless Optimism Podcast

Click here for PBS+PLUS Information

Ep17: The Power of the Pod: An Interview with Melissa Capo on Clinical Growth and Collaboration

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 -0300

In this last recording at The College of St. Rose, the guys put Melissa Capo in the interview seat for the Season One finale. The group discusses the evolution of the PEPtalks project group and other groups at The College of St. Rose that helped address cognitive, communicative and behavioral challenges and the value of the graduate student clinicians in helping provide one on one attention and support. In the discussion, they highlight the program’s role in challenging traditional medical models of rehabilitation as they share insights on achieving significant clinical growth in the chronic phase of their recovery- even when doctors suggested that it might not be possible.

To wrap up the season, the crew shares their top lessons learned about their collaborative podcast project and discusses how the podcast itself served as a powerful therapeutic tool.

Ep16: Aphasia Camp and Meaningful Connections After Stroke and TBI: Jerry Hoepner

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 -0300

In this episode, Ken and Jesse talk with Dr. Jerry Hoepner, SLP and professor at The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, about the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp and the importance of establishing meaningful connections to help people with ABI reduce their cognitive-communication impairment and increase their quality of life.

For more information about the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp, please email Mary Beth Clark at Clark.marybeth1@mayo.edu

Healing Out Loud-Crossover Episode with Brainstorm(s) Podcast

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:26:12 -0300

BONUS EPISODE!

In this crossover episode, Renee Garrett, host of "Brainstorm(s) Podcast" discusses with Jesse and Ken how their lived experience inspired them to create a podcast. They reflect on meaningfulness, communication and cognitive growth and how their identity has been positively impacted by sharing their story and the stories of others with ABI.

*Head to Speech Therapy PD earn ASHA CEUs for this episode*

EP 15: Person-driven Communication Groups: Julie Hart

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:22:01 -0400

The guys interview Julie Hart, Speech/Language Pathologist and (at the time) Director of the Neurogenic Communication Program at The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. In this episode, Julie describes foundational elements of the program that prioritized individualized, project-oriented interventions and made it an award-winning program. The group discusses how cognitive/communication tasks are integrated into goals for meaningful engagement, community interactions and friendships. Julie Hart is now the Director of The Aphasia Center at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY. TAC Program and Contact Information

Ep 14: Book Club: Andy Part 3- Visit with author William Kennedy

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:45:19 -0400

In Part 3 with Andy, he reflects on a 2023 Book Club author visit when we were lucky enough to have Albany, NY’s own William Kennedy talk about writing “Legs” - a book the group had just read. Co-hosts discuss the positive downstream effects of Book Club and ongoing community interaction as a result.

Ep13: Book Club: Andy Part 2

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In Part 2 of this 3 part conversation, Andy talks with co-hosts about Book Club roles and the value of creating support materials for the group by the group. They discuss the development of materials as mini-projects that give purpose in between weekly meetings. Andy discusses how Book Club has helped his ability to communicate in other aspects of his life.

Ep12: Book Club: Andy Part 1

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:41:40 -0400

In Part 1 of 3, Andy discusses how his participation in Book Club has helped him with reading after his TBI. Together with the hosts and SLP, specific reading strategies are offered along with some on-brand humor of three friends in the chronic phase of their recovery.

Ep 11: Service Coordination: Wendy Decker Part 2

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 19:10:01 -0400

In this second part, Wendy talks about employment issues with support services (and the irony of the laws), Medicaid, SSDI and SSI paperwork requirements, Waiver transportation woes and ways to resolve conflict. Her thorough description highlights "the job of a good service coordinator."

Ep10: Service Coordination on the NYS TBI Waiver Program: Wendy Decker Part 1

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:16:51 -0300

In this first of two episodes, Wendy Decker, describes her role as a long time Service Coordinator for the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver Program. She describes how NYS administers the Home and Community Based Support 1915 (c) Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver program. The co-hosts invite Wendy to discuss the challenges and positive aspects of the waiver including the guiding principle of "freedom of choice." She also highlights the process of enrolling in the waiver program in New York state, as well as recent changes resulting from newly enforced conflict of interest laws.

Ep 9: Transportation- Shelly

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:00:40 -0300

In this episode, Melissa and the hosts talk with Shelly about how she sustained her initial injury and (then subsequent injuries) and challenges and strategies associated with losing your ability to drive and having to rely on transportation services. Listen for some strategies and a potential business idea for entrepreneurs out there!

Ep 8: Home Health Aides- Shelly

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:03:47 -0300

More on the highs and lows of having Home Health Aides. In this episode Shelly describes characteristics and behaviors of excellent aides and some red flags to watch out for. She discusses her use of a Self-advocacy training video to orient and train new Home Health Aides and also tells her two worst aide stories. Heads up- one is X-rated.

Episode 7: Elder Law and Disability Attorney Kim Verner Part 2

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:12:21 -0300

In Part 2 of this conversation, Kim Verner discusses different types of guardianships, including representative payees and how caregivers can help adults with Acquired Brain Injury maintain independence in a supportive environment.

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY, USA in April 2024.

Episode 6: Elder Law and Disability Attorney Kim Verner Part 1

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:12:23 -0300

In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, the guys interview Elder Law and Disability Attorney, Kim Verner. She describes how to set up a Special Needs Trust and the important aspects of estate planning following Acquired Brain Injury.

*Note: This interview was recorded in Albany, NY in April 2024.

Ep 5: Moving to a New Home

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:50:18 -0400

In this episode, Jesse interviews Ken about his recent experience moving to a new home. They separate physical/mobility challenges associated with hemiparesis from cognitive challenges after ABI. Cognitive strategies include labeling drawers and cabinets and asking family to help organize. Physical accommodations include moving appliances and fixtures on the strong side, using a rolling cutting board, installing a cut tub, using a rug over hardwood floors and having family help pack and unpack. And remember, even with more room around the bed it still may take a hockey game’s time to put on a fitted sheet.

“Anybody going through what I’m going through, it will work out, it just takes time”

-Ken

Ep4: Overcoming Obstacles: Allison

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:30:07 -0400

In this episode, Allison discusses overcoming shame and obstacles following her ABI. She talks about her experience with aphasia and acquiring and succeeding in a job. The group talks about fishing and making friends after brain injury.

Ep3: Home Health Aids: Molly

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:01:03 -0400

Ken and Jesse talk with Molly and share their tips on managing home health aids. The group shares attributes to look for in an aid who will help foster independence and how to spot a not-so-good one. They all share their worst aid stories- one stinks worse than the others.

*Episode transcript available.

Ep2: Aphasia: Ken's Experience

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:01:47 -0400

*Note: this episode was recorded in December 2023 when The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY, USA, had just announced it was closing.*

In the conversation: Jesse, Ken and Melissa Capo, speech/language pathologist.

Jesse interviews Ken about his experience with aphasia (an acquired communication disorder that can result from brain injury including stroke). Ken describes strategies that work for him and assures listeners that "anybody that says it doesn't get better is lying, cause it does." He also describes the importance of being comfortable in your own skin.

Resources:

National Aphasia Association

Life Participation Approach to Aphasia

Aphasia Institute (Canada)

Episode 1: Ken and Jesse: Introduction

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:40:41 -0400

In this introductory episode, Ken and Jesse describe the purpose of the podcast and provide background information about their Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). Ken describes his stroke and his interest before and after. Jesse describes the conditions around his anoxic injury and his challenges since. He also describes his current interests.