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Artwork for Hope Survives

Hope Survives | Brain Injury Podcast

Cristabelle Braden and Hope Survives
Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
Mental Health
Support Groups
Hope Survives
Concussion
Resilience
Neuroplasticity
Functional Neurology
Concussions
Communication
Community Support
Dysautonomia
Nutrition
Ambiguous Loss
Long COVID
Concussion Recovery
Art Therapy
Relationships
Social Communication

Have you or a loved one experienced a traumatic brain injury, stroke, concussion, or ABI? This podcast is for you. Providing practical tools and inspirational interviews to equip, educate, and encourage the brain injury community. Hosted by TBI survivor, advocate, and singer/songwriter Cristabelle Braden, this is an uplifting podcast to bring hope to your darkest days. The Official Podcast of Hope... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes137Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthAlternative HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Hope Survives

Latest Episodes

Have you ever wanted to share more about your story, but weren’t sure how to start? The hidden realities of living with brain injury can feel overwhelming to explain, especially to people in your life - and it can feel daunting to know where to start... more

When you are dealing with the overwhelming changes of a brain injury, it can easily feel like you are stuck in constant survival mode. There are so many changes in identity, dreams, and goals. So how do you move forward and find purpose? In this epis... more

When facing cognitive challenges after a brain injury, your mindset has a massive impact on your overall recovery. Today, Cristabelle talks with speech-language pathologist Jenny Traver about mindset, learning, emotional recovery, and returning to sc... more

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, yet it has never received distinct, individualized attention from the world’s largest health policy bodies. For years, TBI has been treated as a "footnote" in... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jackson Davis
Brain injury survivor, founder Built To Endure 40
Built To Endure 40
Episode: Turning Trauma into Purpose - from TBI to Ironman (with Jackson Davis)
Jenny Traver
Cognitive Speech-Language Pathologist, founder of Cognitive SLP
Cognitive SLP
Episode: Mindset, Learning, and Return to School after Brain Injury / Concussion (with Jenny Traver)
Paul Dubetz
Brain injury survivor and advocate; involved in World Health Organization resolution on TBI
Brain Injury Association of America; global coalition on WHO initiative
Episode: Fighting for Global Brain Injury Recognition - The New TBI Resolution for the World Health Organization (with Paul Dubetz)
Dr. Ryan Harvey
Board-certified chiropractic neurologist and functional medicine practitioner
Functional Neurology Center
Episode: Dysautonomia Explained - Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction Post-Brain Injury (with Dr. Ryan Harvey)
Dr. Edie Zusman
Trauma neurosurgeon with research on brain injury and violence
Safe Living Space; Mayo Clinic Network Affiliate Northern California; Northwestern/STANFORD/world venues mentioned
Episode: What Gets Missed: The Hidden Tension Between Brain Injury and Mental Health (with Dr. Edie Zusman)
Chrys DolcĂŠ
Daughter of a stroke survivor, speaker
Hope Survives community member
Episode: The Wide Reaching Impact of Brain Injury
David Colby
Brain injury survivor with multiple injuries, speaker
Hope Survives community member
Episode: The Wide Reaching Impact of Brain Injury
Tawni Ballinger
Speech-language pathologist specializing in aphasia therapy
University of Memphis (Clinical Supervisor); Aphasia Boot Camp co-founder
Episode: Navigating Aphasia and Loss of Language after Brain Injury & Stroke (with Tawni Ballinger, CCC-SLP)
Roberta Brooks
Speech-Language Pathologist with 40+ years in brain injury; CBIS
Brain injury expert; Neurosource Facilitator, Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania
Episode: Communication Strategies to Increase Connection after Brain Injury (with Roberta Brooks - CCC-SLP)

Host

Cristabelle Braden
Host of brain injury recovery-focused show and advocate for Hope Survives, with a background in survivor storytelling, mindfulness, and education on brain health.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 107 ratings
  • Ray Rodriguez recovery journey 🤯❤️

    I’m a huge proponent of making people more aware about TBI, being a TBI survivor myself this podcast helped me tremendously through my journey and better understanding about certain aspects of my recovery , by the way in 7 years out post injury and am still making progress daily, even though my motivation fluctuates, i still turn to the lord for strength ❤️✅

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RayKRod11
    United States9 months ago
  • Ray Rodriguez recovery journey 🤯❤️

    I’m a huge proponent of making people more aware about TBI, being a TBI survivor myself this podcast helped me tremendously through my journey and better understanding about certain aspects of my recovery

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RayKRod11
    United States9 months ago
  • Seen and understood 🧡

    I stumbled on this podcast randomly after I found out one of my doctors was interviewed for it —The amazing Dr. Michelle Esielmann (aka the brainfluencer!) This podcast has made me feel so seen and understood in relation to my TBI. I have a couple of concussions plus a TBI from a car accident as a kid. It’s hard to connect with people when my injury was from such a young age and I’m 20+ years post injury. Hearing the current struggles of people with older injuries like myself makes me feel less ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teresanderson
    United States2 years ago
  • Thank you message 💚 Beating the odds

    These podcasts have always been an inspiration for me. I was honored to be featured on one of the episodes (beating the odds). Every episode shares inspiration to help you go through the day with hope !

    I’ve learned so much from them, and I appreciate everything you do to make this a reality. There is always hope 😁

    -Dillon Berenty

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dillonjames225
    United States3 years ago
  • Thank you so much

    My husband had tbi 2 years ago and now he seems to be going backwards this podcast is going to be amazing for him 🙏🏻❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lillyalolla
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host's warmth and clarity help make complex topics approachable.
Shows deep empathy and practical guidance for TBI recovery.
Guests bring credible expertise and personal experience.
Listener testimonials highlight hope, support, and education as core strengths.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mindset, Learning, and Return to School after Brain Injury / Concussion (with Jenny Traver)
Q: What tips would you have for school and schoolwork and learning after brain injury?
Start with a mindset shift that you can achieve goals even if differently, then pair that with tangible steps: find medical support at your health center or disability services, communicate accommodations early, and advocate for yourself by planning ahead and coordinating with professors; use supports to manage energy and schedule while you rebuild skills.
Dysautonomia Explained - Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction Post-Brain Injury (with Dr. Ryan Harvey)
Q: Because brain injury itself is not a root cause, how do you differentiate between post-concussion nervous system dysfunction and a broader dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia can arise after brain injury or viral illnesses and involves systemic autonomic symptoms beyond what's typically seen with a single concussion, including blood pressure regulation, heart rate, GI function, and temperature control. The key is recognizing a broader dysautonomic pattern that persists or fluctuates with activity and stress, and assessing it with tilt testing, orthostatic vitals, and a multimodal evaluation to tailor treatment.
Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injury Recovery (with Dr. Karen Carpenter)
Q: What final guidance does Dr. Carpenter offer for listeners?
Your brain is resilient with the right care; small, consistent dietary choices and nourishment accumulate over time to support healing, and even on bad days a good meal still matters.
Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injury Recovery (with Dr. Karen Carpenter)
Q: How does the gut-brain connection influence recovery?
The gut-brain axis, via the enteric nervous system and vagus nerve, communicates with the brain to regulate inflammation and neurotransmitter production, so a healthy gut supports mood, sleep, and recovery.
Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injury Recovery (with Dr. Karen Carpenter)
Q: What are practical tips for someone with limited executive function to improve nutrition?
Shop the grocery store perimeter for fresh, whole foods; start simple with meals centered around a quality protein; batch cook or use easy prep methods like sheet pan meals or crock-pot cooking; and plan to ensure regular protein intake at each meal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hope Survives

What is Hope Survives about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers brain injury recovery, resilience, and practical coping strategies through interviews with survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates. Episodes emphasize emotional well‑being, mindful approaches, and actionable tools to navigate invisible injuries, fatigue, PTSD, and relationship dynamics. A notable strength is weaving hopeful storytelling with expert guidance, plus a focus on families, veterans, and community resources, making it a supportive, motivational resource for listeners navigating brain injury together.

A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on hope and community, with episodes often featuring real-world strategies, peer perspectives, and nonprofit initiatives that aid recovery and advocacy. Listener... more

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How many listeners does Hope Survives get?

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How many episodes of Hope Survives are there?

Hope Survives launched 6 years ago and published 137 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hope Survives?

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What guests have appeared on Hope Survives?

Recent guests on Hope Survives include:

1. Jackson Davis
2. Jenny Traver
3. Paul Dubetz
4. Dr. Ryan Harvey
5. Dr. Edie Zusman
6. Chrys DolcĂŠ
7. David Colby
8. Tawni Ballinger

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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