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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
Concussion Recovery
Long COVID
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes134Founded6 years ago
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Health & FitnessAlternative HealthMental Health

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Artwork for Hope Survives

Latest Episodes

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

Recovery after a brain injury can feel like solving a puzzle, uncovering the pieces and trying to put it all together. For many, dysautonomia is the missing piece of the puzzle that explains why symptoms like brain fog, lightheadedness, and extreme f... more

Navigating life after brain injury often means managing a complex overlap of symptoms where the lines between neurological changes and mental health can become blurred. Too often, individuals find their very real neurological symptoms misdiagnosed as... more

One moment can alter the course of a lifetime, but no one should have to navigate that new reality alone. Brain injury is a journey that impacts the entire family, often requiring a level of patience and resilience that must be discovered along the w... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Judy Kim Cage
Stroke survivor and author, advocate for brain injury awareness
Independent
Episode: Invisible Injury and Self-Advocacy after Brain Injury / Stroke (with Judy Kim Cage)
Dr. Karen Carpenter
Chiropractor with training in chiropractic neurology and functional medicine
Dr. Karen Carpenter (practitioner)
Episode: Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injury Recovery (with Dr. Karen Carpenter)
Robin Luftig
Survivor of acquired brain injury
Episode: 124. Reframing the Journey: Finding Gratitude in a Life You Didn’t Expect - Brain Injury Community Panel

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 106 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 States8 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
    Australia3 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.

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.
Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injury Recovery (with Dr. Karen Carpenter)
Q: Why is nutrition important to brain injury recovery?
Nutrition supports the brain during the healing crisis by providing adequate nutrients to rebuild brain structures, reduce inflammation, and stabilize symptoms like brain fog and fatigue.

Audience Metrics

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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 episodes of Hope Survives are there?

Hope Survives launched 6 years ago and published 134 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hope Survives?

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What guests have appeared on Hope Survives?

Recent guests on Hope Survives include:

1. Dr. Ryan Harvey
2. Dr. Edie Zusman
3. Chrys DolcĂŠ
4. David Colby
5. Tawni Ballinger
6. Roberta Brooks
7. Judy Kim Cage
8. Dr. Karen Carpenter

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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