Learning How the Brain Heals

How Slacklining Can Benefit Stroke Survivors

Much to my surprise, one of the most effective practices to help my stroke-affected left leg feel more like the leg I remember and less like a thousand-pound steel beam has been slacklining – a sport I knew little about pre-stroke. In this episode, I describe my experiences with slacklining after stroke and why this has become one of my favorite lower-body rehab exercises. For more information about slacklining and the case studies on slacklining in stroke recovery, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/10/01/balancing-recovery-how-slacklining-can-benefit-stroke-survivors/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/10/01/balancing-recovery-how-slacklining-can-benefit-stroke-survivors/] For more stories from stroke recovery like this, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Becoming Someone New After Stroke

After a stroke, you can look “fine” to others but feel completely different inside as you work through identity shifts, frustration, fear of another stroke, and more. In this episode, I’m joined by Florence Acosta [https://substack.com/@becomingyouwithflorenceacosta?utm_source=global-search] of the Becoming You With Florence Acosta newsletter [https://floacosta330.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] to discuss some key takeaways from our recent article - The Hidden Mental Health Journey in Stroke Recovery [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/06/01/the-hidden-mental-health-journey-in-stroke-recovery/]. *Note: This podcast was originally recorded as a Substack Live event on June 10, 2026. Key Moments (1:20) About Florence (3:00) Mental health after stroke (5:30) Looking in the mirror can feel unfamiliar (8:20) Daily routines after stroke (9:50) Consistency is important (10:10) Life is divided into before and after (12:30) Driving after stroke (15:00) Experiences with stroke caused by ruptured AVM (17:30) Gamma Knife radiation treatments after stroke (20:20) Creative writing after stroke (22:40) Accepting help after stroke (24:30) Therapy as live journaling (25:00) Connecting with others through writing (27:00) How to connect with Florence This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Best Advice I Received After Stroke

Like anyone else, I received some great – and not so great – advice from doctors, therapists, friends, and family members on how I could improve my recovery after stroke. In this episode, I reflect on some early experiences after stroke and share some of the best advice I received, some of the worst, and some advice that I would now give other stroke survivors. For more information on any of the subjects discussed in this episode, be sure to review the links and resources included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/04/01/the-best-advice-i-received-after-stroke/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/04/01/the-best-advice-i-received-after-stroke/] For more stories from stroke recovery like this, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Avoiding Learned Helplessness After Stroke

Learned helplessness is an underrated challenge in stroke recovery. How do you push yourself safely when you’re not sure what your true abilities may be? In this episode, I share an article I wrote with my friend and fellow stroke survivor Nir Peled on the importance of not shying away from the challenges that stroke recovery brings. To learn more about Nir or any of the topics covered here, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/02/01/embracing-the-challenges-of-stroke-recovery/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/02/01/embracing-the-challenges-of-stroke-recovery/] For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Navigating the Emotional Challenges After Stroke

Stroke can fundamentally change who we are, how we process information, and how we react to situations. Feelings of irritability, confusion, anger, and anxiety [https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/emotional-effects-of-stroke] are common after stroke. I was oblivious to any mental or emotional challenges I might face in stroke recovery during my time in the hospital and inpatient rehab. However, once I returned home and my physical abilities did not come back as quickly as I wished them to, the mental and emotional side of recovery proved to be a much more significant challenge than any physical exercise. In this episode, I share my thoughts on why the emotional aspect of recovery after stroke can be harder than the physical side and three strategies to support emotional recovery after stroke. For more information on post-stroke anger, depression, or any of the strategies I’ve highlighted here, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/06/01/navigating-the-emotional-challenges-after-stroke/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/06/01/navigating-the-emotional-challenges-after-stroke/] For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free newsletter at: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]