Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke
Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a podcast where stroke survivors share powerful stories shaped by purpose, connection, and hope. Each episode is the result of eight weeks of guided, reflective story-crafting—conversations that help uncover the life wisdom that emerges through stroke recovery. Most guests are years, sometimes decades, beyond their stroke. Their stories offer perspective shaped by time, healing, and deep reflection—modern-day parables that invite listeners into moments of stillness, insight, and renewal. Produced by the nonprofit Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories. The organization offers personalized reflection sessions, community gatherings, retreats, and workshops for survivors and carepartners. ✨ Learn more about their programs, services, or sponsor a guest’s story-crafting journey at www.beyondstillness.org.
Episodes
Today we meet Virgil, who learned that strength isn't about being untouchable—it's about discovering what you're truly capable of when everything changes. From that confusing June evening in 2018 to becoming a beacon of hope in Pittsburgh's aphasia community, Virgil's story reminds us that sometimes life's greatest purpose emerges not despite our struggles, but because of them. This is a story about la...
Today we meet Trish Hambridge, who discovered that recovery isn't just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about creating something entirely new. Through her journey with aphasia, Trish has become a powerful advocate, founding National Aphasia Synergy, a peer-led organization that proves together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Community Conversation Prompt:
Trish shares that meaningful contributions help her sta...
Today we meet Trish Hambridge, who discovered that recovery isn't just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about creating something entirely new. Through her journey with aphasia, Trish has become a powerful advocate, founding National Aphasia Synergy, a peer-led organization that proves together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Community Conversation Prompt:
Trish shares that meaningful contributions help her sta...
Today, we welcome our guest, Eric Anderson, who discovered his greatest strength in his most vulnerable moment. When a sudden stroke left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, Eric realized he still possessed what he calls his "superpower" – the ability to choose his thoughts, even when everything else was beyond his control. Join us as Eric shares how he transformed a medical crisis into a masterclass in resilienc...
Today, we welcome our guest, Eric Anderson, who discovered his greatest strength in his most vulnerable moment. When a sudden stroke left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, Eric realized he still possessed what he calls his "superpower" – the ability to choose his thoughts, even when everything else was beyond his control. Join us as Eric shares how he transformed a medical crisis into a masterclass in resilienc...
Today on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we offer another Community Special highlighting University of Pittsburgh's Community Aphasia Center Support Group led by Chrisa Kravetz. They meet monthly to promote social engagement and supportive communication. Join us as members dive into what they hope others will learn from their journey with aphasia and the connections they've built together.
Community Conversat...
Today, we welcome guest, Jim Dana, who takes us on an honest exploration of how a stroke nearly three decades ago reshaped his sense of self. Guided by an inner voice that evolved over time, Jim shares how he learned to embrace honesty, vulnerability, and self-reflection to become who he calls “Jim Dana version 2.” Join us as he shares his journey of navigating uninvited emotional outbursts, discovering unexpected gratitude, and ch...
Today, we welcome guest Jim Dana, who takes us on an honest exploration of how a stroke nearly three decades ago reshaped his sense of self. Guided by an inner voice that evolved over time, Jim shares how he learned to embrace honesty, vulnerability, and self-reflection to become who he calls “Jim Dana version 2.” Join us as he shares his journey of navigating uninvited emotional outbursts, discovering unexpected gratitude, and cho...
Today, we welcome guest Doug Alford. Before his stroke two years ago, he served as a mediator helping organizations and individuals navigate change; now, he applies those same tools to his own recovery. Doug shares candid reflections on fear, vulnerability, and the challenge of rebuilding a life forever changed. Join us as he offers five tools for adapting when life shifts in ways we never chose.
Community Conversation Prompt:
Today, we welcome guest Doug Alford. Before his stroke two years ago, he served as a mediator helping organizations and individuals navigate change; now, he applies those same tools to his own recovery. Doug shares candid reflections on fear, vulnerability, and the challenge of rebuilding a life forever changed. Join us as he offers five tools for adapting when life shifts in ways we never chose.
Community Conversation Prompt:
Today, we welcome guest Joe Malinowski who spent decades standing up for others—as a union leader and advocate for abused children—but after a stroke, he was left questioning his own worth. In this episode, Joe shares how the people around him—his care team, his wife, and fellow survivors—empowered him when he couldn’t see his own strength. Now, he’s giving back, using his story to uplift other stroke survivors. From isolation and ...
Today, we welcome guest Joe Malinowski who spent decades standing up for others—as a union leader and advocate for abused children—but after a stroke, he was left questioning his own worth. In this episode, Joe shares how the people around him—his care team, his wife, and fellow survivors—empowered him when he couldn’t see his own strength. Now, he’s giving back, using his story to uplift other stroke survivors. From isolation and ...
Today on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we offer a Community Special highlighting University of Pittsburgh's Community Aphasia Center Support Group led by Chrisa Kravetz. They meet monthly to promote social engagement and supportive communication. Today's conversation highlights the importance of finding a safe and supportive community of understanding individuals. We hope this conversation reminds you that you...
Today, we welcome guest Dr. Simbi Animashaun, who shares her story that begins with a pounding headache during a night class at grad school and unfolds through the heartbreak of miscarriage and the isolation of stroke recovery. Dr. Simbi takes us through the darkness she faced and the moment she chose life. Join us as she reflects on rediscovering her strength, reclaiming her purpose, and embracing her second chance with clarity an...
Today, we welcome guest Dr. Simbi Animashaun, who shares her story that begins with a pounding headache during a night class at grad school and unfolds through the heartbreak of miscarriage and the isolation of stroke recovery. Dr. Simbi takes us through the darkness she faced and the moment she chose life. Join us as she reflects on rediscovering her strength, reclaiming her purpose, and embracing her second chance with clarity an...
As a way to celebrate Dan rolling through our hometown of Bend, OR this week, we are reposting Dan Zimmerman's story and interview from September of 2024.
Today we welcome Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman who suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).
About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track. And that he did. Dan found f...
As a way to celebrate Dan rolling through our hometown of Bend, OR this week, we are reposting Dan Zimmerman's story and interview from September of 2024.
Today we welcome Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman who suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).
About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track. And that he did. Dan found f...
Today, we welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.
Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard...
Today, we welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.
Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard...
This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Brad McKenzie to share his powerful and vivid stroke recovery story filled with life-threatening urgency, deep peace, resilience, and the pursuit of connection and purpose. We dive into ways small acts of kindness illuminate unique paths toward trust and create a foundation for strength to move forward.
Join us as Brad shares how these quiet moments of connection ...
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