Mindset, Learning, and Return to School after Brain Injury / Concussion (with Jenny Traver)

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 school after a brain injury. Whether you are a student trying to go back to a busy school, a parent figuring out how to guide your child, or anyone navigating a unique path to wellness, this episode offers practical tips for your journey.

We also have a spotlight with Dr. Jeremy Schmoe from The Functional Neurology Center on learning and neuroplasticity. He explains how the brain rewires itself when you learn new tasks, especially when you mix brain exercises with simple body movements to get blood flowing.

🧠 In this episode:

• How changing your self-talk helps your brain heal when facing difficult days.
• Why managing brain fatigue is just as important as studying or working.
• Learning to speak up for your needs is a skill you can practice and build over time.
• Coping with the hard emotional shift when your daily abilities suddenly change.
• Practical tips for parents and students returning to loud classrooms and managing mental fatigue.
• Navigating school accommodations and learning to move forward step-by-step.
• Caregivers don't need all the answers; just being a calm, supportive presence is a powerful tool.
• Taking it one day at a time will help you get back to what matters most.

CONNECT

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Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

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0:00 Intro

2:10 Welcome with Cristabelle

3:45 Spotlight with Dr. Schmoe

6:35 Introducing Jenny Traver

11:55 The Intertwined Picture of Recovery

13:15 Cognitive Challenges of Returning to School

18:30 Mindset Shifts & Gentle Reframing

25:20 Importance of the Right Support

29:55 Self-Advocacy and Executive Functioning

33:30 Asking for Help

35:40 Words of Hope

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Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠