When Words Don't Come Easy

In this episode, we talk with Francis Muldowney , an Irish stroke survivor who rebuilt his life after aphasia took his speech but not his mind. At a time when little was understood about communication disorders, Francis was often underestimated. He began using impressions and character voices to express himself, slowly carving a path back to connection and identity. At one of his lowest moments in...

Fourteen years ago, Eric Jackson survived a stroke that changed the way he communicates and sees the world. When his insurance ran out early in his recovery, formal therapy stopped, but Eric didn’t. He built his own routine, practicing speech and physical exercises every day, reading anything he could out loud, even the back of a mustard bottle, determined not to lose ground. For more than a decad...

Ralph Cortese, host of Stroke Warrior Radio, joins us to share his story. From the shock of his stroke to the early hospital days where information felt incomplete and overwhelming, Ralph opens up about what he wishes someone had told him from the start. He talks candidly about the frustration and the mental health battle that followed. This episode is deeply personal. It is about rebuilding confi...

In this episode, we talk with Aithal, a stroke survivor and author of A Stroke of Luck. He shares what it was like to lose language, and still feel a deep need to tell his story. We talk about recovery, family across continents, and what it means to keep communicating when the words don’t always come.#aphasia #stroke #strokerecovery #strokesurvivor #strokeawareness #aphasiaawareness #speechtherapy...

In this episode, we sit down with Aphasia Phil (Phil Oxendine), an aphasia advocate who turned a lack of representation into action. After his stroke, Phil noticed something missing. There were very few real, relatable aphasia voices on YouTube. So instead of waiting for someone else to tell those stories, he started telling his own. Phil shares his personal journey with aphasia, what recovery has...

In this episode, Bonnie shares her story as Roger’s wife and primary caregiver, beginning with the moment she discovered him during his stroke and the call to 911. She walks us through the shock and uncertainty of those early hospital days, learning on the fly, staying present, and making decisions when nothing felt clear. Bonnie talks candidly about what came next. The long hours in therapy, the...

In this episode, we sit down with Annie Humling, who had a stroke at just 20 years old—making her story unique and incredibly inspiring. Since then, she’s faced the daily challenge of finding her words, rebuilding her voice, and navigating life with aphasia. Annie shares the long, frustrating, and sometimes hilarious journey of speaking again, giving a rare perspective on persistence, patience, an...

Rick Partlow lives with aphasia. His friend Bruce Fairbairn shows up. He goes to speech therapy with Rick, helps with the homework, and stays in it with him. Both come from the entertainment industry, where communication is everything. This episode is about what real support looks like and why showing up matters when words don’t come easy.

Join us as we explore the personal experiences of Roger, a stroke survivor, and his dedicated speech therapist, Carol Graiwer. Discover the challenges and triumphs of regaining communication skills, the importance of family support, and the relentless pursuit of progress. This episode sheds light on the emotional and practical aspects of speech therapy, offering hope and insights for anyone touche...

In the debut episode of "When Words Don't Come Easy," Justin Chlowitz and Roger Chlowitz share the poignant journey of living with aphasia following a stroke. This episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of Roger's recovery, offering insights into the impact of aphasia on communication and daily life. Listeners will hear about the initial shock, the ongoing therapy, and t...