Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

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 ho...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome Chuck Toeniskoetter, a well educated businessman, philanthropist, and family man.  In the year 2000, life was moving fast for Chuck, but on a December afternoon, his world changed in an instant.  Confused as the signs of stroke appeared, his luck took over.  The ski patrol nurse on duty knew just what to do.  Chuck received proper and...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome Chuck Toeniskoetter, a well educated businessman, philanthropist, and family man.  In the year 2000, life was moving fast for Chuck, but on a December afternoon, his world changed in an instant.  Confused as the signs of stroke appeared, his luck took over.  The ski patrol nurse on duty knew just what to do.  Chuck received proper and...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we spotlight guest Chris Wilder from Los Gatos, CA.  Chris learned to play the guitar in his teens.  In addition to his passion and diligent work ethic, he credits his fellow musicians as teachers and co-creators.  He learned at a young age what it feels like to work with others toward a common goal.  Chris has dedicated much of his professional...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we spotlight guest Chris Wilder from Los Gatos, CA.  Chris learned to play the guitar in his teens.  In addition to his passion and diligent work ethic, he credits his fellow musicians as teachers and co-creators.  He learned at a young age what it feels like to work with others toward a common goal.  Chris has dedicated much of his professional...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome Grace Tsang. On October 30, 2021, her friends spotted the signs of stroke—slurred speech, a drooping face—and got her the swift, comprehensive care that saved her life and improved her outcome. But healing didn’t stop there. Grace shares how choosing gratitude and a new perspective helped her rebuild not just her body, but her outloo...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome Grace Tsang. On October 30, 2021, her friends spotted the signs of stroke—slurred speech, a drooping face—and got her the swift, comprehensive care that saved her life and improved her outcome. But healing didn’t stop there. Grace shares how choosing gratitude and a new perspective helped her rebuild not just her body, but her outloo...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Carmine Indindoli who shares the journey of relearning how to walk, talk, and live with intention, drawing inspiration from his love of gardening, family, and fellow survivors. Through patience, persistence, and community, he found healing and growth, not just in the soil, but within himself. Community Conversation Prompts: How...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Carmine Indindoli who shares the journey of relearning how to walk, talk, and live with intention, drawing inspiration from his love of gardening, family, and fellow survivors. Through patience, persistence, and community, he found healing and growth, not just in the soil, but within himself. Community Conversation Prompts: How...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Frida Swenson. After an Ischemic stroke in March 2020 left her unable to speak, Frida faced the challenges of aphasia, isolation, and frustration. Through determination and heart, she worked to reclaim her voice—and discovered a new purpose in supporting others on similar paths. Join us as she shares her powerful journey of rec...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Frida Swenson. After an Ischemic stroke in March 2020 left her unable to speak, Frida faced the challenges of aphasia, isolation, and frustration. Through determination and heart, she worked to reclaim her voice—and discovered a new purpose in supporting others on similar paths. Join us as she shares her powerful journey of rec...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Amy K.  After illness in 2009, she began navigating a confusing fog of fatigue, memory loss, and a long road to recovery following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Once a high-achieving professional with boundless energy, she slowly rebuilt her life and reclaimed her sense of self. In this episode, Amy shares how she transformed pain...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Amy K.  After illness in 2009, she began navigating a confusing fog of fatigue, memory loss, and a long road to recovery following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Once a high-achieving professional with boundless energy, she slowly rebuilt her life and reclaimed her sense of self. In this episode, Amy shares how she transformed pain...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Karla Bigornia who shares a story of recovery and rediscovery. Growing up in Cebu City, Philippines, today’s guest found joy through singing and dancing with her family. But a stroke at age 30 changed everything—leaving her to fight for her health, memory, and speech. In this episode, Karla shares her journey from the depths of...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Karla Bigornia who shares a story of recovery and rediscovery. Growing up in Cebu City, Philippines, today’s guest found joy through singing and dancing with her family. But a stroke at age 30 changed everything—leaving her to fight for her health, memory, and speech. In this episode, Karla shares her journey from the depths of...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we turn the tables.  Have you ever wondered about Molly Buccola—the founder, facilitator, and host behind our organization? Guests and listeners often ask about her journey: What led her to this work? How her own experiences shape the stories we share? And why this mission so personal to her? In this special episode, we’re sharing a 2024 interv...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we turn the tables.  Have you ever wondered about Molly Buccola—the founder, facilitator, and host behind our organization? Guests and listeners often ask about her journey: What led her to this work? How her own experiences shape the stories we share? And why this mission so personal to her? In this special episode, we’re sharing a 2024 interv...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Will Schmierer. In December of 2019, a small leg wound led to an unexpected diagnosis—AFib. Days later, a stroke left his entire right side paralyzed. Then came another blow: multiple sclerosis. At that point, Will was 37 and weighed 530 lbs.  Recovery was slow, but he has always been one to do things 1000%, and so goes his rec...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Will Schmierer. In December of 2019, a small leg wound led to an unexpected diagnosis—AFib. Days later, a stroke left his entire right side paralyzed. Then came another blow: multiple sclerosis. At that point, Will was 37 and weighed 530 lbs.  Recovery was slow, but he has always been one to do things 1000%, and so goes his rec...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Todd Berreth who shares his story of perseverance, determination, and grit.  He takes us through the challenges of rebuilding speech, the resilience required to reclaim his passions, and the deep lessons he’s learned along the way.  Join me as we dive into his story that proves that perseverance isn’t just about surviving, but...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Todd Berreth who shares his story of perseverance, determination, and grit.  He takes us through the challenges of rebuilding speech, the resilience required to reclaim his passions, and the deep lessons he’s learned along the way.  Join me as we dive into his story that proves that perseverance isn’t just about surviving, but...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Angel James. On the morning of February 4, 2023, she was singing in the choir, her voice resonating with joy, connection, and purpose. But by that evening, everything changed. A stroke stole Angel’s ability to speak, leaving her in silence, uncertain of what the future would hold. This is a story of survival, resilience, and th...

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke , we welcome guest Angel James. On the morning of February 4, 2023, she was singing in the choir, her voice resonating with joy, connection, and purpose. But by that evening, everything changed. A stroke stole Angel’s ability to speak, leaving her in silence, uncertain of what the future would hold. This is a story of survival, resilience, and th...

On January 16, 2017, Mike’s life was full—teaching, coaching, and raising a family. But in an instant, everything changed. A stroke stole his ability to swallow, eat, and live life as he knew it. What followed was a battle he never saw coming—one of survival, loss, self-discovery, and a renewed sense of purpose.   In this episode, Mike shares his journey of renewal, from isolation to connection. T...

On January 16, 2017, Mike’s life was full—teaching, coaching, and raising a family. But in an instant, everything changed. A stroke stole his ability to swallow, eat, and live life as he knew it. What followed was a battle he never saw coming—one of survival, loss, self-discovery, and a renewed sense of purpose.   In this episode, Mike shares his journey of renewal, from isolation to connection. T...