Brain Wellness - the Podcast

Herbert and Kristina Heagh-Avritt have been together for an incredible 32 years. From the moment they met in college, their love was undeniable. Kristina followed her passion into teaching while Herbert followed his into business and entrepreneurship. Drawing from their knowledge and expertise in diverse fields, they have combined their life experience to create Vibrant Family Education and the Br...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury. Provider was now the patient. This week Mandi shares a couple of the drafted chapters from her upcoming book about her TBI experience. The book is in the review stage, but you get the fi...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury. Provider was now the patient. This week Mandi reflects back on the last 67 episodes and highlights a few with clips from the sneak peeks. So many good episodes!! Find more about Mandi &a...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury. Provider was now the patient. This week Mandi talks about gender differences in TBI recovery and outcomes. Find more about Mandi & Brain Wellness Solutions at https://brainwellnessso...

The man, the myth, the legend, my one and only, my husband, Mr. Don Dickey. Don’s life reminds me of a Dos Equis commercial – he’s the most interesting man you’ll meet. He has been a firefighter, rodeo cowboy, heavy equipment operator, and owned his own construction company, among many other roles leading to his current production supervisor role where he recently was recognized as a top manager....

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury. Provider was now the patient. This week Mandi talks about post-concussive headache management and treatment and explains how post-concussive headache differs from migraines. Find more ab...

While Mandi's brain is still glitching, the kids in the household take over the mics (just missing the oldest child). Hayden, Bryce, and Becca share their impressions of TBI and some humor. Find more about Brain Wellness at https://brainwellnesssolutions.com/

Le Sedlacek spent 40+ years as a nurse practitioner, specializing in neurology, she worked in critical care and taught nursing, started an epilepsy center and ultimately settled into outpatient practice focusing largely on headache and concussion. Harris Eddie Hill is an out-and-proud nonbinary podcaster, best-selling author, coach and founder of the Centre for Childhood Trauma Healing; a platform...

When Joan’s husband, Greg, was injured, she thought they had proper plans in place. Greg, a medically retired police officer, EMT, and firefighter of 26 years was injured on the job. Joan quickly realized within the year after her husband’s injury, that worker’s compensation and the pension plan were NOT enough for her family to be financially secure. After years of paying costly out-of-pocket med...

Dr. Michael Wallerich started working in eye care at the age of 15 at his local eye doctor’s office in La Crosse, WI. He continued to work in the field until going to optometry school. He completed a Doctor of Optometry at the State University of New York in New York City and a Master of Business Administration at Empire State College concomitantly. Following optometry school, Dr. Wallerich comple...

When Joan’s husband, Greg, was injured, she thought they had proper plans in place. Greg, a medically retired police officer, EMT, and firefighter of 26 years was injured on the job. Joan quickly realized within the year after her husband’s injury, that worker’s compensation and the pension plan were NOT enough for her family to be financially secure. After years of paying costly out-of-pocket med...

Alec Wendelboe with the Brain Injury Alliance of MN, received his Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from Hamline University, and has experience working with the brain injury community through Case Management services and the Wesley and Lorraine Arts Cognitive Neuroscience Center.   Find more about Brain Injury Alliance at: Website: https://www.braininjurymn.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.c...

Dr. Stefano Sinicropi is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who is the president and CEO of Midwest Spine and Brain Institute, one of the most highly respected medical practices in the Midwest.  He has treated tens of thousands of patients and performed over 9000 spinal surgeries since joining the group in 2006. As CEO, Dr Sinicropi has helped to expand Midwest Spine and Brain to include,...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). Provider was now the patient. This episode picks up from part 3, sharing more about the new treatments that finally starting showing improvement, and the importance of mindset. The...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury. Provider was now the patient. This week is a brief one, sharing the raw experience of TBI recovery. Episode 5 is referenced as a recommended listen. Find more about Mandi & Brain Wel...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). Provider was now the patient. This episode picks up from part 2, sharing more about symptoms experienced and talking about mental health (possible trigger warning). The interview r...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). Provider was now the patient. This episode picks up from part 1, sharing more about symptoms experienced and treatments started for TBI recovery. The interview role is held by Aman...

After 24 years in healthcare and 11 years as a neuroscience NP, Mandi's world was flipped upside down when she was involved in a car accident that left her with a significant concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). Provider was now the patient. This episode is the first of a short series exploring her experience, what she felt, what she learned, and how she is recovering. The interview role i...

Kellina is a young entrepreneur who loves to help people with their personal growth and educate others about the deaf community.  Little do people know Kellina  is actually a hard of hearing person. She became deaf at the age of 4. She recently graduated with a psychology degree and is now starting her own online coaching business while launching her book! Find Kellina at: https://www.kellinaempow...

Janet White is a registered nurse, certified positive psychology coach, speaker and author.  She spent decades in healthcare administration, coaching, mentoring and leading teams. Her self-development journey led her to realize the favorite part of her healthcare roles was the ability to build relationships, coach and mentor people.  She is a devoted grandmother and enjoys warm sunny beaches. She...

Sabine Poncelet was born and raised in Belgium, and bilingual (English & French). She is a Certified NLP & Life Coach (RSCI), Multidimensional Healer specializing in healing complex PTSD. She holds a postgraduate in Transpersonal Regression Therapy from the TASSO Institute Holland. Having studied and mastered different healing techniques and modalities, she developed her own technique for...

Born Alex William Smith into a showbiz family whilst traveling with Gandey’s Circus in England, he made his stage debut at age 3 as  “Flap”,  Britain’s youngest paid circus clown but is now better known as  Jonathan Royle  the Celebrity Hypnotherapist, Master NLP Hypnosis trainer and presenter of the Mind Control Expose Documentary,  Extreme danger Extreme hypnosis Along the way he become a multip...

Sean Young is a US Army Veteran of 12 and a half years. After medically retiring, Sean was incarcerated and entered into a therapeutic court program in Alaska that helped him achieve sobriety. Upon graduating, Sean began to give back to his recovery community by starting a processing group for veterans who are in or are alumni of the therapeutic courts in Alaska. He became peer support certified i...

Megan Johnson is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the acute care setting and has been practicing for 4 years. Her journey to speech began in undergrad when she googled “what jobs help people everyday?”.  She then shadowed a family friend at a small school for children with disabilities and fell in love with speech pathology. The love for learning about the brain led to her undergrad in psychology,...

After a lifetime of unresolved trauma, Maeve Southgate found herself, at 50, lost, steeped in fear, and hopeless. She dragged herself out of bed and challenged herself to do 50 brave things before she turned 51. This challenge completely transformed her life. She has since done intense work to heal her trauma and CPTSD and is now a certified bereavement and transition coach helping women over 50 f...