Stronger After Stroke

Episode 43: Swallowing Safely After Stroke: A Speech Therapist's Guide for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers | Stronger After Stroke Swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, affect nearly half of all stroke survivors, yet many families don't receive clear answers about what's happening or what to do next. In this episode, Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator, sits down with Scarlet...

Episode 42:  30 years of stroke care: What survivors and caregivers need to know now | Stronger After Stroke Stroke care has been transformed over the past three decades, and those advances mean something real for survivors and caregivers navigating recovery right now. In this episode, host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, sits down with three Norton Neuroscience Institute staff to break down what the...

April 13 Episode 41:  Wired to Heal: Hope for Recovery After Pediatric Stroke On this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host and stroke nurse navigator Rosa Hart interviews Catherine P. Schuster, M.D., a pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with Norton Children's. From her years of experience helping patients under age 18 live their best life after stroke, Dr. Schuster expla...

Title: How Kids Heal After Stroke with Arpita Lakhotia, M.D. Join us for a conversation with pediatric neurologist Arpita Lakhotia, M.D., director of the Norton Children's Stroke Clinic. Dr. Lakhotia unpacks what life after a pediatric stroke really looks like. She breaks down the recovery journey for children who've experienced stroke, exploring how early recognition, rapid response and a tailore...

Episode 39: Fighting Fatigue: Reclaiming Energy After Stroke Post-stroke fatigue affects up to 70% of survivors, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of recovery. In this episode of Stronger After Stroke, Mark Green shares with stroke nurse navigator Rosa Hart from his experience navigating fatigue and brain fog following his stroke.   Mark opens up about the frustration of wanting...

Understanding Stroke Medications and Personalized Recovery In this essential episode, host Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN sits down with Dr. Bryan Eckerle to demystify one of the most overwhelming aspects of stroke recovery: medications. If you or a loved one has ever left the hospital clutching a bag of pill bottles and wondering "Why am I taking all of these?" - this episode is for you. Dr. Eckerle, w...

Regaining Control: Pelvic Floor Therapy for Incontinence After Stroke Incontinence after stroke is common — but highly treatable. In this episode, Lisa Cecil, P.T., DPT, pelvic floor therapist, discusses why bladder and bowel changes happen after stroke and how pelvic floor therapy can help restore control, comfort and confidence. This podcast covers: How stroke impacts bladder and bowel function...

Women and Stroke: Recovery, Prevention and Health Equity In this episode of  " Stronger After Stroke ," host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, talks with Tamika Burrus , M.D., a stroke neurology specialist, about how stroke uniquely affects women. Together, they explore critical differences in how women respond to stroke treatments, such as  thrombolytics (alteplase and tenecteplase)   and  m echanical...

Episode 35. Part 1 of 2: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Stroke Stroke doesn't impact men and women in the same way. Understanding the difference matters in terms of risks, symptoms and prevention strategies  In Part 1 of this two-part series, Rabia G. Buridi, M.D., a vascular neurologist with Norton Neuroscience Institute, talks with host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, to break down what women...

Episode 34.  The Overlooked Key to Stroke Recovery: Hearing Hearing is one of the keys to independence after a stroke. More than just sound, hearing is critical for brain health, rehabilitation and independence following a stroke. In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, talks with Virginia Dekanski, Au. D., CCC-A, abo ut how untreated hearing changes can impact...

Episode 33: Stronger After Stroke — Love, Resilience and Recovery: A Young Caregiver's Story   In this heartfelt episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host Rosa Hart welcomes Katelyn Deakins, wife of a young stroke survivor who shares her inspiring story of love and resilience amid the realities of caregiving. Katelyn shares what it was like to step almost overnight into the role of caregiver,  navi...

Episode 32: Role Reversal – When the Child Becomes the Caregiver with Tiffany Cardwell When a person has a stroke, life changes for family members as well. Host Rosa Hart is joined by Tiffany Cardwell, who shares a deeply personal journey of love, responsibility and unexpected role reversal after her father experienced a stroke while traveling overseas. What began as a season filled with travel pl...

Episode 31: Stronger After Stroke – Can I Drive Again? Legal Realities After Brain Injury Driving is more than just transportation—it represents autonomy, identity and freedom. Host Rosa Hart welcomes attorney and brain injury survivor Cameron Fathauer, J.D., for an enlightening conversation about the emotional and legal complexities of driving after a brain injury. With firsthand insight and lega...

May 12: Stroke Awareness Month Episode Episode 30: Stronger After Stroke – From Patient to Purpose: Adam Maddox's Journey In this powerful episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host Rosa Hart, stroke nurse navigator, sits down with Adam Maddox, a stroke survivor who's rewriting his life story. At just 26 years old, Adam suffered a hemorrhagic stroke at his brother's funeral — a devastating event tha...

Stronger After Stroke: Driven to Thrive: Tackling Transportation After Stroke In this empowering episode of "Stronger After Stroke," host Rosa Hart is joined by social worker Caitlin Zoeller, MSW, LCSW, for an honest conversation about one of the biggest hurdles stroke survivors face: transportation. From the emotional impact of losing the ability to drive to the everyday logistics of getting to a...

March 10, 2025 Episode 28 Should You Apply for Disability After a Stroke? Steps to Take With Sam Schad In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," we tackle a crucial question for stroke survivors: Should you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits?  Navigating the SSDI application process can be overwhelming, but knowing when and how to apply can make all the difference. Ou...

Episode 27 Heart Month: Watching Over the Heart and Brain Did you know a stroke can come straight from the heart? Gain more insight from our discussion between D. Sean Stewart, M.D., cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, and Rosa Hart, stroke nurse navigator with Norton Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Stewart explains the role of the anatomy of the heart in clot formation during atrial...

Episode 26:  Lost in Translation: Bella's Stroke Journey Abroad Episode summary In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," stroke nurse navigator and host Rosa Hart interviews Bella Portaro-Kueber, a stroke survivor who shares her remarkable journey of resilience after experiencing a stroke while on vacation in a foreign country. Bella opens up about the fear and uncertainty of receiving medical...

Episode 25:  What I Wish I Knew: A Caregiver's Journey With Brain Injury Recovery Episode summary In this heartfelt and enlightening episode, host Rosa Hart, stroke nurse navigator with Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Michelle Sanchez, a devoted daughter and caregiver, to explore her journey through navigating her mother's brain injury rehabilitation and recovery. Michelle shares inv...

Episode 24 Diabetes and Stroke: Interview With Lina Yassine, M.D. In this episode, Lina Yassine, M.D., endocrinologist, details the interconnectedness of the human body, and how elevated blood sugar and other components of metabolic syndrome increase stroke risk. She also discusses how to prevent stroke recurrence. Subscribe to the "Stronger After Stroke" podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spot...

Episode 23: Memory After Stroke: Interview with Gregory E. Cooper, M.D., Ph. D. In this insightful episode, Gregory E. Cooper, M.D., Ph. D., chief of adult neurology and director of the Norton Neuroscience Institute Memory Center, discusses the impact that stroke can have on memory. He breaks down the various types of memory most commonly affected by stroke and whether memory can improve over time...

Episode 22 The "Stronger After Stroke" podcast discusses difficult topics, such as family relationships and sex after stroke. It also shares survivors' stories about navigating life after stroke. Running Toward Recovery: Russell Deakins' Journey from Stroke Survivor to Half-Marathon Finisher In this inspiring episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, stroke nurse navigator, sits down with Rus...

Episode 21 Cognitive Rehab After Stroke: Interview With Anne Blandford, Speech-Language Pathologist Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, talks with Anne Blandford, SLPD, CCC/SLP, about the crucial role that speech therapy plays in stroke recovery. Anne explains the broad scope of her work, which includes helping stroke survivors with speech, cognitive processes and swallowing. She emphasizes the importance...

Episode 20 Interview With Langston Gaither, Caregiver for Stroke Survivor Langston Gaither shares the experience of his young wife's stroke and their family's journey through recovery. Langston and Rosa discuss the importance of community connections, support from loved ones and resources that have helped them move forward.   Connect with Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers for support...

Episode 19   Visual Changes After Stroke   Hear two different perspectives about visual changes after stroke. First hear from stroke survivor Christine Cosby-Gaither as she shares her personal experience having a stroke that left her blind and how she regained her eyesight through vision rehabilitation. Her journey has inspired her to launch a nonprofit organization called A Stroke of Grace to sup...