Truly Universal: Life After TBI

What if recovery wasn't just about therapy—but also about creativity, community, and feeling like you belong? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris and Eric sit down with Donna DeRitter , Community Engagement Therapist at Universal Institute, to explore how music, design, nature, and meaningful experiences can transform the rehabilitation journey. Donna shares her unique p...

What happens when your entire life changes overnight, and doctors still can’t explain why? In this powerful episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris is joined by guest co-host Greg alongside guests Muzna Naz and Tiffany Cabreja for an emotional and deeply honest conversation about survival, recovery, mindset, and rebuilding life after traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Muzna shares...

What happens when recovery after a traumatic brain injury changes your life, but not your passion? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris and Eric sit down with Universal client, Jovanna Cedeno for an honest conversation about therapy, recovery, music, identity, and learning how to move forward after life-changing injuries. The gang is also joined by Universal client, Joey. &qu...

What does 20 years of recovery after a traumatic brain injury actually look like? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Greg, a long-time client at Universal Institute who has spent two decades committed to his recovery journey. Greg shares a powerful perspective on long-term brain injury rehabilitation, including the mindset, effort, and consistency requ...

What does recovery really look like after a traumatic brain injury, years into the journey? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris and Eric connect with Daevon , a long-time client at Universal Institute, for their first-ever virtual interview. Daevon shares his experience living with multiple head injuries , the challenges of recovery, and what it’s like continuing to rebuild...

In this episode of Truly Universal, hosts Chris and Eric welcome Will and Joey into the studio for a conversation about recovery, recreation, and life inside the Universal Institute community. Will, a recreational therapist, explains how games and activities can become powerful therapy tools for people recovering from traumatic brain injuries.  From music trivia and Wheel of Fortune to tabletop ga...

What does recovery really look like after a traumatic brain injury? In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Tiffany , Director of Cognitive and Vocational Therapy at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey. Tiffany shares her journey from studying psychology and cognitive neuroscience to leading two of the institute’s most impactful programs. S...

In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Noah , Lead Vocational Specialist at Universal Institute in New Jersey, to talk about real-world employment, purpose, and independence after TBI. Noah breaks down how vocational rehabilitation works inside a TBI day program — from paid client jobs and skill trials to building confidence through responsibility....

In Episode 3 of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris and Eric welcome their first-ever guest , Tyree Bray, and the conversation goes everywhere in the best way. Tyree shares his journey through art, cooking, music, service, and life at Universal Institute, talking about confidence, creativity, faith, and believing in yourself again. From soul food and shrimp scampi to R&B legends, drawing a...

In Episode 2 of Truly Universal: Life After TBI , Chris and Eric are back after the holidays and catching up—talking dogs, family time, New Year goals, and what it really means to show up with a positive mental attitude (PMA) . The conversation wanders (in the best way) through growth, communication, learning new things, staying present, and why believing in yourself matters—especially after a tra...

Truly Universal: Life After TBI starts with a simple idea: let’s talk about what life after a traumatic brain injury is actually like. In Episode 1, hosts Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio kick things off with real stories, laughs, side tangents, and yes, an unexpected but passionate discussion about Muenster cheese. Recorded at Universal Institute in New Jersey, this episode sets the tone for a podcas...

Truly Universal: Life After TBI is a podcast that challenges what people think they know about traumatic brain injury. Hosted by Eric Levine and Chris Vaglio, the show centers lived experience—conversations with people navigating life after TBI, not just talking about them. Each episode shares real stories exploring recovery, identity, relationships, mental health, work, resilience, and hope. Reco...