You're Not Alone Podcast

Welcome back to You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week Val shares all about her trip to Washington D.C. with the APTA to advocate on behalf of physical therapy and our amazing patients.  In April, 250 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy descended upon Washington D.C.  in part of APTA's annual PT Day at the Capitol to lobby for important chan...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week, Morgan and Val interviewed Ra-Jon James, who shares his amazing recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, often referred to as GBS.  Ra-Jon's symptoms were dismissed by his local urgent care as "just the flu", but within days, he would be receiving life-saving measures and months of therapies to regain hi...

Welcome back to another episode of You're Not Alone Podcast!  Recently, Morgan and Val were asked to present to Creighton University's DPT Program for their Neurological Organization Day. While prepping for their presentation, they decided to also bring their podcast friends along and allow you to listen in as they answer student's questions.   **************************************...

Join us as we discuss community resources, collaboration, and patient-centered care with Kiera Flahart, PTA from Encompass Health East Valley.  Morgan, Val, and Kiera each have a unique experience with managing patient care and caregivers and they share their perspectives on how best to navigate early interventions and the transition to outpatient care. Kiera points out the three C's of advoc...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  Join Morgan and Val as they interview stroke survivor Nancy Consalvo and learn more about her recovery and what got her through the last two years of rehabilitation. Nancy credits her husband, Matt, and son, Ben, for their quick action and getting on the phone to call for life-saving aid. Nancy discusses everything from rehab t...

Join us as Morgan and Val recap their 2025 summary, Morgan's ACL recovery, and Val's cruise to the Bahamas and Chris trialing the RioMobility Firefly device on the trip. Val was very excited to finally get Chris into the ocean, but certainly needed the help from a few others to get him back out! Listen in to hear more about the recent adventures from your podcast friends!  **************...

Welcome back to the You're Not Alone Podcast! Today we are joined by John Wynkoop, PT, DPT and Army Veteran. John recently began showing symptoms that raised concern - Muscle rigidity, spasms, weakness, and an overwhelming feeling that something was wrong within his body. After completing many tests, only one showed abnormalities - a pulmonary test showing reduced function at 69%. However Joh...

Welcome back to the You're Not Alone Podcast! Let's catch up!! Val and Morgan update everyone about the new facility we opened on September 8, 2025. They discuss the ability to grow and foster creativity with the larger space. A grand opening will be happening later this year! Stay tuned!!   Morgan shares the latest update on her ACL tear, including some worries about what surgery on her...

Welcome back to another episode of You're Not Alone Podcast with Morgan and Val! Today we chat about advocacy and insurance, and believe it or not, they go hand in hand!!  Val starts off this episode sharing all about the advocacy efforts she took part of in Washington D.C. with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She also shares a patient testimonial letter that was shared a Se...

Welcome back to another episode of You're Not Alone Podcast! This week we are addressing a very common question we are asked in the clinic setting: "Can I still travel? Are cruises accessible to wheelchair users?? How do you make it work???" This week Morgan and Val are joined by Adam and Tara Pepiton for a cruise review of the various cruise lines and whether they've found the...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week Morgan and Val are joined by Adam Pepiton, and his mother, Tara. Adam shares his story of surviving a drive-by shooting, hitting him directly in the head on September 5, 2010. Adam had a 1% chance of surviving his injury, but he's here with us to share details of his recovery and finding himself, and peace, along...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week Morgan and Val discuss caregiver burnout, a real issue many family caregivers experience while assisting with the care of a loved one. They highlight these concerns and discuss available resources for caregivers.  Via the American Physchological Association, caregivers often experience the following problems while man...

Welcome back to the You're Not Alone Podcast!  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Tara Sullivan and Dr. Kylee Austin, founders of Mind 2 Body Healing, both doctors of physical therapy specializing in treating the pelvic floor. They discuss the importance of treating dysfunction of the pelvis that may include bowel, bladder, sexual dysfunctions, and pelvic pain.  Listen in to hear what to expec...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  Rob lived his life following the American dream - he worked hard, supported his family, built his business, and squeezed in a golf game when possible. Then one night, his dogs woke him up, barking for no apparent reason. As Rob climbed out of bed, he knew something didn't feel quite right. After he was able to convince him...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week we are joined by 17 year old, Ryder, and his parents, Kira and Greg! Ryder shares thoughtful insight to growing up with cerebral palsy (CP). Ryder is wise beyond his years and advocates not only for his needs, but for others around him. Ryder lovingly describes life with his siblings, Ruby and Hudson, his younger sist...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast! This week Morgan and Val talk about really cool community events coming up in the Phoenix area!  Hustle For HUG - February 22, 2025 Join Us for the Fourth Annual Hustle for HUG 5K or 1.5 Mile Fun Run/Walk! This fundraiser will benefit the Healthcare United at GateWay (HUG) Clinic, which gives students hands-on experience while p...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  Join us this week as we are joined by Rob and Jami Holley, a local Arizona power couple that are here to share their family’s story of how Rob acquired a spinal cord injury. Rob was injured on August 7, 2021 after a fun day on Lake Pleasant turned into a nightmare. The self-described giant who always helped everyone with everyt...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  We are joined by Michael, sharing his story of recovery with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body begins attacking its own nerves, resulting in weakness, numbness, paralysis, and can potentially become fatal.  Before GBS, Michael spent hours practicing meditation, yoga, hiking, and...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast!  Join us as we talk with Sheila who shares her two year journey with Long Covid. Sheila has had a fair share of physical therapy throughout her life, but never did she think she would need to implement both physical and occupational therapies to regain independence in her life.  Sheila shares details of how she lost and found he...

Welcome back to another episode of the You're Not Alone Podcast! Morgan and Val have been on a short break while getting Morgan prepared for getting married! We are happy to be back and recently reached over 1,000 downloads! Thank you all for your support and also joining us for season 2!  In this episode, we talk with Margaret, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor who was injured in 1969....

Welcome back to the You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week, Val ventured up into the mountains of Arizona to attend 'Camp With a Ramp' (CWAR) at the Whispering Hope Ranch located near Payson, Arizona.  CWAR is a 3-day cabin camping experience in which campers can participate in multiple adaptive activities including horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, adaptive mountain bike riding, a...

**Forgive the technical difficulties and change in audio, Morgan left me alone this week and I clearly am not the brains of the organization! - Val ** Welcome back to another episode of You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week I interviewed Melody, our friend who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2016. Melody has joined me to share how she has managed to overcome the many obstacles that...

Welcome back to You're Not Alone Podcast!  In this episode, Morgan and Val review current data of stroke occurance in the U.S., what symptoms to look for if you or a loved one may be experiencing a stroke, what to expect at your outpatient neuro physical therapy evaluation and what your plan of care might look like.  Is it a stroke? Think F.A.S.T. F - Face: Is the face drooping or twisted? A...

Welcome back to You're Not Alone Podcast!  This week we were joined by our amazing front office specialist, Capone, who explains so much about insurance plans and navigating scheduling in our outpatient neuro physical therapy clinic. We encourage everyone out there to know the details of your insurance plans. Capone shares his expertise in understanding co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance and...

Welcome back to the You're Not Alone Podcast!  We are back this week to review the past 13 episodes. This episode shares anything we missed, answers questions that have come in from our listeners, and highlights the tears, giggles and laughter, and all the inspiration shared with us over the last 4 months! Thank you to all our loyal listeners for all your support!!  Shout out to our amazing t...