The Broken Road Project Podcast

After a massive stroke affected the entire right side of his body, Charlie Webber was told he might never walk normally, speak normally, or play guitar again. For a lifelong musician, the prognosis reached into the center of his identity. In Season 2, Episode 17 of The Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson sits down with Charles “Charlie” Webber—a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant...

Cisco Gonzalez was 44 when an ischemic stroke changed life for his entire family. In S2E16 of The Broken Road Project Podcast, Cisco and his wife, Melissa Gonzalez, share both sides of a recovery story—the survivor trying to understand what happened and the caregiver suddenly forced to make decisions, advocate, protect her family, and keep moving forward. Cisco remembers very little of the weeks t...

After 32 years in nursing, Necole McDaniel found herself on the patient side of healthcare. In Season 2, Episode 15, Necole McDaniel, BSN, RN, TCRN, CEN, joins Trent Peterson for a candid conversation about medical gaslighting, chronic illness, patient advocacy, nursing burnout, fear, family, community, and the choice to live beyond a diagnosis. Necole shares how being a patient changed the way sh...

What does stroke recovery look like through the eyes of a child and spouse? 🧠💙 In “More Time,” Trent Peterson sits down with his wife, Amber, and their son, River, for an honest family conversation about stroke recovery, caregiving, faith, and the lessons they have learned together. River was six, turning seven, when Trent’s stroke suddenly changed their family’s life. Now, two years later, he s...

In this episode of The Broken Road Project, Trent Peterson sits down with Shayne DeMarce, creator of the UpStroke Podcast, filmmaker, biker, husband, father, and stroke survivor. Shayne shares the story of the motorcycle accident that led to his stroke, the fight to survive, the long road through rehabilitation, and the emotional reality of rebuilding life after trauma. He talks openly about faith...

In this powerful Aphasia Awareness Month episode of The Broken Road Podcast, Trent sits down with Janu Orrick and Demetrius Moreno to talk about life after stroke, aphasia, caregiving, recovery, and the power of being truly heard. Just before his 55th birthday, Demetrius suffered a massive stroke. Doctors told him he would likely never walk or talk again and that a care home may be his future. But...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Phillip Oxendine, also known as Aphasia Phil, to talk about life after stroke, living with aphasia, and finding a new voice through recovery, community, and advocacy. Phil shares his personal journey of rebuilding communication, staying motivated through the hard days, and using his story to encourage other stroke survivors, people with aphasia, caregive...

This is the full conversation and final release in our Faith After Stroke series on The Broken Road Podcast. In this episode, we bring together the full story of faith, stroke recovery, suffering, healing, and purpose. Stroke recovery is not only physical — it is emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. This conversation explores what it means to keep trusting God when life changes suddenly and...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Trent Peterson, Shayne DeMarce, and Oral O continue their honest discussion about faith, stroke recovery, surrender, miracles, and purpose after suffering. Part 1 asked the painful question: “Why me?” Part 2 asks something deeper: “What if God can use even this?” This episode moves into the heart of recovery — not just physical recovery, but spiritual recov...

Three men. Three strokes. One honest conversation about faith, suffering, and the question so many survivors face: “Why me?” In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, Trent Peterson sits down with Shayne DeMarce and Oral O for a raw, faith-centered conversation about life after stroke, anger at God, identity, trauma, survival, and the search for purpose after e...

Can vision therapy help stroke recovery? In this episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, Dr. Conley breaks down neuro-optometry, vision therapy, and how vision affects healing after stroke or brain injury. Learn why personalized treatment, light therapy, and vision exercises may play a bigger role in recovery than most people realize. #StrokeRecovery #VisionTherapy #NeuroOptometry #BrainInjury...

What happens when your life changes overnight? In this powerful episode of the Broken Road Podcast, host Trent Peterson sits down with Briana Williams, a stroke survivor whose life was forever changed in a matter of hours. From being a driven career professional to fighting for her life after a major stroke, Bri shares her raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring journey of survival, recovery, and red...

Voices of Hope: How Brain Injury Becomes a Testament of Resilience and Faith This episode will break your heart and lift your spirit. When life shatters unexpectedly, how do we find hope, healing, and purpose? Meet two extraordinary women whose stories reveal that even in the depths of trauma, faith ignites a journey towards restoration. Their powerful testimonies—of near-death experiences, miracu...

Stroke recovery isn’t linear—and Nicole Salzano proves why. In this powerful episode, she shares her unfiltered journey from hiding her condition to embracing a new normal with courage, humor, and relentless grit. We explore life after stroke, including living with aphasia, the fight for sleep and mental clarity, and the mindset shift behind “the power of yet.” Nicole reveals how small, consistent...

In this episode of the Broken Road Podcast, host Trent Peterson speaks with speech therapist Logan Ashlock about her journey in the field, the unique approach of Day Neuro, and the importance of holding space for patients during their recovery. They discuss the emotional challenges faced by both patients and therapists, the significance of caregiver support, and the various aspects of speech thera...

In this episode of the Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson and guest Nelson Borchardt delve into the world of neuro training and rehabilitation. They discuss Nelson's journey into physical therapy, the importance of high intensity training, and the role of neuroplasticity in recovery. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support, spirituality in healing, and...

In this episode, Trent Peterson interviews Heather Flanagan, a stroke survivor who shares her incredible journey from a massive stroke caused by a birth control pill to her ongoing recovery and personal growth. Heather discusses the night of her stroke, the emergency response, and the impact it had on her identity and relationships. She emphasizes the importance of exercise, mental health, and fai...

What does stroke recovery really look like behind the scenes? In this episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, Trent Peterson is joined by neuro physical therapist Amanda Renfro to explore dry needling therapy, neurological rehabilitation, and the unseen challenges stroke survivors face every day. They discuss muscle tone, pain, micro-wins in recovery, and why physical therapy is about far more...

Welcome to Season Two of The Broken Road Project Podcast 🎙️Hosted by Trent Peterson, stroke survivor and co-founder of The Broken Road Project, this powerful first episode of 2026 explores what it truly means to reinvent yourself after a life-altering experience. In this episode, Trent shares how surviving a stroke forced him to slow down, reevaluate priorities, and replace old habits with new, li...

In this powerful season finale of The Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson is joined by Luke and Jen Balloun and co-founder Amber Peterson for an honest, emotional conversation about stroke recovery, faith after trauma, and finding purpose through suffering. Luke shares his firsthand experience surviving a life-altering stroke, the frightening moments that followed, and the long road o...

In this powerful episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, Trent sits down with 16-year-old stroke survivor Nathan Griffith to share a story you will never forget. Nathan opens up about the night his life changed, the battle he faced after a sudden hemorrhagic stroke, and the moment of clarity he experienced while fighting for his life, a moment that completely reshaped his future and faith. Fro...

In this inspiring episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson sits down with occupational therapist Cassie Graziano to talk about resilience, faith, and the power of purpose in neurorehabilitation. Cassie shares her personal and professional journey from helping stroke and brain injury patients rediscover independence to facing her own health challenges and learning the importa...

In this inspiring episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson sits down with Nicole Salzano; stroke survivor, motivational speaker, and former Bryant University swim team captain, to share her incredible journey from athlete to advocate. At just 22, Nicole suffered a massive stroke during her senior year of college, leaving her with aphasia and right-sided weakness. Against all...

In this episode, host Trent Peterson sits down with Lorenzo Cherry, a veteran, father, and stroke survivor whose story reminds us that every challenge can become a chance to grow. Lorenzo opens up about experiencing a TIA (mini-stroke), rebuilding his health, letting go of stress, and finding gratitude in every moment. Together, Trent and Lorenzo talk about the power of positivity, faith, healthy...

In this episode of The Broken Road Project Podcast, host Trent Peterson sits down with Taylor Moellering, an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist at Baylor. Together, they dive deep into the world of occupational therapy, stroke recovery, driving rehabilitation, and the role of faith in healing. Taylor shares her journey of helping patients regain independenc...