Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast

She looked calm. Capable. But when I asked what she needed—she couldn’t answer. Not because she didn’t care. Because she didn’t remember how to.

If you’re the one keeping everything afloat—managing meds, moods, meals, and meaning—you might not realize what’s been lost. Not your partner. You.

This episode is about what happens when caregiving stops being something you do… and quietly becomes who you are. It’s not about blame. It’s ...

I didn’t expect a movie to call me out—but one line stopped me cold.

If you’re a stroke care partner lying awake at night, looping through your to-do list, bracing for tomorrow before today is even over—this might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, I share the moment that hit me hard, what it taught me about mental clutter, and the 5-minute routine that’s helped me finally sleep again. No fixing. No faking. J...

If your spouse or loved one survived a right hemisphere stroke and now feels… different—you’re not imagining it. In this heartfelt Q&A, Genevieve answers real questions from care partners grappling with subtle but life-altering changes: blank stares, flat affect, lost affection, impulsive speech, and “he’s totally fine” denial. If you’ve ever wondered is this the stroke… or j...

💭 “I feel like I’m talking to a wall. I see the struggle, but he doesn’t. How do you help someone who doesn’t even realize they need help?”

When a stroke survivor doesn’t recognize their own deficits—whether it’s missed objects, risky decisions, or emotional distance—it can feel like denial. But this isn’t stubbornness. It’s something deeper: a neurological change called anosognosia.

In this episode, we unpack the emotional and re...

🔔 If this episode helped you, please share it with another care partner!If your loved one’s personality feels different after a stroke, you’re not imagining it. Right hemisphere strokes can affect emotional awareness, social judgment, and self-control—leading to blunt speech, impulsivity, and a seeming lack of empathy.

It’s not a personality choice—it’s a brain function change. But for care partners, it doesn’t always feel that wa...

"Why does it feel like your loved one has changed emotionally after their stroke? Why do they miss social cues, seem indifferent, or struggle to respond appropriately? And most importantly—how can you navigate these changes without feeling hurt or disconnected?"

After a right hemisphere stroke, survivors often struggle to recognize emotions, pick up on social cues, or respond in the way they used to. It’s not that they don’t care—i...

When a parent or loved one experiences aphasia after a stroke, it can be difficult for the entire family—especially children—to understand what’s happening. In this episode, Lisa Samson, an experienced speech-language pathologist and author of Listen with Your Heart: Helping Kids Understand Stroke and Aphasia, shares how families can support children through aphasia recovery. We explore practical ways to explain communication chang...

"You ask a simple question, and instead of an answer, you get silence—or a response that doesn’t quite make sense. It’s not about hearing loss or forgetting words. The brain is working differently now.

In this episode, we uncover how right hemisphere strokes impact thinking, communication, and emotional expression—and why survivors may struggle to follow conversations, respond appropriately, or recognize social cues. We also explor...

💭 "What happens when the words you need to say the most are the hardest to speak?"

Aphasia doesn’t just steal words—it changes relationships. Care partners and stroke survivors often hold back what they really want to say, fearing it won’t be understood, will hurt too much, or won’t change anything. But keeping quiet only deepens the disconnect.

In this episode, we’re breaking the silence. We’re saying the things that often go uns...

Ever start a task, get distracted, and never finish? Whether it’s forgetting why you walked into a room, struggling to focus, or feeling overwhelmed by decisions, executive function plays a huge role in daily life.

Many people don’t realize that stroke, PPA, Parkinson’s, and other neurological conditions can impact executive function—even without a formal diagnosis. When the brain’s ability to plan, focus, and follow through is d...

In this inspiring episode, Genevieve Richardson sits down with Phil Oxendine, a stroke survivor turned National Aphasia Association Ambassador. Phil shares his incredible journey—from waking up in a hospital, unable to communicate, to becoming an outspoken advocate using YouTube and virtual connections to empower others with aphasia.

Phil and Genevieve explore: ✅ The power of neuroplasticity and how consistent practice helped Phil...

Can stroke and aphasia recovery go beyond traditional therapy?

In this episode, Dr. Robert Hedaya, founder of Whole Psychiatry, shares how HYLANE Therapy helps rewire the brain for better speech and cognitive recovery. We’ll explore how different brain networks are involved in aphasia, how HYLANE Therapy works, and real-life success stories of people making progress.

Topics Covered: ✔️ How the brain heals after a stroke ✔️ The ro...

Did you know that flipping through a catalog or dreaming about your perfect fishing rod can be a powerful therapy tool? In this episode, we dive into creative and fun ways to take charge of your aphasia recovery at home. Whether you’re using a catalog to practice naming and reading or exploring your favorite hobby to rebuild communication skills, progress is always possible.

Recovery doesn’t stop when therapy ends. You have the too...

Aphasia changes communication, but it can also deeply impact relationships and intimacy—a reality that many couples struggle to navigate. The shift from being romantic partners to caregiver and survivor can feel overwhelming, leading to loss of emotional and physical connection.

In today’s episode, Dr. Laura Wolford—a speech pathologist, researcher, and certified sexuality educator—joins Genevieve Richardson to have an open, honest...

S-E-X. Yep, we’re talking about it! But intimacy is about so much more than just sex—it’s about connection, trust, and feeling valued by your partner. After a stroke and aphasia, that connection can feel out of reach.

In this episode of Listen for LIFE, Genevieve Richardson, speech-language pathologist and founder of LIFE Aphasia Academy®, dives into how speech therapy can help couples rebuild communication and intimacy. From start...

What happens to sex when aphasia takes away your words? Is sex the same as intimacy? And can intimacy survive or even grow when communication feels impossible?

In this episode, we explore the continuum of intimacy and how couples can rebuild connection after aphasia. Whether it’s emotional closeness, physical touch, or shared activities, intimacy isn’t all-or-nothing – it’s about taking small, meaningful steps forward.

We want to...

Everyday Home Therapy: How a Recipe Can Boost Your Aphasia Recovery Can a simple recipe help you rebuild your communication skills? Yes, it can! In this episode of the Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast, we dive into how everyday activities, like following a recipe, can support your stroke recovery by harnessing neuroplasticity—the brain’s amazing ability to adapt and rewire itself.

This is the first episode in our What’s Possible se...

Caregiving after stroke can leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, and heartbroken. In this episode, we explore the hidden emotional toll of caregiving—when love feels like obligation and the life you once had feels out of reach. If you’ve ever felt stuck in guilt, burnout, or overwhelm, this conversation is for you.

We’ll break down:

• Why resentment and guilt often go hand-in-hand for care partner...

Caring for a spouse after a stroke can feel overwhelming—especially when aphasia creates communication barriers. In this episode, I introduce the Aphasia Communication Toolkit to help ease the transition from hospital to home. You’ll learn practical steps to reduce frustration, foster better communication, and feel more prepared as a caregiver.

The toolkit can be used in hospitals, rehab centers, and at home to provide clarity and ...