“I wasn’t lazy. I was lost.”

If that line hits too close to home, this conversation is for you.

After stroke or aphasia, it’s easy to believe you’re just not trying hard enough. That you should feel more motivated. But what if it’s not a lack of willpower? What if the real issue is apathy, grief, or a recovery mindset that no longer fits?

This episode with Aaron Avila (Stroke TV Media) is honest, grounded, and deeply needed. We talk about what it means to rebuild when motivation feels gone—and why the “try harder” advice survivors often get isn’t just unhelpful. It can actually backfire.

• Why stroke survivors feel stuck—even when they want to move forward • The difference between apathy and depression (and why it matters) • How purpose—not willpower—actually fuels motivation • The mindset shift that helped Aaron take back his life • One small way to start rebuilding today

If this episode hit home—there’s a guide I want you to have. https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/take-it-back-phrasebook

More Resources: Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back Are you Lisa or Elena? https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena Feel stuck? This will remind you why progress is still possible: https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity Care partner resources: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources Explore therapy options: https://dolifespeechpathology.com Join our private support community: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective Subscribe for new episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

Start small. Start here. Start with you.

He looked down and said, “I don’t even know how to talk to her anymore.”

That moment didn’t happen in the hospital. It happened at home—months after stroke rehab ended. When the support disappeared, and recovery got… quiet.

If you’ve ever felt like the plan vanished after discharge, like you're carrying something no one prepared you for—this episode is for you.

We’re naming the therapy shift no one explains. And we’re breaking down what actually helps after stroke… and what leaves families stuck.

• What “the therapy shift” really means—and why it catches families off guard
• How to know if therapy is working (and when it’s not)
• What care partners should be included in—but often aren’t
• What to look for in a therapist who truly gets aphasia
• A short, powerful story that might sound like your own

If this episode hit home—

For the stroke survivor: You might be wondering, “How do I take back control of my recovery?”

We created the Take It Back guide to help you do exactly that—with tools and insights that center your identity, voice, and goals. 👉 https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

And if you’re a care partner: You’re holding so much—being protective, being the cheerleader, managing all the new responsibilities. This role doesn’t come with a manual—but this tool is a powerful first step to getting control.

The Care Partner Self-Reflection Wheel helps you see where you’re strong—and where you might need more support. It’s not about judgment. It’s about visibility. 👉 https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/care-partner-strengths-wheel

More Resources:

• LIFE Aphasia Collective® Community: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective
• 3 Reasons Aphasia Progress Never Stops: https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity
• Care Partner Resources: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources
• LIFE Speech Pathology® Services: https://dolifespeechpathology.com
• YouTube Channel (More Episodes): https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos
• Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

You’re not doing this wrong. You’re doing something no one prepared you for. And you’re not doing it alone anymore.

Why Speaking Up After Stroke Feels So Hard If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office thinking, “I should’ve said something”—you’re not alone.

This episode breaks down why communication after stroke feels so difficult—and what you can do about it.

• Understand how executive dysfunction and aphasia fatigue make speaking up harder than it seems
• Learn why care partners sometimes hurt more than help (even when they mean well)
• Discover one small phrase you can prepare to take your power back this week

Start reclaiming what stroke tried to steal—your voice, identity, and confidence.

🎯 Download the free guide: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

Have you started saying no to life without even realizing it? You might be living in quiet resignation — a natural, but heartbreaking, place many stroke carepartners find themselves after months or years of survival.

In this episode, Genevieve shares how resignation quietly creeps into the lives of carepartners after stroke and aphasia — often unnoticed, disguised as “being realistic” or “doing what has to be done.” Through real-world examples and emotional insights, Genevieve helps listeners recognize the signs of silent resignation, understand why it happens, and most importantly, offers a compassionate path forward.

You'll discover why saying "no" to your own dreams doesn’t have to be your final story — and how even the tiniest "yes" back to yourself can start rebuilding a life filled with purpose, connection, and hope.

What you'll hear inside:

• How resignation often hides behind automatic decisions and emotional shutdown
• Why survival mode can make future planning feel impossible
• How tiny acts of self-renewal — not giant leaps — rebuild your identity after caregiving burnout
• Why recognizing your own resignation is the beginning of true change
• Gentle, real-world steps to start reclaiming small pieces of joy and possibility again

Ready to take a closer look in the mirror? Most caregivers struggle to see how far they've drifted — until it's too late. Discover the real-life story of two caregivers, two different outcomes, and what it might mean for your path forward. Read the story: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

If you're ready for support and training designed just for you — not the survivor, not the system — but for you as a caregiver, there's a place waiting. The LIFE Aphasia Collective Membership offers real-world caregiving support, emotional coaching, and step-by-step guidance like you've never experienced before. Learn more about joining here: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective

If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, share it with someone you love, or leave a review. Your voice helps other families navigating stroke and aphasia find the support and hope they deserve.

After a stroke, even everyday conversations can feel like uphill climbs. Maybe you’ve found yourself nodding instead of asking. Staying quiet even when something didn’t feel right. Wishing afterward that you’d said more.

This episode is about those moments.

Genevieve shares what the research says—and what survivors know—about why speaking up gets so complicated after stroke. You’ll learn the hidden steps of self-advocacy and how to rebuild your voice, one small moment at a time.

No pressure. No perfect words. Just the next right step forward.

• Why silence after stroke isn’t just about speech—it’s emotional
• What makes it so hard to speak up, even when you want to
• A 4-step path to building confidence in everyday situations
• Real examples of small phrases that open big doors
• How your story might help someone else speak up, too

Download a free chapter from Genevieve’s upcoming book: Still You. Still Strong. It covers the 8 areas that shape stroke recovery—including how to reclaim your voice.

• Website: lifespeechpathology.com
• Listen to past episodes: ListenForLIFEAphasiaPodcast.com
• Instagram: @lifespeechpathology

If this episode helped you, pass it on. Someone else might be waiting for the words you just heard. And remember—your voice still matters.

“He’s still here—but we’re not us anymore.” That’s what one care partner told me. And she’s not alone.

If your marriage feels muted—like you’re functioning as a caregiver, not a partner—this episode is for you. You’re not imagining the distance. And you’re not the only one wondering how to fix it without making it worse.

What no one tells you is this: caregiver burnout is one of the strongest predictors of divorce after stroke. Especially for younger couples. Especially when the care partner is a spouse. But the breakdown doesn’t happen all at once—it happens quietly, in the spaces no one talks about.

Here’s what we’ll name together:

• Why disconnection doesn’t always mean conflict—it can be quiet and resigned
• The stages of emotional divorce (and how to spot where you are)
• What shame, silence, and aphasia hide in stroke recovery
• Why your partner’s withdrawal might be protection—not rejection
• How to begin again—through presence, not pressure

If this hit home—there’s a story I want you to read. It’s short. Honest. And it might name what you’ve been feeling. https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

More Resources:

Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

3 Reasons Aphasia Progress Never Stops: https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity

Want caregiver tools that protect your identity? https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources

Looking for speech therapy with heart? https://dolifespeechpathology.com

Want help learning how to be a care partner and maintain yourself? Check out the Collective: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for weekly episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

Even the smallest shift matters. Start where you are.

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 about awareness. Because once you can name what’s happening, you can begin to change it.

– What “role engulfment” actually is—and why it’s not just burnout – How care partners disappear inside the job and lose access to their own needs – Why even small decisions can feel impossible when you’re emotionally fogged – One shift that can help you start coming back to yourself – A story that reveals the real turning point—not just for you, but for your relationship

If this hit home—there’s a story I want you to read. It’s called Are You Lisa or Elena? Two care partners. Same diagnosis. Very different outcomes. Find out which one is yours: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

More Resources: Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back Learn why aphasia progress never really stops (and how to spot it): https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity Explore care partner tools, mindset shifts, and coaching: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources Curious about therapy or coaching support? Learn about our services: https://dolifespeechpathology.com Want help learning how to be a care partner and maintain yourself? Check out the LIFE Aphasia Collective: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective Watch more content on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos Prefer audio? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

You’re not failing. You’re adapting. But you don’t have to disappear in the process. There’s a way back to you.

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. Just one tiny shift that changes everything.

• What “taking out the trash” really means for care partners
• Why mental overload mimics burnout and impacts your memory
• The nighttime routine I use to stop solving problems in my sleep
• What happens when you don’t give your brain closure (hello, Monkey Brain)
• A simple paper + timer practice that works—even when you're maxed out

If this hit home—there’s a story I want you to read. https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

More Resources:

Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

Wondering if progress is still possible? 3 Reasons Aphasia Progress Never Stops: https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity

Want help learning how to be a care partner and maintain yourself? Start here: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources

Need support or expert therapy guidance? Learn about LIFE Speech Pathology® services: https://dolifespeechpathology.com

Looking for a community that truly gets it? Join the LIFE Aphasia Collective: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective

Browse more videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

You’re not failing. You’re adapting.