Healing Out Loud with Jesse Aron, Ken Bernson, and Melissa Capo

What happens when brain injury survivors don’t just rebuild their lives, but pick up a microphone and invite others into the journey?Guests: Jesse Aron, Ken Bernson, and Melissa Capo, MS, CCC-SLPEarn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PDWatch on YouTubeIn this powerful episode, Jesse Aron, an anoxic brain injury survivor, and Ken Bernson, a stroke survivor and peer advocate, join Renee alongside Melissa Capo, MS, CCC-SLP. Together, they share how their lived experiences led them to create a podcast that centers on connection, perspective, and life after injury. Through their conversation, Jesse and Ken reflect on what it means to build a meaningful life years after a brain injury and why sharing that journey matters. They discuss identity shifts, navigating communication and cognition, and the confidence it takes to show up in a public space. They also speak to the responsibility and vulnerability that come with telling your story and how survivor-led platforms are creating community where isolation is still commonAbout the Guests:Jesse Aron sustained an anoxic Brain Injury 17 years ago in his early 20s and enjoys talking with Ken about his perspectives on putting together a meaningful life post-injury.Ken Bernson is a 16-year stroke survivor who likes sharing his experiences to help others in similar situations. Ken is a participant in the New York State TBI Medicaid Waiver program. He is employed as a peer advocate at The Center for Independent Living in Schenectady, NY.Melissa Capo, M.S., CCC/SLP, is an SLP in Albany, NY, and a Clinical Education Support Specialist in the online Speech@Emerson program at Emerson College. She has over 25 years of experience working with adults with Acquired Brain Injury and co-occurring disabilities, including substance abuse and mental health disorders. Her work is heavily influenced by Dr. Mark Ylvisaker and his person-driven, collaborative approach to improving the quality of life for individuals following ABI.Mentioned in this episode:Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7