Matt Brown . Line Change

Welcome to this very special episode that's airing during the week of the 2026 Podcasthon — the world's largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together over 2,100 podcasters from over 60 countries. The two visionary co-founders, Jeremie Mani and Yves Delnatte's mission is to raise awareness for local nonprofits and charitable causes that are effectively changing people's lives. Today's episode highlights a non-profit, and rather exceptional person, who's doing just that as a result of experiencing his own profound life change, the kind that happens in seconds, the kind you never see coming, and the kind that demands everything you have to keep moving forward. In hockey, a line change is a substitution of players — usually an entire line — jumping over the boards so the game can keep going at full intensity.  But what happens when life forces a line change you didn't choose?  My guest today knows that answer intimately. Matt Brown was a 15-year-old sophomore at Norwood High School in Massachusetts, a student, an athlete, and hockey player with a huge passion for the sport.  Then, during a high school hockey game in 2010, everything changed.  With one hit, one moment and one collision with the boards, Matt sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. In his 2019 memoir Line Change Matt Brown, along with co-author Todd Civin, chronicle Matt's life after that injury, detailing his journey through paralysis, rehabilitation, and his infectious "Never Quit" attitude while navigating college, motivational speaking, and running 13 assisted marathons.  His memoir highlights the tremendous support from his amazing family, friends, and the hockey community worldwide, including his beloved Boston Bruins, and stands as a positive testament to resilience and holding onto Hope in the face of adversity. In 2020, the Matt Brown Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit was launched. Born from Matt's compassion and empathy to support individuals and families affected by illness or injury—especially those living with paralysis—through advocacy, resources, and community. We'll be talking about Line Change and The Matt Brown Foundation in this special Podcasthon episode. To contact Matt Brown directly, purchase a copy of 'Line Change', purchase MBF Swag, or make a donation to the Matt Brown Foundation: Business email address: [email protected]   Foundation website: https://www.mattbrownfoundation.org/   Instagram: @mattbrown_foundation    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067069811341    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matt-brown-foundation/?viewAsMember=true If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow 19 Stories wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. It would be greatly appreciated if you gave a nice review and share it with someone who'd appreciate it :-) To give feedback or a story idea: [email protected] To listen to my demos: https://www.cherylholling.com/ To contact me for voiceover work, or to host your podcast, reach out to me at: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: @cherylhollingvo Theme Song Credit: 'Together' by For King & Country Outro song excerpt: 'Days Like This' by Van Morrison, © 1995 All Rights Reserved Proverbs 23:18 "Surely there is a future, and your Hope will not be cut off."