What does life after a traumatic brain injury look like, and how can rehabilitation help someone rebuild skills, confidence, and independence?

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Jean , a longtime client at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey, to talk about his recovery journey, his experiences with therapy, and the activities that make him part of the Universal community.

Jean shares how a shooting left him needing rehabilitation and how he continues working toward progress through cognitive therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. He discusses improvements in his memory, the challenge of remembering names, and the ongoing effort it takes to strengthen his skills.

But life at Universal is about more than therapy sessions. Jean talks about helping out at Winston’s Cafe, doing laundry and other jobs around the facility, enjoying community outings, and participating in News and Noise, the radio show where he shares jokes with listeners.

From his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers to his favorite outings and everyday experiences, Jean brings humor and personality to a conversation about recovery, persistence, and community.

Truly Universal: Life After TBI shares the real stories of clients and staff at Universal Institute, exploring life after traumatic brain injury, brain injury rehabilitation, cognitive recovery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the everyday progress that helps people move forward.

Subscribe for more conversations about recovery, resilience, independence, and life at Universal Institute.

What exactly is occupational therapy, and how can it help someone recovering from a traumatic brain injury?

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Anna, an occupational therapist at Universal Institute in Livingston, NJ, for a conversation about what occupational therapy really looks like in brain injury rehabilitation.

Anna explains why occupational therapy is about much more than getting a job. OT focuses on meaningful everyday activities—from getting dressed and using the bathroom to eating, writing, managing money, preparing for employment, socializing, and becoming more independent in the community.

She also breaks down some of the challenges people with TBI can experience, including changes in muscle tone, fine motor skills, coordination, range of motion, and the ability to relearn everyday tasks. Sometimes something as simple as picking up a fork can require significant neurological and physical retraining.

The conversation also explores the emotional and behavioral side of recovery, including frustration, self-regulation, impulsivity, and adapting to life after brain injury.

Anna shares her own journey into occupational therapy, why she chose to work with adults, and what she loves about working at Universal Institute. And, of course, Chris and Eric get into the fun stuff—including Dungeons & Dragons, art, music, Green Day, horror movies, Star Wars, cheese, and more.

If you've ever wondered what occupational therapy is, how OT helps after TBI, or what brain injury rehabilitation looks like beyond traditional physical therapy, this episode is a great place to start.

Truly Universal: Life After TBI is a podcast about the people, experiences, challenges, humor, and everyday victories that make up life after traumatic brain injury.

Recorded at Universal Institute's Livingston, NJ location.

What does 17 years of life after a traumatic brain injury look like?

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Jim “Reflex” Sherman, a longtime Universal Institute client, to talk about his journey, his progress, and the life he's built over nearly two decades at Universal.

Jim shares how he arrived at Universal after a brain infection left him in a wheelchair and unable to speak—and how years of therapy, determination, and support have helped him regain independence.

Today, Jim has a job at Universal delivering mail and taking care of the fish, lives independently within the residential program, and continues working toward new physical goals.

But this episode is about much more than rehabilitation. Jim opens up about his love of Friday the 13th, horror movies, the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, hip-hop, and his past as a rapper known as “Reflex.”

It's a conversation about recovery, independence, finding purpose, and continuing to grow—while having plenty of fun along the way.

Because life after TBI isn't just about where you started.

It's about how far you've come, and where you're still going.

🎙️ Truly Universal: Life After TBI
Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

What does it take to create a day program that feels meaningful, engaging, and purposeful?

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Shawna Gottshall, Director of Day Program at Universal Institute's 15 Microlab, to talk about her 16-year journey at Universal.

Shawna started as a speech therapist before moving into therapeutic enrichment, vocational programming, and eventually leadership. She shares how creativity, organization, and collaboration have shaped her career—and how those same ideas help create better experiences for Universal's clients and staff.

The conversation explores:

• The difference between Universal's brain injury and developmental disability programs
• What "enrichment" really means in a day program
• Creating activities that are fun, meaningful, and productive
• Why creativity is important in rehabilitation and disability services
• Building opportunities for staff to grow into leadership
• Why Universal's departments work together rather than operating in silos
• The importance of making both clients and staff feel valued

And then things get very Truly Universal.

We talk about camping, travel, crafting, Star Trek vs. Star Wars, roller coasters, coffee, cheese, and the possibility of a future Universal cheese party.

Because apparently that's what happens when you put three people in a room and give them a microphone.

🎙️ Truly Universal: Life After TBI
Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

What does cognitive therapy actually look like after a traumatic brain injury? Sometimes, it looks a lot like everyday life.

On this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Nicole Callan, Assistant Director of Cognitive Therapy at Universal Institute, to talk about her seven years at Universal and what cognitive therapy really involves.

Nicole shares how everyday activities like cooking, shopping, and gardening can help clients work on memory, sequencing, problem-solving, communication, and independence. She also talks about moving from treating clients full-time into a leadership role and some of the moments that have made the biggest impact on her.

And because it's Truly Universal, we also meet Nicole's cat Bear, talk travel and reality TV, hunt for an elusive sandwich, and discover the surprising greatness of Universal's white American cheese.

It's a fun look at the people behind brain injury rehabilitation—and a reminder that almost anything can become cognitive therapy.

🎙️ Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

What if recovery wasn't just about therapy—but also about creativity, community, and feeling like you belong?

In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Donna DeRitter, Community Engagement Therapist at Universal Institute, to explore how music, design, nature, and meaningful experiences can transform the rehabilitation journey.

Donna shares her unique path from professional musician to cognitive therapist and explains how creative thinking has helped shape innovative programs at Universal—including adaptive music groups, horticulture therapy, community art projects, and opportunities that connect clients with the world beyond the clinic.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• How creativity supports recovery after traumatic brain injury
• Why the environment around us affects healing and cognitive growth
• The importance of music, art, plants, and purposeful activities in rehabilitation
• Building confidence through community engagement
• Why every person with a brain injury has a unique story and recovery journey

Donna also shares her philosophy of meeting every client where they are, helping people feel safe enough to grow, and creating opportunities that build confidence both inside and outside of therapy.

Of course, the conversation wouldn't be complete without debates about Star Wars vs. Star Trek, favorite cheeses, escape rooms, and a few laughs along the way.

This episode is a reminder that rehabilitation isn't just about restoring abilities, it's about creating environments where people can rediscover purpose, creativity, and connection.

🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

What happens when your entire life changes overnight, and doctors still can’t explain why?

In this powerful episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris is joined by guest co-host Greg alongside guests Muzna Naz and Tiffany Cabreja for an emotional and deeply honest conversation about survival, recovery, mindset, and rebuilding life after traumatic brain and spinal cord injury.

Muzna shares her incredible story of developing a mysterious illness while attending college at Rutgers University, an illness that eventually left her in a six-week coma and completely paralyzed. Despite doctors warning her family that she might never walk again, Muzna refused to accept those limitations.

The conversation explores:

• Life after traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury

• Recovery after paralysis and extended hospitalization

• The emotional and mental side of rehabilitation

• How discipline, gratitude, and empathy transformed recovery

• Returning to college after TBI

• The importance of family support during rehabilitation

• Physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and long-term recovery goals

Muzna also opens up about rebuilding confidence, learning to adapt to a completely different life, and why mindset became one of the most important parts of her recovery journey.

Along the way, the group dives into food obsessions, dogs, fitness, recovery motivation, and the small everyday moments that help keep people moving forward.

This episode is an honest reminder that recovery after brain injury is not just physical, it’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal.

🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

What happens when recovery after a traumatic brain injury changes your life, but not your passion?

In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, Chris and Eric sit down with Universal client, Jovanna Cedeno for an honest conversation about therapy, recovery, music, identity, and learning how to move forward after life-changing injuries. The gang is also joined by Universal client, Joey.

"Jovi" shares her experience recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a car accident and how music became a major part of her healing process.

A drummer in the band Last Minet, she talks about the challenge of relearning how to play after her injury — and finding confidence again through persistence, creativity, and support from her bandmates.

The conversation explores:

• Recovery after traumatic brain injury
• Relearning physical and creative skills after TBI
• Cognitive therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Building confidence after injury
• The importance of patience and consistency in recovery
• Finding community and connection through therapy and music

The group also dives into favorite foods, wrestling, pizza toppings, music, cheese debates, and the little moments that make recovery feel human and relatable.

This episode is a reminder that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, creative, social, and deeply personal.

🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

Check out Last Minet HERE