In Episode 36, Erika sits down with Sheila Baugh—a fiercely devoted wife and caregiver navigating life after her husband Rob’s traumatic brain injury in July 2020. From their sweet beginning on a blind date in the ’90s to the life-altering accident that changed everything, Sheila opens up about the realities of loving someone through TBI: the medical maze, the career disruptions, the emotional toll, and the moments of grace that keep her going.

Sheila shares candidly about juggling their family’s needs while advocating for Rob’s care, fighting for services, showing up to endless appointments, and learning to rebuild their life one day at a time. She talks about redefining marriage after injury, the power of community support, and the importance of self-care—even when it feels impossible. Her story is raw, relatable, and a reminder that while TBI changes everything, it does not erase love, commitment, or hope.

This episode shines a light on the unseen battles TBI caregivers face daily—and celebrates the resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment that define the journey.

In this transformative episode of The Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with Dr. Karen Kramer—clinical expert, hypnotherapist, neurolinguistic programming practitioner, and self-described “grief alchemist”—to unpack the often misunderstood world of grief. Together, they explore the realities of ambiguous grief and disenfranchised grief, the forms of loss that TBI wives experience daily but rarely receive validation for.

Dr. Karen shares her powerful personal story of deep grief and healing, and how it led her to shift from traditional therapy to more integrative and subconscious-guided approaches. She introduces listeners to her Healthy Grief Framework, an accessible acronym-based roadmap designed to help individuals process grief in a grounded, actionable, and deeply compassionate way.

In this conversation, TBI wives will feel seen, understood, and supported as Dr. Karen breaks down the invisible emotional load of loving someone whose identity has changed, while offering practical tools to reclaim inner peace. Dr. Karen,m also shares free resources to help listeners begin their healing outside the episode, and Erika invites wives to continue this support journey inside the Reclaim community.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that grief doesn’t always look like loss—and healing doesn’t always look like closure. Sometimes, it begins with permission to name what hurts.

How to connect with Dr. Karen and access her free gifts:

https://bit.ly/Healthy-Grief

https://drkarenkramer.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DrKarenKramer/ https://www.instagram.com/stories/drkarenkramer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkarenkramer/

Continue the conversation within Reclaim with other women who get it

In this inspiring episode of Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with Chanda Hinton, founder of the Chanda Center for Health, to discuss her extraordinary journey of resilience, advocacy, and transformation. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed at 9 years old, Chanda turned her personal challenges into a powerful movement for change, pioneering a new model of integrative care for people with disabilities.

Chanda shares how her lived experience led to the creation of her nonprofit organization and the legislative advocacy that resulted in groundbreaking Medicaid reforms in Colorado. These reforms now provide coverage for lifechanging integrative therapies—including acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care—improving quality of life for countless individuals with long-term disabilities.

Through her story, Chanda highlights the importance of holistic wellness, the complexities of navigating Medicaid systems, and the need to treat the whole person. She also offers an exciting look at future expansions for the Chanda Center, continuing her mission to make comprehensive, compassionate care accessible to all.

This episode is a must listen for caregivers, advocates, and anyone passionate about transforming the healthcare system through empathy, innovation, and purpose-driven action.

Connect with Chanda with the following links:

In this empowering episode of Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with Dorothy Andreas—a bold entrepreneur, speaker, and woman of resilience—whose story will ignite a fire in every caregiver and overwhelmed wife looking for more.

Dorothy opens up about her unstoppable rise from selling her car at 19 to buy her first business, to eventually owning nine successful companies—all while navigating unimaginable life stressors, including a house fire, her mother’s stroke, and the daily demands of balancing life, family, and business.

But it’s her framework for balance that sets her apart. Dorothy shares how she deconstructs life into five critical elements—body, relationships, spirit, work, and money—and teaches women how to rebuild from the chaos. This episode is for every TBI wife or caregiver who feels like they’re holding everything together… and losing themselves in the process.

Whether you're in survival mode or seeking a more intentional rhythm, Dorothy offers tangible tools and deep encouragement to help you reclaim control—and build a life you don’t want to escape from.

You can connect with Dorothy at Streamline Success

Continue the conversation with other TBI wives at Reclaim

In this powerful episode of The Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with William Person, a former Team USA bobsled athlete, to share his courageous and deeply personal journey with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). After years of repetitive head trauma in elite sports, William found himself in a terrifying spiral—confused, depressed, and unable to function.

But hope came in the form of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)—a breakthrough treatment that gave him back his clarity, vision, and purpose. William opens up about how this therapy changed everything, and why he's now on a mission to make it accessible to others battling the effects of CTE.

Together, Erika and William discuss:

• The silent, progressive damage of CTE in athletes and veterans

• How HBOT helped restore William’s cognitive function and emotional balance

• The alarming connection between CTE, depression, and suicide rates

• William’s dream of launching a nonprofit CTE Recovery Center

• Why early intervention, education, and advocacy are crucial for brain health

This is an episode filled with hope, healing, and purpose—especially for those affected by brain injury, repeated trauma, or neurodegenerative conditions. William’s story is a call to action to protect, prioritize, and heal the brain.

How to connect with William:

https://www.facebook.com/one.man.with.a.chamber.hbot?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/william.person.792233

https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-person-4072b417/

https://www.instagram.com/willp1234567?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://youtube.com/@braininjurysurvival?si=KfTK-iFXlhLORgQC

https://www.tiktok.com/@hyperbarichealing?_t=ZT-8zD0dNeEvPi&_r=1_

Be sure to join us for real support and tools that work with friends that get it at Reclaim

Disclaimer:

This podcast is intended for educational and to share personal experiences. The experiences and opinions shared by hosts and guests reflect personal journeys. We are not licensed medical professionals. Always do your own research and make informed decisions about your health and healing journey.

In this episode of The Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette welcomes Dr. Amber Rice Horvath, a clinical nutritionist and mother of a child with special needs, to share practical strategies for caregiver wellness. Caring for a loved one with TBI can take a tremendous physical, emotional, and mental toll, and Dr. Amber emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your own health to maintain resilience and strength.

She discusses managing caregiver and mom guilt, incorporating movement into daily routines, avoiding the pitfalls of extreme calorie restriction, and implementing proper sleep hygiene. Dr. Amber also provides insights on simplifying meal preparation, highlights the interconnectedness of nutrition, sleep, and movement, and underscores a holistic approach to self-care. Listeners will leave with actionable steps to take small but meaningful strides toward improved wellness, along with guidance on when and how to seek personalized professional advice.

Visit Amber at ARD Wellness and Nutrition

Join us in the Reclaim community gain even more support with being a TBI wife

Trigger Warning / Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions about abuse and traumatic experiences. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with abuse, emotional trauma, or in need of support, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted professional or helpline. In Canada, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, and in the U.S., the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

In this deeply emotional episode of Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with Brittany Capalingo to explore the profound impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on her marriage, family, and personal journey. Brittany shares the harrowing story of her husband’s motorcycle accident, the challenges of caregiving, and the compounded grief of losing their son in a car accident.

She courageously discusses the abuse she faced post-injury, the isolation she experienced, and the difficult decision to leave for her safety and that of her children. Through her story, Brittany highlights the emotional, psychological, and practical complexities of being a TBI caregiver, offering a powerful message of resilience, self-preservation, and the importance of seeking support.

This episode is a must-listen for caregivers, TBI wives, and anyone navigating trauma and life-altering family events. Brittany’s journey is a testament to the strength it takes to overcome unimaginable challenges and reclaim hope and healing.

Join the community at Reclaim to gain support and tools

In this informative episode of Real Lives of TBI Wives, host Erika Brouillette sits down with Jacqui Taylor Hayward, an experienced accountant, to provide practical guidance on navigating the complexities of Canadian disability benefits for families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Jacqui shares her expertise in taxes, insurance, and government programs, giving listeners actionable advice to better manage financial responsibilities while supporting their loved ones.

Together, Erika and Jacqui break down personal tax benefits, different types of insurance (disability vs. medical), and essential government programs such as the disability tax credit and CPP disability. Jacqui highlights common challenges and potential pitfalls, offering TBI wives clarity and confidence in leveraging the resources available to them. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the financial landscape in Canada and ensure their family is supported while navigating the journey of caregiving.