Traumatic Brain Injury: Living and Healing (Remix)

Episode 92: Traumatic brain injuries, often called TBIs, can happen in an instant — through a fall, car or bike accident, assault, sports injury, or everyday mishap — yet their effects often unfold over weeks, months, or even years. This episode of State of Mind explores how brain injury can affect mental health, identity, relationships, and daily life. Host Debra Sloss speaks with JoAnne Jones, author of Headstrong: Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury, about the severe brain injury she sustained after a violent assault at age 62. JoAnne shares her experience of surviving, adapting, and finding meaning after a life-changing trauma with lasting physical and psychological impacts. Also joining the conversation is Dr. Jennifer Yu, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with advanced training in Brain Injury Medicine. Dr. Yu explains the wide spectrum of brain injuries, from mild concussions to severe trauma, and how TBI can affect mood, memory, concentration, sleep and emotional regulation. She also discusses treatment, rehabilitation, and symptoms that may appear long after the injury. The episode includes an “In Your Voice” story from community member Jinx Deruisa, who shares her experience of living with the lasting effects of a traumatic brain injury and the difficulty of having symptoms dismissed or misunderstood. Together, these stories offer a deep look at the mental health impacts of brain injury and the importance of recognition, treatment, and support throughout recovery.  Broadcasts 7/5/26 & 7/13/26 Producer & Host: Debra Sloss, LMFT Guests: JoAnne Joans, Jennifer Yu, MD Contributors: Jinx Deruisa 🎧  LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Never miss an episode! Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Amazon Music  / YouTube Podcasts / Pandora  / TuneIn Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review to help others discover us.  📚 ACCESSIBILITY             Transcription. Read the full English transcript of this episode here:             English Transcription – Episode 92: Traumatic Brain Injury Remix             Closed Captions. Prefer to watch with captions?             View/Listen on YouTube and turn on the closed captioning feature in the settings. 🤝 ENGAGE WITH US Join Our Email List Want to know our topic each month? Sign up here.  Suggest a Topic or Share a Story Do you have a story or topic idea? Email: debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org Follow Us Facebook & Instagram: @stateofmind.radioandpodcast 🎙️ SHARE YOUR STORY Record your 1–3 minute message about a personal mental health experience or recovery resource for an “In Your Voice” segment. Call: 831-824-4324, Or record on your phone and email to debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org. ❤️SUPPORT OR UNDERWRITE Love State of Mind and KSQD? Become a supporter or underwrite the show to reach a thoughtful audience. Learn more at KSQD. 🧠ABOUT STATE OF MIND State of Mind is an all-volunteer produced mental health and wellness podcast and radio show hosted by psychotherapist Debra Sloss. Through intimate, story-rich conversations with guests and experts, we explore the complexity of being human and how to live well. Learn more at stateofmindmedia.org. Produced with support from KSQD Community Radio. 🙏 SPECIAL THANKS Audio Production: Jeanne Baldzikowski &  Austin Gautreau Community Coordination: Evelyn Campbell Story Coaching: Patrice Vecchione Research: Melony Dominguez & Sara Isenberg Transcriptions:  Niharika Naik Graphic Design: Priscilla Yee , Joanne Quan & Grishma Jain Data Management: Loan Tran Theme Music: Adrian Legg & Favored Nations Entertainment RESOURCES * Indicates a Monterey Bay Area Resource Organizations & Websites Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) — National organization offering brain injury information, education, advocacy, and resources for survivors, families/caregivers, and professionals. Brain Injury Association of California – California-specific brain injury resource offering information, advocacy, education, support, and referrals for pe