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Brain Friends
Brain Friends: The Podcast is a global space for stroke, science, and equity. Hosted by Angie Cauthorn — two-time stroke survivor and unapologetic aphasia advocate — this show unpacks the cognitive, behavioral and communication disorders that follow stroke, and the systems that shape recovery.
This podcast began with my friend and co-host, Dr. D. Seles Gadson — a brilliant neuroscientist, speech-language pathologist, and fearless champion for equity in healthcare. Her work focused on health disparities in aphasia care, particularly within the Black community, and she believed deeply in making science accessible for all. I carry her legacy forward in every conversation.
There are no survivor interviews here. Instead, we focus on the research, the roadblocks, and the real work of making neurorehabilitation more equitable, inclusive, and understood — especially for people with aphasia.
Our listeners span over 80 countries and include speech-language pathology professionals, researchers, and people with aphasia who want more than inspiration — they want information that matters.
If you're here to rethink recovery, reimagine access, and stay grounded in the science — you're in the right place.
Welcome to Brain Friends.
Brain Friends
Aphasia Conference
In this episode of Brain Friends, we recap the events from the 1st annual Aphasia Awareness Conference in Philadelphia, PA. Angie had an idea and in conjunction with Temple University put on a conference for survivors with aphasia and caregivers. Dr. Seles was the keynote speaker. Listen to our highlights of the "perfect day".
Angie recaps the informative day with 160 people in attendance, the Sounds of Joy Choir, food, vendors, and a message for people with aphasia to keep thriving. She shares her definition of aphasia being an "invisible disability" and the importance of asking the client what they want to do in therapy.
Dr. Seles shares highlights from the keynote talk and the importance of neuroplasticity for aphasia recovery. She discusses the reasons people with aphasia should consider participating in research.
We clarify the myth that "insurance companies aren't interested" in patient-reported outcomes. Together we can spread aphasia awareness by getting the word out and sharing resources!
www.aphasiaadvocates.com for Brain Friends Merch
https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seles
https://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/
Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgotten. We are committed to honoring her memory by continuing to push our field forward and fight for equitable services for all people with aphasia.
