Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury
Brain or Shine is a podcast dedicated to supporting brain injury survivors and their families, friends, and work colleagues. Hosts Mark and Jules Kennedy share their personal story after Mark's holiday accident caused a brain injury that changed their lives. From both perspectives—Mark as the survivor and Jules as the carer—they offer tips and insights into living with the long-term effects of a traumatic injury. The show aims to create a community that helps others understand and cope with life after brain injury.
Episodes
58. Recognising Mental Health Following a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark for this latest episode to find out how to recognise and look after your mental health following a brain injury.Whether you're the survivor of a brain injury, a partner or a family member, prioritising your mental health is extremely important.Brain injury can bring on lots of challenges, including anger, irritability and low mood, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder
57. How to Reduce Stress Following a Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark explore ways to reduce stress and manage anger following a brain injury.April is Stress Awareness Month but we always feel that creating calm in your life is something that you should practice all year round.Someone recently said, 'I wish the world would slow down a little!'. If we can find ways to slow our lives down and introduce a little extra calm
56. Brain Injury Awareness Month & The Hidden Disabilities
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark recognise Brain Injury Awareness Month and talk more about the hidden side effects that have a devastating impact on the lives of those affected.Having a month dedicated to recognising brain injury is all very good but survivors and their families, friends and work colleagues are affected all year round. Daily struggles are linked to fatigue, memory loss and
55. Trying to Stay Focused After a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark and they chat about some strategies on how to maintain focus following a brain injury.We know all too well that trying to concentrate is one of the biggest challenges for brain injury survivors. Their attention can be all over the place and they can be easily distracted by a number of things, including noise, clutter and movement. This is known as attention drift.Understanding
54. Pacing Yourself and Being Patient
At the time of launching this episode, a new year has just begun and after a major event like Christmas, things can feel a little flat. Jules and Mark explore ways to ease into the new year and set some simple intentions and goals.January can also be a difficult month as winter seems as if it's been around for too long and the dark, cold nights seem to have lost any appeal that they may have h
53. Stay Calm Over the Festive Period
Christmas is just around the corner and, in this episode, Jules and Mark explore ways to make this busy period a little easier and more relaxing.'Tis the season to be jolly', as the saying goes! How do you feel at this time of year? For some it is a wonderful and supposed to be all festive, jolly, sparkling lights and parties, but with a brain injury it can be difficult. There's the pl
52. The Difference Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Acquired Brain Injury
In this episode, Jules and Mark talk about the differences between traumatic brain injuries and acquired brain injuries and how the level of severity may have bigger impacts on a survivor and their families.Just under one million people attend Accident & Emergency with a head injury in the UK alone, and it's estimated that around 1.3 million people are living with a TBI. If you add in ABIs
51. Role Changes Following a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as they discuss how roles in a relationship, at home and work, can change following a brain injury.From managing the finances to doing the shopping or driving to preparing meals, a brain injury survivor may struggle to carry out tasks they once did without much effort or even a passing thought.Role changes are common but they can put extra pressure on relationships and also lea
50. How a Brain Injury Changed Our Lives
Welcome! Here is a recording of our September 2025 Webinar.It's quite normal to assume that once a brain injury survivor comes home from hospital, everything will get back to normal, but more often than not, the effects can become more noticeable and problematic once they are home.The partner usually is the one who notices these first, and informing the survivor can be difficult, mostly becaus
49. How Brain Injury Can Impact Your Relationships
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark share some insights into how a brain injury can impact relationships and home life.Jules said, 'Sadly, us partners can be hugely affected when a brain injury is sustained and it’s terribly frightening when they are in hospital and you’re not sure what’s going on.Unfortunately, most of what we have learned about the recovery process and the hidden disabili
48. Cognitive Difficulties Following a Brain Injury | August 2025 Webinar
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark introduce a new fuction on this podcast and share a recording of the August 2025 webinar talking about day-to-day challenges within the brain injury community.Processing is how we take in, make sense of, and respond to information. After a brain injury, damage to nerve cells can slow or disrupt this, making even everyday tasks difficult. This can affect:Under
47. Using Executive Functions After Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark in this latest episode as they talk about the challenges using executive functions following a brain injury.Executive functions include using your reasoning skills, problem-solving and control over emotional impulses. This can also have a huge impact on your motivation, ability to plan and organise things as well as carrying out simple steps and, of course, your memory.Also, Br
46. The Simple Things Aren't So Simple Following Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark chat about some of the things that are no longer as straightforward following Mark's brain injury.It's not always the big things that hidden disabilities affect, it's day-to-day things like shopping, both in store and online, driving short distances and even making a smoothie. These affect both the survivor and their family and friends, sadly. Rec
45. I Can't Remember - Memory Issues Following Brain Injury
Short-term memory issues are a challenge that Jules and Mark experience on a daily basis following Mark's brain injury. Here, they share tools and tips to help ease some of the frustrations it causes through your dya-to-day life.Sometimes, it can be the little things forgotten that can cause the biggest frustrations too. It's not always about a major event or task, but small conversations or proce
44. How to Manage and Control Emotions
Join Jules and Mark as they share tools on how they get a grip on unpredictable emotions following brain injury.In the previous episode, the theme was around challenging negative thoughts. We're going to take this a step further by using the judge and jury technique in order to remove some unnecessary worry and anxiety.Over 90% of the negative things we worry about don't actually happen. If we can
43. Challenging Negative Thoughts Following Brain Injury
Positive mindsets have been key to Jules and Mark in the world of brain injury. Find out how they challenge negative thoughts and focus on how to overcome daily challenges.Emotions can be seriously affected following a brain injury and it can be all too easy to feel hopeless, helpless and useless.The language you use can become negative with phrases like, 'I'm not very good', 'I
42. How to Calm Anxiety Following a Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the effects a brain injury has on emotions and share some tools on how to calm them and manage anxiety.Sadly, following any form of brain injury, a survivor may experience some changes to their emotional processing and responses. The mood can go from calm to angry, anxious, upset, frustrated or helpless, just like that.By taking a moment to stop an
41. Setting Boundaries Following a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as they share how setting boundaries has been a game changer in the day-to-day living with brain injury.There are two types of boundaries: those you set with others and those you set with yourself.By helping others to understand your limitations means that they have a better chance of accepting that you're unable to do everything or that you may need to leave the room for a res
40. Personal Health & Well-being Tools After Brain Injury
In this episode, Jules and Mark talk about the importance of working on personal health and well-being following Mark's brain injury.This is paramount whether you have a brain injury or are the carer of a survivor. The main key components are self-care are sleep, hydration, exercise and diet. By following a simple acronym, SHED, can help you to function and live well following a brain injury.Visit
39. Behavioural and Speech Difficulties Following Brain Injury
In this episode, Jules and Mark share their lived experiences of how behavioural and speech difficulties have challenged them following Mark's brain injury.Emotions and behaviours are closely linked and, sometimes, after sustaining a brain injury, these can be hard to control.Aphasia is one of the many conditions that affects speech and is prevalent among brain injury survivors. This can also
38. Cognitive and Emotional Difficulties After Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as they share lived experiences around the cognitive and emotional difficulties they've experienced following Mark's brain injury.Cognition refers to the mental processes that take place in our brains and allow us to think and learn. After a BI, these could be seriously impacted and cause an individual to struggle to remember what they've already learnt and progress
37. Relationships After a Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the effects a brain injury can have on relationships.Navigating life after a brain injury isn’t just a challenge for the individual... it affects the whole family! That ripple effect also extends to friends, work colleagues and, in Jules and Mark's case, people they met through their business.By gaining an understanding of the hidden disabiliti
36. Living With Hidden Disabilities Together Following Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the benefits of tackling the hidden disabilities of a brain injury together.There are many long-term after-effects of a brain injury, which include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), memory issues, cognitive impairments, headaches, migraines, problems with speech, spatial awareness, emotions and, the biggest of all, pathological fatigue. By und
35. The Ps For Managing Fatigue After Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark to discover how they implemented some simple techniques to help manage fatigue following brain injury. The last episode talked about the dreaded F word - fatigue! There simply can't be enough tools in order to help live with this chronic side effect that affects the lives of so many brain injury survivors and their families.Planning and pacing will help to structure your days a
34. The F-word - Fatigue After Brain Injury
The dreaded F word - fatigue! In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the affects of fatigue and share how much they've progressed in the last year by getting more understanding from the brain injury community.Fatigue isn't going to go away but there are ways to learn to live with it. By gaining more knowledge and experience can help to understand the potential effects it can have on the
33. Taking Your Hidden Disabilities to Work
Going back to work following a brain injury can be a big challenge and, in this episode, Jules and Mark talk about the potential effects of hidden disabilities and possible solutions.
This is something that really affected Mark immediately after his accident. He and Jules had to refucus their business and explore what adjustments to put in place.
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32. Brain Injury Hidden Disabilities and the Workplace
In this episode, Jules and Mark touch a little more on hidden disabilities and how they can affect someone's performance in the workplace following a brain injury.
Concentration, memory issues and fatigue can seriously affect a brain injury.
Mark certainly experienced this when returning to work in a busy environment and having to drive long journeys. He had to look at adjustments to be able to mo
31. To Party or Not With a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as 2024 comes to a close and ask yourself, 'Should I party or not with a brain injury?'.
In recent episodes, we talked a lot about the busy festive period and the stress, anxiety and fatigue this can load onto someone with a brain injury. We're now on the final stretch with the new year's celebrations.
It might be time to go to the party or perhaps you just need some quiet time
30. Coping On Christmas Day With a Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark who share some tips on how they've minimise potential anxiety and stress on Christmas Day.
In the past episode, we looked at the build up to the festive period but gatherings can be extremely tiring for brain injury survivors and their families. This can lead to increased anxiety levels, fatigue and memory loss.
With a little planning, a few ground rules and keeping it simple,
29. Coping With The Build-up to the Festive Period
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about how to enjoy the build-up to the festive period and manage it with a brain injury.
As we enter December (at the time of recording), this time of year can be extremely stressful for both brain injury survivors and their families.
This can heighten anxiety levels, which increases fatigue and memory loss, that's without the possibility of emotions run
28. What to Tell Your Brain Following a Brain Injury
In this episode, Jules and Mark explore how powerful words and commands are to your brain and how positive language and growth mindsets can help with acceptance after a brain injury.
Words are very persuasive and your brain will obey the most powerful commands that you give it. For example, if you say, 'I can't do that', then your brain will believe you and stop looking for solutions.
Your brain i
27. Understanding & Accepting Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as they explore ways of understanding and accepting the changes a brain injury has on life.
One small moment can have a huge impact on the whole of the lives of, not only the survivor but those around them.
Some side effects will never go away, and no matter how much a survivor fights them, they will have to understand that they need to adapt to live with them. Of course, this
26. Seeking Support Following Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the importance of a support network following a brain injury.
A brain injury can leave someone with non-physical side effects, and these can easily be missed by not only the survivor but their family and friends. The assumption can be that once someone has been discharged from hospital, they're OK, and life returns to as it was.
It's important to s
25. Awareness (or Lack of It) Following Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark as they talk about how they struggled to understand the changes to their lives following Mark's brain injury. This was due to a lack of awareness of the hidden side effects of this condition.
A brain injury changes one’s perception of the world, but that person may not be aware of the changes. They could appear selfish for example, but remember, they’ve been through a terrible
24. The Cycle of Emotions Following Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark explore the cycle of emotions that can be present following a brain injury.
Survivors can experience the following: sadness, grief, anger, depression, frustration, apathy and having issues with empathy. In fact, the list could go on and it can be difficult to control emotions, they can become very unpredictable and change very quickly.
There are many tools t
23. Decision Making & Planning Following Brain Injury
Join Jules and Mark in this latest episode as they talk about the challenges they've faced with making decisions and planning, following Mark's brain injury.
By taking some time to stop and gather the facts, this could be key to making the right decision instead of trying to act on the spot.
Using diaries, calenders and planning tools are also useful to relieve stress and anxiety in those
22. Brain or Shine One Year On
It's been a year since Brain or Shine first posted on their social media platform so, that sounds like an anniversary.
Join the founders, Jules and Mark, who reflect on the first 12 months and look ahead to plans for the next year.
Brain or Shine has published over 20 podcast episodes and blog entries and sent out numerous weekly newsletters, connecting with thousands of people affected by bra
21. Information Processing Following Brain Injury
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark take a look at how the brain processes information and how a brain injury could affect this.
Many advertisements for technology tend to focus on the speed of processing information. For example, a new mobile phone, laptop, tablet or even superfast broadband.
Our brains are faster than any computer on the planet but, like technology, glitches can slow down the
20. The Structure of the Brain
Join Jules and Mark as they discover some fascinating facts and knowledge about the brain.
It's a complex organ with many functions, and a better understanding of it can help us deal with the effects of a brain injury.
An injury to certain lobes can have a devastating impact on a person's life so, let's explore some simple and common themes.
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19. Driving, Travel, Work and Home Functions
Returning to work following a brain injury can be a huge challenge for many survivors. The workplace can suddenly become a more demanding and over-stimulating environment. The daily commute can be just as difficult, especially if you're allowed to drive again. And, when you're not at work, there are also many tasks assigned to keeping a home.
In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk abo
18. Day to Day Functioning Following Brain Injury
Even the simplest of things are often more difficult following a brain injury. Firstly, there's remembering to remember! This means plans and intentions for long enough to act upon them.
Join Jules and Mark, as they talk about some of the common challenges including forgetting appointments or losing track of time. Also, trying to remember dates, taking the right medicines or finding items like
17. Managing Emotions Following Brain Injury
Often after suffering a brain injury, it can be difficult to control one's emotions, and they can change very quickly or seem exaggerated.
Of course, survivors can feel some or all of these emotions at various times: depression, sadness, anxiety, frustration, anger, a sense of loss, apathy, stress, or issues with empathy.
Join Jules and Mark, who share some of the challenges they faced followi
16. Creating Growth Mindsets Following Brain Injury
After a brain injury, it can feel as if life has let you down and you don't feel the same person anymore. This can lead to negative thoughts and limiting beliefs, which can be damaging to your recovery.
Join Jules and Mark, who have been teaching the importance of creating growth mindsets at the Future Toolbox for many years. It's about believing that you can grow and change and become the
15. The Right People Will Stay
We can only go so far in educating family, friends and work colleagues about the hidden side effects that a brain injury may present. Hidden disabilities include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders.
Join Jules and Mark as they talk about how they've had to explain and educate family and friends on these topics that have a profound effect on their daily lives.
One thing
14. Coping With Hidden Disabilities
Hidden disabilities are just that! Hidden! They include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders.
Join Jules and Mark as they share their lived experience on the challenges they've faced, not only coping with these but also having to explain and educate family and friends on these topics that have a profound effect on their daily lives.
Mark is a high-functioning brain inju
13. Setting Goals Around Brain Injury
Setting goals and celebrating your small wins along the way, is key to living life on your own terms.
Join us, Jules and Mark, as we share some of our expertise on goal setting and the importance of this following a brain injury.
Goals don't have to be huge. Small ones will help to keep a positive mindset and make you feel good about yourself. If you do set a big goal, break it down into small
12. Living Well With Brain Injury
Join us, Jules and Mark, as we share our take on how to live well with a brain injury and live life on your own terms.
The key is to identify the challenges that hold you back and make necessary adjustments. Focus on what you can do instead of what you can't.
The more you can get to know yourself the more you start to move forward and begin living your life with brain injury.
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11. Postive Personal Development Following Brain Injury
Whether you've had a brain injury or not, personal development is something that we should all be practising.
So, what is personal development? Personal is about you and development is learning and taking steps forward in the right direction.
After a brain injury, you may be making lots of adjustments to life against what it was before and need to learn new coping skills and tools that you did
10. Self-care Secrets
Self-care is about looking after yourself both physically and mentally. It's essential to take time every day to make sure you make time for yourself.
In this latest episode, we explore the self-care secrets that focus on sleep patterns, eating a balanced diet, getting some exercise and practising mindfulness.
Once you've had a listen, be sure to download our free self-care tracker to help
9. Tools for Managing Fatigue (Pt2)
In the last episode, we talked about ways to help manage fatigue for those affected by brain injury. Join us this time for part two where we share some more tools that have helped us and people we've met in the brain injury community.
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury. This is something that affects the lives of survivors daily and impacts family and friends, too
8. Tools for Managing Fatigue (Pt1)
In the past few podcasts, we've focused a lot on fatigue, which is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury. This is something that affects the lives of survivors daily and impacts family and friends, too.
In the last episode, we talked about triggers for fatigue that Mark experienced that are common within the brain injury community.
This time, we'll look at ways to help man
7. Recognising Fatigue & the Triggers
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury and something that affects our lives on a daily basis. It can be from a minor spate of yawning in the middle of a conversation to a full-blown wipeout of all human functions, and, worst of all, it can hit at any point.
In this episode, we'll be discussing common triggers for fatigue that Mark experienced and are common within the
6. Tired v Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury and something that affects our lives on a daily basis. It can be from a minor spate of yawning in the middle of a conversation to a full-blown wipeout of all human functions, and, worst of all, it can hit at any point.
In this episode, find out how we understood fatigue and what the fatigue battery is. In future podcasts, we'll b
5. Attention Difficulties, Mobility and Grief
Do you struggle to concentrate during conversations after suffering a traumatic brain injury? Are you tripping over more often? Do you wallow and long for the life you used to have?
In this episode, we will discuss these three common side effects of brain injuries: attention/concentration difficulties, lack of coordination/mobility, and grief (wanting the old you back). We’ll explain what these s
4. OCD, Noise Sensitivity and Avoidance/Isolation: Common Side Effects of Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can have a wide range of effects on an individual's life, including various cognitive, emotional, and sensory challenges.
In this episode, we’ll discuss three common side effects of ABIs: OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), noise sensitivity, and avoidance/isolation.
Visit our website, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools.
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3. Low Mood, Anxiety and Frustration/Anger: Common Side Effects of Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can have a profound impact on mental health and emotional well-being. People who have experienced TBIs often face various psychological challenges, including low mood, anxiety, and frustration/anger.
In this episode, let’s dive into these common side effects, explaining what they are, and how to recognise if you have them.
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2. Memory Loss, Slurred Speech & Fatigue: Common Side Effects of Brain Injury
Unfortunately, there are many side effects to brain injuries. Some are obvious, some are not. Some might start straight away; some might creep up on you over time.
In this episode, we’ll discuss three common side effects of acquired brain injuries: memory loss, slurred speech, and fatigue. These have all had significant impacts on our lives and here we’ll explain what these side effects are and h
1. Meet The Brains Behind Brain or Shine
Welcome to the first episode of the Brain or Shine podcast.
Meet Mark and Jules, who are here to help people navigate life following a brain injury.
Mark suffered a traumatic brain injury in a freak accident whilst on holiday. Despite being told over 95% don't survive this level of injury, he made an excellent physical recovery and was signed off eight weeks later. However, nothing prepared hi
Welcome to Brain or Shine
Welcome to “Brain or Shine”, where we give an insight into living with a brain injury.
We are Mark and Jules and, every day, we live with the side effects of brain injury. In 2012, Mark suffered a brain injury in a freak fall whilst on holiday. Although recovering physically, nothing prepared us for the mental side effects this injury would cause.
Where did the title Brain or Shine come from? Wel
