In this episode of Truly Universal, hosts Chris and Eric welcome Will and Joey into the studio for a conversation about recovery, recreation, and life inside the Universal Institute community.

Will, a recreational therapist, explains how games and activities can become powerful therapy tools for people recovering from traumatic brain injuries.

From music trivia and Wheel of Fortune to tabletop games and decision-making exercises, the goal is simple: fun with a purpose.

Joey shares his experience as a client at Universal and how activities like card games and group sessions help strengthen memory, communication, and confidence.

Together, the group talks about:

• How recreational therapy supports brain injury recovery
• Turning games into cognitive and memory exercises
• The importance of engagement and community in rehabilitation
• Joey’s experience participating in therapy at Universal Institute

The conversation also takes a few fun detours into wrestling rivalries, favorite pizza toppings, ice cream flavors, and the eternal debate between Taylor Ham and pork roll.

Because recovery after a brain injury isn’t just about therapy, it’s about connection, laughter, and continuing to live life.

Recorded and produced at Universal Institute in Livingston, NJ.

What does recovery really look like after a traumatic brain injury?

In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Tiffany, Director of Cognitive and Vocational Therapy at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey.

Tiffany shares her journey from studying psychology and cognitive neuroscience to leading two of the institute’s most impactful programs. She explains how cognitive therapy helps rebuild thinking skills after brain injury, including attention, memory, communication, and real-world decision making.

The conversation explores:

• What cognitive therapy looks like after a TBI
• Why engagement and meaningful activities are critical to recovery
• How vocational programs help clients build real work skills
• The emotional and human side of brain injury rehabilitation
• Why helping people rediscover purpose is the most fulfilling part of the work

Along the way, Chris, Eric, and Tiffany talk about resilience, community, life after trauma, and the importance of creating programs that give clients real opportunities—not just busy work.

This episode offers an inside look at how rehabilitation programs help people rebuild confidence, independence, and identity after brain injury.

🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute in Livingston, New Jersey

In this episode of Truly Universal: Life After TBI, hosts Chris and Eric sit down with Noah, Lead Vocational Specialist at Universal Institute in New Jersey, to talk about real-world employment, purpose, and independence after TBI.

Noah breaks down how vocational rehabilitation works inside a TBI day program — from paid client jobs and skill trials to building confidence through responsibility. The conversation highlights Winston’s Café, a client-run coffee program where individuals with traumatic brain injuries work as baristas, cash handlers, delivery staff, and menu planners.

This episode explores:

• How vocational rehab helps adults with TBI return to meaningful work
• Why getting paid matters for confidence and identity
• How client-run programs like Winston’s Café build real-life job skills
• The role of community employment after brain injury
• Why progress after TBI takes time — and why that’s okay

This is not a clinical lecture or inspirational hype. It’s an honest conversation about life after brain injury, the power of purpose, and what recovery looks like when people are trusted to contribute.

🎧 Recorded at Universal Institute, Livingston, NJ
🎙️ Featuring staff, clients, and lived experience