In this mini episode, Erin and Amanda invite the two people at the heart of NeuroMoms Collective, Dallas and Mackenzie, to share why they support the work being done through the podcast and nonprofit. They talk openly about giving permission to tell their family's story, why honest conversations about brain injury matter, and how sharing their hardest moments might help someone else feel less alone. Dallas reflects on finding purpose after surviving a brain injury, while Mackenzie explains why she believes caregivers need a community like this. Together, they remind us that healing is personal, but hope grows when we share our stories.

In this powerful first part of our conversation, Annalisa shares her journey through a rare and life-altering neurological illness that began with subtle symptoms few people recognized. What started as occasional confusion and unexplained episodes gradually escalated into seizures, a stroke, and a maze of specialist appointments that left her family searching for answers.

Joined by her daughter Marina, Annalisa reflects on living through a medical crisis she can only partially remember, while Marina helps piece together the moments that changed their lives forever. Together, they discuss the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis, navigating rural healthcare systems, and confronting the reality that recovery would be far more complicated than anyone expected.

This episode is an honest look at uncertainty, resilience, and the profound ways a brain injury can reshape a family's future. Part 1 of a two-part conversation.

In the final installment of this heartfelt and hilarious conversation with therapist and podcast host Megan Campbell, the conversation turns toward identity, self-esteem, grief, and what healing can look like after brain injury. Erin and Amanda reflect on the painful tendency to search for the "missing chapters" of the lives their children once had, while Megan offers a gentler perspective: maybe the story isn't over; maybe it's just different now. Together, they explore realistic hope, rebuilding confidence after neurotrauma, and how caregivers can support growth without denying loss. Amid laughter, tech chaos, spoon theory, and deeply emotional moments, the episode serves as a reminder that joy, meaning, and connection can still exist alongside grief. Honest, funny, vulnerable, and full of glimmers, this conversation closes the series with tenderness and hope.

Episode 1 of this conversation with Megan Campbell is a little chaotic, wildly honest, unexpectedly funny, and somehow exactly the kind of conversation caregivers need. Megan: therapist, LCPC, art therapist, and host of the podcast I Have Shit to Say, joins Erin and Amanda to talk about grief, relationships, identity shifts, and the emotional realities of TBI recovery.

What unfolds is equal parts irreverent humor and raw truth as the conversation explores how brain injury reshapes friendships, family dynamics, romance, and caregiving itself. Megan brings both professional insight and personal connection through her relationship with Amanda's daughter, MacKenzie, creating a space that feels deeply safe, candid, and real.

This episode dives into disenfranchised grief, overprotective parenting, rebuilding connection after trauma, and the impossible balancing act caregivers face while trying to support survivors without unintentionally limiting them. It's messy in the best way, full of laughter, swearing, vulnerability, and moments that feel like sitting in a room with people who truly get it.

Irreverent. Honest. Helpful. Raw.
And for us.... a needed reminder that joy and absurdity can still exist alongside grief. Stick with us.

PS: you wouldn't believe how many hours and dollars were spent trying to sync the video and audio. We almost released it only as an audio... but the body language is so funny that we're also posting the video... even though it's out of sync. Because. of course it is. (And seriously, don't come at us... this file was so corrupted that this is a victory!)

In this continuation of Dallas's story, we shift from survival to connection as he and his girlfriend Marina share how they met and built a relationship after his traumatic brain injury. Their story begins at a brain injury retreat and unfolds into a grounded, honest look at dating, communication, and finding love in a new version of life. Marina offers a thoughtful perspective as both a nurse practitioner and partner, emphasizing patience, curiosity, and seeing the whole person beyond their injury.

Together, they explore what it means to build a relationship without falling into caregiver roles, setting boundaries while still supporting each other's growth. Dallas reflects on the importance of getting out into the world, forming real-life connections, and staying open to possibility, even when it feels uncertain. The conversation is filled with warmth, humor, and the small, meaningful moments that signal healing is still happening.

At its core, this episode is about love that meets you where you are, the courage to keep showing up, and the quiet, powerful ways connection can move recovery forward.

In Part 2 of this deeply personal conversation, Dallas shares the emotional and physical realities of his traumatic brain injury recovery, including the severe depression and suicidal ideation that followed his initial progress. His journey takes listeners through a complicated series of hospitalizations across the country, culminating in a life-threatening setback in 2024 when undiagnosed obstructive hydrocephalus caused intense pain, confusion, and seizures. After weeks of misdiagnoses, Dallas finally received critical care at Oregon Health & Science University, where advanced imaging revealed the true cause and led to urgent surgery.

Throughout his recovery, moments of connection and "glimmers" of light offered emotional lifelines amid fear and uncertainty. Dallas speaks candidly about what kept him going during his darkest moments. The episode also explores the complex role of caregiving, the power of humor and joy in survival, and the importance of mental health support.

Despite that devastating setback, Dallas continues to rebuild his life with resilience, purpose, and hope, now driven to support other veterans and survivors navigating similar paths. This episode is a raw and honest look at survival, love, and the determination to keep going...even when the road resets to zero.

This episode of Lights On features a deeply personal and powerful conversation as Erin and Amanda are joined by Erin's son, Dallas, whose story inspired Erin to connect with Amanda to create NeuroMoms Collective. Dallas shares his experience of surviving a catastrophic AVM rupture in 2022 while on active duty, leading to multiple brain surgeries, a coma, and significant physical and cognitive challenges, including aphasia and paralysis. Erin recounts the intense, often harrowing journey through multiple hospitals, advocating for his care, and ultimately securing life-saving treatment with a specialized neurosurgical team. The episode intentionally preserves the natural pace of Dallas's speech to authentically reflect life with aphasia and to foster deeper understanding and empathy.

Together, they explore not only the medical trauma but also the emotional toll, including Dallas's struggles with depression and suicidal ideation during recovery. The conversation highlights the critical role of community, resilience, and relentless advocacy in navigating complex healthcare systems. Despite unimaginable setbacks, Dallas's story is one of perseverance and evolving hope. The episode closes on a turning point, setting up a continuation where his journey takes another unexpected and challenging turn.