Mark And Jules Kennedy - Brain Or Shine

Shows

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury45. I Can't Remember - Memory Issues Following Brain InjuryShort-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 processes on a daily basis.Using tools like mobile phone reminders, notes and keeping things in the same places are just some ideas to help you remember things that...2025-07-1612 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury43. Challenging Negative Thoughts Following Brain InjuryPositive 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'm a failure' or 'I can't do that any more'.The more we say negative things, the more our minds will believe that those statements are true.2025-06-1812 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury42. How to Calm Anxiety Following a Brain InjuryIn 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 and assess the situation and recognise the triggers, this will help to manage those emotions and prevent things like high anxiety.2025-06-0411 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury41. Setting Boundaries Following a Brain InjuryJoin 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 rest from time to time.Likewise, setting boundaries with your own daily and weekly tasks and events helps to avoid pushing...2025-05-2010 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury39. Behavioural and Speech Difficulties Following Brain InjuryIn 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 lead to frustration, anger and loss of confidence, which in turn can affect emotions. It can be a never-ending loop.By gaining an understanding and acceptance, it can really help survivors...2025-04-2314 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury38. Cognitive and Emotional Difficulties After Brain InjuryJoin 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 with new skills moving forward.Likewise, this can also play havoc with emotions and lead to low mood, sadness and depression.There is good news though. It is possible for individuals...2025-04-0915 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury36. Living With Hidden Disabilities Together Following Brain InjuryIn 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 understanding these as a family or within your friendship and work circles will help everyone to move forward with coping mechanisms together.It took Jules and Mark a long time to really understand hidden disabilities, and once...2025-03-1012 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury35. The Ps For Managing Fatigue After Brain InjuryJoin 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 ahead. That will hopefully remove some of the pain, as long as you rest and don't push through and avoid procrastination too!...2025-02-2612 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury34. The F-word - Fatigue After Brain InjuryThe 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 survivor and their families.Don't forget to join us in the following episode for part two where we'll explore further tools on how...2025-02-1211 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury31. To Party or Not With a Brain InjuryJoin 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. It's time to listen to your body and mind and take your own advice to find the answer. 2024-12-3010 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury29. Coping With The Build-up to the Festive PeriodIn 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 running riot too. Add in loud music and flashing lights, and the festivities can suddenly feel a little less festive. Listen to our tools and tips...2024-12-0413 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury28. What to Tell Your Brain Following a Brain InjuryIn 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 is still capable of many things so learning something new or relearning to do something is not out of the realms of possibility. 2024-11-2012 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury27. Understanding & Accepting Brain InjuryJoin 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 goes for family members and friends too. If you can first, find ways of understanding the affects...2024-11-0613 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury26. Seeking Support Following Brain InjuryIn 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 seek the right support and to understand brain injury from the early days, which will help to educate your circle on how they can support you. 2024-10-2314 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury25. Awareness (or Lack of It) Following Brain InjuryJoin 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 experience. Showing empathy to someone can be quite hard as it can be difficult to put yourself in the shoes of a person who...2024-10-0913 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury24. The Cycle of Emotions Following Brain InjuryIn 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 to help control emotional reactions and perform a much needed reset. By regulating your breathing and practising mindfulness help. Also, by doing something you enjoy and adding positivity to your life...2024-09-2515 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury22. Brain or Shine One Year OnIt'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 brain injury. Hundreds more also benefit from the peer-to-peer support group on Facebook. A major highlight was seeing the book, What The Hell Just Happened? performed as...2024-08-2810 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury19. Driving, Travel, Work and Home FunctionsReturning 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 about the challenges they've faced when running their business and their travels to and from various locations. Mark has also struggled with seemingly simple, day to day tasks in the home too.2024-07-1712 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury18. Day to Day Functioning Following Brain InjuryEven 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 your keys. One of Mark's biggest challenges is following processes such as recipes or filling in forms. Also, find out about the key to keeping things simple and following a three...2024-07-0315 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury17. Managing Emotions Following Brain InjuryOften 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 following Mark's brain injury. A lack of understanding of anxiety, low mood and depression was a real test, and until they got to grips with managing these emotions, they found it...2024-06-1913 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury16. Creating Growth Mindsets Following Brain InjuryAfter 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 person you want to be, whether that's finding some of the old you or learning new skills and habits. Creating growth mindsets have also...2024-06-0513 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury15. The Right People Will StayWe 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 they've found, the right people will stay with you and these are the ones who you want in your life. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. 2024-05-2213 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury14. Coping With Hidden DisabilitiesHidden 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 injury survivor, so his hidden disabilities are even harder to spot for those around him. Plus, they can also be difficult to accept when they get in the way of life. 2024-05-0715 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury13. Setting Goals Around Brain InjurySetting 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 smaller, bite-sized chunks to make it more manageable and then start to celebrate those small wins. Remember...2024-04-2412 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury12. Living Well With Brain InjuryJoin 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. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @brain_or_shine Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community 2024-04-0212 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury11. Postive Personal Development Following Brain InjuryWhether 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 didn't have in the past. Join us, Jules and Mark in this latest episode as we share how to take small positive steps every day...2024-03-1809 min

The Z to A of LifeR for Reading | The Benefits of a Good BookJoin authors Jules and Mark as they celebrate World Book Day and talk about the self-care benefits of reading a good book. Although 7th March is World Book Day, reading every day can offer so many excellent benefits. It can help improve your literacy, your knowledge, expand your imagination and, most of all, give your brain a good memory workout. Also, find out the simple formula of how to write a book in world record time*. Head over to the Future Toolbox website for more tools, at www.futuretoolbox.co.uk. Why not stop by...2024-03-0418 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury10. Self-care SecretsSelf-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 you put some of these tools into your daily routine. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @brain_or_shine Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Communit 2024-02-2813 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury9. 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. Make sure you listen back to the previous episode to find out how we understood fatigue and what the fatigue battery is. 2024-02-1212 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury8. 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 manage fatigue. Make sure you listen back to the previous episode to find out how we understood fatigue and what the fatigue battery is. 2024-01-3013 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury7. Recognising Fatigue & the TriggersFatigue 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 brain injury community. Also listen back to the previous episode to find out how we understood fatigue and what the fatigue...2024-01-1612 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury6. Tired v FatigueFatigue 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 be looking at common triggers for fatigue and tips on how to manage it. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠, https://brai...2024-01-0410 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury5. Attention Difficulties, Mobility and GriefDo 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 side effects are and how to recognise if you have them. Visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ @brain_or_shine Join...2024-01-0311 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury4. OCD, Noise Sensitivity and Avoidance/Isolation: Common Side Effects of Brain InjuriesTraumatic 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ @brain_or_shine Join our ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Community Subscribe to our ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ channel 2023-12-1310 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury3. Low Mood, Anxiety and Frustration/Anger: Common Side Effects of Brain InjuryTraumatic 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. Visit our ⁠website⁠, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ @brain_or_shine Join our ⁠Facebook⁠ Community Subscribe to our ⁠YouTube⁠ channel 2023-11-2910 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury2. Memory Loss, Slurred Speech & Fatigue: Common Side Effects of Brain InjuryUnfortunately, 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 how to recognise if you have them. Visit our website, https://brainorshine.com/ for more tools. Follow us on Instagram @brain_or_shin...2023-11-1511 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury1. Meet The Brains Behind Brain or ShineWelcome 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 him and Jules for the non-physical side effects of sustaining an injury to your brain could have. As award winning public speakers and authors, find out how...2023-11-0612 min

Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain InjuryWelcome 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? Well, to us a brain injury can be like the wonderful English weather, one minute the sun is shining, the next, it’s raining. It’s so unpredictable and has the...2023-10-2500 min

The Breakthrough Public Speaking PodcastRegaining lost confidenceIn this episode, Mark and Jules Kennedy talk about their journey to recovering their confidence after serious health crises. Mark and Jules Kennedy are two motivational speakers who are the creators of the multi-award-winning Future Toolbox. They are also the authors of Don't get your neck tattooed and What the hell just happened? In this episode they cover the following topics: Mark's accident and the physical and mental health challenges he faced following a brain injury. Jules' journey from being diagnosed with breast cancer to recovering and getting back into a life that wasn't quite the same. How they recovered t...2021-06-1656 min

Book Talk with Claire HarrisKennedy's Finalist Interview 10 Feb 2021I'm talking to Book Talk Radio Club 2020 Awards finalists - Mark & Jules Kennedy - multi award-winning motivational speakers and authors. Have you experienced a challenge in your life that has pushed you to your limit? From brain injury to breast cancer and bereavement What the Hell Just Happened is the compelling, true story of how Mark and Jules Kennedy stayed strong in the face of adversity. At times, they were beaten, battered and broken, their mental health and resilience was tested to the max. Their story will not only make you laugh and cry, it will inspire you to never...2021-02-1022 min

Book Talk with Claire HarrisKennedy's Interview 10 June 2020I'm talking to Mark & Jules Kennedy on Book Talk Radio Club. Mark and Jules are multi award-winning motivational speakers and authors. Have you experienced a challenge in your life that has pushed you to your limit? From brain injury to breast cancer and bereavement What the Hell Just Happened is the compelling, true story of how Mark and Jules Kennedy stayed strong in the face of adversity. At times, they were beaten, battered and broken, their mental health and resilience was tested to the max. Their story will not only make you laugh and cry, it will inspire you to...2020-06-1024 min

Running TalesMark Kennedy: How a brain injury didn't stop one runnerMark Kennedy was enjoying the holiday of a lifetime when he suddenly passed out. He was diagnosed with a brain injury that effects his mood, making him tired and anxious. His doctor said contact sport was out of the question, but he might be able to carry on running. Thankfully he could and Mark remains one of the most popular runners at Northampton parkrun and with Northampton Road Runners. Now he's written a book about his experience - entitled 'What the Hell Just Happened' (the reaction of his wife Jules when she found found him passed out). I talked to...2020-03-2726 min