Invisible Impact: A Post-Concussion Podcast

After a career-ending concussion changed his life, former college football player Giuseppe “Joe” Orsini began a long and challenging journey to find answers, navigate persistent symptoms, and reclaim his quality of life. Now serving as Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at the Concussion & CTE Foundation, Joe sits down with our Chief Strategy & Operations Officer Julia Manning to discuss the pressure athletes face to return to play, the isolation of living with invisible symptoms, and the importance of advocating for yourself when answers are hard to find. This conversation is a powerful reminder that concussion symptoms can be serious even when someone appears fine on the outside. For anyone struggling to find answers or feeling alone in their recovery, Joe offers a message of hope: Just because you haven’t found the answer yet doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. Keep asking questions, seek support, and don’t give up. You are worth it.  👤 About the guest: Giuseppe “Joe” Orsini is a former NFL player personnel professional who serves as Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at the Concussion & CTE Foundation. A Pittsburgh native, Orsini played wide receiver and served as a team captain at Case Western Reserve University, where he also later coached. Most recently, he spent four years with the LA Chargers in scouting and player personnel. Football-related injuries led him to navigate craniocervical instability and post-concussion syndrome (PCS), experiences that shaped his commitment to advocating for others living with these conditions. Today, Joe advances strategic partnerships across sports, military and veteran communities, and research to expand access to support and accelerate understanding of brain injury. His work also seeks to shape a football culture that recognizes the sport’s long-term health effects and prioritizes the well-being of those who play it.  📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

In this episode, our Chief Strategy & Operations Officer Julia Manning sits down with Will Renken, our Community & Volunteer Engagement Specialist, for a conversation about POTS, concussion, persistent symptoms, and the experiences that shaped his path into this work. Will shares what it was like navigating overlapping POTS and post-concussion symptoms after his athletic career was cut short by multiple concussions. He also discusses how those experiences influenced his studies in neuroscience and his passion for supporting the concussion and CTE community. 👤 About the guest: Will Renken is the Community & Volunteer Engagement Specialist at the Concussion & CTE Foundation. He was diagnosed with POTS after a prolonged viral illness in high school and later played varsity water polo at Brown University, where he earned Academic All-American honors three times. In 2018, four concussions over just two years ended his collegiate athletic career. Because Will’s POTS and post-concussion symptoms overlapped so closely, his experience sparked an interest in understanding brain injury and the complexities of recovery. He went on to study neuroscience and conduct brain injury research before joining the Concussion & CTE Foundation. Connect with Will: Instagram: @will.renken  📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Bickart joins our host Julia Manning for a special installment of Invisible Impact. For Concussion Awareness Month, we’re talking all things concussion, PCS/PPCS, recovery, and more. Dr. Bickart is a neurologist and neuroscientist specializing in sport and behavioral neurology at UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT and Neurobehavior Programs. 👤 About the guest:Kevin Bickart is an Assistant Professor in Neurology specializing in sports and behavioral neurology as part of UCLA’s BrainSPORT, Easton, Neurobehavior, and Operation Mend programs. He completed his MD/PhD in anatomy and neurobiology from Boston University School of Medicine, post-doc at Northeastern and Harvard Universities, residency in neurology at Stanford, and dual fellowship in behavioral and sports neurology at UCLA. He is double board certified in Brain Injury Medicine and Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. Dr. Bickart was the first to identify neuroimaging correlates of social network size in humans, among his other findings published in high impact journals, such as Nature Neuroscience and The Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Bickart’s current research focuses on mapping and modulating brain circuits to promote overall brain health and personalized recovery from chronic neurological symptoms. He runs the Bickart Lab, co-hosts The Better Brain Podcast, and directs the student-led Brain Health Project all dedicated to educating bright minds and maintaining a commitment to the community.Connect with Dr. BickartInstagram: @kevinbickart 📞 Need support after a concussion?If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine.Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.💬 Connect with usInstagram: @concussionandcteWebsite: ConcussionAndCTE.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

Julia Donlin's story shows us how full life can be after concussion. Julia was one of the best freshman in the country when she played volleyball for UNC Chapel Hill. After a series of concussions forced her off the court she endured the pain, anxiety, and fear of life with post-concussion syndrome. As she slowly recovered she realized indoor was not the best move for her health. That's when she started playing beach volleyball. She transferred to Hawaii and then USC, where she won a national championship, and now she's on the AVP & FIVB Tour & competes for Team USA!!On this episode of Invisible Impact, Julia gets real about her most difficult days and reminds us healing is possible.Her story is one of faith, resilience, and hope. Listen now!

In September 2019, Noelle Foley suffered a concussion and neck injury after the sudden whiplash of a roller coaster ride. What started as a fun day at an amusement park quickly turned into a years-long battle with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Although she immediately sensed something was wrong, it took nearly a month for her to realize she had sustained a concussion. Noelle is the daughter of Hall of Fame wrestler Mick Foley and grew up seeing concussions happen in the wrestling ring but never imagined one could come from a rollercoaster. “When I think of suffering a concussion, I think of being in a car accident, being punched in the face, getting knocked out, or being thrown off a Hell in a Cell… not riding a rollercoaster.” In this episode of Invisible Impact, host Julia Manning sits down with Noelle to reflect on her six-year recovery journey. Despite debilitating headaches, noise sensitivity, and countless setbacks, Noelle refused to give up. Her story is one of patience, resilience, and determination. By taking what she calls “in-the-womb steps,” she has slowly but steadily reclaimed her life.👤 About the guest: Noelle Foley is an actress, model, and social media influencer who shares lifestyle content while openly documenting her personal health journey. After sustaining a concussion in 2019, she has spoken candidly about living with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), using her platform to raise awareness and remind others facing similar challenges that they are not alone. Connect with Noelle: Instagram: @noellefoley TikTok: @Noelle_FoleyFacebook: @OfficialNoelleFoley 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs. 💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

In this episode, Milly Farrell joins Julia Manning in New Zealand for the first international episode of Invisible Impact. Milly shares her experience navigating life with PCS for the past four years, the challenges of being misunderstood, and what she wishes more people knew.👤 About the guest: Milly is a fitness instructor and former primary school teacher in Auckland, New Zealand who brings a refreshingly honest voice to the conversation around wellness and recovery. After navigating her own experience with PPCS, she now shares her journey openly on social media, highlighting the realities of healing, the importance of balance, and what true self-care really looks like beyond the highlight reel. Connect with Milly: Instagram: @milly_farrell and @millyshealthdiaryTikTok: @milly44440 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

In this episode of Invisible Impact, our host Julia Manning sits down with poet, surfer, and model Kyla Jamieson for an honest and deeply personal conversation about life with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Kyla shares her nearly decade-longjourney navigating recovery, identity, and resilience after concussion. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked factors that can shape concussion recovery or stand in the way, including financial barriers, access to healthcare, and the role of social support. Kyla opens up about the hidden realities of living with an invisible disability, shedding light on challenges that are rarely seen but deeply felt. As she poignantly describes it, living with PPCS can feel like your house is on fire while no one notices. This conversation offers insight into the complexities of concussion recovery and the systemic factors that influence healing. 👤 About the guest: Kyla Jamieson is a Ucluelet-based poet, surfer, and model. She is the author of Body Count (Nightwood Editions). Find her online or in the ocean.  Connect with Kyla: Instagram: @kyla__jamieson  📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion & CTE Foundation offers free resources and support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine. Visit ConcussionAndCTE.org/HelpLine to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionandcte Website: ConcussionAndCTE.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

Hannah Hall grew up with her life mapped out: play soccer, go D1, and keep chasing the sport that defined her. But at age 13, everything changed. What she initially thought was a “mild” concussion spiraled into a decade-long battle with persistent post-concussion symptoms that impacted every part of her life—school, relationships, mental health, and the sport she loved. In this episode of Invisible Impact, Hannah sits down with our host Julia Manning, who has her own history of concussions, to discuss navigating invisible injuries, adapting when life’s curveballs reroute your dreams, and finding purpose beyond the field. 👤 About the guest: Hannah is a former Division I soccer player whose career was cut short by persistent post-concussion symptoms. A lifelong lover of the game, she fulfilled a childhood dream by joining the San Jose State women’s soccer team and tallied her first collegiate assist as a freshman against Cal Poly. After her sophomore year, however, she made the difficult decision to retire. Today, Hannah is thriving in a different corner of the sports world, working for a professional team and staying connected to high-performance environments while prioritizing her long-term brain health. Connect with Hannah: Instagram: hannah_halll  📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation  Website: ConcussionFoundation.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.

On a freezing winter day in Chicago, architecture critic and writer Kate Wagner slipped on the ice — a fall that left her with a concussion and a long, difficult recovery. What followed was a struggle with persistent post-concussion symptoms, heightened anxiety and depression, and difficulty sleeping. In this episode of Invisible Impact, Kate joins CLF’s Julia Manning to share how an unexpected injury forced her to confront questions of identity and purpose when the work that had always defined her suddenly became impossible. 👤 About the guest: Kate Wagner is the architecture critic for The Nation Magazine. She is also a writer and purveyor of the blog and social account McMansion Hell. Kate has struggled mightily since suffering a concussion in January of 2025, which she detailed in an essay which is linked below.  Read Kate’s essay here: https://www.late-review.com/p/the-hairshirt-doldrums  Connect with Kate: Instagram: @KateGWagner & @McMansionHell 📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation  Website: ConcussionFoundation.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury. 

In 2018, professional parkour athlete, free-runner, and Hollywood stuntman Corbin Reinhardt was touring the country with his team when he suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury left him with lasting effects on his speech and memory, sparking a long and difficult journey through persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). In this episode of Invisible Impact, Corbin joins CLF’s Julia Manning to share his story — from the height of his stunt career to the realities of recovery and resilience after brain injury. 🔑 What you will hear in this episode:  The injury that changed everything (1:10) Dealing with speech difficulties, changes to hearing, and coordination (6:50) Realizing how serious the injury was (12:37) Staying determined through recovery (14:30) Overcoming the challenges of an invisible injury (18:18) Words of wisdom to those struggling (24:35) Lasting symptoms (27:30) Strategies for managing symptoms (46:00) Don’t give up on yourself (54:00)  👤 About the guest: Corbin is a professional parkour athlete, SAG/AFTRA stunt performer, and free-runner with Tempest Academy based in Los Angeles.  Connect with Corbin: Instagram: @Corbin_Reinhardt  📞 Need support after a concussion? If you or a loved one is struggling after a concussion or living with post-concussion syndrome, you're not alone. The Concussion Legacy Foundation offers free resources and support through the CLF HelpLine. Visit CLFHelpLine.org to connect with a dedicated team member who can guide you to resources, medical referrals, and peer support tailored to your needs.  💬 Connect with us Instagram: @concussionfoundation  Website: ConcussionFoundation.org  ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? If this conversation resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who might benefit. Your support helps us reach more people navigating life after brain injury.