Powering Through challenges what you think you know about living life with a spinal cord injury. Hosted by quadriplegic content creator and mom, Jessie Owen, the show explores what happens when identity, independence, and the future you imagined shift overnight. Through candid conversations about spinal cord injury, relationships, accessibility, grief, and the everyday absurdities of navigating the world in a power chair, each episode blends honesty and humor with a little edge. This isn’t inspiration theater. It’s real, unfiltered talk about adapting, finding community, and creating a life that’s complicated, surprising, and genuinely worth showing up for.
This podcast is supported by ONWARD Medical. The views expressed in this podcast do not represent the views of ONWARD Medical. The content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Users and listeners should consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment, or medical decisions.
Got any feedback or questions? Reach out to: poweringthrough@onwd.com (mailto:poweringthrough@onwd.com)
Host Jessie Owen interviews US Air Force Veteran Tyler Densford about his journey of service, recovery, and finding purpose after a spinal cord injury.
7 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Powering Through - Episode 6 Eric LaGrand
Host Jessie Owen interviews Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers football player, about overcoming paralysis to become a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.
2 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Powering Through -Episode 5 Cole & Charisma Sydnor
Host Jessie Owen interviews Cole and Charisma Sydnor about navigating love, marriage, and parenthood with disability and caregiving.
5 Aug 2026
Powering Through - Episode 4 Mason Branstrator
In episode four of Powering Through, host Jessie Owen, quadriplegic content creator and mom, welcomes Mason Branstrator.
Mason is one of the most recognizable voices in the online spinal cord injury community, where he shares the realities of living with SCI.
Together, Jessie and Mason talk about chasing recovery and embracing adaptation, why peer mentors often become the greatest teachers, and how sharing the messy parts of life can often help others discover what's possible.
Follow Mason’s journey: link.me/mason_branstrator (https://link.me/mason_branstrator)
1 Jul 2026
Powering Through - Episode 3 Cairo Smith
On episode three of Powering Through, host Jessie Owen – a quadriplegic content creator and mom – connects with Cairo Smith.
Cairo is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and storyteller whose life took a dramatic turn after a spinal cord injury three years ago. Together, Jessie and Cairo discuss Hollywood, community, building strong relationships, and balancing career with creative independence.
At the heart of their conversation is a question many of us might wrestle with: when you experience something life-changing, what parts of yourself survive?
Follow Cairo’s journey: https://cairosmith.com/ (https://cairosmith.com/)
3 Jun 2026
Powering Through - Episode 2 Rebecca Koltun
On episode two of Powering Through, host Jessie Owen, quadriplegic content creator and mom, chats with Rebecca Koltun.
Rebecca is a social media creator, artist, and advocate who shares her life online with an incredible mix of dark humor, honesty, and vulnerability.
In this conversation, Jessie and Rebecca discuss everything from caregivers and the loss of privacy, to traveling with a high-level spinal cord injury. Rebecca also opens up about dealing with internet trolls, being stared at in public, learning to paint with her mouth, and how she’s built a full and meaningful life after paralysis – without pretending any of it is easy.
To follow Rebecca’s journey click here (https://linktr.ee/Rkoltun?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnZWsKSpzcSvWESIdyl6em_TVZ5LIWUwDvxApC-bPBL6QJ5mNoB_OxCsXUA4A_aem_IH68CLy7m5SsjdjA3gOsEA).
6 May 2026
Powering Through - Episode 1 with Kenny Salvini
In the first episode of Powering Through, host Jessie Owen, quadriplegic content creator and mom, chats with Kenny Salvini.
Kenny is the founder of the Here and Now Project, a husband and dad, and has lived as a quadriplegic for over 20 years.
Jessie and Kenny discuss what it’s like to live with spinal cord injury – from the early years when you have no idea where to start, to how community changes everything. They discuss how even after some really dark seasons, you can build a life that you genuinely love.
For more information about the Here and Now project visit: https://www.hereandnowproject.org/ (https://www.hereandnowproject.org/)
29 Apr 2026
Powering Through Trailer
Get ready to hear real stories, real logistics, and real emotions from people living with spinal cord injury!
The very first episode of Powering Through, our original podcast hosted by quadriplegic content creator and mom, Jessie Owen, is coming soon.
Each episode will explore what happens when identity, independence, and your imagined future shift overnight. It’s real, unfiltered conversations about adapting, finding community, and creating a life that’s genuinely worth showing up for.
Check out this preview to the very first episode of PoweringThrough with Kenny Salvini and follow now to be the first to listen to it when it drops!
Inside a recent episode
Powering Through - Episode 7 Tyler Densford
Published 4 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] How would you, How would you coach them through that? To just wake up, to take another day, never give up, first off. And because you're valued and you're loved and your life does have purpose. And then as far as getting involved with the VA, probably to first get involved with your case manager. […]
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