About Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience
Welcome to Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience, the podcast that celebrates the journeys of women who have faced the unimaginable and come out stronger on the other side. Hosted by Angie Read, a two-time stroke survivor and advocate, this podcast brings you inspiring, real-life stories of women who’ve overcome the challenges of stroke and are reclaiming their lives with confidence, hope, and resilience.
Each episode features intimate conversations with stroke survivors, experts, and advocates, offering valuable insights, practical advice, and emotional support for those navigating their recovery. Whether you’re a stroke survivor or someone supporting a loved one, this podcast is a source of empowerment, encouragement, and community.
Please tune in and hear how these incredible women are rewriting their stories, finding strength in their vulnerability, and inspiring others to never give up. Join us and become part of a global sisterhood that believes in the power of resilience and the beauty of reclaiming life after a stroke.
Publisher
Angie Read
Category
health & fitness · health & fitness · health & fitness
A young teen survives an AVM: Kassidy Brewer's Remarkable Recovery
At just 13, Cassidy Brewer suffered a ruptured AVM and subsequent stroke that left her in a coma for four and a half months. In this episode she recounts the surreal chain of small miracles the day began with, the gradual way she came back to consciousness at home, and the intense family caregiving that followed.
Cassidy describes the physical challenges she still faces—double vision, ataxia, seasonal symptoms—and the hard work of relearning life. She emphasizes perseverance, embracing failure as growth, and finding unexpected friendships and purpose through faith and holistic health work.
Find Kassidy's book, Blameless, here: https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FNZBB6Q2?lv=shuf&channelId=500 (https://www.amazon.com/clp/B0FNZBB6Q2?lv=shuf&channelId=500)
80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.
Lifeline Screening (http://llsa.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=2437&aff_id=2350)
The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):
https://strokesisters.app (https://strokesisters.app)
Books by Angie Read:
Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBD3QD8N)
Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1WB5777)
Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK917GPS)
RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW7LJQT5)
10 Oct 2026
Women's Brain Health Can't Wait: A Conversation with Dr. Eliza C. Miller
Dr. Eliza C. Miller (a leading vascular neurologist specializing in women's brain health and volunteer expert with the American Stroke Association) joins Stroke Sisters to explain how stroke differs for women. She breaks down three categories of risk: factors more common in women (like migraine with aura), risk factors that affect women differently (notably blood pressure), and women-only risks (pregnancy and postpartum). Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood pressure, recognizing stroke symptoms, and offers actionable advice on prevention and when to seek emergency care.
More about Dr. Miller:
Dr. Eliza Miller is an American Stroke Association (https://www.stroke.org/en/) national volunteer expert and Division Chief of Women’s Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Miller has dedicated much of her career to understanding women’s brain health and stroke, particularly cerebrovascular complications during pregnancy and postpartum.
Before joining UPMC, she founded the Mothers Center Neurovascular Clinic at Columbia University, a specialized clinic for people experiencing cerebrovascular complications during pregnancy and postpartum. Today, she leads UPMC’s Division of Women’s Neurology, continuing her work to better understand and address the neurological issues that uniquely or disproportionately affect women.
More about Stroke Sisters:
Founded by two-time stroke survivor Angie Read , Stroke Sisters is a growing ecosystem of support, connection, and resources dedicated to helping women navigate life after stroke. Through a thriving online community, the Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience podcast, and a free mobile app, Stroke Sisters provides encouragement, trusted information, and practical tools to support the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of recovery. Our mission is simple: No woman should have to navigate stroke recovery alone.
Learn more at StrokeSisters.com (https://strokesisters.com).
The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):
https://strokesisters.app (https://strokesisters.app)
Books by Angie Read:
Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBD3QD8N)
Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1WB5777)
Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK917GPS)
RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW7LJQT5)
2 Oct 2026
Reclaiming Recovery with Vivistim by Mobia Medical: Don't Mess with Tess
Tess Siders had an ischemic stroke at 33 and spent months relearning basics—walking, talking, reading, and writing. For years she lived with limited use of her right arm and hand, adapting family roles with husband Aaron as primary caregiver. Nearly a decade later, Tess pursued Vivistim, an implantable vagus nerve stimulator paired with targeted therapy. The device sends neuromodulatory pulses timed to meaningful movements, boosting neuroplasticity. With consistent rehab and home practice, Tess regained functional skills—like holding her son, writing with her right hand, and improved independence—demonstrating recovery can continue long after the first year.
https://www.vivistim.com/ (https://www.vivistim.com/)
https://www.dontmesswithtess.com/ (https://www.dontmesswithtess.com/ )
The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):
https://strokesisters.app (https://strokesisters.app)
Books by Angie Read:
Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBD3QD8N)
Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1WB5777)
Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK917GPS)
RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW7LJQT5)
Who has been a guest on Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kathy Wienrank
Briena Shaner
Stacey Amore
Stacy Piedrahita
Kristin McKenzie
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
51
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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