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Powering Through

Published by Jessie Owen & ONWARD Medical

Personal Journals
Society & Culture
Health & Fitness

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

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Recent episodes

Powering Through - Episode 3 Cairo Smith

Jul 1, 202651 min

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/

Powering Through - Episode 2 Rebecca Koltun

Jun 3, 202645 min

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 .

Powering Through - Episode 1 with Kenny Salvini

May 6, 202645 min

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/

Powering Through Trailer

Apr 29, 20261 min

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!