Skip to main content

Interview - Cristabelle Braden

Brain injury survivor Cristabelle Braden talks hop, inspiration, & everyday life! 

About Cristabelle

After my brain injury I basically had to re-learn almost everything - taking a shower, getting myself dressed, dealing with short-term memory loss, muscle atrophy, losing my vocabulary & conversation skills..  just to name a few. Honestly the only thing that kept me going was my faith in God, reminding myself that He has a plan, He loves me, and that He’s working even when I can’t see it. And now, He has healed me beyond any doctors or anyone’s expectations! They didn’t think I’d even be able to finish high school, but now I’ve graduated college! So when I have tough days I just remind myself that God is truly a God of miracles… that He is my strength, I can depend on Him in all of my weakest moments.

What got you started in music?

I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, but I started writing music after my brain injury! It was through the recovery time when I was in rehabilitation therapy when I began to write songs and play guitar. It really helped me to cope during that time, but I never dreamed I would be doing it for a career some day! 

Who inspires you to keep going through with your dreams on the tough days? 

My mom! She always encourages me and lifts me up when I am struggling. She reminds me that God has a plan for me, even when I can’t see it myself. :) 

What is your favorite part of the writing and/or producing process? 

Hmm… I think my favorite part is the very early stages of writing, when the song is raw and vulnerable and intimate. I usually write by myself and in prayer, so for me it’s a very intimate time with the Lord. Writing songs helps me to process my emotions, and gives me an outlet to be able to use my experiences to hopefully encourage other people to know they are not alone!

The producing process is also really fun because it’s amazing to hear a song sounding so full, and when it gets to that magic spot where it sounds in real life the way it does in my head, I know we’re there! Haha!

What are 3 random facts that people probably don't know about you? 

  1. I love to read, like a LOT! Fiction, nonfiction, really anything!
  2. I’m also a music producer and graphic designer!
  3. I’m obsessed with knitting!

What do you want people to go away with after hearing your content? 

I want people to know that God is with them, and they are never as alone as they feel! There is ALWAYS hope! 

What's your favorite Bible verse & why? 

Currently - Proverbs 3:5-6. Reminding myself to trust in the Lord above my circumstances!

Favorite coffee shop? 

Frothy Monkey in Nashville!

Favorite sweet item?

Chocolate… Definitely chocolate. :) 

Where can people find your music & see updates about your work? 

Follow me at @cristabellebraden or at my website cristabellebraden.com!
Thank you so much for having me!!❤️
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don't Waste Your "Wait" 💎 Hannah Workman

When Kelly asked me to submit something for this blog I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about. I feel like I have so much, yet nothing to talk about all at the same time. So I decided to talk about something that has unfortunately been a huge part of my life, waiting. Waiting is horrible. No one enjoys waiting at the bank. Waiting in line at Disney for a ride is a nightmare with how hot it is. Waiting in traffic stinks. Waiting to hear results from a test drives you mad. The waiting is the worst. On June 20th, 2009 I married my wonderful husband surrounded by our friends and family. In March of 2011 we decided that we wanted to start a family. I imagined it would come easy for us, and that we would have enough kids to make a baseball team. I quickly learned that this would not be the case. After 6 very disappointing months, we went to the doctor’s office. She seemed optimistic that a few rounds of medicine would do the trick and we would be pregnant in no time. Six months o...
Post a Comment
Read more

3 things I sometimes forget hen life is hard

2023 has been tough. It’s challenged me in ways I never expected.  It’s gotten me thinking. We often blame God for bad circumstances and praise Him when things go right. I think there are 3 things we often forget easily:  1. God gives and takes everything with a bigger purpose in mind.  Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 2. Trials are promised, not something we’re exempt from as Christians.  James 1:2 Testing of Your Faith Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3. Jesus does understand  His death was the most painful kind possible in His time and He was tempted just as we are.  Matthew 4:1 The Temptation of Jesus “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” That doesn’t mean that trials are fun to go through. It means we need a mindset shift. Instead of being surprised by them we should exp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Real Talk - You're An Original

"I'll never be like her." These are the 4 words I remember going through my head the first time I went to a youth group at age 13. I looked around the room & saw several girls that to me, looked like models. Their hair looked perfect, they were poised, and had many friends. They seemed to have it all together.  It wasn't until I was in high school that I realized how unrealistic my view was. At the time tough, it seemed completely legitimate.  If you're reading this & out of school, I'm sure you can relate to what I meant when I said my view was unrealistic. However, if you're younger than you may be dealing with some of these same feelings, too!  Yes, I thought I would never be like her. There is truth in that statement. I never did everything like her. That's because I'm not her and I'm proud of that. Because nobody else can ever be me.  However, I did change in those growing seasons & am proud to say that I lear...
Post a Comment
Read more