Koby Stevens, a retired Australian Football League (AFL) player together with Villa Licci, the creators of residential communities for survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), have officially launched The Remade Podcast.

On the very first episode the star of Netflix’s Untamed mini-series Eric Bana sits down with Koby Stevens to have a touching conversation that explores a range of topics, revealing moments of vulnerability and strength in their lives.

The Remade Podcast is one of many initiatives supported by the nonprofit Villa Licci, aimed at raising awareness and challenging perceptions about brain injury, recovery, and post-career identity.

The Australian actor, Eric Bana, is our guest and the great main character in this episode who teaches us his simplicity and commitment to his profession through engaging anecdotes. He also opens up about his passion for AFL and other activities that are an integral part of who he is.

This episode begins with a warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude from Koby, who was forced to retire from the Australian Football League (AFL) after a series of concussions led to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

If you’re curious about the origin of The Remade Podcast, Koby shares how, following his retirement, he embarked on a five-year journey around the world in search of healing. Along the way, he connected with inspiring individuals whose stories ignited new flames of resilience and courage within him, ultimately motivating him to share their experiences through this podcast. This mission is made possible thanks to Villa Licci, the first-ever community designed specifically for adults living with TBI.

Koby Stevens and Eric Bana Reflect on Passion, Sacrifice, and Performance

Eric is one of the inspiring people Kobe met during his journey at a café, where he shared his respect for ALF players and emotional connection with the League and expressed to Kobe his willingness to support him in anything he might need.

Eric Bana holds deep respect for AFL players, rooted in a genuine love for the game and a heartfelt passion for the club. His empathy stems from drawing parallels between their journey and his own career as an actor. He acknowledges that preparing for roles often involves physical demands and intense effort to perform competently; much like the rigorous preparation athletes undergo. He also recognizes that those athletes’ careers are relatively short-lived, with a limited window during which the body is in its prime.

Bana is particularly thoughtful and sensitive when it comes to young players entering the league around the age of 18. He commented that it kind of breaks his heart to see how they are full of so many promises, yet unaware of what their careers hold, what lie ahead, what challenges or triumphs await, and where the career is going to deliver them.

The actor is conscious of the fact that it is a finite period. Therefore, he respects the level of dedication and sacrifice it takes to reach the fitness required to play one’s first game of AFL, and that is no small feat. Caring deeply for all the players, he affirms from his perspective that AFL is the greatest contact sport spectacle in the world. In understanding what it takes physically and mentally, he finds himself more conscious of both the game and the players.

This part of the conversation reminds us of the universal nature of performance and sacrifice, whether on the field or on the stage. Both athletes and actors must surrender themselves to a craft that demands everything from them, knowing the window of opportunity is fleeting. The shared lesson here is that purpose and dedication give meaning to the grind, but they also require acceptance of the limitations time places on every career.

The Knock He Fears Most: Saying No to Roles Without Purpose.

Likewise, Kobe shared his admiration for acting and asked the Netflix Untamed actor what it takes to get there.

Bana noted that while being able to do it is one thing, he doesn’t believe ability alone is enough. The actor affirmed,

“Because the most important thing, almost to me, more important than being able to do it well is believing that you can do it.”

He explained that unless he fully believes and commits to the role, the audience will see right through him. After all, it takes a certain arrogance to think you can truly become someone else.

He doesn’t see it the way others might. For him, it feels natural. When he looks at someone, there’s an instinctive pull, “I could embody that person”, he thinks. I could get into their mind. That’s where the work begins, from the inside out. He always wants to feel as though he could answer any question as that character, to speak for them with conviction. Once that connection is made, everything else flows more easily.

There’s a thrill in it, and he genuinely loves the process. But it’s rooted in belief. Every role he’s turned down wasn’t about the size of the project, the cast, or the prestige, it was about the feeling. If it doesn’t resonate deeply, he walks away. That’s the compass. Not the budget, not the buzz. It’s the question: Can he become that person? Does he want to? Is there a challenge worth chasing?

His biggest fear isn’t that the audience will see through the performance. The thought of sitting in his trailer, waiting for that knock on the door, knowing he’s about to step into something he doesn’t truly want to do, that’s what terrifies him most. So, when he says no to a project, it’s not about the scale or the people involved. It’s because he doesn’t want to hear that knock.

For listeners, this reflection offers a powerful takeaway: the importance of saying “no” when something doesn’t align with your values or passion. Both Bana and Stevens model the courage to walk away from what doesn’t feel authentic, whether that means stepping away from a sport you love for the sake of health, or turning down glamorous roles because they lack purpose. It’s a reminder that resilience is not only about pushing forward but also about knowing when to pause, recalibrate, and protect your sense of self.

Immersed in roles, grounded in everyday life.

Acting, to him, is not just a commitment, it’s a true honor. He compares his filming periods to monastic life, moments when he completely unplugs from the outside world. He becomes so immersed in the character he’s portraying that he avoids conversations with anyone outside his immediate family, preferring to communicate through texts or emails instead. He genuinely enjoys the process of embodying characters from different nationalities or with distinct accents, finding creative fulfillment in the challenge. His work deepens his appreciation for everyday life, adding a kind of sweetness to simple pleasures such as hanging out, riding his motorbike, going to the football, walking the dog, or cycling through familiar streets.

In this way, the episode highlights a paradox: the more intensely we dedicate ourselves to our work or passion, the more precious and grounding ordinary life becomes. Bana and Stevens show that success doesn’t mean constant spotlight; it also means knowing how to return to stillness, routine, and presence.

Eric Bana and Koby Stevens Open Up on Mental Health, Resilience, and Life Beyond the Spotlight

Speaking about the mental impact of embodying a role, he shared that it takes time to snap out of character; because, in a way, he’s giving half of his brain to another person. To support this transition, he and his wife have a healthy agreement: when he returns home from filming, he gets three days to recalibrate. It’s not about being selfish, but about allowing his mind to catch up and reorient itself. Sometimes, he admits, traces of a character linger long after the cameras stop rolling, even roles he played twenty years ago still echo in his psyche.

Kobe shared that one of the most challenging aspects of his brain injury recovery was the sudden shift from being a tough AFL footballer to facing a new condition overnight. He found himself constantly trying to escape his reality, which became mentally exhausting. On top of that, the forced retirement brought intense media attention, a common experience for players, and it made the process even harder. When reflecting on his mental health toolbox, he emphasized how these overlapping pressures tested his resilience during that difficult period.

The frustration at that moment of not being the same person as six months before the brain injury, which he had worked so hard to become, over a 15-year period, made him struggle. After having TBI, he tried to be that footballer and do the activities he used to do, but his body didn’t respond in the same way. In that moment, he understood that he was not that version of himself, at least not by that moment, so he had to go easy on himself.

Meanwhile, for Bana, his mental health toolbox lies in not taking things for granted and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures, such as loving the mornings, easing into the day, having breakfast, spending time with his dogs, and playing sports. He especially enjoys riding his bike, which he describes as a meditative activity. Bana is also profoundly aware that young people face serious challenges when it comes to mental health.

Together, their conversation is not just about careers or passions, but about identity, healing, and perspective. Listeners can learn that resilience often comes not from denial or constant striving, but from acceptance, self-compassion, and creating small rituals that restore balance. Both men underscore the message that life after change, whether sudden or gradual, can still be rich and meaningful when approached with honesty and humility.

Staying True to Creative Pursuits

One of the most inspiring parts of the conversation comes when Eric Bana reflects on what truly makes him happy. Despite a career filled with prestige and opportunity, he explains that he doesn’t need grandeur in his private life to feel fulfilled. His joy comes from simple, grounding activities like working in the garden, listening to the birds, and embracing the quiet moments of everyday living.

Bana shared that he has never been drawn to chasing artificial highs or fleeting thrills, he has never done drugs and never sought experiences outside of his reach just to feel more alive. Instead, his philosophy is rooted in authenticity: taking his work seriously, pursuing creative challenges wholeheartedly, yet balancing that intensity with simplicity and presence when the cameras stop rolling.

The lesson here is clear: ambition and contentment are not opposite. You can strive for greatness while also living humbly and appreciating the little things. Bana’s perspective shows that success isn’t measured only on accolades or scale but also in the ability to stay grounded, grateful, and true to what really matters.

A Conversation Too Powerful to Miss

What makes this first episode truly remarkable is not just the exchange of stories but the depth of honesty between Koby Stevens and Eric Bana. Their conversation transcends sport and film, becoming a meditation on resilience, purpose, and identity. Listeners are invited to reflect on the parallels between seemingly different worlds, the arena of elite sport and the stage of professional acting; and discover that both demand the same ingredients: courage, discipline, vulnerability, and an unrelenting belief in oneself.

There are also profound lessons about transition and change. Bana’s reflections on walking away from roles that don’t feel right echo Stevens’ experience of being forced to step away from the AFL, showing us, that identity isn’t defined only by what we achieve but by how we navigate the spaces in between. Both remind us that saying no; whether to a misaligned role or to the temptation of clinging to an old version of ourselves, can be just as powerful as saying yes.

The episode also touches on the importance of everyday joy. Bana highlights simple rituals such as riding his bike or enjoying quiet mornings as anchors for his mental health, while Stevens shares his journey of finding new meaning after injury. Together, they highlight a universal truth: fulfillment is not found in the spotlight alone but also in the ordinary rhythms of life, which can become a source of healing and strength.

Eric Bana shared many engaging and insightful stories about his career, from his early beginnings and first roles to his personal life, film experiences, and time living in Hollywood. You can enjoy the full conversation on The Remade Podcast, hosted by Koby Stevens and supported by Villa Licci, a nonprofit pioneering the first-ever community where people living with Traumatic Brain Injuries can live independently with dignity and support.

Don’t miss this powerful exchange between Eric Bana and Koby Stevens, a conversation filled with honesty, resilience, and life lessons that will stay with you long after listening. Watch the full episode of The Remade Podcast here: Eric Bana on The Remade Podcast

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One of the issues TBI survivors face after the initial recovery phase is that many of their struggles are not visible upon first glance. Emotional dysregulation, executive dysfunction, short-term memory loss, cognitive delays, and more are not noticeable to the naked eye or the casual observer. Yet, it is often these hidden disabilities that cause the most pain and struggle for these survivors.

If someone has a broken leg and is using a wheelchair, or is blind and accompanied by a guide dog, it is readily apparent to other people that a person has different needs.  A business welcoming wheelchair users would have ramps and accessible doors, and people often show more patience when encountering someone on crutches who may be walking slower. But what happens when the disability isn’t visible, and only the actions that reflect that disability are seen?  And when those actions are not accepted with as much grace and patience as a physical struggle?

The reactions of other people can often cause more emotional distress to a survivor already coping with their new limitations or issues.  Oftentimes, all they need is a little bit of patience and a little bit of support.

One organization is striving towards making the invisible more visible, with a simple sunflower.  The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was created by personnel at London’s Gatwick Airport who recognized that people with hidden disabilities may need a little extra support while traveling just like those with visible disabilities.

Since 2016, the use of a green lanyard with yellow sunflowers worn by those who discreetly want to share their needs has spread from London throughout the world.  This sunflower lanyard is a way to visually share that a little additional help, support, or time may be needed by the wearer to complete the expected tasks. Airports, rail lines, supermarkets, entertainment venues, and more have partnered with this organization to support their patrons and offer training to their employees so they can best serve their lanyard-wearing visitors.

For more information, please click the button below.

 

In March, the Brian Injury Association of America (BIAA) submitted a position paper calling for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to designate a brain injury as a chronic condition.  In addition, it calls for a brain injury to be recognized, treated, and covered as chronic.  This would be a huge benefit to the survivors Villa Licci serves and could impact the services and programs we are striving to provide.

When a brain injury is treated as an acute or one-time condition, treatments and services are limited to those classifications.  This includes rehabilitation services, medical treatments, insurance coverage, and other benefits and supports. It means that once a person is supposedly healed – or reaches a certain point in their recovery – their access to these services diminishes.  If a person continues to suffer from long-term effects of their brain injury, they can face difficulties in accessing the help they need.

One of the reasons for a lack of awareness about the chronic nature of brain injuries is that some symptoms and effects are not noticeable right away.  A person may seem to recover fairly well, but then have a relapse. Or, they may only show other symptoms later in life that can be traced back to their TBI.  These can include headaches, fatigue, memory issues, depression and other mental issues, and physical ailments, among others.

By classifying brain injury as a chronic condition, the CDC and CMS can use their combined reach to educate both individuals and organizations that serve these survivors so as to better assist and improve their quality of life.

It could then release more funding to helping those living with chronic impairment from their TBI, in the same way that other chronic conditions receive funding and resources.  It would be our hope that some of this funding would be to help survivors find quality living situations, such as Villa Licci, so they can continue their recovery in a stable, supportive community.

 

Recently, we heard from a TBI survivor who wanted to share her story in the hopes of raising awareness about what life is like for a survivor.  She is a prospective future resident of Villa Licci and a member of local support groups.  Here is her story and mask as part of a project coordinated by Unmasking Brain Injury.

After lunch one Sunday, my niece wanted to cheer me up for my birthday, since my dad had died seven months prior. My niece was going straight on a green light when a lady disregarded her own red light and turned right in front of us. Our front passenger side hit her passenger side. When I woke up in a haze, I couldn’t speak or move.

I later found out that I almost died in the wreck and from misdiagnoses from doctors. From the hospital I was transferred to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Kokomo, then transferred to a “rehab unit” in a nursing home, from which I was released a about a week later. Neurologists could not explain my lack of balance, and eye tracking problem because Indiana did not have doctors who specialized in cerebellum disorders which causes balance issues, nystagmus and other problems. After thirteen years, on April 5, 2018, a Neuro-Ophthalmologist diagnosed me with a severe brain injury that includes cerebellum damage, Trochlear nerve palsy, Trigeminal neuralgia and other injuries. That doctor could not understand how my brain injury was misdiagnosed and how I was not hospitalized for at least a couple months.

My mask represents two different sides (lives) of me: my life prior to the car wreck and my life now.

The blue side was my life prior to the car wreck. I was living in Bloomington IN, where I started to work on a doctoral program (Ph.D.) in Health Behavior (now called Public Health) and Family Studies as well as working as an Associate Instructor (A.I.) at Indiana University (IU). I enjoyed life on a Big Ten campus, where I had earned my master’s degree.  I liked living in Bloomington with various cultures and being part of the IU community.  I loved to go out with friends, was very physically active and attended various community and cultural events. I was involved in my church. I had good health insurance through IU and I was relatively healthy.

The red side is my life now. Everything changed in an instant. Sadly, my whole world as I knew it, was gone. I am not able to live in Bloomington, attend IU, work, or be with friends and colleagues. I moved back home to Russiaville, IN, to live with my mom. I am not as physically active as before. I am able to ride my recumbent bicycle since I am not able to ride my old two wheeled bicycle due to my balance. I lost most of my friends and I miss being physically and socially active. It is very difficult and lonely, living with a rare “invisible injury” such as a brain injury.  No one can see my injuries and still no specialist understands my disorder like they do in the Northeast.

To learn more about some of Maria’s struggles post-injury, and how she is helping other survivors, read this article from the IU School of Medicine.

Pictures of Maria and her friends and family:

To learn more about the mask project and hear from other survivors and their family members, please see our previous story: https://villalicci.org/unmasking-brain-injury/.

A new study out of The Ohio State University shows that traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery is not as stable as previously thought.  The effects of a TBI are felt long after the initial injury and rehabilitation period, including continued declines in many individuals.  This has a lasting effect on the quality of life of TBI survivors, and supports the need for communities such as Villa Licci.

One of the key researchers shared, “A lot of folks with brain injuries are trying to remain in their communities and live independently, and it’s critical that those who can help them do that have a full understanding of how their brain injury affects their actions and abilities so they can provide appropriate accommodations.”

Knowing the needs of the individuals who will be served by Villa Licci and recognizing where they might continue to struggle and need extra support will be integral to the success of our budding community.

To read more about this new study, please click here:

The eighth annual Brain Bolt 5K run/walk/wheel was held on October 7, 2023.  This event benefits the Neurosurgery Foundation at Goodman Campbell and their work to research, treat and care for patients with traumatic brain and spine injuries.

The event was geared towards people of all ages and abilities – with a special course designed just for TBI survivors with mobility issues.

Villa Licci was present at the event through sponsorship and manning a booth with information about our mission and vision to serve TBI survivors.  Many of the survivors who participated are potential future residents of Villa Licci and active in the support groups around the area.

Other informational booths included GCBS’ MEGA Brain – an inflatable, interactive, walk-through exhibit, as well as specialists from throughout the region educating attendees on various TBI-related issues, including prevention and treatment.

 

Below are two photos from this wonderful event!

On the surface, Villa Licci might look similar to other residences for people with cognitive challenges.  However, there are distinct differences that make Villa Licci truly unique.

Villa Licci is first and foremost a residential community of adults living with the challenges that follow a brain injury.  There are no other residences serving this exact population anywhere in the country. Most other residences cater to those with developmental disabilities.  While the founders of Villa Licci recognize the need for services for all, they chose to focus on the unique challenges facing brain injury survivors.

People with a TBI differ from those with other developmental and cognitive disorders in that TBI is an acquired injury. Each TBI survivor was living their life a certain way and now they must live differently due to their injury. This creates a dramatic “before and after” to their lives, and many lament the loss of the life they once had, which now seems unattainable.

TBI survivors have a need to be connected to other survivors to share the uniqueness of their situation that others who haven’t had a TBI or who have different cognitive issues just cannot understand.

Villa Licci will provide the opportunity for medically stable adults to live with minimal supervision while maintaining personal waivers and services. Although the goal is semi-independent living, there will be organized community events and experiences.

This community seeks to enhance each resident’s quality of life through shared experiences and relationships. The residential and community buildings, along with the landscaping and site plan, are designed with common areas both inside and outdoors where residents can exercise, eat, socialize, and relax together.

Villa Licci will not be a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) or a medical facility.  In addition, while residents will be able to retain all their rehabilitation services, and relationships with their medical team, Villa Licci will not be a rehab center nor provide these services directly.

In staying true to our mission to provide safe and independent housing, fellowship, and dignity in a faith-centered environment for adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries, Villa Licci is truly providing a unique service for the TBI community.

As word gets out about Villa Licci and people reach out to us with questions, we have compiled a list below with the most frequently asked questions (and answers!).  These are the ones that come in most often to our comment line.

1. When will Villa Licci open?

The current timeline has the groundbreaking ceremony planned for late 2025 with anticipated move in sometime in 2027

If you would like to help us make this dream a reality faster, please considering making a tax-deductible donation

2. How does a person get on the waitlist?

If you would like to be informed when Villa Licci is accepting applications for residency, please fill out the Contact Us form. In the “How can we help you?” box, please say you are interested in being notified when applications are available.  We will then send you an email with all the information once it is ready.

3. Is this for adults only? What is an adult?

This residence will be for adults only. An adult is anyone over the age of 18 who experienced a TBI after the age of 16.

4. How much will an apartment cost?

This has yet to be determined and will be based upon various factors.  There may be opportunities for government assistance, such as a TBI waiver, that could help offset rental costs.

The goal is to have the building itself paid in full so that we can offer a reduced monthly rent – affordable to most families.

5. Is Villa Licci in other states? Are there similar homes in other states?

To the best of our knowledge, Villa Licci will be the first of its kind in the United States.  While we have larger future plans to expand to other states, the current focus is on building the first residential community.  This residence will be located in Central Indiana.

6. Is Villa Licci a home for people with developmental disabilities or other cognitive issues (for example, Down syndrome, autism, and more)?

Villa Licci is a residence for adult survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This may include someone with an acquired brain injury, such as a stroke.

Currently, no other residential community in the country exists solely for those with traumatic brain injuries. People with a TBI differ from those with other developmental and cognitive disorders in that TBI is an acquired injury. Each TBI survivor was living their life a certain way and now they must live differently due to their injury. This creates a dramatic “before and after” to their lives, and many lament the loss of the life they once had, which now seems unattainable.

TBI survivors need to be connected to other survivors to share the uniqueness of their situation that others who haven’t had a TBI or who have different cognitive issues just cannot understand.