Normalize PTSD

Jonathan

Connecting those suffering in silence to a PTSD community. Join us on Twitter, YouTube, IG and FB.

  1. DEC 15 · BONUS

    77_Holiday Episode with Jonathan

    It’s the holiday episode, and this is one of my favorites. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on all the episodes of this year. It’s so much fun spending time looking at where this journey has taken me this year.  2025 has been a transformative year marked by profound growth, unexpected connections, and powerful stories from hammers out there crushing it in veteran and first responder mental health. I had some remarkable guests: from TBI pioneer Dr. Mark Gordon and psychedelic therapy advocate Jeremy Hudec to music healer Jon Foti and childhood trauma survivor Lauren Burns each sharing innovative approaches like plant medicine, art therapy, jiu-jitsu, and faith-based resilience. The season highlighted cutting-edge treatments, systemic change, and personal redemption, while reinforcing community, purpose, and hope. Fueled by listener support and lifelong friendships, the podcast continues to break stigma and inspire healing, setting the stage for an even bolder 2026. I've had another incredible year of learning, blessed with opportunities to connect with amazing people doing impactful work for veterans and first responders. Every year brings experiences I never thought possible, and it’s freakin awesome. I still hear from old friends who are absolutely crushing it. I appreciate all of you and the new friends reaching out and staying connected. I love hosting this podcast. It’s truly an honor to share the stories of these badass hammers. I’m deeply grateful for my support unit and for all the uplifting, positive feedback from everyone listening. Without you all it would feel like I am talking to myself in a mirror and that would be uncomfortable. You are all greatly appreciated. Here’s to an even more impactful year in 2026! Resources Mentioned: Millennium Health (Dr. Mark Gordon)VET S.O.S. Podcast (Shawn Welsh)Operation Song (Jon Foti)Wounded Warrior Project (Jon Foti)The Kinetic Man Mastermind (Stuart Grazier)The Ageless Call to Serve (Dr. Lanny Snodgrass)Free Arts for Abused Children (Matt Sandoval)SAMHSA (Matt Sandoval)Achilles in Vietnam (Matt Sandoval)Project Life Spark (Jeremy Hudec)University of Regina RCMP Mental Health Studies (Jeremy Hudec)Mission Within (Jay Kopelman)Redeemed Podcast (Lauren Burns)Master Resilience Training (Shawn Welsh)EMDR Therapy (Dr. Lanny Snodgrass; implied in broader episodes)Music Therapy (Dr. Lanny Snodgrass; Jon Foti)Jiu-Jitsu/Breathwork (Sonny Gerber)Peer Support & Faith-Based Initiatives (Sonny Gerber; Stuart Grazier; Lauren Burns) We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    18 min
  2. NOV 17

    76_Healing Trauma Through Spirituality_ Monica Robbins' Journey to Inner Peace

    Monica Robbins, LMSW, is a social worker and spiritual coach who guides clients in healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and addiction, using spirituality, mindfulness, and EMDR to help them connect to their true nature and overcome limiting narratives. Monica Robbins, LMSW, began healing from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) through a spiritual awakening at age 16. This transformative experience sparked her interest in the intersection of spirituality and healing, inspiring her to explore how to live from an awakened perspective. Through this journey, Monica successfully healed from C-PTSD and no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for the condition. Monica is dedicated to guiding others toward healing and awakening by helping them consciously connect with their true nature and overcome the limiting narratives that keep them stuck. As a licensed social worker, she integrates spirituality, mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and addiction recovery. For non-clinical clients, Monica offers coaching and mentoring to those seeking to awaken to their true nature or navigate the stories that hinder their self-realization. She also provides support for individuals who have experienced a spiritual awakening but need guidance to remain present through challenging narratives and experiences. I had an awesome conversation with Monica Robbins, a licensed social worker who's turned her own journey through complex PTSD and a profound spiritual awakening at 16 into a passion for helping others heal. We dove into how spirituality intersects with mental health, exploring her path from chaos and abuse to finding inner peace. Monica shared practical tools like mindfulness, EMDR, breathing techniques, and self-compassion practices that she uses with clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, and addiction.  It was inspiring to hear about her favorite teachers like Eckhart Tolle and Adyashanti and how true healing comes from letting go of limiting stories and embracing the present moment. She's excited about guiding more people toward awakening and deep recovery, blending clinical work with spiritual coaching. What a uplifting episode! Resources Mentioned: Spiritual Awakening and ExplorationTherapyMindfulness PracticesMeditation and Guided MindfulnessEMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)Inquiry Practices"The Power of Now" by Eckhart TolleBooks by AdyashantiHindu Teacher Texts (e.g., "I Am Not The Body")YouTube Spiritual Teachers (Adyashanti, Alan Watts, Ram Dass)RAIN TechniqueCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed WorkSomatic Work and Body-Based TherapiesShamanic Work and Ayahuasca CeremoniesPsilocybin MicrodosingLion’s BreathSighing OutParasympatheticWe’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    1h 23m
  3. OCT 13

    75_Lauren Burns' Journey from Abduction to Healing

    Lauren Burns, host of the Redeemed Podcast, survived a childhood kidnapping by her Jordanian father, a story dramatized in the 1993 TV movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story. She now shares her journey of healing through faith, inspiring others to overcome trauma on her podcast and through public speaking. Social Media: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/laurenbredeemed Lauren Burns endured a harrowing experience at age seven when her Jordanian father abducted her and took her to Jordan, prompting her mother, Cathy Hopkins, to orchestrate a daring rescue with ex-military help, crossing a militarized border into Israel. This dramatic chapter of her life, later portrayed in the 1993 TV movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story, shaped her perspective on resilience and faith. Today, Lauren channels her story into the Redeemed Podcast, where she explores her healing journey, emphasizing how her mother’s unwavering faith in God and proactive efforts saved her. Motivated by what she perceives as divine intervention, she now uses her platform to inspire others facing mental health challenges, blending her past adversity with a message of hope and redemption. Lauren Burns shares her wild experience of being kidnapped at age seven by her Jordanian father in 1987, who tricked her into a trip to Jordan instead of Halloween trick or treating, leading to months of isolation and cultural shock amid family tensions. The episode's impact lies in her transformation of pain into purpose reconnecting with rescuers after 37 years via her Redeemed Podcast, inspiring others to overcome adversity through redemption stories, and emphasizing that faith plus proactive steps can restore broken lives, as she prepares a book to encourage resilience in facing challenges. Resources Mentioned: Church small group meetings: Attending these as a teenager served as a turning point, providing community support, accountability, and a space to process anger, depression, and trauma through shared faith and discussions.Faith in God combined with action: Emphasized through prayer, obedience to divine callings (like starting her podcast and book), and Biblical references like "pick up your mat and walk," which encouraged proactive steps toward healing rather than passive faith alone.Community of friends: Supportive friends who "circled around" her during rebellious teenage years, offering love, guidance, and help to redirect her path away from destructive behaviors.Redeemed Podcast: Hosting and producing it allowed her to share her story, reconnect with rescuers after 37 years, interview others with redemption stories, and receive positive feedback that affirmed her purpose and reduced self-doubt.Writing her book: The process of researching and writing helped her confront and process past trauma, including listeniWe’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    1h 22m
  4. SEP 15

    74_The Mission Within with Jay Kopelman

    Jay Kopelman is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service and two combat tours in Iraq. He endured multiple TBIs and severe PTSD. After participating in a Mission Within retreat involving plant medicine, he overcame his PTSD and became deeply committed to helping others heal from TBI and PTSD. Social Media: The Mission Within: WebsiteFoundation WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Jay Kopelman: About.me ProfileSpeaker Booking ProfileInstagramLinkedInJay Kopelman is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service and two Iraq combat tours, where he trained Iraqi Special Forces, fought in Fallujah, and embedded with joint operations, always showing compassion for the vulnerable. A dedicated advocate for underdogs, he has moved from military command to health care innovation, veteran entrepreneurship advising via the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and now leads the Mission Within Foundation as Executive Director, fundraising for psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat PTSD, TBI, and traumas in veterans and first responders. He authored two bestselling memoirs on his war experiences and dog rescue, speaks on defense, terrorism, veteran mental health, and psychedelic benefits, and is a competitive jiu-jitsu athlete, outdoors enthusiast, and father. The Mission Within aims to end veteran suicide through a 6-week psychedelic program featuring online therapy, coaching, and a 4-day retreat with substances like Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, and Psilocybin. It heals veterans and families from PTSD, mTBI, depression, and anxiety via clinical pathways, treating over 1,000 special operations members and spouses since 2017, with 80% PTSD recovery. The focus is on fostering purpose and growth in the veteran community. In this episode I had the absolute honor of chatting with Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, a retired Marine with an awesome career, combat tours in Iraq, and mentoring Iraqi forces. We covered his bestselling books about rescuing a puppy named Lava during the war, his post-military path in healthcare and veteran entrepreneurship advising with Semper Fi & America's Fund, and his raw experiences with PTSD, TBI, anger, hypervigilance, and sleep issues that strained his relationships—until psychedelic-assisted therapy changed everything. Jay's now the Executive Director of Mission Within Foundation.  The Mission Within is doing great things: they're revolutionizing healing for veterans and first respo We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    1h 2m
  5. JUL 14

    73_ Psychedelics, PTSD, and Purpose: Jeremy Hudec

    Jeremy, a medically retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and PTSD survivor, is the founder of Project Life Spark, a future charity dedicated to funding psychedelic therapy retreats, advocating for their legalization, and supporting research for Canadian veterans and first responders.  Social Media: WebsiteInstagramXLinkedInYouTubeJeremy, a spirited former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer turned PTSD advocate, brings a pilot’s precision and a father’s heart to his mission with Project Life Spark. After a decade of frontline policing left him grappling with trauma, he found healing through psychedelic therapy in Mexico, a journey that transformed his life. Now, as an Aviation Advisor and founder of a future charity, he’s on a mission to fund retreats, push for policy change, and back research on ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT for Canadian veterans and first responders. From small-town Alberta to the skies and back, Jeremy’s story of resilience, hope, and open-mindedness—fueled by his love for Seinfeld reruns and marathon running—shows how embracing new paths can spark profound change. This episode was incredible. I forgot I was recording more than once. It was a man’s journey to healing told in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish. I’m deeply grateful to have connected with Jeremy and have the chance to hear his story. Psychedelics carry a stigma, and I hope to change that by sharing stories like his. They’re not a simple or easy cure for all mental health challenges, but for PTSD they’re a powerful starting point. This experience gave me a perspective that changed my life, which I believe is the purpose of therapy: to shift how we view the things causing us stress. I used to hate therapy because like most EOD people I know, I thought I was smarter than the person talking to me. The one I wasn’t smarter than was myself—and my ego. It convinced me that seeking help was weak, that those who got help weren’t as strong as me, and that drinking to blackout to sleep was just what ancient warriors did. Psychedelics showed me I was an idiot; those were weak, pathetic attempts to justify my poor behavior. It’s so much easier to lie to myself than to admit I’m failing myself and everyone in my orbit of destruction. More than that, psychedelics taught me compassion. I felt compassion for the version of me who did his best with what he knew.  Resources Mentioned: University of Regina Study on RCMP Mental HealthOSI Clinics (Operational Stress Injury Clinics)We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    2h 13m
  6. JUN 16

    72_Art, Mentors, and Meaning: Matt Sandoval on Supporting Vulnerable Kids

    Matt Sandoval is the CEO of Free Arts, a nonprofit organization in Arizona that provides trauma-informed expressive arts programs for children, teens, and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness. Social Media: WebsiteInstagramFacebookPodcast: Canvas of the HeartMatt's LinkedIn Matt Sandoval is the spirited CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, where he channels his big heart and creative zest into helping kids heal from trauma through art and mentorship. An Arizona native with a knack for storytelling, he’s spent over 15 years leading nonprofits, wielding his Master’s degrees in Social Work and Educational Leadership like a superhero’s cape. Whether he’s hosting the Canvas of the Heart podcast, sharing wisdom on LinkedIn, or reminiscing about his dad’s days as a Phoenix police officer, Matt’s infectious passion for resilience and self-compassion lights up every room—proving that even in tough times, a splash of art and a dose of kindness can work wonders! I do not have an artistic bone in my entire body, but this was a great episode. I had the pleasure to chat with Matt Sandoval, the CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, who shares how art and mentorship work magic to build resilience in kids facing trauma. With humor and heart, Matt, an Arizona native shaped by his police officer father’s career and family challenges, dives into Free Arts’ mission to serve over 7,000 kids annually with trauma-informed programs, emphasizing the mantra “no mistakes in art.” From group mentoring to rigorous volunteer vetting, he explains how creative expression fosters safety and self-compassion, drawing parallels to the trauma experiences of veterans and first responders. Touching on systemic issues like poverty and his vision for statewide impact, Matt inspires with stories of hope and a call to join the movement. Resources Mentioned: Arizona ACEsSAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (Consultation and Programs)Book: Achilles in VietnamWe’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    48 min
  7. MAY 12

    71_Ageless Valor: Dr. Lanny Snodgrass on Military Mental Health

    Dr. Lanny Snodgrass, a veteran psychiatrist, became the oldest American to join the U.S. Army at 62. His book, The Ageless Call to Serve, challenges age-based military recruitment policies while advocating for psychological resilience and improved veteran mental health support. Contact Information: Book Website: agelesscalltoservebook.com Publisher's Website: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636244174/the-ageless-call-to-serve/Media Inquiries: jpmark@icloud.com Dr. Lanny L. Snodgrass, MD, PhD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and U.S. Army veteran who made history as the oldest American to join the Army and complete Officer Basic Training at age 62 during the Iraq War. With over four decades of experience treating veterans and active-duty military personnel, he is a leading expert on PTSD and military mental health, having served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Gulf War veteran. His forthcoming book, The Ageless Call to Serve, published in 2024, challenges conventional military age restrictions and advocates for enhanced psychological resilience and mental health support for service members. Dr. Snodgrass’s unique journey from civilian psychiatrist to soldier at 63, coupled with his extensive expertise, offers profound insights into rethinking military recruitment and veteran care, making him a compelling voice in both military and mental health discussions. When Dr. Lanny Snodgrass invited me for an in-person podcast episode, I sounded like a cartoon character talking a big swallow, convinced I’d botch it—and yep, I fumbled the video! Thankfully, the audio was saved, and what a blast this turned out to be! Lanny and Dave were an absolute delight to meet and chat with. It was a thrill picking the brain of this psychiatrist and U.S. Army veteran, who, at the ripe young age of 62, joined the Army and later penned The Ageless Call to Serve. Lanny shared tales of his pre-military days as a civilian psychologist in Bangkok during the Vietnam War, his bold 2003 decision to enlist despite a heart condition, and the real-deal challenges of military mental health. He passionately called for better mental health screening, early PTSD treatment, and training for commanders to grasp trauma’s impact. Plus, he threw shade at military age limits, cheering for the wisdom of older recruits & stressed how resilience, mentorship, and tight-knit units can curb PTSD and spark post-traumatic growth, drawing from his work with veterans and first responders like nurses. What a wild, wonderful ride this episode was! Resources Mentioned: Screening:Pre-enlistment psychological interviews/testsPost-deployment one-on-one specialist interviewsTherapies:EMDR for PTSDMusic therapy (e.g., piano playing)We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    1h 20m
  8. MAR 31

    70_The Kinetic Man Movement with Stuart Grazier

    Stuart Grazier is a retired Navy officer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Kinetic Man Mastermind, dedicated to helping men, military veterans, and Christian business owners flourish by aligning their lives with their highest purpose through faith, leadership, real estate, and personal growth. Social Media: Storehouse Mastermind - The Kinetic Man Movement: https://youtu.be/d4_E1Eq3W68Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fillingthestorehouseFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/militaryinvestornetwork/Stuart Grazier is a retired Naval Officer who served for 20 years, flying helicopters and C-40 aircraft before transitioning into entrepreneurship and leadership development. As a devoted husband, father, and Christian, he co-founded The Kinetic Man Mastermind, a community focused on helping men become better fathers, husbands, and leaders through intentional action and accountability. He also co-hosts The Kinetic Man Podcast, where he explores topics such as faith, service, financial literacy, real estate, and entrepreneurship, particularly for veterans and business owners seeking purpose and adventure.  Recognizing the need to realign his own priorities, he pivoted his career to focus on building financial freedom through real estate investing, launching Storehouse 310 Ventures to fund nonprofit initiatives. With a passion for servant leadership, personal growth, and empowering others, Stuart continues to guide men toward discovering their best selves through mastermind retreats, real estate investment strategies, and purpose-driven living. Stu is a positive and inspiring person, and it was a great experience getting to pick his brain and hear his story. Born and raised in Texas, his childhood dream of flying led him to the Naval Academy, where he became a pilot, flying helicopters and later C-40s. After serving 20 years in the Navy, he transitioned into real estate, flipping houses and building a successful passive income stream.  But despite financial success, he found himself feeling disconnected from his family, faith, and personal well-being. He co-founded The Kinetic Man Mastermind, a community dedicated to helping men become better husbands, fathers, and leaders through accountability, self-improvement, and faith-driven growth. Through retreats, coaching, and a structured curriculum, he empowers men to live intentionally, focusing on family, fitness, faith, and financial freedom. Now, with a thriving podcast and a strong community, Stu continues his mission of service, helping others find clarity, balance, and their highest purpose in life. Resources Mentioned: Community & AccountabilityMental & Emotional ResiliencePhysical & Mental WellnessFaith & SpiritualityAvoiding the “Hustle Trap"Key Ta We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference. If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

    1h 11m

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Connecting those suffering in silence to a PTSD community. Join us on Twitter, YouTube, IG and FB.