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What happens when a highly accomplished military officer confronts her own mortality? Dr. Deanna Won's story begins at the Air Force Academy in the 1980s, where as one of just 200 women in her class, she faced an environment that tested her resolve from day one. "They tried to railroad me out," she reveals, describing both gender-based discrimination and racial bias that created unique challenges beyond what her fellow female cadets experienced.

Through unflinching determination and faith, Deanna not only survived but thrived, embarking on an extraordinary 30-year military career as a physicist. Her expertise in lasers, satellites, and defense technologies took her around the world, though certain assignments brought painful encounters with workplace harassment so severe it left her in tears in bathroom stalls, praying for intervention.

The most profound challenge arrived when, at the height of her professional success as a commander, Deanna received a devastating ovarian cancer diagnosis. Two years later, doctors placed her in hospice with just four weeks to live. The pain was excruciating—"a 20 out of 10"—and conventional treatments offered little relief. It was in this darkest moment that Deanna's scientific mind and spiritual heart found common ground.

Drawing on her background as both military scientist and daughter of a Chinese medicine lineage, Deanna embarked on a holistic healing journey. She discovered that true recovery demanded attention to multiple dimensions: physical through dietary changes, emotional through therapy to address unresolved conflicts, and spiritual through deepened faith. Miraculously, her tumors began to shrink within months.

Today, as a board-certified holistic health practitioner and bestselling author, Deanna guides others through their own healing journeys. Her approach identifies trapped emotions, generational patterns, and physical imbalances that conventional treatment might miss. Most importantly, she teaches that healing comes in manageable layers—"take little baby steps"—rather than overwhelming transformations.

Whether facing health challenges, professional obstacles, or personal struggles, Deanna's message resonates with profound simplicity: "Never lose hope. As long as we're on this side of the veil, things can change." Her extraordinary journey from military commander to terminal patient to holistic healer offers compelling evidence that with openness, patience, and faith, we can overcome even what seems impossible.

Ready to explore holistic healing? Visit https://deannawon.com/ to connect with Dr. Won and discover how her unique approach might support your own journey toward wholeness.

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Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

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Moral injury – the profound wound that occurs when one's deepest moral codes are violated – affects countless veterans yet remains largely misunderstood. This powerful episode brings together three voices at the forefront of healing this invisible wound: retired Colonel Lisa Carrington Firman, who transformed her experiences with combat and military sexual trauma into award-winning books; psychologist Dr. Pat Pernicano and retired chaplain Kerry Haynes, who developed an innovative curriculum combining psychological and spiritual approaches to moral injury healing.

Unlike PTSD, moral injury strikes at the core of identity and meaning, often manifesting as crushing shame, guilt, or a profound sense of betrayal. For women veterans like Lisa, military sexual trauma frequently becomes a source of moral injury when the systems meant to protect them fail. For combat veterans and military leaders, impossible decisions that result in harm - regardless of necessity - can create moral wounds that fester for decades.

What makes this conversation extraordinary is the insight into how healing happens. Through metaphorical storytelling, creative expression, and community support, veterans gradually process pain they've often carried silently for years. The "cracked glass bowl" exercise described by Dr. Pernicano demonstrates how veterans identify their wounds before reimagining themselves transformed through healing - not erasing trauma but integrating it into a new, whole identity.

The discussion addresses a crucial reality: isolation compounds moral injury, while connection facilitates healing. As Kerry notes, "Moral injury happens in community, so healing best happens in community." Yet many veterans, especially those in leadership positions, feel unable to reveal vulnerability. This helps explain why some traumas remain hidden for decades, as Lisa's did for forty years before she found her voice through writing.

Whether you're a veteran struggling with moral injury, someone who loves a veteran, or a provider seeking better ways to help, this episode offers concrete pathways toward healing, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth. Discover how combining psychological and spiritual approaches can transform even the deepest moral wounds into strength and purpose.

Are you carrying a moral injury or know someone who might be? This conversation could be the first step toward a lighter, more purposeful future beyond the weight of these invisible wounds.

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Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

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Emie Clevenger shares a powerful journey from Navy veteran to nonprofit founder, revealing how her personal struggles with period poverty as a young girl fueled her mission to create Period Kits North Carolina. The conversation opens a window into the often-hidden world of menstrual inequality, where one in six women in North Carolina can't afford or access basic hygiene products needed during their periods.

Emie's military experience reflects a deeply troubling reality many servicewomen face – being treated as though they don't belong simply because of their gender. Though proud of her service, she explains why many women veterans don't lead with their military experience, revealing how trauma can reshape identity and self-perception. This honest discussion creates a powerful bridge between her past experiences and her current mission fighting for menstrual equity.

The heart of the episode explores what happens when community compassion meets innovative action. Emmy details how Period Kits NC distributes essential menstrual supplies through strategic partnerships with libraries, schools, and community organizations. Each standard kit costs just $2 and contains enough products for a full day, addressing an urgent need that cuts across age groups and demographics. Most surprising is the diverse support that's emerged – from the Elks Lodge to local businesses – showcasing how this "taboo" topic resonates with people regardless of gender when presented as the health and dignity issue it truly is.

What makes this conversation truly remarkable is its blend of raw vulnerability and practical activism. Emmy describes the feeling of using toilet paper as makeshift pads and sitting in them all day as a young girl without resources or education about menstruation. Those powerful moments contrast with the optimistic work she's doing today, having already distributed over 4,000 kits across six counties with plans to reach 10,000 this year.

Want to make a difference? For just $8 monthly, you can ensure one person has consistent access to menstrual products. Visit periodkitsnc.org to learn more about period poverty and how your donation, no matter the size, can restore dignity to someone in your community.

Support the show

Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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As healthcare professionals, first responders, and veterans, the weight of difficult decisions and traumatic experiences can take a toll on our well-being. It's easy to feel isolated, burdened by guilt, or unsure of how to move forward.

Know that healing is possible.

In this session with Dr. Deborah Howell, we delve into Rebuilding Your Identity After Trauma: A Path to Healing and Wholeness.

Trauma can leave us feeling disconnected and unsure of who we are. It may seem like we’re lost, unable to rebuild or reclaim what was taken from us. But healing is possible, and transformation is within reach.

Dr. Howell describes her 6-session coaching program, in which she guides participants through a holistic approach to heal from trauma and rebuild their identity with confidence. She'll work with you to shift limiting beliefs, embrace change, and reconnect with your true self. Whether you're navigating grief, moral injury, or life transitions, this program will help you:

-Reconnect with your inner strength
-Shift fear and self-doubt
-Rebuild your life and purpose
-Transform emotional wounds into wisdom

Are you ready to embrace healing and wholeness?

Dr. Deborah Howell is a seasoned trauma-sensitive health and wellness professional, who combines decades of experience as a physical therapist, life and health coach, and wellness educator, utilizing evidenced based trauma-informed and mindfulness practices to support individuals and organizations in navigating the challenges of vicarious trauma, moral injury, grief, loss, and the complexities of change. As a health professional and military veteran, Dr. Howell brings a unique understanding of the mental, emotional, and physical toll that trauma, loss, and adversity can have on healthcare professionals, first responders, veterans, and crisis professionals. She integrates scientifically-backed techniques with spiritual practices aimed at fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience through the lens of heart intelligence and shares tools that further help you understand your body’s responses and sustain emotional resilience. Dr. Howell is a servant leader who is deeply committed to supporting her colleagues and comrades and front-line responders who dedicate their lives to serving our most vulnerable. She is ready to support you to feel empowered and to embrace and reclaim your sense of agency, purpose, and well-being.

If you are a healthcare professional, first responder, or veteran, I invite you to this informational session to explore how you can rebuild your identity and embark on the path to healing and wholeness. Together, we can explore the steps necessary for you to reclaim your purpose and begin a transformative journey toward better health and recovery.

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Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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Behind the uniform, beyond the homecoming ceremonies, military families face a battlefield few civilians ever witness. The invisible wounds of moral injury and PTSD transform homes into pressure cookers of tension, where walking on eggshells becomes a survival skill and children absorb trauma they don't understand.

Drawing from twenty revealing interviews with military spouses, Dr. Daniel Roberts exposes the harsh realities these families endure. Service members struggle with intrusive thoughts, memory problems, emotional detachment, and hypervigilance – often undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma or career concerns. When flashbacks strike or nightmares turn violent, the entire household pays the price. Meanwhile, spouses become everything at once: caregiver, breadwinner, parent, and emotional punching bag, all while receiving minimal support themselves.

The challenges multiply when service members separate from the military. Suddenly, families face financial instability alongside escalating mental health needs. Children grow up in environments filled with unpredictability, potentially setting them up for their own emotional struggles later in life. These families don't need platitudes about God never giving more than they can handle – they need practical resources, respite care, and genuine understanding.

This episode doesn't just highlight problems; it offers concrete solutions. From setting effective boundaries to joining peer support groups, military families can find paths forward. Churches, community organizations, and healthcare providers can learn to build the trusting relationships necessary for meaningful intervention. Most importantly, everyone can take action – whether by donating to support organizations or simply becoming more aware of the silent struggles happening in military households across the nation.

Looking for ways to help? Contact Moral Injury Support Network at droberts@misns.org or call 910-690-5964. Your support can help military families not just survive, but thrive beyond the invisible battlefield at home.

Support the show

Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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Elizabeth Estabrooks takes us on a profound journey through trauma, healing, and the unexpected paths to recovery in this eye-opening conversation about her new book "Broken in the Stronger Places: From Resilience to Resourcefulness."

Drawing from three decades working with survivors of personal violence, Estabrooks challenges the popular metaphor that trauma makes us "stronger in the broken places." While many embrace the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—as a symbol of trauma recovery, she reveals a more complex truth: trauma never truly disappears. Even after extensive healing work, re-traumatization can occur through national events or personal triggers, shattering those supposedly strengthened places.

The conversation pivots to the invisible struggles facing women veterans. "Veteran is default male," Estabrooks explains, leading to troubling statistical blindspots. When headlines celebrate decreased veteran homelessness or suicide rates, they often mask rising rates among women veterans. This invisibility extends to women's self-perception—Estabrooks herself didn't identify as a veteran until age 45, despite serving in the 1980s, a common experience that prevents many from accessing vital benefits.

Perhaps most powerful is Estabrooks' personal healing journey. After burning out at the VA's Center for Women Veterans, she followed her instinct to purchase a van and spend 14 months driving across America. This wasn't a planned therapeutic intervention but an example of "resourcefulness"—the capacity to find what you need when resilience alone isn't enough. For helpers carrying others' trauma stories, she offers wisdom about recognizing when it's time to step away and prioritize your own mental health over career expectations.

Whether you're a survivor seeking validation, a helper navigating vicarious trauma, or someone supporting a loved one through recovery, this conversation offers invaluable insights about trauma's long-term impact and the unexpected resources we might discover on our healing journeys. Visit awomansvoicepress.com to learn more about Elizabeth's work and upcoming book tour.

Support the show

Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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Imagine facing a struggle that isn't just about the battlefield, but one that follows you home, affecting those closest to you. This episode opens up a much-needed discussion on how moral injury extends beyond PTSD, delving into the feelings of guilt, shame, and even spiritual crisis. Through ongoing research with the Moral Injury Support Network and Thomas Jefferson University, we gain insights from interviews with military spouses, exploring the profound impact on their mental health and relationships.

Personal stories of military families navigating the tumultuous waters of PTSD reveal a world of emotional upheaval and isolation. When a service member is diagnosed with PTSD, the ripple effects are felt by the entire family, creating a life that feels like an endless series of challenges. From the erosion of community and spiritual support to the financial and emotional strain, our conversations highlight the pressing need for comprehensive resources and understanding. The narratives shared offer a raw glimpse into the daily struggles these families endure and emphasize the moral injury experienced by spouses as they try to support their children amidst the chaos.

Turning from the stories to solutions, the episode emphasizes the moral duty felt by military spouses to support their loved ones and fellow families. We underscore the significance of moral injury-informed mental health services, peer support, and advocacy for better resources. This episode also connects listeners with organizations like the Moral Injury Support Network, encouraging active participation in securing vital support systems. Whether you're a military spouse, a veteran, or a care provider, the episode provides a wealth of perspectives and practical advice to help you navigate the complexities of PTSD and moral injury within military families.

Support the show

Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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Dr. Amelia Duran Stanton, a revered colonel with an impressive 32-year tenure in the US Army, unveils her extraordinary life story and shares her wisdom on empowerment and resilience. Her journey from an enlisted soldier to a colonel is not just a tale of professional success but also one of personal growth and mentorship. Dr. Stanton's book "The Lotus Within" serves as a beacon for women striving to strategically plan their futures, offering insights into prioritization and time management. Tune in to uncover her motivations and the invaluable lessons she imparts for both women and men seeking to navigate their careers and personal lives with purpose and balance.

Find yourself captivated by discussions around ikigai, the beautiful intersection of passion, vocation, profession, and mission, as Dr. Stanton provides guidance on how to discover fulfillment in both career and personal life. The episode sheds light on the complexities of balancing professional duties and personal passions, especially for those in demanding roles like the military. Gain practical strategies for managing responsibilities, fostering supportive relationships, and aligning life with core values through reflective exercises and candid conversations. Learn how to gracefully transition from military to civilian life, with advice on planning for retirement and adapting to new routines.

This conversation also touches on the importance of self-care and routine during transitional phases, emphasizing the role of mentorship and community support. Dr. Stanton's experiences and insights provide a detailed roadmap for those approaching retirement, illustrating how to maintain health and well-being while embracing newfound freedom. Discover how to avoid common retirement pitfalls, plan for the future, and ensure a comfortable, fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you're seeking personal growth, career development, or a deeper understanding of leadership and empowerment, this episode offers a treasure trove of advice and inspiration, with Dr. Stanton's book "The Lotus Within" as a guide to blooming where you're planted.

Read her blog at: https://www.ameliads.com/blog

Order her book at: https://www.amazon.com/LOTUS-Within-Purpose-Ignite-Passion/dp/B0DDR1GMD1

Support the show

Help Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!

Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/