Episode Title: The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 20: Healing in the Wild with Dr. Carter Check
Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, Renée Lautermilch interviews Dr. Carter Check, a U.S. Army veteran, clinical chaplain, and bestselling author of Healing in the Wild: Overcoming Trauma through Outdoor Therapy. Carter shares how nature, ritual, and storytelling have become tools for healing deep invisible wounds—including those from trauma, moral injury, and soul disconnection.
What You'll Hear:
Dr. Check explains the difference between trauma and moral injury—and why the latter often goes unnamed and untreated. He describes how betrayal, grief without validation, and spiritual disorientation leave lasting marks, and how the natural world offers a sacred space to remember, reframe, and rebuild.
Carter also shares the origin story of his moral injury—an intense experience while serving in South Korea—and how that moment changed the trajectory of his healing work. His reflections are raw, deeply human, and filled with wisdom for anyone who has ever carried pain that doesn’t show up on an X-ray.
Key Concepts Discussed:
Moral injury vs. PTSD
Disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss
How outdoor rituals can create space for restoration
The wild as a nonjudgmental companion in the healing process
The importance of remembering differently—not forgetting
A simple mindfulness tool you can try today
Who It’s For:
This episode is for veterans, first responders, caregivers, and anyone holding a wound they can’t quite name. It’s also for aspiring authors who feel called to write from their pain, and for anyone searching for purpose, peace, or permission to keep going.
Quote to Remember:
“You don’t have to wear a uniform to carry a wound that doesn’t bleed.”
Where to Learn More:
Visit drcartercheck.com to learn more about Carter’s nonprofit Hunt Therapy and to grab a copy of Healing in the Wild. If the book’s not for you, consider getting it for someone who needs it.
