Episode Summary:
In this raw and reflective episode of Unwritten Chapters, I open up about the complicated trauma that comes not from the battlefield, but from the living room. From family. From silence.
As a veteran, former paramedic, and survivor of PTSD, I share a personal account of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and betrayal—specifically the kind that occurs within family systems. This isn’t a story about enemies; it’s about the pain of being invalidated by those who were supposed to protect you. It’s about choosing to walk away from family members who refuse accountability. About setting boundaries for your mental health and your recovery.
Whether you’re in addiction recovery, navigating complex PTSD, or struggling with toxic family relationships, this episode offers solidarity and insight. If you've ever felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy in the eyes of the people you should’ve been able to trust, this one's for you.
🔑 Keywords:
PTSD and family trauma
Toxic family dynamics
Emotional abuse recovery
Addiction and sobriety podcast
Veteran mental health
Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse
Setting boundaries in recovery
When to cut off toxic family
First responder mental health
Surviving trauma and finding peace
Complex PTSD podcast
Male trauma survivors
Forgiveness vs self-preservation
Podcast about resilience and healing
🎧 What You’ll Hear About:
The emotional aftermath of being betrayed by family
Why silence can hurt more than violence
Being gaslit and invalidated after disclosing abuse
The role of sobriety in finding clarity and strength
How to decide when it’s time to walk away
Why healing sometimes means letting go
🎤 Takeaway:
You can’t heal in a place where your truth is denied. And sometimes, walking away from family isn’t bitterness—it’s bravery. You don’t owe anyone access to your life if they haven’t earned it through love, respect, and accountability.
📚 Love whatyou heard? There’s more.
I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writersharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.
🎙 Listento the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC
📰 Subscribe to my newsletter for reflectionsI don’t share anywhere else: https://substack.com/@unwrittenchapterspodcast?utm_source=user-menu
📚 Read my books:
A Medic’sMind: https://a.co/d/fyBwpo1
Woven inWar: https://a.co/d/6DlWdg6
Life AfterLoss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief: https://a.co/d/2U4zSG4
Dream:Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers: https://a.co/d/cbi7A9n
BrainstormRevolution: True mental health stories of love, personal evolution, andcultural revolution: https://a.co/d/gatLrby
A Versionof Me: Askew's Word on the Lake Anthology 2024: https://a.co/d/iEON2Rw
🌐 Visit: www.amedicsmind.com
📸 Follow me: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcaston Instagram
Because thenext chapter is still unwritten — and you don’t have to write it alone.
