Embark on a powerful journey with hosts Mindy Aisling and Keith Dauch as they delve into the profound challenges and triumphant moments of rebuilding one's identity after military service.
In this episode Mindy guides Keith in sharing his story of military service and the challenges he faces as a veteran.
Keith lived for fifteen years with PTSD without knowing what was wrong with him. Once he learned about PTSD and realized all the things he thought were “wrong” with him were symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress, he believed his hope would be found at the VA. This only began a fight with the VA which lasted several years to get the help he needed.
Keith finally decided to figure out his problems for himself. He enrolled in college and studied Anthropology, where he looked at his mind as if it was its own independent culture. From this point Keith learned the reason for the behaviors and feelings that were hollowing him out, and he set out to retrain his mind and build an identity that served him as a Veteran.
Mindy brings a compassionate and understanding atmosphere, as together, they explore the complexities of post-military identity. We hope you join the conversation as we explore the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding identity after military service.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:03 The beginning
00:04:34 Seeing the world outside of church
00:05:47 High stress with a lot of fun
00:07:11 Journey into the military
00:08:14 the technique of war verse the emotional aspect
00:10:26 PTSD
00:12:06 The failing of the military
00:15:46 Gnarly experiences
00:19:46 Beliefs that I’m weak and a coward
00:20:46 Dehumanizing the enemy
00:21:24 Coming home from Bosnia
00:25:26 There is no place for help
00:30:37 Adventures with the VA
00:33:46 PSA—Nobody gets to minimize your trauma
00:36:15 Going outside the VA
00:37:34 I didn’t understand what was wrong with me
00:40:24 Recognizing the effects of trauma in the moment
00:40:55 How I got to this point
00:44:52 Finally get to see a steady doctor at the VA
00:49:21 PSA—Your doctor is not an expert on you—but you are
00:52:30 Try again with a new doctor
00:55:14 Even with a good doctor I’m not getting better—I’ll figure this out for myself
00:55:35 Rite of passage model
1:02:00 Purpose of Basic Training—an identity shift
1:02:38 New relationship with identity
1:13:58 Cannabis as a tool
More about Keith and Mindy:
Mindy Aisling (@mindyaisling)
Keith Dauch (@mastercheeseee)