PTSD doesn’t end when the war ends. Coming home can be its own kind of battlefield — especially when childhood trauma, grief, and decades of survival stack on top of combat memories.
In this episode of Beat The Mental Health Out Of It! (AKA “BTMHOOI!”), host Nicholas Wichman (“The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective”) sits down with Vietnam veteran and his great uncle, Marc Wichman, for a candid conversation about PTSD, war, marriage, loss, and recovery — no platitudes, no performative “thank you for your service,” just real talk.
Marc shares what led him into the military, what he carried back from Vietnam, the horrific treatment of returning soldiers and how trauma can shape a life long after the uniform is gone. We also talk about the chaos of reintegration, the cost of untreated PTSD, and the crossroads many veterans face: get help or keep spiraling until the system catches you.
A major theme in this episode is relationships and stability — specifically how supportive partners can be life-changing. Marc and Nicholas both talk about their wives as phenomenal women: understanding, patient, and steady, and how a good partner can help you stay grounded through severe mental health struggles. It’s not a “fix,” but it can be the difference between isolating and surviving with deep connection.
We also get into what healing can look like in real life — routine, discipline, pet companionship, and meaningful relationships that keep you connected when your nervous system wants to shut down. Marc also reflects on war movies and how Hollywood gets it right (or wrong) compared to lived experience.
Content note: graphic war trauma, PTSD, childhood abuse, grief, and heavy mental health themes.
In this episode, we talk about:
If this episode moved you, thank a vet today and check in on someone you love — then share one trusted support resource in our Discord, “The Struggle Bus”. (link below)
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Podcast artwork by Ryan Manning
