What would it feel like to hear your country look you in the eye and say, “I see you, and I’m sorry”? I’m joined by Benjamin John Lee, a retired military bomb squad technician turned professional life coach, to talk about his book Sincerely America, a collection of letters written in the voice of America that take accountability for the nation’s missteps and speak directly to the people who still carry the fallout.
Benjamin shares the moment that cracked something open for him: watching the Afghanistan withdrawal unfold and feeling betrayal rise to the surface. That pain led to a surprising therapeutic practice, writing a letter to himself from the government, and discovering that the words still landed even when he knew he wrote them. From there we dig into why so many of us stay stuck in “yeah, but what about me?”, how fight or flight shapes our politics and our relationships, and why criticism can be an act of love, not disloyalty.
Midway through, I read one of Benjamin’s most universal letters aloud, addressed to healthcare workers. We talk about burnout, grief, moral injury, and what happens when care becomes commodified in a for profit system. I also share a personal story from my mother’s end of life care and the invisible emotional labour that so many CNAs and nurses carry. Then we widen out into community, leadership, and practical ways to help: donate, volunteer, signal boost, do honest research, and simply acknowledge the human being in front of you.
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Resources & Workbooks:
Book • Free Starter Guide • Heal What Raised You Workbook • Website
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