Shows
United States of PTSDS3 E:28 Extra Episode. Brown University Shooting and the failure of our culture.Send us a textWe came back from our planned break to speak about the Brown University shooting, the weight of living near it, and the everyday systems that fail to protect people. Healthcare costs, campus safety, and community care weave into a candid, grounded conversation.• premium spikes, broken enrollment, and access gaps• moral injury of vulnerability in a crisis• what the videos miss and what students carry• policing delays, dismissive responses, and data manipulation• harm reduction versus root causes of violence• campus safety tradeoffs and obvious fixes• misinformation, victim‑blaming...
2025-12-2158 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 Season Three Thanks And A Holiday PauseSend us a textHappy Holidays everyone. See you in 2026 and thank you for all the support. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/no-time-to-dieLicense code: S4CEQWLNQXVZUMU4Artwork and logo design by Misty Rae. Special thanks to Joanna Roux for editing help.Special thanks to the listeners and all the wonderful people who helped listen to and provide feedback on the episode's prerelease. Please feel free to email Matt topics or suggestions, questions or feedback.
2025-11-3002 minUnited States of PTSDS3 E:27 Healing Past Childhood TraumaSend us a textWendy returns for reunion episode. Per listener request Matt shares some of his own personal trauma and how it impacted his relationships before and after his resolution. Below is the poem I wrote when I was 33. This is how raw the feelings were back then. Thankfully the pain has been healed. I am a bastard, thanks to you.I bet 33 years ago you never imagined,your polluted seed would createthe man that stands hereI N V I S I...
2025-11-1248 minUnited States of PTSDS3 E: 26 When Empathy Becomes Policy: Food, Power, And The Cost Of Looking AwaySend us a textStarvation isn’t a metaphor—it’s policy made real. Erika and I sit down on Halloween. A holiday that is ironically about asking for snacks from strangers. We map how a government shutdown can remove the barely sustainable payment rails for SNAP, why many families get far less than a livable food budget, and how the benefits cliff punishes a $1 raise with thousands lost in childcare, healthcare, and food support. The math doesn’t lie, and neither do checkout lines when EBT systems fail. We break down the myths about “living off the syst...
2025-11-031h 00United States of PTSDS 3 E: 25 Lila’s Voice from GazaSend us a textWe share Lila’s frontline account from Gaza and the mutual aid network she helps lead for children and orphans, weaving her poetry with hard facts about blockade, targeted healthcare, and the human cost of deliberate deprivation. We explain how to get funds and attention to people on the ground and how to build people power where you live.• bonus context for Lila’s interview and work • mutual aid logistics under bombardment and blackout • how funds reach Gaza through trusted routes • starvation as state policy and targeted healthcare • One Health...
2025-10-1331 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 24 Who counts as human when grief goes public?Send us a textWe unpack reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the messy truths of trauma responses, and why some grief gets megaphones while other suffering stays invisible. Trauma reactions come in many forms. But what is it that makes such a tidal wave of reactions when the targets are high profile white men, but a resounding silence when it is from other groups. • setting intentions, limits, and non‑violence• why man‑made violence destabilizes more than disasters• viral footage, repetition, and normal trauma responses• witnessing harm and preventing entrenched PTSD• medi...
2025-10-0658 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 23 Holy Terror Part 2Send us a textAmy returns to United States of PTSD to complete her powerful story of surviving clergy sexual abuse and the long, winding path to healing through religious deconstruction.Following her abuse at age 15, Amy faced institutional gaslighting from the Catholic Church. Officials questioned what she "did to seduce" the priest and sent her parents a deliberately vague letter with double negatives that absolved them of responsibility. When they finally agreed to pay for therapy, they insisted on church-approved therapists—a dangerous conflict of interest that led to confidentiality breaches and further trauma.
2025-09-221h 06United States of PTSDS:3 E 22 Holy Terror: When Faith Becomes FearSend us a textEvery survivor has a story that deserves to be heard. In this powerful conversation, we're joined by Amy, a social work student and survivor of religious trauma who shares her journey through high-control Catholicism and the devastating abuse she experienced, at the hands of a trusted priest.Amy takes us through her childhood immersed in religious fear – developing religious OCD as she performed rituals, before bed, to ward off demons she was taught would possess her if she failed to pray correctly. This environment of spiritual terror created perfect conditions for ex...
2025-09-071h 17United States of PTSDS 3 E: 21 Echoes of Cambodia's Killing FieldsSend us a textPlease welcome guest speaker Julie Botom-Richny Chhay. Julie shares her family's experience during the Cambodian genocide, drawing parallels to current genocide in Gaza and how generational trauma continues to impact survivors and their descendants.• Cambodia's genocide under Pol Pot's regime killed nearly 2 million people between 1975-1979• The Khmer Rouge specifically targeted educated people - teachers, doctors, artists, and even those who wore glasses• Julie's mother survived being attacked and left to die in the woods at just 8 years old• Refugee experiences at the Thai border included further violence against t...
2025-08-1857 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 20 Weaponizing the Human-Animal Bond: Police Dogs and Colonial ViolenceSend us a textDog training experts Zak George and Bree join us to explore the dark side of animal training and how the weaponization of the human-animal bond perpetuates systems of oppression. We examine how our treatment of animals reflects deeper societal values about power, control, and our approach to both animal and human behavior.• Traditional dog training methods often rely on pain and fear, including shock collars, prong collars, and physically harmful techniques• The police dog system has roots in colonialism and was historically used to control marginalized communities• When an animal...
2025-08-091h 05United States of PTSDPTSD and Coming Out: A Palestinian American's JourneySend us a textJohn Demarjain shares his emotional journey of coming out as a gay Palestinian American, revealing the complex intersection of cultural identity, family values, and personal authenticity in Western and Middle Eastern contexts.• Western culture emphasizes (by design) individualism and independence, at the cost of community while Middle Eastern culture prioritizes family and religion• The concept of "pinkwashing" attempts to force the LGBTQ+ population to turn a blind eye to genocide "in their own best interest". • Both selective empathy and performative politics create barriers to genuine human connection and social...
2025-07-281h 10United States of PTSDS 3 E:19 School gun fire, corrupt politics, and dangerous rhetoric, oh my!Send us a textA foreshadowing of the national impending healthcare collapse as we see the beginnings of it in Rhode Island. As mental health workers face increasing dangers from understaffing, violence, and corporate retaliation against unionization efforts. Matt shares his terrifying classroom experience with possible gunfire, highlighting educators' vulnerability in America's gun violence epidemic, while Erika exposes the expanding network of privatized immigrant detention centers that are akin to the start of concentration camps. Towards the end of the episode we welcome Hannah John Damarjian. • Rhode Island healthcare system facing multiple facility closures and bankr...
2025-07-081h 00United States of PTSDS 3 E: 18 War, Trauma, and the Fight for HumanitySend us a textIn this raw, unedited conversation, we process our emotional responses to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran while exploring how intergenerational trauma shapes our understanding of war.• Processing our emotional reactions to Israel's "preemptive strike" otherwise know as a declaration of war against Iran• Examining how media messaging manipulates public perception of conflict to vilify people in Gaza and justify colonialism • Discussing intergenerational trauma from historical wars and how it shapes our worldview• Exploring the complicity of silence and the moral obligation to speak against genocide• Looking at...
2025-06-161h 24United States of PTSDS3 E:17 Finding Your Power When Everything Feels Out of ControlSend us a textMatt and Erika explore how people in compassion-based professions navigate feelings of helplessness when confronted with systemic barriers and limitations beyond their control.• The challenges of working in compassion-based professions (healthcare, teaching, social work, veterinary medicine) within systems that often prioritize profit over people• America's dysfunctional relationship with grief and death as a "death-defying society"• The importance of radical acceptance – acknowledging limitations while still taking meaningful action• Why our positive impacts often ripple outward in ways we'll never witness• How to recognize early warning signs of burnout before reach...
2025-05-271h 01United States of PTSDS 3 E:16 Papers Please: Navigating America's Broken Immigration SystemSend us a textImmigration rights are under severe threat as communities across America face increasing persecution and detention without due process, with Kim DeLeon sharing her family's journey through the US immigration system and the fears they still face despite her husband's citizenship. We discuss how the immigration process is far more complex, expensive, and uncertain than most people realize, with many families spending thousands of dollars and years navigating bureaucratic hurdles.• Legal immigration requires navigating thousands of dollars in fees, complex paperwork, and multi-year waiting periods• Even with proper documentation, immigrants face cons...
2025-05-1959 minUnited States of PTSDS3 E: 15 Field Veterinarians and the Mental Health Crisis in Animal Disease ResponseSend us a textPS: Congress is trying to pass a bill that would prohibit the boycott of the genocidal state of Israel's products. Please contact your rep to tell them to vote against the bill and stop the madness. H.R.867 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): IGO Anti-Boycott Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Field veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Cehrs shares her experience responding to avian influenza outbreaks and the devastating mental health toll of mass animal depopulations. Her story reveals a systemic failure in supporting veterinary personnel doing essential but tr...
2025-05-0554 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E:14 An Immigrant Story: Erased Histories: Ukraine's Past, Present, and Uncertain FutureSend us a textKate, a Ukrainian immigrant living in the US for 25 years, shares her journey navigating American systems while maintaining deep connections to her homeland during Russia's ongoing invasion.• Describes how Russian cultural dominance and systematic erasure of Ukrainian identity extends back centuries, not just since 2014• Explains coming to America as a young widow seeking opportunities for her child• Details the challenges of navigating the American legal system as an immigrant mother• Recounts her 15-year battle for child custody and support, costing over $130,000• Shares experience supporting another immigrant woman escaping d...
2025-04-2153 min
United States of PTSDS3 E:13 When Goodbye Hurts: A Memorial to Hermes and the Grief of Losing a PetSend us a textPet grief cuts deeper than many realize. When my beloved cat Hermes passed away recently after 16 incredible years together, I found myself grappling with a profound sense of loss that inspired this raw, emotional episode.The story of Hermes begins in 2009, during a period of personal turmoil when this playful kitten literally ran into my life. Named after the fleet-footed Greek messenger god, Hermes was quick, mischievous, and utterly devoted. He established himself as the alpha cat while remaining incredibly social with humans, winning over everyone with his characteristic headbutts and...
2025-04-0629 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 12 Division By Design: How Capitalism Profits From Our Political HostilitySend us a textMatt and Mike explore cognitive dissonance in political values, examining how party loyalty often overrides moral consistency, particularly regarding responses to global genocides versus performative corporate boycotts.• Discussion of selective outrage: boycotting companies for one day while ignoring ongoing genocides• Examination of how political tribalism leads to moral inconsistencies• Analysis of capitalism's role in keeping citizens divided against their own interests• Consideration of how class warfare is disguised as partisan political conflict• Reflection on meaningful versus performative activism• Personal safety considerations when speaking out against powerful interests
2025-03-1751 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 11 Selective Outrage and the Illusion of Neutrality in PoliticsSend us a textThe episode delves into the concepts of cognitive dissonance and selective outrage, exploring how they shape our political identities and conversations. The hosts discuss the implications of a polarized political landscape and emphasize the importance of understanding differing perspectives as a path to unity and constructive change.• Examining the impact of selective outrage • Understanding cognitive dissonance in political discourse • Critique of the two-party system and its implications • Analysis of the War on Drugs as a systemic issue • Discussion on the selective outrage surrounding international conflicts • Importance of empathy and un...
2025-02-2450 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E:10 Walking Across Canada for Mental Health ChangeSend us a textChad Kennedy's journey from trauma to transformation sheds light on mental health challenges faced by first responders and veterans. Through his Sea to Sea for PTSD initiative, he shares insights into finding the right therapy, the importance of connection, and the power of community in navigating mental health struggles.• Chad shares his background and battle with PTSD • The necessity of trauma-informed therapy and finding a good match • Importance of connection and relationship in therapy for healing • Effects of cumulative trauma among first responders • Key strategies for advocating for personal m...
2025-02-1050 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E:9 Veterinary Voices: Advocacy, Diversity, and Human Rights Challenges Part 2Send us a textThe episode dives into the intersection of veterinary medicine, social justice, and global crises, focusing on the personal experiences of veterinary students facing harassment at the hands of faculty. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of One Health, the varied cultural perspectives on the human-animal bond, and the vital role of community and allyship in combating systemic injustice.• Personal experiences of harassment within higher ed. • Moral duplicity within academic environments • The One Health approach and its relevance to societal issues • Cultural perspectives on the human-animal bond • Importance of community soli...
2025-01-3048 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E:8 Veterinary Voices: Advocacy, Diversity, and Human Rights Challenges Part 1Send us a textPlease welcome back Dr. Ericka Hendel as their input is incredibly valuable and profound. This episode reveals the intersection of veterinary medicine and human rights, highlighting the struggles of students advocating for marginalized voices, particularly concerning Palestine. Panelists discuss issues of tokenization, selective empathy, and the moral responsibilities of veterinarians in confronting social injustices.• Discussion on the responsibilities of veterinary professionals for animal and human rights • Insights on student experiences with tokenization in education • Examination of selective empathy within the veterinary community • Personal accounts of student activism and...
2025-01-1953 minUnited States of PTSDS 3 E: 7 From Trauma to Triumph: A Police Officer's StorySend us a textHow does a seasoned police officer navigate the mental health challenges that come with the job? Captain Adam Myers, an officer with over two decades of experience, opens up about his journey through trauma and recovery in the latest episode of United States of PTSD. He takes us on a gripping ride through the aftermath of a critical incident where he was forced to use deadly force, sharing the emotional turmoil and complexities of such life-altering events. Adam's story is not just about the incident itself but also about the unhealthy coping mechanisms...
2024-12-231h 15United States of PTSDS 3 E: 6 Insurance problems and consequences of oppression.Send us a textWhat if the oppressive systems you navigate daily are pushing you to the brink? Join us as we welcome back Donna from "Healing Our Kindred Spirits" to confront the chaotic intersection of the U.S. healthcare system and societal tensions. We tackle the controversial shooting involving Luigi Mangione and the United CEO, diving deep into the emotions and frustrations that underpin such events. Through personal stories and heartfelt discussions, we highlight the urgent need for empathy and understanding in navigating a healthcare landscape riddled with systemic inefficiencies and insurance nightmares.Our...
2024-12-1758 min