Shows
The Matt and Monica PodcastThe Matt and Monica Podcast Episdoe 39 - Sara CorrellJoin Matt and Monica for a powerful and moving conversation with Sara Correll on The Matt and Monica Podcast. Sara is a wife, mother, and passionate advocate for veterans and first responders. With a background in drug and alcohol counseling and a deep understanding of trauma's impact, Sara founded "The Power of Our Story: Coffee and Conversation" groups. These groups offer a vital lifeline for veterans and first responders, providing a supportive community where they can share their stories, find healing, and rediscover hope. Sara shares her personal journey, the inspiration behind her work, and the critical need for...2025-03-2538 min
Wounds to Wisdom#28 From Trauma to Triumph: Daniel Torres on Healing and ResilienceSend us a textIn this powerful episode of Wounds to Wisdom, Daniel Torres, a combat veteran and former police officer, shares his emotional journey of healing and resilience. Daniel opens up about his experiences in the military, his transition to law enforcement, and the traumatic incidents that deeply impacted his mental health.When betrayal by his organization and unemployment forced him to confront his suppressed emotions, Daniel found strength in vulnerability and the courage to share his story. Through the power of storytelling, he discovered a path to recovery and resilience, emphasizing...2024-12-2327 min
Pathway To Wellness With RobinSara Correll - The Importance Of Sharing Our StoryHi Friends, I have a new episode for you today with a special person who has made a beautiful impact on my life. Her name is Sara Correll and because of her, I have been blessed to be a part of a special community of Veterans and First Responders that have not only accepted me as one of their own, but some have taken me under their wing and shared with me their knowledge and wisdom that I am extremely thankful for.
Sara created The Power Of Our Story - Coffee and Conversation groups...2024-12-1138 min
Wounds to Wisdom#27 Transforming Service to Healing: Zeke Vanderpool's Journey from Combat to Community SupportSend us a textZeke Vanderpool, a retired United States Army combat veteran and co-founder of Operation Angel Wing, shares his journey of healing and the importance of connection and camaraderie in the military. He emphasizes the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life and the need for support and understanding. Zeke encourages veterans and first responders who are struggling to reach out for help and find a safe space to open up. He also highlights the mission of Operation Angel Wing in providing healing and support for those affected by trauma. F...2024-12-0930 min
Wounds to Wisdom#26 The Bipolar General: Greg F. Martin’s struggle with Bipolar disorderSend us a textIn this conversation, Sara Correll interviews Greg F. Martin, a retired Major General with the United States Army and author of the book 'Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.' Greg shares his journey of joining the military, his love for leading troops, and his highlight of commanding thousands of troops in combat. He also discusses his experience with bipolar disorder, including the undiagnosed mania he experienced during the Iraq war and the subsequent depression and psychosis. Greg emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help for mental health conditions and shares...2024-12-0224 min
Wounds to Wisdom#25: Wounds to Wisdom: How Stories Heal Veterans and First Responders with Natalie June ReillySend us a textIn this inspiring episode, host Sara Correll sits down with Natalie June Reilly, the editor of Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives. Natalie shares her unique journey as a writer and editor, and the powerful impact this book has had on both the storytellers and herself. They dive into the importance of storytelling, vulnerability, and connection in the healing process. Natalie also discusses her organization, Nothing But Love Notes, and how it fosters connection and support. This conversation sheds light on the role of narratives in healing for veterans...2024-11-2527 min
Wounds to Wisdom#24: From Firefighter to Peer Support Counselor: Justin Wood’s Journey of Trauma, Resilience, and TransformationSend us a textIn this powerful episode, host Sara Correll sits down with Justin Wood, a former firefighter and paramedic who now dedicates his life to peer support counseling. Justin opens up about his challenging journey from battling trauma and hitting rock bottom to finding a new purpose. Hear how his love for firefighting shaped him and the toll it took on his life and relationships. Justin's candid story of resilience, transformation, and the "aha" moment that changed everything offers hope to those struggling in silence. He shares insights on the importance of peer support and...2024-11-1829 min
Wounds to Wisdom#23: Finding Faith and Healing: Jeremy Gronau’s Story of Resilience and RecoverySend us a textJoin us as we delve into the powerful story of Jeremy Gronau, a former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot, who found renewed purpose after a life-altering car accident. In this episode, Jeremy shares how his faith, military brotherhood, and resilience helped him overcome trauma and find healing. From the bonds of camaraderie to the transformative power of journaling, Jeremy opens up about the steps that guided his recovery, offering valuable insights for anyone on a similar path.Tune in to learn about Jeremy's journey through adversity and his message of...2024-11-1135 min
Wounds to Wisdom#22 Overcoming Opioid Addiction and Trauma: Glenn Ignazio's Path to Healing and ResilienceSend us a textIn this episode of the "Wounds to Wisdom" podcast, retired Major Glenn Ignazio, a combat rescue and special operations Air Force pilot, shares his powerful journey of healing, resilience, and recovery. Glenn opens up about his experiences, from battling opioid addiction after a serious injury to managing the emotional toll of high-stakes missions. His story is one of perseverance through trauma, highlighting the importance of reaching out for support, self-care, and forgiveness. Glenn offers an inspirational narrative for veterans, first responders, and anyone grappling with personal challenges. By embracing vulnerability and seeking help...2024-11-0441 min
Wounds to Wisdom#21 Beyond the Battlefield: Michael Halterman on Transitioning, Hidden Wounds, and Finding PurposeSend us a textIn this episode of "Wounds to Wisdom," host Sara Correll sits down with Michael "Halti" Halterman, a retired MARSOC Raider and a driving force behind the Honor Foundation. Together, they dive into the mission of the Honor Foundation, which helps special operations veterans, like Halti himself, transition successfully into civilian life. Halti shares his experience as the leader of the Vector Accelerator, a program designed to help veterans discover their identity and purpose after military service. Through heartfelt narratives, Halti opens up about his own hidden wounds and the challenges of transitioning from...2024-10-2823 min
Wounds to Wisdom#20 Breaking the Silence: Michael Peyton's Journey from Addiction and Trauma to Healing and PurposeSend us a textIn this impactful episode of "Wounds to Wisdom," Sara Correll sits down with retired Navy SEAL Michael Peyton to uncover his powerful story of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. Michael opens up about his personal struggles with addiction, divorce, and bankruptcy, and how he was able to turn his life around through faith, trust, and purpose. He shares how suffering in silence led him down a path of trauma, loss, and betrayal, but also reveals how forgiveness, empowerment, and vulnerability became the keys to his healing. Through heartfelt narratives, Michael offers invaluable lessons on...2024-10-2137 min
Wounds to Wisdom#19 Steve Giblin: From SEAL Team 6 to Healing: Steve Giblin's Journey of Resilience, Brotherhood, and Overcoming PTSDSend us a textOn this episode of "Wounds to Wisdom," retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Steve Giblin takes listeners on an inspiring journey. From his roots in New Mexico to joining the elite ranks of SEAL Team 6, Steve shares his story of military service, brotherhood, and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. Through personal narratives, he reveals the deep sense of tribe and camaraderie within the special operations community. Steve also courageously opens up about his battle with PTSD and the crucial role of seeking help, healing, and support. His message serves as a beacon...2024-10-1430 min
Wounds to Wisdom#18 Lona Spisso: Unlocking Empowerment after traumaSend us a textIn this powerful episode of the Wounds to Wisdom podcast, host Sara Correll sits down with Lana Spisso, co-author of Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives. Lana shares her inspiring journey, revealing how her military background shaped her fierce determination and leadership coaching career. She opens up about the deep challenges she faced, including the devastating loss of a fellow officer in Afghanistan and the pain of betrayal and manipulation in her marriage. Through her personal stories, Lana explores the path to healing, emphasizing self-care, forgiveness, and the incredible...2024-10-0737 min
Wounds to Wisdom#17 Michelle Collier: From 911 Dispatcher to Healing AdvocateSend us a textIn this episode of Wounds to Wisdom, host Sara Correll interviews Michelle Collier, a retired 911 dispatcher supervisor, who shares her powerful journey of healing after experiencing a traumatic call that deeply affected her mental health. Through the Power of Our Stories community, Michelle found the courage to confront her past and begin healing from both her experiences in dispatching and her unresolved childhood trauma.Michelle opens up about the emotional challenges that come with working in high-stress environments and emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself before entering such intense professions. She...2024-09-3025 min
Wounds to Wisdom#16 Healing and Empowerment: Lakeydra Houston's Inspiring Journey from the Air Force to RecoverySend us a textIn this powerful episode, host Sara Correll interviews Lakeydra Houston, a retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant, who shares her inspiring journey from her time in the military to finding healing after hitting rock bottom. Lakeydra recounts her love for travel and the pride she felt upon her promotion in the Air Force, before bravely opening up about the sexual assault she experienced during her service, and the mental health struggles that followed.Lakeydra's candid storytelling sheds light on the emotional toll of shame, victim shaming, and the challenges of...2024-09-2324 min
Wounds to Wisdom#15 The Odyssey of Barry Zworestine: Learning to thrive after CombatSend us a textBarry Zworestine, a combat veteran and psychologist, shares his story of growing up in Southern Rhodesia and fighting in the Rhodesian Bush War. He discusses the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life and the importance of understanding the veteran experience. Barry emphasizes the need for allied health professionals to be familiar with the veteran territory and to approach therapy with a mission-oriented mindset. He provides practical steps for veterans to begin their healing journey, including identifying perimeter defenses and implementing weapon maintenance protocols. Barry's hope is that his book and story will...2024-09-0929 min
Wounds to Wisdom#14 Hope and Healing: Todd Stewart's Journey from Firefighter to ChaplainSend us a textDiscover how Todd Stewart, known as Chappie, transformed immense suffering into a beacon of hope. In this episode, we explore Todd's journey from a young firefighter to a chaplain, helping others navigate their darkest times. After witnessing a traumatic event early in his career, Todd was forced to suppress his emotions due to the "suffer in silence" culture. This led to a downward spiral of identity loss, substance abuse, and homelessness after a career-ending injury. A suicide attempt in 2003 was halted by a vision of his daughters, but true recovery began with a...2024-09-0229 min
Wounds to Wisdom#13 Mary Millsaps: From Trauma to TriumphSend us a text#13 Mary Millsaps: From Trauma to TriumphHave you ever wondered how someone can rise from the depths of unimaginable hardship to become a beacon of hope and healing for others? Join us in this emotional and transformative episode as we sit down with Mary Millsaps, co-founder of Operation Angel Wing. Mary shares her incredible journey from a tumultuous childhood marked by severe trauma, including sexual assault and homelessness at just 13, to her current role as a neuro-linguistic practitioner dedicated to healing veterans and first responders. Raised by her grandparents, including a...2024-08-2635 min
Wounds to Wisdom#12 Michael DeSelm: From Military Service to Healing and Advocating for VeteransSend us a textWhat does it take to find purpose after serving in the military? Join us as we hear from Michael, a Navy veteran whose story is both inspiring and deeply human. Growing up in a Navy family, Michael's 15-year service journey took him from San Diego to Virginia Beach, where he worked with special operators. After leaving the uniform behind, Michael faced profound emotional and spiritual challenges, leading him to establish a church for those who feel out of place in traditional religious settings. Now, as an advocate with Stop Soldier Suicide, Michael is...2024-08-1926 min
Wounds to Wisdom#11 Scott Duncan: A Marine's Journey to Servant Leadership and PurposeSend us a textWhat if the toughest experiences of your life could transform into your greatest wisdom? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Scott Duncan, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, as he opens up about his journey from a tumultuous childhood to an illustrious military career. Scott shares the emotional impact of his parents' separation and the frequent relocations during his youth, as well as the powerful influence of his grandfather—a World War II Marine and fireman—on his decision to join the Corps. Through personal anecdotes, Scott highlights the...2024-08-1225 min
Wounds to Wisdom#10 David Berez: Embracing Healing and Service Beyond the BadgeSend us a textWhat happens when a retired Police Officer channels his experiences into a narrative of resilience and recovery? Join us for a compelling conversation with David Berez, who takes us through his remarkable transformation from a troubled childhood to a dedicated career in law enforcement. You'll hear about the moment that shifted his dreams from becoming a doctor to serving as a police officer, and how these decisions shaped his personal and professional life. David's candid reflections on his college years and the influential figures who guided him offer a unique perspective on the...2024-08-0526 min
Wounds to Wisdom#9 Resilience and Transformation: Janet Wiszowaty's Journey from Uncertainty to AdvocacySend us a textHow does a young, uncertain mother transform into a pivotal member of one of the world's most renowned police forces? Janet Wiszowaty, our remarkable guest and retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police Dispatcher, takes us through her deeply personal journey. Janet describes the unexpected opportunity that led her into a demanding yet crucial profession, her initial lack of confidence, and the profound emotional challenges she faced—including the traumatic calls and the devastating suicide of a colleague. Her story is a powerful reminder of the unseen struggles that dispatchers endure and the paramount importance of...2024-07-2933 min
Wounds to Wisdom#8 Resilience and Recovery: Richard Oakley's Path from Trauma to AdvocacySend us a textCan you imagine facing a kidnapping, assassination attempt, and being seen as the enemy in your own community, all while striving to protect and serve? Richard Oakley, or Rich, a retired DEA senior special agent, joins us to tell his gripping story of resilience against unimaginable odds. From his early inspiration by local police officers to enduring the darkest moments of his career, Rich’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of community support and personal sacrifice in law enforcement. Rich opens up about the immense pressures he encountered, reco...2024-07-1529 min
Wounds to WisdomEpisode 7: Crisis Equals Opportunity: Michael Pellegrino's Journey from Law Enforcement to Mental Health AdvocacySend us a textWhat if the most challenging times in your life could become your most significant opportunities for growth? Join us as we sit down with Michael Pellegrino, a retired detective from the Ewing Police Department in New Jersey and the author of "Crisis Equals Opportunity: Finding Growth and Resilience in Challenging Times." Michael takes us through his inspirational 25-year law enforcement career and role as a Chief Resiliency Officer. Listen closely as Michael discusses the life-changing program he created, "Resilient Minds on the Frontlines," which has provided vital mental health tools to a global...2024-07-0830 min
Wounds to WisdomEpisode 6 : Floyd "Shad" Meshad, from the Battlefield to AdvocacySend us a textWhat drives a man from the path to priesthood to the heart of a war zone? Join us as we sit down with Floyd "Shad" Meshad, a remarkable figure whose journey defies all expectations. From his early days in a devout Catholic family in Birmingham, Alabama, to his transformative role as one of the first mental health officers in Vietnam, Shad's story is a testament to resilience and dedication. He shares intimate details of his upbringing, his involvement in ROTC, and the unexpected turns that led him to serve in one of the...2024-07-0131 min
Wounds to WisdomEpisode 3: Resilience and Redemption: The Journey of Robert 'Bobby' LedogarSend us a textWhat happens when a dedicated US Navy veteran and former US Marshal faces the ultimate test of resilience and integrity? This week, we're honored to welcome Robert "Bobby" Ledogar, who takes us through his compelling life journey from the streets of Queens, New York, to Desert Storm and the high-stakes world of the US Marshals. Bobby opens up about the foundational years shaped by his family's military legacy and his deep-seated passion for serving his country. Through his narrative, you'll get a frontline view of the camaraderie and unbreakable bonds formed in the l...2024-06-0826 min
Wounds to WisdomEpisode 5: Resilience and Healing: Jim Lydon's Journey Through Trauma and Mental HealthSend us a textWhat happens when the weight of saving lives becomes too heavy to bear? Join us for a gripping conversation with Jim Lydon, a retired fire chief and one of the many voices in the upcoming book "Wounds to Wisdom Healing Through Veteran First Responder Narratives." Jim takes us from his childhood in Northern California, where he discovered his passion for firefighting through the Explorer Scout program, to his early start as a dispatcher at 16. Through Jim's heartfelt reflections, we understand the gravity of community service and the emotional strain of responding to emergencies...2024-06-0830 min
Wounds to WisdomEpisode 4: Holly Higgins, Transforming Pain into Wisdom.Send us a textWhat if your greatest pain could become your most profound source of wisdom? Join us for an intimate conversation with Holly Higgins, a contributing author of "Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives." Holly shares the impactful journey of her life with a World War II veteran father who battled addiction, her initial apprehensions about the military, and the heart-wrenching experience of losing her son Daniel in Afghanistan. Holly’s story is a poignant reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is potential for healing and transformation. In t...2024-06-0820 min