The episode features a conversation between the host Burl and his guest Glen Gatling of Lawton, Oklahoma. Glen is the founder of the non-profit organization "All About Understanding" and the for-profit business "Understood", both focused on teaching social and emotional life skills.

Glen shares his very personal story of how his oldest daughter being bullied and attempting suicide prompted him to develop more self-awareness around his own ability to control emotions and communicate effectively. This experience led him to start All About Understanding to help youth and adults build crucial social-emotional skills that are often lacking.

The conversation covers many thought-provoking topics related to emotional intelligence, finding one's passion and purpose, and the powerful choices available to young people. Glen emphasizes the importance of truly listening to understand others, accepting their perspectives, and respecting that they may be able to handle difficult situations better than expected.

Burl relates his own emotional journey, realizing he was stunted at the maturity level of a 12-year-old and had to learn to process trauma and addiction in a healthier way. Both men discuss spiritual perspectives, finding gratitude in small things, and changing one's mindset from an "employee" to an "entrepreneur" mentality.

The episode closes with an invitation for potential collaboration between Burl's non-profit focused on suicide prevention and Glen's organizations. They express a desire to support each other's missions and work together to empower youth and adults through social-emotional development.

Links

All about Understanding - https://www.allaboutunderstanding.org/

00:00:00 A New Day Begins
00:00:43 Introducing Positively Undefeated
00:02:19 Meeting Glenn Gatlin
00:04:24 About Understanding Organization
00:08:02 The Challenge of Bullying
00:09:16 Emotional Maturity Journey
00:15:33 Listening to Understand
00:18:31 Embracing Uncomfortable Silence
00:22:26 Dealing with Disappointment
00:25:24 Letting Go and Trusting
00:29:06 Discovering Your Passion
00:33:16 Pursuing Education and Passion
00:34:36 Finding Purpose and Profit
00:37:39 Starting Your Own Business
00:42:16 Empowering Young People
00:48:34 The Power of Choice
00:59:51 Finding Gratitude in Small Things
01:02:45 Spiritual Journeys and Perspectives
01:07:41 Reaching Out and Collaboration

The episode features a conversation with Whitney Foster, a woman from Lawton, Oklahoma who opens up about her personal struggles with mental health, suicide attempts, and finding healing.

The episode begins with Whitney sharing a vulnerable audio clip she had previously recorded about feeling hopeless and unmotivated. This led to the host learning about a traumatic incident Whitney experienced where she witnessed a fatal car accident and tried to help the victim, which deeply impacted her.

Whitney then provides background on her life - growing up as a preacher's daughter, moving around frequently, and eventually taking a job at her husband's family's eyeglasses business. She explains how her mental health challenges have affected her throughout her life, including panic attacks, depression, and even attempting suicide on multiple occasions.

A key turning point was when Whitney experienced a very dark period recently, to the point of planning to take her own life. However, she was stopped by seeing a meaningful tattoo she had gotten, reminding her of her children. This led to a breakthrough where her mind finally allowed her to confront long-repressed childhood traumas.

Whitney credits her faith in God, the support of her husband, and the community at her church as crucial factors that have helped her on her healing journey. She emphasizes the importance of being open about mental health struggles, rather than trying to hide them, in order to break the stigma.

The conversation explores how Whitney's personal experiences have given her a unique perspective and passion to share her story to help others who may be suffering in silence. She provides advice and encouragement for those struggling with mental health challenges, emphasizing that they are not alone and that healing is possible.

Overall, the episode is a powerful and vulnerable exploration of one woman's battle with her inner demons, and how she found the strength, faith and support to overcome them and discover a renewed sense of purpose.

00:00:00 Introduction to Positively Undefeated
00:00:23 Sharing Empowering Ideas
00:00:42 Beryl Stricker's Background
00:02:18 Whitney's Eyeglasses Business
00:03:28 Witnessing a Traumatic Accident
00:05:19 Assisting at the Accident Scene
00:06:41 Discovering the Outcome
00:07:03 Meeting the Victim's Husband
00:09:04 Impact of Suicide Experience
00:10:56 Reflections on Suicide and Closure
00:12:23 Providing Closure to the Husband
00:14:22 Whitney's Mental Health Struggles
00:20:02 Importance of Faith in Healing
00:21:19 Key Factors in Whitney's Recovery
00:24:42 Impact of Family Support
00:26:58 Struggling with Illness and Identity
00:29:35 Healing Through Church Community
00:33:09 Finding a Healthy Version of God
00:34:40 Overcoming Struggles with Different Perspectives
00:37:35 Healing Mental Illness: A Real Disease
00:38:57 Supporting a Spouse Through Mental Health Struggles
00:41:06 Small Acts of Love: Building Emotional Support
00:44:51 Leading by Example: Healing for Future Generations
00:48:30 Navigating Vulnerability Hangovers
00:53:43 Allowing God to Speak Through Vulnerability
00:55:30 Finding Purpose in Pain: Sharing Stories of Hope
00:58:27 Connecting for Support: Reaching Out for Help
01:00:24 You Are Enough: Encouragement for the Struggling

In this episode, we have a candid conversation between the host, Burl, and his guest, Pete. The discussion delves into their personal struggles with depression, addiction, and traumatic experiences that have shaped their lives.

Burl starts by opening up about his own silent battles with depression and the challenges he faced in seeking help. He notes how many men tend to suffer in silence, not wanting to acknowledge or discuss their internal struggles.

Pete then shares three pivotal moments in his life that tested his resilience - his time in the army, battling alcoholism, and contemplating suicide. He describes the feelings of desperation and isolation he experienced, not knowing how to get the help he needed. Pete also reveals a history of childhood sexual abuse that deeply impacted his mental health and relationships as an adult.

The conversation shifts to exploring the emotional immaturity they both grappled with, feeling disconnected from their peers and unable to healthily cope with life's difficulties. This often led them to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse and promiscuity, further exacerbating their problems.

A key turning point for Pete was when he attended a men's retreat and had a revelation about the permanent harm his suicide attempt would have caused. This sparked his commitment to getting sober and seeking professional help through counseling and support groups like AA and SLAA.

Burl and Pete discover striking similarities in their experiences, from their time in the military to the trust issues they developed. They emphasize the importance of finding a community of people who truly understand the depths of their struggles, rather than just relying on traditional therapy.

The discussion highlights how the journey to healing can take a lifetime, but there is hope in leaning on supportive networks and embracing vulnerability. Burl and Pete express their desire to continue their newfound friendship and support one another in their ongoing recovery.

Ultimately, this episode provides a raw and empowering look at the battles many men face, while offering inspiration in the power of shared experiences and the belief that brighter days lie ahead.

00:00:00 Introduction: Struggles and Demons
00:00:19 Welcome to Positively Undefeated
00:01:08 Conversation with Pete
00:23:28 Seeking Help: Talking to a Counselor
00:29:44 Reflecting on Childhood Trauma
00:31:46 Starting Therapy Journey
00:35:07 Embracing AA Meetings
00:37:09 Journey to Sobriety: Two Years Later
00:39:21 Battling Inner Demons
00:42:40 Seeking Solace in Retreat
00:52:00 Finding Hope in Unexpected Places
00:54:15 Embracing a Lifetime of Healing
00:56:40 Building Bonds Through Shared Struggles
01:02:47 Unraveling Interconnected Struggles
01:05:45 Extending Empathy in Shared Spaces
01:09:41 Navigating Loneliness and Trust
01:14:46 Embracing Divine Connections
01:15:33 Extending Support Through Email