In this special episode of Unwritten Chapters, I’m sharing a powerful conversation from the archives — my guest interview on The Last Show with David Cooper. As I take some time off to recover from illness, I wanted to bring you a previously aired episode that explores themes central to this podcast: mental health, PTSD, addiction recovery, grief, trauma, healing, and life after service.

We talk candidly about post-traumatic stress, the challenges of living with anxiety and depression, and how storytelling has become a tool for connection, reflection, and survival. Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, or someone navigating personal loss, this conversation offers insight, support, and shared experience.

If you're looking for a podcast about mental health journeys, recovery after trauma, or simply need to hear an honest, human story — this episode is for you. Please consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from these words.

🎧 Topics covered: PTSD, trauma recovery, mental health awareness, addiction, grief, anxiety, veteran stories, podcast interview, emotional resilience, therapy, sobriety, storytelling

📚 Love whatyou heard? There’s more.
I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writersharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.

🎙 Listento the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC
📰 Subscribe to my newsletter for reflectionsI don’t share anywhere else: https://substack.com/@unwrittenchapterspodcast?utm_source=user-menu

📚 Read my books:

A Medic’sMind: https://a.co/d/fyBwpo1

Woven inWar: https://a.co/d/6DlWdg6

Life AfterLoss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief: https://a.co/d/2U4zSG4

Dream:Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers: https://a.co/d/cbi7A9n

BrainstormRevolution: True mental health stories of love, personal evolution, andcultural revolution: https://a.co/d/gatLrby

A Versionof Me: Askew's Word on the Lake Anthology 2024: https://a.co/d/iEON2Rw

🌐 Visit: www.amedicsmind.com
📸 Follow me: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcaston Instagram

Because thenext chapter is still unwritten — and you don’t have to write it alone.

You don't have to follow the 12 steps to stay sober — sometimes, you have to create your own.
In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I reveal the 12 real-world strategies that helped me stay sober after rehab — without ever attending an AA meeting again.

This is for anyone who feels lost outside the traditional recovery system.
It's not about rejecting AA — it's about finding YOUR path to healing.

Inside this episode:
– Why AA didn't fit my story after rehab
– The daily habits that kept me grounded
– How trauma recovery shaped my sobriety journey
– Building resilience without a sponsor or steps
– The power of community, creativity, and self-forgiveness

#Sobriety #AlcoholFreeLife #RecoveryJourney #UnwrittenChapters #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfHealing #PTSDRecovery

Follow for raw, honest reflections from a former medic finding healing one unwritten chapter at a time.

📚 Love whatyou heard? There’s more.
I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writersharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.

🎙 Listento the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC
📰 Subscribe to my newsletter for reflectionsI don’t share anywhere else: https://substack.com/@unwrittenchapterspodcast?utm_source=user-menu

📚 Read my books:

A Medic’sMind: https://a.co/d/fyBwpo1

Woven inWar: https://a.co/d/6DlWdg6

Life AfterLoss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief: https://a.co/d/2U4zSG4

Dream:Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers: https://a.co/d/cbi7A9n

BrainstormRevolution: True mental health stories of love, personal evolution, andcultural revolution: https://a.co/d/gatLrby

A Versionof Me: Askew's Word on the Lake Anthology 2024: https://a.co/d/iEON2Rw

🌐 Visit: www.amedicsmind.com
📸 Follow me: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcaston Instagram

Because the next chapter is still unwritten — and you don’t have to write it alone.

Episode Summary:

In this raw and reflective episode of Unwritten Chapters, I open up about the complicated trauma that comes not from the battlefield, but from the living room. From family. From silence.

As a veteran, former paramedic, and survivor of PTSD, I share a personal account of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and betrayal—specifically the kind that occurs within family systems. This isn’t a story about enemies; it’s about the pain of being invalidated by those who were supposed to protect you. It’s about choosing to walk away from family members who refuse accountability. About setting boundaries for your mental health and your recovery.

Whether you’re in addiction recovery, navigating complex PTSD, or struggling with toxic family relationships, this episode offers solidarity and insight. If you've ever felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy in the eyes of the people you should’ve been able to trust, this one's for you.

🔑 Keywords:

• PTSD and family trauma

• Toxic family dynamics

• Emotional abuse recovery

• Addiction and sobriety podcast

• Veteran mental health

• Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse

• Setting boundaries in recovery

• When to cut off toxic family

• First responder mental health

• Surviving trauma and finding peace

• Complex PTSD podcast

• Male trauma survivors

• Forgiveness vs self-preservation

• Podcast about resilience and healing

🎧 What You’ll Hear About:

• The emotional aftermath of being betrayed by family

• Why silence can hurt more than violence

• Being gaslit and invalidated after disclosing abuse

• The role of sobriety in finding clarity and strength

• How to decide when it’s time to walk away

• Why healing sometimes means letting go

🎤 Takeaway:
You can’t heal in a place where your truth is denied. And sometimes, walking away from family isn’t bitterness—it’s bravery. You don’t owe anyone access to your life if they haven’t earned it through love, respect, and accountability.

📚 Love whatyou heard? There’s more.
I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writersharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.

🎙 Listento the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC
📰 Subscribe to my newsletter for reflectionsI don’t share anywhere else: https://substack.com/@unwrittenchapterspodcast?utm_source=user-menu

📚 Read my books:

A Medic’sMind: https://a.co/d/fyBwpo1

Woven inWar: https://a.co/d/6DlWdg6

Life AfterLoss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief: https://a.co/d/2U4zSG4

Dream:Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers: https://a.co/d/cbi7A9n

BrainstormRevolution: True mental health stories of love, personal evolution, andcultural revolution: https://a.co/d/gatLrby

A Versionof Me: Askew's Word on the Lake Anthology 2024: https://a.co/d/iEON2Rw

🌐 Visit: www.amedicsmind.com
📸 Follow me: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcaston Instagram

Because thenext chapter is still unwritten — and you don’t have to write it alone.

In this emotional episode of the Unwritten Chapters Podcast, host Matthew Heneghan shares a powerful true story about staying in the military after watching Top Gun during a lonely Christmas on base. This heartfelt Val Kilmer tribute explores military mental health, the quiet strength of Iceman, and how Val Kilmer's legacy helped change a life. A must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, connection, and a moment of honest reflection.

🎙 Follow Me – Unwritten Chapters Podcast 🎙
True stories. Raw reflections. Healing through honesty.

📘 Hosted by author & veteran MatthewHeneghan.
From heartbreak to hope, Unwritten Chapters dives into the quiet momentsthat shape us all.

🔗 Listen & Follow:
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC?si=680b624ea3444da3
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unwritten-chapters/id1418721976
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Unwritten_Chapters_podcast
🌐 Website: https://amedicsmind.com/

📲 Follow for episode drops, behind-the-scenesstories, and real talk on:
#MentalHealth #MilitaryLife #Sobriety #Grief #Resilience #WritingCommunity

📬 DM me your story or thoughts—I’d love tohear from you.

Let’s write these chapters together. 🖊
#UnwrittenChapters #Podcast #StorytellingMatters

Episode Description:
Have you ever felt the profound weight of silence—the kind of silence that carries more meaning than words ever could? In this emotionally charged episode of Unwritten Chapters, join me as I recount my powerful visit to a paramedic station in Salmon Arm, BC, during Christmas 2024. As a former paramedic, I instantly recognized what I call the paramedic silence: an unspoken reflection of recent tragedies, the heaviness of difficult calls, and the quiet solidarity among first responders.

Through deeply personal anecdotes—including a haunting experience responding to a suicide call—this episode explores the emotional realities faced by paramedics. We discuss the toll that trauma and ongoing stress take on mental health, why first responders often apologize for their silence, and the urgent need for greater empathy, understanding, and support from the community.

This heartfelt episode emphasizes that paramedics carry immense emotional burdens, especially during the holiday season, and calls on listeners to recognize and honor their sacrifices. Whether you're a first responder, a family member, or someone who simply wants deeper insight into the complexities of paramedic life, this conversation is an essential listen.

Enjoyed this episode? Let’s stay connected!
Follow me on social media for more stories, updates, and behind-the-scenescontent:

· 📸 Instagram: @unwrittenchapterspodcast

· 📘 Facebook: UnwrittenChapters Podcast

· 🐦 Twitter (X): @AMedicsMind

📚 Explore my books available on Amazon:

· A Medic's Mind

· Woven in War

Your support means everything—thank you for being part of this journey!

In this timely episode, we tackle the challenging world of Canadian politics ahead of the upcoming federal election. With growing political division causing family arguments and heated online arguments, how can we manage election anxiety and social media conflict? We’ll explore recent controversies around Canadian prime minister Mark Carney Canada, discuss the complexities of Canadian taxes, and uncover how understanding mental health and embracing political empathy can transform divisive politics into opportunities for respectful disagreement and empathy politics. Join us for a candid and respectful conversation on navigating tough political discourse with less anxiety politics and more genuine connection.

In today's episode, we discuss why political division feels sharper than ever, exploring how respectful disagreement can ease political conflict and help manage election anxiety. You'll hear a personal anecdote about an online encounter where my integrity was questioned over a simple query about Canadian taxes, emphasizing how quickly social media conflict can escalate.

We’ll reflect on how maintaining respect for differing opinions not only leads to healthier political discourse but also positively impacts our mental health. Whether you're facing family disagreements about politics or trying to engage constructively online, this conversation about political empathy and compassion can help you navigate the upcoming election period with greater ease.

• Why Canadian politics have become so divisive, especially around election periods.
• My personal experiences with political discussions, arguments, and misunderstandings, including a challenging online interaction about Canadian taxes.
• The importance of respectful disagreement in managing political conflict within family and friendships.
• How understanding mental health can transform the way we handle disagreements and arguments, both in person and online.
• Practical strategies for navigating political discourse with empathy, even when you strongly disagree with someone.
• Insights into handling personal anxiety politics, including managing your own mental health and well-being during politically charged times.

• [0:00] Intro & Welcome: Why discuss divisive topics now?
• [2:15] Canada's Political Climate: The rise of division and anger.
• [7:45] Anecdote: The online encounter questioning my integrity.
• [15:20] Personal Reflections: Past volatility and emotional arguments.
• [22:00] Family Dynamics: Discussing my strained political interactions with my sibling, Jonathan.
• [30:10] Mental Health Connection: Understanding the complexities behind people's viewpoints.
• [38:05] Strategies & Tips: How respectful disagreement can improve mental health.
• [44:40] Closing Thoughts: Embracing empathy and compassion during election season.

• Information on Canadian federal election
• Background on Mark Carney Canada appointment
• Support resources for understanding mental health and dealing with anxiety during stressful periods

• Website: Unwritten Chapters
• Instagram: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcast
• Facebook: Unwritten Chapters Podcast

Canadian politics, federal election, political division, mental health, respectful disagreement, political conflict, family arguments politics, online arguments, political discourse, Mark Carney Canada, Canadian prime minister, social media conflict, political debate, anxiety politics, election anxiety, understanding mental health, navigating political arguments, empathy politics, divisive politics, respectful conversation, Canadian taxes, political empathy

Thank you for tuning in to Unwritten Chapters! Please remember to subscribe, share, and review if you enjoyed this conversation. Let's keep the respectful dialogue going.

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of Unwritten Chapters, host Matthew Heneghan shares his extraordinary experience of receiving the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. Matthew candidly discusses the complex emotions he experienced, including battles with imposter syndrome, navigating life after military and paramedic service, and reflections on personal significance and growth.

Matthew also features his insightful CBC Daybreak interview with Sarah Penton, where they dive into themes of mental health awareness, PTSD recovery, and the importance of meaningful connections. Later, Matthew tells a heartwarming story about his friendship with Dan, a dedicated paramedic whose thoughtful gesture brought Matthew profound gratitude and clarity.

Tune in for powerful insights into:

• Receiving recognition and confronting self-doubt

• Overcoming anxiety and embracing emotional resilience

• The lasting impact of honoring Canadian heroes

• Healing and personal growth through storytelling

If you found value in this episode, please like, share, and subscribe—your support helps us reach more listeners and continue sharing inspiring stories from the Veteran community and beyond.

Keywords: Matthew Heneghan, Unwritten Chapters Podcast, King Charles Medal, CBC Daybreak Interview, Mental Health Awareness, Military Veteran Recognition, Paramedic Stories, PTSD Recovery, Inspirational Podcast, Canadian Veterans, Self-Improvement, Imposter Syndrome, Meaningful Connections, Honoring Heroes, Personal Growth Journey, Emotional Resilience, True Stories, Canadian Podcasts, Overcoming Anxiety, Motivational Stories, Veteran Community, Healing Through Storytelling.