Wounds to Wisdom

Send us a text In 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...

Send us a text Zeke 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 ou...

Send us a text In 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 bipo...

Send us a text In 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...

Send us a text In 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&a...

Send us a text Join 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...

Send us a text In 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 perse...

Send us a text In 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 experienc...

Send us a text In 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 i...

Send us a text On 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...

Send us a text In 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, includ...

Send us a text In 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 dispa...

Send us a text In 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...

Send us a text Barry 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 approa...

Send us a text Discover 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 le...

Send us a text #13 Mary Millsaps: From Trauma to Triumph Have 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 tra...

Send us a text What 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 sp...

Send us a text What 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...

Send us a text What 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...

Send us a text How 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 confide...

Send us a text Can 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 care...

Send us a text What 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 l...

Send us a text What 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 res...

Send us a text What 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...

Send us a text What 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 y...