Matthew Heneghan: Unfiltered

Matthew reads Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations and traces how Stoic reflections on fathers, grandfathers, and mothers echo through his own story—childhood abuse, addiction, PTSD, and the hard choice to heal. He connects Marcus’s gratitude for simple living and moral discipline to modern life, challenging the narratives that keep us stuck and championing personal agency, boundaries, and compassion. Th...

Expectations can feel like bricks in a backpack — the ones you pile on yourself, the ones other people stack on you, and even the ones you quietly hand out to others. Eventually, it all gets heavy. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , Matthew opens up about how volunteering at the annual Haunting of Falkland — and the fatigue that followed — forced him to take a hard look at the expectations he...

The Lie About Always Staying Positive Ever been told to “just stay positive” — like it’s some kind of magic cure? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I answer a follower’s question about how I “always” keep a positive mindset. The truth? I don’t. I talk about the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect, why toxic positivity sets us up for failure, and how real resilience comes from admitting we have...

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , Matthew sits down to process the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk and what it means in today’s divided world. More than just a headline, this moment sparked reflection — on grief, anger, politics, and the importance of speaking truth without a filter. Matthew opens up about why this tragedy pulled him back to the mic, and why Unwritten Chapters is returning t...

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, Matthew Heneghan takes you on a raw, unfiltered journey through Greece — from the cracked streets of Athens to the sun-soaked chaos of Rhodes. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Anthony Bourdain was right about the real meaning of travel. How the streets of Athens feel like broken backs and old prophecies. What goats, graffiti, and Greek breakfasts can tea...

Veteran identity. Service shaming. The toxic culture of comparison. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , host Matthew Heneghan , a former Canadian Armed Forces medic and long-time paramedic, breaks down the ugly truth behind a viral moment in the Canadian Veterans Marketplace — a story where a fellow veteran was mocked for only serving one year. 💥 From service shaming to fragile ego warfare ,...

Nine paramedics lost to suicide in British Columbia in just seven months. This is not just a mental health crisis — this is a system failure. In this raw and unfiltered episode of Unwritten Chapters , former Canadian Armed Forces medic and civilian paramedic Matthew Heneghan pulls back the curtain on the hidden mental health emergency affecting first responders. With over 17 years of service, Matt...

On July 24th, Terry Bollea — better known as Hulk Hogan — passed away at the age of 71. I wrote a post reflecting on what that meant to me , and the backlash was swift. In this video, I unpack that post, the controversy that followed, and the deeper meaning behind my words. This isn’t about celebrating a flawed man — it’s about nostalgia, grief, growing up, and losing the icons of our childhood. ➡...

Why does the justice system show compassion for some trauma — but not for others? In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I explore the unequal application of empathy in Canadian courts. From PTSD and veteran struggles to the racial lens of the Gladue ruling, this is a raw breakdown of how pain is politicized — and why true justice must include all stories. We’ll cover: The real impact of Gladue R...

We are transitioning to a bi-weekly format to enhance content quality and allow for better focus on mental health, personal growth, and life reflections. We also have a new podcast, Haunted B.C., featuring spooky stories from British Columbia. Thank you for your support! #MentalHealthPodcast #PersonalGrowth #PodcastUpdate #UnwrittenChapters #HauntedBC #PodcastNews #BiWeeklyPodcast #MentalWellbeing...

What’s really going on with Ketel Marte? In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I unpack the situation surrounding Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte , the swirling controversy, and what it says about professional sports culture , pressure, and public perception. If you’re an MLB fan trying to make sense of the headlines — or just someone interested in how media, fandom, and athlete mental hea...

From insider attack survivor to leadership expert — this is the untold cost of combat trauma and resilience. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I sit down with Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Bart Womack , author of Embedded Enemy . Bart shares his firsthand experience surviving a brutal insider attack during his time with the 101st Airborne Division, and what it taught him about trust , leader...

Family trauma runs deep — and sometimes, it echoes through generations. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I share a recent experience that reopened an old wound — a message from a family member that didn’t ask how I was, didn’t recognize what I’ve survived, but instead demanded justification. I’ve been here before — having to explain why I’m hurting, why I left, why I needed distance. But th...

Legal immigration shouldn’t feel like punishment — but for many, it does. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I explore the emotional toll of doing everything “by the book” and still being left in limbo. Inspired by the stories of legal immigrants caught in the shadows of ICE raids — and my own stalled Veterans Affairs claim — this episode sheds light on the silent suffering inside systems tha...

PTSD nearly ended my life in 2017. Last week, I used my recovery to save someone else's. In this powerful episode for PTSD Awareness Month, I share my journey from diagnosis as a paramedic to real-world healing—culminating in a moment where my recovery truly came full circle. 🎧 What You’ll Hear: – My PTSD diagnosis and mental health crash in 2017 – Why PTSD in first responders is often misund...

If you drink 0.0 beer, you're not broken — and you haven't failed. In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I speak from experience about the nuance of sobriety — including why I used 0.0 beer early in my recovery, why I’ve moved away from it, and why I still don’t believe it’s a relapse. Recovery is personal. It’s not a template. And if you’ve ever felt judged for how you stay sober — this...

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters , I re-release my CBC Daybreak interview with host Sarah Penton — a raw and reflective conversation recorded after I was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Though the honour was official, what we talk about here is much deeper: the real cost of service, the lifelong weight of trauma, and what it means to be recognized for simply surviving. I may no...

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...

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 pat...

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...

Explore the emotional impact of movies with our heartfelt tribute to Val Kilmer. Discover a personal story of hope and resilience inspired by his iconic roles. Join us as we celebrate his unforgettable screen presence and the influence of 'Iceman' on finding strength in unseen moments. #ValKilmerTribute #MovieInspiration #EmotionalImpact #Iceman #UnwrittenChapters #HopeAndResilience #FilmLegacy #S...

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, co...

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...

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 ,...

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 g...