Dr. Greg Witkop shares his journey from Army ophthalmologist to DARPA researcher, developing innovative approaches to mental health by combining neuroscience, psychology, and sleep medicine to heal trauma-affected brains. The conversation explores how trauma changes neural circuits and how we might reverse those changes to build resilience in military personnel, physicians, and first responders.

• Loss of a military godson to suicide prompted Greg's deep dive into brain science and mental health
• Military lost 7,057 troops in combat during 20 years of war since 9/11 but 30,000+ to suicide
• Physicians are twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population
• DARPA takes "home run swings" in research, attempting transformational rather than incremental change
• Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with cognitive behavioral therapy shows promising results
• Sleep augmentation and meditation can create lasting improvements in brain function
• Breaking down silos between neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry is essential for progress
• Purpose distinguishes pain (inevitable) from suffering (a choice)
• The "stop, drop, and roll" approach for managing acute suicidal thoughts: stop making decisions, drop body temperature, roll toward social support
• Creating cultures where vulnerability is safe requires true leadership, not just management

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**Show Note**
Wright Brothers’ first flight was December 17, 1903. 

https://www.darpa.mil/about/people/greg-witkop

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