Moral Injury Support Network Podcast

When the weight of choice teeters between life and death, how does one find grounding in their decisions? Dr. Sarah Archer's voice trembles with the raw emotion of her time in Rwanda, post-genocide, as she maps the treacherous terrain of moral injury for us. Her candid recollection of reverse triage, the emotional toll it exacted, and her quest for solace through faith and service reverberate through the episode, offering a stark, humane look at the cost of crisis.Our journey doesn't end there; we cross paths with a resilient 80-year-old former public health nurse who exemplifies the power of service and the potency of self-forgiveness. Her commitment to educating the next generation in public health, interwoven with personal redemption, unveils the silent battles many face as they transition from military to civilian life. As we dissect the complex web of social determinants of health and their role in moral injury, especially among veterans, we're reminded of the stark realities and the need for community and understanding.Finally, we extend an open-hearted invitation to the upcoming retreat centered on addressing moral injury, discussing the poignant insights from a seasoned special operator. The conversation beckons leaders and those in service to join in solidarity to forge pathways of healing and to better support those carrying the unseen wounds of their professions. This episode is a call to arms for empathy, collaboration, and shared learning in our collective quest to alleviate the burden of moral injury. Support the show

We are joined by Tiffany Marchink, a brave military veteran who reveals a dark side of the military that is often shrouded in silence: moral injury and military sexual trauma. Tiffany's personal narrative powerfully illustrates how systemic issues within military institutions can lead to severe emotional trauma. She shares her unforgettable journey of navigating a system that often prioritizes the career of a senior NCO over the wellbeing of victims, illuminating the harsh reality of feeling unsupported and alone in a place one calls home.Did you know that moral injury can occur unbeknownst to the individual? Our conversation explores this insidious form of trauma that is not exclusive to any gender and can be caused by institutions, policies, and regulations. We discuss the emotional toll that victims endure when they must repeatedly recount their traumatic experiences. At the same time, we unpack the profound impact of family relationships on the recovery process and delve into the struggle of regaining trust and healing after sexual assault.Today, we strive to bring attention to the pressing need for change within the military. We underscore the importance of believing survivors and the significant impact our reactions can have on victims. Are our military institutions prioritizing unit deployment over holding senior leaders accountable? Tiffany's story highlights the importance of better leadership education, more supportive environments, and the need for improvements in the military's handling of sexual assault cases. Undeterred by the challenges she faced, Tiffany's resilience and willingness to share her story is a beacon of hope and a call for action.**Trigger Warning: This podcast episode contains discussions of military sexual trauma, which may include explicit descriptions and personal accounts of sensitive and distressing experiences. Listener discretion is advised, and please prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of military sexual trauma, please seek professional support or call a helpline for assistance.**Learn more about Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc.  and sign up for our newsletter at: https://misns.org.Get to know our team: https://misns.org/about-us/Find out about our upcoming conference at: https://misns.org/cmicDonate to our cause: https://misns.org/donation/  Support the show

Are you ready to unravel the depths of moral injury? Join us as we delve into this profound topic with our esteemed guest Dr Amanda Yeck. Together we'll explore a realm of suffering that affects us biologically, psychosocially, and spiritually. We'll take a leap into the comparison of moral injury and PTSD, unmasking the unique characteristics and challenges of each.Our discussion will unfold the trials experienced by veterans, who often face grief and loss at a far younger age than their civilian counterparts. We'll shed light on the disparity between veterans and civilians, and how well-intentioned expressions of gratitude can sometimes aggravate the pain. We'll also navigate the complexities of measuring resilience, post-traumatic growth, and self-worth in the context of forgiveness.As our conversation progresses, we'll explore the concept of forgiveness. We'll debunk myths surrounding it, and emphasize the need for self-understanding in order to truly forgive. We'll also tackle the struggle veterans endure when reconciling responsibility in cases of erroneous intelligence. Our discourse concludes on a buoyant note, underscoring the significance of making sense of our experiences, reconnecting with our values, and the liberating power of self-forgiveness. So, regardless of whether you're a veteran, a family member, or anyone grappling with moral injury, tune in to find hope and a pathway towards healing.Dr. Yeck is a psychologist, but not your psychologist. Don't take this as medical advice. This is meant to point you in a direction as you get a psychologist in your own area.Learn more about Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc.  and sign up for our newsletter at: https://misns.org.Get to know our team: https://misns.org/about-us/Find out about our upcoming conference at: https://misns.org/cmicDonate to our cause: https://misns.org/donation/  Support the show

In this podcast, Dr. Dan Roberts, Jamie Peer, and Mantay Toure will describe moral injury and many context in which it manifests, discuss Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen Inc.'s mission, and talk about MISNS' long-term goals of helping millions of women veterans suffering from moral injury. Learn more about MISNS and sign up for our newsletter at: https://misns.org.Get to know our team: https://misns.org/about-us/Find out about our upcoming conference at: https://misns.org/cmic Support the show

Barton discusses with Dr. Roberts, how Adler is working to help military veterans connect to their communities, recover from their war experiences and heal from moral injury. We also talk about how Adler is educating the next generation of psychologists. To find out more, email Bart at bbuechner@adler.edu or go to: http://www.adler.edu/page/areas-of-study/online/militarypsychology/overview.  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Barton discusses with Dr. Roberts, how Adler is working to help military veterans connect to their communities, recover from their war experiences and heal from moral injury. We also talk about how Adler is educating the next generation of psychologists. To find out more, email Bart at bbuechner@adler.edu or go to: http://www.adler.edu/page/areas-of-study/online/militarypsychology/overview.  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Steve Alpert is an accomplished artist who is here on this episode to discuss his Proudly She Served Gallery. Here is a brief description from Steve's website "The surface of the canvas is the focal point of my hopes, dreams, aspirations. It is that precise place in the physical world where I express my deepest passions for the beauty of this Earth. Communicated through the layers of ground-up minerals are images that bring honor and respect to the lionhearted individuals who serve others, extolling the virtues of ordinary people who deliberately put themselves into extraordinary circumstances."Watch the video with the portraits at: https://youtu.be/tB00i9_0M0cThe Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/Support the show: https://chaplainconsultants.com/donate/.  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Steve Alpert is an accomplished artist who is here on this episode to discuss his Proudly She Served Gallery. Here is a brief description from Steve's website "The surface of the canvas is the focal point of my hopes, dreams, aspirations. It is that precise place in the physical world where I express my deepest passions for the beauty of this Earth. Communicated through the layers of ground-up minerals are images that bring honor and respect to the lionhearted individuals who serve others, extolling the virtues of ordinary people who deliberately put themselves into extraordinary circumstances."Watch the video with the portraits at: https://youtu.be/jFwTI6hHi4U.  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

As a guest on The Rising Beyond podcast, Dr. Roberts and Sybil Cummin of Arvada Therapy Solutions, PLLC (http://www.arvadatherapysolutions.com/) discuss moral injury and how to heal from it. Support the show

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Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this videocast, participants will be able to:1.     Define moral injury. 2.    Describe how it affects people’s self-esteem.3.    Explain ways chaplains, psychologists, social workers, and other caregivers can help a person rebuild their self-esteem. Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRoberts. To actively participate in these episodes, subscribe at: https://chaplainconsultants.com/product/monthly-network-subscription/. Support the show

In this interview, given by Susan Sganaga, Public Health Specialist, Dr. Roberts speaks about how Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. (MISNS) got started, its work in the moral injury field, and how MISNS continues to support servicewomen around the world.  Important Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. links:Tubman Chaplain Network: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/.2023 Comprehensive Moral Injury Conference: https://chaplainconsultants.com/2023-comprehensive-moral-injury-conference-cmic/.Support the show

On this episode we will speak with Katie Ross and Katie Civiletto Stenger about a variety of topics including: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder in Veterans, Access to care, Navigating healthcare outside the VA, Continuum of Care, and much more. Katie Ross is a seasoned professional in the veteran and military space, she has dedicated her career to Serving Those Who Serve. Katie currently serves as the Director of Veterans Services for Summit Behavioral Health Care’s Tactical Recovery Program. Katie worked to design the Tactical Recovery, this program was created because very few addiction and mental health centers are genuinely qualified in understanding and treating Veterans. Far too often, Veterans do not receive the level of treatment they deserve from people who understand the full impact of their service- she wanted to change this. For her, this work is personal, Katie is a seasoned military spouse, and grew up as a military brat. Her dedication to serving those who serve is exemplified in both her professional roles and volunteer roles in the community.  Katie Civiletto Stenger is a force multiplier in the veteran community. Katie now serves as a National Veterans Services Coordinator for Summit Behavioral Health Care’s Tactical Recovery Program serving veterans in need of residential treatment for mental health and addiction. Katie has spent nearly a decade working with veterans and their loved ones to improve access to care and the services provided to veterans, service members and their loved ones. Katie has served in case management, project management, and  care coordination roles over the past ten years. In 2011, Katie fell into veterans services through a family friend who struggled with what we now know as Moral Injury. At that time, accessing services for veterans who were struggling with reintegration, PTSD and MI was complex and lacked access. Her career focus shifted to address gaps in services and barriers to care for the veteran and military population in relation to mental health needs. While it took her some time to realize, she grew up in a strong military family with grandparents in both WWI and the Korean war. Though she wasn’t fortunate enough to hear either of their stories first hand. Katie is an alumna of Cornell University's Sloan Program in Health AdministrationResources:Tactical Recovery: www.tacticalrecovery.com  Tactical Recovery residential programPsycharmor: https://psycharmor.org/  Code of Support: https://www.codeofsupport.org/ The Independence Fund: https://independencefund.org/ Semper Fi Fund: https://semperfifund.org/ Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Resource Center: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/wwp-resource-center  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Jessica Greenbaum got in touch with us because decades after becoming an established poet and a teacher of poetry with three books and national recognition, she decided art can’t do everything and went back to school to become a social worker. Melding the fields of poetry and social work, she runs workshops for communities who have experienced trauma and she wanted to offer one to people who have considered themselves to have sustained moral injury. She has run such workshops for 9/11 First Responders, under the auspices of NYU Langone’s Medical Center; for people who have left Jewish Ultra-Orthodoxy, under the auspices of a service organization for that community called Footsteps, and for adult survivors of childhood brain tumors, under the auspices of the Child Brain Tumor Foundation. Inside academia she has taught at Barnard College and Vassar, and she also designs classes around Jewish text for two New York synagogues. She’s here to answer the question of why poetry people who feel they have sustained moral injury and how does it work? Resources: website: https://poemsincommunity.org/ bibliography Burack-Weiss, Lawrence & Mijangos, editors, Narrative in Social Work Practice; the Power and Possibility of Story (Columbia University Press, 2017)Coleman, Elizabeth J, editor, Here: Poems for the Planet (Copper Canyon, 2019)Collins, Billy, editor, Poetry 180; A Turning Back to Poetry (Random House, 2003)Dungy, Camille T, editor, Black Nature; Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry (U. Georgia Press, 2009)Herman, Judith, Trauma and Recovery (Basic, 1997)Hirsch, Edward, A Poet’s Glossary (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014)Levine, Peter, Waking the Tiger; Healing Trauma (North Atlantic, 1997)Press, Eyal, Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America (FSG, 2021)Stavans, Ilan, editor, All the Odes by Pablo Neruda (FSG, 2013)van der Kolk, Bessel, The Body Keeps the Score; Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Viking, 2014)Plays at the end of each episode. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L) The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Jessica Greenbaum got in touch with us because decades after becoming an established poet and a teacher of poetry with three books and national recognition, she decided art can’t do everything and went back to school to become a social worker. Melding the fields of poetry and social work, she runs workshops for communities who have experienced trauma and she wanted to offer one to people who have considered themselves to have sustained moral injury. She has run such workshops for 9/11 First Responders, under the auspices of NYU Langone’s Medical Center; for people who have left Jewish Ultra-Orthodoxy, under the auspices of a service organization for that community called Footsteps, and for adult survivors of childhood brain tumors, under the auspices of the Child Brain Tumor Foundation. Inside academia she has taught at Barnard College and Vassar, and she also designs classes around Jewish text for two New York synagogues. She’s here to answer the question of why poetry people who feel they have sustained moral injury and how does it work? Resources: website: https://poemsincommunity.org/ bibliography Burack-Weiss, Lawrence & Mijangos, editors, Narrative in Social Work Practice; the Power and Possibility of Story (Columbia University Press, 2017)Coleman, Elizabeth J, editor, Here: Poems for the Planet (Copper Canyon, 2019)Collins, Billy, editor, Poetry 180; A Turning Back to Poetry (Random House, 2003)Dungy, Camille T, editor, Black Nature; Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry (U. Georgia Press, 2009)Herman, Judith, Trauma and Recovery (Basic, 1997)Hirsch, Edward, A Poet’s Glossary (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014)Levine, Peter, Waking the Tiger; Healing Trauma (North Atlantic, 1997)Press, Eyal, Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America (FSG, 2021)Stavans, Ilan, editor, All the Odes by Pablo Neruda (FSG, 2013)van der Kolk, Bessel, The Body Keeps the Score; Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Viking, 2014) The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Dr. Daniel Roberts and Mia Ricks have an in-depth conversation about the war in Afghanistan and how it impacts the field of Moral Injury.   The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Dr. Daniel Roberts and Mia Ricks have an in-depth conversation about the war in Afghanistan and how it impacts the field of Moral Injury.   The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

The Soldier's Guide to PTSD: How to No-Shit Reclaim Your Life written by Virginia Cruse is a must read. Part two of our interview with Virginia Cruse is an episode you do not want to miss! Let's Talk Virginia Cruse The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Virginia Cruse is the author of, The Soldier’s Guide to PTSD: How to No-Sh*t Reclaim Your Life, a Soldier-to-Soldier guide for overcoming PTSD and Moral Injury that gives step-by-step guidance on how Service Members can take their lives back. Dr. Daniel Roberts and Mia Ricks have an honest, eye-opening discussion with Virginia Cruse on Moral Injury and PTSD. Let's Talk Virginia Cruse. Conference Replay Link: https://chaplainconsultants.com/2021-moral-injury-conference/2021-comprehensive-moral-injury-conference-replay/ The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FURKS5NYJVH9L)

Part two we further discuss moral injury and finish our conversation with helpful information and resources. Let's Talk Moral Injury  The Tubman Chaplain Network (TCN) is a network dedicated to matching qualified women chaplains with current and veteran servicewomen in need of spiritual counseling for moral injuries suffered during their military service. To learn more about the network and how to apply, go to: https://chaplainconsultants.com/tubman-chaplain-network/. Use the passcode: 34663965. Support the show