Opening the Box: A Vietnam Veteran's Journey of Healing with Larry Berg

Opening the Box: A Vietnam Veteran's Journey of Healing with Larry Berg

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, host retired U.S. Army Major John Donovan sits down with Vietnam veteran Larry Berg to discuss the journey of recovery, the impact of service, and the healing power of storytelling. Larry, who served in Vietnam in 1969, shares his background as a farm kid from Minnesota, his unique experience working with the Army Security Agency, and the life path that led him to teaching and coaching. Together, they explore the concept of "opening the box"—the psychological process of releasing long-held combat memories and experiences to find peace and catharsis. The conversation highlights how the arts, music, and connecting with fellow veterans serve as vital "backdoor entries" to healing, helping veterans move beyond the silence that often follows military service.

Family Recovery — Healing the Whole System

John Donovan (retired U.S. Army Major) sits down with Pam Lanhart, Founder & Executive Director of Thrive Family Recovery Resources [https://www.thrivefrr.org/] to shift the focus from the individual struggling with substance use to the family members standing beside them. Pam shares her profound personal journey as a daughter, sister, mother, and aunt to those who have navigated addiction. As the founder of the only certified, family-centered recovery community organization in Minnesota, she provides a roadmap for healing generational trauma. Together, John and Pam discuss how families can move from a place of crisis to a "legacy of recovery," emphasizing that when one person heals, the entire system begins to change. If you found value in this episode please leave a review [https://pod.fo/e/412dec], share and subscribe.

Why Golf is the Ultimate Mental Reset for Veterans

In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops, Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives. Inside This Episode: * Combat Mental Health: Jen reflects on providing grassroots stress debriefs at the front lines and the importance of processing trauma early. * The Power of the GI Bill: A look at how education benefits serve as a bridge to civilian success for veterans and their families. * Why Golf? How the mindfulness and social connection of the fairway provide a mental reset for those struggling with PTSD and transition. * Tee It Up for the Troops: An overview of their six pillars of support, including suicide prevention, housing, and employment. * The Reunion Weekend: A spotlight on the annual Orlando event where combat veterans and caregivers reconnect, heal, and even write songs with Creative Vets. Connect with the Mission: * Learn More/Apply: teeitupforthetroops.org [https://teeitupforthetroops.org] * Get Involved: Explore sponsorship opportunities or find a local fundraising event to support veterans in your community. "Golf mirrors mindfulness. It requires a singular focus that helps quiet the noise of trauma."

Why Golf is the Ultimate Mental Reset for Veterans | Jen Tregarthen

In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops, Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives. Inside This Episode: * Combat Mental Health: Jen reflects on providing grassroots stress debriefs at the front lines and the importance of processing trauma early. * The Power of the GI Bill: A look at how education benefits serve as a bridge to civilian success for veterans and their families. * Why Golf? How the mindfulness and social connection of the fairway provide a mental reset for those struggling with PTSD and transition. * Tee It Up for the Troops: An overview of their six pillars of support, including suicide prevention, housing, and employment. * The Reunion Weekend: A spotlight on the annual Orlando event where combat veterans and caregivers reconnect, heal, and even write songs with Creative Vets. Connect with the Mission: * Learn More/Apply: teeitupforthetroops.org [https://teeitupforthetroops.org] * Get Involved: Explore sponsorship opportunities or find a local fundraising event to support veterans in your community. "Golf mirrors mindfulness. It requires a singular focus that helps quiet the noise of trauma."

The 12-Step Model: A Non-Clinical Approach to Recovery

What if the key to long-term recovery isn't just clinical treatment, but a deep, immersive dive into the 12-step model? In this episode, Major John Donovan (Ret.) sits down with Alex Curtis from The Retreat in Minnesota to discuss their unique, non-clinical approach that has helped over 34,000 people reclaim their lives. We pull back the curtain on how a peer-led model focused on education, community, and the Big Book, is achieving a 76% sobriety rate one year post-program. Whether you are in recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, or a professional in the field, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on how to move from just "getting clean" to building a lifelong foundation of recovery. The Retreat | Improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol and drug dependency [https://theretreat.org/?_gl=1%2A13scwpc%2A_ga%2AMTMyMzgxMDk0MS4xNzcyODE2MjAw%2A_ga_QKSF2483YL%2AczE3NzI4MjE3MTckbzIkZzAkdDE3NzI4MjE3MTckajYwJGwwJGgw]