The Silenced Voices of MST

Analyzing Military Sexual Trauma with Chuck Derry and the Gender Violence Institute (Part 1)

Chuck Derry, founder of The Gender Violence Institute in Clearwater, Minnesota shares his expertise and personal anecdotes of the stark differences in how men and women experience everyday situations. Change happens with accountability among men, he explains, urging them to speak out against inappropriate behavior and to recognize the pain that women endure daily. Rachelle shares a recent experience at a VFW where the culture had not changed in how female veterans are treated or blamed for aggressors behavior. Chuck then points out the damaging narratives that have historically been taught to men regarding consent and the need for a cultural shift towards understanding and respecting women's autonomy. For an in-depth summary with a list of trigger warnings, please visit our blog at: www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/ [http://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/] Takeaways * Chuck Derry emphasizes the importance of listening and learning from diverse perspectives. * The Duluth Intervention Project aimed to hold men accountable for violence against women, by showing the need for systemic change in addressing gender-based violence. * Chuck's personal journey reveals the deep-seated nature of sexism and racism, and how working in a feminist organization challenged his own biases by forcing reflection and understanding his values * The 24-week accountability program for men required them to acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions, demonstrating the importance of accountability in behavior change. * The power and control wheel from Duluth was a tool used to explain the dynamics of abuse * The benefits of violence for men are present for men who don’t engage in violent behavior * There is wide cultural support for violence against women  * Rachelle shares the pervasive nature of sexual harassment and the lack of acknowledgement that accountability could change military culture * Chuck shares the questions he posed to himself as a young man to confront his own privileges and questioned his willingness to give up the benefits of a sexist culture for true equality. Chapters 00:00 Meet Chuck Derry, Founder of The Gender Violence Institute 03:48 Childhood Memories of Cultural Behavior Towards Girls and Women 05:49 Military Culture and Rachelle's SA at the VFW  10:15 The 24-Week Program That Successfully Changed Behavior 12:07 The Benefits of Abusive Behavior 16:01 The Missing Piece in Prevention of MST 17:54 Chuck's Reflections on Life if Equality Actually Happened

Veteran Addiction Treatment for PTSD & Military Sexual Trauma: Miracles Asia

The holistic approach to recovery at Miracles Asia, with a focus on specialized care for veterans has a high rate of success, and co-founder Mark Heather explains why in this episode of The Silenced Voices of MST. We cover the location and setting in Phuket, Thailand, the components of the recovery program, the intersection of mental health and addiction, rehabilitation, aftercare, the veterans' experience and recovery, the power of community and support, and the role of spirituality in healing. Trigger free episode! For a full episode summary, please visit our blog: www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/veteran-addiction-treatment-for-ptsd-and-military-sexual-trauma-mark-heather-and-michael-oconnor-miracles-asia [http://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/veteran-addiction-treatment-for-ptsd-and-military-sexual-trauma-mark-heather-and-michael-oconnor-miracles-asia] Chapters * 00:00 Previously on The Silenced Voices of MST * 00:20 The Key to Miracles Asia's High Success Rate * 02:37 The Role of Connection in Recovery and Mental Health * 03:57 Michael's Journey to Miracles Asia Began The Veterans Program * 06:50 The Miracles Asia Veterans Program Breakdown * 13:24 Miracles Asia's Location and Origin Story * 17:31 A Special Message for Veterans * 21:52 Preview for next episode

Veteran Addiction Treatment for PTSD & Military Sexual Trauma: Michael O'Connor & Mark Heather

In this episode, Rachelle Smith speaks with Mark Heather and Michael O'Connor from Miracles Asia, a rehabilitation and recovery center in Thailand that supports U.S. veterans struggling with addiction and mental health issues. They discuss the founding of Miracles Asia, the unique approach to treatment that includes a holistic and community-focused model, and the importance of addressing both addiction and underlying trauma. Michael shares his personal journey as a combat veteran coping with addiction and the transformation the program had on his life. For veterans seeking help, Michael and Mark illustrate the power of community and the comprehensive therapeutic methods employed at Miracles Asia. For a trauma informed episode summary, please visit our blog: www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/veteran-addiction-treatment-for-ptsd-and-military-sexual-trauma-mark-heather-and-michael-oconnor [http://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/veteran-addiction-treatment-for-ptsd-and-military-sexual-trauma-mark-heather-and-michael-oconnor] To see this episode on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyq78BfAUgc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyq78BfAUgc] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Miracles Asia and Personal Journeys 01:58 Why Seeking Help is Difficult for Veterans 04:50 Michael's Transformation due to Miracles Asia's Program 07:08 What Sets Miracles Asia Apart From Other Rehabs 09:29 Expanding Their Program to More Veterans 12:17 Michael Shares His Experience with EMDR Treatment 14:33 The New Coping Tools for a Healthy Life 16:35 The Prevalence of Sexual Trauma in Veteran Recovery Stories 19:26 A Special Message for Veterans Who Might Be Struggling 20:29 Part 2: Miracles Asia Preview

Ron Carter’s New Goals for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors (Part 3)

Ron Carter talks about his book, The Monster Inside of Me, and what influenced him to write and how writing it was a cathartic process, offering insights into his personal struggles and the path to healing. He also shares how surprised he was to find out that publishers were reluctant to share his story as a male survivor, even though the book addresses a hidden part of military culture and how he was able to overcome it. Help us keep this podcast going, by donating: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MFH7L7Z8KJH3W [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MFH7L7Z8KJH3W] For a full episode summary with trigger warnings and resources, please visit, our blog: www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/ron-carter-mission-for-survivors-part-3-the-silenced-voices-of-mst [http://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/ron-carter-mission-for-survivors-part-3-the-silenced-voices-of-mst] TAKEAWAYS * Ron Carter's book The Monster Inside of Me addresses trauma and PTSD. * Many veterans experience trauma the system overlooks. * Support systems matter for healing from trauma. * Speaking out about trauma helps survivors move forward. * The military culture suppresses discussions about sexual trauma. * More people need to know about trauma in the military. * Veterans should use the resources available to them, like the VA. * Survivors need to know they're loved and valued. * Healing takes hard work and support. * Everyone has a story worth sharing, and finding someone who cares matters. CHAPTERS * 00:00 The Monster Inside: A Journey of Healing * 05:29 The Hidden Epidemic in the Military * 07:26 The Fight for Awareness and Change * 07:45 Finding Your Voice and Seeking Help * 11:07 A Message to Survivors: You Are Not Alone * 19:25 Words of Love for the Younger Self

Military Sexual Trauma and The Monster Inside of Me: Ron Carter (Part 1)

Army veteran Ron Carter shares his journey from deciding to join the Army to his experiences in basic training, getting stationed in Germany, and the premeditated attack that resulted in military sexual trauma. He discusses the impact of these experiences on his mental health, the misconceptions surrounding PTSD, and the need for young people and their parents to know what could possibly happen if they choose to serve.  Help us keep this podcast going, by donating: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MFH7L7Z8KJH3W [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MFH7L7Z8KJH3W] Full resources and trigger warnings are available on the blog: www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/military-sexual-trauma-and-the-monster-inside-of-me-ron-carter-part-1-the-silenced-voices-of-mst-with-rachelle-smith [http://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/blog/military-sexual-trauma-and-the-monster-inside-of-me-ron-carter-part-1-the-silenced-voices-of-mst-with-rachelle-smith] Epsiode Resources: 1. The Monster Inside of Me [https://themonsterinsideofme.com/] 2. Veterans Crisis line: Dial 988, the press 1 3. DoD Safe Helpline: https://www.sapr.mil/dod-safe-helpline [https://www.sapr.mil/dod-safe-helpline] 4. Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst [https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst] 5. Free VA Disability Toolkit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/disability-toolkit [https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/disability-toolkit] 6. Contact Your Lawmaker Toolkit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/contact-your-lawmaker-toolkit [https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/contact-your-lawmaker-toolkit] CHAPTERS * (00:00:00) - Introduction to Ron Carter's Journey * (00:02:08) - Deciding to Join the Military * (00:04:53) - Basic Training Experience * (00:07:09) - Transitioning to Military Life in Germany * (00:09:18) - The Reality of Military Culture * (00:11:06) - Experiencing Assault and Its Impact * (00:13:31) - The Aftermath of Trauma * (00:15:45) - Coping Mechanisms and Struggles * (00:18:36) - The Long Road to Healing * (00:23:55) - Understanding PTSD Beyond Combat * (00:25:56) - Part 2 of Ron’s Story Preview