55 Taking Shame out of the Suicide Conversation

This week’s episode is a companion to the Marine Corps Times article Dr. Shauna Springer and I coauthored on how we can talk about suicide. As we talk about in the show, a Marine Corps colonel was recently quoted as saying that “suicide is a shameful act.”

This week’s episode is a companion to the Marine Corps Times article Dr. Shauna Springer and I coauthored on how we can talk about suicide. As we talk about in the show, a Marine Corps colonel was recently quoted as saying that “suicide is a shameful act.” We get into why this is not accurate and how to productively talk about suicide and how to help those suffering and the loved ones of those who have completed a suicide.

Read our article here

This week I am joined by Dr. Shauna Springer and Eric Strom.

Shauna Springer is a licensed psychologist who is known by many service members and veterans as “Doc Springer” based on the trust she has earned within the Tribe and her role as a trusted advisor to many who have served within the military. She has helped hundreds of warriors reconnect with their tribe, strengthen their most important relationships, and build lives that are driven by their deepest values.

Eric Strom is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in MN and is a member of the MN Army National Guard. Eric spent 5 years as an active duty Marine and deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. Eric specializes in and works with those who have suffered traumatic events in their lives.

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 for Veteran

Text 838255

Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 1-800-799-4889

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Transitions from War

After his service in the United States Marines Corps, Mike Ergo started the Transitions from War blog  and Podcast to talk about his struggles returning from combat in Iraq. From PTSD and addiction to finding endurance sports, Mike has found a new life purpose and a passion to share this with others.

 

 

Transitions from War Sponsors:

 

Tattered Beans

Air Force veteran Jason Jean gives us all a win-win situation: getting great coffee and tangibly supporting veterans and first responders. How does this work? Every bag of coffee you buy puts money directly in the pockets of those who serve with no middleman. When you buy coffee through Transitions from War, the money allocated to me will instead go to my fundraising campaign for the Ironman Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative. Tattered Beans comes out of Pennsylvania, birthplace of the Marine Corps, where the first American Flag was stitched, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, home to the late Mac Miller and Punxsutawney Phil.

 

Buy some Tattered Beans Coffee today!

 

  

Cowboy Crickets

Sustainable, Montana-raised crickets. Veteran-owned and Ironman approved! Enter promo code VETS to save 15% on all orders.

 

 Fire Team Whiskey

An app-based personal fitness and nutrition service geared to help active duty and military veterans take charge of their health with a ketogenic approach to eating. Save 40% on all training plans and coaching, as well as 15% on all keto supplements with the promo code “TRANSITIONS” 

 

Apex Health 

Apex health aims to be a mens health clinic that serves you so that you can live the longest, best life possible.

At Apex Mens Health, we solve all these problems.

• Spending as much time with our patients as possible in order to give help them become compliant with a program that really works.
  
• Always having Dr. David Lunow to oversee meetings and protocol on-site.
  
• Allowing you to buy a month’s worth of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) through our prescribing services so that you don’t have to come in every week.
  
• Offering you a personalized diet and exercise program so that your precious testosterone doesn’t go to waste.
  
• Giving you the highest grade testosterone available on the market.
  

Schedule a consultation with Apex Health today!

 

Zealios

Zinc-based performance sunscreen along with chlorine-removing hair and skin products. Use the promo code VETS to save 20% on all orders.

 

 Primal Kitchen

Healthy, Paleo/Primal/Keto and Vegan condiments, salad dressings, and energy bars that actually taste good! Use the promo code PRIMALVETERAN to save 10% on your order and directly support this show.

 

Green Wolf Tactical

Marine Corps Veteran-owned business specializing in paracord gear, custom embroidery, bracelets, key chains, survival gear, PVC patches, & more. Save 20% on all your orders with the promo code SEMPERFI

 

Find us on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram and

TransitionsFromWar.com

#TFWSTORIES

 

Check out this episode!

Fellow Marine, Shannon Yount, returns to the show to talk about The Great Cycling Challenge: Riding to Fight Kids Cancer. Shannon is taking on the challenge of riding 100 miles for her fundraiser.

We talk about cycling, yoga, and the benefits of trying new things to see what you like. Moving your body doesn’t have to be miserable and Shannon breaks down how you can find what you love to do. Continue reading →

Today’s guest is Vietnam Vet and Green Beret, David Lucier. David shares his experiences of going from service in Vietnam and coming home, how he finally connected with the VA and is now part of the VA’s “Make the Connection.” David and other veterans realize that seeking help is difficult and navigating the VA system can be confusing and intimidating. MakeTheConnection.net is an online resource designed to connect Veterans, their family members and friends, and other supporters with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives.

======================

Transitions from War

After his service in the United States Marines Corps, Mike Ergo started the Transitions from War blog  and Podcast to talk about his struggles returning from combat in Iraq. From PTSD and addiction to finding endurance sports, Mike has found a new life purpose and a passion to share this with others.

 

 

Transitions from War Sponsors:

 

Tattered Beans

Air Force veteran Jason Jean gives us all a win-win situation: getting great coffee and tangibly supporting veterans and first responders. How does this work? Every bag of coffee you buy puts money directly in the pockets of those who serve with no middleman. When you buy coffee through Transitions from War, the money allocated to me will instead go to my fundraising campaign for the Ironman Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative. Tattered Beans comes out of Pennsylvania, birthplace of the Marine Corps, where the first American Flag was stitched, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, home to the late Mac Miller and Punxsutawney Phil.

 

Buy some Tattered Beans Coffee today!

 

  

Cowboy Crickets

Sustainable, Montana-raised crickets. Veteran-owned and Ironman approved! Enter promo code VETS to save 15% on all orders.

 

 Fire Team Whiskey

An app-based personal fitness and nutrition service geared to help active duty and military veterans take charge of their health with a ketogenic approach to eating. Save 40% on all training plans and coaching, as well as 15% on all keto supplements with the promo code “TRANSITIONS” 

 

Apex Health 

Apex health aims to be a mens health clinic that serves you so that you can live the longest, best life possible.

At Apex Mens Health, we solve all these problems.

• Spending as much time with our patients as possible in order to give help them become compliant with a program that really works.
  
• Always having Dr. David Lunow to oversee meetings and protocol on-site.
  
• Allowing you to buy a month’s worth of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) through our prescribing services so that you don’t have to come in every week.
  
• Offering you a personalized diet and exercise program so that your precious testosterone doesn’t go to waste.
  
• Giving you the highest grade testosterone available on the market.
  

Schedule a consultation with Apex Health today!

 

Zealios

Zinc-based performance sunscreen along with chlorine-removing hair and skin products. Use the promo code VETS to save 20% on all orders.

 

 Primal Kitchen

Healthy, Paleo/Primal/Keto and Vegan condiments, salad dressings, and energy bars that actually taste good! Use the promo code PRIMALVETERAN to save 10% on your order and directly support this show.

 

Green Wolf Tactical

Marine Corps Veteran-owned business specializing in paracord gear, custom embroidery, bracelets, key chains, survival gear, PVC patches, & more. Save 20% on all your orders with the promo code SEMPERFI

 

Find us on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram and

TransitionsFromWar.com

#TFWSTORIES

 

Check out this episode!

Mike sits down to talk all things Ironman Santa Rosa with first-time Ironman finisher Sebastian Hernandez. Sebastian is a Marine Corps veteran who served in the “Old Corps” during the 1990’s and calls Santa Rosa home. It’s fitting that he chose this as his first full Ironman. Both Mike and Sebastian go over the training and race day, including what went according to plan and the inevitable moments where one needs to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

This episode is brought to you by Tattered Beans Coffee. Each purchase directly supports the Ironman Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative, which brings veterans and Gold Star families together on the Ironman race course to honor the fallen by carrying a flag with their name on it. Never forgotten!

Buy some Tattered Beans Coffee today!

Continue reading →

51 Tattered Beans Coffee with owner Jake Jean

On Episode 51we talk with Jason “Jake” Jean, owner of Tattered Beans Coffee. Tattered Beans launched as a mission to sell good coffee and directly support veterans and first responders with every sale.

On Episode 51we talk with Jason “Jake” Jean, owner of Tattered Beans Coffee. Tattered Beans launched as a mission to sell good coffee and directly support veterans and first responders with every sale. Their unique model of having vets and first responders as envoys gives customers the ability to choose who they want to support with each purpose, knowing that $4 of each bag of coffee sold will go directly to that individual. No middleman, no restrictions. Simple and effective.

Jake and I talk about his service in the Air Force, why Montana (where he served) is such a bad ass place filled with tough cowboys, how he came to found Tattered Beans, and why this model of supporting those who serve our country and communities is so simple and so effective.

I am a sponsored athlete with Tattered Beans and each sale of coffee I make goes directly to my fundraiser for the Ironman Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative. All you have to do is keep drinking coffee through Tattered Beans and $4 from each sale goes to the fundraiser. How’s that for a win-win.

—> Buy some Tattered Beans Coffee today! <—

Continue reading →

Dr. Shauna Springer returns to the show and talks about how we can understand suicide and how to prevent our friends and loved ones from attempting or completing a suicide by taking on this enemy using the same principles of the Marine Rifle Squad. Many times the topic of suicide is discussed with a helpless and morose tone, but this conversation is not that. Doc Springer fills us in on how we can empower ourselves and our friends.

Dr. Springer discusses some of the concepts from her upcoming book, “The Fox in Our Gut” and how the bonds of love forged in war are stronger than the despair we can feel.

Doc Springer is the author of “Marriage for Equals” and is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

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Support Mike’s fundraising for

The Ironman Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative 

Continue reading →

Chris Albert returns to cohost as we talk about the practicalities and personal experiences with meditation. Is this something just for dudes with grey ponytails and dream catchers or is there something for the rest of us? Will it turn you into a complete panoche?

Continue reading →