22 a Day: The Hidden Crisis Our Veterans Face with Matt Rogers

Welcome back to Groove with Portia—and welcome to Episode 200! I never imagined this milestone would be shared with such a powerful voice for change, but the universe always aligns what’s meant to be.In this episode, I sit down with country music artist Matt Rogers, whose new song Camouflage goes beyond entertainment—it's a lifeline. Co-written with his longtime guitarist and Army combat veteran Nick Reed, the song tackles the invisible wounds many veterans carry long after the war ends. What started as a form of therapy between two friends has become a movement to raise awareness about veteran suicide.We get raw about the heartbreaking statistic that 22 veterans die by suicide daily—and that number climbs to 50 when factoring in substance-related deaths. Matt doesn’t hold back when sharing how frustrating it is to see veterans fall through the cracks after serving this country. And he’s not just writing songs—he’s giving back. All proceeds from Camouflage go directly to the Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation.We also talk about what “camouflage” really means—beyond fatigues and uniforms, it’s the mask we wear to hide the pain. One lyric that hit both of us deeply: “Everybody knows soldiers aren’t allowed to cry.” That line alone says so much about the stigma around emotional expression in military culture—and the cost of staying silent.Matt reminded me that healing isn’t just for the artist—it’s for every person who hears the message and feels seen. And when you feel powerless to make a difference? Matt’s advice: Just start climbing.This episode is a reminder that music can be medicine, that grief can fuel change, and that sharing your voice can be the start of someone else’s survival.Listen. Reflect. Share. Because someone in your world may be silently carrying the weight of it all.Connect with Matt: https://www.mattrogerscountry.com/Attend the Watch Party: https://give.bkvf.org/event/matt-rogers-x-bkvf/e651973