Brad - Not Broken: Finding What’s Already Inside You

What if grief isn’t only about death, but about every quiet loss we were taught to outrun?We open Season Two with a grounded, powerful conversation with Brad Gallup — veteran, transformational coach, and equine-guided educator. Together, we explore unmourned grief, moral injury, and the hidden cost of caring in a world that both hurts and heals.Brad shares his journey from Desert Storm to a near-suicide, secret therapy, and more than three decades of facilitating grief work, men’s circles, and equine-guided healing. We talk about how culture pushes grief into the shadows, why anger often masks sorrow, and how being safely witnessed can change a life.You’ll hear simple, practical ways to regulate your nervous system through breath, movement, and daily rituals that build resilience like money in the bank. We explore the difference between listening and deep listening, how to hold space without absorbing someone else’s pain, and the quiet internal boundary that says: this isn’t mine.Then we step into the round pen. Brad explains how horses, living fully in the present, help human nervous systems downshift. We talk about the science of co-regulation and why a few minutes with a horse can sometimes do what hours of talking cannot. Somatic awareness, gentle self-inquiry, and practical support come together to offer pathways for survivors, helpers, and anyone navigating loss after trauma.The throughline is simple and hopeful: you are not broken. Everything you’re looking for is already inside you.If this episode resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a steady witness, and leave a review to help others find the show.We'd love to hear from you: what daily practice helps keep you steady when grief knocks?Uncle Brad would love to hear from you!  http://www.BradGallup.com  / [email protected] Integrator & Equine Wisdom Coach"The longest journey you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart."   -Andrew BennettContact Valerie Support the showRemember YOU are loved and worthy of being witnessed!If today’s episode stirred heavy feelings, you are not alone. Please reach out to a trusted friend or a professional if you need support:National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | rainn.orgSAMHSA Mental Health/Substance Use: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)988 LIFELINE: Call, Text or Chat https://988lifeline.orgVeterans Crisis Line: Dial or text 988, then press 1Help for Veterans suffering with CPTSD https://saveawarrior.org/https://www.scarsfoundation.org/*This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency number.Want to tell your story? Send a DM or an emailFind us on IG @defiance_of_silence_podcast    [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/defiance_of_silence_podcast?igsh=MWVxMHI3OXY1cm1paA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr