Confronting moral injury: How trauma programs the mind and how to break free with Matthew McDonell

“Accept that no one else has made it through without any trauma. You need to share.”When trauma is all you knew growing up, your brain is programmed into thinking it’s normal. Trauma shapes future relationships, nervous system responses, and your identity; it brings you into survival mode.It doesn’t have to be that way, though, and that’s why today, Coleen LaCosta sits down with Matthew McDonell, veteran, PTSD survivor, and founder of Next 18. Matt tells us what led him to recognize his trauma, shares his story of healing from PTSD, explains how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape our adult lives, expands on the concept of moral injury and shame, and shows us what it truly means to confront our trauma. If you’re living in survival mode, if your sun is pink, this episode is the first step on a journey to understanding, forgiveness, and healing. We’ll hear real stories, honest reflection, and learn about treatments like the SGB and Next 18’s golf retreats; together, we will Erase PTSD.Get In Touch:[email protected] On Social Media:Instagram: @_eraseptsdnowFacebook: Erase PTSD NowYouTube: @eraseptsdnowLinkedIn: @eraseptsdnowConnect With Matt:Email: [email protected]: @next_18LinkedIn: mattmcdonellmbanext18 Facebook: Next 18#PTSD #ErasePTSDNow @eraseptsdnow #StellateGanglionBlock #ChildhoodTrauma #ComplexTrauma #MoralInjury #TraumaHealing #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #SurvivalMode #EmotionalRegulation #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaInformed #EndTheStigma #BreakTheSilence