From Iraq to Music: Veteran Sean Martin on War, Survival, and PTSD

I sit down with Iraq War veteran and musician Sean Martin of the band The Quarantined We talk about what war actually looks like from the inside.With tensions rising once again in the Middle East and renewed discussions about Iran, many people are wondering if history could repeat itself. But rather than debating politics or policy, this episode focuses on something far more personal — the lived experience of someone who was there.Sean enlisted as a teenager knowing he was headed to Iraq. He shares raw stories from the front lines: near-death moments, the mindset of a young soldier preparing for combat, and what it’s like to carry those experiences long after the war ends, including the lasting reality of PTSD.It’s a human conversation about courage, youth, survival, and the people who step into danger while most of us watch events unfold from a safe distance, on our couch in the comfort of our own home.Sean’s story ultimately leaves me with the same lingering question many of us quietly ask:Why do we keep doing this to each other? Why war?Music we Mention: Tupac ShakurAvenged Sevenfold