The Story Builders Podcast - The Hidden Cost of Service for Military Women

Send us Fan MailDr. Daniel Roberts pulls back the curtain on an overlooked trauma affecting thousands of military women—one that doesn't yet have a household name. As president of the Moral Injury Support Network for Service Women, he reveals how violating one's deeply held moral code creates wounds different from PTSD but equally devastating.The conversation begins with shocking real-life examples: a woman forced by her commander to have an abortion, another treated as if her very presence in the military was wrong. These aren't isolated incidents. Conservative estimates suggest at least one in four female service members experiences moral injury, whether from a single traumatic event or death by a thousand cuts of daily disrespect and harassment.What makes Dr. Roberts' approach revolutionary is addressing the broken support system itself. He describes how veterans typically must retell their traumatic stories repeatedly to different providers—a process that retraumatizes without healing. His organization implements a "tell your story once" model where veterans receive continuous case management, eliminating the isolation and abandonment so common in their recovery journeys.Most powerfully, Roberts shares how healing is possible. A woman who carried guilt for decades over deaths during the Rwandan genocide discovered through therapy that only 5% of the situation was actually within her control. This perspective shift—along with forgiveness work—created a breakthrough that felt "like light from heaven." These transformative moments demonstrate why properly addressing moral injury could significantly impact veteran suicide rates.Whether you're a veteran struggling with unnamable trauma, a care provider seeking better tools, or simply someone who cares about those who served, this conversation offers crucial insights into healing our deepest moral wounds. Reach out to https://misns.org to access free resources or volunteer to support this vital mission.Support the showHelp Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. provide the support it needs to women veterans by donating to our cause at: https://misns.org/donation or send a check or money order to Moral Injury Support Network, 136 Sunset Drive, Robbins, NC 27325. Every amount helps and we are so grateful for your loving support. Thanks!Follow us on your favorite social channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moral-injury-support-network-for-servicewomen/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.danielrobertsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/