The Battle After the Battlefield: One Veteran's Journey from Suicide to Survival
From KPHRED Work - Life Balance Radio · 14:02
Show by Fred McMurray
Out on the Skinny Branches with Jim Pehkonen and Thomas Long | Part One What happens when a man trained to survive anything reaches a point where he no longer wants to survive? For many veterans, the toughest battles don't happen on foreign soil. They begin when the uniform comes off, the structure disappears, and they're left alone with the invisible wounds of military service. In this raw and deeply emotional episode of Out on the Skinny Branches, Jim Pehkonen welcomes Thomas Long, a disabled veteran, three-time suicide survivor, and recovering alcoholic whose life nearly ended beneath the crushing weight of PTSD, chronic pain, and hopelessness. After spending seven and a half years bedridden, taking dozens of medications, and facing a devastating medical prognosis, Thomas reached a crossroads that would change everything. What does it take to find a reason to live when you've nearly given up on life itself? Thomas shares the painful reality of his darkest moments, the love that helped bring him back, and the determination that allowed him to reclaim his health, his family, and his future. But this conversation isn't just for veterans. It's for every man who was taught to be tough, bury his emotions, push through the pain, and never ask for help. Jim and Thomas challenge the dangerous belief that strength means handling everything alone, exploring why the transition from military to civilian life can leave veterans struggling with isolation, emotional trauma, and a loss of identity. Thomas reveals how faith, family, sobriety, and finally accepting support helped him move from merely surviving to living with renewed purpose. If you've ever felt trapped by your past, struggled silently, or wondered whether life could ever get better, you need to hear this conversation. And if you love a veteran, this episode may open your eyes to battles you've never seen. Listen to Part One of this powerful two-part conversation and discover why sometimes the strongest words a person can ever speak are "I need help."
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