Ever feel like you're stuck in survival mode—with connection just out of reach? You’re not alone. This episode dives into what happens when the walls we build to protect ourselves start keeping us from the connection we deeply need. Whether you're a first responder battling PTSD, a parent hiding behind “I’m fine,” or just someone quietly overwhelmed by life—this one's for you.

Host and fellow struggler walks through the messy middle of healing, sharing personal stories (and even a bit about expired meds and sinus rinse fails) with humor and raw honesty. From EMDR therapy to a 30-day PTSD retreat in the Utah mountains, it’s a no-BS conversation about healing through vulnerability, prayer, and one honest connection at a time.

We talk about:

• Why connection can feel dangerous when survival becomes your default

• The science and Scripture behind why we’re wired for community

• How trauma reshapes our brain—and how connection rewires it

• What real, gritty prayer can do for a mind stuck in chaos

• And how healing doesn’t require a crowd—just a small, brave step toward someone

This isn’t just about breaking isolation; it’s about breaking the lie that you have to stay stuck there. It’s about being real, being seen, and showing up—imperfectly, but together.

So if today all you can do is hit play and breathe? That’s enough. That’s connection. And it’s a damn good start.

In this episode of Mission Redeemed, we talk about the hard stuff—identity, struggle, purpose, and why walking through the mess doesn't mean God has abandoned us. In fact, it might just mean He’s up to something bigger.

We kick things off with a reminder to check in with ourselves: Are we breathing? Are we grounded? Are we putting on our own oxygen mask first? Then, we dive deep into the story of John the Baptist and the power of knowing your purpose—even when it means playing the background.

From there, we shift into what it feels like when life spins out of control. When nothing makes sense. When trauma, loss, and broken identity leave us asking, “Who am I without this?” But instead of staying in that spiral, we explore what Scripture says about being made in God’s image and how this broken world was never the original plan—so yeah, it’s okay that it feels hard.

And then… there’s the story.

Let’s just say it involves a domestic call, a love triangle, pants coming off (twice), and a scene that could only be described as “National Geographic: Pickup Truck Edition.” But in the chaos? Perspective. Humor. And a moment where God’s grace showed up—right in the middle of a situation that smelled like beer, heartbreak, and bad decisions.

This isn’t just a story for the sake of laughs (though there are plenty). It’s about how God uses even this—the wild nights, the broken people, and the “what even is happening right now” moments—to show us that healing can start anywhere. That joy isn’t cancelled by pain. And that sometimes, laughter is the holiest thing you can offer in a mess.

We wrap with a look at why “the hard is what makes it great,” as Tom Hanks once said. Why Jesus didn’t skip the pain. And why we shouldn't either.

If you’re in a season where the hits keep coming, where purpose feels fuzzy, or where you’re wondering if God really can use your mess for something meaningful—this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Why identity has to be rooted in more than what you do.

• How faith gives us permission to laugh, even when it’s hard.

• What it means to find purpose in the struggle, not after it.

• And why the weirdest, wildest nights might be the ones God uses most.

Listener Challenge:
What if what’s in front of you ends up being so much more than what’s behind you?

PTSD is not a life sentence. In this episode of Mission: Redeemed, we get real about the battles first responders face—trauma, burnout, and the crushing weight of guilt and shame. Shawn shares his raw experience with EMDR therapy, the mental exhaustion that follows, and how even a trip to Costco can turn into a battlefield.

But here’s the truth: healing is real. We break down the science and the faith behind recovery, from therapy statistics to the biblical struggles of David. If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or too broken to move forward, this episode is for you.

You are not alone. You are not beyond help. And your mission? It’s not over. Let’s fight for healing together.