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Moral injury – the profound wound that occurs when one's deepest moral codes are violated – affects countless veterans yet remains largely misunderstood. This powerful episode brings together three voices at the forefront of healing this invisible wound: retired Colonel Lisa Carrington Firman, who transformed her experiences with combat and military sexual trauma into award-winning books; psychologist Dr. Pat Pernicano and retired chaplain Kerry Haynes, who developed an innovative curriculum combining psychological and spiritual approaches to moral injury healing.

Unlike PTSD, moral injury strikes at the core of identity and meaning, often manifesting as crushing shame, guilt, or a profound sense of betrayal. For women veterans like Lisa, military sexual trauma frequently becomes a source of moral injury when the systems meant to protect them fail. For combat veterans and military leaders, impossible decisions that result in harm - regardless of necessity - can create moral wounds that fester for decades.

What makes this conversation extraordinary is the insight into how healing happens. Through metaphorical storytelling, creative expression, and community support, veterans gradually process pain they've often carried silently for years. The "cracked glass bowl" exercise described by Dr. Pernicano demonstrates how veterans identify their wounds before reimagining themselves transformed through healing - not erasing trauma but integrating it into a new, whole identity.

The discussion addresses a crucial reality: isolation compounds moral injury, while connection facilitates healing. As Kerry notes, "Moral injury happens in community, so healing best happens in community." Yet many veterans, especially those in leadership positions, feel unable to reveal vulnerability. This helps explain why some traumas remain hidden for decades, as Lisa's did for forty years before she found her voice through writing.

Whether you're a veteran struggling with moral injury, someone who loves a veteran, or a provider seeking better ways to help, this episode offers concrete pathways toward healing, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth. Discover how combining psychological and spiritual approaches can transform even the deepest moral wounds into strength and purpose.

Are you carrying a moral injury or know someone who might be? This conversation could be the first step toward a lighter, more purposeful future beyond the weight of these invisible wounds.

Support the show

Help 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.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

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Emie Clevenger shares a powerful journey from Navy veteran to nonprofit founder, revealing how her personal struggles with period poverty as a young girl fueled her mission to create Period Kits North Carolina. The conversation opens a window into the often-hidden world of menstrual inequality, where one in six women in North Carolina can't afford or access basic hygiene products needed during their periods.

Emie's military experience reflects a deeply troubling reality many servicewomen face – being treated as though they don't belong simply because of their gender. Though proud of her service, she explains why many women veterans don't lead with their military experience, revealing how trauma can reshape identity and self-perception. This honest discussion creates a powerful bridge between her past experiences and her current mission fighting for menstrual equity.

The heart of the episode explores what happens when community compassion meets innovative action. Emmy details how Period Kits NC distributes essential menstrual supplies through strategic partnerships with libraries, schools, and community organizations. Each standard kit costs just $2 and contains enough products for a full day, addressing an urgent need that cuts across age groups and demographics. Most surprising is the diverse support that's emerged – from the Elks Lodge to local businesses – showcasing how this "taboo" topic resonates with people regardless of gender when presented as the health and dignity issue it truly is.

What makes this conversation truly remarkable is its blend of raw vulnerability and practical activism. Emmy describes the feeling of using toilet paper as makeshift pads and sitting in them all day as a young girl without resources or education about menstruation. Those powerful moments contrast with the optimistic work she's doing today, having already distributed over 4,000 kits across six counties with plans to reach 10,000 this year.

Want to make a difference? For just $8 monthly, you can ensure one person has consistent access to menstrual products. Visit periodkitsnc.org to learn more about period poverty and how your donation, no matter the size, can restore dignity to someone in your community.

Support the show

Help 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.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/

Send us a text

As healthcare professionals, first responders, and veterans, the weight of difficult decisions and traumatic experiences can take a toll on our well-being. It's easy to feel isolated, burdened by guilt, or unsure of how to move forward.

Know that healing is possible.

In this session with Dr. Deborah Howell, we delve into Rebuilding Your Identity After Trauma: A Path to Healing and Wholeness.

Trauma can leave us feeling disconnected and unsure of who we are. It may seem like we’re lost, unable to rebuild or reclaim what was taken from us. But healing is possible, and transformation is within reach.

Dr. Howell describes her 6-session coaching program, in which she guides participants through a holistic approach to heal from trauma and rebuild their identity with confidence. She'll work with you to shift limiting beliefs, embrace change, and reconnect with your true self. Whether you're navigating grief, moral injury, or life transitions, this program will help you:

-Reconnect with your inner strength
-Shift fear and self-doubt
-Rebuild your life and purpose
-Transform emotional wounds into wisdom

Are you ready to embrace healing and wholeness?

Dr. Deborah Howell is a seasoned trauma-sensitive health and wellness professional, who combines decades of experience as a physical therapist, life and health coach, and wellness educator, utilizing evidenced based trauma-informed and mindfulness practices to support individuals and organizations in navigating the challenges of vicarious trauma, moral injury, grief, loss, and the complexities of change. As a health professional and military veteran, Dr. Howell brings a unique understanding of the mental, emotional, and physical toll that trauma, loss, and adversity can have on healthcare professionals, first responders, veterans, and crisis professionals. She integrates scientifically-backed techniques with spiritual practices aimed at fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience through the lens of heart intelligence and shares tools that further help you understand your body’s responses and sustain emotional resilience. Dr. Howell is a servant leader who is deeply committed to supporting her colleagues and comrades and front-line responders who dedicate their lives to serving our most vulnerable. She is ready to support you to feel empowered and to embrace and reclaim your sense of agency, purpose, and well-being.

If you are a healthcare professional, first responder, or veteran, I invite you to this informational session to explore how you can rebuild your identity and embark on the path to healing and wholeness. Together, we can explore the steps necessary for you to reclaim your purpose and begin a transformative journey toward better health and recovery.

Support the show

Help 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.danielroberts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misnsconsult/