How PTSD, childhood trauma, and the chaos of coming home shape a veteran’s life—and how therapy can keep you alive and help you build peace.

A candid conversation with my Great Uncle and Vietnam veteran Marc Wichman on combat, marriage, grief, and recovery—no platitudes.

Content note: graphic war stories; childhood abuse; explicit language.

If you’re struggling (U.S.): Call/Text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7). Veterans: press 1 after dialing 988.

Episode focus: surviving a hard start and a harder war, then choosing help over punishment—therapy vs. prison, living with PTSD, and building a steady life after the storm.

We cover:

• Surviving childhood abuse and choosing the military
• Vietnam memories and the cost of coming home
• Therapy vs. prison—choosing help and what changed
• PTSD & marriage: making peace in daily life (pets, routine, connection)
• War movies: what rings true, what doesn’t

Host/Guest: The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective (Nick) • Guest: Marc Wichman

Guest links:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marc.wichman.9

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcwich0606

If this moved you, thank a vet today and check in—then drop one support resource you trust on our Discord "The Struggle Bus." (link below)

NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY MONDAY AT 6AM (EDT)!

Candid mental health podcast with lived experience—schizoaffective disorder, trauma recovery, coping skills, and dark humor that fights stigma!

Discord — “The Struggle Bus”: https://discord.gg/emFXKuWKNA

If you need support (U.S.): Call/Text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

Sexual assault support: RAINN 800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org

HOSTS / SOCIALS

The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective (Nick)

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defectiveschizoaffective
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@defectiveschizoaffective

IndyPocket (Tony)

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indypocket
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indypocket
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@absolutezen

Cover Art: Ryan Manning