Unwritten Chapters

Nine paramedics lost to suicide in British Columbia in just seven months.
This is not just a mental health crisis — this is a system failure.

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Unwritten Chapters, former Canadian Armed Forces medic and civilian paramedic Matthew Heneghan pulls back the curtain on the hidden mental health emergency affecting first responders. With over 17 years of service, Matthew has seen — and lived — the tol...

On July 24th, Terry Bollea — better known as Hulk Hogan — passed away at the age of 71. I wrote a post reflecting on what that meant to me, and the backlash was swift.

In this video, I unpack that post, the controversy that followed, and the deeper meaning behind my words. This isn’t about celebrating a flawed man — it’s about nostalgia, grief, growing up, and losing the icons of our childhood.

➡️ This isn’t a tribute to Terry Bollea...

Why does the justice system show compassion for some trauma — but not for others? In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I explore the unequal application of empathy in Canadian courts. From PTSD and veteran struggles to the racial lens of the Gladue ruling, this is a raw breakdown of how pain is politicized — and why true justice must include all stories.

We’ll cover:

• The real impact of Gladue Reports and racial bias in sentenci...

We are transitioning to a bi-weekly format to enhance content quality and allow for better focus on mental health, personal growth, and life reflections. We also have a new podcast, Haunted B.C., featuring spooky stories from British Columbia. Thank you for your support!

#MentalHealthPodcast #PersonalGrowth #PodcastUpdate #UnwrittenChapters #HauntedBC #PodcastNews #BiWeeklyPodcast #MentalWellbeing #SelfImprovement #PodcastCommunity

What’s really going on with Ketel Marte?
In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I unpack the situation surrounding Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte, the swirling controversy, and what it says about professional sports culture, pressure, and public perception.

If you’re an MLB fan trying to make sense of the headlines — or just someone interested in how media, fandom, and athlete mental health intersect — this episode is for you.

...

From insider attack survivor to leadership expert — this is the untold cost of combat trauma and resilience.

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I sit down with Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Bart Womack, author of Embedded Enemy. Bart shares his firsthand experience surviving a brutal insider attack during his time with the 101st Airborne Division, and what it taught him about trust, leadership, and mental toughness.

🔍 What you’l...

Family trauma runs deep — and sometimes, it echoes through generations.
In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I share a recent experience that reopened an old wound — a message from a family member that didn’t ask how I was, didn’t recognize what I’ve survived, but instead demanded justification.

I’ve been here before — having to explain why I’m hurting, why I left, why I needed distance. But this time, it wasn’t a sibling — it ...

Legal immigration shouldn’t feel like punishment — but for many, it does.

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I explore the emotional toll of doing everything “by the book” and still being left in limbo. Inspired by the stories of legal immigrants caught in the shadows of ICE raids — and my own stalled Veterans Affairs claim — this episode sheds light on the silent suffering inside systems that promise fairness but rarely deliver...

PTSD nearly ended my life in 2017. Last week, I used my recovery to save someone else's.
In this powerful episode for PTSD Awareness Month, I share my journey from diagnosis as a paramedic to real-world healing—culminating in a moment where my recovery truly came full circle.

🎧 What You’ll Hear:
– My PTSD diagnosis and mental health crash in 2017
– Why PTSD in first responders is often misunderstood
– Performing CPR...

If you drink 0.0 beer, you're not broken — and you haven't failed.

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I speak from experience about the nuance of sobriety — including why I used 0.0 beer early in my recovery, why I’ve moved away from it, and why I still don’t believe it’s a relapse.

Recovery is personal. It’s not a template. And if you’ve ever felt judged for how you stay sober — this one’s for you.

🔍 In this episode:

• ...

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I re-release my CBC Daybreak interview with host Sarah Penton — a raw and reflective conversation recorded after I was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Though the honour was official, what we talk about here is much deeper: the real cost of service, the lifelong weight of trauma, and what it means to be recognized for simply surviving.

I may not be at full vocal strength today — bu...

In this special episode of Unwritten Chapters, I’m sharing a powerful conversation from the archives — my guest interview on The Last Show with David Cooper. As I take some time off to recover from illness, I wanted to bring you a previously aired episode that explores themes central to this podcast: mental health, PTSD, addiction recovery, grief, trauma, healing, and life after service.

We talk candidly about post-traumatic stress,...

You don't have to follow the 12 steps to stay sober — sometimes, you have to create your own.
In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I reveal the 12 real-world strategies that helped me stay sober after rehab — without ever attending an AA meeting again.

This is for anyone who feels lost outside the traditional recovery system.
It's not about rejecting AA — it's about finding YOUR path to healing.

Inside this episod...

Episode Summary:

In this raw and reflective episode of Unwritten Chapters, I open up about the complicated trauma that comes not from the battlefield, but from the living room. From family. From silence.

As a veteran, former paramedic, and survivor of PTSD, I share a personal account of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and betrayal—specifically the kind that occurs within family systems. This isn’t a story about enemies; it’s about the ...

In this emotional episode of the Unwritten Chapters Podcast, host Matthew Heneghan shares a powerful true story about staying in the military after watching Top Gun during a lonely Christmas on base. This heartfelt Val Kilmer tribute explores military mental health, the quiet strength of Iceman, and how Val Kilmer's legacy helped change a life. A must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, connection, and a moment of honest ref...

Episode Description:
Have you ever felt the profound weight of silence—the kind of silence that carries more meaning than words ever could? In this emotionally charged episode of Unwritten Chapters, join me as I recount my powerful visit to a paramedic station in Salmon Arm, BC, during Christmas 2024. As a former paramedic, I instantly recognized what I call the paramedic silence: an unspoken reflection of recent tragedies, the ...

In this timely episode, we tackle the challenging world of Canadian politics ahead of the upcoming federal election. With growing political division causing family arguments and heated online arguments, how can we manage election anxiety and social media conflict? We’ll explore recent controversies around Canadian prime minister Mark Carney Canada, discuss the complexities of Canadian taxes, and uncover how understanding mental hea...

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of Unwritten Chapters, host Matthew Heneghan shares his extraordinary experience of receiving the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. Matthew candidly discusses the complex emotions he experienced, including battles with imposter syndrome, navigating life after military and paramedic service, and reflections on personal significance and growth.

Matthew also features his insigh...