Unwritten Chapters

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:

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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...

Unwritten Chapters – A Big Week: Speaking in Afghanistan, A National Honor, and A Literary Win

Episode Summary:Welcome back to Unwritten Chapters! This episode is a big one—I'm sharing some incredible milestones that have unfolded in my life this week. From speaking to a group of young writers in Afghanistan to receiving a national honor in Canada, and even winning an award for my fiction writing, it's been a week of reflection, gra...

There are some moments from childhood that stay with you forever—the ones that felt like a secret written just for you and your closest friends. This is the story of the time we found a hidden passage behind locker 214 in our middle school. A dusty crawl space filled with forgotten desks, old typewriters, and echoes of students long before us. It wasn’t just a secret hideout—it was an adventure, a moment of reckless immortality, an...

Episode Summary:
In this episode ofUnwritten Chapters, we dive into the guilt many of us feel when taking a mental health day. Why do we reward overworking but feel bad about resting? I share a personal story about a recent family mental health day and explore why we associate productivity with worth, why we struggle to justify rest, and how we can start reframing rest as a necessity rather than a luxury.

00:00 – Intro & Personal...

In this episode of the Unwritten Chapters podcast (formerly A Medic's Mind), we’re revisiting the past to uncover how it helps in moving forward in life. Join me as I reflect on my very first podcast episode, sharing powerful paramedic stories and my PTSD journey. This mental health podcast dives into overcoming trauma, recovery from addiction, and the highs and lows of my paramedic experience as both a Canadian Army medic and ...

Discover how midlife growth can lead to incredible personal evolution and a fulfilling life after 40. In this video, I share insights into navigating fatherhood, embracing personal growth in your 40s, and finding meaning through midlife reflections. Explore how career stability, a parenting perspective, and life lessons at 40 shape your journey. From growing through decades to cherishing high school nostalgia, this is about reflect...

Discover practical wildfire mental health strategies and PTSD coping tips from a survivor's perspective. Learn how to manage stress in emergencies, navigate wildfire evacuation preparation, and build mental resilience during disasters. This video offers essential evacuation mental health tips and insights into dealing with anxiety and trauma from wildfires, providing support and guidance for surviving wildfires while protecting you...

Episode Description:
In this deeply personal episode, I honor the 5th anniversary of my sister Lisa's passing with a heartfelt tribute. Through a story woven with love, reflection, and grief, I explore the unbreakable bond we shared and the lasting impact she has on my life.