442: Men, Moral Injury, and Betrayal

In this episode, Dr. Debi sits down with Tim Wienecke, Air Force veteran, licensed clinician, and host of American Masculinity. Tim brings a rare and necessary perspective on the often-overlooked intersection of men, betrayal, and moral injury—a form of trauma that arises when individuals are forced to act against their own values, often within systems they once trusted. 

Together, we explore: 

• What moral injury is and how it differs from (yet intertwines with) betrayal trauma. 

• How men process betrayal differently from women, often turning to control or isolation instead of vulnerability. 

• The heavy repercussions of military service, including drone operations, systemic failures, and the lifelong burden of collateral consequences. 

• The side-by-side bonding style of men and why creating safe, non-confrontational spaces is critical for healing.