In this conversation, Aaron Bengtson shares his journey from growing up in Longmont, Colorado, to becoming a military officer and content creator. He discusses the challenges he faced in childhood, his experiences in high school, and his decision to pursue journalism. Aaron reflects on his struggles with creative writing and the impact of military training on his personal growth. He also shares insights from his deployment to Afghanistan and the lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, Aaron shares his experiences in the military, discussing the challenges of navigating military doctrine, leadership conflicts, and the consequences of interpersonal issues. He reflects on a physical altercation that impacted his career and delves into his mental health journey, including struggles with anger management and the importance of seeking help. The discussion highlights the complexities of military life, the importance of accountability, and the ongoing journey of recovery and personal growth.
Support for Veterans & Their Loved Ones
If You’re a Veteran Needing Help:
Healthcare & Benefits: Visit [www.va.gov](https://www.va.gov) or call 1-800-698-2411 (MyVA411).
Mental Health & Crisis Support:
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 (Press 1), text 838255, or chat online at [www.veteranscrisisline.net](https://www.veteranscrisisline.net).
Addiction Treatment (Alcohol/Drugs):
VA provides free, confidential care, including detox, rehab, and counseling.
Call 1-800-827-1000 or find a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program near you: [www.va.gov/find-locations](https://www.va.gov/find-locations).
Online resources: [www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use](https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use).
If You’re a Civilian (or Supporting a Loved One):
National Helpline (SAMHSA):
Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (24/7, confidential, English/Spanish).
- Treatment locator: [www.findtreatment.gov](https://findtreatment.gov).
...Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.