In this episode of Brainstorms combat veteran Matt Garrett sits down with sustainability advocate Chuck Lynd for a powerful conversation about nature mental health and how reconnecting with the living world can transform lives. March is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month and this special episode highlights how agro therapy native plants and ecological restoration can support healing especially for veterans navigating the challenges of PTSD TBI recovery and life after service. Matt shares how working with native plants and restoring ecosystems became part of his own journey forward.

Together Matt and Chuck explore Why planting native plants can restore ecosystems and support wildlife The connection between nature mental health and veteran suicide prevention The hidden relationships between plants pollinators birds and even ants Practical ways anyone can support biodiversity in their own backyard How veterans can lead the charge in ecological restoration From winter garden strategies to the incredible science behind pollination and seed dispersal this episode shows how small actions like planting a tree or shrinking your lawn can make a meaningful difference for both people and the planet.

As Matt puts it Plant as if your life depended on it because it does.

Featured Reading Meet the ecologist inspiring people to rewild their backyards https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/meet-ecologist-who-wants-unleash-wild-backyard-180974372/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1772662399365165&usg=AOvVaw1pFjK1782mJOB_oCyzshR2

About Brainstorms Produced by the Resurrecting Lives Foundation with support from the Fred and June McMurray Foundation Brainstorms explores recovery resilience and new ways forward for veterans and others affected by traumatic brain injury.

If you or someone you know is struggling call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Brainstorms, we’re joined by Major Montgomery J. Granger, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), author, educator, and lifelong advocate for America’s veterans. Major Granger brings lived experience from three deployments in the Global War on Terror, including Guantánamo Bay and Iraq, and speaks candidly about the hidden costs of service—on careers, families, health, and identity. From job loss after deployment to delayed VA care, PTSD, sleep apnea, and the long road to healing, this conversation is both unflinching and hopeful. Together, we explore: Why caring for veterans is an obligation of citizenship, not charity The broken transition from deployment to employment The real human cost behind veteran suicide statistics Why journaling, structure, and personalized transition plans matter How emerging AI mental-health tools may help scale support for those who need it most This episode also previews themes from the upcoming book Guarding Our Guardians: Guaranteeing America’s Veterans a Future from Deployment to Employment—a call to action as we approach America’s 250th birthday. If you care about veterans, leadership, moral responsibility, or the future of how we support those who serve, this conversation matters.

Learn sets with Montgomery J. Granger: Author page: http://sbprabooks.com/montgomeryjgranger/ Heroes of Gitmo documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjq7qOqfsuk Referenced Research & Discussion: Dartmouth AI chatbot trial on depression & anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjq7qOqfsuk

As we open Season 3 of Brainstorms, we kick off the new year with a powerful January conversation featuring retired Navy Chief Joe Pisano, returning for his third annual appearance to reflect on the lessons of 2025 and cast a bold vision for 2026.

This episode centers on unity, service, and action as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States. Chief Pisano and Dr. Gordon explore what it truly means to honor our veterans—not just with words, but with systems that work.

In this episode, we discuss: Why 2026 is a pivotal year for veterans, families, and communities Reframing “veterans” as Guardians—those who stood between our freedoms and harm The upcoming book Guarding Our Guardians, focused on healthcare, education, and employment reform Chief Pisano’s powerful art installation “The Guardian: Wings of Sacrifice”, featuring 2,500 dog tags and a battlefield cross The growing VISTA (Veterans Standing Together Across America) initiative and its role in suicide prevention How art, community ceremonies, and civic leadership can help heal the invisible wounds of service What it will take in 2026 to move from awareness to real, measurable action

This episode is both a reflection and a call to action—reminding us that honoring those who served means building a future where no Guardian feels forgotten, burdensome, or alone.

🧠 If you or someone you love is navigating traumatic brain injury, military transition, or mental health challenges, this conversation offers insight, hope, and direction. 📍 Learn more about VISTA: VeteransStandingTogetherAcrossAmerica.org 📍 Learn more about Resurrecting Lives Foundation: ResurrectingLives.org If you’re thinking about harming yourself or someone you love needs help, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 👉 Please like, subscribe, and share to help grow this movement. We’ve got a lot to fix in ’26—and it starts together.