In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories, former U.S. Army tank commander and acclaimed author Galen D. Peterson shares what it’s really like to fight in Baghdad and Sadr City, survive a traumatic brain injury, and rebuild a life after war.
Galen opens up about modern combat, leadership under fire, PTSD, law enforcement, and how storytelling became his path to healing. This is not a movie version of war — it’s the lived experience of a warrior who stood in the chaos and came back with a story that matters.
If you follow shows like Shawn Ryan Show, Jocko Podcast, Combat Story, Cleared Hot, or Paranormal Witness, this episode delivers the same depth, honesty, and intensity — with the heart of Spirits and Stories.
You’ll hear about:
Urban combat in Iraq and Sadr City
Life after traumatic brain injury
Transitioning from soldier to SWAT officer
PTSD, identity, and healing
Writing as survival and purpose
This is a conversation about war, resilience, and the unseen battles that follow us home.
