123. Brain Injury in Veterans (Part 2): Courage through Invisible Wounds - PTSD & TBI
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In this episode…
Unseen struggles, PTSD, and the mental battle… how do you keep moving forward? In this two part series we’re sitting down with veterans as they share the “necessary conversations” that need to be had in our communities. Stay tuned to hear once in a lifetime stories filled with raw emotion and genuineness. Let’s discover how the heroes of our country beat the odds in the service and how they found hope after hanging up the uniform.
In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden and special co-host Jeremiah Griffin sit down with Army veteran Vinnie Morales and Marine Corps veteran Sottie Williamson. Together, we explore what it’s really like to overcome brain injury and PTSD, the role of community in recovery, and why embracing your journey can be an act of hope. Tune in for an authentic look at what it takes for veterans to find courage in the face of a changed life.
*Sensitive Topics: this episode discusses topics including mental health and suicide prevention in the veteran community.
Hope survives when you take action.
Meet Our Guests
Vinnie Morales: Born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Vincent Morales is a decorated U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of service as a 12B Combat Engineer. He led route clearance operations, trained over 2,000 Afghan soldiers, and deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan. His awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (3), and Combat Action Badge. Vincent’s leadership is grounded in integrity, service, and accountability.
He believes in leading by example, empowering teams through trust and purpose, and treating leadership as a privilege—not a right. He fosters an environment of respect, growth, and shared responsibility, where every team member is seen, valued, and challenged to give their best. His philosophy—“Be the standard. Lead with courage. Communicate worth and potential.”—has guided both his military and civilian leadership journey. He holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Park University and is actively involved in veteran communities through VFW Post 9997, American Legion Post 318, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Vincent lives in Parkville, Missouri, and is a proud father and grandfather.
In 2015, Vincent co-founded Veterans Community Project (VCP), a pioneering nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran homelessness. As one of the driving forces behind VCP’s “Veterans Village” model, he helped design a system of transitional housing and support services that has gained national attention and replication. See more at https://vcp.org/
Scottie Williamson: Scottie Williamson is a combat medically retired United States Marine with 18 years of dedicated service and seven total deployments, including five to the Southwest Asia theater and two combat tours in Ramadi, Iraq with the 1st Marine Division, 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Having served primarily in the infantry, Scottie also held roles as a weapons and tactics instructor, shaping the skills of fellow Marines.
Throughout his deployments, Scottie was exposed to numerous battlefield hazards, from IEDs, VBIEDs, RPGs, Chinese anti-tank and antipersonnel mines, to mortars and enemy small arms fire. The toll of his experiences resulted in combat-related disabilities including PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraines, headaches, insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, and all three areas of his spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) have bulging and/or herniated discs.
Scottie’s journey of recovery has been marked by resilience and a commitment to seeking help through many forms of therapy and the program for veterans at Resiliency Brain Health clinic. Since then, Scottie has noted remarkable progress in areas like racing thoughts, anger, anxiety, fear of public speaking, fatigue, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Now reintegrated into the Civilian sector, he shares his story to help others understand the unique experiences that veterans face with brain injury, PTSD, and the importance of suicide prevention in veterans. His experience highlights the invisible wounds of combat and the ongoing strength it takes to rebuild and find hope after service.
Jeremiah Griffin is an active duty Navy Corpsman, who has served for 8 years, and is the Strategic Communications Intern at Hope Survives for Fall 2025.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed here belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the DoW or it's components. Any mention of products or services does not imply DoW endorsement. Additionally, the presence of external hyperlinks does not signify DoW approval of the linked websites or their content, products, or services.
Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC’s personalized neuro-recovery programs offer hope for those suffering from Brain Injuries, Dysautonomia, Vestibular, Chronic Pain, Stroke, Movement Dysfunction, Developmental Disorders, PPPD, FND and Complex Post Concussion. Learn more: thefnc.com
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only, and not intended for medical advice. If you need specific medical advice, please consult your physician.
