Duck Call Room Podcast

Episode: "How Uncle Si’s Son Finds PTSD Peace & Healing"

Air Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Si Robertson, Justin Martin
Special Guests: Scott Robertson, Marsha Robertson, and Family

Overview

This episode blends classic Duck Commander humor and storytelling with deep, heartfelt discussions on PTSD, healing through animals, the power of community, and faith. With a focus on Uncle Si’s son’s journey from military service and PTSD to finding peace through working with horses, the crew explores serious topics—bonding, trauma recovery, and the difference one person can make—while never straying too far from their trademark zaniness and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lighthearted Duck Commander Banter (01:05–13:00)

• Missing Martin: The crew jokes about Justin Martin’s absence at the start, teases over football, and tells classic Duck Commander tales, including Si’s airport “hash yeast” incident:

  “They said something about hash yeast dealer. I said, what is hash yeast anyway? Is that some kind of meatball and spaghetti deal, yo?” – Si Robertson (05:20)

• Sweet Tea Debate: Extended argument about sweet vs. unsweet tea, Si’s dental problems (“I just had them all pulled…77 years’ll do to your teeth.” – Si, 08:53), and tea horror stories in New York ($50/gallon!).

• Lighthearted jokes: From hot yoga to overlong stays in the hot tub to poker night tales, the usual Duck Call Room camaraderie is on full display.

2. Uplifting Story: Morgan and the $3.8 Million Miracle (15:06–19:10)

• Helping Hand: The crew updates listeners on Morgan, a mom fighting for her daughter's life and raising funds for a terminal disease, highlighting generosity and community.
  • “She went to work... and I don't blame her. That’s what happens when you fool with a mom and her cubs!” – Si Robertson (16:47)
  • Through small donations, the children’s treatment goal was reached, showing the power of collective action.
  • “People always said, ‘Can one person make a difference?’ You bet your bippy!” – Si Robertson (18:33)
• Faith and Service: The crew reflects on helping others, especially children, as a guiding principle in their lives.

3. Announcements & Quick Transitions

• Upcoming: The discussion segues to a special roundtable with Si's son and family, promising stories of transition, healing, and horses.

FEATURED CONVERSATION

Uncle Si’s Son on PTSD, Healing, and Horses (26:00–57:22)

A. Career Changes & PTSD (26:24–30:02)

• Si’s son (Scott or Marsha’s husband) reflects on 20 years in the military, retirement, and struggling after with panic attacks and PTSD.
  • “He was having panic attacks…all of his time in the war zone… caused him to have panic attacks. When we finally figured that out, we were trying to find a different job… that he would enjoy.” – Marsha’s daughter/family (27:37)
• After a conversation with Si, he pivots to work with horses, attending equine structural integration training.

B. Equine Therapy & Healing (30:03–40:41)

• How It Works: He explains fascia rebalancing in horses—loosening tension to “let the horse’s rib pop back in,” using hands-on methods.
• Emotional Connection: Horses sense their handler's emotional state; “Their heartbeat can sync with yours, which is really cool. They’re like emotional barometers.” – Si’s son (30:30)
• Personal Transformation:
  • “One of the things that helps me with the PTSD is you gotta kind of calm down. They'll know if you're upset… you have to re-center yourself.” – Si’s son (30:34, 37:32)
  • Being around horses brings grounding and peace, getting him “out of his head.”

C. Future Plans: Equine Therapy for Trauma (38:40–44:33)

• The family shares their dream of building an equine therapy program for veterans, children with trauma, and those with PTSD.
• Core Principle: “If you can get into the horse’s head and move the horse...the horse then learns that you are a safe person and they can trust you.” – Marsha’s daughter (39:35)
• Program will focus on groundwork, not just riding, to foster partnership and trust.

D. Horses, Dogs, Relationships, and Trust (41:25–54:49)

• Brutally Honest Animals: “You can lie to me all day...you're not lying to the animal. The animal knows you're not good.” – Si’s son (41:25)
• Bonding Importance: Si and family discuss the irreplaceable bond between military comrades—“Veterans are closer than blood...when I say thick and thin, that means dying and watching guys they loved leave this earth.” (50:13)
• Tribal Nature: When veterans return home, loss of camaraderie can lead to isolation—“Isolation leads to desolation. You have to have a network.” – Si’s son (47:11)

E. Families of Veterans (51:39–52:35)

• Families, spouses, children—often lack support networks and understanding. “A lot of times there’s not a group for us. For us to go to… I can speak with another spouse who understands what I'm going through.” – Marsha’s daughter

F. Final Faith Reflections (55:01–57:22)

• Do what you love & discover meaning: “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.” – Si’s son (55:10)
• Faith as a Foundation:
  • “If you don't have a relationship with the Creator...what is wrong with you? Get you one, and start today with them.” – Si Robertson (55:32)
• Psalm for the Day: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when people succeed in their ways...” – Psalm 37:7 quoted by Scott (56:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community Impact:
  “One person can make a difference.” – Si Robertson (19:26)

• On Parental Determination:
  “That’s what happened with Morgan…mom got pissed. I went on a rampage, and I don’t blame her.” – Si Robertson (16:47)

• On Animal Therapy:
  “You can lie to me all day long, you’re not lying to the animal. The animal knows you’re not good.” – Si’s son (41:25)
  “Their heartbeat can sync with yours, which is really cool…they’re emotional barometers.” – Si’s son (30:30)

• On Military Brotherhood:
  “Veterans are closer than blood…they went through thick and thin…that means dying and watching guys they loved leave this earth.” – Si Robertson (50:13)

• On Faith and Blessings:
  “Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty...see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing…” – Malachi 3:10, read by Justin Martin (20:36)
  “Only Jesus can fill it.” – Si Robertson (57:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:05 – Banter, football, and sweet tea hilarity
• 05:14 – Si’s “hash yeast” airport story
• 15:06 – Morgan’s fundraising miracle update
• 26:24 – Si asks his son about his previous job and military background
• 30:03 – Equine structural integration explained
• 37:05 – Discussion: Have horses helped with PTSD?
• 39:35 – Program plans for trauma therapy with horses
• 41:25 – Animals and emotional honesty
• 50:13 – Si reflects on bonds between veterans
• 55:01 – Do what you love / final round of faith-based life advice
• 56:24 – Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord…”
• 57:10 – The hole only Jesus can fill

Conclusion

This episode skillfully weaves laughter, family stories, and classic Duck Call Room hijinks with deep personal insight into PTSD, military life, animal-assisted healing, and faith. The heartfelt testimony of Si’s son—transitioning from military trauma to hope through working with horses—anchors the episode and offers both practical wisdom and encouragement for listeners facing similar challenges.

Closing Message:
“Only Jesus can fill it.” – Si Robertson (57:12)
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently…” – Psalm 37:7 (56:24)

Duck Call Room Out.