Intentionally Disturbing — Revisiting 'Seth Gehle: Reclaiming His Story'

Host: Dr. Leslie
Guest: Seth Gehle
Release Date: September 18, 2025
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this searing and courageous episode, Dr. Leslie welcomes Seth Gehle, a combat veteran, speaker, and author, who recounts his journey of surviving sustained childhood abuse—including brutal sexual assault—and the complex aftermath. With Dr. Leslie's characteristic blend of empathy, directness, and dark wit, the episode dives deep into trauma, resilience, cycles of abuse, empathy, and personal transformation. Seth speaks freely, offering unfiltered insights into his past, his mind, and the path he forged to reclaim his own story, culminating in a message about the power of empathy, ownership, and daily choice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Seth’s Background and Motivation for Sharing His Story

[03:53] Seth introduces himself, emphasizing survival through 16 years of extreme trauma—neglect, abuse, violence—and how he later channeled these experiences into achievements as a combat veteran, award-winning construction professional, and now a public speaker and author.
Being only 30, Seth reflects on why he wrote a memoir at a young age: "People ask me, what do you have to write about at 30 years old?"
Quote: “When people hear your backstory, I think that’s what’s inspiring about it all.” — Seth, 04:43

2. Early Family Trauma and Instability

[04:47 – 05:18] Seth was born into chaos: his father stabbed his mother when Seth was just 2. His first memory of meeting his father was visiting him in prison, which left deep marks of loss and longing.
His description of growing up with a missing parent:
Quote: “It’s like missing a piece of the puzzle... and you just can’t have it.” — Seth, 06:01
The family’s circumstances led to shuffling between various caregivers, exposing Seth and his siblings to more instability.

3. Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Failure of Protection

[07:38 – 08:39] Early exposure to pornography in the house and first experience of molestation at a babysitter’s home, by the babysitter’s teenage son.
When Seth told his grandmother, the family denied it:
Quote: “We were still going back to that house... In fact, we ended up living with those people some.” — Seth, 09:23
He articulates the psychological isolation of abuse:
Quote: “It’s like getting off the highway into a town you’re unfamiliar with… There’s no street that’s like, turn left for mommy, turn right for daddy… you’re just... trapped.” — Seth, 08:44

4. Escalating Neglect, Violence, and the Pull of Outsiders

[10:11 – 12:17] As his mother’s addiction and violence escalated, Seth details physical abuse, stating, “She was always like, verbally yelling, screaming... but she began to really put her hands on us.”
Dr. Leslie asks if parenthood changed his empathy. Seth responds by discussing generational trauma and the “behavioral inheritance” of pain.

5. The Predator: Grooming, Manipulation, and Double Lives

[13:38 – 22:56] Seth recounts meeting Armando “Mondo” Vasquez at age 10. Mondo, a charismatic 30-year-old, grooms Seth through friendship, trust, and mirroring—offering an escape from weekday abuse, only for weekends to become sites of sexual abuse.
Seth describes grooming methods, the gradual escalation of acts, and the emotional confusion involved: Quote: “Monday through Friday was abuse, drugs, violence in my house. Saturday and Sunday became basically a sexually abusive place.” — Seth, 17:49
On predators hiding in plain sight:
Quote: “Mondo is arguably the best thing that ever happened to me, while also being the worst thing that ever happened to me.” — Seth, 21:09

6. Trauma Compounded: Power, Secrecy, and Escalation

[28:46 – 36:09] The acts of abuse become more explicit and invasive as grooming advances. Seth powerfully refuses to sanitize the language, wanting listeners to understand the full reality:
Quote: “When people hear ‘molestation’...they assume like the weird uncle...they don’t realize people are committing full-on sexual acts on children.” — Seth, 30:37
He details how the trauma inhibited him from reporting the abuse, especially after the first rape at age 13:
Quote: “If I go and tell somebody what happened, I have to admit that...I participated...No matter how much manipulation or deceiving...that’s all true. But it...was also true I was there.” — Seth, 36:47

7. Breaking the Silence: Disclosure and Justice

[39:40 – 45:36] The cycle finally breaks after Mondo makes inappropriate comments to a younger boy. Seth confides in his friend Jacob, only to learn Jacob was also abused.
Both go to the police. Seth’s candor about the forensic exam is striking: Quote: “They asked, do you have anything at your house...I said, well, he just raped me about 12 hours ago. I’ve not taken a shower. I have everything on me right now. The silence in the room was...deafening.” — Seth, 43:02
Mondo is convicted after confessing but gets a plea deal and a 10-year sentence; he dies of a reported staph infection in prison before release.

8. Aftermath: Military Service, Trauma, and Coping

[51:12 – 58:29] Seth transitions from surviving abuse to military service. He found out about Mondo’s death while on deployment. He shares an important compare-and-contrast between military trauma and childhood trauma: Quote: “I didn’t have a bell to ring...I had no option but to continue moving forward. Right. So...that is the accolade that I carry.” — Seth, 55:02

9. Resilience, Empathy, and Transformation

[58:57 – 65:48] Dr. Leslie asks how Seth turned trauma into strength. Seth outlines his philosophy: acknowledging pain, developing empathy, and owning one’s story.
On resilience: Quote: “That resiliency...can only be utilized if it’s, like, captured. Like, you have to capture it and understand the gift of adversity, the gift of trauma.” — Seth, 58:57
On shifting perspective: Quote: “Now instead of saying, you know what, you didn’t have addicted mother...now I say, I’m so happy you had good parents. I’m so glad you did not have to experience what I went through.” — Seth, 60:35
On the power of daily choice: Quote: “Empathy is an attitude. Gratitude is an attitude. It is not this magical pill... It’s a decision.” — Seth, 61:37

10. Relationships, Repair, and Daily Practice

[65:48 – 71:17] Seth candidly admits to emotionally abusing his wife—mirroring the cycles of manipulation and control from his own past—and details the painstaking process of repair.
On the process of true transformation: Quote: “I was the abuser...the gaslighting...I was the person doing all the things that had been done to me. Fortunately enough...I was able to finally hold myself accountable and fix the damn problem.” — Seth, 69:11
He credits empathy, forgiveness, and conscious effort with saving his marriage and allowing him to love his wife and family fully.

11. Reclaiming the Narrative: Sharing and Helping Others

[71:23 – 72:45] Seth shares his work: His book “Strength Beyond the Shadows,” his website, and ongoing speaking engagements focused on trauma, resilience, and helping others face adversity.
He urges listeners not to focus merely on the abuse, but on the meaning:
Quote: “My story is just about being resilient. It’s not about child abuse...It’s about being resilient and overcoming adversity.” — Seth, 72:36

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On trauma:
“Monday through Friday was abuse, drugs, violence in my house. Saturday and Sunday became basically a sexually abusive place.” — Seth, 17:49
On victim psychology:
“Mondo is arguably the best thing that ever happened to me, while also being the worst thing that ever happened to me.” — Seth, 21:09
On emotional repair:
“I was the abuser...I was the person doing all the things that had been done to me. Fortunately...I was able to finally hold myself accountable and fix the damn problem.” — Seth, 69:11
On survival, acceptance, and daily choice:
“Empathy is an attitude. Gratitude is an attitude. It is not this magical pill...It’s a decision.” — Seth, 61:37
On the importance of sharing and connection:
“There is no shame in this. There is only power and resilience.” — Dr. Leslie, 73:23

Timestamps for Key Segments

03:53 — Seth introduces himself and background
04:47 — Early family trauma (father’s violence, prison)
07:38 — Discovery of pornography, first sexual abuse
10:11 — Mother’s addiction and abuse
13:38 — Meeting Mondo; grooming begins
17:49 — Dual trauma: home life vs. Mondo’s weekends
30:37 — Graphic realities of CSA, importance of honesty
36:47 — First rape; internalized shame and silence
39:40 — Disclosure to Jacob, uncovering shared trauma
43:02 — Police report and forensic exam
45:36 — Justice, Mondo’s conviction and death
51:12 — Reaction to Mondo’s death during Afghanistan deployment
55:02 — Comparison of military and childhood trauma: “no bell to ring”
58:57 — The gift of adversity: how trauma shapes resilience
61:37 — Empathy and gratitude as daily attitudes
69:11 — Accountability, ending the cycle of abuse in marriage
72:36 — Shifting from abuse story to resilience and helping others

Where to Find Seth Gehle & His Work

Book: [Strength Beyond the Shadows] (available on Amazon)
Website: sethgale.com
Instagram: @seth_gale

Closing Message

Dr. Leslie ends by reinforcing the necessity of community, voice, and the rejection of shame. By naming abuse and breaking silence, survivors can claim power and stop cycles of harm. Seth’s journey underlines the possibility—and hard labor—of overcoming even the deepest wounds, embracing empathy, and forging real, lasting resilience.

Intentionally Disturbing — Revisiting 'Seth Gehle: Reclaiming His Story'

Host: Dr. Leslie
Guest: Seth Gehle
Release Date: September 18, 2025
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Seth’s Background and Motivation for Sharing His Story

[03:53] Seth introduces himself, emphasizing survival through 16 years of extreme trauma—neglect, abuse, violence—and how he later channeled these experiences into achievements as a combat veteran, award-winning construction professional, and now a public speaker and author.
Being only 30, Seth reflects on why he wrote a memoir at a young age: "People ask me, what do you have to write about at 30 years old?"
Quote: “When people hear your backstory, I think that’s what’s inspiring about it all.” — Seth, 04:43

2. Early Family Trauma and Instability

[04:47 – 05:18] Seth was born into chaos: his father stabbed his mother when Seth was just 2. His first memory of meeting his father was visiting him in prison, which left deep marks of loss and longing.
His description of growing up with a missing parent:
Quote: “It’s like missing a piece of the puzzle... and you just can’t have it.” — Seth, 06:01
The family’s circumstances led to shuffling between various caregivers, exposing Seth and his siblings to more instability.

3. Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Failure of Protection

[07:38 – 08:39] Early exposure to pornography in the house and first experience of molestation at a babysitter’s home, by the babysitter’s teenage son.
When Seth told his grandmother, the family denied it:
Quote: “We were still going back to that house... In fact, we ended up living with those people some.” — Seth, 09:23
He articulates the psychological isolation of abuse:
Quote: “It’s like getting off the highway into a town you’re unfamiliar with… There’s no street that’s like, turn left for mommy, turn right for daddy… you’re just... trapped.” — Seth, 08:44

4. Escalating Neglect, Violence, and the Pull of Outsiders

[10:11 – 12:17] As his mother’s addiction and violence escalated, Seth details physical abuse, stating, “She was always like, verbally yelling, screaming... but she began to really put her hands on us.”
Dr. Leslie asks if parenthood changed his empathy. Seth responds by discussing generational trauma and the “behavioral inheritance” of pain.

5. The Predator: Grooming, Manipulation, and Double Lives

[13:38 – 22:56] Seth recounts meeting Armando “Mondo” Vasquez at age 10. Mondo, a charismatic 30-year-old, grooms Seth through friendship, trust, and mirroring—offering an escape from weekday abuse, only for weekends to become sites of sexual abuse.
Seth describes grooming methods, the gradual escalation of acts, and the emotional confusion involved: Quote: “Monday through Friday was abuse, drugs, violence in my house. Saturday and Sunday became basically a sexually abusive place.” — Seth, 17:49
On predators hiding in plain sight:
Quote: “Mondo is arguably the best thing that ever happened to me, while also being the worst thing that ever happened to me.” — Seth, 21:09

6. Trauma Compounded: Power, Secrecy, and Escalation

[28:46 – 36:09] The acts of abuse become more explicit and invasive as grooming advances. Seth powerfully refuses to sanitize the language, wanting listeners to understand the full reality:
Quote: “When people hear ‘molestation’...they assume like the weird uncle...they don’t realize people are committing full-on sexual acts on children.” — Seth, 30:37
He details how the trauma inhibited him from reporting the abuse, especially after the first rape at age 13:
Quote: “If I go and tell somebody what happened, I have to admit that...I participated...No matter how much manipulation or deceiving...that’s all true. But it...was also true I was there.” — Seth, 36:47

7. Breaking the Silence: Disclosure and Justice

[39:40 – 45:36] The cycle finally breaks after Mondo makes inappropriate comments to a younger boy. Seth confides in his friend Jacob, only to learn Jacob was also abused.
Both go to the police. Seth’s candor about the forensic exam is striking: Quote: “They asked, do you have anything at your house...I said, well, he just raped me about 12 hours ago. I’ve not taken a shower. I have everything on me right now. The silence in the room was...deafening.” — Seth, 43:02
Mondo is convicted after confessing but gets a plea deal and a 10-year sentence; he dies of a reported staph infection in prison before release.

8. Aftermath: Military Service, Trauma, and Coping

[51:12 – 58:29] Seth transitions from surviving abuse to military service. He found out about Mondo’s death while on deployment. He shares an important compare-and-contrast between military trauma and childhood trauma: Quote: “I didn’t have a bell to ring...I had no option but to continue moving forward. Right. So...that is the accolade that I carry.” — Seth, 55:02

9. Resilience, Empathy, and Transformation

[58:57 – 65:48] Dr. Leslie asks how Seth turned trauma into strength. Seth outlines his philosophy: acknowledging pain, developing empathy, and owning one’s story.
On resilience: Quote: “That resiliency...can only be utilized if it’s, like, captured. Like, you have to capture it and understand the gift of adversity, the gift of trauma.” — Seth, 58:57
On shifting perspective: Quote: “Now instead of saying, you know what, you didn’t have addicted mother...now I say, I’m so happy you had good parents. I’m so glad you did not have to experience what I went through.” — Seth, 60:35
On the power of daily choice: Quote: “Empathy is an attitude. Gratitude is an attitude. It is not this magical pill... It’s a decision.” — Seth, 61:37

10. Relationships, Repair, and Daily Practice

[65:48 – 71:17] Seth candidly admits to emotionally abusing his wife—mirroring the cycles of manipulation and control from his own past—and details the painstaking process of repair.
On the process of true transformation: Quote: “I was the abuser...the gaslighting...I was the person doing all the things that had been done to me. Fortunately enough...I was able to finally hold myself accountable and fix the damn problem.” — Seth, 69:11
He credits empathy, forgiveness, and conscious effort with saving his marriage and allowing him to love his wife and family fully.

11. Reclaiming the Narrative: Sharing and Helping Others

[71:23 – 72:45] Seth shares his work: His book “Strength Beyond the Shadows,” his website, and ongoing speaking engagements focused on trauma, resilience, and helping others face adversity.
He urges listeners not to focus merely on the abuse, but on the meaning:
Quote: “My story is just about being resilient. It’s not about child abuse...It’s about being resilient and overcoming adversity.” — Seth, 72:36

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On trauma:
“Monday through Friday was abuse, drugs, violence in my house. Saturday and Sunday became basically a sexually abusive place.” — Seth, 17:49
On victim psychology:
“Mondo is arguably the best thing that ever happened to me, while also being the worst thing that ever happened to me.” — Seth, 21:09
On emotional repair:
“I was the abuser...I was the person doing all the things that had been done to me. Fortunately...I was able to finally hold myself accountable and fix the damn problem.” — Seth, 69:11
On survival, acceptance, and daily choice:
“Empathy is an attitude. Gratitude is an attitude. It is not this magical pill...It’s a decision.” — Seth, 61:37
On the importance of sharing and connection:
“There is no shame in this. There is only power and resilience.” — Dr. Leslie, 73:23

Timestamps for Key Segments

03:53 — Seth introduces himself and background
04:47 — Early family trauma (father’s violence, prison)
07:38 — Discovery of pornography, first sexual abuse
10:11 — Mother’s addiction and abuse
13:38 — Meeting Mondo; grooming begins
17:49 — Dual trauma: home life vs. Mondo’s weekends
30:37 — Graphic realities of CSA, importance of honesty
36:47 — First rape; internalized shame and silence
39:40 — Disclosure to Jacob, uncovering shared trauma
43:02 — Police report and forensic exam
45:36 — Justice, Mondo’s conviction and death
51:12 — Reaction to Mondo’s death during Afghanistan deployment
55:02 — Comparison of military and childhood trauma: “no bell to ring”
58:57 — The gift of adversity: how trauma shapes resilience
61:37 — Empathy and gratitude as daily attitudes
69:11 — Accountability, ending the cycle of abuse in marriage
72:36 — Shifting from abuse story to resilience and helping others

Where to Find Seth Gehle & His Work

Book: [Strength Beyond the Shadows] (available on Amazon)
Website: sethgale.com
Instagram: @seth_gale

Revisiting 'Seth Gehle: Reclaiming His Story'

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Intentionally Disturbing — Revisiting 'Seth Gehle: Reclaiming His Story'

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Seth’s Background and Motivation for Sharing His Story

2. Early Family Trauma and Instability

3. Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Failure of Protection

4. Escalating Neglect, Violence, and the Pull of Outsiders

5. The Predator: Grooming, Manipulation, and Double Lives

6. Trauma Compounded: Power, Secrecy, and Escalation

7. Breaking the Silence: Disclosure and Justice

8. Aftermath: Military Service, Trauma, and Coping

9. Resilience, Empathy, and Transformation

10. Relationships, Repair, and Daily Practice

11. Reclaiming the Narrative: Sharing and Helping Others

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Where to Find Seth Gehle & His Work

Closing Message

Summary

Intentionally Disturbing — Revisiting 'Seth Gehle: Reclaiming His Story'

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Seth’s Background and Motivation for Sharing His Story

2. Early Family Trauma and Instability

3. Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Failure of Protection

4. Escalating Neglect, Violence, and the Pull of Outsiders

5. The Predator: Grooming, Manipulation, and Double Lives

6. Trauma Compounded: Power, Secrecy, and Escalation

7. Breaking the Silence: Disclosure and Justice

8. Aftermath: Military Service, Trauma, and Coping

9. Resilience, Empathy, and Transformation

10. Relationships, Repair, and Daily Practice

11. Reclaiming the Narrative: Sharing and Helping Others

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Where to Find Seth Gehle & His Work

Closing Message