Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories
Episode: A Different Way To Treat PTSD?
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Dr. Matthew Burke, PhD, Retired USAF Combat Veteran, Founder of 10 Can Inc.
Date: October 26, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode centers on trauma, PTSD, and healing, particularly as experienced by combat veterans and law enforcement. Dr. Matthew Burke discusses his personal journey from military service through the dark aftermath of combat trauma to his work developing alternative, purpose-driven methods for treating PTSD—especially through faith, outdoor experiences, and community. The conversation is candid, empathetic, and practical, offering insight for survivors and their families, as well as those seeking to support them.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Dr. Matthew Burke’s Background and Military Experience
- Time in service: 13 years in the Air Force, including combat deployments (03:01)
- Impact of Combat: Returning home brought profound struggles—feeling like a "spiritual prisoner of war" and unable to escape the trauma (03:51)
- Quote: “Life is, life can be taken from you in an instant… for a long time I had a hard time escaping. Those are the terminologies I use because when we talk about spiritual warfare, it’s really hard to understand something that we can’t touch or smell or see.” – Matthew Burke (03:51)
- PTSD as a ‘Trigger’: Reframing 'triggers' not as weaknesses, but as combat-learned responses needing new context and boundaries (06:19)
- Quote: “I actually like the word trigger… it’s something that most warriors can recognize... I had to teach myself this, to build a guard around my trigger, to protect not just myself, but others.” – Matthew Burke (06:19)
Coping with Trauma: Civilian Life After Combat and Policing
- Hypervigilance: Both Jay and Matthew describe a constant scan for threats, even in mundane situations (09:53)
- Quote: “Some guy’s talking too loud in the corner, and I’m paying attention to what he’s doing because it reads as a possible threat to me and it kind of destroys the entire moment…” – John J. Wiley (09:53)
- Struggles to Re-Integrate: Family noticed his changed demeanor, especially his daughter. Disconnection from loved ones is common (13:58)
- Quote: “I didn’t like it when you came home different. And that broke my heart… Military, it happens kind of instantly because we’re exposed 24/7 for 6 to 12 months.” – Matthew Burke (13:58)
- Seeking Solace Outdoors: Both turn to nature, hunting, fishing, or solitude as places for peace, healing, and reconnection (16:01, 16:59)
The Spiritual Component of Recovery
- Loss of Purpose and Spiritual Shattering: After trauma, many veterans struggle to reconnect with themselves and with God, regardless of religious background (22:03, 23:12).
- Shame: Both felt ashamed—not of their actions, but of who they’d become (18:45, 19:37)
- Quote: “I was so far away from that guy that I was deeply ashamed. Not of things I’d done. I was deeply ashamed of who I became.” – John J. Wiley (18:45)
- Spiritual and ‘Moral Injury’: The internal conflict arising from actions necessary for survival, and reconciling that with upbringing or ideals (25:26)
- Quote: “The enemy became me. And I was a guy I didn’t want to be… It created a huge conflict in me. I was capable of doing things that... created moral injury, whatever it might be, and I felt guilty.” – John J. Wiley (25:26)
- Battling Suicidal Thoughts: Matthew speaks openly about contemplating suicide, confronting ‘the enemy within,’ and how close he came to giving up (19:37, 26:57)
- Quote: “Suicide tends to flutter around in the mind as an option to take out the monster and stop being such a burden to people… I almost tapped out, man.” – Matthew Burke (19:37)
Path to Recovery: Faith, Purpose, and Community
- Outdoors and Purposeful Living: For Matthew, healing started with returning to his childhood joys—outdoors and adventure (16:01, 30:24)
- Quote: “Through hunting and fishing, I was able to do that. You know, the smell, the sight, the sounds, the feel of the environment…” – Matthew Burke (30:24)
- Building 10 Can Inc.: Founded from “the tailgate of [his] pickup,” focused on “saving heroes, raising warriors, and restoring hope” through adventure, faith, and community (33:52, 34:52, 41:08)
- ‘Vicarious Ministry’: Healing through conversation and camaraderie by the campfire—letting others listen rather than being directly instructed (35:58)
- Quote: “Vicarious ministry came out of my findings of vicarious trauma. People like to listen… they’d rather eavesdrop than be talked at.” – Matthew Burke (35:58)
- Breaking the Isolation: Restoration comes from connection (with other veterans/first responders, family, and faith) and finding safe spaces to lower one’s guard (17:00)
- Proactive Healing: Activities are designed to reconnect participants—with themselves, their loved ones (especially children), and nature, using the five senses and positive childhood memories as therapy (37:30)
- Faith Without Force: While the programs are faith-driven, all beliefs are welcome and no one is pressured (41:08)
- Quote: “We serve atheists, we’re very diverse... We don’t force our beliefs on anybody. We’re just out here having a good time and showing people the way to joy.” – Matthew Burke (41:08)
- Success: Their approach claims to have saved over 3,500 “warriors” from suicide and served about 50,000 families (39:11, 43:03)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On Returning Home a Different Person: (13:58)
- “I didn’t like it when you came home different. That broke my heart. …I don’t really know how to explain it unless you’ve been there, done that.” – Matthew Burke
- On Internal Conflict: (25:26)
- “The enemy became me. And I was a guy I didn’t want to be.” – John J. Wiley
- On Healing: (29:28)
- “Chose to fight forward. …I just bask in how good God is and in the opportunity to continue serving and having purpose in my life.” – Matthew Burke
- On Spiritual Distance: (30:24)
- “If God seemed far away, who moved?” – Quoted by Matthew Burke, recalling a church sign from childhood
- On Success of Approach: (39:11)
- “That formula has been 100% successful in saving over 3,500 warriors from committing suicide… It’s back to basics.”
Important Timestamps & Segments
- 02:42 — Guest Introduction
- 03:31-06:19 — Combat’s effect; PTSD, “triggers,” and surviving risk
- 09:53-13:58 — Difficulties transitioning home; family reactions
- 16:01-17:49 — Finding healing outdoors, brotherhood, and trust
- 18:41-20:10 — Shame, isolation, and contemplation of suicide
- 23:12-26:57 — Spiritual loss and moral injury ("enemy within")
- 30:24 — Healing through nature, senses, and faith
- 33:52-36:02 — Birth of 10 Can, Inc., vicarious ministry, redefining community support
- 37:30-41:08 — Rebuilding resilience in both veterans and their children through shared outdoor experiences
- 39:11 — Book and “Saving Heroes” approach: impact and statistics
- 41:08-43:03 — Overview of 10 Can Inc.’s mission and participation
Resources Mentioned
- Dr. Matthew Burke’s Book: Saving Heroes (Available at matthewburkebooks.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble)
- 10 Can Inc.: For programs, support, events, or donations: 10can.us and on Facebook (search "10 Can Inc.")
- Contact Host: jay@letradio.com
- Show Website: letradio.com
Tone & Language
The episode is real, raw, and compassionate, balancing military and law enforcement jargon (“trigger,” “situational awareness”) with approachable, down-to-earth conversation. Both host and guest are open about their vulnerabilities, using frank language to demystify trauma while extending hope and practical advice.
Recap
If you or someone you care about is struggling with trauma or PTSD—whether from combat, policing, or life’s hardships—this episode offers frank validation, hope, and an actionable model for healing. It stresses the importance of brotherhood/sisterhood, authentic conversation, faith (in whatever form is meaningful), and outdoor purpose-driven adventures as powerful tools for reclaiming joy and connection.