I'd love your feedback, send me a message
In this episode of the Simple Reflections Podcast, I speak with Stuart Anderson MP about military service, trauma, recovery and the courage to be vulnerable.
Stuart shares his journey from being a young Rifleman and suffering a life-changing gunshot wound, through years of PTSD, alcohol misuse and suicidal thoughts, to rebuilding his life with the support of his family, faith and professional help.
We also discuss leadership, purpose, family, sobriety, public service and the importance of ensuring that no veteran or serving Rifleman faces crisis alone. Listeners may also remember my 2025 conversation with Stuart’s wife, Sarah, who shared her perspective on living with PTSD within the family: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2132149/episodes/16817147
As we cover quite a bit of potentially upsetting and difficult territory, I thought I’d share some links to helpful organisations:
· If you’re a member of the RIFLES family – The Always a Rifleman Programme (https://theriflesnetwork.co.uk/page/aarp) runs a 24 hour emergency phone line staffed by former Riflemen: 0800 470 0941
· Starting points for other military charities:
o The Royal British Legion: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
o SSAFA: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
· Civilian help points in the UK
o The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/ or 116 123
o Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/
o Shout: https://giveusashout.org/ – a text based service for those who don’t want to speak to someone
This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ENpNfF-c-Nc
Support the show
Follow the Simple Reflections Podcast on your favourite platform: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2132149/follow
Subscribe to the Simple Reflections YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@SimplicityinMind
I have written four books. The first is a book about what I’ve learned from the first 80 episodes of the podcast called "Simple Reflections: Seeing What’s Already There ". The other three are a serries: “The Leadership Field Manual: Create Space. Build Connection. Lead with Intent.”; “The Wellbeing Field Manual: Stay Steady. Sustain Clarity. Thrive Under Pressure.”; and “The Understanding Field Manual: Understand Thought. Question Identity. Expand Meaning.” All are available on Amazon and if you’d like to learn more about them you can visit my webpage: https://simplicityinmind.co.uk/books
Support the show: https://simplicity-in-mind.kit.com/products/simple-reflections-podcast
The Simple Reflections Podcast is a collection of gentle conversations with people from all walks of life, looking at small, seemingly insignificant ideas that have gone on to have profound impacts on the lives of the guests. The podcast is hosted by ...
