Episode
180: Veteran Sean Martin Talks About War, Music, PTSD, & Social Change
- Published
- Jun 3, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2358
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Summary
What happens when a soldier comes home from war and discovers that music can heal the wounds the doctors missed? In this episode, I sit down with musician, songwriter, veteran, and outspoken truth-teller Sean Martin. Sean’s journey takes us from the redwood coast of Northern California to the battlefields of Iraq, through the struggles of PTSD, and ultimately into a creative practice rooted in honesty, healing, and a band named the Quarintened. Along the way, Sean shares how music became more than an art form. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and years of songwriting, he discovered that creative practice could become a way of confronting fear, questioning assumptions, and reclaiming agency over his life. We also explore two of his songs, Skeleton Chair and Unspoken , conversations about war, trauma, truth-telling, James Baldwin, and the responsibilities artists have when they choose to speak about the difficult realities that many people would rather avoid. You’ll discover: • How music, cognitive behavioral therapy, and disciplined creative practice helped Sean navigate PTSD and reclaim a sense of agency after war. • Why confronting “the unspoken”—personally, culturally, and politically—lies at the heart of both healing and artistic practice. • How art can become a vehicle for critical thinking, helping people examine the invisible forces that shape their beliefs, fears, and relationships. Notable Mentions Music & Creative Practice The Quarantined (Spotify Artist Page)  — Sean Martin’s grunge, punk, and metal project. Through The Quarantined, Martin explores trauma, war, resilience, addiction, politics, and recovery through deeply personal songwriting. “Skeleton Chair” — The Quarantined on Spotify  — A song inspired by Martin’s experiences…