Hi everyone! In this episode of Rough Edges, I sit down with my uncle, Dr. Stephen Fox, to talk about his journey of faith, military service, education, and mental health. Dr. Fox shares how he first came to faith as a child, how his walk with God shifted during his military service, and how prayer and spiritual community kept him grounded over the years. He also opens up about traumatic experiences he encountered during his time in the Army including the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and surviving a serious car accident that resulted in post-traumatic stress.

Dr. Fox discusses how counseling, grounding strategies, and leaning into his faith helped him process trauma and continue serving others, particularly children, through his work in early childhood education and instructional leadership. This conversation highlights the importance of support systems, faith, mental health resources, and representation in education and sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional realities faced by veterans.

In this episode we talk about:

● Why Dr. Stephen Fox chose to pursue elementary education especially as a male educator

● Understanding the mental health challenges and suicide risks among veterans

● How Dr. Fox approached earning his doctoral degree and contributing to curriculum development

● The importance of faith, therapy, and emotional support in healing

Mental Health Topics Mentioned:

● Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

● Trauma processing and triggers

● Veterans’ mental health challenges

● The role of counseling and coping strategies

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