THE MEN WHO CAME BACK ON FIRE

True Life Podcast Transcript
Host: George (True Life Podcast)
Guest: Dr. Randall Hansen
Topic: Healing Veterans Through Psychedelics – A Heroic Hearts Project Fundraiser for Vietnam Veterans
Date (in context): December 2025 (pre-Christmas episode)
[Intro]
George:
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the episode you’ve been waiting for. Today on True Life, we’re joined by Dr. Randall Hansen – healing advocate, educator, ethicist, and author of four powerful books – working at the frontier of trauma, wholeness, and transformation.
His work challenges the modern fragmentation of healing and returns us to its original meaning: to make whole. Drawing from lived experience, ancient wisdom, and intentional psychedelic practice, Dr. Hansen confronts the gap between surviving and truly healing. This is a conversation about what it costs to stay broken – and what becomes possible when we don’t.
Dr. Randall, thank you so much for being here today. How are you?
Dr. Randall Hansen:
George, I always look forward to these conversations. With you, it’s just love and open heart – no notes needed. I’m excited to be here.
George:
Me too. I follow you on social media, we’ve had many conversations on and off air. You’re doing incredible work in healing – psychedelics, diet, bringing knowledge to the forefront. Thank you again.
Dr. Randall:
Thank you. Timing feels perfect – a few days before Christmas. It reminds me of White Christmas, the movie where veterans rally to support their old general with a surprise show.
That’s my plea today: I’m reliving that scene. When I thought, “Who do I want to talk to about this veterans fundraiser?” – it was you, George.
Everyone listening or watching: please share this podcast, share the fundraising page, contribute if you can. Reach out to anyone connected to celebrities who support veterans – Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Mark Wahlberg, Carrie Underwood.
We’re trying to raise $35,000 for a psilocybin retreat specifically for Vietnam veterans through Heroic Hearts Project. For some, that’s everything; for others, it’s nothing. Even sharing helps.
George:
My dad was a Vietnam recon veteran, my grandfather a Marine – my whole family served. I’m 50 and don’t know anyone untouched by a Vietnam veteran’s life. I’m grateful for their service.
There’s a QR code on screen – think about their sacrifice. Randall, what are your thoughts?
Dr. Randall:
I agree. Vietnam veterans hold a special place in my heart. I grew up during that era – my oldest brother got his draft card (war ended before he was called), sparking household debates about honor and options.
The biggest crime: they came home treated like war criminals – spat on, misunderstood, VA turned them away. No concept of PTSD then. They were told to suck it up and stay silent.
My “why”: lift them up. Any Vietnam vets listening – apply to Heroic Hearts Project for a healing retreat (separate from this fundraiser).
George:
Earlier this week at the dollar store, I met Walter – an older gentleman. I asked how he was; he said, “Better than 60 years ago.” Turns out he was among the first in Vietnam. We talked deeply – tears in both our eyes. He shared killing in self-defense and still thinking about those people. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
Mind-blowing how much weight this still carries – and how many could benefit from Heroic Hearts retreats.
Dr. Randall:
I teared up reading your post. Beautiful that he was ready to share.
Shocking statistic from the US Army site: ~500 Vietnam vets die every day, often in long-term/hospice care. Veteran suicide rates remain high for over-50s.
We’re losing these heroes daily. Psychedelics are powerful for healing – and end-of-life clarity. We must act now.
George:
[Shoutouts to live chat commenters: Juliet, Jesse Monroe, others.]
Dr. Randall:
Government/VA moves slowly – mostly pills. We need nonprofits too.
Process at Heroic Hearts:
• Apply at heroicheartsproject.org (military history + proof)
• Reviewed by staff
• Approved vets rank upcoming retreats (mostly international: Peru ayahuasca, Mexico; domestic psilocybin in Oregon/Colorado)
• Pre-retreat coaching/community
• Retreat: ceremonies + integration
• Post-retreat coaching
• Sliding scale fees; donors cover gaps
This fundraiser: $35k for one full psilocybin retreat (vets pay nothing). $70k = two retreats.
George:
[More chat questions/shoutouts.]
James H. (former infantry): When a country sends young men to absorb terror, what ethical obligation does it owe them upon return?
Dr. Randall:
Age-old question. Ken Burns’ Vietnam documentary shows we say “never again” after every war – then repeat. Vietnam brought gruesomeness into living rooms, awakening the public but turning anti-war into anti-soldier.
We pour resources into training/preparation but nothing into aftercare. Wish we’d rise up: think harder before sending anyone into harm’s way – especially unnecessary wars driven by fear of communism or dominance.
George:
Jesse Ventura idea: lawmakers voting for war must send themselves or immediate family to front lines – how many wars then?
Maria (Oakland): Why treat trauma as pathology instead of information – a signal something meaningful was violated?
Dr. Randall:
Jenny (co-founder) says: we are not a diagnosis/label. Trauma is a flashing warning light screaming for attention.
Many wear workaholism (like I did) as a badge – hiding pain. Until addressed, it festers. But trauma can become opportunity for growth, compassion, evolution – even a “gift” (as George once said, blowing my mind).
What would you change if you could go back? Nothing – because it made me who I am.
George:
Learned that from my dad – Vietnam scars turned into charisma/magnetism. Tragedy metabolized into alchemy.
Dr. Randall:
Common thread in veteran stories across my books: lack of support upon return. Jobs feel meaningless, self-medication spirals, downward cycle.
Biggest need: community – finding other vets.
Fascinating: many enter retreats intending to heal war-related moral injury/PTS – first night surfaces childhood trauma.
Almost all of us could benefit from healing. Plant medicines cut to the root.
George:
Plant medicines lift shame/guilt – allowing clear seeing. Veterans often forgive themselves for doing the best they could in impossible situations.
Dr. Randall:
Removes shame of “not acting fast enough.” Shifts perspective – not retraumatizing when properly supported.
George:
[More chat: post-traumatic growth, community.]
Wearing Heroic Hearts shirt sparks conversations – people approach, curious/afraid due to stigma.
Dr. Randall:
Brilliant shirt design (“Ask me about ayahuasca”). Same experience – starts whispered, powerful conversations.
Stigma persists – tied to Vietnam-era anti-war/anti-drug messaging. Need action, not endless research.
George:
Clint Kiles: How much veteran trauma is spiritual? Religious communities ill-equipped.
Dr. Randall:
Profound point. Many lose faith from battlefield horrors. Plant medicines restore spiritual connection – atheists return acknowledging “something greater.” Spiritual healing often intertwined with trauma healing.
George:
André M. (retired Marine): Why celebrate veterans symbolically but refuse to fund actual healing?
Dr. Randall:
Lip service – “thank you for your service” without action. Short-sighted: massive prep spending, zero aftercare. No decompression – brotherhood dissolves upon return.
George:
Conflict of interest: VA/government profits from war machine – publicizing broken veterans undercuts recruitment/propaganda.
Dr. Randall:
Military-industrial complex warned about for decades – untouched. War profitable for contractors/politicians.
George:
Agent Orange effects pass generationally (DNA, birth defects). Casualties last lifetimes.
Dr. Randall:
Vietnam vets dying daily – urgent focus before too late, including end-of-life healing.
George:
Rachel D.: How much of my anxiety/family fractures is secondhand from a war before I was born?
Dr. Randall:
Generational – emotional/physical. Living on eggshells around traumatized parents.
Noah P.: Charity or reparative justice owed by state?
Sophia: Moral justification for delaying guided psychedelic therapy?
Dr. Randall:
Should be human right – plants mostly. Political criminalization. Nonprofits fill gap while we push for access.
William (Vietnam vet): Is country prepared to face what it did to us?
Dr. Randall:
War itself became invisible – buried in shame. Protecting military interests wraps it in flag/“superpower” rhetoric.
George:
Corporations profiting from war should fund treatment (Clint idea). No excessive profits during war.
Dr. Randall:
Post-retreat transformations: dead eyes → alive, animated. Families reunite, life returns. War becomes lesson/gift, not endpoint.
George:
Heroic Hearts veteran-run/connected. Sister org: Hope Project for Gold Star widows.
Dr. Randall:
Start small: ask vets how they’re doing, listen. Share/donate – action now.
George:
What’s next for you?
Dr. Randall:
Goal: $35k+ by Vietnam Veterans Day (March 29). Latest book Finding Wellness – cheap ebook/audiobook for accessibility. Mission: intertwined health/healing journey toward wholeness.
randallhansen.com for books/articles. Adding donation link soon.
George:
Thank you, Dr. Randall – biggest heart I know. Grateful for you and Jenny’s work.
Heroic Hearts Project link/QR on screen. randallhansen.com.
To everyone: hope you have a beautiful day. This Christmas, support Vietnam veterans via Heroic Hearts. Aloha