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Sam Clarke opens up about therapy and the mental health impact of the 2023 Auckland shooting.

July 20, 202401:00
00:00:00
just started noticing that I was
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starting to get like flashbacks and
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starting to have dreams about the
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incident every time I was hearing at
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that time was the fireworks I could just
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picture us back at the door staring at a
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very clear image of us back there
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standing at the door looking at a black
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space getting shot and at first I was
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like whatever it will go and classic
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just park it get on with it but it kept
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kind of going on for a couple of weeks
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and then I started noticing it wasn't
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just fireworks I heard loud bangs or a
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car backfire even seeing like at this
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point our second daughter was born Palms
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were getting sweaty that was kind of
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when it started to sink in that Fu I
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could have like been missing all of this
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if I can sort of encourage one or two of
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the men and women that are in the police
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my advice would be like the [ __ ] that
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they're having to go to and deal with is
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not normal if I was to go back I would
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have probably just catch up with a
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psychologist even if it was just once
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every 3 months just to see if there's
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anything that sort of needs to be dealt
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with

Podspun Insights

In this gripping episode, the listener is taken on a raw journey through the psychological aftermath of a traumatic incident. The speaker shares their haunting experiences of flashbacks triggered by everyday sounds, like fireworks and car backfires, which transport them back to a moment of crisis. As they navigate the complexities of their emotions, the narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency and vulnerability, revealing the often-overlooked mental health struggles faced by first responders. The episode emphasizes the importance of seeking help and normalizing conversations about mental health, particularly for those in high-stress professions. It’s a poignant reminder that healing is a journey, and it’s okay to ask for support along the way.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 90
    Most emotional
  • 90
    Best performance
  • 88
    Most heartbreaking
  • 85
    Most dramatic

Episode Highlights

  • The Impact of Sounds
    Loud bangs and car backfires trigger memories of the past.
    “It wasn’t just fireworks; I heard loud bangs or a car backfire.”
    @ 00m 26s
    July 20, 2024
  • Advice for First Responders
    Encouragement for police to seek mental health support.
    “My advice would be like the stuff they’re having to deal with is not normal.”
    @ 00m 44s
    July 20, 2024

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Trauma Realization00:36
  • Mental Health Advice00:49