Mallacoota radio presenter, Jack Hodgins, is delving into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a 13-part series speaking with some of the world’s PTSD experts and those who suffer from it.
Jack’s show, Wellbeing, is aired on 3MGB FM, community radio station for Mallacoota, Genoa and surrounding areas, Thursday mornings at 10am.
This 13-part series is syndicated to 3MGB via the Community Radio Network, with Jack based at station 2NURFM in Newcastle, who has been the presenter and producer of the show since April 2021.
“Going into making this series, I really wanted to leave no stone unturned when it came to PTSD,” he said.
“I wanted to hear from as many perspectives as I could. Now with the show all recorded and ready to air, I’m happy to say the series is of the high quality I wanted it to be.”
The series kicks off by talking with two academic PTSD experts: Professor Alexander McFarlane from the University of Adelaide and Dr Shaili Jain from the University of Standford.
“These initial two episodes will give listeners a strong foundation and good insight into the condition of PTSD,” Jack said.
“Listeners will then hear for the next three episodes from emergency service personnel affected by PTSD. A former police person, former paramedic and a current firefighter all talk about how their line of work has impacted them in the form of PTSD.”
The series continues with four episodes talking with war veterans about their PTSD journeys.
“The first veteran related interview is with Carol Schultz who shares what it was like growing up with her WWII veteran father who had PTSD,” Jack said.
“The second veteran related interview is with Vietnam Veteran Rodger Helle. Rodger’s perspective is important to the series as it was with this cohort of veterans that PTSD became a diagnosable condition. Prior to 1980 PTSD was not even a known condition.
“We also hear from Falkland War Veteran Nick Martin and Iraq Veteran Bobby Henline.”
The series then looks into the PTSD journeys of two 9/11 survivors. The first to share their journey is Will Jimeno, a New York police officer who was trapped under the World Trade Center after it collapsed on September 11.
“In my interview with Will he talks about the events he went through on 9/11 and how today he manages his PTSD in his day-to-day life,” Jack said.
“People may remember Will as his story was depicted in the 2006 Oliver Stone movie, World Trade Center.
“After my episode with Will, we also hear from a paramedic who received PTSD due to 9/11. The series then closes by talking with experts in the PTSD recovery field.
“I created this series as it’s a fairly common condition. It’s estimated that 11 per cent of Australians experience PTSD in their life. So I felt it was a very important topic to cover.
“With this series I have aimed to showcase that those with PTSD can still live full and happy lives despite the condition.”
This series will air from August to mid-November.
