#94 Strummin' Away the Trauma - Patrick Nettesheim, Guitars 4 Vets

The first time the show hasn't had a Veteran founder has a good reason: Patrick Nettesheim is helping Veterans overcome PTSD and related stress symptoms by teaching them to play the guitar. In fact, a research study of Guitars 4 Vets students showed a 21% improvement in PTSD symptoms and a 27% decrease in related depression symptoms. The study attributed learning and playing guitar as the primary catalysts for these improvements. And Patrick is doing his level best to get guitars into the hands of as many Vets as possible. On 2006, a Marine Veteran from the Vietnam era came in to see Patrick and Patrick made the connection to serving the military people with teaching them guitar. His family on his father's side were all veterans and musicians as well. His music career started with the magic of the Beatles' album his brother gave him and started in a band at 13. Back to the Marine. He wanted to know Patrick's teaching method. When Patrick replied his material is a blank page and that most people want to first learn a song. And that's what makes them happy and makes them want to continue. That was the beginning of Guitars 4 Vets. When Dan, the Marine, noticed his PTSD symptoms were retreating, Patrick then began to realize this was a program that could become incredibly valuable to a huge number of military Veterans. Veteran Founder Podcast with your hosts Josh Carter and Cynthia Kao We record the Veteran Founder Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland. Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main Website was designed by Cameron Grimes Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster Theme music: Artist: Tipsy Track: Kadonka Album: Buzzz Courtesy of Ipecac Records 10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes