After Fire: Understanding Military Sexual Trauma – with Brittany Huckabee

After Fire: Understanding Military Sexual Trauma - with Brittany Huckabee

In this episode filmmaker Brittany Huckabee talks about the staggering toll of military sexual trauma, how female veterans cope with “moral injury” and what strength in forgiveness really means.

Brittany is an independent filmmaker who focuses on telling stories about the experiences of women. Her newest film, After Fire provides an eye-opening look at the challenges faced by the fastest-growing group of American veterans: women. In After Fire Brittany follows three brave women as they confront the fallout of their experiences and find power, strength and healing.

Episode Highlights

• 0:30 – Brittany talks about the staggering toll of military sexual trauma on the lives of female veterans
• 9:00 – The power dynamics of sex (and why you should understand them)
• 10:10 – How female veterans cope with “moral injury” (ethical transgressions of war that can leave service members traumatized) and other invisible wounds.
• 13:20 – Why sharing and talking about trauma is essential to healing
• 13:30 – What strength in forgiveness really means, “You have to be willing to open yourself up to be hurt, but trust that people aren’t going to hurt you.”
• 23:45 – Brittany’s tips for aspiring filmmaker’s
• 25:35 – How Brittany builds a narrative in a documentary film. It’s tricky because things haven’t happened yet so you have to guess.

1. Favorite book for women?

The Lonely Soldier by Helen Benedict
Shade It BlackDeath and After in Iraq by John Goodell

2. Favorite self-care hack?

Making music on her computer with GarageBand

3. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?

4. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?

  • “When doing creative work, the most important thing is to be focused on the work and not the agenda of others”

Resources and People Mentioned

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