Episode 214 Joshua Shores MARSOC "Haunted by Ramadi"
What happens when the war never ends?
Marine combat veteran Josh Shores sits down with us to share one of the rawest and most vulnerable conversations you’ll ever hear about mental health, survivor’s guilt, and the price of war.
At 19 years old, Josh was thrown into Iraq’s deadliest battles in Ramadi. He came home alive, but not whole. Haunted by the men he lost, by the decisions he made, and by the weight of combat trauma, Josh spiraled into anger, alcohol, and multiple suicide attempts.
In this episode, Josh opens up about:
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Survivor’s guilt and why it never really goes away.
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The moment he realized he had become someone he didn’t recognize in Ramadi.
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Why writing about his darkest moments saved his life.
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The ongoing fight for mental health and redemption as a veteran.
This is more than a war story. It’s about healing, truth-telling, and the courage to face your demons.
👉 Watch now. Share with someone who needs to hear this. Leave your thoughts in the comments — your words might be what saves a life.
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
Joshua Shores
Author and Entrepreneur
Joshua Shores is a Marine combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and retired firefighter who has transitioned his dedication to service into entrepreneurship and technological innovation. He is the founder of a veteran-owned company specializing in advanced sUAS operations and training, with a focus on supporting government and industry partners. An FAA Part 107 certified pilot and graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stout with a degree in Business Management (cum laude), Shores combines operational expertise with strategic business acumen. He is also the author of Counting on Death, a memoir providing an unfiltered account of modern combat and its lasting impact. Through his work as both an entrepreneur and author, Shores continues to contribute to national security, technological advancement, and the broader veteran community.
