Welcome to the first episode of our new War Stories series. This week, Dr. Lee Warren takes us back to 2004, sharing his experiences as a combat neurosurgeon deployed to the Iraq war. From personal challenges to professional fears, Dr. Warren explores the parallels between literal war and the battles we all face in life—whether they come as trauma, tragedy, or unexpected challenges.

He shares lessons on preparation, resilience, and how the process of self-brain surgery can help us recover, rebuild, and thrive. If you’re looking for tools to help you face life’s challenges with hope and strength, this episode is for you.

Click here for the transcript!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

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00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:34 Reflecting on 20 Years Since Deployment

01:17 Lessons from the Iraq War

02:14 Applying Self Brain Surgery to Life's Battles

02:36 First War Story: Receiving Orders

03:50 Sponsor Message: Timeline

05:17 Preparing for Deployment

08:11 Facing the Unknown in Combat

11:32 Emotional and Personal Struggles

12:37 Types of Wars: Expected vs. Unexpected

13:27 Prehab: Preparing for Known Battles

16:46 Orders in Hand: Emotional Preparation

20:32 The Importance of Preparation

23:12 Biblical Perspective on Life's Struggles

24:09 Finding Faith in Hard Times

24:34 Preparing for Life's Challenges

24:59 Defining Your Belief System

26:04 Building Resilient Relationships

26:19 The Importance of Mental Preparation

26:47 Daily Gratitude Practice

28:32 Facing Life's Inevitable Wars

28:50 Planning for Potential Marital Issues

30:58 Financial Preparedness

32:32 Personal War Stories

35:46 The Impact of War on Personal Growth

38:14 The Power of Sharing War Stories

40:07 The Role of Faith and Community

43:53 Conclusion: Embracing Hope and Change

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