Seeds of Recovery

In this inspiring October edition of Brainstorms, host Dr. Chrisanne Gordon sits down with U.S. Navy veteran Matt Garrett to explore his powerful journey from the battlefield to the garden. Matt shares how agrotherapy—healing through working with the earth—helped him overcome trauma, rebuild purpose, and start new life through nature.

From his service as a Navy corpsman and two tours in Iraq to his creation of the “Heroes Garden” initiative with The Ohio State University and the VA Vet Centers, Matt shows how restoring the planet can restore the self. The discussion dives into topics like native plant restoration, the importance of biodiversity, and the mental health benefits of reconnecting with nature.