Episode 239: Helping Veterans Heal With Surfing. Josh Izenberg

This week we return to the veteran podcast series with Josh Izenberg and his film Resurface which explores the question, How can surfing change the lives of military veterans?

I love this series and the individuals who are working to help veterans heal.

Josh (along with his colleague Wynn Padula) is a documentary film director based in San Francisco. His most recent film, SLOMO, was featured on the New York Times, was short-listed for an Academy Award, and was the recipient of the prestigious International Documentary Association award for Best Short Documentary, as well as notable awards from SXSW, Sheffield/Docfest and AFI/Docs.

Josh has also worked on commercial documentaries for clients on topics covering auto design, green energy, and race car driving. Struggling with trauma and depression after his military service, Iraq war veteran Bobby Lane wanted to cross surfing off his bucket list before taking his life.

Resurface tells Bobby's story and explores the question: How can surfing change the lives of military veterans?

More and more research has demonstrated the healing effects of surfing on the brain and body. Organizations like the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, Operation Surf and Surf Action are now acting on this research, turning to ocean therapy to help active duty Marines and vets cope with physical and mental trauma. Resurface focuses on these vets and how surfing and the ocean are helping them heal.