Episode Summary
In this episode, guest Wes Bruns recounts the 1992 carbon monoxide poisoning that killed 4 of his family members and left him critically ill.
He shares waking from a 5-day coma, coping with survivor guilt, rebuilding his life, coaching and family, and turning his experience into advocacy and a memoir called "When Life Changes the Game."
The episode includes practical safety reminders about carbon monoxide detectors and resources for grief and recovery.
Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™
Struggling with your mental health? Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just alone? Well, you're not. Welcome to The HelpHUB™—your online destination for mental health resources, treatment options, content, and tools to help meet you exactly where you are in the moment. Visit TheHelpHUB.co to get started.
Takeaways
• Carbon monoxide as the silent killer
• Personal story of loss and survival
• The importance of safety detectors
• Turning tragedy into purpose through writing and advocacy
• Resilience and mental health after trauma
• The role of community and support in healing
• Lessons learned from a near-death experience
• The process of writing a memoir about trauma
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
00:27 - Expanding the scope of the podcast to include survival stories
00:56 - Introduction to Wes Bruns and the dangers of carbon monoxide
01:23 - Wes shares his personal experience with CO poisoning
02:25 - Wes discusses his life after the incident and his mission
03:18 - Connection through shared loss of fathers
04:16 - Wes talks about his family and current life
05:11 - The impact of the 1992 tragedy on Wes’s life
07:46 - The night of the tragedy
09:31 - The events leading up to the CO poisoning
11:28 - Detection signs and the night of the incident
16:27 - The rescue and aftermath of the tragedy
20:20 - Medical treatment and Wes’s recovery
21:50 - The upcoming book and its purpose
24:48 - Reflections on survival and purpose
27:02 - Survivor guilt and coping mechanisms
28:18 - The impact on Wes’s mental health
29:58 - Advice for those experiencing loss
42:05 - The importance of safety and prevention
46:24 - Wes’s book release details and advocacy
47:24 - Final thoughts and message of hope
Mental Health Resources
• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)
• Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (Familius Books) (https://a.co/d/00Zthp5f)
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
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Order your copy of Wes's book When Life Changes The Game: A story of survival, second chances, and the power of perseverance on Amazon. Release Date: Thursday, August 20th 2026. Booksigning at NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, IA. Aug 20th, 4-6PM
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See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.