Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Navy Veteran and military spouse Melissa Washington. Melissa is the CEO of the Women Veterans Alliance, Women Veterans Giving, and publisher of Women Veterans Magazine. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestMelissa Washington, Navy Veteran, Founder & CEO: Award-winning advocate, speaker, author, entrepreneur, CEO, publisher, Radio Show Host, and proud Navy veteran Melissa A. Washington wears many hats. Yet woven throughout her diverse pursuits is a mission of service—and a passion to empower her fellow women veterans.The daughter of a Bronze Star Army Vietnam War veteran, Melissa grew up in San Francisco’s East Bay. Fiercely independent as a child, she spent many afternoons in her family’s video store, developing an early sense of business acumen. That enterprising spirit continued into her teenage years when Melissa began training for a career in early childhood education while still in high school.But something else sparked in Melissa just as she was finishing her certification. Seeking to expand her world and serve her country, the 18-year-old enlisted in the Navy, spending three years on active duty and five years in the reserve. She did a 6-month "Med Cruise" and a 6-month "West Pac" deployment during her active duty. That formative experience set her life on a completely new trajectory—not only taking her across the globe and teaching her vital lessons but also introducing Melissa to her husband and, ultimately, inspiring her to transform thousands of lives. In the mid-nineties, she chose to leave the Navy early, having witnessed the burdens that come with a dual-service family. While her husband would remain in the Marine Corps for 21 years, Melissa embarked on a new path, earning her bachelor’s degree in business management. She followed with a decade-long career in corporate recruiting and human resources, working with such entities as Nissan, Oracle, Tickets.com, Randstad, and the 2002 Winter Olympics.But in 2009, amid The Great Recession, Melissa was laid off. Despite the setback, she relied on her military training—which taught her to be adaptable and resourceful—and her innate sense of resilience. Above all, Melissa saw an opportunity to reinvent herself once again.Initially, she held LinkedIn workshops from her dining room table, imparting her vital knowledge to others. Soon, she was hosting larger workshops, which eventually grew into speaking engagements with hundreds of attendees. In 2011, she established Melissa Washington, Inc., a consulting service catering to businesses and individuals that incorporates LinkedIn for research, recruiting, job seeking, and collaboration. After four years at LinkedIn, where Melissa managed global meetings, she returned to her entrepreneurial roots. But this time, she focused on her fellow women veterans. A natural networker, Melissa initially sought to connect with her peers outside of traditional veterans’ organizations. Yet, the more meetups she planned, the more she realized the need for a dedicated support system for women veterans. In 2015, what started as a local meetup turned into Women Veterans Alliance—a global organization that seeks to empower and positively impact the lives of women veterans. Three years later, she established the nonprofit wing of WVA, Women Veterans Giving. Both entities offer women veterans opportunities to gain valuable career experience and successfully integrate back into civilian life. WVG also helps fund women veteran-owned businesses, which other organizations often overlook. To date, they have awarded over $20k to women in veteran-owned businesses. In 2016, created and produced the first "Women Veterans Unconference."  Developed The Beyond Call of Duty Award Honoring Sgt Nicole Gee to honor and recognize the women in our communities. In 2021, Melissa expanded her role in the community by co-founding Women Veterans Magazine—the first publication of its kind to address the issues affecting women veterans and provide them with local and national resources. Aside from serving as CEO of WVA and WVG and publisher of Women Veterans Magazine, Melissa stays busy as an in-demand public speaker whose topics range from Maximizing Impact to Unlocking the Power of Purpose. She speaks regularly at conferences and events around the country and has spoken at over 100 events—presenting for the likes of Marriott, the Urban League, Blue Diamond, and IMEX America. Melissa has also appeared on the Dr. Phil Show and the Lifetime Channel’s The Balancing Act, as well as on SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, among others.Additionally, Melissa is the author of Get Back to Work: Smart & Savvy Real-World Strategies to Make Your Next Career Move (FriesenPress, 2014). And Unstoppable: Being Fierce, Fearless & Unf*ckwithable in Life and Business, based on her experiences with WVA, which offers practical advice on creating a meet-up group and becoming an influencer within one’s community (Brave Healer Productions, 2022).A longtime resident of Northern California, Melissa was a 2011 recipient of the Sacramento Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award and was among the Journal’s Women Who Mean Business honorees in 2017. She has also been recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners with an Outstanding Women Leader Visionary Award and received the 2016 Soroptimist Ruby Award, which recognizes women helping women. In 2019, she received the Center for Women Veterans’ Trailblazer Award.   In 2022, she received her first Federal Appointment to the Small Business Administration Advisory Committee on Veteran Business Affairs (ACVBA).   In 2022, Thrive Causemetics Inc. featured a "Melissa" Warm Sienna Sheer Strength Hydrating Lip Tint to honor her infinite impact on the community.   In 2023, she started Veteran.Events to provide event services to the veteran and military community. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Jarrod, and daughter, Maya. In addition to being an avid genealogist, Melissa loves vacationing with her family—particularly trips that involve a beach.Her grandfather, a WWII Army Air Corps/Air Force Veteran who received the Bronze Star and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, served in the 509th Bomb Squad AC in the Eastern European Theater with 37 missions over Germany.Her husband is a retired Marine who served in combat in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).Links Mentioned in this Episode Women Veterans Alliance Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Women Veterans Series. This four-part video series dives into their history, triumphs, and unique challenges from the Revolutionary War to present day.  You ...

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Dr. Derek Abbey, President and CEO of Project Recover, the nation’s leading citizen-led non-profit organization to search, locate, document, recover, and repatriate the over 81,500 American service members missing in action. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestDerek Abbey, Ph.D. is Project Recover’s President and CEO. He served for 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. His academic research and his post-military career have focused on connecting veterans with college opportunities, He began as Project Recover team member in 2004 and spent five years on the Board of Directors before being appointed as President / CEO.Derek Abbey grew up in Seattle. He was the only child of a single mom doing the best she could to raise a “rambunctious boy.”  Her unexpected death when Derek was 13 turned his life upside-down. For four years, he lived primarily with his aunt and uncle. Finally, at 17, Derek ran away to the Marine Corps. Derek Abbey had been without a rudder and sail for most of his life. In the USMC, he found a structure and system he could succeed in.First, he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a communicator. After his initial enlistment, the Marine Corps selected him for a commissioning program and sent him to Oregon State University to earn a degree. Upon receiving his degree he was commissioned as a ground officer. Finally, Derek was selected for an aviation contract while completing the six months long Basic School.This combination of events, going into the military and then to college, set the stage for Derek’s academic and professional accomplishments. It also is the seed that gave rise to a passion for connecting veterans with educational opportunities. It is also, of course, the precursor which led up to his current role with Project Recover.Derek Abbey attended flight school in Pensacola FL and graduated as a Naval Flight Officer. He was then sent to the F/A-18 Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron at MCAS Miramar where he earned his designation as an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer. He was then immediately assigned to his first squadron, VMFA(AW)-121, and deployed for Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the next few years, he deployed two more times to Iraq and once to the Far East. He holds more combat hours in the Hornet than hours in peaceful skies. After an extended and successful tour in the Hornet, Derek left flight operations to become a Plank Owner (original member) at Marine Corps Special Operations Command as the Air Officer for the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, now 1st Raider Battalion. During this period with the Marine Raiders, he served in Marine Special Operations Company Delta and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as their Forward Air Controller, Special Operations JTAC, and Executive Officer.In 2009, Derek was selected by the Marine Corps for the Advanced Degree Program and assigned to the University of San Diego. “In 2009-2011, there was a huge influx of military into higher education. Universities were figuring out how to work with these populations.” While earning a Masters in Higher Education Leadership, Derek conducted research on how universities and colleges work with military-connected students on their campuses. His thesis provided best practices for colleges to use in creating successful military programs on their campuses. In his twilight tour from 2011-2014, Derek served as the Director of the Marine Corps’ Train the Trainer School in Camp Lejeune, NC. His organization was responsible for the training and education of instructors, curriculum developers, staff and leadership of 93 training units across the Marine Corps. Derek retired from the USMC as a Major in 2014. Shortly thereafter, he began his doctorate in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. Derek focused again on conducting practical research that would help make higher education more accessible to veterans, the majority of whom would be first-generation college students. His research has garnered national attention and resulted in multiple speaking engagements. Derek earned his Ph.D. in 2019.Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, Derek began working at San Diego State University as a Military Liaison Officer in the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center. In this position, he focused on outreach to the military-connected students in the region in order to provide guidance for them attaining their higher education goals.In 2015, he took over the Military and Veterans Program at The University of San Diego.  During his time with USD, he created and implemented programming that resulted in the growth of the military-connected population by 30% and the program being recognized as one at the top in the nation. Derek was the advocate for this population not only at USD but on other campuses in the region through the Military Ally program and with organizations across the nation attempting to provide better educational guidance for the military population.  In 2017, Derek took over West Coast Operations for the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) as the Senior Director of the West and Northwest Regions. TMF is a veterans service organization that works to unite the American community through programming that emphasizes the value of strong character. In this role, he oversaw the strategy development, program implementation and expansion, budget execution, and evaluation in TMF’s largest geographical region. Links Mentioned in this Episode Project Recover Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is an episode of the Behind the Mission Podcast, episode 153 with Christina Slentz and the League of Wives Memorial Project. This project honors the story of a group of military spouses who supported their husbands held captive as POWs in the Vietnam war with the establishment of a memorial in Coronado, California.  You can find the resource here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/christina-slentz Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmor<...

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Army Veteran Chuck Hodges, President of the Education and Training Division at Transforce, an organization and network of transportation professionals across the US.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsChuck Hodges is President of the Education and Training Division, a role he’s held since August 2022.  He and his team run The CDL School, Troops Into Transportation, and the United States Truck Driving School, graduatinging thousands of new CDL drivers each year for the Transportation Industry.  Before joining TransForce, Chuck was the Executive Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes Program, where he worked with employers and military installations to connect thousands of Transitioning Service Members and Military Spouses with career opportunities. Chuck is a retired US Army Infantry Colonel, having served 27 years on active duty, completing his career as Joint Base Commander of Joint Base Lewis McChord - the largest operational joint base in the Department of Defense. He commanded at multiple levels including leading 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry as part of the Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team.  He holds a Master's Degree in Instructional Systems from the University of Central Florida, a Master's Degree in Public Communication from American University, a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida. Links Mentioned in this Episode Transforce Web SiteTroops into Transportation Web Site PsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Veteran Supportive Supervisor Training -- Supportive Supervisor Behaviors This course will explore the four types of support supervisor behaviors, four performance supportive behaviors and then will learn how to apply these behaviors to create a balanced, healthy, vibrant, and productive work culture environment. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Veteran-Supportive-Supervisor-Training-Supportive-Supervisor-Behaviors Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Lorrena Black, a retired U.S. Army Major, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for veterans' success. Lorrena is the Founder and CEO of She Served LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping veterans and professionals find their purpose and unlock their fullest potential, equipping them with tools to succeed in their careers and lives. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsLorrena Black is a retired U.S. Army Major, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for veterans' success. With a remarkable 25-year military career, she brings a wealth of experience and insight, having served as both an enlisted soldier and an officer, rising through the ranks to lead soldiers and projects in critical roles.Lorrena is the Founder and CEO of She Served LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping veterans and professionals find their purpose and unlock their fullest potential, equipping them with tools to succeed in their careers and lives. Lorrena’s journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. From overcoming early trauma to battling imposter syndrome, she has forged a path of empowerment and self-discovery. A certified Emotional & Social Competency Inventory Practitioner and Co-Active trained Professional Coach, Lorrena’s work focuses on emotional intelligence, leadership development, and intercultural competence. Her signature workshops and coaching programs are deeply impactful, blending her military discipline with a profound understanding of human behavior.A speaker, facilitator, and advocate for veterans, Lorrena actively contributes to her community by serving on the board of the Detroit-based nonprofit, CATCH Charity for Children, is a member of the Women’s Army Corps Wolverine Chapter 67, and is a representative in Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency’s I am a Veteran Campaign. She holds a B.A.S. in Resource and Technology Management from Troy University and a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University. With an unwavering commitment to serving her community, Lorrena inspires audiences to embrace their power and find strength in their unique stories. A devoted wife and mother of four teenagers, she balances family, business, and community service with dedication, sharing her insights to empower others to lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose.Links Mentioned in this Episode She Served LLC Web SiteLorrena on LinkedIn PsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, How to Build a Successful Transition Plan. Join General Peter Chiarelli, United States Army (Ret.), as he discusses the importance of setting realistic expectations, goal-setting, and flexibility during your transition. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/How-to-Build-a-Successful-Transition-Plan Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Dave Knott, founder of the Veterans and First Responders Foundation, an organization in the greater Cleveland area that exists to provide the support that First Responders, Veterans, Military, K-9s, and their families need to live the fulfilling lives. We’re going to talk about how his organization is looking to support wellness in first responders and veterans.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsDAVID KNOTTThere are jobs that we choose, and those that choose us. In my case, I learned the true nature of that calling through my son's call to service several years ago. Prior to his decision to join the police force, I thought he would wow fans on the field as a professional baseball player (he certainly had the talent). But what I didn’t know was that there was that small voice inside of him – that drive to be a part of building community by ensuring that community’s safety and security.I would be lying if I said that being a police officer’s father was always comfortable – it’s not. In my line of work – through my 45+ year career in development and construction – I have always had a predictability to my days. The project details may change, there may be long hours, but I always knew that I would come home at the end of the day. That isn’t a certainty when you take the oath to protect and serve. And while my wife and I have bouts of worry for our son, we couldn’t be more proud.His service was the inspiration for me, years later, to establish The VFR – an organization whose mission is to take care of those that care for others and put them on a path to healing. Today that organization has the backing of many who know the burdens of these service men and women intimately and are ready to see The VFR evolve to better support those in need.​Our vision is clear and supported by a team of military, fire, police as well as development and community experts who know the value we can create means we do not have a moment to spare in pushing this project forward. We are unwavering in our mission – to create the most impactful experience for veterans and first responders, allowing them the space, time and resources to recover, relax and rejuvenate. In short, to address the career fatigue that can lead to devastating results while making sure that critical training leads to better outcomes for the communities they serve.​I invite you to learn more – and to reach out at any time should you like to join us in our mission. Links Mentioned in this Episode VFR Foundation Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the Behind the Mission Podcast Episode 16, which features Marine Corps Veteran and president of Axon talking about the use of technology to support public safety professionals, including first responders.  You can find the resource here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/luke-larson Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re replaying a PsychArmor Conversations with Caregivers featuring how VSOs can support Caregivers. This conversation was recorded in June of 2023 and featured the host, PsychArmor Trusted Advisor Shaina Purser, having a conversation with Madison Moore, VP of Programs & Partnerships at The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Michael S. Figlioli, Director of National Veterans Services at the VFW. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsShaina Purser is a dedicated social worker, specializing in mental health and community advocacy. With a passion for supporting underserved populations, Shaina has spent several years working in various settings, including non-profit organizations and community health initiatives.Shaina holds a strong belief in the power of education and collaboration, working alongside colleagues and community members to develop sustainable solutions that promote well-being and equity. Through her ongoing dedication to the field, she continues to inspire and uplift those around her.Madison Moore is a Senior Advisor at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the foundation's mission to support military caregivers. With a robust background in nonprofit leadership and advocacy, Madison is dedicated to improving the lives of those who care for wounded, ill, and injured veterans.Before joining the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Madison held various leadership roles in organizations focused on veteran services and community engagement. Her commitment to serving military families is deeply rooted in her own experiences, driving her passion for advocacy and empowerment.Madison is a sought-after speaker and expert in military caregiver issues, frequently sharing her insights at national conferences and forums. She holds a degree in Social Work and has contributed to numerous publications highlighting the challenges and strengths of military caregivers.Michael Figlioli is the National Service Officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As NVS director, Michael is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program, which ensures veterans, service members and their families have access to their earned benefits through the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Labor. The scope of his role also includes overseeing the VFW’s network of more than 1,950 VFW Accredited Service Officers located around the world and on almost two dozen military installations, to ensure they have the necessary training and resources to provide the best possible service to their veteran clients.Michael got his start serving veterans, service members and their families as a senior family program specialist at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, from 2005 to 2007, where he was responsible for the welfare of the families of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and the formation and training of family support groups assigned to the 94th Regional Readiness Command, which encompassed the entire Northeast Region. He was then appointed as VFW Service Officer for the VFW Department of Massachusetts in 2008. In 2011, he was hired by the Washington Office as a pre-discharge claims representative for the National Capital Region. Since then, he has served in various positions with NVS to include associate director for field operations and assistant director for veterans benefits policy. He became NVS deputy director in March 2016 and has helped guide the program for the last seven years.Links Mentioned in this Episode VFW National Veterans ServiceElizabeth Dole FoundationPsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor Conversations with Caregivers series. This is a series of moderated discussions that are available on YouTube, and features topics such as Working while Caregiving, Resilience and Recreation, and Caring for Veterans through End of Life.  You can find the resource here:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8CpUgKU1Rmt7v_bTpTbZhN_yRNNd0Lwe&si=zK8ox5KBCLz47Uog Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Victoria Ring, the National Alliance for Care at Home’s Manager of Veterans Services. In this role, Tori manages the We Honor Veterans program, ensuring hospice and palliative care providers are supported and connected with the resources and tools needed to provide quality care that meets the unique needs of Veterans at end of life. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsVictoria Ring joined the National Alliance for Care at Home in 2023 and serves as the organization’s Manager of Veterans Services. In this role, Victoria manages the We Honor Veterans program, ensuring hospice and palliative care providers are supported and connected with the resources and tools needed to provide quality care that meets the uniqueneeds of Veterans at end of life. Her focus is on fostering community connections, ensuring accessibility, promoting health equity, and advancing person-centered and holistic approaches to care. Victoria’s deep rooted personal commitment to improving quality of life for older adults with unique needs is reflected in her daily support of We Honor Veterans.Victoria holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania with a Certificate of Specialization in Geriatric Social Work. Her experience includes graduate internships with Pennsylvania Hospital’s inpatient proactive psychiatric service line and at Penn Medicine at Home, across their inpatient, outpatient, and bereavement teams. Victoria’s prior experience includes employment as a Housing Case Manager, supporting households experiencing intimate partner violence to secure and sustain safe housing. Victoria has prior experience in facilitating public health education. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Catholic University of America.Links Mentioned in this Episode We Honor Veterans Web siteMilitary History ChecklistPsychArmor Resource of the WeekCaring for Veterans Through the End Of Life: Healthcare Providers. In this healthcare provider course, you will gain the skills and knowledge to provide compassionate care to our nation's Veterans as they approach the end of their lives. We will examine the specific needs of Veterans and their families, as well as how a patient's military service can impact end-of-life medical care. You will learn how to provide dignified and respectful care that meets the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Veteran patients. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to deliver compassionate and sensitive care to Veterans in their final days. You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/caring-for-veterans-through-the-end-of-life-healthcare-providers Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Amy Alvarez, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with the Avalon Action Alliance, and John and Cheryl Burns, a veteran family whose lives have been changed through support from Avalon Action Alliance partners. The Avalon Action Alliance is a network of treatment, service and support providers that takes a comprehensive approach to addressing Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress, and Substance Use concerns.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsAmy Alvarez is a community builder and storyteller who loves bringing people together for social impact. Throughout her career, she’s helped some of your favorite causes and social enterprises stand out with innovative marketing, business development and relationship building. Prior to Avalon, Amy served as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Make-A-Wish Georgia where she helped them successfully refresh their brand, build and grow their social media presence, and secure national media to elevate stories of wish families. She loves mission-driven organizations and finds purpose in trying to move people to take action, build bridges and influence change. She’s a believer in creating an environment that fosters diverse voices and perspectives.​Amy graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Marketing with an emphasis in Sales and Customer Relationship Management. As a child, her love for travel was ignited through her father’s 22-year service in the Navy. Her favorite place to be stationed was Tegucigalpa, Honduras.In her free time, you’ll catch her on the trails with her Frenchie, Charlie, exploring a new city or dancing in the aisles at the grocery store to some music.----John Burns is an Army Combat Veteran who survived an IED attack while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. A last minute decision as a leader to change seats assignments changed everything for him, making him the lone survivor in his vehicle and leaving him with debilitating injuries. His survivor’s guilt was gripping and began a 19-year journey of struggle. Lack of sleep, balance issues, severe PTS made it hard for John to exist. He turned to the VA who prescribed him a cocktail of medicines. Then came the pandemic…forced isolation and loneliness escalated John’s symptoms. He spent days in the dark, with very little interaction. John’s wife Cheryl, desperate for answers and help, started researching places for him to get care. They found Avalon who connected them with the University of Florida Haley Brain Wellness Program. John’s class was one of the biggest cohorts to date. He reluctantly attended, but by the 3rd day, he knew things were going to be different. After 3 weeks of care, everything changed and he found hope againCheryl says she got her husband back. John said he got his life back. And he gained community, something he missed from his days serving. Today, John is thriving. Finally taking that Greek vacation he dreamed of. Finally being the grandpa he hoped he’d become. Finally being himself. A life renewed and hope restoredIn John and Cheryl’s own words: “We found Avalon Action Alliance when we needed it most. We had lost hope in the way John was being treated and didn’t know where else to go after years of searching for help. Everything changed when we were connected to the team at UF Health. We’re finally living the life we envisioned – full of love and hope once again. Avalon’s care is life-changing, and we’ll be forever grateful for the support we received from them.”Links Mentioned in this Episode Avalon Action Alliance Web SiteAlliance Partner LocationsPsychArmor Resource of the WeekPsychArmor  Brain Health & Wellness Learning Series - Traumatic Brain Injury. In your work with the Veteran and military-connected community, you may work with a military service member or Veteran who has experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). While a TBI diagnosis can pose a daunting challenge, there are a number of of both individual and community-based treatments to support warriors in their recovery. The goal of this series is to give you essential information on TBI and the tools and resources to make a difference in the lives of military members who have suffered a brain injury during service. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the statistics behind TBI, common symptoms, diagnostic techniques, and treatment therapies. Warriors can and do recover from the effects of brain injuries and—with your support—acquire new skills to overcome limitations and live fulfilling lives. You can see find the resource here:    https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/WWP-BHW-TBI Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Special Operations Spouse KaLea Lehman. She is the Executive Director of The Military Special Operations Family Collaborative, a nonprofit public health initiative to enable the success of America’s special operations warriors and families through collaborative health and well-being research and programs. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsKaLea Lehman is the Executive Director of The Military Special Operations Family Collaborative, a nonprofit public health initiative to enable the success of America’s special operations warriors and families through collaborative health and well-being research and programs.She has a broad range of experience working in healthcare advocacy, communications, and education. KaLea completed her undergraduate education at The George Washington University in 2007 and earned her Master of Education in 2018 from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.Her work and interests are policy research, analysis, and development. Her research interests include organizational behavior in matrix and high reliability organizations and their intersection with well-being. KaLea and her husband have been part of the Special Operations community for over 10 years and have four beautiful children. In their free time, they enjoy running adventures and traveling to new places.  Links Mentioned in this Episode MSOFC Web SiteThe Warrior’s Table BookMSOFC on FacebookMSOFC on InstagramMSOFC on XPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s Resource of the Week is a podcast episode that was previously recorded with Dr. Maguen on the Head Space and Timing Podcast. In this hour-long discussion, Dr. Maguen shares more thoughts on the development, assessment, and treatment of Moral Injury You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/invisible-wounds-at-home-understanding-invisible-wounds Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryThis episode features a conversation with Navy spouse Vicky Perkins, Senior Director for Impact Programs at Blue Star Families. Among other programs, Vicky is responsible for leading the team that manages Blue Star Support Circles, facilitated nonclinical cohorts for veterans and service member supporters to help reduce crisis and suicide in the military affiliated population.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsVicky Perkins is a Navy Spouse and dedicated professional with a passion for supporting others. She brings a wealth of experience in non-profit organization management, excelling in Event Management, Program Management, Communication, Volunteer Management, Decision-Making, and Team Building. Her leadership encompasses diverse portfolios specializing in developing, evaluating, and scaling innovative pilot programs nationally and in collaboration with local communities, and her commitment is deeply rooted in serving military families. She passionately works towards positively impacting their lives and the communities they navigate, armed with a nuanced understanding of their challenges.Links Mentioned in this Episode Blue Star Families Web SiteBlue Star Support CirclesVicky Perkins on LinkedInPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Suicide in Military Members And Veterans. Dr. Craig Bryan provides an overview of military suicide statistics and explains unique factors that may be related to increased rates in military suicide. You can find a link to the resource in our show notes. You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/suicide-in-military-members-and-veterans Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Dr. Julie Goldstein, Director of the Zero Suicide Institute, and Lisa Sabey, President of Parents-to-Parents. We’re going to be talking about a video resource called Parents to Parents: After Your Child’s Suicide Attempt. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsJulie Goldstein Grumet, EDC vice president, is an expert in behavioral health transformation, state and local community suicide prevention, and the use of evidence-based practices for suicide care in clinical settings. She translates complex topics into engaging and impactful resources for health care leaders, school leaders, and others.As director of the Zero Suicide Institute, Goldstein Grumet provides strategic direction and leadership for the Zero Suicide framework and oversees the development, dissemination, evaluation, and effective implementation of the framework nationwide. She leads a team dedicated to ensuring that safe and effective suicide care practices are accessible to all via an online implementation toolkit for suicide care in health care systems.Goldstein Grumet is the senior health care advisor to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. A highly acclaimed trainer and speaker, her work has been spotlighted in the Washington Post, Science Magazine, and Military Times.Goldstein Grumet holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from George Washington University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in School Mental Health at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Center for School Mental Health.Lisa Sabey is mostly a wife, mother and grandmother. She has 6 children, 11 grandchildren and a husband who supports her as she launches into all the projects. Lisa’s life changed when her daughter went down the rabbit hole of anorexia nervosa. For years, mental illness ravaged her daughter’s physical and mental wellness.After spending thousands of hours researching, reading and talking with professionals, Lisa increasingly realized that parents needed much more education and support. She self-funded the creation of a documentary, Anorexia: What We Wish We Had Known She committed her life to this work and founded Parents-to-Parents, a 501(c)(3) NPO. Links Mentioned in this Episode The Education Development Center WebsiteThe Zero Suicide InstituteParents to Parents: After Your Child’s Suicide AttemptParents to Parents WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the VA S.A.V.E. training course. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, this course presents a general understanding of suicide within the military and Veteran community in the United States. It addresses how to identify a Veteran who may be at risk and teaches viewers what to do to help. Using the simple steps of S.A.V.E., we can all make a difference. You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Denise Olsen, a grief mentor, national public speaker, registered nurse, yoga instructor, and published author. Her book, Strong and Soulful: Graced by Grief is a look at Denise’s personal journey from catastrophic grief and trauma to a life filled with abundance. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.  About Today’s GuestsDenise Olsen is a Grief mentor, national public speaker, BSN-RN, yoga instructor and now a published author. Through nursing, Denise acquired extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology along with trauma experience. After suffering the loss of her husband, a NYC firefighter, on 9/11, Denise utilized yoga, meditation and breathwork to heal. She is a registered yoga instructor with over 300hrs of experience, specializing in the military community, combat related PTSD and military sexual assault. Most recently, her work has evolved into guiding those who have suffered grief/loss and/or trauma through their healing journey. Her work focuses on using our pain as a portal to our highest selves. When Denise isn’t speaking, writing, or traveling, she can be found at her home near the beach enjoying her family and seeking out her next adventure.Links Mentioned in this Episode Denise Olsen’s Web SiteStrong and Soulful on AmazonPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course, Good Grief. Grief is not only experienced with death, it can also occur with job loss or severe changes to physical well-being. The purpose of this course is to recognize loss and identify what is learned as a result of that loss. You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/good-grief Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Kari McDonough, Vice President of Welcome.US and Senior Advisor to the Welcome Fund, a program of Welcome.us that provides a source for grantmaking to organizations as they involve community members to welcome newcomers. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Links Mentioned in this Episode Welcome.US Web SiteThe Welcome.US Welcome CorpsWelcome.US Veteran Sponsor Fund ApplicationPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is Episode 47 of the Behind the Mission Podcast. On this episode of Behind the Mission, we have a conversation with Jen Wilson, Co-Founder of the Army Week Association, a New York City-based Nonprofit that provides support to returning service members and their communities. In this episode, we discuss AWA’s mission and how their network was engaged to respond to the need to support US and Coalition Force Allies during the Fall of Kabul You can see find the resource here:   https://psycharmor.org/podcast/jen-wilson Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Khadija Boyd, a retired United States Army Combat Veteran, who is currently the Editor in Chief for the Journal of Veterans Studies. The mission of the Journal of Veterans Studies is to sustain international research in veterans studies, facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations, and narrow gaps between cultures, institutions, experiences, knowledge, and understanding. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsDr. Khadija Boyd is a Retired United States Army Combat Veteran. She received her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University in 2020. Her research and previous publications focus on race and gender discrimination in the military as identified as military colorblindness and military gestational loathing. Also, the use of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as a filter of racial awareness. She is currently an Editor for the Journal of Veterans Studies and Section Editor for the Journal of Veterans Studies.Links Mentioned in this Episode The Journal of Veterans Studies WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course, Advising Military Students on Higher Education. In this course, you’ll see a brief look at higher education options and transition information for military students  You can see find the resource here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Advising-Military-Students-on-Higher-Education Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature Veteran Rocio Palermo, Program Coordinator for Women Vets On Point, a program of U.S. Vets. WVOP is designed and informed by women veterans for women veterans in order to address critical needs and barriers to mental health care after military service. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsA native Angeleno, daughter of Honduran and Mexican immigrants, Rocio joined the Navy when she was 17. She returned to Los Angeles and received her AA in Social Studies from Glendale Community College, Bachelor of Arts in American Studies with a double minor in Political Science and Spanish from Mount St. Mary’s University. She studied Public Administration at Cal State University, Northridge. Rocio has a diverse work history with concentrations in education and social work. She is currently  ·      the Program Coordinator for Women Vets on Point, U.S.VETS-Patriotic Hall ·      She is the chair of the Women Veterans Working Group of the Los Angeles Veteran’s Collaborative·      Chaplain for American Legion Area 6 and District 24. ·      The Vice Chair for Women for the Los Angeles County Council of the American Legion.·      Commissioner, Veterans Advisory Commission serving under District 1 Supervisor Hilda Solis.  She brings a passion, focus and personal perspective that helps her connect with all Veterans, but especially with female Veterans. Rocio sees her service to others as a calling and privilege, knowing the importance of finding ways to work together with community partners in order for all to benefit. Her mission in life is to continue to advocate for Veterans, but specifically Veteran Women, so that “every veteran would know how valuable her service is, how important she is and that the nobility with which she served”.  -       She is the co-founder of The 355 Women Veteran Speaker Series-       Co-creator of the Battle Boutique, The Sista Mixa, The She Leads Luncheon, Love Your Sister Luncheon, Veteran Women’s Suicide Prevention Conference-       Host of The Networking Hour Rocio currently lives in Arleta with her son, 4 dogs and 2 cats. Links Mentioned in this Episode Women Vets On Point Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is episode 165, a conversation with Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Retiree Virginia Wimmer. In this episode, we discuss the importance of supporting women veterans and the services available in California You can see find the resource here:   https://psycharmor.org/podcast/virginia-wimmer  Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature Tom Chiodo, Executive Producer of Special Projects, National Productions for WETA, he flagship PBS station in Washington DC. We discuss the upcoming PBS Documentary, Caregiving, which will examine both systematic issues within the care system as well as tell personal stories of people who care for loved ones.    Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsTom Chiodo is the executive producer of Special Projects National Productions for WETA (Washington Educational Telecommunications Association), the flagship PBS station in Washington DC. WETA develops primetime documentary films and original digital content, accompanied by national impact and engagement campaigns, across 330+ PBS stations in more than 150 markets. Recent public media projects: Ken Burns presents Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, a film by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers (2022); Emmy-nominated documentary Ken Burns presents The Gene: An Intimate History(2020); Rethinking High School with Soledad O’Brien Town Hall at Howard University (2016); DuPont Columbia Award & Emmy-nominated documentary Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies (2015). Current documentary projects in development/production: Caregiving; Hiding in Plain Sight: Adult Mental Illness;Remote Chance: Health Care in Rural America; Defeating Dementia; and Mighty Real: Out and Proud in America. Thirty years’ experience in the media, communications, television and entertainment industry. Former SVP Development Entertainment Industry Foundation creating programs and funding for national initiatives in health care, volunteerism, childhood hunger and education. Tom has held senior positions at Rubenstein Associates, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health & State Office for Children. Former clients: HBO; AMC; TIME, Inc.; Wenner Media; Talk Miramax Books; Columbia University; Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Major League Baseball; Dance Theater of Harlem; The Apollo Theatre; Al Roker Entertainment, Inc.; The Tony Awards; Tribeca Film Festival; ABC’s Good Morning America; Stand Up to Cancer; and Chances for Children.Board memberships: Fenway Community Health Center (Boston), Professional Performing Arts High School (NYC), Heart Gallery New York. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences judge for the 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Tom is a published playwright, and co-author of “Home Care for Respirator Dependent Children” New England Journal of Medicine.  Links Mentioned in this Episode Wellbeings Web SiteCaregiving Documentary WebsiteCaregiving TrailerPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the Military Caregiver Recognition Award and Digital Resource Binder. PsychArmor is dedicated to providing education, resources, and strategies for those who provide care for our nation’s wounded, ill and injured military service members and Veterans. The caregiving journey can be challenging — we’re here to provide support. Thanks to the generosity of The USAA Foundation, and in collaboration with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we are pleased to offer the newly digitized Military Caregiver Recognition Award Program. Upon completion of the four PsychArmor courses included in this program and registration for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community, you will receive the Military Caregiver Recognition Award and Badge. You can see find the resource here:    https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/military-caregiver-award Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation that first aired on the Head Space and Timing Podcast on the Psychology of Saving Private Ryan. Dr. Katie Gordon and Dr. Brandon Saxton, hosts of the Jedi Counsel Podcast, join me to explore the film Saving Private Ryan through a mental health and psychology perspective.  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today’s GuestsKatie Gordon has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She hopes that the Jedi Counsel Podcast is a fun and interesting way to discuss mental health issues. Her favorite fictional character is Wonder Woman.Brandon Saxton also has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He hopes that the Jedi Counsel Podcast will serve as a means to get people thinking about mental health and the way that it can influence anyone either directly or indirectly. His favorite fictional character is Bruce Wayne, aka Batman.Links Mentioned in this Episode The Jedi Counsel PodcastArticle on Moral InjuryPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThe PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Inner Conflict & Survivor's Guilt. In this course, Dr. Heidi Kraft describes the concept of moral injury and survivor's guilt in the military and Veteran community. You can see find the course here:   https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/inner-conflict-survivor-guilt Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a replay of a recent PsychArmor Conversations Webcast, an engaging conversation on the past, present, and future of the LGBTQIA+ community in service and beyond. We hosted a diverse panel of individuals with lived experience in both the military and the LGBTQIA community About Today’s GuestsAllison Jaslow is the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, an Iraq War Veteran, and a dedicated public servant. Nationally, Jaslow is recognized as a leading voice on the impact of the military-civilian divide on our political system and as an authority on the unique challenges faced by women in the military.  A former Army Captain, Jaslow is also a seasoned political and communications strategist, serving on the staff of several Members of Congress, and as a White House communications aide. She’s a former Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), is a co-Founder of Operation Liberty and has recently served as an Adjunct Professor of the Practice at Duke University.Larry Hetu-Robert is the Bereavement Services Manager and Veteran Liaison for VITAS Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. His duties include educating hospice providers, the medical community and veteran organizations on the end of life needs of veterans. Mr. Hetu-Robert has taken the E.L.N.E.C. (End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium) for Veterans, Train-the-Trainer, coursework and shares his knowledge and expertise in this specialized area of psychosocial and spiritual care for veterans facing illness and death. Mr. Hetu-Robert has served on many boards, committees, veteran coalitions and veteran service organizations in his attempts to recognize veterans for their service and advocate for their needs. As an Accredited Claims Agent with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he is able to assist veterans in obtaining their VA benefits. He opened the Veteran Information and Referral Office for VITAS Healthcare of Atlanta in Georgia. Mr. Hetu-Robert also cofounded the Veteran and Hospice Partnership of Greater Atlanta and presently serves on the steering committee for this group under the auspices of the Georgia Hospice & Palliative Care Organization. Arrianna Princess Auva'a Medically retired from the Army after 6 1/2 years of service and now serving in the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs as the Program Administrator for the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and Media Director. I am a certified Veterans Service Office via the VFW national training, and event coordinator for our office. I am also serving as the Secretary for the American Samoa Veterans Association, The Adjutant for the American Samoa VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) Post 3391, Secretary of the Society of Fa'afafine in American Samoa (and LGBTQIA+ / Trans Community Organization), and LHS 2004 Alumni President. I am the current chair-person in partnership with the Hawai'i Department of Veterans Affairs for the first ever inaugural Toa Games / Veterans Challenge games in American Samoa. My passion is in service to my people and the community at large in whatever capacity. I own and operate a platform on Social media in American Samoa with a following of over 300k combined which is the biggest following in American Samoa, and a small business owner of three small businesses. Samoa has four cultural genders – female, male, fa'afafine, fa'atama, and Samoa is considered one of the countries with a highly culturally recognised and pronounced trans and gender diverse population. Fa'afafine and Fa'atama are indigenous LGBTI citizens of Samoa. Fa'afafine translation is "Likeness of a woman". This is my identity. A Fa'afafine, in my native tongue. In western terminology, I am a Transgender Female. Living as a Fa'afafine in American Samoa has given me a platform and a stance for the fight for equality locally and also internationally. Accepting and embracing who I am and my gender identity has given me my voice which is now not only respected, but also taken very seriously. Links Mentioned in this Episode LGBTQIA+ Webcast on YouTubePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThe PsychArmor Resource he recent podcast series on LGBTQIA veterans, episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton on the goals of this public health awareness campaign, episode 169 with MaCherie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers on LGBTQIA+ Veteran Healthcare, episode 171 with Ale Hernandez on Myths and Misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ veterans, and the final episode in the series, episode 173 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton again, looking to the future of the needs of the community  You can see find the episodes here:   Episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea NortonEpisode 168 with MaCharie Dunbar and Ashley CarothersEpisode 171 with Ale HernandezEpisode 173 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more abou...

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Robin Johnson, CEO of the Best Medicine Brigade and Executive Director of Heal*arious a nonprofit offering therapeutic humor programming for improved psychological performance. About Today’s GuestLieutenant Colonel (Retired) Johnson served over twenty years in the U.S. Army before making her transition into the entertainment industry and veteran support space. Her career highlights include five deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, commanding at the company and battalion levels, and serving as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.After retiring from the Army, Robin discovered her new mission to heal people, organizations and communities through humor. A strong suicide prevention advocate, Robin founded HEALHARIOUS, a non-profit offering therapeutic humor programming for improved psychological performance. She works in collaboration with mental health clinicians to develop customized programming for veterans, first responders, athletes, and corporate audiences worldwide.Robin is a Level III Certified Humor Professional through the Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor and teaches “Problem Framing Through Humor” for the Institute of Defense & Business at Duke University. She is also an internationally touring stand-up comedian, TEDx speaker, and has been featured on USA Today, Fox, and ABC.Links Mentioned in this Episode Heal*arious Web sitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis episode’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the podcast episode where we featured the Armed Services Arts Partnership, Episode 83 with the Executive Director of ASAP, Brian Jenkins. In that episode, Brian shares about how that creative community provides free art and comedy classes to members of the military affiliated population. You can find a link to that episode here: https://psycharmor.org/podcast/brian-jenkinsProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Jenn Kerfoot, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at DUOS. We talk about accessing healthcare for veterans and a partnership with Humana and a collaborative program to enhance the healthcare experience and improve health outcomes for Louisiana Veteran members of Humana with chronic conditions. About Today’s GuestJenn Kerfoot is the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at DUOS. DUOS is a company that provides older adults with technology and community to form a trusted relationshiop that supports fulfilling lives at home. Jenn brings her deep understanding of the complexities and nuances within the Medicare Advantage & Value Based Care landscape to their work at DUOS, where they lead business development, go-to-market strategy, and marketing. By leveraging data-driven insights and market intelligence, they spearhead the development of tailored products and services that cater to the unique needs of Medicare Advantage plans and deliver unparalleled value to clients and beneficiaries alike. As a military veteran, Jenn brings leadership and vision to diverse audiences, and offers a unique perspective within start-ups and high-growth stage companies: previous leadership roles include FarmboxRx, Excelera Health and NationsBenefits. With a passion for organizational mission and values, as well as the unique competitive advantage of establishing a strong culture, Jenn works with all departments to streamline processes and programs that integrate the member experience into every aspect of the business. Beyond their role at DUOS, Jenn actively contributes to the industry's progress as a thought leader leveraging expertise and advocacy for innovative healthcare practices to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.Links Mentioned in this Episode DUOS WebsiteHumana – DUOS Partnership AnnouncementAccessing Healthcare for Veterans ArticleProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with John Pray, Brig. Gen., USAF (Ret), CEO of Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront provides relief and recurring family support programs and services throughout the year to help military families overcome short-term difficulties so they don’t become long-term hardships About Today’s GuestJohn I. Pray, Brig. Gen., USAF (Ret.) has served as Chief Executive Officer of Operation Homefront since 2015. He credits his parents with instilling the importance of service to others and love of country – two core beliefs that have formed the moral compass John has used to guide all the major decisions in his life. John’s father, a career Army officer who served during World War II, survived both the Bataan Death March and three and a half years as a POW, and the Korean War, believed his mother was the one who deserved special credit for all she had to deal with his long absences and the many uncertainties that characterize military life. Their example was the driving force behind John’s decision to join the United States Air Force. He retired after serving 27 years in a variety of staff and command assignments, to include the Director of the White House Situation Room, to accept the opportunity serve as the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council during the Bush Administration. Once John left the Federal government, he chose to continue serving our military members and their families. First, in a variety of executive capacities at the United Service Organizations (USO) and since May 2015, as the President/CEO with Operation Homefront, another nationally recognized nonprofit. In his current role, he oversees the fulfillment of the organization’s vital mission – to help build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. The Operation Homefront family, consisting of 120 staff members, 20 national board members, over 50 regional advisory council members, nearly 4,000 volunteers, scores of corporate and foundation donors and tens of thousands of individual donors, share a common passion to help our military families in their time of need because of all they have done for all of us in our nation’s time of need.John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the School of Advanced Airpower Studies, and the Air War College. He has also completed senior executive programs at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Links Mentioned in this Episode Operation Homefront WebsiteProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we take a look at year one of the Behind the Mission Podcast, as well as provide listeners with an opportunity to provide feedback on the show Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. Episode Partner Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Emma Payne, Founder and CEO of HelpTexts, a company that delivers asynchronous grief, caregiver and mental health support via text message. About Today’s GuestEmma Payne is a seasoned technology entrepreneur, MIT graduate, and award-winning change-agent, who started building online communities before Netscape was born. Her 25 year career leading online and mobile projects has included building tools to register young people to vote, creating online networks of support for families facing health challenges, and launching North America’s first online crisis intervention line. She also founded a scrappy, action-oriented, national non-profit focused on women & technology, that broke boundaries and developed leaders for 17 years. Help Texts combines Emma's passion for mobile technology and engagement, with her deep commitment to making sure everyone gets the support they need, when life gets hard. Founded in 2018, Help Texts was the first in the world to publish data on grief-informed texting and is now delivering support in 44 countries and 24 languages.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeHelpTexts Discount Link for Behind the Mission ListenersPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week the PsychArmor course Good Grief. Grief is not only experienced with death, it can also occur with job loss or severe changes to physical well-being. The purpose of this course is to recognize loss and identify what is learned as a result of that loss. You can see the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/good-grief Episode Partner: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we conclude our mini-series of four episodes on LGBTQIA+ Veterans with  returning guests, veterans Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton, as part of  public awareness campaign developed in partnership with the Michigan Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families About Today’s GuestsErika Hoover has been working at the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and serving veterans since October 2017. In her role, Erika oversees a team that includes our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Analyst, Community Health Technicians, Homeless Veteran Coordinator, Women Veterans & Special Populations Coordinator and General Office Assistant-Veteran Connector. She is also the Chair of the Michigan Women Veterans Coalition, a statewide coalition created by MVAA to engage with federal, state and local organizations to solve statewide female veterans' issues.  Erika served in the Navy from 2009-2013 as an Aviation Machinists Mate, Petty Officer Third Class. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Portland State University and a culinary arts degree from Oregon Culinary Institute.Andrea Norton is an USAF Veteran and Licensed Master Social Worker at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC in Saginaw MI.  Prior to working at the VA, Andrea served in the USAF for 8 ½ years as an intelligence analyst and mobile instructor. Ms Norton left the Air Force in 2007 to pursue her education earning both her BSW and MSW at Michigan State University. She has worked with and advocated for underserved Veterans her entire career as a Housing Specialist, Intensive Case Manager, LGBTQ Veteran Care Coordinator, Women Veteran Program Manager, and most recently as a Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator on the Suicide Prevention Team. She is passionate about working with communities to help promote a public health approach to suicide prevention and increase the awareness of the rich diversity that exists in the Veteran community.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeMichigan Veterans Affairs Agency WebsiteDeclaration of June 12th as Women Veterans Recognition DayPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the previous three episodes in this series, episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton on the goals of this public health awareness campaign, episode 169 with MaCherie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers on LGBTQIA+ Veteran Healthcare, and episode 171 with Ale Hernandez on Myths and Misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ veterans.  You can see find the episodes here:   Episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea NortonEpisode 168 with MaCharie Dunbar and Ashley CarothersEpisode 171 with Ale Hernandez This Episode Partner: This episode is brought to you by partners that believe that education changes lives. The partner this week is the Michigan Governor’s Challenge, working to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.  Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Alan Teo, a Psychiatrist and Researcher with the VA Portland Health Care System and Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University. We talk about a recent article that he and colleagues published on the effectiveness of online VA S.A.V.E. training for veteran families. About Today’s GuestAlan is a psychiatrist and health services researcher, having completed his education and training at Stanford University, University of California San Francisco, and University of Michigan. Since 2013, he has been a Core Investigator in the VA HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care at the VA Portland Health Care System, and is an Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in the Department of Psychiatry.​His work intersects the fields of health services, behavioral science, and social and cultural psychiatry. The overarching theme of his research is how our social connections shape and influence mental health outcomes.  In this work, he attempts to understand ways to mitigate social isolation and loneliness, and also harness the benefits of social support. He has a particular focus on depression and suicide prevention and a strong interest in developing, testing, and evaluating interventions in real-world settings. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeDr. Teo’s WebsiteResearch article on VA S.A.V.E. Training  PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week the PsychArmor course VA S.A.V.E. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, this course presents a general understanding of suicide within the military and Veteran community in the United States. It addresses how to identify a Veteran who may be at risk and teaches viewers what to do to help. Using the simple steps of S.A.V.E., we can all make a difference. You can see the course here https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save   Episode Partner: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we continue the LGBTQIA+ Veteran Public Health Awareness series with a conversation about myths and misconceptions about members of the LGBTQIA+ community with veteran Ale HernandezAbout Today’s GuestAlejandra Hernandez served in the United States Marine Corps for four years a Food Service Specialist with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Headquarters and Marine Support Squadron 272 Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC. She deployed once in 2007 to Kuwait, Camp Al Asad, and Camp Al Taqqaddum Air Base. After her unit returned home from Iraq, she spent her remaining time in the service as an Assistant Chief Cook.After her time in service, Alejandra attended Waubonsee Community College while working in the auto parts industry. She then went on to get her bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago and studied Sociology at UIC.  She worked as a community health worker prior to coming to the Road Home Program in April of 2022. She is a member of Post #939 and American Legion Post #973 Tattler Post.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeCommunity Clinics and Resources for LGTBTQIA+American Veterans for Equal RightsPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the previous two episodes in this series, episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton on the goals of this public health awareness campaign, and episode 169 with MaCherie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers on LGBTQIA+ Veteran Healthcare.  You can see find the episodes here:   Episode 166 with Erika Hoover and Andrea NortonEpisode 168 with MaCharie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers This Episode Partner: This episode is brought to you by partners that believe that education changes lives. The partner this week is the Michigan Governor’s Challenge, working to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.  Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we have a conversation with Gold Star family member Lupe Urdaneta, surviving spouse of Sergeant First Class Dennis Urdaneta, and her journey with wear blue: run to remember, an organization that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military through active remembrance and programs to support all those who have lost a loved one while in the military.About Today’s GuestGuadalupe Urdaneta is the surviving spouse of Sergeant First Class Dennis Urdaneta. After his passing in 2019, she connected with wear blue: run to remember to support her in her grief and to engage their two sons in active engagement and to honor the loss of their father. Lupe’s story has been featured on numerous news outlets, including Good Morning America. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeGold Star Youth Mentorship Spotlight: Urdaneta Familywear blue: run to remember on GMAwear blue: run to remember web sitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the wear blue: run to remember podcast episode from 2023 that shares stories of active remembrance from wear blue participants across the country.  You can see find the episodes here:   https://psycharmor.org/podcast/enduring-remembrance-with-wear-blue-run-to-remember This Episode Partner: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with military spouse and family member Ellen Gustafson, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of We the Veterans and Military Families, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that empowers the veteran and military family community to strengthen democracy. We’re going to talk about their work supporting education around information integrity and civic involvement in the military affiliated population.  About Today’s GuestEllen Gustafson is a proud Navy Spouse and Navy and Coast Guard Granddaughter. She is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of We the Veterans, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that empowers the veteran and military family community to strengthen democracy. She is also the Co-Founder of the Military Family Building Coalition, the first non-profit supporting active duty military in building their families. She previously co-founded FEED, Food Tank and co-directed the Summit Institute.  Ellen is the author of "We the Eaters: If We Change Dinner, We Can Change the World," has been a Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneur and given four TEDxTalks. She lives with her husband and three young children in Virginia Beach, VA. Ellen is a member of the Board of We the Veterans Society for American Democracy and is the Executive Director and Board member of We the Veterans Foundation. As Executive Director, Ellen is the chief executive officer of We the Veterans, overseeing all general management and operations. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeWe the Veterans and Military Families WebsiteVet The Vote WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is Episode 48 of the Behind the Mission Podcast, a conversation with Bill Braniff. In that episode, we have an initial conversation about how We the Veterans is addressing the growing trend of misinformation and disinformation targeting service members and veterans in an attempt to radicalize them and use them to engage in violent extremism and domestic terrorism. You can hear the episode here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/bill-braniff Episode Partner: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran and Gold Star Family Member Jennifer Ballou, Chief of Staff of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, an organization that is guiding the development of a national memorial that honors the service and sacrifice of all who have contributed to global counterterrorism efforts since September 11th, 2001.  About Today’s GuestJennifer R. Ballou is originally from Mentor, Ohio. In June of 1994, three weeks after her high school graduation, she enlisted in the United States Army as a Dental Assistant. Jennifer served for almost 21 years, retiring in May 2015. She held numerous leadership positions throughout her Army career, culminating as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Army Resilience Directorate, Army G1, Pentagon. She also served as First Sergeant, 257th Dental Company (Area Support), 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was during this assignment, while deployed to Afghanistan, that her husband, SSG Edwardo Loredo, was Killed in Action. Some of Jennifer’s awards and decorations include the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award and the Legion of Merit. She is currently enrolled at Maryland University of Integrative Health, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Yoga Therapy. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and is an alumnus of the 2022 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program through the President George W. Bush Presidential Center. Jennifer initially joined the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation as the Gold Star Fellow. She was previously the Deputy Chief of Staff for the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, she is a Certified Professional Life Coach, and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, specializing in trauma-sensitive, therapeutic, and adaptive yoga. Jennifer is the wife of Omari Ballou, Command Sergeant Major, US Army Retired, and is the proud mother of Alexis, Eddie, and Sophia.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeGlobal War on Terrorism Memorial FoundationPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the blog post, The Silent Plea of Monuments. This blog article is a reflection on the words of the Gettysburg Address, which includes some additional thoughts on why memorials and monuments are important, not only for remembrance, but for reminding us of our responsibilities to the memories of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  You can see find the article here:  https://veteranmentalhealth.com/monuments/ Episode Partner: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature Kate DeBartolo, a senior director for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the leader for the conversation project. IHI has public engagement initiative to help people share their wishes for care through the end of their lifeAbout Today’s GuestKate DeBartolo is a Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and leads The Conversation Project, IHI’s public engagement initiative to help people share their wishes for care through the end of life. The Conversation Project was founded in 2010, on the belief that these discussions should begin at the kitchen table—not in the intensive care unit. The Conversation Project offers free tools, guidance, and resources to begin talking with those who matter most about your and their wishes.  Kate joined IHI in 2007, with earlier work designing and executing the national field operations for IHI’s hospital-based programs. Prior to joining IHI, Kate worked as a grant analyst at The California Endowment. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and currently lives in Washington DC with her husband and son. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeThe Conversation Project WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Caring for Veterans through End of Life: Caregivers and Loved Ones. In this course, you will learn how to support and care for Veterans as they near the end of their lives. We will explore the impact of the final journey on caregivers and loved ones, and the importance of planning and respite care. We will discuss how a Veteran's service in different eras may impact their care and the unique challenges faced by caregivers and loved ones in the grieving process. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate care and support to Veterans and their families during this important time.  You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/caring-for-veterans-through-the-end-of-life-caregivers-and-loved-ones This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Erika Hoover and Air Force Veteran Andrea Norton about their experiences as both veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ Community, as well as a public awareness campaign being developed in partnership with the Michigan Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families About Today’s GuestsErika Hoover has been working at the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and serving veterans since October 2017. In her role, Erika oversees a team that includes our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Analyst, Community Health Technicians, Homeless Veteran Coordinator, Women Veterans & Special Populations Coordinator and General Office Assistant-Veteran Connector. She is also the Chair of the Michigan Women Veterans Coalition, a statewide coalition created by MVAA to engage with federal, state and local organizations to solve statewide female veterans' issues.  Erika served in the Navy from 2009-2013 as an Aviation Machinists Mate, Petty Officer Third Class. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Portland State University and a culinary arts degree from Oregon Culinary Institute.Andrea Norton is an USAF Veteran and Licensed Master Social Worker at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC in Saginaw MI.  Prior to working at the VA, Andrea served in the USAF for 8 ½ years as an intelligence analyst and mobile instructor. Ms Norton left the Air Force in 2007 to pursue her education earning both her BSW and MSW at Michigan State University. She has worked with and advocated for underserved Veterans her entire career as a Housing Specialist, Intensive Case Manager, LGBTQ Veteran Care Coordinator, Women Veteran Program Manager, and most recently as a Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator on the Suicide Prevention Team. She is passionate about working with communities to help promote a public health approach to suicide prevention and increase the awareness of the rich diversity that exists in the Veteran community. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeMichigan Veterans Affairs Agency WebsiteMVAA’s She Is a Veteran CampaignAndrea’s She Is a Veteran SpotlightPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is episode 20 of the Behind the Mission Podcast, an interview with Jennifer Dane, Advocating for LGBTQ+ Service Members and Veterans. In this episode, Jenn talks about the Modern Military Association of America, the nation’s largest non-profit organization working to advance fairness and equality for the LGBTQ military and veteran community. You can see find the episode here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/jennifer-dane This Episode Partner: This episode is brought to you by partners that believe that education changes lives. The partner this week is the Michigan Governor’s Challenge, working to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.  Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Retiree Virginia Wimmer, in which we discuss the importance of supporting women veterans and the services available in CaliforniaAbout Today’s GuestVirginia Wimmer was appointed on August 24, 2021, by Governor Gavin Newsom as Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans Affairs at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to her appointment, Wimmer was the Deputy Director of Veterans Services and the County Veterans Service Officer at the San Joaquin County Health Care Services Agency since 2014.While serving veterans in San Joaquin, she worked with Superior Court Judge Barbara A. Kronlund, CalVet, and other veterans support groups to establish the county’s first Veterans Treatment Court, which debuted in 2015. It identifies veterans in the criminal justice system who are eligible for treatment and court supervision instead of jail or prison.​Wimmer served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force as Security Forces, cross-trained to Health Care Services Manager, and finally retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) in 2012. She did tours in South Korea and Italy, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.​ Wimmer earned a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She has been the education and training chair at the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers. She currently resides in Vacaville with her husband, Mike, and two dogs. She has two children.​Links Mentioned In This EpisodeDeputy Secretary Wimmer’s Email: [email protected] Women Veteran Services DivisionCalVet WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Communicating With Veterans. This course discusses how to communicate effectively with Veterans using communication tools, such as open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflections. You can see find the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Hiring-and-Retaining-Women-Veterans  This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Ronald Rutherford, the Lead for the Whole Health Outreach program for the Veterans Health Administration. Whole Health is VA’s approach to care that supports the health and well-being of veterans they serve, and focuses on self-care, skill building and support.  About Today’s GuestRonald “Ron” Rutherford is the Lead for Whole Health Outreach with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT). Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he is responsible for liaising with non-governmental and Veteran Service Organizations for the purposes of bringing awareness to VHA’s Whole Health offerings for Veterans and their families. Ron joined OPCC&CT in November 2011 as a Field Implementation Consultant for VA medical facilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Prior to joining VHA, he served 26 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. As an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman, Ron served on multiple ships as the primary healthcare provider and healthcare consultant for Occupational and Environmental health programs. During his time in the Navy, he also managed short based and overseas medical facilities, and his last assignment involved managing 11 shipboard medical departments and their staff in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ron has a BSHS in Clinical Health Science (Pre-Physician Assistant Studies) and a MSHS in Healthcare Management from The George Washington University.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeVA Whole Health Program WebsiteWhole Health Program Points of Contact at local VA FacilitiesComplementary and Integrative Health Overview and DescriptionsPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Communicating With Veterans. This course discusses how to communicate effectively with Veterans using communication tools, such as open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflections. You can see find the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/communicating-with-veterans This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Frederick Marx, an internationally acclaimed Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker with over 40 years in the film industry. We have a conversation about a recent project, a series of five films called Veterans Journey Home, which features the stories of veterans who are working to transition to post-military life and the insights of professionals that support themAbout Today’s GuestFrederick Marx is an internationally acclaimed, Oscar and Emmy nominated director/writer with 40 years in the film business. He was named a Chicago Tribune Artist of the Year, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Special Achievement Award. His film HOOP DREAMS played in hundreds of theatres nationwide after winning the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was the first documentary ever chosen to close the New York Film Festival. It was on over 100 “Ten Best” lists nationwide and was named Best Film of the Year by critics Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, Gene Shalit, and Ken Turran and by the Chicago Film Critics Association. Ebert also named it Best Film of the Decade. It is one of the highest grossing non-musical documentaries in United States history. It has won numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Nomination (Best Editing), Producer’s Guild, Editor’s Guild (ACE), Peabody Awards, the Prix Italia (Europe’s top documentary prize) and The National Society of Film Critics Award. The New York, Boston, LA, and San Francisco Film Critics all chose it as Best Documentary, 1994. Utne Reader named it one of 150 of humanity’s “essential works,” and the Library of Congress recently added it to its prestigious National Film Registry, and the International Documentary Association named it “The Best Documentary of All Time.” HOOP DREAMS (1994) is the film that first interested Marx in the welfare of teenage boys. BOYS TO MEN? (2004) distributed by Media Education Foundation takes that as its central theme. RITES OF PASSAGE: MENTORING THE FUTURE is the culmination, offering solutions. In 1993, Marx received an Emmy nomination for HIGHER GOALS (1992) for Best Daytime Children’s Special. Producer, Director, and Writer for this national PBS Special, Marx directed Tim Meadows of “Saturday Night Live” fame. Accompanied by a curriculum guide, the program was later distributed for free to over 4,200 inner city schools nationwide. THE UNSPOKEN (1999), Marx’s first feature film, features stellar performances from Russian star Sergei Shnirev of the famed Moscow Art Theatre, and Harry Lennix, most known for GET ON THE BUS, BOB ROBERTS, TITUS, ER, and MATRIX. A hobbyist songwriter, in 1991 Marx recorded a number of his songs collectively known as ROLLING STEEL. Two of those 11 songs are used over THE UNSPOKEN tail credits and one is used in BOYS TO MEN?. THE UNSPOKEN and ROLLING STEEL are available through this website. Having worked for a time as an English and creative writing teacher, Marx began his movie career as a film critic, and has worked both as a film distributor and exhibitor. He has also traveled extensively. He’s lived in Germany, China, and Hungary. He’s traveled repeatedly through Western and Eastern Europe, North Africa and Himalayan India. With a B.A. in Political Science and an MFA in filmmaking, Marx has coupled his formal education with a natural gift for languages, speaking German and some Mandarin-Chinese. His interest in languages and foreign cultures is reflected in PBS’ international human rights program OUT OF THE SILENCE (1991), the widely acclaimed personal essay DREAMS FROM CHINA (1989), and Learning Channel’s SAVING THE SPHINX (1997). He consulted on Iranian-Kurdish director Bahman Ghobadi’s feature TURTLES CAN FLY (2004) and was a teacher of renowned Thai feature filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Three of Marx’s films premiered at the New York Film Festival. His films are distributed throughout the web, on Amazon, and elsewhere. Having dedicated his life to the making and promotion of independent films, Marx, a true maverick in the increasingly commercialized world of “independent cinema,” continues to provide a voice of artistic and social integrity. He repeatedly returns to work with disadvantaged and misunderstood communities: people of color, abused children, the working poor, welfare recipients, prisoners, the elderly, and “at risk” youth. He brings a passion for appreciating multiculturalism and an urgent empathy for the sufferings of the disadvantaged to every subject he tackles. As his mission statement indicates (“Bearing witness, creating change”), his is a voice strong and clear, and profoundly human. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeVeterans Journey Home WebsiteWarrior Films Resources PagePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Seeking Support. Transitioning from military service can evoke strong emotions. PsychArmor Institute’s “Seeking Support” offers service members the tools and resources needed to seek support during and after military transition and into civilian life. You can see find the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Seeking-Support This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation...

Show SummaryOn today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Josie Beets, the Program Manager for the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, which provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwideAbout Today’s Guest Links Mentioned In This EpisodeBTM Episode 54 with Josie Beets – Connecting Military Families Through ReadingSpouse Education and Career Opportunities HomepageSECO My Career Advancement Account ScholarshipSECO Career Coach PortalMilitary Spouse Employment ProgramMSEP on LinkedInSECO on FacebookPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course 15 Reasons Why to Hire a Military Spouse. Employers are always looking for untapped talent pools. One talent pool that can be overlooked is the diverse and highly educated group of military spouses. Take this course to learn the top 15 Reasons to Hire a Military Spouse. You can see find the course here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/15-Reasons-to-Hire-a-Military-Spouse This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Jason A. Higgins, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech University and author of the recently released book, Prisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass IncarcerationAbout Today’s GuestDr. Jason A. Higgins is the Digital Scholarship Coordinator for Virginia Tech Publishing  and an assistant professor, jointly affiliated with VT University Libraries and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He teaches the Vietnam War, African American History, and Oral History. He earned a Ph.D. in History and a graduate certificate in Public History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the co-editor of Service Denied: Marginalized Veterans in Modern American History (UMass Press 2022). His forthcoming book, Prisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass Incarceration will be published by the University of Massachusetts Press in the Veterans series in January, 2024.Jason earned a Master’s in English from Oklahoma State University, studying literature and writing a thesis on Vietnam veterans’ autobiographies, trauma, and disability. He is a first-generation college graduate, who double-majored in English and History at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeService Denied: Marginalized Veterans in Modern American HistoryPrisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass IncarcerationPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Supporting Someone with Invisible Wounds. Not all wounds can be seen and invisible wounds are just as serious as visible ones. This course introduces four types of invisible wounds - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Substance Use Disorder, and Depression. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-someone-with-invisible-wounds This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation Tara Wright, Senior Manager of Content Design on the Research, Education, Data and Impact (REDI) team at Sesame Workshop, on newly developed resources for Military Families to address isolation, disconnectedness, and the impacts of family separation due to military dutyAbout Today’s GuestTara Wright serves as Senior Manager of Content Design on the Research, Education, Data and Impact (REDI) team at Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind the beloved children’s show, Sesame Street. In her work at Sesame, Tara creates engaging content for young children and families, as well as practical, approachable tools for the providers who serve them--all with the goal to help nurture smarter, stronger, and kinder communities. You can find her “creative fingerprint” on articles, printables, animations, professional development courses, and more, on topics ranging from resilience to resettlement. While always backed by research and on-the-ground expertise, her writing often also draws on her roles as Marine Corps wife and mama to three boys five and under. Tara is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She in her family are based in Tulsa, OK. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeSesame Street for Military Families WebsiteFamily and Community Bonds ResourcesPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the Behind the Mission podcast episode 29. On that episode, we had a conversation with Rocio Galarza, the Vice President in the U.S. Social Impact Department at Sesame Workshop, to talk about the evolving nature of Sesame Street programming for military families  You can see find the course here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/rocio-galarza This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryIn this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr Cameron McCoy, author of a recently released book on the first Black Marines called, Contested Valor: African American Marines in the Age of Power, Protest, and Tokenism. In this book, Dr. McCoy shares the stories of the Montford Point Marines, the first African American Marines that trained at Montford Point, North Carolina and served overseas in combat.About Today’s GuestDr. Cameron McCoy is a native of Washington, D.C. and teaches courses in 20th and 21st century US history. Dr. McCoy has taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Brigham Young University, and currently in residence at the United States Air Force Academy. He earned his doctorate in US history at the University of Texas at Austin after receiving a master’s in military history at Texas A&M University, and his bachelor’s in International & Area Studies at BYU.In addition to being an assistant professor and teaching courses on US Race Relations, the Great Wars, Modern Warfare Studies, and Foreign Policy, Dr. McCoy also serves in the Marine Corps Reserves as an infantry officer. He has held several positions of command while serving multiple combat tours and deployed to various countries in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeContested Valor Book (University Press of Kansas)Contested Valor Book (Amazon)PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor podcast episode Podcast Episode number 7, a conversation with General Sinclair Harris and Kathy Roth-Douquet about the Blue Star Families Racial Equity Initiative.  You can see find the course here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/kathy-roth-duquet-and-sinclair-harris This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Marine Corps veteran John Langford, Chief Executive Officer of Project Healing Waters. Project Healing Waters helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building.About Today’s GuestJohn served in the Marine Corps, as both enlisted and officer, for 23 years, primarily as a Weapons and Sensors Officer in the F-18D Hornet, before retiring in 2009. He completed multiple operational and combat deployments and brings with him an extensive background in Veteran nonprofit leadership focused on sports, wellness, and development.John has over 37 years of experience in executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change management and in the 14 years since his military retirement, has served in senior leadership roles in defense contracting and consulting firms, corporate sales and in the nonprofit sector. For the last eight years, John has led multiple organizations in nearly every facet of national Veteran nonprofit management, including event planning, service member transition, and development. John is a humble and passionate servant leader with a lifelong commitment to serving the Veteran and military community.John is a graduate of multiple advanced military schools and courses including Air Combat Tactics Instructor and Weapons and Tactics Instructor Courses, Amphibious Warfare School, and Command and Staff College. He holds a Master of Science in Sport Business from Temple University. John has five adult children, including two who are active duty Marines. He’s an avid outdoorsman, and lives in northern Colorado where he finds joy and solace through fly fishing and being in the outdoors.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeProject Healing Waters Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Volunteer Recruitment and Screening. This course discusses the basic components and inter-dependencies of recruiting and screening volunteers, as well as the value of having a recruitment process. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Volunteer-Recruitment-and-Screening This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Dennis Miller, a veteran advocate and entrepreneur in the greater Philadelphia area. Dennis and I are going to be having a conversation about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a multi-ethnic unit of predominantly black women who were assigned ot England and France to clear several years of backlogged mail in the European Theater of Operations. About Today’s GuestDennis Miller is a South Philadelphia native who grew up in a military family and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1996. Dennis served as an infantryman, marksmanship instructor and small unit leader before being medically retired and separating from active duty in 2009. Upon retirement, Dennis attended Lincoln University, the nation’s first HBCU. Shortly after graduation, he began work at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center as a research coordinator on a study focused on pain disparities (SPA Study). Dennis then served as the Wounded Warrior Fellow in the 13th congressional district of PA where he was tasked as the office lead in Norristown and with managing all the military and Veteran casework in the district. As that fellowship ended, Dennis began consulting for public officials, non-profits and private companies, establishing Wheel Dog Industries (WDI), a public policy consulting firm, specializing in veteran and military affairs. Shortly after launching WDI, Dennis founded the Greater Philadelphia Area Veteran Chamber of Commerce, an organization built to increase the economic capacity of the Veteran community in and around Philadelphia.  He sits on various boards, including the Veterans Advisory Panel of the 4th congressional district of PA and Ft. Mifflin on the Delaware. Dennis is a #StandToScholar, having attended the Veteran Leadership Program at the George W. Bush Presidential Institute and is also a Union League Veteran Initiative Fellow. He returned to federal service in 2021 as a Congressional and Intergovernmental Specialist at the Department of Justice. Dennis managed an extensive portfolio and worked relentlessly to build relationships between his office and the Hill. Dennis now works as an External Affairs Liaison at FEMA, responsible for delivery of mitigation messaging to congressional offices, intergovernmental agencies and media outlets. Dennis is a husband and father; his wife, Holly, graciously tolerates his presence and his children, Jacqueline, Jordan and Joshua, make every effort to endure the endless embarrassment their father brings them. Dennis loves dogs and has a Boxer puppy named Adonis that shares the Miller family home in Elkins Park. He is an avid follower of all things Philadelphia sports and is a history buff, specifically surrounding World War II. Dennis serves as an advisor and mentor to young Veterans in the Philadelphia community and is active in various charitable organizations and programs in and around the city.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeWomen of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Web SiteThe Six Triple Eight DocumentaryPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Women Who Serve. This course is an overview of the contributions women have made to our military forces. This course is intended for those who want to better understand women's role in our military. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/women-who-serve   This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran and Executive Director of Workforce Development and Government Relations at FASTPORT, a company that focuses on workforce development and technology solutions with longstanding industry experience with the military community, transportation industry and apprenticeship programs. About Today’s GuestDave Harrison has extensive experience coordinating and advising employers, Industry Associations, and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (DOL-OA) on the most effective implementation models for Registered Apprenticeships, Workforce development and Military hiring programs. Dave has served as a DOL designated Industry Subject Matter Expert in Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance for the last six years. Additionally, Dave directs industry engagement operations for the Registered Apprenticeship Centers of Excellence. He also serves on the board of the Minority Professional Truckers Association, the DOL/DOT Driver Shortage Taskforce, and the White House Supply Chain Taskforce.His extensive experience in apprenticeship is combined with more than two decades of experience in operations, human resources, recruiting and employee training and development in the private sector. Dave has directly supported, developed, and implemented apprenticeship related training instruction and on-the-job training outlines for multiple workforce development programs. Dave has successfully designed and implemented National Standards of Registered Apprenticeships, National Occupational Frameworks, and curriculum across a multitude of industry sectors. In his capacity as Executive Director he manages 21 National Apprenticeship Programs that have accounted for over 19,000 Apprentices.Dave served multiple combat tours of duty as an Army infantry leader. He received his BA in History-Secondary Education from Austin Peay State University. He has been a high school educator, football coach, business owner and in his over 11 years with J.B. Hunt Transport he is best known for developing and directing the Hunt’s Heroes program with the dedicated mission of hiring 10,000 veterans. He and his wife, Gena, have five daughters and eight grandchildren.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeFASTPORT Web SiteNational Apprenticeship WebsiteVeteran Ready Summit WebsiteDave Harrison’s EmailPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Tax Incentives for Employers Hiring Veterans. In this course, we will discuss the key aspects of the credit and benefits that work opportunity tax credits can offer to your organization. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Tax-Incentives-for-Employers-Hiring-Veterans This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with with Navy Veteran and Spouse Christina Slentz, Foundation Co-Chair of the League of Wives Memorial Project. This project honors the story of a group of military spouses who supported their husbands held captive as POWs in the Vietnam war with the establishment of a memorial in Coronado, California. About Today’s GuestChristina Bagaglio Slentz, is both a Navy Veteran and Spouse. She was the first female in history to serve in Carrier Air Wing ONE, deploying aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as a Naval Intelligence Officer. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a PhD in International Studies from Old Dominion University.   Christina currently works as a consultant with Blue Star Families. Locally, she has served as a community volunteer as well as a Navy Spouse mentor and advocate, for which she has been recognized with the Meritorious Public Service Award, presented by Commander, Naval Air Forces. Her husband, Tim, served as the 49th Commanding Officer of Naval Base Coronado.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeThe League of Wives Memorial Project WebsiteIn Love and War, by Jim and Sybil StockdaleThe League of Wives, by Heath Hardage LeeUnwavering, by Taylor Baldwin Kiland and Judy Silverstein GrayPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course course Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Networking-for-Military-Spouses This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran Bill Leahy, an Engineering Team Leader, Maintenance Superintendent, Consultant, and Business Owner in the Manufacturing Industry. We discuss opportunities for Veterans in the manufacturing industry and Bill’s upcoming documentary, Unturning SteelAbout Today’s GuestWilliam "Bill" Leahy is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background spanning military service, sports, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. Bill's journey began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated with the Class of 2009. His commitment to teamwork and discipline extended to the hockey rink, where he showcased his skills as a West Point hockey player. Following graduation, Bill served in the US Army, rising to the rank of Captain. Upon transitioning from military service Bill entered into the manufacturing industry as a Engineering Team Leader, Maintenance Superintendent, Consultant, and Business Owner. Bill has honed his skills and knowledge to become a prominent figure in the sector. As the CEO of both Renaissance Reliability LLC and UNTURNING STEEL LLC, he has demonstrated visionary leadership; driving these companies to new heights of success. Bill's passion for leadership extends beyond his professional roles. He is the founder of the Manufacturing Leaders Project, an initiative aimed at developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders through veteran recruitment, certification, and placement. Through mentorship and guidance, Bill empowers veterans to reach their full potential and contribute to the industry's growth.Bill holds a Reliability & Maintainability Engineering MS from The University of Tennessee, and an MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 2022. He resides in Quaker Hill, CT, with his wife and two children. He is deeply committed to his family and community, volunteering as a hockey and soccer coach for local clubs, and as an advocate for various veteran non-profits around the country.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeUnturning Steel WebsiteBill’s profile on LinkedInPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course What You Should Know About Transition. Transitioning from military service can be difficult. It is more than just hanging up your uniform and putting on civilian clothes. In this course, you will receive a brief overview of resources and tools to consider during your transition. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar, Program Director for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Million Veteran Program. Since launching in 2011, 1 million Veterans have joined MVP. It's the largest research effort at VA to improve health care for Veterans and one of the largest research programs in the world studying genes and health.About Today’s GuestDr. Sumitra Muralidhar is the Program Director for VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). She oversees the policy and infrastructure development for the collection and use of samples and genetic, clinical, lifestyle and military exposure data from one million Veterans. She served as ORD’s liaison to the White House Precision Medicine Initiative under President Obama, and continues to represent ORD/MVP in the federal interagency group on precision medicine. She also serves as the designated federal officer for VA’s Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee, which advises the VA Secretary on the development and implementation of research and clinical arms within the Veterans Health Administration. She previously served as Health and Science Advisor to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), and Associate Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeThe Million Veteran Program WebsitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Demystifying Genomic Testing: Biomarker Tests for Better Prostate Cancer Outcomes. This course reviews some of the biomarker tests identified in this episode. This can improve the cancer diagnostic process as well as reduce unnecessary procedures, office visits, and costs. You can see find the course here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Demystifying-Genomic-Testing This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Show SummaryOn this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran Richard Fierro about his miltiary service, post-military career as an entrepreneur and his actions in November of 2022 in which he intervened in a mass shooting attack at an LGBTQ+ Nightclub in Colorado Springs, COAbout Today’s GuestRichard Fierro was the Army ROTC distinguished military graduate in 1999 at San Diego State University and served for 15 years in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2018, he and his wife Jess founded Atrevida Beer Company, where they have won numerous civic and industry awards. At Atrevida Beer Co, Jess and Rich have purposely focused on diversity as a value, even branding merchandise with the phrase, Diversity It’s On Tap. On November 19th, 2022, Rich, his family and some friends were attending a celebration at Club Q, an LGBTQ Nightclub in Colorado Springs. About ten minutes before midnight on November 19th, a gunman walked into the club and started shooting. Within minutes, Rich charged across the room and tackled the gunman, subdued him, and with two other patrons, helped to disarm the gunman and restrain him until authorities arrived. That night came at great personal loss to Rich and his family. His daughter’s boyfriend, Raymon Vance, and  her best friend, Daniel Aston, were killed in the attack, along with Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Derrick Rump. 25 others were injured, including his wife and daughter. The perpetrator pled guilty to the attack and was sentenced to five consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 2,211 years. Links Mentioned In This EpisodeAtrevida Beer CoBTM133 with Lindsay ChurchPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week’s PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor podcast episode 99. On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran Crystal Ellington, a passionate advocate for those who historically been disenfranchised, systemically excluded and institutionally oppressed. We have an important conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the military and Veteran community, as well as the need for awareness and advocacy around sexual assault prevention. You can see find the course here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/crystal-ellington This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor. PsychArmor is the premier education and learning ecosystems specializing in military culture content PsychArmor offers an. Online e-learning laboratory that is free to individual learners as well as custom training options for organizations. Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com