Podcast
Behind The Mission
Because fewer than 7% of Americans have served in uniform, most Americans are unfamiliar with military service and culture. As a result, members of the military and Veteran community are at greater risk for disconnection and lack of belonging with the civilian community. PsychArmor’s mission is to bridge the military-civilian divide by educating and training a Nation. Each week, Duane France, a combat Veteran and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, will dig deep into the stories “Behind The Mission” - and create a conversation with organizations and leaders on how they are utilizing their expertise and networks to support the military-connected community.
- Episodes
- 293
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 30 min
- On air since
- 2021
- Latest episode
- 1 day ago
Episodes
293 episodes, newest first
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30 min
BTM292 – Andrew Ward – Holistic Healing and Support for Louisiana Veterans
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Andrew Ward, founder of the Acadiana Veteran Alliance and leader of Louisiana’s state transition program, The Boot, about proactive veteran recruitment strategies, integrated post-service support systems, and the clinical utility of the Stellate Ganglion Block in trauma recovery.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is CareLinx by Sharecare, connecting Veterans, service members, and military families with trusted home care and caregiver support.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Andrew Ward, a Combat Veteran and Infantryman of the Louisiana Army National Guard, has commendations and decorations from Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005.
Andrew is the Founder and CEO of Acadiana Veteran Alliance, which improves outcomes for veterans and their families through its WORK, HEAL, and GIVE programming, by connecting them to better careers and addressing combat-related PTSD through its behavioral health partnerships. Through AVA, Andrew also works annually with the state legislature to write new laws that create a better Louisiana for veterans to live, and created the Mission: Launch veteran entrepreneur program in 2026.
In 2021, Andrew was named a Scholar of the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program from the George W. Bush Institute, an initiative aimed at individuals serving our Nation’s veterans. In 2024, Andrew was named “Veteran of the Year” in the State of Louisiana from the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs for the AVA HEAL Program and the work done to reduce veteran suicide and PTSD in the state.
Recently, Andrew founded The Boot in conjunction with the Governor’s Office and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, a non-profit dedicated to statewide economic development through recruitment and retention of transitioning military members leaving service in Louisiana and across the United States. In under 2.5 years of operation, The Boot has placed close to 400 servicemembers in Louisiana with a positive economic impact of over $34m to the state.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Acadiana Veteran Alliance Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s 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 find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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32 min
BTM291 – Harold Skelton – Fishing for the Mission 22
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33 min
BTM290 – Lisa Ogden – Director, Partnerships and Engagements at PsychArmor
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation Marine Corps Spouse Lisa Ogden, Director of Partnerships and Engagements at PsychArmor, exploring the intersection of military spouse lived experience, the evolving landscape of veteran-focused non-profit fundraising, and corporate social responsibility.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Lisa Ogden serves as the Director of Partnerships and Engagements at PsychArmor, leveraging her people skills and professional experience to establish and manage relationships with corporate, individual, and foundation donors. As a self-described political geek, Lisa began her career as a legislative aide in the Texas Legislature, then continued as a lobbyist in Washington, DC. In 2000 while serving as Key Volunteer for her husband’s Marine Unit, Lisa discovered a passion for non-profit work, particularly when serving alongside and for military spouses and families. She continued to work through multiple deployments and duty stations, including a stint as the Program Development and Grants Manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Most recently, she served as Donor Relations Manager for Semper Fi & America’s Fund, balancing time zone differences from a Hawaii duty station.
A proud first-generation Cuban American, Lisa has been married for 22 years to an active-duty Marine currently stationed in San Diego. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University, and the legacy continues with her older son now attending Texas A&M as well (Gig-Em!). In her free time, she can be found attending Marine Corps ceremonies, keeping up with friends, chauffeuring her high-school-aged son around, and generally enjoying San Diego weather.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Email Lisa
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the course 15 Things Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) Want You to Know. This course aims to provide education about the role of Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) to make it easier for Veterans and their loved ones to navigate the benefits and claims process. This course will dispel myths and misconceptions about VSOs and their roles, explore the benefits of working with a Veterans Service Officer, and discuss ways to identify predatory claims services. We hope this course will encourage Veterans to work with a VSO to file claims for benefits, prevent continued misinformation about Veteran benefits and VSOs, and help Veterans recognize the importance of accessing the benefits they earned.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/15-things-veterans-service-officers-want-you-to-know
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
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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31 min
BTM289 – Mark Frank – SMVF Mental Health with SonderMind
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Army Veteran Mark Frank, CEO and Co-Founder of SonderMind, a mental health and teletherapy platform. We explore how private behavioral health networks can integrate with VA Community Care and TRICARE to eliminate care access delays and deliver military-culturally competent mental health support across the military lifecycle.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Mark Frank is the CEO and Co-Founder of SonderMind, a Colorado-based behavioral health company delivering personalized, measurement-based care through always-on digital tools and continuous, clinician-led therapy and psychiatry in partnership with payers and health systems across all 50 states. A U.S. Army veteran and serial entrepreneur, Mark brings extensive experience building and scaling healthcare and technology companies.
Prior to SonderMind, he was CEO and Co-Founder of Next Oncology, a radiation therapy business, and SafeImageMD, a SaaS imaging platform, leading both companies through successful exits. He also co-founded TermScout, a sales intelligence and lead-generation software company.
Earlier in his career, Mark worked in healthcare investment banking at Morgan Stanley and served as an officer in the U.S. Army, including a tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master's degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix, and both a Master of Engineering Management and an MBA in Finance and Operations from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Military and Veteran SonderMind Webpage
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the course The Basics of Military Culture. Understand key values, customs, and experiences unique to service members and veterans through stories from six American service members. Perfect for employers, healthcare providers, and anyone working with military-connected individuals.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/military-culture-series
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
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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32 min
BTM288 – Judy Donegan – The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Judy Donegan, Senior Counsel at The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, exploring how free legal assistance, trauma-informed advocacy, and discharge upgrade support help navigate complex administrative barriers for military-connected individuals.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Judy Donegan is Senior Counsel for The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. In this role, she manages all aspects of case management, including reviewing requests for program participation; assessing eligibility; preparing materials for placement or rejection; and tracking cases to completion before the military review boards, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and other forums. Her work focuses on case evaluation for the CAVC Litigation Component.
In addition, Judy serves on the CAVC’s Committee on Admission and Practice and is an Advisory Board member for the Stateside Legal Services Program. She has nearly 20 years of experience representing U.S. military veterans before the CAVC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Judy earned her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1994. She began appellate practice before the CAVC in 2007 and, in 2008, became one of the first attorneys accredited to practice before the VA when accreditation was mandated. She has participated in thousands of appeals before the CAVC and has been a sustaining member of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA) since 2007. She also serves on NOVA’s Webinar Committee. Judy can be reached at judy.donegan@vetsprobono.org.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is is Episode 115 of the Behind the Mission Podcast, Repatriate Our Patriots with Dee James. On this episode we feature a conversation with Danitza “Dee” James, a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and CEO of Repatriate Our Patriots, an organization that focuses on bridging the gaps for the repatriation of deported servicemembers and their reintegration back into the United States.
You can find the resource here:
https://psycharmor.org/podcast/danitza-dee-james
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
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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34 min
BTM287 - Elizabeth Musselman – Supporting Veteran Children in Caregiving Families
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Elizabeth Musselman, an Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow, about the unrecognized evolution of veteran caregiving and the hidden burdens placed on military children.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Elizabeth Musselman is a military caregiver and a 2026 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow. In this role, she works with policymakers, Special Operations families, and veteran-serving organizations on the mental health needs of children living in veteran caregiver homes, a population largely absent from current policy and program design. Her advocacy focuses on the intergenerational effects of combat injury, including how a veteran parent's symptoms shape a child's development, attachment, and role in the family. She is a member of the Hidden Helpers Coalition and delivered the keynote address at the 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation National Convening in Washington, D.C. Elizabeth previously built a career in finance and technology and earned her J.D. before becoming the full-time caregiver for her husband, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, and raising their three children in the home his service shaped.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Supporting Youth Who Support Veterans. Caregiving youth often make sacrifices to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, elderly, or disabled. This course acknowledges the contributions of these youth caregivers, goes into the scope of the problem, and offers some solutions.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-youth-who-support-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 PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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30 min
BTM286 – Brandy Dykhuizen and Joe Hudak– Living Proof Stories
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Brandy Dykhuizen and Joe Hudak, founders of Living Proof Stories, exploring how structured storytelling helps Veterans process lived experiences, build civilian connections, and move from raw isolation to processed post-military growth.
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
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Brandy Dykhuizen is a San Diego-based writer, narrative artist, producer, and mentor who uses storytelling to bridge social divides and spark genuine, human-to-human connection. Over the past decade, she has designed, produced, and led storytelling programs, writing workshops, and live performance events for a wide range of organizations, spanning Veteran services to local arts and culture initiatives across San Diego County.
As the co-founder of Living Proof Stories, Brandy works alongside community members, Veterans, military families, and emerging writers to help them shape their lived experiences into clear, impactful narratives. Rooted in the belief that personal storytelling is a vital component of mental wellness, community integration, and social cohesion, her work focuses on helping individuals find their voice, process complex personal journeys, and share their stories in ways that foster deep empathy and authentic connection.
Joe Hudak is a retired Special Forces Veteran, storyteller, mentor, and therapist dedicated to helping others navigate adversity and transform their experiences into meaningful stories. He teaches storytelling as a performance art, coaching and mentoring amateur writers while producing monthly live storytelling shows that bring personal narratives to life.
In retirement, Joe leads the mentor program for the San Diego Superior Court's Veteran Treatment Court, where he coordinates approximately 30 volunteer mentors and personally mentors three to four Veterans participating in the program. His commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom: for the past four years, Joe has worked as a therapist at a psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic in Mexico.
Passionate about ameliorating human suffering, Joe focuses much of his work on Veterans and first responders, while also supporting people dealing with trauma and addiction. Across all his endeavors, Joe believes in the power of connection, compassion, and storytelling to foster healing and growth.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Living Proof Stories on Instagram
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Connecting with the Veteran In Your Life. This course provides information to help caregivers understand and address a lack of connection with the Veteran in their life. The new course incorporates a strengths-based approach to connections between a caregiver and a Veteran.
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/connecting-with-the-veteran-in-your-life
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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28 min
BTM285 – Bill Reynolds – Military and First Responder Mental Health at The Meadows
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Navy Veteran and Psychiatric Physician Assistant Bill Reynolds, clinical director of the Unbroken program at The Meadows, discussing specialized trauma and addiction treatment, cultural competence, and holistic recovery support for veterans and first responders.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Bill Reynolds is an experienced psychiatric provider and program leader with a 30-year U.S. Navy career and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During his Navy service, Bill worked in diverse operational environments, including submarine duty, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps in combat, and serving as the medical officer for a U.S. Navy SEAL Team. He brings firsthand understanding of the challenges of military service and years of experience working with first responder communities, along with deep expertise in mental health care, addiction medicine, post-traumatic stress, and military leadership.
As the founder and architect of highly regarded programs for active-duty military, veterans, and first responders, Bill combines clinical skill with operational and leadership experience in high-pressure environments. At The Meadows, he provides both clinical and strategic leadership, guiding program development and care with a focus on respect for service, cultural insight, and lasting recovery.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s 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 find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/inner-conflict-survivor-guilt
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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30 min
BTM284 – Patrick Forystek – The Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Patrick Forystek, Director of the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University, discussing academic transition, peer support networks, and building comprehensive campus communities for student veterans and military families.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Patrick Forystek is a Marine Corps veteran whose journey from combat deployments to higher education leadership has been shaped by a commitment to service, resilience, and helping others succeed. He served from 2008 to 2012 with 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as an artillery cannoneer and section chief, deploying with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and later to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Like many veterans, Patrick faced the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life and higher education. What began as a search for his own path after the Marine Corps became a calling to help other veterans navigate the same journey. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan-Flint and a Master of Science in Management from Walsh College, he built a career focused on supporting military-connected students and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Today, Patrick serves as Director of the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University, where he leads programs, partnerships, and initiatives that support more than 2,500 military-connected students. Throughout his career, he has remained motivated by a simple pay-it-forward philosophy: honoring the mentors, educators, and fellow veterans who helped him succeed by ensuring the next generation has access to the same support, guidance, and sense of community.
Patrick's work and advocacy are rooted in the belief that military service does not end when the uniform comes off, but that it evolves into new opportunities to lead, serve, and make a difference in our community and in the lives of others.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
MSU Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Choosing a College and Major. This course provides service members, Veterans, and their families with tools and resources to assist them in achieving their dreams of higher education
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Choosing-a-College-and-Major
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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29 min
BTM283 – Tracy Steele – Supporting Military Spouses to Build Community Connection
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Registered Nurse, Military Spouse, and Workforce Development Advocate Tracy Steele, founder of Community Cultivator, an organization dedicated to strengthening well-being, belonging, and career stability for military spouses through community connection and professional development
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Community Cultivator was founded by Tracy Steele, SPHR, CPRW — a longtime military spouse, workforce development leader, and advocate for military spouse employment and community connection.
After more than two decades navigating military life, Tracy experienced firsthand the challenge of constantly rebuilding career momentum, professional networks, and community with every move. Through strategic volunteering, networking, and workforce development leadership, she became passionate about helping military spouses recognize their value and confidently pursue meaningful opportunities.
But she realized military spouses needed more than job resources alone. They needed connection, belonging, and access to opportunities that could grow with them wherever military life led next.
So she built Community Cultivator.
What started as a vision in San Diego is growing into a nationwide movement helping military spouses build stronger careers, deeper connections, and lasting opportunities together.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Foreign Born Military Spouse Network
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course 15 Reasons to Hire a Military Spouse. As an employer, you are 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 find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/15-Reasons-to-Hire-a-Military-Spouse
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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27 min
BTM282 – Dr Erik Won– Advances in Brain Science and Treatment for PTSD
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Navy Veteran Dr. Erik Won, President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuroscience, an organization utilizing advanced neuroimaging and magnetic resonance therapy to help veterans recover from post-traumatic stress.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by the guest are entirely his own and do not reflect the views, policies, or official positions of his employer or company. Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Wave supplies MeRT to licensed clinics who provide treatment to patients. Talk to your physician to see if MeRT is right for you.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Dr. Erik Won is President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuroscience, Inc; a biotechnology company that has innovated breakthrough technologies called Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) and Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS). MeRT recently received FDA Breakthrough Technology designation and FDA clearance for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. These approaches utilize computational neuroanalytics and brain imaging to customize treatment protocols with the aim of restoring optimal neurological function.
These modalities represent a form of precision-guided medicine that has been researched or is currently being used by premier institutions such as US Special Operations Command, Stanford University School of Medicine, Duke University - Human Performance Opti-Lab, University of Southern California (USC) Center for Neurorestoration, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) - David Geffen School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Texas A&M Institute for Bioscience and Technology.
Erik joined Wave Neuroscience after serving as the Chief Physician and Chief Technology Officer (Health Services) for the Boeing Company. He also served as a US Navy Flight Surgeon for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, and received the distinction of serving as the ACE Flight Surgeon for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Dr. Won has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and presented in numerous academic conferences. He completed his residency at the Harvard OEM combined residency program and was appointed Chief Resident. He received a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard School of Public Health and Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Brain Treatment Center Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Brain Health & Wellness Learning Series – PTSD. Nearly everyone goes through a traumatic event at least once during their lifetime. Military service members and Veterans are especially vulnerable to the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress due to the nature of their duties and experiences. While this can be a difficult diagnosis to navigate, it is treatable, and social support is one of the leading factors for lasting recovery. Having someone to trust and confide in while feeling heard and validated is a vital part of the healing process. This series on post-traumatic stress disorder explores the presentation and diagnosis of PTSD, its impact on both the Veterans you support and the lives of those around them, and effective treatment modalities, so you’ll be better equipped to provide meaningful support.
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/WWP-BHW-PTSD
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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28 min
BTM281 – Rebecca Monaco– Providing Support for Afghan Women Veterans
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Military Intelligence and Civil Affairs Veteran Rebecca Monaco, co-founder of Next Mission, an organization dedicated to empowering and supporting resettled Afghan women veterans who served alongside U.S. Special Operations forces
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Rebecca Monaco, MPH, is a public health leader, researcher, and program strategist with more than ten years of experience leading complex initiatives across healthcare, nonprofit, government, and military organizations. She earned her Master of Public Health from Dartmouth College, where she developed a passion for behavioral health research, implementation science, and innovative approaches to improving care. Her current interests focus on psychedelic-assisted therapy, women’s health, and translating emerging research into real-world impact.
A former U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Intelligence Officer, Rebecca deployed to Afghanistan as a Cultural Support Team (CST) member with Joint Special Operations Command, where she served alongside Afghan Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) members. Following the fall of Afghanistan, her team coordinated the evacuation of 42 Afghan female Special Operations personnel, an experience that continues to shape her commitment to service, leadership, and advancing opportunities for vulnerable communities.
Rebecca currently serves as the volunteer Project Manager and Board Secretary for NXT Mission, where she leads initiatives supporting refugee resettlement, education, workforce development, and long-term integration for displaced Afghan women and families across the United States.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is a previous episode of the Behind The Mission podcast, episode 184 with Kari McDonough. Kari is 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 welcoming coalition allies coming to the US as part of resettlement efforts.
You can find the resource here: https://psycharmor.org/podcast/kari-mcdonough
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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29 min
BTM280 – Mary Bier – Military Child Education Coalition (Replay)
Show notes
Show Summary
As military-connected students head back to school, we’re revisiting a conversation with Mary Bier, MBA, President and CEO of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). Mary joins host Duane France to discuss the unique educational experiences of military-connected children, the challenges families can face navigating school transitions, and how MCEC helps families, educators, and communities support military students throughout their educational journey.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Mary Bier, MBA, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in business strategy, organizational leadership, and community engagement, she brings a dynamic vision to MCEC’s mission of ensuring every military-connected child has access to quality educational opportunities.
As a military spouse and parent, Bier has firsthand insight into the unique challenges and strengths of military families. This lived experience fuels her passion for advocating for military-connected students, ensuring they receive the educational support and opportunities they deserve.
Bier’s professional background spans both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, where she has successfully led high-impact initiatives, built collaborative partnerships, and served as a subject matter expert on veteran and military family issues. She has been invited to the White House to share insights on military-connected programs, testified before the New York City Department of Veteran Affairs, and facilitated expert panels on military family well-being.
Prior to joining MCEC, Bier held leadership roles in business strategy, customer success, and military initiatives, where she was instrumental in scaling operations, optimizing talent development, and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. Her ability to translate strategic goals into actionable outcomes has driven mission impact across multiple organizations.
At MCEC, Bier is committed to expanding the organization’s reach, deepening partnerships, and championing the needs of military-connected children. Under her leadership, MCEC will continue to be a trusted resource for families, educators, and policymakers dedicated to supporting military students on their educational journey.
Bier holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Management and Organizational Behavior and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from California Lutheran University.
She resides with her family in Madison, Wisconsin.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Military Child Education Coalition Website
Month of the Military Child Toolkit
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Supporting Children Who Support Veterans. Although your children may be small now, we hope this course gives you some building blocks to address any parenting challenges you may encounter as your children mature.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Supporting-Children-Who-Support-Veterans
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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27 min
BTM279 – Stephanie Rundle – Supporting Academic Continuity for Military Children
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Military and Veteran Spouse Stephanie Rundle, founder of Bridge and Banner, an organization that provides support for learning continuity for children who move frequently, which includes active duty military families.
Episode Partner:
Our sponsor this week is Aetna, a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Stephanie Rundle is an educator, military spouse, and military child advocate whose experience was built in classrooms across the country, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, and leader. Stephanie began her role in education upon earning her degree in Birth through Kindergarten Education from Western Carolina University.
Within the walls of formal education, she created unique learning experiences that embraced the diverse learning needs of her students, preschool through fourth grade. While teaching, she earned a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University, after which she became an Instructional Coach and Professional Development Coordinator. Outside the classroom, Stephanie continues to actively serve her community by volunteering in schools, with military-focused nonprofits, and on military installations.
Stephanie’s engagement across settings enabled her to build relationships with military-connected families as they navigated the impact of frequent military relocations on their children’s academic continuity. In 2024, she was committed to mitigating those impacts and applied to the George W. Bush Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. As a scholar, Stephanie launched The Continuing Education Plan, now known as Bridge & Banner™, a fiscally sponsored project of the nonprofit Veterans Collaborative™. Bridge and Banner™ provides tools to strengthen partnerships between teachers and parents, amplifying the parents’ ability to advocate for their child’s academic needs during military transitions.
Stephanie is committed to advancing her research on academic continuity as a 2026 Tillman Scholar attending Mississippi State University’s Doctor of Educational Policy and Organizational Design program. Stephanie aims to advance educational policy by providing a clear path for action across academic and community programs, ensuring transparency and addressing academic continuity for all vulnerable student populations.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor Course Introduction to Public School Interstate Compact for Military Children. Identifying who qualifies for the Interstate Compact, understanding the five key policy areas the Interstate Compact addresses, and discussing the schools and grades to which the Interstate Compact applies are the learning objectives of this course
You can find the resource here:
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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28 min
BTM278 – Dr Deborah Bradbard – The Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Dr Debbie Bradbard, Military and Veteran Spouse and the inaugural director of the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families at the Virginia Tech in Alexandria, VA. The center’s goal is to harness the potential of service members, veterans and their families to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce—through skills, mentorship, research, entrepreneurial support, and resources that build future-ready careers and drive economic opportunity
Episode Partner:
This episode is sponsored by CareLinx by Sharecare, connecting Veterans, Service Members, and military Families with trusted home care and caregiver support.
Provide Support:
Take a moment to turn your gratitude into action. For just $15, you can help provide military culture training to one person who supports veterans and their families, equipping them to respond with greater understanding, confidence, and care. GIVE HERE through our giving page at psycharmor.org.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Deborah Bradbard is the inaugural director of the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families at the Virginia Tech in Alexandria, VA. As a Senior Researcher at Syracuse University’s, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), Bradbard spent nearly a decade publishing signature publications and shaping policy and best practices for veterans and military families. Her work on military spouse and veteran employment have been cited by the White House, members of Congress, CNN, the Center for Deployment Psychology and utilized by national professional organizations including The American Psychological Association (APA) and The Society for Human Resource Management Foundation (SHRM) where her work has been downloaded by over 20,000 human resource professionals nationwide. As Director of Research and Policy at Blue Star Families (BSF), she directed implementation of their national survey whose results have had an enduring influence on military family policy on spouse employment, childcare, and financial readiness. In the private sector at Booz Allen Hamilton, she developed clinical support tools that have been utilized by providers across the entire military health system of over 3 million users. A frequent speaker for national conferences, Bradbard educates policy makers, elected officials, and employers about the evolving needs of the military community. A psychologist by training, Dr. Bradbard received her Ph.D. from Auburn University and her MPA from Syracuse University.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families
Virginia Tech in DC on LinkedIn
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor Course Understanding and Utilizing Your Educational Benefits. provides service members, Veterans and their families with a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits program.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Understanding-and-Utilizing-Your-Educational-Benefits
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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31 min
BTM277 – Chris Weedon – The Mentally Shredded Foundation
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Veteran family member Chris Weedon, Founder and Executive Director of the Mentally Shredded Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing burnout and strengthening mental resilience through movement, reflection, conversation, and community.
Episode Partner:
This episode is sponsored by CareLinx by Sharecare, connecting Veterans, Service Members, and military Families with trusted home care and caregiver support.
Provide Support:
Take a moment to turn your gratitude into action. For just $15, you can help provide military culture training to one person who supports veterans and their families, equipping them to respond with greater understanding, confidence, and care. GIVE HERE through our giving page at psycharmor.org.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Christopher D. Weedon, MBA, is the Founder and Executive Director of the Mentally Shredded Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing burnout and strengthening mental resilience through movement, reflection, conversation, and community. A former collegiate soccer captain who also competed at the semi-professional level, and a former strength and conditioning coach, Christopher created the Mentally Shredded 3-in-1 Method after navigating his own mental health challenges and recognizing the need for proactive, accessible wellness experiences. Since 2022, the organization has served more than 2,000 participants through live programs and reached more than 10,000 people through educational content and The Mentally Shredded Show podcast. Christopher is building a scalable model that equips organizations and communities to make mental wellness a regular practice rather than a crisis response.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Mentally Shredded on Instagram
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor Course Bolstering Resilience, part of the Brain Health and Wellness Learning Series. This mini-course series on resilience, sponsored by Wounded Warrior Project, spotlights five supporting factors proven to bolster resilience among service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers: SMART goals, mental health, nutrition, sleep, and exercise. Each element builds upon a foundation of service and increases the ability to successfully cope with high levels of stress and pressure. You’ll learn why these supporting pillars are so important to overall well-being, their application in daily life, and how it’s never too late to make a lasting change.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/WWP-BHW-bolstering-resilience
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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30 min
BTM276 – Chris Gonzalez – MCON Health and the Fall In Initiative
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Chris Gonzalez, Co-Founder of A-G Associates, an organization that provides insight, expert guidance, and lived experience to strengthen public health and safety systems, advance military and veteran wellbeing, and help mission-driven organizations achieve measurable impact. We talk about their partnership with PsychArmor to support MCON Health, and their recently announced Fall In initiative.
Episode Partner:
This episode is sponsored by CareLinx by Sharecare, connecting Veterans, Service Members, and military Families with trusted home care and caregiver support.
Provide Support:
Take a moment to turn your gratitude into action. For just $15, you can help provide military culture training to one person who supports veterans and their families, equipping them to respond with greater understanding, confidence, and care. GIVE HERE through our giving page at psycharmor.org.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Chris Gonzalez is President and Co-Founder of A-G Associates (A-G). Chris’ accolades range from entrepreneurial awards on the Inc, 5000 (Inc. Magazine) Vet100 (Institute for Veteran and Military Families) and Young Alumni Achievement Award (Frostburg State university) to Bridging the Gap Achievement Award by the Greater Baltimore Committee for philanthropic efforts.
Under Chris’ leadership, A-G has grown into one of the fastest growing companies in the country, placing in the top 15% of the Inc. 5000 list (#592). A-G has made a significant contribution to the fields of mental health and substance use for military personnel, military families, veterans, behavioral health clinicians, peer support specialists and others. These events have led to the development of policy, resources and grant programs.
A U.S. Marine and combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Chris drives organizational and program transformation initiatives across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Chris is the Associate Producer of Bastards’ Road, a full-length film about a Marine Corps Veteran who conquers post-traumatic stress by walking across the country. He has also coached several fitness programs and served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Health Care Access Maryland, Mentoring Mentors and American Warrior Festival/Strength in Numbers.
Chris has been a keynote speaker at the Center for Naval Analyses, Mental Health America, Frostburg State University’s Sloop Leadership Institute, and the Project Management Institute. He is a certified Facilitator/ Trainer through the Marine Corps, WholeScale Change™ facilitator and Project Management Professional (PMP). He is a graduate from Operation Hand Salute, an Executive Development program through John F. Kennedy University and AT&T. He received his BS in Social Science from Frostburg State University in 2001, and his Master of Arts in Education from Towson University.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Links Mentioned During the Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the Behind the Mission podcast episode 223 of the Behind the Mission Podcast highlighting MCON. In this episode, we have a conversation with Marine Corps veteran Waco Hoover, an entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience in venture capital, M&A, entertainment, media and live events. We talk about MCON, an annual event that celebrates military culture and includes MCON Health conducted in partnership with PsychArmor.
You can find the resource here:
https://psycharmor.org/podcast/waco-hoover-mcon
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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30 min
BTM275 – Steve Kappes – San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and SDMAC
Show notes
Show Summary
On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Navy Veteran Steve Kappes, the 2026 board chair for the San Diego Military Advisory Council and one of the leaders of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, a program that uses tennis as a means of rehabilitation for service members and veterans who've become wounded, ill, or injured.
Episode Partner:
This episode is sponsored by CareLinx by Sharecare, connecting Veterans, Service Members, and military Families with trusted home care and caregiver support.
Provide Support
Take a moment to turn your gratitude into action. For just $15, you can help provide military culture training to one person who supports veterans and their families, equipping them to respond with greater understanding, confidence, and care. GIVE HERE through our giving page at psycharmor.org.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Captain Steve Kappes, USN, Ret. served on active duty for 24 years and has volunteered in support of military members, veterans, and their families for more than 20 years. As a cofounder and the Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, he and his team have improved the quality of life for more than 1,500 wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans through free weekly tennis clinics and annual tennis camps. Run in collaboration with Naval Medical Center San Diego and VA Medical Center San Diego, this program has been recognized by members of Congress, the Department of the Defense, and the U.S. Tennis Association for its excellence and impact and serves as a national model. Steve is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional, committed to supporting the community through military advocacy and health and wellness programs. He has served in leadership roles on eight nonprofit boards including the San Diego Military Advisory Council where is the current Board Chair.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
San Diego Military Advisory Council
CBS8 Zevely Zone - San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program
San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the Behind the Mission podcast episode with SDMC CEO Rear Admiral (Retired) David Boone. During the conversation, we dive deeper into SDMAC, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of the service members, veterans, and their families in the greater San Diego region.
You can find the resource here:
https://psycharmor.org/podcast/btm243-david-boone-san-diego-military-advisory-council
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Email PsychArmor
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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33 min
BTM274 – Michael Bailey Replay – America 250
Show notes
Show Summary
On today’s episode, we’re replaying a conversation with Michael Bailey, Deputy Director of Leadership Programs for the George W. Bush Institute. We talk about some of the initiatives of the Bush Institute, including the Veteran Leadership Program, the Democracy is a Verb initiative and the Bush Institute's efforts to celebrate America 250.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Michael Bailey serves as Deputy Director, Leadership Programs, for the George W. Bush Institute. In this role, he manages the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, which focuses on developing the leadership skills of veterans and those who serve them and their families. Bailey also supports alumni engagement efforts for the Institute’s international leadership programs.
Prior to joining the George W. Bush Institute, Bailey provided operations, media, and communications support to The American Choral Directors Association, a music organization dedicated to the excellence and advancement of choral music.
Bailey is a native of Arlington, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Voice) from The University of Oklahoma, and he holds a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in finance and real estate from Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business. He has a passion for running and enjoys racing in half and full marathons.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program
Democracy is a Verb initiative
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is The PsychArmor course The Myths and Facts of Military Leaders. This course identifies four of the most popular myths about military leaders and how they don’t align with the reality of working alongside Veterans and Service members.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/The-Myths-and-Facts-of-Military-Leaders
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
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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30 min
BTM273 – Ramon Salazar – From Military to Instructional Design and Yoga
Show notes
Show Summary
On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Army Veteran Ramon Salazar, Senior Manager of Learning and Experience Design for PsychArmor, as well as Executive Director for Warriors At Ease, an organization dedicated to empowering the military and veteran community with the tools and knowledge to harness the transformative power of yoga and meditation.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories
About Today’s Guest
Ramón Salazar is a US Army Veteran with a diverse background in education and wellness. Holding a Master's degree in Education and experience in instructional design, he currently serves as an instructor at the University of Arizona. As an E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher that has completed at leased 500 hours of advanced yoga teacher training and logged a minimum of 2,00 hours of teaching experience), Ramón brings a deep understanding of yoga practice, skillfully tailoring his approach to the specific needs of the military community. He incorporates trauma-informed techniques and mindful movement to foster healing and resilience. Ramón also holds various certifications in other wellness areas. His commitment to education and holistic well-being reflects his belief in yoga's power to positively impact individuals and communities.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is PsychArmor’s online course library, including many courses designed and led by Ramon. PsychArmor offers trusted, expert-led training for anyone who wants to better understand and support service members, Veterans, and their families.
Whether you're a health care provider, educator, employer, caregiver, or simply someone who wants to make a difference — these courses are designed for you.
You can find the resource here:
https://learn.psycharmor.org/collections
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
Theme Music
Our 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 http://www.veteranmentalhealth.com/
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