Warriors & Quiet Waters Podcast

Trout Unlimited staff members Connor and Paul discuss the decades-long restoration of Nine Mile Creek near Missoula, where historic mining and logging left lasting damage to the watershed. They explain how restoration teams are rebuilding stream channels, restoring fish habitat, and improving water quality, along with the many other projects Trout Unlimited leads across Montana to protect cold, clean water. They also share how Warriors & Quiet Waters alumni have contributed to the Nine Mile Creek project and how anyone can get involved in protecting their local waterways.

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In this episode, we sit down with 22 2 None, a Northern Michigan nonprofit focused on supporting veterans and helping them keep fighting the fight within.

Founded in 2016 by two Marine veterans who initially wanted to bring veterans back together and rebuild the camaraderie they knew from service, 22 2 None grew into a mission centered on veteran suicide awareness, connection, and practical support. Today, that mission takes many forms, from outdoor recreation and monthly gatherings to direct assistance for veterans in need.

We also talk about the organization’s home at Belay My Last Barracks, a former elementary school the organization purchased and is transforming into a space for veterans and their families. The property serves as a community gathering place while also being developed to provide transitional housing and new opportunities for veterans navigating difficult periods in their lives.

It’s a conversation about why 22 2 None was founded, what it means to create spaces where veterans can reconnect, and how a community can come together to help veterans through the battles that continue long after their service ends.

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This week on the podcast, WQW CEO Brian Gilman sits down with Montana State University Head Football Coach Brent Vigen to talk about service, leadership, and the connection between the Bobcat football community and the veterans we serve.

This season, Warriors & Quiet Waters is proud to partner with Bobcat Football for its Military Appreciation Game. The partnership is an opportunity to recognize the men and women who have served our country while bringing two communities together around shared values of service, teamwork, and commitment.

Tune in to hear Brian and Coach Vigen discuss the partnership, leadership, and building high-performing teams.

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In this episode, Otto, Jesse, and Larry are joined by Dennis Dueñas of Montana Llama Guides to discuss the recent Built for More Photography Track Capstone in the Pioneer Mountains. Dennis shares about llamas' role as pack animals and backcountry companions, and all share stories from the experience.

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This is another episode in our short series spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families.

In this episode, we sit down with VetTek Foundation to explore the resources they offer and how veterans and first responders can access them.

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This is another episode in our short series spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families.

In this episode, we sit down with The Catch a Lift Fund to explore the resources they offer and how veterans can access them.

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In this episode, we dive into the resources offered by The Headstrong Project and how they are guiding veterans, service members, and their families to "triumph over trauma."

Learn more about the Headstrong Project: https://theheadstrongproject.org/

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In this episode, we sit down with Marjorie Pennington-Healy, Director of Resource Navigation and Critical Financial Assistance at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, to explore the resources they offer and how military and veteran caregivers can access them.

We talk through the Foundation's mission and founding, who they serve, and how caregivers and families connect with EDF for support. Marjorie shares what sets the Foundation apart in this space, what someone can expect when they first reach out for assistance, and some of the most common needs caregivers and families bring to them — along with a story that captures the real impact of their work.

This is part of a short series spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families. We'll be releasing a new episode each week.

https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/

https://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/warrior-support-network

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This is the second in a short series of episodes spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families.

In this episode, we sit down with the Cohen Veterans Network to dig into their mission and how they deliver mental health care to veterans, service members, and their families, and how those in need can access their clinics and resources.

https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/

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This episode is the first of our series featuring our partners from the Warrior Support Network. The Warrior Support Network is a trusted coalition of reputable organizations working together to provide warriors with targeted, high-quality support in the areas that matter most. Through these partnerships, warriors can access critical resources in mental health, physical health, suicide prevention, medical care, substance abuse assistance, financial stability, and employment support.

This network reflects our belief that no warrior should have to face life’s challenges alone. We connect warriors with trusted organizations that meet specialized needs, extending care beyond our direct programming and supporting each warrior’s path toward long-term healing, stability, and purpose.

https://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/warrior-support-network

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Shelli Gordon is a U.S. Air Force veteran, military spouse, caregiver, volunteer, and advocate whose life has been shaped by service.

In this episode, Shelli shares her experience supporting her husband after deployment, the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of finding support for herself along the way. She reflects on the role Warriors & Quiet Waters played in helping her build community, gain perspective, and continue serving others.

Join us for a conversation about resilience, caregiving, and the strength it takes to support those who have served.

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In this episode, Greta shares about her new book, "Our War After the War", which chronicles her journey as a caregiver spouse to a SOF veteran. She examines the challenges of healing from infidelity, coping with a spouse suffering from post-traumatic stress, TBI, and executive dysfunction, and navigating the systems that were supposed to help them. Greta shares how hope was found through veteran service organizations like Warriors & Quiet Waters, and how compassionate, caring people put Greta and her husband on the path to a happier, more loving life that they enjoy today.

Read "Our War After the War" on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheFungiResistance

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In this episode, we sit down with a WQW alum, a former U.S. Coast Guard officer, and the author of The Starfish Chronicles to explore her journey through service, storytelling, and healing.

She shares what drew her to the Coast Guard, the experiences that shaped her during years of federal service and deployment, and how those experiences eventually became part of her writing and advocacy. We also talk about her work amplifying women’s stories and how that intersects with her own path of recovery and meaning-making

Learn more about Sue and preorder The Starfish Chronicles: https://www.suekerver.com/

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In this very special episode of the Warriors & Quiet Waters Podcast, we are joined by three amazing members of our community who have made a tremendous impact on our mission: Lynn Weidinger, Tom Stiffler, and Lee Rimkus.

Lynn, Tom, and Lee were selected this year as our inaugural WQW Champions, an honor established by the Board of Directors to recognize those who have had the greatest impact on our mission. We hope that you will listen to this episode and enjoy the story of their outstanding impact.

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We’re joined by Eeland Stribling, stand-up comedian, former wildlife biologist, and environmental educator whose work lives at the intersection of humor, storytelling, and the outdoors.

In this conversation, we talk about how nature brings people together, the experiences outside that stay with us, and why connection to wild places so often grows into a desire to protect them.

It’s a thoughtful conversation on belonging, stewardship, and the power of the outdoors, made even more timely by Eeland’s upcoming appearance on Netflix’s Funny AF, premiering April 20.

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In this episode, John discusses the growing body of research surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapies and their potential role in addressing mental health challenges that many veterans continue to face. He explains how organizations like VETS work to expand awareness, advocate for continued research, and help veterans navigate access to emerging treatments, often outside the United States.

The conversation explores both the promise of these therapies and the legal, logistical, and ethical complexities involved, offering a grounded look at a rapidly evolving area of veteran care.

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Former paratrooper Javan Bair of the 82nd Airborne Division, who currently serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, joins the podcast to discuss traumatic brain injuries and the work being done at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health. He shares how TBIs often go undiagnosed, the wide range of symptoms veterans experience, and how the Institute’s intensive three-week program helps veterans recover through interdisciplinary care and strong peer support. The conversation also highlights the importance of seeking help and the resources available to veterans and their families navigating the effects of TBI.

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In our first season, we explored the creation of the Built for More program. In this episode, Chief Program Officer Chip Raybon and WQW Alum Luke Thompson join us to discuss the program’s development and explain how and why it empowers participants to build a thriving, purpose-driven life.

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We sat down with Bryan Pieschel, Director of Veteran Services at Dogs For Our Brave (DFOB). Their mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at no cost to wounded veterans who have honorably served our country. Bryan shares the story of DFOB's founding from a "gift of love," his involvement with the organization, and how the program continues to grow to meet the evolving needs of veterans. Through providing service dogs and building lasting relationships, DFOB helps veterans reclaim independence and live fuller lives.

To learn more about Dogs For Our Brave, visit DFOB.ORG

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Bill Jarboe is a WQW Alum and is the Chief Surf Instructor at the Warrior Surf Foundation. The Warrior Surf Foundation uses surfing, yoga, and wellness coaching to provide a holistic mental and emotional wellness program to veterans who are overcoming trauma and seeking a new community post-transition.

You can learn more about the Warrior Surf Foundation on their website: https://www.warriorsurf.org/

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