Episoder
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
Julie 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 Website
The Zero Suicide Institute
Parents to Parents: After Your Child’s Suicide Attempt
Parents to Parents Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
Denise 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 Site
Strong and Soulful on Amazon
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Manglende episoder?
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Site
The Welcome.US Welcome Corps
Welcome.US Veteran Sponsor Fund Application
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
Dr. 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 Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
A 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 Site
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
Tom 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 Site
Caregiving Documentary Website
Caregiving Trailer
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 Guests
Katie 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 Podcast
Article on Moral Injury
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
The 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guests
Allison 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 YouTube
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
The 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 Norton
Episode 168 with MaCharie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers
Episode 171 with Ale Hernandez
Episode 173 with Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton
Provide Feedback
As 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 abou...
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Lieutenant 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 site
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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-jenkins
Provide Feedback
As 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Jenn 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 Website
Humana – DUOS Partnership Announcement
Accessing Healthcare for Veterans Article
Provide Feedback
As 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
John 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 Website
Provide Feedback
As 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Feedback
As 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Emma 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 Episode
HelpTexts Discount Link for Behind the Mission Listeners
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guests
Erika 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 Episode
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Website
Declaration of June 12th as Women Veterans Recognition Day
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 Norton
Episode 168 with MaCharie Dunbar and Ashley Carothers
Episode 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Alan 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 Episode
Dr. Teo’s Website
Research article on VA S.A.V.E. Training
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Hernandez
About Today’s Guest
Alejandra 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 Episode
Community Clinics and Resources for LGTBTQIA+
American Veterans for Equal Rights
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 Norton
Episode 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Guadalupe 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 Episode
Gold Star Youth Mentorship Spotlight: Urdaneta Family
wear blue: run to remember on GMA
wear blue: run to remember web site
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Ellen 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 Episode
We the Veterans and Military Families Website
Vet The Vote Website
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
-
Show Summary
On 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 Guest
Jennifer 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 Episode
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This 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 PsychArmor
PsychArmor on Twitter
PsychArmor on Facebook
PsychArmor on YouTube
PsychArmor on LinkedIn
PsychArmor on Instagram
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 www.veteranmentalhealth.com
- Vis mere
