Beyond The Frontline

Talk therapy and medications aren't the only ways to care for the brain especially when trauma, chronic stress, or neurodivergence keep you stuck in "fight or flight." This week, host Donna sits down with Kelley Jensen to explore non-talk modalities like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and personalized eTMS / MeRT . Kelley shares how this non-invasive, drug-free technology helped her autis...

Are you on LinkedIn just gathering contacts, or are you actually building relationships that lead to opportunities? In this episode of the MIC Series on Beyond the Frontline , recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with US Navy veteran and federal HR expert Alisha D. Brown . Alisha breaks down why so many military veterans struggle with transitioning in...

Are you stuck in a secure job that drains your soul? Many veterans and first responders exit the frontline only to fall right back into unfulfilling corporate or government routines. In this episode of Beyond the Frontline , host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with 20-year defense contractor and real estate syndicator Neil Henderson. Discover how Neil broke free from bureaucracy, turned soft skills int...

In this premiere episode of Season 5, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with Coming Home Well Executive Director Cindy Thompson to reflect on the journey so far and look ahead at what’s in store. Tune in for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how an all-volunteer nonprofit is expanding its reach to support veterans, first responders, and military/first responder families. From grassroots art progra...

In this episode Donna sits down with Braav Founder and CEO Anna Redmond to explore her unconventional pivot from Harvard and venture capital into corporate security and the veteran community. Discover how Anna is working to preserve the rich history of service members through digital challenge coins, ancestry-style platforms, and intergenerational storytelling. Featured Resources & Links Brav...

In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer chats with licensed psychotherapist Scott Stolarick about resiliency, multi-identities, treatment resistance, and the challenges veterans and first responders face when transitioning to civilian life. Key Discussion Points The Mosaic Approach: Trauma and past mistakes are merely pieces of a larger life puzzle, not the definitive whole of who a person is. Overc...

In this episode of Beyond the Frontline , host Donna and leadership coach Chelsea Stinson unpack the hidden patterns of toxic workplaces, corporate gaslighting, and why high-performing professionals are so frequently targeted. The Trap of High Performance: Genuine, high-achieving employees often become targets simply because their competence exposes the inconsistencies of insecure leaders. The Fou...

Donna explores how Cyclone Bagels is redefining support for formerly homeless veterans by providing more than just housing; they are fostering empowerment through culinary employment, community connection, and a sense of belonging. Key Topics Discussed The Mission of Concern Housing : Jim Mutton, Associate Executive Director, explains how Concern Housing has expanded over 53 years to serve approxi...

In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer explores the intersection of technology, legacy, and human connection with guest Miles Spencer , CEO and co-founder of Reflekta.ai . Miles, an entrepreneur and storyteller, shares how his "soul tech" company allows users to create fully interactive, digital legacies that enable spontaneous, dynamic conversation between family members across generations. Donna...

Transitioning out of military or first responder life is rarely a straight path. The weight of cumulative trauma and PTSD can leave individuals feeling isolated, stressed, and disconnected from the communities they fought to protect. In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with Laura Lindsey, Development Director of Heroes on the Water , to explore a unique, powerful avenue for healing: ka...

What happens when a Special Forces commando survives six years of combat, but realizes the hardest battle is learning how to rest? In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with Tim Thomas —retired Australian Special Forces commando, mental health advocate, and founder of the Breathworks in Bed app. Tim opens up about his unconventional path into elite military selection at age 30, the invis...

Host Donna sits down with Michael Dermer, founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur and IncentOne , to explore the powerful, surprising overlap between the entrepreneurial journey and the lives of the veterans and first responders. Michael shares his raw path from corporate M&A lawyer to pioneering the health rewards industry, surviving the devastating 2008 financial crisis, and ultimately building a...

What happens when the damage to your brain isn't visible on a standard MRI, but it’s destroying your life? If you like this episode, leave us a review . On this episode of Beyond the Frontline , Donna talks with Will Person , a former 9-year Team USA bobsled athlete turned advocate. Will’s story is a wake-up call for anyone in the high-impact world—from elite athletes to military veterans and dome...

In this episode, host Donna sits down with Ben Higginbotham , a Marine Corps veteran and Director of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Military Veterans Program . Ben shares his journey from the infantry to leading a nationwide initiative that connects transitioning service members with high-paying careers in the trades. Episode Highlights: The Power of the Union: Breaking down what the U...

In the conclusion of this powerful two-part series, Donna continues her conversation with Marine Corps veteran and tech executive Tony Crescenzo . After discussing the discovery of neuro-acoustic technology in Part 1, Tony dives deeper into the mechanics of healing the "invisible wounds" of service. This episode explores the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and human performance , moving beyond t...

"You are not responsible for your trauma, but you are responsible for your healing." In this episode, host Donna sits down with Tony Crescenzo , Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Intelligent Wave LLC, to discuss a revolutionary approach to trauma recovery. After decades of battling undiagnosed PTSD and high-functioning anxiety, Tony made an accidental discovery: a declassified 1983 DIA document on n...

In this episode, we sit down with Patrice Cook , a US Army 25-year veteran and the first female Ride of Pride driver . From navigating 16-gear manuals in Iraq to leading a dedicated fleet at Schneider, Patrice shares how she turned her military MOS into a trailblazing civilian career. Episode Highlights The Transition: Moving from military convoys to DOT regulations and why veterans crave structur...

How can veterans turn military discipline into business ownership? In this episode, Donna sits down with Giuseppe Grammatico , a franchise veteran, coach, and author of Franchise Freedom . While Giuseppe didn't serve in the military, his career transition from Wall Street to franchise ownership taught him a vital lesson: success isn’t about technical expertise—it’s about following a proven system....

In this powerful episode, host Donna sits down with award-winning filmmaker Jake Rademacher to discuss his 21-year journey documenting his brothers’ military service. From the front lines of Iraq to the complex landscape of veteran reintegration, Jake shares how his films, Brothers at War and Brothers After War , evolved into a global movement of healing. With over 60,000 veterans and family membe...

Host Donna Hoffmeyer talks with Dana and Luke Stricevic, founders of Crux Wilderness , a nonprofit using rock climbing to support veterans and active-duty service members transitioning to civilian life. Luke, a Marine Corps veteran, shares how climbing gave him purpose and structure after leaving the military, and how that personal experience became a mission to serve others. They explore the stro...

In this episode of Beyond the Front Line, host Donna sits down with Dr. Brian Livesay, clinical psychologist, military veteran, and Director of Clinical Research at Arise Alliance, to explore innovative and effective approaches to veteran mental health care. Dr. Livesay shares his personal journey from military service to specializing in trauma and developmental psychology. He introduces listeners...

Donna sits down with Noah Smith —Marine Corps veteran, mailman, and military science fiction author—to talk about rediscovering creativity after military service. Noah shares his journey from serving in Afghanistan to transitioning into civilian life, the loss of creative identity many veterans face, and how writing became a powerful outlet for healing, calm, and purpose. This conversation explore...

In this episode, Donna welcomes Jason Kulchar, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and current Director of Learning, Development, Culture, and Belonging at ISS North America, for an engaging conversation about leadership grounded in service, humility, and authenticity. Jason reflects on his evolution from an enlisted Airman to senior leader, sharing how curiosity, connection, and a people-first mindset...

Donna Hoffmeyer chats with Tony Aubrey, co-founder of Operation Vet Now (OVN) , and ambassador athlete Craig Rundell. They discuss the challenges veterans face after service, gaps in traditional support, and how OVN uses sports, music, and community to foster connection, purpose, and resilience. Key Topics Tony’s journey from Air Force service to founding OVN Addressing veteran suicide and the nee...

Donna sits down with Dr. Sheila McHenry , President and Clinical Director of Smithson Valley Counseling , to unpack the science and healing potential behind EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and other non-talk therapy approaches for trauma recovery. Drawing from her background as a military nurse and mental health advocate, Donna explores with Dr. McHenry how EMDR helps reproces...