Brainstorms

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we ask an important question: Are we doing enough to support the men and women who defended our freedom? In this special Independence Month episode of Brainstorms, host Dr. Lori Crissinger welcomes retired Colonel David Williamson, an Air Force veteran, community leader, educator, and longtime advocate for veterans transitioning into civilian life. Togethe...

What if the military prepared service members for civilian life with the same intensity and purpose that it prepares them for war? In this powerful episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Hemant “Dr. T” Thakur—psychiatrist, former orthopedic surgeon, Army Colonel, PTSD program director, and internationally recognized expert in veteran rehabilitation—shares a lifetime of lessons learned from treating thousands...

This month on Brainstorms, we sit down with National Guard veteran and Veterans Companion Animal Services President Josh Doran alongside his four-legged partner Lucy. From deployments in Afghanistan to building a nonprofit that pairs rescue dogs with veterans, Josh shares how purpose, connection, and unconditional love can help veterans navigate life after service. We discuss: • Life in the Nation...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with retired Army Captain James McCormick II to hear his remarkable story of courage, faith, and leadership in combat. Captain McCormick recounts the harrowing events of Easter 2004 in Iraq, when he and a small gun-truck crew repeatedly drove through deadly ambushes to escort ammunition convoys into Baghdad—saving countless lives in the process. Decorated with...

In this episode of Brainstorms combat veteran Matt Garrett sits down with sustainability advocate Chuck Lynd for a powerful conversation about nature mental health and how reconnecting with the living world can transform lives. March is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month and this special episode highlights how agro therapy native plants and ecological restoration can support healing e...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Brainstorms, we’re joined by Major Montgomery J. Granger, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), author, educator, and lifelong advocate for America’s veterans. Major Granger brings lived experience from three deployments in the Global War on Terror, including Guantánamo Bay and Iraq, and speaks candidly about the hidden costs of service—on careers, families, hea...

As we open Season 3 of Brainstorms, we kick off the new year with a powerful January conversation featuring retired Navy Chief Joe Pisano, returning for his third annual appearance to reflect on the lessons of 2025 and cast a bold vision for 2026. This episode centers on unity, service, and action as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States. Chief Pisano and Dr. Gordon expl...

In this end-of-year episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Justin Baker — clinical psychologist, Navy veteran, and Director of STRIVE (the Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative) — joins us for a powerful and genuinely hopeful conversation to close out 2025. Building on November’s discussion about de-escalating stressful holiday moments, Dr. Baker dives into what happens after things get hard. He breaks dow...

In this special Brainstorms episode, host Dr. Chrisanne Gordon welcomes Dr. Lauren Khazem, Research Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Together they explore how suicide prevention and trauma recovery intersect for veterans and people with disabilities, particularly those living with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Khazem sh...

In this inspiring October edition of Brainstorms, host Dr. Chrisanne Gordon sits down with U.S. Navy veteran Matt Garrett to explore his powerful journey from the battlefield to the garden. Matt shares how agrotherapy—healing through working with the earth—helped him overcome trauma, rebuild purpose, and start new life through nature. From his service as a Navy corpsman and two tours in Iraq to hi...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Maureen Rolfe, MSW, a seasoned VA social worker and mental health advocate, to discuss the critical role of social work in caring for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Maureen shares her journey from working in VA hospitals and Vet Centers to co-leading couples groups, advocating for veterans, and helping them reconnect with community...

In this episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Gordon sits down with Dr. Tom Morse to explore the journey of innovation, research, and turning bold ideas into reality. Dr. Morse shares his experiences in medical research, the challenges of bridging science and entrepreneurship, and the importance of resilience when facing setbacks. Listeners will gain valuable insight into how curiosity, persistence, and tea...

In this powerful episode of Brainstorms we sit down with JP Lunn, a national leader and trainer with PGA HOPE—Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. JP shares inspiring stories of how golf is transforming the lives of veterans and active-duty service members, helping them reconnect, rebuild, and find purpose. From healing trauma and brain injury to fostering community and camaraderie, this episode highl...

In this powerful and moving episode of Brainstorms, we sit down with Gold Star Mother Jody Davis for an intimate and emotional conversation about love, loss, resilience, and purpose. Jody shares the story of her son Lance Corporal Wesley Davids, who was killed in action while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, and how that devastating loss shaped her family and her own life’s mission. From Wesley...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Brainstorms Podcast, we sit down with Ed Junod — a Vietnam veteran, community organizer, and co-founder of the Veteran/Military Friendly Congregations (VMFC) initiative. Ed shares his incredible journey from serving in Vietnam to building a successful professional career, only to later face the heavy weight of PTSD, depression, and suicidal thought...

This month’s Brainstorms episode is one for the books! We sit down with the incredible Dr. Christopher Brown—nephrologist, public health leader, veteran advocate, and all-around change-maker. From his rural roots in North Carolina to medical school at UNC Chapel Hill, Dr. Brown has dedicated his life to bridging the gap in minority and rural healthcare, especially for our veterans. In this powerfu...

For our March episode we discuss rejuvenation and growth and talk with the designer of The Sky Eagle fashion brand seen on red carpets about their journey many veterans face and how he used fashion and design to help with this.  And March is Brain Injury Awareness month so share this podcast with friends or family to spread awareness of the challenges and resources available! https://resurrectingl...

In this powerful episode of Brainstorms, we sit down with U.S. Army veteran Dave Hartman to discuss the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life. From his experiences as a tank crewman in the Gulf War to his current work helping veterans find meaningful careers, Dave shares valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of employment support for t...

In the first episode of season 2 and 2025, we recap what has been accomplished in the last year and the goals to continue to work on going forward! Chief Joe Pisano shares insight into the latest flag installations and the lessons he's learned over the past year from it. A big thank you to the Sycamore Studio, the Overwatch Alliance Foundation, and the Fred and June McMurray Foundation for making...

In this heartfelt final episode of Brainstorms for the year, we delve into the unique challenges faced by military families, especially during the holiday season. Our special guest, Jodie Arreguin, Treasurer of the Resurrecting Lives Foundation and spouse of an Ohio National Guard member, shares candid insights about her family's journey through deployment, the emotional and financial toll it take...

This episode we talk to Dr Jayna Moceri-Brooks, a clinical professor at NYU and military spouse, for a deep dive into veteran mental health, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and suicide prevention. Dr. Brooks shares her journey, starting as a trauma nurse and co-founding Recognize the Sacrifice, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans with combat-related TBIs. They discuss her research on th...

Former Army Ranger Chad Jenkins discuses faith, football and his unique methods to recuperate from the moral injuries of war during this very important September episode.

This episode we talk about Pat Romeo's experience with Hoka Hey and how Resurrecting Lives Foundation is helping to bring awareness to more veterans through such amazing events as Hoka Hey and people like Pat. Visit https://www.resurrectinglives.org for more information and help!

Dr. Chrisanne Gordon has an honest conversation with veteran Corey O'Brien about getting through his personal brainstorms and how finding clarity using techniques allowed him to build a community to share resources and help connect through his Facebook page Ohio Veteran Resources. Visit http://resurrectinglives.org for more information and help!

This episodes guest is someone you've heard on every podcast before. Singer and songwriter of the Brainstorms theme song Tim Baechle joins us to discuss brain injury, addiction and healing.