Behind The Mission

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Navy Veteran Steve Kappes,  the 2026 board chair for the San Diego Military Advisory Council and one of the leaders of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, a program that uses tennis as a means of rehabilitation for service members and veterans who've become wounded, ill, or injured. Episode Partner:   This episode is spons...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re replaying a conversation with Michael Bailey, Deputy Director of Leadership Programs for the George W. Bush Institute. We talk about some of the initiatives of the Bush Institute, including the Veteran Leadership Program, the Democracy is a Verb initiative and the Bush Institute's efforts to celebrate America 250. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the...

Show Summary  On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Army Veteran Ramon Salazar, Senior Manager of Learning and Experience Design for PsychArmor, as well as Executive Director for Warriors At Ease, an organization dedicated to empowering the military and veteran community with the tools and knowledge to harness the transformative power of yoga and meditation. Provide Feedback As a de...

Show Summary  On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Amanda Noyes, the founder of Finding Freedom Therapy and member of the DFW First Responders Support Network. We talk about Trauma therapy and mental health networks for service members, veterans and first responders  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from y...

Show Summary  On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Marine Veteran Luke Urick, the Executive Director of the Montana Vet Program, an organization that takes Veterans into the Montana wilderness to rediscover strength, purpose, and camaraderie through therapeutic adventure and conservation.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If yo...

Show Summary  On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Bill Birnie, a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major, CEO of Frontwave Credit Union, and member of the PsychArmor Board of Directors. We have a great conversation about serving those who served, promoting financial stability, and brining his expertise in the financial sector to the board of PsychArmor.  Provide Feedback As a dedicate...

Show Summary On today’s episode, talking with comedian Brad Bonar, founder of One Degree of Separation, an organization that uses stand-up comedy to spark honest conversations about depression and suicide prevention. We discuss his lived experience, breaking the silence with comedy, and turning their live shows into official training for service members, Veterans and their families Provide Feedbac...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re replaying a conversation with conversation with playwright and producer Elizabeth Coplan, founder of the Greif Dialogues, a nonprofit theatrical movement that facilitates conversations about dying, death, and grief. We talk about her own connection to service and discuss how Grief Dialogues has developed a specific immersive experience of remembrance and refl...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Verenice Castillo, founder of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network, an organization dedicated to supporting military spouses through mentorship, leadership development, and community-building. Drawing from her own experience as an immigrant and longtime military spouse, Verenice has built MSAN into a global network focused on reduci...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a leading voice in supporting those impacted by military loss. We talk about TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors , a national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the m...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly, the creative team behind Atomic Echoes, a powerful documentary exploring the overlooked stories of American atomic veterans and Japanese survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Together, they unpack the human, historical, and intergenerational impact of nuclear war through perspectives that are rarely s...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Ally Wagner, a Navy veteran and board member at PsychArmor, who brings a powerful perspective on bridging the gap between veterans and the communities that support them. We explore how military service continues to shape identity and leadership, and what it really takes for civilians and organizations to move from intention to meaningful im...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Michelle Lang, co-founder of Operation Honor Rural Salute, about the unique challenges and strengths of veterans living in rural communities. We explore how her work is bridging gaps in access by bringing resources directly to veterans in ways that feel local, familiar, and grounded in community. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of th...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Military spouse and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka. We talk about gaps in connection and culturally competent care for military families. We also explore how her work is strengthening social health as a foundation for well-being. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Air Force Veteran Spouse, Maria Gonzales. Maria and her husband, Gabe, raise awareness about Veteran Suicide and plant-based medicines through their alter at Muertos Fest, the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the United States.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor h...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Jessica Benson, Vice President of Market Development at Mynd Immersive, where she leads national outreach and partnerships focused on expanding the use of immersive technology to improve the lives of older adults and Veterans. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helpe...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Keith Hotle, the Chief Executive Officer of Stop Soldier Suicide, a nonprofit with the goal of reducing service member and veteran suicide by using enhanced data insights, focused client acquisition, and suicide-specific intervention services. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you Psy...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation Today we’re having a conversation with Vietnam Era veteran and nurse Joanne Melear, who is the coordinator of the 11th Hour Squadron. They are an all-volunteer organization that believes in taking care of dying veterans like family. They can be there at a loved one’s bedside during those final nights when family members are at home getting much-...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation Today we’re having a conversation Mark Solomon, co-founder of the Veterans Community Project. We talk about their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness through tiny home communities, wraparound support, and a mission to ensure every veteran has both housing and connection. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we w...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation Today we’re having a conversation with Michael Witt, Community & State Outreach Manager for the DirectEmployers Association. DirectEmployers is a non-profit member association built by employers, for employers, and we talked about how they support their member employers to better serve the military and veteran population as well as how Direc...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation Today we’re having a conversation with Jesse Gould, founder of the Heroic Hearts Project and a former Army Ranger, about what it means for veterans to heal when traditional systems don’t have all the answers. Heroic Hearts works with leading medical researchers to improve veterans access to psychedelic programs for the treatment of PTSD. Provide...

Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Rob Bushey, Executive Director of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association and a 32-year Coast Guard veteran. He shares his perspective on the Coast Guard’s unique dual mission and the role that the CGCPOA plays in strengthening connection and advocacy across the Coast Guard. Provide Feedback As a...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re featuring featuring a replay of a recent conversation that PsychArmor’s own Carole Turner had with Jim Lindsay on the Howard’s Huddle podcast.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate he...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re featuring featuring a replay of a recent conversation that PsychArmor’s own Carole Turner had with Jim Lindsay on the Howard’s Huddle podcast.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate he...

Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Navy Spouse Patty Sandoval, Founder and CEO of HomeFront Haven, an organization that provides clinically informed community support to military spouses and partners before, during and after a deployment so that no one carries the homefront alone.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from...