Behind The Mission

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Ashley Hammond and Stacey Lewis from the VA’s Pathfinder Program, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Innovation Ecosystem. Pathfinder is a website and digital tool designed to facilitate designed to facilitate connections between external innovators, vendors, and VA employees in order to improve health care delivery for Veterans....

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Christina Armstrong, a clinical psychologist at the Office of Connected Care in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ central office. The Office of Connected Care focuses on improving health care through technology; Connected Care’s programs include My HealtheVet, VA Telehealth Services, and VA Mobile, and more.  About Today’s Guests C...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Corie Weathers, a military spouse and Licensed Professional Counselor. We discuss the importance of cultural responsivity in mental health and Corie's latest book, Military Culture Shift About Today’s Guest Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor (LPC), is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and award-winning author. Corie has fo...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Tanya Hess, a Licensed Psychologist and Training Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs Coaching Into Care Family Call Center, a national telephone-based support service for family emmbers and others who want to help reluctant veterans access their VA health care benefits, particularly for mental health concerns.  About Toda...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with The Honorable Cheryl L. Mason, who served for nearly five years as the fourth Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee and first woman and military spouse Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  About Today’s Guests The Honorable Cheryl L. Mason served for nearly five years as the...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Bruce Townshend, the Chief of Employer Engagement with Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense that promotes understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers About Today’s Guest   Bruce Townshend, Chief, Employer Engagement, Employer Support of the Guar...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Betsey Mercado, the CEO of the Objective Zero Foundation, , a wellness technology organization that is Connecting the military community to mental health and wellness resources and to a network of peer and civilian supporters to prevent suicide through the Objective Zero App. About Today’s Guests Betsey Mercado became involved in Objecti...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Lacey Lanford, a financial coach, veteran, and military spouse, about supporting service members, veterans, and their families with financial wellness.  About Today’s Guest Lacey Langford, AFC ®, is a financial coach, veteran, and military spouse who changes people’s mindset from being fearful of money to having control and confidence wi...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran Advocate Dean Dauphinais. Dean is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and is focused on supporting his fellow Native and Tribal veterans.  About Today’s Guests Dean Dauphinais served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999 with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Ma...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army veteran Dr. Edil Torres Rivera as he shares his military experience in the Army and his post-military career as a Counselor, Counselor Educator, and President of the American Counseling Association  About Today’s Guests Dr. Edil Torres Rivera has a Ph. D. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in multicultural counseling from...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re continuing to recognize the 10 year anniversary of PsychArmor with a conversation with PsychArmor’s CEO, Dr. Tina Atherall. About Today’s Guests Dr. Tina Atherall is a social innovation strategist with a concentration in nonprofit and education leadership. She is the CEO of PsychArmor leading a public health EdTech nonprofits educating and advocating for critica...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re recognizing the 10 year anniversary of PsychArmor with a conversation with the founder of PsychArmor, Marjorie Morrison, who is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Psych Hub. About Today’s Guest Marjorie Morrison is the president and CEO of Psych Hub, the premier online platform for impactful and engaging learning on mental health topics. A visionary and passion...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Shawn Moore, the Financial Wellness program Manager for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and founder of Caregivers on the Homefront, both roles where she is passionate about advocating for military and veteran caregivers.  About Today’s Guests Shawn Moore serves as the Program Manager, Financial Wellness for the Elizabeth Dole Foundati...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Rosie Gagnon, a military spouse and mother who is running 100 one-hundred mile ultramarathons to raise awareness about military and veteran suicide prevention after losing her son, USMC PFC James Dexter Morris, to suicide in 2018.  About Today’s Guests Nanette Rosie Gagnon is a military spouse, mother of 8, sheep farmer, artist, bee...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Renno, the Senior Director of Clinical Practice and Training at the Cohen Veterans Network, to discuss the CVN Measurement-Based Care Toolkit About Today’s Guest Dr. Stephanie Renno is the Senior Director of Clinical Practice and Training at the Cohen Veterans Network where she oversees the network-wide training of cli...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation about suicide prevention with representatives of The Fire Watch, a state-wide suicide prevention program in Florida that provides training to community members about how to identify and support service members and veterans who may be at risk for suicide. My guests today are Nick Howland, a Navy Veteran and CEO of The Fire Watch, and Ryan...

Show Summary On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation Navy Veteran Lindsay Church, who goes by they/them pronouns, is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just world for the minority veteran community including veterans of color, women, LGBTQ+, and (non) religious minority vetera...

Show Summary Military Spouse Elizabeth Garcia, the Director of the Military Spouse Fellowship Program for Hiring Our Heroes, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation connecting transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce.  About Today’s Guest Elizabeth Garcia...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran, wounded warrior and Peer Support Leader with the Wounded Warrior Project, Keara Torkelson, as we discuss her experience as a woman veteran and an advocate for wounded warriors in her community and women veterans nationwide.  About Today’s Guest Army Reserve veteran Keara Torkelson was getting ready to deploy to Iraq with he...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Combat Veteran and Peer Support Leader with the Wounded Warrior Project, Michael Carasquillo, as we discuss his experience with Wounded Warrior Project Peer Support Groups, small, warrior-led support groups that connect veterans with each other in their communities.  About Today’s Guest On September 9, 2005, Michael Carrasquillo jum...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Brandi Carney, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Northwell’s United Behavioral Health Center for Military, Veterans and their Families, to discuss her work in supporting PsychArmor’s Hidden Helpers Facilitators Guide and Interactive Journal, which is designed to increase peer support among military-connected caregiving youth and red...

Show Summary On this episode, we feature a conversation with Justin Schmitt, Senior Deputy of Corporate Responsibility at USAA, a financial services brand dedicated to serving the U.S. Military Community. On this episode, we talk about one of USAA’s social support initiatives, Face the Fight, a coalition that is working to break the stigma surrounding suicide in the military community by raising a...

Show Summary On this episode of Behind the Mission, we feature a conversation with Koby Langley, Senior Vice President for Red Cross International Services and Service to the Armed Forces, about the resources and opportunities to serve provided by the American Red Cross    About Today’s Guest   Koby J. Langley, JD, MPA Senior Vice President The American Red Cross As Senior Vice President for Inter...

Show Summary On this episode of Behind the Mission, we feature a conversation with Dr. Michael Kauth, Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Health, Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, about the support available for LGBTQ+ Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs.    About Today’s Guest   Dr. Kauth was sworn in as the first Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Health Program...