Coming Home Well

In this episode, Tyler talks with Aurea Franklin about her time in service and what led to her writing her book Silent Freedom. A Memoir of Service with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Iraq.  In this memoir, Aurea details her time spent with the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She discusses life as a soldier—abroad and at home—and the triump...

In this episode, guest host Libby Bates steps in for Tyler to chat with Dr. Michael Mithoefer about MDMA Assisted Therapy for PTSD. Dr. Mithoefer is the Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training and Supervision for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) . Dr. Mithoefer covers his background and what inspired his passion to help the veteran community heal from...

In this episode, Tyler talks with Mary Cronk Farrell, an award winning journalist and author, about Catherine Leroy, one of the first female photographers during the Vietnam war. An inspiring and fascinating story of the woman who gave a human face to the Vietnam War. Close-Up on War tells the story of French-born Catherine Leroy, one of the war’s few woman photographers, who documented some of th...

Brandon's story is heartbreaking and a preventable tragedy that veterans face everyday. In this episode, Tyler is joined by Brandon's parents, Teri and Patrick Caserta, to talk about Brandon's story and The Brandon Act.  The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around reporting. This bill will allow service members to see...

A Community of natural healing for veterans. Part 3 of the Monday Mini Series on Homelessness and Hunger, Tyler is joined by Jeffrey Horne, Brigadier General, U.S. Army Retired and Vice President of the Board for the National Center for Healthy Veterans, to talk about the tiny home communities that are being built at Valor Farm to offer a natural healing approach for veterans. This incredible farm...

This episode Tyler talks with Curtis Rutledge, a 12 year Army veteran, avid car/truck fanatic and founder of Shift 6, a veteran nonprofit whose mission is to bring veteran awareness by bridging the auto industry with the veteran community to teach automotive/technical life skills. Shift 6 offers hands-on welding to metal fabrication with an expansion into vocational skills through various classes...

They say it takes a village and the VA has definitely built a village in the Stand Down Events. Tyler is joined by Sean Lindstrom, a Vocational Development Specialist at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and chairman for the Buffalo NY Stand Down, to discuss how the VA and communities come together to provide a plethora of resources for veterans in need or at risk. This is not just your usual re...

In this episode, Tyler talks with Richard Murphy, veteran and founding member/Executive Director of Veterans To Farmers (VTF), about their mission to train veterans in agricultural systems, technologies and business operations for a fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle. They offer a way to recover, to learn, and to move forward by becoming our providers, contributing to the solution of our food in...

Not knowing where your next meal is coming from is a reality for so many. Within our veteran community there is a quiet struggle that we need to not ignore. This episode of a three part mini series, Tyler speaks with Rich Synek, a Navy veteran and co-founder of Feed Our Vets, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help veterans, their spouses and children whose circumstances have left them o...

In this episode Tyler talks with Rob Child, author, Emmy Nominated Producer/Director, an host of Point of the Spear podcast, about his book co-written with Denise George on the Lost Eleven. Nearly forgotten by history, this is the story of the Wereth Eleven, African-American soldiers who fought courageously for freedom in WWII—only to be ruthlessly executed by Nazi troops during the Battle of the...

With the anniversary of the Four Chaplains approaching on February 3rd, Tyler is join by Bill Kaemmer, Executive Director of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, in recounting the acts of heroism and sacrifice of four Army Chaplains, Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed on February 3, 1943. As the U.S...

Fascinating! Absolutely Fascinating! Tyler chats with Dr. Deborah Zelinsky, an optometrist noted worldwide for her work in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and the founder and executive research director of The Mind-Eye Institute, about connecting Optometry with Neuroscience to help with symptoms of TBI and PTSD. By using therapeutic eyeglasses and brain training a person's symptoms or ailments can...

Tyler chats with Gregg Jones, an award-winning investigative journalist and international news correspondent, Pulitzer Prize finalist, a fellow at the Kluge Center and Black Mountain Institute, and a Botstiber Foundation grant recipient. He is the author of three acclaimed nonfiction books, Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and The Rise and Fall of America's Imperial D...

From across the pond, from an international bound program, the North Carolina Outward Bound Program for Veterans is one of many. Join Tyler as he chats with Trisha Haitz, Program Director, Instructor, Course Director, Caretaker - Everglades City of the North Carolina Outward Bound School about all the available expeditions and grand adventures offered free of charge to our veterans. Try sea kayaki...

Looking for the most amazing, memorable and outstanding experience? In this episode Tyler chats with Dianne Klopp with the Honor Flight Top of Virginia. Dianne talks about why she started her own chapter of the Honor Flight program in Virginia and why this amazing trip is one experience that will last a lifetime not only for the veteran but for the guardian as well.  For further information, pleas...

It's time to try something new. Learning a new skill is an excellent way to challenge your mind. This episode Tyler talks with Josh Walker from the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) about all the opportunities they offer to explore something new. Always wanted to act. Maybe you have a secret desire to do standup comedy? Love to write or enjoy storytelling? Check out asapasap.org and see what...

Let's talk Bees! Tyler talks with Matis Stebben, co-founder of Beekeeping for Veterans on connecting bees with veterans to heal the wounds of trauma. Matis discusses their wellness program that pairs beekeeping with the practice of mindfulness to create an overall healing on the mind and body. Part one is the interactions of beekeeping which help to lower distress and improve mood through the incr...

Tyler talks with Alex Carrera, Executive Director of Save a Suit, a non profit organization helping our service members and veterans dress for success. As our military men and women transition from one uniform to another, Save a Suit's mission is to provide a personal touch to those needing someone in their corner as they reenter the workforce.  Looking for a great way to get involved? " Suit Driv...

Interestingly informational and educational discussion on our military history! This episode Tyler is joined by Dr. Robert van der Linden, Curator of Air Transportation and Special Purpose Aircraft and a supervisory curator in the Aeronautics Department of the National Air and Space Museum as they dive deeper into the events that led up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the events that followed. P...

This episode Tyler is joined by the Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, Retired, to discuss and remember the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, the acts of bravery of those aboard and various topics of Naval history. As we approach this monumental 80th anniversary, we cannot help but reflect, learn and pay respect to those that experienced this tragic day i...

Tyler talks with Paul Lawrence, who was unanimously confirmed as Under Secretary for Benefits in April 2018, and the only political appointee in Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Paul oversaw 25,000 career employees during his nearly three years as Under Secretary. Some of his accomplishments were ensuring veterans received more benefits faster and at a lower cost than at any time in VBA his...

Part 4 of the November Monday Mini Series on Claims and Appeals, Tyler is chats with Bill Libby, Legal Liaison with the Department of Veterans Services about the intricacies of the CFR 3.12 ~Character of Discharge Determination and how it affects a veteran's access to VA benefits and healthcare. Bill explores how compelling circumstances and providing personal narratives can assist in opening the...

Rescuing, Reuniting, Re-Homing, Rehabilitating and Repairing our retired Working Dogs so they can come home well. Tyler talks with Bob Bryant, co-founder of Mission K9 about the dedication their organization has to all of our four-legged heroes. Working dogs range from Contract, Military, Police all the way to TSA and they possess a devoting unconditional loyalty to keeping us safe from harm. The...

Tyler chats with Samantha Allen, Appeals Specialist with the Virginia Department of Veteran Services on better understanding what makes a disability “presumptive” and a discussion on the VA’s Duty to Assist. Sam touches on filing for claims related to Agent Orange, Thailand Veterans, Burn Pits and the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination. Tune in to the conversation to learn more about how to make the...

Tinnitus can be a debilitating issue to tangle with as there is no cure. There are only tactics to help maintain and drown out the relentless ringing in our ears. Tyler chats with Dr. Sarah Theodoroff, PhD, Research Investigator, NCRAR and Assistant Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology/HNS, OHSU about the symptoms, research and the ongoing ways to manage tinnitus.  Research continues to b...