Military Psychology Podcast

In this compelling episode, we sit down with veteran and author, LTC Lanny Snodgrass MD, to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Ageless Call to Serve, where he explores the belief that service to country, community, and others does not end with age. Drawing from decades of experience, he explores the value older service members bring to the military through mentorship, emotional intelligence, lea...

In this episode, Army psychologists MAJ Gaines and MAJ Walls, share how being a military psychologist is changing the landscape of psychology through innovative fellowships, immersive training experiences, and leadership opportunities unlike anything found in traditional civilian careers. From applied work with service members in high pressure environments to specialized training that accelerates...

In this episode, we sit down with Army Veteran, Marissa Snowden, whose journey didn't end at retirement-it evolved into a mission to better understand the psychological realities of military life. After leaving active duty, she has pursued graduate studies with a strong focus on research. Drawing from both personal experience and academic expertise, she shares how her time in uniform shaped the qu...

In this episode, we sit down with members of the California National Guard to talk about what makes the guard unique, the wide range of missions they support, and how they are taking new approaches to support the mental health of service members and their families. LTC Harris and MAJ Burns offer a behind-the-scenes look at the people, missions, and support systems that make the California National...

Successful decrease in the stigma toward mental health services has led to an increase in the number of Service Members seeking care, resulting in challenges to military mental health providers and systems in meeting the increased demand. In this episode, Dr. Ethan Bannar sits down with Colonel Elisha Parkhill Pippin, Director of Psychological Health for the United States Air Force, to discuss her...

One of the biggest limitations in Disaster Mental Health (DMH) training has always been the difficulty in replicating high intensity environments within a structured training space. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Jinkerson sits down with Dr. Ryan Landoll, former Chief of the Behavioral Health Optimization Program of the United States Air Force who now serves as Assistant Dean for Preclinical Sciences...

Selecting a career path is a daunting task. Whether we are helping new recruits to choose their first MOS, counseling current subordinates looking to make a switch, or helping our peers who are transitioning back to civilian life, the role of psychology in these decisions is significant. Please join Dr. Jeremy Jinkerson as he sits down with Dr. Brianna Werner to discuss Vocational Psychology and t...

In a large system like the United States Air Force, finding suitable candidates for some of the most high speed positions can be an intense balancing act. Join us this month as Dr. Ethan Bannar sits down with Lt Col Emily Grieser, an Air Force Assessment & Selection psychologist, to discuss the ins and outs of her experience providing this critical service, the training experiences that prepar...

In a world where suicide in our Armed Forces continues to persist, how we respond to this ever-evolving crisis is imperative. In this episode, Dr. Jinkerson sits down with Lt Col (Dr.) Chris Button and Dr. Ian Stanley, two of the nation's experts in assessing and preventing suicide. Lt Col Button is currently serving as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for the Department of the Air Force, wh...

Do you have a hard time getting patients to stick with trauma-focused treatments? Do you or your patients ever wish you could escape reality and spend some time as someone new? In this episode, Dr. Jinkerson sits down with the Military Psychology Podcast’s own Dr. Brooke Long to discuss the use of the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons as a treatment modality for PTSD. Outsi...

In the age of social media and technological advancement, we are seeing more and more patients requesting the newest and most “trending” treatment methods for their physical and mental health concerns. Navigating this ever-evolving landscape can be tricky, particularly when these techniques do not align with the published Clinical Practice Guidelines for evidence-based care. In this episode, Dr. J...

On this episode of the mil psych podcast, Dr. Bannar welcomes mentor, colleague, and friend Dr. Ann Hryshko-Mullen, Ph. D., ABPP-CHP, DBSM, Lt Col USAF (ret) to the show to discuss the many exciting training opportunities within Air Force Psychology! Dr. H-M serves as the director of psychology training for the US Air Force and plays a paramount role in the selection of HPSP scholarship recip...

Join Air Force psychologists Drs. Ethan Bannar and Jeremy Jinkerson as they talk with Lt Col (Dr.) Mikel Merritt, the Air Force Psychology Consultant. As the "Consultant," Lt Col Merritt serves as the top psychologist in the Air Force, with responsibilities including guiding the assignment selection process, mentoring military psychologists, retaining talent, and advocating for Air Force psycholog...

On a podcast about military psychology, you’d bet we would talk a lot about psychological trauma...and you’d be correct. But what happens when a patient’s trauma comes from within their own body rather than an external threat? What if the traumatic event was something that the patient did not see? Do we still consider a diagnosis of PTSD? Are the treatments the same? On this episode, Dr. Sacha McB...

Civilian mental health practitioners work more closely with active duty military service members than you might think. In fact, many military mental health provider’s rely on a civilian network of specialty mental health facilities to support service members in need of acute care. In this episode, Dr. Brooke Long shares her experience as a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma-therapy speciali...

In this episode, we introduce our new team!  We welcome Drs. Jeremy Jinkerson, Keyia Carlton, Contessa Tracy, and Brooke Long to the Military Psychology Podcast team and discuss their interests in the field. During this episode you are likely to hear our team discussing potential topics for future episodes. Themes include trauma therapy, neuropsychology, sleep disorders, health psycholog...

In this episode, we discover the many phenomenal training opportunities within Army Psychology! Maybe you have considered pursuing the Army HPSP or you are currently serving and curious if pursuing a career-change to psychology is even possible. Spoiler alert, it absolutely is! We welcome CPT Contessa Tracy (USA) and CPT Thomas Ballas (USA) from the APA accredited internship program at Brooke...

Jillian C. Shipherd, Ph. D. is a clinical research psychologist, professor of psychiatry, and co-director for the Veterans Health Administration’s LGBT Health Program. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and a book (!), Dr. Shipherd is a top scholar on the wellbeing of LGBTQ veterans. She’s dedicated her skills to improving the healthcare system to care for this unique population, and we disc...

Lt Col Julie Glover is a Physician Assistant in the U.S. Air Force, holds a Doctorate in Emergency Medicine, has deployed thrice, and has held a number of leadership roles. I knew her back when she was Capt Glover (!) and we were stationed together in northern Italy. We bonded over our love of cats, softball, and LGBTQ rights. In this episode, Lt Col Glover discusses the impact that repeal of Don’...

Research psychologists are the backbone of psychological science, and many listeners have been asking to hear more about conducting research and applied work within the military. Join us for another exciting episode on the Intro to Military Psychology as we discuss a popular topic: conducting research with military populations! Listen in on our talk with Dr. Kristin Saboe, former Army psychologist...

Our inaugural episode for the LGBTQ Military series features a talk with Lt Col Bree Fram . She’s an astronautical engineer, published author, transgender advocate, and delightful person. We cover her impressive military career, including working at the Pentagon...twice(!), we talk 'misgendering,' 'passing,' and self-disclosure. Lt Col Fram also invites medical providers and mental health professi...

Beyond the conventional roles (Therapist, Researcher, Educator, Etc.), one hat psychologists wear is that of an advocate. In this episode, we examine how military psychologists can advocate and contribute to organizational and societal change for the betterment. We discuss with Dr. Nicholas Grant, recipient of multiple accolades for his research, leadership, and contribution in his service to the...

What do COVID vaccine development and foreign language training have in common? Answer: they both involve psychological science. In this episode, we pivot to research and applied psychology, how they look in the military context and how they are used to solve "real world problems." We talk to the current and past president of Division 19, Drs. Maurice Sipos and Eric Surface, about their perspectiv...

Intro to Military Psychology: Becoming an Active Duty Psychologist with CAPT John Ralph (Ret.), USN You might be curious about military psychology as a career. You might also be wondering, how does one become a military psychologist? Many students are unsure where to start! If this resonates with you, this is just the episode you need to hear!  I n this episode, we collaborate with retir...

Are you curious what it is like serving as a military psychologist in operational settings? Wondering what is life like as an active duty psychologist? In our inaugural episode, we learn just that from retired (Col) Dr. Mark Staal. Dr. Staal has worked as licensed psychologist for 25 years, serving 20+ years as an active-duty military psychologist with the US Air Force and is an expert in the...