Untold Valor: Veterans Recovery in Action

We are honored to welcome retired Command Sergeant Major Bart Womack to the podcast today. With over 29 years of distinguished service in the United States Army, he’ll share his story from enlistment to leading thousands of soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division.  In the first of a two-part conversation, Bart reflects on his early days in the military and the leadership lessons that shaped him. H...

We’re honored to be joined by Clarence Jones today, a Marine Corps veteran whose own struggles after service ignited his passion for helping others. After facing challenges that led to a medical discharge, Clarence experienced firsthand the difficulties many veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian life. Determined to make a difference, he now works with the Community Action Agency of Del...

In this episode, we are joined by Dartanyun Wilkins-Harvey, a 12-year Army veteran who now works with the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) in Pennsylvania. After serving in Iraq and returning home, Dartanyun faced the challenges of finding his place in the civilian world firsthand. Today, he plays a crucial role in assisting veterans as they navigate barriers to employment. His journey of...

Navigating the VA benefits system can be frustrating, exhausting, and emotionally draining. Many veterans feel unheard and stuck in an endless cycle- but you don’t have to fight alone.  In this episode of Untold Valor, we’re sitting down with Neil Woods and Lori Underwood of Woods & Woods: The Veterans Firm to discuss the biggest challenges veterans face when filing claims, why persistence is...

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Brie White, a passionate advocate for veterans and the Director of Griswold Home Care in Delaware County. As an army brat, she has witnessed firsthand the sacrifices made by her family members, which has fueled her desire to give back to the veteran community. Griswold Home Care operates as a non-medical home care agency and is a nationally VA-approved...

Welcome back to another episode of Untold Valor! This week, we are joined by the Director of Community Engagement and Development at Sauers Cares , Danielle Fox. She’s here to share more about their new initiative, Drive and Thrive, which is dedicated to uplifting individuals and families facing life’s toughest challenges by providing crucial transportation support. For veterans, who may already f...

In this episode of Untold Valor , we’re honored to share the inspiring journey of Kathryn "Kat" Kirkman, a fourth-generation military veteran. Following a family legacy of service, Kat began her career at the United States Air Force Academy, where she studied astronautical engineering before becoming an air refueling pilot. However, her military career came to an abrupt end when medical...

We are excited to be joined today by Darrin Henry, a Staff Sergeant and Medic in the Pennsylvania National Guard and owner of Barracks Baristas Coffee Company , who has a powerful story to share. Darrin’s military career spans over 16 years, during which he has faced many high-pressure, life-or-death situations that greatly impacted his mental health.   In this episode, he opens up about his strug...

We are excited to talk with Kween Smith today, a U.S. Air Force veteran, personal trainer, entrepreneur, and artist who has transformed her life and now dedicates herself to helping others do the same. Kween’s time in the military was both rewarding and challenging.  She embraced the opportunities it offered but also faced internal battles, including mental health challenges and PTSD.  Kween fell...

We’re thrilled to welcome Katie Ogden, a treatment advocate at Recovery Centers of America, to the show. After a powerful recovery journey of her own, she is now using her story to help others heal from addiction. She’s here today to share more about the unique programs offered by Recovery Centers of America, including their RESCU program, designed specifically for first responders and veterans. W...

In this week’s episode of Untold Valor, we are joined by Heather Sliwinski, the CEO and founder of the Honor and Courage Foundation. The foundation, which was inspired by her son at just eleven years old, has grown into a beacon of hope for veterans dealing with PTSD and other post-service challenges.  Tune in as Heather shares more about the heart of this foundation’s work, including their innova...

Today we are joined by Theresa Agostinelli, a licensed clinical social worker with nearly two decades of experience helping veterans and first responders overcome mental health challenges. She has a powerful story of her own, growing up in a dysfunctional and traumatic household, which later manifested in significant mental health challenges.  After becoming a widow at a young age and battling sev...

We’re excited to bring you a great conversation today with the inspiring Quanda Howieburth and Wanda Pate-Dennis, who are making a significant impact in the lives of veterans through their work at the Robert L. Howie Veterans Home. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing support and resources to veterans battling mental health challenges, addictions, and homelessness. Join us as Quan...

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Stephanie Booker, the inspiring CEO and Founder of A Home Is A Right (AHARI). Stephanie's story begins in West Philadelphia, where she faced numerous challenges, including addiction and mental health issues that led her down a difficult path. She decided to change her life after discovering she was pregnant, and after going back to school...

In today’s episode, we are joined by two remarkable veterans, Tom Roskowski and Matthew Allen, who have dedicated their lives to supporting the mental health and well-being of their fellow servicemen and women. With firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the challenges veterans face, Tom and Matthew are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health within the veteran communi...

Jeremy Stalnecker is the co-founder and executive director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation and a retired USMC Infantry Officer. In our last episode, we spoke with him about Mighty Oaks Foundation’s mission to help veterans and their families heal from PTSD and other traumas through faith-based programs. He is back with us today to discuss how veterans can find purpose and redemption in the midst of...

We are very excited to be sitting down with Jeremy Stalnecker, co-founder and executive director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation , over the next two episodes. After returning from Iraq as a USMC Infantry Officer, Jeremy, like many veterans, faced challenges when transitioning to civilian life. It wasn't until a fellow Marine introduced him to Chad Robichaux and the Mighty Oaks Foundation that J...

In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Mary LaMarre. With 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Mary now serves as the Client Relations Director at Visiting Angels. From home care to dementia care, Visiting Angels offers a range of support systems designed to improve the quality of life for veterans. Their mission is to “make living life enjoyable to the greatest ex...

In today’s episode, we’re honored to feature Myra Fields-Rouse, a retired army officer with 22 years of service. After being injured during her deployment to Afghanistan in 2003-2004 and dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, Myra has channeled her experiences into helping other veterans. Today, she serves as the Veterans Initiative Manager at the Department of Behavioral Health...

We are excited to welcome you to season 3 of Untold Valor! To kick off the new season, we had the honor of speaking with Felecia Coffee, a remarkable community leader in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, dedicated to serving veterans and those in need. Her mission? To bless others as she has been blessed.  Felecia is at the forefront of numerous community initiatives, including The Empowerment Zone , an...

Bryan McCauley is a Marine Corps veteran, former firefighter, police officer, and detective with a powerful story. As the director of the Heroes program at PA Recovery Center, he is deeply passionate about helping fellow veterans and first responders navigate their path to recovery.  He joins us today to share his story and speak from personal experience, having confronted his own demons and emerg...

We are honored to welcome Darcy Rideout back for today's episode. Alongside Reverend Ben, she's here to highlight an important event organized by Voice & Vision and CompeerCORPS on May 21st, 2024. The A.S.A.P. (Advocating Suicide Awareness & Prevention) Seminar will be a space where veterans, mental health professionals, and the community can unite to advocate for prevention stra...

In today’s episode, Kim Longo, a PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor (CTRI), invites us into her inspiring work at Thorncroft Equestrian Center. She discusses her lifelong passion for horses, and how her father’s experiences as a World War II paratrooper drove her mission to provide a safe haven for veterans through equine therapy. Kim has powerful stories to share of veterans who have wa...

Collie Turner is the founder and executive director of Heroic Gardens. This organization has been transforming the lives of veterans through the healing power of plants and nature since 2018. She’s here to share more about the origins of Heroic Gardens, inspired by her familial legacy of military service and a deep-rooted connection to gardening. Stay tuned to learn how gardening offers healing be...

We’re excited to welcome Lena Fowler to the show this week. Lena is a decorated United States Navy veteran with 17 years of service, including deployments in Operation Desert Storm and at ground zero in the aftermath of September 11th. She’s here to share her story, from overcoming personal tragedies to facing the challenges of war and transitioning back to civilian life. Listen in as Lena talks o...