Veterans 4 Recovery

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery , host retired U.S. Army Major John Donovan sits down with Vietnam veteran Larry Berg to discuss the journey of recovery, the impact of service, and the healing power of storytelling. Larry, who served in Vietnam in 1969, shares his background as a farm kid from Minnesota, his unique experience working with the Army Security Agency, and the life path that led...

John Donovan (retired U.S. Army Major) sits down with Pam Lanhart, Founder & Executive Director of Thrive Family Recovery Resources to shift the focus from the individual struggling with substance use to the family members standing beside them. Pam shares her profound personal journey as a daughter, sister, mother, and aunt to those who have navigated addiction. As the founder of the only cert...

In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops , Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives. Inside This Episo...

In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops , Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives. Inside This Episo...

What if the key to long-term recovery isn't just clinical treatment, but a deep, immersive dive into the 12-step model? In this episode, Major John Donovan (Ret.) sits down with Alex Curtis from The Retreat in Minnesota to discuss their unique, non-clinical approach that has helped over 34,000 people reclaim their lives. We pull back the curtain on how a peer-led model focused on education, commun...

In this episode, host John Donovan sits down with Pastor Ed Treat to explore the profound intersection of faith and addiction. Pastor Ed opens up about his journey from a chaotic childhood in a high-intensity military family to intravenous drug use, and eventually, his transformative 40-year path of recovery and 25 years in the ministry. Together, they discuss the "geographical cures" that never w...

Major John Donovan (Ret.) welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Zhang to discuss digital behavioral addictions, including gambling, pornography, and gaming and their growing impact on veterans, service members, and families. Dr. Zhang breaks down the psychology behind these addictions, why they’re so hard to escape, and how technology has accelerated the crisis. The conversation explores the...

Major John Donovan sits down with Major General (Ret.) Maureen Banavige for a heartfelt conversation on military service, leadership, loss, and recovery. Together, they explore what “recovery” means in the context of veterans’ lives—from substance use and mental health challenges to finding purpose after trauma. This episode is a testament to the power of empathy, resilience, and connection. Wheth...

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery , host Retired Major John Donovan sits down with Cara , a flight attendant and person in long-term recovery. Together, they explore Cara’s courageous journey of overcoming addiction and navigating sobriety while working in the demanding airline industry. Through open conversation, Cara reflects on her early recovery experiences, the influence of family and lo...

In this inspiring episode, Major John Donovan talks with his friend Simon about the meaning of recovery, courage, and perseverance. Simon shares his journey from addiction to long-term recovery, the challenges of staying sober as a long-haul truck driver, and how faith, consistency, and connection helped him rebuild his life. Together they explore how veterans can channel discipline, service, and...

In this episode, John Donovan talks with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Sam Andrews about the challenges veterans face with PTSD and substance use disorder—and how Bravo Zulu House is redefining recovery. Sam shares his 27-year military journey, personal insights from deployment, and the urgent need for specialized veteran support. Highlights Sam’s path from the Marine Corps to the National Guard. The impact of...

Dr. Heidi Bausch Ryan — Clinical Psychologist & Director, Chair of the Mental Health and Addiction Philanthropic Advisory Council, University of Minnesota In this episode, Major John Donovan sits down with Dr. Heidi Bausch Ryan to explore the changing landscape of recovery for veterans, service members, and their families. Drawing from her leadership at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Ryan di...

In this gripping and deeply personal episode, Maj. Donovan is joined by John Graham, a former diplomat, mountain climber, and self-described adrenaline junkie. Together, they explore the surprising parallels between thrill-seeking and substance use disorder. John reflects on a life spent on the edge—scaling perilous peaks, navigating war zones, and diving headfirst into revolutions. But what happe...

It has long been said that music can soothe the savage soul. Research has shown that music improves mood, focus, reduces stress, decreases anxiety and is the universal language of humankind. John Logan once said, "Music is the medicine of the mind."  In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, John chats with Paul Diethelm a renown musician and inductee of the MN Music Hall of Fame. John and Paul will...

🎙️ In This Episode: What happens when the battle ends, but the struggle continues? In this powerful episode, Major John Donovan sits down with veterans Greg and Lisa to explore the vital role of recovery in the military community. They open up about their personal journeys and the driving force behind Outdoor Warrior Nation , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders throug...

John sits down with his lifelong friend Jeff Meierhofer to explore the profound meaning of recovery and its impact on lives within the military community. Jeff shares his personal journey, from his early struggles with substance use to his transformative moments of clarity. Together, they discuss the importance of resilience, the power of relationships, and the joy of giving back through internati...

John sits down with Tyler to explore the multifaceted journey of recovery within the veteran community. They chat about Tyler's personal story of overcoming addiction, the role of shame in recovery, and the importance of setting boundaries to avoid caregiver fatigue. The episode highlights the impactful work of Recovery Corps, a program under AmeriCorps, which provides resources and opportunities...

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, host Major John Donovan is joined by Sean Partch to discuss the challenges and triumphs in the journey of recovery for veterans and service members. Sean shares his personal story of overcoming substance use disorder and justice involvement, highlighting the importance of employment and community support in the recovery process. The conversation explores int...

On this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery you’ll hear from John Magnuson. John is a person in long-term recovery who worked behind the scenes on the parity act. The mental health parity act is a federal law that requires health insurance plans to provide comparable coverage for mental health and substance use disorders as they do for medical and surgical care.  John also works with a 12-Step immersio...

Randy Anderson joins John to discuss his journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a leader in the recovery community. Learn about his experiences with the criminal justice system, his path to recovery, and his work with Bold North Recovery. Discover the challenges and triumphs of recovery, and gain insights into the legislative efforts to improve recovery services. Don't miss this insp...

In this episode, retired Major John Donovan sits down with Congressman Tom Emmer to discuss the pressing issue of recovery within the military and Veteran communities. They explore legislative efforts, including the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act and the Wounded Warrior Access Act, aimed at improving access to essential healthcare and recovery...

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, Maj. Donovan and his guest, Wendy Jones, talk about the recovery landscape in the State of Minnesota. Wendy is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance of Recovery Community Organizations (MARCO). Wendy provides guidance to over 20 individual Recovery Community Organizations throughout the State of Minnesota. Listen in while John and Wendy explore re...

In this episode of Veterans for Recovery, host Major John Donovan welcomes Jeremy Drucker to discuss the multifaceted journey of recovery. Jeremy's talks about his background in English literature, his career in public service, and his personal recovery journey. The conversation touches on the complexities of substance use, the importance of a person-centered approach to treatment, and the upcomin...

This episode is a deep dive into the transformative journey of V4R guest Mike from the grips of alcoholism to the liberating path of recovery, particularly within the Veteran and service member communities. This episode is not just a story of personal triumph but also a testament to the service mentality that underpins successful recovery. Mike's dedication to helping others through his unique app...

This month, John’s guest is Chris Ellis. Chris holds an MBA from Duke University, spent a career as a business consultant and is a person in long term recovery. Chris grew up with a military father and spent much of his career traveling around the country. He shares openly his experiences with recovery and shares insights on how others can benefit from recovery.  Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio ...