Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans

Have you ever wondered what it takes to answer the call to service at an age when most are retiring? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Lanny Snodgrass, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and author of the forthcoming book " The Ageless Call to Service ," who shares his awe-inspiring journey from providing mental health care during the Vietnam War in Bangkok to enlisting in the Army at age 6...

What if a simple pizza oven could be a catalyst for healing? Join us as we sit down with Sarah Ford, the Executive Director of the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run and Willing Warriors, to uncover the transformative power of community amenities and the unwavering support that has brought their vision to life. Sarah shares the inspiring journey from the mere concept of a third house to the grand realiza...

How does growing up with a war veteran parent shape a childhood? Join us for an emotionally charged conversation with Becky Ellis, author of " Little Avalanches ," as she recounts her journey growing up with a father who was a World War II veteran suffering from PTS. Becky vividly shares the profound impact her father's unspoken combat experiences had on her family dynamics, paintin...

Ever wondered how a community can come together to support individuals with brain injuries? Join us for an illuminating conversation with Donna Meltzer, the CEO of Brain Injury Services , as she shares the powerful story of an organization founded by parents in 1989 to secure housing and employment for their children with brain injuries. Discover the breadth of services offered, from childhood thr...

Unlock the secrets of how Virginia is transforming veteran support through the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VSF). Join us as we sit down with Kayla Arestivo, the Executive Director of VSF, to uncover the foundation's pivotal role in bridging funding gaps and providing essential services to over 700,000 veterans across the Commonwealth. Kayla demystifies the distinctions between the...

Embark on an enlightening journey with me as I sit down with Dr. Aaron Banas from the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals in Silver Spring, MD, for an intimate conversation that promises to reshape your understanding of mental health care for military families. Uncover the deep-seated compassion and dedication that fuels this partnership between the Cohen Veterans Network and Eas...

Embarking on a mission to unpack the layers of advocacy for veterans' benefits, we've linked up with Ken Wiseman of the VFW. In this stirring session, Ken's insights illuminate the vital role of grassroots movements in crafting policies that resonate with the real challenges veterans face – from the hardships of homelessness to the battles with mental health. Our conversation turns...

Listening to Sergeant Major Roy Lewis, his tales of transformation from a small-town youth to a beacon of military inspiration struck a chord within me. His story isn't just one of duty and discipline but a profound journey of personal evolution that speaks to any listener seeking growth amidst life's toughest challenges. In this episode, we traverse Roy's 36-year odyssey through th...

Discover the heartwarming support network behind our nation's heroes as Julie Riggs and Krysti Pereira from Blue Star Families join me to share their passion for empowering military and veteran families. You'll be inspired by the origins and evolution of Blue Star Families, an initiative spearheaded by military spouses who recognized the pressing need for a support system that tackles th...

Dr. Liz Rudisell from the Lexington, Kentucky VA, brings light to a shadowed corner of the veteran experience, military sexual trauma (MST), during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. As we sit with this dedicated Military Sexual Trauma Care Coordinator, we unravel the complex web of MST's effects on our veterans. This episode is a heartfelt journey through the often silent struggl...

Discover the heartwarming journey toward healing and camaraderie as we unveil the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run's Grand Lodge, a six-bedroom beacon of hope for our veterans. I am here with Dianne Polk to give you a quick update on the build. As we count down to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 18th, Dianne and I are brimming with enthusiasm captured in every word of this episode. From ADA-com...

Aimee Stoddard from Serving Together joins me to discuss an inspiring new initiative designed for female veterans and service members: the Women Warriors' Network. This robust conversation unveils the importance of creating a safe space where women can forge connections, find empowerment, and access critical resources as they transition from military to civilian life. We're bringing to l...

When former Marine Corps C-130 pilot Alisa Johnson deployed in 2011, finding a temporary home for her dog, JD, was a struggle. Dogs on Deployment was born out of that struggle. Alisa founded the organization with her husband, a former Navy helicopter pilot. Now at the helm of Dogs on Deployment, Alisa shares the transformative impact of their mission to provide foster care for the pets of our nati...

Join us on a historical journey with Jim Hatch, the Director of Partnership Marketing for the Purple Heart Foundation, as we discuss the foundation's programs. Prepare to be captivated by the evolution of the Purple Heart, a symbol of valor from the days of George Washington, now a tribute to the bravery of combat-wounded soldiers. We explore not only the rich history of this prestigious awar...

As I sat down with Melissa Comeau, Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at the Red Cross, I couldn't help but be moved by her story of resilience and dedication. A caregiver herself, Melissa has transformed her profound experiences into a beacon of hope for others navigating the complexities of caring for Wounded Warriors. Our heartfelt conversation unveils the critical yet...

I'm joined again by Beau Beasley , our distinguished first repeat guest. His latest literary achievement, " Healing Waters, Veterans' Stories of Recovery in Their Own Words , " takes us on an emotional voyage through the lives of veterans, finding solace and strength in fly fishing. The inspiration for the book, ignited by artist and disabled Vietnam veteran Alan Folger, is a p...

Discover the initiatives the American Legion spearheads to transform veterans' lives as we sit down with National Commander Daniel Seehafer . Our candid conversation unveils the depth of the Legion's 2024 legislative agenda , zeroing in on the critical mission of suicide prevention and mental health support. Commander Seehafer sheds light on the poignant " Be the One " campaign...

Feel the thunderous heartbeat of America as we're joined by the awe-inspiring Ed Wehner from Run for the Wall . This organization sees veterans and supporters thunder across the nation on an awesome motorcycle ride. They start in California and ride all the way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. in a moving tribute that extends beyond the asphalt. We're not just talking about a rid...

When the unspoken language between a veteran and a horse weaves its magic, healing begins. Join us as we sit down with Diane Lunsford, event coordinator for the soul-stirring 'Warriors Healing with Horses' event, and our inspiring guests from Unbridled Joy, Jack and Amy. They unravel the profound connection fostered through equine therapy, where every nudge and gaze from these majestic a...

When the bonds of family intersect with the challenges faced by Wounded Warriors, something extraordinary happens. It's a tale of resilience and reunion, brought to life by Fletcher Gill, CEO and co-founder of Luke's Wings . As our esteemed guest, he shares the moving origins and pivotal mission of an organization committed to bringing together service members and their loved ones during...

Scaling personal summits can transform lives, an ethos deeply etched in the story of Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to conquer Mount Everest. Imagine the power of such an experience replicated for warriors, caregivers, and youth facing their own battles. John Toth from No Barriers USA joins us to narrate how Erik's legacy has grown into a robust movement, empowering individuals to shat...

Get the latest update on the PenFed Grand Lodge build from Chef Larry and Dianne Polk, Director of Operations at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. As the lodge nears completion the focus is shifting to the furnishings. You can help furnish the house by contributing to the Make A House A Home program. Here you can purchase specific items for the Lodge. Together, Chef Larry and Dianne unwrap the late...

Discover the hidden battles our service members face beyond the frontline as Dr. James Stone from the University of Virginia joins us to expose the silent threat of repeated low-level blast exposure to brain health. Delving into the ongoing research that started in the mid-2000s, we uncover the cognitive symptoms that mimic mild traumatic brain injury seen in our troops and Tier 1 operators. The c...

Have you ever encountered a powerful story that compels action from the core of your being? That's what happened when Cory Brown, Virginia State Director for Mission22 , shared his journey with us, illuminating the organization’s steadfast commitment to preventing veteran suicide. Our conversation unveils the roots of Mission22, planted by Magnus Johnson's sculpture tour and grown into a...

Prepare to be uplifted as we sit down with Dan Radtke of Compassion Airlift, an awe-inspiring nonprofit that's transforming the skies into highways of hope for veterans and their families. Encounter the heartfelt stories emanating from the cockpit as these heroes receive much-needed medical transportation, unveiling the relationship between Compassion Airlift and Bonanza Angels and the remark...