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

When I hung up my Air Force uniform in 1983, the road back to civilian life was lonely, lacking the rich resources available today. That's why I was eager to sit down with Lieutenant Colonel Raymond E. Willson of the Army's Soldier for Life program, a vital initiative guiding service members through the transition to civilian life with a comprehensive support system. Our discussion opens...

Discover the groundbreaking support offered by the MossRehab Institute for Brain Health (MRIBH) as we sit down with Carlo  Aragoncillo, the Veteran Outreach Coordinator at the institute. He is passionate about aiding veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Our conversation sheds light on MRIBH's comprehensive coverage for all treatmen...

When one door closes, another opens, and for Chris Duffley, leaving the Air Force was just the beginning of a new mission. Now at the helm of Military and Veteran Programs for the American Red Cross in Northern Virginia, Chris joins me to reveal the depth of commitment and care the organization extends to our nation's heroes. We weave through his personal journey, uncovering how the Red Cross...

Think of a space where veterans and active duty service members can receive individual, couples, family, and group therapy. A place that partners with nonprofits to offer additional services and engages with the community on a deep level. Welcome to the Vet Centers - an oasis and a lifeline for our heroes. This week, we have the pleasure of hosting Ryan Hinely, Program Outreach Coordinator at the...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to cook for some of the highest-ranking military officers in the country and even foreign dignitaries? Join us as we invite two phenomenal chefs from the Coast Guard, Chief Danielle Hughes and CS1 Johnny Toman, to our show. They share fascinating tales of their culinary experiences from their days in training at the Coast Guard's culinary program to...

Ever wonder how the VA is transforming healthcare for veterans? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Jennifer Cho, Deputy Director of Whole Health at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She'll offer a firsthand glimpse into the transformation of the VA's Whole Health Program, a cutting-edge initiative designed to empower veterans to take charge of their health...

Buckle up as we introduce you to Angela McConnell, the remarkable founder and president of NOVA Vets. Her 22-year military career, beginning at the tender age of 17, equipped her with a unique perspective on the distinct challenges faced by veterans, particularly female Warriors. Angela's personal journey, punctuated by her son's rare genetic condition, has significantly influenced her p...

What happens when a community conversation sparks an initiative that reshapes the local performing arts landscape for veterans? Dr.  Niyati Dhokai, the Program Director of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at George Mason University's Hylton Performing Arts Center, joins us to recount this transformative journey. From humble beginnings, this initiative has grown into a vibrant hub offering...

Prepare to be captivated as we share the inspiring story of Dave Seitz, the founder of 19hands.org , and the heart and soul behind the therapeutic War Horse Forge program. Dave's journey from a small weekend hobby to running a fully-fledged organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders is nothing short of enthralling. He paints a vivid picture of how a casual lunch conversat...

Are you ready to explore the world of military spouses with Kathleen Palmer, Director of Content at Mission Milspouse , as our insightful guide? Buckle up as we delve into the commendable work of this transformative organization that empowers military spouses through resources, training, podcasts, and a blog populated by military spouse contributors. Kathleen enlightens us on the national reach of...

Let's take a revealing journey with Amy Wolfe, the Artistic Director of the Manassas Ballet Theatre, as she gives us an inside look into her world of ballet. Amy takes us back to the heart of the ballet company she founded in 1997 and shares the emotive story behind the ballet she crafted in memory of her son Colin - a Marine who tragically lost his life serving in Iraq. Listen closely as she...

Ready to gallop into an inspiring conversation? We had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Katie Fallon, the dynamic force behind Bridle Paths , a non-profit organization doing remarkable work with equine-assisted services. Katie walks us through the heart of their mission - fostering relationships and trust, enhancing communication and connection, and nurturing emotional attunement. Bridl...

Have you ever wondered how an indomitable spirit and unwavering determination can turn a dream into reality? Meet Gold Star mother Gretchen Catherwood, the compassionate heart behind Dark Horse Lodge, a tranquil retreat in Western Tennessee designed exclusively for combat Veterans. In this emotion-stirring episode, she shares her deeply personal journey of founding the retreat, named in honor of h...

Imagine a retreat built with love and care where our nation's heroes can find respite and rejuvenation. Welcome to our conversation with Dianne Polk, Director of Operations at Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, as we journey through the development of the Penfed Grand Lodge. Dianne's vivid depiction of the construction process, from the essentials like plumbing and electrical fittings to the a...

Can you imagine the loneliness that engulfs many of our Veterans and elderly folks? Our guest for this episode, Luke Frazza, Program Outreach Manager at the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) shares how they are tackling this isolation head-on by providing volunteer drivers for these often overlooked members of society. Luke takes us on a journey through DATA's incredible programs,...

Have you ever wondered about the role of spirituality in healing, particularly within a military setting? We've got a fascinating conversation lined up with Captain Brittany Wooten today. As the chaplain at the Soldier Recovery Unit at Fort Belvoir, Captain Wooten has created a groundbreaking course that addresses moral injury amongst soldiers. We're not just talking about physical heali...

Ever wondered about the extraordinary journey of a service dog and the intricate training process involved? This dynamic episode welcomes Sonny Madsen from K9 Caring Angels, granting listeners a backstage pass to the world of training these compassionate canines for Veterans. We navigate the rigorous application process, dive into the specifics of their training regime, and discover the profound i...

Have you ever wondered about the inspiring tales of bravery and sacrifice that went unnoticed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks? What if you knew there was a project, The 9:57 Project, aimed at honoring these brave individuals who took action at 9:57 AM during the Flight 93 hijacking on September 11th, thereby creating a continuum of courage linking them to every service member who has served i...

Join us as we uncover ground-breaking research on veteran suicide with none other than Jim Lorraine, a leading authority on this critical subject and the president and CEO of America's Warrior Partnership. Have you ever wondered about the real impact of veteran suicide on our communities and the specific strategies being utilized to address this crisis? This episode promises an enlightening e...

Have you heard of Sons and Daughters in Touch? Come and join us as we sit down with Colleen Shine, a founding board member of this remarkable nonprofit organization. For more than thirty years, they've been providing solace, and connection for those related to American soldiers lost in the Vietnam War. Listen in as Colleen relives the moving history of the organization, their National Father&...

Have you ever wondered why Vietnam War Veterans kept their heroic tales of their time on the battlefield under wraps for so long? Join us on a heart-rending journey with Dave Merlino, co-creator behind the fascinating documentary Apache Blues: Welcome Home . He takes us behind the scenes of their filmmaking process, how they unearthed riveting narratives from Veterans and presented them in an auth...

Have you ever wondered about the final resting place of the forgotten heroes? Veteran and Virginia State Representative for the Missing in America Project, Forrest Lingenfelter, joins us to unveil a noble cause. We discuss his captivating journey from his early days in the Army to his tireless efforts in providing honorable burial services for unclaimed veterans. As Forrest takes us through the pa...

Can you imagine fighting a war only to return home and discover an entirely different battle looms ahead? Our guest for today's episode, Bruce Wright, doesn't need to imagine, he's lived it. Bruce, a Vietnam veteran, was exposed to Agent Orange during his service, leading to a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) years later. His story is one of survival, resilience, and...

Have you ever wondered about the unique challenges our older veterans face? Today, we're joined by Molly Brooks, the founder of Hero's Bridge, an organization dedicated to serving the needs of veterans aged 65 and older. Molly paints a vivid picture of her journey, tracing back to her childhood as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and her 30 years of experience as a nurse. These experien...

Join us on a remarkable journey behind the scenes of the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. This episode features Dolora Stoffa, a dedicated volunteer and Guest Stay Coordinator (GSC), who plays a pivotal role in crafting unforgettable experiences for Wounded Warriors and their families. Discover how Dolora curates personalized itineraries for each Warrior, factoring in their preferences and scheduling...