Service Before Self Podcast

A conversation with Craig Romanovich, the new Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council. The conversation focuses on their mission to empower America’s Union Veterans.

Episode 31 – Equine-Assisted Therapy and Its Impact on Veteran Wellness In this episode, host Sam Whitehurst speaks with Dr. Jesse Logan, a clinical researcher and Army veteran, about the role of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) in supporting veterans' mental health and overall wellness. Dr. Logan discusses his work with Lifeline Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, the EAGALA model of therapy, and a new research study comparing EAP to traditional talk therapy for veterans with PTSD. The conversation explores the unique connection between horses and humans, and how alternative, community-based therapies can offer powerful pathways to healing for those transitioning out of military service.

A conversation with Steve Jordon and Chesley Michaels from Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program--a non-profit organization committed to ensuring veterans receive the services, benefits, and compensation they have earned.

As we look toward Veterans' Day, this is an opportunity to showcase the work of Dixon Center and our partners in creating opportunities for veterans and their families. We are also introducing the newest member of Dixon Center's team and highlighting how, on this Veterans' Day, you can go beyond just thanking veterans for their service.

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosts a conversation with Jennifer Grubb--combat veteran, veteran advocate, registered nurse, wife, and mother. Jennifer shares her candid, raw, and thought-provoking experience of reintegration following military service. She pulls no punches but also demonstrates her resiliency and the potential of our military-connected community. Listen more than once and encourage others to listen as well.

A conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army and a leading advocate for veterans and their families. Secretary Murphy is the Chairman of Task Force Movement, www.taskforcemovement.org, an organization that is creating successful careers for the military-connected community in transportation, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

Psych/Armor educates and trains organizations on how to better understand and connect with military-connected individuals: transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and their families. Listen to Tina explain how her family’s history of military service and her experiences as a military spouse created opportunities to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential. Key Takeaways: [3:30] Tina shares what motivated her to assist and support veterans and their families. [9:51] Tina explains how she started Psych/Armor, a nonprofit organization. [11:17] Psych/Armor’s primary mission is to help connect the military and civilian communities in various ways. [14:08] Tina shares more about the work accomplished by Psych/Armor. [16:08] Psych/Armor was funded by a licensed mental health counselor in San Diego who was a civilian. [17:14] At Psych/Armor, there is a cultural competency requirement to understand the people that they serve. [18:44] Tina comments on the vast ecosystem that forms Psych/Armor. [21:46] Psych/Armor’s primary focus is on health equity. [23:17] Colonel Sam expands on the two common narratives from our society’s perspective on veterans: Veterans are either super soldiers or broken soldiers. [25:20] Psych/Armor is made by a cross-generational Team. [29:43] Tina received an award from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration). [30:17] Tina discusses the concept of wellness and its importance for the veteran community. [33:51] Tina shares her call to action with anyone wanting to help the veteran community. Mentioned in this episode: Dixon Center: Reaching America At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership. Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Psych/Armor The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Wellness Initiative envisions a future in which people pursue health, happiness, recovery, and a full and satisfying life in the community. Below are brief descriptions of each dimension of wellness. Being able to balance these eight dimensions is a foundation for positive outcomes for veterans and their families. To learn more, visit Creating a Healthier Life. Physical Wellness: A healthy body. Good physical health habits. Nutrition, exercise, and appropriate health care. These make up the physical dimension of wellness. Intellectual Wellness: keeping our brains active and our intellect expanding … reading, taking a class at your local community college, and engaging in debate/discussions. Financial Wellness: proactively managing your income, debt, and savings, as well as increasing your understanding of financial processes and resources. Environmental Wellness: being in a safe, supportive environment, having a place that you can call home. An environment where you can live, learn, and thrive. Spiritual Wellness: a broad concept that represents one’s personal beliefs and values and involves having meaning, purpose, and a sense of balance and peace. Social Wellness: involves having healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community, and having an interest in and concern for the needs of others and humankind. Occupational Wellness: involves participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and reflect personal values, interests, and beliefs, including employment. Emotional Wellness: involves the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life’s stressors, and enjoy life. Tweetables and quotes: “The military community is so diverse; it represents a great example of the larger civilian community.” “Suicide prevention and PTSD are not exclusive to the military community.” “There are two common narratives from our society’s perspective on veterans: Veterans are either super soldiers or broken soldiers, and neither are the norm.” “At Psych/Armor, we want to reduce isolation and increase belonging in our veteran community.”

In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by Joshua Caldwell and Stephen Camelio. Joshua and Stephen are the director and writer of the new film Mending the Line. Joshua and Stephen discuss their new movie, which will be launched in theaters on June 9th, 2023. Mending the Line is the story of a marine who’s been wounded in Afghanistan and has now been sent to a VA facility in Montana, where he meets a Vietnam veteran who teaches him how to fly fish to deal with his emotional and physical trauma. Key Takeaways: [5:23] What brought Stephen to this particular subject? [7:42] Joshua shares his motivation to get involved in the topic of veterans. [10:10] Actual veterans participated in the movie; how could they contribute to the project? [14:35] Stephen shares what surprised him during the research for the movie. [16:02] Joshua speaks of their partnering with the marine. [18:40] Joshua opens up about what surprised him about what it meant for a soldier to get wounded in war. [22:11] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) highlights the character’s fear of losing his identity. [22:52] Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter. [24:08] Being wounded is a forced exit from the military. [25:43] Stephen talks about the research he did on PTSD. [28:30] The movie shows the separation between Vietnam veterans and the post 9/11 and how they need each other to heal. [32:50] Joshua talks about a particular character: Lucy. [34:57] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) singles out the character who really connected with him. [36:10] Stephen shares what he considers the best scene in the movie. [37:33] Joshua clarifies it was never their intention to demonize the VA. [40:21] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) discusses his favorite scene. [43:55] What is next for Mending the Line? Mentioned in this episode: Dixon Center: Reaching America At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership. Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Warriors and Quiet Waters Tweetables and quotes: “After recovering from a wound, you can feel that physically you are ready, but mentally, you are not, and the mental wounds are the dominating factor.” “Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter.” “Five percent of active duty military actually see combat; still more than 50% experience PTSD.” “We may not all experienced combat, but we all experience loss at some point in our lives.”