Listen in each week as industry experts discuss critical topics within the military-connected community.
BTM136 - Rosie Gagnon - Suicide Prevention Awareness through Ultramarathons
On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Rosie Gagnon, a military spouse and mother who is running 100 one-hundred mile ultramarathons to raise awareness about military and veteran suicide prevention after losing her son, USMC PFC James Dexter Morris, to suicide in 2018.
BTM135 - Dr. Stephanie Renno - Measurement Based Care with the Cohen Veterans Network
On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Renno, the Senior Director of Clinical Practice and Training at the Cohen Veterans Network, to discuss the CVN Measurement-Based Care Toolkit.
BTM134 - Nick Howland and Ryan Haczynski - Suicide Prevention with The Fire Watch Program
On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation about suicide prevention with representatives of The Fire Watch, a state-wide suicide prevention program in Florida that provides training to community members about how to identify and support service members and veterans who may be at risk for suicide. My guests today are Nick Howland, a Navy Veteran and CEO of The Fire Watch, and Ryan Haczynski, a suicide loss survivor and Citizen Watch Stander with The Fire Watch program.
BTM133 - Lindsay Church - Minority Vets of America
On this episode, we’re featuring a conversation Navy Veteran Lindsay Church, who goes by they/them pronouns, is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just world for the minority veteran community including veterans of color, women, LGBTQ+, and (non) religious minority veterans.
BTM132 - Elizabeth Garcia - Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program
Military Spouse Elizabeth Garcia, the Director of the Military Spouse Fellowship Program for Hiring Our Heroes, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation connecting transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce.
BTM131 - Keara Torkelson - WWP Peer Leader Training Series
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran, wounded warrior and Peer Support Leader with the Wounded Warrior Project, Keara Torkelson, as we discuss her experience as a woman veteran and an advocate for wounded warriors in her community and women veterans nationwide.
BTM130 - Michael Carrasquillo - WWP Peer Leader Training Series
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Combat Veteran and Peer Support Leader with the Wounded Warrior Project, Michael Carasquillo, as we discuss his experience with Wounded Warrior Project Peer Support Groups, small, warrior-led support groups that connect veterans with each other in their communities.
BTM129 - Brandi Carney - Hidden Helpers Facilitator’s Guide
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Brandi Carney, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving as the Director of Operations for Northwell’s Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military, Veterans and their Families, to discuss her work in supporting PsychArmor’s Hidden Helpers Facilitators Guide and Interactive Journal, which is designed to increase peer support among military-connected caregiving youth and reduce social isolation.
BTM128 - Justin Schmitt - Suicide Prevention with USAA and Face the Fight
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Justin Schmitt, Senior Deputy of Corporate Responsibility at USAA, a financial services brand dedicated to serving the U.S. Military Community. On this episode, we talk about one of USAA’s social support initiatives, Face the Fight, a coalition that is working to break the stigma surrounding suicide in the military community by raising awareness and fostering real, open conversations around support and hope.
BTM127 - Sam Whitehurst - Dixon Center for Military and Veteran Services
On this episode of Behind the Mission, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran and retired Colonel Sam Whitehurst, Vice-President for Programs and Services for the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, an organization that serves as a resource for individuals, organizations, and communities interested in the long-term wellbeing of our veterans and their families.
THE HOST
Duane France
Duane France retired from the Army in 2014 after 22 years and five combat and operational deployments. After retirement, he was selected as an inaugural member of the George W. Bush Institute Veteran Leadership Program and has served as a clinical mental health counselor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is currently the Co-Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Service Member, Veteran, and Military Family Technical Assistance Center, an organization that provides technical advice and assistance to communities around the nation that are trying to implement suicide prevention and behavioral health integration programs for the military affiliated population. He has produced several Military mental health-related podcasts, Head Space and Timing and a limited podcast series looking at suicide prevention in the Military affiliated population in partnership with Military Times, Seeking the Military Suicide Solution.