Listen in each week as industry experts discuss critical topics within the military-connected community.
BTM150 - Richard Fierro - Diversity, Service, and Sacrifice
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran Richard Fierro about his miltiary service, post-military career as an entrepreneur and his actions in November of 2022 in which he intervened in a mass shooting attack at an LGBTQ+ Nightclub in Colorado Springs, CO.
BTM149 – Stacey Lewis and Ashley Hammond – VA’s Pathfinder Program
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Ashley Hammond and Stacey Lewis from the VA’s Pathfinder Program, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Innovation Ecosystem. Pathfinder is a website and digital tool designed to facilitate designed to facilitate connections between external innovators, vendors, and VA employees in order to improve health care delivery for Veterans.
BTM148 - Dr. Christina Armstrong - VA Office of Connected Care
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Christina Armstrong, a clinical psychologist at the Office of Connected Care in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ central office. The Office of Connected Care focuses on improving health care through technology; Connected Care’s programs include My HealtheVet, VA Telehealth Services, and VA Mobile, and more.
BTM147 - Corie Weathers - Military Culture and Mental Health
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Corie Weathers, a military spouse and Licensed Professional Counselor. We discuss the importance of cultural responsivity in mental health and Corie's latest book, Military Culture Shift.
BTM146 – Dr. Tanya Hess – VA Coaching Into Care Program
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Tanya Hess, a Licensed Psychologist and Training Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs Coaching Into Care Family Call Center, a national telephone-based support service for family emmbers and others who want to help reluctant veterans access their VA health care benefits, particularly for mental health concerns.
BTM145 – Cheri Mason – VA Board of Veterans Appeals
On this episode, we feature a conversation with The Honorable Cheryl L. Mason, who served for nearly five years as the fourth Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee and first woman and military spouse Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
BTM144 - Bruce Townshend - Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Bruce Townshend, the Chief of Employer Engagement with Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense that promotes understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.
BTM143 - Betsey Mercado - Objective Zero for Suicide Prevention
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Betsey Mercado, the CEO of the Objective Zero Foundation, , a wellness technology organization that is Connecting the military community to mental health and wellness resources and to a network of peer and civilian supporters to prevent suicide through the Objective Zero App.
BTM142 - Lacey Langford - Financial Wellness and Support
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Lacey Lanford, a financial coach, veteran, and military spouse, about supporting service members, veterans, and their families with financial wellness.
BTM141 - Dean Dauphinais - Supporting Native and Tribal Veterans
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran Advocate Dean Dauphinais. Dean is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and is focused on supporting his fellow Native and Tribal veterans.
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.