Listen in each week as industry experts discuss critical topics within the military-connected community.
BTM168 – Jennifer Ballou – The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
On today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Army Veteran and Gold Star Family Member Jennifer Ballou, Chief of Staff of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, an organization that is guiding the development of a national memorial that honors the service and sacrifice of all who have contributed to global counterterrorism efforts since September 11th, 2001.
BTM167 - Kate DeBartolo - The Conversation Project
On today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Retiree Virginia Wimmer, in which we discuss the importance of supporting women veterans and the services available in California.
BTM166 - Erika Hoover and Andrea Norton - LGBTQ+ Veterans Public Health Awareness Campaign
On today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Erika Hoover and Air Force Veteran Andrea Norton about their experiences as both veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ Community, as well as a public awareness campaign being developed in partnership with the Michigan Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.
BTM165 - Virginia Wimmer - CalVet Women Veteran's Division
On today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Former Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Air Force Retiree Virginia Wimmer, in which we discuss the importance of supporting women veterans and the services available in California.
BTM164 - Ronald Rutherford - VA's Whole Health Program
On today’s episode, we feature a conversation with Navy Veteran Ronald Rutherford, the Lead for the Whole Health Outreach program for the Veterans Health Administration. Whole Health is VA’s approach to care that supports the health and well-being of veterans they serve, and focuses on self-care, skill building and support.
BTM163 - Frederick Marx - Veterans Journey Home Film Series
On today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Frederick Marx, an internationally acclaimed Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker with over 40 years in the film industry. We have a conversation about a recent project, a series of five films called Veterans Journey Home, which features the stories of veterans who are working to transition to post-military life and the insights of professionals that support them.
BTM162 - Josie Beets - DoD Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program
On today’s episode, I’m having a conversation with Josie Beets, the Program Manager for the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, which provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide.
BTM161 - Dr Jason Higgins - Veteran Involvement in the Criminal Legal System
On this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Jason A. Higgins, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech University and author of the recently released book, Prisoners After War: Veterans in the Age of Mass Incarceration.
BTM160 - Tara Wright - New Sesame Street Resource for Military Families
On this episode, we feature a conversation Tara Wright, Senior Manager of Content Design on the Research, Education, Data and Impact (REDI) team at Sesame Workshop, on newly developed resources for Military Families to address isolation, disconnectedness, and the impacts of family separation due to military duty.
BTM159 - Sebastian Junger (Replay) - Tribe and Veteran Connectedness
On this episode, we feature a conversation with award winning Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker Sebastian Junger, author of a number of books including War and Tribe.
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.