Brainstorms

What if saying “Thank you for your service” isn't enough?

This Veterans Day, the Brainstorms podcast invites you to look beyond the uniform and hear the stories many veterans struggle to tell.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, former U.S. Army officer Chay Miller opens up about the invisible wounds of military service, including traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress, childhood trauma, survivor guilt, and the emotional toll that can follow a veteran long after leaving the military.

Chay served in the Army from 1994 to 2005. In this episode, he discusses the pressure veterans often feel to appear strong, the difficulty of admitting when something is wrong, and the impact that years of unspoken pain can have on a veteran's marriage, children, and family.

He also shares his personal struggle with suicidal thoughts and his journey toward understanding himself, finding purpose, and learning to speak honestly about what he was experiencing.

But this conversation isn't just for veterans. It's for every civilian who wants to better understand what happens after the homecoming celebrations end and how we can support those who served.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The invisible wounds of war and the realities of traumatic brain injury and PTSD

• Why veterans can struggle to talk openly about their emotions

• The impact of military service on spouses, children, and families

• How childhood trauma and shame can shape a person's life

• The reality of suicidal thoughts behind an outwardly successful life

• Why veterans should never have to compete over whose experiences or struggles matter most

• The emotional challenges that can continue long after leaving the military

• What to do when a veteran tells you they are not okay

• Why listening without judgment can make a difference

• How honest conversations and finding purpose can help move healing forward

THE MESSAGE THIS VETERANS DAY

Chay encourages veterans to speak more openly about what they are experiencing and challenges civilians to listen without judgment, resist making assumptions, and be willing to have difficult conversations.

A veteran may look like they have everything together while fighting a battle nobody else can see. Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is ask a better question, make time to listen, and stay present when the answer is not “I'm fine.”

You do not have to be an expert to make a difference. You just have to be willing to listen.

Veterans Day is one day. Supporting veterans and their families is a commitment that lasts all year.

This episode is made possible with support from the Fred and June McMurray Foundation and produced by the Resurrecting Lives Foundation at The Sycamore Studio.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are concerned about someone else's safety, you do not have to face it alone. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What is one thing you wish more people understood about veterans and the invisible wounds they may carry? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Bridging the Gap: What Veterans Really Need After Military Service | Lt. Col. Don Accomando

What happens when a veteran leaves the military and enters a civilian world that doesn’t fully understand what they’ve experienced? In this powerful episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Gordon sits down with Lt. Col. Don Accomando, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, KC-135 Stratotanker navigator, educator, researcher, and longtime advocate for veterans.

After 28 years of military service, Don helped build and lead veterans’ services at Duquesne University, where he discovered that successful transition requires much more than simply providing education benefits. Veterans need community, understanding, employment support, healthcare resources, and—perhaps most importantly—a place where they can connect with people who understand what they’ve been through.

Together, Dr. Gordon and Lt. Col. Accomando explore:

• Why transitioning from military to civilian life can be so difficult

• The importance of creating safe spaces and veteran communities

• What universities can do to better serve student veterans

• Why “thank you for your service” isn't always enough

• How civilians can better understand and connect with veterans

• The connection between military leadership and civilian leadership

• Don’s research into the social, medical, educational, and employment needs of veterans

• The importance of Veterans Day gatherings and community connection

• How the lessons behind Guarding Our Guardians:

Guaranteeing America's Veterans a Future From Deployment to Employment can help bridge the military-civilian divide

One of the central messages of this conversation is simple: It’s not that civilians don’t care about veterans. They just don’t always know what veterans need. And with veterans representing roughly 1% of the population, the other 99% of us have an important role to play.

This episode is a conversation about service, leadership, education, community, and our collective responsibility to help those who served successfully transition to the next chapter of their lives. Watch, listen, and consider what you can do to help bridge the gap. Brainstorms is produced by the Resurrecting Lives Foundation at The Sycamore Studio and made possible through the generous support of the Fred and June McMurray Foundation.

In this episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Gordon sits down with Ezra Byer, the writer and publishing professional who helped transform Dr. Gordon’s experiences and mission into Guarding Our Guardians: Guaranteeing America’s Veterans a Future from Deployment to Employment.

Together, they discuss the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service back into civilian life—including access to medical records, healthcare, education, employment, and the often overwhelming responsibility placed on young service members to navigate these systems on their own.

They also explore some of the conversations that genuinely surprised Ezra, including the difficulties veterans can encounter simply trying to access their own medical information and the obstacles surrounding education benefits.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: we don't have to solve every problem at once. We can start by helping one person.

As Ezra puts it: “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”

If you've ever wondered what happens after the uniform comes off, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ In this episode:

Brainstorms is a podcast dedicated to veterans from the Global War on Terror and Vietnam veterans dealing with traumatic brain injury and the lasting effects of military service.

This podcast is made possible through a grant from the Fred and June McMurray Foundation and is produced by the Resurrecting Lives Foundation at The Sycamore Studio.

If this conversation resonates with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

In this episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Gordon sits down with Ezra Byer, the writer and publishing professional who helped transform Dr. Gordon’s experiences and mission into Guarding Our Guardians: Guaranteeing America’s Veterans a Future from Deployment to Employment.

Together, they discuss the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service back into civilian life—including access to medical records, healthcare, education, employment, and the often overwhelming responsibility placed on young service members to navigate these systems on their own.

They also explore some of the conversations that genuinely surprised Ezra, including the difficulties veterans can encounter simply trying to access their own medical information and the obstacles surrounding education benefits.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: we don't have to solve every problem at once. We can start by helping one person.

As Ezra puts it: “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”

Brainstorms is a podcast dedicated to veterans from the Global War on Terror and Vietnam veterans dealing with traumatic brain injury and the lasting effects of military service.

This podcast is made possible through a grant from the Fred and June McMurray Foundation and is produced by the Resurrecting Lives Foundation at The Sycamore Studio.

If this conversation resonates with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Drawing from the ideas in Guarding Our Guardians, Major Granger shares practical, community-driven solutions that could transform how we support those who have served. From creating transition hubs at military recruiting stations to simplifying education benefits and connecting veterans with meaningful careers, this conversation explores how local communities, educators, employers, lawmakers, and veterans themselves can work together to build a stronger future.

Order the book HERE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKF8RW9L?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

If this episode resonates with you:

👍 Like the video

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments

📢 Share this episode with someone passionate about supporting veterans

🔔 Subscribe for future conversations focused on veteran advocacy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD recovery, and community action.

Together, we can build a future where no veteran faces the transition home alone.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we ask an important question:

In this special Independence Month episode of Brainstorms, host Dr. Lori Crissinger welcomes retired Colonel David Williamson, an Air Force veteran, community leader, educator, and longtime advocate for veterans transitioning into civilian life.

Together they explore why America must move beyond simply thanking veterans and begin truly guarding our guardians.

Colonel Williamson shares decades of leadership experience—from commanding Air Force personnel to helping thousands of veterans identify their skills, find meaningful careers, and successfully transition into civilian life. His unique perspective challenges employers, educators, community leaders, and every American to better understand the incredible value veterans bring long after their military service ends.

As Resurrecting Lives Foundation prepares for the release of Guarding Our Guardians, this conversation serves as a powerful call to action for America's next 250 years.

If you believe our veterans deserve more than gratitude—that they deserve opportunity, understanding, and purpose after service—this episode is for you.

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help spread this message and strengthen support for America's veterans and their families.

What if the military prepared service members for civilian life with the same intensity and purpose that it prepares them for war?

In this powerful episode of Brainstorms, Dr. Hemant “Dr. T” Thakur—psychiatrist, former orthopedic surgeon, Army Colonel, PTSD program director, and internationally recognized expert in veteran rehabilitation—shares a lifetime of lessons learned from treating thousands of veterans struggling with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Drawing from more than three decades at the VA, multiple military deployments, and groundbreaking work with combat veterans, Dr. T challenges the traditional treatment model and presents a bold alternative: the “De-Boot Camp.”

Inspired by the military’s boot camp model, Dr. T argues that service members need an immersive transition program at the end of their military careers—one designed to help them rebuild relationships, restore purpose, regain resilience, and successfully reintegrate into civilian life. Through moving stories, including the remarkable transformation of a homeless Vietnam veteran, Dr. T demonstrates how holistic rehabilitation can change lives far beyond symptom management. The conversation explores: Why many veterans struggle after military discharge The long-term impacts of PTSD and TBI on every area of life Lessons learned from Holocaust survivors and resilience research The limitations of medication-only approaches to treatment How community, purpose, education, and personal growth support recovery The vision behind Dr. T’s “De-Boot Camp” model for veteran transition What policymakers, clinicians, and citizens can do to better support those who served This episode offers an inspiring and thought-provoking look at veteran recovery, resilience, and the responsibility we all share in helping service members thrive after their military service ends.

Guest: Dr. Hemant Thakur

Perfect for listeners interested in: veteran affairs, military transition, PTSD recovery, traumatic brain injury, mental health, resilience, leadership, and holistic approaches to healing.

This month on Brainstorms, we sit down with National Guard veteran and Veterans Companion Animal Services President Josh Doran alongside his four-legged partner Lucy. From deployments in Afghanistan to building a nonprofit that pairs rescue dogs with veterans, Josh shares how purpose, connection, and unconditional love can help veterans navigate life after service.

We discuss:

• Life in the National Guard and deployment overseas

• The challenges veterans face returning home

• PTSD, hypervigilance, and finding renewed purpose

• How rescue dogs provide companionship and healing

• The incredible mission behind VCAS

• Why every placement is carefully matched for both veteran and dog

This heartfelt episode also honors Memorial Day, Gold Star families, and the importance of continuing to support those who served long after they return home.

Connect with Josh: [email protected]

#Veterans #MemorialDay #PTSD #RescueDogs #ServiceDogs #MentalHealth #NationalGuard #VeteranSupport #Podcast #Ohio #SycamoreStudio

In this powerful episode, we sit down with retired Army Captain James McCormick II to hear his remarkable story of courage, faith, and leadership in combat. Captain McCormick recounts the harrowing events of Easter 2004 in Iraq, when he and a small gun-truck crew repeatedly drove through deadly ambushes to escort ammunition convoys into Baghdad—saving countless lives in the process.

In this episode of Brainstorms combat veteran Matt Garrett sits down with sustainability advocate Chuck Lynd for a powerful conversation about nature mental health and how reconnecting with the living world can transform lives.

Together Matt and Chuck explore

As Matt puts it

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If you or someone you know is struggling call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.