Dog Tag Diaries

Summary:

What happens when the military experience that once gave you purpose leaves you fighting to feel safe, heard, and whole again? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly sits down with Army veteran and Hope4Veterans founder Lynn Geiser, also known as Specialist Tank. Lynn shares how her grandfather’s World War II service influenced her path into the Army, what it was like serving as one of very few women in an infantry unit, and the trauma that changed the course of her military career. She opens up about military sexual assault, losing trust in her leadership, fighting for her discharge status and benefits, homelessness, mental health struggles, and slowly rebuilding her life. Lynn also shares how finding her voice led her to create Hope4Veterans, where women veterans can build connection, confidence, purpose, and the courage to tell their own stories.

Key Topics:

• How Lynn’s childhood and grandfather’s military service shaped her desire to serve (00:03:45)
• Joining the Army, National Guard service, and becoming a transportation specialist (00:10:02)
• Motherhood, going active duty, and serving in an infantry unit (00:12:05)
• Experiencing September 11 while stationed at Fort Benning (00:14:41)
• Serving as one of very few women in a male-dominated unit (00:15:23)
• Military sexual assault and losing trust in someone she believed would protect her (00:17:47)
• Fighting to survive her final months in the Army while caring for her son (00:22:41)
• Leaving the military, homelessness, and fighting for her benefits and discharge status (00:28:08)
• Returning to school, becoming a counselor, and realizing trauma still needed healing (00:29:48)
• Finding her voice and beginning the journey toward nonprofit leadership (00:35:56)
• Creating Hope4Veterans and using creative programs to build connection (00:40:03)
• Helping women veterans become advocates, leaders, and peer support specialists (00:43:23)
• Why finding purpose and learning to advocate for yourself matter after military service (00:46:34)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “I had eight months to survive.” – Lynn on enduring the final months of her military service while facing trauma, disciplinary actions, and fear (00:22:41)
• “I started getting my voice.” – Lynn on the turning point that eventually led her toward advocacy and nonprofit work (00:36:04)
• “Now you can’t keep me quiet.” – Lynn on finding her voice after losing it during both childhood and military service (00:41:45)
• “I can provide you the tools. I can give you the resources. I can stand by your side, but I can’t tell you what to do.” – Lynn on helping women discover their own path forward (00:47:03)

Timestamps:

• 00:02:10 – Introducing Army veteran and Hope4Veterans founder Lynn Geiser
• 00:03:45 – Childhood, isolation, and wanting to make a difference
• 00:04:53 – Lynn’s grandfather, World War II, and the influence of his service
• 00:10:02 – Recruiters, joining the Army, and dreams of becoming a pilot
• 00:12:05 – Six years in the National Guard, motherhood, and going active duty
• 00:13:49 – Joining an infantry unit at Fort Benning
• 00:14:41 – Experiencing the events of September 11 while on base
• 00:15:23 – Being one of very few women in a male-dominated unit
• 00:17:47 – Military sexual assault and the breakdown of trust
• 00:24:22 – Feeling unsafe, blocked from transferring, and facing disciplinary action
• 00:28:08 – Leaving the Army and beginning life after military service
• 00:32:16 – Reading her military records and confronting painful memories
• 00:35:56 – The turning point that helped Lynn begin finding her voice
• 00:38:22 – Becoming a volunteer VSO and learning from women veterans’ cases
• 00:40:03 – Building Hope4Veterans
• 00:45:16 – Creating safe spaces and connecting women with resources
• 00:46:34 – Helping women veterans find their purpose
• 00:47:03 – Giving women tools without choosing their path for them

About the Guest:

Lynn Geiser, also known as Specialist Tank, is a United States Army veteran and the founder and CEO of Hope4Veterans, a nonprofit focused on helping women veterans, military spouses, and active-duty women build connection, confidence, purpose, and a stronger voice. Lynn served six years in the National Guard before moving to active duty, where she served as a transportation specialist attached to an infantry unit.

After leaving the military, Lynn faced major challenges including trauma, homelessness, mental health struggles, and a long fight to restore military benefits and correct her discharge status. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, worked as a counselor and employment specialist, and served as a volunteer Veterans Service Officer.

Her own experience of feeling unheard became the foundation for Hope4Veterans. Through storytelling, photography, therapeutic arts, peer support, mentorship, leadership development, and community programs, Lynn helps women recognize their strengths, advocate for themselves, and discover a renewed sense of purpose.

Learn more about Hope4Veterans and its programs by searching for Hope4Veterans in Kissimmee, Florida.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-geiser-b24b8a26/?isSelfProfile=false

Website: Hope4Veterans

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

Summary:

What happens when the place you thought would save you ends up teaching you difficult lessons about power, belonging, and who you want to become? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly sits down with Marine Corps veteran, mother, storyteller, and podcast host Raelynn Beintker. Raelynn shares how growing up with poverty, addiction, abuse, and early responsibility shaped her strength and eventually led her to the Marines. She opens up about finding structure and belonging in boot camp, then facing sexism, double standards, body image pressure, harassment, and disappointment in the fleet. Raelynn also reflects on breaking family patterns, learning to put herself first, changing the way she speaks about her life, and finding the courage to tell her story. Her journey is a powerful reminder that we can honor where we came from while choosing what comes next.

Key Topics:

• Creating space for self-care and practicing “divine selfishness” (00:06:20)
• Growing up with poverty, addiction, abuse, and early responsibility (00:10:49)
• Searching for a way out of destructive patterns after high school (00:17:31)
• Choosing the Marine Corps as a path toward independence (00:21:45)
• How a chaotic childhood prepared Raelynn for boot camp (00:24:15)
• Facing sexism, body image pressure, and double standards in the fleet (00:25:59)
• Harassment, military consequences, and learning to make herself small (00:31:17)
• What Raelynn wishes she knew before joining the military (00:34:10)
• Breaking generational cycles and changing the stories we tell ourselves (00:38:19)
• Creating My Heart of the Story and finding the courage to share her voice (00:41:47)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “You can’t scare me. You think you’re going to break me, and I’m sure you’re going to teach me, but you can’t break me.” – Raelynn on how her childhood prepared her for boot camp (00:25:26)
• “The Marine Corps was the best and worst decision I ever made.” – Raelynn on the impact military service had on her life (00:38:19)
• “I’m the only one that can choose what comes next.” – Raelynn on breaking old patterns and taking ownership of her story (00:39:27)

Timestamps:

• 00:02:23 – Introducing Marine Corps veteran Raelynn Beintker
• 00:06:20 – Morning rituals, self-care, and “divine selfishness”
• 00:10:49 – Childhood, poverty, addiction, abuse, and caregiving
• 00:17:31 – High school struggles and searching for a different future
• 00:21:45 – The decision to join the Marine Corps
• 00:24:15 – Culture shock and adapting to boot camp
• 00:25:59 – Sexism, body image, and double standards in the fleet
• 00:31:17 – Harassment and the impact on Raelynn’s military career
• 00:38:19 – Breaking generational patterns and changing her life story
• 00:41:47 – Starting My Heart of the Story and finding her voice

About the Guest:

Raelynn Beintker is a United States Marine Corps veteran, mother, wife, storyteller, podcast host, and self-described creative rebel. She joined the Marines as a young woman looking for a way beyond the poverty, instability, and family patterns she experienced growing up. Her military service gave her independence, structure, new experiences, and a wider view of the world, while also exposing her to sexism, double standards, and challenges that shaped how she saw herself. Today, Raelynn is the host of My Heart of the Story, a podcast centered on identity, connection, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to share our stories. Through her work, she encourages people to stop making themselves smaller, question the stories that hold them back, and choose what they want the next chapter of their lives to become.

Learn more about Raelynn and her work through My Heart of the Story:

Website: myheartofthestory.com

Podcast: Search My Heart of the Story on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

Summary:

What happens when the wounds no one can see become the hardest ones to carry? In this powerful Season Nine episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly welcomes back Army veteran, retired RN, author, and advocate Dani Shine to discuss her memoir, The Weight of Hidden Wounds. Dani shares the painful experiences she once believed she would never speak about, including military sexual trauma, PTSD, betrayal, and years of unhealthy coping. She reflects on how writing became part of her healing process and how a severe PTSD flashback finally pushed her to seek support. Dani also shares the importance of women veteran support groups, counseling, and finding people who understand military life. Her story is a reminder that trauma may leave lasting marks, but it does not have to be the final chapter. Healing, connection, purpose, and growth are still possible.

Key Topics:

• Serving as a woman in male-dominated Army units (00:04:05)
• Writing The Weight of Hidden Wounds as part of healing (00:06:29)
• Experiencing sexual assault during basic training (00:09:48)
• Learning leadership through vulnerability and trust (00:13:22)
• The physical demands of infantry training (00:16:53)
• Deployment to Saudi Arabia and military life overseas (00:21:03)
• Military sexual trauma before leaving the Army (00:22:45)
• Alcohol, food, and unhealthy coping after trauma (00:25:00)
• The PTSD flashback that forced Dani to face her past (00:28:44)
• How trauma continues to affect the body and mind (00:31:12)
• Why women veterans need women-centered support (00:34:31)
• Turning trauma into purpose, growth, and service (00:41:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “I had to outrun, out-shoot, out-do everybody.” – Dani on proving she belonged as a woman in the Army (00:04:23)
• “Vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s a strength.” – Dani on leadership and connection (00:16:15)
• “Without those women, I would definitely not be where I am today.” – Dani on her women veterans support group (00:36:41)
• “It doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be just the beginning.” – Dani on healing after trauma (00:42:37)

Timestamps:

• 00:02:41 – Dani Shine returns to Dog Tag Diaries
• 00:04:05 – Proving herself as a woman in the Army
• 00:06:29 – Why Dani began writing her story
• 00:09:48 – Sexual assault during basic training
• 00:13:22 – Leadership, vulnerability, and building trust
• 00:16:53 – The demands of infantry training
• 00:21:03 – Deployment to Saudi Arabia
• 00:22:45 – Military sexual trauma before leaving the Army
• 00:25:00 – Alcohol, food, and coping with trauma
• 00:28:44 – A PTSD flashback during a medical procedure
• 00:34:31 – Women-specific veteran support and connection
• 00:41:24 – Turning trauma into growth and purpose

About the Guest:

Dani Shine is a United States Army veteran, retired registered nurse, author, and advocate. She entered the Army in 1987 and was among the early women to complete infantry training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Her memoir, The Weight of Hidden Wounds, shares her experiences with military sexual trauma, PTSD, unhealthy coping, healing, and finding purpose after trauma. Today, Dani uses her story to help other veterans understand that they matter and that seeking support is a sign of strength.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

Summary:

What happens when two women veterans turn pain, fear, and hope into a movement for healing? In this heartfelt Season Seven episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly reunites with her co-founder and sister in service, Captain Dakota, to share how their podcast and nonprofit were born. Together, they reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome, burnout, and self-doubt while building a safe space where military women can speak their truth. From launching their first retreat without ever meeting in person to dreaming of a traveling studio, this episode celebrates resilience, partnership, and the power of community. Their story reminds listeners that healing is possible when women support each other and choose courage over fear.

Key Topics:

• How Dog Tag Diaries and the nonprofit began (00:01:06)
• Building community for military women (00:02:57)
• Facing fear and imposter syndrome (00:05:05)
• Honoring limits and preventing burnout (00:10:16)
• Big dreams: networks, studios, and growth (00:17:04)
• The first retreat and bonding experience (00:19:02)
• Upcoming 2026 retreats and new programs (00:26:25)
• Firearm safety and suicide prevention efforts (00:28:31)
• Creating lifelong community after retreats (00:32:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “We struggled in the beginning to get the courage to pursue this passion.” – Dakota on starting the mission (00:05:26)
• “The fear of being judged for my story was paralyzing.” – Kimberly on sharing her truth (00:07:50)
• “What we are doing is necessary. Our stories need to be told.” – Kimberly on purpose (00:09:38)
• “Come as you are. You are accepted.” – Dakota on retreat culture (00:31:55)
• “Healing begins when we finally say it out loud.” – Kimberly (00:38:50)

Timestamps:

• 00:01:06 – Pain, hope, and the founding story
• 00:02:57 – Creating a safe space for women
• 00:05:05 – Fear and imposter syndrome
• 00:07:41 – Sharing personal stories
• 00:10:16 – Stepping back and honoring limits
• 00:14:15 – Self-care and emotional release
• 00:17:04 – Future goals for the podcast
• 00:19:02 – First retreat in Bend, Oregon
• 00:21:12 – Bungee jump bonding experience
• 00:26:25 – 2026 retreat lineup
• 00:28:31 – Firearm safety and mental health
• 00:32:24 – Long-term community impact
• 00:36:08 – Holiday wishes and self-care
• 00:39:53 – Closing message

About the Hosts:

Captain Kimberly is the founder and host of Dog Tag Diaries and co-founder of Reveille and Retreat Project. A veteran and advocate for women’s mental health, she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where military women can heal, grow, and share their stories without fear.

Captain Dakota is a co-founder of Dog Tag Diaries and Reveille and Retreat Project. A National Guard member and counselor, she supports veterans through mental health services and holistic care. Her work centers on helping women honor their limits while staying connected to their purpose.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

Summary:

What happens when the life you built to survive no longer fits the woman you are becoming?

In this powerful episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Air Force veteran, author, intuitive guide, artist, and life architect Behati Hart. Behati shares her journey from growing up on the South Side of Chicago in a strict and chaotic home, to joining the Air Force for freedom and stability. She opens up about being a creative, multicultural, neurodivergent woman in systems that often felt too small for her spirit. Through her memoir, Just Be: Unmasking and Becoming Human Again, Behati talks about anxiety, ADHD, body wisdom, spiritual awakening, identity loss, and the brave choice to stop performing. Her story reminds women veterans that survival is not the end. Coming home to yourself matters too.

In this episode, we cover:

• Behati Hart’s childhood on the South Side of Chicago
• Using dance and laughter as early forms of healing
• Joining the Air Force out of necessity
• Adjusting to military structure after a restrictive childhood
• Serving as a creative woman in uniform
• Speaking up about integrity and unfair treatment
• Anxiety, ADHD, neurodivergence, and body signals
• The story behind Just Be
• Identity loss, ego death, and spiritual awakening
• Behati's free five-week identity reclamation experience

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “The math wasn’t mathing.” Behati Hart on realizing the military was not the freedom she expected [00:07:16]
• “I know who I am now.” Behati on choosing not to work under people who try to define her [00:14:48]
• “I will never lose myself again, never.” Behati on reclaiming her identity [00:43:50]

Episode highlights:

• 00:01:25 - Meet Behati Hart, Air Force veteran and author of Just Be
• 00:03:07 - Behati's childhood, culture, dance, and laughter
• 00:05:43 - Joining the Air Force for survival, freedom, and stability
• 00:06:43 - Moving from a strict home into a strict military system
• 00:09:23 - Serving as a woman and speaking up about integrity
• 00:15:14 - Anxiety, ADHD, body signals, and nervous system healing
• 00:24:20 - How Just Be came to life
• 00:25:57 - Behati's spiritual awakening and call to tell her story
• 00:36:39 - Behati's free five-week identity reclamation experience
• 00:44:25 - Why women veterans need spaces like Dog Tag Diaries

About Behati:

Behati Hart is an Air Force veteran, Life Architect, author, and multimedia artist who believes the most revolutionary act a person can commit is giving themselves permission to just be. She served in the U.S. Air Force from 1993 to 2003, joining out of survival and necessity, and learning early how to navigate systems not designed for women, people of color, or neurodivergent thinkers.

Following three decades of public service across military, federal, state, and local government, Behati stepped away from institutional systems to reclaim her creativity, intuition, and humanity. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Behavior and is certified through the Association for Coaching, with training in neuroscience, AI, and design thinking.

Behati is the creator of The BETi Method™, a framework that helps people unmask, reprogram limiting beliefs, and redesign life from the inside out. She is the author of Just BE: Unmasking and Becoming Human Againand lives in Chicago with her husband, two daughters, and a house full of plants.

Connect with Behati Hart:

Website: https://behatihart.com

Book: Just BE: Unmasking and Becoming Human Again

https://a.co/d/gnIZSMA

Social Media:

Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Facebook

@BehatiHart

There is still room at the table for Just BE: Unmasking Experience

Hosted by Veteran, Author and Life Architect, Behati Hart

Sundays at 6PM CST - May 31 - June 28

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Summary:

What happens when the strength that helped you survive starts keeping you from truly living?

In this heartfelt episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Army veteran, author, and women’s healing mentor Felicia Hammond. Felicia shares her powerful journey from growing up in Liberia as a firstborn daughter with adult responsibilities, to homelessness in the U.S., military service, motherhood, divorce, and learning how to slow down after years of living on high alert. Through her memoir, The Tactical Pause, Felicia opens up about emotional suppression, faith, nervous system healing, and the brave work of coming back to herself. Her story reminds military women that healing is not weakness. It is a return to truth, safety, and self-love.

In this episode, we cover:

• Felicia Hammond’s childhood in Liberia
• Growing up as a firstborn daughter with early responsibility
• Coming to the U.S. at 17
• Facing homelessness while still in high school
• Why she was drawn to the Army uniform
• Joining the Army as a financial management specialist
• Serving as a woman of color in uniform
• Motherhood, single parenting, and military expectations
• The pressure to overperform as a woman in the Army
• Life after military service and divorce
• How impulsive reactions showed up after service
• The meaning behind The Tactical Pause
• Journaling, meditation, faith, and emotional healing
• Turning her private healing work into a memoir
• Why women veterans need to know they are not alone

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “Every second counts.” Felicia Hammond on the military mindset that shaped her reactions [00:36:32]
• “I need you to take five minutes before you respond.” Felicia on the homework that became The Tactical Pause [00:39:43]
• “I felt like I was about to die.” Felicia on learning to pause after years of survival mode [00:40:45]

Episode highlights:

• 00:01:48 - Meet Felicia Hammond and her memoir The Tactical Pause
• 00:04:22 - Felicia’s childhood in Liberia
• 00:06:17 - Life as a firstborn daughter in West Africa
• 00:15:27 - Coming to the U.S. at 17
• 00:16:30 - Facing homelessness while finishing high school
• 00:20:36 - Walking into the recruiter’s office
• 00:27:18 - Being a woman of color in uniform
• 00:29:47 - Motherhood, childcare, and military demands
• 00:34:28 - The meaning behind The Tactical Pause
• 00:42:51 - Turning journals, meditation, and healing into a memoir

About Felicia:

Felecia Hammond is a U.S. Army veteran, memoirist, and women’s healing mentor in development. She is the author of The Tactical Pause, a deeply personal memoir exploring trauma, awakening, and reclaiming identity after years of living in survival mode. Through her writing and future coaching practice, she is passionate about helping women regulate their nervous systems, break emotional patterns, and reconnect with themselves through compassion and clarity.

Connect with Felicia:

• YouTube: Your Wellness Matters YouTube Channel
• Facebook: Felecia Hammond Facebook Page
• Email: [email protected]

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Summary:

What does it mean to stand at the edge of history and be trusted to tell the story?

In this powerful episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Amy Forsythe, a Marine veteran and retired Navy Lieutenant Commander with more than 30 years of service. Amy shares how growing up in Northern California, playing sports, and hearing her family’s military stories led her to the Marine Corps. From Guantanamo Bay to Iraq and Afghanistan, Amy used her camera, voice, and heart to document service, crisis, sacrifice, and the people behind the mission. She also shares the story behind her book Heroes Live Here, the launch of MediaBridge.io, and why women veterans must keep using their voices with purpose.

In this episode, we cover:

• Amy Forsythe’s childhood in Northern California
• Her family’s military legacy
• Why she chose the Marine Corps
• Becoming a Marine combat correspondent
• Her first major humanitarian mission in Guantanamo Bay
• Deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq
• The responsibility of telling military stories accurately
• Transitioning from Marine enlisted service to Navy public affairs officer
• Writing Heroes Live Here to honor fallen Marines
• Launching MediaBridge.io to connect experts with media opportunities
• Why women veterans need to share their stories
• Amy’s advice to service members, veterans, and military women

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “If I could tell stories, bridge the gap between the civilian community and the military, that would be ideal.” Amy Forsythe on choosing combat correspondence [00:12:26]
• “A page or two and a story about one Marine can make a big difference.” Amy Forsythe on honoring Gold Star families through Heroes Live Here [00:31:15]
• “Don’t take no for an answer. If you want something, go for it.” Amy Forsythe’s advice to women in and out of uniform [00:42:00]
• “Your message could be someone else’s lifeline.” Amy Forsythe on the power of sharing your story [00:46:13]

Episode highlights:

• 00:01:59 - Meet Amy Forsythe and her 30-year military career
• 00:03:50 - Growing up in Santa Rosa, California
• 00:07:45 - Why Amy chose the Marine Corps
• 00:11:47 - Becoming a combat correspondent
• 00:13:33 - Guantanamo Bay and Amy’s first humanitarian mission
• 00:15:13 - Deploying to Afghanistan after 9/11
• 00:20:11 - Lessons that carried into Iraq and Afghanistan
• 00:23:39 - Moving from the Marine Corps to the Navy
• 00:24:15 - Becoming a Navy public affairs officer
• 00:30:18 - The story behind Heroes Live Here
• 00:35:17 - Launching MediaBridge.io
• 00:37:33 - Volunteering and supporting the veteran community
• 00:39:35 - Encouraging women veterans to speak, write, and share
• 00:42:00 - Amy’s advice: be a resource and keep going
• 00:46:03 - Why your message can be someone’s lifeline

About Amy:

Amy Forsythe is a Marine veteran, retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, award-winning journalist, author, and military storyteller. Over more than 30 years of service, she worked as a Marine combat correspondent and Navy public affairs officer, documenting humanitarian missions, combat operations, and global military work. She deployed to places including Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Iraq, Romania, Poland, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Amy is the author of Heroes Live Here, a tribute to the memorials and fallen Marines of Camp Pendleton, and the founder of MediaBridge.io, a platform built to connect trusted voices with media opportunities.

Connect + Learn More

• Website: www.mediabridge.io
• Book: Heroes Live Here www.heroeslivehere.net
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/amyforsythe760
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amyforsythe
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/AmyForsythe

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Summary:

What happens when your dream job becomes the place where you have to fight to be believed?

In this powerful episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Rachel Cuda, a former undercover CIA officer, military contractor, Navy SEAL daughter, and SEAL spouse. Rachel shares what it was like growing up in the military community, marrying back into the SEAL world, and stepping into her dream role at the CIA. After experiencing sexual assault at CIA headquarters, Rachel faced fear, pushback, and isolation from the system she had trusted. With support from her husband, family, coworkers, and legal team, she took her story to law enforcement and Congress. Her courage helped move major reform forward for survivors inside the intelligence community.

In this episode, we cover:

• Rachel Cuda’s childhood as the daughter of a Navy SEAL
• Meeting and marrying her husband, a Navy SEAL officer
• The unseen sacrifices of military spouses
• Advocating for her husband’s health during his SEAL career
• Rachel’s dream of serving at the CIA
• What CIA culture felt like as a woman
• The sexual assault Rachel experienced at CIA headquarters
• Reporting the assault and being told not to go outside the agency
• Going to law enforcement and Congress
• Her message to survivors: you did nothing wrong

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “There’s no way in which we get to an appropriate reasoning to strangle a woman in her workplace ever.” Rachel Cuda on the assault she experienced at CIA headquarters [00:23:49]
• “I do not feel safe.” Rachel Cuda on asking for basic protection after reporting the assault [00:32:44]
• “You do not quit that place. You hold every single last one of them accountable.” Rachel’s father encouraging her to keep fighting [00:36:09]
• “If not you, then who?” Rachel’s attorney before she briefed Congress [00:39:17]
• “I’m never out of the fight.” Rachel on the words she repeated to keep going [00:42:58]
• “There is no shame in this. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Rachel’s message to survivors [00:55:38]

Episode highlights:

• 00:02:04 - Meet Rachel Cuda and her story of service, identity, and accountability
• 00:03:21 - Growing up as the daughter of a Navy SEAL
• 00:04:30 - Marrying a Navy SEAL and returning to the SEAL community
• 00:07:09 - Life as a SEAL spouse while keeping her own identity
• 00:11:38 - Advocating for her husband’s health during his SEAL career
• 00:15:21 - Rachel’s path to her dream role at the CIA
• 00:19:47 - The assault at CIA headquarters
• 00:28:01 - Being told not to go to law enforcement
• 00:37:47 - Taking the case to Congress and pushing for accountability
• 00:48:29 - Retaliation, being fired, and continuing the fight for survivors

About Rachel Cuda:

Rachel Cuda is a former undercover CIA officer, current military contractor, Navy SEAL daughter, and SEAL spouse. Her life has been shaped by service, family, and a deep belief in doing what is right. After experiencing sexual assault at CIA headquarters, Rachel reported what happened, pushed back against institutional silence, and took her case to law enforcement and Congress. Her testimony helped drive major legislative reform for sexual assault reporting inside the intelligence community. Today, Rachel continues to speak for survivors and reminds them that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and their stories matter.

Connect + Learn More

• Instagram: @rachel.cuda
• LinkedIn: Rachel Cuda
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
• Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Or chat online at rainn.org (24/7, confidential)
• Safe Helpline (for military service members)
• Call 877-995-5247
• Or visit safehelpline.org (24/7, confidential)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• thehotline.org (24/7 support)
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Dial 988, then press 1
• Or text 838255
• veteranscrisisline.net (24/7, confidential)
• Emergency: If you are in immediate danger, call 911

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Summary:

What happens when service becomes more than what you do and starts shaping who you are?

In this heartfelt episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Shelley Rood, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, speaker, and creator of the Wildflower Assessment. Shelley shares how 16 years of service, a painful discharge, faith, motherhood, and her love for women veterans led her to build a new way of helping others feel seen. Through her Others Over Self philosophy and the Wildflower Assessment, Shelley helps women veterans better understand their leadership style, communication needs, relationships, and personal growth. This conversation is full of honesty, friendship, purpose, and a powerful reminder that serving others should not mean losing your own spark.

In this episode, we cover:

• Shelley Rood’s childhood and early drive for personal achievement
• How 9/11 led Shelley toward military service
• Her 16 years as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer
• The painful end of her military career
• Shelley’s desire to become a chaplain
• Faith, divorce, motherhood, and personal growth
• Building stronger friendships with women veterans
• The origin of the Wildflower Assessment
• How the flower types help women understand themselves
• Why women veterans need more than red, white, and blue support
• Shelley’s role as keynote speaker for Women Veterans Engage

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “Do you need to be a soldier to serve the soldiers?” Shelley on the question that changed her path [00:13:02]
• “Please move me in the way that I’m supposed to move today.” Shelley on her daily grounding practice [00:15:10]
• “When you can learn the flowers of the other women, you can love the women more.” Shelley on the heart behind the Wildflower Assessment [00:31:06]
• “Femininity does not have to equal cutesy.” Shelley on helping women veterans define womanhood for themselves [00:40:05]

Episode highlights:

• 00:02:03 - Shelley’s work in leadership, mental wellness, and purpose-driven living
• 00:05:29 - How 9/11 shifted Shelley’s path into military service
• 00:07:36 - Studying journalism, communications, and military science
• 00:09:34 - Faith, divorce, and the desire to become a chaplain
• 00:11:42 - Being honorably discharged by email
• 00:12:43 - The moment Shelley realized she could still serve soldiers
• 00:15:03 - Asking, “What am I supposed to do next?”
• 00:18:26 - Learning to build better friendships with women veterans
• 00:24:18 - The origin story of the Wildflower Assessment
• 00:27:08 - How the eight flower types work
• 00:30:00 - Tension pairings and understanding relationships
• 00:37:37 - Shelley becoming the keynote speaker for Women Veterans Engage
• 00:39:53 - Redefining femininity for women veterans

About Shelly Rood:

Shelley Rood is a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer who served for 16 years and rose to the rank of captain. She is the founder of Mission: Ambition LLC, the creator of the Others Over Self philosophy, and the creator of the Wildflower Assessment, a self-awareness and leadership tool built for women veterans. Shelley’s work focuses on purpose, mental wellness, leadership, connection, and helping women veterans better understand themselves and each other. She is also the keynote speaker for the National Women Veterans Engage Conference, where she will guide attendees through the Wildflower Assessment and help create deeper connection among women who have served.

The conversation also explores the Wildflower Assessment, created by Shelly Rood as a tool to help individuals better understand their personality patterns, communication styles, leadership tendencies, strengths, and areas for growth. Shelly shares how the assessment was developed and why self-awareness is such an important part of both leadership and mental wellness.

Shelly will also serve as the keynote speaker for the National Women Veterans ENGAGE Conference, where she will present the Wildflower Assessment experience for women veterans across the country.

Others Over Self Official Website https://othersoverself.com

Learn more:

• The Wildflower Personality Assessment for Women Veterans

https://othersoverself.com/business/the-wildflower-personality-assessment-for-women-veterans/

• Mission Wildflower by Shelly Rood (Substack)

https://shellyrood.substack.com

• Shelly Rood YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNb2c-diiJJBnkGfEa3Eybg

• Hardcore and At Ease Podcast on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/5pWcy4IAd94Zj6jHv4rdoM

• Women Veterans ENGAGE Conference Keynote Announcement

https://www.womenveteransalliance.com/announcing-our-keynote-speaker-for-women-veterans-engage/

• Women Veterans Alliance Facebook Announcement

https://www.facebook.com/womenveteransalliance/posts/we-are-thrilled-to-welcome-shelly-rood-as-our-featured-guest-speaker-for-2026-wo/1284384977234619/

• Others Over Self Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/othersoverself/

• Shelly Rood Vimeo Channel https://vimeo.com/othersoverself

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Summary:

What if art is not optional, but one of the tools veterans need most to heal?

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Navy veteran, artist, and Veteran Art Venue founder Phyllis Thomas to talk about creativity, service, healing, and purpose. Phyllis shares how her love for art began as a child in Watts, how her parents helped grow that gift, and how she carried it into her Navy career in illustration drafting. She explains why art can help veterans express what words cannot, lower stress, and build trust again. Through her Paint and Snack sessions, Phyllis has spent more than a decade helping veterans reconnect with themselves, each other, and their communities.

In this episode, we cover:

• Phyllis Thomas’s childhood in Watts and discovering art early
• How her parents supported her creative gift
• Growing up during Vietnam, the Watts riots, and social change
• Why Phyllis chose to join the United States Navy
• Working in Navy illustration drafting and technical art
• Serving as a Black woman in uniform in the 1970s
• Using art to ease stress among active duty service members
• Why Phyllis believes everyone has an artist inside them
• Creating Veteran Art Venue and Paint and Snack sessions
• How art helps veterans express pain without needing words
• Paint on the Fence as a creative stress release
• Using art to connect veterans and civilians
• Phyllis’s Johnny Depp People’s Art Contest opportunity and her goal to support more veteran artists

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “There is an artist within everyone.” Phyllis Thomas on helping veterans believe in their own creativity [00:16:44]
• “Leave your self-critic and your self-doubt at the door.” Phyllis Thomas on the first step in her art sessions [00:27:00]
• “Words can trigger points.” Phyllis Thomas on why visual expression can feel safer for veterans [00:31:45]
• “Visual beyond words.” Phyllis Thomas on her motto and the power of art [00:33:01]
• “It’s not a luxury. It’s an essence of life building.” Phyllis Thomas on why art matters [00:42:21]

Timestamps:

• 00:01:42 - Meet Navy veteran and artist Phyllis Thomas
• 00:03:54 - Phyllis’s childhood in Watts and the moment her parents saw her gift
• 00:07:37 - Growing up during Vietnam, funerals, and the Watts riots
• 00:09:53 - How Phyllis found her way into the military
• 00:14:04 - Navy illustration drafting and working with ship blueprints
• 00:18:21 - Being a Black woman in uniform in the early 1970s
• 00:20:01 - Defending herself and helping other women feel safer
• 00:24:10 - Leaving the Navy and continuing her education
• 00:26:30 - Creating Veteran Art Venue
• 00:28:00 - How Paint and Snack sessions work
• 00:31:32 - Why art is essential for veterans
• 00:33:14 - How “visual beyond words” came to life
• 00:34:26 - Paint on the Fence and creative stress release
• 00:37:46 - Johnny Depp’s People’s Art Contest and Phyllis’s mission
• 00:42:01 - Using art to bridge veterans and civilians
• 00:44:12 - Reveille and Retreat Project closing message

About Phyllis Thomas:

Phyllis Thomas is a United States Navy veteran, artist, founder of Veteran Art Venue, and longtime advocate for veteran healing through creative expression. Her work began in childhood in Watts and later became part of her military service through Navy illustration drafting. Today, Phyllis leads art-based programs like Paint and Snack, where veterans can relax, create, connect, and express what may be hard to say out loud. Her mission is to show that art is not extra. It is a powerful tool for emotional health, community, and hope.

Connect and learn more:

Website: https://meroegallery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHYL4art/

Artist Profile: https://peoplesartist.org/phyllis-thomas--6HDi

Magazine Feature: https://simplebooklet.com/avowmagazinewinter20222023 (pages 16–21)

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.