Dog Tag Diaries

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.

Summary:

What does it mean to rebuild your life after service leaves you with both pride and pain?

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Navy veteran Yuri Acuna, whose story moves through family, military service, survival, healing, and purpose.

Yuri shares what it was like growing up in a Mexican-American home shaped by love, culture, and the lasting impact of her father’s Vietnam service. She talks about joining the Navy, finding structure and respect, and then surviving military sexual trauma that changed the course of her life.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of heart. Yuri reflects on therapy, peer support, women veteran sisterhood, and the power of being believed. She also shares how Dune Dog Adventures and The Tide and Heart Project are helping rescue dogs become support animals for women veterans and veteran families.

In this episode, we cover:

• Growing up in a Mexican-American military family
• Why Yuri Acuna chose to join the Navy
• Finding structure, purpose, and respect through service
• Surviving military sexual trauma
• The emotional toll of reporting and being questioned
• Leaving the Navy after trauma and during the events of 9/11
• How therapy and MST support groups helped Yuri heal
• The role of peer support and women veteran sisterhood
• Creating Dune Dog Adventures on the Oregon coast
• Building The Tide and Heart Project to support women veterans, families, and rescue dogs

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “No means no means no means no. It’s a full sentence.” Yuri Acuna on consent and standing her ground [00:20:00]
• “Did you say no? Then that’s it. Enough said.” Yuri Acuna remembering the words that helped her hold onto the truth [00:20:36]
• “I knew there had to be a way to show people that the process works.” Yuri Acuna on saying yes to peer support and healing work [00:27:46]
• “You’re going to make a woman feel so strong. You’re going to make her feel so safe.” Yuri Acuna speaking to Nikita, a rescue dog in training [00:36:11]

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to love, trauma, service, and the stories women carry
• 00:03:01 - Yuri Acuna’s childhood in a Mexican-American military family
• 00:05:29 - Growing up with a Vietnam veteran father and the impact of PTSD
• 00:09:04 - Why Yuri chose to join the Navy
• 00:11:00 - Finding respect, purpose, and pride in service
• 00:12:19 - Yuri shares why her Navy service ended after two years
• 00:13:51 - Reporting military sexual trauma and the investigation that followed
• 00:22:30 - Becoming a peer support specialist by accident
• 00:30:31 - Creating Dune Dog Adventures on the Oregon coast
• 00:34:22 - The mission behind The Tide and Heart Project

About Yuri Acuna:

Yuri Acuna is a Navy veteran, peer support advocate, dog lover, and founder of Dune Dog Adventures and The Tide and Heart Project. After surviving military sexual trauma, she found support through therapy, women veteran groups, and peer connection. Today, she uses her experience to help other women veterans and veteran families feel seen, safe, and supported. Her work on the Oregon coast brings together rescue dogs, trauma-informed care, outdoor healing, and community support.

Connect and learn more:

• Facebook: Dune Dog Adventures
• Instagram: @DuneDogAdventures
• Website: www.dunedogadventures.com

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 step into roles that were never designed with you in mind?

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, we sit down with Colonel Mary Fuller, U.S. Army Retired, whose 28-year career reflects a pivotal era of change for women in the military.

Entering service during the “last of the WACs,” Mary moved into positions that had only recently opened to women and helped shape the standard for those who followed.

From Airborne School to commanding a weather station in Alaska, serving in Germany, and working inside the Pentagon, Mary shares what it looked like to build a career across constantly evolving roles.

This conversation goes deeper than milestones. It explores uncertainty, leadership under pressure, identity, and the long-term impact of being one of the first.

In this episode, we cover:

• Growing up curious, athletic, and driven
• Choosing the Army for opportunity, education, and adventure
• What it meant to be part of the “last of the WACs”
• Becoming one of the first women in Airborne School and combat divisions
• Leading across communications, intelligence, and acquisition roles
• Lessons from assignments in Alaska, Germany, and the Pentagon
• Facing moments of doubt and stepping into the unknown
• Leading in spaces where women were still proving their place
• The power of mentorship and lifelong relationships
• Preparing for transition out of the military
• Why saying yes to opportunity changes everything

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “It’s not about the positions that you hold. It’s about the people that you meet.” Colonel Fuller on the lasting value of military relationships [00:12:13]
• “One of the best lessons I ever learned when I first joined the Army was trust your sergeants.” Colonel Fuller on early leadership [00:14:05]
• “You may hate the job you have. You may hate where they sent you, but it’s not about that. It’s about the people.” Colonel Fuller on finding meaning in service [00:43:39]

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Colonel Mary Fuller’s groundbreaking Army career
• 00:02:08 - Childhood, sports, family history, and growing up with military parents
• 00:06:22 - Studying radio, TV, and film before joining the Army
• 00:08:00 - How civilian jobs led Colonel Fuller to military service
• 00:11:17 - Joining the last direct commission class of the Women’s Army Corps
• 00:13:19 - First assignment as a Signal Corps officer in Germany
• 00:14:05 - Trusting her platoon sergeant and learning how to lead
• 00:18:14 - Airborne School and being assigned to a combat division
• 00:24:31 - The final jump, a lost helmet, and soldiers taking care of each other
• 00:29:53 - Rising through the ranks from second lieutenant to colonel
• 00:35:20 - Women, family decisions, and the hard choices of military life
• 00:39:07 - Preparing for retirement and life after the Army
• 00:43:09 - Colonel Fuller’s advice for women in military service

About Mary Fuller:

Colonel Mary Fuller is a retired U.S. Army officer who served for 28 years during a time of major change for women in the military. She entered during the final chapter of the Women’s Army Corps and became one of the first women in Airborne School and one of the first assigned to a combat division in Germany. Her career included leadership roles in communications, intelligence, acquisitions, and senior Army-level positions at the Pentagon.

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 a veteran’s service is questioned, her trauma is dismissed, and healing feels out of reach? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran Didi Meindok for a powerful conversation about truth, survival, and recovery. Didi shares her experience serving during Operation Desert Storm, the pain of military sexual trauma, and the long fight to have her service and story properly recognized. She also opens up about the support that helped her keep going, including the VA, the National Center for PTSD, Home Base, and the Operation Red Wings Foundation. This episode is a moving reminder that healing is hard work, but it is possible, and no veteran should have to fight alone.

In this episode, we cover:

• Didi’s Navy service during Operation Desert Storm
• What it felt like to have her service questioned and records dismissed
• How institutional erasure can impact veterans’ mental health
• The role of the VA, Vet Centers, and the National Center for PTSD in her care
• How Operation Red Wings Foundation helped Didi return to service and support others
• Didi’s experience at Home Base in Boston and why it changed her healing path
• The power of somatic yoga, self-reflection, and choice in trauma recovery
• Why forgiveness became a way for Didi to reclaim control
• Her advice to women veterans who are still fighting to be seen and heard
• Why veteran-led and community-based support matters

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “I was very, very lost and very, very disenfranchised and really suicidal.” Didi on feeling isolated post-military [00:15:36]
• “I can’t save anybody. They have to save themselves.” Didi on supporting veterans through healing [00:19:32]
• “Finding your way home is possible.” Didi on hope after trauma [00:42:01]

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Didi Meindok’s return to Dog Tag Diaries
• 00:03:07 - Didi recaps joining the Navy and serving during Desert Storm
• 00:04:52 - Returning home and facing erased records, doubt, and official narratives
• 00:07:47 - Finding support through the VA, National Center for PTSD, Home Base, and Operation Red Wings Foundation
• 00:15:25 - Didi opens up about feeling lost, angry, and suicidal after service
• 00:17:39 - Losing a veteran client and stepping back into healing work
• 00:22:14 - What the Home Base program was like day to day
• 00:29:39 - Somatic yoga, trauma, and the body’s response to stress
• 00:35:12 - Forgiveness, faith, and reclaiming control
• 00:40:11 - Didi’s advice to women veterans: never stop

About Didi Meindok:

Didi is a U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm, an attorney, and a trained medical scientist. Known as the FilaEstonian, she comes from a long line of seafarers and is a fierce advocate for truth, justice, and integrity in military service and beyond.

Connect with Didi:

Email: [email protected]

Resources mentioned:

• Home Base https://homebase.org
• National Center for PTSD https://www.ptsd.va.gov
• Vet Center Program https://www.vetcenter.va.gov
• Operation Red Wings Foundation https://orwfoundation.org

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:

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim sits down with Army veteran Makissa Lewis for a deeply honest conversation about service, survival, and sisterhood. Makissa shares her path from Jamaica to New York, then into the Army right out of high school, where she hoped to prove she was stronger than people expected. She opens up about surviving military sexual trauma before there was even common language for it, deploying to Iraq after 9/11, and living with the lasting effects of PTSD. Most of all, she talks about turning pain into purpose by founding My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit that supports women veterans in South Florida. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing often starts when someone decides to create the support they needed most.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Makissa joined the Army straight out of high school
• How books, writing, and faith helped her cope through hard transitions
• Her experience with military sexual trauma in Germany
• What Iraq was like and how combat stress stayed with her after coming home
• Why women veterans are too often unseen in military and civilian systems
• How My Seester, Inc. was born out of a need for real, in-person support
• The healing power of art, community, and women showing up for each other
• Makissa’s advice for women currently serving in the military

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “She survived military sexual trauma before it even had a name.” [00:00:05]
• “I felt it was a, I’ll be able to grow up and show them that I’m not a nerd.” [00:04:30]
• “There was no one protecting me.” [00:15:36]
• “If you don’t deal with your mental, it takes all over your whole world.” [00:27:15]
• “We are so not seen, cause they think we’re invisible.” [00:28:26]
• “The military cannot be the end and be all of everything you are.” [00:40:28]

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Makissa Lewis and her service story
• 00:01:11 - Makissa’s background, Army service, and nonprofit mission
• 00:04:06 - Why she joined the military after high school
• 00:05:01 - Moving from Jamaica to New York and then Florida
• 00:09:31 - Entering the Army in 1996 and adjusting to military life
• 00:14:30 - First duty station in Germany and the trauma she experienced there
• 00:19:42 - Deployment to Iraq after 9/11
• 00:22:40 - PTSD symptoms and the hard return to civilian life
• 00:25:45 - Finding support online and starting My Seester, Inc.
• 00:31:05 - The Retina Project and healing through art and conversation
• 00:35:13 - Supporting deployed women and honoring fallen service members
• 00:37:10 - How Makissa takes care of herself today
• 00:39:18 - Her advice for women still serving
• 00:41:16 - Women Who Serve Magazine nomination and closing reflections

About Makissa Lewis:

Makissa Lewis is an Army veteran who served from 1996 to 2010 and is a combat-disabled survivor of military sexual trauma. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York and South Florida, Makissa joined the military straight out of high school.

After experiencing MST, combat deployment to Iraq, and ongoing challenges accessing equitable care, she began asking critical questions about housing, resources, and support for women veterans. Those questions led her to found My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to serving female veterans in South Florida.

Makissa is also working on an anthology documenting her experiences during and after her military career.

Connect with Makissa:

Instagram: @my_seester

Website: www.myseester.com

Email: [email protected]

Episode note:

This episode includes discussion of military sexual trauma and may be activating for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, confidential help is available.

• VA Military Sexual Trauma Support: Contact your local VA Medical Center and ask to speak with the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Care is available regardless of discharge status.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255 for confidential support 24/7.
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online chat at rainn.org.

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:

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran, leader, speaker, and now author Jenn Donahue. Jenn first appeared on the podcast sharing her military journey and leadership story. Since then, she has turned some of her hardest lessons into a new book, Becoming a Warrior: Harnessing the Power of Self-Doubt.

In this conversation, Jenn opens up about the real reason she wrote the book. It was not to talk about her career, but to help people move forward when fear, pain, and self-doubt try to hold them back. She reflects on the emotional process of writing, the dark season that followed her deployment to Afghanistan, and the system she built to pull herself back.

This episode is about more than a book launch. It is about being seen, owning your story, and learning that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why this book is about helping people move forward, not just telling a military story
• How lessons from military service translate into everyday life and personal growth
• The reality of self-doubt at every level of leadership
• The emotional process of writing and releasing something deeply personal
• What it means to be seen beyond your title or rank
• The importance of celebrating yourself and your milestones
• The power of community and being surrounded by people who show up for you

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “She didn’t write this book to talk about her career. She wrote it to help people move forward.” [00:00:00]
• “Writing a book is really about being vulnerable.” [00:09:01]
• “We all seem to have this mean little voice that’s in the back of our head.” [00:14:44]
• “What we need to do is we need to switch our brain over to a positive bias.” [00:19:21]
• “The warrior framework helped me to find myself again.” [00:25:55]
• “It’s not selfish to try to take care of yourself first.” [00:39:49]

Timestamps:

00:00:30 - Welcome to Season 8 of Dog Tag Diaries and Jenn Donahue’s return

00:01:36 - Jenn’s new book, Becoming a Warrior, and why this conversation matters

00:03:37 - How Jenn and Captain Kim first connected and built a friendship

00:04:21 - Jenn’s book launch celebration and what it meant to be celebrated

00:06:59 - How the book idea grew out of Jenn’s keynote speaking

00:08:40 - Writing the book to help others and facing hard personal truths

00:11:25 - Jenn shares the dark season that inspired the Warrior Framework

00:17:47 - Moving from fear of failure to trusting your own ability

00:19:21 - Retraining the brain and building a positive bias

00:21:16 - Using “Perceive, Assess, Ready, Act” in everyday life

00:24:43 - Jenn reads a powerful excerpt from the book

00:27:26 - How long it took her to write the book

00:28:29 - Early reader feedback and why the book is not just about Jenn

00:30:05 - How support from readers is changing how Jenn sees herself

00:33:44 - Fear, vulnerability, and what release week felt like

00:35:55 - The USA Today bestseller list goal and what success really means

00:38:37 - Jenn’s leadership philosophy: take care of yourself first

00:41:00 - Closing message and support for military women through Reveille and Retreat Project

About Jenn Donahue:

Jenn Donahue is a Navy veteran, former leader, speaker, and author of Becoming a Warrior: Harnessing the Power of Self-Doubt. Drawing from military service, leadership, and personal recovery, she created the Warrior Framework to help people challenge negative thoughts, move through fear, and take action with confidence.

Through her book and speaking work, Jenn encourages others to stop letting self-doubt make their decisions for them. Her story is a strong reminder that even after seasons of pain, burnout, and questioning, it is still possible to rebuild, move forward, and help others do the same.

Connect with Jenn:

Support the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Warrior-Harnessing-Strength-Self-Doubt/dp/B0FW5S12TY

Every order matters right now as Jenn’s book is in the running for the USA Today Best Seller list.

https://www.instagram.com/iamjenndonahue/

https://www.facebook.com/iamjenndonahue/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenndonahue-phd-pe/

Website: www.jenndonahue.com

http://www.thewarriorframework.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FW5S12TY

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:

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran, advocate, and author Leah Stiles.

Leah first appeared on the podcast sharing her journey through military service and life beyond the uniform. Since that conversation, she has transformed many of those experiences into a powerful memoir, Battle Scars & Body Wars.

In this conversation, Leah reflects on the emotional process of writing the book and what it meant to revisit some of the most defining moments of her life. She also shares the deeply moving experience of launching the book surrounded by family, shipmates, mentors, and friends from every chapter of her story.

Her Albany book launch quickly sold out, with readers purchasing multiple copies to share the message and celebrate the courage it takes to speak openly about life after service.

This episode explores the invisible battles many veterans carry and the healing that can begin when those stories are finally told.

At the heart of Leah’s message is a simple but powerful idea. If you need a light, be a light.

In this episode, we cover:

• Leah’s early childhood experiences with homelessness, foster care, and instability
• Why she joined the Navy in search of structure, family, and purpose
• How eating disorders can be hidden and made worse in military culture
• What led her to write Battle Scars and Body Wars, finally
• How memory loss after retirement pushed her to begin recording her story
• Why she turned the book into both a personal story and a resource guide
• Writing for service members, leaders, clinicians, families, and parents
• The fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome she faced while publishing the book
• How community support helped strengthen the medical and research side of her work
• Her emotional return to Albany and visit with youth at a treatment facility
• The sold-out book launch and what it meant to feel truly seen
• Her message, “Need a light, be a light,” and how purpose can grow from pain
• Practical advice for people struggling with food, body image, and shame
• Why no one should have to heal alone

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “There comes a moment when silence becomes heavier than the truth.” [00:12:08]
• “I wrote this book because I survived and because too many others did not.” [00:12:46]
• “I’ve always wondered what my purpose was.” [00:21:10]
• “When you are in the dark, it means your story doesn’t end there.” [00:22:26]
• “You deserve support.” [00:34:22]

Timestamps:

• 00:01:09 - Leah Stiles returns to Dog Tag Diaries and shares what she has been working on
• 00:04:07 - Her childhood, search for structure, and why she joined the Navy
• 00:04:53 - Hiding an eating disorder during recruitment and service
• 00:06:58 - The first real push to write her story into a book
• 00:07:32 - Memory loss after retirement and how it led her to document her life
• 00:09:02 - Building each chapter with research, stories, and support resources
• 00:10:20 - Writing the book for leaders, providers, families, and those struggling
• 00:11:44 - Leah reads a powerful excerpt from Battle Scars and Body Wars
• 00:15:20 - Fear, self-doubt, delays, and launching the book anyway
• 00:17:49 - Becoming an Amazon bestseller and hearing from readers who felt seen
• 00:21:02 - Leah reflects on purpose, pain, and becoming a light for others
• 00:25:34 - Why she chose Albany for the launch and her visit with youth at Northern Rivers
• 00:29:31 - A sold-out event, emotional response, and community support
• 00:33:56 - Leah’s advice for anyone struggling with eating disorders
• 00:36:50 - Why healing begins with one trusted person and one small step

Leah Stiles is a Navy veteran, advocate, nonprofit founder, and now author of Battle Scars and Body Wars: A Personal and Professional Journey Shining a Light on Eating Disorders in the Military. She is the founder of SeaWaves, a nonprofit that supports veterans and others affected by eating disorders, and she has become a strong voice for honest conversations around service, trauma, identity, and healing.

Through her writing, public speaking, and advocacy, Leah is helping others understand that eating disorders do not always look the way people expect, and that support should never be out of reach. Her story is a moving reminder that survival can lead to purpose, and that sharing the truth can help someone else stay here.

Connect with Leah:

https://linktr.ee/SEAWAVESORG

Grab a copy of her book: https://a.co/d/0aqYkYfh

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 feel like to put the uniform back on when your life at home has changed so much? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Dakota Olsen-Harris returns to the show for an honest talk about getting ready for her third deployment, this time as a wife and mother of five. She shares how this season feels heavier in new ways, especially with a toddler at home and older kids she will be leaving for the first time for such a long stretch.

Dakota opens up about guilt, fear, missing milestones, and the deep love behind those emotions. She also shares the steps she is taking to help her children stay connected, why counseling helped her, and how support from family, friends, church, and community can make a real difference for military families.

In this episode, we cover:

• Dakota’s military path from enlisting in high school to becoming an officer
• Her first two deployments to Iraq and the UAE
• What it feels like to prepare for a third deployment to Germany
• The emotional weight of leaving as a mother of five
• Helping kids cope through FaceTime, games, and a deployment wall
• Her fear of being forgotten by her young daughter
• Creating keepsakes like a voice-recorded stuffed animal
• Missing birthdays, school events, and big family moments
• Reaching out for counseling and learning how to process guilt and fear
• Advice for military moms and families facing deployment
• The role spouses, pets, and support systems play during long separations
• Leading soldiers well while also caring about their families back home

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “It hits you when you least expect it and when you do expect it.” [00:06:41]
• “I have this deep-seated fear of being forgotten.” [00:13:37]
• “I think there’s guilt and fear.” [00:20:18]
• “I need to be able to talk to someone else about what’s going on.” [00:22:37]
• “It’s okay to feel those heavy emotions because that’s truly a gift.” [00:23:51]

Timestamps:

• 00:02:45 - Dakota recaps her military journey and early service
• 00:04:21 - What deployment feels like now as a wife and mother of five
• 00:06:03 - The emotions that hit as deployment gets closer
• 00:08:07 - Why she switched to public affairs and chose to see opportunity in this mission
• 00:10:49 - Preparing the kids through games, FaceTime, and a deployment wall
• 00:13:37 - Fear of being forgotten and making her daughter a voice-recorded Build-A-Bear
• 00:16:44 - Missing milestones, birthdays, and everyday family moments
• 00:20:18 - Guilt, fear, and getting counseling support
• 00:23:35 - Dakota’s advice for military moms getting ready to deploy
• 00:29:48 - The weight carried by spouses and partners at home
• 00:33:40 - Leading soldiers with care and making sure families feel supported

Dakota Olsen-Harris joined the military while still in high school, driven by a desire to see the world and build a future for herself. Over the years, she has served as an enlisted soldier, completed ROTC, became a combat engineer, deployed to Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and later moved into public affairs. She is now preparing for her third deployment, this time to Germany.

Along with her military service, Dakota is also a readjustment counselor at the Vet Center, a co-founder of the Reveille and Retreat Project, and a strong advocate for military women and families. In this season of life, she is serving while also carrying the very real emotions of being a present mother, wife, and leader. Her story is a reminder that strength and vulnerability can live side by side.

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 a woman spends nearly two decades in uniform, then has to figure out who she is without it? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, former Captain Ashley Miller shares the long road that took her from a horse-loving small-town girl in Missouri to enlisted soldier, Army officer, intelligence professional, disaster responder, and now licensed clinical social worker. Her story is honest, thoughtful, and full of hard-earned wisdom about identity, pain, purpose, and starting over.

Ashley opens up about growing up with family trauma, surviving intense bullying as a teen, joining the Army at 17, and serving through major turning points that shaped her life. She talks about Hurricane Katrina, military leadership, the stress of transition, and the moment she knew it was time to build a new life. She also shares how horses, therapy, and community helped her heal, and why she now helps women veterans reconnect with themselves and move forward.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Growing up in rural Missouri and finding peace with horses
2. Family trauma, mental health, and learning to survive hard home dynamics
3. Severe bullying in high school and graduating early through homeschooling
4. Joining the Army National Guard at 17 and going through basic training
5. Starting as enlisted, then commissioning as an officer through ROTC
6. How 9/11 changed her career path and kept her in the National Guard
7. Leading communications support during Hurricane Katrina
8. Transitioning into Military Intelligence and working in England, Germany, and Washington, D.C.
9. The financial and leadership crisis that pushed her to leave the military
10. Becoming a social worker and creating a new mission helping women veterans heal
11. Why mentorship matters and the advice she gives women entering military service

Notable Quotes & Moments:

1. “When I’m with my horse, I feel so like myself.” – Ashley Miller [00:06:34]
2. “I just figured life out because I was like, this was not the plan.” – Ashley Miller [00:25:42]
3. “I felt like the universe was telling me, Ashley, it is okay for a new okay.” – Ashley Miller [00:32:50]
4. “I love being a mentor for others now.” – Ashley Miller [00:40:33]
5. “Do not ever try and be one of the boys.” – Ashley Miller [00:42:07]
6. “You have the capability. You have the brains. You have the competency.” – Ashley Miller [00:42:21]

Timestamps:

1. 00:01:59 – Meet former Captain Ashley Miller and hear the arc of her story
2. 00:05:31 – Childhood in rural Missouri and a lifelong bond with horses
3. 00:08:20 – Family trauma, PTSD in the home, and why horses felt safe
4. 00:10:10 – Bullying, injustice, and leaving high school early
5. 00:12:12 – Homeschooling, graduating at 16, and joining the Army at 17
6. 00:13:16 – Basic training at Fort Jackson and early military culture shock
7. 00:18:22 – Enlisted years, ROTC, and becoming an Army officer
8. 00:19:23 – How 9/11 changed her expected military path
9. 00:21:09 – Hurricane Katrina and leading in disaster response
10. 00:26:12 – Transitioning into Military Intelligence
11. 00:30:54 – Why she knew it was time to leave the military
12. 00:38:34 – Studying social work and moving toward a new purpose
13. 00:41:53 – Ashley’s advice to women entering or serving in the military

Ashley joined the U.S. Army in 1999 at just 17 years old. Over nearly two decades, she served as an enlisted Soldier, commissioned Officer, Department of Defense contractor, and Department of the Army Civilian. Her service includes disaster response missions, tours at national-level intelligence agencies, and leadership across multiple components of the Army.

After resigning her commission in 2016, Ashley transitioned intentionally, earning her Master of Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Today, through her private practice, she supports Veterans navigating reintegration, identity shifts, trauma recovery, and personal growth.

She is also a lifelong equestrian, a 1996 National Champion in Competitive Trail Riding through the North American Trail Ride Conference, and certified in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Ashley now integrates horses, healing, and her deep understanding of military culture to help women Veterans reconnect, heal, and thrive.

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.hopeandrenewalcounseling.com/

Facebook: Petunia.smith.56

Instagram: @ashleyandthebogey

Contact: [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 healing look like when years of silence finally break? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Val Fogelsang shares the road that took her from a curious, outdoorsy homeschool kid in Texas to an Army combat medic, OR nurse, forensic nurse, and podcast host. Her story is honest, painful, funny, and deeply human. What started as a childhood dream of serving in the military became a life shaped by service, trauma, motherhood, faith, and the slow work of finding her voice again.

Val opens up about growing up in a hard home, joining the Army at 18, surviving sexual trauma, and carrying pain for years without the words to name it. She also shares how healing began, how she learned to stop hiding, and why she now helps others tell the truth through her podcast, Defiance of Silence. Her story is a strong reminder that pain may shape us, but it does not have to define us.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Growing up in Texas, homeschooling, and finding safety in nature and books
2. Early dreams of becoming an Army nurse
3. Childhood trauma, silence, and the weight of generational pain
4. Joining the Army after high school and starting over
5. Basic training, culture shock, and serving as a woman in uniform
6. Surviving military sexual trauma and keeping it buried for years
7. How nursing school helped bring hidden pain to the surface
8. The life-changing moment she unexpectedly saw her assailant again
9. Learning to ask for help during depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
10. How healing led her to support survivors through Defiance of Silence

Notable Quotes & Moments:

1. “You were carrying things that were never yours to carry.” – Val Fogelsang [00:13:40]
2. “I am not well.” – Val Fogelsang [00:17:12]
3. “I never looked back.” – Val Fogelsang [00:23:01]
4. “You’re not alone.” – Val Fogelsang [00:43:07]
5. “What you don’t transform will transfer to your children.” – Val Fogelsang [00:46:15]

Timestamps:

1. 00:01:06 – Meet Val Fogelsang and hear a preview of her story
2. 00:03:47 – Childhood in Texas, homeschooling, and finding comfort outdoors
3. 00:08:09 – Dreaming of becoming an Army nurse
4. 00:10:26 – Childhood abuse, trauma, and learning to shut feelings down
5. 00:18:20 – Why Val joined the Army at 18
6. 00:23:43 – Basic training, medic school, and early military life
7. 00:27:02 – First duty station and surviving sexual assault
8. 00:30:23 – Nursing school and first hearing the term military sexual trauma
9. 00:36:03 – The moment she saw her assailant again in public
10. 00:41:49 – COVID, mental health struggles, and finding other veteran women
11. 00:43:13 – Creating Defiance of Silence and helping survivors speak
12. 00:46:15 – The lesson that changed how she sees healing and motherhood

Valerie “Val” Foglesong is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, Registered Nurse, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. A trauma survivor turned healer, Val is dedicated to helping others rediscover their voice and self-worth through compassion, authenticity, and laughter. She’s the host of the Defiance of Silence Podcast, a show that gives survivors of sexual trauma a space to share their stories without shame. When she’s not in scrubs or behind the mic, Val can be found volunteering at a horse sanctuary, swapping dad jokes, or chasing her next wild adventure with her husband and two daughters in Texas.

Connect with Val:

Podcast: Defiance of Silence Podcast

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.