Welcome to episode 12 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. I’m your host, Dr. Barb Thompson. Here we broadcast stories of everyday men and women who’ve answered a call to serve in hopes of inspiring and catalyzing the rest of us to follow suit in our own way. Today’s interview is with Michael Sugrue. Michael is an Air Force Veteran, Retired Law Enforcement Officer, author, and father.In today’s conversation, Michael tells us his story, taking us back to a traumatic critical incident one Friday morning that completely changed his life and how the hundreds of accounts of trauma in his law enforcement career eventually led to his book Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma. Listen in to hear how Michael turned a life full of trauma into one filled with hope and a purpose to save countless other first responders by demolishing the stigma of asking for help.Michael is courageous and full of humility. His desire to rescue may have begun when he was just 8 years old looking up to his stepfather during his career in law enforcement, but it is now fully coming to fruition. Michael suffered from post-traumatic stress for several years before finding a trusted and competent therapist. The negative stigma of asking for help at the time kept him believing that his symptoms made him weak, that he couldn’t feel the way he did and still be a warrior. He was ashamed to speak about it and suffered in silence for years. However, he is living proof, as he says, that real strength and courage are demonstrated in one’s act of asking for help when it’s needed. He believes that the strength and power of sharing his story…or your story…is where true healing begins.If you have ever dealt with trauma or are dealing with it now, please listen. And if you know any first responders, please share this with them or go ahead and buy Relentless Courage on their behalf and send it to them. This book is saving lives and helping those of us close to first responders better understand them and their experiences. Michael had the opportunity to co-author this book with psychologist Dr. Shauna Springer, who also wrote the book WARRIOR: How to Support Those who Protect Us. If you’re in the military or law enforcement, you are probably well versed on Lt Col Dave Grossman’s books, On Combat and On Killing, which I know from personal experience have been excellent resources for the people I’ve worked with in the Special Operations community. Speaking of Michael’s book Relentless Courage, Grossman says, “it is truly the natural and essential successor to my book On Combat”. For a direct link to Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, please see the show notes. Michael enjoys connecting with first responders and those that support them from all over the world; consider connecting with him on social media. Thank you for listening! To Purchase Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, click the link below:https://www.amazon.com/RELENTLESS-COURAGE-Winning-Against-Frontline/dp/1736824414

Welcome to episode 9 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. Here we broadcast stories of everyday men and women who’ve answered a call to serve in hopes of inspiring and catalyzing the rest of us to follow suit in our own way. Today’s interview is with Eric Hohman. Eric is a former Combat Controller, MBA, and president of the First There Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure current and former Combat Controllers know they have teammates ready to assist them when life becomes difficult. They help coordinate access to medical, mental, and substance abuse treatments and provide emergency financial assistance, career guidance, and help connect families to various support services. First There honors past, present, and future Combat Controllers by raising awareness of their vital contributions to armed conflicts and natural disasters throughout American history. 2022 was their first year and they helped 22 Controllers and 7 family members. They are on pace to help more of their members with job placement, medical aid, and telling their story.

In today’s conversation, Eric takes us through his own story, highlighting some of the pain he has experienced and how those experiences have given him the insight he needed to help others today. Specifically, Eric talks about survivor’s guilt, depression, using alcohol to self-medicate, and suicidal ideation. These are not uncommon for combat veterans, especially following their separation from service due to several losses occurring simultaneously such as the loss of purpose, loss of belonging and support, and the loss of identity.

However, if there is anything at all you hear from Eric’s story, I want you to hear this: Number 1: Having any of these or other symptoms does not make you weak. I will say that again: Having these or other symptoms does not make you weak. 2: You are not alone. I’ve worked with the most elite military men and women in the world and they too struggle with all of the symptoms mentioned and more. 3: Not reaching out and talking to someone is the easiest way for THIS enemy to defeat you. THIS enemy will whisper lies to you all day long to keep you from growing and healing. 4: Like other enemies you have faced, you can beat this one. Do not, as Eric says, suffer in silence. Call me or call Eric or call someone you know and talk today, right now.

I hope this conversation gives you hope today. This episode is dedicated to Chris “AZ” Rush. For more information on the First There Foundation, Combat Controllers, or resources for support, please take a look at the show notes. Thank you for listening!

Additional resources:

The history of First There: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-combat-controllers-first-there/

Chris “AZ” Rush: https://www.1stthere.org/about/chris-az-rush/

To Donate: https://www.1stthere.org/donate

Welcome to episode 8 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. Today’s interview is with Jon Dodson. Jon is the CEO of Pivot Project Development, a company whose purpose is to develop beautiful projects that promote human flourishing, create shared value for their stakeholders, and have an enduring impact on their communities.

I had the great opportunity to grow up with Jon in Stillwater, Oklahoma. From the time I met him in 6th grade, he has stood out for being radically kind, thoughtful, brave, and generous. As a young man, he set an example of loving the unloved and standing up for the underdog. The work he is doing today may be more complex yet it speaks of similar characteristics as evidenced by his company’s values of empathy, resilience, excellence, thoughtfulness, and my personal favorite, joyful disruption.

In today’s conversation, Jon takes us through his own story, highlighting some of the pain he has experienced and how those experiences have impacted how he shows up today. Too often, we see examples of individual discomfort, pain, and tragedy leading to a self-focused perspective in life, looking out for number one, as they say, putting up walls, and keeping others out. This is not the story you’ll hear today. Jon’s life is an example of being grateful for every experience and believing that they are producing in you the capacity to serve others in a unique way. His story is proof that you can serve others by creating relationships outside of your comfort zone and allowing them to help you increase in wisdom no matter your background, skills, or profession.

I hope this conversation helps you reflect on your own experiences to this point and how they have been used to mold you into a powerful tool for good works. For more information on Pivot Project Development, East Point, Restore OKC, or Urban Land Institute, check out the show notes. Thank you for listening!

Additional resources:

Pivot Project Development: https://www.pivotproject.com

For more about Urban Land Institute, visit their website here: https://uli.org

For an excellent article chronicling the history of EastPoint and Pivot Project Development’s involvement, visit it here: https://wwwoklahoman.com/story/news/2021/07/11/grocery-development-neglected-east-okc-getting-national-attention/7519757002/

Restore OKC: https://www.restoreokc.com

Welcome to episode 7 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. Today’s interview is with Brandon Wood. Brandon is a husband, father, Special Operations Veteran, and Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at Aberdeen First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, NC.

I had the great opportunity to work alongside Brandon for a few years in our previous positions. He is insightful, caring, generous, and humble. I witnessed how he held up and supported so many men and women in our unit when we lost one of our own. His character was a bright light in a very dark place.

In today’s conversation, Brandon takes us through his own path of service, highlighting some of the extreme pain, heartache, and brokenness he has experienced. Have you ever hit so many obstacles you question if you’re heading on the right path? This is the conversation you may need to hear today. If you’ve ever felt like going through hardship disqualifies you from making a mighty impact in the world around you, you’ll be encouraged by Brandon’s story. Brandon’s life is proof that brokenness may just be the thing that best equips you for the healing that comes through serving others.

I hope this conversation holds you up on your journey today and that Brandon’s words help bring you peace. For more information on Personal Rescue, CSAR, the SOCOM Care Coalition, see below. Thank you for listening!

Key words:

Personnel Recovery (also know as “PR”): the sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to prepare for and execute the recovery and reintegration of isolated personnel

CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue): There are several options to recover isolated personnel, but combat search and rescue (CSAR) is the Air Force’s preferred method. The Air Force organizes, trains, and equips unique forces that focus specifically on personnel recovery (PR). When PR assets cannot avoid the threat on their own, other assets can be employed to protect the recovery forces thereby permitting PR to proceed with the best chance of success. CSAR represents the Air Force’s method for PR in both denied and hostile environments.

Resources:

SOCOM Care Coalition: https://www.socom.mil/care-coalition

The U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition) was established in 2005 to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) Wounded, Ill, or Injured Service Members and their families advocacy after life-changing events in order to navigate through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration as quickly as possible, strengthening SOF readiness. Whether you are returning to operational status, moving into a different field, or transitioning into veteran status, the USSOCOM Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition) will help you get there.

Welcome to episode 6 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. Here we broadcast stories of men and women who’ve answered the call to serve in hopes of inspiring and catalyzing the rest of us to follow suit in our own way. Today’s interview is with Steve Nisbet. Steve is a husband, father, Special Operations Veteran, and the co-founder of Shields and Stripes, a non-profit on a mission to provide free innovative, intensive, and holistic care for veterans and first responders.

I had the great opportunity to work alongside Steve for a few years in our previous positions. He is driven, bright, thoughtful, and humble. His kindness in welcoming an outsider into the fold surprised me when I first arrived at the unit several years ago. He was willing to share the turf with a slow girl and didn’t even talk too much trash.

In today’s conversation, I was struck by several themes I believe are worth mentioning upfront. If you’ve ever felt like life has brought you through a winding, twisted, and uncertain path, you’re in good company. Has anyone ever told you you’re not good enough or you won’t make it? Stay and listen. And if your life of service has exposed you to loss after loss and you’re wondering how to keep going, you need to hear Steve’s story. Today, he courageously takes us through his greatest struggles, his journey towards health and wholeness, and how he’s revolutionizing the treatment possibilities for veterans and first responders through intensive and holistic care.

I hope this conversation offers you encouragement on your journey and that the fire to keep going that Steve talks about is fueled in you today. Thank you for listening!

If you would like to change the life of a veteran or first responder, please consider contributing by using the link below:

https://shieldsandstripes.org/

Welcome to episode 5 of the In the Name of Service Podcast. Today’s interview is with Amy Nash. Amy is the mother of two, the wife of a retired Marine Special Operations Veteran, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently serving at Special Operations Command Africa.

I had the great opportunity to work alongside Amy for a few years in our previous positions. She is driven, insightful, and unafraid to support individuals during their most challenging seasons. I admire her greatly for her poise, courage, humility, and ability to hold tight to her own health & well-being so she can continue to help others.

In today’s conversation, you’ll notice a few themes that have served Amy well in her life and career and continue to help those she serves. One theme is expectation management which means communicating in a way that every person involved has a clear understanding of what to expect and when to expect it, keeping an open dialogue, making the process collaborative, and promising only what can realistically be delivered. The second is taking inventory- a process by which you intentionally take time to pause and consider your interests, values, and behaviors, all of which can provide insight into yourself, offer you encouragement as you see the areas in which you have grown, and challenge you with new areas for growth and development.

Since Amy and her family are serving abroad, our connection wasn’t the greatest, which you may notice in the quality of the audio. That aside, this conversation will offer you practical ways to think and communicate about your service, creating the most solid fit between your work, your loved ones, and your phase of life. If you’re at all interested in the field of social work, please listen and share as Amy describes the breadth and depth of this helping profession, and check out the show notes. Amy provided several helpful links and resources for more information. One of those is sound-off, the first and only mental health resource for veterans, service members, and intelligence officers that allows both anonymity and repeat contact with a clinician or peer support. I hope this episode encourages you in the work before you today. Thank you for listening!

Resources/Links:

https://sound-off.com is something Amy recently volunteered her time for. Sound Off is the first and only mental health resource for veterans, service members, and intelligence officers, allowing anonymity and repeat contact with clinicians or peer support. I’d encourage peers and clinicians who want to continue serving the military community to look into programs like this.

If you'd like to connect with Amy on LinkedIn, you can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-nash-b75b411b3

Two foundations that are meaningful to Amy and provide services for veterans:

https://reconfoundation.org

https://marineraiderfoundation.org