This week on "Next Steps Forward," host Chris Meek speaks with Dr. Albert "Skip" Rizzo, director of medical virtual reality at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies, about BraveMind, the virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy program Rizzo created to successfully treat post-traumatic stress (PTS) in veterans. Aside from discussing that groundbreaking technology and treatment in-depth, Rizzo will also touch on how other revolutionary medical technology advancements are paving the way we address mental health. Joining the conversation is Chris Merkle, a 14-year U.S. Marine combat veteran who has directly benefited from the BraveMind technology during his own experiences with PTS. Merkle will also introduce ways that we can all work to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and speak on the feelings of empowerment that volunteering in his own community has afforded him.

Rorke T. Denver, a U.S. Navy SEALs commander and founder of the motivational brand Ever Onward, speaks with "Next Steps Forward" host Chris Meek about his experiences running every phase of SEALs training and leading special forces teams in international hot spots. In addition, they will discuss Denver's novels Worth Dying For and bestseller Damn Few, his appearances on FOX competition series American Grit, and the hit film Act of Valor. Denver will give an inside look into the SEAL principles to call leaders to take action and display boldness on their journey to reaching new levels. Rorke will walk listeners through these same principles to take their next steps into a more satisfying life.

In the inaugural episode of "Next Steps Forward With Chris Meek" Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Executive Director of The President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force and founder of the national nonprofit Give an Hour, speaks with Chris about how to improve overall mental health; and the importance of mental health care accessibility for those who need it, including our country's service members and veterans. They'll also discuss PREVENT's national public health campaign REACH, which is aimed at preventing suicide. Van Dahlen speaks candidly about changing the public approach and culture surrounding mental health and how we can best reach those who need help the most.