Mel interviews Adam Evans, Chief Strategy Officer of Instant Handz and Air Force Spouse diving into the topics of community, resilience and the power of connection. Adam shares his experience and work with Instant Handz, a community company connecting military families with their neighbors to earn additional income along with wisdom he has gained throughout the years. Learn ways to begin connecting with the community, the power of presence and the value of service for one another. Learn more about Instant Handz at www.instanthandz.com 

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.   

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Mel and Marty discuss the topic of money, mindset, and financial management as they have a light hearted and honest conversation on experiences of finance from both business and personal experiences. Learn the power of perspective, unpack your relationship with money, discover perspectives to aid ease, and learn how your relationship with money impacts your perspective on freedom, peace and relationships.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Marty connects with Kimberly Andersen, Director of Wellness at Endeavors, and they discuss the challenges of transition and finding ways to "stand in the gap" and remove barriers for care. Military families are a unique subculture within the larger population so we tend to compartmentalize experiences and learn to "embrace the suck". In this episode, Kimberly talks about the myriad of programs offered at Endeavors to help unpack negative emotions and address the physical, social, and clinical issues that are detrimental to the health of military families, especially during the transitional period.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Marty talks to Glorygrace Dickenson, wear blue: run to remember, to learn more about Gold Star families and the overwhelming challenge of moving forward after losing a loved one in combat. The mental and emotional toll of these tragedies affects all aspects of health but there is a community and resources to help these families. In this powerful episode, GG talks about how wear blue: run to remember allows families to celebrate the life of their loved one by taking purposeful steps towards healing.  

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.  

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Mel and Marty interview Maria Gonzales, Humana Military, to learn more about the vision for Operation Within and its role in the overall wellness of the military community.  We discuss Maria's collaboration with local partners and some of the engagements that led up to the podcast all while maintaining a military household, staying active, going to school, and balancing a professional career. This episodes highlight how it takes a village to promote promote health initiatives and provide critical resources to support military families.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Mel and Marty talk about the challenges of parenthood and some of the taboos associated with the transition period following childbirth. From postpartum depression to the feeling of a depleted life force, the "4th Trimester" can be daunting for mothers who are balancing their physical health, relationship with their spouse, professional career, and a growing family. In this episode, Mel talks about ways to harness the power from within to overcome negative energy and regain control of one's life.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Mel interviews Phil Sussman, a Special Operations Civil Affairs Officer currently undergoing a medical separation board out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Phil has served as a Scout Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Squadron Planner, Team Leader and Company Operations Chief and has deployed multiple times in support of operations in the Middle East. He most recently returned from Syria in December 2020.

Prior to joining the Army, Phil worked as a photojournalist, covering war in the Middle East and news on the home front.

After a training accident in 2015 in which he suffered a back injury, Phil found yoga to assist with his healing and help recover from the loss of several men from his unit the previous year.

Phil founded American Yogi in 2017 with his brother with the goal of bringing yoga and mindfulness to those who need it most. American Yogi has evolved from a t-shirt brand to a movement, a community, and a tribe of men and women who want to bring peaceful transformation to their lives and to those around them.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Marty interviews Eric Cooper, President and CEO of San Antonio Food Bank.  Eric shares stories of hope and resilience and describes how acts of service can nourish the soul.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Mel interviews Wendy Fish, Integrative Health Coach and True North Program Manager for the 37th Training Wing, U.S. Air Force. Wendy shares how her experience as a military spouse and cancer survivor have helped her to find her purpose and significance.   

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.    

Podcast Disclaimer:  The conversations and information provided are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not reflect the view of Humana Military or the Department of Defense.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752

Listener discretion advised. This episode covers content that may be triggering due to vulnerable and sensitive conversations around the topics of suicide, trauma, and loss. If you or anyone knows someone struggling with suicidal ideations, please contact the suicide military crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255, press 1

Marty and Mel have an open and honest discussion about suicide in the military and how it’s impacted their lives.  They suggest introducing compassion and grace into conversations surrounding suicide awareness and prevention.

Operation Within is a community-driven, collective-impact project serving the military community.  This program is a pilot program supported by Humana Military and community partners in San Antonio, TX to model meaningful ways to support mental health, connection and mindfulness. Connect with us on FB Operation Within and IG Operation Within.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operationwithin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operation-Within-106187221690752