Bill Protzmann is a man of many hats. Not only has he been a successful businessman and an award-winning musician, but he has discovered how to use music to help heal those who have been affected by trauma by using music for self-care.

In 2011, he launched Music Care Inc, a for-profit corporation dedicated to providing education in music as adjunct treatment for post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. In this episode, Bill talks about how music saved his life and how he is now helping others by showing them the power of music care.

Bill Protzmann Home: http://www.billprotzmann.com/

Practical Heart Skills: http://www.practicalheartskills.com/

San Diego Veterans Coalition: http://sdvetscoalition.org/

There is a very important conversation happening in America right now surrounding sexual assault. And while we had this interview scheduled long before some of the recent events unfolded, the timing couldn't be more important for her story to be told.

We are extending our deep-dive series on suicide prevention for veterans, and today I am honored to talk to Jalitza Cardona. She is a Veteran and a mental health advocate after surviving sexual assault and is now making it her mission to impress upon others that they are not alone…and that help is waiting for them.

Sexual assault is discussed but the specific acts or details of assault are not.

Warriors Live On Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Wounded Warrior Project: https://warriorsliveon.org/

In this episode, we talk with Stephen Padilla about how entrenching himself in the Veteran community has not only been beneficial for his wellbeing; but also shows that through therapy and community, there was a way out of a vicious circle of traumas. Steven a US Army OIF veteran who looked for IED's (roadside bombs) as well as aided in training the 12th Iraqi FER (Field Engineer Regiment) in 2009. He is also a Former Field Coordinator for the Western Region for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and is currently working to improve mental health care for veterans at the Get Headstrong Organization. Using his struggles as a motivator, he has had dinners with celebrities such as Kate Mara, Courtney Jai and has been invited to the Afghan Embassy and the White House to watch President Obama sign a Veterans Suicide bill into law.

Headstrong: http://getheadstrong.org/

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): http://iava.org/

IAVA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAVA.org/

Sometimes, regular talk-therapy isn't enough for Veterans to manage their mental health challenges. And sometimes, the spiritual injury from the things they have seen and done in wartime is too much to bear. That is why the incredible organization The Mighty Oaks Foundation exists.

In this episode, we sit down with Mighty Oaks Foundation Executive Director, and USMC Infantry Officer and Iraq Veteran Jeremy Stahlnecker to discuss "out of the box" solutions for Veterans suffering spiritually, dealing with additions, family difficulties, and the challenges they face transitioning back to civilian life...that are free.

Might Oaks Warrior Programs: http://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/

Learn more out their book "March or Die": https://mighty-oaks-store.myshopify.com/

Shad Meshad is a voice that encourages empathy for Veterans because he witnessed so much in Vietnam, as well as the shock of coming home to (at times) a hostile and dangerous homecoming from Americans.

Not only is Shad a soldier; he is also a mental health clinician and expert in PTSD. In this episode, we get to hear Shad's insight and stories of wartime; as well as what things Veterans need to survive and thrive after coming home.

CALL Life Line for Vets: 888.777.4443

National Veterans Foundation: https://nvf.org/

Blog on the Huffington Post: www.huffingtonpost.com/author/shad-meshad 

Book: Captain for dark mornings: A true story amzn.to/2x92vH2

Military Veterans face a whole new reality and set of challenges when they transition to civilian life. Imagine being a young adult who is just starting out in life being thrown into a life that is full of trauma, death, structure, and brother/sisterhood only to come home and be paralyzed by simple tasks like making decisions at the grocery store? How do you integrate back into a world that has not seen the horrors you have seen or understand what you have gone through? Today, Joe shares his raw story of how he was able to claw his way out of the darkness to living a life of compassion and how is he now educating others by sharing his own experience. And his wife Julie graciously shares what reality is like for their family supporting Joe through his challenges...and his mission.

The Meditation Initiative: https://www.meditationinitiative.org/

Warriors Live On: https://warriorsliveon.org/

Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Suicide is not an easy topic to talk about. And because of the stigma surrounding suicide, many survivors of suicide may feel shunned, guilty, and alone. But this needs to change to help end the vicious cycle. In this episode, we talk with Joyce Bruggeman, the Executive Director of the amazing organization Survivors of Suicide Loss in San Diego to discuss why sharing our stories of suicide is so important for not only healing, but to also help prevent others from taking their own lives. Joyce is joined by Floyd Strayer, a Veteran who is dedicating his time to share his own stories of how he has been affected by suicide.

Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL): https://www.soslsd.org/

SOSL’s 3rd Annual Ride for Life & After Party: https://www.soslsd.org/get-involved/sosls-3rd-annual-ride-for-life-after-party/

www.facebook.com/SOSLsd

SOSL’s Walk in Remembrance With Hope: https://walkinginhopesd.rallybound.org/

http://www.floydstrayer.com/

In our first episode of The Power of the Story: Conversations Around Veteran Suicide, we sit down with William Felty and Sara Correll. Both William and Sara are integral members of the San Diego Veteran community and are working tirelessly to reach out to those Veterans and families that may be struggling. Learn why the current state of mental health help for Veterans is frustrating William and fueling his passion to ensure not another Veteran dies by their own hand.

William Felty email: [email protected]

Sara Correll email: [email protected]

Battle Buddies: The 22 Push-up Challenge: https://www.youroxygenmaskfirst.com/powerofastory-veteransuicide#battle-buddies-22-push-up-a-day-challenge

https://www.youroxygenmaskfirst.com/powerofastory-veteransuicide#veterans-crisis-outreach

Do you or someone you know need assistance in getting a psychiatric service animal? It can be daunting to jump through the hoops or even ask for help. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie L. Taylor to discuss her journey to getting a service animal (even as a mental health clinician herself!) and her new book (Animals That Heal: The Role of Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals in Mental Health Treatment) aimed at helping others navigate this experience.

https://www.facebook.com/WingsOfLibertyTherapy/

https://www.stephltaylor.com/

Animals That Heals: https://amzn.to/2BOc97h

Are you feeling burnt out? Are you ready to change your outlook on your helping profession but not sure how? Today, we talk to former 9-1-1 Dispatcher Ryan Dedmon of Kim Turner LLC and the 911 Training Institute to help answer these questions and why he says we should "be like a redwood tree."

Email: [email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/ryandedmon911/

https://www.facebook.com/911traininginstitute/

http://twitter.com/_911TI_

https://thekimturner.com/