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In this episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Navy Veteran and 7-time marathoner Yuma Haidara about her journey to the Navy, nursing, and a path to a career in commercial truck driving with Walmart. Yuma sees the road in front of her as an opportunity, and at the same time with just enough adventure. She holds a unique balance of bonding with fellow veterans, while finding strength on her own, trucking cross country, running anywhere from 3.1 to 26.2-mile races, and building her own business of organic skincare products, “A Yummy Life.” Yuma's strength also comes from confronting vulnerability and accepting the fact that asking for help makes us stronger.

In this episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg sits with Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen: Couple, and Cofounders of Raven Drum Foundation, leading events to heal and build resiliency through the arts for 23 years. Prior to experiencing a community drum circle with over 70 veterans and 1st responders hosted by philanthropist Ernie Boch Jr., Lauren takes us to 2001 - helping Rick through his own trauma with mindfulness, and describes mind-heart-coherence for ourselves and community. Rick reminds us that we are rhythmic beings, how he's seen people open up in a sacred space that the drum circles create, and how in 2006 a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center connected him to injured veterans in a powerful way, bringing us further back to the 1984 accident when he lost his arm, went through rehabilitation, PTSD and discovered new possibilities for a continued career with Def Leppard. Lauren tells us about next identities and training yourself to be the warrior you need to be, and how people can heal their own pain through helping others, and about her song Brave's echoing line, "Shine the light through the dark, and carry what's been broken apart."

Commander Billie June (BJ) Farrell grew up in Kentucky and at age 10 something about the Naval Academy just clicked. Seven years later she enrolled at the Academy, and in 2004 was commissioned. Commander Farrell as served as an officer aboard the USS Vella Gulf, USS San Jacinto, and the USS Vicksburg. And on January 21st, 2022 she moved with her husband, Navy Officer Paul Farrell and two young kids to Charlestown, MA to report as the 77th Commander of the USS Constitution. 224 years later, she was the first woman to take command since the launch of this iconic ship in 1797. Commander Farrell talks about leadership, service, and her Boston experience with family, mental health support and how "if I don't know... I can't help."

Retired Navy SEAL Capt. Ryan Croley founded the Warrior For Life Fund (WFLF) in 2012 after never skating or picking up a hockey stick until his mid-thirties, creating an opportunity for veterans, active duty servicemembers and families to meet and compete on the ice no matter the skill level, ability…or disability. Frank Simonetti played for the Boston Bruins from 1984-1988, and as a Bruins Alumni continues to help raise funds and awareness for people in need through organizations like WFLF. With some pre-game smack talk for the tied series between the Bruins Alumni and WFLF Teams, and a conversation about the therapeutic bonds on and off the ice, Dr. Ron talks with Ryan and Frank at Home Base, overlooking the USS Constitution – an appropriate backdrop for a Bostonian Bruin, and a Navy Veteran.

On the show today, Marine Veteran, teacher in the classroom and on the track – Hal Croft, including two of his former Reading, MA High School students – Film Producer Brandon Millett, and Home Base's Executive Director Brigadier General Jack Hammond. Host Ron Hirschberg sits with Hal, Brandon and Jack to talk teaching, building bonds on and off the track and battlefield, and healing wounds of war in and out of the clinic. It was just a few years prior to starting his teaching career that in 1967 in Vietnam Hal Croft would earn both a Silver Star for valor in action, and a Bronze Star for saving four fellow Marines at Khe Sanh. We also learn that Hal taught track and field just like the classics in his English literature class, and like Hemingway’s quote "Courage is grace under pressure," Hal lived it every day on his track.

Thank you Jennifer Jenkins for How You Serve, and a very happy Thanksgiving to the Jenkins family! Wounded Warrior Project's Jennifer Jenkins is the spouse of a Navy Veteran, the sister of an Army Veteran and the mom of a Marine. She is an award-winning author and has helped build a community of support for military families and veterans for more than 8 years in her role as a Warrior Speaks Communication Specialist. Jennifer was “drafted” into the military the same day her brother Army Specialist James Smith was injured from an IED blast in Iraq in 2005, and for the past 18 years Jennifer has empowered him and many others to regain independence and live fulfilled lives as wounded-but-not-broken, warriors. And although her Marine son was injured years later less severely, she says that that phone call felt exactly the same. Many thanks to our friends at WWP for this opportunity to share Jennifer’s story – Author, Advocate, and a unique military family member trifecta – Spouse, Sister, and Mom.