Behind The Mission

Duane K. L. France

Because fewer than 7% of Americans have served in uniform, most Americans are unfamiliar with military service and culture. As a result, members of the military and Veteran community are at greater risk for disconnection and lack of belonging with the civilian community. PsychArmor’s mission is to bridge the military-civilian divide by educating and training a Nation. Each week, Duane France, a combat Veteran and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, will dig deep into the stories “Behind The Mission” - and create a conversation with organizations and leaders on how they are utilizing their expertise and networks to support the military-connected community.

  1. MAY 12

    BTM268 - Elizabeth Coplan - The Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day (Replay)

    Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re replaying a conversation with conversation with playwright and producer Elizabeth Coplan, founder of the Greif Dialogues, a nonprofit theatrical movement that facilitates conversations about dying, death, and grief. We talk about her own connection to service and discuss how Grief Dialogues has developed a specific immersive experience of remembrance and reflection ahead of Memorial Day Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guest Elizabeth Coplan is a veteran of marketing and public relations with over four decades of experience. She began her professional journey as an aspiring actor in New York City in 1972 before pivoting to publishing, eventually becoming the managing editor of Chief Executive Magazine. After relocating to California, she climbed the ranks at Collins Foods International, ultimately serving as Director of Corporate Communications. In Seattle, Elizabeth became a trailblazer in professional services marketing, notably serving as the first Northwest marketing director for Touché Ross (now Deloitte). She later became Director of Client Service and Development at Davis Wright Tremaine, where she helped grow the firm from three to ten offices and pioneered strategic sponsorships in the legal sector. After six years, she launched her own consulting firm, advising major clients including Merrill Lynch and the University of Washington School of Law. Her service on nonprofit boards includes the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and the Intiman Theatre, where she chaired strategic planning. In 2013, after a series of personal losses, Elizabeth began writing to process her grief. This led to the creation of Grief Dialogues, a groundbreaking play and nonprofit initiative that fosters dialogue about death and grief through theatre. Her award-winning works include Hospice: A Love Story, Untold, The Choice, and Honoring Choices, the latter adapted into a film that premiered in Los Angeles and earned multiple festival awards. She also directed and produced Juntos Nos Ayudamos, a film addressing suicide in a Hispanic family, and co-hosts the podcast Out of Grief Comes Art. Elizabeth's writing appears in professional grief therapy publications, and her full-length play ’Til Death premiered Off-Broadway in 2023 with an acclaimed cast. She is currently working on The Book Club, a new play exploring the lives of senior women. Links Mentioned in this Episode  Grief Dialogues Website My Guardian Angel Movie PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Good Grief. Grief is not only experienced with death, it can also occur with job loss or severe changes to physical well-being. The purpose of this course is to recognize loss and identify what is learned as a result of that loss.   You can find the resource here:    https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/good-grief   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on Twitter PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    31 min
  2. MAY 5

    BTM267 – Verenice Castillo – Military Spouse Advocacy Network

    Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Verenice Castillo, founder of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network, an organization dedicated to supporting military spouses through mentorship, leadership development, and community-building. Drawing from her own experience as an immigrant and longtime military spouse, Verenice has built MSAN into a global network focused on reducing isolation and empowering spouses to find purpose and connection. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guests Verenice Castillo is the Founder and CEO of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN), a nonprofit organization she launched to address the persistent challenges of isolation, lack of community, and limited professional opportunities faced by military spouses. Originally from Mexico, Castillo immigrated to the United States as a teenager and later became a military spouse, an experience that shaped her commitment to advocacy and peer support. Over more than a decade, she has grown MSAN into a nationally recognized organization providing mentorship, leadership training, and mental wellness resources to military spouses worldwide. Castillo has led initiatives such as the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses, in collaboration with institutions like Harvard University and University of Notre Dame, equipping hundreds of spouses each year with skills in leadership, crisis response, and ethical decision-making. Her work has positioned her as a leading voice in military spouse advocacy, particularly around issues of community connection, career development, and mental health. Links Mentioned During the Episode MSAN Website Leadership Institute for Military Spouses PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Networking-for-Military-Spouses   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    32 min
  3. APR 28

    BTM266 – Dr Carla Stumpf Patton – Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

    Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a leading voice in supporting those impacted by military loss. We talk about TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guests Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP, an expert in grief, trauma, and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, oversees TAPS’ services for suicide-loss survivors. Carla consults with civilian providers and military leaders to provide effective outreach and clinical care to military personnel, veterans, and military families. She is certified as an ASIST trainer in suicide first aid and is qualified to conduct Psychological Autopsy Investigations through the American Association of Suicidology. Carla holds an Ed. D. in counseling psychology, an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling and school guidance counseling, and a B.S. in psychology. Carla is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Fellow Thanatologist, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, and a counseling educator. She is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Richard Stumpf, U.S. Marine Corps, who died by suicide in 1994. She is now married to a retired U.S. Marine, who was also a suicide-loss survivor, and they share five children. Links Mentioned During the Episode Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Website TAPS Postvention Model PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Treating Grief in the Veteran Population. This course discusses how the TAPS’ Suicide Postvention Model helped suicide loss survivor and Marine Corps Veteran Dana O’Brien address his grief. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Treating-Grief-in-the-Veteran-Population   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    32 min
  4. APR 21

    BTM265 – Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly – Atomic Echoes Documentary

    Show Summary On today’s episode, we’re having a conversation with Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly, the creative team behind Atomic Echoes, a powerful documentary exploring the overlooked stories of American atomic veterans and Japanese survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Together, they unpack the human, historical, and intergenerational impact of nuclear war through perspectives that are rarely seen side by side. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guests Karin Tanabe is a novelist, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. The author of seven novels published by Simon & Schuster and St. Martin’s Press, she is a former Politico reporter and frequent contributor to The Washington Post. Her writing has also appeared in the Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, and Newsday. She has been a featured lifestyle and politics expert on CNN, E!, Entertainment Tonight, and CBS Early Show. Her 2025 documentary, “Atomic Echoes,” was broadcast nationally on PBS. A graduate of Vassar College, she lives in Washington, DC. Victoria Kelly is the producer of Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II and the author of three books of fiction and poetry. She is a graduate of Harvard and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and lives in Virginia. She was a 2025 George W. Bush Institute Veterans Leadership Scholar. Links Mentioned During the Episode Atomic Echoes Film website Atomic Echoes on Instagram PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course Supporting Someone with Invisible Wounds. Not all wounds can be seen and invisible wounds are just as serious as visible ones. This course introduces the four main types of invisible wounds - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Substance Use Disorder, and Depression. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-someone-with-invisible-wounds Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    33 min
  5. APR 14

    BTM264 – Ally Wagner – Continued Service After the Military

    Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Ally Wagner, a Navy veteran and board member at PsychArmor, who brings a powerful perspective on bridging the gap between veterans and the communities that support them. We explore how military service continues to shape identity and leadership, and what it really takes for civilians and organizations to move from intention to meaningful impact. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guest Alison “Ally” Wagner is a distinguished Naval Intelligence Veteran, military spouse,  experienced leader, and advocate for Veterans' causes. Her involvement with PsychArmor began through her collaboration with The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and her extensive work across the Veteran nonprofit sector. This engagement has fueled her deep commitment to supporting the Veteran community, and she is eager to leverage her skills in strategic planning, organizational growth, and community outreach to benefit PsychArmor’s programs and initiatives. Her professional accomplishments include honorable service in Afghanistan and Iraq, where she developed essential leadership, strategic analysis, and critical thinking skills. Ally holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, underlining her academic excellence and strategic acumen.  Ally is deeply committed to community service. She actively serves on the Board of the National Intelligence Professionals (NIP) and is passionate about fostering a sense of community across the maritime sector, particularly by supporting initiatives that enhance collaboration among the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard, while promoting awareness of the challenges and contributions of military personnel in these branches. Ally’s unique perspective as a woman Veteran enhances the diversity of any team she joins. Her insights into the challenges faced by Veterans today, coupled with her dedication to inclusivity, align seamlessly with PsychArmor’s mission to support all Veterans, regardless of background. Ally resides in Washington, DC with her Active-Duty military husband and three children, grounding her commitment to family and community values. Links Mentioned During the Episode Ally Wagner on LinkedIn PsychArmor Board of Directors PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    35 min
  6. APR 7

    BTM263 – Michelle Lang – Operation Honor Rural Salute

    Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Michelle Lang, co-founder of Operation Honor Rural Salute, about the unique challenges and strengths of veterans living in rural communities. We explore how her work is bridging gaps in access by bringing resources directly to veterans in ways that feel local, familiar, and grounded in community. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guest Michelle and Chris Lang are the co-founders of Operation Honor Rural Salute. Chris is an Army veteran. Michelle is his wife—and a fierce advocate, caregiver, and bridge-builder. ​When they returned to rural Pennsylvania, they expected the transition to be hard. But they didn’t expect to feel so alone in it. No local VA. No one who understood the weight of invisible wounds. No roadmap forward. Just a couple doing their best to hold it all together. So they did what most veterans do: they figured it out themselves. And then, they built a way forward for others, too. Their story became the heartbeat of Operation Honor: Rural Salute™—a movement built by veterans for veterans who live beyond the reach of most resources. Links Mentioned During the Episode Operation Honor Rural Salute Website PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results. You can find the resource here:    https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/caregiving-in-a-rural-setting   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    31 min
  7. MAR 31

    BTM262 – Crystal Bettenhausen -Bubulka – Social Isolation in the Military and Veteran Community

    Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Military spouse and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka. We talk about gaps in connection and culturally competent care for military families. We also explore how her work is strengthening social health as a foundation for well-being. Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guest Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka is the Founder & Executive Director of Strength In Service. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a deep focus on addressing social isolation, loneliness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Social Work at USC, Crystal combines her expertise in gerontology and mental health to help those in need. In addition to her clinical work, she is honored to be a recipient of the 2024 Pat Tillman Scholarship, furthering her passion for service and leadership in the field. As the Founder & Executive Director of Strength In Service, Crystal leads the charge in empowering military families and supporting their mental health needs. Through her therapy practice, she offers both online and in-person psychotherapy services across North Dakota, Hawaii, and California, alongside supervision for social work associates and interns. Crystal also serves as the Region E Associate Director for NASW-CA, contributing to the growth and development of the social work profession. A proud military spouse, Crystal enjoys exploring National Parks and the outdoors with her husband and three daughters, having lived around the world throughout her husband's nearly three decades of Navy service. Links Mentioned During the Episode Strength In Service Website Kasley Killam Book: The Art and Science of Connection PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Networking for Military Spouses. This course will help you define what networking means, demonstrate ways to incorporate social media into your networking task, and list tips for better networking results. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Networking-for-Military-Spouses   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    34 min
  8. MAR 24

    BTM261 – Maria Gonzales – Muertos Fest and Veteran Suicide Awareness

    Show Summary On this episode, we have a conversation with Air Force Veteran Spouse, Maria Gonzales. Maria and her husband, Gabe, raise awareness about Veteran Suicide and plant-based medicines through their alter at Muertos Fest, the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the United States.  Provide Feedback As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who’ve served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor Stories About Today’s Guest Maria and Gabe Gonzalez are the co-founders of Operation Solace, a San Antonio-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans through alternative healing pathways, including psychedelic-assisted therapies and integrative wellness practices. Drawing from their lived experience as a military family navigating the challenges of post-service mental health, their work is rooted in advocacy, access, and community-based healing. Maria, a public health professional and veteran spouse, brings both professional insight and personal perspective to their mission, while Gabe, an Air Force veteran, leads with lived experience shaped by his own recovery journey. Together, they have built Operation Solace to reduce barriers to care, raising funds to help veterans access transformative healing experiences, and to create spaces for remembrance, connection, and restoration. Their work extends beyond direct support to public engagement and awareness, including their nationally recognized veterans suicide prevention altar at San Antonio’s Muertos Fest, an effort that honors those lost while creating meaningful pathways for dialogue, healing, and community connection. Links Mentioned During the Episode Article about Muertos Fest featuring Gabe Gonzales OperationSolace Website OperationSolace on Instagram PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is Episode 255 of the Behind the Mission podcast. On this episode, we have a conversation with Jesse Gould, founder of the Heroic Hearts Project and a former Army Ranger, about what it means for veterans to heal when traditional systems don’t have all the answers. Heroic Hearts works with leading medical researchers to improve veterans access to psychedelic programs for the treatment of PTSD. You can find the resource here:    https://psycharmor.org/podcast/btm255-jesse-gould-heroic-hearts-project-and-psychedelic-assisted-therapy   Episode Partner:   Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities   Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media  Email PsychArmor PsychArmor on X PsychArmor on Facebook PsychArmor on YouTube PsychArmor on LinkedIn PsychArmor on Instagram Theme Music Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities. Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com

    31 min
4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Because fewer than 7% of Americans have served in uniform, most Americans are unfamiliar with military service and culture. As a result, members of the military and Veteran community are at greater risk for disconnection and lack of belonging with the civilian community. PsychArmor’s mission is to bridge the military-civilian divide by educating and training a Nation. Each week, Duane France, a combat Veteran and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, will dig deep into the stories “Behind The Mission” - and create a conversation with organizations and leaders on how they are utilizing their expertise and networks to support the military-connected community.