Home Base Nation

HomeBase.org

Home Base Nation brings you discussions on thriving beyond surviving, and conversations with the civilian and military leaders of a grateful nation, who have been listening to our veterans and military families, and creating service for those who have served. Hosted by Dr. Ron Hirschberg, physician at Home Base and Mass General Brigham.

  1. Two Mates, Two Paths, One Shared Mission: with Karate Master Rod Martin and Australian Army Veteran Dr. Kieran McCarthy

    10H AGO

    Two Mates, Two Paths, One Shared Mission: with Karate Master Rod Martin and Australian Army Veteran Dr. Kieran McCarthy

    In November, Home Base was thrilled to welcome Australian veteran health colleagues to Home Base – GO2/REFORGE co-founders, Rod Martin and Dr. Kieran McCarthy. Rod and Kieran were mates at age 16 in school, and you’ll hear how they went on to parallel paths - rejoining years later as workmates. After medical school Kieran joined the Army, a Medical Officer in the 2nd Commando Regiment. He worked with Special Operator Forces, caring for some of the most elite and wounded soldiers. Rod became a karate master, earning the 7th Dan Black Belt in Gojuryu (Go-Joo-Roo) Karate. Transitioning from the elite athlete world, he took on a new passion - Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Rod and Kieran were the perfect match to develop GO2 Health in 2016– offering interdisciplinary care for all, just like the pro athletes receive, with specific focus on Australian veterans. _______ Thanks for tuning into Home Base Nation – And for your support of Home Base.  Thank you, Rod Martin and Kieran McCarthy, for your visit to our National Center of Excellence, and your shared passion for healthcare of the veteran and the much-needed transition to home, so common no matter where you serve around the world. To learn more about GO-2, visit www.go2health.com.au And for all runners and supporters interested in upcoming Race For Home Base Marathons (Sydney, Berlin, Chicago…) 2026, go to www.homebase.org/raceforhomebase Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

    39 min
  2. Making Waves in Military Mental Health: A Conversation on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy with Marcus and Amber Capone, Eliza Dushku Palandjian and Mike Allard

    12/18/2025

    Making Waves in Military Mental Health: A Conversation on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy with Marcus and Amber Capone, Eliza Dushku Palandjian and Mike Allard

    Today, we have a special episode recorded in Southern California just after Veterans Day. We gathered the day before the unforgettable 4th Annual Torchbearer Ball, hosted by VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions), which raised $960,000 for veterans and families with its continued mission to end veteran suicide and support psychedelic-assisted therapy. Our four guests discuss this critical time, and we dial in on the progress and the specific need to expand this care and research. You’ll hear from Marcus Capone, Retired Navy SEAL and co-founder of VETS; Amber Capone, co-founder of VETS, Home Base PAT clinician, and actor Eliza Dushku Palandjian; and COO of Home Base, Michael Allard. We also talk about the impact of PAT for veteran health, from suicide prevention to brain health, in the new documentary, In Waves and War, just released on Netflix, brought to the screen by award-winning directors Jon Schenk and Bonni Cohen. The Washington Post just released its Top 10 movies of 2025, listing this film at #7.  So, if you are tuning into this podcast, you will want to see this movie! Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    51 min
  3. Season Finale: Powerful Words - Scenes From The 2025 Run To Home Base

    08/26/2025

    Season Finale: Powerful Words - Scenes From The 2025 Run To Home Base

    Today on HBN, we close out Season 9 with a salute to you all, a Grateful Nation, for showing up and supporting the mission of Home Base. We look forward to bringing you new conversations and content in the Fall, and we'll welcome back to the mic, Dr. Ron Hirschberg, as we look to Season 10. On July 26, 2025, 3,000 runners and walkers participated in the 16th annual Run to Home Base, presented by RTX, either in person at historic Fenway Park or virtually around the country. To date, this year's event has raised over $3.6 million - a record-breaking figure for our most critical annual fundraiser - in support of Home Base's mission to heal the invisible wounds of war for Veterans, Service Members, Military Families, and Families of the Fallen at no out-of-pocket cost to them. 5 Days left to donate to the Run To Home Base - every dollar counts!  Donate at www.runtohomebase.org. In this episode you'll hear from  Red Sox Broadcaster Tom Caron, who was joined during a Red Sox pregame by Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks and Home Base Captain Kristi Hendriks, both who were guests on this podcast a few episodes ago, as well as Bekah Salwasser of the Red Sox Foundation, and Jack Hammond of the Home Base Program to discuss the impact and importance of the Run to Home Base event. Next, you'll go to the morning of July 26 at Fenway Park for the introductory ceremony for the Run to Home Base.  This year, paying special tribute to Veteran and Service Member First Responders. You'll hear from Tom Werner, Red Sox Chairman; Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States; our Executive Director, General Jack Hammond; and an incredible testament to the Home Base Mission and a personal journey in getting his life back - with Army Veteran Ezequiel "Zeek" Grimaldo. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. For more information on how you can help, please visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or someone you know needs care, you can reach us at 617-724-5202.    Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn    The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.    Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg    Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough    Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    41 min
  4. Home Base Nation Favorites: General Jack Hammond on the "Takin’ A Walk” podcast with Buzz Knight

    08/06/2025

    Home Base Nation Favorites: General Jack Hammond on the "Takin’ A Walk” podcast with Buzz Knight

    We are pleased to present this special episode from a podcast headed by our fellow podcaster, friend, and supporter of veterans, Buzz Knight. Buzz has been a force in media, working as a strategist and a media executive for decades. He has an excellent podcast called "Takin' A Walk", a show that focuses on resilience, mental health, and amazing stories through the healing power of music.   We are fortunate to cross-pollinate with Buzz to share an episode of "Takin' A Walk" where he shares an interview with the Chief Executive Director for the Home Base, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jack Hammond.  General Hammond is a decorated combat leader and private sector innovator who has served on advisory groups for presidents, governors, and businesses.  General Hammond led U.S. and NATO forces in combat and counter-terrorism operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes: simultaneously commanding two separate Battalion-level Task Forces on more than one hundred successful intelligence-fused counter-terrorist operations in Iraq. General Hammond, along with chief operating officer Michael Allard, has led a team of both civilian and military staff to take care of more than 40,000 veterans and their families for more than 15 years.  On the heels of the 16th annual Run To Home Base just the other day at Fenway Park, we realize more than ever how this shared admission is so vital to serve all of those who have been serving and protecting so many and continue to do so.  If you would like to hear more episodes of 'Takin' A Walk,' visit the archives at takinawalk.com.  Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

    37 min
  5. Home Base Nation Favorites: Mary Gauthier on the "Takin’ A Walk” podcast with Buzz Knight

    07/30/2025

    Home Base Nation Favorites: Mary Gauthier on the "Takin’ A Walk” podcast with Buzz Knight

    We are pleased to present this special episode from a podcast headed by our fellow podcaster, friend, and supporter of veterans, Buzz Knight. Buzz has been a force in media, working as a strategist and a media executive for decades. He has an excellent podcast called "Takin' A Walk", a show that focuses on resilience, mental health, and amazing stories through the healing power of music.   We are fortunate to cross-pollinate with Buzz to share an episode of "Takin' A Walk” where he shares an interview with our friend and previous guest on the Home Base Nation Podcast, Mary Gauthier. Mary is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, and military family member, as well as a huge supporter of veterans. A New Orleans native, Mary spent many years grappling with spiraling addiction, alcohol, and depression before discovering her gift as a songwriter. Through song, she found that she could express things she was unable to express in other ways and gained new confidence through writing and performing.  She has co-written songs with veterans through the Songwriting with Soldiers program. If you would like to hear more episodes of ‘Takin' A Walk,’ visit the archives at takinawalk.com. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    21 min
  6. Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Air Force Veteran and Regional Associate Director, Regional & Tribal Relations, of Home Base  Marcus Denetdale, and Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau (part two)

    07/22/2025

    Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Air Force Veteran and Regional Associate Director, Regional & Tribal Relations, of Home Base Marcus Denetdale, and Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau (part two)

    We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought it would be a good idea to look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and select 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them. But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.  For this episode, you will hear a brief conversation with Air Force Veteran and Regional Associate Director, Regional & Tribal Relations, of Home Base Arizona, Marcus Denetdale.  Marcus has been instrumental in facilitating Home Base’s partnership with ASU’s College of Health Solutions to launch the Warrior Health & Fitness program for Arizona Veterans and their families. He has worked closely with tribal Nations and communities in various capacities. As a nonprofit administrator, he has developed college scholarship programs, recruited Native American college students, and secured research grants for higher education projects totaling over $2.4 million.  Marcus has studied civil, environmental, & sustainable engineering within the sustainability specialty area. His research areas include tribal housing, infrastructure & commercial buildings for economic growth and opportunities. His latest project is partnered with ASU to provide safe water access on the Navajo Nation. Following my conversation with Marcus, you’ll hear part two of an episode from 2023 with the Pulitzer Prize and Emmy winner Cartoonist, Garry Trudeau. Ron and Garry talk about gaining the trust from military leadership during wartime, with the opportunity to visit Kuwait during the Gulf War after getting the call directly from the battlefield, and how just like visiting Walter Reed, these are chances to Get it Right in order to follow him or her from service member to veteran and from deployment to home. They discuss how he’s not really that guy who could ever really tell a joke, and where his humor seems to come from, about his love for putting on a show ever since he was a little kid, and how he shares the mission to support veterans with fellow cartoonist (among other things), Jake Tapper. Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org Please visit homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or someone you know is struggling. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    54 min
  7. Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Admissions Coordinator Zachary Morin, and Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau

    07/15/2025

    Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Admissions Coordinator Zachary Morin, and Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau

    We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought it would be a good idea to look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and select 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them. But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.  For this episode, you will hear a brief conversation with the Admissions Coordinator at Home Base, Zachary Morin. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Zach spent two years serving with AmeriCorps in the Miami-Dade Public Schools, working with middle school students on literacy, social and emotional development, as well as civic engagement. Upon completing his service, Zachary returned to New England to lead the College Ready Communities program in Northern Rhode Island. Here, his work included holistic programming for vulnerable youth populations and overall community engagement initiatives. He also has a creative/performative side, which he will talk about. Following my conversation with Zach, you’ll hear an episode from 2023 with the Pulitzer Prize and Emmy-winning cartoonist, Garry Trudeau. Garry is also an Army Commander’s Award for Public Service honoree. In this conversation, Garry tells us that not only did his dad and grandfather both serve, but they were also both physicians. He recounts an eye-opening visit to Walter Reed Medical Center, with stories of injury and resilience that not only informed his storytelling but have had lasting impacts on him. As a big fan of author Sebastian Junger, he discusses the innate need for the tribe to survive, and explains a bit of his creative process. Part Two will come shortly. Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org Please visit homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or someone you know is struggling. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    42 min
  8. Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Staff Psychologist Dr. Drew Teer, and Musician and Marine Veteran Shaggy

    07/08/2025

    Home Base Nation Favorites: First meet Staff Psychologist Dr. Drew Teer, and Musician and Marine Veteran Shaggy

    We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought it would be a good idea to look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and select 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them. But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.  If you are just tuning in to the show, our host, Dr. Ron Hirschberg, and I have reviewed more than 120 published episodes since 2019. We chose 20 or so to share with you again that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them. For this episode, you will hear a brief conversation with Dr. Drew Teer who completed his PhD in clinical psychology from Emory University, where he also finished his internship at Emory University's School of Medicine at Grady Memorial Hospital as well as his postdoctoral fellowship with the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program – one of the other Warrior Care Network sites. Drew is passionate about providing science-based treatments for PTSD and other internalizing disorders. His research interests include identifying factors that may influence responses to PTSD treatment and enhancing treatments for underserved and complex trauma populations. Following my conversation with Dr. Teer, you'll hear an episode with 7-time nominated and 2-time Grammy winner and Marine Veteran, Shaggy. For Shaggy, music has been a vehicle to bring different kinds of people together for a shared experience. But it's not just the music that does this; it's his spirit and grit, which were undoubtedly shaped by his Marine background. Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org Please visit homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or someone you know is struggling. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202. Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

    41 min

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Home Base Nation brings you discussions on thriving beyond surviving, and conversations with the civilian and military leaders of a grateful nation, who have been listening to our veterans and military families, and creating service for those who have served. Hosted by Dr. Ron Hirschberg, physician at Home Base and Mass General Brigham.