Behind The Mission

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.

Behind The Mission is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Behind The Mission, a education show with 0 episodes published.

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  Behind The Mission

  BTM288 – Judy Donegan – The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

  Oct 6, 202632 min

  Show Summary On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Judy Donegan, Senior Counsel at The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, exploring how free legal assistance, trauma-informed advocacy, and discharge upgrade support help navigate complex administrative barriers for military-connected individuals. 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 Judy Donegan is Senior Counsel for The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. In this role, she manages all aspects of case management, including reviewing requests for program participation; assessing eligibility; preparing materials for placement or rejection; and tracking cases to completion before the military review boards, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and other forums. Her work focuses on case evaluation for the CAVC Litigation Component. In addition, Judy serves on the CAVC’s Committee on Admission and Practice and is an Advisory Board member for the Stateside Legal Services Program. She has nearly 20 years of experience representing U.S. military veterans before the CAVC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Judy earned her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1994. She began appellate practice before the CAVC in 2007 and, in 2008, became one of the first attorneys accredited to practice before the VA when accreditation was mandated. She has participated in thousands of appeals before the CAVC and has been a sustaining member of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA) since 2007. She also serves on NOVA’s Webinar Committee. Judy can be reached at judy.donegan@vetsprobono.org . Links Mentioned in this Episode The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Website PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s resource of the week is is Episode 115 of the Behind the Mission Podcast, Repatriate Our Patriots with Dee James. On this episode we feature a conversation with Danitza “Dee” James, a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and CEO of Repatriate Our Patriots, an organization that focuses on bridging the gaps for the repatriation of deported servicemembers and their reintegration back into the United States. You can find the resource here: https://psycharmor.org/podcast/danitza-dee-james 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

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  Behind The Mission

  BTM287 - Elizabeth Musselman – Supporting Veteran Children in Caregiving Families

  Sep 29, 202634 min

  Show Summary On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Elizabeth Musselman, an Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow, about the unrecognized evolution of veteran caregiving and the hidden burdens placed on military children. 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 Musselman is a military caregiver and a 2026 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow. In this role, she works with policymakers, Special Operations families, and veteran-serving organizations on the mental health needs of children living in veteran caregiver homes, a population largely absent from current policy and program design. Her advocacy focuses on the intergenerational effects of combat injury, including how a veteran parent's symptoms shape a child's development, attachment, and role in the family. She is a member of the Hidden Helpers Coalition and delivered the keynote address at the 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation National Convening in Washington, D.C. Elizabeth previously built a career in finance and technology and earned her J.D. before becoming the full-time caregiver for her husband, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, and raising their three children in the home his service shaped. Links Mentioned in this Episode Elizabeth Dole Foundation Website MCON Health Summit Elizabeth on LinkedIn PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Supporting Youth Who Support Veterans. Caregiving youth often make sacrifices to provide care for family members who are ill, injured, elderly, or disabled. This course acknowledges the contributions of these youth caregivers, goes into the scope of the problem, and offers some solutions. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/supporting-youth-who-support-veterans 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

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  Behind The Mission

  BTM286 – Brandy Dykhuizen and Joe Hudak– Living Proof Stories

  Sep 22, 202630 min

  Show Summary On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Brandy Dykhuizen and Joe Hudak, founders of Living Proof Stories, exploring how structured storytelling helps Veterans process lived experiences, build civilian connections, and move from raw isolation to processed post-military growth. 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 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 Brandy Dykhuizen is a San Diego-based writer, narrative artist, producer, and mentor who uses storytelling to bridge social divides and spark genuine, human-to-human connection. Over the past decade, she has designed, produced, and led storytelling programs, writing workshops, and live performance events for a wide range of organizations, spanning Veteran services to local arts and culture initiatives across San Diego County. As the co-founder of Living Proof Stories, Brandy works alongside community members, Veterans, military families, and emerging writers to help them shape their lived experiences into clear, impactful narratives. Rooted in the belief that personal storytelling is a vital component of mental wellness, community integration, and social cohesion, her work focuses on helping individuals find their voice, process complex personal journeys, and share their stories in ways that foster deep empathy and authentic connection. Joe Hudak is a retired Special Forces Veteran, storyteller, mentor, and therapist dedicated to helping others navigate adversity and transform their experiences into meaningful stories. He teaches storytelling as a performance art, coaching and mentoring amateur writers while producing monthly live storytelling shows that bring personal narratives to life. In retirement, Joe leads the mentor program for the San Diego Superior Court's Veteran Treatment Court, where he coordinates approximately 30 volunteer mentors and personally mentors three to four Veterans participating in the program. His commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom: for the past four years, Joe has worked as a therapist at a psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic in Mexico. Passionate about ameliorating human suffering, Joe focuses much of his work on Veterans and first responders, while also supporting people dealing with trauma and addiction. Across all his endeavors, Joe believes in the power of connection, compassion, and storytelling to foster healing and growth. Links Mentioned During the Episode Living Proof Stories Website Living Proof Stories on Instagram PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Connecting with the Veteran In Your Life. This course provides information to help caregivers understand and address a lack of connection with the Veteran in their life. The new course incorporates a strengths-based approach to connections between a caregiver and a Veteran. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/connecting-with-the-veteran-in-your-life 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

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  Behind The Mission

  BTM285 – Bill Reynolds – Military and First Responder Mental Health at The Meadows

  Sep 15, 202628 min

  Show Summary On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Navy Veteran and Psychiatric Physician Assistant Bill Reynolds, clinical director of the Unbroken program at The Meadows, discussing specialized trauma and addiction treatment, cultural competence, and holistic recovery support for veterans and first responders. Episode Partner: Our sponsor this week is Aetna , a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care. 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 Bill Reynolds is an experienced psychiatric provider and program leader with a 30-year U.S. Navy career and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During his Navy service, Bill worked in diverse operational environments, including submarine duty, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps in combat, and serving as the medical officer for a U.S. Navy SEAL Team. He brings firsthand understanding of the challenges of military service and years of experience working with first responder communities, along with deep expertise in mental health care, addiction medicine, post-traumatic stress, and military leadership. As the founder and architect of highly regarded programs for active-duty military, veterans, and first responders, Bill combines clinical skill with operational and leadership experience in high-pressure environments. At The Meadows, he provides both clinical and strategic leadership, guiding program development and care with a focus on respect for service, cultural insight, and lasting recovery. Links Mentioned During the Episode The Meadows Website The Meadows Unbroken Program PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Inner Conflict & Survivor's Guilt. In this course, Dr. Heidi Kraft describes the concept of moral injury and survivor's guilt in the military and Veteran community. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/inner-conflict-survivor-guilt 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

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  Behind The Mission

  BTM284 – Patrick Forystek – The Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University

  Sep 8, 202630 min

  Show Summary On today's episode, we’re having a conversation with Marine Corps Veteran Patrick Forystek, Director of the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University, discussing academic transition, peer support networks, and building comprehensive campus communities for student veterans and military families. Episode Partner: Our sponsor this week is Aetna , a trusted health care company, committed to serving Veterans, military families, and caregivers through meaningful, community-centered care. 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 Patrick Forystek is a Marine Corps veteran whose journey from combat deployments to higher education leadership has been shaped by a commitment to service, resilience, and helping others succeed. He served from 2008 to 2012 with 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as an artillery cannoneer and section chief, deploying with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and later to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Like many veterans, Patrick faced the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life and higher education. What began as a search for his own path after the Marine Corps became a calling to help other veterans navigate the same journey. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan-Flint and a Master of Science in Management from Walsh College, he built a career focused on supporting military-connected students and creating opportunities for them to thrive. Today, Patrick serves as Director of the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University, where he leads programs, partnerships, and initiatives that support more than 2,500 military-connected students. Throughout his career, he has remained motivated by a simple pay-it-forward philosophy: honoring the mentors, educators, and fellow veterans who helped him succeed by ensuring the next generation has access to the same support, guidance, and sense of community. Patrick's work and advocacy are rooted in the belief that military service does not end when the uniform comes off, but that it evolves into new opportunities to lead, serve, and make a difference in our community and in the lives of others. Links Mentioned During the Episode MSU Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students Website CVMAS on Instagram PsychArmor Resource of the Week This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Choosing a College and Major. This course provides service members, Veterans, and their families with tools and resources to assist them in achieving their dreams of higher education You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Choosing-a-College-and-Major 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

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