Advertise on podcast: MOAA's Never Stop Serving Podcast

The Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) was founded by Chris Nowinski, Ph.D., and Robert Cantu, M.D. Nowinski met Dr. Cantu, a world-renowned concussion expert while seeking treatment for the Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) he developed from a concussion suffered during his career as a professional wrestler with WWE.  Trauma, TBI changes a person and leave an impact that lasts a lifetime. The work that Dr. Nowinski has started is vital to the military community. After 20 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, our veterans are working through mental health, many of who still do not understand the signs and symptoms. It's important we start the discussion now so that we can change the narrative for tomorrow. Listen to Olivia Nunn speak with Dr. Nowinski about the Concussion Legacy Foundation and the vital work they are doing. 

Mental Health. It's more than two buzzwords. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Unfortunately, for many of us in the military, it has been a taboo topic. It's been part of our world, but we don't talk about it. For fear of losing our jobs, our clearances, and our identities, we've kept the conversation of mental health quiet.  Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to retired Marine Veteran and retired 1st responder Matt Kress. He serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at HeadStrong Project, about why their organization can tackle the topic "head" on and do it well. 

You've served your nation honorably, and you've hung up your uniform and tucked away your boots ... so, now what? Life after service can be challenging. Leaving the structure of the military can be scary and stressful. Owning your transition is essential, but what happens when your transition doesn't go as planned? What happens when you are placed under fire to recreate yourself?  Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to Zachary Bell, a Marine veteran, about his experience after leaving the Marine Corps. Zachary shares his challenges and how he ended up in the medical industry, and how that led to being known as the "Veteran with a Sign." 

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion are these just the latest buzz words, or do they actually mean something in the military? Is the military a diverse fighting force? How do we grow a diverse fighting force? Does diversity matter?  Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to Ms. Pat Williams, the Program Director of Engagement Career Transition Services at MOAA and a 35-year Navy Veteran, and Mr. Anselm Beach, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Equity and Inclusion, about the very topic of DEI.  Let's get comfortable with the uncomfortable conversation of diversity. So tune in and listen to the changes and what can be done. 

So, you've transitioned from the military, and you've landed your first job; life is great! You are on your way to settling into another fantastic career beyond the boots... right? Well... maybe not... Roughly 44% of veterans leave their first civilian job within a year of employment, according to Hiring Our Heroes’ Veteran Employment Survey: Understanding the Challenges and Creating Long-Term Opportunities for Veteran Employees. Although the reasons for leaving their job varied, 31% indicated that they accepted their first job to make ends meet and never intended to stay. Another 30% left due to finding a better job, while 19% left because the job did not align with their expectations. Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to the Virginia Department of Veteran Services experts Katie Spinazzola and Alfredo Torres talk about why your first job may not be a good fit and what to do about it. 

Community and tribe are two words we often hear in the military community. But, does it matter when it comes to mental health? When many of us leave the military, we hear that our identity and the sense of giving back are lost. We also know that this sense of loss can impact our mental health. So how do we give back? What is community?  Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to Dr. David Tharp, the CEO and Co-Founder of Project Healing Heroes, on why giving back to the community and how to give back is vital. 

What do Special Forces, National Football League, Acting, and Mental Health have in common? Well, in this case, Nate Boyer! This week, Olivia Nunn can catch up with her long-time friend and Army veteran Nate, the co-founder of Merging Vets and Players. If his name sounds familiar, it could be because he played for the University of Texas in Austin football team and the Seattle Seahawks. Listen to Olivia and Nate catch up and chat about his foundation and the importance of coming together off the battlefield and playing field to reduce Soldier suicide. 

You've planned for your future, or have you? What exactly are you planning for your future? Is there a difference between savings and investment planning? Do you need to know what stocks are? Is having a 401K or a Roth IRA essential? Do you feel overwhelmed simply asking these questions? Whew! So many questions about money! You've come to the right podcast if you have ever asked these questions! Listen to Olivia Nunn chat with Lila Quintilani, Program Director Financial Benefits Education Counselor, and MOAA, talk about these money matters and more! 

This week we turn the tables on podcast host Olivia Nunn and she shares her story. Find out why Olivia wanted to serve in the U.S. Army, why giving back matters to her and, more importantly, why mental health in the Military Community matters. This is an episode you don't want to miss and well-timed as we conclude Women's History Month. Special thanks to guest host Army veteran Rod Rodriquez.

The military family stays together because of the glue that binds it. Our unsung heroes are the military spouses who run the household, who play nanny, caregiver, boo-boo fixer, carpool driver, after-school sports practice pick-up, homework enforcer, chef, and so much more. But what we don't talk about is how all of these titles weigh heavily on the military spouse, and how all of these responsibilities day in and day out, year after year, impact their mental health. AND YET, we say to the military spouse ... drive on. Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to Jen Amos and Jenny Lynne, two amazing military spouses and podcast hosts from "Holding Down the Fort."  

The following episode contains content related to a suicide attempt. Discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or via www.veteranscrisisline.net. Mental health and the military is not a new conversation, but it's a conversation that doesn't happen enough or openly enough. Mental health impacts not only the service member but also the military families. When we don't address our mental health journey, or seek help for the trauma we've experienced, it can lead to a dark place for many of us. For some, it could lead to thoughts of suicide.  Listen to Olivia Nunn speak with Army veteran Sammy Villela about his journey and how he almost used a permanent solution that could have impacted his family and friends. "Stepping back from Suicide" is a complicated conversation, but one that was needed. 

Special Operations troops are highly skilled and equipped to win any mission assigned. So, transitioning out of the military should be a breeze, right? Wrong! As they prepare to transition from uniform, Special Operations service members find the same challenges many transitioning service members have shared and more. But why are today's transitioning programs missing the mark with Special Operations? Why are their challenges so unique? Listen to Olivia Nunn speak to SGM Matt Parrish from Special Operations Command and MSG Yuma Barnett from the 75th Ranger Regiment, two experts who understand the unique challenges presented to the Special Operations community.