Donna sits down with Noah Smith—Marine Corps veteran, mailman, and military science fiction author—to talk about rediscovering creativity after military service. Noah shares his journey from serving in Afghanistan to transitioning into civilian life, the loss of creative identity many veterans face, and how writing became a powerful outlet for healing, calm, and purpose.

This conversation explores the challenges of transition, the importance of support systems, and why finding a creative outlet can be life-changing.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Noah’s background: joining the Marines at 24 and serving in Afghanistan
• The struggle of losing and rediscovering creativity after military service
• The role of family support, especially Noah’s wife
• How writing military science fiction became a therapeutic creative outlet
• Creating and publishing his debut novel After the Change
• A look ahead at his upcoming sequel Nightfall
• Advice for veterans and creatives: Adapt and overcome

Guest Links & Resources

📘 After the Change — Available on Amazon (paperback, hardcover, Kindle, audiobook)

🌐 www.milsyfy.com — Sign up for Noah’s newsletter

Listener Takeaways

• Creativity is essential for mental health and personal growth
• Support systems matter—especially during life transitions
• It’s never too late to try something new

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In this episode, Donna welcomes Jason Kulchar, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and current Director of Learning, Development, Culture, and Belonging at ISS North America, for an engaging conversation about leadership grounded in service, humility, and authenticity. Jason reflects on his evolution from an enlisted Airman to senior leader, sharing how curiosity, connection, and a people-first mindset shaped his approach both in uniform and beyond. Listeners will hear practical insights on leading diverse teams, learning from failure, and why Jason lives by a simple but powerful philosophy: keep being awesome.

Learn More About Jason

Connect with Jason Kulchar on LinkedIn (K-U-L-C-H-A-R) and follow along for updates on his book, scheduled for release on February 5, 2026.

For questions or feedback, reach out at cominghomewell@gmail.com.

New episodes drop every other Wednesday, featuring conversations and resources designed to support the transition from frontline service to life at home.

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Donna Hoffmeyer chats with Tony Aubrey, co-founder of Operation Vet Now (OVN), and ambassador athlete Craig Rundell. They discuss the challenges veterans face after service, gaps in traditional support, and how OVN uses sports, music, and community to foster connection, purpose, and resilience.

Key Topics

• Tony’s journey from Air Force service to founding OVN
• Addressing veteran suicide and the need for outreach
• OVN’s programs connecting veterans through sports and music
• The ambassador athlete program and peer support
• Craig’s personal transition story and giving back
• Collaboration between nonprofits and grassroots impact

Resources

• Operation Vet Now: opvetnow.org
• Social Media: Search “Operation Vet Now” on Instagram & Facebook
• YouTube: OVN channel for videos and stories

Call to Action

Veterans or first responders seeking support—or anyone wanting to get involved—can reach out to OVN or connect with ambassadors. Help and community are available.

Connect with Beyond the Frontline

• Email: cominghomewell@gmail.com
• Website: cominghomewell.com