In this new episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie speak with Dr. Jo Sornborger and Dana Katz about the work they do with the Operation Mend Program at UCLA Health as part of the Warrior Care Network.

Doctor Sornborger currently serves as the Executive Director of the UCLA Health Operation Mend Program. She is a certified clinical psychologist who has associated herself with UCLA Health for over fourteen years.

Dana Katz is the Director of Community Engagement and Buddy Programs for the UCLA Operation Mend Program. Dana has worked with this program for over fifteen years.

The Operation Mend Program is a partnership between UCLA Health and the United States military. In this episode, learn from Dr. Sornborger and Dana Katz how this program provides advanced surgical and medical treatment, comprehensive psychological evaluation and support, and intensive treatment programs for symptoms to post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury for service members, veterans, and family members.

Show Notes
1:32 Dr. Jo explains her involvement in Operation Mend.
4:28 Dr. Jo Expands on the Resilience of the military family.
8:49 The scope of Operation Mend’s Care
11:45 Dana Katz shares her experience being with Operation Mend for 15 years and the organization's origins with her family.
18:28 Dana and Dr.Jo discuss the community of buddies and warriors that Operation Mend has built.
22:57 Lee shares an anecdote about meeting some of the Band of Brothers.
36:53 Dana talks about sourcing “Buddies” for Operation Mend and the Importance of Warriors to seek help.
48:00 Howie Delves into the “Deadly Gap”.
58:54 Lee calls to action! “You are not alone”.
1:10:00 How our guests practice mental fitness in their lives.

In this new Pivotal Moments Media Charlie Mike Channel episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie speak with Richelle Futch.

Richelle is a Marine Corps Veteran, current special operations military spouse and advocate for military employment, preventative mental health care and reform. She has worked with members of congress on policy reform and has been invited to the White House on behalf of her work and advocacy efforts.

An accomplished 4x published author, Richelle printed more than 10,000 copies and sold thousands of digital editions of her workbook Unpacking Your Emotional Ruck.

In this episode, Richelle shares her experience as she transitioned from her active-duty tour by pursuing her undergraduate degree and working as a court appointed special advocate who provided the voice for children in the foster care system. Richelle emphasizes the importance of focusing on and serving others.

Richelle discusses the work she does with youth by using didactic training techniques to help them understand and overcome their challenges. Richelle also describes the work she does with military and first responder families. She talks about the family system and how each family member can be successful in our stress filled society today.

Richelle masterfully describes the work she does with families to build resilience and their ability to overcome adversity. Richelle talks about the work she did that led to the development of her workbook, Unpack Your Emotional Ruck.

Richelle shares about the challenges she faces as a spouse as she and her husband prepare for his transition out of the military.

Show Notes
2:14 - Richelle takes us through her transition out of the military and her advice for those going through it today
5:41 - Richelle talks about redefining purpose
8:54 - Lee and Richelle dive into serving others
17:25 - Richelle explains what it means to meet people where they are at
33:20 - Howie & Richelle discuss the importance of allowing children and teens to experience hardship in order to better prepare them throughout life
41:58 - Richelle explains what unpacking your emotional ruck means
50:08 - Richelle discusses her husband’s upcoming transition out of the military and how they are preparing for it
57:08 - Richelle discusses how she practices mental fitness

In this new episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie speak with Sergeant Major (Retired) Topaz Navarro. Presented by Pivotal Moments Media’s Charlie Mike Channel.

Topaz shares the importance of being curious, vulnerable, and fearless as he learned to use LinkedIn to find his voice and establish his network to help with his transition planning and execution.

Learn from Topaz as he describes his passion for helping others through his business, Escape Velocity Academy, where he teaches others to become intrinsically motivated to find the overlap between curiosity and community.

Topaz highlights the work he does with Work Play Obsession All In Foundation to help others deal with challenges they may have with their mental fitness.

Topaz defines his concept – authentic happiness – to help transitioning veterans find their meaning and purpose in their post-military life. He beautifully describes our need and desire to find and experience micro-flow states in all we do.

Learn how Topaz strengthens his mental fitness by taking his MEDSS (Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, Sleep, Social Interaction) every day.

Show Notes

1:28 Topaz gives an overview on his transition out of the military.

11:40 Topaz expands on the focus of the Escape Velocity Academy

13:15 Where curiosity intersects with community, you will find purpose/passion

19:45 The Origin of the Escape Velocity Academy name and its services

22:51 Howie explains what “Mile 62” means in relation to building good habits

26:06 Topaz explains the influence that “ The Second Mountain has had on his work

33:10 Topaz opens dialogue on the role of mentors v. coaches

39:30 Topaz elaborates on Work Play Obsession and his role as a connector to other non-profits

47:35 Lee explains the importance of finding community

54:12 Topaz expands on “purpose” and finding it through authentic happiness

1:04:09 Topaz talks about taking his M.E.D.S in maintaining his mental fitness