Dog Tag Diaries copertina

Dog Tag Diaries

Dog Tag Diaries

Di: Captain Kim
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A proposito di questo titolo

 Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military. Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.Copyright 2026 Captain Kim Economia Gestione e leadership Igiene e vita sana Management Psicologia Psicologia e salute mentale Scienze sociali
Episodi
  • Veteran Healing After MST: Didi Meindok on Service, Forgiveness, and Finding Hope Again

    Veteran Healing After MST: Didi Meindok on Service, Forgiveness, and Finding Hope Again
    Apr 29 2026
    Summary:What happens when a veteran’s service is questioned, her trauma is dismissed, and healing feels out of reach? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran Didi Meindok for a powerful conversation about truth, survival, and recovery. Didi shares her experience serving during Operation Desert Storm, the pain of military sexual trauma, and the long fight to have her service and story properly recognized. She also opens up about the support that helped her keep going, including the VA, the National Center for PTSD, Home Base, and the Operation Red Wings Foundation. This episode is a moving reminder that healing is hard work, but it is possible, and no veteran should have to fight alone.In this episode, we cover: Didi’s Navy service during Operation Desert Storm What it felt like to have her service questioned and records dismissed How institutional erasure can impact veterans’ mental health The role of the VA, Vet Centers, and the National Center for PTSD in her care How Operation Red Wings Foundation helped Didi return to service and support others Didi’s experience at Home Base in Boston and why it changed her healing path The power of somatic yoga, self-reflection, and choice in trauma recovery Why forgiveness became a way for Didi to reclaim control Her advice to women veterans who are still fighting to be seen and heard Why veteran-led and community-based support mattersNotable Quotes & Moments:“I was very, very lost and very, very disenfranchised and really suicidal.” Didi on feeling isolated post-military [00:15:36]“I can’t save anybody. They have to save themselves.” Didi on supporting veterans through healing [00:19:32]“Finding your way home is possible.” Didi on hope after trauma [00:42:01] Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Didi Meindok’s return to Dog Tag Diaries 00:03:07 - Didi recaps joining the Navy and serving during Desert Storm 00:04:52 - Returning home and facing erased records, doubt, and official narratives 00:07:47 - Finding support through the VA, National Center for PTSD, Home Base, and Operation Red Wings Foundation 00:15:25 - Didi opens up about feeling lost, angry, and suicidal after service 00:17:39 - Losing a veteran client and stepping back into healing work 00:22:14 - What the Home Base program was like day to day 00:29:39 - Somatic yoga, trauma, and the body’s response to stress 00:35:12 - Forgiveness, faith, and reclaiming control 00:40:11 - Didi’s advice to women veterans: never stopAbout Didi Meindok:Didi is a U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm, an attorney, and a trained medical scientist. Known as the FilaEstonian, she comes from a long line of seafarers and is a fierce advocate for truth, justice, and integrity in military service and beyond.Connect with Didi: Email: dorothy@meindoklaw.onmicrosoft.comResources mentioned:Home Base https://homebase.orgNational Center for PTSD https://www.ptsd.va.govVet Center Program https://www.vetcenter.va.govOperation Red Wings Foundation https://orwfoundation.orgBe sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project: reveilleandretreatproject.orgInstagram: @reveilleandretreatprojectFacebook: Reveille and Retreat ProjectYou aren’t alone.If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
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    48 min
  • From Trauma to Triumph: Army Veteran Makissa Lewis on Healing, Iraq, and Building a Seesterhood for Women Veterans

    From Trauma to Triumph: Army Veteran Makissa Lewis on Healing, Iraq, and Building a Seesterhood for Women Veterans
    Apr 22 2026
    Summary: In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim sits down with Army veteran Makissa Lewis for a deeply honest conversation about service, survival, and sisterhood. Makissa shares her path from Jamaica to New York, then into the Army right out of high school, where she hoped to prove she was stronger than people expected. She opens up about surviving military sexual trauma before there was even common language for it, deploying to Iraq after 9/11, and living with the lasting effects of PTSD. Most of all, she talks about turning pain into purpose by founding My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit that supports women veterans in South Florida. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing often starts when someone decides to create the support they needed most.In this episode, we cover:Why Makissa joined the Army straight out of high schoolHow books, writing, and faith helped her cope through hard transitionsHer experience with military sexual trauma in GermanyWhat Iraq was like and how combat stress stayed with her after coming homeWhy women veterans are too often unseen in military and civilian systemsHow My Seester, Inc. was born out of a need for real, in-person supportThe healing power of art, community, and women showing up for each otherMakissa’s advice for women currently serving in the militaryNotable Quotes & Moments:“She survived military sexual trauma before it even had a name.” [00:00:05]“I felt it was a, I’ll be able to grow up and show them that I’m not a nerd.” [00:04:30]“There was no one protecting me.” [00:15:36]“If you don’t deal with your mental, it takes all over your whole world.” [00:27:15]“We are so not seen, cause they think we’re invisible.” [00:28:26]“The military cannot be the end and be all of everything you are.” [00:40:28]Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Makissa Lewis and her service story 00:01:11 - Makissa’s background, Army service, and nonprofit mission 00:04:06 - Why she joined the military after high school 00:05:01 - Moving from Jamaica to New York and then Florida 00:09:31 - Entering the Army in 1996 and adjusting to military life 00:14:30 - First duty station in Germany and the trauma she experienced there 00:19:42 - Deployment to Iraq after 9/11 00:22:40 - PTSD symptoms and the hard return to civilian life 00:25:45 - Finding support online and starting My Seester, Inc. 00:31:05 - The Retina Project and healing through art and conversation 00:35:13 - Supporting deployed women and honoring fallen service members 00:37:10 - How Makissa takes care of herself today 00:39:18 - Her advice for women still serving 00:41:16 - Women Who Serve Magazine nomination and closing reflectionsAbout Makissa Lewis:Makissa Lewis is an Army veteran who served from 1996 to 2010 and is a combat-disabled survivor of military sexual trauma. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York and South Florida, Makissa joined the military straight out of high school.After experiencing MST, combat deployment to Iraq, and ongoing challenges accessing equitable care, she began asking critical questions about housing, resources, and support for women veterans. Those questions led her to found My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to serving female veterans in South Florida.Makissa is also working on an anthology documenting her experiences during and after her military career.Connect with Makissa:Instagram: @my_seesterWebsite: www.myseester.comEmail: founder@myseester.comEpisode note:This episode includes discussion of military sexual trauma and may be activating for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, confidential help is available.VA Military Sexual Trauma Support: Contact your local VA Medical Center and ask to speak with the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Care is available regardless of discharge status.Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255 for confidential support 24/7.RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online chat at rainn.org.Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project: reveilleandretreatproject.orgInstagram: @reveilleandretreatprojectFacebook: Reveille and Retreat ProjectYou aren’t alone.If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
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    45 min
  • Becoming a Warrior: Jenn Donahue on Turning Military Lessons into a Path Forward for Life

    Becoming a Warrior: Jenn Donahue on Turning Military Lessons into a Path Forward for Life
    Apr 15 2026
    Summary:In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran, leader, speaker, and now author Jenn Donahue. Jenn first appeared on the podcast sharing her military journey and leadership story. Since then, she has turned some of her hardest lessons into a new book, Becoming a Warrior: Harnessing the Power of Self-Doubt.In this conversation, Jenn opens up about the real reason she wrote the book. It was not to talk about her career, but to help people move forward when fear, pain, and self-doubt try to hold them back. She reflects on the emotional process of writing, the dark season that followed her deployment to Afghanistan, and the system she built to pull herself back.This episode is about more than a book launch. It is about being seen, owning your story, and learning that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.In this episode, we cover:Why this book is about helping people move forward, not just telling a military storyHow lessons from military service translate into everyday life and personal growthThe reality of self-doubt at every level of leadershipThe emotional process of writing and releasing something deeply personalWhat it means to be seen beyond your title or rankThe importance of celebrating yourself and your milestonesThe power of community and being surrounded by people who show up for youNotable Quotes & Moments:“She didn’t write this book to talk about her career. She wrote it to help people move forward.” [00:00:00]“Writing a book is really about being vulnerable.” [00:09:01]“We all seem to have this mean little voice that’s in the back of our head.” [00:14:44]“What we need to do is we need to switch our brain over to a positive bias.” [00:19:21]“The warrior framework helped me to find myself again.” [00:25:55]“It’s not selfish to try to take care of yourself first.” [00:39:49]Timestamps: 00:00:30 - Welcome to Season 8 of Dog Tag Diaries and Jenn Donahue’s return 00:01:36 - Jenn’s new book, Becoming a Warrior, and why this conversation matters 00:03:37 - How Jenn and Captain Kim first connected and built a friendship 00:04:21 - Jenn’s book launch celebration and what it meant to be celebrated 00:06:59 - How the book idea grew out of Jenn’s keynote speaking 00:08:40 - Writing the book to help others and facing hard personal truths 00:11:25 - Jenn shares the dark season that inspired the Warrior Framework 00:17:47 - Moving from fear of failure to trusting your own ability 00:19:21 - Retraining the brain and building a positive bias 00:21:16 - Using “Perceive, Assess, Ready, Act” in everyday life 00:24:43 - Jenn reads a powerful excerpt from the book 00:27:26 - How long it took her to write the book 00:28:29 - Early reader feedback and why the book is not just about Jenn 00:30:05 - How support from readers is changing how Jenn sees herself 00:33:44 - Fear, vulnerability, and what release week felt like 00:35:55 - The USA Today bestseller list goal and what success really means 00:38:37 - Jenn’s leadership philosophy: take care of yourself first 00:41:00 - Closing message and support for military women through Reveille and Retreat ProjectAbout Jenn Donahue:Jenn Donahue is a Navy veteran, former leader, speaker, and author of Becoming a Warrior: Harnessing the Power of Self-Doubt. Drawing from military service, leadership, and personal recovery, she created the Warrior Framework to help people challenge negative thoughts, move through fear, and take action with confidence.Through her book and speaking work, Jenn encourages others to stop letting self-doubt make their decisions for them. Her story is a strong reminder that even after seasons of pain, burnout, and questioning, it is still possible to rebuild, move forward, and help others do the same.Connect with Jenn: Support the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Warrior-Harnessing-Strength-Self-Doubt/dp/B0FW5S12TYEvery order matters right now as Jenn’s book is in the running for the USA Today Best Seller list.https://www.instagram.com/iamjenndonahue/https://www.facebook.com/iamjenndonahue/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenndonahue-phd-pe/Website: www.jenndonahue.comhttp://www.thewarriorframework.comhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FW5S12TYBe sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project: reveilleandretreatproject.orgInstagram: @reveilleandretreatprojectFacebook: Reveille and Retreat ProjectYou aren’t alone.If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
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    42 min
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