Home Base Nation

On the show today, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, the 78th Secretary of the Navy. Dr. Ron Hirschberg and Home Base COO Michael Allard visit the Pentagon and have the opportunity to sit with SECNAV and staff and discuss how great leaders need to know what their troops are going through, they need to be empathic and above all - know that mental health IS health. The SECNAV takes pride in the people - the sailors, marines, reservists and civilians and their families who all make it possible for our Navy and Marine Corps to succeed. Recorded in May, 2023 during "Mental Health Awareness" it was 100% clear that all other 11 months of the year are just as important, and as he reflects on his visit to Home Base, it was an honor to be partners in service to the active duty, veterans and families who need the help. Our own Marine Veteran Jake McCaffrey (Peer Recovery Specialist at Home Base) is interviewed on his strong work in healing others through their recovery, while telling his own story.

____________________

Thank you, Secretary Carlos Del Toro, for your service, leadership and for truly caring for the more than 900,000 sailors, marines and civilians who are all part of the US Navy and Marine Corps. It was an honor to have you and your wife visit Home Base and returning the favor at the Pentagon was something we at Home Base will never forget - as you obviously place health and wellbeing at the highest priority.

Thank you, Marine Veteran and Home Base Peer Recovery Specialist Jake McCaffrey, for your service, and for your candid conversation on life’s challenges and successes. The Home Base team is lucky to have you as someone who can help many others heal in similar struggles…

Special thanks to LT Gabrielle Dimaapi and Chief Shannon Renfroe from Office of the Sec of the Navy for your stewardship and hospitality, and for your ongoing service.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24/7. Calls are confidential, available to any person in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and supports people calling for themselves or with concern for loved ones. TheVeterans Crisis Lineconnects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as family members or friends, with qualified VA responders through a confidential call, online chat, or text. Veterans can Dial 988 and Press 1 to talk, or text 838255 to connect with a VA responder. And remember, Youcan make a difference by learning warning signs and knowing the risk factors of suicide Learn more with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at www.afsp.org

This episode was recorded and edited byChuck Clough, of Above The Basement Productions.

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

On this week’s Home Base Nation, host Dr. Ron Hirschberg interviews the interviewer at NPR Studios in New York City, with the award-winning correspondent and author, Quil Lawrence. Quil has been walking the walk with correspondence on war, government, culture and more for more than 25 years, down range during OIF and OEF, and NPR's Bureau Chief in both Baghdad and Kabul beginning in 2009. Since returning home in 2012, Quil covers veterans’ issues, in addition to national security, and climate for NPR News.

• This week, September 10-16 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background but there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of suicide. Suicidal thoughts, although common should not be considered normal and often indicate a more serious issue.
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24/7. Calls are confidential, available to any person in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and supports people calling for themselves or with concern for loved ones. TheVeterans Crisis Lineconnects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as family members or friends, with qualified VA responders through a confidential call, online chat, or text. Veterans can Dial 988 and Press 1 to talk, or text 838255 to connect with a VA responder. And remember, Youcan make a difference by learning warning signs and knowing the risk factors of suicide Learn more with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at www.afsp.org

Thank you Quil Lawrence for joining the conversation on serving our veterans and military families in your own way, on reporting and connecting with so many, and for making a difference in this space for more than 20 years.

For more information and his Story Archives, you can simply go to NPR website and search for Quil. His latest report on September 1st is a timely pieceMarking 2 years since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan,on all the efforts to an ongoing crisis of inability to evacuate Afghan allies, on the moral injury to our troops and the politics behind the issue. In addition to his work as a correspondent and journalist, Quil is the author of Invisible Nation: How the Kurds' Quest for Statehood is Shaping Iraq and the Middle East,and editor forPictures on the Radio, a book of the late photographer David Gilkey's work for NPR News.

Thank you to colleague Colonel Dan Arkins, US Army, Retired - Director of Development at Home Base, who first introduced us to Quil Lawrence and his great work with veterans and much more.

This episode was recorded and edited byChuck Clough, of Above The Basement Productions.

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

In Part II of this conversation, Ron and Garry talk about gaining the trust from military leadership during wartime, with the opportunity to visit Kuwait during the Gulf War after getting the call directly from the battlefield, and how just like visiting Walter Reed, these are chances to Get it Right in order to follow him or her from servicemember to veteran and from deployment to home. They discuss how he’s not really that guy who could ever really tell a joke, and where his humor seems to come from, about his love for putting on a show ever since he was a little kid, and how he shares the mission to support veterans with fellow cartoonist (among other things), Jake Tapper.

Thanks for tuning in to Home Base Nation with writer, cartoonist and longtime supporter of our veterans and military families, Garry Trudeau.

Thank you Garry for your unwavering support of veterans and their families, and expertise in creating worlds that tell stories that make us think, feel, laugh, and smile. Make sure to pick up his series of four books on these journeys of recovery!

Home Base has a serendipitous connection with Garry and our mutual respect and connect to the incredible Fisher House. Proceeds from sales of the four books we discuss, which feature forewords by the late Senator and Veteran John McCain and General Richard B. Myers, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, benefit Fisher House providing temporary lodging for military families - currently at 92 homes across the country, with more expanding overseas. Home Base has partnered with Fisher House for many years and we are grateful every day for the ongoing support they provide our veterans, servicemembers and families, enabling them to visit and stay in Boston at our Center of Excellence.

This episode was recorded and edited byChuck Clough, of Above The Basement Productions.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

___

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

In Part I of this conversation, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with the Pulitzer Prize and Emmy winner, and Army’s Commander’s Award for Public Service honoree Garry Trudeau. Garry talks about learning that characters need to "known who they are" from his days working with MASH's Robert Altman, and tells us that not only did his dad and grandfather both serve, they were also both physicians. He talks about an eye-opening visit to Walter Reed Medical Center, with stories of injury and resilience that not only informed his storytelling, but have had lasting impacts on him for the long haul. As a big fan of author Sebastian Junger, he talks about that innate need for the tribe to survive, and of course explains a bit of his own creative process.

___

Thanks for tuning in to Home Base Nation with writer, cartoonist and longtime supporter of our veterans and military families, Garry Trudeau.

Thank you Garry for your unwavering support of veterans and their families, and expertise in creating worlds that tell stories that make us think, feel, laugh, and smile. Make sure to pick up his series of four books on these journeys of recovery!

Home Base has a serendipitous connection with Garry and our mutual respect and connect to the incredible Fisher House. Proceeds from sales of the four books we discuss, which feature forewords by the late Senator and Veteran John McCain and General Richard B. Myers, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, benefit Fisher House providing temporary lodging for military families - currently at 92 homes across the country, with more expanding overseas. Home Base has partnered with Fisher House for many years and we are grateful every day for the ongoing support they provide our veterans, servicemembers and families, enabling them to visit and stay in Boston at our Center of Excellence.

This episode was recorded and edited byChuck Clough, of Above The Basement Productions.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

___

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Today is August 14th - And US Navajo Code Talker Day. Many do not know about the Code Talkers and what they did for our nation - and the world - starting in 1942. On the show today, we are thrilled and honored to share a live conversation that took place on July 23rd 2023 at the Home Base Center of Excellence in Charlestown Navy Yard, with WWII Marine Veteran, Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald. Hon. Peter MacDonald is one of three surviving Navajo Code Talkers and his Knowledge, Wisdom, and Strength all come through in this special episode.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

___

This interview followed the 14th annual Run To Home Base at Fenway Parkwhere we honored the Special Operator Community. And along with Red Sox Nation that night in a pregame ceremony, Sox fans (along with many Mets fans at their side) gave a standing ovation to Mr. MacDonald as he and his family got a taste of Fenway spirit, honoring a legend right there in the historical park.

Thank you to our honorable guest, Marine Veteran and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald for visiting Home Base and for this live, unforgettable conversation. Thank you for teaching us about service and sacrifice and of course the 3 guiding principles you offer to the next generations: 1. Knowledge, 2. Wisdom, and 3. Strength. We were so grateful to you and your family for visiting us in Boston and hope and look forward to returning the visit in Arizona soon.

Many thanks to Hope and Charity MacDonald and your families for making this visit possible- At Home Base, thanks to the great team including Army Veteran Felicia Pinckney, Erin Dwyer, Air Force Veteran Marcus Denetdale, Dr. Louis Chow, Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Marine Veteran Derek Goodwin, Justin Scheinert, Phebe Garver, with leadership support COO Mike Allard and ED Brigadier General Jack Hammond.

Thank you to Chuck Clough for editing and production on this episode and David Schmitz at Waves Media for live-video recording and production – You can find the full length video of this conversation on our YouTube channel.

"Hozho Nahasdlii'" is a Navajo (Dine') Prayer-Song written by Clara Natonabah from the Tachii'nii Clan.

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Secretary Jon Santiago has had more than a few roles that have brought him to listen and lead in Veterans Services for Massachusetts along side Govenor Healey: A Multilingual Peace Corps Alum, Public Health Grad, Emergency Room Physician, Major in US Army Reserves, and Mass State Representative. And along with wife Alexandra, his proudest role to date as dad to Rafael, their 14-month-old who inspires him daily to do right by the community now and for the future. Ron Hirschberg talks with the Secretary about the journey so far, and how his drive to support and serve all veterans and families comes from within, and the calling to help all people in need or crisis, with DEI and the social determinants of health at the core of his mission.

-Thank you to Secretary Jon Santiago for your service in many ways. You are indeed a role model for all of us and of course your little guy’s generation to come. Home Base looks forward to your great work for all veterans of all eras, and their families throughout Massachusetts as a model Nationally as well. Thank you very much to Jackie Manning for all your efforts to make this conversation possible and to all the great staff at the Secretary’s office.

-Remember you can sign up any time for the 14th annual RTHB at Fenway Park on Saturday July 22nd. This year we honor the Special Operator community and will have special guests visiting on field as always, with a 5K 9K Walk Run throughout Boston, ending right on home plate.

-With Chairman of the Media Lab at Home Base Peter Smyth and the support and counsel of COO Mike Allard and Executive Director Brigadier General Jack Hammond, we started this podcast in November 2019. The goal was and remains twofold: To highlight the great work that so many are doing to lift awareness and help veterans and military families, and to connect with leaders from both military and civilian worlds to talk about service and mind-body health.

-As we head towards one hundred episodes, I want to acknowledge and thank this great team of collaborators, beginning day one with Steve Monaco, Cassie Falone, Charlotte Lucky, Army Veterans Bill Davidson and Armand Hunter, Lucy Little and Laurie Gallagher, and our new team - Army Veteran Kelly Field, Steve Monaco, Justin Scheinert, Phebe Garver, and Chuck Clough.

-We are closing today with our 5th Season of Home Base Nation and on behalf of all of us at Home Base, we appreciate you – a Grateful Nation, for taking the time to listen during part of your day, whenever and wherever you are. We will be back this Summer with new great content and conversations. Thanks.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

REMINDER... If you are a runner, walker, or want to sponsor either one, the 14th annual Run To Home Base is coming soon, of course back at Fenway Park with our great partners the Red Sox Foundation, on Saturday July 22nd 2023! Thank you for all your support of the mission to take care of all of our veterans their families. Hope to see you there and as always you can join, run and support anywhere virtually…At www.runtohomebase.org

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Today’s episode features a conversation with co-directors of the film Music Vets, Jon Kaufman and El Sawyer who discuss their new documentary that shows us how trauma and challenges brought out by war are healed with music. Music Vets highlights the experience of three US Veterans as they process emotions, build coping skills and resilience while combating common and debilitating invisible wounds - posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. It is also a story about transitions, and coming back to one's community, which is not a new concept to El and Jon who discuss their 2013 film, Pull Of Gravity, a documentary that follows the lives of three people in maximum security prison who transition home – One of those three being El himself.

___

Thank you Jon Kaufman and El Sawyer, our guests for your time and for doing your own part and service with creativity to honor veterans and healing through music, through your expertise of film.

Music Vets was created by co-directors Jon Kaufman and El Sawyer, Producer Gabe Wiener, and Executive Producers Rodd Berro and Paula Katz. The filmmakers would like to sincerely thank the veterans and their families who shared their stories and lives with them in the film, with the goal of spreading this message of healing.

To get updates on screening and where you can find the film, you can go to musicvetsfilm.com, and check out MING media (Media In Neighborhood Group) for all projects and for more on thoughtful community-minded filmmaking.

Thank you very much- Joy Allen, Brenda Ross, Julia Cuellar and colleagues at Berklee College of Music for developing the Institute of Music and Health series and for supporting our veterans and military families.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

REMINDER... If you are a runner, walker, or want to sponsor either one, the 14th annual Run To Home Base is coming soon, of course back at Fenway Park with our great partners the Red Sox Foundation, on Saturday July 22nd 2023! Thank you for all your support of the mission to take care of all of our veterans their families. Hope to see you there and as always you can join, run and support anywhere virtually…At www.runtohomebase.org

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

We knew it was a matter of time before Pickleball would come for a visit... and stay at Home Base. Mission Pickleball tells the story of the first pickleball tournament and fundraiser for Home Base on March 31st, 2023, partnering with our friends at the Naples Pickleball Center, in Naples, Florida. It is fitting that 3 WWII veterans created this infectious sport on a summer day in 1965. Word has it that they were trying to help a bunch of bored kids to find something to do, which may be true, but little did they know that it would create community and comradery not only around the country but the whole world 50+ years later.

Big thanks to team Home Base Pickleball – Moe Roderick, Steve Monaco, Jason Cooper, Armando Hernandez, Angie De Lima, Larry Whitmore, Lindsey Stiefvater, Nicole Culver, and Jaime Fernandez, and again thanks to our NPC partners Bob Strommen, Holly Bacon, Will Blanchette, and Pat Shea.

Many thanks to our Florida healthcare partners Lee Health, The David Lawrence Center, and to the tournament presenting sponsors, Florida Gulf Coast University who helped make this great event possible.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

REMINDER... If you are a runner, walker, or want to sponsor either one, the 14th annual Run To Home Base is coming soon, of course back at Fenway Park with our great partners the Red Sox Foundation, on Saturday July 22nd 2023! Thank you for all your support of the mission to take care of all of our veterans their families. Hope to see you there and as always you can join, run and support anywhere virtually…At www.runtohomebase.org

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Laura Harward, MSW, LICSW has been the director of the Intensive Clinical Program (ICP) - Home Base's signature program for the past 4 years. In 2015 while working in research at Mass General Hospital, she saw the need for veteran and military family care, and so Home Base was lucky to bring her on board. Laura always has a pulse on the Home Base program, and she shares where it has been, where it is now, and where it is going. Thanks for joining us for this special conversation – Home Base Nation correspondent Chuck Clough brings us this interview with Home Base’s very own, Laura Harward.

_____

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

REMINDER... If you are a runner, walker, or want to sponsor either one, the 14th annual Run To Home Base is coming soon, of course back at Fenway Park with our great partners the Red Sox Foundation, on Saturday July 22nd 2023! Thank you for all your support of the mission to take care of all of our veterans their families. This year we will highlight and honor the Special Operators, including our Navy SEAL, Green Beret, Ranger, Delta force and other communities. Hope to see you there and as always you can join, run and support anywhere virtually…At runtohomebase.org

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor and corresponded (Home Base Staff Picks): Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Today on Home Base Nation, we'll first hear from Dr. Rachel Millstein who works at Home Base and the Benson-Henry Institute (BHI) for Mind Body Medicine at MGH on what meditation is, why we do it, and how people can elicit the "Relaxation Response." Resilient Warrior was adapted from the great work at the BHI and is now delivered to not only veterans but military families and kids nationwide. Following this, please enjoy our past episode on resilience and healing through comedy and laughter with Army Veteran Thom Tran! Thom Tran wears many hats...He’s a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant and paratrooper, a first generation Vietnamese-American, a Purple Heart recipient, and a ‘triple-threat’ entertainer - an actor, musician, and comedian. Thom and Ron talk about mental health through the lens of comedy, laughter and we learn about his and his family's journey and service.

___

If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org.

Thank you Dr. Rachel Millstein for all you do for veterans and families at Home Base and at The Benson-Henry Institute at Mass General. Will be sharing more than 20 meditations soon, from Rachel and many others at Home Base, so please keep a watch out for those.

Make sure to Check out Thom Tran online or live and local when he is touring your town, you will be doing a lot “internal jogging” and quite out of breath from laughing I promise. Thanks, Thom, for your service and ongoing service in new ways.

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

The Home Base Nation Teamis Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor and corresponded (Home Base Staff Picks): Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/podcast

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.