Home Base Nation
115 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 57 ratingsHome Base Nation brings you discussions on thriving beyond surviving, and conversations with the civilian and military leaders of a grateful nation, who have been listening to our veterans and military families, and creating service for those who have served. Hosted by Dr. Ron Hirschberg, physician at Home Base and Mass General Brigham.
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Episodes
On The Road Again: With Navy Veteran, Home Base Marathoner, and Commercial Truck Driver Yuma Haidara
April 16, 2024 16:53 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn this episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Navy Veteran and 7-time marathoner Yuma Haidara about her journey to the Navy, nursing, and a path to a career in commercial truck driving with Walmart. Yuma sees the road in front of her as an opportunity, and at the same time with just enough adventure. She holds a unique balance of bonding with fellow veterans, while finding strength on her own, trucking cross country, running anywhere from 3.1 to 26.2-mile races, and building her own busines...
Rhythm And Resilience: With Healing Arts Practitioner/Songwriter Lauren Monroe and Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen
April 02, 2024 17:03 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBIn this episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg sits with Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen: Couple, and Cofounders of Raven Drum Foundation, leading events to heal and build resiliency through the arts for 23 years. Prior to experiencing a community drum circle with over 70 veterans and 1st responders hosted by philanthropist Ernie Boch Jr., Lauren takes us to 2001 - helping Rick through his own trauma with mindfulness, and describes mind-heart-coherence for ourselves and community. Rick reminds us that we ...
Making Herstory: A Conversation with the 1st Woman to Serve as Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution Commander Billie J. Farrell
March 19, 2024 17:59 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBCommander Billie June (BJ) Farrell grew up in Kentucky and at age 10 something about the Naval Academy just clicked. Seven years later she enrolled at the Academy, and in 2004 was commissioned. Commander Farrell as served as an officer aboard the USS Vella Gulf, USS San Jacinto, and the USS Vicksburg. And on January 21st, 2022 she moved with her husband, Navy Officer Paul Farrell and two young kids to Charlestown, MA to report as the 77th Commander of the USS Constitution. 224 years later, s...
Therapeutic GOALS – Featuring Ret. Navy SEAL Ryan Croley and Ret. Boston Bruin Frank Simonetti
December 19, 2023 16:25 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBRetired Navy SEAL Capt. Ryan Croley founded the Warrior For Life Fund (WFLF) in 2012 after never skating or picking up a hockey stick until his mid-thirties, creating an opportunity for veterans, active duty service members, and families to meet and compete on the ice no matter the skill level, ability…or disability. Frank Simonetti played for the Boston Bruins from 1984-1988, and as a Bruins Alumni continues to help raise funds and awareness for people in need through organizations like WFL...
More Than an Unbelievable 29-year Undefeated Track Streak – Featuring Marine Veteran and Teacher Hal Croft, with Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammond and Producer Brandon Millett
December 05, 2023 05:00 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBOn the show today, Marine Veteran, teacher in the classroom and on the track – Hal Croft, including two of his former Reading, MA High School students – Film Producer Brandon Millett, and Home Base's Executive Director Brigadier General Jack Hammond. Host Ron Hirschberg sits with Hal, Brandon and Jack to talk teaching, building bonds on and off the track and battlefield, and healing wounds of war in and out of the clinic. It was just a few years prior to starting his teaching career that in ...
"This is How I Serve" - With Wounded Warrior Project's Jennifer Jenkins
November 21, 2023 05:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBThank you Jennifer Jenkins for How You Serve, and a very happy Thanksgiving to the Jenkins family! Wounded Warrior Project's Jennifer Jenkins is the spouse of a Navy Veteran, the sister of an Army Veteran and the mom of a Marine. She is an award-winning author and has helped build a community of support for military families and veterans for more than 8 years in her role as a Warrior Speaks Communication Specialist. Jennifer was “drafted” into the military the same day her brother Army Speci...
Two Hats and Camo-Scrubs: A Conversation with US Navy Combat Veteran and Current President of the American Medical Association, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld
November 07, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBUS Navy Combat Veteran Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld has worn two hats, both literally and figuratively whether donning his surgical cap in the OR, or his camouflage cap down range, and they seem to blend together when you talk with him about humanity, what the right thing to do is when it comes to stigma, equity in healthcare and equality for all, no matter who we are, both at home and abroad. In this episode, host Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Dr. Ehrenfeld about his role as the current President of...
"Embrace your story and don't be afraid to let it go!" - Actor, Advocate and Military Family Member Mariel Hemingway
October 24, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBAcademy Award and Golden Globe nominee Mariel Hemingway is known for her iconic roles in Lipstick, Manhattan, and Star 80. But did you know she created a Mental Health Foundation, and that she is from a military family? Her dad enlisted in WWII just after Pearl Harbor, was in the OSS which would become the CIA. Her grandfather, the great American writer Ernest Hemingway was denied enlistment for visual impairment but served the frontline in Italy with the Red Cross as an ambulance driver in ...
Honoring Native American Veterans on Indigenous Peoples' Day 2023 - A Visit to Home Base From Admiral Michael Weahkee and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald
October 09, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBOn October 9th, 2023 we reflect on the contributions of Indigenous peoples in the US, and what is more of a profound contribution than dedication to and protection of our country? In Post 9/11 times, about 1 in 5 Native Americans have joined the armed forces, and we recognize and salute the service and resilience that runs deep and strong throughout our military history. This episode highlights a recent visit to Home Base from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, sharing discussions on the Indian H...
Honoring Native American Veterans on Indigenous Peoples' Day - A Visit to Home Base From Admiral Michael Weahkee and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald
October 09, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBOn October 9th, 2023 we reflect on the contributions of Indigenous peoples in the US, and what is more of a profound contribution than dedication to and protection of our country? In Post 9/11 times, about 1 in 5 Native Americans have joined the armed forces, and we recognize and salute the service and resilience that runs deep and strong throughout our military history. This episode highlights a recent visit to Home Base from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, sharing discussions on the Indian H...
“Speak Openly and Speak Out!” – A Conversation with The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy
September 26, 2023 20:05 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBOn 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...
"What Are You Doing When You Come Home?" - With NPR News Correspondent on Veterans Quil Lawrence
September 12, 2023 17:58 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBOn 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 climat...
Serving Service with a Smile: Part II - With Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau
August 29, 2023 18:25 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MBIn 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...
Serving Service with a Smile: Part I - With Cartoonist and Writer Garry Trudeau
August 29, 2023 18:23 - 31 minutes - 29 MBIn 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 th...
Unbroken Code, Unbroken Love (For Country) - With WWII Marine Veteran and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald, Sr.
August 14, 2023 17:00 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MBToday 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, a...
Leading Starts With Listening - Featuring MA Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago
May 23, 2023 18:34 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MBSecretary 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...
Mending Invisible Wounds...With Music - Featuring Directors of "Music Vets" Jon Kaufman and El Sawyer
May 09, 2023 14:34 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBToday’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 com...
Mission Pickleball: A Grateful Nation Raise Their Paddles To Play The Veteran-Created Game
April 24, 2023 21:03 - 8 minutes - 7.47 MBWe 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...
Two Weeks and Onward - A Conversation with Home Base Intensive Clinical Program Director Laura Harward, MSW, LICSW
April 11, 2023 14:54 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBLaura 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 ...
Home Base’s Dr. Rachel Millstein and Staff Pick: Army Veteran and Comedian Thom Tran
March 28, 2023 18:13 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBToday 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 ...
Home Base's Family Outreach Coordinator Betsy Hart and Staff Pick: The Service of Sesame Street – Featuring Rocio Galarza
March 14, 2023 19:17 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBOur Home Base Staff Pick this week is "The Service of Sesame Street – Featuring Rocio Galarza." You’ll first hear from Home Base's Family Outreach Coordinator, military spouse and military daughter Betsy Hart. Betsy was in this original episode in April 2021, and talked about the time when her kids were really little, how Sesame Workshop for Military Families was a saving grace for them and for the whole family during all their deployments and transitions. Rocio Galarza is Vice President of ...
Home Base's Marine Veteran Ryan Casavant and his Staff Pick: Dancehall and Deployments - With Marine Veteran Shaggy
February 28, 2023 20:05 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBFor our 1st Home Base Staff Pick, Our very own Team Leader of Veteran Outreach Marine Veteran Ryan Casavant gives some love to fellow Marine Veteran and … Dancehall and Reggae artist Orville Burrell, AKA Shaggy. Ryan talks about his road to the Marines, his deployment experience, and what he does at Home Base to support his peers and families. And as we look at those making history, this month in Black History Month, you cannot find any other GRAMMY-winning Marines out there… Shaggy has rele...
The Heart of a Survivor - With CBS Survivor Winner and Military Family Member Mike Gabler
February 14, 2023 05:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIn our last episode of Season 5, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Survivor's Season 43 Winner Mike "Gabler" Gabler, the first winner to give their entire $1 Million to a deserving cause close to our hearts at Home Base. As a heart valve specialist from a military family, Gabler talks about the inspiration of service he’s had from his dad and friends in the military, and an unforgettable veteran named Lester who lived well into his 90s, following his team's transcatheter aortic valve replacement...
Walking the Walk, After 4,325 Episodes of the Talk - With Navy Veteran Montel Williams
January 31, 2023 05:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBIn this episode, Navy Veteran Montel Williams sits with Dr. Ron Hirschberg to discuss his three 17-year long careers, the first of which as Navy Intelligence Officer, followed by his prolific and award-winning talk show, which led to work and support in veteran trauma, a multiple sclerosis foundation, and bringing service and giving to military families together with Lifetime's Military Makeover. Among other decorated honors, Mr. Williams holds two Navy Commendation Medals, two Humanitarian ...
Finding Your Hozho on MLK Day of Service - Reflections with WWII Veteran and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald
January 17, 2023 19:39 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBWWII Marine Veteran and Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service, and at the same time points out that Dr. King would not simply want a day of service, but a way of service. As one of the only three living Code Talkers of more than 400 from WWII, Mr. MacDonald embodies grace and gratitude, and teaches us that although these codes may have been used as weapons, war is never the goal. His ongoing wish is for peace, balance and being one together w...
Talk While You Exercise, Learn While You Podcast! - With Boston VA Whole Health Medical Director Dr. Eddie Phillips
January 10, 2023 20:07 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBToday on the show, host Dr. Ron Hirschberg chats with friend and colleague Dr. Eddie Phillips, Whole Health Medical Director at the Boston VA, and Associate Professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, about asking not what's the matter with you - but what matters to you, about Eddie's "Bike Desk" that keeps him moving while working, moderate and vigorous intensity exercise, and learning while laughing with his cohost Juna Gtata on PRX's Food, We Need To Talk....
Learning, Laughing on all things Military Life - With Senior Editor at Military Times Sarah Sicard
December 27, 2022 17:12 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBOn our last episode of 2022, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Journalist Sarah Sicard about growing up in a military family, and growing an interest in shining light on the 1% military community through stories on culture, humor, history and all things entertainment in the military and veteran space. Sarah writes for Military Times and you'll find her work in Task and Purpose, National Defense News, and stay tuned of course for her upcoming first novel. Happy Holidays and we look forward to con...
"A Little Hope" (And A Lotta Harmony) - Featuring Voices Of Service
December 13, 2022 05:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBArmy Veterans Caleb Green, Christal Rheams, Ron Henry, and Jason Hanna join host Dr. Ron Hirschberg for a conversation about the love of music, singing and one another as brothers and sisters that runs as deep as their harmonies, backstage at the Home Base Veterans Day Dinner on November 12th 2022. Their mission to help others heal those invisible wounds through song and bringing people together in both the military and civilian community hit a new level in 2019 when they became Top 5 finali...
Healing Waters at the Head of The Charles - With Navy Veteran Patrick Johnson
November 29, 2022 05:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBIn this episode, host Dr. Ron Hirschberg sits on the bank of the Charles River in Cambridge, MA with Navy Veteran and Rowing Coach Patrick Johnson, at the famous Head of The Charles Regatta. Coach Johnson is National Director at Athletes Without Limits (AWL), and DC Strokes integrated rowing program, a USRowing Freedom Rows designated adaptive program for the Armed Forces. Ron and Patrick talk about his joining the Navy as a musician, finding a new family in the military music community, and...
Thankful for Old Friends and New Missions - Featuring US Army Legal Specialist (Ret.) Matt Bataille
November 24, 2022 05:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBHome Base Nation Thanksgiving Message from host Ron Hirschberg 11-23-22 “Thank you sir, for your service.” I said this to a Marine Veteran in the hospital the other day who was admitted with a bad pneumonia, and he was getting back on his feet to get home hopefully for Thanksgiving. He said Thank YOU doc for yours. I nodded and lifted my brow, knowing that like every other day I would still take the train home to my suburban neighborhood, sleep in a comfy bed and feel safe at home. As do...
Returning to Fenway - The 2022 Run To Home Base: Honoring Black Veterans of All Eras
November 15, 2022 05:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBIn this Season 5 opener, come back to Fenway Park on July 30th, 2022 for the 13th Annual Run to Home Base. This is our first RTHB at the Park since Covid, and this year Home Base and The Red Sox Foundation honors and celebrates Black Veterans and Families of all eras. From the first base line and Sam Adams Deck, Dr. Ron Hirschberg interviews WWII Tuskegee Airman Enoch "Woody" Woodson II, WWII Army Veteran Marvin Gilmore, Brigadier General Joe Carter, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Kitching, Green ...
Invictus/Warrior Game Alumni and Home Base ICP Graduate Army Veteran Monica “Mo” Southall
August 02, 2022 16:52 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBToday's episode is another installment of Home Base Nation: Veteran Stories with Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Monica "Mo" Southall. Mo participated in Home Base's Intensive Care Program (ICP) in January 2022. Mo is an athlete and adaptive sports athlete, having competed multiple times in the Invictus Games, and competed and coached in the Department of Defense Warrior Games. Mo was gravely injured in 2009 while on deployment, and speaks openly about how finding her way into adaptive sports saved h...
Military Giving Made Possible - With the Armed Forces Financial Network and Inspire Up
July 19, 2022 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBHome Base is all about helping veterans and military families thrive. Mental health and addressing the invisible wounds are part of the equation – And Inspire Up with help from AFFN is such a good example of that needed collaboration to make that thriving a reality. Thanks to our guests – John Broda and Scott Duszynski, of Armed Forces Financial Network, and Jessica Manfre of Inspire Up for your service and for all you do for military families. ### If you are your loved one is experienci...
Emergencies Without Borders - With US Navy Veteran Dr. Eric Goralnick
July 05, 2022 13:41 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MBIf 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. Sign up to join us in person or virtually for the 13th Annual Run to Home Base at runtohomebase.org. ### Eric Goralnick, MD, MS is focused on improving patient care in two main areas: ensuring access to healthcare for our most vulnerable patients and supporting collaborations between the civilian and military medica...
Pride in Service: Looking Backwards to Move Forward from Don't Ask Don't Tell - With U.S. Army Veterans Cliff Brown and Jade Griffiths
June 28, 2022 18:00 - 34 minutes - 48.2 MBToday we have the honor of sharing two U.S. veteran stories, both out gay military service members who were in basic training together fifteen years ago and have not seen each other since. Army Veterans Cliff Brown, who is a project manager at Home Base, and Jade Griffiths, who works today as a 911 dispatcher, talk to us and each other about how life was for them as LGBTQ-identifying soldiers during Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and after it was repealed, about President Trump’s 2017 reenactment of t...
Doing The Right Thing - with U.S. Congressman (D-MA) and Marine veteran Seth Moulton
June 23, 2022 18:27 - 21 minutes - 30.4 MBToday's episode is with U.S. Congressman (D-MA 6th District) and Marine veteran Seth Moulton. We connected with the Congressman after we spoke with Said Noor, the Afghani American U.S. Army Veteran who's episode we released last week. Said's mom and siblings were able to get out of Afghanistan about the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, thanks in large part to Congressman Moulton and his team, including Director of Constituent Services Neesha Suarez, who worked with Said and U.S. ...
Doing The Right Thing - with U.S. Congressman (D-MA) and former Marine Seth Moulton
June 23, 2022 18:27 - 21 minutes - 30.4 MBToday's episode is with U.S. Congressman (D-MA 6th District) and former Marine Seth Moulton. We connected with the Congressman after we spoke with Said Noor, the Afghani American U.S. Army Veteran who's episode we released last week. Said's mom and siblings were able to get out of Afghanistan about the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, thanks in large part to Congressman Moulton and his team, including Director of Constituent Services Neesha Suarez, who worked with Said and U.S. m...
Codeword: Tom Brady - Afghan American Army Veteran Said Noor and his 20-year mission to save his family from the Taliban
June 14, 2022 19:30 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MBIn today's episode, Ron Hirschberg talks with Said Noor, a proud Afghan American Army Veteran who first served for over eight years as an interpreter for the U.S. Army troops stationed near his village, before he was able to move to the U.S. on a special visa. A few years later, Said became a U.S. citizen, joined the U.S. Army, and redeployed back to the same area he had lived with his mom and eight siblings amidst many years of Taliban brutality, this time as a soldier. Said and Ron talk ab...
"Saved By A Song" with Grammy-nominated songwriter, author, and military family member Mary Gauthier
June 07, 2022 11:00 - 53 minutes - 73.4 MBFor our first episode of this year's Pride Month, Dr. Ron Hirschberg had the privilege of sitting with Mary Gauthier. Mary is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, a military family member and huge supporter of veterans, and a savior so many with her songs. Author of the new book Saved By A Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, and with eleven original albums out (including the brand new album Dark Enough To See The Stars which was released in early June), Mary is a prolifi...
Supporting the Peaceful Warrior - With Shawndin Tracy & Dino Haley of Navajo Nation and the Arizona VA
May 31, 2022 21:38 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBIn today's episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with Veteran Affairs (VA) social worker Dino Haley and VA Facility Rural Health Coordinator Shawndin Tracy, both currently based out of the Phoenix, Arizona VA. At 19 percent, Indigenous Americans have the highest per-capita of any ethnic group to serve in the U.S. military. There is a pride in service, in defending ones' country, as well as in working to preserve community, traditions and ways of life for indigenous communities. The Navajo peopl...
Infinite wisdom on a parking ticket: Army Veteran JR Martinez's story of "Amitābhaḥ"
May 23, 2022 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBAmitābha Check out JR's Podcast! - Rebirth With JR Martinez ----- 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 **REMEMBER FOLKS THE ANNUAL RUN TO HOME BASE IS 7-30-22 THIS YEAR! ALL FUNDRAISING GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CARE OF OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, SO SIGN UP HERE: www.runtohomebase.org Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Bu...
Actor, Author, Advocate & U.S. Army Veteran JR Martinez | #MentalHealthAction Day
May 19, 2022 13:00 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBThis is the second of two episodes this week in honor Mental Health Action Day which this year fell on Thursday, May 19th. Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with U.S. Army Veteran, burn survivor, actor, motivational speaker, The New York Times best-selling author of the book Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit, and Dancing with the Stars Season 13 winner. Ron and JR talk about service, survival - or rebirth as JR describes it - overcoming trauma and resilience, the importance of...
Country Star & US Army Veteran Craig Morgan | #MentalHealthAction Day
May 16, 2022 13:00 - 44 minutes - 60.6 MBThis is the first of two episodes this week in honor Mental Health Action Day which this year fell on Thursday, May 19th. Dr. Ron Hirschberg talks with U.S. Army Veteran and country music artist Craig Morgan. Craig spent nearly 11 years with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, serving in both Panama and Desert Storm. As a country music artist for more than 20 years, Craig has had 25 songs on the Billboard Charts, including his songs - "Almost Home", "This Ole Boy", "Wake Up Loving You", a...
U.S. Army Veteran & cancer survivor Brandi Benson on her mission to "defeat with purpose"
May 09, 2022 16:30 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBToday's episode features a conversation with Brandi Benson, U.S. Army veteran and author of the book "The Enemy Within: A Young Soldier's Unexpected Battle with Cancer." Brandi, a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and outspoken mental health advocate, was only twenty-four and a few months into her first deployment when she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, possibly due to toxic exposure while she was deployed. Dr. Ron Hirschberg speaks with Brandi about h...
What Yoga, Bird Watching, and Home Base All Have in Common - with U.S. Army veteran Joshua Maloney
April 25, 2022 20:01 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MBToday's episode is another installment of Home Base Nation: Veteran Stories with Joshua Maloney, a Cape Cod-based U.S. Army and Army Reserves veteran. Josh is no stranger to Home Base, having participated in our Training for First Responders when he was a Barnstable, MA police officer, and as a patient with us in 2019 when he participated in our Intensive Care Programs, or ICP. Today, Josh works with the Veterans Yoga Project a yoga teacher and as their New England Regional Director, is a fu...
Home Base Strong: The Journey of Dr. Patrick Downes Before and After the Boston Marathon Bombing
April 11, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBToday’s episode brings us back home - to Home Base, and to Boston. Dr. Patrick Downes is a psychologist at Home Base and a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Speaking with Patrick, you immediately can see that this is someone who embodies the essence of someone who serves those who serve. A Cambridge, MA native and Boston College alumnus, Patrick started his psychology training in 2012, and planned to pursue a career as a youth psychologist. Nine years ago this week, on April 15th...
A Coincidental Conversation in an Uber: Wise Words from a First-Generation Cuban-American Vietnam Veteran
April 04, 2022 17:30 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBPicture this: you get into an Uber on your way to the airport in Los Angeles, and after some light exchanges with your driver, you learn that he is a Vietnam veteran. The infamous LA traffic fades away as you learn more about his life and service, and before you know it, thirty minutes have gone by and you're already at the airport. Well, that's what happened to Ron Hirschberg the other week as he was a podcast conference in Los Angeles. In a first for Home Base Nation, we're excited to brin...
Combat, Comedy & Feeling the Laugh Again - featuring U.S. Army veteran, comedian, and musician Thom Tran
March 28, 2022 18:15 - 1 hour - 62 MBThom Tran wears many hats, just like his dad. 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’s father was a pilot in the South Vietnamese air force, and was a POW for three years before escaping, getting his family to a refugee camp, and then later immigrating the whole family to the U.S. Growing up, Thom wanted to be a punk rocker (specifical...
Combat, Comedy & Feeling the Laugh Again - A Conversation with U.S. Army veteran, comedian, and musician Thom Tran
March 28, 2022 18:15 - 1 hour - 62 MBThom Tran wears many hats, just like his dad. 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’s father was a pilot in the South Vietnamese air force, and was a POW for three years before escaping, getting his family to a refugee camp, and then later immigrating the whole family to the U.S. Growing up, Thom wanted to be a punk rocker (specifical...
When a Rock D.J. Deploys - A Conversation with Mistress Carrie and General Jack Hammond
March 21, 2022 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBMany deployed troops are lovers of rock music, and those deployed from the New England area would send Boston's beloved radio DJ and podcast host Mistress Carrie letters from Iraq and Afghanistan. A vehement supporter of U.S. troops and veterans, she wanted to find a way to give back, and in 2006 she made her way to Iraq, as the first non-news journalist embedded with troops there, before "deploying" for a second time in Afghanistan in 2011, where she met Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammon...