When Sacrifice Calls

The 2020 Miracle

Sacrifice is made by so many in such different capacities. In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls" host Lesley Lykins shifts the focus from Military Reservists and National Guardsmen to America's Healthcare Workers and the sacrifices made to bring medications to market. .     Lesley reflects on the COVID-19 vaccination and the many sacrifices she has observed while working at a hospital this year. She speaks with special guest, Christa Bigham, RPhPharmDMSCS, a senior pharmacy director a...

High-Intensity Life

Growing up as an inner-city girl in Denver, Colorado, she knew she loved STEM and wanted to be an engineer. The military academies weren't an option presented in her district, yet she found her way in front of an interview panel seeking a congressional nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy. She received nominations to all of the academies and ended up at the U.S. Navy Academy. U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Kimberly Martinez holds a very demanding role in the Navy Reserve as part of the Coast...

For the Greater Good

How does it feel to sit down to the first Thanksgiving you and your husband and children have shared together in three years? The Cunningham family is grateful. Navy Reserve Lt. Jennifer Cunningham left for a deployment to Djibouti just two days after her husband retired from active-duty service.  Her deployment was extended as COVID-19 pandemic protocols were put in place. When Jennifer finally made it home to her family after 14 months, she came home not only to changes in her daughters...

2 Million

When you are 10-years-old and your mom is leaving for a war zone, your world is shaken. Statistics show that since 2001, approximately 2 million children have had to live through the deployment of a military parent.* One-third of these children will experience anxious behavior, increased worry, and tears.  In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls" hear straight from children that sacrificed the better part of a year with their mom when she left for a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan.  ...

The Sacrifice of My Identity

Do you think you know where your life is heading? Perhaps you feel comfortable in a consistent and stable place. You've worked your way to a certain point in your career, married the woman of your dreams, and feel confident and successful.  Then you deploy.  As a military Reservist, the effects of deployment can as Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Roger Reinert's so aptly puts it "blow up (your) identity."  On this Veterans Day, host Lesley Lykins speaks with Roger about the sacrifice of one's ...

Where Life Leads

She knows sacrifice. Sacrifice for my guest today has varied throughout her life. She experienced the sacrifices of a challenging deployment to Afghanistan. Then the sacrifices made as a young mother and military spouse. Today, U.S. Air Force veteran, Captain Amanda Huffman spends her time gathering and sharing the stories of countless military women. She is a storyteller giving back to others from a heart of gratitude. During this episode, Amanda shares the values she holds dear and ho...

Profound Love in the Midst of Stress

  I am your host, Navy Reserve Cmdr. Lesley Lykins. I launched "When Sacrifice Calls" a year ago to share the stories of America's Military Reservists and National Guardsmen. Amidst the craziness of 2020, I am so honored to launch Season 2 of the podcast. In this episode of the show, I personally kick off the season with what sacrifice means to me.  Between virtual school, full-time work at a hospital, MBA classes, and a very ill child, the stress has continued to build. But, I know I'm...

Bravery In the Face of Sacrifice

  Where do you find the brave? And maybe even more importantly how do the brave carry on through fear, adversity, and sacrifice? Navy Reserve Cmdr. Janelle Terrell arrived to her first military assignment, a deployed Navy warship, just weeks after giving birth to her first child. Her example of strength and bravery has quietly served to support others throughout her career - when they've needed to call on their own personal bravery. During this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls," host ...

For Those That You Love

Coming home from a military deployment is something that should be filled with joy and excitement. Initially, it is wonderful. But for many Reservists, the challenges begin when they return home and try to find their places back in a life they left months ago. Army Reserve Specialist Matt Frakes opens up about his recent deployment to the Middle East and the challenges he has faced since he returned home.  Raised by a single mom, he exudes a sense of responsibility, planning, and purpos...

Living in the Now

If you've been curious about the young people serving in the United States Armed Forces today, I've got an interview for you! Twenty-five-year-old, Ohio National Guard Specialist Jerry Lykins missed the camaraderie of a team after graduating high school and leaving behind youth sports.  He found that close support and structure in service to his country and continues to seek out adventure, experience, and individual growth. Only 25% of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are eligibl...

The Moment You Collapse

More and more studies have demonstrated personal reflection and self-awareness are keys to building leadership and emotional intelligence. When U.S. Air Force Reserve Tech Sgt. Daniel (Danny) Faust reflects on an earlier period of his life, he realizes the pain he caused to those closest to him. It was a care package that his wife sent him on deployment that helped him understand the greater purpose God had placed on his life. Danny is a personal witness to the transformation and stre...

Top 5 Surprises About Joining the Military Reserves

Over the past three months, you've heard from reserve service members across the country and representing all branches of the military. There have been many common threads throughout their stories. In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls" host Lesley Lykins, and Navy Reserve Commander, reflects on those common experiences. She shares her reasons for joining the Navy Reserve and the top five things that surprised her about the reserves. We encourage you to send your thoughts and feedbac...

Being an American

There is something greater that comes out of the sacrifices our military families experience. That's what Navy Reserve Cmdr. Christina Peterson holds to be true as a reserve surface warfare officer, mom to three young boys and the wife of an active-duty Navy officer.    Christina shares the challenges she and her husband have overcome to balance their service obligations while raising their sons. Her honest and graceful description of the community of support they've relied on includes he...

In Pursuit of Knowledge and Service

In a world connected intricately by technology, our military needs to be innovative and smart when it comes to information warfare. I am grateful that U.S. Navy Reserve Lt. j.g. Torey McMurdo is on our team.  Torey is currently a Ph.D. candidate in political science at Yale University, where her research focuses on election manipulation via information warfare. She is also a pre-doctoral fellow at the U.S. Naval War College’s Cyber and Innovation Policy Institute. On this episode of "Wh...

Suck It Up Buttercup

Hard work. Retired Navy Reserve Cmdr. Jackie Santisteban is what we in the military call a "hard-charger." As we celebrate a new year and new opportunities, Jackie's grit, determination, and work ethic will inspire you in achieving your own life goals. Raised on a farm in Minnesota, Jackie wanted to join the military during an era when others were trying to avoid service. She rolled up her sleeves and worked as hard as she could in service to her country. In this episode of "When Sacrif...

Talking Balance with a Former Work-A-Holic

Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Frantz admits she can be a workaholic. While on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer serving aboard a ship in the seventh fleet (famous for the intense operational tempo required of those crews) she realized she needed to find a way to balance her desire to serve with a healthy personal life. Natalie's decision to affiliate with the Navy Reserve upon leaving active duty was inspired in large part by her exposure to other reservists and many conversations with mentors...

Maybe She'll Be Inspired

When I sat down to interview Lt. Emily McCamy, my children played in the room next door while she and I had a heart-wrenching conversation. She wants to inspire her daughter and serve her country. But as she and I have both observed, there are many people that want to ask a particular question. How does a mother leave her children and deploy overseas? As Emily, a Navy Reservist with 22 years of services prepares to deploy in the new year, she joins me in person to discuss why sometimes Fa...

From Vulnerability to Unshakeable Bonds

Lt. Joan Krupsky is a nurse in the Navy Reserve. She is preparing to leave the Reserves after an eight-year career that began with the Navy's Direct Commission Program. She joined the Navy Reserve for adventure. Her experience exposed her to the humble sacrifices of fellow servicemembers wounded in combat. Her duty gave her an understanding of the importance of simply being fully prepared. In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls," host Lesley Lykins and Lt. Joan Krupsky discuss the vul...

Two-Hundred and Forty-Four

Capt. Elizabeth "Lisa" Howard retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve last year after 30 years of service. She pioneered as one of the first few women to fly helicopters for the Navy.  When Lisa puts on her uniform she understands that it carries the weight of those who have gone before her. She values the traditions of the Navy, the purpose and the missions. But mostly she values the bonds created with those who have also chosen to serve their country. In this episode, host, Lesley Lykins s...

Only Thing Left of Any Value

Navy Reserve Capt. Robert Thoms shares the wisdom and insight he has gained over a long career in the Navy, both on active duty and as a reservist.  He shares the value of time, and what the Navy commitment means to him. He also speaks about the opportunities the young men and women have through military services, and why employers should consider the strengths of veterans when hiring. In this episode, host, Lesley Lykins speaks with Capt. Robert Thoms about being "all in." Rob shares h...

She's Doing What She Loves

Lt. Cmdr. Ana Maring started her career in the Navy Reserve just before Sept. 11, 2001. She began as a sailor in the intelligence community helping other reservists deploy within a week's notice. Today this single mother serves as a public affairs officer in the Navy Reserve and works full-time in her civilian career.  In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls," host Lesley Lykins and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ana Maring discuss deep faith and the personal impact of fellow service members. She also...

We Are All in This Together

Cmdr. Nico Melendez shares his intense commitment to serving the nation, and what sacrifice has meant for his family. He and his brothers graduated together from boot camp in 1990. Over the past 30 years, both Nico and his wife have dedicated their lives to service in the military, state and federal government.  Nico shares with brutal honesty his struggle after returning home from a reserve mobilization to Afghanistan. His experience is not unique and is an important story of homecoming,...

The Better Deal

Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Matt Gill thought he would grow up to be a Navy SEAL. Last year he returned from a reserve mobilization to Afghanistan. Matt's career took some twists and turns, but today he is happily employed both in the non-profit sector as a civilian and the Navy as a reservist. The father of three describes the Navy's influence on both his career and marriage.  In this episode of "When Sacrifice Calls," host Lesley Lykins explores how a career can grow and develop from a tee...

Getting the Phone Call

Cmdr. Darchelle Caces is hesitant to share her military story. She isn't sure she can convey to others her experience. She wants others to understand both the challenges and the rewards. But how do you appropriately convey the gamut of emotions to others? Darchelle was about to walk into a morning meeting at her company in Chicago when she received the phone call. Reservists know that they can receive the call to mobilize at any time, but somehow it always comes at the least expected mome...

Commitment to Each Other and Country

  Lt. Cmdr. Aubrey and Capt. Nelson Page have been married for over nine years. Their relationship began in college while Aubrey was in the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and Nelson in the Army ROTC program.  After graduation, they spent the first three years of their marriage apart while serving on active duty. Today they are serving in the military reserves and last year Aubrey was mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan. Now the couple balances marriage, parenting...

When Sacrifice Calls - Trailer