On this episode of the VinnyRoc Podcast, I sit down with actor, writer, and advocate Lisa Regina—founder of A Write To Heal and creator of the veteran-driven TV project Heroic Episodes (EP: Joe Mantegna). Lisa opens up about surviving domestic violence, healing through writing, and how working with veterans reshaped her mission to employ vets on set, mentor at-risk youth, and tell authentic stories about trauma, resilience, and community.
We get into:
If you've lived through trauma, support veterans and first responders, or care about rebuilding community with real mentorship, this conversation is for you.
Support & Learn More A Write To Heal (nonprofit): https://awritetoheal.com/ Heroic Episodes (series + donate): heroicepisodes.org/donate
About Lisa Regina
About the Host VinnyRoc Podcast—real conversations with veterans, creators, first responders, and leaders building things that matter.
Timestamps
00:00 — Opening: Lisa's story and speaking publicly about domestic violence 01:18 — How we likely first met (Range 15 era) and the Hollywood dominoes 04:59 — Lisa's path to film: NYU, coaching, and early breaks 07:02 — The veteran connection begins: Capt. Leslie Nicole Smith enters the class 09:50 — Set life with veterans: camaraderie, competence, and healing 12:31 — The assault: April 2, 2005—what happened and what followed 15:47 — Aftermath, shock, the stranger who stayed, and the long week missing 21:28 — PTSD common ground: civilian survivor meets combat vets 24:42 — A Write to Heal: why writing works when nothing else does 30:05 — "Heroic Episodes": premise, Joe Mantegna, and employing veterans 42:17 — The five-dollar campaign, VFWs/Legions, and sustaining the mission