Dog Tag Diaries

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.

Summary:In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes back Navy veteran, advocate, and author Leah Stiles. Leah first appeared on the podcast sharing her journey through military service and life beyond the uniform. Since that conversation, she has transformed many of those experiences into a powerful memoir, Battle Scars & Body Wars. In this conversation, Leah reflects on the emotional process of writing the book and what it meant to revisit some of the most defining moments of her life. She also shares the deeply moving experience of launching the book surrounded by family, shipmates, mentors, and friends from every chapter of her story. Her Albany book launch quickly sold out, with readers purchasing multiple copies to share the message and celebrate the courage it takes to speak openly about life after service. This episode explores the invisible battles many veterans carry and the healing that can begin when those stories are finally told. At the heart of Leah’s message is a simple but powerful idea. If you need a light, be a light.In this episode, we cover: Leah’s early childhood experiences with homelessness, foster care, and instability Why she joined the Navy in search of structure, family, and purpose How eating disorders can be hidden and made worse in military culture What led her to write Battle Scars and Body Wars, finally How memory loss after retirement pushed her to begin recording her story Why she turned the book into both a personal story and a resource guide Writing for service members, leaders, clinicians, families, and parents The fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome she faced while publishing the book How community support helped strengthen the medical and research side of her work Her emotional return to Albany and visit with youth at a treatment facility The sold-out book launch and what it meant to feel truly seen Her message, “Need a light, be a light,” and how purpose can grow from pain Practical advice for people struggling with food, body image, and shame Why no one should have to heal aloneNotable Quotes & Moments: “There comes a moment when silence becomes heavier than the truth.” [00:12:08] “I wrote this book because I survived and because too many others did not.” [00:12:46] “I’ve always wondered what my purpose was.” [00:21:10] “When you are in the dark, it means your story doesn’t end there.” [00:22:26] “You deserve support.” [00:34:22]Timestamps: 00:01:09 - Leah Stiles returns to Dog Tag Diaries and shares what she has been working on 00:04:07 - Her childhood, search for structure, and why she joined the Navy 00:04:53 - Hiding an eating disorder during recruitment and service 00:06:58 - The first real push to write her story into a book 00:07:32 - Memory loss after retirement and how it led her to document her life 00:09:02 - Building each chapter with research, stories, and support resources 00:10:20 - Writing the book for leaders, providers, families, and those struggling 00:11:44 - Leah reads a powerful excerpt from Battle Scars and Body Wars 00:15:20 - Fear, self-doubt, delays, and launching the book anyway 00:17:49 - Becoming an Amazon bestseller and hearing from readers who felt seen 00:21:02 - Leah reflects on purpose, pain, and becoming a light for others 00:25:34 - Why she chose Albany for the launch and her visit with youth at Northern Rivers 00:29:31 - A sold-out event, emotional response, and community support 00:33:56 - Leah’s advice for anyone struggling with eating disorders 00:36:50 - Why healing begins with one trusted person and one small stepLeah Stiles is a Navy veteran, advocate, nonprofit founder, and now author of Battle Scars and Body Wars: A Personal and Professional Journey Shining a Light on Eating Disorders in the Military. She is the founder of SeaWaves, a nonprofit that supports veterans and others affected by eating disorders, and she has become a strong voice for honest conversations around service, trauma, identity, and healing.Through her writing, public speaking, and advocacy, Leah is helping others understand that eating disorders do not always look the way people expect, and that support should never be out of reach. Her story is a moving reminder that survival can lead to purpose, and that sharing the truth can help someone else stay here.Connect with Leah:https://linktr.ee/SEAWAVESORGGrab a copy of her book: https://a.co/d/0aqYkYfhBe 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.

Summary:What does it feel like to put the uniform back on when your life at home has changed so much? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Dakota Olsen-Harris returns to the show for an honest talk about getting ready for her third deployment, this time as a wife and mother of five. She shares how this season feels heavier in new ways, especially with a toddler at home and older kids she will be leaving for the first time for such a long stretch.Dakota opens up about guilt, fear, missing milestones, and the deep love behind those emotions. She also shares the steps she is taking to help her children stay connected, why counseling helped her, and how support from family, friends, church, and community can make a real difference for military families.In this episode, we cover:Dakota’s military path from enlisting in high school to becoming an officerHer first two deployments to Iraq and the UAEWhat it feels like to prepare for a third deployment to GermanyThe emotional weight of leaving as a mother of fiveHelping kids cope through FaceTime, games, and a deployment wallHer fear of being forgotten by her young daughterCreating keepsakes like a voice-recorded stuffed animalMissing birthdays, school events, and big family momentsReaching out for counseling and learning how to process guilt and fearAdvice for military moms and families facing deploymentThe role spouses, pets, and support systems play during long separationsLeading soldiers well while also caring about their families back homeNotable Quotes & Moments:“It hits you when you least expect it and when you do expect it.” [00:06:41]“I have this deep-seated fear of being forgotten.” [00:13:37]“I think there’s guilt and fear.” [00:20:18]“I need to be able to talk to someone else about what’s going on.” [00:22:37]“It’s okay to feel those heavy emotions because that’s truly a gift.” [00:23:51]Timestamps:00:02:45 - Dakota recaps her military journey and early service00:04:21 - What deployment feels like now as a wife and mother of five00:06:03 - The emotions that hit as deployment gets closer00:08:07 - Why she switched to public affairs and chose to see opportunity in this mission00:10:49 - Preparing the kids through games, FaceTime, and a deployment wall00:13:37 - Fear of being forgotten and making her daughter a voice-recorded Build-A-Bear00:16:44 - Missing milestones, birthdays, and everyday family moments00:20:18 - Guilt, fear, and getting counseling support00:23:35 - Dakota’s advice for military moms getting ready to deploy00:29:48 - The weight carried by spouses and partners at home00:33:40 - Leading soldiers with care and making sure families feel supportedDakota Olsen-Harris joined the military while still in high school, driven by a desire to see the world and build a future for herself. Over the years, she has served as an enlisted soldier, completed ROTC, became a combat engineer, deployed to Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and later moved into public affairs. She is now preparing for her third deployment, this time to Germany.Along with her military service, Dakota is also a readjustment counselor at the Vet Center, a co-founder of the Reveille and Retreat Project, and a strong advocate for military women and families. In this season of life, she is serving while also carrying the very real emotions of being a present mother, wife, and leader. Her story is a reminder that strength and vulnerability can live side by side.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.

Summary:What happens when a woman spends nearly two decades in uniform, then has to figure out who she is without it? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, former Captain Ashley Miller shares the long road that took her from a horse-loving small-town girl in Missouri to enlisted soldier, Army officer, intelligence professional, disaster responder, and now licensed clinical social worker. Her story is honest, thoughtful, and full of hard-earned wisdom about identity, pain, purpose, and starting over.Ashley opens up about growing up with family trauma, surviving intense bullying as a teen, joining the Army at 17, and serving through major turning points that shaped her life. She talks about Hurricane Katrina, military leadership, the stress of transition, and the moment she knew it was time to build a new life. She also shares how horses, therapy, and community helped her heal, and why she now helps women veterans reconnect with themselves and move forward.In this episode, we cover:Growing up in rural Missouri and finding peace with horsesFamily trauma, mental health, and learning to survive hard home dynamicsSevere bullying in high school and graduating early through homeschoolingJoining the Army National Guard at 17 and going through basic trainingStarting as enlisted, then commissioning as an officer through ROTCHow 9/11 changed her career path and kept her in the National GuardLeading communications support during Hurricane KatrinaTransitioning into Military Intelligence and working in England, Germany, and Washington, D.C.The financial and leadership crisis that pushed her to leave the militaryBecoming a social worker and creating a new mission helping women veterans healWhy mentorship matters and the advice she gives women entering military serviceNotable Quotes & Moments: “When I’m with my horse, I feel so like myself.” – Ashley Miller [00:06:34]“I just figured life out because I was like, this was not the plan.” – Ashley Miller [00:25:42]“I felt like the universe was telling me, Ashley, it is okay for a new okay.” – Ashley Miller [00:32:50]“I love being a mentor for others now.” – Ashley Miller [00:40:33]“Do not ever try and be one of the boys.” – Ashley Miller [00:42:07]“You have the capability. You have the brains. You have the competency.” – Ashley Miller [00:42:21]Timestamps:00:01:59 – Meet former Captain Ashley Miller and hear the arc of her story00:05:31 – Childhood in rural Missouri and a lifelong bond with horses00:08:20 – Family trauma, PTSD in the home, and why horses felt safe00:10:10 – Bullying, injustice, and leaving high school early00:12:12 – Homeschooling, graduating at 16, and joining the Army at 1700:13:16 – Basic training at Fort Jackson and early military culture shock00:18:22 – Enlisted years, ROTC, and becoming an Army officer00:19:23 – How 9/11 changed her expected military path00:21:09 – Hurricane Katrina and leading in disaster response00:26:12 – Transitioning into Military Intelligence00:30:54 – Why she knew it was time to leave the military00:38:34 – Studying social work and moving toward a new purpose00:41:53 – Ashley’s advice to women entering or serving in the militaryAshley joined the U.S. Army in 1999 at just 17 years old. Over nearly two decades, she served as an enlisted Soldier, commissioned Officer, Department of Defense contractor, and Department of the Army Civilian. Her service includes disaster response missions, tours at national-level intelligence agencies, and leadership across multiple components of the Army.After resigning her commission in 2016, Ashley transitioned intentionally, earning her Master of Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Today, through her private practice, she supports Veterans navigating reintegration, identity shifts, trauma recovery, and personal growth.She is also a lifelong equestrian, a 1996 National Champion in Competitive Trail Riding through the North American Trail Ride Conference, and certified in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Ashley now integrates horses, healing, and her deep understanding of military culture to help women Veterans reconnect, heal, and thrive.Connect with Ashley:Website: https://www.hopeandrenewalcounseling.com/Facebook: Petunia.smith.56Instagram: @ashleyandthebogeyContact: [email protected] 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.

Summary:What does healing look like when years of silence finally break? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Val Fogelsang shares the road that took her from a curious, outdoorsy homeschool kid in Texas to an Army combat medic, OR nurse, forensic nurse, and podcast host. Her story is honest, painful, funny, and deeply human. What started as a childhood dream of serving in the military became a life shaped by service, trauma, motherhood, faith, and the slow work of finding her voice again.Val opens up about growing up in a hard home, joining the Army at 18, surviving sexual trauma, and carrying pain for years without the words to name it. She also shares how healing began, how she learned to stop hiding, and why she now helps others tell the truth through her podcast, Defiance of Silence. Her story is a strong reminder that pain may shape us, but it does not have to define us.In this episode, we cover: Growing up in Texas, homeschooling, and finding safety in nature and books Early dreams of becoming an Army nurse Childhood trauma, silence, and the weight of generational pain Joining the Army after high school and starting over Basic training, culture shock, and serving as a woman in uniform Surviving military sexual trauma and keeping it buried for years How nursing school helped bring hidden pain to the surface The life-changing moment she unexpectedly saw her assailant again Learning to ask for help during depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts How healing led her to support survivors through Defiance of SilenceNotable Quotes & Moments: “You were carrying things that were never yours to carry.” – Val Fogelsang [00:13:40] “I am not well.” – Val Fogelsang [00:17:12] “I never looked back.” – Val Fogelsang [00:23:01] “You’re not alone.” – Val Fogelsang [00:43:07] “What you don’t transform will transfer to your children.” – Val Fogelsang [00:46:15]Timestamps: 00:01:06 – Meet Val Fogelsang and hear a preview of her story 00:03:47 – Childhood in Texas, homeschooling, and finding comfort outdoors 00:08:09 – Dreaming of becoming an Army nurse 00:10:26 – Childhood abuse, trauma, and learning to shut feelings down 00:18:20 – Why Val joined the Army at 18 00:23:43 – Basic training, medic school, and early military life 00:27:02 – First duty station and surviving sexual assault 00:30:23 – Nursing school and first hearing the term military sexual trauma 00:36:03 – The moment she saw her assailant again in public 00:41:49 – COVID, mental health struggles, and finding other veteran women 00:43:13 – Creating Defiance of Silence and helping survivors speak 00:46:15 – The lesson that changed how she sees healing and motherhoodValerie “Val” Foglesong is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, Registered Nurse, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. A trauma survivor turned healer, Val is dedicated to helping others rediscover their voice and self-worth through compassion, authenticity, and laughter. She’s the host of the Defiance of Silence Podcast, a show that gives survivors of sexual trauma a space to share their stories without shame. When she’s not in scrubs or behind the mic, Val can be found volunteering at a horse sanctuary, swapping dad jokes, or chasing her next wild adventure with her husband and two daughters in Texas.Connect with Val:Podcast: Defiance of Silence PodcastBe 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.