Hope For The Warriors Podcast

In this powerful episode of the HOPE podcast, host Kate Dudley sits down with U.S. Para Sliding Development Director Kim Seevers from Lake Placid during a stop on the inaugural Para Skeleton Legacy Tour. Born out of the energy of the Invictus Games, this international tour is creating new pathways for veterans and adaptive athletes to stay connected to sport, purpose, and community. From Norway to Switzerland to the U.S., athletes are not only learning new tracks, but they’re also rediscovering confidence, identity, and what’s possible after injury.Kim shares how the tour came to life, why expanding beyond Lake Placid was critical, and how partnerships, including Hope For The Warriors, helped remove financial barriers so athletes could fully commit to the experience.More than just a sport, Para Skeleton offers something deeper: a powerful mix of adrenaline, focus, and healing. As Kim explains, it mirrors the intensity of combat while also demanding mindfulness, discipline, and control.With eyes set on growing the sport globally, and a long-term goal of reaching the Paralympic Games, this movement is just getting started.0:00 – Welcome from Lake Placid & intro to the Legacy Tour1:10 – How the Invictus Games sparked the movement3:15 – Why para skeleton is so powerful (and accessible for beginners)5:20 – Taking the tour global: Norway, Switzerland & beyond7:10 – Why international experience matters for athlete growth9:00 – How Hope For The Warriors helped fund the tour11:15 – Athlete impact: confidence, identity & recovery14:00 – The mental + physical transformation through sport16:10 – Why veterans are drawn to sliding sports (adrenaline + focus)18:30 – Chaos vs. control: the meditative side of skeleton20:30 – Camaraderie and connection among military athletes22:30 – David Snipes’ story: resilience, innovation & breaking barriers27:00 – The future: World Cup dreams & Paralympic goals30:00 – Why these stories matter—and what we can all take away32:00 – Closing + (maybe) taking a run down the track

Recorded at Hope For The Warriors’ annual Got Heart Give Hope Awards Ceremony at the MGM National Harbor, this special episode features longtime HOPE supporter, volunteer, and military advocate, Sue Jurney.A Marine Corps spouse of more than 35 years, Sue shares her deeply personal connection to the early grassroots days of HOPE, when military spouses stepped forward to support wounded service members and families during the height of the War on Terror. From helping families navigate medical crises at bedside to building lifelong military spouse networks, Sue reflects on how community, compassion, and action shaped both her journey and the organization’s 20-year impact.This conversation highlights the power of connection, the evolution of military family readiness, and why service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.00:00: Welcome to the Awards 00:45: HOPE Family Homecoming01:34: Mission and Origins02:57: How HOPE Helped Sue 05:06: Growth and Impact06:38: Captain Dan Moran Connection09:56: Family Readiness Lessons13:18: Readiness in a Digital Age15:49: Navy Service Award17:13: HOPE Shaped My Service19:33: Closing, Thanks, and Kindness

Actor and military advocate Antwon Tanner joins host Kate Dudley on the Hope For The Warriors Podcast to discuss his long-standing support of Hope For The Warriors, meaningful moments from his career, and how his definition of success has evolved. The episode highlights the importance of supporting service members, veterans, and military families while advancing the mission to restore hope within the military community.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:07 Meet Antwon Tanner: Advocate and Ambassador01:50 Antwon’s First Encounter with Hope For The Warriors04:01 The Impact of Military Service on Families05:46 Antwon’s Continued Commitment and Suggestions06:36 Antwon’s Military Family Background09:34 Unique Stories and Experiences11:46 Cultural Exchange and Personal Growth14:07 Antwon’s Acting Career and Recent Projects15:44 Upcoming Projects and Auditions16:26 Discussing “The Roaring Game” 17:37 Reflections on Success and Priorities20:38 Family and Career Choices23:09 Impact of COVID on the Entertainment Industry24:48 The Changing Landscape of Media26:02 Hope For The Warriors: A Personal Connection28:11 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode of the Hope for the Warriors podcast, host Kate Dudley is joined by two-time World Series Champion Doug Flynn and Fantasy Camp Director Doug Dickey to discuss the Mets Fantasy Camp. They explore the unique experiences and bonds formed at the camp, especially for veterans. The episode delves into how the camp operates, the camaraderie among participants, and its significant impact, including raising money for Hope for the Warriors. The discussion highlights the therapeutic benefits of baseball for veterans and the strong community it fosters.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:20 Meet the Guests: Doug Flynn and Doug Dickey02:02 The Origin of the Doug Duo05:20 Inside the Mets Fantasy Camp07:14 Kangaroo Court and Fundraising for Hope for the Warriors11:08 Incorporating Veterans into the Camp16:07 Kangaroo Court and Veterans' Stories17:12 Baseball's Healing Power for Veterans18:32 Engagement and Support at Fantasy Camps19:04 Cliff's Journey and Team Support20:13 Veterans and Former Players Bonding21:09 Managing and Organizing Fantasy Camps23:12 Hope for the Warriors and Fundraising25:43 The Impact of Mets Fantasy Camp27:36 Returning Campers and Community Building30:29 Future Plans and Final ThoughtsLearn more about Mets Fantasy Camp

In this episode of the Hope For The Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley interviews actor and veteran advocate Jaylen Moore. They discuss Jaylen’s career, his passion for supporting veterans, and his involvement with Hope For The Warriors. Jaylen shares personal stories about his family's military background, his experiences on the TV show 'Six', and his latest film projects. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting military families, especially during the holidays. The episode highlights Jaylen's genuine enthusiasm for helping others and his commitment to being a strong advocate for the veteran community. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:50 Jaylen Moore's Advocacy and Support for Veterans03:09 Jaylen's Personal and Professional Background04:17 Military Family Connections and Experiences06:44 Acting Career Highlights and Challenges09:46 Hope For The Warriors and Other Organizations14:52 Celebrity Invitational and Personal Stories20:15 Defining Moments in Jaylen's Career25:15 Career Highlights and Gratitude26:03 Meeting Humble Celebrities26:57 The Importance of Kindness29:07 Advocating for Therapy and Self-Help32:13 Birthday Reflections in New York36:13 Upcoming Projects and Family Life37:47 Supporting Military Families43:51 Holiday Giving and Resilience

In this episode of the Hope For The Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley interviews Army veteran Ray Soto at the 4th Annual No Obstacles Race for the Warriors on Governors Island. Ray, who served for 23 years, shares his experiences participating in the event and the significant role that HOPE has played in his life. He discusses the importance of community and togetherness when overcoming challenges, the transition from surviving to rebuilding, and the support HOPE offers to veterans and their families. Ray also opens up about his personal struggles and highlights key moments of personal growth. The episode ends with Ray offering heartfelt advice on connecting with veterans and the power of genuine interactions.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Event00:28 Interview with Army Veteran Ray Soto03:15 Ray Soto's Journey with Hope for the Warriors05:14 The Impact of Hope for the Warriors07:39 Personal Stories and Reflections12:15 Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles14:02 How to Thank a Veteran16:16 The Importance of Time for Veterans16:49 Checking on Friends and Family During the Holidays17:27 Genuine Buddy Checks18:07 The Power of Random Acts of Kindness20:40 Running in a Spartan Costume22:32 Lightning Round Questions25:20 Message of Hope for Veterans

In this episode of the Hope for the Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley showcases the No Obstacles 5K event, hosted by Pain Schwartz Partners in collaboration with Spartan, on New York City's historic Governor's Island. Guests Mollie Stambovsky of Pain Schwartz Partners and Dan Welch from Spartan delve into the event's inception, its unique elements, and how it supports military families by breaking down barriers. The conversation highlights the logistical challenges of organizing the race, the various sponsors and partners involved, and the impactful atmosphere of race day, including drill sergeant-led motivational stations on the course. The podcast emphasizes the importance of community support and awareness in assisting service members, veterans, and their families. 00:00 Introduction to the Hope for the Warriors Podcast00:05 Special Edition: No Obstacles 5K Overview00:50 Meet the Hosts and Guests02:26 The Origin and Mission of Hope for the Warriors05:38 Event Details and How to Get Involved07:25 Spartan's Role and Unique Challenges10:52 Race Day Experience and Logistics19:51 Supporting Partners and Sponsors24:01 Final Thoughts and Farewell

 In this special throwback episode from October 2023, one of HOPE’s Regional Social workers, Nicole Howard and HOPE’s Director of Clinical Case Management and Financial Wellness Director Shelley Rodiguez join Kate for an important conversation on financial wellness. You’ll hear about practical tools, resources, and strategies to help build a stronger financial foundation. We’ll delve into budgeting, dealing with debt, and planning for the unexpected, emphasizing that financial wellness is critical to overall well-being.  00:00 Introduction and Special Throwback Episode00:40 Meet Shelly and Nicole03:18 The Importance of Financial Wellness07:13 Common Financial Issues Faced by Clients12:00 The Role of Budgeting in Financial Health18:08 Making Tough Financial Decisions19:04 The Importance of Budgeting19:58 Staying on Top of Your Finances20:41 Common Financial Mistakes22:35 Credit Card Pitfalls26:14 Hope for the Warriors: Financial Assistance31:30 Emergency Planning for Military Families34:20 Conclusion and Resources

Join host Kate Dudley at River Landing for the 16th annual Hope For The Warriors Celebrity Invitational. This episode features a compelling conversation with four-star General William 'Spider' Nyland and MLB pitcher and broadcaster Nelson Figueroa. They discuss the event's impact, share personal stories of camaraderie and community, and emphasize the importance of supporting military service members and women. From the sights and sounds of the golf tournament to the heartfelt moments during Warrior Night, this episode captures the spirit and mission of Hope For The Warriors.00:00 Welcome to the Hope For The Warriors Podcast00:21 Introducing the Guests: General Nyland and Nelson Figueroa00:45 First Impressions and Experiences at the Invitational01:34 The Impact and Growth of Hope For The Warriors03:15 Warrior Night: Laughter, Pranks, and Camaraderie04:46 Memorable Moments and Protocols07:41 Fundraising Success and Community Support12:55 Personal Stories and Emotional Connections24:10 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude