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Warriors & Quiet Waters Podcast
21| Stronger Together: Veterans on Connection and Community
Warriors & Quiet Waters is a veteran service organization (VSO) and an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives through peak experiences in nature, meaningful relationships, and a sense of community.
In this episode of Built for More, we dive deep into one of the core pillars of the program: connection. Joined by three incredible WQW alumni—Army Veteran and staff member Katie Megahee, Air Force Veteran Aaron May, and Marine Corps Veteran Buck Chambers—the conversation explores the power of building meaningful relationships, both with fellow veterans and in everyday life.
Aaron and Buck share their backgrounds, military experiences, and how they got involved with the Built for More program. The group discusses the vital importance of connection, especially for veterans, and how it directly impacts mental health and well-being. Katie leads a discussion on the Harvard study that highlights the life-changing benefits of strong relationships and why the Built for More program places such a heavy emphasis on fostering these bonds.
As the episode unfolds, the veterans reflect on their personal journeys, discussing the challenges of losing connections after leaving the military and how they found renewed community through BFM. They also explore how their coaching roles with youth teams have been transformed by their experiences in the program and share practical insights on how to cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships.
Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about the role of connection in personal growth, and how veterans can strengthen their bonds to enhance both their own lives and the lives of others.
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41 | Catch A Lift Fund | Warrior Support Network
26:05|This is another episode in our short series spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families.In this episode, we sit down with The Catch a Lift Fund to explore the resources they offer and how veterans can access them.
40 | The Headstrong Project | Warrior Support Network
49:27|In this episode, we dive into the resources offered by The Headstrong Project and how they are guiding veterans, service members, and their families to "triumph over trauma." Learn more about the Headstrong Project: https://theheadstrongproject.org/
39 | Elizabeth Dole Foundation | Warrior Support Network
24:56|In this episode, we sit down with Marjorie Pennington-Healy, Director of Resource Navigation and Critical Financial Assistance at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, to explore the resources they offer and how military and veteran caregivers can access them.We talk through the Foundation's mission and founding, who they serve, and how caregivers and families connect with EDF for support. Marjorie shares what sets the Foundation apart in this space, what someone can expect when they first reach out for assistance, and some of the most common needs caregivers and families bring to them — along with a story that captures the real impact of their work.This is part of a short series spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families. We'll be releasing a new episode each week.https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/https://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/warrior-support-network
38 | Cohen Veterans Network | Warrior Support Network
45:30|This is the second in a short series of episodes spotlighting our partners in the Warrior Support Network, organizations working alongside WQW to serve veterans and military families. In this episode, we sit down with the Cohen Veterans Network to dig into their mission and how they deliver mental health care to veterans, service members, and their families, and how those in need can access their clinics and resources.https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/
37 | Wounded Warrior Project | Warriors Support Network
41:56|This episode is the first of our series featuring our partners from the Warrior Support Network. The Warrior Support Network is a trusted coalition of reputable organizations working together to provide warriors with targeted, high-quality support in the areas that matter most. Through these partnerships, warriors can access critical resources in mental health, physical health, suicide prevention, medical care, substance abuse assistance, financial stability, and employment support.This network reflects our belief that no warrior should have to face life’s challenges alone. We connect warriors with trusted organizations that meet specialized needs, extending care beyond our direct programming and supporting each warrior’s path toward long-term healing, stability, and purpose.https://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/warrior-support-network
36 | Shelli Gordon | Caregiving, Community, and Rebuilding Purpose
50:47|Shelli Gordon is a U.S. Air Force veteran, military spouse, caregiver, volunteer, and advocate whose life has been shaped by service.In this episode, Shelli shares her experience supporting her husband after deployment, the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of finding support for herself along the way. She reflects on the role Warriors & Quiet Waters played in helping her build community, gain perspective, and continue serving others.Join us for a conversation about resilience, caregiving, and the strength it takes to support those who have served.
35| Greta Larrimore, Author of Our War After The War
58:33|In this episode, Greta shares about her new book, "Our War After the War", which chronicles her journey as a caregiver spouse to a SOF veteran. She examines the challenges of healing from infidelity, coping with a spouse suffering from post-traumatic stress, TBI, and executive dysfunction, and navigating the systems that were supposed to help them. Greta shares how hope was found through veteran service organizations like Warriors & Quiet Waters, and how compassionate, caring people put Greta and her husband on the path to a happier, more loving life that they enjoy today.Read "Our War After the War" on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheFungiResistance
34| Sue Kerver on Healing, Service, and The Starfish Chronicles
50:41|In this episode, we sit down with a WQW alum, a former U.S. Coast Guard officer, and the author of The Starfish Chronicles to explore her journey through service, storytelling, and healing. She shares what drew her to the Coast Guard, the experiences that shaped her during years of federal service and deployment, and how those experiences eventually became part of her writing and advocacy. We also talk about her work amplifying women’s stories and how that intersects with her own path of recovery and meaning-makingLearn more about Sue and preorder The Starfish Chronicles: https://www.suekerver.com/
33| WQW Champions
01:08:45|In this very special episode of the Warriors & Quiet Waters Podcast, we are joined by three amazing members of our community who have made a tremendous impact on our mission: Lynn Weidinger, Tom Stiffler, and Lee Rimkus. Lynn, Tom, and Lee were selected this year as our inaugural WQW Champions, an honor established by the Board of Directors to recognize those who have had the greatest impact on our mission. We hope that you will listen to this episode and enjoy the story of their outstanding impact.