Warriors & Quiet Waters Podcast

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/

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.  

We’re joined by Eeland Stribling, stand-up comedian, former wildlife biologist, and environmental educator whose work lives at the intersection of humor, storytelling, and the outdoors.In this conversation, we talk about how nature brings people together, the experiences outside that stay with us, and why connection to wild places so often grows into a desire to protect them.It’s a thoughtful conversation on belonging, stewardship, and the power of the outdoors, made even more timely by Eeland’s upcoming appearance on Netflix’s Funny AF, premiering April 20.

In this episode, John discusses the growing body of research surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapies and their potential role in addressing mental health challenges that many veterans continue to face. He explains how organizations like VETS work to expand awareness, advocate for continued research, and help veterans navigate access to emerging treatments, often outside the United States. The conversation explores both the promise of these therapies and the legal, logistical, and ethical complexities involved, offering a grounded look at a rapidly evolving area of veteran care.

Former paratrooper Javan Bair of the 82nd Airborne Division, who currently serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, joins the podcast to discuss traumatic brain injuries and the work being done at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health. He shares how TBIs often go undiagnosed, the wide range of symptoms veterans experience, and how the Institute’s intensive three-week program helps veterans recover through interdisciplinary care and strong peer support. The conversation also highlights the importance of seeking help and the resources available to veterans and their families navigating the effects of TBI. 

In our first season, we explored the creation of the Built for More program. In this episode, Chief Program Officer Chip Raybon and WQW Alum Luke Thompson join us to discuss the program’s development and explain how and why it empowers participants to build a thriving, purpose-driven life.

Bill Jarboe is a WQW Alum and is the Chief Surf Instructor at the Warrior Surf Foundation. The Warrior Surf Foundation uses surfing, yoga, and wellness coaching to provide a holistic mental and emotional wellness program to veterans who are overcoming trauma and seeking a new community post-transition. You can learn more about the Warrior Surf Foundation on their website: warriorsurf.org

Spencer Sullivan discusses his new book Not Our Problem and the lasting bond he formed with Afghan interpreter Abdulhaq Sodais. What began as a working relationship in Afghanistan continued after the U.S. withdrawal, as Abdulhaq faced a long and uncertain path toward safety. The conversation explores loyalty, responsibility, and the human cost of promises made during war.Spencer and his co-author Abdulhaq's book, Not Our Problem: The True Story of an Afghan Refugee, An American Promise, and the World Between Them, releases on April 21st. To pre-order your copy and learn more about the book, visit NotOurProblemBook.com