Staff Sergeant Kristen Domke brings a powerful, firsthand perspective to mental health and resilience in the military on this episode of Dog Tag Diaries. Listen as Kristen reveals what it’s like to navigate military service while grappling with trauma, addiction, and the journey to sobriety. Hear how a “community that works together” can also sometimes leave you feeling isolated—and what you do when you need help, but don’t know how to ask for it. Kristen’s story includes her combatting stigma, learning self-advocacy, and the crucial role that faith—and a trusty canine companion—played in her recovery.

If you’re looking for honest military stories, insights into overcoming personal struggles, and tips on finding your own strength, this conversation is for you. Tune in and discover how hope, grit, and purpose can transform even the darkest moments into new beginnings.

About Kristen:

Kristen Domke is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, serving since 2012. A proud Dayton, Ohio native, Kristen has lived and served in Germany, Turkey, Washington D.C., and New Mexico. She began her military career in Security Forces and now works in Physical Medicine. Kristen holds a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University and is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Life Coaching. A Certified Personal Trainer and musician who once performed at Carnegie Hall, Kristen is also a proud member of the DAF Women’s Rugby club and Team RWB Eagle Leader & Ambassador

Kristen has plans to launch her own business focused on healing and empowerment. She is a woman of faith, a voice for mental health, and a beacon for others on their sobriety journey.

Connect with Kristen:

📸 Instagram: @kristendomke

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💪 Undrdog Athletix code: KDOM -The Undrdog code gives you 15% off

Kane - Supportive Shoes for Athletes

Team RWB - Health and Wellness Community for Veterans

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram:

Step behind the scenes of a one-of-a-kind Trauma Transformation Retreat for military women in this heartfelt episode of Dog Tag Diaries. Experience the magic that happens when equine therapy, soulful music, nourishing food, and community partners unite for healing and transformation. Listen as Captain Kim welcomes the compassionate team from Healing Reins and special guests, including a gifted pianist whose intuitive connection with horses creates unforgettable, healing moments. Throughout the episode, hear teasers about art therapy collaborations, the powerful impact of storytelling, and how music and horses foster deep connections.

Looking for inspiration about holistic healing, women veterans’ experiences, and the power of partnership? This episode is your invitation to discover what’s possible when passion and purpose meet.

The Healing Reins Team—Erin, Lisa, and the amazing volunteers—you opened your hearts, your horses, and your healing grounds to our participants. The trauma-informed equine therapy you provided created a space of safety, trust, and emotional breakthroughs that words can’t fully capture. You didn’t just show up—you held space for transformation.

Special Thanks To:

Erin, Lisa, the Horses and all the volunteers of Healing Reins

🎹 Paula & Shannon + The Tower Theatre

🧘‍♀️ Wendy Wilson – creator of AwakenedEarthEssentials For providing your gifts.

Connect with Wendy - AwakenedEarthEssentials.wendy@gmail.com

🥗 Bleu Bite Catering – For providing delicious, thoughtful meals that nourished our bodies and added warmth and comfort to every gathering.

🌿 Mad Hippie – For contributing clean, healthy skincare products that nurtured and protected participants all weekend long—supporting wellness from the outside in.

🏛️ Oregon Health Authority – For believing in our mission and funding this retreat. Your support made this healing journey possible, and your commitment to trauma-informed care is changing lives.

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

In this eye-opening episode of Dog Tag Diaries, meet Didi Meindok—a Navy veteran, lawyer, and medical scientist—who opens up about her powerful journey from spunky New Orleans tomboy to Operation Desert Storm veteran and beyond. Discover what happens when your military service is “erased by paperwork” and trauma is dismissed by bureaucracy. Didi reflects on battling PTSD, finding unexpected allies, and the strength of women's camaraderie in traditionally male military spaces. Hear how she confronts moral injury, advocates for female veterans, and flips adversity into advocacy.

If you’re seeking real talk about military trauma, women veteran recognition, healing, and the fight for validation, don’t miss Didi's raw truths and her advice for self-advocacy, documentation, and building a resilient support network.

Didi Meindok is a U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm, an attorney, and a trained medical scientist. Known as the FilaEstonian, she comes from a long line of seafarers and believes in the importance of truth, justice, and integrity in service. Her first PTSD treatment took place at the same hospital where One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was filmed—a symbolic start to a lifelong healing journey.

📲 Connect with Didi:

LinkedIn - Dorothy Dagmar Meindok, JD

Facebook - Dorothy Meindok

To contact Didi, email: dorothy@meindoklaw.onmicrosoft.com

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You 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.

Curious how women break barriers in the military? In this special episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes Phyllis J. Wilson, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5, Army intelligence leader, and president of the Military Women’s Memorial. Phyllis reveals how determination, resilience, and a bit of rebellious spirit led her from a childhood of tree climbing to leading 200,000 personnel and serving in over 35 countries. Hear insights on work-life balance with a blended family of eight children, first-hand experiences with gender bias, what it’s really like to be a woman in uniform, and why collecting and honoring military women’s stories matters now more than ever.

If you care about women veterans’ history, leadership, or want authentic military stories that inspire, this one’s for you. Tune in and discover why your story—and every woman’s story—counts.

Phyllis J. Wilson, MPA, BSN, RN

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) & President, Military Women’s Memorial

Phyllis J. Wilson is a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 with 37 years of service in U.S. Army military intelligence, including leadership of over 200,000 personnel and an $8 billion budget. She has served in more than 35 countries and earned high honors including the Legion of Merit.

Now President of the Military Women’s Memorial, Phyllis continues to advocate for women in the armed forces. A Registered Nurse with multiple degrees and a certificate from Duke University, she also serves on several national military and veteran-focused boards.

She’s a decorated leader, dedicated advocate, and proud mother of eight and grandmother of sixteen.

Links and Resources:

• Website - Military Women’s Memorial
• Watch the Segment: Phyllis J. Wilson’s Fox News Appearance
• Adopt a Woman Veteran Project
• Military Women’s Memorial Podcast (in collaboration with Wreaths Across America radio)

How to REGISTER for the Military Women's Memorial - click here

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram:

Get ready for one of the most moving episodes of Dog Tag Diaries yet. In this honest conversation, Caroline Flores pulls back the curtain on her journey from a chaotic childhood in a traditional Mexican-American home, through the trials of military service, and into her evolution as a spiritual healer. Expect raw truths about mental health in the military—topics like surviving suicide attempts, battling shame and isolation after deployment, struggling with belonging, and the hard realities facing women veterans.

Caroline and host Kim also touch on equine therapy, healing through spirituality, and breaking destructive generational cycles. If you’re searching for inspiration on trauma recovery, women’s resilience, or reclaiming your voice, this episode promises to leave you feeling empowered and seen. Don’t miss the real story behind military service, growth, and hope.

Caroline Flores grew up in a home that was both joyful and unstable, where sensitivity was met with silence and expectations overshadowed emotion. She joined the Army in search of something solid—something different—and for a while, she thought she’d found it. But deployments brought more than duty; they unearthed buried pain, led her through the mental health system’s broken maze, and eventually into the depths of multiple suicide attempts that changed her forever.

But Caroline didn’t stay there. She rose—with grit, grace, and a fierce commitment to her healing. Today, she is a spiritual healer and therapist who empowers others to find clarity, reclaim their stories, and reconnect with the warrior within.

She’s proof that trauma doesn’t define you—but how you choose to transform it does.

Connect with Caroline:

🌿 Instagram: @claridadhealing

🌿 Website: claridadtherapyservices.godaddysites.com

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You 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.

Ready for a truly raw and real episode of Dog Tag Diaries? Meet Dr. Jaimie Lusk—Marine Corps officer turned trauma psychologist—as she unpacks her journey from mud-loving kid in rural Oregon to national expert in moral injury and trauma recovery. Host Captain Kim uncovers Jaimie’s candid stories: leadership clashes in Iraq, the complexities of trust after service, and the hilarious tale of "Disneyland Jail." If you’ve ever questioned your fit or fought with imposter syndrome, you’ll want to hear Jaimie’s take on finding a sense of belonging after military life. Why does reconnection matter so much? Can healing actually come from embracing your flaws? This episode is for veterans, mental health advocates, and women navigating identity or leadership. Reignite your courage to trust one more time—start listening now.

Dr. Jaimie Lusk is a clinical psychologist, consultant, and former Marine Corps Logistics Officer who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is a nationally recognized expert in trauma-focused therapies and moral injury and has dedicated her career to helping veterans and other high-risk populations heal from the invisible wounds of war. Dr. Lusk is known for her fierce compassion, her innovative approach to treatment, and her unwavering commitment to empowering her clients to reclaim their lives and find purpose beyond trauma.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Lusk:

🌐 Website: www.drjaimielusk.com

🧠 Threshold Psychological Services: www.thresholdpsychologicalservices.com

📖 Blog: Psychology Today - Threshold

🧠 The Headstrong Project: Learn More Here

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook:

Ever wondered what it takes for a "quiet, bookish" girl to command thousands across combat zones? In this inspiring episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Dr. Jenn Donahue—retired Navy captain, civil engineer, and self-described Texas wild thing—breaks the mold. Jenn shares powerful stories about being "the only woman in the room," her unexpected journey into military leadership, and how embracing authenticity reshaped her idea of true leadership.

From building bridges in Iraq to tackling impostor syndrome on center stage, Jenn offers rare insights into navigating male-dominated spaces, finding mentorship, leading with empathy, and balancing career ambition with family and self-care. Ready to discover why real greatness is about lifting others up, not proving your worth? Tune in and hear how one woman rewrote the rules of military success, resilience, and personal growth.

Jenn Donahue, PhD is a retired US Navy Captain and former Commodore for an 1,800 personnel Regiment. She is also a civil engineer who works on large scale, high profile geotechnical projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents.

Jenn passionately helps others overcome the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their grandest dreams and most ambitious goals. She is an international keynote speaker with speeches including leadership and mindset.

Today, Jenn is the Founder of JL Donahue Engineering, Inc. and Dare to Rise. She also lectures at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and CalPoly.

🔗 Connect with Jenn Donahue:

🌐 Website: jenndonahue.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenndonahue-phd-pe

📘 Stay tuned for her upcoming book, launching late 2025!

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You 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.