The Unseen Journey

By: Operation Red Wings Foundation
  • Summary

  • Welcome to The Unseen Journey, the podcast that offers a guiding hand to Veterans and their families transitioning from military to civilian life. Join us as we explore the unique challenges faced after service, featuring a blend of inspiring resilience stories, expert mental health discussions, and practical tools for re-acclimation. Each episode is a tribute to the spirit of our heroes and is brought to you by the Operation Red Wings Foundation. As we explore the often invisible wounds and hurdles of post-service life, our goal is to empower our listeners with hope, understanding, and resources. Our guests include mental health professionals, successful Veterans who've walked this path, and advocates dedicated to making a difference. Don't miss a moment of these powerful narratives and helpful insights. Subscribe to The Unseen Journey today and consider supporting the vital work of the ORWF at orwfoundation.org. Your contribution helps us continue to provide crucial support and retreat opportunities for Veterans, fostering a community of healing and connection. Join us on this journey to visibility and beyond. Your story doesn't end here; it's just another chapter in The Unseen Journey.
    Copyright 2024 Operation Red Wings Foundation
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Episodes
  • Neuroscience is Transforming Mental Health
    Oct 15 2024


    In this episode of The Unseen Journey, guest host Jesse welcomes Jim Poole, CEO of NuCalm, to discuss neuroscience's role in managing stress, anxiety, and trauma. They explore how NuCalm, a cutting-edge technology, helps veterans and others by tapping into brainwave frequencies to promote relaxation and recovery. Jim shares his personal journey from business to neuroscience and how the technology has impacted his life and many others. This insightful conversation dives deep into how veterans and first responders can benefit from stress management tools in their post-service lives.


    Key Points:

    - [0:00] - Welcome and Introduction

    Jesse introduces The Unseen Journey and Jim Poole, highlighting his background and leadership at NuCalm, a neuroscience company specializing in stress and recovery solutions.


    - [7:13] - Jim’s Inspiration for Neuroscience

    Jim shares his journey into the world of neuroscience, explaining how a personal desire to understand stress management led him to create solutions that have benefited veterans and first responders.


    - [16:25] - How NuCalm Works

    Jim provides a simple breakdown of how NuCalm technology works, using soundtracks to alter brainwave frequencies and induce a state of deep relaxation.


    - [22:19] - The Amygdala’s Role in Stress

    Jesse and Jim discuss the amygdala's function in triggering anxiety, especially in moments of rest, and how NuCalm helps retrain the brain’s response.


    - [40:12] - Real-Life Applications for Veterans

    Jim and Jesse dive into how veterans can use NuCalm daily to manage anxiety, improve sleep, and ease the transition back to civilian life.




    Quotable Moments:

    - [5:46] "It’s not just about making money; this technology has changed lives—mine included." – Jim Poole


    - [22:19] "The amygdala has a head start on stress... your brain craves high-stress environments even when you're at rest." – Jesse


    - [16:25] "NuCalm’s soundtracks push your brain into a restorative state by adjusting its frequency." – Jim Poole



    Links Mentioned in the Episode:

    • NuCalm Website: https://www.nucalm.com
    • Operation Red Wings Foundation: https://www.orwfoundation.org


    Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Unseen Journey. If you’re struggling with stress or anxiety, explore the transformative effects of NuCalm. Check out their website and discover how this technology can help you regain control of your mental health. Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with more stories and tools to help veterans thrive in civilian life.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Lost Records, Found Strength: A Veteran’s Journey of Recovery
    Aug 27 2024

    In this powerful episode of The Unseen Journey, you will hear a heartfelt conversation with a fellow team leader from the Operation Red Wings Foundation. They explore the guest's emotional journey of overcoming the invisible wounds of military service, from the frustration of lost medical records to finding healing through the Foundation's retreats. This episode takes a dive into the importance of peer support, the impact of military sexual trauma (MST), and the transformative power of self-care in the healing process.

    Key Points:

    - [0:00] - Introduction and Sponsor Shoutout

    The host introduces the episode, highlighting the mission of the Operation Red Wings Foundation, which offers free retreats for Veterans and their families.

    - [6:14] - A Veteran’s Service and Transition

    The guest shares their story of military service and the challenges they faced transitioning back to civilian life, including lost medical records.

    - [12:01] - The Struggles of Reporting MST

    A discussion on the difficulties veterans face when reporting military sexual trauma, and the importance of shifting the narrative from victims to survivors.

    - [16:32] - Resilience in the Face of Adversity

    The guest reflects on their journey of dealing with anger and depression, and how they found strength in their spirituality and community.

    - [26:17] - Life-Changing Experience at RW Foundation Retreat

    Insights into how attending an Operation Red Wings retreat helped the guest release long-held emotions and begin their healing journey.

    Quotable Moments:

    [6:49] “What an interesting journey and story of perseverance...just never quitting.” - Guy


    [16:56] “Your spirituality is one of your unseen elements, and it gave you such strength and perseverance.” - Guy


    [31:03] “We can do self-care, and once we've done self-care, then we can go out and be selfless.” - Guy


    Links Mentioned:

    Operation Red Wings Foundation: https://www.redwingsfoundation.org


    Thank you for joining us on this episode of The Unseen Journey. If you or someone you know is a veteran in need of support, consider exploring the retreats offered by Operation Red Wings Foundation. These experiences have been life-changing for many, providing a space for healing and connection. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode to help us reach more veterans in need of support.

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    35 mins
  • Finding Balance After Trauma: The Power of Gratitude
    Aug 13 2024

    In this episode of *The Unseen Journey, host Guy sits down with special guest Brian, a USMC Veteran deeply involved in the Veterans Yoga Project and Operation Red Wings Foundation. Brian shares his unique journey from military service to becoming a yoga advocate, emphasizing the crucial role of gratitude and mindfulness in healing trauma. The discussion delves into how simple daily practices like yoga can significantly impact Veterans' mental and emotional well-being. Brian also highlights the importance of caregiver awareness and the parallels between military training and yoga in managing stress responses. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersection of mental health, trauma recovery, and holistic practices.

    Key Points:

    - [0:00] Introduction and Mission

    Guy welcomes Brian, discussing the challenges they've faced in getting him on the show and introduces the Operation Red Wing Foundation and Veterans Yoga Project.

    - [0:57] Brian's Background and the Transition to Yoga

    Brian shares his military background and how he discovered yoga as a tool for healing and balance.


    - [8:23] The Caregiver's Role in Trauma Recovery

    Discussion on caregiver burnout, secondary trauma, and the challenges caregivers face in supporting Veterans.


    - [9:34] The Warrior's Balance: From Combat to Yoga

    Brian draws parallels between ancient warriors' practices and modern Veterans using yoga to balance the warrior mindset with mindfulness.


    - [18:15] The Power of Gratitude in Recovery

    Brian explains why gratitude is the most powerful element of yoga and how it helps Veterans deal with moral injuries and trauma.


    - [32:54] Response vs. Reaction: A Vital Distinction

    Insightful discussion on how yoga helps Veterans shift from reactionary responses to mindful, processed responses in high-stress situations.


    - [39:11] Closing Thoughts and Resources

    Guy and Brian wrap up the conversation, discussing the importance of mindfulness in Veterans' lives and providing resources for listeners.

    Quotable Moments:

    [9:11] "Trauma equals trauma... Sometimes I just need space, and permission to be human." - Guy

    [10:34] "Even the samurai did calligraphy to balance the warrior within them." -Guy


    [18:45] "Gratitude lights us up to a ten on our own, but when someone else brings it to us, it lights us up to a hundred." - Brian

    Links Mentioned:

    • Operation Red Wing Foundation: https://www.redwingfoundation.org
    • Veterans Yoga Project: https://www.veteransyogaproject.org


    This episode highlighted the profound impact yoga and gratitude can have on veterans recovering from trauma. We encourage our listeners to explore the resources mentioned, especially if you or someone you know could benefit from these practices. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your community.

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    42 mins

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