Episodes

  • S2E10: The Friend

    S2E10: The Friend
    Oct 12 2023
    Two young men leave to fight, but only one comes back. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who mourns the death of his best friend. Afterwards, the hosts discuss grief, what draws people to work with older adults, and this podcast series. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    For this episode, our co-hosts are Rachel Weiskittle, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Hannah Heinz is a graduate student pursuing geropsychology at Virginia Commonwealth University interested in a career serving older adults as a therapist and researcher.

    Resources for this episode:
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • VHA Office of Rural Health

    Further Reading:
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health

    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
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    28 mins
  • S2E9: The Skyhook Man

    S2E9: The Skyhook Man
    Sep 13 2023
    What does it mean to survive trauma? Sometimes you take a new path, one that’s unexpected, but full of the love and hope you thought you’d never get to experience again. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who did just that. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    For this episode, our co-hosts are Rachel Weiskittle, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Jenn Daks is a clinical psychologist at VA Boston Healthcare System. Her work focuses on promoting resilience in late life, particularly among older adult couples and families, as well as pain management.

    Resources for this episode:
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • VHA Office of Rural Health
    Further Reading:
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health
    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.


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    25 mins
  • S2E8: The Most Difficult Thing

    S2E8: The Most Difficult Thing
    Aug 9 2023
    Being brave and being courageous can get you through war. But asking for help? Well, sometimes that’s the hardest part. Today we hear from a Veteran who asked for help. Our hosts discuss therapy for PTSD and the VA’s commitment to rural Veterans. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

    Bret Hicken is a clinical psychologist and the Aging Program Manager with the VHA Office of Rural Health’s Veterans Rural Health Resource Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. His research and policy work focuses on improving access to and quality of healthcare for aging rural Veterans and those who care for them.

    Resources for this episode: ·
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • VHA Office of Rural Health
    Further Reading:
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health

    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • S2E7: The Husband

    S2E7: The Husband
    Jul 12 2023
    Sometimes it’s the people closest to you who first notice that something just isn’t quite right. A Sunday morning brunch guides a Vietnam Veteran and his wife on the path to recovery. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

    Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College in 2011. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.

    Resources and Further Reading for this episode: ·
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • VHA Office of Rural Health
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health

    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 988, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • S2E6: The Runner

    S2E6: The Runner
    Jun 14 2023
    How far can we run? The chaos of war doesn’t always end with survival. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who vividly remembers each loss but refuses to forget everything he has gained. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

    Kelly O’Malley is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Consult-Liaison Service at the VA Boston Community Living Center. Her research focuses on examining the re-emergence of PTSD in later life and developing policies and training for trauma-informed care for older adults in VA CLCs.

    Resources and Further Reading for this episode: ·
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • The Honor Flight Network
    • Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans in American Society
    • Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?
    • Mental Health Impact of Homecoming Experience Among 1730 Formerly Deployed Veterans From the Vietnam War to Current Conflicts: Results From the Veterans' Health Study - PubMed (nih.gov)


    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 988, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • S2E5: The Nine Foot Man

    S2E5: The Nine Foot Man
    May 10 2023
    What makes you feel proud? A Lebanese-American Veteran from World War II discusses his childhood, his experiences in World War II and as a firefighter, and his adult life with his wife and children. Afterwards the hosts discuss the role of race, identity, and resilience in responding to trauma.

    This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

    Hannah Bashian is a counseling psychologist who works with older Veterans with medical and mental health concerns. Her research interests include the impact of ageist attitudes across the lifespan and ways to combat ageism. She is currently working on adapting an approach to thinking about trauma in late life for older Veterans with health problems.

    Resources and Further Reading for this episode:
    • VHA Office of Rural Health
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health
    • Article about Veterans and PTSD in Firefighters
    • Article about PTSD Prevalence in firefighters
    • Article about Veterans doing second service as firefighters
    • Article about how the Military is a Good First Step to Becoming a Firefighter
    • Article about 5 Reasons Why Veterans Are Suited to Be Firefighters
    • Podcast on how technology can support people with PTSD
    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night
    To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 988, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • S2E4: The Blanket Party

    S2E4: The Blanket Party
    Apr 12 2023
    How do you fight for a country that may not fight for you? In this episode we meet a Vietnam-era Veteran who grapples with the complexity of understanding his place in a foreign war that ended, and the domestic war on racism that he cannot escape.

    This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

    Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

    Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.

    Resources and Further Reading for this episode:
    • VHA Office of Rural Health
    • Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
    • The My Life My Story Podcast
    • National Center for PTSD
    • VA Mental Health
    • Article about PTSD and racial trauma
    • Article about Uncovering the trauma of racism
    • Podcast on how technology can support people with PTSD
    Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:
    • Call 988, then select 1.
    • Start a confidential chat.
    • Text 838255.
    • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • S2E3: The Caretaker

    S2E3: The Caretaker
    Mar 8 2023
    How do we find answers to our losses? A female Veteran describes her work as a nurse during her military service and her lifetime spent repairing others and searching for answers to her own losses. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Anna Etchin is a Registered Nurse, Researcher, and Quality Management Specialist with the VA Boston Healthcare System. Her work focuses on trauma and resilience. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthCenter for Women VeteransWebsite about PTSD in Female VeteransArticle with a historical perspective on women veterans issuesProfile of Women VeteransAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.
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    22 mins