In this episode of Beyond the Frontline, host Donna and leadership coach Chelsea Stinson unpack the hidden patterns of toxic workplaces, corporate gaslighting, and why high-performing professionals are so frequently targeted.
The Trap of High Performance: Genuine, high-achieving employees often bec…
Beyond The Frontline
by Donna Hoffmeyer
Beyond the Frontline, a podcast of Coming Home Well, tackles topics relating to transitioning from the Frontline to the Homefront. Your host, Donna Hoffmeyer is a 21-year retired Air Force nurse; with a career that spanned from nursing, flight nursing, education, training, readiness, and policy. Donna has a master’s degree in Sport Science and has co-authored her first book, Warrior to Patriot Citizen; focusing on ensuring service members are prepared for transition well before transition occurs. She also has her own blog, Taking Off The Armor, focused on all issues before, during and after transition and after retirement, as well as, a multifaceted business, REBel LLC, focused on veteran transition mentorship, consulting, and publishing her own work.
Latest Episodes
Donna explores how Cyclone Bagels is redefining support for formerly homeless veterans by providing more than just housing; they are fostering empowerment through culinary employment, community connection, and a sense of belonging.
Key Topics Discussed
The Mission of Concern Housing: Jim Mutton, Ass…
In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer explores the intersection of technology, legacy, and human connection with guest Miles Spencer, CEO and co-founder of Reflekta.ai. Miles, an entrepreneur and storyteller, shares how his "soul tech" company allows users to create fully interactive, digital legaci…
Transitioning out of military or first responder life is rarely a straight path. The weight of cumulative trauma and PTSD can leave individuals feeling isolated, stressed, and disconnected from the communities they fought to protect.
In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with Laura Lindsey…
What happens when a Special Forces commando survives six years of combat, but realizes the hardest battle is learning how to rest?
In this episode, host Donna Hoffmeyer sits down with Tim Thomas—retired Australian Special Forces commando, mental health advocate, and founder of the Breathworks in Bed…
Host Donna sits down with Michael Dermer, founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur and IncentOne, to explore the powerful, surprising overlap between the entrepreneurial journey and the lives of the veterans and first responders.
Michael shares his raw path from corporate M&A lawyer to pioneering the heal…
What happens when the damage to your brain isn't visible on a standard MRI, but it’s destroying your life?
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On this episode of Beyond the Frontline, Donna talks with Will Person, a former 9-year Team USA bobsled athlete turned advocate. Will’s story is a w…
In this episode, host Donna sits down with Ben Higginbotham, a Marine Corps veteran and Director of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Military Veterans Program. Ben shares his journey from the infantry to leading a nationwide initiative that connects transitioning service members with high-…
In the conclusion of this powerful two-part series, Donna continues her conversation with Marine Corps veteran and tech executive Tony Crescenzo. After discussing the discovery of neuro-acoustic technology in Part 1, Tony dives deeper into the mechanics of healing the "invisible wounds" of service.
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"You are not responsible for your trauma, but you are responsible for your healing."
In this episode, host Donna sits down with Tony Crescenzo, Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Intelligent Wave LLC, to discuss a revolutionary approach to trauma recovery. After decades of battling undiagnosed PTSD and…
In this episode, we sit down with Patrice Cook, a US Army 25-year veteran and the first female Ride of Pride driver. From navigating 16-gear manuals in Iraq to leading a dedicated fleet at Schneider, Patrice shares how she turned her military MOS into a trailblazing civilian career.
Episode Highligh…
How can veterans turn military discipline into business ownership?
In this episode, Donna sits down with Giuseppe Grammatico, a franchise veteran, coach, and author of Franchise Freedom. While Giuseppe didn't serve in the military, his career transition from Wall Street to franchise ownership taught…
In this powerful episode, host Donna sits down with award-winning filmmaker Jake Rademacher to discuss his 21-year journey documenting his brothers’ military service. From the front lines of Iraq to the complex landscape of veteran reintegration, Jake shares how his films, Brothers at War and Brothe…
Host Donna Hoffmeyer talks with Dana and Luke Stricevic, founders of Crux Wilderness, a nonprofit using rock climbing to support veterans and active-duty service members transitioning to civilian life. Luke, a Marine Corps veteran, shares how climbing gave him purpose and structure after leaving the…
In this episode of Beyond the Front Line, host Donna sits down with Dr. Brian Livesay, clinical psychologist, military veteran, and Director of Clinical Research at Arise Alliance, to explore innovative and effective approaches to veteran mental health care.
Dr. Livesay shares his personal journey f…
Donna sits down with Noah Smith—Marine Corps veteran, mailman, and military science fiction author—to talk about rediscovering creativity after military service. Noah shares his journey from serving in Afghanistan to transitioning into civilian life, the loss of creative identity many veterans face,…
In this episode, Donna welcomes Jason Kulchar, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and current Director of Learning, Development, Culture, and Belonging at ISS North America, for an engaging conversation about leadership grounded in service, humility, and authenticity. Jason reflects on his evolution fro…
Donna Hoffmeyer chats with Tony Aubrey, co-founder of Operation Vet Now (OVN), and ambassador athlete Craig Rundell. They discuss the challenges veterans face after service, gaps in traditional support, and how OVN uses sports, music, and community to foster connection, purpose, and resilience.
Key …
Donna sits down with Dr. Sheila McHenry, President and Clinical Director of Smithson Valley Counseling, to unpack the science and healing potential behind EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and other non-talk therapy approaches for trauma recovery.
Drawing from her background as a …
In this episode of Beyond the Frontline, host Donna sits down with Jonathan Knaul, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, test pilot, materials engineering PhD, author, and devoted caregiver. Jonathan shares his remarkable journey from a decorated military career to becoming the primary caregiver for his …