Episode 8: Helping Heroes Navigate Trauma to Embrace Hope and Healing
Community connection, companionship and support are key drivers to improving any individual’s mental health journey, but when it comes to the men and women who have served, their way forward may look different from others. Creating pathways and relatable experiences for men and women – from veterans to first responders to frontline medical personnel – who have given, returned and need to readjust is incredibly important.
In this episode, Tom Herzog sits down with Justin Hoover, the Executive Director of The Battle Within, a transformative organization founded by more than 100 veterans, first responders and community members. The organization is committed to providing these heroes with the resources, time and community to support their healing and mental health journey. The Battle Within has a variety of programs and services including a five-day Revenant Journey, designed to address the diverse traumas individuals may experience. By taking a compassionate approach to navigating trauma, the program can empower individuals to implement healthy coping mechanisms and become the person they aspire to be.
Beyond the five-day program, The Battle Within extends its reach through initiatives including:
- The KC Warrior Coalition, a 90-day program exploring various modalities like fitness, meditation, spirituality, art and equine therapy
- Frontline Therapy Network offering six to ten free therapy sessions to support long-term goals and reinforce structured support
- Crisis Care Resources at the national level and in the local Kansas City area
Join the conversation as we discuss real-life stories of the impact of the Battle Within, transforming the lives of heroes amongst us. The Battle Within reminds us that everyone experiences and copes with trauma differently, but by working together and finding the courage to step forward we can break the stigma by sharing our stories. We hope you walk away from this discussion with the message that YOU are worth it and there is hope, help and resources for those in need.
After hearing the incredible work being done to support our heroes, or if you or a loved one is looking to start their journey to a better life, you can find more information at https://www.thebattlewithin.org/ or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X.
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Listen to other episodes
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Episode 9: Ending Homelessness for this Generation and the Next
In this episode, Tom Herzog sits down with Michael Wilson, a former Netsmart associate and
current Executive Director for Community LINC, a crisis housing facility whose mission is to end homelessness in Kansas City for this generation and the next. Community LINC serves as transitional housing for families, with the goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness and
improving people’s mental and physical wellbeing. -
Episode 7: Empowering Military Transitions with Meaningful Opportunities
Being cause-connected is at the heart of our mission and by uniting with other organizations we seek to provide a place to share stories about the progress being made, how to overcome challenges and ideas to inspire. The military community—service members, veterans, military spouses and family members—often experience setbacks when it comes to finding meaningful employment opportunities, navigating “a new normal” and finding a way forward.
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Episode 16: How Happy Bottoms Supports Families, One Diaper at a Time
Lack of access to diapers impacts more than just child health and hygiene—it can impede access to childcare, diminish parental mental wellbeing and even affect employment stability. That’s where Happy Bottoms steps in. Kansas City’s only diaper bank distributes diapers to thousands of families in need across the region. In this episode of the EveryDayMatters Podcast, Susan Belger Angulo, Co-Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Happy Bottoms, shares the obstacles vulnerable families face, how diaper banks can help and ways volunteers can support the cause.
