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PODCAST

Dog Tag Diaries

Captain Kim & Captain Dakota

Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other"s stories. It"s an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a

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All Episodes

42:57

Breaking Barriers & Leading with Faith: The Story of...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/12/03

Summary:This is another inspiring episode of Dog Tag Diaries Season Seven, where host Captain Kim welcomes Marine officer, mother, and advocate Dr. Jessica Bradley, LtCol, USMC (Retired). Jessica shares her remarkable journey from a small-town Oregon girl inspired by a Vietnam War documentary to becoming one of the first women in her unit to serve in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). She opens up candidly about the challenges of navigating

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40:03

How You Trade Combat Boots for Chicken Coops: Life...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/11/26

Get ready for a second tour of Dog Tag Diaries episode featuring Dani Shine, a Desert Storm Army veteran, retired RN, and author of “The Weight of Hidden Wounds.” In this moving conversation, you’ll hear teasers about her remarkable journey through military service, overcoming the weight—physically and emotionally—of trauma, and the challenges women face in the armed forces. From surviving combat and sexual assault to tackling PTSD and life after the uniform, Dani Shine shares flashes of her story

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41:45

First Military Erasure, Now Empowerment: A Long Path...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/11/19

Ever wonder what happens when trauma meets resilience—on both the battlefield and back home? Dog Tag Diaries brings you a special second tour episode with Didi Meindok, Navy veteran, attorney, and medical scientist. Hear about the struggles women face during military service, from being “erased by paperwork” to facing unimaginable challenges like military sexual trauma and moral injury. This episode is packed with stories of identity, recovery, and the power of community care. If you’re seeking

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30:55

A Fierce Combat Medic Finds Purpose and Finally Heals...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/11/12

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be resilient in the face of gender bias and adversity? In this special “second tour” episode, Dog Tag Diaries spotlights Captain Kim’s journey, from the challenges of being a high-performing woman in the Army to the upheaval caused by sexual harassment and discrimination. Without giving away all the details, you’ll hear hints of support systems, the pursuit of justice, and the healing found through community and counseling. It's an important opportunity to

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39:13

Barbara Sim Reveals How Faith and Music Became Her...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/11/05

What does it take to transform trauma into purpose? This episode of Dog Tag Diaries features Marine veteran and musician Barbara Sim, who bravely shares glimpses of her journey from surviving war and assault, to finding self-forgiveness and healing. Hear about the “dark ages” she endured, the power of music, faith, and nature, and her inspiring mission to help fellow veterans through creativity and connection. Curious about the Lioness Program, or how hiking the Appalachian Trail and songwriting

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51:21

Surviving Iraq and Beyond: Melissa Kilgore on Trauma,...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/10/29

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a woman serving in a war zone—and what battles rage on back home? This episode of Dog Tag Diaries brings you Melissa Kilgore’s powerful journey through military life, combat in Iraq, and the hidden challenges of military sexual trauma and family separation. Melissa reveals the costs of resilience, sharing how she rebuilt herself through creativity and art after surviving deep loss and disappointment. From strict military roots to grappling with transition

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43:24

How a Trailblazing Soldier and Her Dog Redefined...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/10/22

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through military history and personal resilience! In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kim sits down with Pat Murphy, a veteran who’s served in both the U.S. Army and Navy across decades. From being the oldest of five and learning to live off the land, to facing gender discrimination and blazing trails as a woman in military police, Pat shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Curious about what it was like to be an MP in the 1970s, surviving

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42:42

From Air Force Leadership to New York Runways: A...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/10/15

Join Dog Tag Diaries as Captain Kim continues her compelling conversation with retired Air Force First Sergeant Jess Gonzalez in part two of her journey. This episode offers an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of being a female leader in the military. Jess shares raw accounts of leading with empathy, including a harrowing moment assisting a military spouse in crisis—showcasing what true strength and compassion look like in uniform. Hear about her “mama bear” approach, the importance of

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44:10

How Jess Gonzalez Transformed Childhood Challenges...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/10/08

In this compelling episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim sits down with Jess Gonzalez, a retired United States Air Force First Sergeant and advocate, as she shares her inspiring journey from surviving childhood trauma to leading with compassion in the military. Hear teasers about her early life marked by adversity, her unexpected path into the Air Force, and the surprising twist during her basic training experience. Jess opens up about family struggles, deep loss—including her twins and

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40:05

Creating Arabella Wellness: A Veteran’s Mission to...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/10/01

What does it take to journey from a small Mississippi farm to serving as a military officer, traveling to 46 countries, and ultimately building a wellness community for women veterans? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Dr. Natesha Smith-Isabell unpacks her unexpected path—a life shaped by resilience, faith, and profound transformation. Hear snippets about her near-death medical crisis, facing sexual trauma and moral injury in the Army, and how it all inspired her to co-found Arabella Wellness

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30:16

The Power of Storytelling: Honest Conversations on...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/09/24

Join the Dog Tag Diaries squad for an unforgettable second tour of one of our most resonant episodes! In this powerful conversation, Captain Dakota bravely shares her story, from enlisting right after high school to intense combat experiences as a 240 Bravo gunner in Iraq, to re-entering civilian life and finding purpose as an Army National Guard officer. Hear about the realities of deployment, the challenges of reintegration, and the lasting impact of trauma—and how telling your story can lead to

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39:40

Surviving Betrayal and Trauma: Tanya Lakins’ Road to...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/09/17

What happens when a rebellious pastor’s daughter refuses to follow the script? In this latest episode of Dog Tag Diaries, we introduce you to Tanya Lakins, who left a strict religious upbringing behind at just 17 to join the Marine Corps—without her father’s blessing. In this gripping conversation, Tanya shares what it meant to carve her own path, confront trauma, and ultimately find purpose as a veteran advocate. Topics include her experience as a female Marine, confronting gender stereotypes,

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42:15

The Courage to Serve: How Leanne Babcock Heals...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/09/10

Ready to meet an unstoppable force in the world of military women? This episode of Dog Tag Diaries introduces you to Leanne Babcock—call sign Bobcat—a pioneer who went from a functionally homeless childhood to becoming the first woman vehicle mechanic in her Guard unit, an officer, and now a champion for veterans. Hear how she navigated blatant discrimination in the maintenance sector, balanced civilian life with military service, and carved out her place as a citizen airwoman. Leanne also shares

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40:27

One Woman's Courageous Journey from Foster Care to...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/09/03

Get ready for one of Dog Tag Diaries’ most raw and inspiring episodes yet. In this episode, retired Navy Senior Chief Leah Stiles opens up about her turbulent childhood, her quest for belonging, and the hidden eating disorder that shaped—and nearly ended—her military career. Raised in foster care and group homes, Leah sought the structure and “family” of the U.S. Navy, eventually founding Sea Waves, the only nonprofit dedicated to eating disorders among service members and veterans. Tune in as

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38:40

Rising from Darkness: Britni Ryan’s Journey from...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/08/27

What happens when a military identity is suddenly stripped away, and all that’s left is a blank slate? In this compelling episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Britni Ryan, a retired Navy Corpsman and White House Medical Unit alum, shares how she rebuilt her sense of purpose after her service ended. Find out why Team Rubicon—a veteran-led disaster relief organization—became more than just a volunteer gig for Britni; it became a lifeline. From wielding chainsaws for wildfire mitigation to empowering women

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42:31

A Brave Life From Surviving To Thriving: Star...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/08/20

What does it mean to truly transform trauma into purpose? In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, meet Star Gibson—a powerhouse single mom, veteran advocate, and certified auctioneer—whose journey weaves through childhood adversity, military service, and fierce community-building. Uncover how surviving military sexual trauma in the Oregon Army National Guard became the catalyst for Star's nonprofit, Vet2Vet Center, dedicated to veteran support, PTSD healing, and inclusive outdoor adventures. She shares

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39:31

Grit, Laughter, and Legacy: Amanda Mae’s Story of...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/08/13

This episode of Dog Tag Diaries spotlights Amanda Mae, a 20-year Air Force veteran, marathon runner, and founder of The Woman Veteran Calendar. Host Captain Kim gets Amanda to open up about her unlikely journey from a Massachusetts chicken farm to becoming an indomitable leader in and out of uniform. Topics touch on military service, female veterans’ mental health, sexual assault in the military, and what it truly means to find “grit” as a woman in uniform. Amanda shares unexpected stories, from

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39:05

From Trauma to Triumph: Two Women Reunite After Fort...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/08/06

What happens when two women who survived one of the darkest days in military history finally talk—together—for the first time? In this emotionally charged episode, Dog Tag Diaries host Kim welcomes Keara and Dayna to share memories of the Fort Hood shooting, the chaos and uncertainty that followed, and how they’re supporting each other years later. Find out how shared trauma can lead to guiding-light friendships, why “community is super important in healing,” and how these veterans navigated limited

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38:10

Army Veteran Dayna Lopez on Healing After the 2009...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/07/30

Step into one of the most unforgettable Dog Tag Diaries episodes yet, where resilience takes center stage. Army veteran Dayna Lopez reveals how a childhood scar—the result of a rare congenital birth defect—became the unlikeliest reason her life was spared during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. military history. Explore Dayna’s journey through trauma, survival, and recovery as she navigates the aftermath, the struggle for quality mental health care, and

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37:02

From Marine Corps Leadership to American Ninja...

Dog Tag Diaries ·

2025/07/23

What happens when a Naval Academy graduate trades obstacle courses for combat zones, survives an abusive marriage, and rises to become a high-ranking Marine Corps officer while raising six children?You get one of the most gripping stories in military leadership—and exactly why this episode became one of Dog Tag Diaries' most beloved.While the Dog Tag Diaries team takes a well-deserved summer break, we're bringing back Episode 19—a fan favorite that perfectly captures the resilience, grit, and

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78 results

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