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Beyond The Frontline

Beyond The Frontline

By: Donna Hoffmeyer & Jay Johnson
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About this listen

 Beyond the Frontline is a podcast of Coming Home Well Tune in as your hosts, Donna Hoffmeyer and Jay Johnson, both U.S. Air Force veterans, tackle topics relating to transitioning from the Frontline to the Homefront. Get to know 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. Get to know your host, Jay Johnson is the owner and CEO of J2 Servant Leadership, LLC, a consulting company just outside of San Antonio, TX. He is a certified coach, trainer, and motivational speaker. Jay is a retired United States Air Force veteran with 21 plus years of service. During his time in uniform, he had the pleasure of serving 10.8 years enlisted and an additional 11 years commissioned. Jay retired from active duty in 2010 and worked for five years as a government civil service employee before assuming his current duties. Over the course of his professional life, he has served as a weapons instructor, EMT, Commandant of Cadets and Assistant Professor (Auburn University), change manager, and strategic planner. Jay serves on two Boards of Directors, is President of his BNI chapter, and is active in Kiwanis, Rotary, and local chambers of commerce. He holds a BAAS in Behavior Analysis and Sociology from the University of North Texas, and an M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma.© 2023 Beyond The Frontline Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Sports, Music, and Community: The OVN Approach to Veteran Support

    Sports, Music, and Community: The OVN Approach to Veteran Support
    Dec 8 2025

    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 Topics

    • Tony’s journey from Air Force service to founding OVN
    • Addressing veteran suicide and the need for outreach
    • OVN’s programs connecting veterans through sports and music
    • The ambassador athlete program and peer support
    • Craig’s personal transition story and giving back
    • Collaboration between nonprofits and grassroots impact

    Resources

    • Operation Vet Now: opvetnow.org
    • Social Media: Search “Operation Vet Now” on Instagram & Facebook
    • YouTube: OVN channel for videos and stories

    Call to Action

    Veterans or first responders seeking support—or anyone wanting to get involved—can reach out to OVN or connect with ambassadors. Help and community are available.

    Connect with Beyond the Frontline

    • Email: cominghomewell@gmail.com
    • Website: cominghomewell.com
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    57 mins
  • Healing Beyond Words: Understanding Trauma and EMDR

    Healing Beyond Words: Understanding Trauma and EMDR
    Nov 23 2025

    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 military nurse and mental health advocate, Donna explores with Dr. McHenry how EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories, why it’s often more effective for veterans and first responders, and how trauma-informed care can support long-term resilience and healing.

    Together, they shed light on the body’s remarkable ability to heal — and how the right therapeutic approach can help individuals move beyond survival and into recovery.

    Resources & Links Mentioned

    • 🌐 Smithson Valley Counseling
    • 🌐 EMDR International Association
    • 📘 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

    Call to Action

    If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, know that help is available — and healing is possible. Explore the resources above, ask questions, and find a therapeutic approach that feels right for you.

    For more information on EMDR or to find a qualified therapist near you, visit emdria.org.
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    57 mins
  • Final Approach to Compassion: Caregiving, Service & Healing with Jonathan Knaul

    Final Approach to Compassion: Caregiving, Service & Healing with Jonathan Knaul
    Nov 10 2025

    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 aging parents, both survivors of the Holocaust and World War II.

    Donna and Jonathan explore the emotional terrain of caregiving, the weight and wisdom of intergenerational trauma, and the deeply human moments that come with supporting loved ones through dementia. This episode is an intimate look at resilience, identity, compassion, and the healing power of presence.

    Resources & Links

    • Jonathan’s Book: Final Approach: A Test Pilot Story of Caring for Loved Ones — available on Amazon and major booksellers
    • Website: finalapproachbook.com
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    1 hr and 16 mins
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