Get ready for one of the most moving episodes of Dog Tag Diaries yet. In this honest conversation, Caroline Flores pulls back the curtain on her journey from a chaotic childhood in a traditional Mexican-American home, through the trials of military service, and into her evolution as a spiritual healer. Expect raw truths about mental health in the military—topics like surviving suicide attempts, battling shame and isolation after deployment, struggling with belonging, and the hard realities facing women veterans.

Caroline and host Kim also touch on equine therapy, healing through spirituality, and breaking destructive generational cycles. If you’re searching for inspiration on trauma recovery, women’s resilience, or reclaiming your voice, this episode promises to leave you feeling empowered and seen. Don’t miss the real story behind military service, growth, and hope.

Caroline Flores grew up in a home that was both joyful and unstable, where sensitivity was met with silence and expectations overshadowed emotion. She joined the Army in search of something solid—something different—and for a while, she thought she’d found it. But deployments brought more than duty; they unearthed buried pain, led her through the mental health system’s broken maze, and eventually into the depths of multiple suicide attempts that changed her forever.

But Caroline didn’t stay there. She rose—with grit, grace, and a fierce commitment to her healing. Today, she is a spiritual healer and therapist who empowers others to find clarity, reclaim their stories, and reconnect with the warrior within.

She’s proof that trauma doesn’t define you—but how you choose to transform it does.

Connect with Caroline:

🌿 Instagram: @claridadhealing

🌿 Website: claridadtherapyservices.godaddysites.com

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Ready for a truly raw and real episode of Dog Tag Diaries? Meet Dr. Jaimie Lusk—Marine Corps officer turned trauma psychologist—as she unpacks her journey from mud-loving kid in rural Oregon to national expert in moral injury and trauma recovery. Host Captain Kim uncovers Jaimie’s candid stories: leadership clashes in Iraq, the complexities of trust after service, and the hilarious tale of "Disneyland Jail." If you’ve ever questioned your fit or fought with imposter syndrome, you’ll want to hear Jaimie’s take on finding a sense of belonging after military life. Why does reconnection matter so much? Can healing actually come from embracing your flaws? This episode is for veterans, mental health advocates, and women navigating identity or leadership. Reignite your courage to trust one more time—start listening now.

Dr. Jaimie Lusk is a clinical psychologist, consultant, and former Marine Corps Logistics Officer who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is a nationally recognized expert in trauma-focused therapies and moral injury and has dedicated her career to helping veterans and other high-risk populations heal from the invisible wounds of war. Dr. Lusk is known for her fierce compassion, her innovative approach to treatment, and her unwavering commitment to empowering her clients to reclaim their lives and find purpose beyond trauma.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Lusk:

🌐 Website: www.drjaimielusk.com

🧠 Threshold Psychological Services: www.thresholdpsychologicalservices.com

📖 Blog: Psychology Today - Threshold

🧠 The Headstrong Project: Learn More Here

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook:

Ever wondered what it takes for a "quiet, bookish" girl to command thousands across combat zones? In this inspiring episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Dr. Jenn Donahue—retired Navy captain, civil engineer, and self-described Texas wild thing—breaks the mold. Jenn shares powerful stories about being "the only woman in the room," her unexpected journey into military leadership, and how embracing authenticity reshaped her idea of true leadership.

From building bridges in Iraq to tackling impostor syndrome on center stage, Jenn offers rare insights into navigating male-dominated spaces, finding mentorship, leading with empathy, and balancing career ambition with family and self-care. Ready to discover why real greatness is about lifting others up, not proving your worth? Tune in and hear how one woman rewrote the rules of military success, resilience, and personal growth.

Jenn Donahue, PhD is a retired US Navy Captain and former Commodore for an 1,800 personnel Regiment. She is also a civil engineer who works on large scale, high profile geotechnical projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents.

Jenn passionately helps others overcome the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their grandest dreams and most ambitious goals. She is an international keynote speaker with speeches including leadership and mindset.

Today, Jenn is the Founder of JL Donahue Engineering, Inc. and Dare to Rise. She also lectures at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and CalPoly.

🔗 Connect with Jenn Donahue:

🌐 Website: jenndonahue.com

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenndonahue-phd-pe

📘 Stay tuned for her upcoming book, launching late 2025!

Kim Liska served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army. Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries. Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats. Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.