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 Brothers After War, evolved into a global movement of healing.

With over 60,000 veterans and family members impacted by his workshops, Jake provides a raw, honest look at the cost of service and the responsibility of healing.

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Beyond the Front Line: Jake Rademacher – Brothers at War & Brothers After War

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 Brothers After War, evolved into a global movement of healing.

With over 60,000 veterans and family members impacted by his workshops, Jake provides a raw, honest look at the cost of service and the responsibility of healing.

🎙️ Guest Bio: Jake Rademacher

Jake Rademacher is the founder of Metanoia Films and Perseverance Productions. A graduate of Notre Dame and Trinity College, Dublin, Jake is a member of the Director’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. His work has earned him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and the title of honorary colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed

The Origin Story: From Actor to War Documentarian

• The Inspiration: How his grandfather’s WWII service planted the seeds.
• The Catalyst: Realizing "the truth wasn't making it out of Iraq" when his brothers returned from Fallujah.
• The Risk: Jake self-funded his first documentary while working as an actor to embed with the 82nd Airborne in 2005.

Unprecedented Access

• The SKIF: Gaining access to film in classified intelligence facilities.
• The Sunni Triangle: Filming during the most dangerous period of the war.
• The Bond: Building trust through his brother Isaac’s leadership to capture 43 combat veteran interviews.

Brothers After War (2019–2022)

• The Follow-up: Checking back in with 10 veterans from the original film.
• The Revelation: Isaac’s honest discussion regarding suicide ideation and the impact of nine deployments.
• The Toll: Exploring how service affects not just the soldier, but the entire family unit.

The Workshop & Healing

• Partnership: Working with the Gary Sinise Foundation to reach over 60,000 participants.
• Ancient Techniques: Using journaling as a "warrior technique" to process trauma.
• Therapy Truths: Understanding why 50% of therapists may not be the right fit and the difference between PTSD and moral injury.

💬 Powerful Quotes

"You're not responsible for the trauma you incurred, but you are responsible for the healing."

"I didn't expect that military couples would come up and say, 'After seeing the film, we just had our first real conversation about his or her experience overseas.'"

"30% of our community are going to be at risk for suicide at some point. With that kind of number, there can't be a stigma around it."

📋 Resources & Seminars

If you are a veteran, active-duty member, first responder, or a family member, these resources are for you.

Watch the Films

• Amazon Prime: Brothers at War & Brothers After War
• iTunes: Brothers After War
• Physical Media: DVDs available at Walmart and Amazon

Attend a Free 4-Hour Seminar

Includes a film screening, journaling session, and group discussion.

• Website: BrothersAfterWar.com
• Email: info@brothersafterwar.com
• Follow: Facebook and Instagram for upcoming tour dates.

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 military, and how that personal experience became a mission to serve others.

They explore the strong parallels between military service and climbing, the simple philosophy behind Crux Wilderness, and how their free clinics help veterans build calm, confidence, and community—one climb at a time.

In this episode:

• Rock climbing as a therapeutic, sustainable tool for transition
• Free veteran climbing clinics in San Diego, Joshua Tree, and Inyo National Forest
• Family days, alpine trips, and advanced climbing clinics
• Building community without pressure or obligation

Learn more at Crux Wilderness and discover how climbing can go beyond the frontline.

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 from military service to specializing in trauma and developmental psychology. He introduces listeners to Critical Memory Integration (CMI), an experiential therapy modality designed to help veterans and first responders process trauma, moral injury, and deeply held memories that traditional talk therapy may not fully address.

Together, Donna and Dr. Livesay discuss the importance of trust, agency, and safe therapeutic spaces—and how understanding how the brain processes and reconsolidates memory can transform healing outcomes.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Dr. Livesay’s military background and path to clinical psychology
• Why connection and trust are essential in trauma therapy
• The limitations of traditional talk therapy for trauma and moral injury
• What Critical Memory Integration (CMI) is and how it works
• The science behind memory reconsolidation and experiential therapies
• How CMI differs from other modalities like EMDR
• The role of agency, choice, and safety in the healing process
• Guidance for veterans and first responders seeking mental health support
• How to advocate for yourself and explore alternative therapy options

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Critical Memory Integration: https://criticalmemoryintegration.com