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.

Gemini said

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

Donna sits down with Noah Smith—Marine Corps veteran, mailman, and military science fiction author—to talk about rediscovering creativity after military service. Noah shares his journey from serving in Afghanistan to transitioning into civilian life, the loss of creative identity many veterans face, and how writing became a powerful outlet for healing, calm, and purpose.

This conversation explores the challenges of transition, the importance of support systems, and why finding a creative outlet can be life-changing.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Noah’s background: joining the Marines at 24 and serving in Afghanistan
• The struggle of losing and rediscovering creativity after military service
• The role of family support, especially Noah’s wife
• How writing military science fiction became a therapeutic creative outlet
• Creating and publishing his debut novel After the Change
• A look ahead at his upcoming sequel Nightfall
• Advice for veterans and creatives: Adapt and overcome

Guest Links & Resources

📘 After the Change — Available on Amazon (paperback, hardcover, Kindle, audiobook)

🌐 www.milsyfy.com — Sign up for Noah’s newsletter

Listener Takeaways

• Creativity is essential for mental health and personal growth
• Support systems matter—especially during life transitions
• It’s never too late to try something new

Enjoyed this episode?

Subscribe, follow, and leave a review. Share this episode with someone who might need it and follow Beyond the Front Line for more powerful conversations.

In this episode, Donna welcomes Jason Kulchar, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and current Director of Learning, Development, Culture, and Belonging at ISS North America, for an engaging conversation about leadership grounded in service, humility, and authenticity. Jason reflects on his evolution from an enlisted Airman to senior leader, sharing how curiosity, connection, and a people-first mindset shaped his approach both in uniform and beyond. Listeners will hear practical insights on leading diverse teams, learning from failure, and why Jason lives by a simple but powerful philosophy: keep being awesome.

Learn More About Jason

Connect with Jason Kulchar on LinkedIn (K-U-L-C-H-A-R) and follow along for updates on his book, scheduled for release on February 5, 2026.

For questions or feedback, reach out at cominghomewell@gmail.com.

New episodes drop every other Wednesday, featuring conversations and resources designed to support the transition from frontline service to life at home.

Enjoyed the Episode?

Help spread the word by sharing with a friend, posting on social media, or leaving a review.

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

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.

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