Step behind the scenes of a one-of-a-kind Trauma Transformation Retreat for military women in this heartfelt episode of Dog Tag Diaries. Experience the magic that happens when equine therapy, soulful music, nourishing food, and community partners unite for healing and transformation. Listen as Captain Kim welcomes the compassionate team from Healing Reins and special guests, including a gifted pianist whose intuitive connection with horses creates unforgettable, healing moments. Throughout the episode, hear teasers about art therapy collaborations, the powerful impact of storytelling, and how music and horses foster deep connections.

Looking for inspiration about holistic healing, women veterans’ experiences, and the power of partnership? This episode is your invitation to discover what’s possible when passion and purpose meet.

The Healing Reins Team—Erin, Lisa, and the amazing volunteers—you opened your hearts, your horses, and your healing grounds to our participants. The trauma-informed equine therapy you provided created a space of safety, trust, and emotional breakthroughs that words can’t fully capture. You didn’t just show up—you held space for transformation.

Special Thanks To:

Erin, Lisa, the Horses and all the volunteers of Healing Reins

🎹 Paula & Shannon + The Tower Theatre

🧘‍♀️ Wendy Wilson – creator of AwakenedEarthEssentials For providing your gifts.

Connect with Wendy - AwakenedEarthEssentials.wendy@gmail.com

🥗 Bleu Bite Catering – For providing delicious, thoughtful meals that nourished our bodies and added warmth and comfort to every gathering.

🌿 Mad Hippie – For contributing clean, healthy skincare products that nurtured and protected participants all weekend long—supporting wellness from the outside in.

🏛️ Oregon Health Authority – For believing in our mission and funding this retreat. Your support made this healing journey possible, and your commitment to trauma-informed care is changing lives.

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:

In this eye-opening episode of Dog Tag Diaries, meet Didi Meindok—a Navy veteran, lawyer, and medical scientist—who opens up about her powerful journey from spunky New Orleans tomboy to Operation Desert Storm veteran and beyond. Discover what happens when your military service is “erased by paperwork” and trauma is dismissed by bureaucracy. Didi reflects on battling PTSD, finding unexpected allies, and the strength of women's camaraderie in traditionally male military spaces. Hear how she confronts moral injury, advocates for female veterans, and flips adversity into advocacy.

If you’re seeking real talk about military trauma, women veteran recognition, healing, and the fight for validation, don’t miss Didi's raw truths and her advice for self-advocacy, documentation, and building a resilient support network.

Didi Meindok is a U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm, an attorney, and a trained medical scientist. Known as the FilaEstonian, she comes from a long line of seafarers and believes in the importance of truth, justice, and integrity in service. Her first PTSD treatment took place at the same hospital where One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was filmed—a symbolic start to a lifelong healing journey.

📲 Connect with Didi:

LinkedIn - Dorothy Dagmar Meindok, JD

Facebook - Dorothy Meindok

To contact Didi, email: dorothy@meindoklaw.onmicrosoft.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.

Curious how women break barriers in the military? In this special episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim welcomes Phyllis J. Wilson, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5, Army intelligence leader, and president of the Military Women’s Memorial. Phyllis reveals how determination, resilience, and a bit of rebellious spirit led her from a childhood of tree climbing to leading 200,000 personnel and serving in over 35 countries. Hear insights on work-life balance with a blended family of eight children, first-hand experiences with gender bias, what it’s really like to be a woman in uniform, and why collecting and honoring military women’s stories matters now more than ever.

If you care about women veterans’ history, leadership, or want authentic military stories that inspire, this one’s for you. Tune in and discover why your story—and every woman’s story—counts.

Phyllis J. Wilson, MPA, BSN, RN

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) & President, Military Women’s Memorial

Phyllis J. Wilson is a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 with 37 years of service in U.S. Army military intelligence, including leadership of over 200,000 personnel and an $8 billion budget. She has served in more than 35 countries and earned high honors including the Legion of Merit.

Now President of the Military Women’s Memorial, Phyllis continues to advocate for women in the armed forces. A Registered Nurse with multiple degrees and a certificate from Duke University, she also serves on several national military and veteran-focused boards.

She’s a decorated leader, dedicated advocate, and proud mother of eight and grandmother of sixteen.

Links and Resources:

• Website - Military Women’s Memorial
• Watch the Segment: Phyllis J. Wilson’s Fox News Appearance
• Adopt a Woman Veteran Project
• Military Women’s Memorial Podcast (in collaboration with Wreaths Across America radio)

How to REGISTER for the Military Women's Memorial - click 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

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