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

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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.

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