Shows
Mind Beyond the MissionHow can service dogs support Veteran healing? A conversation with John DugasHosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna are joined by John Dugas, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran who has dedicated his life to service both in uniform and beyond. John is a certified service dog trainer who pairs Veterans and first responders with specially trained, certified service dogs through his work with Courageous Companions. John also shares about how service dogs have played a role in navigating his own journey with traumatic brain injury. Their conversation highlights the powerful bond between humans and dogs and the life-changing role that compassion, structure and trust can play in recovery. T...
2026-02-2645 minMind Beyond the Mission‘Who am I if not a soldier?’ Exploring creativity, identity and healing after service with Ryan HawkyardIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the role of creativity and the arts in healing, identity and meaning-making in life after military service. They are joined by Ryan Hawkyard, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran with 20 years of service, who shares how acting and improv became an unexpected but critical part of his recovery following a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis.Ryan reflects on the challenges many Veterans face when leaving the military, including the loss of structure, purpose and identity, and asks a question so many struggle...
2026-01-2944 minMind Beyond the MissionAre you biting off more than you can chew?In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian and Laryssa dive into the topic of “biting off more than you can chew” as it relates to Veterans, their Families and those who serve in caregiving roles. Sharing candid stories and personal experiences, they explore how easy it is to become overwhelmed when supporting others while managing your own mental health and the day-to-day challenges that come up. Their conversation highlights the complexity of balancing care for loved ones while maintaining your own personal well-being, and how setting boundaries can feel both necessary but incredibly difficult....
2025-12-1838 minMind Beyond the MissionUnderstanding the invisible impacts of traumatic brain injury with Veteran and former CFL player Ryan CareyIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock welcome returning guest Ryan Carey — a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, musician and football coach — for a candid conversation about brain health, traumatic brain injury and life after service. Ryan shares insights from both his military and professional athletic experiences, diving into how repetitive impacts can affect brain function and sharing practical strategies for maintaining brain health. Brian, Laryssa and Ryan also explore the often-overlooked role of Family members and caregivers, the unspoken realities around transition to post-service life...
2025-11-2742 minMind Beyond the MissionUnderstanding how trauma impacts sleep, with Dr. Craig StewartIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the prevalence of sleep issues in the Veteran and Family population and discuss how posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) can impact sleep. They are joined by special guest Dr. Craig Stewart, a psychiatrist and certified sleep specialist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic, who helps unpack the complex relationship between trauma, sleep and our overall well-being. They explore the common challenges Veteran Families face when sleep is disrupted by PTSIs, discuss practical advice for managing sleep issue...
2025-10-2342 minMind Beyond the MissionAn introduction to prolonged exposure therapy with guests Dr. David Paul and Justin WoodcockHost Laryssa Lamrock and guest co-host Justin Woodcock look at prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with special guest Dr. David Paul, a registered psychologist specializing in trauma treatment for military and public safety personnel.They unpack the basics of PE, how it specifically helps those living with PTSD and the vital role Families play in supporting a loved one through this sometimes challenging but hopeful therapeutic journey. David addresses common misconceptions and shares practical insights to help Veterans and their loved ones make informed decisions and best prepare themselves for therapy....
2025-06-2648 minMind Beyond the MissionThe hidden impacts of intergenerational trauma with guests Guy Dallaire and Tarik KadriIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, host Laryssa Lamrock is joined by guest co-host Tarik Kadri and special guest Guy Dallaire for a conversation about the impacts and complexities of vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma among military and Veteran Families. Guy Dallaire was born into a multigenerational military Family — both his father and grandfather served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Guy served in both the Reserve and Regular Forces until he was medically released with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2020. He is currently researching the impacts of vicarious trauma on adult children of Veterans and first responders.
2025-05-2239 min
Co-CreatedMind Mission: Military Families & Mental Health with Laryssa LamrockWhen Laryssa Lamrock created her digital story "Enveloped," she never anticipated how profoundly a four-minute video would transform her advocacy work with military families. As the National Strategic Advisor for Families at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Laryssa brings her lived experience as a military spouse, daughter, and mother to her work supporting those affected by service-related mental health challenges.The conversation explores the many ways digital stories become catalysts for healing and connection – from introducing presentations to facilitating psycho-educational workshops for family members affected by PTSD. We also discover how Laryssa's experience informed her wo...
2025-05-1437 minMind Beyond the MissionFinding strength in vulnerability with guests Gary Hollender and Sheri LuxLaryssa Lamrock and guest co-host Staff Sergeant (Ret’d) Gary Hollender are joined by Sheri Lux. Sheri opens up about losing her husband Mike, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, who died by suicide in 2017.Sheri shares her journey of healing and self-discovery, providing insights into the unique challenges faced by RCMP Families, the power found in community support, and the importance vulnerability played in healing and processing such a profound loss. Gary discusses his own experiences in the RCMP and they emphasize the need for more open conversations about mental health in the military and Ve...
2025-04-2441 min
What's Your TwentyMind Beyond the Mission Podcast: Turning Pain into Purpose with Guests Emily Zufelt and Andrew GoughEmily is the guest on Mind Beyond the Mission - the Atlas Institute of Veterans and Families podcast hosted by members of the lived experience team, Laryssa Lamrock and Brain McKenna.
In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Laryssa Lamrock is joined by guest co-host Andrew Gough — a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran, serving Reservist and medically retired police officer — and guest Emily Zufelt. Emily is a former police dispatcher, advocate for first responders, military members and Veterans, and host and creator of "What's Your Twenty?", a podcast featuring stories from first responders, CAF members and Veterans, and other trau...
2025-03-2748 minMind Beyond the MissionTurning pain into purpose with guests Emily Zufelt and Andrew GoughIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Laryssa Lamrock is joined by guest co-host Andrew Gough — a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran, serving Reservist and medically retired police officer — and guest Emily Zufelt. Emily is a former police dispatcher, advocate for first responders, military members and Veterans, and host and creator of What’s Your Twenty?, a podcast featuring stories from first responders, CAF members and Veterans, and other trauma-exposed professionals.Along with Laryssa, Emily and Andrew explore the parallels between the experiences and mental health journeys of first responders, military members and Veterans, and the unique...
2025-03-2647 minMind Beyond the MissionRevisiting traumatic brain injury with Dr. Lyn Turkstra and Veteran and CFL player Ryan CareyThis special compilation episode of Mind Beyond the Mission brings together the most valuable insights from two conversations with Dr. Lyn Turkstra and Veteran and CFL player Ryan Carey, who each joined Brian and Laryssa on Mind Beyond the Mission previously to share their perspectives as a clinician specializing in traumatic brain injury and a person with lived experience of TBI.Dr. Turkstra is Assistant Dean and Professor of Speech-Language Pathology in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University. A speech-language pathologist by training, she has over 30 years of experience working with individuals with traumatic brain...
2025-02-2657 minMind Beyond the MissionFrom tokenism to trust: Meaningful consultation in the Veteran community“If I'm forming a consultation group, I'm not going to bring someone there that I know whose role in life is to flip the applecart over. There's no value there. But if I look around the room at a grouping of people I've gathered and there's no one there that's ever showed me dissent to an idea before, I have not formed a consultation group. I have formed an applause choir that's going to tell me I have a great idea.”In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock unpa...
2025-01-2323 minMind Beyond the MissionRoad to recovery: Josh Muir on alcohol and military cultureCorporal (Ret’d) Josh Muir joined Brian and Laryssa to talk about his experiences with the complex and deep-rooted relationship between alcohol and military culture. Josh shared how his journey to sobriety grew from external pressures from loved ones into a deep, personal commitment and discusses the value of openness and vulnerability in his recovery.The episode explores Josh’s transition to a sober life focused on physical and mental well-being and meaningful relationships.Josh served two tours in Afghanistan, primarily as part of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Josh is now president of the Seafo...
2024-12-1938 minMind Beyond the MissionExploring identity and culture with Métis Veteran Shauna MulliganCorporal (Ret’d) Shauna Mulligan, a Métis Veteran of the Canadian Army Reserve, joined Brian and Laryssa to reflect on her experiences and insight on how Indigenous culture and military service can intersect and interact with each other.Shauna shares her personal journey of understanding her identity and cultural heritage and the challenges of integrating them into her military career. From the vital role of Veterans at powwows. to the significance of relationship-building within Indigenous communities, to the deeper importance of land acknowledgements, their candid discussion leads us to explore the implications for the Veteran and Fam...
2024-11-2835 minMind Beyond the MissionNavigating the impacts of military sexual trauma with Telah MorrisonColonel Telah Morrison, OMM, CD, retired from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2022 after 35 years of service in both the Regular and Reserve Forces. Telah joined the CAF in 1986 and went to Royal Military College (RMC) Saint-Jean, six years after the RMC began allowing women to attend in 1980. She is the first woman Logistics Officer in the Royal 22nd 3rd Battalion, and the first woman and first logistician to teach at the infantry school. She was inducted into the Order of Military Merit as an officer.Telah achieved her illustrious 35-year military career despite significant professional barriers...
2024-10-2438 minMind Beyond the MissionA father’s journey from heartache to helping others heal with Jim DavisWhen Jim Davis saw on the news that a Canadian soldier had been killed in Afghanistan, he thought to himself, “My son is serving there… but so are 2,000 other Canadian soldiers. The odds are that it isn’t him.” Jim faced a parent’s worst nightmare later that day upon learning that his son Paul was the person killed in the line of duty.In the 18 years since, Jim continues to cope with this loss by honouring his son’s legacy, sharing poignant memories of Paul with other military and Veteran Families impacted by the loss of a loved one...
2024-09-1930 minMind Beyond the MissionContinuing the conversation on the impacts of suicide with Dennis MackenzieAn overwhelming number of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and their Families are directly and profoundly impacted by suicide loss. Yet, few know where, how or when to talk about it — or if it should even be discussed at all. Canadian Armed Forced (CAF) Veteran Dennis Mackenzie joined Brian and Laryssa on Combating the silence around suicide to discuss the prevalence and impacts of suicide among Veterans and their loved ones. Dennis lost 10 friends while serving in Afghanistan in 2007. In the years since then, he has lost many more to suicide.
2024-08-2138 minMind Beyond the MissionHypervigilance: The hidden strain on Veteran Families“When I’m talking about hypervigilance in the Veteran community, I’m actually talking about the perfect amount of vigilance, but for somewhere other than when you walk inside your home or when you go on vacation with your Family.”Hypervigilance — being constantly on high alert and keenly aware of your surroundings — is a critical skill for soldiers that can be the difference between life and death. For Veterans and their Family members, constantly scanning for threats and endlessly trying to buffer against potential triggers can be exhausting and difficult to cope with.Hosts Brian...
2024-07-2432 minMind Beyond the MissionParenting with a posttraumatic stress injury with Tabitha BeynenIn this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Brian and Laryssa are joined by Tabitha Beynen, a former Air Force medic and single parent navigating the complexities of balancing personal well-being and parenting while living with a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI).They discuss:Managing personal well-being while caring for a childFinding balance as a single parentHealthy coping mechanisms for difficult daysEmotional numbing and the impacts in can have on relationshipsPrioritizing self-care and seeking supportThe importance of open communication with children and youth about mental healthTabitha Beynen, Master Corporal (Ret’d) is a Lived Expertise Le...
2024-06-1935 minMind Beyond the MissionCombating the silence around suicide with Dennis MackenzieAn overwhelming number of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and their Families are directly and profoundly impacted by suicide loss. Yet, few know where, how or when to talk about it — or if it should even be discussed at all. How soon is too soon? What happens when it's too late? What should one even say? Dennis Mackenzie lost 10 friends while serving in Afghanistan in 2007. In the years since then, he has lost many more to suicide. Dennis now devotes himself to sharing his experiences and advocating for...
2024-05-2235 minMind Beyond the MissionThe power of peer supportPeer support can be described as having someone meet you where you are and walk alongside you in your journey. It can look different for everyone, but it boils down to a supportive relationship between people who share a common lived and living experience.In this episode, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock discuss the profound impacts of peer support within the Veteran and Family community, including the role peer support has played in their own lives and well-being.Key topicsThe value and impact of peer support among Veterans and their...
2024-04-2439 minMind Beyond the Mission‘When am I his wife?’ Exploring compassion fatigue with Dr. J Don Richardson“Am I burnt out or just tired?” “Am I sick or am I just fatigued?”“How can I be someone’s caregiver and their spouse at the same time?”These are questions that are often asked by Veteran Family members supporting a loved one with a health concern. Family members may sometimes find themselves shifting from “spouse mode” to “caregiver mode” and back again several times a day, which can be exhausting. It’s natural to want to care for your loved one when they need support, but it can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout if yo...
2024-03-2738 minMind Beyond the MissionWalking on eggshells: When does anger become problematic?Anger is a natural human emotion. Anger can motivate you, give you a sense of strength and help you react quickly to threats. Although many people think that being angry is wrong or inappropriate, anger itself is not a problem. For many Veterans, it was often integral to their missions and survival. However, the behaviours that stem from this emotion have the potential to become problematic. For Family members, it can be difficult to have a loved one with problematic anger, even when knowing their anger is a symptom of their posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI). While anger i...
2024-02-2935 minMind Beyond the MissionYour own brand of courage with Andrew and Elizabeth GoughAndrew and Elizabeth Gough join Brian and Laryssa on this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission to speak about the distinctive experiences of Reservist Families, including around community, connection and accessing care. The Reserve Force is an integral component of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with Reserve Force units existing in hundreds of communities across Canada and the world. They joined Brian and Laryssa to speak about the realities of balancing civilian life with their roles in a Reservist Family. They share their experiences with mental health injuries, the importance of peer support and how they cultivated a...
2024-02-0142 minMind Beyond the MissionLosing your life's calling with Mark and Donna CampbellMajor (Ret’d) Mark Campbell was wounded in 2008 while serving in Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He lost both of his legs and his military career came to a sudden halt after 34 years of service. That instant in time marked a massive transformation in Mark’s life and that of his wife Donna, herself a Warrant Officer with 30 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces.Mark and Donna joined Brian and Laryssa to reflect on Mark’s injury and what it meant for his military career, the significant impacts on his Fami...
2023-12-2035 minMind Beyond the MissionNeurofeedback therapy with Andrew Nicholson, PhDWhen people develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), certain parts of their brain can be over- or underactivated, triggering thoughts, emotions, moods and behaviours that can be unhelpful or distressing. These responses can be unconscious and happen very quickly, making them hard to manage.Neurofeedback therapy helps people learn how to self-control brain activity and regulate PTSD symptoms. Dr. Andrew Nicholson, Clinical Research Director at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, joined Brian and Laryssa for an open discussion on neurofeedback therapy and how it’s not only a promising treatment for PTSD, but also validates the ex...
2023-11-2835 minMind Beyond the MissionSex and posttraumatic stress injury with Dr. Candice MonsonPosttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) can have many impacts on health and well-being. This can create unique challenges when it comes to fostering and maintaining healthy relationships with loved ones. Many Veterans and Family members living with PTSIs face struggles with sex and intimacy, and stigma around the subject can make it uncomfortable to talk about or seek support.Dr. Candice Monson is one of the foremost experts on traumatic stress and the use of individual and conjoint therapies for PTSD. For nearly 30 years, Candice has provided trauma-informed therapy to individuals and couples with PTSIs. She regularly facilitates...
2023-10-1344 minMind Beyond the MissionPosttraumatic growth with RCMP Veteran Jason AndersonPosttraumatic growth can be defined as, “positive personal changes that result from the survival struggle to deal with trauma and its psychological consequences.” The process of traumatic growth can lead to improved relationships with others, more compassion, openness, appreciation for life, spiritual growth, and personal strength. This personal growth extends beyond pre-trauma functioning.Jason Anderson has a deep personal understanding of the impacts of posttraumatic growth. After serving in the RCMP for twenty years, Jason medically retired in 2021, three years after being diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Jason join...
2023-08-3053 minMind Beyond the MissionKiev looks like Saravejo with Scott CaseyThe ongoing situation in Ukraine has significant potential impact on the mental health and well-being of Canadian Veterans and their Family members. Watching events unfold, including images of conflict, can be not only distressing but also re-traumatizing. Many Veterans have shared that they feel like they are re-living their mission in Sarajevo. Family members of Veterans are observing and supporting firsthand the inner turmoil and conflict that many Veterans are struggling with.Scott Casey served as a peacekeeper in the Royal Canadian Regiment during the siege of Sarajevo in 1992. Now three decades later he finds himself struggling...
2023-07-2736 minMind Beyond the MissionTraumatic brain injury with Veteran & former CFL player Ryan CareyA traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as damage to the brain from applied force. It can come from hitting one’s head, or even from a strike to the body that jolts the head. Symptoms can range from being mild enough that they go unnoticed and untreated, to severe enough that an individual can be in a coma for a prolonged period of time.Military TBI has recently come to the forefront as one of the invisible wounds of war, caused by several aspects of combat including shock waves, breaching, exposure to explosive blasts, falls and th...
2023-06-1940 minMind Beyond the MissionTraumatic brain injury with Dr. Lyn TurkstraA traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain from applied force. It can come from hitting your head, or even from a strike to the body that jolts your head. Symptoms can range from being mild enough that they go unnoticed and untreated, to severe enough that an individual could be in a coma for a prolonged period of time. Military TBI has recently come to the forefront as one of the invisible wounds of war, caused by several aspects of combat including shock waves, breaching, exposure to explosive blasts, falls, and the cumulative effects of these...
2023-05-1834 minMind Beyond the MissionOvercoming lonelinessWhen imagining the experience of serving in the military, a sense of belonging often comes to mind. We may picture soldiers marching in unison, living in close quarters, watching each other's six. We hear terms like brotherhood and sisterhood, esprit de corps and camaraderie. So why it is that several recent studies show that many Veterans are experiencing loneliness at alarming rates?In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Brian and Laryssa explore the unique experiences of loneliness that Veterans and Veteran Families can encounter. They share their own experiences with managing feelings of loneliness and...
2023-04-2537 minMind Beyond the MissionGrieving the loss of someone who's aliveWhat does it mean to grieve the loss of someone who’s still alive?Can we mourn the life we thought we’d have while still appreciating the one we’ve got?Many Veteran Family members can relate to the experience of feeling grief, even when they haven’t actually lost a loved one. We can deeply grieve the person our loved one used to be, the people we used to be, or the lives we thought we would have. When we don’t acknowledge this grief and loss, it can make us feel isolated and lonely...
2023-03-1437 minMind Beyond the MissionWhy Is communication so hard?While communication is a critical skill for anyone serving in the military, it can often become a challenge for Veterans living with a traumatic stress injury. Veterans and their Family members can face unexpected barriers that impede the open, safe communication that every relationship thrives on.In this episode, Brian and Laryssa draw from their own experiences to share strategies and resources that have been helpful in cultivating healthy, effective communication in their relationships with their spouses, children, service providers, and others in their day-to-day lives.ResourcesFamilies and...
2023-01-3049 minMind Beyond the MissionMoral injury with Fardous Hosseiny"It often comes down to a decision that a person has to make in the moment and then they’re second guessing that decision for the rest of their life with the disadvantage of having hindsight."Moral injury is a relatively new term in the mental health research sphere, but one that countless Veterans can relate to from lived experience. Moral injury refers to the psychological, social, and spiritual impact of events or acts that a person performs, witnesses or fails to prevent, which conflict with one’s own deeply held moral beliefs and values.It i...
2022-12-0656 minMind Beyond the Mission"And their Families"In this second episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, Brian and Laryssa are joined by Polly Maher, Lived Experience Lead – Families at the Atlas Institute, to discuss how Veteran Family members are impacted by mental health and operational stress injuries.The spouse of a Veteran living with PTSD, Polly shares personal experiences of balancing motherhood, work life, her own well-being, and her spouse’s diagnosis. Polly, Brian and Laryssa reflect on their experiences and struggles with compassion fatigue, communication self-care, living in “survival mode” and managing expectations. They’ll share resources and strategies that have helped them in their j...
2022-07-221h 08Mind Beyond the MissionThe expert in your own journeyMeet our hosts, Brian McKenna, retired warrant officer with the Canadian Armed Forces and Laryssa Lamrock, military mother and daughter, and partner of a Veteran. Our first episode introduces Brian and Laryssa, and explores what it’s like to be a Veteran and a Veteran Family member living with PTSD. As experts of their own experiences, they are candid about what a PTSD diagnosis really meant for them and for those closest to them. They share their hopes for how the podcast will help others, no matter where one might find one’s self on the journey.
2022-06-2233 min