We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought we would look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and choose 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them.

But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.

Over the next twenty weeks, we will share these staff conversations I had with some of the hard-working professionals at Home Base who help treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

For this episode, you will hear a brief conversation with Clinical Social Worker Kate Basile, who works in the Intensive Clinical Program at Home Base. This will be followed by our very first episode, in which we sat with journalist, author, and filmmaker Sebastian Junger.

Many thanks to Kate Basile for all her work at Home Base in support of this mission to stomp stigma and treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or anyone you know is struggling.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. If you want to learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought we would look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and choose 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them.

But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.

Over the next twenty weeks, we will share these staff conversations I had with some of the hard-working professionals at Home Base who help treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

For this episode, you will hear a brief conversation with Home Base Marine Veteran Alexander Hohl, Director of Veteran Outreach, followed by one of the earlier episodes, in which Ron sat with the US Army Colonel and Combat Surgeon Dr. David King and Red Sox legend David "Big Papi" Ortiz. Boston just celebrated the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and we felt it a good time to re-share the episode that remembers the Boston Marathon bombing and the inspiration Big Papi brought to the city during that time.

Many thanks to Alexander Hohl for all his work at Home Base to support this mission to stomp stigma and treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or anyone you know is struggling.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. If you want to learn more about how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

We have published 120 episodes since 2019. For this new season, we thought we would look back on some of the highlights of our conversations and choose 20 episodes that resonated with veterans, service members, military families, and the civilians who support them.

But first up, you'll hear from some of the folks at Home Base who wake up every day with the same mission in mind, no matter what they do at the Center of Excellence in the Navy Yard and beyond.

Over the next twenty weeks, we will share these staff conversations I had with some of the hard-working professionals at Home Base who help treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

For this first episode, you will hear a brief conversation with Home Base Navy Veteran Jessica Covitz, Director of Veteran Outreach. This will be followed by one of the earlier episodes, in which Ron sat with the incomparable Bob and Lee Woodruff of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Many thanks to Jessica Covitz for all her work at Home Base in support of this mission to stomp stigma and treat the invisible wounds of veterans and military families.

Run To Home Base: Join Ron and his team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base on July 26th, 2025, at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and resources if you or anyone you know is struggling.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, servicemembers, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. If you want to learn more about how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

Three-time All-Star Pitcher, Six-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee, (and Run to Home Base Captain) Liam Hendriks, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Kristi Hendriks join Dr. Ron Hirschberg for a conversation at Home Base. As the Red Sox welcome Liam to the team, he and Kristi reflect on living the baseball life over the years including the comaradarie and the challenges, the causes they support, and how military lineage runs in their families. Liam talks about his own battle against Stage IV non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2022, and the return to pitching the following year along with Kristi's ongoing support. Kristi highlights the key bonds with fellow baseball wives and the special connection to each community, and both Liam and Kristi share their love for the Bruins and how they enjoy kicking back to watch a great hockey game.

Many thanks to Kristi and Liam Hendriks for visiting us at Home Base and for your support of this mission to stomp stigma, treat invisible wounds of veterans and military families, and be part of a growing team charged with saving lives. Best of luck Liam in the upcoming 2025 Season after reporting at Pitchers and Catchers - in just a few weeks.

Thank you to our friends and partners at the Red Sox Foundation for all you do for Home Base and all the communities you serve in healthcare, children in need and education. To learn more about the Foundation, please go to redsoxfoundation.org

And join Kristi and her team and sign up individually or on another team at the 16th annual Run To Home Base that will be July 26th 2025 at Fenway Park! Go to runtohomebase.org

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and recourses if you or anyone you know is struggling in anyway.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Kicking off 2025, Navy Veteran Vann Morris sits with Dr. Ron Hirschberg and talks about his journey from young sailor, to Lieutenant Commander, and a man on a mission to heal America through his patriotism and infectious personality. Vann is a teacher, preacher, and leader. Retired after 30 years, his last 3 tours were at the Pentagon, the 82nd Airborne Division in Bagram, Afghanistan, and US Special Operations Command. Vann talks about love for country, family and the fact that we all should be aware that our best friend and our worst enemy are actually the same person – ourselves. He talks about the power of influence and how it can be used for good, and how when it comes to veteran suicide, it’s about making ourselves more approachable than we think we are, and therefore to ask each other if we are not doing OK.

______

Many thanks to Navy Veteran Vann Morris for sitting with me, along with Army Veteran and wife Rita Morris. Thank you for your ongoing service in many ways, your leadership and lessons to both kids and adults – And for your whole family’s military service. You can learn all about Vann, his life and work at healingamerica.com.

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and recourses if you or anyone you know is struggling in anyway.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

This week three years ago, we told the story of “Operation Christmas Drop” after discovering the oldest ongoing Department of Defense mission - the world’s longest running humanitarian airdrop - to deliver critical supplies to remote islands in the Pacific. On 12/14/24, Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Airforce Base in Guam was another success, and the 73rd annual drop delivered 220 bundles to 58 islands, helping more than 42,000 people. Ron Hirschberg and Lucy Little told this story in 2021 including Zoom interviews east to Guam with (now) former President of OCD2021 Air Force Capt. Matt Carrowan, and north to Canada with the 2021 Netflix Movie "Operation Christmas Drop" Director, Martin Wood. Happy holidays all and enjoy this amazing story of giving, and making a true difference for thousands of people every year.

Operation Christmas Drop - Official Trailer / Netflix

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Home Base Brain Health Summit 2024 Conversations: Marine Veteran and Chief Programs Officer of Navy SEAL Foundation Alison Messick, and Command Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Greg Smith. On September 11th 2024, Home Base held its first Brain Health Summit. Spearheaded by Home Base Senior Directors Dr. Sofia Matta and Retired Navy Captain Dr. Joe Bonvie – The Summit highlighted brain health but at the same time aimed to cover the whole person: Mind, body, and soul – Targeting not just longer lifespan, but living well longer, or… HealthSpan.

First Up: Chief Program Officer of Navy SEAL Foundation Alison Messick. Alison is a Marine Veteran, and has been a leader in the Special Operations space for 15 years including her time at Naval Special Warfare prior to the Foundation. When Alison took the mic at the Brain Health Summit, she gave a captivating talk about Collective Impact when it comes to doing right by this community as collaborators not competitors. Alison Messick networks for success and listens to her fellow leaders in order to work together for all things – as she tells us - energy giving…

Second Up: Command Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Greg Smith – looks back at the time he was called to lead the first team deployed after the twin tower attacks, while at the same time reflects on military and civilian medical “wins” over stigma and addressing invisible rounds. From operator to senior leader at USSOCOM, to his current work at the Pentagon with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he has been a trusted voice in the Special Operations community - And we are honored to now have Greg as a member of the Home Base Honorary board.

Many thanks to Greg Smith and Alison Messick for your years of service and leadership, and ongoing partnership – Humans are more important that hardware is a driving core principle of USSCOM and something you both not only believe in, you walk the walk in every day. Special thanks to Sofia Matta and Joe Bonvie for all your work in putting together the first annual Brain Health conference at Home Base.

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and of courses if you or anyone you know is struggling in anyway.

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Marine Veteran and Home Base Florida colleague Jaime Fernandez came up to Boston this month to help bring to fruition the first Spanish speaking veteran two-week Intensive Clinical Program. Born in Nicaragua, Jaime moved to Miami at age 6, and after high school joined the Marines in 2001. After 3 tours in Iraq and back home, he would pursue degree in Human Performance at Florida Gulf Coast University, which launched a prolific career in strength and conditioning with Red Sox affiliate in Greenville, SC. In 2015, he joined Home Base Southwest Florida led by fellow Marine Veteran Armando Hernandez. As a bilingual veteran, Jaime continues to speak the language of service in both English and Spanish, while speaking other languages of mindfulness, meditation, and fitness.

Many thanks to Marine Veteran and fellow Home Base colleague Jaime Fernandez for your service and ongoing service to so many veterans and military families.

A special shout out to ICP director Laura Harward for all you do to lead innovative programs, and the Home Base Boston team, including Elizabeth Valencia, Nilea Silva, Kelly Sarsfield, Kassandra Iliadis, Clare Stupinski, Dr. Stephanie Stamph, Army Veteran Katrina Echevarria, Navy Veteran Jessica Covitz, Luiza Welton – with support from Home Base Florida with Armando Hernandez, and Angie DeLima. Also thanks to Wounded Warrior Project for helping Home Base make Puerto Rico veteran outreach possible.

And thanks to Drs. Rachel Millstein and April Hirschberg for your leadership in mind body health and wellness. Make sure to check out a full spectrum of meditations curated by the Home Base team, and HBN editor and producer Chuck Clough, at homebase.org/meditations. Please feel free to sign up for Resilience programming at homebase.org/program/rwarrior, and of note in February 2025 when Jaime leads the first Spanish speaking Resilient Warrior course.

_____

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.