March 22, 2026: Erin Dunn and Shelly Rood

In this episode of Veterans Radio, host Dale Throneberry welcomes Shelly Rood, a former U.S. Army Reserve captain and broadcast executive, as a new contributor. Rood, creator of the 'Others Over Self' initiative and host of the podcast 'Hardcore and At Ease,' discusses her military intelligence background, transition to civilian life, and her mission to help veterans—especially women—reclaim their stories and find purpose post-service. The highlight of the episode is a powerful interview with Air Force veteran Erin Dunn, who shares her journey from high school enlistment to a decade of active duty, law school while deployed in Iraq, and her ongoing work as a veteran advocate. Dunn candidly discusses living with post-traumatic stress not as a diagnosis to manage, but as a terrain to understand and navigate, emphasizing resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of mental well-being. The conversation underscores themes of personal agency, emotional honesty, and the value of storytelling in healing and empowerment. Rood and Throneberry also promote the upcoming 2026 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention in Detroit, celebrating the nation’s highest military honor. Key takeaways include: 1) Post-traumatic growth is possible when veterans reframe trauma as a transformative experience rather than a burden; 2) Proactive environmental control—like using earplugs, music, and grounding techniques—can help manage sensory overload and PTSD triggers; 3) Veterans can leverage their military discipline and values in civilian careers, especially in public service and advocacy; 4) Storytelling is a vital tool for healing and connection, particularly for women veterans; 5) Advocacy is a learned skill rooted in personal values and can be a powerful coping mechanism; 6) The military mindset—being 'hardcore' while remaining 'at ease'—is a valuable life framework; 7) Veterans should not wait for the VA to provide mental health tools—many must self-educate and advocate for themselves; 8) Leadership is not defined by rank but by the ability to stay grounded in values while navigating chaos.