• Summary

  • Service Before Self Podcast: Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services tackles current issues impacting veterans and their families. From challenges transitioning from military service into civilian careers to addressing the unique health needs of veterans, no subject is off limits. Join us as we present pragmatic solutions to ensure that veterans and families succeed in the communities where they live.
    Service Before Self Podcast
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • Episode 014: Challenges Faced By Disabled Veterans with Louis Orslene, Office of Disability Employment, Department of Labor

    Episode 014: Challenges Faced By Disabled Veterans with Louis Orslene, Office of Disability Employment, Department of Labor

    Jun 17 2021
    Welcome to another episode of Service Before Self Podcast. In today’s episode, the focus is on an issue that does not receive the visibility and attention it deserves: the challenges that disabled veterans face in finding meaningful employment.   When thinking about disabled veterans it is common to refer to those who were wounded in combat, but that is only part of the picture, there are 4.7 million veterans and 20% of them have some type of service-connected disability and its level varies across this population. There are many challenges that disabled veterans are facing but most of them are related to difficulties trying to find employment. Additionally, employers and community-based organizations struggle with understanding the resources and policies that are in place to support them in hiring disabled Americans, including disabled veterans.    Today, Sam Whitehurst, your host, talks with Louis Orslene, Supervisory Policy Advisor in the Office of Disability and Employment Policy from the Department of Labor, an agency within DOL that is focused on helping employers and organizations support not only disabled veterans, but disabled Americans writ large. Louis is sharing some of the policies, programs, and practices that are creating opportunities for those that are disabled and how organizations and communities can more effectively integrate those with disabilities, including disabled veterans, into the workforce.   Key Takeaways: [7:19] Louis talks about the Office of Disability Employment Policy. [11:40] Louis talks about the veterans who use the job accommodation network. [12:05] Employers have to be prepared for the inclusion of veterans. [14:10] Louis talks about the challenges veterans face in reaching their full potential in and out of the workplace. [17:30] Louis talks about the employment barriers for people with disabilities and the three major reasons. [21:42] Louis talks about the main mental challenges and impairments caused by COVID-19. [22:34] Louis presents the Mental Health Tool Kit the Office of Disability Employment Policy has implemented. [24:30] Louis explains how many people with disabilities and mental health conditions have been benefited during the pandemic. [25:40] What are some of the ways that ODEP could help local leaders address the challenges that disabled employees might have in the workforce? [30:18] Louis shares tips for people looking to help someone with a disability who is looking for employment or an employer who is looking for that talent. [33:44] Sam talks about the Clear2Connect Coalition   Mentioned in this episode: Dixon Center: Reaching America At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership. Dixon Center on Facebook Dixon Center on Twitter Dixon Center on Instagram   Tweetables and quotes: “The path of isolation among veterans usually begins with poor employment opportunities.”   “Veterans tend not to relate very well to the word disability since there is a stigma that relates it to a weakness.”   “Many people with disabilities and mental health conditions have really benefited during the pandemic.”  
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • Episode 013: National Salute to America’s Heroes with Mickey Markoff

    Episode 013: National Salute to America’s Heroes with Mickey Markoff

    May 18 2021
    Welcome to another episode of Service Before Self. Today, Mickey Markoff joins the podcast. He is the Executive Producer of the National Salute to America’s Heroes. The mission of the National Salute to America’s Heroes presented by HYUNDAI is to bring back the true meaning and spirit of Memorial Day weekend and pay tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom. It showcases the capability of all military members and also features some of the equipment and technology that makes the American military so remarkable.   What makes this event so special is that it brings service members, veterans, their families, and the families of those who have fallen in service together with Americans who might not have an affiliation or a true understanding of what it means to serve or to be a veteran. The goal of this event is to close the civil-military divide and to create understanding and connection for those who have served and those who haven’t.   Key Takeaways: [2:30] Colonel Sam shares the meaning of Memorial Day for him and accompanies it with a personal story. [6:09] Mickey shares his excitement in sharing the true meaning of Memorial Day. [6:46] Mickey shares the meaning and mission of the National Salute to America’s Heroes. [9:18] Mickey emphasizes the importance of humanizing Memorial Day. [10:38] Mickey shares the history of the National Salute to America’s Heroes. [13:30] Mickey talks about the great team that makes the National Salute to America’s Heroes possible and awesome. [15:10] What is Mickey’s long-term vision? [15:58] What is the Salute 365 Initiative about? [20:30] Mickey talks about the current isolation and the lack of humanization of military servers. [22:04] How can people participate in the event? [23:35] Watch Gold Star Tribute, a one-hour television show produced by Peter Berg. [28:02] Colonel Sam shares the highlights of the conversation with Mickey, encourages the audience to connect with a veteran on Memorial Day and to listen to his/her story.   Mentioned in this episode: Dixon Center: Reaching America At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership. Dixon Center on Facebook Dixon Center on Twitter Dixon Center on Instagram   National Salute to America’s Heroes Salute 365 Initiative   Tweetables and quotes: “Seek out veterans and encourage them to share their story, connect with the families of the fallen, and ask them to share their story, and through active listening, you will discover the true meaning of Memorial Day.”   “Freedom isn’t free, there are a lot of people sacrificing their lives for freedom to exist.”   “Memorial Day is a celebration of how military servers lived and served.”
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Episode 012: Assisting Organizations and Communities Address the Evolving Needs of Veterans and Their Families with Colonel Duncan S. Milne.

    Episode 012: Assisting Organizations and Communities Address the Evolving Needs of Veterans and Their Families with Colonel Duncan S. Milne.

    Apr 23 2021
    This episode spotlights the work of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. An organization that connects organizations and communities with existing programs and services that transform the lives of veterans and their families. We discuss Dixon Center’s approach to supporting veterans and their families in the communities where we live through our network of private and public, civic, and community-based partners. We also share how the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of veterans’ needs, not diminished them.    This episode is also a moment of reflection; after almost a year, it is now a great time to look back and see what we learned and also to share the goals for the future of Service Before Self Podcast.   Colonel Sam Whitehurst, your host, is accompanied by Colonel Duncan S. Milne, President of Dixon Center, in today’s special episode, where he is sharing his experience and background in the Marine Corps and how he came to serve veterans and their families at Dixon Center.   Key Takeaways: [3:30] Sam shares the lessons learned from eight months of the Service Before Self Podcast. [6:59] Sam talks about the role that Dixon Center plays in supporting veterans and their families. [8:35] Colonel Duncan shares about his background in the Marine Corps and how he started to serve veterans and their families at Dixon Center. [13:26] Colonel Duncan talks about the mission of Dixon Center. [18:50] Veterans living in different states face different challenges. [19:43] Colonel Duncan talks about reinforcing existing programs to address the evolving needs of veterans and their families. [21:28] Colonel Duncan shares how Dixon Center has leveraged the ability to attend to the needs of veterans during the pandemic. [24:30] Colonel Duncan addresses the crushing isolation that veterans and serving members are facing every day. [25:20] What does the future hold for Dixon Center? [29:20] If you see a veteran out there, have a conversation with him or her. [30:20] Colonel Sam talks about the work of FEDCAP. [31:27] Colonel Sam shares about the meaning of Dixon Center’s name.   Mentioned in this episode: Dixon Center: Reaching America At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership. Dixon Center on Facebook Dixon Center on Twitter Dixon Center on Instagram   Learn more about Colonel Duncan S. Milne FEDCAP   Tweetables and quotes: “Dixon Center’s noble purpose is to make sure that people who have served this country can transition back into civilian society and consistently succeed in the communities where they choose to live.”   “The pandemic gave Dixon Center an opportunity to step back to what was being done proudly and focus on not just the challenges but the opportunities that were presented.”   “There is a crushing isolation that our veterans and service members face every day.”
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
Management Career Success Economics
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Service Before Self Podcast

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com Reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available