In this powerful episode of the HOPE podcast, host Kate Dudley sits down with U.S. Para Sliding Development Director Kim Seevers from Lake Placid during a stop on the inaugural Para Skeleton Legacy Tour.

Born out of the energy of the Invictus Games, this international tour is creating new pathways for veterans and adaptive athletes to stay connected to sport, purpose, and community. From Norway to Switzerland to the U.S., athletes are not only learning new tracks, but they’re also rediscovering confidence, identity, and what’s possible after injury.

Kim shares how the tour came to life, why expanding beyond Lake Placid was critical, and how partnerships, including Hope For The Warriors, helped remove financial barriers so athletes could fully commit to the experience.

More than just a sport, Para Skeleton offers something deeper: a powerful mix of adrenaline, focus, and healing. As Kim explains, it mirrors the intensity of combat while also demanding mindfulness, discipline, and control.

With eyes set on growing the sport globally, and a long-term goal of reaching the Paralympic Games, this movement is just getting started.

0:00 – Welcome from Lake Placid & intro to the Legacy Tour

1:10 – How the Invictus Games sparked the movement

3:15 – Why para skeleton is so powerful (and accessible for beginners)

5:20 – Taking the tour global: Norway, Switzerland & beyond

7:10 – Why international experience matters for athlete growth

9:00 – How Hope For The Warriors helped fund the tour

11:15 – Athlete impact: confidence, identity & recovery

14:00 – The mental + physical transformation through sport

16:10 – Why veterans are drawn to sliding sports (adrenaline + focus)

18:30 – Chaos vs. control: the meditative side of skeleton

20:30 – Camaraderie and connection among military athletes

22:30 – David Snipes’ story: resilience, innovation & breaking barriers

27:00 – The future: World Cup dreams & Paralympic goals

30:00 – Why these stories matter—and what we can all take away

32:00 – Closing + (maybe) taking a run down the track

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded at Hope For The Warriors’ annual Got Heart Give Hope Awards Ceremony at the MGM National Harbor, this special episode features longtime HOPE supporter, volunteer, and military advocate, Sue Jurney.

A Marine Corps spouse of more than 35 years, Sue shares her deeply personal connection to the early grassroots days of HOPE, when military spouses stepped forward to support wounded service members and families during the height of the War on Terror.

From helping families navigate medical crises at bedside to building lifelong military spouse networks, Sue reflects on how community, compassion, and action shaped both her journey and the organization’s 20-year impact.

This conversation highlights the power of connection, the evolution of military family readiness, and why service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

00:00: Welcome to the Awards

00:45: HOPE Family Homecoming

01:34: Mission and Origins

02:57: How HOPE Helped Sue

05:06: Growth and Impact

06:38: Captain Dan Moran Connection

09:56: Family Readiness Lessons

13:18: Readiness in a Digital Age

15:49: Navy Service Award

17:13: HOPE Shaped My Service

19:33: Closing, Thanks, and Kindness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor and military advocate Antwon Tanner joins host Kate Dudley on the Hope For The Warriors Podcast to discuss his long-standing support of Hope For The Warriors, meaningful moments from his career, and how his definition of success has evolved. The episode highlights the importance of supporting service members, veterans, and military families while advancing the mission to restore hope within the military community.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:07 Meet Antwon Tanner: Advocate and Ambassador

01:50 Antwon’s First Encounter with Hope For The Warriors

04:01 The Impact of Military Service on Families

05:46 Antwon’s Continued Commitment and Suggestions

06:36 Antwon’s Military Family Background

09:34 Unique Stories and Experiences

11:46 Cultural Exchange and Personal Growth

14:07 Antwon’s Acting Career and Recent Projects

15:44 Upcoming Projects and Auditions

16:26 Discussing “The Roaring Game”

17:37 Reflections on Success and Priorities

20:38 Family and Career Choices

23:09 Impact of COVID on the Entertainment Industry

24:48 The Changing Landscape of Media

26:02 Hope For The Warriors: A Personal Connection

28:11 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Hope for the Warriors podcast, host Kate Dudley is joined by two-time World Series Champion Doug Flynn and Fantasy Camp Director Doug Dickey to discuss the Mets Fantasy Camp. They explore the unique experiences and bonds formed at the camp, especially for veterans. The episode delves into how the camp operates, the camaraderie among participants, and its significant impact, including raising money for Hope for the Warriors. The discussion highlights the therapeutic benefits of baseball for veterans and the strong community it fosters.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:20 Meet the Guests: Doug Flynn and Doug Dickey

02:02 The Origin of the Doug Duo

05:20 Inside the Mets Fantasy Camp

07:14 Kangaroo Court and Fundraising for Hope for the Warriors

11:08 Incorporating Veterans into the Camp

16:07 Kangaroo Court and Veterans' Stories

17:12 Baseball's Healing Power for Veterans

18:32 Engagement and Support at Fantasy Camps

19:04 Cliff's Journey and Team Support

20:13 Veterans and Former Players Bonding

21:09 Managing and Organizing Fantasy Camps

23:12 Hope for the Warriors and Fundraising

25:43 The Impact of Mets Fantasy Camp

27:36 Returning Campers and Community Building

30:29 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

Learn more about Mets Fantasy Camp

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Hope For The Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley interviews actor and veteran advocate Jaylen Moore. They discuss Jaylen’s career, his passion for supporting veterans, and his involvement with Hope For The Warriors. Jaylen shares personal stories about his family's military background, his experiences on the TV show 'Six', and his latest film projects. He also emphasizes the importance of supporting military families, especially during the holidays. The episode highlights Jaylen's genuine enthusiasm for helping others and his commitment to being a strong advocate for the veteran community.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:50 Jaylen Moore's Advocacy and Support for Veterans

03:09 Jaylen's Personal and Professional Background

04:17 Military Family Connections and Experiences

06:44 Acting Career Highlights and Challenges

09:46 Hope For The Warriors and Other Organizations

14:52 Celebrity Invitational and Personal Stories

20:15 Defining Moments in Jaylen's Career

25:15 Career Highlights and Gratitude

26:03 Meeting Humble Celebrities

26:57 The Importance of Kindness

29:07 Advocating for Therapy and Self-Help

32:13 Birthday Reflections in New York

36:13 Upcoming Projects and Family Life

37:47 Supporting Military Families

43:51 Holiday Giving and Resilience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Hope For The Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley interviews Army veteran Ray Soto at the 4th Annual No Obstacles Race for the Warriors on Governors Island. Ray, who served for 23 years, shares his experiences participating in the event and the significant role that HOPE has played in his life. He discusses the importance of community and togetherness when overcoming challenges, the transition from surviving to rebuilding, and the support HOPE offers to veterans and their families. Ray also opens up about his personal struggles and highlights key moments of personal growth. The episode ends with Ray offering heartfelt advice on connecting with veterans and the power of genuine interactions.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Event

00:28 Interview with Army Veteran Ray Soto

03:15 Ray Soto's Journey with Hope for the Warriors

05:14 The Impact of Hope for the Warriors

07:39 Personal Stories and Reflections

12:15 Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

14:02 How to Thank a Veteran

16:16 The Importance of Time for Veterans

16:49 Checking on Friends and Family During the Holidays

17:27 Genuine Buddy Checks

18:07 The Power of Random Acts of Kindness

20:40 Running in a Spartan Costume

22:32 Lightning Round Questions

25:20 Message of Hope for Veterans

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Hope for the Warriors Podcast, host Kate Dudley showcases the No Obstacles 5K event, hosted by Pain Schwartz Partners in collaboration with Spartan, on New York City's historic Governor's Island. Guests Mollie Stambovsky of Pain Schwartz Partners and Dan Welch from Spartan delve into the event's inception, its unique elements, and how it supports military families by breaking down barriers. The conversation highlights the logistical challenges of organizing the race, the various sponsors and partners involved, and the impactful atmosphere of race day, including drill sergeant-led motivational stations on the course. The podcast emphasizes the importance of community support and awareness in assisting service members, veterans, and their families.

00:00 Introduction to the Hope for the Warriors Podcast

00:05 Special Edition: No Obstacles 5K Overview

00:50 Meet the Hosts and Guests

02:26 The Origin and Mission of Hope for the Warriors

05:38 Event Details and How to Get Involved

07:25 Spartan's Role and Unique Challenges

10:52 Race Day Experience and Logistics

19:51 Supporting Partners and Sponsors

24:01 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special throwback episode from October 2023, one of HOPE’s Regional Social workers, Nicole Howard and HOPE’s Director of Clinical Case Management and Financial Wellness Director Shelley Rodiguez join Kate for an important conversation on financial wellness. You’ll hear about practical tools, resources, and strategies to help build a stronger financial foundation. We’ll delve into budgeting, dealing with debt, and planning for the unexpected, emphasizing that financial wellness is critical to overall well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Special Throwback Episode

00:40 Meet Shelly and Nicole

03:18 The Importance of Financial Wellness

07:13 Common Financial Issues Faced by Clients

12:00 The Role of Budgeting in Financial Health

18:08 Making Tough Financial Decisions

19:04 The Importance of Budgeting

19:58 Staying on Top of Your Finances

20:41 Common Financial Mistakes

22:35 Credit Card Pitfalls

26:14 Hope for the Warriors: Financial Assistance

31:30 Emergency Planning for Military Families

34:20 Conclusion and Resources

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.