Hope in the Trenches

Chaplain Scott and guest co-host Lt. Col. Carmen Barteling chat with Jessica Pekari, a U.S. Army veteran who recently completed the Pacific Crest Trail in record time. Pekari shares stories about her military service, becoming an ultramarathoner and her battle with PTSD and how these experiences led her to this incredible accomplishment.

Chaplain (COL) Jacob Scott and guest co-host Steve DeLuna speak with Mike Erwin about positive psychology and leadership. Erwin is the founder of Team RWB, co-founder of the Positivity Project and a combat veteran.

Chaplain Scott and guest co-host Staff Sgt. Justin Miller, speak with Oregon Army National Guard medical officer MAJ Tommy Vu, who set the world record for the most chest to ground burpees in one hour on March 27, 2023. MAJ Vu will attempt a second world record for most chest to ground push-up burpees on Sept. 4, 2023.

Chaplain (COL) Jacob Scott and guest co-host Sgt. 1st Class Anna Rutherford speak with Staff Sgt. Emma Harvang, a member of the Warrior Fitness Team, about Holistic Health and Fitness and how she combines her military experience with her love of fitness and competition.

On this episode of Hope in the Trenches, Chaplain Scott and HITT producer SFC Zach Holden speak with Austin Vonletkemann, creator of the social medial channel ‘Mandatory Fun Day’ and an officer in the United States Army.

Chaplain Scott and Command Sgt. Maj. Smith speak with two Oregon National Guard Soldiers about the reasons and motivations that led them to join the Guard and why they continue to serve, as well as some of the many benefits service in the National Guard can provide.

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott and acting Oregon National Guard State Command Sergeant, Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Smith, talk with SGT Wyatt Walls, military Occupation Skill (MOS) 13 "Fox" Forward Observer with Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Regiment Field Artillery, in Salem, Oregon. In 2021, then-SPC Walls placed first in the Oregon Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. He then went on to win the Regional Competition and advance... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott and acting Oregon National Guard State Command Sergeant, Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Smith, talk with SGT Wyatt Walls, military Occupation Skill (MOS) 13 "Fox" Forward Observer with Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Regiment Field Artillery, in Salem, Oregon. In 2021, then-SPC Walls placed first in the Oregon Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. He then went on to win the Regional Competition and advance to the Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition. He was also one of the top performers, earning him a spot on the Army National Guard's team for the Arm's "Best Squad" competition. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with "Tip of the Spear," Author and retired Army Green Beret Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, Sgt. 1st. Class Ryan Hendrickson.

Hendrickson joined the Army in 2008 after completing enlistments in the Navy and Air Force. He served on multiple deployments, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and several South and Central American countries. His book, Tip of the Spear, is the inspiring true story of his incredible return to active duty—and subsequent combat deployments—after stepping on an IED.

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with Mr. Steven DeLuna and Ms. Vicki Farnsworth, of the Oregon National Guard’s Resiliency, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention program, part of the Service Member and Family Support (SMFS) directorate at the Joint Force Headquarters in Salem, Oregon. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Chaplain, Steven, and Vicki discuss resiliency, why it’s important to talk about suicide prevention, some of the training available to Service Members,... read more

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with Mr. Steven DeLuna and Ms. Vicki Farnsworth, of the Oregon National Guard’s Resiliency, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention program, part of the Service Member and Family Support (SMFS) directorate at the Joint Force Headquarters in Salem, Oregon. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Chaplain, Steven, and Vicki discuss resiliency, why it’s important to talk about suicide prevention, some of the training available to Service Members, and what’s happening for Suicide Prevention Month. SHOW NOTES: Oregon National Guard Service Member and Family Support (SMFS)—provides information and resources for our Service Members, their Families, and the communities in which they live: https://oregon.gov/omd/ONG/smfs, or 971-355-2389 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Call or text 988 or live chat at https://988lifeline.org Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.mil giveanhour—free and confidential mental health support for military, Veterans, and Families: https://giveanhour.org/military/ Vet Centers—community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their Families: www.vetcenter.va.gov (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and... read more

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and live albums. A post 9-11 anthem, Ondrasik performed "Superman (It's Not Easy)" at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11th attacks. In addition, Ondrasik has penned numerous significant hits, including the chart-topping "100 Years," "The Riddle," "Chances," "World," and "Easy Tonight," which have earned tens of millions of streams and placed him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. Five For Fighting's music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials. Five For Fighting recently released a new version of the single "Can One Man Save the World?" and a powerful companion music video featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra. Special thanks to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center for hosting Hope in the Trenches with John Ondrasik. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and... read more

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and live albums. A post 9-11 anthem, Ondrasik performed "Superman (It's Not Easy)" at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11 attacks. In addition, Ondrasik has penned numerous significant hits, including the chart-topping "100 Years," "The Riddle," "Chances," "World," and "Easy Tonight," which have earned tens of millions of streams and placed him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. Five For Fighting's music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials. Five For Fighting recently released a new version of the single "Can One Man Save the World?" and a powerful companion music video featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra. Special thanks to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center for hosting Hope in the Trenches with John Ondrasik. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott and co-host Lt. Col. Paul Dyer talk with Dave Grossman. Retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world's foremost experts in human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.

He has written numerous books and scholarly articles in journals and periodicals. His book On Killing was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has sold over a half-million copies... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott and co-host Lt. Col. Paul Dyer talk with Dave Grossman. Retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world's foremost experts in human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime. He has written numerous books and scholarly articles in journals and periodicals. His book On Killing was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has sold over a half-million copies worldwide. On Killing has been translated into five languages, is on the US Marine Corps Commandant's Required Reading List, and is required reading at the FBI academy and numerous other academies and colleges. His book Warrior Mindset applies sports psychology and performance psychology to military and law enforcement. His most recent book is called Assassination Generation, and he's actively writing more books to come. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott talks with Kris Paronto "Tanto." Kris was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the U.S. Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012, helping to save over 20 lives while fighting off terrorists from the CIA Annex for over 13 hours. Kris and his fellow brothers-in-arms' story was chronicled in the book 13 Hours and later made into a movie by Paramount Pictures, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, released in 2016.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott talks with Jason Gardner and the top three senior enlisted leaders for the Oregon National Guard. The podcast occurred at the 2022 Oregon National Guard Joint Senior Leader Workshop and Oregon National Guard Association Conference (ORNGA) on April 30, at Camp Withycombe, Oregon; Gardner was the keynote speaker.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott talks with Cpt. Erik Nowak, U.S Army Reserve (USAR), a national leader in the F3 Nation. F3 is a national network including 3,178 free, peer-led physical fitness workouts for men in 241 regions. Its mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men to invigorate male community leadership. Learn more about F3 Nation at https://f3nation.com/

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt.Col.) Jacob Scott talks with Gold Star Spouse and Oregon National Guard Military and Family Readiness Specialist Stephanie Torres. Torres works in our state's Service Members and Families Support (SMFS) office helping Oregon National Guard Families. She is also the only person to obtain citizenship during the initial lockdown from COVID in Oregon. If you want more information about the SMFS office, please go to the Oregon SMFS website at https://www.oregon.gov/omd/ONG/SMFS/Pages/default.aspx or call 971-355-2389.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott talks with Maj. Gen. John L. Gronski Gronski (U.S. Army, Retired) Gronski is a proven combat leader with over forty years' service in the United States Army, including active duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His military assignments include the 28th Infantry Division; Brigade Commander of 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division in Ramadi, Iraq, where he led 5,000 Soldiers and Marines in combat; Brigade Commander of 55th Brigade, 28th... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott talks with Maj. Gen. John L. Gronski Gronski (U.S. Army, Retired) Gronski is a proven combat leader with over forty years' service in the United States Army, including active duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His military assignments include the 28th Infantry Division; Brigade Commander of 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division in Ramadi, Iraq, where he led 5,000 Soldiers and Marines in combat; Brigade Commander of 55th Brigade, 28th Infantry Division; and Military Liaison Team Chief in Lithuania. Also, Gronski has written two books, The Ride of Our Lives, which chronicled a cross-country family bicycle trip in 1983, and Iron-Sharpened Leadership: Transforming Hard-Fought Lessons into Action (2021). (Audio engineering by Paul Rushing, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs) resiliency, leadership, organizational leadership, mentoring, faith and hope   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott talks with two long-distance runners from the Air National Capt. Kristi Raudy and 1st Lt. Jared Boyer serve with the 173 FW at Kingsley Field in beautiful Klamath Falls, Oregon. Recently the two were featured in an article highlighting their participation in the 2021 All-Air Force Marathon, which was supposed to happen at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio but went virtual.


U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott talks with two incredible officers with long histories in the Oregon Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. (Retired) Doug Pritt and Brig. Gen. Eric Riley currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard. They discuss why they joined and stayed in the military and their daily routines for resiliency and success.

U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott and Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Yates sits down with Chaplain (Cpt.) Wes Moldogo talks about a wide range of resilience and spiritual care topics. Chaplain Moldogo is currently the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment Chaplain. In 2019, he deployed with the 1st Battalion, 186 Infantry Regiment to the Horn of Africa. On the civilian side, he serves as a Hospice Chaplain for Partners in Care Hospice in Bend, OR, and is a supplemental on-call Chaplain... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Ltc.) Jacob Scott and Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Yates sits down with Chaplain (Cpt.) Wes Moldogo talks about a wide range of resilience and spiritual care topics. Chaplain Moldogo is currently the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment Chaplain. In 2019, he deployed with the 1st Battalion, 186 Infantry Regiment to the Horn of Africa. On the civilian side, he serves as a Hospice Chaplain for Partners in Care Hospice in Bend, OR, and is a supplemental on-call Chaplain for the local Health Care System in Central Oregon (St. Charles Health). In addition, he currently serves on the board for the Central OR Veterans Council, the Peaceful Presence Project. Finally, he is developing a framework for Veterans with moral injury at the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch at the end of life. He did his clinical residency at Stanford Health Care and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in thanatology at Hood College. He has a particular interest in palliative medicine and how it impacts a person's quality of life both in and out of the military. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviews Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Yates. Chaplain Yates entered the Army chaplaincy in 2007 after a career in Law Enforcement. He holds a bachelor of arts in comparative religions and a Master's of Divinity. Yates has held a variety of assignments as a chaplain, including serving Cavalry, Infantry, Field Artillery, Engineers, and Aviation units. Chaplain Yates deployed to Baghdad, Iraq (2009-10) and Kabul, Afghanistan (2014-15). He is now the Deputy... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviews Chaplain (Maj.) Shane Yates. Chaplain Yates entered the Army chaplaincy in 2007 after a career in Law Enforcement. He holds a bachelor of arts in comparative religions and a Master's of Divinity. Yates has held a variety of assignments as a chaplain, including serving Cavalry, Infantry, Field Artillery, Engineers, and Aviation units. Chaplain Yates deployed to Baghdad, Iraq (2009-10) and Kabul, Afghanistan (2014-15). He is now the Deputy State Chaplain working with Chaplain Scot at the Oregon National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters. Shane is also the CEO and Co-founder of Task Force Heroes Ministries, a non-profit ministry located in Bozeman, Montana. The non-profit ministry serves First Responders and Veterans nationwide, providing spiritual resiliency and hope as they face the dangers and trauma of their frontline careers. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviews Jason Gardner. Jason is a former U.S. Navy SEAL combat leader and a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, a leadership consulting firm. Jason retired in 2019 after nearly three decades in the SEAL Teams with nine deployments across the globe, including Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has experience at every leadership level, from a front-line SEAL sniper to the SEAL Team FIVE Command Master Chief. Additionally, he served... read more

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviews Jason Gardner. Jason is a former U.S. Navy SEAL combat leader and a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, a leadership consulting firm. Jason retired in 2019 after nearly three decades in the SEAL Teams with nine deployments across the globe, including Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has experience at every leadership level, from a front-line SEAL sniper to the SEAL Team FIVE Command Master Chief. Additionally, he served as a lead instructor for Naval Special Warfare Group One Training Detachment. He created and implemented realistic and challenging special operations combat training to prepare SEAL units for the real-world battlefield. He is the recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and numerous other awards and decorations. He will be the keynote speaker for the Oregon Army National Guard Association annual meeting in April 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviewed Lt. Col. Tannins Mittelbach from the Oregon Army National Guard and discussed the high operation tempo of the Oregon National Guard in domestic operations in the past year. The episode recording happened before the Oregon National Guard Hospital Support mission named internally Operation Reassurance, where Mittelbach served as the Deputy Commander and the latter the Commander.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, CH Scott interviews Dr. Thomas Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, he is a scholar in residence of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, the largest applied ethics center in the world.

He has authored and edited 25 books. He blogs regularly with the publication Psychology Today, writing about hope,... read more

In this episode, CH Scott interviews Dr. Thomas Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, he is a scholar in residence of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, the largest applied ethics center in the world. He has authored and edited 25 books. He blogs regularly with the publication Psychology Today, writing about hope, spirituality, guilt, and forgiveness. In addition, he has published more than 200 scholarly professional journal articles and book chapters and appeared regularly on media outlets such as Time Magazine, CNN, NBC, PBS, NYT, USA Today, BBC, NPR, and others. (U.S. National Guard Audio Engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)   show less

In this episode, CH Scott and SFC Holden interview LTC Dan Browne, former Olympian and Olympic coach. LTC Browne shares how his faith has motivated and enriched his life and military service. He also shares some thoughts on the Army's new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system, as it promotes spiritual, mental, and physical readiness, along with healthy sleep and nutrition habits. At the time of recording, LTC Browne was serving with the Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). He currently serves as Commander for the Oregon Training Command's Camp Umatilla.

(U.S. National Guard Audio Engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain Scott speaks with Cpt. Beth Conn, Director of Psychological Health for the Oregon National Guard. Together, they discuss mental health, spirituality and resiliency, and how they are trying to overcome cultural stigmas attached with service members seeking out psychological help.

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviewed Lt. Col. Tannins Mittelbach from the Oregon Army National Guard and discussed the high operation tempo of the Oregon National Guard in domestic operations in the past year. The episode recording happened before the Oregon National Guard Hospital Support mission named internally Operation Reassurance, where Mittelbach served as the Deputy Commander and the latter the Commander.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain (Lt. Col) Scott interviews Dr. Paul White, co-author of the best-selling, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, written with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the #1 NY Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages. Dr. White is a psychologist, speaker, and leadership trainer who "makes work relationships work." Dr. White focuses on developing healthy workplace relationships; he has written articles for and been interviewed by Bloomberg's Business Week, CNN/Fortune.com, Entrepreneur.com, Fast Company, FoxBusiness.com, U.S. News and World Report, the Washington Post, and Yahoo! Finance.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In the first episode of 'Hope in the Trenches', Oregon National Guard Chaplain Jacob Scott introduces his new podcast and discusses his focus on spiritual fitness to help increase the quality of life, both professional and personal.

In the second episode of 'Hope in the Trenches,' Oregon National Guard Chaplain Jacob Scott interviews retired Oregon Guardsman Eddie Black. Eddie Black, a former Marine, deployed with the Oregon Army National Guard in OIF II, upon returning, earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy at Portland State University. He has since specialized in helping veterans in crisis, working as a Resilience Program Coordinator for the Oregon Army National Guard. Black currently works as a... read more

In the second episode of 'Hope in the Trenches,' Oregon National Guard Chaplain Jacob Scott interviews retired Oregon Guardsman Eddie Black. Eddie Black, a former Marine, deployed with the Oregon Army National Guard in OIF II, upon returning, earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy at Portland State University. He has since specialized in helping veterans in crisis, working as a Resilience Program Coordinator for the Oregon Army National Guard. Black currently works as a coordinator for the Star Behavioral Health Program from the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP). The CDP trains military and civilian behavioral health professionals to provide high-quality, culturally-sensitive, evidence-based behavioral health services to military personnel, Veterans, and their families.   show less