Episode 71

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Published on:

4th Feb 2026

From Fear to Fire: How Two Military Women Built a Podcast Movement and Healing Retreats

Summary:

What happens when two women veterans turn pain, fear, and hope into a movement for healing? In this heartfelt Season Seven episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly reunites with her co-founder and sister in service, Captain Dakota, to share how their podcast and nonprofit were born. Together, they reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome, burnout, and self-doubt while building a safe space where military women can speak their truth. From launching their first retreat without ever meeting in person to dreaming of a traveling studio, this episode celebrates resilience, partnership, and the power of community. Their story reminds listeners that healing is possible when women support each other and choose courage over fear.

Key Topics:

  1. How Dog Tag Diaries and the nonprofit began (00:01:06)
  2. Building community for military women (00:02:57)
  3. Facing fear and imposter syndrome (00:05:05)
  4. Honoring limits and preventing burnout (00:10:16)
  5. Big dreams: networks, studios, and growth (00:17:04)
  6. The first retreat and bonding experience (00:19:02)
  7. Upcoming 2026 retreats and new programs (00:26:25)
  8. Firearm safety and suicide prevention efforts (00:28:31)
  9. Creating lifelong community after retreats (00:32:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

  1. “We struggled in the beginning to get the courage to pursue this passion.” – Dakota on starting the mission (00:05:26)
  2. “The fear of being judged for my story was paralyzing.” – Kimberly on sharing her truth (00:07:50)
  3. “What we are doing is necessary. Our stories need to be told.” – Kimberly on purpose (00:09:38)
  4. “Come as you are. You are accepted.” – Dakota on retreat culture (00:31:55)
  5. “Healing begins when we finally say it out loud.” – Kimberly (00:38:50)

Timestamps:

  1. 00:01:06 – Pain, hope, and the founding story
  2. 00:02:57 – Creating a safe space for women
  3. 00:05:05 – Fear and imposter syndrome
  4. 00:07:41 – Sharing personal stories
  5. 00:10:16 – Stepping back and honoring limits
  6. 00:14:15 – Self-care and emotional release
  7. 00:17:04 – Future goals for the podcast
  8. 00:19:02 – First retreat in Bend, Oregon
  9. 00:21:12 – Bungee jump bonding experience
  10. 00:26:25 – 2026 retreat lineup
  11. 00:28:31 – Firearm safety and mental health
  12. 00:32:24 – Long-term community impact
  13. 00:36:08 – Holiday wishes and self-care
  14. 00:39:53 – Closing message

About the Hosts:

Captain Kimberly is the founder and host of Dog Tag Diaries and co-founder of Reveille and Retreat Project. A veteran and advocate for women’s mental health, she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where military women can heal, grow, and share their stories without fear.

Captain Dakota is a co-founder of Dog Tag Diaries and Reveille and Retreat Project. A National Guard member and counselor, she supports veterans through mental health services and holistic care. Her work centers on helping women honor their limits while staying connected to their purpose.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

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About the Podcast

Dog Tag Diaries
Sharing True Stories from Women in the Military
Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military.
Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

About your hosts

kimberly Liszka

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Kim served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army.

Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries.

Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats.

Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Dakota Olson-Harris

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Dakota is currently serving in the Army National Guard and has been for the past 15 years. She enlisted as a tank mechanic then earned her commission as a Combat Engineer Officer. She has two deployments, Iraq and United Arab Emirates.

On the civilian side Dakota works as a counselor providing readjustment counseling for Veterans, current service members, and their families.

Dakota is a wife and a bonus mom to four kiddos. They have recently added to their family with a baby girl, totaling five kids. They also have two dogs, Paco and Elsa.

Her family loves to go on adventures whether it's walks, hiking, camping, or just going on a road trip to visit family.