Episode 92

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Published on:

12th Aug 2026

The Weight of Hidden Wounds: Dani Shine on Military Sexual Trauma, PTSD, and Healing

Summary:

What happens when the wounds no one can see become the hardest ones to carry? In this powerful Season Nine episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Captain Kimberly welcomes back Army veteran, retired RN, author, and advocate Dani Shine to discuss her memoir, The Weight of Hidden Wounds. Dani shares the painful experiences she once believed she would never speak about, including military sexual trauma, PTSD, betrayal, and years of unhealthy coping. She reflects on how writing became part of her healing process and how a severe PTSD flashback finally pushed her to seek support. Dani also shares the importance of women veteran support groups, counseling, and finding people who understand military life. Her story is a reminder that trauma may leave lasting marks, but it does not have to be the final chapter. Healing, connection, purpose, and growth are still possible.

Key Topics:

  • Serving as a woman in male-dominated Army units (00:04:05)
  • Writing The Weight of Hidden Wounds as part of healing (00:06:29)
  • Experiencing sexual assault during basic training (00:09:48)
  • Learning leadership through vulnerability and trust (00:13:22)
  • The physical demands of infantry training (00:16:53)
  • Deployment to Saudi Arabia and military life overseas (00:21:03)
  • Military sexual trauma before leaving the Army (00:22:45)
  • Alcohol, food, and unhealthy coping after trauma (00:25:00)
  • The PTSD flashback that forced Dani to face her past (00:28:44)
  • How trauma continues to affect the body and mind (00:31:12)
  • Why women veterans need women-centered support (00:34:31)
  • Turning trauma into purpose, growth, and service (00:41:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • “I had to outrun, out-shoot, out-do everybody.” – Dani on proving she belonged as a woman in the Army (00:04:23)
  • “Vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s a strength.” – Dani on leadership and connection (00:16:15)
  • “Without those women, I would definitely not be where I am today.” – Dani on her women veterans support group (00:36:41)
  • “It doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be just the beginning.” – Dani on healing after trauma (00:42:37)

Timestamps:

  • 00:02:41 – Dani Shine returns to Dog Tag Diaries
  • 00:04:05 – Proving herself as a woman in the Army
  • 00:06:29 – Why Dani began writing her story
  • 00:09:48 – Sexual assault during basic training
  • 00:13:22 – Leadership, vulnerability, and building trust
  • 00:16:53 – The demands of infantry training
  • 00:21:03 – Deployment to Saudi Arabia
  • 00:22:45 – Military sexual trauma before leaving the Army
  • 00:25:00 – Alcohol, food, and coping with trauma
  • 00:28:44 – A PTSD flashback during a medical procedure
  • 00:34:31 – Women-specific veteran support and connection
  • 00:41:24 – Turning trauma into growth and purpose

About the Guest:

Dani Shine is a United States Army veteran, retired registered nurse, author, and advocate. She entered the Army in 1987 and was among the early women to complete infantry training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Her memoir, The Weight of Hidden Wounds, shares her experiences with military sexual trauma, PTSD, unhealthy coping, healing, and finding purpose after trauma. Today, Dani uses her story to help other veterans understand that they matter and that seeking support is a sign of strength.

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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.