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UID:10001751-1787832000-1787835600@veteranspousenetwork.org
SUMMARY:The Power of Pause: Leadership Practices for Inner Growth
DESCRIPTION:Virtual\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHarness Stillness to Align Your Leadership with Purpose\n\n\n\nIn the fast pace of life and leadership\, finding time to pause can feel impossible\, but it might be the most powerful step you take. This one-hour virtual retreat invites you to explore how intentional practices can help you reconnect with your values\, nurture your inner life\, and lead with greater clarity and purpose. \n\n\n\nDr. Lonnie Pederson and Jolee Lilja will draw on Midwest leadership traditions and their own experiences to share the profound connection between leadership and spirituality. Through personal stories and practical tools\, they’ll guide you in cultivating presence\, self-awareness\, and a deeper alignment with your values. Discover how the simple act of pausing can open the door to growth\, meaning\, and a more grounded approach to life and leadership. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\nDr. Lonnie Pederson is a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership across higher education\, healthcare\, and human services. Holding a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas\, her work focuses on integrating spirituality and work. Dr. Pederson is deeply committed to helping others lead from the inside out\, aligning values\, beliefs\, and actions. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque\, NM\, and finds inspiration in nature through forest bathing in Minnesota’s north woods. \n\n\n\nJolee Lilja is dedicated to building strong communities and fostering personal and professional growth. With an MA in Leadership from Augsburg University and certifications in coaching\, meditation\, and entrepreneurial mindset facilitation\, Jolee helps individuals discover their vocational passions through her coaching practice\, The Curated Burrow. Her work is shaped by her belief in the transformative power of mindfulness and self-awareness. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Gain\n\n\n\n\nAn understanding of contemplative practices that nourish inner life and leadership.\n\n\n\nInsights into the role of mentors and community in shaping inside-out leadership.\n\n\n\nInspiration to create your own pause practice that aligns with your core values.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis Event is Open To\n\n\n\nThis event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout EmpowerEd\n\n\n\nEmpowerEd offers expert-led\, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information\, practical tools\, and trusted resources. \n\n\n\nMost sessions are followed by an optional peer support event\, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect\, connect\, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged\, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar. \n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTake the First Step Toward Improving Your Wellness–Sign up Today!\n\n\n\nLooking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates\, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.  \n\n\n\nMail\n\nInstagram\n\nFacebook\n\nLinkedIn\n\nYouTube\n\nSpotify\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions\n\n\n\n\nHow is EmpowerEd different from other VSN programs?\nEmpowerEd offers seminar-style sessions led by rotating guest experts. Unlike our peer-based programs\, these are more informational than discussion-based and open to the broader community\, delivering expert insights\, practical tools\, and evidence-based wellness strategies. \n\n\n\n\nWhat is Let’s Talk About It\, and how does it relate to EmpowerEd?\nLet’s Talk About It is an optional peer support event hosted after many of our EmpowerEd seminars\, offering space to reflect\, connect\, and share. While EmpowerEd is expert-led\, this event centers on open conversation. Seminar attendance is encouraged but not required; register separately. \n\n\n\n\nHow should I prepare for the event?\nFor the best experience\, we recommend joining from a quiet\, distraction-free space and arriving on time\, as participants who join more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Be sure to have your Zoom link ready from your confirmation email. \n\n\n\n\nWhy can’t I register for this event?\nYou must register at least 72 hours before an event. Most programs are ongoing series with multiple dates. Please check our calendar for upcoming sessions. \n\n\n\n\nDo I have to pay to attend?\nNo\, all events are completely free to attend. We are a grant-based program and believe in removing barriers to connection and support and are proud to offer these sessions at no cost to our community. \n\n\n\n\nDo I need to live in Texas to participate?\nNo—VSN is based at the University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness\, but we are a nationwide network open to any military-connected individuals in the US and beyond.
URL:https://veteranspousenetwork.org/event/the-power-of-pause-leadership-practices-for-inner-growth/
CATEGORIES:EmpowerEd
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://veteranspousenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2x1-Photo.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260922T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260922T130000
DTSTAMP:20260812T171922Z
CREATED:20260729T182711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T171922Z
UID:10001820-1790078400-1790082000@veteranspousenetwork.org
SUMMARY:Guiding Your Veteran Toward Help: Lethal Means Safety & Therapy
DESCRIPTION:Virtual\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPractical Tools to Recognize Warning Signs and Support Your Veteran\n\n\n\nJoin Forge VFR for a 60-minute virtual seminar built specifically for the VSN community. This interactive session is designed for spouses\, partners\, and loved ones who want practical\, real-world tools to recognize suicide warning signs\, understand lethal means safety\, and support a veteran in getting into therapy—even when they’re hesitant. \n\n\n\nYou don’t have to be a mental health expert to make a difference. This session will walk you through how military culture and the transition to civilian life shape a veteran’s willingness to seek help\, how to have supportive conversations that reduce shame and stigma\, and how to care for your own well-being while supporting someone you love. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\nDr. Sheena Bice\, DMSc\, LCMHC\, MLADC\, CCTP\, is a Marine Corps veteran with over 15 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment for Service Members\, First Responders\, and their families. She leads Forge VFR’s Veteran and First Responder Services\, the New Hampshire Women Veterans Coalition\, and her private practice\, Shield and Compass Counseling\, PLLC. Dr. Bice is dedicated to improving access to care\, reducing stigma\, and shaping policies to support mental health and wellness. \n\n\n\nCasey Lancaster\, a Marine Corps veteran\, mental health advocate\, and former Non-Commissioned Officer and Combat Instructor\, serves as a Forge VFR Programs and Initiatives Specialist. Drawing on his personal experiences with PTSD and survivor’s guilt\, Casey is committed to advancing mental health support for veterans and first responders. His work focuses on driving strategic initiatives to improve access to care and the effectiveness of mental health services. Lancaster’s leadership and advocacy have made a lasting impact on the lives of those who serve and protect our communities. \n\n\n\nForge Health is transforming mental health and substance use care by making it effective\, affordable\, and accessible to all. Through both in-person and virtual treatment options—including intensive outpatient programs (IOP)—Forge Health delivers care that is personalized\, evidence-based\, and in-network\, ensuring high-quality support is available when and where it’s needed most. Forge VFR (Veterans and First Responders) provides confidential treatment for those who serve and are navigating challenges related to mental health\, substance use\, and trauma. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Gain\n\n\n\n\nWhat lethal means safety is and how to have supportive\, nonjudgmental conversations that can save lives\n\n\n\nPractical strategies for encouraging a veteran to engage in therapy\, even when they’re hesitant or resistant\n\n\n\nCommunication approaches that build trust while reducing shame and stigma\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis Event is Open To\n\n\n\nThis event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout EmpowerEd\n\n\n\nEmpowerEd offers expert-led\, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information\, practical tools\, and trusted resources. \n\n\n\nMost sessions are followed by an optional peer support event\, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect\, connect\, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged\, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar. \n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTake the First Step Toward Improving Your Wellness–Sign up Today!\n\n\n\nLooking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates\, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.  \n\n\n\nMail\n\nInstagram\n\nFacebook\n\nLinkedIn\n\nYouTube\n\nSpotify\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions\n\n\n\n\nHow is EmpowerEd different from other VSN programs?\nEmpowerEd offers seminar-style sessions led by rotating guest experts. Unlike our peer-based programs\, these are more informational than discussion-based and open to the broader community\, delivering expert insights\, practical tools\, and evidence-based wellness strategies. \n\n\n\n\nWhat is Let’s Talk About It\, and how does it relate to EmpowerEd?\nLet’s Talk About It is an optional peer support event hosted after many of our EmpowerEd seminars\, offering space to reflect\, connect\, and share. While EmpowerEd is expert-led\, this event centers on open conversation. Seminar attendance is encouraged but not required; register separately. \n\n\n\n\nHow should I prepare for the event?\nFor the best experience\, we recommend joining from a quiet\, distraction-free space and arriving on time\, as participants who join more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Be sure to have your Zoom link ready from your confirmation email. \n\n\n\n\nWhy can’t I register for this event?\nYou must register at least 72 hours before an event. Most programs are ongoing series with multiple dates. Please check our calendar for upcoming sessions. \n\n\n\n\nDo I have to pay to attend?\nNo\, all events are completely free to attend. We are a grant-based program and believe in removing barriers to connection and support and are proud to offer these sessions at no cost to our community. \n\n\n\n\nDo I need to live in Texas to participate?\nNo—VSN is based at the University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness\, but we are a nationwide network open to any military-connected individuals in the US and beyond.
URL:https://veteranspousenetwork.org/event/guiding-your-veteran-toward-help-lethal-means-safety-therapy/
CATEGORIES:EmpowerEd
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