In this episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg sits with Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen: Couple, and Cofounders of Raven Drum Foundation, leading events to heal and build resiliency through the arts for 23 years. Prior to experiencing a community drum circle with over 70 veterans and 1st responders hosted by philanthropist Ernie Boch Jr., Lauren takes us to 2001 - helping Rick through his own trauma with mindfulness, and describes mind-heart-coherence for ourselves and community. Rick reminds us that we are rhythmic beings, how he's seen people open up in a sacred space that the drum circles create, and how in 2006 a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center connected him to injured veterans in a powerful way, bringing us further back to the 1984 accident when he lost his arm, went through rehabilitation, PTSD and discovered new possibilities for a continued career with Def Leppard. Lauren tells us about next identities and training yourself to be the warrior you need to be, and how people can heal their own pain through helping others, and about her song Brave's echoing line, "Shine the light through the dark, and carry what's been broken apart."

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Many thanks To Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen of the Raven Drum Foundation for 23 years and counting- reaching so many people in need of healing. Your service to others is both tangible through feel of the drum, and intangible with the feeling you get when you are mid-way through each drum circle beat. 

You can learn all about their foundation at https://ravendrumfoundation.org/, for more about Lauren and to catch up on all her new music go to https://laurenmonroe.com/. And of course, remember Def Leppard is on tour this Summer, along with Journey so check out the schedule. I know I’ll be at Fenway Park with the good Colonel Dan Arkins cheering on Rick the Thunder God and his band….

Thank you to Peggie Rose for all your support and making our conversation happen, and for all you have done to bring veterans and 1st responders together for such a powerful and unique experience. Many thanks to Ernie Boch, Jr. for your generosity and for hosting this event and for allowing our interview amidst classic guitars and inviting vibes. 

Enjoy Lauren Monroe's song "Brave" at the end of this episode which is featured on her latest album Messages from Aphrodite

This episode is dedicated to two members of the Home Base family: Colonel (Ret.) Dan Arkins who is probably practicing the drums somewhere in an undisclosed location while preparing a new mission to conquer the drum kit. And Coreen Field, mom of our own Army Veteran Kelly Field, wife of her late husband Army Veteran Mike Field, and a lifelong Def Leppard fan….

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Home Base Nation will be sharing episodes every two weeks up through the Run To Home Base this coming July 27th. Please sign up to join us there to support all veteran, servicemember and family care, and as we celebrate women in the military this year. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
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• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.