hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 324: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli with guest Dani Koulermos on hmTv
The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli
Guest: Dani Koulermos**
In this gripping and deeply human episode, host Richard Acritelli sits down with veteran and creative arts therapist Dani Koulermos, whose journey from Northport, NY to the battlefields of Korea—and ultimately into the fight against veteran suicide—reveals the unseen cost of service and the power of resilience.
Dani shares the raw truth of her military experience: integrated MP training during the Global War on Terror, the harsh realities of Fort Drum and the DMZ, serious injuries from multiple Humvee rollovers, and the long, painful battle to rebuild a life after service with a newborn at her side. She opens up about PTSD, addiction, recovery, moral injury, and what it means to break generational cycles of trauma.
The conversation then shifts to her renewed purpose. Dani recounts her emotional 50-mile march alongside Lt. Col. Chad Lennon to raise awareness for veteran suicide, the camaraderie that carried them through the night, and the urgency of building real community for veterans who feel isolated and forgotten.
Today, Dani channels her experiences into creative arts therapy—using art, writing, and non-verbal storytelling to help veterans speak truths they cannot easily say.
This is a powerful, unflinching look at service, struggle, and the humanity that binds veterans together long after the uniform comes off.
A must-listen for anyone who cares about our veterans, mental health, and the fight to save lives.