Podcast Image

Drive On: Helping Veterans Navigate PTSD & Life After Military Service

Are you a veteran struggling with PTSD, combat stress, or adjusting to civilian life? Tired of feeling isolated and unsure where to turn for support? You deserve solutions from mental health experts, veteran nonprofits, and fellow veterans who truly understand what you're facing. Each week, host Scott DeLuzio, an Army veteran and Gold Star Brother, shares interviews and practical steps to help you regain purpose, rebuild confidence, and thrive after military service. Find hope and take the next step forward.

Learning to Feel Like Yourself Again After the Military

Getting out of the military doesn't come with a manual. You leave one world behind and step into another that doesn't always make sense. In this episode, Air Force veteran and counselor Timothy Wienecke shares how he rebuilt his life after service and helps other vets do the same.

Timothy opens up about how the Air Force turned things around for him, what he's learned about masculinity, and why finding real connection,  not just surface-level stuff, makes all the difference. This episode shares how to move forward without losing yourself in the process.

Timestamps:

  • 00:01:34 - How the Air Force helped him reset his life
  • 00:04:27 - Lessons from working with others in tough situations
  • 00:10:15 - What healthy masculinity actually looks like
  • 00:18:51 - The identity shift that happens after leaving service
  • 00:29:41 - Why connection is the key to feeling grounded again

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 13, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Veterans Struggle To Sleep

Sleep can feel like the enemy when nightmares, racing thoughts, or old deployment habits keep you wired at night.

In this episode, Dr. Leah Kaylor, a prescribing psychologist and sleep expert for the FBI, explains why so many veterans and first responders struggle to rest and what happens in the brain when we avoid sleep altogether.

This episode will help you understand how REM sleep helps process trauma, and learn why caffeine and alcohol quietly sabotage your nights. Dr. Kaylor shares simple, cost-free fixes like getting morning sunlight, adjusting caffeine timing, and creating better sleep routines to help you finally get real rest. If you've ever wondered why your body won't shut down or how to stop the cycle of sleepless nights, this conversation delivers both clarity and hope.

Timestamps

  • 09:00 - Veterans avoiding sleep to escape nightmares
  • 11:30 - How REM sleep acts like overnight therapy
  • 17:15 - The hidden cost of caffeine and late-night pre-workouts
  • 37:15 - Why alcohol is the worst "sleep aid"
  • 41:30 - Building self-awareness with sleep logs

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 11, 2025
Listen on Website

How Faith Rebuilt a Combat Veteran's Life

What happens when the war follows you home, and no amount of alcohol, drugs, or violence can silence it? Andrew Jones lived that reality. After Iraq, PTSD nearly destroyed him. Nightmares, hallucinations, broken relationships, and suicidal thoughts became his new battlefield. But when he reached his breaking point, he dropped to his knees and cried out to God. That moment changed everything.

In this episode, Andrew shares how faith pulled him from the edge of death and gave him a new mission. From leading men in combat to leading men in faith, he's found purpose in helping others discover hope, strength, and identity through Christ. This episode is about one veteran's encounter with God that turned despair into joy and chaos into peace.

Timestamps:

  • 00:06:30 - The breaking point: Andrew's lowest moment, when he prepared to end his life and instead cried out to God.
  • 00:14:00 - The encounter: Describing the moment he felt God's presence and the peace that replaced years of despair.
  • 00:19:30 - Learning to turn it off: How faith helped him lay down the constant fight-or-flight mindset of combat.
  • 00:29:00 - Identity restored: Finding purpose again through faith and realizing what it means to serve a new mission.
  • 00:41:30 - The miracle of fatherhood: After years of hopelessness, God answers prayers and brings new life into his family.
  • 01:38:00 - Hope for the hopeless: Andrew's message to veterans who feel too far gone, why it's never too late to start over.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 6, 2025
Listen on Website

Lifelong Care for Veterans and Families with Semper Fi & America's Fund

The toughest battles don't always happen overseas. Sometimes they hit when you're back home, trying to figure out how to live with injuries, stress, or changes you never saw coming. Karen Hetherington knows this firsthand. She's part of the team at Semper Fi & America's Fund, and she has spent years walking alongside service members and their families during some of their most challenging moments.

In this conversation, Karen shares how The Fund got its start and how it's grown into a lifeline for thousands of veterans. We talk about the little things that make a big difference, like covering bills while a family sits through long hospital stays, and the big things, like connecting someone with life-changing medical treatment or helping them find a new purpose after leaving the military.

You'll hear about fast action that saved a Marine in crisis, the cutting-edge care that helped an amputee get back on his feet, and why listening closely matters more than any program on paper. The Fund restores independence, eases the weight on families, and proves that no veteran has to figure it out alone.

Timestamps:

  • 00:03:15: The dining room table where it all began
  • 00:07:45: Breaking through pride and asking for help
  • 00:12:15: Losing purpose when service ends overnight
  • 00:24:45: Saving a Marine before it was too late
  • 00:29:30: New hope through groundbreaking prosthetics

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 4, 2025
Listen on Website

The Warning Signs Military and Veteran Families Can't Afford to Miss

Sometimes the hardest battles aren't fought overseas. They're fought in living rooms, late at night, when the weight of war refuses to let go. In this powerful conversation, Ashley Sylvester shares the story of her husband, Army Sergeant Jason Sylvester, whose deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan left invisible scars that followed him home.

Ashley walks us through the subtle shifts she saw over time: sleepless nights, changes in mood, outbursts, and moments when Jason seemed present in body but gone in spirit. She describes the impossible balancing act of protecting their children, seeking help inside and outside the military system, and watching the walls close in.

Her honesty shines a light on the barriers veterans face, the threat of losing security clearances, stigma, and fear of losing careers, which keep too many from getting the support they need. Most of all, she shares the heartbreak of losing Jason to suicide, and why recognizing the warning signs and having hard conversations could make all the difference for another family.

This episode covers a difficult topic, but it's also a call to action: don't ignore what you see, don't wait, and don't give up on finding the help that's out there.

Timestamps:

  • 04:27 - The first signs of sleepless nights and nightmares
  • 13:00 - The rucksack of trauma that only grows heavier
  • 18:00 - Creative strategies Ashley used to get her husband to talk
  • 31:00 - When Jason began to mentally check out
  • 44:15 - The tornado, the loss of everything, and the final spiral

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 30, 2025
Listen on Website

Tools Veterans Need to Heal

For many veterans, the hardest battles often come long after the uniform comes off. Erik Lawrence knows what that feels like. After years in Special Forces and contracting, he found himself running on fumes, mentally and physically, until he started digging into why he felt the way he did. From TBIs to toxic exposure, he explored every option available and built a resource to help others find their way.

In this conversation, Erik opens up about the traps veterans often fall into, why transitioning into a new chapter is so important, and the practical steps that can make a real difference. From fasting and detoxing to sorting through endless programs and figuring out what actually fits your needs, this episode will help give veterans the tools to take back their health and move forward.

Timestamps:

  • 03:15 - From the Army straight into an African conflict
  • 04:45 - How chasing the "glory days" wrecks lives
  • 09:30 - Why he built a 500-page guide for veterans
  • 15:30 - Burn pits, heavy metals, and toxic exposure
  • 17:45 - Fasting as a reset for body and mind

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 28, 2025
Listen on Website

Veteran Finds Strength After the Weak Man Phase

Losing your sense of identity after service feels like freefall. For Lee Freeburg, that struggle was real. A Navy hospital corpsman who fought to find his place in uniform and beyond, Lee spiraled into what he calls his weak man phase, living for temporary pleasures, drifting without direction. It took a violent quad accident and a broken collarbone to spark a 180 that changed his life.

Lee opens up about finding purpose through discipline, rebuilding after hitting rock bottom, and using storms as teachers rather than excuses. He shares how faith, fatherhood, and accountability became the anchors for his transformation. From designing a tool to revolutionize an industry to writing a book so his daughter would always know his values, Lee proves that rebuilding starts with self-awareness and grows through action.

This is a powerful journey through loss of identity, rediscovering mission, and the fight to leave a legacy worth carrying forward.

Timestamps:

  • 00:09:00: Facing heartbreak when leaving the uniform behind
  • 00:12:30: The quad accident that became a life reset
  • 00:14:45: Breaking free from the weak man mindset
  • 00:18:00: Lessons from storms and the sailor's analogy for life
  • 00:23:30: Writing a book for his daughter and defining faith

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 23, 2025
Listen on Website

When the Uniform Comes Off Everything Changes Overnight

Leaving the military can feel like stepping off a cliff. One day, you've got steady pay, housing, and a community that's always around. The next day, it's all gone. That's the reality Robert Wheeler faced when he left the Navy. He went from structure and purpose to bills stacking up, silence from the people he served with, and depression that pushed him past 300 pounds.

In this conversation, Robert opens up about why he once threw out his uniforms and refused to even call himself a veteran. He shares the hard lessons he learned about VA benefits, how Chapter 31 gave him time freedom to rebuild, and why fitness is needed for more than just looks. You'll hear him talk about how to handle when negative spirals hit, and how gratitude helped him get out from under that constant rain cloud.

If you've ever felt like you lost everything overnight after taking off the uniform, this episode is a blueprint for finding your footing again.

Timestamps:

  • 03:01 Losing community, pay, and benefits all at once
  • 07:27 Throwing out uniforms and hiding veteran identity
  • 17:49 How fitness pulled him back from depression and 300 pounds
  • 28:40 Pain into progress, building discipline one day at a time
  • 35:36 Emotional regulation and telling yourself to "shut up"

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 21, 2025
Listen on Website

Treating Veteran Transition Like an Experiment

Losing the uniform can mean losing identity, reputation, and even the sense of mission that kept you moving forward. For many, the transition feels like starting from zero. That is exactly what Stephen Bump faced after 12 years in the Air Force. His journey carried him from aerospace engineering to Eli Lilly, through business school, and finally into building his own consulting firm. Along the way, he learned to trust others, embrace humility, protect family time, and make career moves that aligned with his own values, not just someone else's definition of success.

This conversation is about facing the uncomfortable reality that no one in your civilian job cares about your rank or medals, and how that is not the end but the beginning. From finding purpose in unexpected industries, to reclaiming fitness and family balance, to using the GI Bill and veteran resources to carve a better future, Stephen lays out a roadmap any veteran can use to transition with clarity and confidence.

Timestamps:

  • 00:07:45 - The hardest part of starting over in civilian careers
  • 00:15:45 - Losing fitness and regaining it through entrepreneurship
  • 00:22:15 - The freedom and responsibility of choosing your own clients
  • 00:28:30 - Breaking free from other people's definitions of success
  • 00:39:00 - The veteran resources that made the biggest difference

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 16, 2025
Listen on Website

Turning Grief Into a Greater Mission

Jennifer Ballou's deployment to Afghanistan was supposed to overlap briefly with her husband's fourth combat tour. They'd have a couple of months in-country together, then he'd head home to the kids while she finished her year. That plan ended the night she learned he'd been killed in action.

She came home with his flag-draped casket and stepped into a new reality: single parent, senior leader, and a grieving spouse trying to make sense of it all. She talks about the tough balance between duty and family, the moments the Army got it right, the times they didn't, and how her kids showed resilience she'll never forget.

Now, as Chief of Staff for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Jennifer is still serving. This time, by making sure the stories of service and sacrifice are never lost. This conversation is about loss, leadership, and finding purpose on the other side of tragedy.

Timestamps

  • 00:04:30 - The night everything changed in Afghanistan
  • 00:09:30 - Flying home with her husband's casket
  • 00:12:50 - Trying to lead soldiers while grieving
  • 00:21:20 - When leadership fell short-and when they stepped up
  • 00:29:40 - From Gold Star fellow to Chief of Staff at the GWOT Memorial Foundation

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 14, 2025
Listen on Website

Fighting the Rush After Combat

The battlefield changes you, but the real fight might start when you get home.

Ben Sykes went from web designer to Marine machine gunner during the invasion of Iraq, living through relentless firefights, surreal moments in Saddam's palaces, and the strange calm of enemy fire becoming routine.

But nothing prepared him for the turbulence of reintegration. Restless nights, the crash of losing combat's adrenaline, and the struggle to fit into a world that no longer made sense. In this conversation, Ben opens up about the chemical withdrawal of leaving war, the dangerous paths veterans can fall into, and the hard-earned lessons he wishes he'd known during his transition.

Whether you've been in the fight yourself or love someone who has, his story is a brutally honest look at what it takes to reclaim your footing after service.

Timestamps:

  • 00:10:40 - Trading Hollywood for the yellow footprints
  • 00:12:50 - First firefight on the road to Baghdad
  • 00:23:10 - Securing Saddam's palace and the gold they never saw
  • 00:28:50 - The chemical withdrawal of coming home
  • 00:37:00 - From homelessness to finding a new mission

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 9, 2025
Listen on Website

How Psychedelics Help After Military Service

After two deployments and a solid run in the Marine Corps, Susannah Stokes did what a lot of vets do-she took her leadership skills into the corporate world. But even with a great job at Facebook and everything looking good on paper, something still felt off.

This episode talks about what happens when the structure goes away, and you're left trying to figure out who you are. Susannah opens up about feeling undervalued, disconnected, and stuck in roles that didn't reflect what she was capable of. She talks about the identity crash after service, the limits of traditional therapy, and how psychedelics helped her see things differently, without numbing out.

We also get into how she's helping others now and what legal psychedelic support can look like.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:00 - From a Marine Corps deployment to Facebook's corporate culture
  • 00:06:45 - Why many vets are under-placed in civilian roles
  • 00:14:20 - Losing faith, identity, and the question that changed everything
  • 00:23:40 - How psychedelics rewired trauma loops and revealed purpose
  • 00:44:20 - Finding legal, structured healing through guided plant medicine

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 7, 2025
Listen on Website

Get the VA Disability Rating You Deserve

You served your country, endured physical pain, and now struggle to get the benefits you rightfully earned. If navigating the VA disability claims system feels like a second battle, this episode is your lifeline.

Dr. Adam Weissman, an emergency physician turned veteran advocate, pulls back the curtain on the VA disability rating process. He shares insider knowledge to help you sidestep common pitfalls, clarify confusing terms, and leverage expert medical evaluations from REE Medical to achieve the disability rating you truly deserve. Stop settling for less. Here's your path to securing better support, financial stability, and peace of mind.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:00 - The Hidden Roadblocks in VA Disability Claims
  • 00:10:30 - How Expert Evaluations Can Boost Your Rating
  • 00:21:00 - What Happens When You're Underrated
  • 00:28:15 - The Extra Benefits of Higher Ratings
  • 00:34:00 - Avoiding Predatory Disability Claim Services

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

* - This page contains affiliate links. If you click a link and purchase a product or service, I may earn a small commission, which in no way affects the price you pay for the service.

Published on: October 2, 2025
Listen on Website

Building Veteran Community Through Fitness

Chris Smith didn't plan to become the program director of a veteran fitness nonprofit. When he left the Army, his only goal was to stay afloat. But after facing down PTSD, relationship struggles, and a stretch of homelessness, he found himself on a new path-one focused on health, consistency, and community.

In this episode, Chris talks about how Warrior Strong helped him rebuild his identity and give back to others dealing with similar struggles. He shares what it was like to go from engineering missions in Iraq to sleeping in his car, and how a single yoga class turned into a whole new way to serve.

Whether you're a veteran looking for your next step or just trying to feel a little more grounded, this conversation is about what's possible when you stop waiting and start showing up.

Timestamps

  • 00:01:00 - 9/11 hit during basic training
  • 00:12:30 - Losing stability after service
  • 00:17:00 - How yoga and fitness changed everything
  • 00:34:15 - What Warrior Strong offers right now
  • 00:44:00 - Advice for veterans stuck in place

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 30, 2025
Listen on Website

How Veterans Stay Mentally and Physically Strong

When the uniform comes off, many veterans feel like they've lost their team. And with it, their purpose. Michael "Sully" Sullivan knows that feeling firsthand, having spent 30 years in Special Forces. But instead of fading into isolation, he stepped into a new mission with Team RWB, helping veterans reconnect, rebuild accountability, and strengthen their health.

In this conversation, Sully shares how Team RWB brings veterans together around fitness, connection, and community. From cross-country flag relays to local meetups.

Topics Discussed

  • How Sully's Special Forces career led him to Team RWB's mission
  • The story and impact of the Old Glory Relay
  • How accountability and community crush isolation after service
  • The connection between physical activity, health, and mental wellness
  • How Team RWB helps veterans stay engaged through local chapters and the app

Notable Quotes

  • "It took a team to get the team across the country."
  • "Your participation is helping out that person that you're seeing at these different events."
  • "You join the team, you see yourself as like, not only taking care of yourself, but your participation is helping out that person."
  • "There's just so much power, I think, in the veteran population."
  • "The idea is that we're always there for you to come back."

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 25, 2025
Listen on Website

From Musician to Soldier and the Invisible Wounds After War

Joseph Fontenot gave up a rising career in music to enlist in the Army, only to be thrust into unexpected combat roles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He discusses his experiences while deployed, injuries that aren't always physical, and the challenge of finding direction and building a meaningful life after returning home.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 23, 2025
Listen on Website

Total Force Plus Making Military and Veteran Connections

Transitioning out of the military brings challenges that don't end when the uniform comes off. Benefits, family readiness, and the search for a new purpose can all feel overwhelming. In this conversation, USAF Lt. Gen. (Ret) Brian Kelly, President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, shares how his decades of service have led him to focus on protecting what veterans and their families have earned.

A key part of that mission is the TotalForce+ conference, a groundbreaking event designed to connect service members, veterans, government leaders, and industry partners. Brian breaks down the four pillars driving the conference: career transition, community support, benefits advocacy, and crisis response, and why bringing all these voices together matters for the future of the military community.

From scholarships for military kids to disaster relief when veterans are displaced, to real solutions being built at TotalForce+, this episode gives you a look at how advocacy and action come together. If you've been searching for hope that someone is fighting for you and your family, this conversation will show you exactly where that work is happening.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:30 - Why Brian Kelly chose to continue serving after 33 years in uniform
  • 00:06:45 - How MOAA scholarships help military kids overcome constant moves
  • 00:08:45 - Crisis relief for veterans who fall through the cracks
  • 00:17:15 - The four pillars shaping the Total Force Plus conference
  • 00:23:00 - Using new tools to make transition smoother for veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 18, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Perfectionism and Combat Stress

Cole Grace knows danger up close. In Iraq, he spent his days disarming IEDs and dodging sniper fire. But coming home wasn't the relief he'd expected. Instead, he found himself at war again, trapped in a loop of relentless perfectionism, unexplained chronic pain, and an addiction that crept up quietly, almost unnoticed.

In this conversation, Cole opens up about the brutal reality of fighting battles you can't see. He shares how he finally confronted childhood wounds that had intensified his combat trauma and what it took to silence the inner voice that always said he wasn't enough. If you've ever felt stuck in your head, lost in your own pain, or wondered if peace is even possible, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

  • 01:00 - Facing bombs and bullets in Iraq
  • 08:45 - How combat fuels relentless perfectionism
  • 20:30 - Addiction, chronic pain, and medical dead-ends
  • 28:15 - Rewiring trauma without the BS
  • 35:45 - Finding peace after chasing success

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 16, 2025
Listen on Website

How Military and Veteran Families Make Homeschool Work

If you're active duty or a veteran with kids, you already know the school system doesn't move with you. New duty station, new rules, new problems, and your kids pay the price.

Natalie Mack has been homeschooling for over two decades while her family bounced from base to base, including overseas. She's not selling you sunshine and Pinterest-perfect school days. She breaks down exactly what it takes to homeschool in a military lifestyle, what families screw up, and how to do it smarter.

This episode discusses:

  • What you need to know before your next PCS
  • How to deal with overseas laws that technically ban homeschooling
  • Why more military families are ditching public school and how it affects military retention
  • The benefits for your kids (and yourself) when you take back control

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 11, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Veterans Crave Chaos

Veterans often return home to a world that feels muted. Mark Haddad, a former Army soldier and contractor, breaks down the reason why: our body-mind-soul system gets rewired by trauma and adrenaline, and everyday life just can't compete. This episode talks about the science behind why vets crave danger, sabotage stability, and feel disconnected from "normal."

From surviving a parachute malfunction to confronting evil in Africa, Mark shares stories that any vet who's struggled to slow down will understand. You'll learn how to stop blaming yourself for what your brain and body were trained to do.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:15 - Surviving a combat parachute malfunction
  • 00:06:45 - Realizing your purpose isn't downrange
  • 00:10:15 - Why veterans chase chaos after war
  • 00:16:30 - The adrenaline bar theory explained
  • 00:44:30 - How to regain control over your internal chemistry

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 9, 2025
Listen on Website

The Real Cost of Military Transition

He gave the Army 20 years, 8 months, and 8 days, nearly all of it in special operations. From Ranger Regiment to Green Beret team sergeant, Joshua Daniel lived and breathed the mission. But when the wars ended, so did the mission, and he felt it in every bone, every memory, every unfinished story.

Rather than fade out, he built something bigger than himself.

In this episode, Joshua opens up about the pain of stepping away, the harsh words that forced him to rethink his exit, and how he turned guilt into leadership with Hero Games Charity and Counterculture Solutions. From one-on-one mentoring to purpose-driven events honoring Gold Star families, he's proving there's still work worth doing, and it starts with refusing to settle for half a life.

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:30 - From 134 pounds to Green Beret: Building grit through the suck
  • 00:06:00 - The moment a younger soldier called him out-and why it changed his path
  • 00:10:00 - Starting over with Hero Games and finding new purpose
  • 00:19:45 - Why honoring one family a year matters more than doing it all
  • 00:38:00 - The hard truth about veterans wasting their lives post-military

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 4, 2025
Listen on Website

One Vet's Fix for the VA's Failures

Kris Searles got blown out, broken down, and pushed out. The VA gave him pills. He gave them the finger.

Instead of numbing out, he wrote a check, got stem cell therapy, fixed his back, got his life back, and started helping others do the same. Now, through Overwatch 6, he's funding treatments that work, no pills, no surgeries, no BS.

He's also training vets to coach each other through trauma. No therapy jargon. Just guys who've been through hell, helping others crawl out of it.

If you've ever stared at your pill bottle and thought, "There's gotta be a better way," this may be that way.

Timestamps:

  • 00:02:30 - Iraq sniper op, hunting high-value targets
  • 00:11:45 - Ambushed and losing his whole team days before redeployment
  • 00:16:15 - Crawling out of bed until stem cells changed everything
  • 00:20:00 - VA's failures and how real healing works
  • 00:37:45 - Coaching vets through trauma without the psychobabble

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 2, 2025
Listen on Website

PTSD is Wrecking You. Fix it Now.

If life after the military feels like it's constantly on edge, you need tools that actually help you get your head straight.

Dr. Barbara Thompson is an Army veteran and psychologist who worked directly with Special Operations and high-risk teams who didn't have the luxury of falling apart. She knows what high stress does to the brain and how to fix it before it burns you down.

This episode is for the guy who's tried to muscle through PTSD, anxiety, or feeling disconnected (and it's not working). You'll learn how to spot when your brain is running on survival mode and what to do in the moment to break the spiral.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 28, 2025
Listen on Website

Veteran Suicide Awareness Through Rock

What happens when music becomes a lifeline, capturing the stories and struggles veterans carry silently? Today's guests, Bronson Hetzer and Cody Doench, from The Filthy Heathens, take us on an emotional journey through their song "Cyril," a tribute to a fallen friend lost to suicide after combat.

It's a gut-punching reminder of why staying connected matters and why reaching out could save lives. Discover how their music serves as therapy, healing wounds that words alone can't touch, and how the power of brotherhood transcends even the darkest days.

Stay until the end for the full song. It's one you won't forget.

Timestamps

  • 00:01:30 - Behind the Song "Cyril" and a friend's memory
  • 00:08:15 - Why music can say what words can't
  • 00:16:00 - Brotherhood beyond the battlefield
  • 00:24:30 - The impact of one powerful song
  • 00:32:45 - The critical importance of reaching out

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 26, 2025
Listen on Website

A Marine's Mission For Mental Health and Fitness

A troubled past led one Marine to find redemption and purpose, turning adversity into a powerful mission. After struggling through his own difficult transition from military to civilian life, Logan Spiewak founded Boots to Health, a groundbreaking program dedicated to helping veterans and first responders reclaim their physical and mental health.

Listen to hear how veterans are finding strength, hope, and a supportive brotherhood through a unique fitness initiative that goes beyond the gym.

Timestamps:

  • 02:15 - Logan's journey from juvenile delinquency to the Marine Corps
  • 10:30 - The inspiration behind Boots to Health
  • 22:45 - A detailed walkthrough of the Boots to Health program
  • 33:00 - How fitness impacts veterans' mental health
  • 36:45 - Bridging generational gaps through veteran camaraderie

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 21, 2025
Listen on Website

Psychedelic Therapy for Combat Veterans

When the pills stop working and therapy feels like talking to a brick wall, where do you turn? Dr. Charlie Powell, a veteran and multi-board certified physician, opens up about a journey most in his shoes would never talk about, finding healing through psychedelic medicine after years of battling PTSD, depression, and emotional numbness.

His new project, Healing Heroes, captures this radical, personal transformation and the stories of six veterans and first responders who risked everything to find themselves again.

In this episode, we tear down the walls of stigma, see what healing looks like, and share why recovery demands more than just prescriptions and checklists. This is a conversation for anyone who's ever felt broken, lost, or tired of fighting the same battles inside their own head.

Timestamps

  • 04:30 - Why traditional PTSD treatments often fall short
  • 12:15 - The life-altering decision to try psychedelic medicine
  • 19:45 - Building a multidisciplinary path to real healing
  • 28:00 - The devastating impact of stigma and isolation
  • 36:55 - How Healing Heroes is reshaping hope for veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 19, 2025
Listen on Website

Shifting Veteran Mindsets by Healing PTSD with Gratitude

Military spouse Marla Ballard discusses her journey from a farm in Kentucky to navigating the challenges of being a military spouse in the bustling D.C. area. She shares her story of resilience and reinvention after her husband's severe injuries from an IED in Iraq that dramatically reshaped their lives.

Marla faced her own internal struggles, questioning her worth and her future. Now, as the CEO of YU2SHINE, Marla has pioneered a powerful approach known as quantum personal development, helping veterans and military families break free from the limiting beliefs that hold them back.

This conversation will challenge you to rethink your perceptions, cultivate gratitude, and build practical strategies to navigate life's toughest transitions.

Timestamps:

  • 02:00 - Marla's journey as a military spouse and overcoming her husband's combat injury
  • 09:00 - Introduction to Quantum Personal Development
  • 15:00 - Practical steps to shift negative beliefs through gratitude
  • 22:30 - A daily practice for transforming your mindset
  • 35:00 - Free resources and actionable support for veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 14, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Isolation as a Veteran

After the service, feeling isolated can hit harder than expected. You move to a new place, start a new chapter, and suddenly realize that building real connections isn't easy anymore. That's where today's conversation lights a fire.

Michael Chahinian opens up about his own post-Navy struggles with loneliness and the incredible journey that led him to create Krew Social. This tool helps veterans and civilians alike build vibrant, in-person communities based on shared interests. This episode talks about reclaiming the camaraderie, connection, and purpose that so many miss after military life.

From organizing bike rides and book clubs to hosting lunch meetups after church, Krew Social shows how simple moments can lead to lifelong bonds, and even life-changing moments like finding a spouse. If you've been feeling the weight of isolation, this episode delivers hope, real-world solutions, and a new path forward.

Timestamps:

  • 03:00 - The real struggles of making friends after service
  • 08:30 - Why traditional apps fail veterans seeking connection
  • 14:30 - How Krew Social creates real-world community
  • 19:00 - Impact stories that prove connection changes lives
  • 37:00 - Why reducing loneliness is crucial for veteran mental health

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 12, 2025
Listen on Website

From Deutschland to Devil Dog

Sometimes, the funniest stories are also the most revealing. Andy Dietrich takes us from his teenage years in Germany to the icy roads of Alaska and eventually into the structured chaos of the Marine Corps. His new book, Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes, is packed with personal stories. Some hilarious, others humbling, but all brutally honest.

This episode digs into why he wrote it, what it means to own your story, and how military experiences, no matter how "unremarkable" they may seem, shape us for life. Whether you're dealing with transition guilt, wondering if your service was "enough," or just need a laugh with someone who gets it, this one hits home.

Timestamps

  • 04:45 - Where the title Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes comes from
  • 10:45 - Why Andy kept his book project a secret until it was done
  • 17:00 - Hilarious boot camp stories and being the "Germany" guy
  • 24:00 - Feelings of guilt for not deploying after 9/11
  • 41:00 - Redefining success after the military and choosing happiness

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 7, 2025
Listen on Website

Finding a Community After Military

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. That's the focus of this episode with Marine veteran Sean Abrusci and Warrior Strong founder Tom Tice. Warrior Strong has created a way for veterans to reconnect through fitness, support, and purpose-driven programs that meet people where they are.

They dive into what it looks like to transition out of the military. The questions no one prepares you for, the moments of doubt, and the search for something that feels like it matters. Sean opens up about life after leaving the Marine Corps, the challenge of finding direction, and why so many veterans feel lost even with family and careers around them.

Tom breaks down the Warrior Strong mission and how they're building partnerships across the veteran nonprofit space. If you've ever felt like you were floating without a map after service, this is the conversation you didn't know you needed.

Timestamps:

  • 00:05:00 - From college dropout to combat Marine
  • 00:13:00 - Finding direction after service
  • 00:21:45 - Why veteran nonprofits need to work together
  • 00:30:00 - How purpose evolves in each life chapter
  • 00:41:30 - What honesty with your spouse really looks like

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 5, 2025
Listen on Website

How One Dog Saved a Veteran

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. Daniel O'Dell opens up about the brutal reality of life after service. Physical limitations, mental health battles, and the crushing loss of identity. But when everything felt broken, he found healing in the most unexpected way: through his voice and a green-haired service dog named The Fluffy Poodle.

Daniel shares how filming his daily routines with his service dog led to national recognition, community healing, and a renewed purpose. His story is relatable. We discuss struggles with fatherhood, finances, and just getting through the day.

If you've ever felt like the world moved on without you, this is the episode that reminds you that you're not alone, and there's always another mission.

Timestamps

01:30 - Losing purpose after the Army and the job market shock

05:45 - Dark thoughts, survivor's guilt, and saving grace from one powerful speech

09:15 - Building a military-style "sandbox" to navigate civilian life

13:00 - How a service dog rebuilt Daniel's confidence and routine

24:45 - Carrying forward the legacy of those who didn't make it home

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 31, 2025
Listen on Website

Fixing the Flaws in Veteran Transition

You've heard the lie: "You'll do great after the military. Companies are lining up to hire vets." But what if that's exactly what's breaking us?

Jason Anderson spent 20 years in the Air Force, leading international missions, and closing out his career at the Pentagon. He was ready for the civilian world, or so he thought. What followed was years of hidden anxiety, 3 a.m. panic, and strained family dynamics, all while climbing the corporate ladder. On the outside, he looked successful. Inside, he was unraveling.

In this eye-opening conversation, Jason dismantles the flawed assumptions behind the military's Transition Assistance Program and reveals the hidden link between poorly executed transitions and veteran mental health crises. He introduces the Modern Military Transition Framework, an approach built by veterans, for veterans, that finally treats post-service life as a whole new operating environment, not just a career move.

Whether you're still serving, just got out, or 10 years post-military and still feel like something's off, this episode is your wake-up call and your blueprint for doing it better.

Timestamps

(04:00) - The invisible struggle behind Jason's "successful" post-military career (07:00) - Why transition stress quietly breaks even high-performing veterans (11:00) - The lie TAP tells and how it sabotages mental health (20:15) - How Jason's modern framework flips the script on transition (38:30) - Retraining your mind for civilian life without losing who you are

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 29, 2025
Listen on Website

Life After Blackwater

Morgan Lerette didn't grow up dreaming about being a private military contractor. Like a lot of veterans, one thing led to another. He got pulled into Blackwater during the height of the Iraq War, rolling through Baghdad with no real rules of engagement, no clear mission beyond keeping people alive, and making more money than he ever thought possible.

In this episode, Morgan talks openly about what contracting was really like. Driving armored SUVs through war zones, making split-second decisions, and dealing with the consequences afterward. He explains how contractors operated alongside the military, why so many signed up, and how the people of Iraq saw it all from their side.

We also get into what happened after he left that world. Morgan shares what helped him figure out the next steps after war and contracting, how he finally built a steady life, and what advice he has for vets who are trying to do the same.

This is the kind of honest conversation you only get from someone who's actually been there.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:00 - From Air National Guard to Blackwater by word of mouth
  • 00:06:00 - Transitioning from contractor back to the Army
  • 00:10:45 - Inside Blackwater culture and the "Guns, Girls, and Greed" mindset
  • 00:19:00 - Why the government keeps using PMCs and the real costs
  • 00:37:30 - Actionable advice for veterans finding their next step

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 24, 2025
Listen on Website

How False Strength Keeps Men Stuck

Strength doesn't always look like what you think. For years, Adam Kasix wore the mask, the intense energy, the warrior mindset, the high-functioning chaos. But behind the scenes, his life was crumbling. Addiction. Divorce. Anger. PTSD. It all came crashing down.

What changed? Adam stopped hiding behind the persona and started doing the real work. In this conversation, he talks about what it really means to become a man, not just a "guy", and how confronting the internal beast is the key to leading your family, healing your past, and building a life that actually feels worth living.

We talk identity, fatherhood, post-service disconnection, and why some of the toughest men Adam coaches are the ones who finally learn to soften.

Timestamps

  • 00:03:15 - Why Adam leads with his lowlights, not his highlights
  • 00:07:30 - Creating the "Guy" archetype and why men get stuck there
  • 00:14:00 - What happens when the warrior leads your home life
  • 00:23:00 - Radar framework for confronting your inner beast
  • 00:43:00 - Why your warrior belongs on QRF, not in the living room

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 22, 2025
Listen on Website

Surviving the War After the War

What happens when the mission ends but the war inside you doesn't?

Ryan Reichert opens up about life after nearly two decades in the Army, including leading troops in combat, battling chronic PTSD, and losing everything he thought defined him. After a hard fall from grace, broken marriage, lost job, and hitting rock bottom with addiction, Ryan chose a different path.

He shares how he found faith, sobriety, and a renewed sense of purpose through his work at Our Protector Development, a consultancy focused on building strong leaders through lived experience.

If you're battling with purpose, pain, or what comes after service, this episode will hit home.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 17, 2025
Listen on Website

Rebuilding Purpose Through Veteran Fitness

After getting out of the Marine Corps, Rob Bracero found himself stuck, detached from purpose, struggling with chronic pain, and missing the community that used to push him forward. He's not alone. A lot of veterans find that once the structure of military life disappears, it's easy to fall into isolation and let their physical and mental health slip.

That's where Warrior Strong comes in.

In this episode, Rob shares how Warrior Strong helps veterans rebuild strength and connection through virtual and in-person fitness programs designed specifically for the veteran community. Whether it's yoga for back pain, breathwork to improve sleep, or strength training that takes service-related injuries into account, these programs offer more than just a workout. They bring back a sense of tribe.

Rob also opens up about how this work helped him personally reclaim his sense of direction. We talk about the real-world impact of veterans who went from nearly giving up to running marathons again, Vietnam vets trying yoga for the first time, and the power of being seen and supported.

If you've been putting off taking care of yourself or think group workouts aren't for you, this conversation might change your mind.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 15, 2025
Listen on Website

Alternative PTSD Treatments That Work

Blown up. Burned out. Ready to end it all.

That's where Sam Peterson found himself after his second deployment as an EOD tech. He nearly took his own life until one unexpected moment changed everything. What followed was a raw journey through trauma, healing, and finding purpose on the other side.

In this episode, Sam lays it all out. The silent epidemic of blast-induced brain trauma. The VA's broken model that tells you to "just manage it". And most importantly, the groundbreaking treatments that are helping veterans reclaim their lives in days, not years.

Ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, hyperbaric oxygen, and guided psychedelic experiences aren't fringe anymore. They're saving lives. Sam breaks down exactly how they work, who they're for, and why veterans need access to them now.

If you're tired of the runaround, if you feel like you've hit a wall, this episode might be the first real step toward getting your life back.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:00 - The moment Sam almost took his own life
  • 00:04:30 - Why the VA's "symptom management" model is broken
  • 00:13:00 - The truth about TMS, ketamine, and hyperbaric therapy
  • 00:28:00 - Why neuroplasticity can hurt you if done wrong
  • 00:36:15 - Safe and smart ways veterans are using psychedelics

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 10, 2025
Listen on Website

How Blindness Revealed a Veteran's Strength

Kijuan Amey had a plan. He was finishing school, building a business, and still serving in the Air Force Reserves. Then a motorcycle crash changed everything. He lost his sight, suffered major injuries, and had to figure out how to move forward in a world that suddenly looked very different.

In this conversation, we talk about what that recovery really looked like. Not just the surgeries or physical rehab, but the mental side too. The frustration, the isolation, the doubt. And also, the turning point when Kijuan decided that this wasn't going to be the end of his story.

He talks about learning to live with blindness, adjusting to daily challenges, and building a new mission through mentoring, speaking, and writing. For veterans who feel stuck or disconnected, this episode is a reminder that your circumstances don't define you. How you respond to them does.

If you're navigating life after service and trying to figure out what's next, there's a lot here that will hit home.

Timestamps

  • 00:01:00 - How military service rewired Kijuan's mindset
  • 00:08:45 - The motorcycle accident that changed everything
  • 00:19:00 - Adapting to blindness and finding new strength
  • 00:25:00 - Turning tragedy into motivation for others
  • 00:33:00 - The first step when life punches you in the face

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 8, 2025
Listen on Website

Tools to Reclaim Your Life After Combat

Jake Rademacher didn't wear the uniform, but the war still shaped his life. His two brothers served in Iraq, and that personal connection drove him to create the documentary Brothers at War. What started as a way to understand his siblings' experiences turned into something much bigger: a tool to help other veterans process their own stories.

In this conversation, Jake shares how storytelling, film, and honest dialogue can open doors for healing. He talks about sitting in on veteran groups, watching men let go of years of silence, and seeing the impact of simply being heard. We also get into why journaling works, what post-traumatic growth really looks like, and how small acts of reflection can lead to big changes.

There's a lot here for veterans who are working through their own transitions. Whether you're dealing with trauma, searching for purpose, or just trying to feel a little more understood, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone and that sharing your story can be part of the solution.

Timestamps

  • 00:02:00 - From family to front lines and back again
  • 00:05:00 - How filming war helped Jake process trauma
  • 00:10:45 - The moment a sniper breaks down and heals
  • 00:26:00 - Real-time healing in veteran seminars
  • 00:31:45 - Why post-traumatic growth is possible for every veteran

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 3, 2025
Listen on Website

The Other Side of the GWOT

Not everyone who served in the Global War on Terrorism wore a uniform. Ganpat "Gunner" Wagh started as a Marine, moved into law enforcement, and then spent years as an FBI agent working everything from cybercrime to counterterrorism. Eventually, that led him to Afghanistan, where he deployed alongside Special Forces as part of a quiet but critical support mission.

In this episode, Gunner shares what it's like to carry the mission forward in less visible ways and why those roles still carry the weight of service. He also talks about reconnecting with an old teammate in the most unexpected place and how that moment pulled him into the heart of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 1, 2025
Listen on Website

Meditation Tools for Veterans

Pain and anxiety don't always show up on the outside, but they can dominate your inner world. That's the reality Ann Swanson lived with until she discovered practical, science-backed ways to reduce her chronic pain and anxiety. Mike Swanson, a former Army intelligence officer, faced a different battlefield. Stress, leadership pressure, and the hidden stigma around mental health in the military.

Together, they share how yoga, meditation, and small breathing practices helped them take back control. They share stories about anxiety attacks in doctor's offices, suicide attempts in a bunker in paradise, and why leading from the front requires taking care of your mind.

From box breathing to the "3-3-3" method and one-minute meditations you can do at work or before opening that stress-inducing email, this episode gives you a whole new toolkit. If you think meditation isn't for you, this one might change your mind.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 26, 2025
Listen on Website

Strength Is a Choice You Make

When you've been wrecked physically, mentally, or spiritually, it's easy to believe that you're done. But Marine Corps veteran Brandon Mancine's story proves that strength isn't about never getting knocked down-it's about deciding to get back up, every damn time.

After being pinned between two trucks by an intoxicated driver, Brandon was told he'd never return to the kind of elite physical conditioning he once had. Instead of accepting that fate, he made a decision that reshaped his life and mindset. In this episode, Brandon opens up about the accident that changed everything, the grit it took to come back, and the systems he built to stay strong for his kids, his clients, and himself.

From training through chronic pain and old injuries to leading with humility and strength as a father and coach, Brandon gives real advice for rebuilding after life's hardest hits. Whether you're dealing with physical limitations, emotional battles, or transition blues, his message is clear: strength is something you can rebuild. And it starts one rep, one step, one choice at a time.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 24, 2025
Listen on Website

500 Times Veterans Chose to Drive On

We made it to 500 episodes! Honestly, I didn't expect to hit this number when I first started the Drive On Podcast. I figured I'd try it out, see if it helped anyone, and maybe move on if it didn't. But here we are, and that's thanks to you, the listeners who stuck around, shared the show, and kept me going.

In episode 100, I said: "I don't think I'll do another one of these milestone episodes anytime soon either. One hundred seemed significant to me, so I wanted to do this one. Maybe I'll do another when I hit the 500th episode, if I make it that long...Who knows if I'll still be doing it by then. I hope I am, but you never know." I guess, we now know the answer to that!

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain a bit. I talk about how the podcast got started, why I felt called to do it, and who the show is really for. I also answer five questions that came in from listeners, covering things like growth, lessons learned, podcast gear, and how the podcast has changed me along the way.

This one's a little more personal. I talk about grief, PTSD, connection, and how talking with other veterans has helped me, and hopefully helped you too. Whether you've been with me since the early days or you just found the show, I think this episode gives you a solid look at what Drive On is all about.

Listener Questions Answered:

  • What's one thing I wish I started doing earlier that became a game changer?
  • What's my most memorable moment on the podcast?
  • What drew me to podcasting, and what gear do you really need to get started?
  • What's my "why behind the why"?
  • Has this show changed me? (Spoiler: it has.)

Thanks for being part of this milestone. If the show's helped you in any way, I'd love it if you'd share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 19, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Dark Humor Keeps Veterans Alive

Leaving the military doesn't mean your battles are over. It just changes the battlefield. In this raw, relatable episode, Navy veteran and podcast host Mr. Whiskey shares his story from the high-suicide-rate nuclear program to enduring one of the Navy's most toxic command environments aboard the USS George Washington. He opens up about the weight of grief, loss, and leadership failure. And why getting out didn't magically fix anything.

We dive deep into why finding a new mission is so critical after service and how comedy, real talk, and connection can save lives. From breaking cycles of abuse in command culture to mentoring the next generation of service members, this episode delivers gut-checks, laughs, and a ton of heart.

If you've ever felt like you were promised something on the way out that never arrived, this conversation is for you.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 17, 2025
Listen on Website

Finding Brotherhood After Combat

Coming home doesn't always mean you're back. For Marine Corps reservist Ron Jansen, the toughest battles came long after Iraq, when the mission was over and the noise faded. Like so many veterans, he tried to pick up where he left off. A full-time job. Family life. No time to think about what really happened downrange. But trauma doesn't stay quiet forever. It showed up in his relationships, his stress, and the nagging sense that something inside still hadn't healed. In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden cost of suppressing your experience and the surprising freedom that comes from facing it head-on. Ron opens up about the therapeutic power of writing, the raw difficulty of vulnerability, and the camaraderie rediscovered through outdoor retreats and faith-based community. If you've ever felt disconnected, like you're "just getting by," this conversation will hit home. This isn't about wallowing in the past. It's about integrating it so you can actually move forward. Here's where the real breakthroughs happen:

Timestamps

00:01:00 - Avoiding emotions after deployment and why it backfires00:04:00 - Writing a combat memoir as a path to healing00:11:30 - Finding therapy in wilderness retreats and group connection00:17:00 - Shedding the armor of invincibility after service00:26:45 - Why storytelling and brotherhood can change everything

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 12, 2025
Listen on Website

Honoring the GWOT Generation

It's one thing to survive war, it's another to make sure it's remembered.

In this powerful conversation, Special Forces veteran Michael "Rod" Rodríguez opens up about his journey through combat, traumatic injury, and personal loss, and how those experiences led him to a new mission: building the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Rod isn't just talking about his story. He's fighting for all our stories - service members, Gold Star families, civilian contractors, and anyone touched by the Global War on Terrorism. As the president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Rod walks us through what it takes to build a national memorial: the red tape, the victories, and the deep emotional stakes of making sure our generation isn't forgotten.

From delivering hope in Somalia to eating charges on breaching missions, Rod's story is one of grit, growth, and leadership. But more than anything, it's about building something that lasts, not just for us, but for the next generation who needs to know what we lived through.

Timestamps

00:06:42 – Early deployments and the reality of combat in Somalia 00:17:31 – TBI, PTSD, and the personal cost of continuing to serve 00:28:50 – Reaching rock bottom and finding healing through purpose 00:41:12 – Why the Global War on Terrorism Memorial matters now 01:01:46 – Honoring the invisible wounds and collective sacrifice of the GWOT generation

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 10, 2025
Listen on Website

Turning the Page on PTSD

After deployment, some warriors come home. Others just arrive.

Dustin Carter opens up about how writing became more than a hobby-it became his lifeline. From his rough start before service to finding purpose in the Guard, then facing the spiral of isolation, anger, and a VA system that wanted to medicate instead of listen, Dustin didn't just survive-he wrote his way through.

His novel, The Veteran, follows a fictional soldier on a hauntingly real path-homelessness, addiction, trauma-and the slow, uphill climb back through therapy, routine, and the camaraderie of fellow vets.

This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and full of the kind of insight only a vet could offer. Whether you're in the thick of your own battle or trying to support someone who is, this episode offers hope, perspective, and a few hard truths that might just spark change.

Timestamps

04:00 - Dustin Carter on how structure in the military gave him purpose 08:15 - Why writing became his escape from pills and pain 11:00 - Behind The Veteran: A raw story of spiraling and recovery 20:45 - Rebuilding with movement, connection, and purpose 32:00 - A haircut, a suit, and the spark that changed everything

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 5, 2025
Listen on Website

Nutrition and Mental Health for Veterans

You trained hard, ate right, and stayed in top physical condition in the military. But after getting out? It's easy for those habits to fall apart. Food becomes a comfort, a coping mechanism, or just an afterthought in the chaos of civilian life. And before you know it, the disciplined approach you once had is gone. In this episode, Jessica Setnick, a nutritionist specializing in eating behaviors, breaks down why so many veterans struggle with food after service. We dive into the connection between food and mental health, how stress alters your eating habits, and why so many of us reach for food as a way to deal with emotions. This conversation isn't about dieting or counting calories-it's about understanding your relationship with food so you can take back control. If you've ever found yourself stress-eating, skipping meals, or feeling out of sync with your body, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

  • 01:00 - Why veterans struggle with food after service
  • 09:30 - The link between stress, emotions, and eating habits
  • 25:00 - How military training shapes your eating behaviors
  • 39:00 - Practical strategies to improve your relationship with food
  • 48:45 - Recognizing when food is covering up deeper struggles

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 3, 2025
Listen on Website

Archery for PTSD Relief

When Sam Westfall left the military, he felt the weight of transition, PTSD, and loss of purpose. He tried to cope the way many veterans do-through alcohol and firearms, which aren't the best combination-but nothing seemed to work. That all changed the day a friend handed him a bow.

In this episode, Sam shares how archery became his path to mental clarity and emotional stability. Through Archery N Motion and the Valor Archery Challenge, he's introducing fellow veterans to the same sense of peace and focus that transformed his life. Whether you're looking for an alternative therapy for PTSD, a way to rebuild camaraderie, or just a new challenge, this conversation will open your eyes to the unexpected healing power of archery.

Plus, Sam breaks down why archery is a mental game, a form of mindfulness, and a bridge to connection with other veterans. He also dives into how the Valor Archery Challenge is creating a space where veterans can shoot, connect, and discover new opportunities.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or just in need of an outlet that actually works, you'll want to hear this one.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 29, 2025
Listen on Website

What Vietnam Taught Us About the GWOT

War leaves a lasting impact-not just on those who fight, but on the generations that follow. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Naughton grew up in the shadow of his father's Vietnam service, ultimately choosing to follow in his footsteps. With a career spanning the infantry, medical corps, and leadership roles in Washington, D.C., he brings a unique perspective on how war shapes identity, leadership, and transition. In this episode, we discuss the lessons military leaders should have learned from Vietnam and how those mistakes were repeated in Iraq and Afghanistan. Patrick shares insights from his book, Born From War, which parallels his father's time in Vietnam with his own service in Iraq, and how history continues to shape the military experience. We also dive into the challenges of reintegration, the importance of finding a new mission after service, and why military leadership isn't always about filling sandbags next to your troops. Whether you're navigating transition, struggling to find purpose, or just looking for real conversations about military life, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from the front lines and beyond.

Timestamps

00:02:45 - From Infantry to Medical Officer: A Unique Military Journey00:07:15 - Vietnam and Iraq: The Same Mistakes Repeated00:16:00 - The Truth About Military Leadership and Mission Creep00:29:30 - Why Metrics and Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story00:37:00 - Finding Purpose and Passion After Service

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 27, 2025
Listen on Website

Veterans Transitioning to Cybersecurity Careers

Leaving the military comes with challenges-redefining your purpose, finding a meaningful career, and stepping into an unfamiliar civilian world where your experience isn't always understood. But what if your military skills could be the key to success in one of the fastest-growing and most mission-driven industries today? The cybersecurity field is facing a massive talent shortage, and veterans have exactly what it takes to fill the gap. Tactical decision-making, problem-solving under pressure, and a mission-first mindset-these are the same skills that make an effective cyber professional. In this episode, we sit down with Ricoh Danielson, an Army veteran and cybersecurity expert, to break down how veterans can transition into cyber careers, whether they have a technical background or not. We dive into the real-world pathways available, including training programs, certifications, and networking strategies that get veterans in the door. Ricoh shares his own journey from the battlefield to cybersecurity, how he built a successful career in the industry, and why veterans are uniquely suited to excel in this space. If you're looking for a career that offers both purpose and opportunity, cybersecurity might just be your next mission. Listen in as we map out the steps to make it happen.

Timestamps 03:15 - Recognizing transferable military skills suitable for cybersecurity​ 12:40 - Training programs and certifications tailored for veterans​ 25:10 - Navigating the cybersecurity job market as a veteran​ 37:55 - Success stories: Veterans thriving in cybersecurity roles​ 48:20 - Resources and support systems for veterans entering tech fields

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 22, 2025
Listen on Website

The Brandon Act and the Fight to End Military Suicide

Some wounds don't come from the battlefield-they come from within the ranks. Brandon Caserta was strong. Disciplined. Determined. He had a dream to serve in the military, to push himself to the limits, to be part of something greater than himself. But when he faced toxic leadership, retaliation, and neglect from those meant to lead, the weight became unbearable. His parents, Terri and Patrick Caserta, were left with the unimaginable loss of their son. But instead of letting their grief consume them, they fought back-championing the Brandon Act, a law ensuring service members can confidentially seek mental health help without fear of retaliation. In this episode, we discuss:

  • Brandon's story-the warning signs, the failures, and the tragic end
  • The deep-seated issues of toxic leadership in the military
  • How the Brandon Act is changing the way service members access mental health care
  • What veterans and active-duty personnel can do to protect themselves and support their brothers and sisters in arms

Brandon should still be here. His story should have had a different ending. But because of his parents' fight, lives are being saved today. Listen in and share this episode-because no service member should feel alone in their struggle.

Timestamps

00:02:15 - Who Brandon Caserta was and the values he lived by 00:10:15 - The toxic leadership and broken culture within the Navy 00:29:00 - The events leading up to Brandon's death on the flight line 01:04:20 - How Terri and Patrick uncovered the truth and began their fight 01:32:10 - What the Brandon Act means for today's service members

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 20, 2025
Listen on Website

The Key to a Successful Military Transition

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. But for a lot of veterans, the transition out of service feels like being dropped into an unknown world without a map. That's exactly what Rob Sarver and Alex Gendzier set out to fix. After years of interviews with veterans, deep research into military transition, and personal experience, they wrote Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey-a guide designed to help veterans navigate the mental, emotional, and professional challenges of post-service life.

In this episode, they break down the biggest obstacles veterans face-loss of identity, lack of purpose, job struggles, and mental health hurdles-and provide real-world strategies to overcome them. From the wisdom of ancient warrior cultures to the latest research on PTSD, career fulfillment, and personal growth, this conversation is packed with insights every veteran needs to hear.

If you're a veteran looking for a blueprint to a successful transition-or you know someone who needs one-this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps: 00:01:00 - Why transition is so hard for veterans 00:07:15 - The biggest mistakes veterans make after leaving service 00:12:45 - Finding purpose in civilian life 00:18:30 - Mental health strategies that actually work 00:25:00 - How to prepare for transition the right way

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 15, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Officers Eat Last

What happens when you transition out of the military and the leadership in civilian life doesn't measure up? Jason West, a Marine veteran and leadership consultant, breaks down why leadership matters more than ever when building a business, leading a team, or just trying to create purpose in your post-service life. From his experiences in the Marine Corps to running his consulting firm, Officers Eat Last, Jason shares the foundational leadership principles that keep teams strong and mission-focused-whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. He also explains why purpose-driven leadership isn't just a buzzword but a critical mindset shift for veterans looking to succeed after the military.

Jason discusses how leadership evolves from being about physical capability to strategic thinking, why great leaders serve their people first, and how veterans can apply military leadership principles to business and life. If you've ever felt frustrated by weak leadership in the civilian world or struggled to find a meaningful role post-service, this episode is packed with insights to help you take charge and lead with impact.

Timestamps: 04:30 - Jason's journey from football to the Marine Corps 12:15 - The evolution of leadership from enlisted to officer 27:00 - Why "Officers Eat Last" is more than just a saying 39:45 - Finding purpose after military service 50:15 - Tactical leadership strategies for business and life

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 13, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Moral Injury

The war doesn't always end when you come home. For many veterans, the toughest battles are fought in silence-moral injury, survivor's guilt, and the search for meaning after service. Retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho lived it. After surviving multiple IED blasts, he returned home to a life that felt shattered, eventually finding himself at the brink of suicide. But that wasn't the end of his story.

Through mountain climbs, advocacy, and discovering the power of faith-wherever that may be found-Eric transformed his pain into purpose. He now fights for veteran-focused legislation, educates others on moral injury, and helps fellow warriors find their own path forward. In this episode, he shares his journey, the struggles so many veterans face, and actionable insights on how to rebuild after the darkest days. Whether you're battling your own demons or want to understand the hidden wounds of war, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.

Timestamps: 01:15 - The moment that nearly ended it all and the path to recovery 04:00 - Moral injury vs. PTSD: Understanding the difference and why it matters 12:45 - Fighting for veterans on Capitol Hill and advocating for change 28:30 - The role of faith and community in healing 45:15 - Turning struggle into purpose and helping fellow veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 8, 2025
Listen on Website

Veterans Turning Pain into Purpose

We all have demons. Some we fought on the battlefield, others we fight in our own minds. For Army veteran Juan Espinoza, the weight of his experiences nearly crushed him-until he found a way to process the pain. After years of bottling up emotions and trying to "just push through," Juan hit a breaking point. One cold December night, he stepped into the rain, dropped to his knees, and screamed for purpose. What followed was an outpouring of emotion that turned into a book-written in just two days-that changed his life forever.

In this episode, Juan shares how writing became his therapy, how shifting your perspective can change your life, and why true strength comes from vulnerability, not suppression. Whether you're a veteran dealing with the unseen scars of service, struggling with relationships, or searching for purpose after the uniform comes off, this conversation will hit home.

And if you think you're not the "writing type," Juan's story might just change your mind.

Timestamps: 02:45 - Juan's Army career and combat deployments 10:45 - Writing as a form of healing and self-reflection 22:30 - The power of perspective in overcoming pain 35:45 - Strength in vulnerability and breaking toxic cycles 50:15 - How veterans can start their healing journey

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 6, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Veterans Struggle With Civilian Careers

Leaving the military is hard. Finding the right job? Even harder. Veterans often find themselves stuck in jobs that don't match their skills, struggling to translate their military experience into something that makes sense to civilian employers.

Jon Safran, a 23-year Air Force veteran and Chief Military Engagement Advisor at MilitaryConnected.org, knows this challenge firsthand. His mission? To bridge the gap between veterans and military-ready companies that understand and value their skills.

In this episode, we explain why many veterans feel lost in their first civilian job, the biggest transition mistakes to avoid, and how to connect with companies ready to hire and support veterans. If you're about to leave the military-or if you've already transitioned and are frustrated with the job search-this episode is for you.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 1, 2025
Listen on Website

Healing PTSD Through Communication

Too many veterans are handed a diagnosis and a prescription-but never a real solution. Dr. Fred Moss has spent decades working in psychiatry, only to realize that true healing doesn't come from medication-it comes from connection.

In this episode, Dr. Moss shares how veterans can reclaim their mental health by finding their true voice and engaging in meaningful communication. We explore why psychiatric labels can do more harm than good, how technology has changed the way we connect, and the power of listening as a healing tool.

For veterans struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or feeling lost after service, this episode is a wake-up call. Healing requires more than just suppressing emotions; it involves understanding them, embracing them, and using them to build deeper human connections.

Timestamps:

  • 04:15 - Why communication-not medication-is the key to healing
  • 16:45 - The power of human connection in overcoming PTSD
  • 30:10 - Why society's definition of "normal" is flawed
  • 45:20 - Breaking free from psychiatric labels and reclaiming identity
  • 57:45 - Practical strategies to heal through self-expression

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 29, 2025
Listen on Website

A Daughter Carrying a Fallen Hero's Legacy

Some sacrifices are too big to be forgotten. When Major Brent Taylor was killed in action in 2018, his daughter Megan Taylor was only 13 years old. Now, at 19, she's carrying on his legacy in powerful ways-through advocacy, remembrance, and leadership in the veteran community.

In this episode, Megan opens up about growing up in a family shaped by both military and civic service. Her father wasn't just a soldier; he was a mayor, a mentor, and a man who led by example. She shares personal memories, the impact of his loss on her family, and how she has found strength in the military community.

Megan also talks about her role in the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and why she's working to ensure that every service member's sacrifice is honored while they're still here to see it. This episode is about more than grief-it's about purpose, resilience, and ensuring that no one who served is ever forgotten.

Timestamps: 00:01:15 - The life and service of Major Brent Taylor 00:05:45 - Growing up with a father in the military and public service 00:12:00 - Becoming a Gold Star child and navigating loss 00:21:30 - Lessons in resilience and selflessness 00:29:15 - The Global War on Terrorism Memorial and why it matters

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 24, 2025
Listen on Website

Faith and Resilience After Military Service

Losing camaraderie after leaving the military can be one of the hardest parts of the transition. No one seems to understand, and it's easy to feel isolated-even in a room full of people. But what if there was a way to rebuild that sense of purpose and connection?

Enter Charles Watkins, an Army veteran who knows firsthand what it's like to struggle after service. As a former chaplain assistant, he spent his time in the military helping soldiers through their toughest moments. But after leaving the Army, he found himself battling his own transition struggles, feeling lost, and searching for meaning.

That search led him to faith-not just in a traditional sense, but as a tool for resilience, healing, and finding purpose. Charles started Breaking the Silence, an organization designed to support veterans and first responders through faith-based and secular resources, giving them a safe place to connect, share, and rebuild.

In this episode, Charles and Scott discuss:

  • How military service impacts mental and spiritual well-being
  • The struggles veterans face when transitioning out of service
  • Why faith and resilience go hand-in-hand
  • The importance of community and finding a mission after the military
  • Actionable steps for veterans looking to reclaim their sense of purpose

If you've ever felt lost, disconnected, or like something was missing, this conversation is for you. You don't have to do this alone-there's a tribe waiting for you.

Timestamps:

  • 00:02:00 - Charles' journey from Army chaplain assistant to veteran advocate
  • 00:07:00 - The unseen struggles veterans face after leaving service
  • 00:14:30 - How faith and resilience work together for healing
  • 00:25:00 - The power of veteran community and shared experience
  • 00:37:15 - How to find purpose and service after the military

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 22, 2025
Listen on Website

Fitness, Mindset, and Veteran Success

Life after the military can feel like stepping into the unknown. That sense of mission, the camaraderie, the structure-it's suddenly gone. But what if you could rebuild, stronger than before?

Peter Gunn, a retired Air Force veteran, knows that struggle firsthand. He transitioned through multiple phases of military service, experienced the mental toll of combat stress, and faced the challenge of redefining himself. Now, he's thriving as a competitive bodybuilder and an author, using his experiences to inspire and empower others.

In this episode, Peter shares his journey-from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to discovering alternative therapies for PTSD and channeling his discipline into bodybuilding and writing. We dive deep into what it takes to stay mission-focused in civilian life, the power of continuous growth, and why embracing new challenges is key to success beyond the uniform.

If you're a veteran navigating your own transition, feeling stuck, or looking for motivation to push forward, this episode is for you.

Key Highlights:

  • 04:00 - The transition from active duty to reserves
  • 06:45 - PTSD triggers and discovering alternative healing
  • 12:00 - Writing as a tool for self-discovery and purpose
  • 18:30 - Outgrowing old relationships and embracing growth
  • 24:45 - Why fitness and discipline are key to longevity

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 17, 2025
Listen on Website

Alternative Healing for PTSD

The war might be over, but for many veterans, the battle continues long after they return home. Sleepless nights, intrusive memories, and the frustration of feeling unheard are all too common. But what if the traditional routes-therapy, medication, the VA-aren't working for you?

Army veteran and nurse practitioner Bee Doyle knows that struggle firsthand. After experiencing severe combat trauma, she found herself lost in a cycle of PTSD, alcohol abuse, and self-doubt. The traditional treatment methods weren't enough, so she sought something different.

In this episode, Bee shares how alternative healing methods-acupuncture, breathwork, astrology, and energy healing-helped her break free from trauma and reclaim her life. She dives into the science and spirituality behind these practices, why they work for some veterans when conventional therapy doesn't, and how you can begin your own journey toward healing.

If you've ever felt like you're out of options, this conversation might just change everything.

Timestamps:

  • 00:04:30 - Combat experience and the trauma that followed
  • 00:12:15 - Struggling with PTSD and traditional treatments
  • 00:26:30 - Discovering alternative healing methods
  • 00:38:45 - How astrology and energy healing transformed Bee's life
  • 00:50:00 - Advice for skeptics and next steps for healing

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 15, 2025
Listen on Website

Why Veterans Make the Best Leaders

Trust. Resilience. Leadership. In the military, they weren't optional-they were life or death. But after service? No one hands you a guidebook on how to apply those same skills to the real world.

Michael Allison knows this firsthand. A Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Michael faced combat, injury, and the challenges of transition head-on. Now, as the CEO of The Adversity Academy, he's helping veterans and professionals alike redefine leadership, conquer adversity, and take control of their lives.

In this episode, Michael shares:

  • The crucial leadership lessons forged in combat
  • How trust and adaptability are the cornerstones of success
  • Why mental resilience is the key to overcoming life's toughest moments
  • His Break the Bottle Challenge and how it's changing lives
  • The mindset shift every veteran needs to step into their full potential

Timestamps:

02:15 - Lessons in trust and leadership from combat

07:30 - Preparing for the unexpected: Why training matters in business and life

14:15 - The Break the Bottle Challenge: A new approach to resilience

25:00 - How adversity can shape your future success

38:45 - Building the right team: Why relationships are everything

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 10, 2025
Listen on Website

Practical Pain Solutions for Veterans

Chronic pain is something many veterans live with every day, whether it's from service-related injuries or the wear and tear of life. But what if you didn't have to rely on pain meds or go under the knife to get relief?

Dr. Winifred Bragg, a board-certified pain management physician, has spent over 25 years helping people treat back, neck, and orthopedic pain-without surgery. In this episode, she breaks down the biggest myths about back pain, why so many people rush into surgery unnecessarily, and what you can do right now to manage your pain naturally.

She also shares her "MEDS" method-Mindset, Exercise, Doing what you love, and Sleep-simple changes that can make a massive difference in your pain levels. Plus, we dive into what spinal stenosis and herniated discs mean for your health and how to tell if you're seeing the right doctor for your pain.

This episode is a must-listen if you or someone you know is struggling with chronic pain.

Timestamps:

02:00 - Why most back pain doesn't need surgery 04:30 - The "MEDS" approach to pain management 10:15 - The truth about spinal stenosis and how to treat it 18:45 - Herniated discs: What they mean for your health 30:00 - Heat vs. ice: What works and when to use it

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 8, 2025
Listen on Website

Veterans and the Tools That Keep Us Sharp

Knives have always been more than just tools for veterans-they're symbols of skill, precision, and independence. But what happens when injuries or years of service-related wear make it harder to use the tools you once mastered? Doug Katz, a West Point graduate and disabled Army veteran, saw firsthand how physical limitations can steal confidence in the kitchen. So, he did what veterans do best. He adapted and overcame, creating the NULU Knife, a tool designed to give control back to those who need it most.

In this episode, Doug shares his journey from the military to entrepreneurship and how he developed an adaptive knife that goes beyond making cooking easier-it helps veterans regain confidence and control in the kitchen. Whether you're dealing with combat injuries, arthritis, or aging joints, this conversation will change how you think about the tools you use daily.

We also get into the veteran mindset regarding using gear, why traditional kitchen knives don't work for everyone, and how small innovations can make a huge impact on everyday life. If you've ever struggled with something that used to feel second nature, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

  • 00:06:00 - Innovating adaptive tools
  • 00:09:00 - Personal struggles that sparked the NULU Knife
  • 00:22:00 - Why smart design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities
  • 00:34:00 - The connection between military innovation and everyday problem-solving
  • 00:44:00 - Encouraging veterans to turn their challenges into business opportunities

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 3, 2025
Listen on Website

Veteran Addiction Recovery Without Meds

Addiction isn't just a bad habit-it's your brain craving relief. For many veterans, that relief comes in the form of smoking, drinking, or even harder substances to cope with PTSD, stress, or physical pain. But what if you could break free without white-knuckling through withdrawal?

In this episode, Meridee Hlokoff shares how she went from struggling with addiction herself to running Laser Quit, a business using cold laser therapy to help people quit smoking, drinking, and even heavy drugs. By targeting the brain's addiction response at its core, this method tricks the mind into thinking it's already had its fix-eliminating cravings and making it easier to step away from harmful substances.

We break down:

  • What cold laser therapy is and how it works
  • Why traditional quitting methods fail for so many people
  • How this therapy is giving veterans a new path to recovery
  • The surprising science behind addiction and dopamine regulation
  • What's next for Laser Quit and how they're expanding access to this life-changing treatment

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, this episode is a must-listen. Stick around for actionable advice that could make all the difference.

Timestamps:

  • 00:01:00 - How cold laser therapy rewires addiction
  • 00:05:45 - From smoking to heroin: Why the science works for all addictions
  • 00:12:30 - The real reason quitting feels impossible
  • 00:20:00 - How veterans can use this therapy for PTSD and stress relief
  • 00:35:15 - Breaking the cycle: Building new habits after addiction

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 1, 2025
Listen on Website

Finding Freedom from Anxiety and PTSD

Many veterans struggle with anxiety, PTSD, and the hidden battles that linger long after their service ends. Army veteran and licensed professional counselor Healey Ikerd understands that firsthand. With over 17 years in the mental health field, she combines clinical expertise with personal experience to help veterans navigate transition challenges, mental health, and personal growth.

In this episode, Healey shares why so many veterans feel disconnected after leaving the military, the surprising ways trauma surfaces in daily life, and how to develop healthy coping strategies. She also discusses the importance of faith in healing, the power of cognitive behavioral therapy, and why acknowledging the need for help is a sign of strength-not weakness.

From practical mental health tips to discussing her workbook, Changing Your Feelings: A Workbook for Anxiety and Worry from a Christian Perspective, Healey offers a roadmap for veterans seeking peace and fulfillment beyond their service. Whether you're struggling yourself or want to support a loved one, this conversation is packed with insight and actionable steps.

Timestamps: 05:30 - Understanding trauma's impact on daily life 10:45 - Why veterans struggle with seeking mental health help 15:00 - Healthy vs. unhealthy coping mechanisms 20:30 - The role of faith in healing from PTSD 25:15 - Practical mental health strategies every veteran should know 30:45 - How family and friends can support struggling veterans 35:00 - Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness 40:15 - Overview of Changing Your Feelings workbook

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 27, 2025
Listen on Website

Turning Pain Into Purpose

A single decision changed everything for Mark O'Brien. One night in 2008, a tragic mistake led to the loss of someone he loved-and a journey of guilt, grief, and, ultimately, transformation. Mark shares his deeply personal story of learning to live with the consequences of his actions, facing the justice system, and finding a way to help others through advocacy and trauma-informed care.

He discusses the concept of post-traumatic growth-how individuals can come out of adversity stronger, with a deeper sense of purpose. His work now focuses on helping organizations support those affected by trauma, from addiction recovery to criminal justice reform. This episode is raw, real, and packed with lessons on accountability, resilience, and redemption.

For anyone struggling with guilt, grief, or finding a path forward after hardship, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Timestamps: 04:30 - The weight of guilt and grief 09:00 - The power of forgiveness and healing 14:15 - Facing the justice system and rebuilding life 18:45 - Barriers to reintegration after incarceration 24:00 - What is post-traumatic growth? 30:15 - Helping others through trauma-informed care 38:30 - The power of community and resilience 45:00 - Small wins and positive change

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 25, 2025
Listen on Website

Rising Strong After Combat Injury

A split-second decision, a devastating explosion, and a new reality. Marine Corps veteran Davey Lind lost both of his legs to an IED during his fifth combat deployment in Iraq. But instead of giving up, he made a commitment-to walk again, to push forward, and to inspire others. From the battlefield to becoming a CrossFit trainer and motivational speaker, Davey shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose. He talks about the mental battle of losing limbs, the power of a strong support system, and why he refuses to let injuries define his future. This episode is a must-listen for veterans looking for inspiration to push past adversity and build a meaningful life after service.

00:00 - The blast that changed everything 04:00 - Facing the reality of losing both legs 06:30 - Setting a goal to walk again 08:45 - Walking at a wedding just two months after injury 15:00 - The mental battle of recovery 22:00 - Finding purpose in CrossFit and helping others 30:15 - How physical fitness builds mental resilience 40:00 - The role of Semper Fi & America's Fund in his recovery 45:30 - Words of encouragement for other veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 20, 2025
Listen on Website

How Military Discipline Built a Premium Scotch Brand

Retired Marine Corps Major Eric Dominijanni shares his journey from the military to becoming the founder and CEO of FIOR Scotch. After years of service, Eric pursued his passion for fine spirits, applying the same discipline and commitment that defined his military career to crafting a high-quality Scotch. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from the Marine Corps into the spirits industry, the lessons he carried from military service, and how he built a veteran-owned brand from the ground up. Eric also shares insights on entrepreneurship, product development, and why attention to detail is crucial in the military and business worlds.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 18, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Addiction and Homelessness as a Veteran

Jay Wylie, a Navy veteran, shares his journey from addiction and career loss to sobriety and purpose. After being relieved of command and facing a public downfall due to alcoholism, Jay turned his life around through recovery and now dedicates himself to helping veterans and first responders battling addiction and homelessness. As a leader at Confidential Recovery and the Veterans Navigation Center, he provides veterans with resources, peer support, and structured recovery programs. Jay discusses how trauma, shame, and fear can fuel substance abuse and why community support is essential for lasting change.

00:02:30 - Struggling with alcoholism and self-destruction 00:06:45 - Losing command and hitting rock bottom 00:12:15 - The moment Jay sought help and began recovery 00:20:30 - Confidential Recovery and Veterans Navigation Center 00:30:45 - Breaking the stigma around addiction and seeking help 00:45:15 - How veterans can find support and take the first step toward recovery

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 13, 2025
Listen on Website

Healing the Inner Wounds of War

Dr. Ron Schneebaum, retired pediatrician and author of Bigger Hearted, shares his two-part approach to helping veterans heal their inner wounds. Drawing from his medical background and advocacy for mental health, he emphasizes the importance of reframing military experiences and practicing focused inner listening. Dr. Schneebaum explains how embracing love and compassion can help veterans process trauma, find self-acceptance, and lead more fulfilling lives. He also shares actionable strategies and offers free Zoom workshops to support veterans in their healing journey.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Ron Schneebaum and Bigger Hearted 00:02:00 - Why veterans should reframe their military service experiences 00:08:30 - The power of love and compassion in overcoming trauma 00:15:00 - Practicing focused inner listening for self-awareness 00:25:45 - Learning self-acceptance and embracing inner strength 00:40:00 - Strategies for applying compassion in daily life 00:45:30 - Free resources and workshops for veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 11, 2025
Listen on Website

Surviving Suicide and Finding Purpose

Sheridan Taylor, a Canadian Army combat veteran, former corrections officer, and suicide survivor, shares his raw and powerful story of survival, loss, and recovery. Sheridan reflects on the lessons learned from his military career, the struggles of transitioning to civilian life, and the emotional toll of losing his wife. He discusses how therapy and self-awareness helped him rebuild his life and how his book, Not Okay Okay A Roadmap Back from the Brink, serves as a guide for others navigating trauma and mental health challenges. Sheridan emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in community.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Sheridan Taylor’s military and personal journey 00:06:30 - Transitioning out of the military and dealing with loss 00:15:00 - The emotional toll of grief and trauma 00:25:45 - Overcoming societal stigmas around mental health 00:40:00 - The pivotal moment of asking for help 00:55:20 - Lessons learned from therapy and rebuilding life 01:06:00 - Insights from Not Okay Okay A Roadmap Back from the Brink

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 6, 2025
Listen on Website

Warrior Strong Helping Veterans Stay Fit and Connected

Tom Tice, founder and CEO of Warrior Strong, shares how his organization helps veterans, first responders, and their families through free health and wellness programs. With offerings like yoga, breathwork, meditation, and fitness classes, Warrior Strong fosters camaraderie, combats loneliness, and encourages healthy lifestyles. Tom discusses the importance of building a supportive community and highlights the success stories of veterans who found purpose and strength through the program. Whether online or in-person, Warrior Strong is committed to improving the lives of those who serve and their families.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Warrior Strong and its mission 00:06:00 - The inspiration behind Warrior Strong 00:12:30 - Overview of health and wellness programs offered 00:18:45 - How Warrior Strong combats loneliness and obesity 00:25:15 - Success stories of veterans who found purpose 00:35:00 - Family-oriented programs and community support 00:40:00 - Upcoming events and how to get involved

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 4, 2025
Listen on Website

Mastering Breathwork for a Better Life

Tim Thomas, founder of Breathwork in Bed and Australian Special Forces veteran, shares the life-changing benefits of proper breathing techniques. Drawing from his military experience and deep understanding of sleep and wellness, Tim introduces simple yet powerful breathwork exercises to improve sleep quality, boost energy, and enhance mental clarity. He explains how small, intentional actions-like mastering the first 10 minutes of your day-can lead to profound changes in your personal and professional life. This episode offers actionable strategies to help listeners break free from fatigue, find inner strength, and reconnect with their purpose.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Tim Thomas and Breathwork in Bed 00:06:30 - Lessons from Special Forces and redefining resilience 00:15:00 - Importance of sleep as the foundation of life 00:25:45 - Winning the first 10 minutes of your day 00:35:00 - Demonstration of three simple breathwork techniques 01:10:00 - How breathwork helps veterans and their families 01:25:30 - Tools to reduce stress and reconnect with yourself 01:35:00 - Offering free resources for lasting results

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 27, 2025
Listen on Website

Fight Until the Lights Go Out

Gary Pacelli, retired detective, Marine Corps veteran, and author, shares his gripping story of survival, recovery, and resilience after a life-changing skydiving accident left him paralyzed. Gary reflects on his military and law enforcement career, the harrowing moments after his accident, and the mental battle to rebuild his life. His journey illustrates the power of mindset, the importance of finding motivation, and the value of embracing life's challenges. From fighting self-doubt to re-learning basic tasks and eventually returning to the skies, Gary's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Gary Pacelli and his background 00:06:30 - The skydiving accident and its immediate aftermath 00:15:45 - Relearning basic tasks and fighting mental barriers 00:44:15 - Returning to skydiving and overcoming stigma 01:12:50 - Lessons learned and the importance of mindset 02:00:00 - Reflections on life, purpose, and resilience

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 25, 2025
Listen on Website

Honor Guard Coffee Supporting Veterans and Service Dogs

Steven Ferguson, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Honorguard Coffee, shares his journey from deployment to navigating the challenges of civilian life. He discusses how his service dog and alternative therapies helped him find healing and purpose. Inspired by his own struggles, Steven created Honorguard Coffee to break down barriers for veterans seeking service dogs and support. By combining entrepreneurship and advocacy, Steven is addressing the veteran suicide crisis and empowering grassroots organizations to make a real difference. This episode highlights resilience, the power of community, and innovative solutions to tackle mental health challenges.

01:00 - Steven's Marine Corps journey and deployments 05:30 - Challenges transitioning to civilian life after a medical retirement 12:00 - Finding healing through a service dog and alternative therapies 20:45 - The birth of Honor Guard Coffee and its mission 30:00 - Supporting grassroots organizations in combating veteran suicide 36:15 - Advice for veterans finding community and purpose

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 20, 2025
Listen on Website

Go for No Turning Rejection Into Success

Andrea Waltz, co-author of Go for No, shares the transformative power of embracing rejection as a pathway to success. In this conversation, Andrea explores how shifting perspectives on failure can lead to resilience, personal growth, and professional achievement. Drawing from her book, she outlines how hearing "no" can be a stepping stone rather than a roadblock and how military veterans, professionals, and anyone looking to push past barriers can apply this mindset to their lives. From career transitions to overcoming mental hurdles, Andrea highlights actionable strategies to turn setbacks into valuable learning experiences.

01:00 - Introducing Andrea Waltz and Go for No 04:30 - The concept of "Yes is the destination, No is how you get there" 08:15 - Lessons from failure and embracing a growth mindset 15:00 - Applying the Go for No mindset to career transitions 22:45 - Building resilience and confidence through rejection 30:00 - Practical advice for practicing persistence

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 18, 2025
Listen on Website

Connecting Rural Veterans to Vital Support

Michelle Lang, Executive Director of Operation Honor: Rural Salute, shares how the organization connects rural veterans and their families to essential resources that are often hard to access in remote areas. Michelle discusses the unique challenges veterans face in rural communities, such as isolation and difficulty finding reliable support. Through in-person events and an online resource hub, Operation Honor: Rural Salute creates a trusted network of services that empower veterans to improve their mental health, access benefits, and connect with their communities. Michelle reflects on impactful stories from their events and provides insight into how rural veterans can discover the resources available to them. 01:00 - Michelle's journey and the founding of Operation Honor: Rural Salute 05:30 - Challenges faced by veterans in rural communities 11:15 - How in-person events foster connections and build trust 19:30 - Stories of impact from rural veteran events 26:00 - Online resources and building trust with rural veterans 34:45 - Advice for rural veterans and how to access benefits

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 13, 2025
Listen on Website

Building a Community for Veterans Through Golf

Joshua Sears, retired Army Sergeant First Class and founder of the 100FORE22 Foundation shares his journey from combat deployments and personal struggles with mental health to creating a nonprofit supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. Joshua explains how golf became his therapy and inspired the foundation's mission to raise awareness and funds for mental health resources through marathon golf events. By combining camaraderie, competition, and community, the 100FORE22 Foundation significantly impacts the lives of those who have sacrificed so much. Learn how you can support their mission and join the fight to reduce veteran suicide.

01:00 - Joshua's military background and personal struggles 05:30 - The inspiration behind the 100FORE22 Foundation 10:15 - Using golf as a form of therapy and connection 15:45 - The impact of marathon golf events 22:30 - Stories of lives changed through the foundation's efforts 30:00 - How to support the 100FORE22 Foundation and upcoming events

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 11, 2025
Listen on Website

Helping Heroes Find Their Dream Home

David Cain, CEO of Heroes Home Advantage, discusses a real estate program dedicated to giving back to military members, first responders, healthcare workers, educators, and their families. This nationwide network of realtors, lenders, and attorneys offers significant savings by returning a portion of commissions to qualifying heroes. David explains how the program simplifies home buying, reduces costs, and connects individuals with professionals who genuinely care about their service and sacrifice. He highlights the program's benefits, nationwide reach, and why it's critical to start the home-buying process with Heroes Home Advantage. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in these professions considering buying or selling a home.

01:00 - Introduction to Heroes Home Advantage 03:15 - Eligibility criteria for the program 05:45 - How Heroes Home Advantage supports everyday heroes 09:30 - The financial benefits of the program 15:00 - Importance of starting with Heroes Home Advantage before hiring a realtor 20:45 - The program's nationwide reach and why it stands out 30:00 - How listeners can share this program with their community

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 6, 2025
Listen on Website

Lessons in Resilience from a Combat Physician

Dr. Josh McConkey, a colonel, author, and emergency physician, shares insights from his military and medical careers in this impactful discussion. He reflects on lessons learned from combat deployments, reintegration challenges, and strategies for managing stress and building resilience. Dr. McConkey highlights the importance of finding purpose, leveraging community support, and recognizing the value of teamwork in achieving personal and professional success. He also discusses his book, The Weight Behind the Spear, which encourages individuals to embrace their roles as community supporters and leaders. The conversation touches on overcoming life's obstacles, adapting to challenges, and the unique skills veterans bring to society.

01:00 - Dr. McConkey's background in emergency medicine and military service 06:15 - Lessons from deployment and overcoming fear in combat 14:30 - Building resilience through faith, exercise, and community 20:00 - Challenges faced by the "COVID generation" in the military 25:45 - The value of teamwork and leadership in building confidence 33:00 - Key takeaways from The Weight Behind the Spear and its mission

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 4, 2025
Listen on Website

Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities

Dr. Philip Agrios, founder and CEO of Transcend Now, shares the TNow Method, a practical approach to overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors. He explains how understanding inborn sabotaging traits can help individuals break negative patterns and achieve personal and professional growth. The episode highlights the three main reasons people self-sabotage: fear of losing success, sidestepping necessary steps, and the pain of increased success. It also offers actionable steps to move forward with confidence and purpose. This discussion is particularly valuable for veterans dealing with challenges like PTSD and transitioning to civilian life.

01:00 - Introduction to Dr. Philip Agrios and the TNow Method 02:30 - The protective nature of self-sabotage 06:15 - Three key reasons people self-sabotage 14:00 - Shifting from self-protection to growth 23:45 - Applying the TNow Method in daily life 34:20 - Final thoughts and resources for change

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 30, 2025
Listen on Website

Strengthening Connections After Military Service

Caleb Walker, a veteran and entrepreneur, discusses his journey from military service to creating CollaboWave, a tool designed to revolutionize networking for veterans. Drawing on his military experience, including deployments to Afghanistan, Caleb highlights veterans' challenges in maintaining strong networks after service. CollaboWave addresses these hurdles by capturing and organizing essential networking information, making connections more actionable and efficient.

Caleb shares how his tool's voice-to-text capabilities streamline relationship-building for military personnel, first responders, and event attendees. He explains how CollaboWave fosters collaboration and simplifies knowledge transfer within and between organizations. Caleb's innovative tool offers practical solutions to complex problems, from aiding veterans to improving military handovers.

Listeners will gain insights into the importance of networking in professional and personal growth, strategies for making meaningful connections, and how technology can bridge gaps in communication. Caleb's passion for improving veterans' lives and strengthening their communities shines through in this engaging conversation.

05:00 - Caleb's military background and entrepreneurial journey 12:00 - How CollaboWave streamlines networking with voice-to-text 18:30 - Improving event connections and follow-ups 25:00 - Enhancing collaboration and knowledge transfer 32:00 - Applications for military, first responders, and organizations 40:00 - Tailoring CollaboWave for specific use cases

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 28, 2025
Listen on Website

Crushing Cancer: Tools and Hope for Patients

Dr. Kerry Forrestal, an emergency room physician and veteran, shares essential guidance for managing a cancer diagnosis. Drawing from years of experience in medicine and personal interactions with countless patients, Dr. Forrestal demystifies the process of navigating treatment options, understanding medical terminology, and advocating for oneself in the healthcare system. The episode also touches on how healthcare professionals can better connect with patients, the importance of mental health during treatment, and what every patient should know when facing a cancer diagnosis. This discussion offers practical, compassionate advice that empowers listeners to take control of their health journey and find hope in challenging times.

00:00:00 - Introduction and guest background

00:04:00 - Common challenges in navigating a cancer diagnosis

00:10:30 - Key questions to ask your doctor

00:15:45 - Importance of mental health in cancer treatment

00:22:20 - Advocacy tips for patients and caregivers

00:30:00 - Connecting with healthcare professionals effectively

00:38:15 - Final advice for those facing a diagnosis

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 23, 2025
Listen on Website

Objective Zero Peer Support for Military Veterans

Betsey Mercado, the co-founder of Objective Zero, shares how she leverages technology to support the military and veteran communities. Objective Zero aims to combat veteran suicide by providing accessible resources and peer support through a mobile app.

02:01 Objective Zero Foundation 06:26 Peer Support Network 17:55 Privacy and Anonymity 22:28 Success Stories 27:37 Reaching Out for Help 35:42 Getting Involved with Objective Zero

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 21, 2025
Listen on Website

Warrior PATHH for Post-Traumatic Growth

Discover the Warrior PATHH Program: a non-clinical approach to aiding active duty service members, veterans, and first responders in overcoming trauma through post-traumatic growth. Stephanie Weaver, the Warrior PATHH Program Manager at Camp Southern Ground, dives deep into the program's origins, methodology, benefits, and the various life-changing initiatives at Camp Southern Ground.

00:39 What is Warrior PATHH? 01:19 Post-Traumatic Growth Concept 03:19 Origin of Warrior Path 19:59 Healing Beyond Therapy: How Warrior Path Works 12:45 Analogies and Real-life Applications 27:36 Camp Southern Ground's Broader Impact 32:06 National Availability of Warrior PATHH

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 16, 2025
Listen on Website

Warriors Set Free Faith-Based Healing

Hear from Army veteran Eric Brew, Georgia Director of Warriors Set Free Ministry, as he shares his 25 years of Army experience and his unique approach to helping service members and first responders overcome life's challenges. Learn about the origin of Warriors Set Free, its mission, and the transformative power of faith in healing trauma.

00:34 Military Influencer Conference Highlights 01:32 Mission and Services of Warriors Set Free 10:11 Encouragement for Life's Crossroads 12:50 The Importance of Faith and Understanding in Healing 17:50 Practical Steps and Analogy for Simplifying Faith 25:43 Addressing Personal Traumas and Freedom Appointments 43:53 Interpersonal Connections and Overcoming Isolation 52:11 How to Get Involved with Warriors Set Free

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 14, 2025
Listen on Website

Wellness Techniques for Veterans

Christopher Maher, a former Navy SEAL, shares his incredible journey of overcoming immense physical, mental, and emotional stress. He describes how his childhood experiences, intense military training, and subsequent struggles with alcohol led him to develop a unique system for complete healing and integration. Maher provides valuable insights for veterans and service members on transforming stress into personal growth and well-being.

00:00 Introduction to Christopher Maher

01:39 Journey from Navy SEAL to Healing Advocate

21:55 Turning Point and Personal Transformation

34:58 Techniques and Healing Processes

50:07 Applying the Techniques and Helping Others

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 9, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Challenges with Hip Hop

Marine Corps veteran Ryan Doerrfeld, a devoted family man and hip-hop artist, shares how he navigated through his military service, personal challenges, and journey into the music world. Hear how Ryan channels his experiences and emotions into his music, overcoming struggles with stress, anxiety, and relocation. Get insights into his creative process, life lessons, and aspirations within the veteran community.

00:00 Introduction to Ryan Doerrfeld

01:25 Military Journey and Transition

01:58 Struggles and Overcoming Challenges

19:59 Discovering Music as Therapy

20:13 Creative Process and Musical Style

32:29 Sober Living and Personal Growth

01:16:26 Veteran Support and Positive Impact

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 7, 2025
Listen on Website

Overcoming Loss through Advocacy and Service

Dive into an inspiring conversation with Aaron Hudgins, a retired first sergeant and surviving spouse of Staff Sergeant Jari J. Hudgins. Aaron's journey through 26 years of service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, including multiple deployments and state activations, offers an insight into the sacrifices and responsibilities of military life. Discover how Aaron fulfilled his wife's dream posthumously, his pivotal role in advocacy through the Survivors Advisory Working Group, and his contributions to the Travis Manion Foundation. His candid recount of personal loss, resilience, and ongoing dedication to supporting military survivors is a testament to the enduring spirit of service members and their families.

00:00 Introduction to Aaron Hudgins 01:16 Military Service and Deployments 05:02 State Activations and Personal Reflections 20:31 The Love Lives Long Act and Survivor Advocacy 30:30 Travis Manion Foundation Involvement 38:33 Honoring His Wife's Dream 50:15 Advice for Service Members and Families 01:03:08 Call to Action and Closing

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 2, 2025
Listen on Website

Discovering Peace in The Horseman's Tale

Vietnam combat pilot, author, and horse whisperer, Tom Equels, shares his journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to the therapeutic horse farms of Ocala, revealing how his experiences shaped his debut novel, 'The Horseman's Tale.'

Tom Equels' debut novel, The Horseman's Tale, was released in Fall 2024, and it's available everywhere books are sold. For more information, visit TheHorsemansTale.com or follow Tom on social media (links below).

00:00 Introduction 00:34 Tom Equels' Background 01:19 Experience in Vietnam 04:24 Choosing the Cobra Helicopter 06:36 Air Cavalry Troop 07:51 Distinguished Flying Cross 09:56 After Vietnam 15:59 Writing The Horseman's Tale 26:08 Therapeutic Value of Horses 27:07 Equestrian Therapy and PTSD 29:18 Horses' Empathetic Nature 43:29 Restoration through Love 01:00:53 Universal Truths and Forgiveness 01:07:14 Conclusion

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 31, 2024
Listen on Website

Transition Tips from VET S.O.S.

Tune in for a conversation with Shawn Welsh, founder and co-host of the VET SOS podcast, as he shares how he supports the veteran community through military transitions and beyond. This episode is packed with invaluable resources and inspirational stories, from discussing practical tips on how veterans can navigate their return to civilian life to offering insights into his certified resiliency trainer background. Tune in to discover how to make the most of your military transition and find the right support systems to ensure a successful reintegration.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:58 Military Transition Focus 03:07 Personal Transition Challenges 06:47 Advice on Finding Resources 20:33 VET SOS Podcast and Tips 31:55 Delivering Valuable Information 40:33 Taking Care of Yourself First

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 26, 2024
Listen on Website

Passion and Purpose in Hunting with Spartan Forge

Dive into an inspiring conversation with Army veteran Bill Thompson, CEO and founder of Spartan Forge. Discover how his love for the outdoors and military experience led to the creation of a groundbreaking hunting app designed to enhance the hunting experience and serve as a therapeutic outlet for veterans.

00:00 Introduction to Guest

04:19 Founding Spartan Forge

12:34 Using the Spartan Forge App

23:41 LiDAR Technology and Its Benefits

38:12 Military Transition and Purpose

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 24, 2024
Listen on Website

Overcoming Fear with Faith

Join us for an enlightening conversation with retired Marine Corps Major Teddy Colgate, CEO and founder of First Coast Heroes Outreach. Dive deep into discussions on PTSD, moral injury, military transition, and the profound impact of faith over fear in finding purpose.

00:00 Introduction to Teddy Colgate 01:12 Teddy's Military Journey and Transition 01:47 Establishing First Coast Heroes Outreach 02:57 Trauma and Mental Health 17:37 Understanding Moral Injury 26:43 Personal Struggles and Recovery 41:41 Faith Over Fear

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 19, 2024
Listen on Website

Healing Veterans with Pin-Ups For Vets

Gina Elise, founder of Pin-Ups for Vets, takes us through her inspiring journey from the corporate world to dedicating her life to supporting veterans. She shares the origins of her organization, the unique ways it uplifts veteran morale, and the challenges, triumphs, and lasting impacts of her work. Gina also highlights the transformative effects on both the veterans and the ambassadors involved, offering hope and camaraderie through service. This episode is packed with heartfelt stories, showcasing the significant difference one person can make.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:03 Origins of Pin-Ups for Vets 01:50 Growth and Evolution 05:12 Double Life 06:46 Challenges and Triumphs 08:08 Veteran to Veteran Connection 19:21 Impact Stories 28:24 Service After Service 33:43 Donations and Future Goals 41:26 Supporting Homeless Veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 17, 2024
Listen on Website

Non-Traditional Mental Health Solutions

Explore transformative mental health practices with Dr. Tracy Latz, an integrative psychiatrist and holistic practitioner, offering non-traditional, practical techniques to manage stress, PTSD, and mental health concerns without traditional therapy. Discover her unique insights into gut health, grounding, vibrational therapy, and the power of nature and animals in healing.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tracy Latz 01:26 Dr. Latz's Background and Journey 05:20 Non-Therapy Techniques for Mental Health 08:16 Vibrational Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques 09:55 The Healing Power of Nature and Animals 11:00 Using Earthing and Grounding for Inflammation and Relaxation 15:20 Binaural Beats and Ancient Herbal Remedies 19:22 Benefactor Meditation and Qi Gong Emotional Release

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 12, 2024
Listen on Website

Supporting Veterans with Homefront Sitrep

In this episode, we talk with David Willis, co-host of the Homefront Sitrep podcast, about his experiences and insights into veteran support. We explore his military background, involvement in veteran charity work, and his journey in launching a podcast dedicated to veteran service organizations. Discover key challenges facing veterans today and learn how collaborative efforts and veteran-owned businesses can make a significant impact.

00:00 Introduction to Guest and Topic 01:32 David Willis - Military Background 03:21 Veteran Charity Work & Community Efforts 07:27 The Birth of the Homefront SITREP Podcast 23:22 Collaboration Among Veteran Service Organizations 42:52 How Veteran-Owned Businesses Can Help

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 10, 2024
Listen on Website

Transforming Lives with VetRise Academy

Hear JP Perez's powerful story of overcoming post-military struggles, finding purpose, and reinventing himself. We discuss veteran identity, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the pursuit of personal growth through fitness and mental well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:22 JP Perez's Journey Post-Military

02:30 Finding Purpose After Service

04:33 From Law Enforcement to New Ventures

11:35 Building the VetRise Academy

33:18 The Importance of Mental and Physical Fitness

41:24 JP's Tips for Veterans

51:38 Wrap-Up and Closing Thoughts

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 5, 2024
Listen on Website

Balancing Military and Olympic Dreams Through Faith

USMC Captain Riley Tejcek joins the show. Riley is a multifaceted individual who embodies dedication, perseverance, and faith. Listen to Riley's life as a Marine Corps Captain, her role as a bobsled pilot for Team USA, her time as Miss Military, and her work as an ambassador for Shields and Stripes. Hear how she balances her demanding roles and maintains a positive outlook despite the challenges she faces. Learn about her athletic background, the unique struggles she faces, and the unwavering faith that drives her success. Gain insights into her contributions to the military community and her inspiring impact on future generations.

00:00 Introduction 01:08 Riley's Background and Journey to the Marine Corps 03:00 Transition from Softball to Bobsledding 06:26 Balancing Marine Corps and Olympic Training 09:51 Navigating Nutritional Challenges 11:08 Marine Corps Support and Career Decisions 14:14 Miss Military Experience 25:28 Ambassador for Shields and Stripes 42:27 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Challenges 45:23 Conclusion and Parting Remarks

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 3, 2024
Listen on Website

Natural Healing Through Ayurveda

Hear how the ancient practice of Ayurveda can transform your life. Ananta Ripa Ajmera, a spiritual teacher, Ayurveda practitioner, author, and co-founder of The Ancient Way, explains its benefits for both physical and mental health. Learn about balancing your body's internal fire, the importance of seasonal routines, and practical tips for integrating Ayurveda into modern living.

00:00 Introduction to the Guest 03:11 Key Principles of Ayurveda 06:30 Ayurvedic Diet and Its Benefits 13:50 Balance and Moderation in Life 14:42 Mental Health Benefits 16:45 Simple Ayurveda Practices to Start 19:17 Incorporating Ayurveda and Yoga 38:11 Resources and Conclusion

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 28, 2024
Listen on Website

Becoming the Hero of Your Journey

Spiritual teacher, award-winning author, and co-founder of the Ancient Way, Ananta Ripa Ajmera, shares how to become the hero of your own story through transformative insights grounded in Ayurveda, yoga, and Vedanta philosophy. Explore practical steps for embracing your inner power, tackling life's adversities, and achieving post-traumatic growth. Learn about the value of difficulties, trusting your intuition, and the power of asking for help on your spiritual journey. This episode offers a rich discussion for anyone seeking to unlock their true potential and live authentically.

00:00 Introduction to Ananta Ripa Ajmera 01:24 Defining the Hero's Journey 02:09 Facing Adversities 05:55 Overcoming Challenges 08:07 Power of Perspective and Practices 18:55 Acceptance and Transformation 25:09 Uncovering Solutions

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 26, 2024
Listen on Website

Navy Veteran and Stranger Things Actress Shares Her Cancer Journey

Hear from Jennifer Marshall, a Navy veteran turned actress known for her roles in Stranger Things and NCIS, among others. Learn about her military service, transition into acting, and relentless advocacy work, including her role as a Pinups for Vets ambassador and her brave battle with cancer. Tune in for advice on pursuing a career in entertainment and the importance of proactive healthcare for veterans.

00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Marshall 01:51 Military Service and Transition to Acting 13:55 Challenges and Stereotypes in Hollywood 17:19 Advice for Aspiring Actors 24:16 Pinups for Vets Ambassador 30:16 Battling Cancer: A Personal Story 37:02 Proactive Healthcare for Veterans 50:13 Closing Thoughts

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 21, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose After Trauma

Combat-wounded veteran Brian Fleming shares his journey from trauma to triumph, detailing how his experiences in Afghanistan shaped his mission to help others heal by sharing their stories.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:25 Meet Brian Fleming 01:28 Journey through Trauma 06:12 Deployment Challenges 15:35 Finding New Purpose 29:23 Lessons Learned

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 19, 2024
Listen on Website

Secrets to Impactful Public Speaking

Laura Reid shares her journey from overcoming a severe stutter to becoming an international speaker, public speaking coach, and best-selling author. Her insights on storytelling and public speaking empower veterans and professionals to share their stories effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Drive On Podcast 00:23 Meet Laura Reed: Overcoming Public Speaking Fears 02:22 Laura's Journey: From Stutter to Speech Slayer 07:31 Empowering Veterans to Share Their Stories 14:57 Tips for Effective Public Speaking 17:29 Avoiding Death by PowerPoint 23:14 The Power of Storytelling in Public Speaking 23:35 Laura Reed's Book: Public Speaking Horror Show 41:13 Final Thoughts and Resources

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 14, 2024
Listen on Website

Unheard Tales of Veterans

Hear the story of Rodger Friedman, a son of a WWII veteran, who shines a light on his father's untold WWII stories and shares insights on preserving military legacies.

00:00 Introduction 01:14 Rodger Friedman's Background 05:46 Father's Military Service 07:42 Piecing Together History 14:02 Writing as a Passion 25:38 Advice for Veterans and Families 36:54 Supporting Veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 12, 2024
Listen on Website

Secrets to College Admissions Success

Hear from Shaan Patel, a recognized college and test prep expert who achieved a perfect SAT score. From his humble beginnings in a budget motel to creating Prep Expert, Shaan shares invaluable insights on college admissions, the significance of standardized tests, and leveraging military education benefits. Shaan elaborates on the revolutionary changes to the SAT and effective strategies to improve test scores, emphasizing discipline and life skills crucial for success. This episode sheds light on practical tips for students and military personnel aiming to maximize their education and career opportunities.

00:00 Introduction to Shaan Patel 01:12 The Early Years and SAT Success 03:52 Founding Prep Expert 04:55 Relevance to Military Personnel 06:46 Improving Test Scores with Prep Expert 11:58 Changes in the SAT Format 18:45 Life Skills through Test Prep 30:53 The Pomodoro Technique and Productivity 33:58 Where to Find Prep Expert

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 7, 2024
Listen on Website

The Realities of War and Personal Growth

Explore the powerful narrative of a former Marine infantryman, Stew Blackwell, as he discusses his experiences in combat, his personal development journey, and the lasting impact of war. This episode provides a raw and candid view of military culture, leadership, and the emotional complexities surrounding 9/11 and the Global War on Terror.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 5, 2024
Listen on Website

Dianetics Therapy for Veterans

A deep dive into the mental health crisis among veterans and an alternative therapeutic approach using Dianetics with Chris Owens, Executive Director of the Restored Valor Project.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:03 Chris Owens' Background and Journey into Dianetics

01:43 Explaining Dianetics

05:57 Dianetics Techniques and Their Unique Aspects

28:16 Addressing the Reactive Mind and Engrams

36:24 Physical and Emotional Pain in Dianetics

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 31, 2024
Listen on Website

Healing Unspoken Veteran Trauma

Dive into the unspoken traumas faced by veterans with USMC veteran Garret Biss. This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked psychological struggles that many veterans endure and explores ways to address and manage these invisible wounds. As a staunch advocate for veteran mental health, Garret shares his insights and personal experiences, offering hope and practical advice to veterans and their families.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 29, 2024
Listen on Website

Fishing for Recreational Therapy

Join retired Air Force Colonel Neil Mullaney as he shares his journey from military service to becoming an advocate for veterans' mental health and wellness. Dive into his transformative experiences, leadership insights, and the incredible work being done by Heroes on the Water, an organization promoting therapeutic benefits through kayak fishing.

00:00 Introduction to Neil Mullaney

01:13 Background and Military Service

14:39 Challenges in Transitioning to Civilian Life

27:16 The Mission of Heroes on the Water

32:34 Two Program Structures

46:38 Final Thoughts and How to Get Involved

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 24, 2024
Listen on Website

Empowering Men for Success

This episode features George Hayworth, an Army veteran and founder of Elite Sentinel Coaching, who shares his journey from military service to becoming a successful coach. George provides insights into the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. He discusses the importance of brotherhood, leadership, and authentic masculinity in personal development. Learn how his 12-week program helps men build confidence, improve relationships, and achieve exponential growth in various aspects of their lives.

00:00 Introduction: Meet George Hayworth 01:02 Military Service and Lessons Learned 05:53 Challenges in Military Transition 06:33 The Power of Brotherhood and Leadership 20:28 Importance of Network and Continuous Growth 42:26 The 12-Week Program Breakdown

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 22, 2024
Listen on Website

Healing Through Generational Trauma

Listen to Becky Ellis discuss her memoir 'Little Avalanches,' and the often untold experiences of families with combat veterans. Discover how intergenerational trauma shapes lives and learn the importance of difficult yet healing conversations within families.

00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest - Becky Ellis 01:42 Surviving a Combat Veteran's Childhood 05:13 Intergenerational Trauma and Silencing 06:43 Breaking the Silence 10:24 Facing the Past - A Father's Awakening 13:59 Conversations with Children 21:08 How-to: Initiating Tough Conversations 28:22 The Healing Journey Begins 31:01 Transformation and the Veteran's Identity 34:39 Book Insight: Little Avalanches 45:29 Connecting for Future Generations

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 17, 2024
Listen on Website

Rewiring Your Brain for Resilience

Explore the intricacies of resilience, stress management, and personal transformation with Dr. Stephen Sideroff, renowned psychologist and author of "The Nine Pillars of Resilience." In this episode, we look into practical strategies for mastering stress, fostering a growth mindset, and achieving emotional and mental balance. This episode is perfect for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and anyone seeking to navigate the pressures of daily life with strength and vitality.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 09:49 Military and Veteran-Specific Challenges 12:39 Cognitive Response and Reframing Stress 16:04 Desensitization and Reversing Conditioning 45:34 Building Effective Support Networks 55:01 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 15, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Strength in Adversity

Aaron Gray, a podcaster, mindset mentor, and personal development expert, shares his journey of overcoming personal tragedy and transforming trauma into a mission to help others. This episode looks into Aaron's life-altering experience of losing his child, coping with immense personal challenges, and emerging stronger through holistic wellness practices. Listeners gain practical insights into developing a resilient mindset, the importance of community, and actionable steps to begin their own paths to recovery and personal growth.

00:00 Introduction to Guest and Topics 01:11 Aaron's Personal Journey 08:17 Navigating Through Trauma 19:30 Building Positive Habits 41:49 Community and Support Networks 47:03 Promoting Positivity 56:49 Aaron's Podcast Information

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 10, 2024
Listen on Website

Service Dogs Saving Veterans

Join Bart Sherwood, founder of Train a Dog, Save a Warrior, as he discusses the power of service dogs for veterans. Learn how personalized training methods provide essential support to those with PTSD, anxiety, and other service-related conditions. Discover why directly involving veterans in training their dogs builds a unique, life-saving bond. Hear compelling insights on destigmatizing medical conditions, the chemical science behind dog alerts, and the emotional stories of lives saved. This episode discusses the significant impact a service dog can have on veterans' quality of life and how the program is breaking barriers to making service dogs accessible to all.

00:00 Introduction to Bart Sherwood and Train a Dog, Save a Warrior 03:11 The Unique Participant Trained Service Dog Program 03:36 Service Dog Training Methods and Benefits 15:38 Emotional and Chemical Impact of Service Dogs 38:54 How to Get Involved and Support the Program 55:35 Closing Remarks and Inspirational Stories

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 8, 2024
Listen on Website

Rally 4 Vets Healing Through Racing

Explore how Robert Hess, an Army veteran, turned his post-military career into a mission for veteran support. After founding the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN) and Rally 4 Vets, Hess offers unique resources and support for veterans dealing with PTSD and other challenges.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Robert Hess's Background 01:38 The Drive On Motto 03:11 Founding of DVEN and Rally for Vets 05:01 ProstateTracker and Cancer Advocacy 09:56 Engagement with PTSD 10:10 Mission of DVEN 16:30 Introduction to Rally for Vets 19:31 Event Format and Goals 33:13 Upcoming Events and Vision 36:19 Connecting Veterans and Raising Awareness 48:02 Closing and How to Support

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 3, 2024
Listen on Website

Veterans Getting Fit AF

Dave Morrow, a dedicated Canadian veteran, fitness advocate, and host of the Hard to Kill Podcast, returns with invaluable insights on physical and mental well-being. Discover how Dave's personal journey through injury and recovery led to the creation of a supportive fitness and health community aimed at empowering veterans. Learn practical strategies for achieving consistency in fitness routines, nutrition, and overall health, tailored specifically for veterans struggling with injuries and lifestyle changes. Uncover the secrets behind turning simple daily habits into life-changing routines and get a sneak peek into Dave's upcoming book, which promises to be a field manual for veteran fitness. Dive into an engaging conversation filled with expert advice, personal anecdotes, and actionable tips that will guide and support you on your journey to becoming fitter, healthier, and harder to kill.

00:00 Introduction to Dave Morrow 02:57 The Nimble Warrior and Coaching Success 04:57 Founding of the Health and Fitness Community 12:10 Simple Fitness Principles 12:58 Addressing Veteran Health Issues 36:57 Metabolism and Weight Loss Myths 43:01 Upcoming Book and Expert Insights

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 1, 2024
Listen on Website

Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs

Army veteran Adam Peters found his purpose in helping other veterans through entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings in rural Indiana to founding the Strategic Veteran Podcast, Adam shares his transition story, the challenges he faced, and the systems he built to support his mission. This episode is packed with actionable insights on veteran entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and the mindset needed to succeed.

00:00 Introduction to Adam Peters and His Work

01:49 Adam's Background and Military Service

02:44 The Transition Hole and Early Ventures

03:57 Discovering Purpose through Ayahuasca Retreat

04:38 The Strategic Veteran Podcast Journey

11:19 Advice for Aspiring Veteran Entrepreneurs

27:03 Challenges and Sacrifices in Entrepreneurship

32:13 Building Systems and Processes for Success

43:31 The Stronghold Community Initiative

01:05:49 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 26, 2024
Listen on Website

Bringing the Fallen Home

Join the conversation with retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Les Carroll, an award-winning military journalist, documentary filmmaker, and author who shares his riveting experiences and heartfelt stories. From serving at Dover Air Force Base and supporting the return of fallen service members to his deployments in Afghanistan, Carroll talks about the moments that shaped his career and inspired his creative works, including his novel, 'This Troubled Ground,' and the documentary 'Bringing the Fallen Home.' Dive deep into the emotional, logistical, and human aspects of military service and the poignant tales of those who serve and their families.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:16 Work at Dover Air Force Base 02:10 Military Career and Deployments 04:28 Inspirations and Experiences 20:55 Project Contributions: Bringing the Fallen Home 22:14 Legacy and Impactful Work 33:20 The Importance of Veteran Stories 56:11 Lighter Note 55:53 Closing Remarks

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 24, 2024
Listen on Website

Turning Loss into Inspiration

Don Culp, a recently retired Army veteran with a broad and diverse career, shares his inspiring journey, the challenges he faced, and his mission through the Braylon Aubrey Foundation, established in memory of his daughter. Explore the intersection of his military career and personal life, and the foundation's impact on children with impairing conditions.

00:00 Introduction to Don Culp 02:27 Don Culp's Military Journey 27:13 Foundation Activities 31:24 Building Special Needs Playgrounds 45:14 Get Involved

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 19, 2024
Listen on Website

Raw Resilience and Overcoming Adversity

An inspirational journey of survival, resilience, and overcoming the toughest challenges life can throw at you. From a combat-wounded amputee to a motivational speaker and endurance athlete, Rich Ingram's story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere against all odds.

00:00 Introduction 00:25 Guest Introduction: Rich Ingram 08:50 Concept of Raw Resilience 09:51 Handling Setbacks 16:11 Finding Purpose and Moving Forward 30:14 Military Journey Continues 30:46 Rich's Return to the Military 37:14 Message to Fellow Veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 17, 2024
Listen on Website

Veteran Entrepreneur's Real Estate Journey

Jeremy Bourgeois, a Marine Corps veteran turned real estate investor, shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Discover the challenges and rewards of the real estate market, insights on becoming a successful real estate investor, and advice for veterans looking to transition into this field. Learn about hassle-free home selling solutions and what to consider when selling your home quickly.

00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Bourgeois 01:12 Jeremy's Military Background and Transition 02:33 Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Insight 04:25 The Draw of Real Estate Investment 10:12 Navigating the Real Estate Market as a Newcomer 11:19 Scout Peak and Unique Selling Propositions 13:36 Process of Evaluating and Renovating Properties 22:23 Advising Veterans on Entering Real Estate 29:36 Quick Home Selling Solutions for Military Families 30:28 Finding Trustworthy Home Buying Companies

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 12, 2024
Listen on Website

Mastering Emotions with Mindfulness

Learn how yoga and meditation can benefit your mental health with Air Force veteran and yoga instructor David Romero. From personal journeys to expert advice, dive deep into the holistic practices that promote emotional and physical wellness.

00:00 Introduction 01:33 David Romero's Journey 05:24 Overcoming Challenges Post-Military 10:21 Situational Awareness in Yoga 14:33 Core Aspects of Yoga 28:23 Combining Yoga with Traditional Workouts 34:48 The Role of Sound Baths 48:44 Advice for Beginners 52:55 Closing Thoughts

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 10, 2024
Listen on Website

Healing Wounds with Creativity

Explore the journey of Geoffrey Bowton, an army veteran turned artist who used his passion for art to cope with the challenges of military life. From deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to his unique artistic process that helps other veterans, Geoffrey sheds light on the therapeutic benefits of art. Discover how creativity can serve as a powerful tool for mental health and healing.

00:00 Introduction 00:21 Guest Introduction: Geoffrey Bowton 02:13 Geoffrey's Path to the Army 06:02 Discovering Art in the Military 14:58 Post-Service Challenges 48:33 Current Projects and Impact

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 5, 2024
Listen on Website

Unleashing Your Full Potential

Seth Gehle, a veteran and expert in leadership and personal development, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to a successful post-military career. Seth offers advice on overcoming obstacles, making the transition to civilian life, and the importance of continuous self-improvement. He also discusses his new focus on victim advocacy and his ultra-marathon experiences, highlighting his drive to break free from mediocrity and achieve remarkable accomplishments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and practical personal and professional growth tips.

00:00 Introduction to Seth Gehle 02:21 Seth's Background and Military Experience 04:35 Transitioning to Civilian Life 10:20 Leadership Insights 23:49 Personal Development and Mental Health 46:06 Challenges and Accomplishments 57:59 Wrap-Up and Contact Information

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 3, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Your Happy Place

Dr. Gary Sprouse, also known as the Less Stress Doc, joins the show to reveal insights on stress management, PTSD, and achieving a happier life. Sprouse discusses his innovative techniques and how they can guide you to your happy place, as outlined in his book "Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress." This episode navigates through defining and overcoming worry, practical stress reduction methods, and the impact of traumatic experiences on mental health. Discover actionable steps and personalized advice to help you regain control, find fulfillment, and lead a less stressed life.

Listeners will walk away with a newfound understanding of stress management and practical tools to lead a happier, healthier life. Whether you're dealing with daily stress or more significant emotional traumas, Dr. Sprouse's expertise offers valuable guidance and hope.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 29, 2024
Listen on Website

Mighty Oaks Foundation's Faith-Based Healing

An inspiring discussion with Jeremy Stalnecker, a former Marine Corps infantry officer and the executive director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, about his path from military service to helping veterans overcome PTSD and lead purposeful lives.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:10 Jeremy's Military Journey 11:46 Leadership as a Lifelong Skill 20:12 Peer-to-Peer Support 37:05 Hope and Responsibility 43:58 Final Thoughts on Moving Forward

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 27, 2024
Listen on Website

Discovering Your Extreme Dream

This episode features Charlynne Boddie, an inspiration as she assists others in overcoming extreme challenges. Learn about her unique approach to empowering individuals through her 'Xtreme Dream' Seminar. Discover the impact she has made on many lives and why her methods are a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and tools for personal growth.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 22, 2024
Listen on Website

The Battle Against Veteran Suicide

Join Navy veteran and author D. Paul Fleming as he tackles the critical issue of veteran suicide. Discussing his own journey through trauma, PTSD, and transition out of service, Fleming delves into the complexities faced by veterans today. This heartfelt conversation covers the lasting impacts of military service, the struggle for purpose post-military, and how sharing personal stories can provide healing and understanding. Whether you're a veteran, a family member, or someone looking to support the veteran community, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for tackling one of the most pressing issues among veterans today.

00:00 Introduction to D Paul Fleming 00:36 The Crisis of Veteran Suicide 01:45 The Effects of Service and Transitioning Out 02:08 Personal Struggles and Overcoming Trauma 06:26 Identity and Purpose Post-Military 09:37 Navigating Civilian Life as a Veteran 34:34 The Importance of Sharing Veteran Stories

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 20, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Hope through Recovery

Discover the journey of Bryan Wempen, an Army veteran, author, and mental health entrepreneur. From his battle with addiction to his path of recovery and helping fellow veterans, Bryan shares his story of resilience and hope.

00:00 Introduction to Bryan Wempen 02:26 Overcoming Addiction and Early Life Challenges 10:47 Military Service and Transition Challenges 29:31 Insight into Therapy and Recovery 35:00 Advice for Listeners Struggling with Addiction 52:31 Normal - A Misleading Concept 01:02:04 Navigating Difficult Changes

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 15, 2024
Listen on Website

Overcoming Addiction and Mental Health

Explore Nick Padlo's journey as an Army veteran and CEO of Sophros Recovery. He shares his personal battles with addiction and mental health and his mission to support veterans through holistic recovery programs.

00:00 Introduction to Nick Padlo and Sophros Recovery 01:10 Nick's Military Background and Post-service Challenges 03:30 Struggles with Mental Health and Addiction 04:32 The Founding of Sophros Recovery 05:45 Approaches and Methodologies in Wellness Programs 08:08 Tools and Strategies for Recovery 13:31 Integrating Physical and Mental Health in Recovery 15:35 Supporting Each Other in the Journey 12:22 Family and Friends as Part of the Healing Process 20:30 Facing Mental Health and Addiction Courageously 37:11 Finding the Right Treatment and Support

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 13, 2024
Listen on Website

AI Opportunities for Veterans

Explore the world of Artificial Intelligence with Philip Blackett, author of Future Proof: How to Adopt and Master Artificial Intelligence to Secure Your Job and Career, as he shares key insights into how AI can be leveraged to secure future job opportunities and career advancements. This episode delves into the mindset needed to view AI as a beneficial tool rather than a threat, providing practical strategies to integrate AI into various aspects of work and personal life.

00:00 Introduction to Philip Blackett and His Work 01:22 The Future Proof Framework 04:29 Embracing AI: Overcoming Fear 05:38 Practical Uses of AI 09:33 Strategies for AI Integration 09:38 Choosing the Right AI Tools 10:37 Flexible Learning and Teaching 17:56 Military Community and AI Adoption 30:50 Looking Ahead: AI in the Future 40:37 Value of Adaptation to AI

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 8, 2024
Listen on Website

Engaging Kids While Deployed

Insightful strategies and tools for maintaining family connections during deployments. Guest Nate Turner joins to discuss practical advice for parents in the military community.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Nate Turner 01:30 Strategies for Staying Connected with Children 02:28 Writing Letters and Using Technology 18:23 Balancing Roles and the Importance of a Support System 17:42 Building a Village and Community Support 26:17 Life Template and Backward Design Process 32:48 Teaching Core Values and Final Thoughts

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 6, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Hope in Laughter

Retired U.S. Naval officer Jack Daly discusses his journey from a distinguished military career to becoming an advocate for the therapeutic benefits of laughter. Discover how laughter can be a potent tool for managing stress, depression, and overall well-being, especially for veterans and military families. Jack shares his military experiences, the traumatic incident that ended his service, and how humor has played a pivotal role in his life and coping mechanisms. Learn about his book 'Laugh Out Loud' and the science-backed strategies for incorporating laughter into daily life.

00:00 Introduction to Guest 01:10 Military Background 05:18 Traumatic Incident 11:42 Living with Pain 34:45 The Healing Power of Laughter 50:21 Practical Tips for Incorporating Laughter

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 1, 2024
Listen on Website

Combating The Opioid Crisis with AI

USAF Veteran Michael Vasquez joins the show to discuss groundbreaking healthcare technology innovations aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. With a rich background that includes building the first AI-integrated electronic medical records system on NASDAQ and founding one of the largest opioid treatment programs in the U.S., Michael explains how AI is being utilized to combat addiction and the critical role of prevention.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 02:03 AI in Electronic Medical Records 04:57 Opioid Treatment and Prevention 10:23 Personal Story and Motivation 13:47 Indicators of Opioid Dependency 26:22 Holistic Approach: Sleep, Diet, and Exercise 19:37 Impact on Employers and Health Plans 36:37 Broader Implications for Veterans and the VA 40:34 Closing Remarks and Recommendations

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 30, 2024
Listen on Website

Goal Setting and Achieving Success with the Oxcart Technique

This episode features Terry L. Fossum, a veteran with a diverse and illustrious background, including serving as the executive officer for a group of Nuclear B-52 bombers during the Cold War and winning the survival reality show, 'Kicking and Screaming' on Fox. Terry is also a celebrated author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, 'The Oxcart Technique'. This revolutionary goal-setting system helps individuals achieve their goals by utilizing both negative and positive motivators to drive action, forming a powerful framework applicable to various aspects of life.

00:00 Introduction to Terry L. Fossum 01:46 Overview of The Oxcart Technique 02:01 Debunking Goal-Setting Myths 04:20 Understanding Prospect Theory 07:48 Application of The Oxcart Technique 22:08 Detailed Steps of The Oxcart Technique 41:12 Kicking and Screaming Experience 44:50 Conclusion and Resources 46:48 Humor Segment: Service Connected?

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 25, 2024
Listen on Website

Codependency Solutions and Recovery Tips

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Michaud, a seasoned psychologist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the intricate issues of addiction, codependency, and mental health, particularly within the veteran community. The discussion provides valuable insights into how these issues impact veterans and their families and offers strategies for developing healthier relationships and coping mechanisms.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sarah Michaud 01:54 Understanding Codependency 08:23 Challenges in Managing Addiction and Mental Health 09:49 The Complexity of PTSD and Addiction 08:27 Navigating the Healthcare System 15:11 Impact of Emotional Pain and Grief 16:20 Consequences of Not Addressing Root Causes 15:06 Grief and Rage 34:04 Breaking the Cycle of Codependency 46:26 Dr. Michaud's Book and Resources 47:40 Closing Remarks and Humor

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 23, 2024
Listen on Website

Overcoming Emotional Triggers

In this episode, Jennie Potter, author of 'Self Sabotage No More' and creator of the ALARM Method, discusses techniques to manage emotional triggers. The discussion focuses on practical steps veterans and others can use to tackle emotions like anger, fear, and stress, which often lead to self-sabotaging behaviors.

00:00 Introduction to Jennie Potter 01:05 Understanding the ALARM Method 01:37 Practical Applications 28:09 Managing Intense Emotions 34:15 Challenges and Overcoming Them

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 18, 2024
Listen on Website

Practical Strategies for Resolving Disputes

In this episode, Mike Hassell, author of Deep Tradeoffs, delves into strategies for humanizing opponents and managing subconscious reflexes in polarized societies. The discussion covers approaches to handling interpersonal and societal conflicts, the importance of striving versus peace, the complexities of honesty and self-deception, and the pursuit of happiness and meaning. Mike provides insights on balancing conflicting values, personal reflections on shared experiences, and practical techniques for diffusing tension.

00:00 Introduction to Mike Hassell and Deep Tradeoffs 01:39 Humanizing Opponents and Managing Conflict 08:06 Understanding Rivalrous Values 36:58 Striving vs. Peace 34:27 Interpersonal Relationships and Shared Experiences 36:36 Pursuing Happiness and Meaning 52:25 Conclusion and Practical Techniques

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 16, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Your Life's Purpose

Author and speaker Corey Poirier discusses the importance of finding purpose and passion to address mental health issues. Corey shares his personal journey through mental health struggles, the moment that changed his life, and how he now helps others discover their own passions and purposes. With insights applicable to veterans, service members, and the broader community, Corey's practical advice and inspirational story make this an episode you won't want to miss. 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Introducing Corey Poirier 01:06 Corey's Background and Journey 01:25 Mental Health Struggles and Overcoming Them 02:43 The Impact of Passion on Mental Health 07:07 Purpose and Passion in the Military Community 09:49 Helping Others Find Their Purpose 13:05 Finding Passion and Purpose 12:19 10,000 Hours to Mastery 28:30 Putting in the Work 09:47 Addressing Negativity 35:21 Steps to Finding Passion 44:20 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 11, 2024
Listen on Website

The Hidden Impacts of PTSD

In this episode, Ruth Clare, the author of the memoir 'Enemy' and a TEDx speaker, discusses the generational impacts of PTSD and shares valuable tools for recovery. Ruth's memoir explores her life as the child of a Vietnam veteran and the complex repercussions of war trauma on families. The conversation talks about coping strategies, parental challenges, and the importance of active involvement in healing. From identifying the fight-flight-freeze response to sharing actionable recovery tips, this episode is packed with insights beneficial for veterans, their families, and anyone impacted by PTSD.

00:00 Introduction to Ruth Clare 01:29 Living with a Parent with PTSD 16:21 Coping Strategies and Healing from Trauma 24:28 Nervous System and Trauma Response 42:45 Experiences and Reflections

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 9, 2024
Listen on Website

Celebrating the 4th on the 400th Episode

In this special episode marking a significant milestone, the focus shifts from traditional interviews to an in-depth exploration of the essence of Independence Day. The episode dives into the historical context of the American Revolution, key figures and battles that shaped the nation's quest for freedom, and the enduring significance of the Declaration of Independence. It offers listeners a monologue that transcends a simple historical recounting, aiming to inspire patriotism and a deep appreciation for the principles of bravery, sacrifice, and freedom. This commemorative episode is a tribute to the spirit of Independence Day, delving into the values that make the United States a beacon of freedom worldwide.

00:00 Historical Context of Independence Day 03:13 Significance of the Declaration of Independence 20:12 Foundational Figures of the Revolution 23:40 Key Battles and Events Leading to Independence 46:47 Formation of a New Nation 59:18 The Evolving American Identity 01:09:31 Significance and Celebration of Independence Day

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 4, 2024
Listen on Website

Transforming Trials into Triumphs

In this episode, our guest is Karis Meier, a military wife and an inspiring author of 'Suffering Redeemed: Finding Strength to Endure, Purpose in Pain and Hope for Tomorrow'. Karis shares her journey of dealing with chronic illness and how her experiences have shaped her perspective on suffering, resilience, and the importance of community support. With insights from her life as a military spouse and her deep-rooted faith, Karis discusses the practical tools and wisdom she has gathered while navigating through life's hardships. This episode explores themes of personal transformation, the therapeutic power of writing, and how suffering can bring unexpected gifts. Listeners will find encouragement and strategies for facing their own challenges, learning to process their experiences, and discovering the strength to endure through adversity.

00:00 Guest Introduction 01:19 Journey Through Adversity 08:48 Insights from 'Suffering Redeemed' 14:06 The Therapeutic Power of Writing 29:01 Holistic View on Overcoming Challenges 41:49 Navigating Life's Transitions

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 2, 2024
Listen on Website

Irreverent Warriors - Silkies, Service, and Camaraderie

This episode features Perla Tapia, who serves in the US Air Force and as the Lead Coordinator for Irreverent Warriors' hikes in Phoenix. This episode shows the impact of camaraderie in supporting veterans and preventing suicide, highlighted by the organization's "silkies hikes." Listeners will learn about the significance of community and connection in addressing veteran mental health and how Irreverent Warriors' events create meaningful, support-filled experiences for veterans. This episode bridges military service, voluntary commitment, and the effects of community support in tackling prevalent issues within the veteran community.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 27, 2024
Listen on Website

Navigating VA Disability Benefits and Military Transition

In this episode, Joe Fortuno, a veteran deeply dedicated to assisting fellow veterans in securing their deserving VA disability benefits, shares his insights and experiences. Looking into the complexities of mental health challenges, the transition from military to civilian life, and the intricacies of navigating VA health care and disability benefits, Joe offers advice and perspectives drawn from both personal and professional expertise. This episode is a must-listen for veterans seeking guidance on VA benefits, individuals facing transition struggles, and anyone interested in the support systems within the veteran community. Listen in for an engaging conversation filled with practical tips, inspiring stories, and a deep dive into the resources available to veterans. 00:00 Guest Introduction: Joe Fortuno 02:08 Veterans' Transition Challenges 09:52 Navigating Mental Health and Support Systems 13:47 Understanding VA Disability Benefits 31:05 Advice for Veterans Seeking Benefits

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 25, 2024
Listen on Website

Military Suicide Loss and the Path to Healing

Jessica Timmerman shares her personal journey of loss and resilience following the passing of her brother, a dedicated service member. Jessica opens up about the challenges her brother faced, including combat experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Africa, and his struggles with mental health leading up to his passing on Mother's Day 2022. Through her story, Jessica sheds light on the importance of support systems for military suicide survivor families, discussing resources and organizations that have been instrumental in her healing process. She also touches on the broader issue of mental health within the military community, emphasizing the need for accessible support and the power of personal connections in overcoming grief and isolation. Her message is one of hope, urging those who are struggling or know someone who is to seek out and offer support, ensuring that no one has to navigate their journey of loss alone. 00:00 Introduction to Jessica Timmerman's Story 01:20 Discussing Military Service and Personal Struggles 05:51 The Importance of Support Systems and Resources 07:12 Finding Hope and Strength Through Connection 09:50 Jessica's Current Endeavors to Support Others 12:30 Ideas for Improving Support for Military Families

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 20, 2024
Listen on Website

Serving Those Who Serve Through Care Packages

Megan Richards, an army combat veteran and the executive director of Packages from Home, joins us to discuss the substantial impact of care packages on military members stationed abroad and veterans in need. We talk about Megan's personal journey from joining the army unexpectedly, facing the complexities of military life, and how her experiences shaped her role in providing morale-boosting support to the military community. The conversation highlights the evolution of Packages from Home, from its grassroots beginnings to its current outreach, fulfilling 50 requests daily from military members across 176 countries and supporting canines in service. Further, it explores volunteer opportunities with the organization, emphasizing its initiative beyond simple care packages to include support groups and events for veterans, showcasing the breadth of their commitment to the entire military community. This episode is a compelling listen for those interested in military advocacy, volunteerism, and the power of community in supporting our service members and veterans. 00:00 Empowering Through Care Packages 02:17 A Personal Journey in Service 07:31 Supporting the Military and Beyond 23:23 The Growth of Packages from Home

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 18, 2024
Listen on Website

MANA House's Fight Against Veteran Homelessness

In this episode, Rachel Masch-Perez, the Community Engagement Director at MANA House, dives deep into the critical issue of veteran homelessness. We explore the multifaceted challenges veterans face, including substance abuse, mental health issues, and the hurdles of reintegration into civilian life, contributing to homelessness. Rachel provides a behind-the-scenes look at how MANA House, a peer-run organization in Phoenix, Arizona, offers personalized resources, support, and advocacy to help homeless and formerly homeless veterans. This episode shines a light on essential assistance programs, the impact of community and belonging, and the broader social factors influencing veteran homelessness. Listeners will gain an understanding of the specialized support provided to veterans, the specific demographics at higher risk, and success stories from the community, emphasizing the importance of targeted assistance and the power of collaboration in addressing veteran homelessness.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 13, 2024
Listen on Website

Maximizing Military Benefits

This episode features financial educator Kate Horrell, specializing in empowering military and veteran families to optimize their pay and benefits. Discussions span the differences in managing finances for active vs. veteran status, leveraging educational benefits like the Post 9/11 GI Bill, navigating the transition from military to civilian life, and the availability of resources to ease this significant change. Kate shares great insights on preparing financially for the transition, making the most of available benefits, and the importance of planning for life post-service. This episode is a must-listen for military members, veterans, and their families seeking to better navigate financial planning and use of benefits pre and post-military life.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 11, 2024
Listen on Website

Service and Compassion for Veterans

This episode features Kapri Willis, who shares her compelling journey from a challenging youth to serving as a Navy Corpsman and later founding Take Care of Our Vets. Willis opens up about the motivations behind her military service, her diverse experiences within the Navy, and how these shaped her commitment to aiding homeless veterans and their families. She provides insights into the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life and discusses her efforts to improve the lives of homeless veterans through health and beauty initiatives. Additionally, the episode delves into broader issues surrounding homelessness, highlighting the importance of humanity and understanding in addressing this complex problem. 00:00 Introducing Kapri Willis 00:57 Journey to Service 08:50 Challenges of Transition 12:27 Addressing Veteran Homelessness 15:18 Humanity and Compassion 34:46 Is it Service Connected?: Marine vs Razor Wire

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 6, 2024
Listen on Website

A Veteran's Journey to Healing

In this episode, we look into the inspiring journey of Mark Perna, a former Marine Corps infantryman with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Mark shares his experiences from the battlefield to the trials of reintegration into civilian life, touching on themes of resilience, healing, and the power of self-discovery through challenging times. His story unfolds through discussions on overcoming the aftermath of combat, exploring non-traditional paths to healing, such as yoga and meditation, and the role of community and support systems in facilitating growth and recovery. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of the veteran experience, highlighting the importance of facing fears, embracing change, and finding solace in connection and purpose.

(00:00) Welcome to Drive On (00:25) Introducing Mark Perna: A Marine's Story of Resilience (00:58) Parenting After War: Sharing Stories with the Next Generation (03:22) Marine Boot Camp: Preparing for War (08:32) Deployment to Afghanistan: The Reality on the Ground (13:19) Combat Experiences: The Intensity of Firefights (48:39) Returning Home: The Challenge of Reintegration (49:22) The Harsh Realities of Combat and Its Aftermath (51:18) Struggling with Trauma and Seeking Solace in Risky Behaviors (01:00:57) The Journey Towards Healing: From Medication to Meditation (01:11:56) Finding Peace Through Yoga and Embracing New Beginnings (01:24:05) Skydiving: A Leap Towards Self-Discovery and Love (01:32:55) Reflections on Service, Sacrifice, and the Path to Healing (01:39:33) Is It Service Connected?: The Misadventures of a Paratrooper

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 4, 2024
Listen on Website

Dogs For Our Brave

This episode dives deep into veterans' support through service dogs, highlighting the support available for those who served. Our guest, Bryan Pieschel, director of veteran services at Dogs for Our Brave, shares his enlightening journey from an army medic in Baghdad to supporting wounded veterans. The conversation covers the vital role of service dogs in offering hope, independence, and support to veterans dealing with physical and mental challenges, diving into the specifics of how these dogs are trained and matched with veterans, the financial aspects, and the impact they have on veterans' lives. This episode not only sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans transitioning back to civilian life but also emphasizes the importance of support systems and resources available, making it a must-listen for anyone connected to the military community or interested in the incredible bond between humans and their canine companions.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 30, 2024
Listen on Website

Art, Service, and Healing

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Fred Johnson, a former Marine turned musical performer renowned for his work in healing veterans through artistic expression. Johnson shares his journey from the military to the arts, highlighting the impact of his service and artistic endeavors and how these experiences shaped his commitment to helping veterans transition and heal. The discussion covers Johnson's unique perspective on the power of creativity in bridging the gap between military and civilian communities, the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression, and initiatives aimed at veterans' rehabilitation. This heartfelt dialogue offers insights into the intersection of service, art, and the ongoing efforts to support the well-being of veterans and their families.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 28, 2024
Listen on Website

Navigating Life as a Caregiver

This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Elisa Glass, a dedicated caregiver to her husband, a 100% disabled veteran, and an advocate for caregivers and individuals with rare autoimmune diseases. Elisa shares her challenging journey of resilience, strength, and dedication while navigating the unique hurdles of caregiving, managing her own rare autoimmune disease, and advocating for resources and support. The discussion covers the underestimated stress of caregiving, the importance of self-identification as a caregiver, valuable tips on self-care, and how to access helpful resources and programs, particularly through the VA. Elisa's story highlights the power of a positive mindset, the necessity of community support, and offers inspiration and practical advice for caregivers facing similar situations.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 23, 2024
Listen on Website

Triumph Over Trials

In this episode, Uncle Jimmy (James Kuczykowski), a Roman Catholic Air Force veteran, shares his inspiring and impactful journey from rock bottom to recovery. Discussing his life's challenges, including overcoming addiction and surviving a stroke, Uncle Jimmy offers a raw and honest look into the trials he faced and how he overcame them. Through stories of his military career, the camaraderie amongst veterans, and his deep faith, listeners are invited to explore themes of resilience, community, and spiritual growth. Whether discussing his time in the Air Force, his struggles with addiction, or his path to writing a book, Uncle Jimmy's story is one of hope and transformation, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration or understanding of the power of redemption. 00:00 Introduction to Uncle Jimmy 01:10 Military Service and Reflections 08:50 Facing Life Challenges 14:17 Overcoming Addiction 22:21 Discovering Faith and Recovery 36:42 Embracing Fellowship and Humor

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 21, 2024
Listen on Website

A Journey Through Military Service and Combatting Eating Disorders

This episode dives into the captivating journey of Leah Stiles, a retired senior chief mass communication specialist from the US Navy and the founder/CEO of a nonprofit aimed at addressing eating disorders within the military community. Covering topics from the unique challenges and responsibilities of military communication specialists to the often-overlooked issue of eating disorders among service members, this episode sheds light on both Leah's personal story of determination and broader issues within the military. With the rising awareness of mental health and its impacts on operational readiness, Leah's insights into tackling eating disorders are not only provocative but essential. Her founding of a nonprofit to directly address these challenges provides hope and actionable solutions for service members facing similar struggles. Whether you're interested in military life's intricacies or the ongoing battle against eating disorders, Leah's story is both educational and inspiring.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 16, 2024
Listen on Website

Navigating VA Disability Claims

In this episode, Monica Sanford, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and VA Disability Claims Examiner, offers insights into the VA disability claims process. Bringing over two decades of experience in acute care and a deep connection to the military community, Sanford discusses a wide range of topics, from eligibility for VA disability benefits to detailed advice for veterans preparing for their VA disability exams. This episode is essential for veterans and their families seeking to understand the complexities of the VA disability claims process, eligibility criteria, and how to effectively prepare for and navigate their exams. More than just a guide, it's a must-listen for anyone in the military community looking to gain knowledge about their rights and resources available through the VA.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 14, 2024
Listen on Website

The Journey of Resilience and Growth

This episode features Jeremy Hancock, a combat veteran who shares his deeply personal journey from struggling with PTSD and suicidal ideation to finding hope, healing, and post-traumatic growth. Jeremy's candid storytelling brings light to the numerous challenges he faced upon his return from service, including his battles with PTSD, vulnerability, survivor's remorse, and moral injury. A key part of Jeremy's recovery story involves exploring unconventional treatments, such as ketamine therapy, leading to significant personal growth and change. The conversation also delves into the importance of mental health awareness, seeking help, and the transformative power of reframing one's experiences from traumatic to growth-oriented. This episode is an inspiring call to action for veterans and others dealing with similar struggles, emphasizing the importance of talking, seeking help, and the potential for change and growth after trauma.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 9, 2024
Listen on Website

Operation Homefront: Strength, Stability, and Secure Futures

This episode features Robert Thomas, a distinguished Air Force veteran with nearly 31 years of service and a key member of Operation Homefront's executive team. The conversation dives deep into Thomas's extensive military career, from flying C 141s and C 5s to his role in supporting the Operation Homefront mission. Listeners will learn about the impactful work being done to build strong, stable, and secure military families, ensuring they do not just barely get by, but thrive. Through stories of critical assistance, housing programs, and special initiatives like the Back to School Brigade, the episode paints a picture of the difference Operation Homefront is making in the lives of military families across the nation.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 7, 2024
Listen on Website

Crafting Your Own Happiness

Bona Normandeau, host of the Happier You podcast and a happiness coach, shares her inspirational journey from a military career to discovering her own happiness. Bona discusses her mission-to empower individuals to find their own path to joy and resilience and confront their unique journeys with a greater sense of strength. She shares her experiences of coming to grips with life after military service, addressing feelings of being lost and her initial struggle to find her own joy and purpose. Bona talks about the significance of finding activities that 'make your soul sing' and encourages listeners to empower themselves and take control of their happiness by trying new things and fostering connections with like-minded individuals. As the host of the Happier You podcast, she shares insights into creating happiness challenges, appreciating the little things in life, and the importance of finding a support system to share and grow with.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 2, 2024
Listen on Website

Veteran Mental Health, Military Experiences, and Film 'Tribal'

Mark Kershaw dives deep into discussions around veteran mental health, military experiences, and his documentary 'Tribal'. A passionate advocate for veterans' mental health and a creator of the documentary 'Tribal', Mark has a unique perspective on the importance of destigmatizing mental health struggles, addressing the rise of suicide rates among service members and fostering a sense of community among veterans. The episode provides eye-opening insights for both veterans and civilians and encourages open conversations about often-taboo topics like trauma and societal integration after service. It is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the experiences of veterans, the obstacles they face in society, and the steps we can take to support them appropriately. 00:00 Introduction to Mark Kershaw 07:31 Discussion on documentary 'Tribal' 37:54 Integrating back into society post-service 46:20 Mental health in the military and the importance of speaking up

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 30, 2024
Listen on Website

Resilience, Perseverance, and Inner Strength

In this episode, our guest is Josh Thompson, a former Army Air Defense Artillery Captain. Thompson shares his powerful testament to the transformative power of inner strength. He discusses his inspiring journey, from battling toxic work environments and chronic health issues to achieving healing and personal breakthroughs. Despite the grueling adversities he's faced, Josh turned his life around, offering inspiration and hope for listeners facing similar challenges. His impactful experiences make for an enlightening conversation on the necessity of self-advocacy, the significance of maintaining one's mental and physical health, the value of faith, learning to cope with anxiety, and the importance of a positive mindset. This episode explores various topics, including leveraging adversities to grow personally and professionally, making it a must-listen for vets, self-improvement enthusiasts, and anyone looking to break through life's obstacles.

00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast 00:25 Guest Introduction: Josh Thompson 00:40 Josh's Journey: Overcoming Adversity 01:26 Josh's Military Experience: Struggles and Impact 03:15 The Deployment: Challenges and Mental Health Impact 05:16 The Aftermath: Dealing with Toxic Leadership 06:43 Josh's Health Issues: The Struggle for Diagnosis 17:58 The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Healthcare 22:04 Coping Mechanisms: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness 27:45 The Power of Positive Mindset and Transformation 37:13 The Power of Helping Others 38:45 The Importance of Self-Care in Survival Mode 41:02 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Struggles 43:16 The Impact of Personal Struggles on Faith 49:14 The Importance of Prioritizing Self in Helping Others 01:00:09 Closing Thoughts and Humorous Segment 01:00:51 The Power of Perseverance in Overcoming Trials

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 25, 2024
Listen on Website

Combatting PTSD and Building Resilience

In this episode, our guest, Thyron Heyward, a Navy veteran and mental health advocate, openly discusses his powerful journey of resilience and transformation. Suffering from PTSD after his services in Desert Storm, Thyron embarked on an arduous journey of healing and self-discovery. Today, he holds a master's degree in clinical counseling psychology, and runs a coaching and mentoring business dedicated to aiding veterans who might be facing similar challenges. During the conversation, Thryon shares his experiences, strategies, and tools for overcoming the issues faced specifically by veterans after military service. Exploring topics like the significance of community, mindfulness, and alternative therapies like yoga and acupuncture, the episode provides insights into rebuilding life after service. Tune in to understand how reshaping perceptions about mental health and actively seeking help can lead to transformational changes.

00:00 Introduction to Thyron Heyward 02:37 Impacts of Military Service - Personal Experiences 10:13 Aftermath of Service - Overcoming PTSD 13:32 Personal Growth & Self-Discovery 19:44 Mental Health Advocacy - Helping Others 54:30 Breaking the Stigma & Importance of Seeking Help

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 23, 2024
Listen on Website

Unleashing Forgiveness

In this episode, our guest is Katharine Giovanni. Katharine is dedicated to helping others unlock the transformative power of forgiveness based on her personal journey marked by adversity, including her own battle with breast cancer, a tough childhood, and her husband's status as a disabled veteran. Despite these obstacles, she discovered the importance of forgiveness on her mental and physical well-being. She passionately shares her insights with others through her book, 'The Ultimate Path to Forgiveness: Unlocking Your Power.' In this podcast, Katharine delves into the importance of forgiveness, how to navigate the journey of forgiveness, and why it's crucial for living a fulfilling life. We also discuss topics like how forgiving others affects our physical and mental health, why some things are unforgivable, the importance of gratitude, and how to handle unforgivable scenarios. Tune in to gain perspective on the power of forgiveness and to learn how forgiveness can transform your life.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 18, 2024
Listen on Website

Understanding Secondary Trauma and Family Healing

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Barnes, an expert in addiction counseling, trauma-integrated treatments, and family therapy. Drawing from over forty years of experience, Dr. Barnes brings a wealth of knowledge about the complex interplay of addiction, trauma, and family dynamics. He passionately discusses the concept of secondary trauma and its impact on the family members and caregivers of individuals who have experienced trauma. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of open communication and understanding in facilitating family healing, as well as the pivotal role of therapy and education in the process.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 16, 2024
Listen on Website

Military Transition and Entrepreneurship

Sean Knudsen, an army veteran turned consultant for veterans and entrepreneurs, discusses his experiences during his transition from active duty into entrepreneurship. Sean provides insightful explanations about what he does, how he got there, and the challenges he faced. His experiences illustrate the importance of finding the right life and career path after leaving the military, and how his role as a coach helps guide individuals towards their business goals. This episode also contains helpful tips and strategies for anyone looking to start or grow their own business, including the importance of discovering your ideal lifestyle, determining associated costs, and building a business around it. Sean's entrepreneurial journey, coupled with his expert advice, offers a fascinating perspective for both veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 11, 2024
Listen on Website

Transforming Military Experience into a Life of Purpose

In this episode, army veteran, caregiver, and entrepreneur Zorina Pritchett shares her inspiring journey. Zorina sheds light on her experience transitioning from active duty to reserves, managing her own disability, and then taking on the role of a caregiver for her brother. Zorina also discusses the significance of maintaining structure and discipline from her military experience and how she applied these attributes in her role as a caregiver. Furthermore, Zorina maps out her entrepreneurship journey with her company, Zochey, where she designs educational products aimed at strengthening bonds within busy families without resorting to extensive screen time.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 9, 2024
Listen on Website

Emotional Intelligence in Law Enforcement and the Military

In this episode, we look at the importance of emotional intelligence in law enforcement and the military with seasoned police officer and founder of Reid Solutions, Gene Reid. The discussion explores how emotional intelligence permeates several facets of these professions, from managing emotions in high-stress situations to cultivating self-awareness and building relationships. Gene shares his perspective on how physical fitness and leadership intersect with emotional intelligence and the benefits it affords in terms of personal growth and effectiveness. With Gene's expertise in emotional intelligence, listeners can learn about tailoring their approach to challenging situations and acquiring the confidence to lead under pressure. His insights are invaluable not only to those in law enforcement and the military but anyone aiming to enhance their leadership skills and self-awareness.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 4, 2024
Listen on Website

Missile Attacks, TBIs, and New Beginnings

In this episode, army veteran Aaron Futrell shares an in-depth recounting of his dramatic life-altering experience following a missile strike on Al Asad Air Base in January 2020. This story unfolds Futrell's resilience and determination as he navigated from recovering from a traumatic brain injury to transitioning to civilian life after being medically retired from the army. Despite adversities, hear how Aaron channeled his passion for fishing into a successful business and his unwavering commitment to giving back to fellow veterans through voluntary initiatives. Tune in for an inspirational journey of hope, strength, and resilience that perfectly captures the essence of the military community.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 2, 2024
Listen on Website

Understanding Medicare & VA Benefits

In this episode, Toni King, a passionate educator in the complexities of Medicare, shares her insights to help veterans understand how Medicare works and how it blends with Veterans Affairs benefits. Toni underlines the fact that Medicare does not offer a 'cookie cutter' solution, with alternatives varying according to individual needs. The episode includes definitions of Medicare Part A to D, annual enrollment period, Medicare penalties, necessity of health consultations and much more. With firsthand experience of VA benefits, Toni offers a balanced view on navigating these every day healthcare concerns. Whether you are a veteran, a loved one of a veteran, or basically anyone trying to navigate the complex world of medical benefits, this episode is a must-listen.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 28, 2024
Listen on Website

The Value of Military Leadership Skills in Civilian Life

In this episode, distinguished army veteran, trial lawyer, and CEO of Berry Law, John Berry, shares insightful stories about his military career, including service in Bosnia and Iraq. John emphasizes the importance of soldier camaraderie, team building, and transitioning military lessons to civilian life. He also highlights how his law firm has been helping fellow veterans in service-related disputes, advocating for their right to benefits and fair treatment. Further, this episode reminds military community members of their inherent leadership abilities and the importance of applying these skills in the civilian world. So whether you're a veteran, active duty, or a family member, listen to this episode to learn about your rights. 00:00 Introduction 04:07 Challenges and Growth in Leadership 09:33 The Power of Team Building 16:51 The Importance of Hiring the Right People 20:36 The Impact of Military Training on Individual Growth 34:35 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life: The Mindset Shift 35:43 Introducing the Veteran-Led Podcast 42:39 Addressing the Issue of Veteran Suicide and the Importance of Support 43:34 The Duty of Veterans to Give Back and Help Others 49:06 Understanding VA Disability Claims and Legal Representation 57:35 The Value of Legal Representation in VA Disability Claims 01:01:41 The Role of Leadership in Preventing Misconduct 01:05:33 Conclusion: The Continued Service of Veterans

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 26, 2024
Listen on Website

Honor Flights Celebrating Our Heroes

In this episode, guests Stephen Garrington and Jim Carson share their rewarding work with Honor Flight Network, an organization dedicated to helping veterans visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. Both Stephen and Jim are veterans themselves focused on honoring the service and sacrifices of former military personnel from the Vietnam, Korea, and World War II generations. The discussion covers the impactful experiences of the veterans partaking in these Honor Flights, the process to participate, and the emotional significance of the visits to the memorials. The conversation also includes the universal military experiences that connect veterans across eras and service branches. Listen to this episode to gain a deep understanding of the honor flights and how they serve to appreciate and acknowledge the service of veterans. 00:00 Introduction & Purpose of the Show 00:25 Introduction of the Guests: Stephen Garrington and Jim Carson 00:35 What is 'Honor Flights' 06:03 Setting Up a Hub for Honor Flights 35:09 How Veterans Can Apply for Honor Flights 09:33 Experiences of Veterans on Honor Flights 37:26 Importance of Honor Flights for Veterans 28:00 How to Volunteer for Honor Flights 40:17 Humorous End Segment: 'Is it service connected?'

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 21, 2024
Listen on Website

Connection between Trauma, Biology, and Mental Health

In this episode, we look at the relationship between trauma, biology, and mental health with guest and expert Michelle Brown. Michelle is a functional nutrition and lifestyle practitioner, clinical herbalist, and a master level Biology of Trauma advanced provider. This conversation covers the understanding of the trauma response, its impact on our health, and the crucial role that proper nutrition plays in addressing these chronic health issues. Learn about how our body and nervous system react to stress and how these responses can often lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It's an enlightening discussion that offers insights into the intricate connection between trauma and mental health, proving invaluable for anyone dealing with stress or looking to better understand the effects of trauma on their life and health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 19, 2024
Listen on Website

Empowering Veterans Through Sailing

In this episode, we have an enlightening conversation with Sean Duclay, co-founder of Sail Ahead, an organization that fuses the healing power of sailing with a mission to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veteran suicide. Sean shares valuable insights about the birth of Sail Ahead, the impact it has had on empowering veterans, and some deeply touching experiences he has had with veterans who have taken part in Sail Ahead programs. The episode tells of how Sean is using sailing as a therapeutic avenue for veterans, helping them reconnect with their communities and find hope and strength. It also highlights the importance of general awareness about veteran suicide. This episode is a vital listen for anyone interested in creative therapeutic methods, veteran recovery, and the power of community engagement. 00:27 Introduction and Overview of Sail Ahead 01:34 Sean Duclay's Inspiration and Journey 03:45 Impact and Real-life Experiences 09:02 Importance of Teamwork and Connection 15:07 Programs and Events Conducted by Sail Ahead 06:01 Moving Stories of Impact & Value of Community 25:17 The Way Forward and How to Contribute

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 14, 2024
Listen on Website

Gold Star Dad Shares a Heartfelt Story

Karl Porfirio, a Gold Star father, joins us to share how he turned his grief into a poignant children's book, 'My Daddy's Heart is Purple.'

Karl offers a heartrending account of the loss of his son, Senior Airman Tre Porfirio, and shares stories filled with laughter, tears, and moments of inspiration. While discussing Tre's military legacy, Karl also unpacks the ups and downs of his journey through grief, providing a unique perspective on loss, remembrance, and resilience.

The episode concludes with an uplifting note about the importance of keeping the memory of veterans alive for future generations. This deeply emotional conversation will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or is interested in the personal stories behind military service.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 12, 2024
Listen on Website

Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

In this episode, we look into Ketamine infusion therapy with our guest, Sam Mandel, the co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. With his strong dedication to mental health advocacy, Sam discusses Ketamine infusion therapy. This treatment method offers relief for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. The conversation provides insights into how Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles sets itself apart with its treatment approach. They also discuss the function of ketamine and how it works within the human body to remedy mental health challenges. Subsequently, Sam elaborates on how patients engage with the process and the impressive success rate of the clinic. Finally, he provides valuable advice on seeking out reputable ketamine therapy clinics. You will get an insider's look into this innovative therapy that provides rapid, effective results with minimal side effects. 00:00 Introduction 00:16 Understanding Ketamine Infusion Therapy 01:34 Exploring Diverse Uses of Ketamine 03:54 The Actual Process and Care in Ketamine Infusion 03:33 Benefits and Duration of Ketamine Infusion Therapy 09:20 Features of an Ideal Candidate for Ketamine Infusion Therapy 24:24 Advice for Potential Therapy Seekers

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 7, 2024
Listen on Website

Dancing towards Better Mental Health

Jennifer Nash, an executive coach and passionate ballroom dancer, provides an enlightening perspective on dance as a therapeutic, social, and competitive activity. She shares her revealing experience of picking up ballroom dancing post-divorce, a journey that led her to discover its immense potential for healing, self-discovery, and community building. She emphasizes the dance floor's innate power to uplift mood, alleviate stress, foster connections, and drive mental well-being. She further touches upon its inclusivity by exploring the opportunities it offers for individuals with diverse mobility and social preferences. Anyone looking for a unique perspective on alternative therapeutic activities, the power of community, or effective ways to handle the stresses of life transitions may find this conversation insightful. 00:25 The Healing Power of Dance 00:28 Ballroom Dancing - A Social Connector and Mood Booster 25:09 Ballroom Dancing for Individuals with Various Abilities 36:16 Dance as a Tool to Improve Communication

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 5, 2024
Listen on Website

Insider View of Veterans Appeals Process

In this episode, we are joined by Cheri Mason, a distinguished attorney who dedicated years of service to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Cheri's career includes becoming the first woman and military spouse to be Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals. The discussion focuses primarily on the inner workings of the Veterans' Appeals process and the improvements made to streamline and enhance the system. Cheri also opens up about her family's experience with suicide and the importance of open dialogue around mental health in society. She offers valuable resources for suicide prevention and the importance of seeking help when needed. Additionally, she provides a sneak peek into her upcoming book, 'Dare to Relate, Leading with a Fierce Heart' and shares the profound lessons she learned in her leadership journey. This episode is a valuable resource for those seeking a better understanding of Veteran's benefits, mental health challenges, and leadership.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 29, 2024
Listen on Website

Empowering Veterans Through Writing

In this episode, our guest, Jeff Circle, a veteran author, award-winning journalist, and creator of 'The Writers Dossier,' shares his extraordinary journey. From serving in the army to becoming a professional writer, Jeff's path has been anything but ordinary. Highlighting his experiences from the jungles of Korea to the burn pits of Iraq, and the corporate world, he discusses stepping into the daunting world of writing and how he found solidarity in the process. We explore Jeff's advice for aspiring writers and his aim to assist them through 'The Writers Dossier.' This episode is an insightful look into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with changing careers post-military service.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 27, 2024
Listen on Website

Military Service, Mental Health, and Healing

In this episode, our guest is Navy Veteran Kristof Morrow. He shares his experiences in the military, and specifically the lasting effect of his shipmate's suicide on his life. We talk about handling mental health issues in the military, the hard road of grief, and steps toward suicide prevention. Kristof underscores the importance of a sympathetic and genuine approach when interacting with veterans struggling with mental health. The conversation includes how writing became an essential coping mechanism for him. This episode is essential for gaining more knowledge about mental health in the military context.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 22, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Strength Through Transformation & Self Belief

Andrea Vallely, a transformational coach shares how she helps individuals navigate their state of mind towards better health and wellbeing. The conversation helps listeners understand the essence of self-acceptance, the power of a positive mindset, and techniques for transitioning from a state of worry to a state of calm.

Andrea brings to light the importance of breathing and physical activities, such as yoga, to help quiet the mind. She emphasizes the power of being okay with one's present state, focusing on improvement rather than dwelling on the past or future. This episode is an insightful guide for anyone looking to understand their own personal growth potential and how to create a solid foundation in life.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 20, 2024
Listen on Website

Beacon 4 HOPE

Doug Brinker is the founder of Beacon 4 HOPE, an organization dedicated to providing suicide prevention techniques and workshops. Our conversation begins with Doug's life background and journey. He shares his experience serving in two different branches of the military and talks about the ups and downs he faced. From being a survivor of two suicide attempts to becoming a beacon of hope for others navigating the difficult topic of suicide prevention, Doug's story is inspiring. He sheds light on his recovery process, indicating the importance of self-discipline, dedication, and the role of therapy in his journey. Doug highlights the impact of mental health stigma and underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health. He speaks passionately about the sense of purpose each individual possesses and its pivotal role in their lives. At the end, humor reasserts its importance through a funny video segment. Overall, this episode offers a mix of a personal, powerful tale of resilience, a broader discussion on mental health, and light-hearted humor.

  • 00:00 Introduction and Background Story
  • 06:55 Stigma on Mental Health
  • 45:26 Finding Purpose and Significance
  • 52:02 Humor Segment

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 15, 2024
Listen on Website

The Journey Of Grief And Healing

Allicia Johnson Niles shares her experience of losing her father in the military at a young age, which had a heavy impact on her life. Allicia discusses the importance of openly addressing grief, her own journey to healing, and her groundbreaking revelation about her father's untimely demise. Throughout this journey, Allicia emphasizes the importance of community support, such as the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and shares the profound impact it had on her healing process. Allicia also teases her upcoming book 'Angel in Arlington' where she digs deeper into these themes.

  • 00:00 Introduction to podcast and Sponsor
  • 01:41 Introduction to guest
  • 02:14 Allicia shares her story
  • 02:51 Revelation of unaddressed grief
  • 04:15 Impact of loss on personal life
  • 05:48 Insight into the grieving process
  • 02:18 Discussion on validation and self-discovery
  • 49:18 Unveiling the TAPS program
  • 43:09 Closing message

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 13, 2024
Listen on Website

Leadership and Military Family Support

Paul Vann is a leadership consultant, author, and military veteran with an extensive career in the U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, and the private sector. This episode explores his experiences in the military, his role in the National Guard Family Readiness Program, and his work on military and veterans' issues on Capitol Hill. It looks into the challenges facing military families, including struggles with housing, food security, and healthcare, as well as the impact of the pandemic. Paul offers invaluable insights on fostering resilience in military communities and his efforts to improve military family support programs. The interview also showcases his commitment to leadership education, his work as an author and speaker, and his insightful grasp of the vital role that communication and mentoring play in military life. This episode offers a powerful exploration of tentative issues affecting military life and serves as a valuable resource for military families and those seeking to understand their challenges better.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast
  • 00:22 Introducing 4Patriots: Emergency Preparedness Products
  • 01:41 Welcome Back to Drive On: Guest Introduction
  • 03:14 Paul Vann's Military Journey
  • 15:04 Challenges Faced by Military Families
  • 23:41 Supporting Military Families: National Military Family Association
  • 33:05 Paul's Experience Working on Capitol Hill
  • 35:16 Improving Military Funeral Honor Duty Process
  • 35:51 The Importance of Military Funeral Honors
  • 36:57 Impact of Military Funerals on Families
  • 37:49 The Need for Funding in Military Funerals
  • 38:44 Personal Experiences with Military Funerals
  • 40:42 The Role of Family Readiness Program
  • 40:54 How Military Families Can Get Involved
  • 45:46 The Value of Volunteering and Community Involvement
  • 46:05 The Importance of Leadership Development in Youth
  • 46:49 The Importance of Communication in Leadership
  • 51:44 Promoting Preparedness with 4Patriots
  • 53:04 Leadership Development Programs and Books
  • 56:18 Humor in Military Culture
  • 01:00:40 Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 8, 2024
Listen on Website

Pathway into Writing

Matt Scott discusses his transformation from a corporate worker to a writer, shedding light on the multi-layered writing process and the significance of believing in oneself and taking the leap despite age or circumstances. He provides an in-depth view into his book series, which focuses on the Iranian threat to the West and takes readers on a journey through Iran, an aspect rarely spotlighted in literature.

Matt shares the valuable advice he received from established author David Baldacci and how it helped him through self-doubt and gave him confidence. He emphasizes the importance of planning, reading, character development, and being well-prepared to morph your writing dreams into reality.

As many people in the military transition from active service to civilian life, this episode is a great inspiration to those contemplating a career shift to writing, highlighting that it's never too late.

  • [00:05]: Introduction
  • [02:15]: Podcast Sponsor Message
  • [04:50]: Introducing Matt Scott
  • [07:30]: Matt shares his bio and the Surviving the Lion's Den series
  • [15:00]: How the Publishing industry works
  • [18:00]: Overcoming Self Doubt
  • [27:45]: Writing the book vs. publishing the book
  • [35:10]: Writing Craft and Publishing Business
  • [39:15]: Overview of the Surviving the Lion's Den series
  • [45:05]: Ending Joke
  • [47:00]: Outro and Thanks

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 6, 2024
Listen on Website

Expressive Arts as a Pathway to Healing and Resilience

In this episode, the host interviews guest Kathryn Vecchio about her unique intervention program that utilizes expressive arts for mental healing. Drawing from her diverse professional background including working in government, city, county, and state sectors, private practice, as well as a staff psychologist at a maximum security prison, Kathryn discusses the concept of seeing life as the greatest work of art. She highlights the therapeutic benefits of sparking imagination and creativity. Using captivating stories, she demonstrates how engaging with creativity has helped individuals go from thinking 'I can't' to 'I did and I will'.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast
  • 00:22 Preparing for the Unexpected with 4Patriots
  • 01:41 Welcome Back to Drive On: Introducing Kathryn Vecchio
  • 02:07 Kathryn's Journey: From History and Education to Psychology
  • 04:02 The Power of Art in Life: A New Perspective
  • 05:39 Igniting Imagination: The Key to Overcoming Challenges
  • 06:51 The Beauty of Trench Art: Creativity in Crisis
  • 08:19 The Power of Creativity: From Tragedy to Triumph
  • 09:43 The Sandy Hook Story: Post Traumatic Stress Growth
  • 13:10 The Science Behind Art Therapy: How it Helps
  • 14:01 The Power of Perspective: Seeing Beauty in Chaos
  • 16:28 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Art
  • 18:52 The Power of Art in Healing and Growth
  • 21:19 The Role of Art in Personal Development
  • 23:49 The Bumps are the Road: Embracing Life's Challenges
  • 24:54 The Power of 'I Can': Overcoming Limitations
  • 33:26 4Patriots: Your Partner in Preparedness
  • 34:45 The Power of Practice and Learning
  • 35:17 Creativity and Art in Unusual Places
  • 37:07 The Importance of Practicing Correctly
  • 38:33 The Power of Adjustments and Change
  • 41:16 Reflecting on Past Actions and Decisions
  • 42:40 The Importance of Time and Living Life Fully
  • 44:31 The Struggles of Reintegration and the Need for Resilience
  • 52:52 The Power of Art Therapy and Creativity
  • 01:01:23 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 1, 2024
Listen on Website

Discussing the Impact of Marijuana Use

This discussion features Dr. Raymond Wiggins, sharing insights and research on the harms of marijuana use. Despite being an advocate of natural remedies, Dr. Wiggins highlights the destructive impact of marijuana use, particularly the high-potency versions available today. He touches on both medical and legal aspects and underscores the potential health ailments, psychological impacts, and addictive qualities.

With his Christian perspective, he also acknowledges the spiritual effects. The conversation also dives further into the influence of the legalization trend.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast
  • 00:22 Preparing for Emergencies with 4Patriots
  • 01:41 Welcome Back to Drive On
  • 01:48 The Unspoken Harms of Marijuana
  • 03:12 Personal Experiences with Marijuana
  • 06:14 The Medical Perspective on Marijuana
  • 14:00 The Legal Implications of Marijuana Use
  • 22:17 The Spiritual Perspective on Marijuana
  • 30:32 The Future of Marijuana Legalization
  • 38:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 30, 2024
Listen on Website

Harnessing Special Effects Skills

Guest Steve Wolf discusses his transition from being a Hollywood special effects coordinator to developing technologies to combat wildfires. The key focus is on the use of wind-controlling technology, which is designed to disrupt wildfires, and how it improves water efficiency and safety measures. The potential of this technology in protecting military bases is explored. The conversation evolves around the correlation between the special effects and military industries and how skills acquired in the military can have applications within Hollywood. The development of fire suppression tech is emphasized, along with an invitation for military bases to test it by conducting prescribed fires. The episode offers insights and opportunities to anyone interested in firefighting and special effects, especially individuals with military experience.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast
  • 00:22 Introducing 4Patriots: Emergency Preparedness Products
  • 01:41 Welcome Back to Drive On: Guest Introduction
  • 01:51 Steve Wolf's Background and Invention
  • 02:35 Appreciation for Service Members
  • 10:21 Steve's Journey from Hollywood to Fighting Wildfires
  • 12:20 The Science Behind Fighting Wildfires
  • 15:57 Firearm Safety Discussion
  • 19:13 The Transition from Special Effects to Fighting Wildfires
  • 21:21 The Efficiency of the New Firefighting Technology
  • 24:58 The Importance of Firefighting Preparedness
  • 28:28 The Future of Firefighting Technology
  • 30:16 The Economic Impact of Wildfires
  • 34:06 The Importance of Fire Safety Measures
  • 39:11 Fire Breaks and Fire Safety
  • 40:11 Transitioning from Military to Special Effects Career
  • 40:58 The Value of Military Skills in Special Effects
  • 43:28 Creating Safe Special Effects
  • 48:06 The Importance of Firearm Safety
  • 58:30 Exploring Career Opportunities in Wildfire Suppression
  • 01:03:37 The Future of Wildfire Suppression
  • 01:10:24 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 25, 2024
Listen on Website

Military Mental Health: Culture, Preparedness, and Support

Rachel Oswalt, a Navy veteran, host of the 'Your Story Doesn't End Here' podcast, and a prominent voice in the military mental health space, shares why mental health preparedness in the military community is crucial and how veterans can navigate resources available to them. Rachel also shared her personal experience with the Navy, exploring the constantly changing and challenging culture, managing her mental health journey, and the loss of friends to suicide. Both Scott and Rachel emphasized the importance of storytelling as a means to raise mental health awareness. Towards the end, they also focused on the need for more mental health resources and support systems for active duty and veterans.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 23, 2024
Listen on Website

Rediscovering Life After Addiction

In this episode, Kelly Killingsworth, a military veteran, shares his inspiring journey of recovering from addiction and restructuring his life. Once an addict and stuck in a toxic relationship, Kelly felt his life spiraling out of control until the potential loss of his children encouraged him to confront his demons. He discusses how cutting destructive influences out of his life and gaining structure from the Army helped him beat addiction. Furthermore, Kelly talks about the importance of having a mentor and setting personal goals. He discusses using the GI Bill to facilitate his transition and secure a stable income and the role that resilience and a clear vision have played in transforming his life. Now, Kelly is his own boss, sober, and dedicated to using his experiences to guide others through their struggles.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 18, 2024
Listen on Website

Finding Balance and Healing

Marine veteran, James Gervasio, discusses his past struggles with addiction, trauma, and his journey to self-discovery. James shares his personal experiences from the Battle of Nasiriyah and the transition he had to undergo from being a soldier to becoming a civilian. He gives insight into the harsh realities war veterans face even after leaving the service - the constant battles with PTSD and the struggle of not relating with societal norms. James goes on to explain how he was able to overcome these challenges. James also reveals how he now uses his experiences to help others navigate through their own situations to find peace and reshape their lives.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 16, 2024
Listen on Website

Humor and Healing

Robin Johnson, an Army veteran and the CEO of Best Medicine Brigade, shares her journey from a military career to becoming a comedian and creating a platform for other military-connected comedians. Discussing her organization, she explains how she offers performance opportunities for veteran and military spouse comedians. In addition, Robin highlights how humor can be used as a tool for improving mental well-being, reframing negative thoughts, and building trust within organizations. While extensively discussing the importance and benefits of humor, Robin also shares her personal experiences and funny anecdotes.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 11, 2024
Listen on Website

Elevating Heroes' Voices

In this engaging discussion with Army veteran Donald Dunn, we follow his personal journey through PTSD and his innovative use of podcasting and music as therapeutic channels. Donald discusses the Heroes Voices Media Foundation, which is a platform empowering veteran musicians, podcasters, and authors. The foundation supports platforms like 'Gun Room Radio' and 'Military United Podcast Streams,' which help promote veteran and military-connected creators.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 9, 2024
Listen on Website

Becoming a Dangerous Man

In this episode, Navy veteran, Phil Anderton shares his transformation story into what he calls a 'dangerous man.' Together, they discuss the importance of self-preparation, the need to reassess traditional roles, and the significance of being ready to protect one's family. Phil elaborates on his coaching programs designed to instill confidence, offer clarity, and encourage people to take more intentional actions.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 4, 2024
Listen on Website

Honoring Our Fallen Supporting Military Families

Laura Herzog, the founder and executive director of Honoring Our Fallen, discusses the organization's mission, which is dedicated to supporting Gold Star Families coping with the loss of a loved one. Using her experience in human resources management and as a public affairs officer, Laura shares how Honoring Our Fallen supports families through difficult times, offering various resources and programs such as retreats and a Random Acts of Love program. The conversation also touches on the different forms of grief, the importance of maintaining connections and building communities for support, and how different organizations can work together to fill in gaps in assistance.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 2, 2024
Listen on Website

Damn the Valley - An Inside Look at the 'Meat Grinder' Deployment

William Yeske, Army veteran and author of 'Damn the Valley', discusses his book, which provides insights into his deployment in an area known as 'The Meat Grinder' in Afghanistan. He shares the harrowing experiences of veterans, delving into the psychological impact of warfare and the importance of unity within military units. We also discuss the significance of support systems for veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 28, 2023
Listen on Website

Discussing Mental Health Support with Ohana Homefront Foundation

Sarah Otto and Candace Guelzo join the show from the Ohana Homefront Foundation. The foundation aims to provide support for the entire military community - veterans, active duty, guard, reserve, and their families - primarily focusing on mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives.

Sarah Otto, co-founder and CEO of the foundation, shares her motivation behind starting this foundation - addressing the mental health challenges faced by military families and instilling a system that doesn't report back to commands.

Candace Guelzo, serving as the Chief Operating Officer on the Mental Health side, talks about breaking down stigmas around mental health in the military and creating awareness. She champions for a shift in the perspective of treating mental health like overall health. Both guests stress the importance of providing easy access to mental health services and resources.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 26, 2023
Listen on Website

Equestrian Therapy for Veterans

In this episode of the Drive On Podcast, host Scott DeLuzio engages in a heartening conversation with his guest, Zachary Layden, founder of Oceanview Stables. Zachary details his journey from being a military veteran to finding solace in horses and establishing a career in business training them. He explains how 'natural horsemanship' aids veterans to reconnect with themselves while building trust with these highly sensitive animals. Layden also shares an inspiring success story that changed his business course, leading him to offer free rides for veterans. The program aims to offer a therapeutic experience, giving them hope, strength, and purpose while subtly healing their emotional wounds. The discussion also includes insightful tips for veterans interested in getting involved with horses and offers to aid other businesses in building similar veteran-oriented programs.

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Drive On Podcast
  • 00:23 Guest Introduction: Zachary Layden
  • 00:50 Zachary's Journey from Military to Horse Training
  • 02:52 The Healing Power of Horses
  • 03:34 Sponsored Message: 4Patriots - https://4Patriots.com/DriveOn
  • 04:55 The Struggles of Veterans Post-Service
  • 09:15 The Therapeutic Impact of Horses
  • 10:56 The Role of Horses in Leadership Training
  • 17:52 The Transformative Story of a Veteran
  • 23:41 The Power of Working with Horses
  • 23:59 Challenges and Successes in Managing a Horse Facility
  • 24:49 The Importance of Teamwork in Business
  • 27:30 Advice for Getting Involved with Horses
  • 31:39 The Future of Oceanview Stables
  • 32:38 Supporting Veterans through Horsemanship
  • 36:24 The Impact of Businesses Offering Free Services for Veterans
  • 39:30 Job Opportunities at Oceanview Stables
  • 40:08 Sponsored Message: 4Patriots - https://4Patriots.com/DriveOn
  • 41:28 Is It Service Connected? Segment
  • 46:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 21, 2023
Listen on Website

A Journey to Healing Through Posttraumatic Growth

In this episode, we're joined by David Nathanson, a USMC veteran with over 30 years of experience. He's the Executive Director of the Eagle Oak Retreat Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders.

The Eagle Oak Retreat Foundation is committed to providing wellness services and posttraumatic growth training to those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Their focus is on helping combat veterans and first responders overcome the traumatic stress that often results from their service to our country.

One of the programs that Eagle Oak Retreat offers is Warrior PATHH, which was developed in collaboration with the Boulder Crest Foundation. This innovative program is designed to help combat veterans and first responders transform deep struggle into strength, fostering lifelong Posttraumatic Growth. We'll explore how this program works and its incredible impact on the lives of our nation's heroes.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 19, 2023
Listen on Website

Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History

Robin Bartlett grew up in a three-generation military family, but as the Vietnam War escalated, he chose ROTC. Upon graduation, as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he volunteered for Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger training and assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division. He got everything he asked for…and more. Bartlett served as a Combat Infantry Platoon Leader at the height of the Vietnam War from 1968-69. He led 28 soldiers on helicopter combat assaults and search and destroy missions with the famed 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). His book, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History, relates his unusual experiences during that war...some horrific, some humorous. Bartlett holds a master's degree in media from Pace University in NYC and a BA degree in Comparative Literature from Claremont McKenna College in California. He is the President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and lives with his wife in Norwood, New Jersey. They have three sons, none of whom have pursued military careers.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 14, 2023
Listen on Website

Veteran Champions and Military Ministry

In this episode of the Drive On podcast, we talk to Kathy Gallowitz, the founder of Vanguard Veteran. Kathy shares her insights on the challenges that veterans face and how Vanguard Veteran is working to support them. She also discusses the Veteran Champions program, military ministry, and veteran hiring.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 12, 2023
Listen on Website

Coffee with a Purpose

Join us for an engaging conversation with Katie Preste, a Navy veteran and the founder of Boots On Ground Coffee Co. Katie's mission-driven business combines her love for coffee with her unwavering commitment to supporting military and veteran organizations. Find out how a simple cup of coffee can make a significant difference in the lives of those who have served, one sip at a time.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 7, 2023
Listen on Website

Changing the Landscape of Military Spouse Employment

Laura Early shares insights into how WISE Advise + Assist Team is redefining the employment landscape for military spouses and veterans. Discover how this organization connects small businesses with the immense talent and expertise of military spouses, enabling them to pursue fulfilling careers in a remote work environment. Join us as we look into the stories of success and empowerment made possible by WISE Advise + Assist Team.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 5, 2023
Listen on Website

Finding Meaningful Opportunities in the Trades

Army veteran Michael Conner discusses the career opportunities available to veterans transitioning out of the military in the trades.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 30, 2023
Listen on Website

How Military Families Tackle Long-Distance Moves

Military life often involves frequent relocations, presenting unique challenges for families searching for a new home. Tiffany Klusacek and Ashlee Jankovich, real estate agents and military spouses, shed light on their specialized approach to making long-distance moves smoother. Discover how they leverage technology and community connections to support military families in finding the perfect place to call home.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 28, 2023
Listen on Website

Telling Stories and Leaving Legacies

In this episode of the Drive On podcast, we talk to Mike Nelson, a fiction author and Vietnam War veteran, about the importance of storytelling and documentation. Mike discusses how storytelling can be a powerful way to leave a legacy and preserve the stories of veterans. He also shares some examples of people who have inspired him with their stories.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 23, 2023
Listen on Website

How to Get the VA Benefits You Deserve

In this episode of the Drive On podcast, we talk to Paul Lawrence, the former Under Secretary for Benefits at the VA, about his book "Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve." Paul shares his insights on the VA benefits system and how veterans can get the benefits they deserve. He also discusses some of the challenges that veterans face when navigating the system and offers advice to veterans who are thinking about applying for VA benefits.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 21, 2023
Listen on Website

How Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Reshapes Lives

In this episode, we have the honor of chatting with Lance Nutt, a Marine Corps veteran who dedicated an impressive three decades to serving his country. Lance is now the founder and CEO of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), which is committed to supporting veterans and first responders.

Lance then shares the inspiration that led to the creation of SDIA. He discusses the organization's multifaceted approach, encapsulated by the "Get Off The Couch™" programming, which encompasses outdoor adventures, mental wellness training through Warrior PATHH, and the significance of continued service and disaster response.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 16, 2023
Listen on Website

From the Battlefield to the Page

In this episode of the Drive On podcast, we chat with Navy veteran and author Jeffrey Wilson about his journey from the battlefield to the page. Jeff talks about his experiences writing the TIER ONE series, a military thriller based on his own experiences. He also discusses the challenges of writing military fiction and the importance of using his platform to uplift his fellow veterans.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 14, 2023
Listen on Website

Healing Veterans One Dog at a Time

BJ Ganem takes us back to his time in Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an I.E.D. This life-altering moment left him with an amputated leg, a mild brain injury, and shrapnel wounds. It was also a pivotal moment that reshaped his perspective on life and led him on a path of service and advocacy.

Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, and BJ shares his personal experiences with this process. He discusses how he found his purpose in helping other veterans navigate this journey, particularly through his roles as an accredited Veteran Service Officer and his involvement in establishing the Veteran to Veteran Program with the Semper Fi & America's Fund.

BJ's commitment to supporting veterans led him to pursue a Master's in Social Work, with a focus on military life, further enhancing his ability to make a difference in the lives of veterans.

BJ is now the founder and CEO of Sierra Delta. Under BJ's leadership, Sierra Delta combines the love of dogs with service to veterans. The organization's core programs, the Life Buddy Program and the Life Force Program play a crucial role in supporting veterans. The Life Buddy Program assists veterans in obtaining and training dogs tailored to their specific needs. The Life Force Program unites veterans and supporters through various activities and initiatives that make a meaningful impact.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 9, 2023
Listen on Website

Mindful Movement: Yoga for Veterans

Yoga has gained popularity worldwide, but some veterans may not fully understand the depth of its benefits. Today's guest, Nicole Byars, highlights how trauma-informed yoga can be a powerful tool for veterans, addressing both physical and mental well-being. Beyond the physical postures, Nicole unveils the broader aspects of yoga, including its profound impact on mental and emotional health.

For those looking to try trauma-informed yoga but don't know where to start, check out The Honest Yoga (link below) on Veterans Day to try a free virtual session. You can do it from the privacy and comfort of your home or wherever you are able to access the internet.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 7, 2023
Listen on Website

Cyber Opportunities for Veterans

In this episode, we look into the world of Cyber with Steve Stratton, a retired Green Beret who is on a mission to empower veterans to embrace exciting careers in technology. Steve's journey from his time in the US Army White House Communications and US Secret Service to becoming a Green Beret equipped him with invaluable insights into the skills veterans bring to the table.

With the Cyber industry facing an unprecedented talent shortage, veterans possess a unique combination of decision-making, leadership, and adaptability skills that make them ideal candidates for roles in this evolving field. Steve sheds light on the traits veterans should focus on developing to excel in entry-level and higher positions within Cyber, showing how their military background can be a driving force for success.

Steve also addresses the concerns veterans might have about entering a tech industry without prior experience. He discusses the companies and industries that are eager to train the right candidates, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly changing landscape.

Join us as we uncover the endless opportunities that Cyber presents for veterans and learn from Steve's expertise on how they can confidently transition from combat to the cutting-edge world of technology.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 2, 2023
Listen on Website

From Rescues to Resilience

Join us for a conversation with Justin Crane, a former rescue swimmer with a 12-year military background, including special operations missions. Justin's journey took an unexpected turn as he battled depression, substance abuse, and the feeling of being trapped in a victim mentality. However, a powerful transformation awaited him as he chose to take control of his life, embrace self-love, and rediscover his passion. Now, Justin helps others on their paths to empowerment and fulfillment.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 31, 2023
Listen on Website

Transforming Veterans' Lives Through Fitness

In this episode, we explore veterans' fitness and well-being with Matt Priess, a Marine veteran and the founder of Body Ops Coaching. With a deep understanding of the toll that combat and post-deployment life can take on veterans, Matt embarked on a mission to provide personalized support and guidance in the fitness realm.

Matt's journey from his military service to founding Body Ops Coaching is a testament to his commitment to empowering fellow veterans. He seamlessly transitioned his expertise from owning and operating physical gyms to establishing a dynamic online platform that extends support to veterans far and wide. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be an opportunity to reach even more veterans in need.

Tune in to this episode to gain insights into how Body Ops Coaching is not only transforming veterans' physical fitness but also fostering holistic well-being, making a lasting impact on the lives of those who have served.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 26, 2023
Listen on Website

Sleep Solutions for Veterans

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Barry Krakow, a highly regarded sleep medicine specialist with an extensive career spanning over three decades.

One of the significant topics we address is the connection between trauma and chronic nightmares. Dr. Krakow sheds light on this link and shares valuable insights into managing and treating these distressing nightmares. We also discuss insomnia, exploring effective strategies that veterans and anyone grappling with insomnia can incorporate into their lives to achieve better sleep quality.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 24, 2023
Listen on Website

How Veterans Off-Grid is Changing Lives One Veteran at a Time

In this insightful conversation, we dive into the transformative journey of Ryan Timmermans, who turned his experiences as an Intel Analyst and Psychological Operations specialist in the US Army into a mission of hope. Join us as we explore how Veterans Off-Grid, the organization he founded, is revolutionizing veteran reintegration by providing housing stability, purpose, and holistic healing through sustainable eco-communities and innovative training.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 19, 2023
Listen on Website

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose

Joseph Malone's life story is a remarkable journey of transformation and empowerment. From his troubled youth and a life on the streets, he took a courageous step by enlisting in the Marines, ultimately dedicating 13 years to service, including deployments to highly classified operations.

Joseph's military journey wasn't without its challenges. He faced Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD, struggles that many veterans confront. However, through his determination and resilience, he found a path towards healing and recovery.

His story of transitioning from a broken state to a life of purpose serves as an inspiration to countless others.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 17, 2023
Listen on Website

Suicide Prevention Starts With Youth

As a military and civilian police mom, Suzi Freeman possesses a unique perspective on the impact of high-stress professions on mental health. Her determination to equip herself with knowledge in suicide prevention stemmed from her desire to support her own children in their demanding roles while also recognizing the significance of mental health in these communities.

Suzi's approach to mental wellness is holistic and multidimensional, incorporating a diverse range of modalities. Her insights as a mother of five children have provided her with valuable insights into the needs of young minds and the challenges they face in navigating life's complexities.

Through her work, Suzi aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, especially within professions where seeking assistance might be misunderstood. Her journey of healing from childhood traumas also informs her approach to providing the support she wished she had received during her teenage years.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 12, 2023
Listen on Website

Unleashing Masculine Strength Through Sobriety

In this episode, we listen to the powerful story of Kyle Perry, a USMC veteran. Kyle's journey to sobriety is a testament to his resilience and determination. After shedding an astounding 100 lbs following his decision to get sober, he has dedicated his life to helping others, particularly men and veterans, regain their strength and embrace a life of sobriety.

Kyle's mission goes beyond physical fitness; it extends to fostering a sense of masculinity that has often taken a back seat in today's discussions. His own experience with sobriety shapes his approach to guiding men and veterans through the process of regaining strength, both physically and mentally.

Join us for an enlightening conversation as Kyle Perry shares insights, strategies, and guidance for anyone seeking to embrace sobriety, unlock their strength, and thrive in both body and mind.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 10, 2023
Listen on Website

Healing from Loss and Trauma

Tina Erwin, a retired US Navy Commander, uses her deep understanding of human behavior shaped by her military career to offer healing for veterans who often grapple with the trauma of death, loss, and PTSD. Explore how a holistic approach that blends spiritual insights, metaphysical perspectives, and psychological strategies can aid veterans in their journey to healing from trauma, grief, and PTSD.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 5, 2023
Listen on Website

Soldier's Best Friend's Mission of Healing

Mik Milem, the Executive Director of Soldier's Best Friend, joins us to discuss how his organization is on a mission to heal and transform the lives of veterans living with combat-related PTSD or TBI.

Soldier's Best Friend pairs veterans with service and therapeutic companion dogs after an extensive training process. The organization also uses rescued dogs from local shelters to help the pet overpopulation problem while offering veterans a lifeline of support and healing.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 3, 2023
Listen on Website

Embracing Change and Reaching New Heights

Join us for an insightful conversation with Veronica Karaman, a true inspiration who has transformed her athletic journey into a powerful framework for success. "The Champion's Way" is not only a mindset but a holistic approach to peak performance, touching on physical vitality, mental clarity, emotional resonance, and spiritual harmony. Veronica's belief that there's a champion within everyone carries immense relevance for those in the military, as she offers strategies to overcome obstacles and embrace change with resilience. Tune in to discover how you can activate "The Champion's Way" and unleash your highest potential.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 28, 2023
Listen on Website

Empowering Military Families through The Ripple Effect

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Wendy Shackley, a mother whose personal tragedy ignited a mission of hope and healing. Through The Ripple Effect, Wendy aims to reshape the narrative of veteran reintegration, inspired by her son Joel's journey through military service, PTSD, and his untimely passing. Join us as we look into Wendy's advocacy for a more comprehensive reintegration system, the critical role of peer support, and the impactful strides her nonprofit is making in honoring veterans and their families.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 26, 2023
Listen on Website

Navigating Military and Civilian Commitments

In this episode, we sit down with Ian Murray, who shares his side of the story, where he juggles military obligations and a civilian job. His story unfolds with a seemingly innocuous miscommunication that spirals into an unexpected series of events, including his arrest and a subsequent investigation. Ian shares the impact this ordeal had on his personal life, emotionally and financially. He offers valuable advice and tips for those in the Reserves and National Guard, emphasizing the significance of effective communication, documentation, and seeking legal representation.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 21, 2023
Listen on Website

Behind the Scenes of 'Ranger' Documentary

Join us for a discussion with Sean Spencer and David Waterhouse, the minds behind the documentary "Ranger." David describes both the best and worst day of his life, which happen to be the same day, the challenges of mental health, and the journey towards recovery and resilience after military service. Learn how storytelling can bridge the gap between veterans and civilians, fostering empathy and change.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 19, 2023
Listen on Website

Saving Lives Through Connection

In this episode, Frank Larkin discusses Warrior Call, a grassroots campaign that's transforming the lives of military personnel and veterans.

Warrior Call's mission is simple yet powerful - connecting hearts and reducing isolation through increased peer-to-peer connection. By directing individuals to life-saving resources and addressing invisible wounds, this campaign tackles the pressing issue of suicide rates among those who have served.

Frank Larkin, a veteran himself and the 40th U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, shares his personal journey, having lost his son Ryan, a decorated Navy SEAL, to suicide. Through Warrior Call, Frank's commitment to preventing similar tragedies remains unwavering. Join us for an inspiring conversation on the impact of connection, hope, and healing.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 14, 2023
Listen on Website

Lessons from History Honoring Japanese American WWII Heroes

In this powerful episode, we dive into the pages of "American Grit," a book authored by John Suzuki that unravels the harrowing history of Japanese concentration camps in the US after Pearl Harbor. John sheds light on the challenges faced by Japanese American men who, despite facing injustices, volunteered to serve in the US military during WWII with unwavering honor and bravery. We hear about their acts of heroism that shaped the course of history. Moreover, John delves into the difficulties that Japanese American soldiers and their families encountered after the war and how their experiences highlight the importance of safeguarding civil liberties and ensuring equal rights for all citizens. Drawing lessons from history, John passionately advocates for preventing such injustices from recurring and creating a more compassionate society. Join us as we explore the resilience and valor of Japanese American veterans and their enduring impact on American history.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 12, 2023
Listen on Website

Defending Against Health Risks

Drawing from his book "Discovering the Nature of Longevity," Douglas Mulhall sheds light on the potential dangers posed by certain toxins and heavy metals commonly encountered by service members. Through his research, he reveals how these factors contribute to specific diseases and how innovative treatments are now available to remove harmful toxins from the body before they wreak havoc on health. Douglas emphasizes the importance of proactive measures in preserving longevity and optimizing heart health. With valuable insights for service members transitioning to civilian life, this conversation will empower both military leaders and medical professionals in supporting service members' well-being and longevity.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 7, 2023
Listen on Website

Patient Empowerment: A Guide for Veterans' Health

Join physician and author Ann Hester as we discuss patient empowerment for veterans. Through her book "Patient Empowerment 101," Ann equips readers with the essential knowledge to navigate their healthcare journey at the VA and beyond. From crafting concise "elevator speeches" to communicate effectively with doctors to maintaining meticulous health records, Ann guides veterans in advocating for the care they deserve.

Ann's advice for an "elevator speech" to provide your doctor*:

  1. Context: Describe what was going on when symptoms started.
  2. Character: Describe the type of pain (i.e., chest pain more like heartburn or an elephant sitting on your chest).
  3. Location: Describe in specific detail where the pain is felt ("upper right abdomen" is better than a general "stomach pain").
  4. Severity: The 1-10 scale of your pain level. 1 = not painful 10 = the worst pain you've ever felt.
  5. Timing: Describe how long the problem lasts when it presents itself. Does it happen for a few minutes at a time and then go away, or is it persistent?
  6. Duration: Describe how long this problem has been bothering you.
  7. Associated Signs and Symptoms: Other things that occur with this problem could point to the problem.
  8. Modifying Factors: Describe things you do that improve the problem. For example, pain relievers may make a problem better temporarily. On the other hand, sitting for long periods may make the situation worse. All are relevant.

* - Hint: Copy the eight points above so you have them for future reference when you need them.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 5, 2023
Listen on Website

Healing Veterans Holistically

Jackie Jones is a holistic therapist with over a decade of experience in treating military service members and veterans. As a former art therapy intern at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), Jackie developed a unique holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, soul, and space of each client, leading to profound healing on all levels. Through her art therapy and yoga programs, Jackie has witnessed significant transformations in service members and veterans dealing with PTSD, moral injury, anxiety, depression, and pain. Discover how she works to create personalized treatment plans to empower veterans on their healing journey.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 31, 2023
Listen on Website

Embracing Discomfort in Transition

Join us as we talk to Cristina Ramirez, a transformational coach and author of "Empowered by Discomfort." Cristina's unique approach centers around using discomfort as a path for growth, and in this episode, we specifically focus on how this philosophy applies to military veterans transitioning into civilian life. We discuss the challenges veterans may face during this period and how embracing discomfort can be a transformative tool in creating a new sense of purpose and direction. Cristina shares valuable insights and practical strategies to shift the conversation around challenges, build resilience, and confidently navigate life's transitions. If you're a veteran seeking to redefine your possibilities or anyone ready to embrace discomfort for personal growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode. https://driveonpodcast.com/episode-311-cristina-ramirez-embracing-discomfort-in-transition-transcript/

Published on: August 29, 2023
Listen on Website

The Power of Outdoor Therapy

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of High Timber Dreams, founded by Ryan Gascon and his wife, Dehanna. From their shared love for the outdoors to their passion for supporting those who make daily sacrifices for society, Ryan and Dehanna have built a unique outdoor therapy program. Through mountain hikes, hunting, fishing, foraging, and other nature-based experiences, they aim to enhance the emotional and mental well-being of Veterans, Active Duty personnel, First Responders, and Youth. Join us as we explore the transformative power of outdoor therapy and its positive impact on the lives of these everyday heroes.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 24, 2023
Listen on Website

The Rifle: Uniting Voices of Service and Sacrifice

Join us for an insightful conversation with Andrew Biggio, Marine veteran and founder of Boston's Wounded Vet Run. Discover how his passion for World War II history ignited a mission to honor the legacy of America's Greatest Generation. Through heartfelt interviews and an inspiring book titled "The Rifle," Andrew unites voices of service and sacrifice, preserving the memories of these WWII veterans. As we discuss his return trips to Europe's battle sites, we'll learn about the impact those trips had on the WWII veterans and the younger veterans who escorted them back.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 22, 2023
Listen on Website

Healing PTSD with Flow State Yoga

In this episode, we sit down with Dashama Gordon, best-selling author and founder of the Flow State Institute & Bright Future Foundation. Dashama shares her passion for helping humanity access the flow state and live their best lives. She discusses the importance of mental health as the number one priority for everyone, explores ways to create a fulfilling life of contribution and impact, and emphasizes the power of letting go of the past with forgiveness and gratitude. Join us as we explore the healing potential of flow state yoga, specifically in the context of healing PTSD for veterans and supporting military families. Dashama provides valuable insights, resources, and guidance on accessing healing and support through the Flow State Yoga Institute.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 17, 2023
Listen on Website

Generation Z and Military Service

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Weiss, a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, to discuss the challenges faced in military recruiting with Generation Z.

Matthew sheds light on the reasons behind the decline in service interest and proposes strategies to revitalize military recruitment. We discuss ways to reshape the appeal of military service and foster a stronger connection with the next generation.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 15, 2023
Listen on Website

Activating the Brain's Healing Process

Drawing upon his extensive experience and expertise, Dr. Theodore Henderson challenges long-held beliefs about brain disorders, offering a fresh perspective on conditions such as PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and chronic fatigue.

Through his groundbreaking research and patented treatments, he demonstrates how the brain's own healing process can be activated, revolutionizing the way we approach these complex conditions. From viruses in the brain causing depression to the use of multi-watt infrared laser therapy, Dr. Henderson opens our eyes to a new world of possibilities.

Prepare to have your assumptions shattered and hope restored!

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 10, 2023
Listen on Website

Navigating the Transition

As a retired Navy SEAL officer and combat veteran, Marty Strong is no stranger to challenges. In this episode, our focus shifts to his transition from the military to the business world, where Marty has carved a path as a CEO. We explore the difficulties many veterans encounter when trying to apply their military service to the civilian job market and how Marty overcame these obstacles with determination and adaptability. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience, Marty shares practical advice, personal anecdotes, and insights on leadership, organizational dynamics, and finding purpose beyond the battlefield.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 8, 2023
Listen on Website

Empowering Military Children

In this heartfelt episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Grace Burgess, a remarkable individual whose father lost his leg to an IED in Afghanistan when she was only nine years old. Grace opens up about the challenges she faced as a young military child in a reservist family, including the profound loneliness she experienced as her friends struggled to understand her unique journey.

We discuss the complexities of separation from military life and the struggles Grace encountered during this transition. Through her resilience and determination, Grace not only found her own healing but also established a powerful platform through her podcast, "Grace of a Military Child and Life." Join us as we explore the stories of military children, their shared experiences, and the inspiring advocacy work Grace is leading to bring awareness, support, and a sense of community to military children worldwide.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 3, 2023
Listen on Website

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Unveiled

In this episode, we dive into trauma healing with Brooke Bralove, an experienced psychotherapist and Advanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) practitioner. With over 20 years of clinical expertise, Brooke guides us through the groundbreaking approach of ART, an evidence-based treatment modality similar to EMDR but with its unique elements. We explore the principles, techniques, and stunning transformations witnessed through ART, which can facilitate healing in as few as 1-5 sessions. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how ART empowers individuals to reprocess traumatic memories, overcome addiction, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, and find renewed hope and purpose in their lives.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 1, 2023
Listen on Website

The Veteran Workbook

In this episode, we welcome back Navy veteran Jenna Carlton to discuss her new workbook, The Veteran Workbook. Jenna understands the unique experiences veterans carry with them and the challenges they face when transitioning to civilian life. Her workbook empowers veterans to reflect on their service, design their future, and redefine themselves through their own words. Whether a veteran recently left the military or retired, this workbook offers valuable insights and guidance for building structure, finding purpose, and making the most out of civilian life.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 27, 2023
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose and Navigating Military Transition

In this episode, USAF veteran, Mary Polanco, dives into the psychological and emotional challenges that veterans face during the transition from military to civilian life. Gain valuable insights into the unique struggles and discover strategies to find purpose, heal from depression, and thrive beyond the uniform.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 25, 2023
Listen on Website

Embracing Healthy Anger

In this episode, psychotherapist Bronwyn Schweigerdt takes us on a journey of self-discovery and healing as she reveals the importance of expressing and externalizing deeply buried emotions, including anger and rage. Discover how embracing these emotions can lead to profound transformations and liberation from mental illness. Join us as we explore the path to emotional healing and well-being.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 20, 2023
Listen on Website

Enhancing Safety - Lessons from a Special Forces Veteran

John Brewer is an Army Special Forces veteran who has dedicated his post-military career to enabling and empowering individuals in safety and security.

As the author of the upcoming book "Fight For Your Best Life," John leverages his experiences training and working alongside indigenous forces in conflict zones to equip others with the tools they need to protect themselves and others. From foundational values to knowledge acquisition and skill development, John's multidisciplinary approach offers a comprehensive guide to personal safety and self-defense.

Gain valuable insights from John's expertise and discover how to create a safer, more secure environment for yourself and your loved ones.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 18, 2023
Listen on Website

Armed Forces Initiative Empowering Conservationists

Trevor Hubbs, Coordinator for the Armed Forces Initiative, shares his military background and dives into the transformative work of the initiative. Learn how the Armed Forces Initiative engages military veterans in conservation, providing them with a new mission and empowering them in their transition from military to civilian life. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the connection between outdoor experiences, community, and the well-being of our military community.

Support the Show

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 13, 2023
Listen on Website

Mental Health and Leadership - a Soldier's Perspective

Dan Joseph talks about his background, including his experience in the biotech industry and how meeting military service members inspired him to join the Army. He discusses the challenges he faced as an older recruit and the lessons he learned during his time in the military.

Dan also shares insights on leadership and resilience that he gained from his experience in the Army. He also talks about his book, "Backpack to Rucksack," and offers practical advice for anyone looking to develop leadership and resilience skills. In addition, Dan shares how his experience in martial arts has helped him develop mental toughness and respect for hierarchy.

Support the Show

Timestamped Chapter Summary

  • Introduction to Dan Joseph and his background (00:00:00)
  • Dan's inspiration to join the military (00:01:00)
  • Dan's background and his parents' experience as refugees from Iraq (00:03:00)
  • Lessons learned from military service members (00:05:00)
  • The impact of ISIS on Dan's family and community (00:07:00)
  • Challenges faced as an older recruit (00:08:00)
  • Advice for older individuals considering military service (00:11:00)
  • Overview of "Backpack to Rucksack" (00:12:30)
  • Leadership lessons from the military (00:14:00)
  • Resilience and mental toughness in the military (00:16:30)
  • The value of practicing martial arts for military service (00:19:00)
  • Importance of self-awareness (00:21:00)
  • Building trust and effective communication (00:23:00)
  • The role of mentors in leadership development (00:25:30)
  • Lessons learned from military deployments (00:28:00)
  • The importance of teamwork (00:30:00)
  • Dan's transition from military to civilian life (00:32:30)
  • The impact of the lockdown on military personnel (00:34:00)
  • Dan's motivation for studying leadership academically (00:36:00)
  • The benefits of academic study for military leadership (00:38:00)
  • The importance of humility in leadership (00:40:00)
  • The role of leadership in building a positive culture (00:42:00)
  • The importance of building relationships in leadership (00:44:00)
  • The connection between leadership and mental health (00:46:00)
  • Dan's advice for developing leadership skills (00:48:00)
  • The impact of suicide on military personnel (00:49:00)
  • Using self-care to control the controllables (00:50:00)
  • The power of incremental change (00:53:00)
  • Dan's experience fitting in with different crowds (00:54:00)
  • The importance of being oneself in the military (00:56:00)
  • Dan's motivations for writing "Backpack to Rucksack" (01:00:00)
  • The importance of talking about mental health and seeking help when needed (01:02:00)
  • The benefits of controlling the controllables (01:04:00)

Dan shares his motivations for writing "Backpack to Rucksack," including his desire to process his own angst about the weight differential between good and bad leadership and how that can contribute to someone wanting to take their own life. Dan talks about his friend Cody, who survived a suicide attempt and wrote the introduction to Dan's book. Dan also shares the story of Austin, an unlisted marin...

Published on: July 11, 2023
Listen on Website

From Service to Success: Inspiring Veterans

In this episode, Bob Taylor shares his experiences serving in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm and how it helped him understand the challenges that veterans face after their military career. He also talks about his struggles with PTSD and how seeking help from the VA was crucial to his recovery. Bob explains that the military training discipline shapes the mindset of veterans, and there is no training to prepare them for the transition into civilian life. He highlights the importance of seeking help, community, and support for a successful transition. Finally, Bob shares insights from his book and upcoming initiatives to help veterans and their families.

Support the Show

Timestamped Chapter Summary

  • Introduction of Bob Taylor and his background (00:00:00)
  • Bob's experiences serving in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm (00:01:00)
  • The challenges that veterans face after their military career (00:04:00)
  • Bob's struggles with PTSD and seeking help from the VA (00:04:45)
  • The importance of mental health and seeking help (00:08:50)
  • The military training discipline and its impact on veterans' mindset (00:09:00)
  • Tools to reshape the mindset for successful transition (00:11:00)
  • Bob's book "From Service to Success" and his mission to help veterans and their families (00:11:30)
  • The impact of COVID-19 on veterans and their mental health (00:14:30)
  • The importance of community and support for veterans (00:16:00)
  • Examples of initiatives to help veterans transition (00:17:00)
  • Common roadblocks and barriers that veterans face when seeking a new mission and sense of purpose (00:17:30)
  • The importance of determination and drive to figure out a new path (00:19:00)
  • Advice for veterans transitioning into civilian life (00:20:00)
  • The importance of self-forgiveness and healthy living habits for veterans (00:26:00)
  • The Patriot Promise Foundation and its mission to help veterans discover their best life (00:21:30)
  • The impact of military skills on civilian careers (00:33:00)
  • The challenge of translating military service into civilian experience (00:34:00)
  • The importance of HR recognizing military experience as an asset (00:35:00)
  • The importance of communicating leadership, drive, determination, and dedication (00:36:00)
  • Finding something greater than yourself that serves a purpose beyond yourself (00:39:00)
  • The benefit of serving others and creating a sense of purpose (00:41:00)
  • The impact of veterans' suicide rates (00:48:00)
  • How Bob Taylor's book can help veterans and their families (00:49:00)
  • How to find out more about Bob Taylor's book and the Patriot Promise Foundation (00:44:00)

Links & Resources

Published on: July 6, 2023
Listen on Website

From Combat to Comeback: Overcoming Adversity

In this episode, Scott DeLuzio interviews Sylvester Jenkins III, author of "From Combat to Comeback: How to Conquer the Battles of Adversity and Avoid Letting Circumstances in Your Life Define You." Sylvester shares his journey from being a fatherless at-risk youth in Columbus, Georgia, to serving in the military and facing hardships during his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also talks about his struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and depression after transitioning to civilian life and how he used quarantine as an opportunity to invest in himself. Sylvester offers practical advice on how to overcome self-doubt, build a support system, take responsibility for your life, and master yourself by developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Support the Show

Timestamped Chapter Summary

  • Introduction: Scott DeLuzio introduces Sylvester Jenkins III and his book, "From Combat to Comeback." (0:00)
  • Sylvester's Background: Sylvester talks about his upbringing as a fatherless at-risk youth in Columbus, Georgia, and his struggles to find acceptance, security, identity, and purpose. (0:45)
  • Joining the Military: Sylvester discusses how he joined the military as a way to find a way out of his dangerous path and how he faced hardships during his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. (2:10)
  • Mental Health Challenges: Sylvester shares his experiences with PTSD, anxiety, and depression after transitioning to civilian life and how he used quarantine as an opportunity to invest in himself. (3:40)
  • From Comeback to Comeback: Sylvester explains how he turned his pain into his purpose and how his book can help others conquer the battles of adversity. (6:00)
  • Overcoming Self-Doubt: Sylvester offers advice on how to overcome self-doubt and negative self-talk and how to find your purpose in life. (7:45)
  • Building a Support System: Sylvester talks about the importance of building a support system and how to find people who can help you on your journey. (11:00)
  • Taking Responsibility for Your Life: Sylvester discusses how taking responsibility for your life can help you overcome adversity and achieve your goals. (13:20)
  • Circumstances Don't Define You: Sylvester shares how he realized that his circumstances did not define his worth or potential for success and how he took responsibility for his own actions and mindset. (16:00)
  • Strategies to Fight the Enemy Inside: Sylvester shares effective strategies that have helped him on his journey to fight the enemy inside of him, including positive self-talk, building a support system, and practicing self-care. (18:30)
  • The Importance of Self-Awareness: Sylvester and Scott discuss the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in overcoming adversity and mastering oneself. (23:00)
  • Controlling the Temperature: Sylvester explains how he learned to control his emotions and remain the thermostat, not the thermometer and offers practical advice on how to master yourself and control the temperature of your emotions. (26:00)
  • Strategies to Overcome Setbacks: Sylvester gives practical advice on how to overcome setbacks and come back from difficult situations, including setting realistic goals, developing a growth mindset, and reframing setbacks as learning experiences. (29:00)
  • Quotable Takeaways: Scott and Sylvester share some of the most memorable and inspiring quotes from the interview. (33:...

Published on: July 4, 2023
Listen on Website

Triple Nikel: Empowering Veteran Style

In this episode, we sit down with Ruben Ayala, a remarkable veteran who has dedicated his life to empowering and uplifting his fellow veterans. Ruben shares his personal journey, from serving in the military to overcoming challenges and finding his purpose in helping others. With deep insights into the struggles veterans face, he offers valuable perspectives on mental health, transition, and resilience. Join us as we delve into Ruben's inspiring story, filled with courage, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of veterans. Tune in to gain valuable insights and be inspired to drive on.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 29, 2023
Listen on Website

From the Battlefield to Hollywood

Mike Dowling is a veteran and former Marine Corps dog handler who is now involved in the entertainment industry. He explains how he followed his passion into the industry and how his background in the military has been beneficial in the entertainment world. He speaks about how he was inspired by helping a wounded Marine to go to film school and how he networked with other veterans to create a support system in Los Angeles. He talks about how the entertainment industry was open to veterans with real military experience and how he was able to combine his military background with his work in entertainment.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 27, 2023
Listen on Website

Retired Marine Officer Shares How She Harnesses Sexy Confidence To Overcome Adversity

Sandra Gonzalez is a retired Marine officer and a high-performance coach and speaker who helps her clients take control of their self-doubt and perfectionism.

She encourages her clients to pay attention to the subtle hints life is dropping and to listen to what is calling them, not what is clawing at them.

Sandra discusses what she refers to as "Sexy Confidence" Sexy confidence is the ability to remain calm and master oneself during stressful challenges and situations. It's a high-performance attitude that enables one to believe in themselves and take command of any room they step in.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 22, 2023
Listen on Website

Navy Veteran Shares Story Of Unfortunate Surgical Outcome

Shannon Sackett is a Navy veteran who suffered an unfortunate surgical outcome, which caused her to be medically discharged. We discuss how this affected her life during and after the military and her ability to bounce back from this setback.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 20, 2023
Listen on Website

From Military to Marketable: B.R.A.N.D. Before Your Resume

Graciela Tiscareño-Sato is an Air Force veteran, award-winning author, and public speaker. Graciela has dedicated herself to coaching over 5000 veterans, service members, and professionals in developing their personal brands while transitioning from the military to the civilian world.

Tune in to learn how personal branding can make a difference in finding the job of your dreams and hear stories of veterans who have successfully transformed their resumes into powerful narratives of their value.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 15, 2023
Listen on Website

Expats' Mental Health Journey

Shannon Miller, an Army wife and mental health expert with a passion for addressing moral injuries misdiagnosed as PTSD, joins us in this episode.

With a wealth of experience in supporting military families, Shannon shares her expertise on the unique challenges they face. From discussing the distinction between PTSD and moral injury to exploring the impact of trauma on military families, she offers invaluable guidance.

Shannon also sheds light on the role of therapy in providing support, coping strategies for stressful situations, and the importance of community in the lives of veterans and their families. Drawing from her own experiences as an American expat living in multiple countries, she delves into the impact of living abroad on mental health and provides practical advice for navigating cultural differences.

Join us as we dive into the complexities of military life and learn how to maximize the unique experiences of military families and expats alike.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 13, 2023
Listen on Website

From Navy to Tech Innovator

In this episode, Terence Bennett, a Navy veteran, talks about his journey into the tech world. Join us as we delve into Terrence's transition from military service to running a successful software company. Gain insights into his experiences as a Naval Intelligence Officer and as a member of Google. Discover how Terence's company, DreamFactory Software, is now solving complex integration problems with its API code automation platform. Listen in as Terence shares valuable advice for veterans considering a career in tech and how he continues to support the military community through his work. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with inspiring stories and practical takeaways.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 8, 2023
Listen on Website

Navigating the VA Healthcare System: Tips and Resources

This episode of Drive On discusses navigating VA healthcare as a veteran. The VA healthcare system is the largest integrated healthcare system in the US, with over 9 million veterans enrolled. For many veterans, navigating the VA healthcare system can be challenging and overwhelming.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Understanding the VA Healthcare System, the different types of healthcare services available to veterans, and tips for choosing a primary care provider and scheduling appointments.
  • Resources available to help veterans navigate the VA healthcare system and information on how to apply for VA healthcare benefits.
  • Exploring MyHealtheVet.
  • Mental health resources.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 6, 2023
Listen on Website

Caring for Military Children

In this episode, our guest Nicole Thompson, an Air Force veteran and trauma-informed educator, sheds light on the unique struggles military children face. From frequent moves and parental deployments to navigating trauma and healthcare systems, Nicole shares valuable insights and practical strategies to support the well-being and academic success of these resilient young individuals. Join us as we delve into the world of military children and discover ways to empower them for a brighter future.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 1, 2023
Listen on Website

Announcing A New Format

Starting next week, the podcast will be available in its audio format and airing on WTSMTV in the Phoenix area and streaming online at WTSMTV.com. This is a great way to expand the podcast's reach and take the conversations to a larger audience. The new format will provide veterans with more accessibility to the show and more opportunities for engagement. This will help the show positively impact veterans on a larger scale and serve the veteran community in the best way possible.

WTSMTV.com is an online television platform local to the Phoenix area but offers content that appeals to people nationwide. It is an accessible platform, allowing viewers to watch whatever they want, whenever they want. It provides a variety of content, including health, business, sports, and general interest shows.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 30, 2023
Listen on Website

Special Memorial Day Episode

In this special Memorial Day episode, we delve into the rich history and significance of this solemn holiday. Join us as we explore the origins of Memorial Day, tracing its roots back to the aftermath of the American Civil War and the establishment of Decoration Day. Learn about the evolution of this commemorative day into a nationally recognized observance and a federal holiday.

We also take a closer look at the distinctions between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, understanding the unique purposes and meanings behind each occasion. Discover the profound significance of honoring the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We explore the concept of Gold Star Families, delving into the experiences and challenges faced by those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. We gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and strength exhibited by these families, as well as the importance of acknowledging and supporting them.

Additionally, we cover how Memorial Day is celebrated across the nation, examining the various traditions, memorials, and ceremonies that pay tribute to our fallen heroes. From parades and flag ceremonies to moments of silence and remembrance, we highlight the ways in which communities come together to honor those who have served.

As part of our tribute to Memorial Day, we have the privilege of interviewing Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mother and founder of America's Mighty Warriors, Tammy Pulaski, Gold Star Mother and head of the Arizona Department of the American Gold Star Mothers organization, Thad Forrester, Gold Star Brother, and Tony Price, head of the Gold Star Ride Foundation. These remarkable individuals share their personal stories and insights, shedding light on the invaluable support provided to military and Gold Star Families.

Join us as we honor and remember the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our country on this poignant and heartfelt Memorial Day special.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.Transition music credit: Creative Logo by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Published on: May 29, 2023
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose and Meaning in Post-Military Life

Providing advice and strategies for finding purpose and meaning in life after military service.

  1. Challenges of transitioning to civilian life
    • Discuss common challenges that veterans face when transitioning to civilian life
  2. Identifying personal values and passions
    • Why identifying personal values and passions is important for veterans
    • Guidance on how to discover and connect with personal values and passions
  3. Exploring career opportunities
    • Strategies for exploring career opportunities that align with personal values and passions
  4. Building a support network
    • The importance of building a support network for veterans
    • Tips on how to create and maintain a support network
  5. Community involvement and volunteer work
    • Benefits of community involvement and volunteer work for veterans
  6. Seeking professional help if needed
    • Importance of seeking professional help if struggling with finding purpose and meaning in post-military life

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 25, 2023
Listen on Website

Helping Others Find Joy & Bounce Back From Setbacks

Thandi Myeni started out working at M&M Mars candy company, but after 9/11, she decided she wanted to pursue a life of meaning and purpose. She decided to go to medical school and graduated despite the challenges. She originally planned on becoming an OBGYN, but life took her in a different direction. This story of transformation serves to demonstrate that our past does not determine our future and that anything is possible if we are willing to be flexible and open to change.

Dr. Thandi Myeni currently serves as a Major in the US Army Reserves.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 23, 2023
Listen on Website

The Role of Exercise in Managing Mental Health for Veterans

Examining the potential benefits of exercise for managing mental health and providing advice for incorporating physical activity into daily life.

  • Introduction
    • Statistics on the prevalence of mental health issues among veterans and the potential benefits of exercise for managing these issues
  • Benefits of exercise for managing mental health
    • How exercise can help alleviate symptoms of these conditions, including reducing stress, improving mood, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing cognitive function
  • Tips for incorporating exercise into daily life
    • Practical advice for veterans who want to start incorporating exercise into their daily routine
    • Different types of exercise that may be suitable for different individuals and fitness levels, such as walking, cycling, strength training, and yoga
  • Resources and support for veterans
    • Resources and programs that are available to veterans who want to prioritize their physical and mental health, such as VA healthcare, and community-based organizations
    • Importance of seeking professional help for mental health issues and offering some guidance on how to find a mental health provider who is knowledgeable about the unique needs of veterans
  • Conclusion
    • Encourage listeners to take action and start incorporating exercise into their daily routine, even if it's just a small step.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 18, 2023
Listen on Website

Living Life Beyond the Rut

Jerry Dugan is a leadership consultant, training facilitator, and public speaker who hosts the podcast Beyond the Rut with Jerry Dugan. He helps build servant leaders by finding clarity and alignment in their work and personal lives.

His leadership experience includes roles with the U.S. Army, Christian ministry, and corporate healthcare, where his whole-person approach has built thriving teams who found joy in their work as part of their lives. His personal belief is that life is too short to live stuck in a rut drives his hope to help you create success that doesn't cost you your faith or your family.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 16, 2023
Listen on Website

Understanding Moral Injury and its Impact on Veterans

Exploring the concept of moral injury, its impact on veterans, and potential treatment options.

  1. Introduction
    • Introduce the concept of moral injury and its impact on veterans
    • The importance of exploring moral injury
  2. What is Moral Injury?
    • Define moral injury and differentiate it from PTSD
    • How moral injury can occur in military service
  3. Impact of Moral Injury on Veterans
    • The emotional, psychological, and spiritual impact of moral injury on veterans
    • Challenges veterans face in dealing with moral injury
    • Statistics and research findings on the prevalence of moral injury among veterans
  4. Treatment Options for Moral Injury
    • Potential treatment options for veterans dealing with moral injuries, such as therapy and support groups
    • The importance of addressing moral injury as a separate issue from PTSD
  5. Conclusion
    • Recap the key takeaways from the episode

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 11, 2023
Listen on Website

Former Zookeeper Helps Veterans With Service Dogs Through Warriors Heart Canine Program

Michelle Axmaker is a former zookeeper and currently works with Warriors Heart to train service dogs for veterans and first responders. She gained experience training and caring for exotic animals at Bush Gardens in Tampa, Florida, and then at the Lackland Air Force Base at their military working dog center.

Michelle discusses the importance of service dogs for people with PTSD and the unique training necessary for each individual's needs. Each person's PTSD symptoms differ, and the dogs are trained to recognize the individual's specific triggers and respond accordingly. It is important for the individual who is going to be handling the dog involved in the training process, as the dog must be familiar with the triggers of that particular individual.

The Warriors Heart K9 program provides the opportunity to purchase a Service or ESA K9 through the Academy program. Each Warriors Heart dog is trained to become an Emotional Support Animal or a Service Animal so that the client can travel with, house, and utilize the dog within ADA compliance.

For clients not interested in becoming a Handler, the K9 Experience program is a more therapeutic approach. You can learn about obedience training, participate in weekly Classroom presentations, go on Nature Hikes, and simply enjoy spending time with the canine Warriors.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 9, 2023
Listen on Website

Dealing with Guilt and Shame: Coping Strategies for Veterans

Providing advice and strategies for managing feelings of guilt and shame related to military service or civilian life.

  1. Introduction
    • Why do veterans experience guilt and shame?
    • How can guilt and shame affect a veteran's mental health?
  2. Common Sources of Guilt and Shame in Veterans
    • Combat-related experiences
    • Moral injury
    • Survivor's guilt
    • Trauma outside of combat
  3. Addressing Shame's Link to Suicidal Ideation
    • VA Studies
  4. Coping Strategies for Managing Guilt and Shame
    • Acceptance and self-compassion
    • Mindfulness practices
    • Seeking professional help
  5. Conclusion
    • Guilt and shame are common - you're not alone.
    • Wherever guilt and shame come from, there is help.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 4, 2023
Listen on Website

Canadian Vet Talks Fitness And Helping Veterans Become Harder To Kill

Dave Morrow, a Canadian veteran shares his own experience as a reservist and how he struggled to get back to normal after hurting his back and knee. He found that taking pain pills was only a temporary solution and that he had to make a lifestyle change to get harder to kill.

This led to his mission of helping other veterans lose weight and get more fit.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 2, 2023
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose Through Entrepreneurship

Examining the potential benefits of entrepreneurship as a means of finding purpose and meaning after military service.

  1. Introduction
  2. Benefits of Entrepreneurship
    • Discuss the potential benefits of entrepreneurship, such as:
  3. Challenges of Entrepreneurship
    • Challenges of entrepreneurship, such as:
      • Financial risks and uncertainties.
      • Long hours and hard work are required to build a successful business.
      • Need for a solid business plan and understanding of market demands.
      • Importance of building a support network.
      • Strategies for overcoming these challenges
  4. Resources and Support
    • Resources and support available for veterans who want to pursue entrepreneurship, such as:
      • Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and resources.
      • Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) through the VA
      • VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) programs.
      • Nonprofit organizations and community resources.
    • Highlight the importance of networking and seeking out support to achieve success.
  5. Conclusion
    • Summary of the potential benefits of entrepreneurship for veterans seeking purpose and meaning.
    • Encouragement for listeners to explore entrepreneurship as a viable option and to seek out resources and support to help them along the way.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 27, 2023
Listen on Website

National Medal of Honor Museum

Darrell Utt is the Chief of Business Operations at the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and a retired Green Beret. He was a small-town kid from West Virginia who joined the Army in 1990 and went on to become a Special Forces Green Beret.

Darrell talks about his experience of being a newly minted Special Forces Green Beret and being thrown into a situation he was completely unprepared for. He was put on the bunny slopes with three- to five-year-old German kids with no prior skiing experience, and he was completely humbled and overwhelmed. This experience taught him the importance of being humble, never giving up, and of showing up no matter what.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 25, 2023
Listen on Website

Overcoming Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in the Military

This episode discusses the cultural barriers that prevent military members from seeking help for mental health issues and provides advice for breaking down these barriers.

  1. Introduction
    1. Explanation of the stigma surrounding mental health in the military
  2. Discussion on the cultural barriers that prevent military members from seeking help
    1. Explanation of the cultural factors that contribute to stigma surrounding mental health in the military
    2. Personal stories from veterans who have experienced these cultural barriers
    3. Discussion on the impact of these cultural barriers on the mental health of military members
  3. The importance of seeking help for mental health issues in the military
    1. Explanation of why it's important for military members to seek help for mental health issues
    2. Discussion on how seeking help can benefit the military as a whole
  4. Strategies for breaking down cultural barriers and reducing stigma surrounding mental health in the military
    1. Advice on how military leaders can encourage their troops to seek help
    2. Discussion on how to increase awareness of mental health issues in the military
  5. Conclusion
    1. Recap of the topics covered in the episode
    2. Final thoughts on the importance of breaking down cultural barriers and reducing stigma surrounding mental health in the military
    3. Encouragement for military members to seek help when needed and for military leaders to prioritize mental health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 20, 2023
Listen on Website

Boots To Books

Peter Cline is an Army infantry veteran and the founder of Boots to Books, a nonprofit that helps veterans and their families attain competitive education and employment.

Peter's own transition out of the military was a bit rocky. He contacted a friend who helped him rephrase his military experience into terms civilian employers would understand. This led to the creation of Boots To Books.

Learn how Boots To Books can help you or someone you know in the transition out of the military in this episode.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 18, 2023
Listen on Website

Alternative Therapies for PTSD Treatment

In this episode, we look at alternative therapies for PTSD, such as art therapy, equine therapy, and adventure therapy.

Outline:

  • Introduction
    • Explanation of what PTSD is
    • Overview of traditional treatments for PTSD
    • Introduction to alternative therapies for PTSD treatment
  • Art therapy for PTSD treatment
    • Definition of art therapy
    • How art therapy can be used as a treatment for PTSD
  • Equine therapy for PTSD treatment
    • Definition of equine therapy
    • How equine therapy can be used as a treatment for PTSD
    • Where to access equine therapy
  • Adventure therapy for PTSD treatment
    • Definition of adventure therapy
    • How adventure therapy can be used as a treatment for PTSD
    • Where to access adventure therapy
  • Conclusion
    • Recap of the topics covered in the episode
    • Final thoughts on the potential benefits of alternative therapies for PTSD treatment
    • Encouragement for listeners to explore different options for PTSD treatment and to seek professional help when needed.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 13, 2023
Listen on Website

Combat Veteran on Overcoming Adversity And Achieving Career Success

Jason Pike served 31 years in the US Army, starting as a private and working his way up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jason shared his story of starting from the bottom and working hard to reach his goals.

He faced a federal investigation for espionage against the US government. He was accused of selling secrets to foreign nationals but was ultimately found innocent. He talks about how he managed the stress of this situation by leaning on his family and friends and seeking professional counseling.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 11, 2023
Listen on Website

The Role of Family in Supporting Veterans

This is the first of hopefully many episodes where I take time to dive deep into a particular topic. This time it's the role of the family to support veterans.

Outline:

  • Introduction
    • Brief explanation of the importance of family support for veterans
    • Overview of the topics that will be covered in the episode
  • The impact of military service on veterans and their families
    • Discussion on the unique challenges that veterans and their families face
    • Common mental health issues experienced by veterans and how it affects their family relationships
    • The impact of deployment and separation on family dynamics
  • The importance of family support for veterans
    • Research studies that demonstrate the benefits of family support for veterans
    • Discussion on how family support can aid in the recovery and reintegration process for veterans
  • Strategies for families to support their veteran loved ones
    • Advice on how to communicate with veterans who may be struggling
    • Tips on how to provide emotional support for veterans
    • Discussion on resources available for families to help them support their veteran loved ones
  • Challenges families face when supporting veterans and how to overcome them
    • Common challenges that families may face when supporting veterans
    • Advice on how families can take care of themselves while supporting their loved ones
  • Conclusion
    • Recap of the topics covered in the episode
    • Final thoughts on the importance of family support for veterans
    • Encouragement for families to seek help and support when needed.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 6, 2023
Listen on Website

USAF Veteran Shares How To Reach Goals And Motivate Personal Success

Paul White is a retired 21-year Air Force veteran with over 1500 hours as a tactical flight instructor. He has developed strategies to motivate people to become better versions of themselves and is here to discuss these strategies and how his 1 of 5 Project can propel people to reach their goals.

His experience as an instructor of people how to fly airplanes has helped him develop tactics and strategies for coaching people in different areas of their life. His 1 of 5 Project focuses on planning and executing your goals to succeed.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 4, 2023
Listen on Website

USMC Veteran On Mentoring Veterans And His Son's Tragic Death

After the military, John Henry Parker sought ways to help him become a better person. He looked to personal development and programs to help him become the person he wanted to be.

He found that going through certain life experiences changed him for the better, and he was able to transcend most of the traumatic experiences he had. He still gets triggered, experiences depression, and has the urge to numb himself, but he has become more aware of these feelings and is able to recognize and work through them more quickly, and now helps other veterans through their traumas.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 30, 2023
Listen on Website

Air Force Vet Overcomes Challenges To Achieve Dream Career

April Shprintz joins the podcast to share her journey in the Air Force and how, despite setbacks, she never quit pursuing her dreams.

April Shprintz owns Driven Outcomes and is a mentor with the nonprofit Warrior Rising, which helps veterans in business. After leaving the Air Force, April looked to change her career focus, as many veterans often do. Despite several obstacles she had to overcome, April's career flourished, and now she helps others start and scale their businesses.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 28, 2023
Listen on Website

Unlock A Happier And Calmer You

Dr. Annie White discussed her book, The Calm Code, which provides readers with a step-by-step method to help them become calmer and happier.

She notes that the more negative thoughts you have, the easier it will be to think negative thoughts, and vice versa - the more positive thoughts you have, the easier it will be to think positively.

Her research while writing the book revealed scientifically proven ways to train the mind to be calm and happy, which she included in the book.

This episode talks about how we can manage stress and anxiety, the rigors of military and veteran life, and how Dr. White's book can help.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 23, 2023
Listen on Website

Naval Academy Friends Reflect On Friendship And Business

David Gutierrez and Stu Grazier met while attending the Naval Academy and have stayed close ever since. Stu and David were stationed apart for most of their careers in the Navy except when they were both stationed in Naples, Italy. Around this time, they started to discuss their plans for the future and decided to go into business together, focusing on real estate investments.

They emphasize the importance of choosing partners and friends wisely and also celebrating each other's successes. They were very intentional about formalizing their business partnership. They spent a lot of time discussing core values and what should be done in various situations, such as if a deal does not appraise or if either of them have an opportunity too good to pass up and the business has to dissolve. They also discussed how to separate their friendship from the business and continue to have conversations to ensure they are both bringing their best selves to their relationship.

They emphasized the importance of having these conversations before officially entering any business partnership. Comparing it to getting married, where you need to know what the other person wants and have a plan for any contingencies.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 21, 2023
Listen on Website

Overcoming Problematic Drinking With Sinclair Method

Brian Noonan joins us to discuss the Sinclair Method, which is a method of treating alcoholism involving Naltrexone, a prescription medication, and alcohol.

The method was developed by Dr. Sinclair, who conducted studies with rodents by creating alcoholic mice and giving them Naltrexone. His findings showed that the only way to extinguish the interest in drinking was to combine the tablet with alcohol. Subsequent studies found that those who did not follow instructions and drank still saw a limit on their binge drinking and relapses. This method has become increasingly popular and is used as a way to treat alcoholism more effectively.

Brian discussed how alcohol treatment works and how it is linked to releasing endorphins or naturally-occurring opioids. He explained that when someone takes Naltrexone an hour before drinking, it blocks the release of these endorphins, and the person doesn't get the reward or buzz they would normally get when drinking. This type of behavior is known as operant conditioning and is a process that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring if it is rewarded.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 16, 2023
Listen on Website

Spiritual Guidance To Veterans and First Responders

John Jones is a retired federal law enforcement officer and Navy Hospital Corman. He wrote a book, A Higher Calling, which offers first responders, veterans, and military personnel a biblical guide to their demanding work.

John has both military and law enforcement experience, which has given him a unique point of view and perspective that he has used to write his book. He wrote the book to provide a source of guidance for people who have gone through difficult experiences in their lives. The book provides biblical guidance and advice that can be used to help those who are struggling to find a way to heal and move on.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 14, 2023
Listen on Website

Combat Veteran Finds Positive Path Out Of PTSD And Early Childhood Trauma

Clinton Dye is a four-tour Marine Corps combat veteran who struggled with PTSD from not only his deployments but also his early childhood. He was present when his mother shot his father in a drunken rage, which is one of many traumas he had to deal with growing up. He struggled to avoid the lure of drugs, alcohol, and crime, which were all common in his environment. He believes that his early childhood trauma helped him function better than many of his colleagues who suffered from PTSD and took their own lives. The hardships he experienced during his childhood helped him to cope with the intense stress of combat. He could handle the long hours, limited resources, and lack of outlets due to the hardening he had experienced early on. By having a strong foundation from his childhood, he was better able to handle the stress of the military. While he could push through it at the time, the trauma he experienced in the military later caught up to him, and he had to work to manage those traumas. He began using alcohol and other substances to cope with his stress but quickly realized it was an unhealthy coping mechanism. He finally realized that something needed to change and began to work on managing his emotions and traumas in a healthier way. In this episode, we'll talk about how Clinton believes everyone can work towards a better life and what he's doing now to help others in the same situation he was in not too long ago.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 9, 2023
Listen on Website

Exploring the Cause and Treatment of Negative Thoughts

Betsy Holmberg is a psychologist who has focused on various topics, including self-injury and suicide. She is currently focused on the tribal brain, an interesting topic. Betsy has a Ph.D. from Duke and has conducted and published research at Harvard. She also ran the mental health service line for McKinsey and Company. After her husband left her, she had suicidal thoughts and struggled for years after. This led her to discover the neuroscience of thinking and why we think negatively, which shifted her perception of herself and how people interact with each other.

Betsy has had a major shift in her mental health after her discovery. She wants to share her newfound understanding of the neuroscience behind why people think negative thoughts.

There are two thought networks: the Central Executive Network (CEO brain) and the Tribal Brain (Default Mode).

  • The CEO brain is used for problem-solving and when focused on a task.
  • The Tribal Brain is the network used to form and live in clans. This network started hundreds of thousands of years ago when humans lived in clans and helped them form bonds and survive.

Our conversation covers the different ways in which our brains think to keep us safe. It talks about the importance of identifying who is in the clan and who is a threat, the hierarchies and roles that exist within the clan, and empathy. It is mentioned that these thoughts are automatic, and people often mistakenly shape their lives around them, thinking that they will make them happy. It is further explained that this is due to the caveman days when they needed to be the fastest and strongest to survive. Our conversation concludes by suggesting that life can improve by dismissing these thoughts.

Our conversation discussed how to stop listening to the tribal brain. It is as simple as identifying the voice and stopping it, but if the tribal brain is persistent, it can lead to severe depression. In these cases, it is important to reach out to family and friends and talk about what one is going through to reduce the feeling of isolation.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 7, 2023
Listen on Website

Navy Veteran on Overcoming PTSD and Helping Fellow Vets

Daniel Mayberry is a Navy veteran who has struggled with PTSD and started a podcast whose mission is to help other veterans in need.

Daniel Mayberry joined the Navy at 17, shortly after the 9/11 attacks. His first ship was small, and there was not much to do. He was getting into trouble, and two senior chiefs asked him what he wanted from his service. He wanted to serve the country, and they pointed him to the job of Corpsman.

After returning from deployment, Daniel noticed something was off. He would go out to the bars and blackout, often ending up miles away with no recollection of how he got there. Daniel talks about this experience and how he's now helping other veterans with 1 Mile 1 Veteran.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 2, 2023
Listen on Website

Veterans Have the Skills for Starting a Franchise Business

Stacey Marmolejo is the founder and CEO of Franchise Prep Academy, which helps soon-to-retire military personnel navigate the franchise industry so that they can evaluate if a franchise career is right for them in their next step after the military.

Stacey comes from a family of 10 military generations serving 176 years collectively. Although her parents were Disheartened when she did not join the military, she knew she'd either be in the brig or kicked out quickly if she did. So, she climbed the corporate ladder and eventually became a senior vice president of a national company. It was then that she decided to quit and buy a startup franchise. She had three locations over 16 years and sold them for seven figures. She then decided to retire.

Stacey Marmolejo was retired for two days before becoming bored and starting to help people look at franchises. She believes franchises are a great business model, especially for people with work experience but not necessarily business ownership experience.

In the conversation, Scott and Stacey discuss the pros and cons of starting a business from scratch versus buying a franchise.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 28, 2023
Listen on Website

Bouncing Back After Transitioning Careers

TSI CEO, Executive Coach, and "Undefeatable" Author Tiana Sanchez, whose father was a US Army veteran, talks about how kickboxing and journaling helped her when she unexpectedly faced a career transition.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 23, 2023
Listen on Website

Resources Available to Reserve and Guard Members

Army Reservist Jean Adam talks about the resources available to Reserves and National Guard members that many are unaware of.

This episode serves as an excellent opportunity for any leaders who are currently serving to:

  • Compile a list of any opportunities or resources that you know about.
  • Ask other leaders to share resources they know about that aren't already on your list.
  • Evaluate the opportunities available and educate your troops about what they are and how they can help them.
  • Spread the information you obtained about these resources throughout your unit so others can benefit.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 21, 2023
Listen on Website

Your Story Isn't Over

In this episode, we are joined by USMC veteran Mike Washington. Mike has a powerful story to share as a suicide survivor. He discusses in detail the moment that saved his life and the journey that followed.

Mike is now a licensed therapist and uses his experience to help others facing mental health struggles. Additionally, he was part of a powerful project called The Wingman Project, which seeks to raise awareness for veteran mental health.

Join us as we hear Mike's story and the inspiration behind The Wingman Project.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 16, 2023
Listen on Website

Breaking Bad Habits

Dr. Noah St John is known as "The Father of Afformations®." He joins us in this episode to help eliminate "not-enoughness" from our lives and break free of the bad habits we created that are holding us back from reaching our goals.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 14, 2023
Listen on Website

Choosing to Live Life After a Near-Death Experience

In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Kerr, an Air Force veteran who had a near-death experience that changed her life, which she writes about in her book You Are Deathless.

Nicole shares her story and discusses how her near-death experience gave her a new outlook on life. She'll talk about the physical and emotional aftermath of the experience, how she found strength in it, and how it has affected her life ever since. We'll also learn about the inspirational work Nicole is doing to help others and her advice for anyone facing a life-altering experience.

Tune in to this powerful conversation to gain a new perspective on life and resilience in facing adversity.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 9, 2023
Listen on Website

Change Your Mindset Change Your Life

Nina Szewczak has lived a life of highs and lows. After experiencing personal setbacks that threatened to keep her down, she decided to take matters into her own hands and transform her life - not once but twice. In this episode, Nina speaks candidly about her struggles and successes to reveal her strategies to get back on her feet. She shares her story of resilience and hope and explains how others can learn from her experience to work towards a more positive life. Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn how Nina turned her pain into power and created the life she wanted.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 7, 2023
Listen on Website

Tinnitus Relief with Melody Clouds

In this powerful episode, we speak with Wayne Altman, an Army veteran who founded Melody Clouds to help people suffering from tinnitus and other conditions. After he was diagnosed with tinnitus, Wayne discovered binaural beats as his way of coping with the ringing in his ears. Hear how his journey and passion led him to create a platform that has helped people worldwide. Plus, learn how you can get involved with Melody Clouds and what to do if you are suffering from tinnitus.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: February 2, 2023
Listen on Website

Project Refit

Dan Lombard is an Army combat veteran who is a co-founder of Project Refit, which is working to change the negative connotation around getting mental health support. In this episode, we discuss Project Refit and all they do to help support the military, veteran, and first responder communities.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 31, 2023
Listen on Website

Trauma Informed Care

In this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Power, the founder of The Trauma-Informed Academy and a passionate advocate for helping people cope with traumatic experiences. Elizabeth will share her own story of overcoming trauma and how she developed The Trauma-Informed Academy to empower others to do the same. She'll provide us with some practical tips and resources to help us support those who have experienced trauma.

Tune in to learn more about recognizing and supporting individuals on their journey of healing.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 26, 2023
Listen on Website

Continuing to Serve After Medical Retirement

Alex Gonzales is a retired Army Colonel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffers from a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite his struggles, he continues to serve his fellow veterans by sending daily devotional messages and by always being available when those veterans need someone to talk to.

In this episode, Alex shares his story of resilience, courage, and overcoming adversity while providing practical advice and guidance on how to navigate the struggles of being a veteran. Join us as we explore Alex's journey and learn how we can all make a difference in the lives of our fellow veterans.

Links & Resources

  • Text 254-368-8527 to receive Alex's daily devotional messages

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 24, 2023
Listen on Website

How Mighty Oaks Helps Save Veterans

In this episode, we are joined by Brandon Bettis, who used the Mighty Oaks Foundation to overcome his suicidal thoughts and find his faith. After trying medication and counseling, which didn't seem to help, Brandon found himself in a dark place and nearly gave up hope. But thanks to the Mighty Oaks Foundation, Brandon was able to find the strength and courage to turn his life around. Hear Brandon's inspiring story of finding faith, hope, and strength through the help of the Mighty Oaks Foundation.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 19, 2023
Listen on Website

Gold Star Brother Remembering the Fallen

It is a tragedy whenever a service member is killed in action. Not only does the nation lose someone selfless enough to put their life on the line for others, but the families of that service member are also left behind. On this podcast, I've had the opportunity to speak with several Gold Star Family members, but an often overlooked subset of this category is the siblings. In this episode, Gold Star Brother, Thad Forester, discusses the loss of his brother, Mark Forester, who was a US Air Force Combat Controller killed in action in Afghanistan.

Thad is the author of the book My Brother In Arms and the host of the Patriot to the Core podcast.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 17, 2023
Listen on Website

How to Support an Addict In Your Life

Michaela Kelley Canterbury is a lawyer and writer. Michaela obtained her J.D. at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a BA in political science and a minor in philosophy.

Michaela is the author of the book Sister Siren A Non-Fiction About Addiction. In the book, she details the ups and downs of being the sister of an addict and shows the reader the journey it takes to love someone through addiction. In this episode, we talk about how addiction affects people and how we can best support those in our lives who are struggling with addiction.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 12, 2023
Listen on Website

How to De-Stress Your Life

Natalie Shand-Spellman, Coach Nat earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stony Brook University, New York. Coach Nat is an occupational therapist clinician, a Boot Camp for Life transformational coach, speaker, published author, and combat marine veteran.

Coach Nat has dealt with lost identity, brokenness, emotional turmoil, and ill health because of unmanaged stress. She later discovered a top transformative technique called "purpose-cising" to deal with mental, emotional, and spiritual stress. She also found Life's Unwritten Formula for Success, the different Narrative Functional Identity Types, and NEW STARTS FOR ME lifestyle principles for peak performance and function in life.

She loves to give advice and shares words of wisdom to impact the lives of others. Coach Nat is now on a mission of hope with a big heart for teenagers, millennials, veterans, and women who feel lost, broken, and trying to figure out their lives.

She is the author of Drop Stress Like A Hot Potato For Busy Women, with a schedule to release in December 2022. It is a transformative Stress Workbook with life coaching to stop emotional, mental, and spiritual stress for women to live their best lives of power and purpose.

The workbook is also illustrative, where Coach Nat will coach you through your stress journey.

Coach Nat also features in her book the Coach Nat Questions & Answer Column, Advice on the Go with Coach Nat, Real Talk with Coach Nat and Check-in times with Coach Nat. The workbook has many of Coach Nat's inspirational quotes, life super tips, and life-changing strategies for transformation. The overall experience of engaging with the book is extraordinary; it is also enhanced with calm and relaxing colors to relieve stress. Drop Stress Like A Hot Potato is a game-changer in managing mental health during the post-Covid-19 pandemic.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 10, 2023
Listen on Website

Warrior Surf Foundation

Stephanie Dasher is a Navy veteran and the Executive Director of the Warrior Surf Foundation, which helps veterans heal through surf therapy. She joins us in this episode to discuss how Warrior Surf Foundation has impacted her family and all the great work the organization is doing to help veterans heal.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 5, 2023
Listen on Website

How to Recover From TBIs

Brandy Lang is a 5x concussion survivor and Air Force veteran whose focus is now on helping other veterans recover from TBIs.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: January 3, 2023
Listen on Website

How Many Mondays Do You Have Left to Live?

Jodi is the founder of Four Thousand Mondays, which helps others not take life for granted or feel like they've squandered their time and to feel totally alive. She is also an Assistant Instructor in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania, and in this episode, we discuss how we can make the most of the Mondays we all have left.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 29, 2022
Listen on Website

Veterans Beer Club

Phil Kendro is a Marine Corps veteran who is also a co-founder of the Veterans Beer Club with the goal of helping Veterans transition into civilian life after the military.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 27, 2022
Listen on Website

Optimizing Your Health

Despite the fact that 60% of American adults have 1 chronic disease and 40% have 2 or more, there is much that can be done to ensure that you live long, feel great and live well. Many of the lifestyle modifications are free or low cost and therefore, have not received sufficient attention.

Emily Gold Mears is a former attorney who shifted her advocacy efforts to seek information on optimizing health through research analysis in science and medicine. In this episode we talk about sleep issues, reducing exposures to toxins, and other ways we can improve our health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 22, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Be a Mentor After Military Service

Dr. Christine Van Horn is an author, teacher, and speaker. She has been a Certified Emergency Manager for 30 years and recently retired. She is now applying her emergency management experience to focus on character in society. Dr. Van Horn has written two books for older children to teach them character through the eyes of a superhero. In this episode, she discusses how veterans and service members can use their experiences to mentor those in our lives who may not be in the military.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 20, 2022
Listen on Website

Helping Build Resilience in Military Kids

For Renaye Thornborrow, motherhood was the catalyst for turning her lifelong passion for personal development into a powerful story-based coaching curriculum to help children develop mindset skills for self-esteem, resilience, confidence, self-leadership, happiness, and so much more.

Renaye discusses how we can help children in military families find their confidence and self-esteem when dealing with the unique challenges that face military families, like deployments and PCS.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 15, 2022
Listen on Website

Shields & Stripes

Steven Nisbet is an Air Force veteran and the President of Shields & Stripes, a non-profit that takes a holistic mind/body approach to help veterans and first responders heal from traumas they've experienced while serving our nation and their communities.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 13, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Get Along With Anyone

Dr. Vicki Matthews helps people better understand themselves and the people in their lives to nurture better relationships.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 8, 2022
Listen on Website

Combat to College

John Davis is the author of the book Combat to College. Before joining the Army, John tried going to college, but it didn't quite work out for him. After his time in the military, he learned grit, perseverance, and discipline needed to excel in college. He now has a Master's degree from Harvard.

In addition to being an author, John has worked to help other veterans transition from their military career to college.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 6, 2022
Listen on Website

How a Prepared Mind Can Help Minimize PTSD

Brian Slade discusses a harrowing experience as an Apache pilot in Afghanistan and how his mental preparation helped avoid catastrophe.

We also discuss his book, Cleared Hot: Lessons Learned about Life, Love, and Leadership While Flying the Apache Gunship in Afghanistan and Why I Believe a Prepared Mind Can Help Minimize PTSD, and Brian tells us why preparing ourselves mentally for even the most unexpected scenarios can help minimize PTSD.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: December 1, 2022
Listen on Website

Creating Freedom in Our Minds

When Kalliope realized playing professional golf wasn't her calling, she began training others in the tools that propelled her into becoming a pro golfer in just two years. Since then, her TEDx Talk has over 1.9 million views. As a Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, she loves giving people the tools to overcome their fears and bad memories. Kalliope's heartfelt passion for giving hope to people who live in fear inspired her to produce a television reality show Kalliope's From Fear to Freedom, soon to be streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Above all, Kalliope is dedicated to creating a more fearless world so people can avoid being distracted from living their purpose, from fear to freedom!

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 29, 2022
Listen on Website

Managing Brain Injuries

Dr. Jen Blanchette shares how she helps patients with brain injuries cope with the mental health aspects of their conditions.

Frequently those with brain injuries (TBI, concussion, and others) will experience symptoms including but not limited to:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Fatigue/drowsiness
  • Inner ear issues/dizziness/sensitivity to sound/ringing in the ears
  • Difficulty paying attention
  • Visual difficulties (blurred vision, sensitivity to light)
  • Memory problems
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual

In this episode, we discussed ways to optimize brain health regardless of whether or not you've experienced a brain injury:

  1. Nutrition: Eating macronutrients, foods with fiber (i.e. fruits and veggies), and Omega-3 (i.e. fish, flaxseed, fish oil)
  2. Movement: You don't need to be doing PT like you were 19 all over again. Focus on keeping the blood moving in your body. Walk your dog - Fido will love you for it!
  3. Social interaction: Get quality social interactions where you feel that people know you. Church groups, VFW/American Legion, or other interest groups.
  4. Sleep: You have to recharge the battery.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 24, 2022
Listen on Website

PACT Act and Veteran Legal Resources

Joanna Morales discusses the PACT Act and other legal resources available to veterans who have been diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 22, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Successfully Navigate Life After Deployment

Dominic Teich shares insights into what he refers to as the Single Seat Mindset and how he navigated his turbulent life after deployment.

Dominic will send a free copy of Single Seat Wisdom for the first three listeners with no strings attached. Claim your copy here today!

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 17, 2022
Listen on Website

Living the Hand You're Dealt

Charles Smith, an Army veteran, shares his traumatic childhood and how those experiences impacted him as an adult.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 15, 2022
Listen on Website

Cranky Veteran Candles

Ryan & Deb Bruin started the Cranky Veteran Candle Company to help Ryan find a job he could do while managing his mental health struggles. They join us to discuss the ups and downs that they experienced after Ryan left the military and how they started making candles.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 10, 2022
Listen on Website

Childhood Trauma and Beliefs as Key to Your Healing Now

Do you ever ask yourself, "Why am I doing this again"? The childhood vows you made as the result of powerful personal experiences during your pre-logical young life govern you as an adult until you explore and address each of these decisions.

Army veteran Kathi Sohn shares how childhood trauma can appear unexpectedly when dealing with trauma later on in life.

The Body Memory Process is a refreshing shift away from the popular temptation to blame adult limitations and failures on our parents and society by putting the power and process to change in your hands!

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 8, 2022
Listen on Website

Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship After The Military

Dustin Hayes, the owner of Red White and Badass Brew, discusses the ups and downs of becoming an entrepreneur after the military.

After several setbacks, Dustin found that working for himself, while a lot of work, has tremendous benefits. He discusses those benefits and the path that led him to create Red White and Badass Brew.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 3, 2022
Listen on Website

Epilepsy Awareness

My wife, Vicki DeLuzio, joins the podcast to discuss how epilepsy and how it affects those who, like her, have developed it later in life.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • What epilepsy is and its possible causes.
  • How and why epilepsy affects veterans at a higher rate than civilians.
  • Limitations those with epilepsy may face.
  • How epilepsy is treated.
  • What you should do if someone around you is having a seizure.
  • The role of service dogs in helping those with epilepsy.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: November 1, 2022
Listen on Website

How Holistic Medicine Can Treat What The VA Can't

Dr. Erica Steele discusses how her work in holistic medicine helps veterans fill in the gaps that the VA leaves in their health care.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 27, 2022
Listen on Website

WP Connects

Talisha Lewallen discusses how veterans and transitioning service members can get started in the WordPress industry through WP Connects.

For listeners unfamiliar with WordPress, it is a website management system that currently powers nearly half of the websites on the internet. It can be used for everything from running a simple personal or business site, blogging, e-commerce, podcasting, and so much more. Jobs in the WordPress industry include software developers, graphic designers, SEO, project managers, content writers, and just about anything else you can think of that goes into running a website.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 25, 2022
Listen on Website

How To Stop Self-Sabotage

Update: Dr. Farkas passed away on August 31, 2022, just about a month after we recorded this episode. For his obituary and to find out where to make memorial contributions, please click here.

Dr. Howard Farkas is a clinical psychologist based in Chicago. He is the founder and president of Chicago Behavioral Health, which in the past two years has become a telehealth psychotherapy practice called Equipoise Teletherapy. He is also on the faculty of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where he teaches a course on motivation and self-regulation of behavior. He's the author of the book 8 Keys to End Emotional Eating.

Howard is currently working on a second book on the topic of self-sabotage: why we do it and how to stop. He defines self-sabotage as any behavior that we do that undermines our goals or values, even though part of us knows we'll regret it. That unwanted behavior can range from common things like procrastination and overspending to excessive drinking, risky health behaviors, or worse.

Howard's work with self-sabotage began while working as a health psychologist in a hospital-based medical weight-management program. He worked with many people who came to the clinic for help with their out-of-control eating, but they repeatedly undermined their own attempts to make changes. He discovered that there was an internal conflict that was the source of these self-defeating behaviors and that this conflict extends to many types of self-sabotaging behavior, such as career success, personal relationships, health, financial security, and many other areas of life where we set goals for ourselves and then undermine them.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 20, 2022
Listen on Website

Air Force Vet and Gold Star Wife Discusses Life After Loss

Natalee King discusses her time in the Air Force and how her husband died while serving in the Air Force and how that loss impacted her.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 18, 2022
Listen on Website

Veteran Help Point

Michelle Lang started Veteran Help Point, an online database of vetted and trusted resources available to the veteran community. She started Veteran Help Point after struggling to find resources for her husband after transitioning out of the military.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 13, 2022
Listen on Website

Defining Moral Injury

Dr. Timothy Shaw discusses his research into moral injury, how it impacts the lives of veterans, and what we can do to help. We dive into the veteran suicide crisis, and what role moral injuries play in that. We can do things as a society to help reduce the impact of moral injuries. We discuss some of those things and more in this episode.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 11, 2022
Listen on Website

Finding Your Passion After Military Service

USMC veteran, David Richards, discusses how he followed his passion for writing after leaving the military and how you can find your purpose at other stages in life.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 6, 2022
Listen on Website

Starting Conversations About Mental Health

Topics like mental health and suicide are often avoided because they make people uncomfortable. But if we avoid them, they won't get better.

Guest, Sonja Wasden joins the podcast to discuss her suicide attempt and how we can help each other by being vulnerable and starting to have those "uncomfortable" conversations.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: October 4, 2022
Listen on Website

Alcoholism and How it Affects Those Around You

Andrew Culkin discusses how he lost his wife of 25 years to alcoholism, how that experience affected his family, and how we can prevent that from happening in other families.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 29, 2022
Listen on Website

Bomb Tech Mindset

Brian Muka is a former Navy bomb tech, who discovered ways to shift his mindset from negative self-talk to form more positive outcomes.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 27, 2022
Listen on Website

Life Skills For Soldiers

Brendan Duebner is the founder of Life Skills for Soldiers, whose mission is to improve financial literacy among US service members.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 22, 2022
Listen on Website

Recovering From Trauma on the Police Force

Keith Harrison, a Canadian police officer, joins us to describe his process of recovering from the trauma he endured for years on the police force.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 20, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Take a Break From Alcohol

Kirsten Chalmers is a psychologist and the founder of Point Zero Cellars, where she works to raise awareness for those looking to take a break from alcohol. While her company is based out of Australia, and the majority of our listeners are in the US, in my opinion, the message she has knows no borders.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 15, 2022
Listen on Website

Prevention Over Prescription

Dr. Thomas Hemingway MD is a holistic and integrative Medical Doctor who lives and shares his personal and professional philosophy of PREVENTION over PRESCRIPTION and is passionate about sharing the message of Natural Health and Healing through Powerful Practices which are simple, doable, AND can be LIFE-SAVING. He has the goal of saving 100 million lives by optimizing health and wellness through natural means. He has recently written a book, "PREVENTABLE! 5 Powerful Practices to Avoid Disease and Build Unshakeable Health" which is due out this year. He also loves sharing this message in his top-rated health podcast "Modern Medicine Movement" where he is known for distilling down the latest medical knowledge and science into easily digestible and actionable steps which can change our lives in the present AND the future.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 13, 2022
Listen on Website

Healing Family Trauma

Dr. Kelly Bohnhoff joins the podcast to talk about healing family trauma.

Often times in the military we experience traumatic events. That's a part of the job, which I think most of us understand. However, when we don't deal with those traumatic events properly, they can seep into our family lives affecting our spouses, children, and other family members.

Dr. Bohnhoff has written the book "Beyond Trauma Drama: Cultivating the Sacred Nature of Families to Heal" and is here to discuss how we can begin healing our families.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 8, 2022
Listen on Website

The Veterans Ranch

J.R. Smith is the vice president of The Veterans Ranch, which works to assist veterans and their families through equine therapy.

In this episode, J.R. talks about how horses are able to help veterans learn how to deal with their emotions and focus on the present moment.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 6, 2022
Listen on Website

Be Bold. Be First. Be You.

Captain Martha LaGuardia-Kotite's bold leadership style empowered her to be one of the first female officers to serve aboard two Coast Guard cutters with all-male crews and lead teams during numerous disasters for 29 years at sea and ashore.

A TEDx speaker and coach, Martha is an award-winning author of five books including the award-winning So Others May Live: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers Saving Lives, Defying Death and the acclaimed Changing the Rules of Engagement a collection of inspirational stories those in business or wanting to achieve a dream about women who changed the culture of the military and achieved their bigger dreams. She is writing her debut novel.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: September 1, 2022
Listen on Website

Veteran Readjustment Culture

Mike Kim is a psychoanalyst/ex-monk, research writer, and retired Veterans Affairs Vet Center site director. His research at Columbia University developing his original theory of "Veteran Readjustment Culture" has recently been presented at the University of North Texas. Mike's work he has advocated for vets and their families since the early 1990's. He has over 20,000 clinical hours in war trauma therapy. He first joined the military in 1986 and has intermittently served since 2009. He is a graduate of Norwich Military College of Vermont, Yale University, and the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma. Google "Mike Kim Veteran" to have access to Mike's articles, academic presentations, other media info, etc. He will also be podcasting with Coming Home Well.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 30, 2022
Listen on Website

Millennial Veterans

Jenna Carlton is a Navy veteran who started the Facebook Group, The Millennial Veterans, where younger veterans can share issues facing them.

You can find Jenna weekly on Sundays at 9 PM Eastern on her Instagram Live series, Vet Chats. Check out the link to her Instagram below.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 25, 2022
Listen on Website

Making Connections to Help Navigate Difficult Times

Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet discusses the highs and lows he's experienced in his personal and professional life, and how he was able to lean on others to help support him through difficult times.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 23, 2022
Listen on Website

Successful Career Transition After The Military

Brandi Saunders talks about her time in the Air Force, her deployments in support of OEF and OIF, and how she successfully transitioned into a new career after leaving the military.

During her time in the military, Brandi served as a Critical Care Medical Technician. After leaving the military, she now works as a CPA at a national accounting firm. She is also helping work to ensure that other veterans have the same opportunities that she had by helping create a pipeline for recent veterans to transition into the accounting profession.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 18, 2022
Listen on Website

Creating Your Future Through Forgiveness

Mike Liguori discusses how he dealt with his PTSD and a troubled relationship with his father. He learned to put the past behind him and focus on the road ahead.

He is the author of the book The Road Ahead and Miles Behind, where he outlines the journey he took with his father. That journey brought them closer together and ultimately healed their relationship.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 16, 2022
Listen on Website

Developing Resilient Warriors

Brent Magnussen is a US Army veteran who served as a combat engineer. He is also a best-selling author, speaker, and sits on the board of the Resilient Warrior Foundation, which serves veterans and first responders who suffer from PTSD.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 11, 2022
Listen on Website

Combat Control Foundation

Mike Lamonica is an Air Force veteran who serves on the Combat Control Foundation's Board of Directors. The Combat Control Foundation provides care and support to Combat Controllers, their families, and other members of the military community through its programs, or through partnerships with similar charitable organizations.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 9, 2022
Listen on Website

Helping Others Through Faith And Sharing Stories

Ashlee Leppert returns to the podcast to open up and share her healing journey after her career in the Coast Guard.

In this episode, we talk about the Coast Guard's work to help keep Americans safe at home. Everything from boating accidents and natural disasters to drug enforcement. Ashlee has participated in all of it during her career. This work made it even more critical for her to find effective ways to cope with the traumatic events that she encountered during her time in the Coast Guard.

Ashlee shares how her faith helped guide her through difficult times and how writing her book, The Hurricane Within, was not only therapeutic for her, but she also hopes it will help serve others who read it.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 4, 2022
Listen on Website

Gold Star Ride Foundation

Anthony Price is with the Gold Star Ride Foundation, whose mission is to actively support, comfort, and do the work that our fallen heroes would do if they hadn't fallen for all our freedom.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: August 2, 2022
Listen on Website

Harness the Fire Within: How to Get Up Every Time Life Knocks You Down

Ellie Shefi discusses ways to help military family members hold down the home front while their spouses are deployed by providing easy-to-implement tools for resiliency and self-care.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 28, 2022
Listen on Website

Rediscovering Yourself After Loss

Sherry Walling, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Her life's work is helping high-achieving people navigate painful and complex experiences. Her podcast, ZenFounder, has been called a "must listen" by both Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines and has been downloaded more than one million times.

In this episode, Dr. Walling discusses her new book Touching Two Worlds and how we can rediscover ourselves after losing a loved one.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 26, 2022
Listen on Website

Unleash the Power of Serving

Most people believe serving others is a nice thing to do, but it doesn't really make much of a difference. David Crocker talks about how serving others not only makes our communities better places to live but also helps us get a handle on our own mental health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 21, 2022
Listen on Website

Using Exercise to Manage Stress

Alecia Aguilar is a Navy veteran, who, while serving discovered how exercise helped manage her stress and anxiety. She also created the Awearness Athletics brand. She is here today to talk about her fitness journey and how it helped her overall physical and mental health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 19, 2022
Listen on Website

How to End Anxiety with Hypnotherapy

For people who had a difficult childhood, half of what we think of as anxiety is often leftover emotional stress from what happened to us as a child. Mahesh Grossman explains how hypnotherapy can help with a wide variety of physical and emotional pain.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 14, 2022
Listen on Website

Creating Connection To Discuss Difficult Topics

Dylan Sessler talks about how he works to create a connection with others in order to provide a safe space to discuss difficult topics.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 12, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Add Quality Years To Your Life

Karen Owoc is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist at the VA in Palo Alto California, a weekly health contributor to KRON-TV in the San Francisco Bay area, as well as the author of the book Athletes in Aprons: The Nutrition Playbook to Break 100.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 7, 2022
Listen on Website

Warrior Mindset: What it is, why it's important, and how to develop it

Mark is a former infantryman, intelligence professional, and licensed attorney. He has trained units from the DoD, DoJ, Fortune 500 companies, and officers from over 60 police departments around the country. He contributes to the Counter Terrorist Magazine and hosts the Pearl Snap Tactical Podcast. Today we're going to be talking about developing a warrior mindset.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: July 5, 2022
Listen on Website

Iron-Sharpened Leadership

Retired Major General John Gronski joins us to discuss how leaders can start putting the people in their charge first.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How leaders can be more effective in taking care of the troops they lead.
  • Characteristics of a good leader.
  • Toxic leadership traits.
  • Being vulnerable as a leader, and setting a good example.
  • Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
  • EOD Marine Gunnery Sergeant Burghardt's "one-finger salute" and leadership lessons from walking off an IED blast.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 30, 2022
Listen on Website

Camp Resilience

Matt Dubois and Kurt Webber are from Camp Resilience, which helps service members, veterans, first responders, and their loved ones recover and maintain their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 28, 2022
Listen on Website

Creating a New Future for Retired Working Dogs

Bob Bryant is the chief technology officer of Mission K9 Rescue, an animal welfare group dedicated solely to rescuing, reuniting, rehoming, repairing, and rehabilitating American working dogs. Since 2013, the group has provided a wide array of services to working dogs in an effort to offer them a comfortable and peaceful retirement. Mission K9 focuses on retrieving dogs both from overseas and national shelter situations where they are suffering without proper care or medical attention.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 23, 2022
Listen on Website

Practical Advice for Living an Inspired Life

Shelly Slocum shares some practical advice, inspiration, and tips for how to apply more positivity in your life to brighten your days.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 21, 2022
Listen on Website

How Trauma-Focused Yoga Helps Heal PTSD

Anissa Hudak's life has been intertwined with PTSD, Trauma, and the military. As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, and military spouse to an OEF/OIF veteran, she saw the struggles others were having which inspired her to create the Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program. In this episode, we talk about the program and how it can help those who have suffered trauma in their lives.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 16, 2022
Listen on Website

She Vets It: The Importance Of Finding Your Tribe

Althea Williams is an Army veteran. She is also the founder of the group She Vets It, where women from all branches of the military come together in a safe space to connect, converse and collaborate. In this episode, she shares why it is important to find your tribe after the military.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 14, 2022
Listen on Website

A New Way To Help Military Marriages Survive

Veterans experience divorce at significantly higher rates than civilians. Often the challenge can be that people who serve get married young, leave home and come back a changed person - to find a changed spouse, too. While changes in your 20s are a natural part of maturing, they can trip you up and tear your relationship apart if you don't get a handle on them. Chris Shaver, The Couples Whisperer, will reveal a fast and inexpensive way to find out who you both are - and give you a shot at a marriage that lasts.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 9, 2022
Listen on Website

The Secrets to Thriving in the Storms of Life

Rod Knoerr is the author of the book Don't Waste This Storm. In the book, he discusses his secrets of perspective shift during the storms life sends your way and how it allows others to experience things they never could have imagined.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 7, 2022
Listen on Website

Ripple Effect of Helping People with Brass & Unity

Kelsi Sheren is the CEO of Brass & Unity and a strong supporter of military and mental health programs. In this episode, we chat about her time in the military, what caused her to transition out, and how she's dealt with her own PTSD and TBI.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: June 2, 2022
Listen on Website

Burn Pit BBQ

Greg Fischer is a Marine combat veteran who currently runs Burn Pit BBQ, which was created to give new grillers and barbecuers a resource and place to go to learn the basics. In this episode, we talk about his journey from joining the USMC to becoming an entrepreneur.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 31, 2022
Listen on Website

Treating Trauma By Rewiring Your Brain

What if I told you that it could be possible to process the traumas you've experienced in as little as 4 hours? You might not believe it, but my guest, Dr. Don Wood says it is possible!

From the Inspired Performance Institute's website:

Unresolved trauma or disturbing events and experiences from your past may be interfering with your ability to function at your highest level. These experiences may limit your ability to regulate your mood, focus, or connect with others in a healthy, loving and safe way. A chronically dysregulated and imbalanced nervous system can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, addictions, or even chronic illnesses such as auto-immune disorders, thyroid problems, cardiac and gastrointestinal diseases, and even, cancer. TIPP, TIPP KIDS, and the NOWW program are designed to help reset the mind and restore the body to optimal states of health, performance, and wellness.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 26, 2022
Listen on Website

How iRest Can Help Pain, Sleep, Depression, Anxiety, & PTSD

Returning guest, Jennifer Boileau, joins us to talk about how iRest meditation can help relieve pain, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

For anyone who wants to listen to just the iRest meditation portion of this episode, please check out the episode on our YouTube channel here.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 24, 2022
Listen on Website

Why You are Not Alone, should Seek Help & Choose Life

Tom Spooner is an Army veteran who served nearly 21 years as a Green Beret and Delta Force Operator. Since retiring, he has successfully enabled thousands of warriors to acknowledge their struggles, seek treatment, and understand that they are not alone. He's dedicated his life to healing fellow warriors and started Warriors Heart as the first private addiction treatment center in the U.S. that is exclusively for military, veterans, and first responders.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 19, 2022
Listen on Website

Action-Oriented - Rebuilding Lives After Trauma

Jesse Simpson is a Marine veteran turned entrepreneur. Jesse runs a company called Action-Oriented, which helps people rebuild their life after trauma or transition. His journey is one with the theme that it is never too late to transform your life.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 17, 2022
Listen on Website

Terror to Triumph

Chris is a Marine veteran who has written the book Terror to Triumph. His book is a journey through the eyes of a Marine scout sniper in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2005. It continues through Fallujah, Iraq, in 2007, and finally finishes flying as a crew chief/door gunner through Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 12, 2022
Listen on Website

Military Transition Roundtable

Don Gleason is an Air Force veteran Colonel who led units of over 1600 people and was responsible for projects as large as the $12.8 billion Iraq reconstruction program. After getting out of the military he's had a successful civilian career and has since started a non-profit which helps military in transition.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 10, 2022
Listen on Website

Facing Addiction Recovery Together

Brandon Roman is an Army veteran who works with Face it Together, which is an addiction resource center that works to help get people with addiction and their loved ones well again.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 5, 2022
Listen on Website

America's Warrior Partnership

Joshua Wilson is a Marine veteran who now works for America's Warrior Partnership, whose mission is to partner with communities to prevent veteran suicide.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: May 3, 2022
Listen on Website

How to Recover from Grief

Victoria Volk is the author of the book The Guided Heart. She is also a grief recovery specialist, and host of the Grieving Voices podcast. In this episode, we dive into the topic of grief and how you can recover from the grief you may be dealing with.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 28, 2022
Listen on Website

From Grief To Gold

Melissa Anne is an Army veteran, military spouse, and tragically, a Gold Star Wife. She is also the author of the book Darkness Within, which discusses her journey after the loss of her husband.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 26, 2022
Listen on Website

Shift 6 Connecting The Auto Industry With Veterans

Curtis Rutledge is an Army veteran and the creator of the non-profit Shift 6, whose mission is to bridge the auto industry with the veteran community by raising veteran awareness through the teaching of automotive and technical skills.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 21, 2022
Listen on Website

Pushing Outside Your Comfort Zone

Joseph "Joe" Bogdan is a Senior Enlisted Leader in the United States Air Force with more than 20 years of service.  He is currently the Chief Enlisted Manager for almost 600 military and civilian engineers at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea.  In this capacity, he is responsible for leading, organizing, training and equipping members to execute missions in efforts to defend the security of the Pacific region and build partnership capacity with our allies.

He has a wide array of leadership experience in the engineering, communications, and social services career fields and has employed his skills at multiple assignments across the globe. Driven by his passion to help others reach their professional and personal goals, he continues to be a mentor to hundreds and is a sought-after speaker and instructor on a variety of topics to include resilience, management, and leadership.

He holds instructional certifications in multiple courses to include Franklin Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Shipley Communications' Four Lenses, and is a Master Resiliency Trainer certified at The University of Pennsylvania.  He is a certified Leadership Coach, he holds an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences with a minor in Homeland Security from the University of Maryland University College and earned his graduate degree in Organizational Leadership at Brandman University where he is currently an adjunct professor of both undergraduate and graduate leadership studies.

Joe is also a co-founder of The Llama Leadership website and a host of the Llama Lounge podcast that explores topics on all things life, learning, and leadership.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 19, 2022
Listen on Website

Physical Health's Impact On Mental Health

Jeff Clark is an Air Force Veteran, host of the Course of Action podcast, and author of the new book Hear These Truths. In this episode, we discuss how his physical health impacted his mental health, and how unprepared he felt when transitioning out of the military.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 14, 2022
Listen on Website

Hot Mess to Wellness

Amanda Zeine is a pediatrician in the Army who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2018. After her injury, she had secondary conditions that caused a loss of identity, depression, amongst other issues. She discusses her experience with a TBI, treatment, and how she created a new vision of herself. She is also the author of the book Hot Mess to Wellness.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 12, 2022
Listen on Website

PTSD Unplugged

Dr. Pamela Hall is a Forensic and Clinical psychologist and a Subject-matter Expert in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She is on a mission to get the facts about PTSD into the hands of veterans and their families. Dr. Hall has written a book, PTSD Unplugged: How to Leave the War Behind Us, which is a guidebook for combat survivors and their loved ones.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 7, 2022
Listen on Website

Forging A Path Of Purpose After A TBI and PTSD

Allen Simmons is a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and wrestled with PTSD from a TBI that he sustained in Afghanistan. In his healing journey, he battled depression and suicide as he set on a new path of purpose. He is also the host of the Purpose Pod podcast and author of the book Can I Speak? Allen joins us to talk about his experiences and how he overcame the obstacles that stood in his way.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: April 5, 2022
Listen on Website

The Winners Paradigm

Alundas Havens hosts The Winners Paradigm Podcast, where he helps others learn what they can do to create daily habits that can help them achieve their goals. In this episode, we talk about some of the ways that we can work to better ourselves.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 31, 2022
Listen on Website

In Loving Memory

Diana Soriano is an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan at the same time as her fiancé. During that deployment her fiancé, Bobby Pagan, was KIA. Diana is also the author of the book In Loving Memory: A Story of Love, Loss, and Living On. She shares her story in this episode and how she has healed from the loss.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 29, 2022
Listen on Website

Living A Free Life

Jay Ly is the host of the Live Free Series, where he helps others eliminate the mindsets that hold them back from meeting their financial goals.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 24, 2022
Listen on Website

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Scott Harris is an Army veteran who has a message for anyone who feels stuck in their lives, and how they can step outside their comfort zone to achieve great things.

Links & Resources

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

Published on: March 22, 2022
Listen on Website

Discovering Your Own Path

Wayne Shipman served in the Army in the '90s and found himself homeless years after leaving the Army. He considered ending it all when he decided he had to discover his own path in life. In this episode, Wayne shares how he felt disconnected from other people in his life, which drove him away from them. He also shares how he ultimately got himself off of the streets.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio  00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Wayne Shipman. Wayne is an army veteran who wound up living outdoors as a homeless man in 2005. While he was living outdoors, he had to face the realities of his homelessness, divorce, bad parenting, drug use, and his own mental health condition, which led him on a path of sobriety and ultimately ended, his time living on the streets. I want to welcome Wayne to the show. Welcome, Wayne. Thanks for joining me.  

Wayne Shipman   00:01:01    Scott is really great to be here talking to you. I've heard a lot of your content and you got me hooked. 

Scott DeLuzio    00:01:08    Oh, awesome. That's great.  I went over a little bit of your background, but could you give us a little kind of an overview of your background? What led you to join the military and what happened to you in that situation when you're in the military?  

Wayne Shipman   00:01:28    Yeah, that's kind of a long story. It's something I got to shave the ice and just kind of give you the shavings of it, because it's just, it goes on and on and on its layers of things that kind of led up to the situations that I was in.  I was a homeless guy and I was on dope and given up frankly. The message that I'm trying to bring, I'm trying to give you the end game. You don't have to spend 15 minutes figuring out why I'm telling you this story after all of my disappointments and things that I experienced after the military, trying to adjust to civilian life. I pretty much encountered shame. And a lot of disgrace that I carried with me because I didn't make it in the military.  

Wayne Shipman     00:02:21    I failed. I ended up getting kicked out about six months early from my end of service. And that hurt me over the years. I'm trying to kind of reach out to soldiers. Former military that had similar experiences. I went into the military looking for some kind of golden ticket to be respected by my family and members.  My family members growing up as in the post-World War II era, a lot of my grandma, my uncles. They had pictures on their walls of military people. And some of them were from the Vietnam era.  I was the first grandson out of six daughters in the family. All eyes were on me,  and through the years I heard it all. Every Christmas, every Thanksgiving, when people get together, there was Wayne playing with his little Tonka toys, but they were all talking about Wayne's going to do great.  

Wayne Shipman     00:03:...

Published on: March 17, 2022
Listen on Website

Maintaining Healthy Military and Veteran Relationships

Elizabeth Polinsky is a marriage counselor for military and veteran families, and the host of The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships. In this episode, we talk about maintaining healthy military families.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast, where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let's get on with the show. Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Elizabeth Polinsky. Elizabeth is a marriage counselor in the Norfolk Virginia area, and she's also the host of the communicate and connect podcast for military relationships. In this episode, we're going to talk about military families and relationships,  and how they are affected by military service and after the military service and once when we become veterans. Welcome to the show, Elizabeth.  

Elizabeth Polinsky   00:00:55    Thank you. I'm excited to be here.  

Scott DeLuzio     00:00:57    Thanks. Why don't you give us a little bit about yourself, your background, and a little bit about what you do?  

Elizabeth Polinsky    00:01:05     Gosh, where to start. I guess I get lots of questions about things like what led me to start focusing really on couples counseling with military couples. And that is pretty much what I do.  I guess that's the real short of it is that I'm a marriage counselor and I work mostly with military and veteran couples, but both my parents were a dual military couple and they ended up getting divorced and that was part of,  just like the challenges that they faced with military life. My mom got out of the military and then my dad stayed in and he actually retired from the Navy and he struggled a lot in relationships.  That was something that was always on my mind.  Then I started working for the department of veterans affairs.  

Elizabeth Polinsky    00:02:03    I used to do a lot of individual and group counseling for the VA. I was one of the only providers who did a type of therapy called cognitive processing therapy for PTSD. also did a lot of work around sexual trauma. One of the things that stood out to me when I was working at the VA was that even though I had a lot of I was working with veterans around mental health. There was depression, anxiety, traumatic events type stuff going on. But a lot of them would tell me stories about things that had happened in their romantic relationships.  They would tell me that was the most painful part of their experience, or that was one of the hardest, that's not quite how you say that.  Most hard is not the right phrasing, but one of the hardest parts about their experiences with them, with all of their military experiences, was the pain that had happened in their romantic relationships.  

Elizabeth Polinsky   00:03:09     When I moved to Norfolk, my husband is Navy. I'm a military spouse. When we got stationed here, I decided I wanted to switch to doing couples counseling, focusing specifically on military couples, to see if I can hopefully prevent some of that stuff from happening. That is a little bit about me. Like I said, do counseling and then I do have my podcast. I also f...

Published on: March 15, 2022
Listen on Website

Developing Grit

David Fivecoat spent 24 years in the Army including tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He now runs The Fivecoat Consulting Group, which helps develop gritty leaders. In this episode, he discusses how to develop personal grit.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or a family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. Now let's get on with the show. Hey everybody, welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is David Fivecoat. David served 24 years as a US Army Paratrooper as well as four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. And since leaving the army, he founded the Fivecoat Consulting Group where he helps develop gritty leaders. David is also the author of the book, Grow Your Grit, and he's here today to talk about developing personal grit. Welcome to the show, David.  

David Fivecoat    00:00:52    Thank you for having me on, I'm excited about this. I've listened to several of your podcasts and I really appreciate you having me on.  

Scott DeLuzio     00:00:59    I'm glad you were able to make it on the show and come on and share your information as well because I think, the gritty side of things is something that's important. I think we all have the potential in us to have that gritty side of us come out.  But it's just a matter of tapping into that. I think your experience with what you do now will be a good help there. But before we get into that, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? I know you and I both were in Afghanistan around the same time. I'd love to hear a little bit about where you were and what you did over there. And then we could talk a little bit about that for a few minutes.  

David Fivecoat   00:01:39    A little bit about me.  I grew up in Ohio, no military sort of background in the family, but decided to go to West Point because I loved reading military history and of course, all the World War II generals had attended West Point. It was really a good fit when it came time to apply to colleges. That's how I ended up at West Point and throughout my army career, I was always of the sort of mind that. I'll stick around in the army until it stops being fun. Every couple of years, when it started to look like it wasn't going to be fun, there'd be a new job or a new challenge or something.  

David Fivecoat  00:02:24    And that kept me going., I did 24 years in the army. I was commissioned as an infantry officer. Along the way, I had the opportunity to serve in Kosovo Bosnia, three trips to Iraq, and a trip to Afghanistan. My final job in the army was I ran the army's airborne school and ranger school. While I had the oversight of ranger school, we actually led the gender integration of ranger school. For your listeners that aren't familiar with ranger school: ranger school is the Army's premier small-unit leadership school. It's been in existence since 1952. There's about 80 or 90,000 graduates. Up until 2015, those graduates were all male. In 2015, we tried to run a pilot program. 19 women came to ranger school and three women were the first three women to earn the ranger tab. That was a pivotal part of the Army's decision to open all jobs and all units to women and provide equal opportunity to everyone that serves in the army. Since 2015, ranger schools have graduated almost a hundred women and several thousand men in that same timeframe.  

Scott D...

Published on: March 10, 2022
Listen on Website

Learning How To Live Your Best Life

Jessica Jaber is a USMC veteran who served in Iraq. She joins us to discuss her experiences, and how she's worked to live her best life after returning home.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast, where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or a family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let's get on with the show. Hey, everybody welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Jessica Jaber. She was a Marine Corps veteran and she served in Iraq as a truck driver. And she had some experiences over there that she's coming on to share with us and share with us how she has transitioned since coming back and all the things that she has kind of gone through. So, welcome to the show, Jessica.  

Jessica Jaber   00:00:53    Thank you, Scott.  

Scott DeLuzio     00:00:55    Yeah, absolutely.  I'm excited. We talked a little bit earlier today.  Just a little bit of background on your story for the people who are listening to this. And so, we kind of dug in a little bit to your story and I'd like to kind of start from the beginning and talk about how you joined the Marine Corps and how you got into that, and what those early days were like when you first joined.  

Jessica Jaber    00:01:21    Yeah. I'll just jump right in. So again, thanks for having me, Scott. This is really exciting. So I was 18 when I joined the Marine Corps, and I joined on a dare. I didn't come from a family of military brothers or, or parents or grandparents. And so for me to join the Marine Corps it was out of the norm, so a really good friend of mine. He joined the Marine Corps, came back and his, his dress blues,  came out with a group of friends and I just said, out of the blue, what would you, what would you say if I joined the Marine Corps? And he's like, oh, no way. We just did this, we just did this crucible, we just did this. And he said I don't think you would be able to do it. And so that was on a Friday night and then Monday I was in the recruiter's office signing up. So this is how I joined the Marine Corps. It wasn't a lifelong dream of mine.

Scott DeLuzio      00:02:36    I like that story because let's just do it and why not? And it's for a good cause, serving your country. At the time, did you have any career expectations or college expectations in your future? Or was it something where you were 18 and were kind of like, I don't really know what's going on with my life and this sounds better than the alternatives is that?  Was that kinda like that? 

Jessica Jaber   00:03:07    Exactly what it was. I wasn't that interested in going to school anymore.. It didn't really have any passions and so I'm like, yeah, Marines let's do it.  

Scott DeLuzio      00:03:18    Right. It's a good career path, in the military you can learn a lot of things. You can get a skill that you can translate to the civilian world later on, if that's something that you're interested in. When we talked earlier, you didn't really have any career path in mind with the Marine Corps.  You just kind of said, put me where you need me.   

Jessica Jaber   00:03:45    Yeah, exactly. So I just want to be a Marine. So when you do that, they just sign you up for whatever bill they have open. So I ended up being a motor T, a truck driver.  

Published on: March 8, 2022
Listen on Website

Transition On Purpose

Dennis Volpe spent over 20 years as a Naval Officer, he's the best-selling author of Transition on Purpose, and the founder of the Severn River Leadership Group, which is committed to the development of veteran and first responder-owned small businesses.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Dennis Volpe. Dennis spent over 20 years as a Naval officer. He's the best-selling author of the book Transition On Purpose, and he's the founder of the Severn River Leadership Group, which is committed to the development of veteran and first responder-owned small businesses. So welcome to the show, Dennis.  

Dennis Volpe   00:00:49    Hey Scott, thanks for having me. I've been excited about our conversation for a while and, absolute look looking forward to,  

Scott DeLuzio      00:00:58     When we first got in touch I was kind of eager to get you on because it sounds like you have a lot of good information and stuff from your background in the military and what you're doing in your training that you do. Why don't you tell us a little bit about your background and tell us a little bit about yourself?  

Dennis Volpe    00:01:22    Sure. Well, I'll start with who I am now. I'm a husband, a dog dad,  and I'm an outdoor enthusiast. I'm a recreational triathlete and a rugby and lacrosse fan. I'm a Traeger grill guy. I'm a bourbon drinker, I'm an author, I'm a songwriter, I'm a retired military officer, and I'm a certified professional coach who helps others get more focused, more aligned, and more fulfillment out of the work they do in the life they lead. And right now I'm a principal leadership consultant coach with the Leadership Research Institute.  

Scott DeLuzio     00:02:08    That's great.  And you've talked about your military transition a little bit. I like to kind of hear a little bit about that. What your transition was like because it's a topic that we discuss a lot on this podcast. Because of how difficult it can be, how many veterans struggle with transitio...

Published on: March 3, 2022
Listen on Website

Healing With Meditation And Yoga

Jennifer Boileau is a trauma-centered yoga and meditation teacher, reiki master, and sound healing facilitator. Through these methods, she has helped veterans and first responders get better sleep, conquer their anxiety, and move beyond the intrusive thoughts that overwhelm and exhaust them. She does this all while using non-pharmaceutical methods.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let's get on with the show. Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Jennifer Boileau. Jennifer is a trauma-centered yoga and meditation teacher, a Reiki Master, and a sound healing facilitator. Through these methods. She has helped others to get better sleep, conquer their anxiety and move beyond the intrusive thoughts that overwhelm and exhaust them. And she does this all while using non-pharmaceutical methods. I'm happy to have her on the show where she can share some of these techniques and the things that she does to hopefully help some of the listeners out there, reap some of the benefits of it. Welcome to the show, Jennifer.  

Jennifer Boileau    00:01:06    Well, thanks so much for having me. I really appreciate you and all the work you're doing. Thank you so much.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:01:12    Yeah, absolutely. I'm glad you're able to come on the show. A former guest of mine on this show introduced us and got us together. And I'm really grateful for this opportunity to have you on to be able to share, what you do and everything. But before we dive into that, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?  

Jennifer Boileau     00:01:38    Yeah, sure. Everything that I share now, all these research-based methods all are the kinds of things that I wish I had when I was younger. Basically, we say we teach what we need. I'm definitely teaching what I need.  I kind of grew up with a lot of anxiety. I was a swimmer at a decent level where there were some pretty high intensity, meets and stuff I was going to, and I was having horrific chest pains and after so many, doctors and everything else, they kept saying there's nothing wrong. And we realized I was having panic attacks, literally in the water, in these major races, which is really not a good thing. That kind of anxiety throughout my high school and college career really kind of took a toll.  

Jennifer Boileau    00:02:37    I wasn't really sure where to turn. I did  try some medications along the way through my doctor and I just never felt like anything landed right with me. And then if you kind of fast forward a little bit to when I was expecting my first daughter, I started getting into yoga, like prenatal yoga, and I know I'm dating myself, but they were on VHS tapes back in the day. And I really found that I was drawn to the meditative aspect of the practice. I was drawn to the physical aspect and I really didn't understand wha...

Published on: March 1, 2022
Listen on Website

The Morning Formation Crossover

KP Phillips is an Army veteran and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started The Morning Formation podcast out of his passion to help fellow veterans, military spouses, and future military generations with career transition and preparedness.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is KP Phillips from The Morning Formation Podcast. KP is an army veteran and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started The Morning Formation Podcast out of his passion to help fellow veterans, military spouses, and future military generations with career transition and preparedness. So, first off, welcome to the show KP. Thanks for joining me,  

KP Phillips   00:00:55    Scott, the honor's all mine. I really appreciate you having me on the show and it was great also doing an interview with you and digging into some of your experiences and what you had to deal with as well, including your time in the military. So thank you for having me.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:01:08    Yeah, absolutely. And for people who are listening and just finding out about The Morning Formation Podcast, right now through this episode, as KP just mentioned, we recorded an episode a few weeks ago, on his podcast. So, definitely go check out that episode and all of the other episodes that have a lot of great guests and great insights on various topics on his podcast. So definitely go check that out, follow that, subscribe to it., leave reviews, do all the things that people usually ask for when you're talking about a podcast. It's a great show, with a lot of great content on there. So, you won't be disappointed.  For anyone, like I was just mentioning for anyone who may not be familiar with you and in your podcast, why don't you give us a little bit of information about yourself, your background, how you got into the army, and all that kind of stuff?  

KP Phillips   00:02:08    Yeah. So that's a really good start, actually. So I'm an army brat. My dad was drafted in 71 and by the time he finished up ranger school and everything, he was not sent to Vietnam. He was sent to Germany instead, he ended up spending 20 years in the military and it wasn't something that he planned to do had he not been drafted. And so I grew up basically living the army life. I was born in Hawaii, which is in the middle of Oahu, which is next to Schofield barracks for anyone that's ever been stationed there with 25th. So my dad was actually out at east range at the pre-ranger course for a number of years, and I got a chance to kind of grow up out there in the forest and the jungles of Hawaii.  

KP Phillips    00:02:55    Well my dad ended up retiring in 91. And soon after that, he moved back to his home state in Ohio and my parents divorced and I ended up going with him, living with him, and it was quite a culture shock going from the...

Published on: February 24, 2022
Listen on Website

Advice for Grieving Military Losses

Dr. Jan Canty is a psychologist of about 40 years. In 1985, her spouse was murdered and she has since made it her life's mission to help other homicide survivors. In this episode, we discuss combat deaths and some of the things to do and not to do when facing those situations.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Dr. Jan Canty. Dr. Canty is a psychologist of about 40 years, and in 1985, her spouse was murdered and she has since made it her life mission to help other homicide survivors and having her on the podcast today. Not necessarily to talk directly about homicide, but we deal with all sorts of different kinds of deaths, combat death, and training accidents in the military community. I'm having her come on to talk about some of the unique aspects of those types of death, and really help us try to process those things in our own lives, with the people that we know. So welcome to the show.  

Dr. Jan Canty    00:01:13    Well thank you for having me

Scott DeLuzio     00:01:14. I'm glad you're here. So why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?  

Dr. Jan Canty   00:01:21    Well, I was born, raised, educated, and widowed in Detroit. I was married to a man 11 years ago. I was in training to be a psychologist. He was a psychologist when he failed to come home one night from work and long story short within 10 days, they'd found his body. He had been kidnapped, I mean, not kidnapped. He had been cornered and beaten to death with a baseball bat and killed. And then they, the man who killed him, John Fry, dismembered him and took him up to Northern Michigan and buried him in a shallow grave. I think that what brought it all to light was who helped with the barrel. He did not participate in the killing, but he held the cover-up. Had he not come forward. I don't know that they would've ever figured it out, but he did. And they got caught and they both got sentenced.  

Dr. Jan Canty    00:02:16    There were two people involved and I had no knowledge of what had happened. So I sat across from inspector Gil Hill, who, by the way, incidentally was just coming off the set of Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills cop one. He was Inspector Todd. And he's just like that guy in real life. Let me tell you a very man of very few words, kind of intense. And he basically said,  your husband's dead and we need you to go to the Morgue, identify his identifiable body parts. And I had a remarkable detective go with me, who prepped me on the way as best she could. And literally stood by my side, through the identification process. She did not have to do that. That was not part of her duties, but she did it. And she was there at the prelim exam. I did not go to the trial.  

Published on: February 22, 2022
Listen on Website

VetGigs

Brett Currier created an online talent marketplace, called VetGigs, that connects veterans with employers who are looking to hire them as skilled professional freelancers.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast, where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host Scott DeLuzio, and now let's get on with the show. Everybody welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Brett Currier. Brett's organization. VetGigs is an online talent marketplace that connects veterans with employers seeking to hire them as skilled professionals, service freelancers. Brett's here today to talk about his career in the military, his transition out of the military and how VetGigs came to be, and how it's helping out veterans. So welcome to the show, Brett.  

Brett Currier   00:00:56    Thanks so much Scott. Really happy to be here.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:58    Yeah, absolutely. So why don't you give us a little bit of your background and who you are, what you did in the military, that type of stuff.  

Brett Currier    00:01:07    Yeah, happy to. I served 12 years between the Army National Guard and active service. I just ETS actually last year in 20, or now a year before last in 2020, in April. So I spent most of my time as a military policeman, but also served as a religious fairs NCO as well. And, my service included a torn operation, Iraqi freedom. and actually most of the wildfires you've seen in the news out in California, I was running the operations out there as the operations NCO, my  MP unit. So that was a really fantastic opportunity as well, to kind of make an impact on our local community as a, as a veteran. After getting out of the army, actually, after leaving active service, I went into management consulting,  where I worked at Deloitte consulting for nearly five years, and now work at a more specialized firm called Huron consulting group. They are really supportive, but the mission where we're doing it, VetGigs, and it was, that time working in consulting that really gave me the idea to start VetGigs, as I saw that major disconnect between, the veteran community and all the employers who, in concept really wanted to hire them, but they wasn't quite sure how to go about doing it.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:02:31    So, where did that idea come from?  I know you said your employer is very supportive of it, but, there's more of a backstory to that and how you came up with VetGigs and everything. Give us a little background on that.  

Brett Currier   00:02:46    Yeah, absolutely. I've always been passionate about helping others in the veteran community. I mean, that's just part of the NCO way, we find out something new, we find a better way to do something and we're out there teaching others in our squad or platoon or company, our community, how to do that. I really found my new professional purpose after the military in consulting and wanted to help pass on all the many resources out there on how to do it. But when it became just a deeply personal mission for me, it's unfortunately after beginning to lose more and more battle buddies due to suicide.I lost my first battle buddy to suicide just a few months after getting back from Iraq. And that hit me really hard.  

Brett Currier    00:03:37    But at that poin...

Published on: February 17, 2022
Listen on Website

Vet With A Mic

Ryan is a Navy veteran and has since focused on studying psychology, and turned to podcasting to help veterans.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran active duty guard, reserve, or a family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Everybody. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Ryan from the Vet with a Mic podcast. Ryan is a Navy veteran and has since focused studying psychology and practicing psychology after getting out of the Navy. So welcome to the show, Ryan. Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?  

Ryan    00:00:45    Well, yeah, I guess I should clarify one little thing. I did study clinical psychology at the university, I'm not a psychologist, so I don't practice psychology, just okay. It's more of a legal standard. You have to train to the doctoral level in order to be a psychologist. So I am not a psychologist just to kind of clear that up really quickly.  I spent five years in the United States Navy, the world's finest Navy. I bounced around a little bit, my time in the uniform. So I got a lot of experiences, saw a big chunk of the world. Not all of it. Still, some bucket list left to check, to check off there. But I really noticed that I didn't think that I could really make this a lifestyle for me forever.  

Ryan   00:01:39    So I separated in 2013 and much like most of us, I kind of floundered a bit for the first year. So whenever I got out, I had no idea really what was next. I had a plan. I thought I was going to be able to execute, but when you're trying to make plans at this point, I was in Italy trying to make plans in Tennessee. It's really difficult to navigate that transition from a thousand miles away or from several thousand miles away in my case. So I found that as I tried to navigate that space,  with my plan after the uniform, it just didn't really pan out for me. Luckily I had some family members that kind of stepped in on my behalf, so I didn't end up on the streets so to speak, but it was pretty close. It was a pretty rough transition for me.  

Ryan   00:02:32    But what I started to notice, after the uniform was, I just really felt alienated and disconnected from everybody. And I didn't understand why. I thought maybe it was because I had changed after the uniform. I wasn't really sure. So I eventually said, well, I've got to do something. I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels here. So I said, well, I tried my hand at college time or two before, might as well go back and see if there's anything that I can find interest, in that domain. So I went back for psychology courses and it was like, Hey, you know what? I really like this. I don't know what I'm going to be able to do with it, but I really liked this. So I finished a bachelor's degree in psychology, got some really cool opportunities to do some research with like projects like non-suicidal self-injury.  

Ryan    00:03:29    And I was like, wow, I think this is probably something that I would like to go a little further in. So I applied for grad school and did some more higher-level courses wit...

Published on: February 15, 2022
Listen on Website

Healthy and Sustainable Mindset

Ashleigh Magee is currently serving in the Navy, and as a wellness life coach, she brings a holistic view of health and wellness to those she works with.

In this episode, we talk about her fitness journey, going from a swimmer to serving in the Navy, oftentimes with limited healthy meal choices, especially while deployed. Ashleigh offers tips and advice for those who are deployed and need to find time for achieving their own health and fitness goals.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:00    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast, where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or a family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Welcome back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Ashley Magee. Ashley is a Navy veteran and military spouse who encountered a lot of ups and downs in her health and wellness journey while in the military. Welcome to the show. Ashley, I want to get into your journey a little bit, but first, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and a little bit about who you are and your background?  

Ashleigh Magee   00:00:46    So minor correction, I'm actually still on active duty. So I have about another year left. I'm going to be transitioning out this next year.  I am still working active duty. I am an engineering duty officer in the Navy and then I'm also a health coach for women in the military community. That's kind of the actual love and dream that I have that I'm building up on the side as I get ready to transition out.  

Scott DeLuzio   00:01:18    Okay. Yeah. Sorry about that. I thought I had seen that you were a veteran, but that's no worry. That's okay. So we got that clarified. We talked a little bit about this journey that you had with your own health and wellness while you were serving, and you struggled with this. But your health and wellness, your weight, your fitness, all that kind of stuff is pretty important. Parts of being in the military. Depending on the job that you have, I mean, it could be a crucial part of what you're doing. The struggle that you had had to have affected you more than just your own physical health, your emotional health and your job satisfaction, your, your overall well-being. So what was that experience like for you? While you're going through that struggle?  

Ashleigh Magee   00:02:19     I think this is really common with a lot of people, especially once you get out of high school college. For me in high school, I was a competitive swimmer year-round. So I had my sport that kind of anchored me.  and then when I got to the Naval academy, that's where I did my undergrad. you suddenly don't have control over what you're eating. The PT regimen is not really great. And as a swimmer that suddenly was running a lot. I actually got stress fractures, I ended up injured,  and that kind of started a snowball effect. So my whole time throughout the academy,  it was a struggle. I am not a runner, so passing that PRT was not fun for me. And you wrap up a lot of your self-worth into your way and your ability to perform.  

Ashleigh Magee   00:03:21    And even then doing amazing on my physical readiness tests I'...

Published on: February 10, 2022
Listen on Website

Drive Your Dreams

William Hollingworth is an Army veteran. He and his wife are the authors of the book All 48: Drive Your Dreams, which is the story of how they started off as struggling young parents and overcame those obstacles. They now use their book to reach other people wanting to pursue their goals.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast, where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community. Whether you're a veteran, active duty, guard, reserve, or family member, this podcast will share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Everybody, today my guest is William Hollingsworth. William is an army veteran and he and his wife, Jessica are the authors of the book All 48 Drive Your Dreams, which is a story of how they started off as a struggle. As struggling young parents and overcame the obstacles that came along with that. They now use their book to reach other people, wanting to pursue their goals and their dreams. So welcome to the show, William, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.  

William Hollingworth    00:00:54    Hey, thank you very much, Scott. I appreciate being here. It's an honor for me. So essentially our story is a I always feel a little corny saying it, but it's a self-help and somewhat inspirational guide story where we started off as teen parents, only 16 years old facing bringing a child into the world, trying to just struggle to make ends meet and finish high school. From there. I ended up joining the military, the United States Army as a medic from 2012 to 2016. I deployed, from 2014 to 2015, got out with, as everyone does with a plan of how I'm going to kick ass once, once my term's over and no one's telling me what to do anymore. And, when I got out, I found myself in a kind of a stagnant place in life.  

William Hollingworth   00:01:45    I think a lot of veterans face that you're using your GI bill to go to school, but you just, things aren't as the past, not as clear as you think they are. And, I ended up kind of where most people do where you look around. You're like, nothing's really going on for me. This is kind of where the stagnant place gave me an opportunity to try launch change. My wife started traveling, Just a low-budget road trip. We didn't know what we were doing. We didn't have any kind of guide. We didn't have anyone really lean on for it. And, next thing we know we're making these long drives,  from Texas where we live San Antonio all the way down to California and coming back and we do this one journey and realize it's changed us.  

William Hollingworth    00:02:33    And it's something kind of neat. And this was the stepping stone to kind of getting my life on a whole new path, literally and figuratively, where we started doing these long road trips, and seeing the world, and experiencing different cultures. And it compounded into something that helped lead us towards success and lead us towards having a,  just a better drive for life and a bigger goal. From there.  I ended up finishing two degrees. Push forward in gaining better positions, traveling internationally at the end of it, none of it was ever with the intention to write a book or, or market anything. It ended up being just part of our identity and something bigger. And now we have a mission after we drove the entire 48 connected states and traveled internationally a little bit.  

Wi...

Published on: February 8, 2022
Listen on Website

Emotional Freedom Through Tapping

Lauren Fonvielle helps veterans overcome symptoms of stress, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, physical pain, and more through the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as "tapping".

Lauren describes tapping as being similar to acupuncture without the needles. In acupuncture, as in tapping, the idea is to re-balance the flow of energy through your body.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into a Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran active duty guard reserve or family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Everybody will come back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Lauren Fonvielle. Lauren is a military spouse and specializes in helping others alleviate their stress, anxiety, and trauma through a technique called emotional freedom technique. Welcome to the show, Lauren.

Lauren Fonvielle    00:00:41    I'm so excited to be here and talk with you.  

Scott DeLuzio  00:00:43    Yeah, absolutely. So why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and a little bit about what you do?  

Lauren Fonvielle    00:00:49    Sure. Yeah. So, like you said, I am a military spouse and I specialize in EFT. It's also referred to as tapping. I have used it personally in my journey with anxiety and stress and it has been so helpful to me that I felt called to go on to get trained, to share it with others. And particularly sharing it with military folk is important to me as I am a Navy wife. And I know how stressful it can be. And I was actually introduced to EFT shortly before my, my husband's most recent deployment. And, I am credited with helping me get through that tough time.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:01:37    That's really cool. I'm glad that, first of all, glad that you found this technique for yourself to kind of make the process a little bit easier for you and kind of alleviate your own anxiety. But could you tell us how you got into doing this and, and how you found out about it and,  how you, how you discovered it kind of everything that was going on then?  

Lauren Fonvielle    00:02:02    Yeah, so we found out that my husband was going to have to deploy. He's in the reserves now. So it came as a little bit of a surprise.  I wasn't anticipating it. So it kind of came out of nowhere and the anxiety really set in because at the time I had two young kids and just the brain started circling and all the thoughts started going. And so for me, when I start to feel really anxious and overwhelmed, I typically will find myself in a yoga class and that's exactly what happened. So I was in this yoga class and I happened to see a poster, a flyer for yoga teacher training. And that was my first step on this journey as I signed up for yoga teacher training. I don't know what happened that day, but it was like calling this push that I had to do this.  

Lauren Fonvielle    00:02:53    And it started the weekend after my husband left for deployment. I didn't know how I was logistically going to make it happen, being that my family was far away, but I knew that I had to do it. So I signed up and through that process of being in the yoga studio and around other like-minded people that are talking about energy work, I was introduced to EFT. And, for those of you that are not familiar with what EFT is, it...

Published on: February 3, 2022
Listen on Website

Overcoming Tragedy

Tripp Bodenheimer is currently serving in the US Air Force and is also the host of The Shadows Podcast. In this episode, we talk about tragedies encountered in Tripp's childhood and how they shaped who he is and what he does today.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio  00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into a Drive On Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran active duty guard reserve or family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show. Everybody will come back to the Drive On Podcast. Today, my guest is Tripp Bodenheimer.Tripp is currently serving in the US Air Force and is also the host of the Shadows podcast. We're going to talk about Tripp's childhood and how it shaped who he is and what he does today. So welcome to the show Tripp. 

Tripp Bodenheimer    00:00:40   I  Appreciate you having me.  

Scott DeLuzio   00:00:42    Hey yeah, absolutely. I'm glad to have you. Why don't you tell the audience people who may or may not know who you are and may not be familiar with you and your podcast, tell a little bit about who you are and everything.  

Tripp Bodenheimer   00:00:56    Yeah. So, who I am, currently I am, a little past 12 years in the United States Air Force. I came in as a calm guy, working on computers, joined a little bit later, joined at 29. So I got a little bit of real-world experience under my belt and then decided to join the military. I was stationed in Arizona, went to Germany for six years, which was the best six years of my life. And while I was over there, they asked me if I wanted to be a part of what the Air Force calls, developmental special duty program or DSD, and basically being an instructor for young airmen and getting them ready to supervise. And I did that for three years. Loved it. And just, I was myself, I wasn't playing the role of an instructor or anything.  

Tripp Bodenheimer   00:01:43    It was just me and that landed me a spot in the Alabama fair off Germany at Alabama. I ended up moving over here with my family and I am now the instructor for the instructors. So I teach all enlisted professional military education instructors in the Air Force. When they get picked up in the DSD process, they come through our course and we teach them, basically the fundamentals of how to teach questioning techniques, active listening. Non-verbals verbals mean all that stuff such as multitasking and time management. So yeah, and then I'm married. I've been married to my wife for 14 years. two daughters, my youngest daughter, 13 still lives with us here in Alabama. And, that's a pretty important part of who I am. And then, like you said, the Shadows Podcast, which has been around now for we're looking at, almost a year and a half, which is crazy. Because, as well as I do, like it's, there's a lot that goes into podcasts. And so to be hanging around that, that long is a kind of, self high-five, I guess.  

Scott DeLuzio  00:02:53    You definitely deserve a high five for that because there's some podcasts. What, what is it not even 10 or so episodes that they average that number. Yeah. And so to be able to sit around for, for that long is pretty impressive. Any podcaste...

Published on: February 1, 2022
Listen on Website

The MisFitNation

Rich LaMonica is a 22-year Army veteran. After retiring in 2015, he went through a year of self-reflection as he transitioned back to civilian life. Through this process, he learned many valuable lessons, which has fueled his drive to help other veterans as they work their way through the transition process.

Published on: January 27, 2022
Listen on Website

Gold Star Widow Talks About Sacrifice

Michelle Black is a Gold Star widow whose husband, Bryan Black, was killed in 2017 in Africa under some rather unusual circumstances. She is the author of the book Sacrifice, which looks into the events surrounding her husband's death.

Published on: January 25, 2022
Listen on Website

The Protectors

Dr. Jason Piccolo is an Army veteran, a former special agent, and a supervisor with the Department of Homeland Security, a former U.S. Border Patrol agent near the Mexico Border, and went on to work with the White House Security Council’s Human Smuggling Cell. He is also an author and a fellow podcaster of the show called The Protectors.

Published on: January 20, 2022
Listen on Website

Military Veteran Dads

Ben Killoy is a Marine veteran, turned blogger, life coach, speaker, and podcaster whose mission is to bring Military Veteran Dads home to their families and step into their best life.

Published on: January 18, 2022
Listen on Website

Freedom Alliance

Tom Kilgannon is the President of Freedom Alliance, a non-profit that seeks to support America's military by assisting with the rehabilitation needs of wounded service members and their families, as well as care for the families of the fallen amongst other initiatives.

Published on: January 13, 2022
Listen on Website

Stop, Breathe, Think, Act

Mark Weisman has spent over three decades researching religion throughout the world. He has combined his experience with religion and psychology to offer hope for those suffering from depression, and PTSD by building successful coping mechanisms that lead to happier lives.

Published on: January 11, 2022
Listen on Website

Helping Veterans Tell Their Story and Jiu Jitsu

Lexi Casiday is a Navy veteran who is collecting poems, artwork, and short stories from post 9/11 OEF/OIF veterans. She plans to put those collections into a book, which will help support combat disabled vets.

Published on: January 6, 2022
Listen on Website

Transforming Service to Veterans

Paul Lawrence is an Army veteran and also served as the Under Secretary of Benefits at the VA. During his time with the VA, he worked to streamline the bureaucracy to help veterans get the benefits they apply for quickly and accurately.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio  00:00:00    Thanks for tuning into a Drive on Podcast where we're focused on giving hope and strength to the entire military community, whether you're a veteran active duty guard reserve, or family member, this podcast we'll share inspirational stories and resources that are useful to you. I'm your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let's get on with the show.  

Scott DeLuzio    00:00:22    Everybody welcome back to the Drive On Podcast today. My guest is Paul Lawrence. Paul is an Army veteran and also served as the Undersecretary of Benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs. During his time with the VA, he worked to streamline the bureaucracy to help veterans get the benefits that they apply for, quickly and accurately., Paul is also the author of the book, Transforming Service to Veterans. In this episode, we're going to talk about Paul's time at the VA and how he's helped veterans along the way, and as well as a little bit about his book at the end. So, welcome to the show, Paul, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.  

Paul Lawrence   00:01:01    Hey, thanks, Scott. Thanks for having me with you. Yeah. it's an interesting story. I grew up in an army family. My father was a career military officer in the army. He was in the Signal Corps. We moved all around the world during the cold war thing, lived in Europe a couple times back and forth, and I was actually born in Japan. I left after a year, so I don't remember anything of it. So basically it seemed natural that I would join ROTC when I was in college. I did, I joined army ROTC. I delayed my going in so I could go on and get my PhD in economics at Virginia Tech. And then I went into the army. So I did my three years. I completed my ROTC requirement. I got out and then I moved to Washington and became a consultant to the government, primarily working in accounting firms, consulting to the government.  

Paul Lawrence    00:01:50    And so that's where I was. When someone said, Hey, you should apply for this cool job at the VA. And that's how I became the undersecretary of your benefits. I would definitely say being a veteran and being in a military family really kind of informed my thinking and really, while it wasn't all my life, it was a significant part of my life. And some of the things I still remember, my father taught me and I still remember, I think about all the time, that was some of the things that led me to want to serve.  

Scott DeLuzio     00:02:16    And I think it's important to coming from a military background to kind of have that understanding of  what is important to, to the veterans and having that in, in your family history, in living  the military life,  moving from one base to another and moving all over the world, you kind of get a sense for that probably from an early age, where some other people who may not have had that experience, they wouldn't have been able to experience that in and wouldn't have that understanding necessarily of what it's like, to be in the military, and part of a military family, especially  

Paul Lawrence   00:02:54    Right. And to move, to live in foreign countries where they don't speak English, where you can learn different languages and see the whole kind of thing where you deal with people who do not like Americans and you don't understand why. So yeah, it's really eye opening. And it's just, in retrospect, it was a pretty amazing experience. And I know my father thought as much too,...

Published on: January 4, 2022
Listen on Website

StoryTime Project

The Storytime Project started as a way to check in on fellow veterans, and has become a movement where veterans check in on each other on the 22nd of each month.

Published on: December 28, 2021
Listen on Website

Warrior Monk - Living a Balanced Life

Lance Radford is currently serving in the US Air Force. He joins us to talk about his experiences, his podcast the Warrior Monk, and living a balanced life.

Published on: December 21, 2021
Listen on Website

Gold Star Mother & America's Mighty Warriors

Debbie Lee is the mother of Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. She shares an inspirational message and continues to work to help other Gold Star Families and veterans.

Published on: December 14, 2021
Listen on Website

Wrestling To Help PTSD

Jan Ohrstrom is an Army veteran and former pro-wrestler who has worked to help veterans who are struggling with PTSD through his documentary called The Valhalla Club.

Published on: December 7, 2021
Listen on Website

The Soldier’s Guide to PTSD

Virginia Cruse is a counselor who specializes in military and combat-related trauma. She is also the author of The Soldier's Guide To PTSD.

Published on: November 30, 2021
Listen on Website

Veteran Product Marketplace Apex Gear

Drew Everett and Nick Wyatt started Apex Gear Company, which is a marketplace for veteran-owned companies. In this episode, they talk about the marketplace and veteran-owned businesses.

Published on: November 23, 2021
Listen on Website

Connecting With Veterans

David Dezso is the founder and CEO of Banyan Risk Group. Prior to starting Banyan, he served 10 years as an Army Green Beret. David is here today to talk about his career in the military as well as what he's done after leaving the military to help veterans.

Published on: November 16, 2021
Listen on Website

Tribute to Wes: Burn Pits and Cancer

On November 7, 2021, Wes Black lost his battle with cancer due to his exposure to toxic burn pits. This is a re-airing of the conversation Wes and I had back in Episodes 13 & 14.

Published on: November 11, 2021
Listen on Website

Military Service Vaccine Injuries

Sara Boyd is the president of Operation Truth - Gulf War Suffering Unite, which is a non-profit that helps bring awareness to the illnesses that many Gulf War-era veterans were exposed to.

Published on: November 9, 2021
Listen on Website

Camouflaged Sisters

Lila Holley is a combat Veteran and retired US Army Warrant Officer. She is a multiple award-winning, Amazon bestselling author who partners with other courageous military women and women Veterans to share their stories of success in the military despite facing challenges along their journey.

Published on: November 2, 2021
Listen on Website

Battlefields To Ballfields

Mike Pereira is the founder of the non-profit Battlefields to Ballfields, which helps veterans integrate back into society by providing veterans with skills to officiate sporting events from the high school level all the way through to college and pro levels.

Published on: October 26, 2021
Listen on Website

From Mogadishu to a Hard Rock Band

Brad Thomas served over 20 years in the Army as a Ranger during the Battle of Mogadishu and later went on to the Delta Force. Brad has since left the Army and is pursuing his passion for music while helping veterans at the same time.

Published on: October 19, 2021
Listen on Website

Repurpose Yourself After The Military

Gerardo Cazares is an Army combat veteran who is now a full time artist in San Antonio, TX. After a few setbacks in his transition, he discovered painting, and talks about his message of finding a new mission.

Published on: October 12, 2021
Listen on Website

Overcome the Enemy Inside You

Brandi Benson is an Army veteran, who served in Iraq before being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She's written a book about this experience, and she shares how she overcame the physical and mental enemy inside of her.

Published on: October 5, 2021
Listen on Website

Hold My Guns Suicide Prevention

In this episode, Sarah Albrecht talks about her nonprofit, Hold My Guns, which hopes to help gun owners store their firearms safely in a time of need.

Published on: September 28, 2021
Listen on Website

The Enduring Campaign Helping Homeless Veterans

Rachelle LaFleur is a Marine Corps veteran, and the founder of The Enduring Campaign, which is a non-profit that serves veteran transitional centers around the country that offer housing and re-integration programs.

Published on: September 21, 2021
Listen on Website

Special Ops Vet and Signs of PTSD

In this episode, Cliff Van Rickley, a Special Ops veteran talks about a personal story of PTSD, how he helped friends who were struggling and more.

Published on: September 14, 2021
Listen on Website

Surviving Son

Learn about Scott's new book, Surviving Son, and how to enter to win a free signed copy of your own!

Published on: September 9, 2021
Listen on Website

What Happens Behind the Therapy Door

In this episode, we pull back the curtain to discover what it is like behind the therapy door. We walk through everything from the initial phone call, the first few meetings, and how to decide on a course of care.

Published on: September 7, 2021
Listen on Website

A Rocky Transition and Choosing to Change Course

John Rowley is one of the hosts of the Beyond The Barrel Podcast. The goal of his podcast is to highlight the paths taken by veterans to find success after their service.

Published on: August 31, 2021
Listen on Website

Dual Military Couple on Mental Health and Deployments

Heath & Jamie Britt talk to me about their podcast, E-14 Podcast, being a dual military couple, grief, loss, PTSD, and so much more!

Published on: August 24, 2021
Listen on Website

Having The Right Attitude - and a Giveaway Contest!

Check out this episode and learn how to enter to win a free t-shirt from Ridgeline Ruck Apparel Company!

Published on: August 17, 2021
Listen on Website

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

Dr. Sally Broder is the executive director for HorseSensing. Their mission is to help veterans more successfully transition back to civilian life through the use of horses.

Published on: August 10, 2021
Listen on Website

Women Veterans Alliance

Melissa Washington is a Navy veteran who, went on to found the Women Veterans Alliance, which offers women veterans opportunities to gain valuable career experience and successfully integrate back into civilian life.

Published on: August 3, 2021
Listen on Website

Combating Veteran Homelessness and Suicide

Jessica-Rose Johnson is a USMC veteran who has continued to serve homeless veterans and as a suicide prevention resource for the military, businesses, and other organizations.

Published on: July 27, 2021
Listen on Website

Australian Veteran on PTSD, Trauma, and Grief

Roger Marsh is an Australian Army veteran, who became an author after his discharge. Roger talks about how he felt disconnected from civilians after returning home, and how his writing acts as a way to break down that divide.

Published on: July 20, 2021
Listen on Website

Get Your Story Out There

Steve Kidd helps people write, publish, and market their books to become bestsellers. With the help of Steve, you can go from “I'm not even sure that I have a story to tell” to best-seller status.

Published on: July 13, 2021
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose and The French Foreign Legion

James served as a Marine in Fallujah and in the French Foreign Legion. He has since started a nonprofit running sailing trips for Veterans to help them find purpose after transitioning out of the military.

Published on: July 6, 2021
Listen on Website

Importance of Telling Your Story

Aaron Lee Marshall served in Iraq, and has written a book about his experiences over there. His book is written in a way to help the reader understand the causes of the traumas that modern soldiers face. 

Published on: June 29, 2021
Listen on Website

Re4ormed

Mark Mhley is a retired Naval Officer and Aviator. Mark founded Re4ormed, which provides a place for veteran entrepreneurs to connect with other veterans they can trust.

Published on: June 22, 2021
Listen on Website

American Savage

Christian Lopez is an Army veteran who founded American Savage. Through this company he continues serving through his mission to serve veterans.

Published on: June 15, 2021
Listen on Website

The Hurricane Within

Ashlee Leppert is a Coast Guard veteran, who was awarded the Air Medal for her role in the heroic efforts during the 2017 Hurricane Harvey rescues where she and her crew saved over 40 people from the flood waters.

Published on: June 8, 2021
Listen on Website

Warriors Ethos

Warriors Ethos is a non-profit that provides career planning, professional development, and placement assistance to service members, veterans, as well as their spouses and caregivers.

Published on: June 1, 2021
Listen on Website

Blue Star Academy

Pete and Edie Freudenberger founded the Blue Star Academy, which helps serve some of the unique educational needs of military connected students. They help educators understand the demands placed on children with military parents. This could include things like deployments, frequent moves, etc.

Published on: May 25, 2021
Listen on Website

Post Military Education and Becoming an Entrepreneur

James Dunnigan talks about his time in the Marine Corps and his transition out of the military to civilian life. He offers a lot of great advice to transitioning veterans.

Published on: May 18, 2021
Listen on Website

Ruck 'N' Run

Army Drill Sergeant, George Fuller, talks to me about Ruck 'N' Run, which honors those who served, as well as helps to build camaraderie through their fun, motivating, and challenging events.

Published on: May 11, 2021
Listen on Website

Proudly She Served

Linda and Steve have been working together on a series of portraits that honors active military and veteran women who exemplify courage, strength, and selfless service to inspire future generations of young women.

Published on: May 4, 2021
Listen on Website

Episode 100

Has it really been 100 episodes already? In this episode I take a look back at the first 100 episodes and talk about where the podcast will be heading in the future.

Published on: April 27, 2021
Listen on Website

Transitioning and Camaraderie

Matt and Brad join me to discuss their time in the military as fighter pilots, a stint as Senior White House Advisor to Secretary Mattis, and their transition to the civilian sector.

Published on: April 20, 2021
Listen on Website

Bottled Away Sharing a Veteran's Story

Repeat guest Lani Hankins, discusses her new book Bottled Away, and the importance of sharing your story.

Published on: April 13, 2021
Listen on Website

Oath to Country Foundation

The Oath To Country Foundation helps support veterans struggles with mental health as well as homeless veterans.

Published on: April 6, 2021
Listen on Website

Price Of Freedom Foundation

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Schroader Sr. is the founder of the Price of Freedom Foundation, a 501c3 organization dedicated to telling the life stories of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Published on: March 30, 2021
Listen on Website

Make Veterans Great Again

Josh Mach is a fellow podcaster who emphasizes the importance of reaching out to fellow brothers/sisters in arms to conquer our mental health together.

Published on: March 23, 2021
Listen on Website

VA Disability Benefits

In this episode, I try to remove some of the mystery behind VA benefits. How to apply, VA math, and other topics.

Published on: March 16, 2021
Listen on Website

Lucky Break

Steven and I found each other through a post on the Veterans Helping Veterans Facebook group where he was looking for guests on his podcast, The Lucky Break Podcast. His podcast is all about telling other people's stories so I figured let's give him a chance to tell his story too.

Published on: March 9, 2021
Listen on Website

Another Average Joe

Joey Brown is the person behind Another Average Joe, who is looking to help connect veterans to resources that are available to them.

Published on: March 2, 2021
Listen on Website

Helping CPL Thae Ohu

Pan Phyu is the sister of CPL Thae Ohu. CPL Ohu suffered from a sexual assault, which developed mental health issues.

Published on: February 23, 2021
Listen on Website

Art After Combat

Brian Holt is an Army veteran who is spreading the message of healing through artwork and is on a mission to help veterans use art to express themselves.

Published on: February 16, 2021
Listen on Website

GI Resupply

David Payne is the founder of G.I. Resupply, a company that provides care packages to troops serving overseas. David talks about the rocky transition he had after getting out of the Army in this episode.

Published on: February 9, 2021
Listen on Website

The Voice of Leadership

Dr. Karen Wilson-Starks worked as a Psychologist with the Army at Walter Reed, Fort Riley, and West Point.

Published on: February 2, 2021
Listen on Website

Military Transitions To A Post Military Career

Cliff D. Payne offers advice on post military careers including when a good time is for current servicemembers to start planning their transition into civilian life, things you should consider in your post military career, the benefit of using a recruiter to help you find a job, common issues that veterans have when they enter the workforce, and more.

Published on: January 26, 2021
Listen on Website

Claymore Vets

Maria Salazar is a USMC veteran who has found the benefits of art therapy and founded Claymore Vets to provide veterans a way to explore their creative side.

Published on: January 19, 2021
Listen on Website

Ghosts Of The Valley

Sean Ambriz is the author of the book Ghosts of the Valley, in which he talks about his experiences during his time in Afghanistan. One of the goals of the book is to help veterans with PTSD.

Published on: January 12, 2021
Listen on Website

VetPark

VetPark is an organization whose mission is to help veterans and provide funding to non-profits with a veteran focus. Robert Dabney Jr. tells us about the company and it's mission.

Published on: January 5, 2021
Listen on Website

Breaking Barriers

Jodi is a veteran, author, and host of the Breaking Barriers Now podcast, which has a similar mission to this podcast in that they talk about real life issues and stories to lift others up and support each other on their journeys.

Published on: December 29, 2020
Listen on Website

Real Talk Saves A Rocky Military Transition

Roman Roberts tells us his story of transitioning out of the military and how "real talk" helped him get back on track.

Published on: December 22, 2020
Listen on Website

MyMilitaryBenefits.com

Garrett Fitzgerald from MyMilitaryBenefits.com talks to us about everything from education to employment opportunities for veterans.

Published on: December 15, 2020
Listen on Website

Recorded Live: Sharing Your Story [Veterans Day 2020]

This episode was recorded live at a ceremony on Veterans Day 2020 where I had the opportunity to share my story and the stories of several of my past guests. It was an honor to share these stories with this audience and I’m pleased to be able to share the stories with you on this podcast.

Published on: December 8, 2020
Listen on Website

Deployment Stresses and Leadership Lessons From A Navy Seal

After a 31+ year career in the Navy, John Havlik discusses his research into deployment stress, burnout prevention, and leadership lessons learned as a Navy SEAL.

Published on: December 1, 2020
Listen on Website

Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Finding Purpose

Ryan Britch, an OEF veteran, talks about his experience with PTSD and how prolonged exposure therapy helped him overcome it.

Published on: November 24, 2020
Listen on Website

Preventing Burnout

Feel like you're experiencing burnout or just don't have enough time in the day? This episode will give you tips and strategies to help avoid burnout in your life.

Published on: November 17, 2020
Listen on Website

Veterans Day

All about Veterans Day. In the COVID era, many schools are cancelling their traditional Veterans Day assemblies, so I thought I'd put together a little something that parents and teachers could use.

Published on: November 10, 2020
Listen on Website

Succeeding In A Post Military Career

The military instills many skills and attributes that can be utilized in your post military career. In this episode we explore some of those skills and how you can use them to your advantage.

Published on: November 3, 2020
Listen on Website

Operation Freelance

Laura Briggs talks to us about a great way for military spouses and veterans to start their own freelance careers through her nonprofit Operation Freelance.

Published on: October 27, 2020
Listen on Website

Burden of Command & Drive On Collaboration

Earl Breon, a USMC veteran and host of the Burden of Command podcast joins me for a joint collaborative episode. Be sure to check his podcast out!

Published on: October 20, 2020
Listen on Website

The Catalyst

Kevin Rose talks to us about a rather unique approach that helps veterans learn to de-stress and be more present in the moment.

Published on: October 13, 2020
Listen on Website

Mental Resilience & Physical Fitness

Bradley Hecker, a law enforcement officer and EMT talks to us about mental resilience and physical fitness.

Published on: October 6, 2020
Listen on Website

Rescue to Recovery

Tracey Brown, a Coast Guard veteran struggled with undiagnosed PTSD for several years before finally realizing she needed help.

Published on: September 29, 2020
Listen on Website

Vitanya Brain Performance

John Strickland is a 23 year Army veteran who served in Vietnam and later found himself suffering from PTSD. After discovering Vitanya Brain Performance Centers, John became a franchisee in order to help others increase their brain performance.

Published on: September 22, 2020
Listen on Website

Magical Order of Brave Knights

Colleen Marchi is the author of Magical Order of Brave Knights, which is a book that helps children with separation anxiety and other bedtime fears, which can be common in military families.

Published on: September 15, 2020
Listen on Website

G. I. Low

Author, and illustrator P. S. Barlow, the creator of the popular G. I. Low comic joins me to talk about the comic, some of his experiences as a Drill Sergeant, and about how humor can help get people through difficult situations.

Published on: September 8, 2020
Listen on Website

The Veteran Professional

Mark Delaney of The Veteran Professional talks about career and educational options for service members as they are transitioning into civilian life.

Published on: September 1, 2020
Listen on Website

10 Year Anniversary

In this episode, I asked a few of my brother's friends and family members to share stories about him to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of his death in Afghanistan.

Published on: August 25, 2020
Listen on Website

Kruse Corner

Lani Hankins talks to us about the struggles that service members face after leaving the military and coping with the loss of their friends.

Published on: August 18, 2020
Listen on Website

Wellness for Vets

James Connor is a Marine Corps veteran who has been working to help veterans replace medications with alternative therapies that help PTSD and other causes of anxiety or depression.

Published on: August 11, 2020
Listen on Website

Heroic Gardens

Collie Turner talks to us about her company Heroic Gardens and how it helps veterans and service members "grow hope" by connecting them with plants and nature.

Published on: August 4, 2020
Listen on Website

The Spouse Angle

Natalie Gross and Andrea Scott host the Spouse Angle Podcast, where they bring news and relevant content to military spouses and their families.

Published on: July 28, 2020
Listen on Website

Choosing To Find The Good

After losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan, Julian Torres talks to us about how he has been able to find the good things in life and focus on the positives.

Published on: July 21, 2020
Listen on Website

Tango Alpha Lima

In this episode I talk to Jeff Daly who is one of the hosts of The American Legion's Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Published on: July 14, 2020
Listen on Website

How Fisher House Supports The Military Community

Tom Flowers joins us to talk about how the Fisher House is there to help support the veteran and military community in some of their most critical times of need.

Published on: July 7, 2020
Listen on Website

Power of Sharing Your Story

Kerri Jeter talks to us about the power of sharing your story.

Published on: June 30, 2020
Listen on Website

Ironman Gold Star Initiative

Mike Ergo talks to us about what the Ironman Gold Star Initiative is all about and how it helps Gold Star Families.

Published on: June 23, 2020
Listen on Website

Veteran Entrepreneurs

Joey Mac Dizon, a USMC veteran and entrepreneur talks to us about the what it's like to be a veteran entrepreneur and how he got started.

Published on: June 16, 2020
Listen on Website

Hope And Healing For The Veteran Community

Jennifer O'Neill talks to us about the power of an equestrian form of therapy to help vets and their loved ones.

Published on: June 9, 2020
Listen on Website

Serve Something Bigger Than Yourself

Holy crap! It's been a year since this podcast started. This episode is a bit of a recap and a look ahead, with a good message about serving something bigger than yourself.

Published on: June 2, 2020
Listen on Website

Helping Veterans and the Community

In this episode, Christopher Page talks about the importance of community involvement. He’s worked with his local community to do everything from 5x the size of his local American Legion post, raise awareness for suicide prevention, homelessness amongst veterans, TBI, PTSD, and other veteran related issues.

He’s done a lot of great work, that you’ll appreciate if you have a soft spot in your heart for veterans.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor. If you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:45    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Christopher Page. Christopher has been the Commander of an American Legion post in New Jersey for the last three years, and during that time he grew the membership through strengthening the ties to the local community. He’s currently moving on to be the Vice Commander in the County where he’s working to entice younger veterans to join the American Legion. Christopher also started a nonprofit that helps raise awareness for veteran mental health, suicide awareness and several other issues. So Christopher, thank you for joining us today. Why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m sure you can fill in some of the gaps where I left off in the intro, but why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do there.

Chris Page:    01:31    Thank you very much. I really appreciate this opportunity to come on here. So, a little bit about myself is that I’ve been in the Army for a little over 16 years now. I’m a senior NCO working a staff position and I also teach op sec

Chris Page:    01:48    where it’s a bit of running around to a couple of the national guard units here up and down the East coast and Reserve units. So that’s been a pretty interesting part of my career having left running around in the woods and chasing after soldiers a lot. It’s actually quite relaxing before going down to a first sgt. position, which I think I’m going to be doing sometime this fall. The other things I do is that I started up a great little nonprofit in New York City and celebrating the Army’s birthday. Every year we pick an army veteran who has, since hanging up the uniform, gone on to do great things within their community. The way of giving back and how that all started was several years ago, I was standing around with a couple of Marine friends of mine celebrating the Marine Corps birthday on November 10th.

Chris Page:    02:41    So as we are raising glasses to the Marine Corps, no better friend, no worse enemy, they all started chiding me on why the Army has no interest in doing something similar. So, after a few beverages, we all decided that it would be in our best interest to do something similar for the Army in New York City. Why not? Fortunately for me, I knew the head of Army...

Published on: May 26, 2020
Listen on Website

Memorial Day

This episode is all about Memorial Day. What it is, and maybe more importantly what it isn’t.

  • History of Memorial Day
  • Modern day celebrations
  • Why we celebrate Memorial Day
  • Who isn’t being celebrated on Memorial Day
  • …and more
Transcript Expand This coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend. The unofficial start of the summer. It’s when many Americans typically get together for a barbeque, grill some hamburgers and hot dogs, drink beer, head to the beach, or attend a parade. Although this year many of those things may be put on hold due to lockdowns that are happening throughout the country. Typically though, we do these things to celebrate the start of the summer, but we very rarely take a minute to think about what the holiday weekend is really all about. In this episode I’m talking about Memorial Day. What it is, what it isn’t, why we celebrate this day each year, and why this day has particular importance to me. Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. It began in the years following the Civil War but didn’t become an official federal holiday until 1971. In the late 1860’s Americans in towns across the country started holding tributes to all of the fallen soldiers from the Civil War. They would visit cemeteries, decorate the graves with flowers, and pray. In 1868, General John Logan, who was the leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, said that there should be a nationwide day of remembrance on May 30th. The purpose of that day was to decorate the graves of the soldiers who died in the Civil War, which at that time nearly every city and village across the country had some of those soldiers buried in their cemeteries. This is where the name Decoration Day came from. By 1890 each state in the North had declared Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states also honored their war dead, but they did it on separate days until sometime after World War 1. Although some southern states still celebrate Confederate Memorial Day in late April and early May. Decoration Day was designed to only honor those who died in the Civil War. As World War 1 started, Decoration Day gradually started to be known as Memorial Day. The holiday evolved to honor all American military personnel who died in all of our country’s wars. Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30th, but eventually Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which allowed for federal employees to get a 3 day weekend. Memorial Day would then be celebrated on the last Monday in May. As I mentioned earlier, Memorial Day is celebrated with parades, parties, barbeques, and long weekend getaways. Americans also visit cemeteries and war memorials to honor and remember those who fought and died for their country. That last part. Those who fought and died for their country is particularly important. Memorial Day is to honor those who died for their country. There are a few military holidays throughout the year, which honor different groups of people connected to the military, and I don’t know if it’s patriotism or confusion, or whatever but people have a tendency to thank veterans on all of these military holidays. In particular I’m talking about two holidays. Veteran’s Day, and Memorial Day.
  • Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th each year. This is a day to thank military veterans for their service.
  • Memorial Day as I mentioned earlier is celebrated on the last Monday in May. This is the day to remember those who died serving their country.
And as a veteran, I am often times thanked for my service. A lot of veterans are uncomfortable with that sort of thanks. It sometimes feels forced, as if someone feels like they have to say something but just don’t know what to say. But it’s still appreciated. I mean look back 50 plus years ago when the Vietnam veterans were ret...

Published on: May 19, 2020
Listen on Website

Perfectly Hidden Depression

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Margaret Rutherford, the author of the book Perfectly Hidden Depression. We talk about the book, seeking mental health treatment, and a lot more.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I would like to ask a favor if you have not done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcast. If you have already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you are there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you do not use Apple podcasts, you can visit Drive On Podcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email lists. I am your host Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:46    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Dr. Margaret Rutherford, who is a psychologist, the host of the self-work podcast and the author of the book perfectly hidden depression. I am certain I am missing a few accolades, so, Dr. Rutherford, welcome to the show.  Why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself, your background, and what you do?

Dr. Margaret Rutherford:    01:08    Sure. Thanks Scott so much. Oh, there are so many accolades. I can barely, you know, I have paparazzi standing outside the window. Well I have a bit of an interesting route to be a psychologist if you would like to hear that. I was a professional singer in my twenties. I sang jazz and jingles. I think jazz at night, and then I sang, radio and television advertisements. And so, I did that for eight or nine years. I was not doing well with the lifestyle. Music’s a hard business to be in and it’s pretty cutthroat and there is the longest contract sometimes is a month in a hotel and you are supposed to be glad you got that. So, I was not doing very well.  I heard about this thing called music therapy and I took all the money I had in the world and put it down at SMU in Dallas and began that career.

Dr. Margaret Rutherford:    02:04    And as soon as I finished up my training, I was at an internship site and it was at a psych hospital. And I said, Oh no, this is what I want to do. And I had been in therapy for a long time and it had really helped me. And so, I turned the boat around. And so, it was about nine years before I was at the Fairmont closing the bar there, with my singing and seeing my first patient. So, it took almost a decade to do that, but...

Published on: May 12, 2020
Listen on Website

Fortitude

I read Fortitude by Dan Crenshaw a few weeks ago, and it really resonated with what I’ve seen happening in America. I’d like to think that as veterans we are immune to some of the outrage culture that is talked about in the book, but unfortunately that’s not really the case.

In this episode, I do a brief review of the book, and give examples of how to reframe your thinking so that you make the best of bad situations you may find yourself in. In the book, Dan Crenshaw makes mention of the Saturday Night Live joke that was made about him, and what his response was to it. The joke, and the rebuttal are below if you haven’t seen them yet.

I also opened an invitation to Rep. Crenshaw to come on the show to discuss his book and his time in the Navy. You never get anything if you don’t ask for it, right?

Links & Resources

  • Fortitude
  • Pete Davidson’s “joke” about Dan Crenshaw:

  • Dan Crenshaw’s SNL appearance:

 

Transcript Expand

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in. I don’t have a guest for today’s show, but I do have a topic that I think is pretty important that I would like to talk about.

A couple weeks ago I read a book called Fortitude, by Congressman and former Navy Seal, Dan Crenshaw. The book is all about the current American outrage culture. Actually, I say American, but this outrage culture probably goes beyond our borders to parts of Europe and beyond as well. I’m not too concerned with those places though. The book talks about the American spirit, which in years past was characterized by resilient, gritty people. Think of The Greatest Generation. The folks, largely men, who fought and won World War II on both the European and Pacific fronts. The resilient people who survived the Great Depression. The women who went to work in the factories while their husbands were away at war. This is a group of people who suffered hardship after hardship, yet they came out with the ability to survive and solve the problems that are set before them.

Those were the people who would watch movies with rough and tough actors like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. They were tough, resilient, and didn’t let a little setback, or hell even a big setback, defeat them.

In the book, Dan Crenshaw tells about how an IED destroyed one of his eyes and blinded him in the other. If it wasn’t for his persistence with his doctors and their skilled hands, he wouldn’t have recovered vision in his left eye. Then, not to let some little setback like getting blown the fuck up hold him back, he then went on to complete two more deployments, graduated with a Master’s degree from Harvard, then to represent the state of Texas in the US House of Representatives.

When faced with setbacks, or devastating news like this we’re faced with a few choices that we have to make. And these are choices. We can choose how we react to these situations. First, we can be overwhelmed by the adversity. We can shut down, get mad or frustrated all while angrily blaming others for our situation. We can yell about how we were wronged and how someone else has to fix the problem. On the other hand, we can accept the situation for what it is and adjust so that we can have the greatest chance of success.

Let’s take a quick look at Dan Crenshaw’s situation. He was blown up by an IED. Both eyes were severely damaged, with one being completely destroyed. He could have gotten angry at the guy who made the bomb. He could have blamed the guy who triggered the bomb to detonate. He could have been outraged at the US government for sending him to a miserable country that can’t even handle it’s own affairs. He could have been upset with the medics and the doctors who maybe could have done something more to save his eye. He c...

Published on: May 5, 2020
Listen on Website

What the American Legion is All About

Veterans are looking for a few things after getting out of the military and organizations like the American Legion are offering exactly what they are looking for. Learn what the American Legion is all about in this episode.

One of the things that organizations like the American Legion have to offer is a sense of belonging. We all had a place in our units. Whether we were the lowest ranking Private, the CO or anywhere in between, we had a place. We were important. We belonged.

The American Legion gives you that sense of belonging. They have ample volunteer opportunities so you can help others with your expertise.

Even bigger than the sense of belonging though is access to the vast knowledge of the older veterans who have come before you. Do you really think that your readjustment to civilian life is unique? Those older Vietnam, Korea, and WWII vets went through that and more. They’ve screwed up from time to time, and then they’ve figured things out.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to have access to that type of a mentor? Pull up a seat at the bar next to someone who walked in your shoes a few decades earlier.

There’s a lot more than that going on at the American Legion. If you want to find out more listen to the episode and then visit the American Legion’s website or social media to become a member and learn more.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting Veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I would like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you have already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you are there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you do not use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I am your host Scott DeLuzio. And now let us get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone, thanks for joining in the Drive On Podcast. Today my guest is Joseph Sharpe. Joseph is with the American Legion as the director of employment and Veterans transition. Joseph, welcome to the show. Why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about your background, who you are, what you do with the American Legion and then we’ll jump into a conversation.

Joseph Sharpe:    01:07    Okay. Again, my name is Joseph Sharpe. I’m the director of the Veterans employment and education division for the American Legion. I’m a retired Army Vet. I spent about 30 years in the military, 14 years active duty and the rest were in the Reserves. As an active duty soldier, my title was Behavioral Science Research Specialist and as a reservist I was a Civil Affairs instructor. I’ve been with the Legion for about 24 years now. I was also in their veteran affairs visitation division for about six or seven years where we would go out and look at the VA hospitals and look at the quality of care. And then that became the deputy and then director of the veteran’s employment education, where we look out for Veterans as they transition out of the military to ensure that they are gainfully employed and financially stable and they’re able to contribute to their communities.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:20    Awesome. So, I mean it seems like you’ve had a...

Published on: April 28, 2020
Listen on Website

Healing Through Service

Aaron Quinonez, affectionately known as SGT Q talks about how serving others has helped him and others recover from difficult times.

Aaron’s organization, QMissions provides veterans with an opportunity to serve others all while healing from their own often invisible wounds. The service missions are structured very much like a military unit with squad leaders in charge of various aspects of the mission, and individuals who carry out the mission.

This is all done through a religious lense using the teachings from the Bible to aid veterans to a better life through service.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hi everyone. Today, my guest is Aaron Quinonez. Aaron is with Q Missions, which is an organization that exists to create a platform for veterans to live out the calling that God has put in their lives, and they help create infrastructure so that they can focus on the mission at hand by providing support and funding and other mentoring programs for veterans. So, Aaron, welcome to the show. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself, a little bit about your time in the service and what your organization, Q Missions is all about.  I’m sure you could do a much better job explaining it than I could.

Aaron Quinonez    01:21    I just want to say thank you for having me on your podcast. It’s a real blessing to be able to come on and share with people what we do to help veterans out here in the community. So, thanks for allowing me this time and I hope that I can inspire some of your listeners here to get out there and start serving other people. So, I grew up in the mountains in Northern California, in this small little hippie commune, redneck town called Mad River. It’s right on the Humboldt county line. So, if you guys know Humboldt County, tons of pot farming goes on there. I grew up, my parents were farmers and I grew up in a really strange lifestyle. I’ve seen that whole industry go from the Wild West to main street.

Aaron Quinonez    02:05    I have a unique perspective on that whole industry. But I knew that wasn’t the kind of lifestyle I wanted to live. So, when I grew up watching that society and how they interacted with everyone else, I knew I wanted something different for my life. And I started reading a lot of books in the library because...

Published on: April 21, 2020
Listen on Website

Leave No Marriage Behind

Daniel Faust from Learn & Live talks about helping veterans thrive at home, at work, and everywhere in between. Daniel knows how military families struggle with all the typical issues of marriage and relationships on top of the stresses that comes from military life. Using his own experiences he’s helped military families exploit their unique strengths, which can help repair what has been broken in their relationships.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Daniel Faust. He has served 17 years in the US Air Force and is now a relationship consultant with Learn and Live. In this role, he helps veteran couples create thriving and passionate marriages. So Daniel, welcome to the show. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Daniel Faust:    01:04    Yeah. So, I was active duty 12 years and I have now been in reserves for 8, so the website is a little outdated. So, that just reminds me that the website needs to be updated. When I got married in 2006, I just totally botched up my marriage and I was like on a deployment, wrestling with a divorce while my son was going to be born a few months later. And I realized I really need to go over and fix myself in that particular regard. So I got a revelation to go over and teach the world better relationships. And from there I was like off, and my wife said slow now and you must have a plan. And I’m like, Oh, okay. So three more kids and four more deployments. And about six years later we transformed out of the service.

Daniel Faust:    01:55    I won’t say transition because that is like a personal cuss word to me. We transformed out of service and went towards the civilian world. Oh, that sucked a lot. And, we almost went homeless during that time and we just learned we need to go over and really get our marriage on board. It wasn’t until 2013 because 2006-2007 was the application of learning how to thrive in marriage. 2013 was actually living it out. We were just living and learning instead of learning and living. And that’s when I got spiritually kicked in the nuts that day in 2013. And it was like, all right, I really need to revamp my marriage and treat it almost like we treat a deployment. We need to prepare and we need to get tasked and we need to get trained to go over and go.

Daniel Faust:    02:46    And in marriages we just tend to jump in and are like, Hey, sex will solve everything. Sure, it will. Well, it really doesn’t. It’s great. Like from two months to two years, that’s the average...

Published on: April 14, 2020
Listen on Website

Confident Couples and Strong Relationships

Published on: April 7, 2020
Listen on Website

Confident Couples and Strong Relationships

Neither Bud or Sara are veterans, which might make them seem like an unlikely choice for a podcast whose audience is primarily veterans and those that support them. However, I recently came to learn a very interesting trend. The rate of divorce amongst actively serving military is on a whole lower than the general population with few exceptions. If you think about it, there are incentives that the military has to keep couples together. Pay incentives, housing options, and other similar incentives. But after separating from the military all that goes away, and with it divorce rates skyrocket.

That’s why I asked Bud and Sara to be on the show. They’re co-hosts of the Confident Couples podcast, which talks about the power of intentional relationships, and the practices they’ve developed to help build their relationship.

We talk about the three foundations of marriage, which they equate to a three legged stool. If you knock one of the legs out, the whole thing becomes uneven and can tip over.
  • Communication
  • Finances
  • Intimacy

They also talk about two intentional practices that they’ve instituted in their relationship.

  • “The Ritual”, a daily communication process
  • Monthly life planning dinner

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hi, everyone today my guests are Bud and Sara Dunn, Bud and Sara host the Confident Couples Podcast where they talk about ways to strengthen relationships by working on communication, finances, and a couple’s overall commitment to each other. Now, neither Bud nor Sara are veterans, which might make them seem like an unlikely choice for a podcast whose audience is primarily veterans and the people who support them. However, I recently came to learn a very interesting trend. The rate of divorce amongst actively serving military is on whole lower than the general population. Of course, there’s some demographics that vary within the military, but overall, the military does a pretty decent job at keeping spouses together. If you think about it, there are some good incentives to staying married while in the military. There are pay incentives, improved housing options, insurance and other things like that. But after separating from the military, all that goes away and with it, the d...

Published on: April 7, 2020
Listen on Website

Physical Isolation Not Social Isolation

The phrase “social isolation” gives the wrong impression. We should keep the social, while maintaining a physical distance.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Alright, it looks like last week’s Hail Mary didn’t quite work and we’re all still stuck at home doing the social isolation thing.

 

That’s an interesting term that they picked isn’t it, social isolation? I think it’s a bit of a fucked up term because it sort of implies that we have to just stay away from everyone, and have zero interactions with anyone else.

 

But that’s totally not the case. As a matter of fact, I’d like to encourage people to not only talk with others, but also reach out to friends, family, neighbors, or whatever. Initiate the conversation. Now, I’m not suggesting that you all go down to the bar for happy hour or anything. You probably can’t anyway because it’s closed. But there are a number of ways you can communicate with other people while still maintaining the physical distance or barriers.

 

I think this is important especially for people who might live alone, or for those who get the majority of their social interaction in person outside of their home. Even more importantly, is when there are people who are struggling with finding their sense of purpose while their job might be on hold, or some volunteer work they do is put off for the foreseeable future. If that sounds like you, I know it’s really important to maintain that sense of purpose. And if you’re struggling to figure out what your purpose is these days, maybe you could be the one who checks in on the folks in your life.

 

So how do we do this?

 

OK, first off I realize that not everyone out there is a tech geek like me, so not only will I introduce a few tools you can use, but I’ll also walk you through how to use them as best as I can. 

 

Facebook

Facebook is a pretty common platform that a lot of people are already on and familiar with. I’ll start here because it’s a pretty low barrier to entry. If you don’t have a Facebook account, it’s 2020, just sign up for one. It kills me when I hear people, especially vets, say “oh I don’t want Facebook to take all of my information, I value my privacy too much.” It’s like, you were in the military, all your shit’s out there anyway. You had no privacy in the military, just sign up for the damn account. You can delete it after all this crap blows over if you want.

 

Alright, so how do we keep in touch on Facebook? Of course, you could post updates to your timeline, or stories or whatever, but that isn’t a real connection. But they do have a pretty useful feature where you can video chat with your friends. If you click the little messenger icon – it looks like a speech bubble with a lightning bolt in it, you can click a friend’s name or search for a friend you haven’t chatted with before. In their message window, there’s a video camera looking icon. Click that and you can start a video chat with...

Published on: March 31, 2020
Listen on Website

The World Isn’t Ending

Hey, good news! The world isn’t ending from this crazy virus that’s spreading around the world, even if it seems like it’ll end any day now.

We all need to take a deep breath and reset ourselves for a minute. We’ll be OK. We’ve dealt with worse. Let’s not panic.

But still wash your hands.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand

Alright, can we get a reset on 2020? This whole virus situation has gotten a little out of hand hasn’t it?

 

I’m recording this a few days prior to when it will come out – it’s Friday March 20th right now, so I’ll make a few predictions about the state of affairs half a week from now.

 

More states will have placed their entire population on a mandatory lockdown. I think as of right now it’s just California and Illinois that have done so. 

 

Numbers of infections from this virus will have steadily increased, and unfortunately so will deaths.

 

And my final prediction is that toilet paper will become more valuable than US currency. OK, that last one is a bit tongue in cheek. Hopefully it doesn’t come true.

 

So, why does it seem like society is collapsing around us?

 

Is it the media causing us to panic? Are there legitimate concerns that some of us don’t understand or just aren’t taking seriously?

 

The recommendations to prevent infection include all the stuff we’ve heard over the last few weeks. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, social distancing, and all that shit.

 

Now, I’ve seen two responses to these recommendations. One is complete and utter panic. The world is ending, and none of us will make it out alive. The other can be categorized as complete disregard of those recommendations – fuck it I probably won’t get it, or confusion about the recommendations – I don’t get why everyone is flipping out. They compare the coronavirus to some other virus or disease that no one flips out over.

 

I’m not going to tell you which reaction is right or wrong. I’m not a doctor or infectious disease expert. Do I think washing your hands and staying away from sick people is a good idea? Sure, that all makes sense. It made just as much sense in January as it does now. Do I think the government is overreaching by forcing businesses to close, and mandating citizens to stay in their homes? Absolutely. I still think it’s the right thing for people to do in certain situations like if there are people who are sick in your area, but I don’t think the government should be the ones forcing people to stay in isolation.

 

Look, if you’re in panic mode none of that probably made you feel comfortable. Hell you’re probably not even listening anymore. For those of you who stuck with me, you should realize that everything is going to be okay. We as a country have been through far worse things than this. Remember just about 19 years ago we lost about 3,000 people in a single day. I’d like to think we bounced back pretty well from that. Sure it was a little scary at the moment. We didn’t know if there would be other attacks, if the wars were going to be long drawn out wars, or quicker more surgical strikes. Like now, there was a lot of uncertainty back then. But look at how our friends, our family, our neighbors, and fellow countrymen and women bounced back. We’re a resilient bunch when we’ve got our backs against the wall. 

 

For everyone in the other camp, who aren’t concerned about getting sick, j...

Published on: March 24, 2020
Listen on Website

Living a Successful and Formidable Life

In this episode, we wrap up a three part series with guest Lyn Christian. We talk about being successful and how that looks different for everyone. Despite the definition of success being different, the path to becoming successful has a few things in common.

Lyn tells us there are six things people can do to help “tip the scale” in their favor to become successful:

  1. Don’t cling to a goal
  2. Always keep learning
  3. Stay creative
  4. Have a good support network of mentors, coaches, peers, etc.
  5. Take risks
  6. Don’t give up – persist

The definition of success might vary from one person to the next, but ultimately it means being true to ourselves and pursuing our full potential. Being formidable can be thought of as what makes someone a “badass” or what some people refer to as a “rockstar”.

 

Lyn’s company Soul Salt has also offered a generous discount on their Be True course. Normally the course is offered at $199, but listeners of this podcast can get it for only $25*!

Click here to register for the course and use discount code DriveOn to receive the discounted price.

Soul Salt really wants to help out veterans, and I think this is a wonderful thing they are doing.

*A note from Soul Salt: At SoulSalt, we strive to keep our courses affordable, accessible and sustainable. If the cost of this course is restrictive, please drop us a line to explore other resources so that you may enjoy and take part of this opportunity.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience and while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit Drive On Podcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host, Scott de Lucio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone. Today we are wrapping up a three-part series with my guest, Lyn Christian. And if you haven’t done so already, go back and take a listen to the last two episodes, which are episodes number 40 and 41. In those episodes, Lyn gives us a little background about herself and her company, Soul Salt. We talk about knowing your core values and why knowing them is important. And we also talk about reinventing your career, which is something I think that many veterans are familiar with after transitioning from military life to civilian life. So again, if you haven’t listened to those episodes, go back, give those a listen and then come back and listen to this one. So, welcome back to the show.

Lyn Christian:    01:24    Thank you. It’s my pleasure.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:26    All right, so today we’re going to talk about how to live a successful and formidable life and no pressure here, Lyn, but I expect everyone...

Published on: March 17, 2020
Listen on Website

Reinventing Your Career Path

In this episode, Lyn walks us through how we can reinvent our career after the military. As veterans we know the struggles of reinventing our careers all too well. So it’s important to have a roadmap to guide us through that transition.

 

Lyn’s company Soul Salt has also offered a generous discount on their Be True course. Normally the course is offered at $199, but listeners of this podcast can get it for only $25*!

Click here to register for the course and use discount code DriveOn to receive the discounted price.

Soul Salt really wants to help out veterans, and I think this is a wonderful thing they are doing.

*A note from Soul Salt: At SoulSalt, we strive to keep our courses affordable, accessible and sustainable. If the cost of this course is restrictive, please drop us a line to explore other resources so that you may enjoy and take part of this opportunity.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand Scott DeLuzio: 00:03 Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience and while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.
Scott DeLuzio: 00:44 Hey everyone. Today my guest is Lyn Christian, who is the founder of an organization called Soul Salt. You might recognize Lyn from last week’s episode where we talked about figuring out what your core values are, why it’s important to know your core values, and how knowing all of that helps us make decisions that are true to ourselves. I’d encourage you to go back and give that episode a listen if you haven’t done so already. You can find out more about Lyn and her background and what she does in that episode. Today though, we’re going to talk about how we can reinvent our career paths. This episode we’ll be a dive into something that is especially important to service members as they transition out of the military and back into civilian life. I think we’re all familiar with the concept of reinventing a career.
Scott DeLuzio: 01:30 There’s many examples of famous people who have done it. Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger were actors before getting into politics, Jeff Bezos worked in computer science and finance before launching Amazon. I could probably come up with dozens more examples like this, but we get the point. The problem though, is that it might look easy to reinvent your career when you look at some of these celebrity examples, but, it’s not always that easy. So, Lyn, welcome back to the show. Let’s jump right in and talk about why people have such a hard time when they pivot in their careers.
Lyn Christian 02:05 Scott, that’s a great question. And it’s an astute observation that it looks easy when you see somebody else doing a jump from a career. They reinvent, they’re doing something different. It looks incredibly easy from the outside...

Published on: March 10, 2020
Listen on Website

Knowing Your Core Values

The Army’s core values can be summed up in the acronym LDRSHIP: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. While many of these values may resonate with us still long after leaving the military, they don’t necessarily define our own core values.

In this episode, Lyn Christian talks to us about the importance of identifying our core values. She gives us some tips on how to evaluate ourselves to help us find our own core values.

Lyn’s company Soul Salt has also offered a generous discount on their Be True course. Normally the course is offered at $199, but listeners of this podcast can get it for only $25*!

Click here to register for the course and use discount code DriveOn to receive the discounted price.

Soul Salt really wants to help out veterans, and I think this is a wonderful thing they are doing.

*A note from Soul Salt: At SoulSalt, we strive to keep our courses affordable, accessible and sustainable. If the cost of this course is restrictive, please drop us a line to explore other resources so that you may enjoy and take part of this opportunity.

Links & Resources

Transcript Expand Scott DeLuzio: 00:00 Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting Veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcast. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so we can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcast, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.
Scott DeLuzio: 00:44 Hey everyone. Today my guest is Lyn Christian. She is a founder of Soul Salt and a motivational speaker. Lyn speaks on topics related to leadership, time management, career reinvention, and how to find your purpose and live a badass life. So, Lyn, thank you for being on the show. Welcome. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
Lyn Christian: 01:08 Sure. So, I grew up in rural Utah. My father was a Marine from the Korean War. And so, I grew up with a jarhead uniform in my father’s closet that he would put on occasionally. And so, I grew up in a very rural setting and so I would have a lot of freedom. I got my chores completed. I could ride my bike down to the family farm, saddle up my pony and be gone for the rest of the afternoon. So, I knew a lot of freedom. I grew up and decided that when I was in high school, I thought I wanted to be an attorney because I was good at debate in high school. And in every debate, I was in for the three years I was in high school, each time I got the highest points.
Lyn Christian: 01:59 And so I thought, well, it’s out of the speaker’s presets kind of pointing me to an aptitude I have. I should probably develop that. And of course, I thought, well, the logical thing is to go study political history and social science and then go get a lot of greens. And, in high school I had some habits that were sort of pulling me one way. I was running and training for a track te...

Published on: March 3, 2020
Listen on Website

Happy Birthday Steve

In this episode, I wish my brother SGT Steven DeLuzio a happy birthday. Today would have been his 35th birthday.

I also talk about what it means to have a purpose.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military.

Before we get started, I’d like to ask for a favor. If you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. If you’ve already done that, thank you! These ratings help the show get discovered, so it can reach a wider audience. While you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can visit driveonpodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing including our email list.

I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now, let’s get on with the show.

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast.

Today, I’m doing a special episode. See, today is February 25th and it would have been my brother Steven’s 35th birthday. More likely than not if he was still alive, we would have had some plans to go out to dinner or do something fun to celebrate the day. Since he’s no longer with us, I figured what better way to celebrate than to dedicate an episode to him.

Actually, if I’m being honest with who he was, we would have been doing something to celebrate the day for a few days now at least. I remember more than once he asked what we were doing to celebrate the “week of Steve”. The week of Steve would usually start the weekend before and end the weekend after his birthday. And if his birthday happened to fall on a weekend, he’d celebrate the week of Steve for two weeks. Of course he didn’t expect us to drop everything for a week to celebrate, but if you knew him he was a goofball and joked around like that.

It’s been 10 years since the last birthday he got to celebrate. At that time he was on his way to Afghanistan with his Vermont Army National Guard unit. I wonder if it would have changed how he celebrated that birthday if he knew that his would be a one way trip over there.

Back in episode 12, I did another episode where I talked about Steven and how he impacted my life. If you haven’t listened to that episode, go give it a listen too. It’ll fill in some gaps that I might leave out in this episode.

In that episode I talked about having a support system. People who are close to you. Close enough to recognize when you’re going through a tough time and can help you get through it. And if they’re not the right ones for the job, they can help you seek out the care you need.

All of that is really important. It led me to get the help I needed.

What I want to talk about in this episode is finding a purpose. When my I was told that my brother was killed, my commander at the time asked if I was going to do something stupid like hurt myself or others. It was a completely rational question to ask a man with a rifle and over 200 rounds of ammo who was just told some devastating news. But at the time, I thought “how could I do something like that?” I had a wife and a newborn at home. My parents just lost one of their sons, I couldn’t do something that would cause them to lose both of their kids.

At that moment, my family was my purpose.

After getting home, there were decisions that had to be made that no parent should have to make for their child. Funeral details, settling his estate’s a...

Published on: February 25, 2020
Listen on Website

Having an Operational Mindset

Jeff Banman is the host of the Mindset Radio podcast, and the founder of The Operational Mindset Foundation. Jeff is a former soldier and firefighter. His mission these days seems to be very similar to mine with this podcast, so I wanted to be sure I got him on the show to share his story.

I first heard about Jeff and some of the things he does through a former guest on this show, Dr. Sherry Walling who was on not too long ago back in episode 32 (see link below). She talked about Meditation at the Shooting Range in her podcast. When I heard about this, I thought Jeff would be a perfect guest on this show. Since listeners of this show are largely current and former military service members, we’re all familiar with firearms, and if there’s a way to work that in with mental health, then that’s a win-win in my book.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so we can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hi everyone.  Today, my guest is Jeff Banman. He’s the host of the Mindset radio podcast and the founder of the Operational Mindset Foundation. Jeff is a former soldier and firefighter. His mission these days seems to be very similar to mine with this podcast. So, I wanted to be sure I got him on the show to share his story. I first heard about Jeff and some of the things that he does through a former guest on this show, Dr. Sherry Walling, who was on not too long ago back in Episode 32. She talked about meditation at the shooting range in her podcast, which I’ll link to in the show notes. When I heard about this, I thought Jeff, who conducted this meditation at a shooting range, would be a perfect guest for this show. Since the listeners of the show are largely current and former military service members, we’re all pretty familiar with firearms and if there’s a way to work that in with mental health that’s just a win-win in my book. So anyway, Jeff, welcome to the show. I don’t want to dive into everything you do without giving you the chance to jump in. So why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Jeff Banman:    01:49    I really appreciate you having me on today. Sherry is such a phenomenal human being. She’s definitely been a great supporter of mine. I’m glad she introduced us. It was very neat to have her out on range and we got to talk about what that meditation shoot is and why it is the...

Published on: February 18, 2020
Listen on Website

Helping Others Find Their Passion

Annette Whittenberger is a repeat guest on the show. If you haven’t listened to her previous episode, go give that one a listen. It tells more about her background and what she did while in the military.

In this episode, we talk about what Annette has been up to since getting out of the military and how she has been helping others who have struggled with PTSD and other mental health issues.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:43    Today my guest is Annette Whittenberger and she is actually a repeat guest on the show. She was on a few weeks ago talking about her experience in the military and as with all of us, our time in the military is not where our story ends. Today we’re going to talk about some of the things that she’s been working on since getting out of the military. And if you haven’t listened to the previous episode, please give that one a listen. I’ll link to that in the show notes. So, Annette, welcome back to the show. For people who haven’t listened to the previous episode, could you give us a quick rundown of who you are and a little bit about you?

Annette Whittenberger:    01:22    Yeah, so I served in the army for over 17 years. I retired as a Major. I was a Chemical Officer.  And so, I started this new chapter in my life once I got out because I got into deep depression and I decided to get out of the fog and do something about it with the help of very good friends.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:47    That’s awesome. I think that’s kind of a story that a lot of people who get out of the military probably could resonate with where they get out and they don’t really have that same sense of purpose or direction that they had while they were in the military. And that is a big struggle for a lot of people. It seems like you have sort of figured out a way to work through some of that issue. And that’s hopefully what we’re going to talk about a little bit here today and also some of the other things that you’re doing to help out other people who might be struggling with the same type of thing or even other issues that they may be going through.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:36    So, in the last episode we did touch on some of the things that you’re doing.  If anyone hasn’t listened to that episode, please go back and listen to that. It will help give a fuller picture of what we’re talking about here. One of the things that you’re working on is your blog called a wild ride cal...

Published on: February 11, 2020
Listen on Website

Drug Rehab For Veterans

Sam Huss is with RehabSpot, an organization that helps people struggling with addiction get back on the road to recovery.

Sam has an important message for those who are struggling with addiction. He wants you to know that it is possible to get help for your addiction. And just because one treatment option didn’t work for you in the past, doesn’t mean you should quit trying to find help. There are plenty of options available from inpatient, outpatient, 12 step programs, spiritual healing, and more.

Also, for family members and loved ones of those who are struggling with addiction, he has an important message for you too. It’s all too easy to start with accusations “we could have done this if you weren’t drinking so much”. But it doesn’t help. Actually, it will most likely cause the addicted to shut down and not seek help, even if they know they need it.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor. If you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:46    Hi everyone. Today my guest is Sam Huss. Sam is the community outreach specialist with Rehab Spot and Rehab Spot helps people who are struggling with addiction and their families to find the information in the support and resources that they need in order to get help. So, Sam, welcome to the show. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what Rehab Spot does?

Sam Huss:    01:09    Sure, absolutely. As you said, my name is Sam. I do community outreach across the country and even further than that. The main goal of Rehab Spot is to offer information about a topic that generally people don’t discuss often or at least not often enough as people should. Our goal is to offer every single aspect of drug and alcohol use, addiction and treatment to as many people as possible. That’s the glory of the internet. Having an open access web guide is for anybody. Of course, with the nature of drug and alcohol addiction, it’s not necessarily something that’s always talked about and especially with the people that are affected by it. So that’s part of our premise that it is best to offer these things on the internet so that anybody can access them whenever they need.

Sam Huss:    02:04    It’s a guide and is meant for everybody but the main focus is particular demographics that are usually affected by addiction. This is a widespread, usually it’s people who have difficulty accessing treatment. This can be obviously from the stigma alone or financial difficulties. Some people are in positions that might be compromised by having an addiction issue. For example, like first responders, firefighters, police, EMS, all thos...

Published on: February 4, 2020
Listen on Website

Cultural Differences and Rebuilding a Nation

Amanda talks about her time in Afghanistan as part of the PRT in Kapisa. Part of her job was building schools and other facilities, which is not an easy task in a war torn country like Afghanistan.

Published on: January 28, 2020
Listen on Website

Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Jason Mosel has made an attempt at the world record for the most number of burpees in a 12 hour period.

He’s ran ultra-events like 50 and 100 mile races.

He’s going to be doing a 200 mile race, which will lead up to an 888k race which he’ll do in 10 days.

But he’s not a natural born athlete. He keeps pushing himself outside of his comfort zone though, which enables him to attempt these huge tasks. Even if he doesn’t complete them or hit his goal in a given period of time he doesn’t quit.

That’s the overall message of this episode. Step outside of your comfort zone, and give it your all. Don’t quit.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the DriveOnPodcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. If you’ve already done that. Thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so we can reach a wider audience. And while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Jason Moselle, a former Marine. Jason is I honestly don’t really know how to say other than he’s an absolute machine when it comes to physical fitness.  I was introduced to Jason through a former guest, Valerie Pallotta back from Episode 27 and I’ll post the link to that episode in the show notes so you can listen to that one, as well. He’s been doing some great things for the Joshua Pallotta fund, which we talked about in that episode as well as raising awareness for veteran suicide prevention in general. Jason, welcome to the show. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your yourself, a little bit about your background?

Jason Mosel:    01:25    As you said, my name is Jason Mosel.  I am a former Marine. I was a 03-52 tow gunner in the infantry. I was in the Marines from 2003 to 2007. I was stationed over in Camp Pendleton, did two deployments to Iraq, one to Okinawa, Japan. After I got out, we can get into the nitty gritty details a little bit more as we get on but I did have some ups and downs to put it lightly. And then around 2013, I got into running obstacle course races and physical fitness and it’s taken off from there. And now I’m training for my next big feat, next May to run a 500-mile race.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:19    Awesome.  I think we definitely want to get into some of the physical fitness things that you’ve been involved in. So, before we get into that though, let’s maybe take it back a little bit to your deployments to Iraq. You said you had two deployments to Iraq. What were some of the struggles, some of the hardships, if you will, that you went through while you were deployed and then later on after you got back from the deployments, what were some of those things that you went through?

Jason Mosel:    02:56    You know, it’s funny when I look back at the actual deployments.  Everybody’s story is going to be different and the reaction to what happens is going to be different. But honestly for me, when I look back at the deployment itself, it got to the point, when we were over in Iraq that there wasn’t really anything while you’re there, that’s per se. There are times that you see one of your buddies from your platoon get...

Published on: January 21, 2020
Listen on Website

Loss of Identity After 17 Years of Service

Annette Whittenberger spent 17 years in the US Army. After getting out, she felt lost as if her identity was ripped away from her.

Fortunately she has found ways to cope with that feeling and has even gone on to help others in similar situations.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting Veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor. If you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that, thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience and while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our email list. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Today my guest is Army Veteran, Annette Wittenberger, who’s here to talk about her time overseas, Annette spent 17 years in the Army and now helps fellow Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder as a motivational speaker by reminding them that they’re not alone.  Annette, welcome to the show and why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself.

Annette Wittenberger:    01:04    Hi, thank you very much for having me on. So, I was raised in California, a small town called SUNY Valley. That’s where all the fires were happening until three weeks ago, unfortunately.  I was raised by my mom. My parents were divorced at six years old, so it was my mom and I and my brother and I lived in California until I was 21 and that’s where I decided to go to college in Arizona. And that’s when I decided to try out the ROTC program, the Reserve Officer Training Corps, because I wasn’t really sure how the military was going to be for me. I was scared to enlist at 17 so I said, let me try it out in college.  I told myself, I’ll try it out for a few years and see where it goes. And then I met my husband and then 17 years later, it’s like, what happened?

Annette Wittenberger:    01:55    And so, I enjoyed it. I ended up 17. I was given the option to retire because I did not, this is always hard for me, but I did not make the promotion list to a Lieutenant Colonel. And so, that really crushed me.  I think that’s when everything, all the emotions started to come in. Everything that happened to me started pouring out and it was just like all of the depression hit. It was just really a bad time. That’s when it all started.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:32    So, 17 years is still a nice long career in the military. That’s nothing to be ashamed about. Hats off to you for that, that is definitely an accomplishment. A lot of people don’t make it nearly that long in the military. It’s not an easy life to live especially with moving back and forth and all these other things that you might have to experience through the military with deployments and everything like that. It’s definitely not an easy thing. Speaking of deployments, so you deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, is that correct?

Annette Wittenberger:    03:16    Yes.

Scott DeLuzio:    03:17    Okay. Would you be able to tell us a little bit about what you did over there?

Annette Wittenberger:    03:22    Yeah, so in 2005, 2006, when I dep...

Published on: January 14, 2020
Listen on Website

Helping Veterans With Dr. Sherry Walling

Dr. Sherry Walling is a clinical psychologist, speaker, yoga teacher, podcaster, entrepreneur, and best-selling author.

We touched on a wide range of subjects. Veteran suicide, the VA, when the right time is to seek help, relational and moral injuries, and a whole lot more.

You don’t want to miss this episode.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Hi everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:14    Hey everyone, before we get started, I wanted to give you a quick heads up that in this episode, at some point, we’re going to talk about the topic of suicide. I wanted to let you know beforehand in case that’s not something that you want to listen to. I know we’ve talked about it before on this show and I dropped the ball about giving a disclaimer about it. So, I’m sorry about that. I do start off that segment in this episode with a question about veteran suicide. And that segment from that point, goes for approximately 12 minutes. So, if you’re at a place that you don’t really want to hear that type of thing for one reason or another, go ahead and just fast forward through that 12-minute segment. Once you get through that, you should be in the clear. The rest of the episode before that and after is really good.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:00    And so, I don’t want to discourage people necessarily from listening to it; although, if you just don’t want to take the risk and you don’t want to listen to it, that’s fine too. Stop it here and there’ll be no hard feelings about that. With that said, if you’re somebody who’s maybe struggling with thoughts of suicide or other issues, we do have a link on our website now with a bunch of resources that might help. At the top of the website driveonpodcast.com there’s a link for veteran resources. If you’re on a mobile device, the link might look like three little lines that are next to the logo that will open up a menu where you should be able to find the veteran resources there. There are phone numbers you can call and websites that you can go check out to hopefully get the help that you’re looking for, if you should need it.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:48    So with that, we’ll get on with the show. Hey everyone. Today my guest is Dr. Sherry Walling. Dr. Walling is a clinical psychologist who supports people with high intensity jobs. She’s a host of the Zen Founder podcast and also the bestselling author of the book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together. Dr. Walling, I might refer to you as Doc at some point in this episode. I hope that’s okay with you.

Sherry Walling: Yes and Sherry is also fine too, whatever you choose.

Scott DeLuzio:  Okay. Welcome to the show. And why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Sherry Walling:    02:26    I have a really incredible, some of the most intense high-performing people around us and I help people...

Published on: January 7, 2020
Listen on Website

Year End Recap and Looking for Feedback

In this year end recap episode, I’m reflecting back on some episodes that I thought had some really impactful messages.

In the new year, I want to be sure that I’m putting out content that is useful to the listeners of this show as well.

If you don’t mind, let me know what you want to hear more of. If there is something you want to hear that isn’t on the list, click the “Other” option and then fill in the box.

Future Episode Poll

  • What type of episodes do you want to hear?*
    I'm looking to get more episodes scheduled during the new year, and I want to make sure I'm moving in the right direction. Let me know what type of episodes you want to hear.
    • Veteran struggles / overcoming
    • "War Stories" - first hand combat experiences
    • Mental health professionals
    • Gold Star Families
    • Stories about fallen service members
    • Other (specify below)
  • Other episode ideas
  • Join our email list?
    Optional
    • Yes, please!
  • Name*
    First Last
  • Email*

Published on: December 31, 2019
Listen on Website

Christmas Eve Episode Handling The Holidays

Links & Resources:

Transcript

Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military.

Before we get started, I’d like to ask for a favor. If you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. If you’ve already done that, thank you! These ratings help the show get discovered, so it can reach a wider audience. While you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can visit driveonpodcast.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing including our email list.

I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now, let’s get on with the show.

Hey everyone. It’s Christmas Eve and I wanted to change things up a bit in this episode. 20 of the last 21 episodes were interview style episodes with me as the host interviewing a guest. That’s almost 5 months worth of guests, which to be perfectly honest I didn’t really know whether or not I’d be able to sustain over a long period of time. But with the episodes I’ve already recorded, I have episodes with guests scheduled out through the middle of February, which is amazing to me.

What I wanted to do with this episode, since it is Christmas Eve, is to talk a little about dealing with holidays in general. Not just Christmas, but Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other significant events like anniversaries. They’re not always happy times for everyone.

Honestly I actually like this time of year. I’m the guy who starts listening to Christmas music at the beginning of November. But I’ve been there where I really didn’t look forward to Christmas, or any holiday for that matter. The year after my brother died was horrible for this. All of the firsts were hard. The first Thanksgiving without him, the first Christmas, his first birthday, and so on. When he was born I was just 3 years old, so I didn’t really remember these holidays without him.

If you’re still grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship, I guess just know that it’s normal to not feel super happy and joyful. Give yourself time to grieve. Not only did you lose the person, but you’re also losing the traditions that you once shared, and the opportunity to make new memories with them. It’s OK to give yourself some space during these times.

Just don’t isolate yourself and refuse to be around other people. Your family or friends are likely grieving the same loss and what I found to help is to share memories of the person you lost. Laugh at the old jokes, or remember the goofy things you did together. Chances are if you’re grieving the loss there was some good times that you can reflect back on.

There is also the overwhelming stress of the holidays. I know people who go overboard with the decorations, or committing to parties, or trying to find the perfect gift for someone. Then we make things worse by going on social media and seeing how so and so has their perfect Christmas tree, or whatever. Then we look at our Charlie Brown Christmas tree and feel like we’re not good enough.

Look, let me give you a little help here. Unless you’re entering some Christmas decoration contest in your neighborhood, no one but you cares what your house is decorated like. The neighbors are not talking about how that one strand of lights keeps going out on the bush over on the side of your house. Your parents aren’t wondering why the wreath isn’t perfectly centered on the door. No one cares.

Imagine the enormous amount of stress that would be taken off your shoulders if you didn’t care about these things either? I’m not saying don’t decorate your house if that’s what makes you happy, but don’t do it to make someone else h...

Published on: December 24, 2019
Listen on Website

PTSDog Service Dogs For Vets With PTSD

Joaquin Juatai is a disabled veteran and an author of the book PTSDog: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Service Dog. He also hosts The Service Dog Show with PTSDog, which is broadcast on WDVR. He educates, supports, and advocates for other veterans who have chosen to use a service dog as part of their own recovery, which has effectively turned his disability into a mission.

Joaquin talks about the process of getting a service dog and stresses the importance of continuously training your service dog, no matter what condition they are assisting with. He also goes into the rights that service dog handlers have and some of the misconceptions that business owners and the general public have with regards to service dogs.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:15    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast. Before we get started, I want to take a quick minute to ask a favor from you. The point of this podcast is to help veterans through sharing stories like the one we’re about to hear. It’s not really going to help if no one hears the story. So, if you wouldn’t mind, hit pause for a second and head on over to DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe where you can find links to subscribe and to review the show on your favorite podcast app. And if you don’t mind taking a minute to share the podcast on social media or even directly to a friend who you think might benefit by listening to the podcast, I’d really appreciate it. Okay. So today my guest is Joaquin Juatai. He is a disabled veteran and author of the book PTSDog, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Service Dog. He also hosts the service dog show with PTSDog, which is broadcast on a WDVR. He educates, supports and advocates for other veterans who have chosen to use a service dog as part of their own recovery, which has effectively turned his disability into a mission. So, Joaquin, thank you so much for joining me. Why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself, a little bit about your military background and things that you’re getting into.

Joaquin Juatai:    01:34    Oh, it’s my pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me. I was in the United States Navy for 15 years and I had some experiences during my service that I didn’t know had affected me. That was my final sea tour, three years on an aircraft carrier, got home and went to shore duty and things were not right. Things were different. My life was falling apart. I didn’t understand what was happening. I was drinking excessively, over-exercising and tearing my body apart to try and deal with what was going on in my head without understanding what was going on with my head. I had an accident which broke one of the vertebrae in my back and crushed several disks and that effectively ended my Navy career.

Joaquin Juatai:    02:39    When I broke my back and was unable to go run for 10 or 15 miles a day, all of a sudden, this stuff that was going on in my head caught up. Ultimately, ending me up inpatient in a mental health hospital in a wing dedicated fo...

Published on: December 17, 2019
Listen on Website

Overcoming Mental Health Hurdles After Combat

Dave Pecirep was a combat veteran who struggled with his own mental health after returning home from Afghanistan. He spent some time getting his own mental health in order before eventually returning to college to get his Master’s in psychotherapy.

He’s since researched PTSD and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is now a psychotherapist in a private practice in the central Connecticut area treating adults and children who suffer with depression, anxiety, and bipolar.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:  Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast. Before we get started, I wanted to take a minute to ask a quick favor from the listeners. So, the point of this show is to help veterans through sharing stories like the one we’re about to hear but it can’t really help if no one hears the story. So, if you wouldn’t mind, hit pause for a second and head on over to DriveOnPodcast.com/subscribe where you can find links to subscribe to and review the show on all of your favorite podcasting apps. And if you wouldn’t mind taking a second to share the podcasts on social media or email or whatever or even directly to a friend who you think might benefit by listening to the podcast, I’d really appreciate it. Today my guest is Dave Pecirep. Dave deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and was wounded by an IED. After the deployment, he graduated college and went on to research PTSD and traumatic brain injuries with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Dave, welcome to the show. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself, a little bit about your background and everything like that.

Dave Pecirep:    01:17    Thanks for having me first off.  I guess to put this within the confines of our conversation, I think we should probably start where I was originally wounded and then sort of work our way from there. So, it was 2006 and a little back story to that, I was in my senior year of college at University and the apex of both a social experience and the academic experience and the best of the four years.  I had been giving a great deal of thought too things. I’d already been on one deployment and it wasn’t what I had hoped it would be. I’d given a lot of thought, a lot of thought, walking around thinking, my God, I can’t believe I really haven’t gone yet.

Dave Pecirep:    02:08    And then people would find out you were in the service and they’d say, “Where have you been?” And my heart would just sink. So, finally towards the end of my senior year, stick it out through the senior year, graduate or my unit was going to get deployed. And if I went and signed a waiver, it was a done deal. You’re going to Afghanistan. So, I didn’t consult my parents. I knew that there’d be a big “no” from them.  I think everybody’s parents probably say a hard, no.  I signed, came home, told them and that was that.  Six months later or so, we’re in Afghanistan, I was infantry 11 Bravo, with the 110 2nd light infantry. And we went in with a 10th mountain and then we actually ended up getting attached to special forces group at this forward operation base in the Province

Dave Pecirep:    02:58    Afghanistan, right near a little town called . So, I’ve been there for some time. We went on a mission; I was in the turret of the third vehicle leaving this town and we got hit and I got hit. So, the whole thing was what you would imagine, pretty terrible. The people that were with the guys that were like the mid-range at NCO...

Published on: December 10, 2019
Listen on Website

Army Mom on Post Traumatic Stress and Suicide

Valerie Pallotta is an Army mom, whose son Josh deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. After returning home, Josh suffered with Post Traumatic Stress for several years. Unfortunately he lost that battle in 2014.

Valerie talks about that battle and what she’s been doing now to help make sure other veterans have the resources they need to get through their own struggles.

Her number one piece of advice if you notice a loved one is struggling with post traumatic stress is to ask their friends to reach out to them. Often times the individual won’t want to talk about their troubles with a spouse, a parent, or other family. They may be more willing to talk to a friend about it though.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that, thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience and while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Valerie Pallotta:. Valerie’s son Josh served with my brother Steven in the Vermont Army National Guard. Josh was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and upon returning home he struggled with some physical injuries as well as post-traumatic stress. Valerie is here today to talk with us about some of the struggles her son went through and what she’s doing now to help other veterans who are struggling the way Josh did. Valerie, I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to share your story. Welcome to the show.  Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and your son, Josh.

Valerie Pallotta:    01:20    Thanks Scott. I really appreciate being here and the time you’ve given me to talk about Josh. As you said, I’m Josh’s mom.

Valerie Pallotta:    01:33    I don’t know if you want me to talk a little bit about his background and growing up but he was a pretty determined kid ever since he was little. He started to ride his bike and he spent all day learning how to ride his bike. He actually mastered it in one day. He was pretty determined in high school. He wanted to play lacrosse and they didn’t have a lacrosse team at the high school he was in. So, he and I went to the athletic director and got the approval to start a lacrosse team and they said you just need to come up with the names of kids to play and here’s how many kids you need. And he said, okay, I can do it. And he went and did it and we went to the Superintendent and then he approved it.

Valerie Pallotta:    02:18    Colchester High School had the lacrosse team and he was just pretty determined and s...

Published on: December 3, 2019
Listen on Website

Being Your Own Advocate And Other Lessons Learned From Depression

Brooke Siem is unlike many of our guests in that she's not a veteran. However, her story is one that sounds all too familiar to many veterans.

Published on: November 26, 2019
Listen on Website

Soldier And Educator On Resiliency

Chip Rankin is an educator and a soldier in the Army National Guard. During his career as an educator and a soldier he’s mentored students and soldiers who were struggling with various issues. Unfortunately, some of those students and soldiers were lost to suicide.

One of the things Chip has found to help those who are struggling has been the individual’s resiliency and not getting caught up in what he calls “mind traps”.

Chip talks about the resiliency training that the Army offers, which helps soldiers shift towards a more resilient mindset. Chip encourages others to “hunt the good” no matter how small that good might be.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio: Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast today. My guest is Chip Rankin. Chip served 27 years in the U.S. Army and has worked as an educator for about 21 years. Over the course of his career, Chip has lost several students and also soldiers to suicide. He’s found some commonalities with all of these individuals in which I’m hoping to dig into a little bit with this episode. So, Chip, welcome to the show. And why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Chip Rankin:    00:43    Well, first of all, thanks for having me today. And a little bit about myself.  I grew up in central Minnesota.  I got an undergrad at the University of Minnesota and I was a teacher for roughly eight years.  I joined the guard, the Army National Guard, when I was a college student to help pay college debt and deployed in 2005 to 2007 to Iraq. When I returned, I entered the education administration world as an assistant principal and then a principal later on. Subsequently, I got deployed again from 2011 to 2012 to Afghanistan. And when I got home, I dabbled into becoming a superintendent. I’m entering my third year as a superintendent and approaching my 27th year in the Army and have a pending deployment coming up in the Spring of 2020 to the Horn of Africa. So, it’s me in a nutshell, married and four kids.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:47    Oh, wow. Okay. Interesting. That’s a long career in the both in the military and in education. So, thank you for all of that public service because that’s all great stuff. And now, stepping into the superintendent role, I have to mention, it’s probably a big change of pace for you, as well.

Chip Rankin:  Yeah, it’s interesting.

Scott DeLuzio:  Earlier when we were talking offline, going back and forth with some emails you had mentioned to me that you seem to have found a common issue amongst the soldiers and the students that you’ve lost to suicide. That issue that you mentioned was resiliency. Would you mind going into that topic a little bit more?

Chip Rankin:    02:38    You know one of the things the military has done since I’ve come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, especially in the last 5 to 7 years, we lose the lives of 22 service members a day to suicide as they’ve really stressed resiliency training.  I have resiliency trainers in my organization. Currently, I serve as a commander for second battalion, 135th Infantry out of Mankato, Minnesota.  We have just shy of about a thousand soldiers.  There are requirements annually to complete a certain number of hours in resiliency training. And rightfully so, the military is deeply concerned about the number of suicides in our organization. In the parallel life being a principal, we always talk about what are the barriers to student achievement and student success and why don’t 100% of kids graduate high school? And why do we see issues of suicide, depression, and chem...

Published on: November 19, 2019
Listen on Website

Marine Corps Veteran On Not Being Afraid To Fail

Tony Perez is the general manager and VP of the security product group at GoDaddy. Before that though, Tony did two tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps. After getting out of the Marines, Tony dipped his toe in the entrepreneurial waters.

He’s downright drenched from those waters now!

The reason I wanted Tony on the show is because I knew some of his background and how successful he’s been – I knew there was a story behind it all. Tony didn’t disappoint.

Tony talks about an almost naive approach to business, and life in general, with his “how hard could it be” mindset. Yet even when things get tough, Tony talks about how he perseveres through those harder times.

This was a truly enjoyable episode to record, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy listening to it!

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:16    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast. Today my guest is Tony Perez. Tony is the general manager and vice president of the security product group at GoDaddy. He’s also the co-founder and former CEO of a website security company called Sucuri. Tony is also a Marine Corps veteran who did two tours in Iraq. Tony, thanks for joining us on the show. Why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself and I don’t want to give too much about your background in that intro, but why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Tony Perez:    00:47    Yeah, for sure. Thanks a lot for having me guys. I’m really happy to be here to chat with you and your audience about my background and history and maybe it’s helpful to somebody. So, as you mentioned, I was in the Marine Corps. I got out as a Sergeant back in 2005 and I was in between 2000 and 2005. I was attached to the first that was attached to 1st MARDIV in 2003 when we pushed across the LOD, we did our whole push up to Baghdad. And then, I was attached to responsible for Karbala and the provinces.  Total in time country was about a year, three quarters. And then I went back as a defense contractor. So, after 2005, I was a defense contractor through 2011.  In 2011, it’s really where I got started with Sucuri, but it actually wasn’t my first start as an entrepreneur.

Tony Perez:    01:37    I actually had a WordPress agency or what you would call a boutique agency where we would build WordPress based sites for customers.  Since then, as you mentioned, we grew the company. We ended up exiting it and I came over to be part of the GoDaddy family.  I like to call myself an intrepreneur now because I’m part of a good company trying to grow a thing inside, which is an experience in and of itself. In addition to that, I also founded another tech startup with my good friend Daniel called Clean Browsing where we do DNS-based content filtering.  I’m also an off-road racer, with DDoS racing team, which we could also get into. And then I do some philanthropic work with a lot of veteran based stuff for one reason or another. So, combat vets struggling with PTSD, looking for opportunities, a more spiritual resiliency type veteran organization for folks with PTSD as well.  So that’s just a little bit...

Published on: November 12, 2019
Listen on Website

Soldier, Military Spouse, And Mother On Deployments With A Newborn

Natalie talks about some of the struggles she faced as a new mom who gave birth to her first child just before her husband was deployed. She was able to lean on the support network on base through Facebook groups and classes as well as nearby family to help her out.

Published on: November 5, 2019
Listen on Website

Finding Purpose Through Yoga And Music

Steve Alvarez served in the Connecticut Army National Guard and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during his military career.

After getting out and struggling with finding his place in the civilian world, he came to the conclusion that there is life outside of the military. At first, civilian life seemed wrong, but he came to realize that it wasn’t wrong, just different from what he was used to.

Steve found various activities helped him readjust back into civilian life, including Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Yoga, and being the vocalist in a Melodic Metalcore band.

He also became the first Yoga instructor to go through his yoga school who used his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. In doing so, he helped pioneer a way for veterans to use their federal benefits going through to become yoga instructors. Practicing yoga and becoming an instructor helped not only physically, but also opened him up to become a more compassionate and positive thinker.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Hi everybody. This is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:15    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast.  Before we get started, I just wanted to take a minute to ask a quick favor from the people who are listening.  The point of this podcast is to help veterans through sharing stories like the one we’re about to hear today.  But it can’t really help if no one hears the story. So, if you would, hit pause for a second and head on over to Drive On Podcast/subscribe where you can find links to subscribe to the show and review the show on your favorite podcasting app. And if you wouldn’t mind taking a second to share the podcast on social media or even directly to a friend who you think might benefit by listening to the podcast, I’d really appreciate it. All right, so today my guest is Steve Alvarez.  We served together in the Connecticut Army National Guard and we deployed together to Afghanistan in 2010.  That wasn’t his only trip to the Middle East, which I’m sure he’ll discuss here in a bit. Steve, welcome to the show.  Why don’t you introduce yourself for anyone who doesn’t know you and let people know who you are.

Steve Alvarez:    01:18    How you doing, Scott? First of all, man, thanks a lot for having me here and it’s really good to hear your voice and I feel it’s an honor to be on this show first and foremost. I really appreciate this.  You pretty much hit the nail on the head with the introductions.  I’m Steve Alvarez, I served from July 27th of 1999 until July 27th of 2016.  I left the military as an E6 Staff Sergeant and I rose up through the ranks from private E nothing all the way up to Staff Sergeant. I took many roles throughout the military and the military was my full-time job. Like Scott said, Scott and I deployed back to Afghanistan together in 2010. And before that I went to Iraq from January of 2004 was the MOB up until May of 2005.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:20    Awesome.  So anyways,

Scott DeLuzio:    02:30    part of the show, we like to talk about the struggles that some vets have gone through and some of the ways that they work their way out of those struggles and in the coping mechanisms and all those ty...

Published on: October 29, 2019
Listen on Website

The VFW – Not Your Grandpa’s Drinking Club

Marc Garduno is the state commander of the Delaware VFW. Marc joins us on the show to talk about the benefits of being a VFW member.

Many veterans from the more recent wars associate the VFW with their grandparents generation – like an old man’s drinking club.

Marc tells us that nothing could be further from the truth.

The VFW is also involved in a lot of important legislation that affects veterans. Everything from Agent Orange, Burn Pits, and other veteran health care needs. To expanding GI Bill benefits, and Widow’s Survivor Benefit Plans.

The biggest takeaway for me though was that a lot of veterans feel like they are missing out on the community environment that they had while serving in the military. That group of like minded individuals who just “get it”. The VFW can be a resource where you can connect with other vets in your area (no matter where in the world you are living).

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we’ve talked about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show. Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast today. My guest is Mark Garduno from the state of Delaware, where he’s the commander of the VFW.  He’s here today to talk a little bit about the VFW and the wide array of projects that they’re involved in that assist veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. So, Mark, thanks for joining me. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do with the VFW?

Marc Garduno:    00:45    Wonderful. Thanks Scott. First of all, I’ll just thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you on your podcast. It’s really a great opportunity to showcase the Veterans of Foreign Wars and what we do in the community, what we do for veterans and their families.  I joined the military. I went into the Army in 1987 just about two months to the day after I graduated from high school. So, I’m already in boots at that point. I went to Fort Knox, Kentucky and I served in human resources field. I ended up retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in Human Resources back in 2008. Great experience.  I don’t second guess it; I don’t regret anything. It’s made me the person who I am. A better leader, a better organizer, a person as a whole involved in the community and wanting to give back to veterans

Marc Garduno:    01:37     just as the country has given to me.  I’m originally from a small town in Northern New Jersey, just outside of New York City called Richfield Park.  There, I went to Richfield Park High School and like I said, I went into the military from there. After service, I’ve settled down here in Delaware and as you mentioned before, I’m serving as the state commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars here in the state of Delaware. I have three full grown children. The youngest one just graduated from college in the Spring, and I have a wonderful, supportive wife who, I don’t know who I would be or what I’d be doing without her. So that’s me in a nutshell.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:20    Great. I think I can probably echo that same sort of sentiment with my wife. I don’t know really where I’d be or who I’d be without her. So, to me anyways that is something that strikes home a little bit there. So, great. So, we know a little bit about you and your background and one of the things that I wanted to talk to you about, especially with regards to the VFW and the newer era of veterans that are coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Out of those Wars is the common misconceptions that a lot of the younger veterans have about the VFW. I know, for me before I really started looking into what the VFW is all about, to me it was just one of those things that people from my grandparents’ generation would go and hang out there.

Scott DeLuzio:    03:18     Kind of an old man’s clu...

Published on: October 22, 2019
Listen on Website

Using The Outdoors as a Healthier Coping Mechanism

Brad Noone is an Army veteran who has found healing through the outdoors. Brad has participated in outdoor trips and even volunteered with several veteran organizations to help lead expeditions.

Brad shares his experiences after getting back from Afghanistan and how the outdoors gave him a place to recover.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:14    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast.  Today my guest is Brad Noone who served with me in the Connecticut Army National Guard for a while.  He deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and since getting out of the military, he’s found an outlet that allows him to get in touch with nature, which I wanted to talk to him about. I think that’s a path that not enough Vets take and it certainly seemed to work wonders with Brad. So Noone, buddy, I don’t want to give away too much about what you have going on here, but why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and just introduce yourself.

Brad Noone:    00:56    Hear me?

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, go ahead.

Brad Noone:    00:59    Oh, sorry.  My name is Brad Noone.  Like Scott said, we served together in the Connecticut Army National Guard and I did two years active duty with the Guard and then six years on drilling status. We did a deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. I struggled a lot when I came home and I became fully involved in the outdoors, which I assume we’ll probably delve into that here in just a second.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:27    Yeah, absolutely.  So, if you don’t mind touching on some of the things, some of the struggles that you went through and I don’t know all the details necessarily but during your time in the military or even after getting out, what were some of those things that were difficult for you? I know you said when you got back home from Afghanistan, you had a tough time but what were some of those things, if you don’t mind sharing some of that?

Brad Noone:  Sure, absolutely.

Brad Noone:    01:56     When I was in Afghanistan, I experienced a number of traumas.  Everything from having to take the life of enemy combatants to seeing charred and mutilated bodies, to seeing, and experiencing just what we call combat stress or anxiety.  I lost sleep. I would go days without sleep and this was in a combat zone. This was in Afghanistan.  I came home and I didn’t have a coping mechanism, so I drank and I partied and that’s what I did. I ended up living in my car; readjustment back into civilian life, even after I got my drinking under control is still one of the biggest hurdles that I have to overcome on a day-to-day basis.  The way the military trains, it doesn’t operate very well in civilian life with a military mentality.  This is what I went on to experience.  I have experienced homelessness on and off, some involuntary, some voluntary, for the past, I don’t know, five or six years. I’ve been in and out of my truck and it’s been a great experience but it’s been very hard at the same time.

Scott DeLuzio:    03:13    Sure. ...

Published on: October 15, 2019
Listen on Website

Healing Through Artwork

Edward Santos was an infantry soldier who served two tours in Afghanistan. In his second tour he was sent home early for medical issues, which began to affect him more than just physically.

Eventually he stumbled upon painting and photography as an outlet which helped improve his overall mental health.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:  Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast.   Today my guest is Edward Santos who served with me in Afghanistan in 2010 and he also deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. Since getting out of the military, he’s found a more creative outlet, which I wanted to talk to him about that might help other veterans who are coming back from deployments or getting out of the military. So, Santos, I don’t want to give too much away here about what you’re up to and things that you have been involved with but why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself.

Edward Santos:    00:51    Oh, first of all, let me thank you for inviting me onto your show. This is a real honor. It’s been a while since you and I chatted and it’s great to be able to reconnect here on your show and I want to congratulate you first on this show. I think it’s amazing what you’re doing and getting the word out to other veterans is something that a lot of veterans are extremely passionate about because when you return home, it’s not always an easy thing to transition back into society.  We all need those different outlets.  Thank you so much for inviting me on and hopefully I can share a little bit of my experience and different outlets I’ve found in helping me readjust and stay on that right path.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:50    And thank you for being here. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey, your path.

Edward Santos:    02:01     I’m Edward Santos and I was born and raised in New York City in the Bronx. Right before 2001, I was an electrician when the whole 911 tragedy happened. That whole patriotic movement is what actually inspired me to join the military. I enlisted in the New York National Guard transferred to the Puerto Rico National Guard, served with them. Went off to basic training here in Ft. Benning, Georgia where I’m living now. And then I transferred to Connecticut National Guard in 2004, shortly after we went on our first deployment in 2006. It’s been a long road from 2006 to now.  We volunteered for that 2009-2010 deployment and just so much has happened since then.

Edward Santos:    03:03    I had to leave a little bit early, so I struggled a lot.

Edward Santos:    03:13    I was one of the older veterans, I can confidently say. My body wasn’t as fit as the young 20 and 25-year olds, so I had to leave earlier than I wanted to.  Having to leave my team and my platoonmates behind really took a toll on me. I felt a lot of guilt. I felt like a failure when I got home. My team got home and I was still stuck at Fort Drum for another year after that. Then another six months at West Point after that until the army medically retired me. So, it was a long struggle.  It was bitter sweet getting out and I struggled with that.

Scott DeLuzio:    04:06    Yeah, sure.

Edward Santos:    04:15    So, struggling with that, it was really tough and I think one of the...

Published on: October 8, 2019
Listen on Website

Gold Star Father On Giving Back To Veterans

My father, Mark DeLuzio, talks about how he’s giving back to veterans through his organization B.R.A.V.E. (Business Reviews and Advisors to Veteran Entrepreneurs). B.R.A.V.E. is an organization, which helps veteran entrepreneurs get their businesses started.

Links & Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:13    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast. Today I have Mark DeLuzio who is not only my father, but also a Gold Star Father. We’re going to talk about a service that he’s providing to veterans who are aspiring entrepreneurs or looking for career advice. I briefly talk about this service in episode five, which if you haven’t listened to it yet, you might want to go give that a listen too.  So, Dad, before I go on too much about what you do, I’m going to let you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into this.

Mark DeLuzio:    00:47    Thanks. My background, I have a pretty extensive business background in corporate America. I made it up to very high levels in the corporation. I started out in finance went into operations, general management. I was also the architect of something that we call the Danaher Business System, which is one of the most sought-after Lean Manufacturing or Lean Management systems in the country and perhaps in the world.  For the last 18 years, I’ve been in my own consulting business, actually consulting in that space and worked with all kinds of different companies, big companies, small companies, all kinds of different industries. So that’s what I do. So, I have a lot of business experience.  I know how to run a business and also a lot of entrepreneurial experience that I feel I can really offer to help others. So that’s kind of my background. I have an MBA in Operations Management. I have an Accounting degree, a Bachelor’s degree. I have a second Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and I’m certified in a number of different areas. So, that’s what I do. And that’s a real quick snap shot of my background.

Scott DeLuzio:    02:02    So the service that we’re talking about today is called B.R.A.V.E., which stands for Business Reviews and Advice for Veteran Entrepreneurs. It’s basically a service that you provide to veterans who are looking to start up a business or looking for career advice. So, how did you get the idea to start B.R.A.V.E.?

Mark DeLuzio:    02:24    Just a slight correction; It’s Business Reviews and Advisers to Veteran Entrepreneurs. Slight little change, but no big deal. How do I start? Well, you know, like most people I would say, and this is not a criticism, I think most Americans in general enjoy their life, enjoy the freedoms. Quite frankly, take their freedoms for granted. And I was one of those people, quite frankly until my two sons entered the military and then I get to see it firsthand. Well, maybe not firsthand, but I got to see a very close up picture of what you guys went through and other veterans as well as far as the sacrifice you make for the country.  As probably a lot of people know, we lost Steven, your brother, my son, in Afghanistan; he was a war hero, like you were.

Mark DeLuzio:    03:14    You were lucky enough to come home. He didn’t.  I got to see and know a lot of his brothers in arms after they all got back from Afghanistan and I started seeing quite a bit of struggles that they went through because I reall...

Published on: October 1, 2019
Listen on Website

From Homeless Veteran to Successful Business Owner

Seth Shoultes is an Air Force Veteran who became a successful entrepreneur. His path to get to where he is today wasn’t an easy one. Seth struggled with homelessness after deciding to get away from the toxic situation he found himself in.

Through hard work and perseverance, Seth managed to not only get back on his feet, but also build a successful software business.

Links & Resources:

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00   Hey everybody. This is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:13    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast today. My guest is us shorts who is a PHP programmer and developer. He’s also one of the founders of a company called Event Espresso. Seth has been in web design and development since the early 2000s, but his journey to running a successful software business wasn’t always an easy road. Seth talked about his journey in a speech a few years ago at a conference in Las Vegas that I had the opportunity to attend.  Seth had served in the Arizona Air National Guard in the mid ‘90s and had hopes of working in the aerospace industry after getting out of the National Guard.  So, welcome to the show.  Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Seth Shoultes:   00:59    Hi Scott. Thanks for having me.  I graduated high school in the mid 90s and went directly right from high school into the Air National Guard where I wanted to learn nondestructive inspection and stuff like that. Basically it was looking at airplanes, airplane parts and inspecting them for defaults or defects and stuff like that.  I was always interested in airplanes and aeronautics and stuff like that since I was a small child. But growing up and in my community that I was surrounded with I’ve never really felt like I was pilot material. It was always a in school and that type of thing. Later in life or in high school, I started following around the wrong crowd, getting into [trouble], facing some problems with addiction and stuff like that.

Seth Shoultes:    02:08    So during high school, I always felt like I was behind in my grades and stuff like that and I never felt smart or anything like that.  I didn’t have the tools to succeed, I guess. So I went to the military as a way out of my current situation and into a career that was a lifelong career that would hopefully pan out some day and I’d be better off than I was. But once I got into the military, I really loved it.  The boot camp gave me a good foundation and a stronger community there.  Then when I got out and when I came back home from the guard after going to tech school, I started associating with some of the same people and I even found that some of the same people were with me in the guard.

Seth Shoultes:    03:12    And so I fell into all those old ways of addiction and struggling with just life in general.  After a couple of years I did my time in the guard and still faced these struggles. I went on t...

Published on: September 24, 2019
Listen on Website

Reflections of a Gold Star Mother

In this episode my mother, Diane DeLuzio, shares what it is like to be a Gold Star Mother after losing her son (my brother) in Afghanistan.

We talk about the coping mechanisms she used and how that turned into an outlet to help others.

Links and Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:15    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast. Today I have Diane DeLuzio who is not only my mother but also a Gold Star Mother. We’re going to talk about some of the things that she found to be helpful and also not so helpful throughout her grieving process after losing her son and my brother. So, I’ll let you introduce yourself and maybe talk a little bit about becoming a Gold Star mother and how that whole process kind of took place.

Diane DeLuzio:    00:41    Hi.  Thanks for having me.  When both you and Steven were deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, I worried because I’m a worrier.  Even when there’s nothing to worry about, I still worry. But what I worried about was that you were going to be deployed and you were going to miss the first year of your son’s life and maybe bonding with him would be difficult.  With Steven, I worried about things like, I saw a picture of him smoking and I thought maybe he was going to become a smoker and wouldn’t be able to quit. Those are the kinds of things that I worried about. I don’t think I let my mind worry about tragedy, where somebody lost a limb or worse-case scenario, didn’t come home alive. I didn’t worry about those things. But that’s what happened on August 22, 2010. We got a knock on the door and two uniformed soldiers were standing at our front door and the first reaction was, which one?

Diane DeLuzio:    01:45    Because we knew why they were there. We just didn’t know whether it was you or Steven. And it was very difficult those first hours and days and weeks, especially the first hours and days because you weren’t home either.  As a mom, I was also worried about you and thinking you were there alone. But I also came to learn that you weren’t alone and neither was Steve when he died because the army or military service in general [takes care of their own.] I’ve come to know from the army’s perspective that they take care of you. They helped you to get home as quickly as you could. They provided an opportunity for you to escort Steve from Afghanistan and I know that there were people who loved and cared for Steven who were with him when he died.

Diane DeLuzio:    02:37    And as a mom, I didn’t come to realize that until almost a year later. But it really was a healing thing for me to know that Steven didn’t die alone.  It is at that point that I really learned what a Gold Star Mother was. Prior to that, I was a Blue Star Mother times two and I had a Blue Star flag hanging in my front door. Blue Star just means you have service members of your family in active duty or in the service. And that was you and Steve. But after Steven died, I joined a club that no one wants to join, it’s the Gold Star Mothers. And that’s just someone who has lost a son or daughter in service to our country.

Scott DeLuzio:    03:26    So, after all that happened, obviously Steve came home and we had all sorts of different services and things like that that were presented to us and made available to us through the milita...

Published on: September 17, 2019
Listen on Website

Managing Your Iceberg

In this episode I talk to Cory Miller, a friend of mine and tech entrepreneur. Cory seemingly had everything going for him and he explains mental health with the analogy of an iceberg.

Cory is not a veteran, but his story has inspired others to seek help for their own mental health issues. I encourage you to listen to his message and take it to heart.

Links and Resources

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:  00:14    Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast today. We have a friend of mine from the tech world, Cory Miller. Cory and I met a few years ago at a tech conference. Now, Cory is unlike many of the other guests on this podcast, as he’s not a veteran. He does come from a military family. He does have veterans in his family but he can talk about a little bit about that later. That’s not really the reason why I’m having Cory on the show today. Instead, he was the CEO of a successful company and who was well-respected and looked up to. As a matter of fact, I think some people may even say that he’s a type of entrepreneur that they want to be. I know I would say that for myself anyways. And why not? He ran a successful company with a great team of employees. Financially, he was very successful. On the surface, it seemed like he had pretty much everything going right for him. Who wouldn’t want to be like him, right? But that wasn’t the full story. I’m going to let Cory introduce himself and then we’ll get into a little bit about his story. So, without any further delay, Cory, welcome to the show.

Cory Miller:  01:24    Hey, thanks Scott. That was a great intro. It’s nice knowing you. What has it been three, four or five years? I’m trying to think back when we first met.

Scott DeLuzio:  01:34    I think it was about three years now.  At least.

Cory Miller:  01:38    Thank you for the intro. I started a company in 2008 called I Themes. Ran it for 10 years, actually 11 but at the 10-year mark I sold it to another company. We were required and spent the next year transitioning the team to the company that bought us. Then just earlier this year, in January, 2018 or, I’m sorry, 2019, when we’re talking, I left the team and that company to start again. So, my newest venture is, Leader.Team, where I’m helping support leaders across various organizations and it’s been a fun restart, reboot to business.

Scott DeLuzio:  02:24    Great.  So, the reason that I wanted to have Cory on the show is because I wanted people to know that it’s not always rainbows and unicorns.  It may appear to be on the surface. It’s not always a picture-perfect life.  Even though it may seem like it is for other people.  Cory was a great example of how on the surface it seemed like he had everything going right for him. But underneath that surface, as you peel back the layers, it really started to become apparent that the things were not quite going all that well for him. And so, Cory, you had talked a while back at a couple of different conferences.  You were a speaker about the concept of the iceberg.  Can you go into that a little...

Published on: September 10, 2019
Listen on Website

Reminiscing about SGT Steven DeLuzio and Bubble Gum

[Explicit Content Warning]

This is part 2 of my talk with Wes Black. If you haven’t listened to part 1, go check that out now. You really don’t want to miss that one.

In this episode, we pick up where we left off and begin by talking about my brother Steven. Wes was on the mission that Steven was killed on, so he opens up about how that mission went.

Wes and I also share some light hearted stories about Steven that are sure to get a laugh. If you knew my brother, you’d know that it’s hard to tell a story – even one about his death – without there being a funny story involved.

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:02    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio:    00:14    This is Part 2 of a two-part episode with Wes Black.  Part 1 came up last week and if you haven’t listened to that episode yet, go ahead and give it a listen, too. In that episode we talked a bit about Wes, his military career and some medical issues that he had stemming from his service. Our conversation lasted for well over two hours and I didn’t want to cut out anything from our conversation so I decided to break it out into two parts. And so, in this episode we’re going to talk about my brother, Steven and tell some funny stories and also some serious stories about combat and the circumstances surrounding his death and other things that went on during his life. So, without further delay, let’s get on with the second part of this episode.

Scott DeLuzio:    01:00    We talked a little bit about, how you guys met at Norwich [University].  You said you had already been in the guard. You already went to basic training at the point where you met him.  Were you one of the guys who talked him into joining the guard or,

Wes Black:    01:21    So I was not, I was not one of the guys that talked Steve into joining. Steve at the first time I met Steve was actually at a drill weekend and it was Halloween weekend and it was like a MUDA4, so, it was a Saturday, Sunday non-remain overnight. And so, Saturday night we got cut loose. And so, because I had been in the unit for a little over a year, I knew to bring civilian clothes to the drill. Because if we got released, we’d go out into Burlington and raise hell. And so, it’s Halloween night. Right? And Steve looks at me and he’s like, Bro, I don’t have any clothes. I don’t have any civilian clothes. Because at the time he was a freshman at Norwich, so freshmen aren’t allowed according to the Rook, you’re not allowed to have civilian clothes.

Wes Black:    02:07    You could if you were in the guard. But Steven only recently just come to drill and didn’t know the rules. And so, I said, I was like, fuck it man. It’s Halloween. Like, just tell everybody you’re a soldier. At the time it was 2004 and I was like, just tell everybody you’re a fucking soldier. Everybody loves fucking soldiers. I mean, we’re fucking heroes, man. Just fucking go as a soldier. So, he says, all right, so we go downtown, right? And I’m in civilian clothes. I think I had stopped and grabbed a stupid mask or something at one of the Halloween party stores. So, we’re downtown in Burlington eating pizza and drinking beer at, oh, what was it? Manhattan pizza or Mr. Mix or something like one of the pizza shops.

Wes Black:    02:53   I had actually scratched my ID, the back of my military ID because I was born in 1985. I had scratched it where the five connects down to the bottom, I scratched away that side. And then on the other side I scratched it so it looked like a three and then used the sharpie to color it in like a fine point Sharpie. So, I actually had an ID that said I was like two or three years older than I really w...

Published on: September 3, 2019
Listen on Website

Burn Pits, the VA, and Keeping a Positive Attitude

[Explicit Content Warning]

In this episode, we talk to Wes Black, a veteran is suffering from extremely serious complications from burn pit exposure, yet still manages to keep a positive outlook.

I know I learned a lot by listening to his story and outlook.

Links and Resources

Vets who served in any of the following are eligible to be registered on the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Operation New Dawn
  • Djibouti, Africa (on or after September 11, 2001)
  • Operation Desert Shield
  • Operation Desert Storm
  • Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990

Check your eligibility and sign up here.

Vermont Senate Bill 111

Transcript

Scott DeLuzio:    00:02    Hey everybody, this is the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzIo, and now let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio: 00:14    This is Part 1 of a two-part episode where I talked to Wes Black, a soldier who served with my brother in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We got to talking for over two hours and while it was all great stuff, I thought that it was a little bit long for just one episode.  What we talked about was really good and so I didn’t want to cut out any of it. Instead, I’m going to break the conversation down into two parts.  The first [of the] two here in just a second in this episode where we talk a lot about Wes, his military career and some medical issues that he’s going through. And the second will come out next week on September 3rd where we talk a bit about my brother Steven. Without further delay, let’s get on with the show.

Scott DeLuzio: Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the Drive On Podcast today.

Scott DeLuzio:  01:00    My guest is Wes Black, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with my brother.  Wes is here to tell his story about his time in the military and then serving his community later on as a firefighter and some of the struggles that he’s had along the way.  Wes, I don’t want to give away too much information about you here; so why don’t you tell us a little about yourself and your military service and when you joined and all that kind of stuff, and then we’ll go from there.

Wes Black:  01:31    Yeah, sure. I enlisted in November of 2003. I was a student in Norwich University. It’s actually where I met your brother, Steve, the first time. Not 2003; I met him in 2004 but I enlisted in ‘03 in the Vermont Army National Guard.  I went to basic training that following summer, came back, did another semester at college, and then we got the warning order that we were going to Ramadi, Iraq.  So, we deployed January of ’05, went down to Camp Shelby.  We did six months to train up and then I was in country June or July of 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq, and we served until June of 2006.  [We] came back, I tried to go back to college; it didn’t work out for me.

Wes Black:  02:24   And then, I actually worked for the Vermont Army National Guard as active duty for specialized work.  ADSW is what we call it.  So, it’s a Title 32 order, so it’s like active duty, but it’s for a year-long term; what we would call a tour.  So, I did that for a couple of years. I worked for the Army Mountain Warfare School as a supply person.  I was helping in the supply room.  Every once in a while, they let me sneak out and I’d kind of go up and help with training, setting it up and taking it down. But I was never an instructor or anything like that.  And then I spent a little bit of time working for the unit when we were getting ready to deploy to Af...

Published on: August 27, 2019
Listen on Website

Honoring The Sacrifice of SGT Steven DeLuzio

In this special episode, I am remembering the 9 year anniversary of the death of my brother, SGT Steven DeLuzio. I’m sharing memories and lessons learned from losing someone so close to me.

Links and Resources:

More About SGT Steven DeLuzio

 

Transcript

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into the drive on podcast. Today I’m doing a special episode. Special to me anyway. 9 years ago this week on the 22nd of August 2010, my brother, SGT Steven DeLuzio was killed in action in Afghanistan. And I wanted to make sure this episode was dedicated to him and his service.

A few weeks ago I had Chris Weir on who also lost his brother in combat. One of the things Chris said was that he wanted to make sure his brother’s memory continued to live even though he was gone. I couldn’t agree more with that. I feel like the more we do to keep the memory of these soldiers alive, the better.

So with this episode, I’m going to talk a little about my brother and how he impacted my life.

My brother was about 3 years younger than me. Growing up we always had that big brother, little brother complex. We’d fight, but then get right back to playing together. Even though I had the upper hand at home and usually won our fights, outside of home we always had each other’s backs.

Steve played hockey in high school, and eventually went on to play in college at Hofstra University. While he was there he sort of fell into the wrong crowd and started to not focus on school as much as he should. His grades slipped and I think he even ended up failing a couple classes. He realized he was heading down a path he didn’t want to be going down. Late night parties and drinking replaced the studying that he should have been doing.

He came home one day and said that he wanted to transfer to a military college. The idea was that he’d get more discipline and focus there. Eventually this led to him transferring to Norwich University in Vermont. While he was there, he definitely got some discipline. His entire day was planned out for him, including early morning PT, class time, study time, meals, everything. He didn’t have time for all the other partying that he had when he went to Hofstra. Not surprisingly, his grades improved.

At some point while he was at Norwich he had talked to an Army recruiter about joining the Army National Guard. A friend of his at Norwich was already in the guard and told him all about it. He ended up joining in a delayed entry program, and went to basic training at Fort Benning, GA in the summer of 2005.

While he was in basic training, the seed had been planted in me. I knew I wanted to join the military as well, but I was in a bit of a different situation than he was. I already had graduated college and had a full time job. It sort of scared me thinking that I might get fired if I asked for a few months off to go join the Army. It turns out I didn’t have to worry about that because by law my employer couldn’t fire me for that. I didn’t know that at the time though. When Steve got out of basic training, I told him my plans and asked him to talk me out of it. I had basically made up my mind that I would join, but I wanted him to give me all the cons all the negatives to joining.

While he tried his best, ultimately he failed, and I enlisted in the CT army national guard in November 2005, just a few months after he ha...

Published on: August 20, 2019
Listen on Website

Air Force Veteran Turned Veteran Advocate

Kim Petters is an Air Force Veteran, who has turned into a Veteran Advocate after overcoming her own struggles with PTSD. I wanted to have Kim on the show to talk about how she became an advocate for veteran issues.

Related Links:

Transcript

Scott    00:00 Hey everybody. This is the Drive on Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.  

Scott    00:15 Hey everyone, thanks for joining us on the Drive on Podcast. Today we have, a friend from high school. Actually we went, we graduated high school together and, I don’t really know about you, but I don’t really want to think about how long ago that was. I start feeling old when I start thinking about how long it will go. That was but anyways Kim is an air force vet who has been involved with a lot of different causes since getting out of the air force and she’s here today to, talk a little bit about her story and, and all the things she’s been up to. So, Kim, welcome to the show. And, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?  

Kim    00:57   Yeah, sure. So first, thanks for having me. Um, let’s see. So I grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut and I joined the Air Force and I was in for 10 years. I had one deployment. I always liked to start off with, I am not a combat veteran. You know, and a lot of people are like, you know, well, how did you end up with PTSD? And, it was while I was deployed, I worked with the Human Remains missions and I kinda took that home with me and, I dunno, I, I, you know, I did everything that I was supposed to do. You know, I joined the, the military to go to school. I ended up finishing my degree in knees before I got out. You know, I had a job lined up, an amazing job. I was working with a child savings institute in Omaha, Nebraska. I transitioned right into that job day one out of the military. But you know, life threw me a few curve balls and just things got difficult. And my transition going from 10 years in the military to the civilian worlds was a rocky one to start for a few years. Actually.

Scott    02:13 Okay. Okay. And, and so tell us a little bit about the kind of, the, that, that transition kind of the some of the struggles that you kind of went through during, during that time when you were transitioning between your, your military career and, you know, trying to get into reintegrate back into the civilian world.  

Kim    02:37   Yeah. So, okay. So reintegration, so I had a job and I was working as a teacher at the Child Saving’s Institute and you know, I, I got along with everyone pretty well. There was a few girls that I met that I’m still friends with to this day. But I noticed right away that I had a hard time fitting in with the other girls. I was just, my personality I guess was, hm. I don’t know how, how do you describe it? I guess too much. I don’t know how to like, you know, I guess in the military when we talk to each other, we skip the fluff. We get straight to the point and no one’s offended by it. But in the civilian world, it’s not quite the same. And so just even that was different for me.

Scott    03:30 It’s a bit more intense when you’re dealing with a military like a veteran, you know, where like you said, you skip the fluff, you kind of just get right to the point. You don’t, you know, beat around the bush at all. You’re just going straight to whatever it is that you, you’re trying to talk about or whatever.  

Kim    03:47   Right, right. And then the way I noticed a few other small differences, you know, you know, if say we had a meeting at the end of the day and everyone had to stay 15 minutes later, you know, some of the women, I don’t mean to offend anyone, but so...

Published on: August 13, 2019
Listen on Website

A Gold Star Brother on Loss and Legacy

Chris Weir is a Gold Star brother, who lost his brother David in Iraq. I wanted to have Chris on the show to discuss what he experienced in losing his brother, and how he eventually made the decision to follow his brother’s path and join the 101st Airborne where his brother previously served.

Chris talks about how his community pulled together during his family’s most difficult time. He describes the loss of his brother as a strange feeling of devastation and pride.

Links and Resources

Transcript Scott 00:00 Hey everybody. This is the Drive on Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And now let’s get on with the show.
Scott 00:14 Thanks for joining us on the drive on podcast today. We have friend Chris Weir uh, who actually we met through my wife who was on the show last week and she was Chris’s real estate agent when he moved out to Arizona and, uh, Chris served in the military and Chris and I both share a similar story, um, to some extent. Um, both of us lost our brothers, uh, in, combat. And I brought Chris on the show because I kind of wanted to hear his side of, of everything because at the time. Unlike me, he was not serving in the military and, uh, I wanted to see how his brothers, uh, what happened with his brother has affected his military career and, and other things throughout his life. So, so Chris, uh, you know, welcome to the show and, tell us a little bit about yourself, you know, where, where are you from and all that.
Chris 01:14 Thanks for having me, Scott. Appreciate it. So I’m originally from a small little town called Chattanooga, Tennessee in southeast Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia border, um, born and raised there. And, um, when I, uh, grew up right and graduated high school, went on to a college in Nashville and then, uh, being around a few different places, lived in Ohio for a little bit. Um, but now we are here out in Arizona. Um, I’m married, have two daughters, therefore I’m bold. They are both, uh, teenagers. So my oldest is 16, my youngest is 14, and, and, uh, I have no hair to prove it. So, um, so yeah, that’s a, that’s basically, yeah, me in a nutshell.
Scott 01:57 Sure. Yeah. So, so let’s, let’s jump right in. Let’s start talking about, you know, when, when you joined the military and Kinda the, the circumstances surrounding that, um, you know, everything that happened kind of with your brother, how that happened. And then, then what influenced your decision to join the military?
Chris 02:16 Yeah. September of 2006 was when my brother was killed in Baghdad. And so I had always, I had always wanted to join the military. It was something that I always wanted to do pretty much every my father, his father, his father, his father, father, father, you know, all down the line. Um, everybody had served. And, and then of course my brother as well. So I was always struggling with the idea of when I got older, sitting on the front porch with my grandkids, not being able to tell them, you know, a story about being in the military and serving my country. So, um, it was something that had been on my mind for many years. I was getting older at that time, at least older, not compared to today, but at that time I was getting older for joining the military anyway. And I was, I was knocking on thirty’s door and so Se...

Published on: August 6, 2019
Listen on Website

A Military Spouse's Point of View on Parenting and Deployment

Episode 9: Vicki DeLuzioMy wife, Vicki DeLuzio talks to us about being a new mother while I was deployed and some of the struggles that came along with that.

Published on: July 30, 2019
Listen on Website

Call for Guests

Call for guests is now open!

I’m looking for veterans, family members of veterans, and others who have something to share with our audience. You have your own unique experiences and we want to hear from you.

Visit https://driveonpodcast.com/guests/ for more information.

Published on: July 23, 2019
Listen on Website

Help Others By Helping Yourself

Transcript

Think back to basic training when you learned combat lifesaving skills. Or maybe you learned this later on in your military career. I don’t know when everyone is first introduced to it, or even if all MOS’s are taught these skills. As an infantryman I know we had our first exposure to this medical training in basic training. We learned basic medical skills like how to use a tourniquet to stop bleeding, CPR, and other lifesaving skills that you might need on the battlefield.

When we deployed to Afghanistan each soldier was issued their own first aid kit with bandages, tourniquets, nasopharyngeal airway tubes, and other stuff like that. This essentially guaranteed that no soldier would have to wait for a medic to arrive in order for treatment to begin. Your buddy next to you could start treatment right away, because they had the same training you did.

We had the training and the equipment to treat some of the more common injuries a soldier would face on the battlefield. Anything from collapsed lungs, severed limbs, or severed arteries could be treated relatively quickly. I don’t have the statistics on this, but these basic medical steps I’m sure have saved numerous soldiers lives.

So we had the training and equipment to deal with these injuries. But from day 1 of this training, we are taught that security comes first. Think about it, if a soldier is shot out in the open, do you really want to run out and drag him back to safety? Well, of course you want to get your buddy out of harm’s way, but it’ll be a death sentence for you if you do without securing the area first.

You’re not going to be able to outrun the bullet that the sniper who just shot your buddy is going to be shooting in your direction.

So, security has to be a priority. Lay down some fire in the direction of the threat, call in air strikes, or if they’re close enough toss a grenade in their direction. Meanwhile, your friend is still laying there bleeding. It isn’t an easy thing to do. But you have to secure the area first. You have to do it quickly though, because your buddy doesn’t have all day to lay there with a gunshot wound, or whatever other injury they might have.

Gosh, this sounds cold doesn’t it? Just leave your buddy lying there while you worry about protecting yourself.

It’s not the only time we do things like this though.

Think about the last time you were on an airplane. Before takeoff, the flight attendant tells you that in the event of a drop in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will be deployed from the ceiling. They tell you to put your mask on first before helping others. Why?

When the cabin pressure drops suddenly, without a stable source of oxygen you’ll probably pass out pretty quickly. Let’s say you’re helping a child who is scared and starts to fight you putting on their mask. You struggle for a bit, and then boom, you pass out.

Now, not only don’t you have your oxygen mask on, the child doesn’t either. And forget about it if you’re traveling with more than one kid.

So they tell you to put your mask on first. That way you know you’re safe and can then help the child. Even if they do happen to pass out because their mask wasn’t put on quickly enough you’re still conscious enough to help them.

In other words, if you don’t help yourself first, you’ll become useless to the child.

In combat you’re not going to be much help to your injured buddy until all of the threats have been eliminated. So you help yourself first by eliminating that threat, but it also helps your buddy because you’re still around to help them once that threat is gone.

It doesn’t sound so cold anymore once you think about it this way.

We’re asked to help people all the time, aren’t we?

This is especially true around Christmas time – there are always people collecting money for one cause or another. The Salvation Army outside of grocery stores with their b...

Published on: July 16, 2019
Listen on Website

Dealing With Pain

Dealing with pain, whether it’s from the loss of a loved one, a physical pain, or something else entirely can take it’s toll on us all.

In this episode, we dive into some of the benefits that pain can bring. It isn’t all bad, and when we make it through, we usually end up better on the other side.

Transcript

At one point or another we all deal with pain, with grief, with suffering of some sort. Maybe it’s a physical pain from an accident or disease. It could be an emotional pain from a loss of a loved one, a betrayal, or something different. Maybe for you there is a social injustice you’re facing. You might also feel pain in the form of empathy for others who are suffering. Mothers endure the pain of childbirth and athletes endure the pain of their training to compete at the best of their ability. So pain isn’t all bad.

One thing we need to remind ourselves is that the pain or suffering we’re going through helps to bring perspective to our lives.

Pain and suffering has a way of humbling us. What I don’t mean with the word “humble” is someone who thinks they suck, or is always down on themselves. Someone with no backbone. That’s not at all what I’m talking about. What I’m talking about is that we get taken down a notch when we’re in pain. 

I think being humble like this is a good thing. Being humble sometimes has a bad connotation associated with it. Like being too passive or insecure. But I think humble people are just the opposite. They’re confident enough in themselves that they let their actions speak for themselves. Humble people know their self-worth. They don’t feel the need to boast and brag about how great they are like their more prideful counterparts. Being humble doesn’t mean that they think less of themselves, rather it means that they think of themselves less. 

Humility tends to come with enhanced situational awareness where you might focus your attention on other people or things to learn more about what’s going on. You’re not constantly focused on yourself.

As a result, humble people tend to listen more than they speak. We’ve all been in a conversation where you can tell the other person isn’t listening, and is just waiting for you to take a breath so they can inject what they have on their mind. Why do they do this? They believe that what they have to say is more important, more valuable than listening to what you have to say. A more humble person is listening to what other people have to say before speaking. They try to understand other people’s perspectives without talking over people. A humble person realizes that there is more to learn from others.

In a way, being in pain pushes us to rely on others. Imagine you have this big prideful personality, and then all of a sudden you come walking into work on crutches. It takes the wind out of your sail a bit. You’re no longer this indestructible perfect person that you might have previously made yourself out to be. You’re maybe relying on someone else to help carry something into your office for you. After the loss of a loved one, we might realize that “yea, I need that shoulder to cry on”. Pain makes us realize that we can’t carry these burdens all on our own.

Pain and suffering causes us to shape our own belief systems. When something bad happens to us or someone we know we may question “why do bad things happen to good people?” A more religious person might question “why would God allow something like this to happen?” On the other hand we might forge a different perspective. We might ask instead, “what good can come of this?” Or the religious person could ask “how can God use this for good?”

I haven’t really talked about this on the podcast before, but my brother was KIA in Afghanistan in 2010. I don’t want to get too much into it now, but I’ll talk more about this in another episode. I remember on the night he was killed I was taking a shower so I was alone and asking God wh...

Published on: July 9, 2019
Listen on Website

Veterans Succeeding as Entrepreneurs

Veterans have a lot of skills and qualities that can make for a good entrepreneur. If you’re a veteran and struggling to find a job, you might want to consider the path of entrepreneurship. Running your own business isn’t for everyone – it can be a tough job with long hours and sometimes unpredictable income.…

Published on: July 2, 2019
Listen on Website

Keeping Your Cool by Being Prepared

It’s easy to lose your cool when you aren’t expecting bad things to happen. When something happens unexpectedly, we often times find ourselves in a panic and a rush to make things right again. When we prepare for the worst we often times can avoid the bad situation, or at the very least can weather the storm better than if we didn’t prepare.

Published on: June 25, 2019
Listen on Website

Communication

From the episode:

It’s funny how we sometimes expect that other people will know exactly what we’re thinking. We also assume that we know exactly what other people are thinking.

Think about when you were in the military. Every aspect of a mission was communicated from the officers down to the lower enlisted. Everyone knew what the objective of the mission was. While you could probably get the mission done with just the higher ranking soldiers knowing the full plan, the lower enlisted soldiers would likely start making assumptions about what needed to be done to accomplish what they assumed was the overall objective.

The same goes for communication in other areas of your life. Talking with your spouse, kids, neighbors, friends, or co-workers all require the same degree of attention.

Published on: June 18, 2019
Listen on Website

Dealing With Civilian Pettiness

It seems like people complain about everything from getting a coffee order wrong to it being too hot or cold outside. While complaining about these things isn’t something new, it is something we often times see as an annoyance.

But what if we reframed our thinking? What if we looked at these complaints as if we’ve done our jobs right?

Published on: June 11, 2019
Listen on Website

Preparing For A Civilian Career

When we get out of the military we aren’t always as prepared as we think we are for applying to a civilian job.

In this episode we talk about:

  • How to figure out what job you’d be good at.
  • Where to get the skills or qualifications you might need for a new career.
  • What employers are looking for in a potential employee.
  • How to narrow your focus in your job search rather than using a “shotgun” approach.
  • How to “talk up” your military experience. Even mundane things like paperwork and urinalysis testing can be spun in a positive manner.
  • When to start applying for jobs.
  • Where and how to network with potential peers and employers.

Published on: June 11, 2019
Listen on Website

Intro to Drive On Podcast

Welcome to Episode 0 of the Drive On Podcast! In this episode, I will introduce myself and the show, discuss the types of content we’ll cover on the show and who this podcast is for. There are so many different topics that veterans struggle with, and I want to help out with as many of them as I possibly can.

Published on: June 10, 2019
Listen on Website
//