Coming Home Well

Hidden beneath bales of hay in a Colorado barn lay an untold story of WWII heroism. Decades after Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless dictated his harrowing Pacific War memories, his grandson uncovered the forgotten manuscript. In this episode Tyler sits down with author Bruce McCandless III to uncover Iron and Fire —a gripping look inside naval surface combat, the brutal chaos...

Forget everything you know about stuffy, glass-case museums. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dennis Brant to explore the Americans in Wartime Experience, a massive 70+ acre, hands-on "military Disney World" coming to Virginia. From operational WWII tanks and immersive WWI trenches to critical 9/11 artifacts and oral history archives, discover how this unique destination is redefining how we...

Host Tyler Pieron chats with Dr. Amanda Kline , Executive Director of the Patriotic Kenny Foundation and Head of Creator Partnerships at Remento . They discuss how a chance neighborhood encounter with the late social media sensation 84-year-old Navy veteran Kenny Jary ("Patriotic Kenny") sparked a nationwide mission to help veterans overcome isolation. Resources & Links Patriotic Kenny Foundat...

Changing careers or transitioning out of the military can feel like an uphill battle, especially in today’s digital-first job market. In this episode of Coming Home Well , host Tyler sits down with Charlotte Creech from Hire Heroes USA to discuss how veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses can find meaningful, long-term careers. They break down the common pitfalls of modern job...

Tyler talks with veteran and author Steven Andrews about his unique historical fiction book, See the Light, Kiss the Ground . Andrews shares what it was like being drafted in 1969, thrust into leadership as an E-6 Staff Sergeant, and using his contemporaneous notes to capture the realities of combat, gallows humor, and moral injury. Key Takeaways The "Shake and Bake" Route: The Army's urgent need...

Tyler sits down with Drew LaBoon, a 17-year U.S. Army Special Operations veteran and Chief Operating Officer of Warrior's Heart. Drew shares his raw, powerful journey through severe TBI, complex PTSD, and alcoholism, and explains how finding a specialized, peer-driven treatment community changed everything. Warrior's Heart: Co-occurring treatment programs for warriors in Bandera, TX, and Milford,...

What do the Revolutionary War, Navy P-3 Orion flights, and modern executive boardrooms have in common? In this episode, host Tyler Pieron sits down with Navy veteran and author Dr. Andy Moye to unpack his book, From Bunker Hill to the Boardroom . Tune in as they reveal how a 250-year family military lineage sparked a blueprint for translating battle-tested grit into civilian leadership success. Ge...

 Tyler welcomes licensed therapist and author Cyndi Doyle to discuss the unique challenges faced by law enforcement families. Cyndi, who is also the wife of a police officer, shares insights from her book, Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship , focusing on the psychological and biological impacts of the profession on both the officer and their family....

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Heidi Langbein-Allen to discuss her father's harrowing experience as a conscripted boy soldier during the final, brutal days of World War II. At just 13 years old, Heidi's father was taken from his parents under the guise of "protection," only to be indoctrinated and thrust into combat against the Russian advance on the Eastern Front. Heidi shares how she even...

Why do standard post-deployment screenings miss the mark? What happens when a warrior loses their "tribe" and transitions back to civilian life? In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dr. Shauna "Doc" Springer —a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition, and suicide prevention. Doc Springer breaks down why lumping traum...

Navigating the mental health care system can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Kate Weaver, Executive Director of NAMI Charlotte, to discuss free, peer-led support networks and revolutionary new tools designed to connect individuals, veterans, and families to care faster than ever. Key Highlights The 11-Year Gap: It takes an average of 11 years from the onset of a mental hea...

If you found value in this episode leave us a review and be sure to subscribe so you do not miss an episode. Are you planning your retirement using civilian tools and calculators? If so, you’re likely leaving millions of dollars on the table. In this episode, host Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with Randy Senkle , a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, first sergeant, and the creator of the popul...

Found value in the show? Help us reach more people by leaving a review ! Tell us what stands out to you, or suggest a topic you want us to dive into next. Your reviews and ideas are what keep this mission moving forward for the entire Unified Service Family. When a 34-year law enforcement veteran suffers a stroke on duty, you’d expect his department to have his back. For Randy Sutton , the reality...

Leave a review if you like this episode! How do you prepare for life after the badge? Host Tyler sits down with Paul Pantani, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, to discuss the mental, professional, and personal hurdles of retiring from a career in first response. From patrol officer to Commander at a DA’s Office, Paul shares the hard lessons he learned about identity, timing, and why even two year...

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Fred Apgar , a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran and author of Return to the War on Plaine des Jarres . Fred served with the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (7 ACCS) , coordinating the clandestine air war over Laos. Fred discusses the complexities of the "Secret War," the painful homecoming many veterans faced, and his transformative 2014 return to South...

Please leave us a review if you like this episode. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with Rob Evans , the developer and visionary behind two disruptive platforms: Hots and Cots and Vet Stats . Rob’s mission is simple but profound: use transparency to improve the lives of those who serve. From rating moldy barracks and undercooked dining hall food to evaluating VA healthcare quality, Rob...

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron and Michelle Schafer share practical strategies to help veterans and service members translate military experience into civilian careers, build strong resumes and LinkedIn profiles, network effectively, and find work aligned with their values. You’ll Learn: How to identify and communicate transferabl...

Please leave us a review and share your suggestions or comments. In this episode, Tyler speaks with historian and educator Jenny Chan about the often-overlooked atrocities of the Pacific Theater during World War II. Drawing from personal family histories and over one million archived documents, they explore Unit 731, POW camps, the Bataan Death March, Hell Ships, and the lasting impact of war acro...

In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron welcomes back Dr. Paul Lawrence , Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to discuss the latest initiatives and challenges at the VA. From modernizing healthcare to protecting veterans’ benefits, Dr. Lawrence shares insights, practical advice, and stories that matter to every veteran. Topics Covered VA leadership priorities and putting veterans at the center of all...

In this episode of Coming Home Well , host Dr. Tyler Pieron speaks with Israeli author and former elite combat soldier Yishay Ishi Ron about PTSD, stigma, and the power of storytelling to heal trauma. Ishi shares his personal journey from military service and silent struggle to writing his acclaimed novel Dog —a cult favorite in Israel now available in English. Using the story of a stray dog as an...

In this episode, host Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with Matt Watkins , a Marine Corps veteran who spent 14 years serving as an F-18 mechanic, recruiter, and leader. Matt opens up about the pivotal moment he decided to transition out of active duty, the uncertainty that followed, and how he ultimately rediscovered purpose in the civilian world. Today, he serves as the Military Program Manager at Prem...

In this episode of  Coming Home Well , host Dr. Tyler Pieron welcomes attorney James R. Burn, a seasoned advocate with decades of experience in veterans benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Offering a perspective rarely heard on veterans podcasts, one from a private attorney rather than a VA or state representative, James shares clear, practical insights into how veterans can...

In this powerful episode of Coming Home Well , host Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with filmmaker Steven Grayhm and therapist Dr. Tara Consolino for an unforgettable conversation about the new veteran-focused film SHEEPDOG . Together, they explore the real-life stories that inspired the movie, the importance of authentic representation of the veteran experience, and the healing that emerges when veter...

Dr. Tyler Pieron talks with Michele Spiers from the American Council on Education (ACE) about how service members and veterans can make the most of their education benefits. They discuss translating military training into college credit, understanding the Joint Services Transcript , and using credit for prior learning to fast-track degree completion. 🪖 Key Highlights How ACE evaluates military an...

Dr. Tyler Pieron welcomes Craig Robbins , CEO of MilitaryHire.com and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, to talk about the challenges and opportunities veterans face when transitioning into civilian careers. Craig shares his journey from the Marine Corps to leading a major veteran-focused hiring platform, and offers practical advice for job seekers navigating resumes, networking, and mod...