Eye on Veterans

This week we’re talking about Ibogaine Psychedelic Therapy with former Army Paratrooper, decorated combat veteran, and Purple Heart recipient Clayton Smith. We discussed his experience with ibogaine treatment which he reluctantly did, just so he could say he "tried everything" before ending his life. Instead, it completely transformed him and gave him a new mission- healing fellow veterans through...

We’re talking all about Cybersecurity with Dr. Calvin Nobles, (Ret.) U.S. Navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer and Dean of Cybersecurity & Information Technology at University of Maryland Global Campus. We unpack the threats that exist all around us including how the military is defending against rogue nations, evolving AI, and drone technology. Nobles shared the threats he witnessed while command...

Navy SEAL veteran Chief Anthony Rivera shares an inside look at Vetavize, the digital platform he founded to navigate the complex and frustrating VA Disability Benefit process. Powered by artificial intelligence, it guides veterans through filing their claim while helping them identify conditions and gather medical evidence needed to get their claims approved. Rivera shared how after leaving the N...

This week we’re talking with Army Cavalry Scout veteran, and Medal of Honor recipient SSGT Clint Romesha, who continues to serve his fellow vets though America’s Warrior Partnership. We begin with a look at his service and a fascinating look into the reconnaissance missions of the elite US Army Cavalry Scouts. Known as the “eyes and ears of the battlefield” he shares a vivid, behind the scenes loo...

Today we’re with Navy veteran Matt Thompson who built an incredible post-military career in the skilled trades … and how his use of Tik Tok has made his heating and air conditioning business wildly successful in Southern California. His story began with a love of auto mechanics, which included building a car that ran on airplane fuel. His knack for fixing engines helped him consistently advance th...

This week we’re talking about the new book, “Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story” by Army Special Operations veteran Tyler Grey. Tyler was the epitome of the modern warrior, a Delta Force operator, master of counterterrorism. He hunted the worst bullies on the world’s playground—high-value targets, bomb makers, warlords—executing covert missions that never made the news- until one mission in...

We’re firing up the grill and talking killer BBQ with Blazing Star BBQ, Founder and Air Force veteran Michael Starr. We start with his Air Force days, where he was a satellite communications specialist aboard The National Airborne Operations Center, commonly known as “The Doomsday Plane”. These classified 747s are the nations’ mobile command center for The President, Pentagon and Joint Chiefs. Cap...

This week we’re talking about veteran business success and the best steaks for your backyard BBQ, with Army Ranger veteran Patrick Montgomery. He shared his journey from warrior to rancher to founder of Valor Provisions, an innovative e-commerce site where consumers can get prime cuts of steak, burgers, and world-famous hot dogs delivered right to their door. We start with his transition from the...

This week we hear from Dr. Will Van Derveer about about the proven benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Dr. Van Derveer shared how after working with veterans he became discouraged by the conventional treatments like talk therapy and endless medications which often fail to treat the root cause of conditions like anxiety, bi-polar, depression and PTSD. After two decades of developing innovativ...

Today we’re hearing how veterans are being healed by the power of music, and collaborations with the organization “Songwriting with Soldiers”. Air Force veteran Bruce Anderson, his wife Lesley and SW:S Music Director Jay Clementi share how these weekend retreats pair award-winning songwriters with veterans to create songs that help them tell their story and bring them closure. ( Clementi’s credits...

This week we talk with Marine Corps veteran and acclaimed journalist Chas Henry about his dramatic new book, “Fuji Fire, Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy”. It's the story of how in 1979 the largest typhoon ever recorded hit Camp Fuji, Japan, ruptured a fuel tank, sending 5000 gallons of fuel into huts where Marines were staying, eventually engulfing the camp in walls of fire...

We recently heard about the “Unite 4 Veterans” rally, June 6th in Washington DC, where vets from around the country will make their voices heard in the loudest way possible … with the legendary Irish punk band The Dropkick Murphys. We spoke with Unite4Vets coalition members Army veterans Will Attig and Chris Purdy. Together they sounded the alarm about recent VA cuts without regard to the second o...

Looking for something to lift your spirits? This episode is for you! This week we discuss the podcast, “Medal of Honor, Stories of Courage” Season 2, with Host, Army combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, actor and best selling-author J.R. Martinez. Before we dove into the podcast, JR offered a closer look at his amazing life. We heard how he went from surviving an IED explosion and severe burns,...

This week we offer a heartfelt Memorial Day tribute, with Army combat veteran and rising country music star Scotty Hasting, who will perform at this year’s National Memorial Day concert in Washington DC. (PBS) We begin with his memories of a life changing deployment to Afghanistan. He spoke about the good times … and the bad. We hear about life on a remote combat outpost, how he survived being sho...

This week we’re talking with retired Army Colonel and legendary Ranger Platoon Commander, Larry Perino. Today he’s AVP, Commercial and Small Business, Business Solutions, Navy Federal Credit Union, where he helps veterans achieve their small business dreams. However, we begin with a deeply personal look at his career. Perino will be remembered forever as one of the elite Army Rangers who fought in...

This week we’re talking with Navy veteran John Barile about how he went from Navy Sea Air Rescue Swimmer to becoming a highly successful business owner. After the military Barile took a dive into business ownership when he opened an EverLine Coatings and Services franchise, which does parking lot line striping and pavement maintenance in the San Diego area. As veterans always have a story or two,...

Ready to buy a home? Make sure you consider using VA Home Loan. Navy Federal Credit Union’s Christopher Davis offers a closer look at this incredible benefit. Davis shares why this loan allows veterans, service members and families to buy with no money down, lower interest rates and how they can be used more than once! Find out more from Navy Federal Credit Union here: https://www.navyfederal.org/

This week we’re talking about The Old Glory Ultra Relay. Army veteran Jason Wood shares how he and a team of 12 vets from Team Red White and Blue will begin running, non-stop from San Diego, CA to Washington DC. We talked about how this feat is even possible, and the route they will travel. Wood also shared how his own battle with PTSD, and depression almost ended his life. Saved after initially d...

This week we’re talking about veterans finding success in today's rapidly changing workforce after pursuing college degrees and valuable certificate programs at American Military University. We hear how Misty Cook went from enlisted Marine to Officer to CEO of her own consulting firm. Using her military background and education, she's now a CEO who helps vets with 20+ years of service, find huge s...

This week we’re talking about faith with Navy veteran and Christian author Amy Mahoney. In her book “Kingdom Keyholders” we hear how a life of rebellion led to abandonment, single motherhood and being totally alone, until she met God. We begin with her time in the Navy and her escape from pain through drinking. Mahoney describes how after her darkest days, two random strangers prayed over her in a...

Special Forces, Delta Force veteran and best-selling author Brad Taylor is back with his latest action-adventure novel, “Into the Gray Zone”.  Set in India, we track his veteran commando character Pike Logan, who discovers a deadly plot by Chinese backed terrorists aimed at preventing access to the rare earth minerals. But after violent attacks, Pike and his crew must hunt for a terror cell gone r...

Every year vets shred the slopes of Snowmass, Colorado at The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. We’re joined by Army veteran, Frances Osorio-Rivera, who as a single leg amputee went from being severely injured to becoming an inspiring pro kite surfer. Rivera, a Puerto Rico native and self-described “island girl” shared how despite her injury, she was determined to back in the water...

This week we’re catching up with The American Legion's Executive Director of Government Affairs, Mario Marquez, a retired Marine Corps Sgt. Major, with a deep background in veterans affairs and national security. We open with memories from Iraq deployments, and an experience with Houthi rebels in Yemen. That led us to our first discussion about the recent Signal message app scandal involving DoD,...

When it comes to getting a degree, veterans and their families often face challenges non-veteran students don’t.  American Military University (part of APUS) President, Nuno Fernandes understands this on a personal level.  We hear how his humble upbringing in Portugal, mirrors the challenges that inspired many Americans to join the military in the first place. But despite the challenges of transit...

This week we’re looking at online degree programs for veterans, from American Military University (AMU), one of the top online Universities for military and veterans.  We begin with two enlisted veterans that have done it. Former Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dan Roby shares how it’s never too late to earn your degree (he earned his at the age of 53), and former Army Staff Sgt. Tonda Navarrete descr...