Drive On: Helping Veterans Navigate PTSD & Life After 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 ne...

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...

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 determ...

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 dis...

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 t...

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...

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 The Patriot Box The Hero Company Monster Resume Writing Services PAC...

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. Supp...

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 foundat...

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 betwee...

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 h...

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...

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 ab...

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 resil...

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 supp...

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 r...

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 Dirt Sailor The Podcast Dirt Sailor The Podcast on Facebook Dirt Sailor The Podcast on Instagram USAJobs.gov Transcript View the transc...

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...

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 offer...

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 w...

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 avail...

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...

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...

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 cl...

Providing advice and strategies for finding purpose and meaning in life after military service. Challenges of transitioning to civilian life Discuss common challenges that veterans face when transitioning to civilian life 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 p...