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

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 The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Sh*t Together – by Dr. Sh...

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 fil...

Links & Resources: Resources for Veterans and Their Families 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...

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...

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 practic...

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...

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.

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 wh...

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...

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.

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 t...

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 veteran...

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 Wounded Warrior Project Veterans Expeditions Military Outdoors (Sierr...

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 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition & Festival Bob Ross Vetera...

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 B.R.A.V.E. Danaher Business System Mark DeLuzio Lean Horizons Transcript Scott DeLuzio:    00:00    Hey everybody, this...

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: Homeless...

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 About Gold Star Mothers founding mother, Grace Darling Seibold Connecticut Trees of Honor Army Casualty Assistance Center Transcript Scott DeLuz...

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 Everybody Hurts, Including...

[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 storie...

[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 Regis...

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: Norwich University Corps of Cadets Infantry Blue Cord Fort Benning, GA More About SGT Steven DeLuzio SGTStevenDeLuzio.com Iraqi woman gave soldier four more years   Transcript Hey everyone,...

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: D.C. Project SGT David Coullard Memorial Fund Transcript Scott    00:00 Hey everybody. This is the Drive on Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after t...

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...

My 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.

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.