The Common Veterans

When the Calls Stop Coming Military service creates bonds unlike any other. We train together, deploy together, struggle together, and celebrate together. There is always someone nearby who understands without needing an explanation. Then transition happens. Careers begin. Families grow. Life moves in different directions. Before long, some of the people we once talked to every day slowly disappea...

Military culture has its own language, humor, rhythm, and rules. The problem is that what makes perfect sense in uniform does not always land the same way in a civilian workplace, a customer service job, a staff meeting, or even a casual conversation. In this episode of Common Veterans , the hosts take on social rules, workplace landmines, and communication whiplash through the only way they know...

What happens when Veterans stop trying to tell the “perfect” story and start telling the honest one? In this episode of Common Veterans , the table gets practical about the power of storytelling. Not storytelling as performance, but storytelling as a tool for resilience, connection, healing, and helping others understand what lived experience really means. Guest host SGT Eric Donoho, U.S. Army Ret...

The Stuff We Don’t Diagnose is a conversation about the weight people carry when life does not fit neatly into a label. In this episode of Common Veterans , we sit down with Reverend Pastor Mason Vieth to talk about the things that do not always show up in a chart, a report, or a diagnosis, but still shape the way people live, think, and relate to the world around them. This episode steps away fro...

Episode 5: Permission to Fail Veterans are good at telling the version of the story that makes sense. Service. Transition. Forward movement. Progress. What often gets left out are the moments in between — the jobs that did not work out, the leadership decisions that fell short, the relationships that took a hit, and the seasons where nothing felt as steady as it was supposed to. In this episode, t...

Introduction One of the most common pieces of advice Veterans hear during transition is simple: “Translate your MOS.” The idea sounds reasonable. Replace acronyms with civilian terminology. Turn missions into projects. Convert leadership into management language. Take the language of the military and make it sound like something a corporate hiring manager might recognize. But for many Veterans, th...

Introduction We begin the way we always do. Host roll call. A moment to recognize the voices in the room and the stories behind them. This episode is brought to you by Winter Oak Studio, who continues to support conversations that matter. Toast: “ To the Uniform. There’s ceremony when you put it on. There’s paperwork when you take it off. There’s nothing in between. To the uniform that formed us,...

Movies, television, and social media have created familiar images of Veterans — the unstoppable warrior, the haunted survivor, or the flawless patriot. While often meant to honor service, these portrayals can quietly shape how civilians view and interact with Veterans in everyday life. In this episode, featuring guest host Goose , the conversation explores how media-driven perceptions follow Veter...

We’re not starting Season 4 quietly. We’re not easing in with a polite “welcome back.” We’re kicking off 2026 with a full-throttle “that’s bullsh*t!” and we’re doing it the only way we know how — loud, honest, and unfiltered. Welcome to Common Veterans Season 4 . This season is going to be bigger, bolder, and more unapologetically real than ever. And we’re starting with the topic that every vetera...

Veterans of different eras come together to share how military life and reintegration have evolved across generations. From early conflicts to modern warfare, this episode explores what has changed, what hasn’t, and how camaraderie continues to bind Veterans together. I. Introduction The episode opens with reflections on how service differs by decade while the core experience of wearing the unifor...

Veteran Homeless Veterans face unique housing challenges that ripple through lives and families. In Michiana, the gap between need and available, affordable units is painfully real. This episode explores practical steps to find stable housing and rebuild the sense of home many of us carry with us from service. We begin by laying out the common barriers: rising rents, credit challenges, lingering s...

Episode Summary: This week, we’re talking about how Veterans transition from mess hall meals and MREs to home cooking. From field hacks and chow hall laughs to the joy of sharing a meal with family again — this one’s all about food, memories, and connection. “To the ones that were the best barracks cooks with the hot plate they weren’t supposed to have… to the Divine Intervention that got us throu...

The Common Veterans – Season 3, Episode 14: The Battle Within Some battles aren’t fought on the field—they’re fought within. The Common Veterans continue their candid conversations about mental health, PTSD, and the resources available to support those dealing with invisible wounds. Welcome Back to the Fight Case of the Mondays: “This one’s for the Veterans who fight battles no one else sees.” Toa...

Hosts: Kenny Holmes, Jeff Schrock, Tony Buoscio Guest: Ty Bancroft — The Bancroft Companies In this episode we highlight Veterans who’ve built businesses and share practical tips for entrepreneurial success. We talk about stories and lessons from founders like Matt Best ( Black Rifle Coffee ), John Burk ( Shell Shock CBD ), Daniel Alerik ( Grunt Style ), and our guest, Ty Bancroft of The Bancroft...

How Veterans can leverage military skills to build networks and navigate civilian careers. To the Veterans who never stopped believing — in themselves, in their brothers and sisters, and in the future. We’ve all been those “streetlights, people, livin’ just to find emotion, hidin’ somewhere in the…” well, usually the VFW or the local dive bar. May we carry the skills we earned in service into ever...

The Gap We’re Closing Transitioning from military to civilian life can feel like stepping off a moving train. The speed changes, the rules change, and—surprise— and no one issued you a manual . That’s where mentorship and camaraderie step in. This episode digs into how Veterans can leverage local programs, especially county VSOs and groups like IN Vets and FreedomSystem.org, to build a real suppor...

Married to a Veteran – The Spouse Episode Season 3, Episode 10 of The Common Veterans When we think of service and sacrifice, it’s easy to focus on the Veteran — but what about the ones who held the line back home? In this episode of The Common Veterans , Jeff Schrock sits down with two of those very people: Sarah Holmes (wife of Army Veteran Kenny Holmes) and Katy O'Toole (wife of Marine Veteran...

Roll for initiative! In this high-spirited episode, the crew sits down to talk about the games that shaped them—on and off the battlefield. From heated rounds of beer pong in the barracks to late-night strategy battles over Axis & Allies, games have always been a part of the Veteran experience. But this week isn't just about dice and drinks—we're proud to welcome our keynote speaker fo...

For those who’ve served, transitioning to civilian life can feel like entering a different world. In Episode 8: You Can’t Do That , the hosts of The Common Veterans take a humorous but honest look at what doesn’t translate from the military to the civilian world—and how Veterans are forced to adjust. Field Habits Die Hard From combat parking at Target to scanning rooms like a security team, old ha...

The Common Veterans explores the seven most dangerous words in the world. In this episode, we dive deep into the promises, pitfalls, and realities of government systems affecting Veterans’ lives—blending candid discussions, expert insights, and real-life experiences. Sponsors Winter Oak Studios Mission: Communicate Setting the Stage Government programs have long been touted as a safety net for Vet...

Through music, the Common Veterans reflect on the songs that helped them survive the suck… and maybe even dance in the rain with a poncho and an MRE. I. Introduction In this episode, we dive into how music shaped our military experiences—from boot camp blues to barracks karaoke. Shoutout to our sponsors: FreedomSystem.org, your go-to for veteran support, and whoever left that Bluetooth speaker in...

Episode 5: Hollywood In this episode of The Common Veterans , we take on Hollywood and its portrayal of the military. What’s real, what’s exaggerated, and what just makes us laugh? Before we roll, check out FreedomSystem.org for upcoming events, including our charity poker night and cook-off fundraiser. Call to Action: Subscribe, rate, and share. Support Veterans by spreading the word. Sponsored b...

Honky Tonk Bar Associations – The Common Veterans Podcast Honky Tonk Bar Associations – The Common Veterans Podcast Don't worry—we aren’t showing up in boots to ruin their black-tie affairs. But we do see these organizations for what they are, and in this episode, we break down the VFW, DAV, American Legion, and even our own FreedomSystem.org. What do they do well? Where do they fall short? And mo...

Intro & Banter Before we dive into the madness, a quick shoutout to our sponsor, Winter Oak Studio . If you’re looking for high-quality custom woodwork, whether it’s for your home, office, or something special, check them out! Now, let’s talk about why we’re here: Phreaks on a Leash . Yeah, it’s a nod to Korn, but more importantly, it describes the absolute circus that our military has become unde...

Breaking the Wall: Veterans and Career Transitions By The Common Veterans Reintegration into civilian careers can feel like slamming your head against a brick wall. For many veterans, translating military experience into civilian job qualifications is an uphill battle. Resumes get overlooked, HR departments misunderstand skill sets, and the struggle to fit into the civilian workforce becomes a fru...