The Veteran Blueprint

Jan. 4, 2026 ~ Chelsea Treboniak, a West Point graduate and former captain, discusses her journey from a competitive childhood and athletic career to military service, including a memorable push-up contest with General Petraeus. After serving two tours, she transitioned out of the military to start a family and later founded Critical Ops, a company that helps vet new business ideas and combat frau...

Dec. 28, 2025 ~ WarHamster, an Air Force veteran, shares her journey from growing up in a military family to serving as a medic during COVID. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from active duty to IRR, including the impact of a current Air Force stop loss on service members. WarHamster also talks about building her social media platform to create a veteran community, offering advice on...

Dec. 21, 2025 ~ Anthony Cosby planned to join the Army, but a Navy recruiter convinced him to sign with the Navy by offering him frozen yogurt. He served 21 years, rising from an enlisted sailor to a Surface Warfare Officer and later running a recruiting district in Texas. After transitioning out, Anthony Cosby faced challenges but found a new purpose in helping other veterans and young athletes t...

Dec. 14, 2025 ~ Jonathan Davis discusses his childhood in Southern California, his father’s military career, and his unexpected transition into photography and journalism before joining the Navy. After a forced transition out of the military due to a reduction in force, Jonathan Davis found a new purpose and community with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian disaster relief organization. Host...

Nov. 23, 2025 ~ Ryan Curtis joins the show to discuss his time as a basketball player, his military career, and his job creating films and commercials. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov. 16, 2025 ~ Denny Caballero discusses his early realization that he lacked a clear understanding of his civilian career path during his transition. He found guidance through The Honor Foundation. While others pursued traditional paths like MBAs or real estate, Denny Caballero focused on his core identity as a person of service, mirroring his fulfilling role as a warrant officer. Hosted by Simp...

Nov. 9, 2025 ~ Johnny Vargas highlights his significant online presence, which reaches 30 to 40 million people monthly. He talks about the VetLife show and TikTok’s Veterans Voices program, which aims to amplify veterans’ voices. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov. 2, 2025 ~ Dr. Matthew Miller, an Air Force veteran and former director of the VA Office of Suicide, discusses the importance and methods of preventing veteran suicide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct. 23, 2025 ~ Keith Lane shares his journey from military family roots through his service career to civilian leadership, detailing his experiences in military training, deployments, and subsequent transition to political service while emphasizing the critical need for improved veteran support systems and purposeful post-military life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.ad...

Oct. 22, 2025 ~ Travis Wilson, a retired Green Beret, discusses his unique military journey and post-service life. Travis Wilson shares his upbringing in an Air Force family, with his father being a pararescue specialist and his mother serving in the Air Force. Initially aiming to follow his father as a PJ, Travis Wilson developed an interest in the Green Berets after hearing his father sing “The...

Oct. 16, 2025 ~ General Ravi Wagh’s early life, south of Pittsburgh, had a strong military connection. His mother served in the Navy, and family members were World War II and Korean War veterans. His father, an immigrant from India, even tried to join for Vietnam. This family history, coupled with his brother joining the Marine Corps, created an environment where military service was understood. T...

Oct. 5, 2025 ~ Cameron Cushman shares his transformation from a photographer to an Army infantryman, facing severe medical complications during deployment that led to his medical retirement before finding healing through nature and a new mission in filmmaking to amplify veteran voices and experiences. Through his personal journey from crisis to recovery, he demonstrates how veterans can find meani...

Sept. 28, 2025 ~ Jim Lorraine, retired Lt. Col. and founder of America’s Warrior Partnership, shares his journey, from his early life in central New York involved a service-focused family, with many relatives serving in World War II and Vietnam. This background shaped his commitment to service; however, his path to the military took an unexpected turn during nursing school when a car accident resu...

Sept. 21, 2025 ~ Asena Nuusila shares her journey from a childhood of frequent moves due to her father’s work in temple construction, to her decision to join the Army, influenced by her father’s late-in-life military service. She describes her experiences growing up in Polynesian culture, and the cultural values that shaped her upbringing and influenced her decision-making. Hosted by Simplecast, a...

Sept. 14, 2025 ~ David Sokol's journey from a Michigan high school athlete to West Point graduate and U.S. Army Captain showcases the blend of athletics, academics, and leadership in military development. His experiences underscore how teamwork and leadership skills honed on the field translate to military service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informati...

Sept. 7, 2025 ~ Mike Cox grew up in humble circumstances, lacking strong encouragement for college. He initially sought to join the Air Force but was rejected due to flat feet. After a brief, unsuccessful attempt at college, he joined the Navy after being encouraged by a recruiter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Aug. 31, 2025 ~ Jared Johnson’s upbringing in a small, tight-knit community influenced his transition into military service, with the events of 9/11 driving him to enlist in the National Guard and continue a family legacy of military service. Johnson’s initial experiences in the National Guard were marked by disorganization and unexpected situations, including a deployment to Iraq. Hosted by Simpl...

Aug. 27, 2025 ~ David Opperman discusses his early life, influenced by his family’s work ethic and his grandfather’s military service, shaping his decision to join the Air Force for educational opportunities. His military experience provided a foundation of structure and discipline, which he then translated into a career in law enforcement, serving as a police officer before joining the FBI. Hoste...

Aug. 10, 2025 ~ Jessica Ruttenber joins the show to discuss her journey from childhood fascination with aviation to a 20-year Air Force career, discussing challenges and triumphs as a female pilot. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug. 3, 2025 ~ Richard “Dick” Derby’s military journey was influenced by his father and godmother, leading him to the Air Force Reserves, where he balanced civilian life with military service, choosing a job based on potential rather than current skills. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisi...

July 28, 2025 ~ Don McGregor to discuss how his early fascination with space led him to pursue fighter pilot training through ROTC, setting the stage for his long military career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 20, 2025 ~ Host Josh Parish discusses his challenging upbringing on a Native American reservation, marked by cultural pride but also domestic abuse and alcoholism, shaping his early life and motivations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 13, 2025 ~ Hank Moon’s upbringing in a small Ohio town and his early exposure to a larger world through trips to Detroit shaped his adventurous personality. Even in a small town, he learned the value of hard work and grit through playing sports, which he later applied to his military and academic pursuits. His parents influenced his decision to attend the Air Force Academy. Hosted by Simpleca...

July 6, 2025 ~ Tim Jensen joins the show to discuss how his early life and exposure to family medical issues fostered a desire to give back, but also led to trouble and the need for discipline, which he found in the military. Motivated by pop culture influences, his grandfather’s WWII service, and a need for direction, Jensen joined the Marine Corps in 1997, seeking challenge and discipline. Hoste...

June 29, 2025 ~ Todd Duso joins the show to discuss his journey from a self-described underachiever in high school to a major in the U.S. Army. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.