VET S.O.S. Podcast

In this insightful episode of VET S.O.S., hosts Shawn and Mark welcome Craig Starcher, a Marine and strategic business consultant, to discuss his passion for supporting veterans through their transition to civilian life. Craig shares his personal journey, from a career in the Marine Corps to becoming a leader in veteran-focused organizations. He reflects on how a simple sticky note led to a transf...

In this episode of VET S.O.S., we welcome Pete Blum, a Navy and Marine veteran and a dedicated leader in the veteran community. With a wealth of experience and a passion for service, Pete has made it his mission to empower veterans and military families through career readiness, networking, and faith-based support initiatives. Pete is a prominent figure in veteran advocacy, holding key roles that...

Join us for an inspiring and informative episode with Leslie Coffey, the Vice President of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners (ACP). Leslie brings years of experience and dedication to helping veterans and military spouses navigate career transitions successfully. In this episode, she dives into the life-changing impact of mentorship and the incredible work ACP is doing to support...

In this episode of VET S.O.S., we’re honored to host Tracey Bradley, Sr., a retired US Navy veteran with over 20 years of service, who now dedicates his time to empowering veterans and military spouses through the nonprofit sector. Tracey shares his personal transition journey, the challenges he faced moving into the corporate world, and his passion for helping others succeed. Tracey is a key lead...

Join hosts Shawn and Mark as they sit down with Navy veteran Tyrone Hewitt, a dedicated transition counselor and volunteer with Act Now Education. With 20 years of military service under his belt, Tyrone shares his inspiring journey of helping service members and veterans navigate their transitions into civilian careers. In this episode, Tyrone dives into the power of certifications and education...

In this powerful episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn and Mark welcome Hira Byrne, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a mission to bridge the gap between disability services and veteran services in higher education. Hira brings her expertise and personal connection to the veteran community, inspired by her grandfather’s service as a WWII POW, to shine a spotlight on the unique challenges veterans f...

In this inspiring episode of VET S.O.S., we welcome Kasie Valenti, the dynamic founder and CEO of Sigma Forces. As a first-generation college graduate, Army veteran, and military spouse, Kasie brings a wealth of experience and understanding to the challenges faced by military spouses. She highlights issues like unemployment, underemployment, and the additional hurdles of international assignments—...

In this inspiring episode of VET S.O.S., we are joined by Mark Reilly, a renowned musician, drummer, and CEO of The Washington Tattoo, to explore the transformative power of music in creating community and supporting veterans. Mark shares his personal connection to military service, his grandfather's experiences in World War II, and how these influences shaped his passion for using music as a...

In this episode of VET S.O.S., we are honored to host Dr. Moriah Thomas, a Marine Corps veteran and expert in industrial and organizational psychology, to delve into the challenges veterans face during their transition from military to civilian life. Dr. Thomas shares insights into her groundbreaking The-Alpha Arc program, a six-session, one-on-one coaching initiative tailored to help veterans und...

In this powerful episode of VET S.O.S., we are joined by Dr. Destinee Prete, a military veteran, industrial-organizational psychologist, and the founder of We2AreVets, a nonprofit on a mission to honor, empower, and recognize women veterans. Dr. Prete takes us on a journey through her incredible transition from military service to civilian life, earning her PhD, and creating a supportive community...

In this compelling episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn and Mark dive deep into the world of military career transitions with Bill Kieffer, an Army veteran with over 23 years of experience as a senior HR executive and the President of Kieffer and Associates. Bill’s expertise lies in helping veterans navigate the often-challenging journey from military service to civilian careers through career transition...

🎙️ Join hosts Shawn Welsh and Mark Elder as they welcome Dr. Vincent Soto, a career workforce strategist, master facilitator, and dedicated advocate for veterans, military spouses, and first responders. In this episode, Dr. Soto shares his expertise on transition assistance, resilience-building, and career development. With years of experience working with the Department of Labor’s Transition Assi...

In this heartfelt episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn and Mark sit down with Chris Chun, Vice President of Programs at Soldiers' Angels, to explore how this extraordinary nonprofit organization is making a tangible difference in the lives of veterans, service members, and their families. Chris, a second-generation American and veteran, shares his inspiring journey from serving in the military to dedi...

Welcome to another impactful episode of VET S.O.S.! This week, Shawn and Mark are joined by Brian Niswander, a 27-year Air Force veteran and the founder of Military Transition.org, an organization dedicated to using data analytics to transform the way veterans transition from military to civilian life. Brian dives into the creation of Military-Transition.org and its mission to provide service memb...

In this must-listen episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, Shawn and Mark are joined by Will Gibson, a 22-year Navy veteran and the visionary founder of VETS on T.A.P. Will shares the incredible journey of how he built VETS on T.A.P., a thriving networking organization that has grown to over 4,000 members and hosts an impressive 138 events annually. Inspired by the Veterans Beer Club in San Diego, Wil...

In this insightful episode of VET S.O.S., we welcome Delaina Morse, a dedicated military spouse and veteran transition specialist who has helped over 1,000 veterans take their next steps into the civilian workforce. With over 15 years of experience as a military spouse and a passion for empowering veterans, Delaina shares invaluable advice on how to navigate the often-intimidating world of resumes...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of VET S.O.S., where we connect veterans, military spouses, and their families with the resources and insights needed for successful transitions. In this episode, we are honored to host Jeremy "Monte" Montgomery, a 23-year Air Force veteran and Director of Business Development at Fusion Cell, who shares his powerful journey from military service to be...

Discover how Cedars Sinai is leading the charge in veteran employment and community impact in this episode of VET S.O.S. Jennifer Delatte, a dedicated advocate for veterans, shares her impactful role in supporting military personnel transitioning to civilian careers. Gain actionable advice on interview preparation, including handling mock questions, avoiding common mistakes, and presenting your sk...

Welcome to Episode 21 of VET S.O.S.! In this insightful episode, Shawn and Mark are joined by Jennifer Delatte, Veteran Program Administrator at Cedars Sinai and a former IT Specialist in the US Army Reserve. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a passionate advocate for veterans and transitioning service members seeking employment. Jennifer dives d...

In this impactful episode of the VET S.O.S. podcast, hosts Shawn and Mark are joined by Tim Fedrick, a former Navy SEAL, veteran advocate, and executive producer of the TV series "Veterans in Transition." With a distinguished military career, including deployments to Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad, Haditha, and Al Asad, Tim brings a wealth of experience and insight into the unique challenges...

In this engaging episode of VET S.O.S., we are joined once again by Mark Overberg, Director of Army Retirement Services, for a deep dive into the critical resources and strategies that support soldiers transitioning from military service to retirement. Mark highlights how retired soldiers continue to play a vital role in the Army's mission, embodying the Soldier for Life mindset to "hire...

In this episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn and Mark sit down with Mark Overberg, Director of Army Retirement Services, to discuss everything you need to know about planning for military retirement. With over 30 years of military experience, Mark provides valuable insights into retirement planning timelines, key policy changes, and the financial tools available to soldiers. Highlights: - Retirement Stati...

This episode dives deep into the importance of mentorship in a veteran’s journey to civilian life. We’re joined by Eric Brew, Manager of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners (ACP), who shares his inspiring story of resilience, growth, and the transformative power of community. Eric reflects on his transition from the Marine Corps, which he joined in 1996, to the Army, his post-9/11 s...

In this powerful episode, Joelle Rabow Maletis, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and PTSD expert, shares her expertise on supporting veterans, first responders, and their families through the challenges of trauma and transition. With a clinical PhD and years of experience, Joelle brings both professional insights and personal experience with PTSD to the conversation. 🧠 What You’ll Learn i...

In this insightful episode of VET S.O.S., hosts Shawn and Mark sit down with Kimberly Hessler, a dedicated Training Manager with over 30 years of experience supporting the military and veteran community. Kimberly is a military spouse, career coach, and founder of the First Family Support Center in Colorado Springs, where she facilitated the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for 20 years. Her mis...