VET S.O.S. Podcast

Kerry Steuart joins the VET S.O.S. Network to explore how yoga, breathwork, and intentional living can help veterans heal from PTSD, chronic pain, and the invisible wounds of military service. In this episode, we explore: • How breathwork calms the nervous system and reduces trauma • Why self-care is a strategic survival skill for veterans • The role mindfulness plays in post-military identity • H...

Description:Marine Corps veteran Ashton Kroner joins the VET S.O.S. Network to discuss the mission behind the Veteran Cancer Network and the urgent need for better cancer detection and resources within the veteran community. After her husband was diagnosed with late-stage cancer following a misdiagnosis, Ashton helped launch a nonprofit dedicated to improving early cancer screening, veteran awaren...

Evie King, President of Independent (InDependent) and 2023 Military Spouse of the Year, joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military spouse wellness, leadership, and holistic wellbeing as part of The Military Effect campaign. In this episode, we explore: • Why military spouse wellness must be addressed holistically • How education and access reduce wellness disparities • Mental health, nutri...

Anna Larson joins the VET S.O.S. Network for a milestone Episode 200, bringing long-overdue attention to the realities military spouses face during transition. As the founder of MilSpouse Transition, Anna shares how military transition impacts not just service members—but spouses, children, careers, identity, and wellbeing. From sudden ETS decisions to retirement, healthcare gaps, and employment c...

James “Bart” Bartelloni joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how surf therapy, community connection, and alternative healing modalities are helping veterans recover from PTSD and TBI.In this episode, we explore: • Surf therapy as a tool for presence and neurological healing • Why community matters more than isolation after transition • Sound, frequency, and biohacking approaches to wellness •...

Eryck Stamper joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how therapeutic beekeeping is helping veterans and first responders heal from trauma, rediscover purpose, and rebuild life after service. In this episode, we explore: • Military transition challenges and identity after service • How nature-based and agricultural therapy supports mental health • The science and psychology behind beekeeping as...

Melissa A. Washington joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how connection, visibility, and purpose shape life after military service for women veterans. A Navy veteran and founder of Women Veterans Alliance, Melissa shares powerful insights on navigating transition, building resilient communities, and creating a legacy of impact. In this episode, we explore: • Why women veterans need communit...

Leah Stiles, retired Navy Senior Chief and founder of Sea Waves, joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into one of the most overlooked and misunderstood challenges facing service members and veterans—eating disorders and their impact on mental health, readiness, and suicide prevention. In this episode, we explore:• Why eating disorders are often hidden in military culture• The connection between tr...

Josh Perschbacher joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into why connection—not duplication—is the missing link in military transition. As a Navy veteran and founder of VetWork, Josh shares how regional ecosystems, mentorship, and smarter coordination help veterans move from service to purpose-driven civilian careers. In this episode, we explore: • Why veterans shouldn’t have to choose between jobs...

Laura Lindsey joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how kayak fishing and outdoor recreation are helping veterans and first responders heal from trauma, reconnect with community, and find peace beyond traditional treatment models. In this episode, we explore:• Why nature-based therapy reduces PTSD and anxiety• How Heroes on the Water removes barriers to access• The power of community and famil...

Valerie Lavin joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into what it truly means to serve after military service ends. A retired U.S. Army First Sergeant turned entrepreneur and nonprofit leader, Valerie shares hard truths about military transition, leadership identity, and finding purpose beyond the uniform. In this episode, we explore: • The hidden realities veterans face after retirement • Why leade...

James Van Prooyen and Marah Lago join the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how creativity, connection, and community can reshape military transition. As co-founders of Military CreatorCon, they share insights on building spaces where veterans and military-connected creatives can thrive beyond the uniform. In this episode, we explore: • Why creativity is a powerful transition tool • How networking d...

Evan Guzman joins the VET S.O.S. Network to explore how mentorship, storytelling, and intentional human connection are transforming the way veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce. In this episode, we explore: • Why veterans excel in today’s workforce • How mentorship opens doors to unposted jobs • The role of branding and identity after service • How employers can rec...

Paul Hylenski joins VET S.O.S. to dive into how AI is reshaping VA claims, improving rating accuracy, preventing predatory practices, and giving veterans a true path to success during transition. In this episode, we explore: • Paul’s difficult transition journey and why he built VET Mentor AI • How AI analyzes VA claims, predicts rating outcomes, and identifies missing secondaries • What hallucina...

Description: Ross Dickman joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into what leadership looks like after military service and how veterans and military spouses can translate their experience into civilian careers that align with purpose and potential. As CEO of Hire Heroes USA, Ross shares insights on transition challenges, resume translation, leadership without rank, and why human skills still matter...

Gene Moran joins VET S.O.S. to break down the realities of transitioning from military service into the world of federal advocacy, Washington influence, corporate culture, and veteran entrepreneurship. Gene shares powerful insights into navigating government funding, thinking bigger about post-service careers, expanding your network, and building a fulfilling second career. In this episode, we exp...

Leonor Branch joins the VET S.O.S. Network for The Military Effect - Our Time to Serve Campaign to dive into the emotional and often unseen challenges women face after taking off the uniform. Through her nonprofit Sisters in Service and signature program Pivot with Purpose, Leonor tackles isolation, identity loss, mental health, VA navigation, and community-building head-on. In this episode, we ex...

Nikki and Bobby Allmann join the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into healing through fitness, rebuilding identity, and supporting veterans and first responders through the Workout Warriors Foundation. They share insights on transition struggles, trauma recovery, community building, adaptive athletics, and creating an environment where no one fights alone. In this episode, we explore: • Losing purpose...

Description: Shawn Welsh, co-founder of the VET S.O.S. Network, sits down with Kings to share the origin story, the mission, and the future of the lifeline helping veterans avoid “drowning in the sea of transition” and their participation in the Military Effect - Our Time to Serve Campaign. In this emotional, insightful interview, Shawn opens up about: • His military career in the intelligence com...

Tyrone Hewitt joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the truth about military transition and how service members, veterans, and spouses can avoid the common pitfalls that lead to frustration, wasted benefits, and misaligned career choices. He shares how Act Now Education, mentorship, and informational interviews can guide you toward the right certifications, degrees, and career paths—so you don...

Scott Manthorne joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into The Military Effect—a movement focused on connection, trust, leadership, and shared responsibility between civilians and the veteran community. In this episode, we explore: • Why connection is the true currency of success after service • How veterans transition from rank to relationships • The role civilians play in strengthening veteran ou...

Michael D’Angelo joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how stand-up comedy became his lifeline after a difficult medical separation from the Marine Corps — and how his nonprofit, the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, is now transforming morale across military units and first responder communities nationwide. In this episode, we explore: How injury, depression, and uncertainty shaped Michael’s transition...

This week on the VET S.O.S., we welcome Dr. Tony Dice, a Navy SEAL veteran, therapist, and founder of Bishop & Dice Defense LLC. Dr. Dice opens up about his intense battle with addiction, the moment that changed his life, and how he turned pain into purpose. From war zones to treatment centers, his story captures the raw reality of transition, the weight of trauma, and the resilience it takes...

Join the VET S.O.S. Network as Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant host Adam Bird, the visionary founder of Heroes Media Group — a thriving platform dedicated to uplifting veterans, first responders, and community heroes through storytelling and purpose-driven media. Adam opens up about his turbulent military transition, the lessons learned from early entrepreneurship, and his passion for creating posit...

On the VET S.O.S. , Navy veteran and retired Chief Lee Crowson unpacks a two-part transition—from losing expected orders and scrambling for work to returning stronger, mentoring others, and building an IO psychology community that actually solves problems. We cover: Why mentorship and warm intros beat cold outreach Converting E-6 to E-8 leadership reps into IO psychology tools: coaching, feedback,...