Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans

Join us as we welcome Chuck Zingler, the dynamic Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, who takes us on an extraordinary journey from his early days enlisting in the Navy to the pivotal role he plays today. Inspired by the disciplined footsteps of his Marine father, Chuck's career is a testament to resilience and leadership, having worked for influential figures like Col...

Retired Army Colonel Peter Baker joins us to unravel the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from military service as an officer. Imagine standing at the crossroads of duty and personal freedom, deciding when to leave the structured life of the military behind. Peter candidly shares his journey, emphasizing the emotional weight of retirement ceremonies and the critical steps of planning...

What if transitioning out of military life was harder than being deployed? Join us as we explore this provocative question with Michelle Lang , co-founder of Operation Honor: Rural Salute. Michelle shares the poignant story of her husband, Chris, an Army veteran, and their challenging journey from military to civilian life. Despite having a job and family support, Chris faced the unseen battles of...

Discover how VA loans can be a powerful asset for veterans and active duty service members with insights from the nation's top VA loan officer, Jennifer Beeston . In our conversation, Jennifer unravels the intricacies of VA loans, from eligibility criteria to the standout benefits like zero down payment and exemption from monthly mortgage insurance. Her mission is to advocate for fair pricing...

Larry Jackson's journey from a Navy veteran to the co-founder of the Ben Jackson Foundation is both touching and inspiring. In this episode, we're honored to hear from Larry as he shares the heartfelt story of his late son Ben, whose legacy lives on through the foundation. Designed to support young active-duty service members in reconnecting with their families during the holidays, the &...

Could art be the key to healing wounds? Join us as we sit down with Zach Herrick, a combat veteran whose story of resilience is both harrowing and inspiring. Inspired by his father's footsteps, Zach joined the Army at 20, seeking a higher purpose. During a deployment to Afghanistan, he endured a life-changing ambush that tested his grit and determination. Through his recounting of that fatefu...

What happens when a veteran's fight is no longer on the battlefield but within themselves? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Eric Brew from Warriors Set Free , a veteran service organization dedicated to supporting those grappling with PTS, TBI, and alcoholism. Eric candidly shares his transition from serving in the Marine Corps and the Army to civilian life, marked by identity s...

What if the skills you honed in the military could transform you into a culinary entrepreneur? Meet Jeff Fritz , a retired Air Force chef whose journey from a SEER instructor to a successful food industry leader offers a masterclass in leveraging military discipline for civilian success. Jeff's story is a remarkable testament to adaptability and resilience, beginning with unexpected challenge...

Veterans and anyone seeking relief from physical pain, join us for an enlightening discussion with Holly Crocker, the visionary owner of Balanced Arch Massage in Haymarket, VA. Holly's personal transformation from debilitating pain to a skilled massage therapist offers hope and inspiration. Her expertise in Western and Eastern techniques, including Chinese meridian therapy and acupressure, fo...

Can artificial intelligence truly transform a veteran's job search experience? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Justin Henderson, a former Marine now leading the charge at Veteran Hiring Solutions . Justin shares his personal path from the battlefield to the boardroom, highlighting how his company is breaking new ground with AI to aid veterans in seamlessly transitioning to ci...

Jim Porter, the highly respected president of the Freedom Museum in Manassas, takes us on a journey through time as he shares his remarkable life story. From the moment he was drafted in 1968 to his illustrious 26-year career as a Navy pilot, Jim recounts his experiences with over 900 carrier landings and his service during the Vietnam War. Transitioning to civilian life, he dedicated 17 years as...

Laura Herzog, the founder and CEO of Honoring Our Fallen, joins us to share her incredible journey from a civilian public affairs officer to leading a nonprofit that supports families of deceased military service members. Despite never having served in the military, Laura found herself deeply moved by the overwhelming challenges faced by grieving families, inspiring her to establish a bridge betwe...

What happens when you combine an unwavering commitment to the warrior ethos with cutting-edge forensic science? Join us as we speak with Sean Everette, the Media Relations Chief for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), who shares his unique insights into the agency's tireless mission of locating and identifying over 81,000 missing American service members from World War II and beyond...

How do dedicated volunteers, healthcare professionals, and passionate riders come together to create an unforgettable event for our veterans? This episode promises a heartwarming and inspiring journey through the 7th Annual Warrior Ride in Haymarket. Join me, your host Larry Zilliox, as I engage with incredible individuals like Solomon Montgomery, a licensed physical therapist assistant who ferven...

Major Gerald Gangaram , USA (Ret.) shares his remarkable journey and the pivotal moments that shaped his path from troubled youth to distinguished Army veteran. Discover how a mentor in junior ROTC guided Gerald to West Point and set the stage for his career as an Apache helicopter pilot. Gerald recounts his experiences in flight school, his service in Afghanistan, and his leadership roles at the...

Discover how the DAV ( Disabled American Veterans ) transforms lives through an inspiring conversation with Dan Clare from DAV Headquarters in Kentucky. Learn about Dan's journey from the Marine Corps to his impactful role in communications with DAV. We'll shed light on DAV's foundational mission of advocating for veterans' benefits, offering transportation to medical appointme...

Discover the transformative journey of Bob Bauer, founder of the Sergeant Robert Bauer Warriors Foundation , in our latest episode. Bob shares his personal story, from military service and law enforcement to becoming a dedicated trauma recovery and mental health coach. Learn about the foundation's vital role in providing support to military personnel and first responders, including their coll...

Meet Brenda Lauer, founder of the Truman Foundation , who shares her remarkable journey from serving in the Army to advocating for veterans with PTSD. Discover how a service dog named Truman transformed Brenda's life and inspired her to help others through her foundation. In this episode, we explore the crucial role of service dogs for veterans and the lack of a national training standard. Br...

Ever wondered how a pilgrimage can help heal the wounds of war? Father Steven Rindahl, a retired Army chaplain, joins us to share his transformative journey from the battlefield to the Camino de Santiago. After a career in the Army and a life-changing pilgrimage, Father Steve founded Warriors on the Way , a nonprofit that leads veterans grappling with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and moral injury o...

Learn what it truly feels like to shift from a structured military life to the unpredictable civilian world. Retired Marine Corps Captain Garret Biss takes us on a raw and unsparing journey from his days flying the KC-130 Juliet to his transition out of the Marine Corps in 2015. Garret reveals the conflicting emotions of excitement and fear that accompanied his departure from the military and how...

How do extracurricular activities transform the lives of military children? Join us as we uncover the heartwarming stories behind Our Military Kids with special guests Michelle Tran and  Chelly Criqui. Chelly, the Director of Marketing and Communications, reveals her personal journey from a grant recipient to an advocate, sharing the profound impact of the program on her own family during her fath...

What happens when those sworn to protect our nation become victims of its negligence? This episode features a riveting conversation with Army Major Amanda Feindt, who reflects on her military career and the devastating Red Hill fuel storage leak her family endured in Hawaii. Major Feindt takes us from her post-9/11 inspiration to join the Army, through her various leadership roles, and ultimately...

What unique challenges do justice-involved veterans face when navigating the criminal justice system? Join us for an enlightening discussion with Donna Harrison, the Director of Housing and Criminal Justice for the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, as she unpacks the complex journey that veterans experience from pretrial to post-conviction and incarceration. Donna shares her insights on the...

Ever wondered how genetic and environmental factors could influence the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia among veterans? Join us as Dr. Mark Logue, statistician and researcher at the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System, shares his remarkable journey from serving in Operation Desert Storm to pioneering genetic research. Discover how his work with the Million Veteran Pro...

What if you could combine your love for classic cars and patriotism in one unforgettable event? Join us as we welcome Diane Lunsford, the dedicated event coordinator at Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. Diane shares exclusive details about the highly anticipated Vets for Vets event on July 20th, featuring a dazzling showcase of vintage and modern Corvettes, free food, and drinks. You'll get the in...