Vet Chats

Bryan has been an ally for those of us in the military community for many years. Besides being a son to two WWII parents, he's also portrayed military members in an authentic way through various films.On Memorial Day at the Capitol concert he will share the story of U.S. Army Veteran John T. “Jack” Moran, a soldier in the Battle of the Bulge, and his remembrance of friends who fought alongside him to save the world from tyranny.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Vet Chat welcomes @sunny_actual for a great interview on how he started his military comedy videos, what life was like being stationed in Alaska as an Army Infantry Officer, and what his next moves are in Nashville!I hope you enjoyed this great conversation and be sure to check out his page

Marty Skovlund Jr. @martyskovlundjr joins us on Vet Chats to talk about Send Me the True Story of a Mother at War.Through this book the legacy of Shannon Kent, a Navy CTI, and member of the most elite military unit. She was a true American hero paying the ultimate sacrifice one can make leaving behind a husband and two sons.My goal is to get as many people to read it as I can because it is truly incredible. You can get it anywhere books are sold.Thank you to all who joined and also to Marty for coming on to share!Link to book here! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

I have been honored to be doing this for the past 3 1/2 years, but with the end of one era, another dawns!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week we are joined by Christina Whittemore, a military spouse turned therapist. She shares her story of going through many challenges with her marine husband and becoming his caregiver after his diagnosis with PTSD and TBI. This eventually took a toll on her own mental health leading to her almost taking her life. She eventually got the support she needed and now wants to help other military spouses who were in a similar position. This is a fantastic conversation and feel free to reach out to Christina herself with any questions @cwprincssThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Some veterans get out of the military and decide to go back to their hometown. It is always a good option because you know you will have support there, family/friends. But it also comes with its own challenges and expectations. You may be picturing your hometown exactly how it was as you left and be dissapointed to see things have moved on without you. Or you could see everyone doing the same old shit they used to be doing and feel like you don't belong anymore as you have grown from your military experience.And you could even feel a little of both! This episode we are going to chat about re-integrating into your hometown and how it is completely normal to feel like a stranger!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Carey Kight of @veteranmadepod joins us on Vet Chat to not only share his story , but his knowledge he has gained on the way. I would say the theme of this episode is navigating unexpected transitions and how focusing on the thing in front of you instead of the end results is not only the key to success but to knowing yourself on a deeper level.Thank you to all who joined and special thanks to Carey for joining!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

In this episode we dive into Bill's  journey of joining the Navy, to later joining the National Guard. We joke about the culture shocks between the two branches as well as the difference in enlisted vs. officer! I really enjoyed Bill's story and vulnerability throughout this episode along with his continued dedication to our veterans! More on Bill: Bill Krieger is currently the Assistant Program Director for the VFW National Home. He recently retired as the Veterans Program Manager at Consumers Energy and host of the popular Me You Us podcast. He served ten years in the United States Navy achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class. During his tenure, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Badge.  He also served in the Michigan Army National Guard and retired at the rank of Captain after 21 years of combined service.  Bill was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal as well as the Combat Action Badge. He served as the Commander of the 144th Military Police Company during his combat tour in Iraq.  Bill is currently a life member of the VFW and National Guard Association of the United States.  He serves as the Legislative Chair for the National Guard Association of Michigan, where he is also a life member.  He is married with three children and one grandchild.  Bill enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.  He has a passion for serving our military Veterans.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Can we honor the sacrifice veterans have made without glamorizing military service? It is a fine line to toe but I believe it is necessary for our community to heal. During this episode I want to discuss where the culture of honoring veterans came from and why it is used by governments, politicians, and corporations (sometimes as a political weapon).I would also like to assess the effectiveness of this ‘honor.' & how do veterans really feel about it? Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Many veterans, including myself, may feel that they don't belong in the veteran community. This episode we are going to dive into what exactly is the veteran community, and also where do these feelings come from? There is both historical and social context to this phenomenon and you aren't alone in feeling that way. Also, at the end I want to share several non traditional places you may fit in. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

David Pere joins us on Vet Chats to talk about how he went from Military to Millionaire, literally. He has created an entire network dedicated to helping veterans and the military community to making their financial dreams come true.Thank you @frommilitarytomillionaire, was a great time chatting with you!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

"I thought the military made me grow up fast, but it actually had me stuck as a teenager. "The military makes you grow up fast.  It is something we hear a lot and it is so true in some ways. It wasn't until I got out that I realized I had so much more growing up to do. This episode I want to chat about the ways the military forms you as an independent adult and also about the ways it stunts your growth as a person. Now not every point is going to apply to everyone, but I think you will be able to relate to a few and maybe even think of some more!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

We have an impactful conversation about the mindset changes that need to be made when we get out of the military. We also dive into the dynamics of the veteran community and how we can transform it into a place of growth and healing ❤️Juan “JP” Perez, a former U.S. Marine Infantryman and Scout Sniper who, after a distinguished service in Afghanistan and a career in law enforcement, now dedicates his life to changing the veteran culture and empowering fellow veterans nationwide.  As the founder of VetRise Academy and the creator of the VET TRIBE (a positive free Facebook group for Veterans) , JP focuses on mindset, changing habits, fitness, nutrition, and accountability to support veterans in finding their new purpose and success after service.  Through his passionate advocacy and vast social media presence, JP raises awareness on veterans' issues, uniting and inspiring his followers. He is committed to showing veterans that they are capable of much more than they might believe, guiding them to see their vast potential beyond their service. JP is also the host of The VetRise Podcast, a platform where he extends his mission to make success after service accessible to every veteran. Here, JP shares invaluable lessons, failures, and triumphs on his journey from service to society.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

A lot has been changing so I just wanted to check in and chat about a few things. Also giving some details on a few projects I have been working on as well as upcoming guests! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Stephen Russell, a former airborne infantryman with a decade of military service. He brings a unique perspective shaped by his deployment with Bco 1/12 3HBCT 1st Cav DIV to Baqubah, Iraq, during the surge in 2006-2007. Beyond the battlefield, he's a versatile artist, currently contributing to the comic series Tales of Nihilism and open for traditional art commissions. He believes the U.S. hasn't fully reckoned with the aftermath of 9/11, emphasizing the need to confront our collective anger and hate. His memoir, Troublemakers: The Greatest Dog and Pony Show in Iraq, is a compelling exploration of the nature of war and its lasting impact on current events—a moral imperative to illuminate the foundations shaping our world today.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Shannon and Evan Kaufman  join us on vet chats to talk about the struggles transitioning out of the military especially when it comes to moving across the country shortly after.They are the founders of @we_vett which covers VA home loans and reality. There YouTube and website is full of free information and as they mention in the video, feel free to reach out to them with any questions!They are both extremely passionate and are incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to all things home buying and understand personally what it is like to do so in the military world.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

What's the hardest part about your first job after the military?A lot of people may say the work culture! There are clear differences between military and civilian workplaces that can be frustrating. When we think about what exactly is the hardest part we can start to understand why it bothers us so much.This week's 10 minute episode is all about understanding why you may be frustrated in your new job and with your new co-workers.I can't give you answers in the one, but I can help you understand what exactly could be bothering you!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week we welcome Steven Nisbet! Steve served 15 years as a U.S. Special Warfare Airman (Pararescueman), Technician in Combat Rescue, Combat Medicine, Technical Rescue, and Crisis Management. After the intense life of the military his transition to civilian life was anything but easy. These experiences led him to his current mission and he is now the President and Co-founder of Shields and stripes!I really enjoyed this episode as Steve shares a lot of hard things that so many of us can relate to. Here's his website: http://shieldsandstripes.orgThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Your service is complex and people will often ask you about it and want you to give a black and white answer… and that just can't happen. It is important that you reflect on your service in your own time so you can truly understand how that experience shaped who you are today. Let's pull over and park for a little bit because we are going to take a break from looking through the windshield and we are going to give that review mirror a little attention…. Lets do it. Link to CA womens survey: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7bh3W31UfEK-sVin2Tsfgasl47ZTtNlHqk4IhCE2JORUREowRzdJTEtGUUxGRUlZRFk2VURCU0o5Vy4u Link to Veteran Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Veteran-Workbook-Jenna-Carlton/dp/B0C6W1GB96 Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Mark Harper is an Emmy-award winning Air Force veteran and General Manager of Military & Defense at Recurrent Ventures. During his military service, Captain Harper led teams of combat-ready photojournalists across deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. His work before Recurrent included marketing roles at Hollywood studios including Technicolor and Paramount Pictures.Link to California Survey: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7bh3W31UfEK-sVin2Tsfgasl47ZTtNlHqk4IhCE2JORUREowRzdJTEtGUUxGRUlZRFk2VURCU0o5Vy4u Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This is a much needed conversation on military sexual assault. We talk about the main issues with MST, how it is handled, the aftermath, and how it leads to a vicious cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and re-victimization. These are tough topics but are necessary for change. Thank you Lakeydra for all you do in our community and beyond!Link to her Page: https://linktr.ee/_mskeysThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Working on Capitol Hill at The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs was my first introduction into the realities our nation's veterans are facing. It was overall a great experience, however it made me realize politics was not going to be my route to helping veterans. Tune in to hear my full story on the lessons learned and why I decided to start advocating for veterans online! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Being unable to know what is next is one of the main drivers of our stress around transition. We cannot truly know what our life will be like outside the military. How we handle uncertainty is more than likely how we will handle transition out of the military. Let's talk about how uncertainty can be exciting and we can embrace the upcoming change instead of fearing it. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Just me today, talking about resources, career choices, loneliness after service and more! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Why do some of us as veterans feel the need to ask permission for things in our life? For years after I got out I felt I needed permission from others in order to feel confident I could pursue something.  As civilians we finally have the freedom to make our own choices, but yet we still feel like we need permission. No surprise, but it is deeply rooted in the military culture we are coming from. This episode I dive into the why we ask for permission and how to slowly shift that mindset.Taking back control of your life is one of the main themes in the workbook, if you need guidance in examining this a little further, be sure to check in out!The Veteran Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Veteran-Workbook-Jenna-Carlton/dp/B0C6W1GB96Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Demetrius Thigpen of @meech.speaks joins us on Vet Chats to share his journey from shitbag to stellar NCO!My favorite thing about this conversation is Meech keeps it real and knows that his vulnerabilities and dark times are his strength. He embraces failure and that is why he is so successful today.A Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and with 13 years of military service. Demetrius has one combat tour and one humanitarian tour under his belt and currently works at the United States Marine Corps Martial Arts Fitness Center of Excellence as a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer. Demetrius uses the experiences that he has gained to train, lead, guide, and mentor service members and Veterans. Author of the book “The Extraordinary Thought From An Ordinary Mind” and the host and creator of the Podcast “Talkin Crazy” Demetrius is also a Mindset Execution Speaker and has spoken at conferences such as the "Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Experience" "The 1% Better Conference", and the "Military Influencer Conference" Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C97X2RY?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_VW2SRNCEYXY4RC0KWXJVPodcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tEIfBOYBIMPj0VVT2JaNwThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Did the military amplify your already “people pleasing tendencies”?& by that I mean, were you afraid to say no to leadership or to others you worked with?It is taboo in the military to do so because those relationships carry a lot of weight and you don't want to be “that guy.” Your relationship with leaders had a lot riding on it:Watch/ post schedulesPromotions/advancementsCurrent work rolesThese may all have been dependent on how well you were liked. This could have led to people pleasing or being a ‘yes man'. People pleasing and not setting boundaries with work is something we need to leave behind when we get out of the military.. I know it isn't that simple!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

My friend Steve got out of the military 3 years ago and is now working as a contractor. He and I answer your questions on transition, meeting new friends, how to talk to civilians in the workplace, and what has helped/not helped during transition. I've known Steve for over 5 years now and I found out so much about him. It is so crazy how friends don't ever sit down and talk about these things so I am glad we got the chance! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Whether you are isolating or you know someone who is, let's talk about the why's behind it. There could be many different reasons for wanting to isolate yourself from society, but it is important to find out why. Once we understand why, we can get into the solutions. This is not mental health advice, always seek professional advice if you feel you are having mental health issues relating to this topic. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

I chat with the author of 'We Don't Want You, Uncle Sam' - Matthew Weiss.  We get into all the controversial issues the military needs to address in order to get recruiting numbers back up. We first discuss the severity of the issue, why Gen Z is less interested in serving, and what the military can do about it. Oh & what should, if anything, veterans do about it? Matt comes on around the 5 minute mark due to some tech issues.... come on Gen Z. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Did you want to distance yourself from the military when you got out?I definitely did, hell I even dyed my hair blue and gave away all my uniforms because I wanted to dive fully into the freedoms of civilian life. Not only did I want to distance myself in terms of appearance, I also avoided opportunities that would have been helpful.I didn't want help from other veteransVeteran/military groups were not appealing to meDoD job opportunities were not places I lookedI eventually got over it and realized that I was only further isolating myself by not wanting to be associated with the military. It was almost like I was trying to prove to myself that I can do this on my own, “I don't want to depend on the military anymore.” This took time though..I slowly started to realize the uniqueness of the veteran community and the support it offered. I didn't have to start completely over when there were places that did recognize the value of my military career. I also found people that understood the veteran experience and wanted to share. SO if this is you right now, I get it. You have every right to feel that way, but I will encourage you to consider the ways you can use your military association to your advantage! Start small and slowly warm up to the thousands of opportunities that are offered to veterans. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Cuqui Huerta shares her eventful time in service from the beaches of Normandy to an ambulance in Kuwait. We later get into her advocacy in mental health and holistic practice! Check out Cuqui to keep up with her continuing adventures and craziness!This is a replay from last year! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Most of us have this lingering thought of wanting to rejoin once we get out. This is a normal thought to have and it could be a thought that may never go away. Ask yourself these few questions before calling up a recruiter:What did I actually miss about the military?What would day to day life be like if I were to rejoin?Do I want to rejoin because I have regrets or unfinished accomplishments?Did I give myself a fair chance in the civilian world? These questions may bring up even more questions and help you figure out exactly what you are craving by wanting to sign back up. I personally thought about rejoining myself. It took some time, but when my life beyond the military started to seem brighter, the idea of rejoining started to fade. Now it actually sounds ridiculous and I know my well-being would absolutely not be supported. So before you make an irrational decision, understand that it is normal to feel this way and it won't always be like this. You can and will find purpose outside the military. You got this!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Sharing the audio from my presentation at the Veteran Women's Health Conference!I go into detail on: -Isolation-Identity-Sense of Purpose-Future Planning-Structure-Reflection Catch the full replay Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

I am super excited to welcome Danny Mayberry! He is a Navy veteran who served as a Corpsman for three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning home and transitioning out of the military, he began his struggles with PTSD and mental health. Danny worked hard to build a community, focus on overall health, and take action to help others as well. So he and his wife sold their home in order to start the 1 Mile 1 Veteran podcast. The mission is to help prevent veteran suicide by sharing stories, providing resources, and connecting veterans to a community.We get into Danny's incredible story of unexpected adventure as a Navy Corpsman (Nurse Nasty turned Doc), passionate pursuit as an actor, and being vulnerable during his darkest times.We talk about Danny's PTSD, suicide attempts, and struggles with the aftermath of service. These battles led to his new life mission of  building a community of conversation and healthy habits!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

We discuss all things mental health and transition.-pain points of getting out of the military-isolation-communicating and support-reaching out for help-host to prevent suicide as a community.Tyler Heisey @backazimuthsolutions, a Marine veteran turned therapist in training. Through his own turbulent transition he has made it his purpose in life to assist our community through healing and growth.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Barbara Sim shares her inspiring story from the Marine Corps to her current life on the road as a country singer/songwriter and all the battles and traumas in between!Barbara had a rough transition out of the military and she shares how nature and God became her healers during this time. She also expanded upon her love for music and writing and began creating songs. Barbara now is embracing van life and touring all over to play music and meet new experiences!Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

It was great to be able to talk with Secretary Woods on some of the issues our community is facing. It was also nice to know that a lot of the issues I brought up are on the state's radar. Listen to hear more details, especially if you are in Maryland!We talk about -mental health care-needs of younger veterans-how to better serve women veterans-it's never too late to file a claimThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Josh White of @herofront gets transparent in this moving interview. Josh shares how his alcohol struggles put him in a hospital bed. But even though we all want to hear about a life-changing moment, Josh reminds us through his story that change is made in small steps. It took years of saying yes to the right things and right people to eventually lead him to where he is today!LESSONS LEARNED1. Don't search for a rock bottom to turn your life around2. If you aren't ready to ask for help - tell at least one person the truth3. Accept help when it's offered4. Commit to smaller goals5. You can change your entire life in just one yearGive him a follow @herofront or herofrontpodcast.com Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Tonight on IG Live we welcome USMC Veteran Michael “Mike” Wood, co-founder and Executive Director of the Valhalla Sailing Project. His passion to create the program stemmed from his personal experiences with the difficulties in transitioning from military service to civilian life. While fighting his internal demons, he was able to fall back on his lifetime passion of sailing and was fortunate to get on a race boat filled with fellow prior Navy and Marine Corps Aviators. Mike figured: “If this works for me, it's got to work for other Veterans”. First enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1997, Mike ended his service career in 2011.Not wanting to leave his brothers and sisters in arms, he became a “plank owner” as a contractor with Marine Forces Cyberspace Command. While he did end up leaving the contractor life, he now serves in a Federal Government Civil Service position as the Deputy Director for Intelligence at Joint Force Headquarters –Cyber (Marines). In addition to his work with Valhalla Sailing Project, Mike also serves as a Commissioner of the Calvert County Veterans Affairs Commission. In this capacity, he strives to ensure that the Veterans living in Calvert County receive the critical support they need for their selfless sacrifice to their nation.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week we are joined by my home girl from boot camp and South Central's finest, Paulette Wences. Paulette is someone I've kept in my life for over 10 years and we are reunited in Las Vegas for a quick girl's trip. She said yes to me interviewing her and this is how this episode started!Paulette is now using her GI Bill to pursue flying and on track to be a commercial pilot. I hope you'll check out her inspiring story! Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week on Vet Chats we welcome Matt Stack. A veteran from Eden, NC. He joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and was honorably discharged as a St in 2003. He's the founder of GOBE, an outdoor sports equipment company, Reindeer Games, a Christmas video game charity and he's the author of Killing Chaos: How Veterans Can Win The War They Didn't Even Know They Were Fighting.Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week on Vet Chats we welcome USMC Veteran and ex-law enforcement officer, Shawna Marie! Host of Thank Me for My Cervix Podcast, Shawna is not shy about advocating for mental health. Most days you can find her making art and spreading the word about the importance of mental health, with a focus in the military and Veteran community. We talk about military sexual assault, the parallels between law enforcement and the military,  and the realities of being a woman in a male dominated field. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Paula Ortegon Boa, chief petty officer joins us on Vet Chats to share her inspiring story of a life full of transitions!Throughout the chat she goes into detail of becoming a citizen to military personal, the loss of both her parents, and her most recent move to reserves from active duty. Paula Ortegon Roa, a proud native of Bogota, Colombia, embarked on a journey when she joined the Navy, driven by her deep-seated desire to contribute to a cause larger than herself. She dedicated eight years to active duty service. However, recognizing the value of personal growth and the importance of her educational aspirations, Paula made the deliberate decision to transition to the Navy Reserve just last year. This strategic move allowed her to continue her service while embarking on a full-time educational pursuit at DePaul University. Paula's vision extends beyond her military service; she aspires to become a Mental Health Counselor. Her ultimate goal is to provide invaluable support to communities in dire need, including military personnel, their families, and veterans.  Recently promoted to Chief Petty Officer,  she has assumed an elevated sense of responsibility, not only to her country but also to the well-being of her fellow Sailors. She is poised to channel her knowledge and accumulated wisdom into her work, ensuring that her service has a meaningful and lasting impact. Paula's journey is one of personal growth, marked by her identity as an empowered woman, a service member, and a veteran. Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Bill grew up on Ranch in Montana, he then spent eight years as an Infantryman in the United States Army. After a disabling injury Bill opened his own security company and retail store selling military and survival products in Alaska. It was during this time that he began working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies initially in undercover operations and later as an analyst specializing in counter domestic terrorism. He now spends his time on a small holistic sustainable farm in New England with his wife and two children.Bill now consults on holistic intigrative agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate change mitigation#veterans #veterancommunity #veteranrauthor #survivalproducts #militarysurvival #militaryveteran #americanveterans #usnavy #usarmy #usairforce #usmarines #uscoastguardThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

George, the creator of @ruck_n_run joins us on Vet Chats! George has been serving since 1998, and is about to transfer to the reserves after being on Active duty. This chat we talk about his time as a drill sergeant, in the wounded warriors, and his chemical exposure that lead to his autoimmune disease.Thank you George for sharing your story and also creating @ruck_n_run to honor our veterans. Be sure to check it out, more details on his website: rucknrun.orgThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week we welcome Rohini Bagrodia! Rohini is one of the leads in the Veteran Family Flex Study research project at Columbia University. This study explores how difficult times impact veterans and their families. The purpose is to aim to improve policies and understand how families, including veteran families, manage stress. This is a paid study that is currently recruiting veterans!! Research on our community is so important as there isn't a lot being done! I hope you will stop by to find out more about @familyflexstudy Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Michael Dailey army veteran joins us on Vet Chats! We discussed his time in the army, working the food industry as a contractor in Alaska, Dubai, Niger, and Pakistan. We also chatted about what he is doing now and how he connects with veterans through his podcast which is available on YouTube: realonepercentThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

We had a great time getting up to speed on Visionary Veterans! Crystal shares details on the retreats they have been doing this past year and the upcoming retreat in October! We also get a little insight on their future podcast  If you haven't checked out Visonary Veterans yet, they now have a new website visionaryvets.org Very special people and I love what they are doing for our community Thanks to everyone so joined the live, it was a great time Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Catch up with The Millennial Veteran as she talks about the ongoing Veteran Workbook Challenge, updates in the Facebook group, and new online store!She also answers questions on the live going into details about the new VA GRIT app, pregnancy through the VA, and mental health!Link to store:  https://f09d26-2.myshopify.com/?fbclid=IwAR0jaBibn7ZlaZpIXtL9Uf-y7JNVlYPlTCHOLXa0VlMpiQ3YKQsVU1346ksLink to FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themillennialveteransThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

This week on Vet Chats we welcome Alecia Aguilar! Originally from Nebraska, Alecia is 1 of 5 children. She joined the Navy at 19 to pay for college and ended up staying in for 7 years. After getting out in 2021 she is now a student at the Academy of Art in California. She is the host of The Self Awareness Podcast and owner of Awearness Atheletics where she ties in fitness and mental health! We talk about:Why she joined the NavyBeing a female in the militaryWhy talking about mental health is so important Thank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!