Veteran Resource Podcast

That's right, after 112 episode and over 70,000 downloads I have decided to kill the podcast. Why? Because my audience was polled and 88.6% said they preferred to see this in video form instead of audio. Therefore, I'm moving to YouTube!!!! https://youtube.com/JeremyParis  Click the link above and subscribe to the new channel and I will have videos coming to you very soon!

Jennifer Watson - Jennifer is ServingTogether’s Veteran Peer Navigator. She proudly served in the United States Air Force and is an OIF/OEF service-connected combat veteran. She understands the needs of the veteran community and has made it her mission to provide support and resources to her fellow veterans and their families. Jennifer received her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Baltimore as well as her Masters of Science degree in Forensic Science: High Tech Crimes. Julie Riggs - Julie is ServingTogether’s Program Manager. She brings to the position a boots on the ground perspective with over 10 years’ experience working with military and veterans in the nonprofit sector. As the wife of a United States Naval Chief Petty Officer, she is dedicated to providing our nation’s veterans and families access to the tools and resources they need. Julie holds a BA in English from San Jose State University in California. ServingTogether was created to simplify access to the wealth of resources and veterans organizations in the National Capital Region and beyond that were created for those who have served and their families.

Doug McCormick is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of HCI Equity Partners. Mr. McCormick has been an active investor in numerous markets to include aerospace, defense, distribution, food services, packaging, manufacturing and outsourced business services. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for AmercareRoyal and Summit Interconnect and as a board member of Naumann/Hobbs Material Handling, Inc. and Quadel Consulting Corporation. Before founding HCI Equity, Mr. McCormick worked at Thayer Hidden Creek,Thayer Capital and the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley & Co. He also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division. As author of Family Inc., Mr. McCormick is committed to empowering others through financial literacy with a focus on the veteran community. His writing on financial literacy and veteran economic empowerment have been covered by leading media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The NY Times, USA Today, PBS, Time, Fast Company and The Motley Fool. Mr. McCormick serves as the Chairman of the Board for Bunker Labs and a member of the Board of Directors for Team RWB. He is a 2011 Henry Crown Fellow, and a Founding Member of Capital For Children. Mr. McCormick received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Support the podcast!

As a Division Staff Officer and Flotilla Commander with the United States Coast Guard - Flotilla Washington One Auxiliary, John has over 16 years experience in the landscape design and installation industry and holds two degrees from the University of Maryland. Over the past 10 years, John worked in the Washington, DC metro area with a major landscape design and installation firm before deciding to share his skills, experience and knowledge in the landscape industry to help affect change by hiring and training our veterans and thus, providing them with a good job and an above average pay scale for the industry. Military service members bring with them a unique and positive influence on the private sector workforce including the military values of honor, integrity and commitment to excellence. Successfully sponsoring “Military Appreciation Nights” in various venues around D.C., John's new landscape venture managed not only to raise much needed essential items for our wounded heroes but also succeeded in bringing about a higher level of awareness to ordinary Americans who previously did not understand the immense need for their assistance and participation. In early 2013, realizing that this need required the commitment of a non-profit organization, John partnered with Chris McDonald, a Navy veteran, to establish United Soldiers and Sailors of America, a Veteran Service Organization. Through streamlined programs and services, USASOA is having a direct impact on the overall quality of life of our wounded, ill and injured veterans and their families by providing them with the essential items, goods and resources to live a healthy, dignified life. The USASOA mission is clearly summed up in its motto, “In Gratitude For Their Sacrifice".

Dwayne Paro is very committed and passionate about supporting transitioning Veterans. He is a combat Veteran who served in the Air Force for 8 years and has spent the past 19 years supporting the federal government as a contractor in Washington DC area. Through his dedication, perseverance, self-discipline, integrity and solid leadership skills he has progressed to be a Chief Information Officer for a Federal Aerospace Engineering firm. Using his Military and Executive experiences he has been able to step out as an Entrepreneur and establish Landmark Life Coaching in response to a support gap that exists for Veterans. Due to his passion for supporting Veterans he has built a T.E.A.M Vets program that is focused on filling the gap that exists between what the Veterans Administration can provide and what transitioning Veterans need to create and lead a fulfilling and empowering life that honors their duty and sacrifice. He is the host of the Charlie Mike podcast which highlights the business successes of various combat veteranpreneurs.

Andrew Marr is a Special Forces Green Beret, Co-Founder and CEO of Warrior Angels Foundation, is on the leadership team of Warrior Soul, and Co-Host’s the Warrior Soul Podcast with Chris Albert. Andrew is married to Becky, the love of his life, and together they have five children. The Warrior Angel symbolizes a brave and experienced fighter of exemplary virtue. We do the right thing, not for promise of reward or fear of punishment, but simply because it’s the right thing to do. This is the way of the Warrior Angel. WAF MISSION: Warrior Angels Foundation provides a personalized assessment and treatment protocol, which pinpoints - and, more importantly, treats - the underlying condition for U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans who have sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while in the line of duty. WAF VISION: To inspire and empower bold action To challenge the status quo To offer superior alternatives To Free the Medically Oppressed Until There Are None

Born and raised in New Jersey, Jeff joined the United States Army in 1995 at 17 years old leaving for basic the same day he graduated from High School. He was a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Division before volunteering to go to the Army Rangers, serving as a Ranger Medic in 2nd Ranger Bn 75th Ranger Regt. In 1999 he tried out and was selected from US Army Special Forces Selection and after changing his job to a Special Forces Weapons NCO after the events of 9-11, because it was a shorter course and he wanted to go to fight, he graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course and was Awarded his Green Beret. He went on to be Awarded the Silver Star for the Battle of Debeka Pass in 2003 Iraq, and after 6 total Combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan has also been awarded 3 Bronze Stars, Army Commendation Medal with V device for Valor, and a Purple Heart that he got in 2009 when he was wounded in combat and sustained major back injuries and a Traumatic Brain Injury. He never fully recovered and began to show signs of PTSD that contributed to his Medical Retirement in 2013 after 18 Years Active Duty as a Sergeant First Class. He has been credited as a contributing author in the book Heroes Among Us by Chuck Larson and is mentioned in the books War Stories of The Green Berets, Roughneck 91, and Masters of Chaos. He worked for The DOD as a Defense Contractor and for the Department of Homeland Security. He currently works at Cisco Systems as an IT Professional holding Network+ and Security+ certifications. Jeff does Veterans outreach as a guest host and chief contributor to changeyourPOV.com and Podcast, also Motivational, Leadership and Team-Building classes and seminars. Jeff lives in North Carolina with his Wife of over 20 years and their 2 children.

Dr. Eugene Lipov is the founder of Healing Hero and the Global Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Foundation. He is the doctor first to perform the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for treatment of PTSD, with results currently showing an efficacy rate of 80+%. The Stellate Ganglion Block is the first truly biologic approach to PTSD. In addition to being the driving force behind Healing Hero (HealingHero.org), Dr. Lipov is the Chief Science Officer of the Global PTSI Foundation and a world-renowned certified anesthesiologist who specializes in pain management. He first discussed the Stellate Ganglion Block in front of Congress in 2010, and has published numerous medical papers on the use of SGB for PTSD. He and his patients have appeared on The Doctors TV show multiple times to talk about the Stellate Ganglion Block and PTSD. Media, publications, and reports are available at healinghero.org. A serial entrepreneur, doctor, and advocate, Dr. Lipov is dedicated to helping military personnel suffering from PTSD transition to a productive, healthy life.

Mark L. Rockefeller is the Co-Founder & CEO of StreetShares, a startup that uses technology and social loyalty to improve financial services for the military and veterans community. He is also a contributor to Forbes, writing on fintech and veterans entrepreneurship. Following military service in Iraq, Mark joined the law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. He left the firm in 2013 to co-found StreetShares, which launched in 2014. StreetShares has raised over $200MM in debt and $9MM in equity investment and won the overall global "Best Investment" award from the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition. The head of the national military banking association calls StreetShares “The most interesting thing to happen to the military finance space in decades.” Mark has been listed in Inc. Magazine's "Top 20 Military Veteran Tech Entrepreneurs," as a Trending "40 Under 40 Entrepreneur," the "Mighty25 Veterans to Watch in 2017," and has been quoted or featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Huffington Post, American Banker, Washington Business Journal, Inc. Magazine, and Entrepreneur Magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance, MBA and law degrees. He was a Stone Scholar at Columbia Law School and is a term member in the Council on Foreign Relations. Get rewarded for helping the podcast. http://patreon.com/JeremyParis

John N. Valentine III, SFC (Ret) was born at Great Lakes ILL, Naval Hospital. His father was a Naval Officer; he grew up all over the United States. SFC Valentine entered the Army on 11 Sep 90 and retired after 20 years and 20 days of service on 30 Sep 2010; he attended Basic Training at Ft Leonardwood MO, where he also attended his first Advanced Individual Training or AIT as a 12B Combat Engineer. His first duty assignment was at 7th ID (L) Ft Ord, CA as a part of the 13th Engineer BN. He then reclassified into the MOS 91G Behavioral Science Specialist, which is now 68X Mental Health Specialist. As a 68X SFC Valentines’ assignments have been, Mental Health NCO Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington DC; Mental Health NCOIC, Sinai Egypt; NCOIC Department of Psychology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC; Instructor 68X Branch Ft Sam Houston TX; Small Group Instructor, BNCOC AMEDD Center & School Ft Sam Houston, TX; Senior Small Group Leader BNCOC, AMEDDC&S Ft Sam Houston, TX; Combat Actions Officer, Directorate of Combat Doctrine and Development Ft Sam Houston, TX; NCOIC Division Mental Health 25th ID (L) Schofield Barracks, HI. Brigade S-3 NCOIC 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood TX, 1SG HHC 1st MED BDE, Detachment First Sergeant, 85th Combat Stress Control, Fort Hood, TX. His final assignment was as a Platoon Sergeant for the Wounded Warrior Battalion, Aco Purple Heart Company, Fort Hood TX. John currently resides in Copperas Cove, TX and is married to the former Jeannette Vanegas. He has four children (son) H.B. (17), and daughters Ashlynn (11) & Emma (10) and son Jacob (5). Operation Phantom Support VISION Provide assistance to soldiers, and veterans who sacrificed for us, so they may live in peace and comfort. MISSION We are dedicated to assisting active military service members, veterans who served honorably, and their families, by providing programs and services to those in need. http://patreon.com/JeremyParis

Corey Christman serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Vethos, LLC - a Human Capital Leadership and executive strategy firm. He’s served in executive level capacities for 15+ years and led teams comprised of three members to over 500 in size. He’s the recipient of numerous awards for leadership, human resource management and innovation. He holds an MBA in entrepreneurship and BA in Criminal Justice and will complete the Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University in the Spring of 2017. He’s a retired Supervisory Special Agent, United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations and a served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He’s a professionally trained winemaker, he works within the Finger Lakes wine region of New York State and he will be launching his own veteran/first responder focused wine label in 2017. Since retiring in 2012, he’s worked within the veteran advocacy space and is currently partnered with several key leaders to raise awareness for mental/behavioral health for first responders – nationwide.

Healing Wounds is all about helping others to heal from invisible wounds of the soul. Our goal is to help those that are lost and are in a dark space see light and know that there is hope and forgiveness around the corner. We have events throughout the year in the Phoenix area to help build awareness for PTSD. Marc Raciti is a retired Army Major who is trained as an orthopedic physicians assistant (PA). He enlisted in the Army 1989 and served in Desert Storm, Operation Kosovo, OEF and OIF. Marc first enlisted as a clerk typist and rapidly found his niche assisting with translation due to being multilingual (is fluent in Spanish, Frensh, German and Italian). During his military career, he completed his physician assistant residency in orthopedics from Womack Army Community Hospital in North Carolina. He received his Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in San Antonio. Marc served in the United States of Army caring for fellow soldiers as a Civil Affairs Medical Officer, Battalion Physician Assistant and Division Surgeon. In addition, he cared for rotating soldiers at the National Training Center at the Weed Army Hospital in California and Brook Army Medical Center in Texas.

BANDSTAND brings the swing-fueled, against-all-odds story of singer/songwriter Donny Novitski and his band of mismatched fellow vets brilliantly to the stage. When a national contest to find America’s next music sensation offers a chance at fame and Hollywood fortune, Donny must whip his boys into fighting shape. Teaming up with a beautiful young war widow as their singer, and playing for every voiceless underdog in a world that has left them behind, they will risk everything to redefine the meaning of victory and sing truth to power. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award® winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights), starring two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Broadway sensation Corey Cott (Newsies), and Tony winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), and featuring an explosive original score, BANDSTAND is a truly American celebration of the men and women whose personal bravery defined a nation. Got Your 6 launched the 6 Certified initiative in early 2015 as a way to challenge industry executives and content creators to craft more thoughtful narratives around veterans and military families. Through this initiative, Got Your 6 highlights projects that portray veterans accurately and responsibly. Got Your 6 and Bandstand are proud to call themselves partners on a shared mission: To highlight the experiences, talents, and heart of America’s veterans through compelling and truthful portrayals in the performing arts. JOE CARROLL (Johnny Simpson, Drums) JOE CARROLL originated the role of Johnny Simpson at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Broadway: Cinderella opposite Carly Rae Jepsen and Keke Palmer (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad (Balthazar, Romeo u/s), Once (Tony Award Best Musical). Selected Regional: Million Dollar Quartet, Avenue Q, The Full Monty. NYC Readings include Bandstand, August Rush, An Incident at Vichy, Michael John LaChuisa and Graciela Daniele’s The Nine Fathers of Ariel, Fly By Night. Film: Romeo and Juliet: Live on Broadway. Television: “The Carrie Diaries,” “All My Children.” Training: The University of Michigan and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Joe also plays lead guitar in Common Jack, a folk-rock band based in New York City. BRANDON JAMES ELLIS (Davy Zlatic, Bass) Broadway: Company, Once. West End: Once (Bank Manager). Off-Broadway: Missed Connections, Of Mice and Men, Balls…The Musical?, Song Moments: Daniel Maté In Concert. Regional: Casa Manana, Buck’s County Playhouse, The Paper Mill Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Barrington stage, and others. Television/Film: “30 Rock;” “Vinyl;” “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” (CBS); “The Naked Brothers Band;” The Onion, The Callback, She Wolf Rising. BFA in Acting from UNCG. For more information and to get your tickets: http://bandstandbroadway.com/

The mission of Contract Professionals, Inc. is to be the premier source of technical professionals serving major and emerging industries. A highly driven, world class senior executive, Jim Cowper has more than 30 years in the staffing business, with an unparalleled ability to create repeatable customer retention and demonstrated success. He has produced top line revenue in excess of $2 billion and EBITDA greater than $190 million in the human capital technical services industry. Aptly, Jim began his career in the staffing industry at Contract Professionals, Inc. (CPI) in 1983-1986, laying the groundwork for the success the company enjoys today. With more than $50 million in revenue last year alone, CPI is poised for significant growth in 2016-2017. Jim returned to CPI in the last quarter of 2014, with a sincere determination to be a lightening rod for revitalization, after making his own significant contributions to the staffing industry. Specializing in bringing new life to organizations, Jim is at his best when he is developing and executing challenging business strategies. After his initial tenure at CPI, Jim went on to a long career at TAC Worldwide Companies, launching the $125 millon TAC Automotive Group. He was responsible for leading the $250 million engineering services business, in the United States and United Kingdom. While he was at TAC, he was responsible for managing 19 offices and 180 staff members. A Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 recipient, Jim is best known for turning uncertainty into order, while looking for ways to elevate those around him. As a leader, he is keenly aware of the responsibility he has to help others improve and grow. He has been recognized for his business innovation by being inducted into the TAC Worldwide Companies President’s Club and by receiving the Top Revenue and EBITDA awards. With a continuous sense of urgency and incredible stamina, Jim was responsible for helping TAC Worldwide receive some of its’ highest honors including Corp. Magazine’s 101 Best Places to Work, Ford Q1 Award, ISO 9000, Crain’s Cool Places to Work and Corp. Magazine’s Top Diversity Corporation. Jim has always been one to give back to the communities where he lives and works. Jim is currently a member of the Advisory Council for the Josephine Ford Cancer Institute. He is the Director and Treasurer of the Board, DFCU Financial Credit Union, and he is a member of the University Club at MSU and the Huntsman Hunt Club. A past sponsor of PAL/THINK Detroit and the March of Dimes, Jim’s previous associations also include the Engineering Society of Detroit, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Michigan Minority Business Development Council. A life long Michigander, Jim proudly graduated from Wayne State University, Detroit, with a BA in 1982.

Kayla is a business advisor for military spouse entrepreneurs and the creator of The Work from Anywhere Business Academy. She helps her clients create purpose driven businesses that allow them the freedom to work from any duty station. Since 2005, Kayla Roof, MBA, has been helping companies generate sales by combining the power of traditional media with the force of the internet and social media. Kayla’s marketing plans have been emulated across the country. In 2012, she started her own marketing firm and quickly built that business into a successful advertising agency. In 2014, she launched The Navy Mom and turned her blog into a local television show in Jacksonville, Florida, focused on helping military spouses get dialed into their new city. Now, she advises spouses on how to build thriving, PCS Proof, businesses through classes, programs, and online trainings at KaylaRoof.com

Scott Mann is a master at building relationships in high-stakes, competitive environments. As a Green Beret in the United States Army, he forged bonds and solved problems using values and leadership skills that moved people around the world to stand up for themselves. His secret? He was able to restore trust and create human connections in places where that didn’t seem possible. He is now bringing those same principles to corporate boardrooms and conference rooms, where trusted leadership is more valuable—and more vulnerable—than ever. Scott Mann spent 23 years in the United States Army, 18 of that as a Green Beret, where he specialized in unconventional, high-impact missions all over the world including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan.. Scott’s problem-solving abilities were honed during long deployments in places where trust was absent, conflict rampant and he had seconds to make real connections with local communities using his head, his heart, and when threats closed in against these communities, his hands. Using those leadership skills, Scott now helps organizations gain a better understanding of its internal culture, while exposing the potential for conflict that exists when trust has deteriorated. In the same way he empowered local tribes in Iraq and Afghanistan to make transformative decisions, using very few resources, Scott teaches corporate leaders and their teams the relationship-building techniques that drive so many of his successful combat operations. Scott appears frequently on CNN, Bloomberg, Fox and Friends, Fox Business News, News Max and dozens of syndicated radio shows including National Public Radio, Wall Street Journal Radio, Fox News Radio and the Jim Bohannon Show. His op-eds have appeared in The Tampa Tribune, Washington Post and the Small Wars Journal.

Throughout his extensive military and civilian experiences, Duane France has found that one principle continues to stand true time and time again: “Audacity is the key to victory in battle.” Duane is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer. During his military service, he participated in five combat and operational deployments. Now, working as a Mental Health Therapist, Duane found that his unique blend of experiences and training have led him to be a successful mentor, advocate, and counselor to an underserved population in our country – our fellow Veterans. Since his time working as a Mental Health Therapist and Advisor with the Colorado 4th Judicial District Veteran Trauma Court, Duane has established himself as a Veteran Mental Health Thought Leader. On a daily basis, in person and through his writing, he uses his experiences and expertise to bring awareness to Veteran mental health, and act as a voice on behalf of his fellow brothers and sisters in arms. In Duane's words "I truly believe that the numerous difficulties that some Veterans experience, including unemployment, homelessness, and transitioning difficulties, are all related to their mental health in some form or fashion. It is my mission to ensure Veteran mental health does not go unnoticed in our country".

Patrick Coleman is the President of Fair Housing Advocates, Inc.  Many of our US Military Veterans are being subjected to housing discrimination on the basis of their Disability when their Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal is either prohibited, or subjected to "pet rules." Housing discrimination goes unnoticed every day and is usually misidentified as landlord & tenant law violations instead of the serious civil rights violations they really are. In fact, the Fair Housing Act provides any victim of housing discrimination a very aggressive process to establish and defend their housing civil rights. Fair Housing Advocates has noticed housing discrimination is going unchecked within our veteran and active duty military, law enforcement, and first responder community- our “Patriots.” 5 Simple Signs of Housing Discrimination: Your Service Dog is prohibited by your Landlord because of its Breed, Size, or Weight You are charged a Pet Fee, Pet Deposit, or Pet Rent for your Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal Your Service Dog is prohibited from using common areas; pool area, fitness center, clubhouse etc. You are forced to live on a designated floor or unit because you are Disabled or have Children You are discouraged from renting or applying because you have Children Complete our Housing Discrimination Questionnaire to learn if you are a victim of housing discrimination.

Diana Tsai is an entrepreneur solving social challenges since 2006 with creativity, tech, grit, and optimism. Diana is a branding, communication, and innovation strategist for emerging brands and Fortune 100 multinational corporations. Advisor to startups & nonprofits. Mentor for Veterans, Military Spouses, entrepreneurs, and good people. Veterati is a digital platform for veterans & military spouses to access mentorship-on-demand from successful professionals across the nation. Since more than 80% of jobs are unpublished and exist solely within personal networks, Veterati focuses on mentorship as a primary means to discovering career options and securing real jobs. Our mission is to create mentorship conversations between 1.5 million transitioning veterans to the 100 million Americans currently employed across America to secure meaningful post-military careers for our veterans. The Global Head of Military Programs of the #1 Veteran Employer in the United States calls the proprietary mentorship-on-demand software we've developed for veterans “The Uber of Mentorship, a game-changer.”

John Lee Dumas is the Founder and Host of EOFire, an award winning Podcast where he interviews today's most inspiring Entrepreneurs 7-days a week. With almost 1600 episodes and 7-figures a year in revenue, JLD has shown the world the power of Podcasting. If you've ever struggled with productivity, discipline and focus, the Mastery Journal is your step-by-step guide to mastering these three skills in 100 days!

JW Rone, is the director of veterans initiatives at the Institute for Integrative Health. With 30 years of experience in the arts, he has been a theater artist, director, and producer focusing on arts in education, and served as a board member, volunteer, and employee for nonprofit arts organizations. A proud Vietnam veteran, JW worked in the Special Services Division of the United States Army while stationed in Korea, where he directed plays and ran the entertainment center on base. He produced and directed soldier shows, and performed USO style shows for active duty soldiers in the combat zone while touring in Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Prior to joining the Institute, JW was the executive director of the Beaufort Arts Council (BAC)–formerly referred to as Arts Council of Beaufort County (ACBC) – in Beaufort, South Carolina. During that time he created exciting opportunities for the community to participate in the arts. He's most proud of the concept, design, and execution of ARTworks: Community Art Center and Arts Incubator, which was dedicated to creating accessible art space for artists and the greater Beaufort County community. Prior to that, JW served as the director of the Ice House for the Morgan Arts Council (MAC) in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. In that position, he managed all arts and educational programs and oversaw the grant writing and implementation process. J.W. also worked extensively with the West Virginia Commission for the Arts, organizing state-wide art assemblies and serving as a peer assistance specialist. JW has toured nationally and internationally, performing, directing, and producing theater works with community youth and adults. He spent many years as a street performer, presenting his special brand of New Vaudeville from London to Paris and Munich to Amsterdam. JW is an excellent blues harp player; when he’s not connecting our nation’s veterans with exceptional art resources in the region, you can find him teaching and playing his unique style of music for anyone who will listen.

Brian Knowler has been a police officer for 17 years, working in Patrol, Community Response, Incident Command and Emergency Management, Media Relations, and Legal Services. In 2004 he was the first one on the scene of a fatal collision in which the driver who died was a close friend of Brian's. Brian buried the impact of that night until 2012, when he hit bottom physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and was finally diagnosed with PTSD from this experience. He now speaks and writes extensively on topics around psychological health and trauma in the emergency response field, and has been consulted by media outlets across Canada. In March 2016, he published ‘On the Other Side of Broken – One Cop’s Battle With the Demons of PTSD.’ He is a member of the Police Advisory Group of Badge of Life Canada, an organization dedicated to furthering PTSD awareness and advocacy. Before pursuing policing as a career, Brian went to law school and trained as a lawyer, but never practiced. In 2010, Brian finally decided to make his Call to the Bar, and now his lawyer’s robes, even though they’ve been worn only once, hang in his office, next to his body armour. Brian’s wife Cathy, a cop’s daughter, is a teacher, and trauma counselor for families and spouses of first responders. She co-wrote a chapter of Brian’s book and is “one of the strongest women” he knows. They have two teenage sons, who still think it’s cool to have a dad who is a cop.

Miles Migliara is a recent Communications graduate from Missouri Southern State University. The son of a retired U.S. Army soldier, Miles grew up on several military bases along the East coast and Midwest. During his medical evaluation for Marine Officer Candidate School, Miles discovered he was genetically induced as a Type 1 Diabetic, therefore ended his pursuit of military service. He is currently the Social Media Director and Head Editor at AMVETS (American Veterans), a leading veteran service organization with over 250,000 active members and numerous posts across the nation. Providing many services to veterans and advocating veteran-related legislation, AMVETS is headquartered in Lanham, MD. AMVETS, which is also known as American Veterans, is the largest and oldest veterans service organization that is open to and fights for all veterans and their families. AMVETS Mission Statement: To enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services.

On today's episode I talk about another podcast that you should check out called Cigars and Sea Stories.  I was asked by Mike to come on the show as a co-host for a series of episodes that will be all coming out in February.  The first in the series is already live so make sure you go and check it out. http://www.cigarsandseastories.com/category/podcast/

Charlotte DiBartolomeo is Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Red Kite Project. She earned a Master’s in Conflict Transformation with a specialty in Intercultural Service, Leadership & Management from the School for International Training Graduate Institute in Vermont. She has studied post war development in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and has served as an NGO delegate to the United Nations at the 2003 Economics Conference for Women. Charlotte has been a trainer and facilitator for twenty years working in corporate, government and academic sectors. She has done conflict coaching with managers, developed and instructs curricula for workforce development and transformational leadership, and facilitates dialogue processes within both the public and private sectors. Sam Stone is the Director of Red Kite Rising, the martial arts healing division dedicated to helping youth and adults resolve traumatic effects of PTSD and developmental trauma. He has written curriculum and instructs programs in the Philadelphia School District and Jane Addams Place, a transitional housing facility in West Philadelphia for women and children. Red Kite Project assists organizations and their workforce to rise above obstacles to well-being and safety. Red Kite Rising got its start in the shelters of West Philadelphia. Originally, it was created as an intervention for CHOP’s Homeless Health Initiative, to be utilized with the residents at Jane Adams Place, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. They would use somatic therapies like yoga, and other processes that were aimed at helping participants to re-embody, and reconnect with their bodies to assist them in living healthier, happier lives. Martial arts and circle processes were a large part of the trainings, and after only a short period of time, fighting in the shelters had stopped among the participants of the program. RKR was then taken to Chester Arthur Elementary school for an eight-week program before being implemented at the Crefeld School- a 6-12 educational facility located in Chestnut Hill. A short time after this, RKR would find its way to the Perimeter, and start to work with Veterans of the armed forces. A focus that it continues to hold to this day.

Josh Davidson is an Air Force Veteran who grew up in Tullahoma, TN. Josh currently runs his antique store, Exposed Treasures, and a photography studio, Josh Davidson Photography, on Kent Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Josh likes to use driftwood and old barnwood to make sculptures, artwork, furniture & more! Josh's passions, other than photography, also include acting and filmmaking. Opportunity is like signals coming into a satellite dish.  Most of the time you filter out most things that aren't important to you.  Once you know the direction that you want to go in, those filters are taken off and you will start to recognize new opportunities that are inline with your goals.  Be open to receiving these opportunities and you will be amazed by the "once in a lifetime opportunities" that you find on a regular basis.

Phil Randazzo is a second generation Sicilian who learned early on from his father that this country offers the greatest opportunities in the world. At a young age, he quickly learned the value of hard work. From busing tables at his father’s restaurants to working three summer jobs from age fifteen until graduating college, to starting his first company at age twenty-four, Phil has never shied away from hard work His time is currently being spent writing, consulting, and developing a National Entrepreneurship and Coaching program called American Dream U, held at military bases around the country. American Dream U is a nonprofit organization that assists the military transitioning into civilian life. The program, taught by some of the world’s best and most successful entrepreneurs, is designed to provide soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, and coast guard personnel with the tools to obtain their dream jobs or start their own businesses.

A.C. Fuller is the author of THE ANONYMOUS SOURCE and the creator and host of the WRITER 2.0 Podcast, a weekly interview show featuring award-winning writers and publishing experts. He teaches English at Northwest Indian College near Seattle and has taught journalism at New York University. He has worked as a freelance reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal and New York Newsday. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, where he received the John D. Lewis Prize for highest honors in political theory. Previously, he was a professional chef specializing in catering. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two children and is hard at work on the sequel to The Anonymous Source.

The Mission of Semper Fido's program is to unite wounded warriors suffering with PTSD with homeless, rescue shelter dogs, who are evaluated and deemed viable, to nurture a healing and rejuvenating bond between the two. The result is a positive, non judgmental, unconditional relationship desperately needed by both. Jeffrey’s passion for dog training developed throughout his career as a United States Marine. As he progressed, his appreciation for dogs and their capabilities grew. It was during his deployment to Iraq where he genuinely understood the unique bond that could be developed between a dog and its owner. This can best be described through an excerpt from a poem written by Beth Norman Harris titled ‘A Dog’s Prayer’…”Treat me kindly my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.”  Jeffrey is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who specializes in treating trauma related disorders. Additionally, he is a combat veteran who has treated veterans of multiple wars who are diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Lida Citroën is an international reputation management and branding specialist, often featured in MSNBC, Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune Magazine, Forbes.com, Huffington Post, Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, and CBS Moneywatch. As founder of LIDA360, Lida is passionate about helping our nation's veterans navigate the military-to-civilian career transition. She is a popular speaker at military installations and events on veteran hiring, sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Veteran Serving Organizations (NAVSO), volunteers with ESGR, and teaches in the TAP program at the US Air Force Academy, and leverages her 20 years in corporate branding to help employers recruit, on board and grow veteran employees. Lida's second book, "Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition," is a powerful resource for transitioning military members. Lida is a regular contributor for Military.com and Entrepreneur.com on the topic of military transition, and is the recipient of many awards for her service to our veterans.

Joe Witte is the current Program Director for Bunker Labs PHL, an accelerator for veteran entrepreneurs. Joe is a former Captain in the US Army, Transportation Corps. He served for nine years as a reservist in logistics and completed a tour in Baghdad for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding service. He is also a volunteer for the Liberty USO serving on the Marketing and Communications committee. Joe is an Internet entrepreneur with a marketing and business development background in the digital and media industries. Joe is currently the VP of Global Business Development for ISEBOX, a cloud based communications content distribution platform. Joe is a proud husband and father of 5 kids. He graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Marketing. Bunker Labs was founded in 2014 by CEO Todd Connor, an Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy veteran and successful entrepreneur.  Bunker Labs PHL, a nonprofit 501c3 accelerator for veteran and military entrepreneurs, has a mission to educate, inspire and connect the veteran community with leading entrepreneurs and VC’s, in order to build thriving businesses and illustrate the value military experience brings in developing innovative companies.

Terrance Gant is a 12 year Marine Corps veteran. Deployed to Afghanistan twice and Iraq three times, then medically separated from the Marine Corps in 2010, Terrance says "That's when the wheels feel off". Extreme drinking because of loss of purpose and nightmares cost him his marriage, kids, and job. February 15,2015 Terrance even attempted suicide. After months and months of VA care, he started looking to Veteran Service organizations for help. Wounded Warrior project got him out of the house. Save A Warrior saved his soul. Team RWB filled the athletic gap in his life. The Mission Continues and Team Rubicon filled the service gap in his life.  Today Terrance is no longer just surviving in life but he's thriving and dedicated to empowering the lives of veterans and helping them take back their lives.

A chance viewing of a short news story prompted Peter A. Cline to create a life-changing charity for veterans injured on the battlefield. VETMotorsports, Inc., provides wounded veterans struggling to re-assimilate to the civilian world the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with professional motorcycle and auto racing teams. The charity has helped more than 130 veterans since 2012. “I saw an opportunity after watching a TV short on BBC America about how injured warfighters were using motorsports to recover from battlefield injuries,” Cline said. “I asked myself why someone was not providing a ‘hands-on’ opportunity for veterans. From that point on, it was a matter of doing research and having some discussions with sponsors and friends to work out the details.” Cline, a former professional motorcycle racer, spends time attending and facilitating race experiences all across the U.S. during the racing season, while focusing on fundraising and outreach to strategic partners during the off season. Cline volunteers his time as executive director of VETMotorsports while working full-time as Traffic Safety Specialist at Motorcycle Ohio. “VETMotorsports has allowed me to take 12 plus years of relationships and create this thing where the sum of the parts make a huge difference to those veterans participating,” Cline said. “The program is about creating a culture where injured warfighters are welcome, where we can provide them an outlet that shows them their self-worth and hopefully creates an opportunity for them to succeed outside the program.” Cline, who lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio, was presented the 2015 Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award from the American Motorcyclist Association for his contributions to the motorcycle racing community.  

Don Hutcheson is a lifelong entrepreneur, inventor, author and coach. He hosts the daily podcast: “Discover Your Talent—Do What You Love,” which he created to help you find your true talents and use them to build a career of success, satisfaction and freedom. He’s never had a “boss” and has created 6 innovative companies in advertising, publishing, coaching and career planning—and now on the Internet—over the last 35 years.

Dr. Bourke is the Executive Director of the NLP Research and Recognition Project, and Coordinator to the NLP Community. After the 9-11 attacks in 2001, Dr. Bourke designed and implemented a rehabilitation plan for 800 World Trade Center building survivors. He found that he was able to change the symptoms of PTS survivors he was treating with an NLP-derived protocol much quicker and more effectively than the 30 or so therapists he was working with. He founded the Not-For-Profit Corporation to advance the science of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and bring the research up to a scientific standard necessary for more widespread implementation. He brings with him more than 33 years of professional experience in Executive, Clinical and Research roles. The Research and Recognition Project (R&RP) conducts rigorous, controlled clinical studies to validate therapeutic techniques that support the widespread use of innovative and cost-effective clinical care for traumatic stress and a number of other psychiatric disorders.  

Jean South is a Marine spouse, daughter of two Army veterans, and former FBI Special Agent. During her career she has had the honor of working alongside our nation’s warriors. As the President and CEO of Hire Served , Jean gives companies a competitive advantage to compete for veteran talent by helping bridge the culture gap between military candidates and company recruiters. She also provides career coaching to veterans, teaching them how to use LinkedIn to network more effectively as they transition into their next careers after the military. Jean serves as the Veteran Outreach Director for Bunker Labs Philadelphia connecting with veterans and Veteran Service Organizations in the Philadelphia metro region to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to veterans and their spouses.

Joanna is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. She served as a Field Radio Operator (0621) and as a Recruiter (8411). She served honorably from 1998-2007 (E-6 SSgt) and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 with 3D MAW, MWSS 373, MCAS Miramar. Having to overcome her own transition obstacles; Joanna made the commitment to help other Veteran s transition more successfully. She became a well-known veteran advocate in the AZ community with her previous work at ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center (2012-2015) and her many involvements in the non-profit/volunteer space. She works tirelessly to help bridge the divide between transitioning veterans and the civilian community. She serves as a voluntary board member with ASU’s Veterans Chapter of the Alumni, S.E.E.4 Vets and the AZ Veterans Court Mentor Project. She volunteers to help raise funds for the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund—AZ campaign, teaches career transition curriculum for Fourblock.org, and is a member of the Jar Head Professionals group. Joanna is married to Mr. Jobiin Sweatt since 1997 and they have three beautiful children, Jeriah (19), Jobiin Jr. (17), and Jordin (15).

Wally Carmichael is a husband, father, retired Army Medic, Department of the Army Operations Specialist and Podcast Host of the Men of Abundance Podcast. He was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona and joined the Army at the age of 20 for the education benefits, opportunity to travel and to escape what was clearly a destructive lifestyle. It only took 24 years to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. And he was able to traveled to 23 countries on five continents. Wally has lived in Panama, Germany, Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, and currently lives on the beach in Hawaii. Wally first started in the job force in a slaughterhouse at the tender age of 16, no pun intended. He has also started and operated many business ventures from Real Estate, Sales and installation of satellite systems, residential cleaning and internet marketing. Next to family, his greatest passion is hosting his Men of Abundance Podcast, The Pay it Forward Community, where he has conversations with other Abundant leaders as well as up and coming entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders doing amazing things in their community.

Joe Mornini has spent a lifetime going from adventure to adventure. He holds a master's degree in Environmental Education from Goddard College and has been involved in outdoor education for almost four decades. A Special Education Resource Teacher and counselor, Joe is the coordinator of a program for seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD. For 30+ years, Joe’s stress-buster has been whitewater kayaking after school on the nearby Potomac River. Always the environmentalist and adventurer, Joe has motorcycled across the country three times, walked across Ireland, walked across the state of Maryland and paddled rivers around the country. In 2004, Joe and kayaking buddy, Mike McCormick, recruited friends and local paddling businesses to support their idea to teach whitewater kayaking to wounded soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. They named the program Team River Runner (TRR) and the goal has been to provide hope, health and healing. Working in partnership with The Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled Sports USA, TRR is a non-profit volunteer organization that now provides adaptive, therapeutic and leadership training programs for OIF/OEF veterans on a national level.

Michael J. Penney is the co-founder of Cigars and Sea Stories, a podcast devoted to sharing stories with veterans who are adding value to the world. He’s the creator of the “5 Paragraph Business Plan” an actionable approach to business. March of ‘16 he presented at TEDx Raleigh, “What’s Your IED: How to Add Value to During Life's Explosive Situations” - in an effort to bridge the life of veterans and civilians. Michael is a former Sergeant and Marine veteran. He served 8 years as an infantryman and weapons instructor. His service spans three combat tours and two wars - Ramadi iraq (05’/07’), Kajaki/ Sangin Afghanistan (2011). He served as a weapons instructor, having personally trained over 5000 Marines and sailors in rifle and pistol combat marksmanship, foreign weapons, small arms and precision weapons marksmanship and tactics. Having successfully navigated the transition from service member to veteran, Michael now supports fellow veterans seeking the entrepreneurial lifestyle. He currently works as program director for Bunker Labs RDU, calling upon his military experience to assess, train, advise, and assist veterans in business creation.

As the Program Manager for In Gear Career, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes, Amanda Patterson Crowe serves as an advisor to career-minded military spouses in networking chapters across the globe.  In Gear Career's 20+ chapters work to create connections in their local communities and serve as a jumping off point for military spouses moving to the area and looking for professional connections. As a U.S. Navy Veteran and now military spouse, Amanda also puts her own experience to work answering career questions in the new column "Dear Career", a collaboration between Military.com and Hiring Our Heroes. More of Amanda's writing on military spouse career issues can also be found monthly on NextGen Military Spouse.

Today's article comes from Luis Congdon and is titled "How Video Games Are Helping Young Veterans Cope".  Specialist Rob Gibson talks about how video games allow him to switch off his symptoms, and how nothing else except sleep (which he isn't having much of) allows him to do that right now. Also in this episode I talk about the Virtual Reality Exposure Treatment (VRET) that was developed by Skip Rizzo which allows a patient to be more immersed over classic pschoherapy. Here is the article:  http://www.complex.com/life/2016/11/veterans-day-millennials-video-games-ptsd  

Get out into your community and explore everything that it has to offer.  New ideas, friends, and opportunities will come from stepping out of your comfort zone.

You may be having some big challenges in your life right now, but you are not broken.  Your community and your country still need you.  Choose to become the person that you want to be.

Luis Congdon had some huge challenges in his life by most people's standards.  Loss, abandonment, culture shock, and even homelessness are a part of Luis' story, but thanks to his mindset it is all just a small part of the abundant and optimistic story that is his life.   I could write a bunch of words here to tell you about his incredible story, but hearing it directly from Luis is the only way to really feel the intensity of his message. Connect with Luis on Facebook, and if you are interested in podcasting or growing your business with Facebook definitely ask him about joining the Podcasters Secret Weapon group.    

Bill Rausch is the Executive Director at Got Your 6. He is a former Army Major with over ten years of service including 17 months in Iraq serving under Generals Casey and Petraeus while assigned to the Information Operations Task Force. Prior to joining GY6, Bill was Political Director at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America where he oversaw policy and advocacy campaigns. Prior to his veteran advocacy work, he was a Senior Consultant providing products and services to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense while assigned to the Pentagon. Bill regularly testifies in front of Congress and has appeared on NBC Nightly News, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal and MSNBC’s coverage of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Bill is also an active community leader and volunteer serving as Chapter Captain for Team Red White and Blue (Team RWB) in his local community in Alexandria, VA. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Volunteer Alexandria, an organization promoting volunteerism across all charity sectors. Bill received his Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. He lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and son. Got Your 6 is a nonprofit that believes veterans are leaders, team builders, and problem solvers, who have the unique potential to lead a resurgence of community across the nation.

In this episode I talk about a recent article from The Baltimore Sun titled "A soldier battling PTSD reported that he wanted to hurt his commanders. They disciplined him.". That led to the question in the title of this episode, "Should military members be disciplined for PTSD?".  Spoiler Alert:  My answer is HELL NO!

This week is Veterans Day and I want everyone out there, veteran and civilian, to find an organization to get plugged in with and go out into your community to some kind of event.  Runs, hikes, comedy shows, entrepreneurial courses, dinners, parties, etc.

Find out what you're passionate about, and go after it.  I walk you through a simple exercise to help get clear on what will provide you a life of passion.

Michael has been married for 6 short years and is the father of 2 boys and an adopted brother-in-law. He is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps and has done so for over 7 years. Currently, he is in the process of creating a mastermind for military non-commissioned officers to share ideas and build stronger, more capable military leaders. He’s an aspiring health, fitness, and life coach and does his best to create a home environment of constant self-improvement. He believes that there is a spot for all of us in the hall of greatness and that you don’t have to come from humbled or privileged beginnings to be significant.

Commissioned in August 1996, Kate Germano served for 20 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. A combat veteran, she participated in numerous operational and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief deployments and had many challenging assignments, including service for year as the Marine Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. She was selected for command twice, and served most recently as the commanding officer of the Marine Corps’ only all-female unit, the 4th Recruit Training Battalion. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Goucher College, where she majored in history with a pre-law emphasis. In 2011, she graduated with distinction from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, earning her Masters of Military Science degree. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, she became the Chief Operating Officer for the Service Women's Action Network. She is actively engaged in the struggle to end gender bias in the military, and is a vocal proponent for equal rights and the elimination of double standards and lowered expectations for female service members. Service Women’s Action Network is the voice of women in the military. SWAN is a member-driven community network advocating for the individual and collective needs of service women past, present and future.