500 episodes in, I’m sharing the mission, the struggle, and why I keep showing up for the veteran community.

Ep. 578: VA Medical Massage For Veterans Pain can deeply affect every aspect of life, from work to sleep. This discussion talks about a VA benefit many veterans may overlook: medical massage therapy. Samer Hamadeh, founder of @GetZeel, explains how his company helps the VA offer massage therapy as healthcare for veterans facing pain, mobility issues, sleep disturbances, stress, and complex conditions. Timestamps: 00:01:06 - Losing everything, then finding the next mission 00:02:00 - How VA medical massage became a benefit 00:05:18 - The numbers behind pain, sleep, and opioid reduction 00:08:15 - Why in-home care matters for complex conditions 00:10:53 - How to ask the VA for medical massage

Ep 577: Scuba Therapy For Veterans 05:09 - The fear of staying bedridden 13:46 - Building @Motheroceanfund 21:50 - Why scuba can calm chaos 28:29 - Love That Doesn't Sharpen Spoils 37:32 - The landlord principle for mental battles

Ep 576: Turning Combat Scars Into Stories 03:57 - Losing the structure after Army retirement 09:13 - Hitting rock bottom and finally getting help 13:55 - Learning to give the past a voice 18:53 - Turning scars into stories 31:10 - Writing the combat scene that changed everything

Ep. 575 Healing Moral Injury in Veterans 10:36 - The difference between PTSD and moral injury 20:47 - The two-way prayer journal that helps break self-blame 36:34 - Twenty years of silence before one hard conversation at home 48:47 - The flashback that proved war had followed him home 55:29 - The three-part support system that makes healing more likely

Ep 574: Rebuild Your Identity Before it Snaps 01:00 - A career shock that reignited combat stress 04:30 - The cost of family separation 12:45 - Reconnecting with the guys who lived it 16:00 - Why writing can calm triggers 32:55 - Identity trap wrecks vets after transition

Ep 573: Healing Moral Injury and Trauma in Veterans 13:04 - What moral injury is 20:40 - Why troops should be taught that killing hurts 25:49 - The role of atonement 36:34 - Marines don't kill children 47:00 - Why civilians must help take the war out of returning veterans

Ep 573: Rapid Fire Comedy For Troops 03:15: Marine humor after the uniform 05:00: First open mic fear and choosing to stay on stage 08:45: Creating his own opportunities 13:30: Rapid Fire Comedy Tour 26:45: Building a 501(c)(3) and chasing sponsors

What do you think of Southwest Airlines new paint scheme? I think it’s patriotic as hell! I doubt I’ll be flying in one, but very cool!

Ep 571: The Selfless Path To Healing 06:30: The identity hit after separation and the fight to redefine herself 12:30: The VA living donor chain milestone 21:05: Becoming a dual living donor 25:30: The emotional crash after donation 34:45: Transition advice

Ep 570: Turning PTSD Into Creative Work 03:15 - He decides to stop waiting and start living 08:39 - The truth about PTSD and the past 11:15 - Why writing the villain was cathartic 21:30 - Ken talks honestly about fear in Iraq 30:31 - His advice for any veteran who wants to write

Ep 569: Paragliding Recovery for Wounded Warriors 07:52 - The missed bus that kept him out of the towers 29:06 - How the @RedCross changed the way he sees service 39:00 - Scott explains how grief wrecked his life after Afghanistan 47:07 - The veteran resources many still don't know about 53:21 - How paragliding and physical therapy became Wings 4 Heroes

Commanders are going to be emphasizing the "don't subtract from the population" part of their safety briefs this weekend. Unless it's a fucking terrorist, then game on.

Ep 568: What Keeps Vets Alive After Service 03:15: Losing 6 kids fast 04:45: The 3 supports he uses every time 06:15: A Vietnam-era dad and the cost of staying silent 11:00: Building a three-person call list and using it early 28:30: Writing small stories that change home life

How it feels when you're still older than the increased maximum enlistment age.

Ep 567: A Veteran Uses Poetry To Process 01:30: Retired after 23 years and still sorting it out 08:12: The loss of camaraderie 16:30: Working at full speed & coworkers move slow 17:00: Writing turned into a way to put thoughts on the page 35:52: When the Uniform No Longer Fits

Ep 567: A Veteran Uses Poetry To Process 01:30: Retired after 23 years and still sorting it out 08:12: The loss of camaraderie 16:30: Working at full speed & coworkers move slow 17:00: Writing turned into a way to put thoughts on the page 35:52: When the Uniform No Longer Fits

The biggest regret at the end of life is not living the life you were meant to. Don't wait until the very end to wish you had. Start living that life today. Hope isn't lost, it can come through faith and purpose. #LifeLessons #Hope

Ep 566: A Good Death Starts Today 14:30 - What steals your control 17:00 - Knowledge is power 19:45 - A patient's final words that reshaped how to live with purpose now 31:30 - PTSD and depression treatment hope 32:45 - White Flag App

Ep 565: TAPS Suicide Prevention And Postvention 07:45 - One death, 135 people impacted 17:30 - How suicide loss cut her off from the community 26:30 - "Are you thinking about suicide?" 36:59 - The myth that "nothing can stop it" 52:39 - The Military Mentor Program

A military career crossroads led to a 15-year career in financial services. Now, a passion for operations and people has led to stepping in as CEO of PDS. #CareerChange #Leadership