VET S.O.S. Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Turning Connections Into Careers with Evan Guzman Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Evan Guzman joins the VET S.O.S. Network to explore how mentorship, storytelling, and intentional human connection are transforming the way veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why veterans excel in today’s workforce
• How mentorship opens doors to unposted jobs
• The role of branding and identity after service
• How employers can recruit veterans through service-first leadership

Whether you're transitioning out of the military, hiring veteran talent, or seeking purpose beyond the uniform, this episode offers clear, practical guidance you can apply immediately.

Evan Guzman is the former leader behind Verizon’s nationally recognized military hiring initiatives and the co-founder of Post-Veterati. Through Milbrand, he helps organizations and veterans bridge the gap between military experience and civilian opportunity.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, service members, and military spouses with real conversations, real mentors, and real opportunities.

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. — Operation Startup
VET S.O.S. — Learning Lifeline
VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #TheMilitaryEffect #VeteranTransition #VeteranMentorship #MilitaryCareers #LeadershipPodcast #VeteranSupport #PostVeterati #GrabTheLifeline

How VET Mentor AI Is Transforming VA Claims | Paul Hylenski Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Paul Hylenski joins VET S.O.S. to dive into how AI is reshaping VA claims, improving rating accuracy, preventing predatory practices, and giving veterans a true path to success during transition.

In this episode, we explore:
• Paul’s difficult transition journey and why he built VET Mentor AI
• How AI analyzes VA claims, predicts rating outcomes, and identifies missing secondaries
• What hallucination-proof AI means for veteran safety
• The story of a Marine whose life was saved by the VET Mentor AI crisis-detection system

Whether you're navigating military transition, increasing your VA rating, or searching for reliable tools to support your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

Paul Hylenski is a Marine Corps veteran, founder of VET Mentor AI, and an AI strategist using technology to remove barriers for veterans. His platform includes AI-driven claim optimization, Nexus letter generation, virtual C&P avatars, and one of the first suicide ideation detectors integrated into a veteran support system.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #VeteranBenefits #VetMentorAI #VAClaimsHelp #AIForGood #VeteranSupport #TransitionResources #GrabTheLifeline #Veterans

Leading After Service with Ross Dickman | Hire Heroes USA | The Military Effect Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, we explore:
• Why military experience is often misunderstood by civilian employers
• How coaching helps veterans articulate their real value
• Leadership lessons that carry forward beyond the uniform
• Finding meaningful employment instead of settling for the first job

Whether you're navigating military transition, rebuilding your career after service, or searching for clarity and direction, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement.

About the Guest:
Ross Dickman is a Bronze Star-awarded U.S. Army veteran and former Apache helicopter pilot. He is the CEO of Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and military spouses secure meaningful civilian employment through personalized career coaching.

Grab the Lifeline:
The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

Follow the Show & Explore More Episodes:
VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

Connect with VET S.O.S.:
Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #TheMilitaryEffect #VeteranCareers #MilitaryTransition
#HireHeroesUSA #VeteranLeadership #MilitarySpouseCareers #ItsOurTurnToServe #GrabTheLifeline

How Veterans Can Master Washington & Build Powerful Careers | Gene Moran Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, we explore:
• The real challenges behind corporate culture and veteran fit
• The biggest myths about government influence and lobbying
• How veterans can identify new career pathways and “escape routes”
• Why investing in personal growth is essential after military service

Whether you're transitioning, starting a business, stepping into leadership, or searching for tools to strengthen your next chapter, this episode equips you with actionable strategies you can use immediately.

Gene Moran is a retired Navy Captain and one of Washington’s most accomplished experts in federal defense lobbying. As founder of Capitol Integration, Gene helps companies navigate complex federal acquisition environments, with client impacts measured in billions of dollars. He is a multi-book author, university professor, and host of the Make Your Move podcast, where he elevates veteran voices and teaches others how to succeed in high-stakes environments.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCareers #FederalLobbying #DefenseIndustry #CareerGrowth #VeteranPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #GrabTheLifeline

Breaking the Silence for Women Veterans | Lenore Branch — Sisters in Service & Pivot with Purpose Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, we explore:
• The loneliness and silence many women veterans face after transition
• Founding Sisters in Service from a place of isolation, motherhood, and purpose
• Pivot with Purpose: financial wellness, VA healthcare, community, and confidence
• Healing through sisterhood: retreats, trust-building, and shared experience

Whether you’re navigating transition, seeking community, or working to strengthen your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

Leonor Branch, a 20-year Air Force combat veteran, is the founder of Sisters in Service and creator of the Pivot with Purpose program. She is an advocate for women veterans rediscovering who they are after service, with a mission shaped by her experiences with transition, trauma, sobriety, and rebuilding identity.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #WomenVeterans #TheScoop #SistersInService #PivotWithPurpose #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #MSTAwareness #TheMilitaryEffect #GrabTheLifeline

Rebuilding Purpose Through Fitness | Nikki & Bobby Allmann on Wellness, Community & Healing Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, we explore:
• Losing purpose & identity during transition — and finding your way back.
• Creating a tribe through fitness, humor, and shared struggle.
• How community leadership prevents suicide and restores hope.
• The mission and expansion of the Workout Warriors Foundation.

Whether you're navigating transition, rebuilding your health, or searching for a supportive community, this episode gives you clear, actionable steps to strengthen your next chapter.

Nikki and Bobby Allmann are co-founders of Warrior Acts CrossFit and the Workout Warriors Foundation. Nikki served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, deploying five times, while Bobby served as a law enforcement officer and SWAT operator. Together, they’ve built a mission-driven wellness community serving veterans, first responders, and adaptive athletes across South Carolina and beyond.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. – Operation Startup
VET S.O.S. – Learning Lifeline

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #FirstResponderSupport #CrossFit #AdaptiveAthletes #SuicideAwareness #VeteranWellness #CommunityHealing #GrabTheLifeline

The Story Behind VET S.O.S.: How Shawn Welsh Built a Lifeline for Veterans | The Military Effect Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Description:
Shawn Welsh, co-founder of the VET S.O.S. Network, sits down with Kings to share the origin story, the mission, and the future of the lifeline helping veterans avoid “drowning in the sea of transition” and their participation in the Military Effect - Our Time to Serve Campaign.

In this emotional, insightful interview, Shawn opens up about:
• His military career in the intelligence community
• How mentorship pushed him to create VET S.O.S.
• The mistakes, growth, and leadership lessons that shaped the mission
• Why resilience, trust, and vulnerability are central to veteran support
• The vision behind the new nonprofit and global story-capture platform
• How volunteers can join the network as Lifeguards

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, seeking mental health support, or looking for community, this episode delivers clarity, hope, and next steps you can use today.

About the Guest:
Shawn Welsh is a retired Army senior NCO, leadership expert, resiliency trainer, and co-founder of the VET S.O.S. Network. He leads with authenticity and commitment—serving veterans through storytelling, connection, and resource amplification.

Grab the Lifeline:
The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

#VETSOS #TheScoop #VeteranResources #TheMilitaryEffect #MilitaryTransitionSupport #VeteranLeadership #ResiliencyTraining #VeteranNonprofit #MentalHealthAwareness #MilitaryStories #GrabTheLifeline

Better Call Tyrone: How to Plan Your Transition & Find Your WHY | With Veteran Advocate Tyrone Hewitt Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Tyrone Hewitt joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the truth about military transition and how service members, veterans, and spouses can avoid the common pitfalls that lead to frustration, wasted benefits, and misaligned career choices. He shares how Act Now Education, mentorship, and informational interviews can guide you toward the right certifications, degrees, and career paths—so you don’t waste time or money.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why transition planning must start early and intentionally
• How Act Now Education gives free (but aligned) resources—not random ones
• The moment Tyrone discovered his WHY at a VA homeless stand-down
• How senior leaders can avoid entitlement-based transition mistakes

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a new career, pursuing higher education, or exploring what comes next, this conversation gives you the clear, actionable steps you need.

Tyrone Hewitt is a retired Navy veteran, transition readiness leader, and nationally respected veteran advocate. Through Act Now Education and his mentorship work, he helps thousands navigate career development, VA/DoD benefits, and educational pathways with clarity and purpose.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

Don’t drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #VeteranPodcast #TyroneHewitt #ActNowEducation #TransitionPlanning #VeteranMentorship #ServiceToSchool #GrabTheLifeline #CareerReadiness

The Military Effect & Why Connection Matters | Scott Manthorne Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Scott Manthorne joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into The Military Effect—a movement focused on connection, trust, leadership, and shared responsibility between civilians and the veteran community.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why connection is the true currency of success after service
• How veterans transition from rank to relationships
• The role civilians play in strengthening veteran outcomes
• Why mentorship and trust outperform resumes and titles

Whether you're navigating military transition, leading in business, or looking to better support veterans and their families, this conversation delivers clear, human-centered insight you can apply immediately.

Scott Manthorne is the author of The Military Effect, founder of the Inside Circle, and a globally recognized expert in relationship-driven leadership. His work focuses on amplifying veteran voices, strengthening community trust, and activating civilian leadership through service.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, military spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see them thrive.

• VET S.O.S.
• VET S.O.S. – Operation Startup
• VET S.O.S. – Learning Lifeline
• VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop

#TheMilitaryEffect #VETSOS #VeteranTransition #VeteranLeadership #CivilianSupport #VeteranMentorship #LeadershipPodcast #ItsOurTurnToServe #VeteranCommunity #GrabTheLifeline

From Marine to Morale Builder: Michael D’Angelo’s Rapid Fire Comedy Mission Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Michael D’Angelo joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how stand-up comedy became his lifeline after a difficult medical separation from the Marine Corps — and how his nonprofit, the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, is now transforming morale across military units and first responder communities nationwide.

In this episode, we explore:

How injury, depression, and uncertainty shaped Michael’s transition out of the Marine Corps
How comedy helped him rebuild purpose — from Vegas dive bars to living in his car while training in Los Angeles
How Rapid Fire Comedy Tour boosts morale, builds camaraderie, and exposes young service members to diverse voices in the arts

Whether you're navigating military transition, rebuilding identity, or looking for tools to strengthen your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps rooted in resilience, creativity, and service.

Michael D’Angelo is a Marine Corps veteran and Las Vegas–born comedian who began performing in 2013 after leaving the military. He is the founder of the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a 501(c)(3) organization bringing high-energy comedy shows directly to military bases and first responder communities across the nation. His mission: More bases. More shows. More morale.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight
VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #RapidFireComedyTour #VeteranComedy #MarineVeteran #MoraleMatters #VeteranSupport #FirstResponderSupport #ComedyHeals #GrabTheLifeline

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