VET S.O.S. Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Leading Beyond the Uniform: A Conversation with Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne S. Bass Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VET S.O.S., Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne S. Bass, the first woman to serve as the highest enlisted leader in any branch of the U.S. military, joins Shawn Welsh for an inspiring conversation on leadership, transition, and post-service purpose.

After 31 years in the Air Force, Chief Bass continues her mission of service — helping veterans, military spouses, and families thrive in civilian life. She shares her thoughts on:

The difference between veteran friendly and veteran ready organizations
Why employers must recognize veterans for their talent, not just their service
How connection, opportunity, and care strengthen veteran communities
The importance of maintaining identity and purpose beyond the uniform

Chief Bass’s journey is a testament to servant leadership and the power of community. Whether you’re transitioning, hiring, or supporting a veteran, this conversation delivers lessons for all.

Follow the VET S.O.S. Network for more interviews that connect veterans and their families with the resources they deserve.

🎙️ Don’t Drown in the Sea of Transition—Grab the Lifeline.

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransitionResources #JoAnneBass #AirForceVeteran #VeteranSupport #LeadershipDevelopment #VeteranReady #MilitaryFamily #VeteranEmpowerment #BeyondTheUniform #GrabTheLifeline

Veteran Transition Truths with Adam Peters | VET S.O.S. Podcast Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

On this Veterans Day episode from the VET S.O.S. Network, the Military Transition Resources Show welcomes Adam Peters, host of the Strategic Veteran Podcast, tech entrepreneur, and partner at Amakaya, a healing retreat in the Peruvian Amazon.

Adam shares the unfiltered truth about his transition: from a sudden medical retirement and years of struggling through failed jobs and financial hardship, to the turning point that reshaped his purpose and identity. His journey highlights the three biggest challenges facing veterans today—loss of identity, loss of purpose, and lack of community.

Hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant dive deep into Adam’s mission to amplify veteran stories, challenge the broken transition system, and push for policy-level change. With more than 150 episodes of the Strategic Veteran Podcast, Adam is committed to being a beacon of truth and support for the veteran community.

This conversation captures the heart of the VET S.O.S. mission: honest stories, actionable resources, and community-driven solutions for those navigating life after service.

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #VeteranStories #VeteranSupport #StrategicVeteran #AdamPeters #VeteranHealing #VeteranIdentity #VeteranAdvocacy #GrabTheLifeline

Mike Hall on Ranger for Life & Veteran Transition Success Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

This episode of the Military Transition Resources Show, part of the VET S.O.S. Network, features retired Command Sergeant Major Mike Hall, Executive Director of the Three Rangers Foundation.

Mike reflects on a 34-year Army career that included leadership at the highest levels of Special Operations. Now, through the Three Rangers Foundation, he helps Rangers prepare for life after service with mentorship, planning, and comprehensive transition support.

In this conversation, Mike explains how the Ranger for Life program equips soldiers and veterans to succeed by focusing on education, financial readiness, wellness, networking, and VA benefits. He also shares lessons from his own transition, emphasizing the need to plan early, involve your family, and seek out mentors who have walked the path before you.

More than a Ranger story, this is a roadmap for veterans and families navigating life beyond the military.

👉 Subscribe to the VET S.O.S. Network for more powerful stories and resources.
🔗 Learn more at threerangersfoundation.org

#VETSOS #VeteranTransition #RangerForLife #ThreeRangersFoundation #ArmyRangers #VeteranWellness #MilitarySupport #VeteranMentorship #TransitionResources #GrabTheLifeline

Empowering Military-Connected Students: Georgetown University’s Veteran Success Story Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight, host Shawn Welsh welcomes Stephan Murphy, Director of Georgetown University’s Military and Veteran Resource Center (MAVRC).

Stephan shares his journey from the U.S. Army to higher education leadership, revealing how Georgetown empowers its more than 1,500 military-connected students through intentional programming, academic excellence, and a strong community network.

Learn how Georgetown’s commitment to veterans includes Yellow Ribbon participation, dynamic student organizations, career readiness programs, and collaborations that extend well beyond the classroom. Stephan also discusses the university’s data-driven approach to student engagement and the power of mentorship in building the next generation of veteran leaders.

If you’re a veteran, service member, or military spouse considering higher education, this episode provides invaluable insight into what makes Georgetown a top choice for military-connected learners.

🎙 Show: Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight
🌐 Network: VET S.O.S.
💬 Tagline: Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline!

#VETSOS #VeteranEducationalResources #GrabTheLifeline #GeorgetownUniversity #VeteranSuccess #MilitaryTransition #VeteranStudents #HigherEdSupport #YellowRibbonProgram #VeteranLeadership #MilitaryCommunity

Curtez Riggs on Building Legacy, Leadership, and the Military Influencer Conference | VET S.O.S. Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, hosts Shawn Welsh and Eric Brew connect with Curtez Riggs, founder of the Military Influencer Conference (MIC)—a movement redefining how veterans and military spouses collaborate, innovate, and lead in business.

Curtez reflects on his own transition story, from recruiting command to entrepreneurship, revealing how his experiences shaped his ability to build community and opportunity through digital media. He shares the early challenges of growing MIC, the power of mentorship and teamwork, and his mission to keep “reaching back” to lift others up.

With wisdom earned through service and innovation, Curtez offers inspiration for every veteran striving to create impact beyond the uniform. This conversation is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose—and purpose into a lasting legacy.

Listen now and discover how one veteran’s vision became a global stage for thousands of others.

#VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneurSpotlight #CurtezRiggs #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranEntrepreneurs #LeadershipLegacy #MilitaryTransitionJourney #VeteranEmpowerment #EntrepreneurSuccess #GrabTheLifeline

Supporting Military-Connected Students at the University of Miami Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Join host Dr. Hira on the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight as she interviews Jon Baldessari, Director of the Veterans Resource Center at the University of Miami. Jon shares the powerful story behind the creation of the VRC and its mission to empower more than 600 veterans and military-connected students pursuing higher education.

From the Yellow Ribbon Program to the Veteran Students Organization and community events like the Military and Veteran Resource Expo, Jon highlights how the university builds bridges between education, service, and post-graduation success. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how universities can design inclusive spaces that celebrate, support, and strengthen the military community.

This episode is a must-listen for veterans, service members, spouses, and educators committed to fostering successful transitions from the military to the classroom and beyond.

🎧 Subscribe to the VET S.O.S. Network and remember — Don’t drown in the sea of transition, grab the VET S.O.S. Lifeline!

#VeteranEducation #VETSOSNetwork #VeteranSuccess #MilitaryStudents #HigherEdSupport #VeteranCommunity #UniversityOfMiami #TransitionResources #StudentVeteransOfAmerica #YellowRibbon #GrabTheLifeline

How Mindfulme Care Uses AI to Support Veteran Mental Health | VET S.O.S. Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

This week on the VET S.O.S. Military Transition Resources Show, part of the VET S.O.S. network, hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant sit down with Matthew Askren, Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Mindfulme Care.

Matthew reflects on his own transition out of the military, the lack of resources available at the time, and how building connections on LinkedIn opened new doors. He then introduces listeners to Mindfulme Care, an innovative AI platform that provides preventative, professional, and emergency mental health support for veterans, active-duty members, first responders, and students.

With features like guided meditation, journaling, proactive AI outreach, and emergency response activation, Mindfulme Care is helping organizations and individuals build resilience before crises strike.

Tune in to learn how this mission-driven company is partnering with veteran organizations, universities, and first responder agencies to make a lasting impact on mental wellness and mission readiness.

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransitionResourcesShow #VeteranMentalHealth #MindfulmeCare #MilitaryTransition #VeteranWellness #AIForMentalHealth #FirstResponderSupport #VeteranResources #GrabTheLifeline

Veteran Filmmakers and Advocates Share Transition and Storytelling Journeys Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The Scoop from the VET S.O.S. Network, host Kingsley “Kings” Scott sits down with two veterans who turned their service experience into stories of impact and creativity.

🎥 Paige, an Army veteran and filmmaker, shares how her time at the White House Communications Agency inspired her to pursue storytelling full-time. Using her GI Bill, she attended the American Film Institute and created Guide On, a short film now featured in the GI Film Festival’s Best of the Fest in Washington, D.C.

🎖️ Keshia Javis-Jones, Marine veteran and Program Director at the Foundation for Women Warriors, opens up about her challenging transition and how she found renewed purpose in supporting fellow veterans and promoting authentic representation through the GI Film Festival.

Together, they reflect on how mentorship, authenticity, and community can guide veterans through life after service—and how storytelling connects us all.

🎟️ Learn more and support the GI Film Festival at gifilmfestival.org
🎬 Submit your film for the 2026 San Diego Festival at gifilmfestivalsd.org

#VETSOS #GrabTheLifeline #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #GIfilmFestival #VeteranFilmmaker #Mentorship #VeteranCommunity #VeteranEmpowerment #FoundationForWomenWarriors

Be a Better Leader: Mastering Military Lessons for Real-World Leadership Oct 25, 2025

Show notes

This episode of The Scoop from the VET S.O.S. Network dives deep into what authentic leadership looks like in both military and civilian life. Host Kingsley Scott welcomes Bill Sprayberry and David McDowell, co-authors of Be a Better Leader: A Situational Guide, for an inspiring conversation on discipline, communication, humility, and self-leadership.

With over seven decades of combined experience, Bill and David share how the principles of battlefield leadership—clarity, accountability, and empathy—translate into corporate and community success. From the importance of “leading yourself first” to navigating the gray areas of modern leadership, their message resonates with anyone striving to grow as a leader.

If you’ve ever wondered how to take the lessons of military service and apply them to everyday challenges, this episode is your roadmap.

🎙️ Listen now and “Grab the Lifeline” with VET S.O.S.

#VETSOS #TheScoop #VeteranLeadership #LeadershipLessons #MilitaryExperience #LeadershipPodcast #VeteranStories #BeABetterLeader #LeadershipJourney #TransitionSupport

Healing Veterans Through Outdoor Therapy with Gene Campbell Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

The VET S.O.S. Network proudly presents another episode of the Military Transition Resources Show, where we highlight organizations making a real difference for veterans and their families. This week, hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant welcome Gene Campbell, founder of True Patriot Outfitters.

Gene’s story is about rediscovering purpose through service. After decades in IT and years of coaching youth athletics, he found a new calling—helping veterans heal through structured outdoor recreation. Inspired by time spent with Purple Heart recipients, Gene created True Patriot Outfitters, a nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans, first responders, and their families with opportunities for kayak fishing, hiking, and camping as tools for connection and mental health.

Join us as we explore how the outdoors builds camaraderie, promotes healing, and reminds veterans that they are not alone. This is “fishing with a mission.”

📌 Learn more at truepatriotoutfitters.org and connect with the VET S.O.S. Network for more inspiring conversations, resources, and lifelines for your transition journey.

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransition #TruePatriotOutfitters #VeteranHealing #OutdoorTherapy #KayakFishing #VeteranCamaraderie #MentalHealthAwareness #FishingWithPurpose #GrabTheLifeline

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