VET S.O.S. Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Smoke ’Em If You Got ’Em: Jon Flatt on War, Identity & Healing Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

Veteran and author Jon Flatt joins host Kingsley Scott for a raw conversation about war, identity, and what it really takes to heal. Through the lens of “Smoke ’Em If You Got ’Em,” Jon explains how the on/off rhythm of the Guard followed him home, why the “switch” wouldn’t stay off, and how recovery began when he told the truth—to himself first. He shares the decision to move his family to Ireland, the work of not “becoming the threat” at home, and the small, repeatable actions that helped him start again.

Highlights:
• Truth before forgiveness and why minimizing your story keeps you stuck
• Hyper-vigilance at the dinner table and learning to dial it down without losing safety
• One-outlet practice (fishing in Jon’s case) as training for calm, not a luxury
• Parenting while healing and leaving the light on for others coming behind you
• Staying close to your people and advocating for yourself with systems and benefits

Start here:
Say one true sentence in the mirror, pick one healthy outlet and schedule it, and text one person who “speaks your language.” Keep coming.

Find the book by searching “Smoke ’Em If You Got ’Em” on Amazon, or request a digital manuscript at johnflatauthor.com.

#VETSOS #TheScoop #Veteran #MilitaryTransition #PTSD #MentalHealth #Recovery #NationalGuard #Afghanistan #Resilience

Supporting Military Families Through Education: MCEC’s Mission with Nikki Harrison Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight, Dr. Hira welcomes Nikki Harrison from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)—a true advocate for military-connected families. Nikki shares her story of resilience growing up as a military child, raising two sons while navigating life as a Marine Corps spouse, and now empowering others through MCEC’s mission.

Discover how MCEC’s programs—ranging from parent support webinars and literacy training to professional development for educators—help ensure every military-connected child is ready for work, college, and life. Nikki also discusses the growing influence of AI in education and how families can adapt in this evolving landscape.

Listeners will gain valuable advice on navigating transitions, building community after military life, and finding balance between family, education, and service.

🎙 VET S.O.S. Network continues its mission to spotlight organizations making a lasting difference for veterans, service members, and military families.
#VETSOS #MilitaryEducation #MilitaryChild #MCEC #VeteranFamilySupport #TransitionResources #MilitarySpouse #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryConnected #GrabTheLifeline

Heroes in the Sky: Veteran Suicide Prevention & Support Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

This episode of the VET S.O.S. Military Transition Resources Show brings a powerful conversation with James Collins, Army veteran and founder of Heroes in the Sky.

After serving 27 months in Iraq, James faced deep struggles with PTSD, transition, and suicidal ideation. A single encounter saved his life—and inspired him to dedicate himself to honoring fallen warriors and supporting families through Heroes in the Sky. The organization builds awareness with memorial battle vests, ceremonies, and the Deterrence Through Truth series, which gives families a voice and helps break the silence surrounding suicide.

Hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant highlight James’s journey from despair to advocacy, emphasizing how veterans and families can find hope, healing, and connection through shared stories and dedicated support.

The VET S.O.S. Network exists to ensure veterans, service members, and military families don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the lifeline with us today.

➡ Learn more or donate at heroesinthesky.org

#VETSOS #MilitaryTransitionResourcesShow #HeroesInTheSky #VeteranMentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #MilitaryTransition #EndVeteranSuicide #FirstResponderWellness #GrabTheLifeline #MentalHealthMatters

Tom LaGrave: SEAL Truth, Recovery & Mentorship Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

This episode of The Scoop goes deep into a journey most people never hear. Tom LaGrave, a former Navy SEAL Team One hospital corpsman, opens up about his battle with addiction, the pain of losing his trident, and the long road to recovery that gave him a new mission—mentoring the next generation.

From volunteering at an adolescent recovery center to leading a Boys & Girls Club of 440 youth, to earning his master’s degree and becoming a licensed clinical social worker, Tom transformed his pain into purpose. Over 40 years, he has mentored 3,500+ young people, built Honor Bound Academy, and written Special Welfare, Social Warfare: Adolescent to Adulthood, a Guidebook, a call-to-action for parents, communities, and adolescents to prepare for the realities of modern life.

The Navy SEAL experience—and what happens when it ends in addiction
The importance of truth-telling and “owning your authentic truth”
Why mentorship changes lives, especially for adolescents in crisis
The burden and blessing of being given a second chance
How communities can build resilience through collective action

Tom reminds us that the fight doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It continues inside us—and with the right tools, community, and courage, every battle can become a blueprint for someone else’s survival.

📖 Tom’s Hub (book + research): thehonorboundacademy.org
🌐 VET S.O.S.: vetsospodcast.com
🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
📲 Parade Deck: paradedeck.com/creator/vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #TheScoop #VeteranMentalHealth #NavySEALStories #AddictionRecovery #MentorshipMatters #YouthDevelopment #OwnYourTruth #ResilientCommunities #VeteranSupport

Inside the National Veteran Memorial and Museum Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Bill Butler, President of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, joins the VET S.O.S. Military Transition Resources Show to share his incredible journey from Army service to museum leadership. Hear how a hiring freeze almost derailed his transition — and how networking, persistence, and a sense of purpose helped him land a mission-driven role in veteran advocacy.

Learn how the museum tells the stories of everyday veterans, from all branches and eras, and inspires civic engagement through powerful storytelling and community programs. From Vietnam veterans finally being honored to yoga and jiu-jitsu sessions that build bonds and prevent isolation, this episode is full of heart, healing, and hope.

💬 “This museum validates my service.” — Vietnam Veteran

📍 Learn more at: nationalvmm.org
Follow: @vetsospodcast on all platforms

#VeteranMemorialMuseum #MilitaryTransition #VeteranWellness #VETSOS #BillButler #VeteranStories #NationalVMM #VietnamVeterans #SuicidePrevention #VeteranSupport

The Scoop - Brain Glue Secrets: How Trigger Words Turn Ideas Into Million-Dollar Brands Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of VET S.O.S. The Scoop, James I. Bond, author of Brain Glue, reveals the secret psychology behind brand names that stick—and sell. From Hot Pockets to GoDaddy to In-N-Out Burger, discover how rhyme, alliteration, and emotional triggers can transform an ordinary idea into a market sensation.

James breaks down 14 powerful brain triggers, showing how veterans and entrepreneurs can use them to build compelling brands, create emotional connections, and boost sales. This isn’t just theory—these are the same strategies behind billion-dollar products and companies.

Whether you’re launching a new business, rebranding, or selling yourself as a service, this conversation will change the way you think about names, marketing, and success.

Get ready to learn, laugh, and leave with tools you can use right away.

#VETSOS #VeteranSuccess #Branding #MarketingHacks #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #JamesIBond #BrainGlue #NameThatSells

VERS - Veteran-Inclusive Support at UMSL: Benefits & Belonging Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

What does real veteran support in higher education look like? At the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Veterans Center Manager and Missouri Army National Guard Sergeant Martina Meng is leading the way.

In this episode, she shares how UMSL serves over 523 military-connected students with personalized benefits support, hands-on learning, and a community that feels like home. She explains why starting 60 days early matters, how veteran-inclusive differs from veteran-friendly, and why camaraderie is the key to retention.

Highlights:

One-on-one GI Bill & State Tuition Assistance help.
Student workers trained to guide peers.
Partnerships with Veterans United, Northwestern Mutual & more.
A safe, welcoming community that reduces isolation.
Why UMSL is a top choice for veterans seeking belonging.

🎧 Subscribe to VET S.O.S. and never miss an episode.

#VeteranSupport #VeteranEducation #HigherEdForVeterans #VeteranInclusive #MilitaryConnectedStudents #GIBillTips #StateTuitionAssistance #NationalGuard #StudentVeterans #VETSOS

MTRS - Veteran Mental Health Matters: JMach’s Mission Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

This week on the VET S.O.S. Military Transition Resources Show, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran, mental health advocate, and host of The JMach Podcast, JMach—a man on a mission to change the narrative around Veteran Mental Health.

After a failed attempt to become a police officer, a painful injury, and an identity crisis post-service, JMach spiraled into a dark place. But through therapy, community, and raw self-reflection, he found a path to healing. Today, he leads powerful conversations with veterans and first responders—on and off the mic—proving that vulnerability is not weakness; it’s strength.

In this unfiltered episode, Shawn, Keith, and JMach talk about:

The mental health stigma in military and veteran communities
How therapy works (and what happens when it doesn’t)
Why childhood trauma plays a major role in veteran struggles
The danger of isolation and the myth that meds “fix it all”
How The Sandbox connects people who feel unseen
Why families need to be educated, supportive—and protect their own mental health too

Whether you're in uniform, recently transitioned, or years removed from service, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. “You're not alone.”

🎧 For more from JMach, visit www.jmachpodcast.org
🌐 Check out all VET S.O.S. resources at www.vetsospodcast.com

#VETSOS #VeteranMentalHealth #JMachPodcast #TherapyForVeterans #PostMilitaryLife #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthMatters #TheSandbox #FirstResponderWellness #TraumaHealing #MilitaryTransitionSupport

The Scoop - From Battlefield to Boardroom: Jay Allen’s Leadership Blueprint Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

Host Kingsley Scott welcomes decorated British Army veteran, author, and business strategist Jay Allen to The Scoop for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and post-service success. Jay reveals how his experiences from the battlefield shaped his career in the boardroom, drawing from his acclaimed book Battlefield to Boardroom: A Tactical Field Guide.

From navigating medical challenges to developing mission clarity and servant leadership, Jay shares the principles that help veterans and leaders alike achieve lasting success. Discover the transferable skills every service member should leverage, why mutual cooperation matters in any team, and how to transform adversity into opportunity.

Whether you’re a veteran preparing for civilian life or a leader seeking actionable strategies, this episode delivers practical tools and motivation to help you win your next mission.

#VeteranLeadership #MilitaryToCivilian #BattlefieldToBoardroom #LeadershipSkills #ServantLeadership #VETSOS #VeteranSuccess #CorporateStrategy #Resilience #MissionClarity

MTRS - Discover Purpose After Service: Veteran Programs at Camp Southern Ground Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Transitioning out of the military isn’t just about a new job — it’s about rediscovering your identity, redefining success, and finding purpose again. In this compelling episode of the VET S.O.S. podcast, we sit down with Lacy Gunnoe, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Director of Veteran Wellbeing at Camp Southern Ground, founded by Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band.

Lacy unpacks the three core veteran programs at Camp Southern Ground:

✅ Warrior Week – An immersive, peer-led transition program using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths to help you build a post-military life around your purpose, values, and well-being.

✅ Warrior PATH – A groundbreaking program rooted in post-traumatic growth that offers healing and hope for those battling invisible wounds.

✅ Warrior Family Camp – A reconnective experience for military families that blends fun, emotional wellness, and quality time together.

Hear real-life success stories, like Carson—a young veteran who left Warrior Week and became a certified dog handler within months.

🎯 These programs are free to veterans. Travel, meals, lodging—covered.

🖥️ Learn more: CampSouthernGround.org
📧 Contact: lacy@campsouthernground.org

🎧 Subscribe and tune in every week for real stories and proven resources for military transition.
#VeteranPodcast #MilitaryTransitionHelp #VeteranWellness #WarriorPath #WarriorWeek #CampSouthernGround #VeteranCommunity #PostServicePurpose #VETSOS #TransitionSupport

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