Drive On: Overcoming Military Trauma & Finding Success as a Veteran

Leaving the military comes with challenges-redefining your purpose, finding a meaningful career, and stepping into an unfamiliar civilian world where your experience isn't always understood. But what if your military skills could be the key to success in one of the fastest-growing and most mission-driven industries today? The cybersecurity field is facing a massive talent shortage, and veterans have exactly what it takes to fill th...

Some wounds don't come from the battlefield-they come from within the ranks. Brandon Caserta was strong. Disciplined. Determined. He had a dream to serve in the military, to push himself to the limits, to be part of something greater than himself. But when he faced toxic leadership, retaliation, and neglect from those meant to lead, the weight became unbearable. His parents, Terri and Patri...

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. But for a lot of veterans, the transition out of service feels like being dropped into an unknown world without a map. That's exactly what Rob Sarver and Alex Gendzier set out to fix. After years of interviews with veterans, deep research into military transition, and personal experience, they wrote Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey-a guide designed to ...

What happens when you transition out of the military and the leadership in civilian life doesn't measure up? Jason West, a Marine veteran and leadership consultant, breaks down why leadership matters more than ever when building a business, leading a team, or just trying to create purpose in your post-service life. From his experiences in the Marine Corps to running his consulting firm, Officers Eat Last, Jason shares the foundatio...

The war doesn't always end when you come home. For many veterans, the toughest battles are fought in silence-moral injury, survivor's guilt, and the search for meaning after service. Retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho lived it. After surviving multiple IED blasts, he returned home to a life that felt shattered, eventually finding himself at the brink of suicide. But that wasn't the end of his story.

Through mountain climbs, advocacy...

We all have demons. Some we fought on the battlefield, others we fight in our own minds. For Army veteran Juan Espinoza, the weight of his experiences nearly crushed him-until he found a way to process the pain. After years of bottling up emotions and trying to "just push through," Juan hit a breaking point. One cold December night, he stepped into the rain, dropped to his knees, and screamed for purpose. What followed was an outpo...

Leaving the military is hard. Finding the right job? Even harder. Veterans often find themselves stuck in jobs that don't match their skills, struggling to translate their military experience into something that makes sense to civilian employers.

Jon Safran, a 23-year Air Force veteran and Chief Military Engagement Advisor at MilitaryConnected.org, knows this challenge firsthand. His mission? To bridge the gap between veterans and ...

Too many veterans are handed a diagnosis and a prescription-but never a real solution. Dr. Fred Moss has spent decades working in psychiatry, only to realize that true healing doesn't come from medication-it comes from connection.

In this episode, Dr. Moss shares how veterans can reclaim their mental health by finding their true voice and engaging in meaningful communication. We explore why psychiatric labels can do more harm than ...

Some sacrifices are too big to be forgotten. When Major Brent Taylor was killed in action in 2018, his daughter Megan Taylor was only 13 years old. Now, at 19, she's carrying on his legacy in powerful ways-through advocacy, remembrance, and leadership in the veteran community.

In this episode, Megan opens up about growing up in a family shaped by both military and civic service. Her father wasn't just a soldier; he was a mayor, a m...

Losing camaraderie after leaving the military can be one of the hardest parts of the transition. No one seems to understand, and it's easy to feel isolated-even in a room full of people. But what if there was a way to rebuild that sense of purpose and connection?

Enter Charles Watkins, an Army veteran who knows firsthand what it's like to struggle after service. As a former chaplain assistant, he spent his time in the military help...

Life after the military can feel like stepping into the unknown. That sense of mission, the camaraderie, the structure-it's suddenly gone. But what if you could rebuild, stronger than before?

Peter Gunn, a retired Air Force veteran, knows that struggle firsthand. He transitioned through multiple phases of military service, experienced the mental toll of combat stress, and faced the challenge of redefining himself. Now, he's thriving...

The war might be over, but for many veterans, the battle continues long after they return home. Sleepless nights, intrusive memories, and the frustration of feeling unheard are all too common. But what if the traditional routes-therapy, medication, the VA-aren't working for you?

Army veteran and nurse practitioner Bee Doyle knows that struggle firsthand. After experiencing severe combat trauma, she found herself lost in a cycle of ...

Trust. Resilience. Leadership. In the military, they weren't optional-they were life or death. But after service? No one hands you a guidebook on how to apply those same skills to the real world.

Michael Allison knows this firsthand. A Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Michael faced combat, injury, and the challenges of transition head-on. Now, as the CEO of The Adversity Academy, he's helping veterans and profession...

Chronic pain is something many veterans live with every day, whether it's from service-related injuries or the wear and tear of life. But what if you didn't have to rely on pain meds or go under the knife to get relief?

Dr. Winifred Bragg, a board-certified pain management physician, has spent over 25 years helping people treat back, neck, and orthopedic pain-without surgery. In this episode, she breaks down the biggest myths about...

Knives have always been more than just tools for veterans-they're symbols of skill, precision, and independence. But what happens when injuries or years of service-related wear make it harder to use the tools you once mastered? Doug Katz, a West Point graduate and disabled Army veteran, saw firsthand how physical limitations can steal confidence in the kitchen. So, he did what veterans do best. He adapted and overcame, creating the...

Addiction isn't just a bad habit-it's your brain craving relief. For many veterans, that relief comes in the form of smoking, drinking, or even harder substances to cope with PTSD, stress, or physical pain. But what if you could break free without white-knuckling through withdrawal?

In this episode, Meridee Hlokoff shares how she went from struggling with addiction herself to running Laser Quit, a business using cold laser therapy t...

Many veterans struggle with anxiety, PTSD, and the hidden battles that linger long after their service ends. Army veteran and licensed professional counselor Healey Ikerd understands that firsthand. With over 17 years in the mental health field, she combines clinical expertise with personal experience to help veterans navigate transition challenges, mental health, and personal growth.

In this episode, Healey shares why so many vete...

A single decision changed everything for Mark O'Brien. One night in 2008, a tragic mistake led to the loss of someone he loved-and a journey of guilt, grief, and, ultimately, transformation. Mark shares his deeply personal story of learning to live with the consequences of his actions, facing the justice system, and finding a way to help others through advocacy and trauma-informed care.

He discusses the concept of post-traumatic gro...

A split-second decision, a devastating explosion, and a new reality. Marine Corps veteran Davey Lind lost both of his legs to an IED during his fifth combat deployment in Iraq. But instead of giving up, he made a commitment-to walk again, to push forward, and to inspire others. From the battlefield to becoming a CrossFit trainer and motivational speaker, Davey shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose. H...