Drew LaBoon | Warrior's Heart

Food insecurity affects over 22,000 active-duty families, 213,000 National Guard/Reservists, and 1.2 million veterans. In this episode, Raymond Foster joins Dr. Tyler Pieron to discuss how Feeding Military Families has grown into a regional relief network that has delivered over 55 tons of food and essential supplies across Southern California military bases. The Problem: Low junior enlisted pay, remote bases, and moving costs push thousands of military families into food insecurity. Force Readiness: A service member worrying about hungry kids at home can't focus on the mission. Overcoming Stigma: Installation chaplains offer confidential help without notifying command. Action Steps: Turn to chaplains, Family Readiness Coordinators, or ASYMCA pantries—never payday lenders. Diapers as Currency: Donated diapers and formula act as immediate cash-relief for young families. Feeding Military Families Connect with our partners: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Hidden beneath bales of hay in a Colorado barn lay an untold story of WWII heroism. Decades after Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless dictated his harrowing Pacific War memories, his grandson uncovered the forgotten manuscript. In this episode Tyler sits down with author Bruce McCandless III to uncover Iron and Fire—a gripping look inside naval surface combat, the brutal chaos of the Pacific Theater, and the deeply human weight of command. Bruce McCandless III – Author Connect with our partners: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Forget everything you know about stuffy, glass-case museums. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dennis Brant to explore the Americans in Wartime Experience, a massive 70+ acre, hands-on "military Disney World" coming to Virginia. From operational WWII tanks and immersive WWI trenches to critical 9/11 artifacts and oral history archives, discover how this unique destination is redefining how we honor our veterans and keep history alive. Links & Resources Explore the Mission: Americans in Wartime Experience WebsiteListen to Interviews: Check out the Voices of Freedom archive online.Get Involved: Sign up for the newsletter, volunteer, or look into donating vehicles, uniforms, and memorabilia. Connect with our partners: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Host Tyler Pieron chats with Dr. Amanda Kline, Executive Director of the Patriotic Kenny Foundation and Head of Creator Partnerships at Remento. They discuss how a chance neighborhood encounter with the late social media sensation 84-year-old Navy veteran Kenny Jary ("Patriotic Kenny") sparked a nationwide mission to help veterans overcome isolation. Resources & Links Patriotic Kenny Foundation: patriotickenny.com (Nominate a veteran or donate)Remento: remento.co (Preserve family voices and create keepsake books)Contact Amanda: [email protected] or [email protected] Connect with our partners: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Changing careers or transitioning out of the military can feel like an uphill battle, especially in today’s digital-first job market. In this episode of Coming Home Well, host Tyler sits down with Charlotte Creech from Hire Heroes USA to discuss how veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses can find meaningful, long-term careers. They break down the common pitfalls of modern job applications, the realities of skills translation, and how personalized, free career coaching can transform the transition process. Important Links & Resources Mentioned Hire Heroes USA Official Website: hireheroesusa.orgRecommended Timeline: Ideally start engaging with career advisors about 6 months prior to your military transition (though active duty members can register up to a year out). Connect with our partners: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Tyler talks with veteran and author Steven Andrews about his unique historical fiction book, See the Light, Kiss the Ground. Andrews shares what it was like being drafted in 1969, thrust into leadership as an E-6 Staff Sergeant, and using his contemporaneous notes to capture the realities of combat, gallows humor, and moral injury. Key Takeaways The "Shake and Bake" Route: The Army's urgent need for small-unit leaders rushed Andrews through NCO school straight into Vietnam as an inexperienced E-6.Docu-Novel Format: The book pairs fictional combat timelines with real historical events like Kent State and the My Lai trials.Processing Trauma: Andrews discusses how writing honest letters home and documenting his experiences acted as a critical pressure release.Veterans Across Eras: A comparison of the hostile homecomings Vietnam veterans faced versus today's community support. Mentioned in This Episode Book: See the Light, Kiss the Ground by Steven Andrews (available on Amazon)References: Kent State, My Lai Massacre, Karl Marlantes' What It Is Like to Go to War Our Partners Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine: v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Tyler sits down with Drew LaBoon, a 17-year U.S. Army Special Operations veteran and Chief Operating Officer of Warrior's Heart. Drew shares his raw, powerful journey through severe TBI, complex PTSD, and alcoholism, and explains how finding a specialized, peer-driven treatment community changed everything. Warrior's Heart: Co-occurring treatment programs for warriors in Bandera, TX, and Milford, VA. Visit warriorsheart.com. Our Partners Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine: v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

What do the Revolutionary War, Navy P-3 Orion flights, and modern executive boardrooms have in common? In this episode, host Tyler Pieron sits down with Navy veteran and author Dr. Andy Moye to unpack his book, From Bunker Hill to the Boardroom. Tune in as they reveal how a 250-year family military lineage sparked a blueprint for translating battle-tested grit into civilian leadership success. Get the Book: From Bunker Hill to the Boardroom: Battle-Tested Leadership for Today's Executives by Andy Moye Andy Moye, PhD Check out V2M Veteran Magazine: v2mag.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

 Tyler welcomes licensed therapist and author Cyndi Doyle to discuss the unique challenges faced by law enforcement families. Cyndi, who is also the wife of a police officer, shares insights from her book, Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship, focusing on the psychological and biological impacts of the profession on both the officer and their family. Resource Mentioned Book: Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement RelationshipWebsite: codeforcouples.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Heidi Langbein-Allen to discuss her father's harrowing experience as a conscripted boy soldier during the final, brutal days of World War II. At just 13 years old, Heidi's father was taken from his parents under the guise of "protection," only to be indoctrinated and thrust into combat against the Russian advance on the Eastern Front. Heidi shares how she eventually turned her father’s taped recollections into a poignant memoir, detailing his journey from a child in the Hitler Youth to a soldier in the Wehrmacht, and his eventual post-war life dedicated to diplomacy and the defense of democracy in Europe. This conversation serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting trauma of war and the critical importance of documenting oral histories before they are lost to time. Featured Resources Book: Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army by Heidi Langbein-Allen.Upcoming Work: Heidi discusses her upcoming anthology, Lost Youth: The Horrors of World War II Seen Through Young Eyes, which collects firsthand accounts of childhood survivors of the war. Connect with Coming Home Well Listen to more episodes on your favorite podcast platform.Follow us on social media for show updates and additional resources. Disclaimer: "The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government."