VET S.O.S. Podcast

Losing someone who served is devastating. But military survivors don't have to navigate grief, benefits, or life alone.What happens after the funeral, when the ceremonies end but the grief remains? At MIC 2026 in Tampa, retired Army veteran Kathy shares how the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides lifelong support to military and veteran families navigating loss.After 29 years in the Army, Kathy struggled to find her own purpose in civilian life. An unexpected phone call from TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll led her to a new mission: helping survivors find connection, navigate complicated benefits, and understand that support doesn't have an expiration date.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Access lifelong survivor support: Learn why TAPS assists spouses, children, parents, siblings, battle buddies, and others grieving a military or veteran death, regardless of how or when the loss occurred.• Navigate survivor benefits and assistance: Discover how TAPS helps families address incorrect payments, dependent benefits, headstone issues, and other challenges that can become overwhelming after losing a loved one.• Understand the power of shared grief: Hear Kathy's firsthand account of a woman who arrived at a TAPS grief seminar angry and unwilling to participate, only to leave smiling, connecting with others, and promising to return.• Find community for grieving children: Learn how TAPS Good Grief Camp connects children who have lost military loved ones with peers and mentors who understand their experiences, including the isolation and bullying some face at school.About Kathy:Kathy is a retired U.S. Army veteran with 29 years of service in Military Police and Public Affairs, including assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Pentagon, and U.S. Army Forces Command. After retiring in 2024 and navigating her own difficult military-to-civilian transition, she found renewed purpose with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, helping military families access compassionate care, community, and lifelong grief support.Resources Mentioned:Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): https://www.taps.orgTAPS provides regional grief seminars, Good Grief Camp for children, peer mentoring, survivor benefits assistance, online support groups, retreats, and a 24/7 helpline answered by a real person.Whether your loss happened yesterday or years ago, TAPS is here when you're ready.If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network:VET S.O.S. — Flagship ShowVET S.O.S. Presents: Operation StartupVET S.O.S. Presents: Learning LifelineVET S.O.S. Presents: The ScoopVET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.:Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #GoldStarFamilies #MilitaryGriefSupport #VeteranSupport

You don't have to talk about your grief to begin healing. Sometimes showing up beside others is the first step.What happens when a veteran carries years of loss but doesn't know how to talk about it? For one Army family, the answer began with a jogging stroller, two children, and ten weeks of showing up before a single fallen service member's name was spoken.Recorded live at the 2026 Military Influencer Conference in Tampa, Ryan Taniguchi and Melynda Weaver from Wear Blue: Run to Remember share how active remembrance creates connection for veterans, military spouses, Gold Star families, and entire communities. From navigating military retirement during COVID to a remarkable 250-mile tribute honoring the 25th anniversary of September 11, this conversation reveals why remembrance is about much more than running.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Find a community where you can honor fallen service members without being pressured to share your personal story or explain your grief.Understand how Wear Blue's self-paced community runs welcome everyone, whether you're walking around the block, training for a marathon, or simply volunteering.Recognize the impact of Melynda's husband's ten-week journey from silently participating to finally speaking the names of fallen battle buddies.Explore the One Flag Forward initiative, where three endurance athletes completed 250 miles from New York City to Washington, D.C., and supporting runners exceeded their original distance goals through shared purpose and camaraderie.Discover opportunities to participate in community runs, Tribute Miles, and Gold Star and Survivor programs, including ways to support the mission even if you've never personally lost a service member.About Ryan Taniguchi and Melynda Weaver Ryan Taniguchi retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service and found renewed professional purpose through Wear Blue: Run to Remember. He directs the organization's community run programs, helping connect transitioning service members, veterans, and families through active remembrance.Melynda Weaver is an Army spouse whose involvement with Wear Blue began in 2015 when her husband was struggling with the accumulated grief of losing fellow soldiers and battle buddies. After witnessing how the community supported her family through grief and military retirement, she joined the organization to help extend that same opportunity to others.Resources MentionedWear Blue: Run to Remember — https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/Team Red, White & Blue — https://teamrwb.org/One Flag Forward — A 250-mile remembrance initiative from New York City to Washington, D.C., commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11.Community Run Programs — The guests described 35 communities gathering at least once a month, providing opportunities to walk, run, volunteer, and participate in circles of remembrance.Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vet-s-o-s-podcast/id1673146703Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3PXqxzptNSgBuSXpgDpDPMExplore the Full VET S.O.S. Network▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #WearBlueRunToRemember #ActiveRemembrance #GoldStarFamilies #MilitaryGrief #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryTransition #VeteranPodcast #MilitaryFamilies #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP

You may feel perfectly healthy today, but skipping VA healthcare could mean missing something that saves your life.What if the healthcare benefits you've earned through military service could save your life, but you never took the first step to access them?Recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC 2026) in Tampa, Florida, VET S.O.S. host Shawn Welsh sits down with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins for a direct conversation about the future of VA healthcare, the challenges facing transitioning service members, and what it takes to rebuild trust in one of the nation's largest federal agencies.Secretary Collins doesn't shy away from discussing the gaps in transition assistance for Reservists and National Guard members, his vision for moving VA healthcare beyond traditional hospital settings, or why veterans who feel perfectly healthy should still consider enrolling in VA healthcare.His message is simple: Don't wait until something goes wrong to discover the value of the benefits you've earned.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Recognize the transition gap facing Reservists and National Guard members. Collins shares how his experience as a Reserve chaplain deployed to Iraq exposed the differences in how active-duty and Reserve personnel are treated, particularly when leaving military service.• Understand how VA healthcare could change in the coming years. Learn why Collins wants to expand outpatient facilities, larger community-based clinics with specialty services, and community care options rather than relying primarily on traditional VA hospitals.• Discover how leadership and accountability affect your VA experience. Collins explains how he approaches leading approximately 450,000 employees, why he has visited VA facilities across more than 40 states, and how empowering frontline employees can improve veteran care.• Identify why preventive healthcare matters even when you feel healthy. From routine physicals to toxic exposure assessments, Collins challenges veterans to consider the potentially lifesaving value of engaging with VA healthcare before a serious medical issue develops.About Doug CollinsDoug Collins is the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a military veteran who served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, including deployment to Iraq. An attorney and former U.S. Congressman, Collins brings experience in military service, public policy, and organizational leadership to overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs.His experience serving alongside active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel informs his perspective on military transition, while his current leadership role places him at the center of decisions affecting veterans' healthcare and benefits nationwide.Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongResourcesDepartment of Veterans Affairs:https://www.va.gov/VA Healthcare Enrollment:https://www.va.gov/health-care/VA Disability Benefits:https://www.va.gov/disability/VA Community Care:https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/VA Toxic Exposure Information:https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/Connect with VET S.O.S.Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSupport Our Mission: https://givebutter.com/vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition - grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #VAHealthcare #Veterans #VeteranBenefits

After 30 years in the Army, retired Green Beret Colonel Mike "Sully" Sullivan knew something many transitioning veterans discover too late: leaving the military means losing more than a uniform. Joined by longtime Team RWB leader JJ, Sully explains how Team Red, White & Blue is fighting what they call "transition drift" by helping veterans rebuild the physical fitness, personal accountability, and community connections that military service once provided.Recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference in Tampa, this conversation with Shawn Welsh and special co-host Maurice Murphy challenges the idea that veterans must navigate life after service alone. From a free nationwide fitness community to a 100-mile challenge honoring the Global War on Terror, Team RWB is proving that staying connected can be just as important as staying physically active.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Recognize transition drift before it takes hold. Learn why Sully joined Team RWB 13 years before retiring and how having an established community made his transition from Army colonel to nonprofit executive easier.• Rebuild fitness without returning to military PT. Discover why JJ believes the Army trains people to dislike exercise and how walking, rucking, cycling, CrossFit, yoga, and other activities can make physical fitness enjoyable again.• Find your community before you need it. Explore how Team RWB's 150 chapters and digital community connect veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and civilian supporters through free activities and volunteer opportunities.• Honor military history while challenging yourself. Hear how the GWOT 100 brings more than 26,000 participants together for a February fitness challenge that combines 100 miles of movement with firsthand stories from Iraq and Afghanistan.• Discover what 12 veterans accomplished in 16 days. Learn about the Old Glory Ultra Relay, where a team carried one American flag 3,000 miles across America, inspiring the documentary No Off Days.About Mike "Sully" SullivanMike Sullivan is a retired U.S. Army colonel and Green Beret who served 30 years, including six deployments to Afghanistan and an assignment in Lebanon. An early Team RWB volunteer leader, he transitioned into the organization following his 2024 retirement and now serves as Executive Director. His experience demonstrates how building community before leaving military service can fundamentally change the transition experience.About JJJJ is a West Point graduate who began his Army career around September 11, 2001, served approximately five years on active duty, and subsequently joined the Texas National Guard. As Team RWB's second employee, he has spent nearly 16 years helping develop the organization's approach to veteran fitness, wellness, and community engagement.Resources MentionedTeam Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) https://teamrwb.orgGWOT 100 Challenge https://runsignup.comWOD for WarriorsGORUCK https://www.goruck.comNo Off Days — Old Glory Ultra Relay DocumentaryExplore the Full VET S.O.S. Network• VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show• VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup• VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline• VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop• VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSupport our nonprofit mission: https://givebutter.com/vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCommunity #VeteranFitness

Networking isn't just how veterans find jobs. It's how they fight isolation, rebuild community, and find purpose after service.VET S.O.S. | Veteran Transition, Leadership & CommunityWhat happens when veteran organizations stop competing and start collaborating? Recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC) 2026 in Tampa, retired Air Force First Sergeant and Vetlanta Co-Founder Lloyd Knight shares how he helped build a veteran support network that has hosted 50 summits over 13 years—without soliciting donations.Alongside Shawn Welsh and Eric Brew, Lloyd discusses his induction into the Georgia Veterans Hall of Fame, the importance of networking beyond employment, and why the leadership lessons he learned as a First Sergeant matter more to his success at UPS than his five college degrees.In This Episode, You'll Discover:Build meaningful connections that support your career, combat isolation, and restore the camaraderie many veterans miss after military service.Understand Vetlanta's collaborative model, including how Fortune 500 companies and community partners support quarterly summits through in-kind contributions instead of traditional fundraising.Apply military leadership experience to civilian careers as Lloyd explains why serving as a First Sergeant prepared him for success at UPS.Recognize the power of brotherhood and vulnerability through Eric Brew's personal story about leaning on Lloyd during a difficult moment.Explore how to replicate Vetlanta's model in your own community, including Lloyd's offer to share the organization's playbook with other veteran advocates.About Lloyd KnightLloyd Knight is a retired U.S. Air Force First Sergeant, UPS Veterans Affairs Manager, Co-Founder and President of Vetlanta, and host of the Tango Tango podcast. His military career included service as a C-141 Starlifter loadmaster, eight years in flight testing, and senior enlisted leadership. Recognized for his veteran advocacy through induction into the Georgia Veterans Hall of Fame, Lloyd has spent more than a decade connecting veterans, employers, and community organizations throughout greater Atlanta.Learn more: https://vetlanta.orgFollow & ReviewIf this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network:▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.:Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition - grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #VeteranNetworking #VeteranLeadership #Vetlanta #VeteranCommunity #Veterans

Your military transition shouldn't depend on luck. One free mentor could change your career, business, and future.What happens when a military spouse with nearly two decades of experience helping others transition finally experiences that transition herself? Leslie from American Corporate Partners (ACP) shares the unexpected isolation her family faced, the challenges her children experienced adjusting to civilian schools, and the freedom that came with finally having her service member home.Recorded live at MIC 2026 in Tampa, this conversation with Shawn Welsh and Eric goes beyond traditional career advice. Leslie explains how ACP connects veterans and military spouses with experienced professionals through free, personalized, yearlong mentorships. From preventing devastating entrepreneurial mistakes to helping unemployed veterans find meaningful careers, ACP is proving that the right connection can change everything.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Access free, personalized career mentorship through ACP's network of 27,000 mentors representing more than 2,250 companies, regardless of military rank, education, or professional experience.• Avoid costly entrepreneurial mistakes through ACP Ventures, a program inspired by a veteran business owner who leveraged $100,000 against his home while struggling to keep his business afloat.• Recognize the hidden challenges of military family transition as Leslie shares how her children struggled to integrate into a civilian school and how isolation affected her personally, even after years of supporting transitioning families.• Build career connections that open doors through the remarkable story of an unemployed speech pathologist who secured an internship within six weeks and eventually advanced into a leadership role with United Through Reading.• Explore expanding opportunities in skilled trades as ACP recruits mentors in construction, maritime shipbuilding, and other industries while strengthening its partnership with the USO to support military families before separation.About LeslieLeslie is a military spouse with nearly two decades of experience in the military transition space and works with American Corporate Partners, a national nonprofit providing free, individualized career mentorship to veterans and military spouses. Her firsthand experience navigating her own family's transition brings a personal perspective to her professional mission of helping military families find meaningful careers, financial stability, and community.Connect With American Corporate PartnersWebsite: https://www.acp-usa.orgACP offers free mentorship for eligible veterans and military spouses. Professionals interested in volunteering as mentors can also apply, with a commitment of approximately one hour per month.Support VET S.O.S.If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network:• VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show• VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup• VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline• VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop• VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect With VET S.O.S.:Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSupport Our Mission: https://givebutter.com/vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitarySpouse #VeteranMentorship #VeteranCommunity

Your VA disability claim could be in trouble before you even leave active duty. Here's what a former VA rater wants you to know.What if the biggest mistake in your VA disability claim isn't what you submit, but what you failed to document while still serving?Dewayne Kimble, a decorated U.S. Army veteran and former VA rating specialist who adjudicated more than 15,000 disability claims, reveals what veterans consistently get wrong about the VA claims process. From going 12 years without understanding his own VA benefits to reviewing thousands of poorly prepared claims, Dewayne brings an insider's perspective that every transitioning service member needs to hear.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Prepare your VA disability claim before separation. Learn why Dewayne recommends starting 36 months before leaving active duty, organizing your evidence 12 months out, and preparing for the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) filing window.• Recognize the documentation mistakes that complicate VA claims. Discover why Dewayne believes approximately 75% of the claims he adjudicated showed signs that veterans didn't understand the process, and why going to sick call matters.• Take ownership of your disability claim. Understand why relying entirely on a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to review your medical records can leave you unprepared, and how to identify the evidence needed to support your claim.• Avoid the knowledge gap that cost Dewayne 12 years. Hear how a veteran who eventually became a VA rating specialist spent more than a decade after military service without understanding VA disability compensation—and why he's determined to keep others from making the same mistake.Dewayne also explains how his VA Benefits Navigator software helps veterans develop individualized lay statements, why generic AI-generated statements may miss critical details, and how free education can help veterans become better advocates for themselves.About Dewayne KimbleDewayne Kimble is a decorated U.S. Army veteran, Soldier's Medal recipient, retired VA rating specialist, Amazon bestselling author, and founder of KMD 89 VA Claims Consulting. After adjudicating more than 15,000 VA disability claims, he now uses that experience to educate veterans about VA regulations, medical evidence, disability ratings, and the claims process. His educational platform includes more than 1,000 YouTube videos, books, webinars, and a community of more than 166,000 subscribers.His message: "Don't be frustrated, get educated."Connect With Dewayne KimbleKMD 89 VA Claims Consulting: https://www.kmd89.comVA Benefits Navigator: https://vabenefitsnavigator.comYouTube: KMD 89 VA Claims ConsultingEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction: The VA Claims Process02:00 - Meet Dewayne Kimble: Former VA Rating Specialist04:43 - An Unexpected Transition Out of the Army10:02 - From Corporate America to the Department of Veterans Affairs14:47 - Going 12 Years Without Understanding VA Compensation17:21 - Why Veterans Struggle With VA Disability Claims19:57 - Turning VA Claims Education Into Generational Knowledge21:53 - Free VA Claims Education, Books, and Webinars26:24 - BDD Claims, Medical Documentation, and Preparing Before Separation29:38 - VA Benefits Navigator and Personalized Lay Statements31:35 - Closing & ResourcesConnect with VET S.O.S.Website: https://vetsospodcast.comTwitter/X: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSupport the Mission: https://givebutter.com/vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #VADisability #Veterans #MilitaryLife

Military spouses are told to be resilient. But what happens when resilience becomes an excuse to ignore their struggles?After nearly 20 years navigating military life, author and advocate Allison Burton has had enough of the silence surrounding military spouse challenges. Her book, Silent Ranks, Loud Burdens: Invisible, Indispensable, Ignored, exposes the realities of deployments, childcare shortages, discrimination, career sacrifices, and the invisible responsibilities military families carry.In this candid conversation with VET S.O.S. hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant, Allison challenges the military community to stop celebrating resilience while overlooking the policies and systems that leave spouses struggling. From her husband's unexpected deployment just 72 hours after arriving in Germany to her ongoing fight for childcare access, Allison explains why military spouses deserve more than recognition. They deserve a voice in decisions affecting their families.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Recognize the hidden costs of military life: Understand why constant relocations, deployment uncertainty, inadequate housing, and limited childcare create challenges that resilience alone cannot solve.• Advocate for military family childcare: Learn why Allison identifies childcare as her top priority and how she's challenging her installation to provide respite care outlined in Army policy.• Navigate deployment and reintegration: Hear how Allison's family received unexpected deployment orders within 72 hours of arriving in Germany and why returning service members and spouses both need time to readjust.• Translate military spouse experience into career opportunities: Discover why Allison believes military spouses are experienced project managers whose leadership, logistics, fundraising, and community-building skills deserve recognition by civilian employers.• Challenge discrimination within the spouse community: Explore the exclusion experienced by foreign-born military spouses and why Allison believes every spouse deserves respect, regardless of background or military status.About Allison BurtonAllison Burton is a military spouse, author, speaker, and advocate who has spent nearly two decades navigating Army family life alongside her active-duty husband. She is the author of Silent Ranks, Loud Burdens: Invisible, Indispensable, Ignored, which examines the challenges military spouses are often expected to endure quietly.Through writing, speaking, and consulting, Allison advocates for stronger military family support, improved childcare access, and recognition of military spouses' professional capabilities.Connect with Allison: https://allisonburton.coSupport the MissionIf this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.Website: https://vetsospodcast.comX: https://x.com/vetsospodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vetsospodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsospodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsospodcastSupport Our Mission: https://givebutter.com/vetsosDon't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.#VETSOS #MilitarySpouse #MilitaryLife #MilitaryTransition #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP

Most veterans are taught how to serve—not how to become someone new afterward. Music can help rebuild what comes next.Taylor Ullom discovered that recovery requires more than a short-term program. After receiving her own PTSD diagnosis, the Air Force veteran recognized that she had spent years trying to “outserve” her own struggles by helping others. That realization eventually helped shape Heroes Encore: a nine-month journey using music to rebuild purpose, identity, confidence, and belonging.In This Episode, You'll Discover:• Understand why transition can become an identity problem, especially after years spent in a military system that taught you what to do, how to think, and where you belonged.• Explore Heroes Encore's three-stage approach using guitar and bass instruction, songwriting, vocal lessons, and live performance to move participants from “peer to performer.”• Challenge the belief that you have to be musical to belong. Taylor explains why everyone can have a role—from playing an instrument to running sound, setting lights, maintaining equipment, or simply finding another way to contribute.• Hear what happens when people begin showing up again. Taylor shares how participants who once struggled to speak, make eye contact, or enter public spaces have gone on to volunteer for performances and even release their own music.About Taylor UllomTaylor Ullom is a U.S. Air Force veteran, singer-songwriter, mental health advocate, and founder and executive director of Heroes Encore. After 10 years of Air Force service and more than a decade working in veteran programming, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and community building, she founded Heroes Encore in 2025 to help veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders rediscover identity, purpose, and belonging through music.Follow & ReviewIf this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap “Write a Review.” It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.Episode Chapters00:00 — Introduction: Music, Purpose & Healing01:07 — Meet Taylor Ullom02:51 — 10 Years in the Air Force09:12 — Losing Connection After Military Service10:15 — PTSD, Recovery & Trying to “Outserve” Your Struggles12:00 — Why Heroes Encore Became a Nine-Month Program13:00 — Who Teaches Veterans How to “Detransition”?14:00 — Stage One: Learning Guitar & Understanding Stress16:00 — Stage Two: Songwriting, Creativity & Identity17:00 — Stage Three: Vocal Training & Live Performance20:49 — “There's a Place for You to Belong”21:59 — Creativity, Neuroplasticity & Recovery27:44 — How to Join or Support Heroes Encore29:54 — Closing & ResourcesExplore the Full VET S.O.S. Network▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony StrongConnect with VET S.O.S.Website: vetsospodcast.comTwitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #HeroesEncore #VeteranTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #MusicForHealing #PurposeAfterService #Veterans #MilitaryLife #MilitaryCommunity #FirstResponders #Podcast

Veteran homelessness rarely starts with losing a home. It starts when the support system underneath someone disappears.Veteran homelessness is more complicated than housing—and Bruce Buckley has spent more than two decades learning what it takes to create lasting stability.In this conversation, Bruce explains how Soldier On evolved from transitional housing into a comprehensive support system serving thousands of veterans. From furnished permanent housing and mobile SSVF teams to peer support, healthcare navigation, financial literacy, and landlords willing to work alongside veterans, this episode shows what can happen when the goal isn't simply getting someone off the street—it's helping them stay there.In this episode, you'll discover:• Recognize why homelessness often develops over years, as broken relationships, financial struggles, health challenges, pride, and the loss of a reliable support system begin stacking up.• Understand why housing alone isn't enough and how Soldier On combines affordable housing with case management, meals, transportation, healthcare coordination, and ongoing support.• See how mobile SSVF teams reach veterans where they are, including emergency hotel placement, landlord navigation, healthcare assistance, and peer support instead of requiring veterans to find their way through the system alone.• Learn why Soldier On believes recovery may require multiple attempts, including Bruce's story of a veteran who has experienced repeated alcohol relapses but has retained his housing while continuing to receive treatment and support.About Bruce Buckley:Bruce Buckley is President and CEO of Soldier On, a nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran homelessness. Bruce is not a veteran; he is a CPA by training who became involved with Soldier On in 2002, when the organization had only a handful of employees, and eventually developed a deeply personal commitment to the veterans it serves.Under his leadership, Soldier On has expanded its housing and support programs across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Bruce also serves as Treasurer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS00:00 — Introduction: The Fight to End Veteran Homelessness02:23 — How Bruce Buckley Found His Mission at Soldier On04:54 — Homelessness and the Missing Support System06:54 — Why Veterans Can Become Vulnerable Years After Service09:49 — How Soldier On's Housing Model Works13:00 — From Transitional Housing to Permanent Supportive Housing17:00 — Meals, Case Management, Transportation & Healthcare20:42 — Who Qualifies for Soldier On Housing?23:08 — Responding When a Veteran Needs Housing Now23:13 — SSVF: Taking Services Directly to Veterans27:20 — “Serve the Veteran”: The Culture Behind Soldier On30:06 — Why Hope and Human Connection Matter31:45 — How Veterans Can Get Help & Additional Resources34:01 — Closing & Resources🎧 Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network:▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong🔗 Connect with VET S.O.S.:Website: vetsospodcast.comTwitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranHomelessness #VeteranHousing #VeteranSupport #SoldierOn #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #MilitaryLife #VeteranResources #Podcast