Battle Buddy Podcast

Welcome to our podcast episode featuring Korey Knepper, a seasoned financial advisor at SD Smith and a proud US Navy Veteran. In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the realm of veteran financial planning, uncovering the top three mistakes most veterans make and how to avoid them. We also explore strategies to cut through the overwhelming clutter of financial advice and provide actionable insights to help veterans make informed decisions. Additionally, Korey shares lesser-known financial products that veterans should know about. Lastly, we dive into the crucial topic of retirement planning and discuss essential steps to ensure a secure and prosperous future. Tune in to gain invaluable knowledge, empower your financial journey, and discover the key to achieving financial freedom as a veteran.

Welcome to Battle Buddy Podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Army Veteran Tholin Johnson, who shares his valuable insights on various topics related to personal growth, accountability, and honoring fallen comrades.

Tholin emphasizes the importance of keeping things simple in life and how it can lead to greater clarity and success. He discusses the significance of remembering and honoring fallen brothers and sisters, and how their memory can inspire us to live our lives to the fullest.

Keeping more veterans alive is a crucial mission, and Tholin shares his perspective on the importance of supporting and uplifting one another within the veteran community.Accountability plays a pivotal role in personal growth, and Tholin delves into the power of being accountable for our actions and choices. He shares strategies for setting oneself up for success and achieving personal goals.

Tholin's positivity shines through his advice as he shares his powerful acronym, "S.M.I.L.E," and its significance in maintaining a positive outlook on life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in personal development, honoring fallen heroes, and fostering a supportive veteran community. Tune in now to hear from Army Veteran Tholin Johnson and gain valuable insights that can inspire and empower you in your own journey.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Keeping it simple!
• Remembering and honoring fallen brothers and sisters
• Importance of keeping more veterans alive
• Accountability
• Setting yourself up for success
• S.M.I.L.E!

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In this episode of the Battle Buddy Podcast, Army National Guard Veteran Robert Elliot shares his journey and insights on military service, deployment, and transition. He discusses his book, "Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back," offering advice on managing conversations with family members about deployments. Robert shares his experiences transitioning back from deployment and provides advice for service members on reintegrating into civilian life. He reflects on his own transition out of the military after 20+ years, shares his current life post-retirement, and offers valuable lessons from the Global War on Terror. Tune in for inspiring insights on military life and transitioning to civilian life.

In This Episode We Cover:

• His book "Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back",
• Managing conversations with family members about an upcoming deployment,
• Transition back from deployment, advice for service members on transition back after extended deployments,
• What it was like to transition out of his military uniform after 20+ years,
• What his world looks like now that he is retired,
• Life lessons from the Global war on terror and how we can move forward with our lives.

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This week, we sit down with the inspiring Bill Domenz, a USMC veteran who turned his passion for flavor into a thriving spice business, Corspice.Bill takes us through his unique journey from his time serving in the United States Marine Corps to transitioning back to civilian life. Hear first-hand about the trials he faced, including dealing with medical record issues and navigating the complexities of securing buddy letters. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of perseverance. We also dive deep into the vital role that his spouse played during this challenging time. Their strong bond and mutual support were pivotal, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system during transitions of such magnitude.

Bill's entrepreneurial spirit as he turned a hobby into a flourishing enterprise. Explore how he transformed his love for spices and meat into Corspice, a go-to name for flavor enthusiasts. He serves up advice for fellow veterans on turning passions into profitable ventures and shares the joy that his business brings him daily. Join us for this flavorful journey, seasoned with the courage and determination of a true veteran. Like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories. Don't forget to hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes!

In This Episode We Cover:

• Bill's transition struggles
• Advice on transition
• Medical record issues
• Loving support of his wife
• Power of buddy letters
• Starting a business from a passion or hobby

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Join us in this compelling episode as we delve into the captivating life story of Tanya Jones, CEO and Founder of Interactive Advocacy and an Army veteran. Discover how Tanya's personal experiences with past trauma led her to embrace acting and drama as powerful tools to help others heal. We explore the essence of interactive advocacy and its profound impact on overcoming tough issues like suicide, mental health, and MST. Gain insights into the transformative power of facilitation and the creation of safe spaces for engaging in tough conversations. Prepare to be inspired as we explore how Interactive Advocacy skillfully showcases the harm and compassionately demonstrates how to care for one another.

In This Episode We Cover:

• What is interactive advocacy?
• How IA helps people overcome and deal with tough issues.
• How to cover suicide, mental health, MST
• The power of facilitation
• Tough conversations, in safe spaces
• How they show the harm, then show how to care!

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Marine Corps Veteran Joshua Mach, who shares with us his personal experience and valuable insights on several topics related to self-improvement and mental health. Joshua offers advice for people in the active military and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the core issue and staying positive. He talks about finding the path that works for you and how you have to care about yourself to fix yourself. Joshua also stresses the importance of having a structured routine and how it can improve overall well-being.

Joshua discusses the differences between leadership and teamwork, and the importance of talking about your struggles. He shares his personal journey with mental health and how he has learned to spread love and positivity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about self-improvement, mental health, and the importance of positivity.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Advice for people in the active military.
• Focus on the core issue and stay positive.
• Finding the path that works for you.
• You have to care about yourself to fix yourself.
• The importance of having a structured routine.
• Leadership vs. teamwork.
• Talking about your struggles.
• Spreading the love.
• Positive affirmations and how they work.

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Canadian Army and Police Veteran Jon Archambault, who shares with us his personal experience with mental health and the importance of seeking support. Jon discusses the shame that often comes with carrying around mental health disorders and the pros and cons of peer support.

He emphasizes the power of communication with a spouse and how it can be a critical factor in maintaining good mental health. Jon also talks about the importance of sleep on mental health and how adaptations to medications can impact overall well-being. He provides insight into how to find a counselor and what to do if you don't click with them.

Additionally, Jon touches on the topic of masking emotions and the negative impact that it can have on mental health. He shares his personal journey with this issue and how he has learned to overcome it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about the challenges that come with mental health disorders and how we can seek support to improve our well-being.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Shame of carrying around mental health disorders.
• Pros vs cons of peer support.
• Power of communication with your spouse.
• Importance of sleep on mental health.
• Adaptations to medications.
• Connections to a counselor: how to find one or what to do when you find one you don't click with!
• Masking emotions.

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Welcome to a special Memorial Day episode of the Battle Buddy Podcast, and our 100th episode! In this episode, we have a very special guest, Edward Murphy, a Gold Star father who shares with us his personal story of loss and how he and his family turned their tragedy into a foundation that provides legal services to military and veteran families in need.

Edward's son, Nick Murphy, was a dedicated Navy serviceman who dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL. Tragically, Nick passed away after being struck by a car one night.  Ed shares with us the challenges that come with losing a child, especially one who is serving our country, and how he and his family coped with their grief.

In honor of Nick, the Murphy family founded the Nicholas J Murphy Foundation, which provides free or low-cost legal services for divorce or custody cases to military and veteran clients in need. Edward shares with us how the foundation has helped countless families navigate the legal system during difficult times, and how they have donated almost $1,000,000 in assistance to date.

As we remember and honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about the struggles that military and veteran families face, and how we can support them during difficult times. Tune in now to hear from Ed Murphy and learn more about the Nicholas J Murphy Foundation and their mission to help those who have served our country.

May we never forget those who gave everything for our country.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Nick's Story
• "The Man In The Arena"
• How the family continues to be brave like Nick every day.
• Ed's advice to anyone going through loss
• What the foundation is up to now and what they are committed too in the future
• How and who they are helping with the foundation

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In this episode, we have a very special guest, Air Force Veteran Adam Braatz, who is the author of the book "LinkedIn Mastery: For Veterans and Transitioning Service Members." Adam shares with us his expertise on how current service members and veterans can best utilize LinkedIn to advance their careers and achieve their professional goals.Adam discusses the different ways that current service members and veterans should approach LinkedIn and how they can leverage the platform to build their professional network and find new job opportunities. He shares some major do's and dont's when it comes to using LinkedIn effectively, and whether or not LinkedIn Premium is worth the investment.Adam also talks about the importance of content creation on LinkedIn and how veterans can use it to share their unique experiences and insights with others. He highlights some of the tools on the platform that are currently converting well for people and offers tips on how veterans can use them to their advantage.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in learning more about how LinkedIn can be used as a powerful tool for professional development and career advancement.

In This Episode We Cover:

• How should current service members be looking at LinkedIN and using it to their advantage?
• How veterans be looking at LinkedIN?
• LinkedIN Profiles:  What are some major DO's vs DONT'S
• LinkedIN Profiles:  What is it, and is it worth it?
• Destigmatizing content creation during transition.
• Hot tools and what is converting right now on the platform!

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Connect with Adam:

Welcome to the Battle Buddy Podcast! In this episode, we are joined by Army Soldier Scott Klein, who shares with us his expertise on several topics related to military service and employment.

Scott is a member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between military service members and their civilian employers. He shares with us the best practices for employers to support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, including effective communication strategies and how to understand the value that military service brings to the workplace.

Scott also talks about his role as a Military Academy Liaison Officer, where he supports young men and women who are looking to pursue academy appointments. He takes us through the process from start to finish and provides valuable insights for anyone who is considering a military academy education.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in learning more about the challenges that service members face in balancing their military obligations with their civilian careers, and how employers can support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Tune in now to hear from Scott Klein and learn more about ESGR and the Military Academy Liaison Officer program.In This Episode We Cover:

• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program
• Best practices for National Guard and Reservists to dealing with problem employers
• The role of a Military Academy Liaison Officer
• Military Academy Appointment information
• What the process looks like

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In today's episode we sit down with Adam Jones, a former Army Blackhawk pilot and author of "Weapons of Mass Deception." In this episode, we delve into Adam's insightful book, which explores how the mind can control our lives if we allow it, and the negative impact it can have on our relationships, careers, and overall well-being.

As someone who has experienced the challenges of transition and healing the heart, Adam offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to take control of their lives and achieve their goals. From dealing with post-traumatic stress to building healthy relationships and finding purpose in life, this episode covers a range of topics that can help you live a more fulfilling and meaningful life with purpose.

Whether you're a veteran or a civilian, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to achieve personal growth and overcome the challenges of life. So be sure to tune in and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more informative and engaging content. Thanks for listening!

In This Episode We Cover:

• Weapons of mass deception and the heart!
• Having a spouse that can spot the "drift"
• Leadership is hard, yet easy
• Leaders don't want gaps, so close them
• Transitioning effectively into civilian life
• You take your mentality everywhere, make it positive and powerful

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Eric Ranks is the founder of Veterans Connection, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders. In this episode, we dive into the numerous resources and connections that Veterans Connection provides to help veterans and first responders find the help they need, as well as Eric's new liquor company, 22 Salute, and how a portion of its proceeds goes back to fund programs to end veteran suicide.

Eric understands the unique challenges faced by those who have served our country from the years he has spent serving veterans as well as the heavy influences of both his parents who are did serve. Through Veterans Connection, he has built a network of non-profit organizations that can provide veterans and first responders with the resources they need, whether it be financial assistance, employment opportunities, or mental health support.

In addition to his work with Veterans Connection, Eric has also launched 22 Salute, a liquor company that supports his mission of ending veteran suicide. By purchasing a bottle of 22 Salute, you're not only enjoying a high-quality product but also contributing to a worthy cause. So, join us in this episode to learn more about Eric's inspiring work and how you can get involved. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more informative content. Thanks for tuning in!

In This Episode We Cover:

• What lead to creating The Veterans Connection
• Their four pillars and a breakdown of them:
  • Connect,
  • Empower,
  • Align,
  • Thrive
• His new company, 22 Salute Vodka and how he is changing how and where people across this country are educated on the veteran suicide problem facing the veteran population.

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Welcome to our latest podcast episode featuring Conrad Cortes, a USMC veteran and author of "A Boot's Guide to Financial Basics." In this episode, we explore a range of financial topics, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, buying vehicles, and avoiding high-interest rates as a young troop.

As someone who witnessed the challenges of managing money as a young service member but was able to educate himself out of making too many bad decisions, Conrad offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to improve their financial literacy. From understanding the basics of credit scores to maximizing savings and avoiding debt, this episode covers a wealth of information that can help you achieve financial stability and success.

Whether you're a service member or a civilian, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to take control of their finances and achieve their financial goals. So be sure to tune in and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more informative and engaging content. Thanks for listening!

In This Episode We Cover:

• What every service member should know about savings and checking accounts
• What NOT to do with vehicles!
• Credit Cards:  What to look out for and how to best use them
• How your TSP can be used post service, even for those who don't do 20 years

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Joel "H Train" Hunt, an Army veteran, Paralympian and host of Military Broadcast Radio joins the podcast today but not for a "normal" episode! In this unique shakeup to our typical style, Joel takes over the reins and interviews our very own Keith about the Battle Buddy Podcast.  As two veterans with a passion for supporting our fellow service members, Keith and Joel have a lively discussion about the Battle Buddy Podcast and how important is is for veterans to spend time with other vets and to find ways to uplift and empower each other.  They also discuss the role of Military Broadcast Radio in providing a platform for veterans to share their stories and connect with their peers.  So be sure to tune in and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more informative and engaging content. Thanks for listening!

In This Episode We Cover:

• Joel flips the script and asks Keith questions about the podcast
• What are Keith's biggest lessons learned so far running the Battle Buddy Podcast
• What is Keith's end goal with the podcast
• Joel and Keith discuss the importance of empowering veterans
• The  importance of spending time with other veterans
• Keith asks Joel to share about Military Broadcast Radio and why what people should know about it.

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Welcome to the latest episode of our video podcast series, where we sit down with acclaimed knife maker Michael Peterson. In this episode, we delve into Michael's experiences on the History Channel's popular show, Forged in Fire, and explore his passion for the art of blacksmithing.

As the son of a Vietnam veteran, Michael also shares his insights into growing up with a parent who suffered from PTSD and how he believes blacksmithing can be a way to deal with mental traumas in a healthy way. This discussion is both informative and inspiring, as Michael offers valuable insights into how his craft has helped him cope with difficult experiences and find purpose in his life as well.

If you're interested in blacksmithing, mental health, or simply enjoy insightful conversations, then this episode is a must-watch. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications to stay up-to-date with our latest content. Thanks for tuning in!

In This Episode We Cover:

• What it was like being on History Channel's Forged In Fire
• Where Michael learned the art of bladesmithing
• How bladesmithing may help with dealing with mental health traumas
• What it is like growing up the child of a veteran with PTSD
• Michaels advice for kids dealing with this now

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Join USMC veteran Clayton Simms as he delves into the VA medical claims process in this must-watch video. Clayton shares his expertise and provides actionable steps and advice to help navigate this often complicated process. From timing to the easiest and hardest claims to get, Clayton covers it all. Don't miss this informative episode and take control of your VA medical claims.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Navigating the system
• VA Math!
• That infamous jump from 90-100%
• The best time to file a claim.
• Three things to know to win your claim
• How long a C&P exam takes
• Easiest and most common claims
• Most difficult to get claims
• 
  

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oin Jimmy Lucarz, a U.S. Air Force Security Forces veteran and film maker, in his mission to raise awareness about the importance of mental health. In his powerful short film, Jimmy highlights the need for military members to take their mental health seriously and access the services available to them. Watch now and be inspired to take action for your own well-being. Jimmy is on a mission to share this film with as many military installations and units as possible. If you're currently serving, please reach out to Jimmy via the link below to schedule a private viewing at your unit or base. Together, let's prioritize mental health and support our military members.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Why talking about mental health is important
• Why spreading the message of getting seen for mental health support is vital
• How important it was as a veteran to get as many aspects of a short film to be as "military" accurate as possible
• Short preview of "Police Three" film (13:45 Mark)
• Your military career is a small portion of your life, you have more to live for

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Join US Army veteran John Davis in his guide to success for student veterans, "Combat to College". Navigate the transition to civilian life with ease, build a winning team, and craft the perfect resume. Learn how to work with challenging professors and push through to graduation. Get the tools and tips you need to win the college battle in this must-read book for student veterans.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Be committed, this is an oath of enrollment
• Use your veteran grit to dominate college
• Handle difficult or political professors
• Finding balance between work, school, life
• Types of education benefits
• Pros vs Cons of Forever GI Bill
• Student Veterans of America
• 
  

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Religious accommodations in the military allow service members to request accommodations for their religious practices and beliefs.  For A1C Connor Crawn, the path to obtaining his approval was a long and challenging process.  As a member of the Mohawk tribe Connor has felt strong connections to his roots as an indigenous person.  In Mohawk culture men derive quite a bit of their sense of being and power from having long hair.  After his attempts to get his RA before shipping off to basic training failed Connor was forced to get his hair cut.  He and his father ceremoniously cut each others hair off before he shipped out.  Thanks to the support of a willing Chaplain, Connor was able to the the allies and support he needed at his first base to purse this accommodation again.  Finally after a long wait he has been approved to grow out his hair in accordance with his cultural  and religious beliefs.  Connor discusses his journey and the hopes of being able to help other indigenous service members file for and obtain their religious accommodations as well.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Connor's Story
• What is a Religious Accommodation
• What kinds of support he got from leadership, chaplains and peers
• How he felt when he received word on his approval going through
• How he aims to help others through the process
• 
  

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Past guest and Marine Corps Veteran, Frank Manteau, joins the show again to discuss an update to his super popular product the "Crayons Ready To Eat".  These are the worlds firsts, colorable and edible crayons finally ending the heal risks of Marines eating real crayons!  Frank's business is unique and came with its own challenges, and still does but he has used his no quit attitude to constantly find solutions to bring his idea to life.  Frank shares his companies story and how he overcame these challenges and the mindset to put them into motion.

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The hustle and bustle of life, especially the past couple years, can lead to many negative feelings and sometimes a feeling of being unbalanced.  Nefertiti San Miguel joins the showing in this episode to talk about how to bring more zen into your life.  How to find ways to declutter your thoughts and physical spaces to bring in more happiness and purpose.  She also discusses the ancient Japaneese art of Ikebana and how nobles and Samurai would use this art form to help calm themselves and bring about some balance to their day.  Floral designing has become more of a feminine thing in our culture but Nefertiti is on a mission to show veterans that this ancient art, once practiced by the top warrior of their time is perfect for those wanting to slow down and find more zen and balance to their life.

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America's Warrior Partnership is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting military veterans and their families. The team of dedicated professionals provides a range of programs and services to help veterans transition to civilian life, including career development, mental health support, and community engagement. Their director of community integration, Kaitlin Cashwell, joins the show today to discuss various aspects of what their organization provides to the veteran population.

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The skills, ideas and implementation of them in the business world is constantly changing.  Seemingly but not really a long time ago, there was no social media and how companies got their message across was different.  Today things such as branding are popular terms but not the only thing a business owner should be concerned with.  Marine Corps veteran Jared Ledbetter, CEO of Carbon Digital, joins the show to break down some things he see from his clients and how to better streamline your business.  From branding, outreach, operations and the people of the organization, Jared drops his insight to help you make your business as strong as carbon.

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The grind on out bodies and minds throughout our military service is something many veterans know all too well.  For William Branum who spent most of his 26 years in the Navy operating in the Seal Teams the grind of the job was leaving him with pain and discomfort.  It wasn't until he retired that he was finally able to tap the power of substances like CBD.  This led him to create his own brand of high quality CBD products to help others by supporting their mental and physical recovery.  CBD has shown effectiveness in helping people deal better with things like stress, anxiety, sleeping, pain and more.  William also wrote the book, 5 Seal Secrets, but you will have to listen to know what the secrets are!

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Running a business in 2023 will require a digital plan to dominate your opponents.  Between websites, SEO, creating ads that convert and more, it is increasingly difficult to cut through the online noise and promote your business.  Army Veteran Justin Charpentier has been helping business owners develop marketing that grows their business.  Justin discusses various topics and advice on improving your digital efforts in 2023.

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One thing ever veteran must go through is the transition process.   For some its rough, for others its smooth sailing.  For Navy Veteran Jeffrey Hall, it wasn't smooth sailing.  With multiple failed relationships, mental breakdowns and more.   Lucy for him he summoned up the courage to fight back against these challenges to succeed and now share parts of his story to educate and guide future veterans on how to navigate their transition process.

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Project Veteran House is a non profit currently operating in the Washington DC area and is assisting veterans with transitional and housing insecurity issues, job training and certifications in IT as well as PTSD services such as equine therapy,  music therapy and support groups.  The founder, Army Veteran Joseph Barnette, is driven to provide veterans with housing, education, careers and therapeutic services through their certified partners.  Their vision is, "one day all homeless and service -connected veterans that served this great country will have a place to call home, a successful career and better mental and physical health".  Who could argue with that vision!

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Navigating the VA claims process isn't for the faint of heart.  Air Force veteran and Dr. Prashant Sharma knows this all to well as a mental health provider and veteran.  Dr. Sharma breaks down DBQ's and nexus letters and how important they are in the mental health claim process.  The two major areas the VA looks at is occupational and social impairment and to what level they affect the veterans ability to work and integrate into society.   You don't want to miss this invaluable information on the mental health claims process!

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For Navy veteran Colleen Ryan-Hensley its beyond time to redefine sobriety.  Throughout her time dealing with addictions and mental health Colleen began to notice that when at sea with the Navy and other periods in her life when substances and temptations where not present she felt more alive and better than ever.  This eventually led her to create #BingingSober as the worlds first points based system for sobriety.  Starting in 2023 Colleen will be rolling out various programs for anyone wanting to regain control of their life and situation and start digging out of the hole of addiction.

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Things happen in life that we just have to find a way to navigate past.  That sounds easier said than done and the journey can come with some really tough challenges often with other issues to overcome because of that initial situation.  For Air Force Veteran Natalee King the journey through life has taken her through the tragic overdose death of her sister, loss of her husband in the line of duty, substance abuse and the death of her father from ALS.   Natalee discusses parts of her story and what has helped get her through these challenges.  It's clear that a supportive family and the right mindset has been instrumental in her journey!

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For many veterans living a fuller life may seem like a dream.  A Fuller Life Foundation, co founded by Navy Veteran Lee Dyer, provides mental health support to veterans who need faster support or more urgently than the VA can support.  Providing Peoria Illinois area based Veterans with the resources and support to help them start living a fuller life.  The Foundation was named after Lee's brother in law SFC John Matthew Fuller who lost his battle with his demons in 2019.  Lee, his wife Sarah, their friend and John's Battle Buddy Severin Gilbert co founded the organization to honor John and work towards providing the resources that were not available when John needed them the most.  Lee shares their story and mission and what kinds of things may be on the horizon for their foundation!

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Actions speak loader than words and Navy veteran Rick Otey is a prime example of that.  As a man who has overcome a lot from his experiences during the Vietnam war, losing a child and beating cancer Rick has maintained his positive and easy going demeanor.  He spends his time these days finding ways to give back, either as a passionate advocate for proton beam cancer treatments or as a patriotic American looking to serve fellow veterans and connecting children with stories of our nations past.   Through his actions, Rick shows everyone that they can find a little, or large way of serving their community!

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Army veteran, Jason Anderson, realized when getting into real estate during the pandemic that the way veterans connect with VA loan experts on other platforms just doesn't work well or benefit the agent and buyer.  Veteran PCS is a website built to connect the military community with veteran and military spouse real estate agents and lenders around the country.   On top of matching veterans with qualified agents, they also have a rebate program that gives back to the buyer with a bonus after closing.  This bonus can be used for whatever moving expenses a service member or veteran could need.

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When you think of the term horsepower your mind probably goes to cars.  Horses have been useful to humans for a long time but their power to help others heal might just be a more recently noticed benefit.  Marine Corps veteran Jessica Shively had her own connection with a horse at a young age which helped her through some personally difficult things.  Now as the founder of Trail of Faith Farms, Jessica and her husband are working with once wild Mustangs captured by the Bureau of Land Management to help veterans and others with PTSD heal from their traumas.  Jessica discusses some of the ways in which they help veterans and mustangs build trust in each other and bonds.  Throughout this process they learn skills which will help them better adapt back to civilian life.

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Richard Kaufman, aka The Comeback Coach, has heard hundreds of stories as a podcast host on resiliency.   As a man who has had to dig deep to overcome a lot personally Richard shares with us some of the best lessons he has learned from others on his podcast.   Resiliency is a skill that takes constant refinement and learning to hone and one could argue there is always more you can learn.

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Army veteran Niurka Castenada becomes the first repeat guest for the Battle Buddy Podcast.  We discuss some of her amazing projects and accomplishments over the past year.  Niurka hosts a television shows on Legrity Media called Umbrellas of Hope which highlights non profits working to assist veterans in various ways.  She also hosted the Business and Art Infusion summit earlier in 2022 to highlight the fact that business and art are intertwined and is full of great information for everyone.  With 31 guests and numerous topics everyone is sure to learn something from the speakers at her summit.  Niurka also drops some tips on how to succeed with building and hosting large events like her summit.

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Building wealth and having a financial plan is much more than just creating a budget.  While that is a critical component other things to consider are life insurance, investments such as college, retirement, rainy day funds.  Navy veteran Matthias Pope, a Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, is the guest this week and we discuss how an advisor can assist you in setting and planning your goals, difference in term vs whole life insurance, retirement planning and more.

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Will Highland has created a company designed to give back to non profits working to support veterans.  Although not a veteran himself, Will has a deep appreciation for those who served and is giving 30% of his proceeds to Mission22 and Veterans Community Project.  Will shares his thoughts on giving back, supporting veterans and some advice for entrepreneurs looking to structure their business to give back in some way too.

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For some veterans like Marshall Terrin who served in the Marine Corps entrepreneurship is just a way of life.  Having recently taken over the 16,000+ member Facebook group called the Vetpreneur Tribe and its related mastermind group the Warrior Council, Marshall has big plans for how he and others can help assist and guide other veterans on their entrepreneur journey.

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J.R. Smith co founded the Veterans Ranch in 2017 with his wife as a way to provide equine therapy to the large population of veterans in his region of Florida.  Growing up with a father and grandfather who served J.R. was well aware of the sacrifices and struggles veterans face and has played  a huge part in the Veterans Ranch mission to make an impact on the veteran suicide numbers.  In this episode we discuss what equine therapy looks like and how veterans are seeing breakthroughs with just being around horses!

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Navy veteran Thom Shea honed his mindset and internal dialogue over a long and storied career in the teams.  Thom shares some of this thoughts on the impact of having a strong and powerful woman by a mans side.   Thom's wife Stacey is what he calls a "Spartan Wife" and throughout his book "Unbreakable" its clear how much of an impact she had on his mindset in the midst of adversity in the field.  You don't want to miss this gem of an episode on mindset, leadership, relationships and more!

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Lori Jackson may have not served but as a DOD cyber compliance professional and as someone who has worked with the Corps of Engineers she is well aware of the variety of cyber threats facing everyone and every company.  Lori explains what is going on in the cyber world in terms of current threats to be on the lookout for.

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For Army veteran Mark Dudek owning and running a business is as fun and rewarding as it is challenging.  After years working in other trades Mark stumbled upon a unique hardscape process that has allowed him to create his dream job and also create some amazing hardscapes that are pretty much pieces of art!  From walls, tree trunk fire pits, to rocks and swimming pools Mark and his crew can probably do anything!  Mark discusses his journey and the unique challenges of running a trade business and how he has had to adapt over the years to continue to grow and dominate!

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Air Force veteran, Cat Corchado has spent her childhood as a military brat.  It's no wonder that she too decided to follow in the tradition of service to our country.  Throughout this lifetime around the military and her role as a podcaster discussing women veterans issues Cat knows a few things about the experiences of women in uniform.  We discuss how for women veterans their identity as a veteran is challenged and they are not typically recognized as a veteran even within their own families.  These issues, and more make transition more difficult in some ways for women veterans vs male veterans.

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Army veteran Joe Meisch had one of those random ideas to create something to solve a problem.  Who would have through that this random idea would have come at the same time as a potential to have his comedy show pilot episode be considered for mainstream TV.  Joe felt this need to focus on his invention and do something to honor his battle buddies who are no longer here.  What started as a temple massager to help relieve headaches has turned into an awesome, USA made tool to help with various issues from headaches, tension and ptsd relief.

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