Drive On: Helping Veterans Navigate PTSD & Life After Military Service

The hardest part of transition is not always the job search. It is the moment you realize the mission feeling did not automatically follow you home. This conversation is a reset for that. You will hear a clear, practical way to turn veteran strengths into local impact without burning out, starting with the Four Ts of true changemaking: time, talent, treasure, and testimony. The examples are grounded and real, from mentoring to board service, from small civic habits to the kind of logistics thinking that can take a nonprofit line from a long wait to a quick, efficient flow. The episode also goes deeper than volunteering. It gets into values alignment, purpose beyond titles, and emotional intelligence as a resilience skill you can train. The finish is a simple 30-day approach that starts with awareness, moves into small action, then self-regulation, and finally connection with other people, so service becomes a steady habit. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttp://www.meetsuzanne.com/https://www.facebook.com/SocialImpactArchitectshttps://instagram.com/socialtrendspothttps://x.com/snstexashttps://x.com/socialtrendspot Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Headache pain can look like a minor annoyance until it starts stealing whole days. For many veterans, it is not a random ache that fades with water and a nap. It can be a complex, repeating neurological problem that shows up after exposures, stress, disrupted sleep, or injuries that never fully healed. This episode walks through why headaches and migraines hit the veteran community so hard, why the root cause often gets missed, and how to stop walking into appointments empty-handed. You will hear how the National Headache Foundation built Operation Brainstorm to make resources easier to find and use, including stories from veterans who live with this every day. The takeaway from this episode is treat this like a mission. Track attacks, document patterns, identify triggers, and bring a clean record to a dedicated appointment that stays focused on headache care. The conversation also covers the differences between preventive and abortive meds, how to advocate for referrals when primary care reaches its limits, and why specialized care, like the VA Headache Centers of Excellence, matters, especially for the hardest cases. This is for anyone tired of powering through and ready to build a plan that respects work, family, and the reality of living with pain. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.operationbrainstorm.org/https://headaches.org/taking-charge/https://www.facebook.com/NationalHeadacheFoundationhttps://www.instagram.com/nationalheadachefoundation/https://x.com/nhfhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/national-headache-foundation/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

One report can flip your whole world upside down, especially when the people who promised support start calculating what your truth costs their careers. Chelsey Woodard shares what it felt like to go from a strong first stretch of service to a back half defined by retaliation, bureaucracy, and leaders choosing self-protection over accountability. She breaks down the tactics she saw up close: being pushed into a corner, being watched, being baited into mistakes, and having paperwork used as a weapon to build a "problem" narrative. Chelsey explains the moves that helped her hold herself together when the pressure spiked: document every conversation, send follow-up emails, keep copies in multiple places, use leave as recovery time, and find a place that calms your body so your mind stays sharp. She also talks about why the Vet Center felt safer than on-base options, and what it was like to set a hard boundary during SkillBridge when a civilian workplace started echoing the same patterns she was trying to escape. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Sleep breaks down, pain turns constant, and the mind keeps running like it never got the memo that the mission is over. This conversation follows what it looks like to claw your way back when the body is hurting, the nights are loud, and isolation starts to feel normal. Rowdie McMahon shares her experience as an Air Force nurse deployed to Afghanistan, including the relentless pace and mass casualty reality, and how that pressure followed her home. She opens up about chronic pain, years on heavy medications, and the slow work of tapering off while staying engaged with mental health support. From there, the story shifts to what finally helped: Wounded Warrior Project programs, small steps back into community, and a surprising turning point through racing, building cars with other veterans, and putting 988 and the Veterans Crisis Line on the car as part of the mission. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.instagram.com/rowdie988/https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Walking away from the uniform often means walking away from purpose, identity, and your tribe all at once. In this conversation, retired Marine Colonel Brian Gilman shares how his own unexpected orders to a Pentagon reintegration office opened his eyes to what veterans really need after service and eventually led him home to Montana to lead Warriors and Quiet Waters. He breaks down their nine-month Built For More program, in which post-9/11 combat veterans spend two-week immersions in the Montana backcountry, with fly fishing, hunting, or photography as "co-facilitators," and six months of guided work at home focused on purpose, community, and thriving. You will hear Brian explain what actually happens to your brain and body in nature, why light focus activities can trigger those shower epiphanies, and how journaling and small peer cohorts of eight vets give you space to finally process what happened and what comes next. He shares real-world outcome data, including significant gains in purpose, sleep, and connection, and explains why strong relationships beat money and status for long-term well-being. If you are a post-9/11 vet in a civilian job who misses the platoon more than you can explain and wants a roadmap for a life that feels worth getting up for, this one is dialed in for you. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/https://www.facebook.com/wqwMontana/timelinehttps://www.instagram.com/warriorsandquietwaters/https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilmanbrian/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Pain meds after surgery were supposed to help her heal, not take over her life. Years of prescriptions following a C-section, miscarriages, and unresolved childhood sexual trauma quietly turned into addiction, shame, and a double life that looked perfect on the outside while crumbling on the inside. When everything finally imploded, Shannon said yes to help, went to The Meadows in Arizona, and started the hard work of sobriety, inner child healing, and facing what she had been trying to numb for years. In this conversation, Shannon talks with Scott about why addiction is a symptom, not an identity, and why shame and silence keep so many vets stuck. She shares how she supports veterans, including her own partner, who survived a suicide attempt, by creating judgment-free spaces, normalizing dark thoughts, and asking the real question: why would dying feel easier than speaking up. From powerful inner child work and self-forgiveness to psychedelic-assisted healing with iboga at Ayo Life Sciences in Mexico, Shannon explains how some veterans are reducing PTSD, TBI symptoms, and pill loads while rebuilding a new sense of purpose after the uniform. They close with simple daily practices like gratitude lists, reframing painful experiences, and finding new missions through retreats and coaching that help vets move from fight-or-flight into a life that actually feels worth staying in. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.angelgoddesshealing.comhttps://www.facebook.com/angel.goddess.healinghttps://www.instagram.com/angelgoddesshealing Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Coming home was supposed to be the safe part. For the 1st Battalion 17th Infantry, it did not work out that way. They lost 22 soldiers during their 2009 to 2010 Afghanistan deployment, then as many more after returning home. At one funeral, a soldier finally said what many were thinking: "When is someone going to do something about this?" That question pushed former platoon leader Adam Swift to start searching for an answer in the middle of the night, which led him to The Independence Fund and its unit retreat program, Operation Resilience. Scott sits down with Adam and Independence Fund Deputy Chief of Operations Steven Rozina to hear how Operation Resilience brings entire units back together for a long weekend. Flights are covered, the veteran pays nothing, and the schedule blends fun sober events like NASCAR and hockey with long, guided clinical sessions. Units literally map out their deployment, from pre-mob through the worst days downrange and into life back home, finally talking through firefights, IED blasts, and moral injuries they have carried alone for years. Adam shares what it was like to watch brothers he had not seen in 15 years walk out of the hotel elevators, and how The Independence Fund quietly recreated the teepee memorial from their FOB so the unit could honor their fallen around a final-night bonfire. You will also hear exactly how to get your own unit considered for Operation Resilience and why you do not need to be in command to step up and start the process. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://independencefund.org/https://independencefund.org/pages/operation-resiliencyhttps://twitter.com/indyfundhttps://www.facebook.com/TheIndependenceFund/https://www.instagram.com/independencefund/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-independence-fund/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUrXtHO1C7HiGNSoOfWlqwghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-swift-281a688b/https://www.facebook.com/adam.swift.940https://www.17thinfantry.org/ Transcript

Marine combat leader and entrepreneur Rich Brown shares how TBI ended his time in uniform, pushed him into building Honor Bound FIT, and led to GUIDON22, a 22-mile ruck that pairs hard miles with stories of veterans and first responders lost to suicide. You will hear how those stories, family testimonies, and simple phrases like "good friends have hard conversations" give vets a way to move, talk, and stop passing their pain to the people they love. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.HonorBoundFIT.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ThisIsRichBrownhttps://www.instagram.com/thisisrichbrownhttps://www.x.com/@sheepdogalpha1https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheepdogalpha/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Warrior Haven USA offers veterans a different path after service: valuable skills, work experience, and a solid income without being pushed into college and a cubicle. Retired Navy SEAL and CEO Marty Strong explains how he joined his Marine Recon friend on a Florida horse farm to build a program that blends a virtual business academy, woodworking and metal shops, a culinary track, and partnerships with equine therapy and service dog groups. Through short experiences, multi-week courses, and full apprenticeships, vets learn in-demand trades, challenge the myth that only degrees lead to success, practice humility, and approach transition like serious training, gaining purpose, confidence, and a new mission. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.warriorshavenusa.comhttps://www.facebook.com/WarriorsHavenUSA/https://www.instagram.com/warriorshavenusa/https://x.com/warriorshavenushttps://www.martystrong.com Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

This Christmas episode slows things down for a moment and acknowledges how the season can affect everyone differently. Scott shares a straightforward holiday message and introduces a new chatbot on the Drive On website that can help you find support without digging through years of episodes. Whether you are dealing with stress, old injuries, sleep issues, or trouble staying connected at home, the chatbot can point you toward conversations that may help. You will also hear how to submit topics or share your own story if you want to be part of a future episode. Scott also talks about the return to a weekly Tuesday release schedule starting in January 2026. This shift keeps the show strong without piling on a workload that would burn it out. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://DriveOnPodcast.com Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Army combat medic veteran Adam Fluegel talks about answering the call for medics after 9/11, running patrols during the first Iraqi elections, losing a brother-in-arms in his first real trauma case, and coming home with no decompression. To hold it together, he leaned on alcohol, hydrocodone, and Adderall, which fueled anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, and eventually a stay in a psychiatric ward. He then walks through the night, he took his pistol from the safe, and almost ended his life before the thought of his daughters pulled him back. That choice started him on the path of PTSD recovery through journaling, facing memories from Iraq, and using medication as a tool instead of a crutch. Adam and Scott dig into veteran mental health, suicide prevention, therapy dogs and service animals, and the damage of pretending to be fine at work, then pivot to Operation Overwatch, a veteran nonprofit and app that connects vets and veteran nonprofits for community, PTSD support, fly-fishing and skydiving groups, GI Bill-backed scuba therapy, and more. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.facebook.com/share/1A3KitAG2b/https://www.instagram.com/fluegeladamhttp://linkedin.com/in/adam-fluegel-b14793150 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

The climb out of the lowest moments isn't clean or quick, and this conversation holds nothing back. A young airman who sprinted out of a rough home life, Brandon Held built a future through grit, service, and education. Then life took the legs out from under him. Losing his marriage. Losing daily life with his kids. Losing his career. Losing his footing. One night, he downed a bottle of sleeping pills and waited for the silence. Someone found him in time. That one act gave him a second chance he didn't think he deserved. Brandon opens up about how he rebuilt his mind, confidence, habits, and purpose. He talks through the years of suicidal ideation, how old patterns nearly destroyed him, and the moment he drew a line and chose to fight his way back. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.brandonheld.com/https://www.instagram.com/bh_life_is_crazy/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-l-held-m-b-a-lifeiscrazy/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

A lot of vets say music is the only thing that still makes sense, and for Tony Kessel, that idea runs deep. He built a 366-song playlist of his life, wrote the story tied to each track, and found himself looking at a full account of growing up in a foster home, serving in the Army National Guard, and working through suicidal thoughts. With more than two decades in uniform, he talks about being raised by a Vietnam veteran NCO, commissioning as an officer, and learning to lead while valuing the experience that NCOs bring. Music runs through all of it, from Garth Brooks and old country to heavy metal and the tracks that shaped the post-9/11 years. Our conversation covers how music served as both a coping tool and a warning sign, why non-combat deployments can still weigh on you, and how suicide intervention training pushed him to speak openly about his lowest points. We get into the shock of coming home from Kuwait or Afghanistan almost overnight, the support he has offered other vets, and why simply sitting with someone who is struggling matters. Tony also shares how he is using his home studio and writing to reach people who think they are carrying their pain alone. Timestamps Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://dualistmedia.comhttps://www.facebook.com/dualistmediahttps://www.instagram.com/dualistmediahttps://www.twitter.com/dualistmedia Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

When the Army chapter closed, Cory Brown didn't know what came next. A decade later, he's a veteran, entrepreneur, and creator of "Eat Your Feelings," a YouTube show that pairs cooking with honest talk about mental health. What started as a lighthearted project became a space for veterans and civilians alike to laugh, cry, and talk about the heavy stuff while breaking bread. In this conversation, Cory shares how food became his outlet as a way to manage stress and reconnect with others. He opens up about the transition from the military to the corporate world, the pull to create something meaningful, and how showing vulnerability on camera helped others do the same. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.eatyourfeelingsshow.com/https://www.facebook.com/EatYourFeelingsShowhttps://www.instagram.com/eatyourfeelingsshow/https://x.com/Pcorybrownhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/eat-your-feelings-mediahttps://www.youtube.com/@EatYourFeelingsShow Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

A submarine is one of the most demanding workplaces on Earth. Confined, tense, and utterly dependent on trust and focus. William Spears has spent his career in that world, learning how to lead and think clearly when everything around him demands perfection. His journey led him to Stoicism, a philosophy that teaches emotional discipline, clarity, and responsibility. In this episode, William explains how the same ideas that once guided ancient philosophers can help today's service members, veterans, and families face the stress of modern life. He talks about the link between Stoicism and modern therapy, how the idea of total responsibility changes how we lead and parent, and why writing down our thoughts can be one of the most powerful tools for mental clarity. This conversation is a practical guide to keeping your balance when life feels like it's closing in. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://williamcspears.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spears-89130443/https://a.co/d/j09noDthttps://a.co/d/cJagK5C Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Cheri Carandanis spent her career caring for others as an Air Force nurse and later in hospice. After two brain injuries forced her to retire, she had to face life without the role that once defined her. What began as a simple attempt to follow medical advice led her to something unexpected: painting. Through it, she found healing, direction, and a deeper understanding of herself. In this episode, Cheri talks about growing up in a military family, serving through deployments, and learning to rebuild after loss. Her story is a reminder that recovery takes time, creativity can be medicine, and there's always a way forward, even when life throws you a curveball. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://www.carandanisfineart.comwww.facebook.com/carandanisfineartwww.instagram.com/carandanisfineart Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

When your mission shifts from the battlefield to the bedside, how do you keep going? This episode features Dan Contreras from Disabled American Veterans, who opens up about the emotional realities of becoming his wife's caregiver after her cancer diagnosis and how that experience reshaped his understanding of service. Dan shares how DAV's Caregiver Support Program empowers those who carry the invisible weight of caring for a loved one, connecting them to resources, community, and hope.From learning to accept help to balancing self-care and duty, Dan's story reminds us that strength comes from knowing when to reach out. Whether you're a veteran, spouse, or friend, this conversation shines a light on the people who quietly keep others alive and the programs that stand ready to support them. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://dav.orghttps://davcaregivers.orghttps://www.facebook.com/davhttp://instagram.com/davhqhttps://x.com/davhqhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/davhqhttps://www.youtube.com/c/disabledamericanveterans Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

After serving in the Air Force, Billy Rudd spent over two decades leading massive teams in corporate America. On paper, he had everything figured out. He had a great title, a solid paycheck, and constant travel. But something had to give. With two growing kids and a business idea that wouldn't leave him alone, Billy took the leap and turned his side hustle into a full-time gig. In this episode, he shares what it takes to walk away from "safe," how his military background shaped his leadership style, and why authenticity matters more than marketing. He also talks about bringing his kids into the business, the lessons they're learning, and what it means to finally have control over his own time. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://Cloudsplittercoffee.comhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1DDK7YTgVs/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://instagram.com/cloudsplittercoffeehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-rudd-14a433241 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

He thought he'd miss the war, but fate had other plans. Marine aviator Don Eggspuehler's story begins with a stack of letters written from the jungles of Thailand during the last year of Vietnam. Those letters, saved by his mother and rediscovered decades later, became the foundation for something bigger. A way to connect generations through humor, heartbreak, and hard-won wisdom. In this conversation, Don opens up about the fear of flying through tracer fire at night, the loss of fellow Marines, and the long road toward peace that followed. He draws parallels between Vietnam and Afghanistan, the shared feeling of coming home to a country that doesn't quite understand, and the importance of preserving your story before it disappears. Don also shares how writing helped him heal not just from combat, but from losing his wife, facing grief, and finding purpose again through storytelling. His message is clear: your memories, your lessons, and your story matter. Whether it's for your kids, your grandkids, or someone you'll never meet, those stories have power. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://lifelessonsbooks.nethttps://instagram.com/doneggspuehlerhttps://x.com/DonEggspuehlerhttps://www.linkedin.com/don-eggspuehler-54b71227b Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Sometimes healing feels more like trial and error than progress. Brian Livesay knows that firsthand. After a decade in uniform and years working in veteran care, he's learned that recovery is about connection, honesty, and finding what actually works for each person. In this conversation, Brian and Scott talk about how therapy can go wrong when it's too rigid, the fear of making that first call for help, and why moral injury still gets overlooked in veteran care. It's a hopeful look at what happens when we stop trying to "fit" into a treatment plan and start listening to what we really need. Timestamps: Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Linehttps://arisealliance.org/https://www.facebook.com/AriseAllianceInstitute/https://www.instagram.com/ariseallianceinstitute/https://www.instagram.com/ariseallianceinstitute/https://www.linkedin.com/company/arise-alliance/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.