Vet with a Mic: Recent Episodes
Ryan "Vet with a Mic"
Content driven by Veteran Issues. Host is a veteran, advocate for mental health issues trained at master's level in clinical psychology. Content is designed to help veterans of all eras make their way through life after the uniform. Listeners still in the uniform may benefit from hearing about the pitfalls that many fall into after their service.
Brian is a retired naval officer who serves as the US TN 4th District Constituency Service Rep. He works with the veteran population that resides in his district. Brian has a blue belt in BJJ and was a coach of boxing at the Naval Academy. Brian has a Master's in Political Science and has taught courses at the University level.
congress #constituent #government #veteran #veteranaffairs #army #airforce #navy #marines #socialsupport #community
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Ryan talks about the fascination with dreams and why they are so captivating in the world of psychology. Also, Ryan talks about personality tests and recommends one to check out that free. Ryan gives his current reading list.
dream #dreams #personality #personalitytest #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #veteransupport #veteran #veterans #army #navy #airforce #marines
https://www.healthline.com/health/do-dreams-have-meaning
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/
Ryan's Reading
https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/006124189X
https://www.amazon.com/Behave-Biology-Humans-Best-Worst/dp/1594205078
https://www.amazon.com/48-Laws-Power-Robert-Greene/dp/0140280197
https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
https://www.amazon.com/End-World-Just-Beginning-Globalization/dp/006323047X
https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/1503280462
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI
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Ryan talks about the fascination with dreams and why they are so captivating in the world of psychology. Also, Ryan talks about personality tests and recommends one to check out that free. Ryan gives his current reading list.
dream #dreams #personality #personalitytest #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #veteransupport #veteran #veterans #army #navy #airforce #marines
https://www.healthline.com/health/do-dreams-have-meaning
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/
Ryan's Reading
https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/006124189X
https://www.amazon.com/Behave-Biology-Humans-Best-Worst/dp/1594205078
https://www.amazon.com/48-Laws-Power-Robert-Greene/dp/0140280197
https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
https://www.amazon.com/End-World-Just-Beginning-Globalization/dp/006323047X
https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/1503280462
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI
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Ryan talks about strategies to talk to people you may suspect are struggling.
mentalhealth #mentalwellness #22toomany #stressors #warningsigns #VASuicidedata #veteransuicide #army #navy #marines #airforce #veterans #veteransupport #vet #military
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/202008/7-questions-help-people-talk-about-their-mental
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/warning-signs-suicide
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/200906/suicide-the-warning-signs
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Ryan takes a special request to give his impression for the VA policy change designed to help combat veteran suicide.
mentalhealth #veteran #stressors #22toomany #22tonone #veteransupport #mentalwellness
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Ryan talks about Work-Life Balance and how to deal with work related stressors.
WorkLife #stressors #veterans #boundaries #mentalhealth
https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahlee/2014/10/20/6-tips-for-better-work-life-balance/?sh=3ba532b829ff
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-recognize-and-tame-your-cognitive-distortions-202205042738#
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Special Request
This week's episode deals with "Mental Masturbation" and how it derails your goals for the new year. Ryan gives his impression of the Intention-Behavior gap from the clinical literature and how this phenomena undermines success in behavioral change.
goals #probablilty #mentalmasturbation #focus #mentalwellness #mentalhealth #success #behavioralchange #veterans
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Jay is a former Marine who was medically retired after sustaining TBIs while on deployment. Jay is an incredibly talented artist who discovered his voice while going through therapy in life after the uniform. His creations are moving and contend with some heavy emotional material. Jay talks about the healing power of expression and learning to sit with emotions. He is currently featured in an art exhibit in Texas. Check out his material at
IG tattered_soul_creative
veteran #arttherapy #art #artist #artworld #healing #healingjourney #traumahealing #TBI #ptsd #overcoming #vetwithamic #effptsd #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #marines #army #navy #airforce #creative
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trauma #Loss #Emotion #TraumaLossEmotionLab #columbia #mentalhealth #veteran #resilience #flexibility #FamilyFlexStudy #Veteranresearch #socialscience @columbia
Rohini, PhD student and clinical researcher, joins us to talk about the Family Flex Study at the Loss Trauma and Emotion Lab. We talk about her work with veteran families and the groundbreaking research that she is doing to help understand the unique lived experiences of military families.
https://www.tc.columbia.edu/ltelab/familyflex-study/
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Jason is a retired Master Sgt and former HR manager at Black Rifle Coffee Company. Jason talks about his struggles with alcohol and overcoming his personal demons. Jason is a profile in courage by discussing his struggles with such candor that he inspires others on their path towards sobriety.
mentalhealth #substanceabuse #alcohol #pain #vetwithamic #veteran #veterancommunity #fightstigma #smashstigma #marines
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Ryan fields questions about TBI's, Cognitive Dissonance, Holiday Depression, Domestic Abuse, and Teens and Social Media,
Thanksgiving #veterans #depression #cognitivedissonance #holidayhangover #domesticabuse #abuse #mentalhealth #military #socialsupport
Support the showhttps://www.amazon.com/Changing-Good-Revolutionary-Overcoming-Positively/dp/038072572X
Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, We talk about the change process and Ryan shares his experiences: 1. Precontemplation 2. Contemplation 3. Preparation 4 Action 5. Maintenance 6. Recycling Prochaska "Changing For Good"
Support the showhttps://www.amazon.com/Changing-Good-Revolutionary-Overcoming-Positively/dp/038072572X
Ryan reacts to the Netflix Doc "Killer Sally." He talks about the cumulative impact of trauma and how it effects people intergenerationally. We cover the history of Veterans' Day.
KillerSally #veteran #domesticviolence #mentalhealth #army #navy #marines #airforce #ptsd #Bodydismorphia #bdd #vetwithamic
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Micah is the founder of Mental Restorations, an organization that helps veterans plug into activities. He spoke candidly about his battles with alcohol and the change process. Mental Restorations uses the peer to peer model to help vets battle their demons in life after the uniform.
mentalhealth #veterans #socialsupport #veterancommunity #frankl #meaning #substanceabuse #sobreity #overcoming #army #navy #marines #airforce #mentalrestorations #vetwithamic
mentalrestorations.org
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@The Morning Formation Podcast KP and I talked all things Halloween and scary. Always great to catch up with KP. If you missed us live, do not fret @Vet with a Mic will be doing more live episodes to get your thoughts in real time.
halloween #halloween2022 #ghoststories #psychology #mentalhealth #veteran
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Kairi opens up about her passion of playing video games and the "real" friends she makes while doing it.
gaming #gamingirl #veteran #vetlife #transition #lifeinthefastgame #mentalhealth #suicide #support #fyp #bestlife
https://www.vgmhmission.org/meetourteam
https://twitter.com/realKairi
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Jenna joins us to talk about ghost stories and all things that are spooky.
ghost #ghoststories #ghoststory #ghosts #veteran #vetwithamic #spooky #halloween2022 #halloween
https://www.instagram.com/themillennialveteran/
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Ryan talks about conflict and a simple multi-step approach to handling it.
airforce #anniversary #army #navy #marines #miltary #conflict #coastguard #veterans #vetwithamic #mentalhealth #problemsolving #problems #counseling #psychology #anger #relaxation
Free Counseling: How to Problem Solve Daily Life by C.C. Shaw
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Welcome back! A short episode about the future and thinking about how far we have come.
Hard to believe it has been a year.
veteran #podcast #support #miltary #army #navy #marines #airforce #spaceforce #coastguard #nationalguard #anniversary #weareback
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Ryan gives his thoughts about Free Will, as requested. Free will has been conceptualized a few ways, but for this episode we speak about free will in regards to one's own control over their behaviors. We talk about the differences in thinking and how we are not always aware of our motivations or why we make the choices we do.
www.vetwithamic.com
IG: vetwithamic
https://www.facebook.com/VetwithaMic
freewill #veterans #psychology #vetcommunity #community #army #navy #airforce #marines #effptsd
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Matthew is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Cognitive Psychology Ph.D student. We talk about his research and how trauma changes how we think. Matthew researches how childhood experience shape us. We connected through another vet, Mike the Veteran Monk, and we may all three do an episode together. I hope you enjoy hearing Matt's insights.
trauma #CognitivePsych #ACES #adversivechildhoodexperiences #childhood #PTSD #effPTSD #bentnotbroken #meaning #purpose #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #nationalguard #22aday #notone
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Ryan talks about how movies, games, and television have been described to impact our behavior. He talks about the roots of the argument and weighs in on his opinion about the validity of the claim that violence in media impacts our behavior.
movie #videogames #veterans #airforce #airforce #navy #marines #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarness #music #behaviour #military #veteran
https://www.vetwithamic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VetwithaMic
https://www.instagram.com/vetwithamic/
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Special Request- Ryan tackles all the things he wishes he knew as a Veteran going to college. He talks about the strategies he wished he knew about and all struggles it would have prevented.
college #veterans #education #veterancollege #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #collegelife #veteran #post911 #vabenefits
https://www.vetwithamic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VetwithaMic
https://www.instagram.com/vetwithamic/
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Ryan talks Cognitive Distortions after a special request. Ryan pulls from the "Feeling Good" book by Dr. David Burns. This episodes talks about the 10 cognitive distortions and how they pop up in all of our lives.
1. All or Nothing Thinking
2. Overgeneralization
3. Mental Filter
4. Disqualifying the Positive
5. Jumping to Conclusions
6. Magnification/ Minimization
7. Emotional Reasoning
8. Should Statements
9. Labeling
10. Personalization
cognitivedistortions #feelinggood #veterans #CBT #CPT #cognitivetherapy #military #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #nationalguard #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #effPTSD #effDepression
link to Feeling Good : https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-New-Mood-Therapy/dp/0380810336
https://www.vetwithamic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VetwithaMic
https://www.instagram.com/vetwithamic/
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This episode talks about sleep hygiene and how to get some quality rest. Ryan talks about tips you need to know to help get quality sleep. He reviews an online article from Harvard that gives solid advice on how we should get our sleep cycle back on track.
sleepproblems #sleepcycle #veterans #effptsd #veteran #sleep #qualitysleep #rest #depression #mentalhealth #stress #militarylife #socialscience #army #navy #marines #airforce #sleephygiene
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
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Episode 1 of Season 3. This episode revisits anger and relationship issues and how the two interact. We take another look at the two most downloaded episodes from Season 1.
Anger #Relationships #veterans #army #navy #marines #airforce #military #vetlove #family #veteran #relationshiptroubles #doublebinding #mindreading #angerissues #angerproblems #effptsd #effdepression #community #fusion #militaryfamily #ED
www.vetwithamic.com
https://www.facebook.com/VetwithaMic
https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic
https://twitter.com/VetwithaMic
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
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Mike Kim is currently a doctoral student/independent researcher at Columbia University TC. Before retiring with distinction from government, He was a Director in (RCS) readjustment counseling services at the VA Vet Center and started working with vets in 1993. He is a licensed psychoanalyst with over 20,000 clinical hours in war trauma therapy. Mike was also a Dominican Friar Monk and a veteran: He served in the National Guard, Coast Guard , Army, and the Marine Corps. He is an expert in veteran readjustment culture. He has written extensively about war/veterans. In this vid, Mike and I have conversations about the VA system, mental health approaches for vets, and how the military/vet culture impacts our lives after wearing the uniform. Google Mike Kim Veteran to get access to his articles, videos, interviews, lectures.
psychoanalysis #VA #wartrauma #cbt #trauma #VeteransAffairs #VA #vetcenter #CombatTrauma #Columbia #yale #NorwichCadets #USMC #CoastGuard #army #culturalstudies #qualitativeresearch #Culture #SocialChange #military #militarytransition
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
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Today's episode is the second Q&A episode dedicated to answering your questions about life from the perspective of Ryan.
1. What advice would you give to better prepare a military family for a vet's return home?- Shawn
2. What change can civilian culture to show respect and solidarity with the veteran experience? Anthony
3. Can veterans be against war and have gratitude for their experiences in serving? Jenna
4. Why do people ask if I killed anyone?- Tom
5. Why do I feel uncomfortable when people thank me for my service? Chris
6. Why does the world feel like it's getting worse?- Marcus
7. Why do I get angry when I hear Arabic? Luke
8. My fried just died, will this ever not feel devastating?- Tyler
9. Why do I feel useless after the uniform?- Daniel
10. Do you ever miss being in? Tara
Questions #PTSD #Depression #22aday #veteran #Q&A #answers #veterans #grief #negativetriad #negativethoughts #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawarness #mentalhealthmatters #army #navy #marines #airforce
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Will C is a veteran of the three branches (AF, USMC, and USArmy) and the founder of the Veterans of Comedy. Will speaks about how humor has helped him find purpose in meaning after the uniform. Will has worked in television on shows like Modern Family and Sons of Anarchy, and has performed standup with some of the greatest comic in the business. He is a regular touring act and can be found on the Carnival Cruise Liners. Will C describes some of his hardships and how the use of humors was a valuable strategy to make it through the dark spots of life. He speaks candidly about topics like suicide and the profound impact that mental health issues have on life. For upcoming shows and tour dates check out
https://www.facebook.com/comedianwillc
https://www.instagram.com/therealwillc/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2757001/?ref_=nm_mv_close
https://www.facebook.com/theveteransofcomedy
comedian #veteran #suicide #22aday #effPTSD #veteranfunny #humor #Laughing #DarkHumor #GallowsHumor #army #navy #airforce #marines #military #veterans #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarness #effdepression #family #fyp
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Joey is a former F-15 weapons officer (think Goose from Top Gun) and had quite an interesting life in the uniform. He decided to step away from the cockpit to focus on establishing meaning in life outside of the battle space. He is the founder of the Another Average Joe Blog that provides helpful tips for veterans in life after the uniform. He has expanded into the podcast world and produces episodes that focus on actionable information and philosophical thoughts for the listener. Joe is a great member of the veteran community and has some awesome insights to share.
https://anotheraveragejoe.com/
https://www.instagram.com/another_avg_joe/
https://www.facebook.com/AnotherAvgJoe
fighterpilot #F-15 #TopGun #Goose #anotheraveragejoe #veterans #transition #military #airforce #navy #marines #army #effptsd #vetwithamic #veteranpodcast #vetsupport
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Chris is a Marine Corps veteran and a 13 year scout sniper. Chris shares about his struggles in life after the uniform and the healing process that led to him writing his book "Terror to Triumph." Chris is a case manager for a Veteran Court in Texas and has his master's degree in Forensic Psychology, where psychology and legal settings intersect. We spoke about PTSD, TBI, and the social pressures of life in and out of the uniform. Chris is an outstanding member of the veteran community and has dedicated his life to helping others.
https://www.amazon.com/Terror-Triumph-Chris-Whittemore/dp/1662413580
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/terror-to-triumph-chris-whittemore/1140478005
IG https://www.instagram.com/military_author/
FB https://www.facebook.com/terrortotruimph
scoutsniper #scout #sniper #marine #effptsd #tbi #trauma #terror2triumph #author #book #psychology #forensic #published #veteran #military #veteranpodcast #vetwithamic #army #navy #airforce
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Dennis is a retired Naval officer who found himself in a world of trouble when is vessel the, USS Taylor, ran aground. He describes how the event changed his life and took him to some dark spots in his life. Dennis found a way to recover from the event and focused on sharing his story with others who may benefit from his story of overcoming adversity. He has dedicated his life to helping others from the uniform in the transition process and is the author of "Transition on Purpose". Dennis and I speak about his passion for coaching and leadership. We discuss the philosophical underpinnings of his process to help mentor others and how he draws from his experiences, both the good and the bad, to help others.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/djvolpe/
https://dennis-volpe.com/about/
runaground #resiliency #transition #purpose #adversity #overcoming #mentoring #coaching #dennisvolpe #author #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #overcome #navy #army #marines #airforce #military #veteran #veterancommunity #community #effptsd #vetwithamic #veteranpodcast #veterans #militarycommunity #brothers #sisters #uniform
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Ricardo came from the wide open space of south Texas where target shooting and growing up tough were the norms. He joined the Army and soon found himself competing against Army Rangers for a spot as a sniper. Ricardo was a member of the infamous 5th brigade who was struck with high casualty rates and a blemish that forever soiled the unit. 5th brigade has gone down in history for the terrible story of the "Kill Team" that caused an international incident that left host nation relationships strained. Ricardo wrote a book to tell the story of those who served in the 5th honorably. The servicemembers who fought for each other and did great things for the uniform. Ricardo talks about how his time in south Texas shaped his life in and out of the uniform. His book is titled "Born to Fail" and is available on Amazon.
https://ricardopperez.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ricardoperezauthor
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLKx9mLCmO9oZiF7a6YY5kw/featured
https://amzn.to/3Nqfjio
sniper #5thBrigade #ForgottenBrigade #veteran #vetwithamic #veterans #Borntofail #Born2Fail #roughchildhood #ACES #trauma #survivor #effPTSD #effdepression #honor #therestofthestory #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #nationalguard
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Jai is a naval officer and founder of the Act Now Education organization. The Act Now Education organization has a large presence online with over 20,000 members on their Facebook group. Their website is filled with opportunities for active, reserve, veteran, and dependents for free. Act Now helps those from the military community find new opportunities in life after the uniform by providing training in a plethora of areas. Jai founded the organization as he was staring into the great divide that is transition and realized there were serious needs for occupational opportunities after the uniform.
https://www.actnoweducation.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTNOWEDUCATIONGROUP
https://www.instagram.com/actnoweducation/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/act-now-education/
ACTNOW #education #veterans #Free #fyp #vetwithamic #transition #support #military #awareness #community #career #lifeafterservice #opportunities #jobs #certificates #certified
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Travis is a veteran of the Marine Corps and has been a voice in the veteran community in media for years. Travis is the founder of Oscar Mike Radio and is active in the veteran advocacy space. Travis is the President of the board of an organization name Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program. The program's mission is to transform the lives of participants, their families, and all who work within the program through the healing power of horsemanship. The program was established in 2009, Wild Hearts is a PATH Intl. Member Center & a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization.
https://www.wildheartstherapeutic.org/
https://www.facebook.com/oscarmikeradio
https://www.instagram.com/oscarmike_radio/
https://twitter.com/oscarmikeradio
HorseTherapy #veterans #horsemanship #vetwithamic #community #purpose #meaninginlife #army #navy #marines #airforce #military #effptsd #lifeaftertheuniform #radio #oscarmike #oscarmikeradio
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Jesse is a navy veteran and a fleet marine force corpsman. Jesse after spending time downrange had trouble adjusting and ended up battling depression while still in the uniform. He was stigmatized by his chain of command for asking for help and decided to leave the uniform. In a chance meeting with the founders of Warrior Surf, Jesse discovered a love for surfing. Jesse was one of the first classes to go through an intensive program designed to take a holistic approach to health and mental wellness. The program provides community and a sense of purpose while teaching mindfulness techniques. Jesse recently got back from a trip to Guatemala where the program takes graduates for a once in a lifetime surfing experience. Warrior Surf is completely free to veterans and families.
https://www.warriorsurf.org/
https://www.instagram.com/warriorsurf/
https://www.facebook.com/warriorsurffoundation
surfing #veterans #warriors #mindfulness #meditation #buddhism #peace #tranquility #effptsd #lovelife #flow #army #navy #marines #airforce
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Evan is a former Marine who spoke openly about his time in theater and subsequent battle with mental health issues that lead to an attempted suicide. Evan is member of the Fight Oar Die organization that rows in the Taliskir Whisky Atlantic Row Challenge. Fight Oar Die is an all veteran team that rows the 3000 miles with a focus on mental health and finding meaning in life after the uniform. Even is a great advocate that speaks from experience and sincerity.
22aday #FightOarDie #effPTSD #purpose #rowing #TWAC #leading #maine #suicideawearness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #lifeaftertheuniform #veterancommunity #veterans #military #militaryfamily #army #navy #airforce #coastguard #nationalguard #DOD
https://www.usvetrow.org/
https://www.facebook.com/fightoardie
https://twitter.com/FightOarDie
https://www.instagram.com/fightoardie/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Aaron is a veteran of both the Navy and the Army. In 2011, Aaron was blinded when an IED exploded while he was deployed in Afghanistan. Shortly after he survived the blast, Aaron contracted a bacterial meningitis that took his hearing. He found himself engulfed in darkness with no way to receive messages from others. Aaron spent months in this condition before receiving cochlear implants. Aaron then spent time having to regain his balance and relearn the movements we all take for granted. Aaron's love for cooking led to a purpose and business by the name of EOD Fudge. Through his love of cooking, Aaron began to rekindle the loves of marathons and mountain climbing. Aaron's story is one of triumph over challenges and finding meaning in life after trials.
veteran #EOD #blind #deaf #marathon #baking #art #creations #meaning #enduring #IED #Afghanistan #chef #Frankl #mountainclimbing #effPTSD #effTBI #courage #laughter #vetlove #bandofbrothers #military #militaryfamily #lifeafterservice #fyp #fypage
www.eodfudge.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/eodconfections/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Tyler is an Army veteran who worked for the Criminal Investigation Division and was active in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Tyler described his life in and out of the uniform and adjusting to life after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Tyler achieved the highest level in academics and received a PhD in Computer Science. Tyler is a remarkable member of the veteran community and works within advocacy for the entire military community. His podcast "Coming Home Well" is a part of network of podcasters of various disciplines. The Coming Home Well Nonprofit Organization has provided resources and information to veterans and spouses alike.
https://cominghomewell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ComingHomeWell
https://twitter.com/cominghomewell
https://www.instagram.com/cominghomewell_bts/
Iraq #Afghanistan #CID #ComingHomeWell #Podcast #podcaster #effPTSD #tbi #effTBI #socialsupport #meaninginlife #meaning #purpose #community #veteran #Army #Navy #Marines #AirForce #NationalGuard #CoastGuard #DeptOfDefense #DOD
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Tre is still active in the uniform and has achieved great heights in the sport of bodybuilding. Tre has received his International federation of bodybuilding pro card and has competed at the highest levels of the Men's physique. Tre has deployed to Iraq and we spoke about the perspectives that accompany service abroad. Tre spoke about the dedication and sacrifice that the sport of bodybuilding requires, as well as the ramifications of distorted body images. We spoke about how the sport is changing for the better and how movies impact us all.
vetwithamic #Ifbb #bodybuilder #physique #npc #iraq #army #competitor #navy #marines #airforce #nationalguard #Tennessee #purpose #effptsd #podcast #veteran #military #servicemember #militaryfamily
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
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Dave is a veteran and officer of the Canadian Army. After Dave's time in Afghanistan, he struggled with the complex feelings that accompany a war zone. Dave has a masters degree and spent time as an educator, but found that his life was still lacking a sense of purpose. Dave has since began a life of coaching and has worked with some athletes competing at the highest levels and is an author. His podcast "Hard to Kill" has spoke to operators and academics alike and has quickly became a voice in the Canadian veteran community. Dave is a remarkable guy and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Dr. Diandra Poe is a veteran of the United States Army and founder of the Glass Soldier nonprofit organization. Diandra received her doctorate in Social Work and has dedicated her life after the uniform to helping victims of Human Trafficking and Military Sexual Trauma. Dr. Poe is on the Human Trafficking Taskforce for the state of Maryland and works as an advocate for change. Diandra was kind enough to share her story of MST and the resulting trial that took 2 years to conclude. She spoke openly about her faith and devotion to finding purpose from enduring.
www.glasssoldier.org
IG https://www.instagram.com/diandraallenpoe/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Host Special- Ryan talks about Hollywood portrayals and why we should take them with a grain of salt. He speaks about civilians not knowing how inaccurate they are and how we move past them as a community. Ryan talks about the word "Just" and how that cuts down our service to others and how we feel about our sacrifice
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
BJ is an Air Force Reserve veteran who was diagnosed with testicular cancer while in the middle of medic training. BJ continued through training while receiving active cancer treatment and was enrolled in AFW2, the Air Force Wounded Warrior program where he found adaptive sports, mentorship, and the ambassador programs helpful in his recovery. But that's not all. BJ found a true calling in using laughter to help ease the pain of life's struggles. He soon became the applied improv comedy coach for @afw2. He found that improv comedy utilizes skills necessary for resiliency and began training others in the program.
A Los Angeles based actor, BJ has been seen on MTV, Comedy Central, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. He currently is an instructor with The Second City, known as the famed improv group that birthed legends such as Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and so many others, and he serves on the artist council for the Armed Services Arts Partnership (@armedservicesartspartnership)
BJ also continues to use his military medical training in Hollywood when works as a special ability actor assisting the med tech advisors for shows and movies such as Fox's 9-1-1, Lone Star, and ABC's The Rookie.
IG https://www.instagram.com/bjcomedy/
FB https://www.facebook.com/BjComedy
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Ray and Solo are two marines who met after the uniform but found that they had a similar passion to help fight the symptoms of PTSD. These marines spoke candidly and passionately about their pain and struggles during and after the uniform. Although both marines create in different ways, they both found that working with their hands to produce something had helped them feel more connected to life. Ray goes by Smoot Paleta on Instagram and works with glass bottles to create works of functional art. Solo goes by sgt solo on Instagram and is a woodworker who creates carved pieces that are custom pieces. Both men have found a camaraderie in the creative and crafts world as they travel to different events and display their creations. These two men are examples of how therapeutic gains can be found in many different ways. This episode was enjoyable to me and felt as if I was catching up with old friends that I had known for a lifetime.
Ray- Smooth Paleta IG https://www.instagram.com/ptsdbottles/
Solo- Sgt Solo IG https://www.instagram.com/sgtsolo_projects/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Reden is an FMF Corpsman who deployed with the Marines. His foundation creates coins to send to fallen servicemembers families. His podcast the Brave and Faithful Podcast spotlights people's "second service" or actions that add purpose to life after the uniform. Our conversation was a crossover and you can check out his part of the conversation on his channel. Reden is an outstanding member of the military community and I am happy to call him a friend.
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Althea is an Army veteran who has deployed to Afghanistan, but would have never thought that in Germany was where her life would change so radically. Althea was injured in a serious collision and was medically retired from the uniform. She found herself battling physiological and psychological changes as a result of her injury while navigating the great divide that is the transition from the uniform. In her life after the uniform, she has established She Vets It, which is more than just a clever pun, but a way of connecting vital information to others after the uniform. Althea is a bright star in the arena of facilitating resources to the veteran community.
IG She_Vets_it
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
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Adrian is a force recon marine and a purple heart recipient. Adrian has been asked to speak at the Sundance film festival and South by Southwest. He is the founder of the Sheepdog Program, a mental health approach that is tailored to military, veterans, and first responders. Adrian is a remarkable member of the veteran community who is a dedicated professional. He has devoted his life after the uniform to help usher his brothers and sisters into mental wellness. I enjoyed our conversation and would love to catch up with his research with alternative approaches.
https://www.thesheepdogprogram.com/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Forrest is a veteran of the Navy and a FMF corpsman who was deployed to Iraq with Marines. Forrest speaks about his troubled childhood and goes into detail about his trauma at the hands of the foster system. Forrest has battled addiction and was charged with homicide in the accidental shooting of his friend. Forrest has dedicated his life after the uniform to helping veterans battling mental health issues find a sense of community. He is an advocate on social media and the author of "Angelblue" which is set to be released in March. Forrest has a large presence on TikTok and is a cohost for the podcast Healthy Discomfort.
IG angelbluebook
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@forrestlang?lang=en
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Mark is an inspiring character who has climbed some of the most dangerous terrains on the planet. Mark is a veteran of the Navy and we talked about some of the challenges of life after the uniform and how they can be analogous to his climbing experiences. We talked about ups and downs and peaks and valleys of the metaphorical and the literal. He's a great guy and I am happy to have met him.
IG https://www.instagram.com/greatheights7/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cZtk1cb8JfFSo6K0q5RNA
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Education and Entertainment only
In this episode we open up questions from the all you listeners. We may make this a reoccurring feature. Thank you all who reached out and provided questions for the episode. Let me know, if this is an episode that you would like to have happen more frequently.
www.vetwithamic.com
https://mbradio.us/
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Mia, who fled the violence of civil war in Peru, found herself just after 9/11 enlisting into the USMC to defend the nation from the turmoil her family had fled. In 2003, Mia was in Iraq when the intensity of the conflict was increasing. She kindled a love for art even in the war rattled streets of Iraq. She quickly discovered art as a way to quite the storm within and found a love for working with clay. She found that the process was therapeutic and founded the nonprofit Claymore Vets. She saw that her passion with works of art brought the same meaning in life to the lives of others from the uniform. She has been featured as a sculptor in her very own art show and is quite passionate about bring peace to others in the veteran identity. She has a background in art therapy and I immensely enjoyed our conversation.
IG claymore_vets
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Scott is an Army National Guard Veteran with a tour to Afghanistan. During his tour his brother was killed in action while on the same deployment that Scott was on. Scott wrote a book about his time in the uniform and the loss of his brother titled Surviving Son. Scott and I spoke about finding meaning in life after the uniform and loss. Scott is a fantastic guy and a remarkable advocate for veteran issues. HIs podcast Drive On has nearly 150 episodes that cover broad topics that are useful to any veteran. I enjoyed our conversation immensely and was interviewed on the Drive On podcast which will air on 02/15/2022.
https://driveonpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/driveonpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/driveonpodcast
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Christian had a unique experience in the uniform as someone who worked in support roles for the Green Berets. Christian found himself working with some of the most driven people on the planet and the experience shaped his life in profound ways. After the uniform, Christian pursued a life behind the camera and decided to go to film school. His life is a fascinating one, as he travels around the nation shooting the world as he see it. His next project features working with the VA to produce videos that aid in the transition process by providing occupational information to veterans.
Christian IG https://www.instagram.com/daytriprrr/
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Tom and Calvin are two Army Infantry veterans who have deployed to Afghanistan. Tom and Calvin speak about troubles in finding a purpose in life after the uniform. Both men found a sense of peace in the unlikely noise filled places of competitive powerlifting. Tom and Calvin speak about feelings of being present and a sense of mindfulness that has helped them feel grounded in life. Both men speak about the bonds they have with each other and how the sport has helped them integrate into an identity beyond the uniform.
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Irving opened up about his life after the Air Force and how he has battled depression that took him to the brink of suicide. Irving shatters stigma by openly talking about how mental health issues are not a matter of shame. Despite feeling abandoned by the uniform, Irving has been successful in transition by achieving success in college, business, and as doting family man. Irving speaks about connecting with others in life after the uniform. Our conversation was deeply rewarding and I appreciate his willingness to share his story.
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Graham is a Navy Veteran who has found his way into the exciting world of TV and Movies. Graham spoke about some of his difficulties in life after the uniform and some of the challenges he has faced as a rising star. Graham has done appearances on productions like "Queen of the South" and on NCIS- New Orleans. Graham gave us some tips to follow for those who may wish to pursue a career in acting. Graham is an excellent model for doing well in life after the uniform. Graham is working to help change media representations of life in the uniform and bringing credibility to "Hollywood" portrayals.
IG www.instagram.com/gs_weatherspoon/
FB https://www.facebook.com/GrahamSeanWeathersponII
IDMB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9617780/
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Jenna is a veteran of the Navy and has really found her stride in life after the uniform. Most may be more familiar with Jenna's online handle "The Millennial Veteran". Jenna has established quite the online footprint and works as a facilitator of resources by offering a platform for veterans under 40 to find information that is useful for life after the uniform. Jenna took advantage of an opportunity to intern at the congressional level on a projects that meet the needs of the veteran community. She is a remarkable person and a great advocate for the military community. Jenna shared a little about her struggles fitting into the civilian world and how she turned her unique perspectives from the uniform into a revolutionary way of connecting to the veteran identity.
IG https://www.instagram.com/themillennialveteran/
The FB group is the Millennial Veterans
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My conversation with KP is a crossover event. KP is an Army Veteran began his career enlisted and commissioned as a 2LT. He spent a year in Iraq from 04-05 and separated in 2007. KP describes struggles in work settings after the uniform and fitting in with the civilian population. We talk about clashes with civilians and the questions they ask about his time in Iraq. KP is the host of the "Morning Formation Podcast", a project that focuses on disseminating useful information to veterans in transition. He has a strong drive to mentor and is a natural leader. The veteran community is lucky to have him working on our behalf. KP and I will certainly be speaking again. Check out his interview of me on the "Morning Formation Podcast" at https://www.themorningformation.com/
vetwithamic
IG https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_formation_podcast/
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Sean is an Army veteran who has faced his share of adversity. During the uniform, Sean went through some of the most grueling training the Army had to offer, and found himself on multiple deployments to locations like Kosovo and the middle east. After the uniform, Sean struggled to find the new norm and battled a new found addiction to pain medications given to manage injuries from his service. Sean has found a way to beat his demons and find a new calling in helping those who are struggling with life on the streets. He has recently brought national attention to the Los Angeles area veteran homeless epidemic known as Veterans Row. Sean uses the net proceeds of a Throat Punch Infused Cigars (IG throat_punch412_og) to contribute to 501c3's who work to end veteran homelessness and stigma. Sean is an impassioned advocate for the community and I enjoyed our conversation immensely.
Warning: Explicit Content- Language
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Corbitt is a marine veteran who has tours in Afghanistan and abroad. After the uniform he was initially turned down by universities, but Corbitt would not be easily deterred. Corbitt later got a PhD in Human Performance. Corbitt is a remarkable guy who has conducted research on issues that are detrimental to the veteran population. In our conversation we talk about issues that disproportionately impact veterans. Corbitt's current job is as a VA employee in the Benefits portion of the VA system.
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Michelle is a veteran, a business owner, an author, and a doctoral student. If that list does not make you exhausted add in a mother of 4 and a bodybuilder. Michelle is a remarkable human being who has been touched by hardship in life as she served herself and was a spouse to a servicemember. She has published a book about the psychological elements of religion and adjusting to life after a shift in worldview. She currently is a doctoral student pursuing a PsyD. Michelle and I had an enlightening conversation about the culture of the uniform and the society at large.
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Austin is a veteran of the Army National Guard who worked in intelligence. After his time in the uniform, he pursued a career in corporate America where he works within the Human Resources domain. Austin told us about strategies in how to break into the corporate structure and how to be successful in a separate world of dominance hierarchies. Austin is a bright and driven guy and I am lucky to have made his acquaintance.
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Justin is an Air Force Veteran who found himself in Iraq at the age of 19. He spent the rest of his time in the uniform as a reliable member of the armed forces and yet somehow found himself with no place to call home upon separation. Justin soon turned to less effective and often dangerous ways to cope before finding meaning in life by understanding himself. Justin has authored one book and is set to release another and is a successful marketing executive. Justin is a man of many talents and I enjoyed our conversation immensely.
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John is an Air Force veteran who was in pararescue and intelligence. His life after the uniform has led him into being an active member of organizations in college life and has dedicated his life to advancing positive academic outcomes in the veteran community. John has goals of working within the government as an elected official to help craft policy that can benefit veterans. John recently was accepted into law school and has a fierce dedication to the veteran community.
Vet with a Mic Merch House
Strung Like a Horse
Recording artist and creator of "Forget What They Think" music for Vet with a Mic
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/VetwithaMic)
Jamie is an Army veteran who was a cav. scout in the uniform who began a career in law enforcement after his time in the uniform. Jamie talked about his job as a detective who traces the source of fentanyl overdoses. Jamie is deeply concerned about changing how addiction is viewed in the society and humanizing those who are devastated by addiction.
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Johnathon has been trained in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and is a certified instructor for the Living Works Education. He has a deep sense of concern for the suicide rates of those who have served. His unwavering passion to be apart of the solution led our paths to cross and I am happy to have made his acquaintance. His reputation as a knowledgeable and compassionate professional proceeds him and I hope you enjoy our conversation.
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
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Joel is a soldier who was wounded in the line of duty in Iraq who later became a Paralympian who has a remarkable passion for life. Joel after his competitive skiing days and as an attempt to redefine people's conception of limitations from traumatic brain injuries began a life in broadcasting. Joel knows that his injury impacted his voice, but would not be told what his limitations would be. Joel founded the Military Broadcast Radio and extended a platform for veterans to be heard on the air. MBR is a nonprofit with a 501c3 designation from the IRS and his work has touched the lives of thousands. https://mbradio.us/
Additionally, I want to thank Strung like a Horse for their permission to use their music in the show. The song "Forget what they think" has a powerful message that resonates with the mission of the podcast and the military culture generally. You can check out their unedited version on Youtube or Spotify "F*** what they think"
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This episode talks about happiness and all its elusive glory.
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This episode talks about the veteran identity and how veterans have far more social capital than they may realize.
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Part 3 in the series. The host talks about treatment options for trauma and the ebb and flow of healing.
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Happy Halloween! A special ghost story episode. The host talks ghost stories and how fun they are, but why do they happen so frequently.
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Trauma series is continued with how trauma impacts you. With a little nod to Carl Jung/ Jordan Peterson
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This episode is part 1 of 3 about trauma. In this episode we talk about what trauma is and how some people get PTSD and how some do not.
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This episode, host waxes poetic about the direction of veterans and the a few resources available. We talk about the attitudes that surround the utilization of resources like Va disability
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This one goes out to the one's we love. How to recognize patterns we have in relationships that may be negatively impacting our loved ones.
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Episode by request tackles stress management.
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Episode by request, Anger and what we can do about it
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More content driven by veteran issues. If you have issues you would like to hear about reach out at my insta account vet_talks4u
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Just a little background about the host
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This episode of Vet with a Mic addresses issues of mental health services and why we may not use them as much as we should in the veteran community
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