The battlefield changes you, but the real fight might start when you get home.

Ben Sykes went from web designer to Marine machine gunner during the invasion of Iraq, living through relentless firefights, surreal moments in Saddam's palaces, and the strange calm of enemy fire becoming routine.

But nothing prepared him for the turbulence of reintegration. Restless nights, the crash of losing combat's adrenaline, and the struggle to fit into a world that no longer made sense. In this conversation, Ben opens up about the chemical withdrawal of leaving war, the dangerous paths veterans can fall into, and the hard-earned lessons he wishes he'd known during his transition.

Whether you've been in the fight yourself or love someone who has, his story is a brutally honest look at what it takes to reclaim your footing after service.

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After two deployments and a solid run in the Marine Corps, Susannah Stokes did what a lot of vets do-she took her leadership skills into the corporate world. But even with a great job at Facebook and everything looking good on paper, something still felt off.

This episode talks about what happens when the structure goes away, and you're left trying to figure out who you are. Susannah opens up about feeling undervalued, disconnected, and stuck in roles that didn't reflect what she was capable of. She talks about the identity crash after service, the limits of traditional therapy, and how psychedelics helped her see things differently, without numbing out.

We also get into how she's helping others now and what legal psychedelic support can look like.

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You served your country, endured physical pain, and now struggle to get the benefits you rightfully earned. If navigating the VA disability claims system feels like a second battle, this episode is your lifeline.

Dr. Adam Weissman, an emergency physician turned veteran advocate, pulls back the curtain on the VA disability rating process. He shares insider knowledge to help you sidestep common pitfalls, clarify confusing terms, and leverage expert medical evaluations from REE Medical to achieve the disability rating you truly deserve. Stop settling for less. Here's your path to securing better support, financial stability, and peace of mind.

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Chris Smith didn't plan to become the program director of a veteran fitness nonprofit. When he left the Army, his only goal was to stay afloat. But after facing down PTSD, relationship struggles, and a stretch of homelessness, he found himself on a new path-one focused on health, consistency, and community.

In this episode, Chris talks about how Warrior Strong helped him rebuild his identity and give back to others dealing with similar struggles. He shares what it was like to go from engineering missions in Iraq to sleeping in his car, and how a single yoga class turned into a whole new way to serve.

Whether you're a veteran looking for your next step or just trying to feel a little more grounded, this conversation is about what's possible when you stop waiting and start showing up.

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When the uniform comes off, many veterans feel like they've lost their team. And with it, their purpose. Michael "Sully" Sullivan knows that feeling firsthand, having spent 30 years in Special Forces. But instead of fading into isolation, he stepped into a new mission with Team RWB, helping veterans reconnect, rebuild accountability, and strengthen their health.

In this conversation, Sully shares how Team RWB brings veterans together around fitness, connection, and community. From cross-country flag relays to local meetups.

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Joseph Fontenot gave up a rising career in music to enlist in the Army, only to be thrust into unexpected combat roles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He discusses his experiences while deployed, injuries that aren't always physical, and the challenge of finding direction and building a meaningful life after returning home.

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Transitioning out of the military brings challenges that don't end when the uniform comes off. Benefits, family readiness, and the search for a new purpose can all feel overwhelming. In this conversation, USAF Lt. Gen. (Ret) Brian Kelly, President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, shares how his decades of service have led him to focus on protecting what veterans and their families have earned.

A key part of that mission is the TotalForce+ conference, a groundbreaking event designed to connect service members, veterans, government leaders, and industry partners. Brian breaks down the four pillars driving the conference: career transition, community support, benefits advocacy, and crisis response, and why bringing all these voices together matters for the future of the military community.

From scholarships for military kids to disaster relief when veterans are displaced, to real solutions being built at TotalForce+, this episode gives you a look at how advocacy and action come together. If you've been searching for hope that someone is fighting for you and your family, this conversation will show you exactly where that work is happening.

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Cole Grace knows danger up close. In Iraq, he spent his days disarming IEDs and dodging sniper fire. But coming home wasn't the relief he'd expected. Instead, he found himself at war again, trapped in a loop of relentless perfectionism, unexplained chronic pain, and an addiction that crept up quietly, almost unnoticed.

In this conversation, Cole opens up about the brutal reality of fighting battles you can't see. He shares how he finally confronted childhood wounds that had intensified his combat trauma and what it took to silence the inner voice that always said he wasn't enough. If you've ever felt stuck in your head, lost in your own pain, or wondered if peace is even possible, this episode is for you.

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If you're active duty or a veteran with kids, you already know the school system doesn't move with you. New duty station, new rules, new problems, and your kids pay the price.

Natalie Mack has been homeschooling for over two decades while her family bounced from base to base, including overseas. She's not selling you sunshine and Pinterest-perfect school days. She breaks down exactly what it takes to homeschool in a military lifestyle, what families screw up, and how to do it smarter.

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Veterans often return home to a world that feels muted. Mark Haddad, a former Army soldier and contractor, breaks down the reason why: our body-mind-soul system gets rewired by trauma and adrenaline, and everyday life just can't compete. This episode talks about the science behind why vets crave danger, sabotage stability, and feel disconnected from "normal."

From surviving a parachute malfunction to confronting evil in Africa, Mark shares stories that any vet who's struggled to slow down will understand. You'll learn how to stop blaming yourself for what your brain and body were trained to do.

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