Michael Hodge joins the show as co-host today and highlights the need for a "Mentor" in the transition process. Without a doubt, Michael has been down a path that most don't get to go down. As an older Soldier and Leader during GWOT, he had multiple injuries to his ankles and knees, but after numerous surgeries and years of rehab he is still out there helping Veterans. Michael's message of getting a mentor to help get through the tough beginning times as a Veteran and to keep the process tight, becoming a Mentor yourself. I very much enjoyed the insight that he brought in regards to living for those that gave it all. Would that buddy be out there mixing it up, smiling, taking care of his or her family? If the answer is yes, then you need to re-eval the path that your on. I hope this episode serves many Veterans well. Thanks again Michael for your amazing insight.

Don't forget about Buffalo Commons, they are performing at the Yarmony Grass Festival in Rancho Del Rio, CO. Right on the river folks. This is going to be an amazing event! August 8-11, they take the stage on Friday. If you go, get pics and link up with Tyree and the Band, tell em HOV sent ya!! Here is the link to the "Traveler" being performed by them too.

Nick Sterling and the Nomads are heading into the studio folks, should be churning out some music shortly. Nick and the show are working to fit schedules and bring an amazing episode for you all. Going to be a fun, stay tuned!

Wounded Warrior Peer-Mentor Program: Get involved! Help another Veteran get him/herself back on to as close to normal as possible. Don't let a Veteran NOT get that Mentor, so valuable in transitioning.

 

Stay safe out there and blessings. Continue sharing the podcast, only way we can reach the Veterans that need it.

 

Heart of a Volunteer©2019

Easy Episode today folks. Helping Veterans is what we do, but we don't put out episodes that are not up to the Veterans standard, period. So no rush on this podcast, laid back and let it happen.

Ryan Urban, Retired Veteran, contacted me yesterday and asked if the show could help him to advance the formation of his Veterans hiking club in San Diego. Of course! We are leaning forward with Ryan to give him all the resources that he can handle to get his passion off the ground and keep it moving forward. 

Nick Sterling and The Nomads will be coming on the podcast here in the coming weeks, feeling like a road trip to get this done might be very much worth it! Here is a video, "Blood in the Water" that was played during the episode. If your down in Central Texas see if you can make it to one of his shows. Tell em' "HOV" sent ya!

Stay safe out there folks and see ya next time.

#veteranspodcast

Heart of a Volunteer©2019

Will O'Brien took over the podcast today and brought a professional standard to the show. Will was an Infantry Officer, who's excellent leadership skills he refocused and is now applying, in the true nature of a Volunteer, to the minds of our youth in a classroom environment. Will points out key areas that Veterans need to think about if they are thinking about making a second career out of teaching. The strength of this episode is built within these areas:

1) Understand your military service and work through all mental health and service related issues.

2) Focus on a teaching school that is going to accredit you for the state that you are planning on teaching and living in. Set up the conditions for the final shot.

3) Discover what grade your skills and personality match with. Go on student teacher visits, get as much exposure that you can to help you "see" the environment you are going to be working in.

4) Defining your passion in the subject that you teach, this can be a sticking point. As Will points out, wanting to be a history or gym teacher is great, put those positions are hard to get, don't let this deter you, come in where you can and make your moves through your strengths.

5) Getting hired on can be an easy to hard process. Along with getting your certifications, you need to network. Call Veterans and see if they know Veterans or family that are in the system you're applying. NETWORK it!! 

6) The personal nature of teaching has the potential to be a real life changer. Will brings his dedication to teaching to the whole episode, but he really understands and performs his duties far beyond what is normal. Know your students as you did those you led in the military, get into their lives and be a force of change for the good.

Amazing episode and once again, a great chat with a truly great American and friend.

 

HOV©2019

Sean Hess takes over co-hosting duties today as we talk about some outdoor activities there in his city of Charlotte, NC and beyond. Got him hooked up with the contact for "Team River Runner - Charlotte" too. BOOM! Sean is doing great things out there and he took time out on his day off to talk about his Saga up to this point. I still find it wild that Sean's mom was missing for 3-days after 9/11. He gives his road map to combat through Basic and onto Afghanistan, Iraq and then contracting with Triple Canopy. Sean, like many of us, was moved by the leaders that he had while serving, these leaders passed onto him the torch and he has done an excellent job of keeping it going. Come check it out. Great time catching up with Sean and very happy to have him on the podcast to just sit back and have a nice chat.

Team River Runner (teamriverrunner.org) is an amazing resource for Veterans. Reach out to them and see what services they have and help em' out if you have the ability. 

Thank you again to all the Veterans that are supporting the podcast, either by coming on, having a chat off-show, sharing, commenting and most of all, being there for fellow Veterans. Everyone stay safe out there and reach out if you're interested in coming on. Be glad to have a chat. Blessings.

#veteranspodcast

 

HOV©2019

Super chill episode folks, highlighting the past episodes and really just taking it easy. Many thinks to all the Veteran guests, the Veterans that share, like and talk about the podcast. There are amazing things happening out there, thank you for bringing this to the Veterans out there.

Think about your Mental Health people. If it's old you're using and it works, keep doing. If it's an old system an it isn't working, try something NEW. Don't get left behind because you refuse to be mentally flexible and try some of that "new fangled magic", people are relying on us to be int their lives. It's your health, it only gets worse when you don't take care of it.

Many Blessings and Welcome, you know your going to dig this episode, so go get after it.

 

Heart of a Volunteer©2019

On todays episode of "Monday (mandatory) Motivation" we are joined by Marc Manilla, chapter coordinator of "Team River Runner - Ft. Benning, GA". Marc opens up a whole new area for activities being offered to Veterans and Active Duty alike. Not only that, but the national "Team River Runner" organization itself has been doing some truly amazing work with disabled Veterans in the form of instruction, adaptive equipment and instruction & safety that is top notch. Have a listen and reach out to this organization and give kayaking a try. You might find out its right up your river. Oh snap!

Get on out there and mix it up folks. You never know how much something was "calling" you until you try it. Enjoy the week, get after it and don't forget about those out there that are struggling, pull them up with you. Don't be scared, they'll appreciate it.

 

 

HOV©2019

HOV Saga Ep.021: Derek Knapp, CPT, One Each, joins the the podcast today and lets us into just a little bit of his life and adventures as an Infantry Officer. Derek enlisted first and in 2007 was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. He served two tours in Afghanistan, one as a Platoon Leader in Baker Company, 2-12 Infantry Battalion, "Lethal Warriors" out of Ft.Carson and the second as an Advisor. 

Derek is doing amazing work as the Executive Director of "Restoration Ranch" in Bastrop, TX. Restoration Ranch is an equine therapy ranch where Derek uses the power of horses to heal Veterans and their family members from trauma. Amazing work they are doing down there and we will be having Derek on to take us deep into the workings of Restoration Ranch.

Marc Manilla from Team River Runner - Ft. Benning, GA chapter will be coming on this coming Monday for Monday (mandatory) Motivation to get us up to speed on the recovery that can be achieved through kayaking and what a Veteran and their family can do about getting involved.

Don't forget "SSG Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run" is going on in Eagle, Idaho on 17 August! Great event and this isn't just a run, this is a trail run. Grab up some friends, pray for ran and go and enjoy some good time with friends.

Hey our Aussie Brothers and Sisters, reach out to us. We are so far apart these days, come on Mate! Lets get you on the podcast and have a chat.

Everyone have a wonder weekend, be safe and look after each other.

 

HOV©2019

Steve Perchak sits down with us again to talk about how things have been. Steve was on for Ep.012 and it has been leading the way in downloads ever since, so we had to have him come on and let us know how things have been going and what is new. He was an accomplished golfer, played since he was 2yo, he is back to swinging sticks and ready to take that to the next level also. 

Check out the episode and leave Steve some comments!

This Fridays episode, The Saga Ep.021 w/ 1LT Derek Knapp will drop. Derek was a platoon leader in Baker Company, 2-12 Infantry Battalion in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan in 2009-2010. Going to be the episode to catch. 

Reach out if you want to come on the show to have a chat. Reach out to [email protected]

LIKE-COMMENT-SHARE-GET INKED!!

 

HOV©2019

Monday (mandatory) Motivation Ep.005

Veteran Business:

-Inaugural SSG Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run is being held on Aug 17, 2018 in honor of SSG Butler was killed in Nangahar Province, Afghanistan on Aug 16, 2017. This trail run is to benefit the local chapter of the Purple Heart and to remember ALL the great service members that we have lost. If you up in Eagle, ID, drop in with some trail shoes and enjoy the day being surrounded by like-minded individuals. Great times!

Talked about how to get on the podcast, the "Process" is not that at all, it is simple and is a tool to assist the Veteran coming. We refuse to allow a Veteran to be immortalized on the intrawebs in a bad light, so we talk about what we are going to cover to fit it all in. This time also sets the hosts "left/right limits" of questions, which is important when combat is involved. Send that "Saga Outline" (that is a hyperlink to the document) back to [email protected] and we will get you lined up for a pre-interview to go thru the outline and then set a date and time that works for the Veteran, at least two days before the episode is to air, and we are good.

We also promote Veteran Owned Business' and Organizations. This is conducted free of charge and the episode can be used on social media to further your reach. The episode can also be broken down into smaller pieces that talk about specific topics, easy to add them to a video and post to your page, space them out to get more legs out of the episode. You know this is a saweet deal!! 

If you have hobbies, family events that could be useful to other Veterans..well bring it here. We will do an episode and cover it. Have a Veteran Topic that you want to talk about? Once again, email or message the show and we'll get it lined up. This is too easy right here!

Lastly, we need some comedy on here. My skills are dried up, so if any Veterans out there want to practice their stand-up, work on some material or just add some class to the show..reach out to us and lets make it happen.

 

Once again, stay safe out there and much love, blessings.

 

HOV©2019

HOV Ep.020: Run-Down

Joined by Byran "Tosh" Tashima on todays episode and what a great time it was being able to chat with him about life and where things are heading. Tosh remained in almost perpetual combat mode for 12 years, first as an Infantryman in the 173rd, 25th, HA National Guard and finally in Triple Canopy. Hear how he rediscovered himself after an injury prevented him from continuing the only real life he knew. Listen to this episode all the way through, there are some really rich moments shared, don't want them to go unheard. Much respect to Tosh for his life's journey thus far, I'm excited to see where he takes things in this next chapter.

Warrior Rising is a Veteran Non-Profit that specializes in helping Veteran entrepreneurs with grants, funds, marketing, support and many, many more resources. Go and check em' out if your thinking about stepping out there to make a dream of owning your own biz. Let us know, ya know..so we can have you on and promote it.

Last, but not least: Thank you to all the listeners and Veterans that have come on, who are planning to come and who are working in the background doing great things for the podcast. Continue doing what your doing, spread the word the only way we can. LIKE-COMMENT-SHARE-GET INKED!!

Heart of a Volunteer©2019