As the year comes to a close, the Salty Banter crew is wrapping things up with a New Year’s Eve episode focused on honest conversations, fresh perspectives, reflections on growth, and motivation to help kick off the new year with purpose and momentum.Veteran Resources:

• Veterans' crisis line - Dial 988 or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net, or send a text message to 838255. VBA Claims national call center - 1-800-827- 1000 (for claims info).

• Navy Seal Wisdom for grounding - Look around you for: 5 things you can see. 4 things you can touch. 3 things you can hear. 2 things you can smell. 1 thing you can taste.

• BOX BREATHING: Close your eyes and picture you're drawing a box with your breath. Breathe in through your nose while slowly counting to 4. Hold your breath while slowly counting to 4. Breathe out through your mouth while slowly counting to 4. Hold your breath once more while slowly counting to 4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for five minutes, or until you find calm.

• For Anger: The grey rock method is where you deliberately act unresponsive or unengaged so that an abusive person will lose interest in you. Look it up!

• SLEEP INFO: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep

Books that also come in audio format (from Amazon, etc.):

• The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns, M.D.

• The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anxiety by Alexander L Chapman PhD RPsych (Author), etc.

• Healing the Shame that Binds You (Recovery Classics) by John Bradshaw *Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior by Charles W. Hoge, MD, Colonel (Ret.) *The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

FREE APPS- MOBILE.VA.GOV (incl. #BEYOND MST" APP)

Whether you’re celebrating wins, carrying weight from the past year, or just trying to figure out what’s next, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone and that there are people, programs, and resources out there ready to help when you need them.

We’re also highlighting organizations that are making a real impact in the veteran community and beyond. If you’re able, consider checking out and supporting the causes below:

C4 Foundation Donation Link: Donate - The C4 Foundation

Wounded Warrior Project Donation Link:

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=22774&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS25028DAABREMA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17276544921&gbraid=0AAAAADg1WjqPovHV6Ark6GlDbRUUABK-B&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6sjKBhCSARIsAJvYcpPu0giQB3VJb2EtpUqkOcJOJnoNzEVWfD94MQi1A0snTcIhd3O9E-waAt1YEALw_wcB

From all of us at Salty Banter, thank you for rocking with us. We wish you a Happy New Year and hope your 2026 is prosperous, healthy, and filled with blessings.

If you enjoyed this episode, give us a like, hit follow, and share the show with someone who could use a laugh, a little motivation, or a reminder that they’re not alone. Please help us spread our conversations and the banter as we head into the new year together.

— The Salty Banter Crew 🍻

Disclaimer:

Salty Banter is a conversational podcast created for entertainment purposes only. The

views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not reflect

those of any employer, organization, or affiliation. Nothing discussed on this podcast

should be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Guest

appearances are voluntary and unpaid.

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