Monica Robbins, LMSW, is a social worker and spiritual coach who guides clients in healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and addiction, using spirituality, mindfulness, and EMDR to help them connect to their true nature and overcome limiting narratives.

Monica Robbins, LMSW, began healing from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) through a spiritual awakening at age 16. This transformative experience sparked her interest in the intersection of spirituality and healing, inspiring her to explore how to live from an awakened perspective. Through this journey, Monica successfully healed from C-PTSD and no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for the condition.

Monica is dedicated to guiding others toward healing and awakening by helping them consciously connect with their true nature and overcome the limiting narratives that keep them stuck. As a licensed social worker, she integrates spirituality, mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and addiction recovery. For non-clinical clients, Monica offers coaching and mentoring to those seeking to awaken to their true nature or navigate the stories that hinder their self-realization. She also provides support for individuals who have experienced a spiritual awakening but need guidance to remain present through challenging narratives and experiences.

I had an awesome conversation with Monica Robbins, a licensed social worker who's turned her own journey through complex PTSD and a profound spiritual awakening at 16 into a passion for helping others heal. We dove into how spirituality intersects with mental health, exploring her path from chaos and abuse to finding inner peace. Monica shared practical tools like mindfulness, EMDR, breathing techniques, and self-compassion practices that she uses with clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, and addiction. 

It was inspiring to hear about her favorite teachers like Eckhart Tolle and Adyashanti and how true healing comes from letting go of limiting stories and embracing the present moment. She's excited about guiding more people toward awakening and deep recovery, blending clinical work with spiritual coaching. What a uplifting episode!

Resources Mentioned:

• Spiritual Awakening and Exploration
• Therapy
• Mindfulness Practices
• Meditation and Guided Mindfulness
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Inquiry Practices
• "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
• Books by Adyashanti
• Hindu Teacher Texts (e.g., "I Am Not The Body")
• YouTube Spiritual Teachers (Adyashanti, Alan Watts, Ram Dass)
• RAIN Technique
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Work
• Somatic Work and Body-Based Therapies
• Shamanic Work and Ayahuasca Ceremonies
• Psilocybin Microdosing
• Lion’s Breath
• Sighing Out
• Parasympathetic

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Lauren Burns, host of the Redeemed Podcast, survived a childhood kidnapping by her Jordanian father, a story dramatized in the 1993 TV movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story. She now shares her journey of healing through faith, inspiring others to overcome trauma on her podcast and through public speaking.

Social Media:

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/laurenbredeemed

Lauren Burns endured a harrowing experience at age seven when her Jordanian father abducted her and took her to Jordan, prompting her mother, Cathy Hopkins, to orchestrate a daring rescue with ex-military help, crossing a militarized border into Israel. This dramatic chapter of her life, later portrayed in the 1993 TV movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story, shaped her perspective on resilience and faith. Today, Lauren channels her story into the Redeemed Podcast, where she explores her healing journey, emphasizing how her mother’s unwavering faith in God and proactive efforts saved her. Motivated by what she perceives as divine intervention, she now uses her platform to inspire others facing mental health challenges, blending her past adversity with a message of hope and redemption.

Lauren Burns shares her wild experience of being kidnapped at age seven by her Jordanian father in 1987, who tricked her into a trip to Jordan instead of Halloween trick or treating, leading to months of isolation and cultural shock amid family tensions. The episode's impact lies in her transformation of pain into purpose reconnecting with rescuers after 37 years via her Redeemed Podcast, inspiring others to overcome adversity through redemption stories, and emphasizing that faith plus proactive steps can restore broken lives, as she prepares a book to encourage resilience in facing challenges.

Resources Mentioned:

• Church small group meetings: Attending these as a teenager served as a turning point, providing community support, accountability, and a space to process anger, depression, and trauma through shared faith and discussions.
• Faith in God combined with action: Emphasized through prayer, obedience to divine callings (like starting her podcast and book), and Biblical references like "pick up your mat and walk," which encouraged proactive steps toward healing rather than passive faith alone.
• Community of friends: Supportive friends who "circled around" her during rebellious teenage years, offering love, guidance, and help to redirect her path away from destructive behaviors.
• Redeemed Podcast: Hosting and producing it allowed her to share her story, reconnect with rescuers after 37 years, interview others with redemption stories, and receive positive feedback that affirmed her purpose and reduced self-doubt.
• Writing her book: The process of researching and writing helped her confront and process past trauma, including listeni

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Jay Kopelman is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service and two combat tours in Iraq. He endured multiple TBIs and severe PTSD. After participating in a Mission Within retreat involving plant medicine, he overcame his PTSD and became deeply committed to helping others heal from TBI and PTSD.

Social Media:

The Mission Within:

• Website
• Foundation Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

 Jay Kopelman:

• About.me Profile
• Speaker Booking Profile
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Jay Kopelman is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service and two Iraq combat tours, where he trained Iraqi Special Forces, fought in Fallujah, and embedded with joint operations, always showing compassion for the vulnerable. A dedicated advocate for underdogs, he has moved from military command to health care innovation, veteran entrepreneurship advising via the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and now leads the Mission Within Foundation as Executive Director, fundraising for psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat PTSD, TBI, and traumas in veterans and first responders. He authored two bestselling memoirs on his war experiences and dog rescue, speaks on defense, terrorism, veteran mental health, and psychedelic benefits, and is a competitive jiu-jitsu athlete, outdoors enthusiast, and father.

The Mission Within aims to end veteran suicide through a 6-week psychedelic program featuring online therapy, coaching, and a 4-day retreat with substances like Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, and Psilocybin. It heals veterans and families from PTSD, mTBI, depression, and anxiety via clinical pathways, treating over 1,000 special operations members and spouses since 2017, with 80% PTSD recovery. The focus is on fostering purpose and growth in the veteran community.

In this episode I had the absolute honor of chatting with Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, a retired Marine with an awesome career, combat tours in Iraq, and mentoring Iraqi forces. We covered his bestselling books about rescuing a puppy named Lava during the war, his post-military path in healthcare and veteran entrepreneurship advising with Semper Fi & America's Fund, and his raw experiences with PTSD, TBI, anger, hypervigilance, and sleep issues that strained his relationships—until psychedelic-assisted therapy changed everything. Jay's now the Executive Director of Mission Within Foundation. 

The Mission Within is doing great things: they're revolutionizing healing for veterans and first respo

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Jeremy, a medically retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and PTSD survivor, is the founder of Project Life Spark, a future charity dedicated to funding psychedelic therapy retreats, advocating for their legalization, and supporting research for Canadian veterans and first responders. 

Social Media:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Jeremy, a spirited former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer turned PTSD advocate, brings a pilot’s precision and a father’s heart to his mission with Project Life Spark. After a decade of frontline policing left him grappling with trauma, he found healing through psychedelic therapy in Mexico, a journey that transformed his life. Now, as an Aviation Advisor and founder of a future charity, he’s on a mission to fund retreats, push for policy change, and back research on ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT for Canadian veterans and first responders. From small-town Alberta to the skies and back, Jeremy’s story of resilience, hope, and open-mindedness—fueled by his love for Seinfeld reruns and marathon running—shows how embracing new paths can spark profound change.

This episode was incredible. I forgot I was recording more than once. It was a man’s journey to healing told in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish. I’m deeply grateful to have connected with Jeremy and have the chance to hear his story. Psychedelics carry a stigma, and I hope to change that by sharing stories like his. They’re not a simple or easy cure for all mental health challenges, but for PTSD they’re a powerful starting point. This experience gave me a perspective that changed my life, which I believe is the purpose of therapy: to shift how we view the things causing us stress. I used to hate therapy because like most EOD people I know, I thought I was smarter than the person talking to me. The one I wasn’t smarter than was myself—and my ego. It convinced me that seeking help was weak, that those who got help weren’t as strong as me, and that drinking to blackout to sleep was just what ancient warriors did. Psychedelics showed me I was an idiot; those were weak, pathetic attempts to justify my poor behavior. It’s so much easier to lie to myself than to admit I’m failing myself and everyone in my orbit of destruction. More than that, psychedelics taught me compassion. I felt compassion for the version of me who did his best with what he knew. 

Resources Mentioned:

• University of Regina Study on RCMP Mental Health
• OSI Clinics (Operational Stress Injury Clinics)

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Matt Sandoval is the CEO of Free Arts, a nonprofit organization in Arizona that provides trauma-informed expressive arts programs for children, teens, and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness.

Social Media:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Podcast: Canvas of the Heart
• Matt's LinkedIn

Matt Sandoval is the spirited CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, where he channels his big heart and creative zest into helping kids heal from trauma through art and mentorship. An Arizona native with a knack for storytelling, he’s spent over 15 years leading nonprofits, wielding his Master’s degrees in Social Work and Educational Leadership like a superhero’s cape. Whether he’s hosting the Canvas of the Heart podcast, sharing wisdom on LinkedIn, or reminiscing about his dad’s days as a Phoenix police officer, Matt’s infectious passion for resilience and self-compassion lights up every room—proving that even in tough times, a splash of art and a dose of kindness can work wonders!

I do not have an artistic bone in my entire body, but this was a great episode. I had the pleasure to chat with Matt Sandoval, the CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, who shares how art and mentorship work magic to build resilience in kids facing trauma. With humor and heart, Matt, an Arizona native shaped by his police officer father’s career and family challenges, dives into Free Arts’ mission to serve over 7,000 kids annually with trauma-informed programs, emphasizing the mantra “no mistakes in art.” From group mentoring to rigorous volunteer vetting, he explains how creative expression fosters safety and self-compassion, drawing parallels to the trauma experiences of veterans and first responders. Touching on systemic issues like poverty and his vision for statewide impact, Matt inspires with stories of hope and a call to join the movement.

Resources Mentioned:

• Arizona ACEs
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (Consultation and Programs)
• Book: Achilles in Vietnam

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Dr. Lanny Snodgrass, a veteran psychiatrist, became the oldest American to join the U.S. Army at 62. His book, The Ageless Call to Serve, challenges age-based military recruitment policies while advocating for psychological resilience and improved veteran mental health support.

Contact Information:

• Book Website: agelesscalltoservebook.com 
• Publisher's Website: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636244174/the-ageless-call-to-serve/
• Media Inquiries: [email protected] 

Dr. Lanny L. Snodgrass, MD, PhD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and U.S. Army veteran who made history as the oldest American to join the Army and complete Officer Basic Training at age 62 during the Iraq War. With over four decades of experience treating veterans and active-duty military personnel, he is a leading expert on PTSD and military mental health, having served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Gulf War veteran. His forthcoming book, The Ageless Call to Serve, published in 2024, challenges conventional military age restrictions and advocates for enhanced psychological resilience and mental health support for service members. Dr. Snodgrass’s unique journey from civilian psychiatrist to soldier at 63, coupled with his extensive expertise, offers profound insights into rethinking military recruitment and veteran care, making him a compelling voice in both military and mental health discussions.

When Dr. Lanny Snodgrass invited me for an in-person podcast episode, I sounded like a cartoon character talking a big swallow, convinced I’d botch it—and yep, I fumbled the video! Thankfully, the audio was saved, and what a blast this turned out to be! Lanny and Dave were an absolute delight to meet and chat with. It was a thrill picking the brain of this psychiatrist and U.S. Army veteran, who, at the ripe young age of 62, joined the Army and later penned The Ageless Call to Serve. Lanny shared tales of his pre-military days as a civilian psychologist in Bangkok during the Vietnam War, his bold 2003 decision to enlist despite a heart condition, and the real-deal challenges of military mental health. He passionately called for better mental health screening, early PTSD treatment, and training for commanders to grasp trauma’s impact. Plus, he threw shade at military age limits, cheering for the wisdom of older recruits & stressed how resilience, mentorship, and tight-knit units can curb PTSD and spark post-traumatic growth, drawing from his work with veterans and first responders like nurses. What a wild, wonderful ride this episode was!

Resources Mentioned:

• Screening:
  • Pre-enlistment psychological interviews/tests
  • Post-deployment one-on-one specialist interviews
• Therapies:
  • EMDR for PTSD
  • Music therapy (e.g., piano playing)

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Stuart Grazier is a retired Navy officer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Kinetic Man Mastermind, dedicated to helping men, military veterans, and Christian business owners flourish by aligning their lives with their highest purpose through faith, leadership, real estate, and personal growth.

Social Media:

• Storehouse Mastermind - The Kinetic Man Movement: https://youtu.be/d4_E1Eq3W68
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fillingthestorehouse
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/militaryinvestornetwork/

Stuart Grazier is a retired Naval Officer who served for 20 years, flying helicopters and C-40 aircraft before transitioning into entrepreneurship and leadership development. As a devoted husband, father, and Christian, he co-founded The Kinetic Man Mastermind, a community focused on helping men become better fathers, husbands, and leaders through intentional action and accountability. He also co-hosts The Kinetic Man Podcast, where he explores topics such as faith, service, financial literacy, real estate, and entrepreneurship, particularly for veterans and business owners seeking purpose and adventure. 

Recognizing the need to realign his own priorities, he pivoted his career to focus on building financial freedom through real estate investing, launching Storehouse 310 Ventures to fund nonprofit initiatives. With a passion for servant leadership, personal growth, and empowering others, Stuart continues to guide men toward discovering their best selves through mastermind retreats, real estate investment strategies, and purpose-driven living.

Stu is a positive and inspiring person, and it was a great experience getting to pick his brain and hear his story. Born and raised in Texas, his childhood dream of flying led him to the Naval Academy, where he became a pilot, flying helicopters and later C-40s. After serving 20 years in the Navy, he transitioned into real estate, flipping houses and building a successful passive income stream. 

But despite financial success, he found himself feeling disconnected from his family, faith, and personal well-being. He co-founded The Kinetic Man Mastermind, a community dedicated to helping men become better husbands, fathers, and leaders through accountability, self-improvement, and faith-driven growth. Through retreats, coaching, and a structured curriculum, he empowers men to live intentionally, focusing on family, fitness, faith, and financial freedom. Now, with a thriving podcast and a strong community, Stu continues his mission of service, helping others find clarity, balance, and their highest purpose in life.

Resources Mentioned:

• Community & Accountability
• Mental & Emotional Resilience
• Physical & Mental Wellness
• Faith & Spirituality
• Avoiding the “Hustle Trap"

Key Ta

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

26 years of law enforcement experience spanning corrections, probation, patrol, narcotics, SWAT, and detective work

Social Media:

• https://www.instagram.com/punk_rock_son/

I’m honored to introduce a man cut from the same cloth as Steve Odom—another absolute warrior with an incredible journey. Meet Sonny Gerber, a patrol sergeant on the central coast of California with 26 years of law enforcement experience spanning corrections, probation, patrol, narcotics, SWAT, and detective work. A former instructor at a California police academy, Sonny is a court-recognized expert in defensive tactics and holds master instructor certifications in ARCON (arrest and control), baton, taser, tactical communication, active shooter response, and firearms. He’s also a BJJ black belt under Chris Lovato with Paragon BJJ in San Luis Obispo and has tested his skills in Muay Thai, boxing, and MMA. Beyond the fight, Sonny is a certified critical incident stress debriefing mentor and peer support specialist, dedicated to guiding fellow officers through high-stakes and high-stress careers. 

As Sonny approaches retirement from law enforcement, Sonny remains focused on pushing for better training and wellness in the profession. He has long advocated for incorporating BJJ fundamentals into defensive tactics programs, and after years of effort, departments across the country are finally adopting this essential training—though there is still much work to be done. He has also witnessed firsthand the lack of mental health resources and wellness support for officers, despite the overwhelming evidence on divorce rates, suicide, and addiction in law enforcement. Thankfully, change is happening, and departments, including his own, are beginning to implement officer wellness programs. Looking ahead, Sonny’s plans to retire healthy, open his own Paragon BJJ school specializing in training law enforcement, and continue mentoring young officers while remaining actively involved in officer wellness initiatives. His journey is one of resilience, dedication, and a relentless commitment to making law enforcement safer and stronger—both on the mats and in life.

Today, we dive deep into the intersection of mental health and law enforcement with Sergeant Sonny Gerber, a 26-year veteran who’s seen it all—SWAT operations, high-stakes encounters, and the personal toll of a life dedicated to service. But this episode isn’t about war stories—it’s about resilience, growth, and breaking the stigma around mental health in policing.

Sonny talks about his own struggles, the lessons he’s learned the hard way, and the powerful tools that helped him turn things around—everything from jiu-jitsu and peer support to breathwork, journaling, and faith-based programs like Mighty Oaks. Whether you’re a first responder, a veteran, or just someone looking to build a stronger mindset, this episode is packed with insights on how to train your body, sharpen yo

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Jon Foti is a U.S. Army Veteran and the CEO of Operation Song.

 Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfoti01/
• Operation Song: https://linktr.ee/operationsong

I’m honored to introduce an incredible guest who embodies leadership, resilience, and dedication. With over a decade of experience leading teams in government, non-profit, aviation, and military environments, he’s a natural mentor and communicator.

Jon is U.S. Army Veteran and former helicopter pilot. Beyond his impressive military and leadership background, he’s now the CEO of Operation Song, an amazing organization using music to tell the stories of veterans, first responders, and their families.

This was such a fun episode! If you have questions about opportunities for veterans or the organizations out there that support them, look no further. Jon Foti is truly a Yoda of knowledge. Even after recording, I’m still researching the incredible resources and insights he shared during this episode and in our previous conversations.

Jon’s vision with Operation Song is nothing short of powerful. At a time when support for our veterans feels like it’s at an all-time low, this episode made me take a step back and really reflect on that reality. Operation Song is doing something extraordinary taking each individual, unique story and transforming it into something beautiful.

This work shines a much-needed positive light on our veterans, ensuring their sacrifices are not forgotten and that a support structure is in place for the challenges of today and whatever the future holds.

Resources Mentioned:

• Networking
• Get out of your comfort zone
• Dale Graham Veteran Foundation: https://www.dalekgrahamveteransfoundation.org
• Wounded Warrior Foundation: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
• Supporting your fellow veterans

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.

Shawn Welsh is the Founder and Co-Host of the VET S.O.S. Podcast.

Social Media:

• Website
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• TikTok

Podcast Platforms

• RSS.com
• Spotify
• Apple

Shawn is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over twenty years of experience as an intelligence professional. As a senior noncommissioned officer, he was dedicated to taking care of his Soldiers and continues that mission today with VET S.O.S. Shawn holds several advanced degrees including a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma. A member of the Maxwell Leadership Team, Shawn is also a certified resiliency trainer who lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and their two children.

Their mission at VET S.O.S Podcast is to educate veterans, service members, and spouses about the various resources available to them to assist with life’s transitions. They offer a military transition focused podcast and have now added a Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight and Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight to highlight those resources for our community.  We are working to launch a nonprofit organization to capture every veteran and veteran spouse’s transition story and create a sortable database that can be sorted by demographic and psychographic to enable our community to find and watch the stories that will directly help them.

I have no idea how Shawn keeps up, but he’s absolutely crushing it with Vet S.O.S.! It was such a pleasure having him take time out of his busy day to talk about his podcast and the incredible direction it’s heading. If you’re a veteran or first responder navigating a life transition, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss—they’ve got an episode for just about every challenge you might face.

I’m especially excited about the nonprofit they’re launching, Veterans Sharing Our Stories. It’s going to be a powerful collection of stories by veterans for veterans. Your journey is uniquely yours, but how great would it have been to have had a roadmap or even just a few shortcuts along the way?

I hope this episode brings you something valuable, and as always, thank you for your continued support.

Resources Mentioned:

•  The Master Resilience Training (MRT) course in the U.S. Army
• Positive Psychology Program
• Hunt the Good Stuff
• Keep

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

If this podcast has impacted you, a friend, or a loved one, and you want to help us support those struggling with PTSD, please consider making a donation today at www.normalizeptsd.com. 100% of all donations go to sponsor veterans, first responders, and organizations supporting them.