Jared and Tayler Eakin introduce their new studio and explain why they created Scars and Stripes Unfiltered alongside their nonprofit, Scars and Stripes (founded in 2023). Jared shares the conversation at the VA that led him to focus on upstream suicide prevention by addressing veterans’ life stressors and helping them navigate complex VA systems for needs like rent, utilities, prescriptions, job search, and gas. Tayler, an LCSW and emergency services coordinator at Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness, discusses isolation and hopes the podcast’s storytelling and education can reach people who are struggling. They describe the loss of identity and teamwork after leaving the military, the importance of putting veterans first in service work, and their goal to feature veterans, spouses, clinicians, and organizations in unfiltered conversations.

00:00 Welcome to the Studio
00:35 Why This Podcast Exists
01:22 Scars and Stripes Mission
02:31 The VA Cigar Conversation
04:55 Unfiltered Podcast Vision
06:13 Meet Taylor the Clinician
07:33 Isolation and Healing
10:16 Purpose After Starting Nonprofit
14:16 Navigating VA and Upstream Help
18:42 Spouse Perspective on Service
22:15 What to Expect Next
22:50 Contact Info and Closing

In this episode of Scars & Stripes: UNFILTERED, we kick off a new series: Cigar with a Serviceman. We’re sitting down for an honest, raw conversation about the reality of transitioning from military to civilian life—the loss of identity, the struggle to find purpose, and the "dislocation" that happens when the world keeps moving while yours feels like it’s on pause.

We dive deep into:

The Identity Gap: What happens when you go from being an E5 leading troops to feeling like "nobody" the next day.
The Support System: Why it’s so hard to find people who truly understand the veteran experience outside of the community.
Advocating for Yourself: Why "sucking it up" isn't always the answer and how to navigate the VA to get the help you earned.
The "Light Bulb" Moments: Realizing how internal struggles—like temper and isolation—impact the people we love most, especially our families.
Our mission at Scars & Stripes is to run back into the fire for our fellow veterans. No red tape, no "cookie-cutter" advice—just real talk and real community.

Are you a veteran, a family member, or a provider? We want to hear your story. Reach out to us if you’d like to join us for a future episode of Cigar with a Serviceman.

Your Worst Chapter Isn’t Your Last Chapter. 🇺🇸

There are moments in life when it feels like your mistakes, struggles, trauma, addiction, failures, or darkest days are going to define the rest of your story.

They don't have to.

A bad chapter is exactly that—a chapter. It isn't the whole book.

You can rebuild. You can recover. You can find purpose again. Sometimes the strongest version of you is built from the very things you thought would destroy you.

Keep going. Keep fighting. Keep writing your story.

🎙️ Scars & Stripes Unfiltered
Veteran Voices • Real Stories • Raw Truths

👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about veterans, recovery, mental health, purpose, and life after the uniform.

#YourWorstChapterIsntYourLastChapter #ScarsAndStripesUnfiltered #Veterans #VeteranVoices #MentalHealth #Recovery #KeepGoing #Motivation #VeteranMentalHealth #Shorts

In this episode of Scars & Stripes: UNFILTERED, we sit down with Mr. Randall Dugan, Vice President of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition and a dedicated advocate for the veteran community.

Recorded during day two of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition Legislative Summit, Mr. Dugan shares his insights on the power of grassroots organization and how local coalitions are identifying the unique needs of veterans, their families, and survivors across every region of Arkansas—from Hot Springs to Fort Smith.

In this video, you’ll learn about:

The mission of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition.
How a "bottom-up" approach ensures every veteran's voice is heard.
The importance of regional representation in legislative advocacy.
Connect with Scars & Stripes: UNFILTERED: [Insert your social media links here]

If you found this update helpful, please like, subscribe, and share this video to help us support Arkansas veterans.

#ArkansasVeterans #VeteransCoalition #ScarsAndStripes #VeteranAdvocacy #LegislativeSummit

In this episode of Scars & Stripes: UNFILTERED, Jared Aken catches up with Bill Plunk, the State Commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Arkansas, during the Arkansas Veterans Coalition Summit.

Bill discusses the vital role the DAV plays in advocating for veterans at both the state and national levels. With a focus on the upcoming legislative session, he shares how the coalition is working together to ensure Arkansas veterans receive the benefits and support they have earned through their service.

From legislative advocacy to the simple but powerful act of "paying it forward," Bill’s message is a call to action for all veterans to stay engaged and support one another.

In this video, we discuss:

The DAV Mission: How the Disabled American Veterans organization supports the local community.
Legislative Advocacy: The importance of the Arkansas Veterans Coalition in shaping veteran-focused laws.
Paying it Forward: Why experienced veterans are the best resource for those just beginning their transition.
Strength in Numbers: How uniting different veteran organizations creates a more powerful voice for change.
Join the Conversation: Are you a member of the DAV or another veteran organization? Share how being part of a community has helped you in the comments below!

Support the Mission: Subscribe to Scars & Stripes for more unfiltered conversations with the leaders and advocates making a difference for Arkansas veterans.

#Veterans #DAV #ArkansasVeterans #ScarsAndStripes #BillPlunk #VeteranAdvocacy #ServiceAfterService #DisabledAmericanVeterans

In this episode of Scars & Stripes: UNFILTERED, Jared Aken sits down with Arkansas State Representative Jason Nazarenko during the Arkansas Veterans Coalition Legislative Session.

A veteran himself with 23 years of active duty service in the Army, Representative Nazarenko shares his passion for continuing the mission through legislative advocacy. We dive into the process of turning ideas into bills and the incredible work being done by veterans in Arkansas to support their fellow service members.

Representative Nazarenko also shares a powerful message for those transitioning out of the military: Don't just retire and retreat—Exit and Engage.

In this video, we discuss:

The Arkansas Veterans Coalition Legislative Session and its impact.
How the legislative process works for veteran-focused bills.
Representative Nazarenko’s 23-year career in the Army.
The importance of "paying it forward" and finding a new mission after service.
Join the Conversation: How are you continuing to serve in your community? Let us know in the comments below!

#Veterans #ArkansasPolitics #ScarsAndStripes #JasonNazarenko #VeteranAdvocacy #ExitAndEngage #ArmyVeteran #ServiceAfterService

First episode of Cigar with a Serviceman.

Jared talks about his experience with depression and tools that he uses.

Jared sits down with Veteran Peer Matt Watkins.

Quick clip on staying motivated while growing!