This episode of Thank You For Your Service pulls back the curtain on one of the military’s most overlooked realities: the silent struggle of military spouses navigating geo-batching. Chelsea Thomas, founder of Family in Flight, joins Eric Lopkin for a powerful conversation about the emotional, financial, and personal challenges that come with living apart to keep a family stable. Chelsea shares the surprising truth that many spouses feel more supported during a deployment than during geo-batching, and reveals how isolation, identity, and system gaps affect thousands of families across the country. Her honesty hits hard, and her mission to build community and recognition for these families matters now more than ever. If you value truth, freedom, and the real stories behind military service, this episode delivers insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Listen now at exvadio.com or your favorite podcast platform.

This powerful episode of Thank You For Your Service delivers one of the most gripping conversations yet. Christian Betancourt takes you inside the realities of serving in the National Guard before and after 9/11, securing New York in the chaos of that day, and deploying to Iraq for life-or-death missions alongside Iraqi police. He speaks candidly about surviving mortar attacks, sniper fire, and the loss of brothers in combat, offering the kind of truth most Americans never hear. Christian also reveals his toughest battle of all: a brain cancer diagnosis that hit after returning home, and the unconventional treatment that saved his life. His journey through PTSD, recovery, purpose, and service to other veterans shows what resilience truly looks like right now. Listen to this bold, unfiltered story at exvadio.com or on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode of Thank You For Your Service delivers a powerful, unfiltered look into the realities of military life through the voice of Air Force veteran and three time TEDx speaker Shawn Douglas. Shawn opens up about his post 9/11 enlistment, frontline deployments, and the emotional weight carried by those who serve. He breaks down the life or death importance of teamwork, the harsh truths of combat zones, and the unseen struggles veterans face long after they return home. Shawn also shares the resilience training that helped him navigate trauma and explains why identity, purpose, and community are essential for veterans today. This conversation matters because it reveals what most Americans never see and shows how we can better support those who protect our freedom. Listen now at exvadio.com or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Thank You For Your Service, host Eric Lopkin sits down with Army veteran and opera singer Daniel Erbe for a powerful look at the connection between creativity, service, and purpose. From the concert halls of New York to the front lines of military outreach, Erbe reveals how he turned discipline and artistry into tools for leadership and connection. He opens up about the grueling reality of basic training at 32, the challenges of mental health and transition, and how military musicians pivoted to inspire others during COVID. His story is a reminder that service takes many forms—and that purpose doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Listen now at exvadio.com or your favorite podcast platform and hear how one soldier’s song became a mission of connection and resilience.

In this powerful episode of Thank You For Your Service, host Eric Lopkin sits down with Air Force veteran Mike Daly for a candid, unforgettable conversation about courage, identity, and transformation. Mike shares how joining the Air Force in the shadow of Vietnam reshaped his character, taught him leadership under pressure, and revealed truths about himself he never expected. From handling top-secret communications in Cold War Germany to confronting the reality of living authentically in an era when honesty came with risk, his story delivers insight and perspective rarely heard. This episode goes beyond uniforms and duty—it’s about integrity, resilience, and the inner battles that define who we become. If you believe in freedom, self-determination, and the power of truth, you need to hear this. Listen now at exvadio.com or on your favorite podcast platform.

Every veteran and first responder has a story that deserves to be heard. In this powerful episode of Thank You For Your Service, Navy veteran Laura Celly shares her journey from basic training to life-saving work in military medicine. She opens up about the challenges of boot camp, the emotional toll of treating young patients, and the difficult transition back to civilian life. Her story reveals the discipline, resilience, and teamwork that define those who serve and offers insight into how civilians can better support veterans as they reintegrate into society. Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by those who put others first and the strength it takes to serve.