On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Joe Wesner of Ultimate Veteran Adventures, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans reconnect through the outdoors.

After the uniform comes off, many veterans struggle to find purpose, connection, and that sense of brotherhood they once had. Joe shares how Ultimate Veteran Adventures is changing that through hunting trips, fishing experiences, and outdoor retreats that bring veterans back together.

This conversation dives into the real challenges veterans face after service, the power of community, and how something as simple as time in the outdoors can create healing and direction.

If you are a veteran, know a veteran, or want to support those who served, this is a story you need to hear.

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Army veteran and entrepreneur Aaron Barnes, founder of Compact Care.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 2009 to 2017 in communications and intelligence roles, Aaron experienced firsthand the challenges soldiers face in tough environments where even basic hygiene can be difficult. Instead of accepting the problem, he turned it into a solution.

Aaron shares the story behind Compact Care, a veteran-owned company creating portable hygiene products designed for soldiers, first responders, outdoor workers, and anyone operating in rugged conditions.

In this conversation, Aaron and Brian talk about military service, the transition to civilian life, the challenges of starting a business, and how the lessons learned in uniform can fuel innovation and purpose long after service ends.

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the next mission begins after the uniform comes off.

Marine veteran and host of the JMach Podcast, Joshua “JMach” Mach joins The Other Side of Service to talk about identity after the uniform, the mental health battles many veterans face in silence, and why vulnerability is not weakness. This is a real conversation about purpose, transition, and continuing the mission long after service ends.

The battle doesn’t always end when the uniform comes off.On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Army veteran and national advocate Daniel O’Dell, known alongside his service dog, The Fluffy Poodle.Daniel shares his journey from military service to injury, chronic pain, and the difficult transition into civilian life. He opens up about PTSD, identity loss, and the silent struggles many veterans face after service.But this conversation is also about resilience — how a service dog became a lifeline, how advocacy became a mission, and how purpose can rise from pain.If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like after service, this is a powerful and honest listen.

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, I sit down with Lou Drawdy to talk about his time serving in the United States Marine Corps and the journey that followed after taking off the uniform.

Lou shares what life looked like after service, the challenges of transition, and what continues to keep him motivated today. Alongside his wife, Linda, Lou never stopped serving. Together, they remain deeply involved in giving back through Toys for Tots and several other veteran-focused programs in the community.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. For Lou and Linda, it simply took on a new mission.

A story of commitment, family, and continuing to serve long after active duty.

In this episode of The Other Side of Service, I sit down with Josh Givens to talk about a life shaped by service, storytelling, and unexpected connections.

Josh shares his journey into the military, going active duty as a photographer, and how that path led to more than 30 years in journalism. We talk about seeing the world through a lens, capturing moments that matter, and how service can take you places you never planned to go.

We also get personal. Josh opens up about his biological father, a relationship that never fully formed, and the unique way our lives crossed. His biological father was my stepdad, and Josh and I met just two days before he passed away. Out of loss came something neither of us expected… family.

This is a conversation about service beyond the uniform, the stories we carry, and how sometimes life brings the right people together at the most unexpected time.

In Episode 6 of The Other Side of Service, Josh Givens shares a moment that changed everything. After decades without a relationship with his biological father, Josh receives a simple greeting card from our sister, Abigail, congratulating him on the birth of his new baby.

No big speeches. No explanations. Just a card… and an open door.

That small gesture became the start of something bigger, reminding us that family isn’t always found at the beginning of life. Sometimes, it finds you exactly when you need it most.

🎧 Episode 6: Through the Lens of Life trailer

In Episode 5 of The Other Side of Service, we sit down with the nonprofit Operation Mind Body Soul to talk about life after the uniform.

This conversation dives into the real struggles many veterans face, the wins both big and small that deserve to be recognized, and the importance of caring for mental, physical, and spiritual health. We also highlight the people and programs behind Operation Mind Body Soul that are committed to walking alongside veterans as they transition into civilian life.

This episode is honest, meaningful, and a reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off.

Episode 4 of The Other Side of Service focuses on a powerful idea: service doesn’t end when military service does—it simply takes on a new mission.

This episode features members of the Daughters of the American Revolutionary War (DAR), highlighting their continued commitment to honoring history, supporting veterans, and serving communities through education, remembrance, and civic engagement.

We’re also joined by Lou Drawdy, a retired Marine whose post-service life has remained rooted in giving back, leadership, and supporting fellow veterans. His perspective reinforces why purpose and mission still matter long after the uniform comes off.

Finally, Army veteran Travis Robbins, owner of WPT Non Wovens in Beaverdam, shares insight into veteran employment, leadership in business, and how service values translate into the civilian workforce.

Together, these conversations explore why continuing the mission matters—not just for veterans, but for families, businesses, and communities. This episode is about purpose, responsibility, and finding meaningful ways to serve right where you are.

Episode 3 of The Other Side of Service brings together four guests whose work shows how service continues long after military life.

Adrian Bambini joins the show to talk about his work connected to the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, highlighting a simple but powerful way communities recognize and support veterans in everyday life.

Marine veteran Matt Ralph stops by to discuss the Honor Flight Bluegrass Region, focusing on what the experience means to veterans, the people who make it happen, and why those who may be unsure shouldn’t let the unknown hold them back.

Tyler Goad, a veteran and JROTC instructor at Daviess County High School, shares insight into leadership, mentorship, and why veterans often feel called to stay involved in their communities and help shape the next generation.

We close with Misty and Rick Baker, who work with Veterans Empowered Together and the Bridges Program, offering a look into equine-assisted therapy and how it supports veterans in a calm, pressure-free way.

This episode highlights one powerful idea:
Service doesn’t stop — it takes new forms.

• Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame
  https://www.kyveterans.org/history-Hall%20of%20Fame

• Honor Flight Bluegrass Region
  https://www.honorflightbluegrass.org

• Bridges Program – Equine Therapy
  https://thebridgesprogram.com

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