In this episode of the VET’ed. Podcast, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Benjamin Pomerance, Deputy Counsel for the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and one of the nation’s leading voices in veterans law and advocacy.

From drafting landmark legislation to challenging systemic failures in the VA claims process, Benjamin has spent more than a decade fighting for fair treatment, education access, housing solutions, and suicide prevention initiatives for veterans and their families. He also brings his unique perspective as a prolific writer and educator, blending legal expertise with a journalist’s eye for human stories.

Together, Jen and Benjamin dig into the hard truths about the Veterans Benefits Administration, explore the evolving duty to assist, and spotlight the ongoing “renaissance” in veterans' benefits and advocacy across the country.

🎙️ This episode speaks to every veteran, loved one, and advocate working to navigate—and challenge—the systems meant to serve our nation’s heroes.

👍 Subscribe, Like & Follow for more episodes that inform and empower Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

#Veterans #VetEdPodcast #BenjaminPomerance #VeteransLaw #VeteransBenefits #Advocacy #SuicidePrevention #MilitaryFamily #MentalHealth #DutyToAssist

Jen M. Wagman speaks with Scott Rice, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major whose 30-year career spanned global deployments and elite commands. After facing the cumulative toll of TBI, PTSD, chronic pain, and substance abuse, Scott found healing through the Avalon Action Alliance, a national network of programs dedicated to closing the care gap for Veterans and first responders.

Now serving as a peer support specialist at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Colorado, Scott shares his powerful journey from soldier to survivor to advocate. Together, we explore what real support looks like when warriors stop surviving and start healing.

🎙️ This episode shines a light on invisible wounds, post-traumatic growth, and the critical importance of barrier-free treatment for all Veterans, regardless of discharge status or ability to pay.

👍 Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for more episodes that inform and empower Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

#Veterans #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #VetEdPodcast #ScottRice #AvalonActionAlliance #MarcusInstitute #InvisibleWounds #TBICare #PostTraumaticGrowth #MilitaryFamily

In this moving conversation from the VTTV Resource Fair at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in DuBois, Wyoming, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Kris Searles, a U.S. Army combat veteran, VTTV coach, father, and founder of Overwatch 6.

Kris opens up about his personal journey from distraction to self-reflection, from search-and-rescue missions to leading peer coaching circles that blend music, storytelling, and deep emotional support. He shares how using lyrics instead of war stories sparked breakthrough conversations, and why real healing for Veterans—and their families—starts with courage, community, and doing the hard inner work.

🎙️ This episode is a testament to the evolving power of peer-led coaching and the critical role Veterans Talking to Veterans plays in suicide prevention and post-traumatic growth.

🔔 Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | and wherever you get your podcasts.

👍Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for the full summer series from DuBois and more episodes that inform and educate the Veteran,  transitioning service members & their families on the issues affecting them most

#veterans  #mentalhealth  #suicideprevention  #vetedpodcast  #KrisSearles #VTTV #peersupport  #herojourney  #veteranleadership  #militaryfamily

In this powerful return episode of the VET’ed. Podcast, Jen M. Wagman sits down with Dr. Kent Corso, behavioral health expert, clinical psychologist, suicideologist and core partner in the Veterans Talking to Veterans (VTTV) initiative. Recorded live during Memorial Day Weekend at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in DuBois, Wyoming, this conversation marks the beginning of a special series captured on site at the VTTV Resource Fair and Coaches’ Graduation Ceremony.

Dr. Corso walks us through the mission behind VTTV’s trauma-informed coaching model—a growing movement endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that trains Veterans to support other Veterans and their families through meaningful, peer-led conversations. In an era where wait times for mental health care are dangerously long and provider shortages are worsening, VTTV offers an immediate, community-driven response rooted in empathy, trust, and shared experience.

We explore how coaching differs from therapy, why it matters, and how this program—now active in 12 communities, including the Department of Corrections—is already saving lives. Dr. Corso also shares what he sees as the biggest challenges facing today's transitioning service members, Veterans and their families—and how to meet them with practical, proven solutions.

This episode is for anyone committed to Veteran mental health, suicide prevention, and creating systems of care that work from the inside out.

Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | and wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for the full summer series from DuBois and more episodes that inform and educate the Veteran,  transitioning service members & their families on the issues affecting them most

 #Veterans #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #VetEdPodcast #KentCorso #VeteranSupport #Coaching #CommunityHealing #MilitaryMentalHealth

In this powerful episode of VET'ed. host Jen M. Wagman is joined by Timothy Sheppard and Dr. Julie Elledge for an inspiring conversation ahead of the 2025 Veterans Talking to Veterans Fair in Dubois, Wyoming. Together, they explore how trauma-informed coaching, faith-based leadership, and community engagement are transforming veteran care and mental health support—especially in rural America.

Dr. Elledge, founder of Mentor Agility, highlights how her team of certified coaches is addressing veteran suicide by promoting resilience, motivation, and healing outside of traditional clinical settings. She emphasizes suicide as a social issue, not just a mental health problem—and shares how veterans are thriving when reconnected with purpose and community.

Timothy Sheppard shares the mission of the VA Center for Faith, including suicide prevention webinars, Veteran Service Groups, and outreach initiatives to build trust and spiritual support for veterans across all belief systems.

📌 Topics include:

Veteran suicide prevention through non-clinical community care

Coaching veterans and families to thrive

Rebuilding trust in the VA system

Faith, healing, and connection in veteran support

👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe for more stories and solutions centered on veterans’ well-being.

Join host Jen M. Wagman as she sits down with retired U.S. Army Captain Jeff Cambre to chart his incredible journey—from completing 7,350 parachute jumps with the Army’s Golden Knights to enduring a life-changing spinal cord injury during an MRI mishap. In this powerful episode, Jeff opens up about:

Navigating the VA benefits appeals process since 2019, fighting for fair compensation and care daily life as a functioning quadriplegic, including mobility challenges and autonomic dysreflexia

The critical role of specialized VA spinal cord centers in Orlando and Tampa

The importance of advocacy, accurate medical exams, and holding the VA accountable

Finding resilience and purpose through restoring classic cars and mentoring fellow veterans


Whether you’re a veteran, caregiver, or advocate, this conversation sheds light on systemic challenges and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of those who serve.

If Jeff’s story inspired you, please like, comment with your thoughts, and subscribe for more veteran-focused interviews and insights.

In Episode 5 of VET’ed., Jen sits down with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and tech visionary Mark Casper, the President and CEO of Tech For Troops (T4T). Based in Richmond, Virginia, but with impact nationwide, T4T is not just recycling computers—it’s rebuilding lives.

Mark shares the extraordinary journey behind T4T’s mission to empower Veterans through access to refurbished computers, digital literacy training, IT workforce development, and a life-saving “Aiming for Zero” suicide prevention initiative.

A former IT expert with decades of experience at companies like Northrop Grumman and Capital One, Mark brings technical expertise and a heart for service to everything he does. Under his leadership, T4T has ethically reused or recycled over 1.5 million tons of e-waste while equipping struggling Veterans with new digital tools and pathways to employment.

Tune in to hear Mark’s personal story—from his Marine Corps service in the 1980s to his current role as a proud husband, “Grampy” and nonprofit leader—and learn how one Veteran’s vision is creating purpose and second chances for thousands of others.

In this powerful Episode 4 of VET’ed, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Army Veteran Clay Adams and trauma recovery expert Eva J. Usadi for a candid and deeply moving conversation about the challenges veterans face after service—and the paths available for healing.

Clay Adams, a former Army Infantry and Intelligence Officer with multiple combat deployments, opens up about his struggle with suicidal ideation and the often-invisible wounds of war. He shares his personal journey of reintegration into civilian life and the turning point that began with Warrior Camp®—an intensive, residential treatment program specifically designed for active military and veterans.

Joining him is Eva J. Usadi, the Founder and Executive Director of Trauma and Resiliency Resources (TRR) and Clinical Director of Warrior Camp®. With over 37 years of clinical experience in treating PTSD, Moral Injury, and Combat Trauma, Eva provides expert insight into the therapeutic modalities behind Warrior Camp® and why this approach is saving lives.

Together, they shed light on the transformative power of trauma-informed care, the importance of community, and the message that no veteran should have to suffer in silence.

Whether you're a service member, veteran, family member, caregiver, provider, or someone who cares about our military community, this episode offers hope, education, and a path forward.

In this powerful episode of VET’ed. with Jen M. Wagman, Jen welcomes Jerry Shaffer, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in the military and Veteran communities. Jerry shares the powerful story behind the inception of the Red Star Foundation, its core mission, and the critical goals driving its work to support the military and Veteran communities.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the sobering reality of Veteran and active duty suicide statistics, a crisis that continues to impact our nation’s heroes, their families and loved ones. Drawing on both lived experience and years of advocacy, he offers a raw and informed perspective on how changing the narrative, tone, and labels assigned to families who suffer the loss of an active duty service member or Veteran as a result of death by suicide and removing any stigma by making them a "Red Star Family," could have a positive effect on prevention efforts.

Jerry also provides insight into the systemic challenges and discusses the efforts underway to "move the needle"—from legislative initiatives in Congress to programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the essential role of community-based organizations. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to understanding the issues facing our service members and Veterans and the dedicated work being done to save lives and bring lasting change.

The TAI Blood Test with John Schmitt, CEO of iXpressGenes, Inc.

In this episode of VET'ed., recorded on February 21, 2025 at the "United We Transform: Mental Health Summit" in Nashville, Tennessee, Jen sat down with John Schmitt, the visionary CEO and co-founder of iXpressGenes, Inc. following his presentation to conference attendees explaining the mechanics and science behind the revolutionary TAI blood test—a groundbreaking development in personalized medicine.

Discover how the TAI blood test was conceived, developed, and refined to address the specific health needs of targeted populations. John shares insights into the research and innovation that fueled the creation of this test, highlighting the collaborative efforts of scientists and healthcare professionals.

But how does the TAI blood test work? John breaks down the science behind it, explaining how it analyzes genetic and biochemical markers to provide tailored health insights. This test not only enhances early detection of potential health issues, but also empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a student of science, or simply curious about advancements in medical technology, this episode is packed with valuable information. Tune in to learn how the TAI blood test could change the landscape of health diagnostics and improve lives.

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