Most veterans who die by suicide never ask for help. This episode explains how to reach them before it's too late.

Most suicide prevention efforts begin inside hospitals—but Dr. Keita Franklin explains why that's already too late for many veterans. Drawing on decades of leadership at the VA, Marine Corps, and Columbia Lighthouse Project, she shares how a simple six-question screening tool is helping communities identify veterans at risk before a crisis becomes a tragedy.

This conversation moves beyond awareness and into practical action every veteran, family member, employer, and community leader can take.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Learn the six-question Columbia Protocol and understand why anyone—not just clinicians—can use it.

• Recognize why the first five years after military transition carry significantly higher suicide risk.

• Understand how the Marine Corps reduced suicide rates by changing where they looked for veterans in crisis.

• Discover why directly asking someone about suicide is one of the safest and most effective ways to help.

About Dr. Keita Franklin

Dr. Keita Franklin is a nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention with more than 25 years of experience serving military and veteran communities. She helped redesign the Department of Veterans Affairs' suicide prevention strategy into a public health model and now serves as Vice President of Healthcare Strategy at TriWest Healthcare Alliance while co-leading the Columbia Lighthouse Project, expanding evidence-based suicide prevention worldwide.

If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap Write a Review. It takes less than 30 seconds and helps another veteran find the lifeline they may need.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction

03:09 — Military Family Transition

05:22 — How the Columbia Protocol Was Created

12:13 — The Six Questions That Save Lives

18:05 — Rethinking Suicide Prevention

23:27 — Bringing Prevention Into the Community

31:46 — Closing & Resources

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Most veterans don't fail after transition—they fail because they never made a plan.

EPISODE PREMISE

Most veterans leave the military focused on what they're escaping instead of what they're building. In this conversation, Navy veteran Mr. Whiskey explains why that mindset creates unnecessary struggle—and how intentional planning, self-awareness, and community can completely change the outcome.

From surviving childhood trauma and toxic leadership to building a global platform helping others recover from addiction, mental health challenges, and life after service, this episode is packed with practical wisdom that applies long after the uniform comes off.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Avoid the biggest transition mistake veterans make when they say, "I don't care what I do as long as it's not the military."
• Understand why being "dry" and being truly "sober" are two completely different things—and why real recovery requires personal growth.
• Learn how a 16-hour weekend commute unexpectedly launched Mr. Whiskey's podcast and eventually became a worldwide mission serving others.
• Discover why recovery isn't one-size-fits-all and how listening to yourself can become the most powerful tool in overcoming addiction, trauma, and life's biggest challenges.
• Hear the deeply personal story of overcoming years of abuse, rejection, and limiting beliefs to build a life centered on faith, purpose, and service.

About Mr. Whiskey

Mr. Whiskey is a U.S. Navy veteran and former nuclear operator who founded Couple of Nukes, a self-improvement platform dedicated to helping people navigate military transition, addiction recovery, suicide prevention, mental health, relationships, and faith. Today he serves as a podcast host, author, speaker, preacher, comedian, and entrepreneur whose mission is simple: Protect. Provide. Serve. His unique perspective comes from overcoming childhood trauma, serving in the Navy's nuclear community, and turning those experiences into resources that help others heal and rebuild.

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⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why Most Veterans Struggle After Transition

01:07 – Meet Mr. Whiskey

02:37 – The Transition Mistake Too Many Veterans Make

06:37 – How Couple of Nukes Was Born

16:53 – Talking About Mental Health Without Losing Hope

20:16 – Recovery Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

26:05 – Finding Identity Beyond the Military

34:47 – Resources, Final Advice & Where to Connect

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Trauma thrives in silence. Healing begins when you stop carrying it alone.

Anissa Hudak knows trauma from multiple sides: as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, a military spouse, and a two-time sexual assault survivor. In this conversation, she explains why trauma recovery must involve the body and nervous system—not only the conscious mind—and why healing should never require someone to repeatedly relive the worst moment of their life.

What makes this episode different is Anissa’s direct challenge to the idea that talk therapy is always enough. She shares how yoga therapy, neurosomatic techniques, and long-term coaching can help women move trauma out of the body, retrain neurological patterns, and build a recovery path as individual as their experience.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Recognize how military transition affects spouses and families, including financial fear, loss of community, and unexpected isolation after retirement.

• Understand why Anissa believes trauma becomes embedded in the nervous system and cannot always be resolved through conscious conversation alone.

• Explore how yoga therapy and neurosomatic techniques can support healing without forcing survivors to describe or relive traumatic events.

• Build a personalized recovery path based on awareness, body-based healing, unconscious neurological work, and continued coaching support.

Connect with Anissa Hudak

Anissa Hudak is the Founder of the Phoenix Women Healing Institute. As a military spouse, daughter of a Vietnam veteran, and two-time sexual assault survivor, she brings lived experience to her work with women navigating PTSD, military sexual trauma, secondary PTSD, and other forms of trauma. Through online yoga therapy, one-on-one neurosomatic work, and extended coaching, she helps women move from survival mode toward lasting resolution.

Website: https://phoenixwomenhealing.com

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⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 - Trauma Thrives in Silence
05:53 - The Military Spouse Transition Experience
12:34 - Losing Community After Military Retirement
16:13 - Why Anissa Created Phoenix Women Healing
21:46 - Healing Through Yoga Therapy
22:54 - Why Talk Therapy May Not Be Enough
25:56 - How the Online Healing Program Works
27:15 - Moving Trauma Out of the Body and Unconscious
31:32 - Who Anissa Helps
33:35 - Closing and Lifeline Message

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Trauma doesn't have to define your future. EMDR may help your brain heal in ways talk therapy can't.

EPISODE PREMISE

For decades, PTSD treatment has centered around talking through painful memories. But what if the brain heals trauma differently? In this episode, EMDR therapist and author Paul Schulte explains why Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is producing remarkable results with veterans, active-duty service members, refugees, and trauma survivors—and why several countries now recognize it as a first-line PTSD treatment.

Drawing from his own recovery journey, his work with military psychologists in Ukraine, and years helping people overcome trauma, Paul shares why healing often begins by addressing not only combat experiences but the wounds that came long before military service.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Understand how EMDR helps the brain reconnect fragmented traumatic memories without relying on years of traditional talk therapy.
• Learn why unresolved childhood trauma often resurfaces after combat and how treating both experiences can dramatically change recovery.
• Hear powerful stories from Paul's work with Ukrainian soldiers and military psychologists during an active war.
• Discover why Paul believes EMDR could fundamentally change the future of PTSD treatment for veterans around the world.

About Paul Schulte

Paul Schulte is an EMDR therapist, author, former international banking executive, and university professor. More than 22 years sober, he now dedicates his work to helping veterans, refugees, abuse survivors, and others recover from PTSD, trauma, burnout, and addiction through EMDR therapy. His work has included supporting military psychologists and service members in Ukraine while advancing trauma recovery through research-backed treatment.

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open the app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes less than 30 seconds and helps another veteran discover the resources they may need today.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why PTSD Recovery Doesn't Have to Take Years

00:15 – Meet Paul Schulte

03:12 – A Personal Mission to Help Veterans

05:26 – Understanding EMDR Therapy

11:06 – Why EMDR Challenges Traditional Talk Therapy

14:45 – Lessons From Ukraine's Front Lines

19:00 – What an EMDR Session Is Really Like

21:10 – Finding the Right Path to Healing

23:00 – Closing Thoughts & Resources

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Most veterans don't need another program—they need one honest conversation with someone who's been there.

EPISODE PREMISE

Retired Marine Master Sergeant John Smith thought he was praying about changing careers. Instead, he found a new mission: helping veterans tell their stories.

In this episode, John shares how intentional transition planning set him up for success, why storytelling can be therapeutic, and how his podcast, The Unsung Veteran, is preserving experiences that might otherwise be lost forever.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Build a military transition plan years before separation instead of waiting until the last minute

• Recognize why veteran networking can be one of the most valuable tools during transition

• Understand how sharing personal experiences can create healing for both the speaker and the listener

• Learn why authentic conversations often uncover deeper truths than scripted interviews

About John Smith

John Smith is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant who served for 20 years as a Tactical Air Defense Controller, supporting both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Today he works in government contracting and hosts The Unsung Veteran, a platform dedicated to documenting veteran experiences and creating meaningful conversations that help service members navigate life after the military.

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than a minute and helps another veteran discover resources, stories, and support when they need it most.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

02:02 - John's Military Transition Story

05:24 - Launching The Unsung Veteran

08:47 - Challenges of Starting a Veteran Podcast

15:10 - Why Authentic Conversations Matter

20:01 - The Therapeutic Power of Storytelling

25:25 - Capturing Veteran Experiences

29:23 - Closing & Resources

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Most veterans don't fail transition because of ability—they fail because they never built a plan.

Many service members spend years preparing for military missions but only weeks preparing for civilian life. David Howe argues that's one of the biggest mistakes veterans can make.

After serving 30 years in the U.S. Army and building a successful civilian executive career, Dave learned that transition isn't just about finding a job—it's about creating a vision for the rest of your life. In this conversation, he shares why written life planning can dramatically improve transition outcomes and how the Comfort, Peace and Freedom Foundation is helping Gold Star families navigate life's most difficult moments.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Create a written transition plan that goes beyond employment and income

• Avoid the "undue sense of urgency" that causes veterans to make poor transition decisions

• Understand the emotional impact of taking off the uniform for the final time

• Learn how strategic life planning helps Gold Star families find purpose and hope after loss

About David Howe:

David Howe served 30 years in the U.S. Army, including active duty with the 4th Infantry Division and 82nd Airborne Division before retiring from the Army Reserve. He built a successful civilian career in healthcare administration and consulting, holding senior leadership positions with major organizations including Deloitte Consulting. Today, he helps veterans and Gold Star families develop life plans through the Comfort, Peace and Freedom Foundation.

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than a minute and helps another veteran discover the resources they need for a successful transition.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - David Howe's Military and Civilian Journey
03:37 - Navigating Two Different Transitions
07:36 - Building a Written Life Plan
11:12 - Supporting Gold Star Families
18:22 - How the Foundation Works
25:19 - Making Life Planning Part of Military Separation
30:19 - Closing & Resources

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Most veterans don’t hit crisis all at once. Problems stack up until purpose disappears.

What happens when a veteran loses purpose after service—and what does it take to find it again?

Nick Cannon shares a brutally honest look at his own transition from Air Force veteran to unemployed civilian struggling with identity, purpose, and direction. He also explains how Wounded Veteran Relief Fund is stepping in to solve the challenges that often push veterans toward crisis before it’s too late.

In this episode, you’ll discover

• Understand why loss of purpose can become one of the most dangerous parts of military transition

• Learn how Nick became one of the first Airmen approved for the DoD SkillBridge Program

• Hear the moment his daughter’s upcoming birth forced him to completely change his life

• Discover how WVRF’s dental program has grown from helping 17 veterans to hundreds annually

• Understand why dental care may be one of the most overlooked veteran wellness issues in America

About Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon is a U.S. Air Force veteran and former F-22 Raptor Crew Chief who later served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress.

Today he serves as Director of Operations for the Wounded Veteran Relief Fund, overseeing programs that provide emergency financial assistance, dental care, and support services for veterans throughout Florida.

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It takes less than a minute and helps another veteran discover resources that could change their life.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:22 - Nick’s Military Journey

04:04 - Discovering SkillBridge

08:40 - Losing Purpose After Transition

11:25 - Joining Wounded Veteran Relief Fund

22:03 - Emergency Financial Assistance for Veterans

23:35 - The Veteran Dental Crisis

27:07 - Expanding Beyond Florida

30:25 - The Story of Richard Rossi

32:35 - Closing Thoughts

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Most veterans don’t struggle because they lack skills—they struggle because they choose the wrong civilian career.

The military teaches mission focus, leadership, and resilience. What it doesn’t always teach is how to identify a career you’ll genuinely enjoy after service. In this episode, Jordie Kern explains why so many veterans settle for the first opportunity available and how that decision can impact everything from job satisfaction to long-term success.

Drawing from thousands of veteran transitions, Jordie shares how 7 Eagle Group helps service members discover career paths aligned with their strengths, interests, and goals while connecting them directly with employers through SkillBridge and professional networking.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Identify the biggest mistake veterans make during military transition and how to avoid it

• Build confidence in your value before entering the civilian job market

• Understand why networking often matters more than a resume

• Learn how SkillBridge reduces hiring risk and creates opportunities veterans might never access otherwise

• Discover why passion and purpose often outperform qualifications during interviews

About Jordie Kern

Jordie Kern is the Founder of 7 Eagle Group, an organization dedicated to helping transitioning service members and military spouses launch meaningful civilian careers. Inspired by a lifelong admiration for military service, he has built programs that have helped more than 8,000 veterans connect with employers, develop professional skills, and successfully transition into civilian life.

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⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

02:56 - Why Jordie Founded 7 Eagle Group

08:27 - Inside the 7 Eagle Academy Model

11:20 - The Biggest Transition Mistake Veterans Make

16:00 - How SkillBridge Changes Hiring

19:19 - Confidence and Veteran Value

26:31 - Finding Work That Aligns With Passion

31:31 - Closing Thoughts & Resources

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