Episodios

  • The Last Prisoner Project: Fighting for veterans convicted of cannabis crimes

    The Last Prisoner Project: Fighting for veterans convicted of cannabis crimes
    Sep 26 2025
    We’re discussing veterans, cannabis, incarceration and a story brought to us from The Last Prisoner Project. Alicia Deals tracks the story of her father, Air Force veteran Robert Deals, who was arrested, convicted and sentenced on cannabis related charges in Arizona, over a decade ago. In 2020 Arizona residents voted to legalize cannabis. (Now legal for both medical and recreational use). In an ironic twist, Alicia Deals was awarded a state license to operate a dispensary in Tempe, AZ. Yet her father remains behind bars. Deals shares more details of her father’s case and describes where cannabis tax dollars are currently being spent. The Last Prisoner Project’s Executive Director, Sarah Gersten describes other veteran cannabis cases from around the country and highlights their work to reform drug policy on both the state and federal level. We also discuss Deals’ current plea for clemency and share the response we received from the Arizona Governor’s office. See more from The Last Prisoner Project here: https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    34 m
  • The Power of Dogs: Vets share how incredible canines saved their lives

    The Power of Dogs: Vets share how incredible canines saved their lives
    Sep 19 2025
    It’s National Service Dog Month and we’re honoring the dogs from Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). We talked with two veterans whose stories demonstrate how these dogs truly save lives. We begin with a look at the military service of Marine Corps Sgt Major John Ploskonka and Army Cavalry veteran and Purple Heart recipient Phil Bauer. Bauer shared memories of the Chinook helicopter crash which resulted in the loss of his leg and Ploskonka shares how life after the military became a struggle, as he grappled with suppressed childhood trauma. Both offered a glimpse of what it’s like living with anger, paranoia and constant anxiety. Until the dogs entered their life. They each described how these dogs respond to their unique needs and the astounding ways they can read their minds. We also hear a fascinating scientific theory about they’re capable of doing it. Check out Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities and donate to support programs like Project HEAL here: https://www.ecad1.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Is Psychedelic Therapy the suicide solution? Combat vet says “I am still here because of Ibogaine”

    Is Psychedelic Therapy the suicide solution? Combat vet says “I am still here because of Ibogaine”
    Sep 6 2025
    This week we’re talking about Ibogaine Psychedelic Therapy with former Army Paratrooper, decorated combat veteran, and Purple Heart recipient Clayton Smith. We discussed his experience with ibogaine treatment which he reluctantly did, just so he could say he "tried everything" before ending his life. Instead, it completely transformed him and gave him a new mission- healing fellow veterans through the nonprofit “Beond Service” which helps fellow vets gain access to this life-changing, and remarkable treatment. We begin by unpacking common myths about psychedelics. We also hear descriptions of his combat deployments and the uncomfortable truth about how trauma is not always related to war, but equally from events like military sexual assault or even childhood. Not all trauma is the same, but all are equal. Smith explained, “… one thing I want to share with the veteran community is that we don’t compare trauma.” We talked about how despite VA therapy, Smith always felt like he was still broken and shared details of the plan he devised to end his life. Inspired to try one last treatment, Smith shares vivid memories from his Ibogaine therapy session, and the life-changing lessons he learned from the experience. We also hear stunning results for other vets who attended Beond therapy sessions. We wrap our discussion with details about the non-profit “Beond Service” which is changing the lives of veterans and their spouses. And we learn how anyone struggling with PTSD, depression or anxiety can find relief through the “Beond Ibogaine” treatment center in Mexico. Find out more about Beond Service for veterans and the Beond Ibogaine therapy program at their campus in Cancun, Mexico: https://beondibogaine.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    45 m
  • Cyber Command vet shares AI, data threats and how to become a Cyber Warrior

    Cyber Command vet shares AI, data threats and how to become a Cyber Warrior
    Aug 29 2025
    We’re talking all about Cybersecurity with Dr. Calvin Nobles, (Ret.) U.S. Navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer and Dean of Cybersecurity & Information Technology at University of Maryland Global Campus. We unpack the threats that exist all around us including how the military is defending against rogue nations, evolving AI, and drone technology. Nobles shared the threats he witnessed while commanding Cyber Operations for the US Navy and his time at the National Security Agency. We also learned about cyber security education pathways and the certifications required for jobs in this rapidly growing field, which is actively recruiting veterans. For more on cybersecurity opportunities, connect with Dr Calvin Nobles here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinnobles/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    49 m
  • Armed with AI: Navy SEAL’s Vetavize aims at VA to help vets get their claims approved!

    Armed with AI: Navy SEAL’s Vetavize aims at VA to help vets get their claims approved!
    Aug 22 2025
    Navy SEAL veteran Chief Anthony Rivera shares an inside look at Vetavize, the digital platform he founded to navigate the complex and frustrating VA Disability Benefit process. Powered by artificial intelligence, it guides veterans through filing their claim while helping them identify conditions and gather medical evidence needed to get their claims approved. Rivera shared how after leaving the Navy he took a tactical approach and successfully managed his own VA claim, and then began personally assisting other veterans while working at Amazon. Rivera shares how Vetavize is being used by local governments and law enforcement agencies to help their veteran employees. We also discuss how Rivera has hope that the VA and Congress will start using this highly effective program to help all vets receive the benefits they earned. And, how he has some powerful, combat-tested allies in Congress- former Navy SEALs! Find out more about Vetavize to get your correct disability rating and the benefits you’ve earned here: https://vetavize.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    59 m
  • Behind The Medal of Honor: Army Cavalry vet shares bravery, brotherhood, and how America’s Warrior Partnership always has our veterans’ back.

    Behind The Medal of Honor: Army Cavalry vet shares bravery, brotherhood, and how America’s Warrior Partnership always has our veterans’ back.
    Aug 11 2025
    This week we’re talking with Army Cavalry Scout veteran, and Medal of Honor recipient SSGT Clint Romesha, who continues to serve his fellow vets though America’s Warrior Partnership. We begin with a look at his service and a fascinating look into the reconnaissance missions of the elite US Army Cavalry Scouts. Known as the “eyes and ears of the battlefield” he shares a vivid, behind the scenes look at combat operations. We discussed the day that changed his life forever. It was 2009 in Afghanistan, when Clint defended the remote Combat Outpost Keating when it was almost overrun by 300+ Taliban terrorist forces. He was repeatedly exposed to enemy fire, devised a counterattack, provided cover for fellow soldiers to retrieve the fallen and kill the enemy’s surge. For his actions that day, Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013. Romesha shared the challenges he and many other veterans experienced after war, and how his initial career plans fell apart. He would eventually pursue hard and physical work in the oil fields of North Dakota. Leaning on his military training he also found success, and years after combat, received a mysterious phone from Pentagon. We wrap our conversation with how he continues to serve his fellow vets through his work with America’s Warrior Partnership. He describes their mission to end veteran suicide by AWP’s ability to deliver mental health care, assist with financial issues, transportation and even help vets live better lives through better employment. AWP and warriors like Romesha are always there their fellow vets and always have their six. For more on Clint Romesha's inspiring life: https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/romesha/ See how America's Warrior Partnership assists veterans in need and make a donation to this worthy organization here: https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    48 m
  • Navy vet found huge success in skilled trades … and became a Tik Tok all-star

    Navy vet found huge success in skilled trades … and became a Tik Tok all-star
    Aug 6 2025
    Today we’re with Navy veteran Matt Thompson who built an incredible post-military career in the skilled trades … and how his use of Tik Tok has made his heating and air conditioning business wildly successful in Southern California. His story began with a love of auto mechanics, which included building a car that ran on airplane fuel. His knack for fixing engines helped him consistently advance though the ranks. Thompson shared how his military experience and credentials put him on the fast track to getting a contractor’s license in California, but it was his interest in social media that helped his business experience explosive growth. He shared how he used YouTube, Facebook and Tik Tok to promote his business through a mix of HVAC related videos and glimpses into his hobbies. He also described how his videos became popular, and how today, he receives sales leads and even gets paid by social platforms for his content and HVAC product demos. However Thompson is not pushing people to become an “influencer”. Rather, he calls for more veterans (and our kids) to consider careers in the skilled trades and use social to help build a thriving business. Find Matt Thompson on Tik Tok and other social @Matts_Crafty https://www.tiktok.com/@matts_crafty See more of Thompson’s thriving heating and air conditioning business, EMT HVAC here: https://emthvacs.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Forged in Chaos: Elite Delta Force veteran’s new book reveals groundbreaking theory and flaws in modern medicine’s treatment of PTSD

    Forged in Chaos: Elite Delta Force veteran’s new book reveals groundbreaking theory and flaws in modern medicine’s treatment of PTSD
    Jul 25 2025
    This week we’re talking about the new book, “Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story” by Army Special Operations veteran Tyler Grey. Tyler was the epitome of the modern warrior, a Delta Force operator, master of counterterrorism. He hunted the worst bullies on the world’s playground—high-value targets, bomb makers, warlords—executing covert missions that never made the news- until one mission in Sadr City, Iraq changed everything.” On what should’ve been a routine raid, an explosion ripped through the home shattering his arm and worse; it fractured his identity. Grey describes “chaos addiction” and how most combat veterans share a similar past, which support his groundbreaking LTSD theory, “Lack of Traumatic Stress Disorder”. We hear how this theory explains why Grey managed his mental health crisis with drugs, sex and toxic relationships. We also examine two traits common among combat vets, which he calls “The Warrior and Destroyer”. Grey also revealed serious flaws behind modern medicine’s current PTSD diagnosis, and how anyone who has experienced trauma can learn from his fight to conquer the battle within. This book doesn’t challenge the narrative; it destroys it, laying bare the cost of being forged in chaos. Check out “Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story” here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Forged-in-Chaos/Tyler-Grey/9798895652626 Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Host and Navy veteran, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Más Menos
    51 m