Leaving the military comes with challenges-redefining your purpose, finding a meaningful career, and stepping into an unfamiliar civilian world where your experience isn't always understood. But what if your military skills could be the key to success in one of the fastest-growing and most mission-driven industries today? The cybersecurity field is facing a massive talent shortage, and veterans have exactly what it takes to fill the gap. Tactical decision-making, problem-solving under pressure, and a mission-first mindset-these are the same skills that make an effective cyber professional. In this episode, we sit down with Ricoh Danielson, an Army veteran and cybersecurity expert, to break down how veterans can transition into cyber careers, whether they have a technical background or not. We dive into the real-world pathways available, including training programs, certifications, and networking strategies that get veterans in the door. Ricoh shares his own journey from the battlefield to cybersecurity, how he built a successful career in the industry, and why veterans are uniquely suited to excel in this space. If you're looking for a career that offers both purpose and opportunity, cybersecurity might just be your next mission. Listen in as we map out the steps to make it happen.

Timestamps 03:15 - Recognizing transferable military skills suitable for cybersecurity​ 12:40 - Training programs and certifications tailored for veterans​ 25:10 - Navigating the cybersecurity job market as a veteran​ 37:55 - Success stories: Veterans thriving in cybersecurity roles​ 48:20 - Resources and support systems for veterans entering tech fields

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

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Some wounds don't come from the battlefield-they come from within the ranks. Brandon Caserta was strong. Disciplined. Determined. He had a dream to serve in the military, to push himself to the limits, to be part of something greater than himself. But when he faced toxic leadership, retaliation, and neglect from those meant to lead, the weight became unbearable. His parents, Terri and Patrick Caserta, were left with the unimaginable loss of their son. But instead of letting their grief consume them, they fought back-championing the Brandon Act, a law ensuring service members can confidentially seek mental health help without fear of retaliation. In this episode, we discuss:

• Brandon's story-the warning signs, the failures, and the tragic end
• The deep-seated issues of toxic leadership in the military
• How the Brandon Act is changing the way service members access mental health care
• What veterans and active-duty personnel can do to protect themselves and support their brothers and sisters in arms

Brandon should still be here. His story should have had a different ending. But because of his parents' fight, lives are being saved today. Listen in and share this episode-because no service member should feel alone in their struggle.

00:02:15 - Who Brandon Caserta was and the values he lived by 00:10:15 - The toxic leadership and broken culture within the Navy 00:29:00 - The events leading up to Brandon's death on the flight line 01:04:20 - How Terri and Patrick uncovered the truth and began their fight 01:32:10 - What the Brandon Act means for today's service members

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://www.thebrandonact.org
• Foundation: https://www.brandoncasertafoundation.org
• Follow The Brandon Act on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrandonact
• Follow The Brandon Act on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandonact/
• Follow The Brandon Act on Twitter/X: https://x.com/ActBrandon
• Follow The Brandon Act on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-brandon-act-719821228/

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Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. But for a lot of veterans, the transition out of service feels like being dropped into an unknown world without a map. That's exactly what Rob Sarver and Alex Gendzier set out to fix. After years of interviews with veterans, deep research into military transition, and personal experience, they wrote Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey-a guide designed to help veterans navigate the mental, emotional, and professional challenges of post-service life.

In this episode, they break down the biggest obstacles veterans face-loss of identity, lack of purpose, job struggles, and mental health hurdles-and provide real-world strategies to overcome them. From the wisdom of ancient warrior cultures to the latest research on PTSD, career fulfillment, and personal growth, this conversation is packed with insights every veteran needs to hear.

If you're a veteran looking for a blueprint to a successful transition-or you know someone who needs one-this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps: 00:01:00 - Why transition is so hard for veterans 00:07:15 - The biggest mistakes veterans make after leaving service 00:12:45 - Finding purpose in civilian life 00:18:30 - Mental health strategies that actually work 00:25:00 - How to prepare for transition the right way

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey: https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Civilian-Field-Manual-Journey/dp/B0D4WJB7YL/

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What happens when you transition out of the military and the leadership in civilian life doesn't measure up? Jason West, a Marine veteran and leadership consultant, breaks down why leadership matters more than ever when building a business, leading a team, or just trying to create purpose in your post-service life. From his experiences in the Marine Corps to running his consulting firm, Officers Eat Last, Jason shares the foundational leadership principles that keep teams strong and mission-focused-whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. He also explains why purpose-driven leadership isn't just a buzzword but a critical mindset shift for veterans looking to succeed after the military.

Jason discusses how leadership evolves from being about physical capability to strategic thinking, why great leaders serve their people first, and how veterans can apply military leadership principles to business and life. If you've ever felt frustrated by weak leadership in the civilian world or struggled to find a meaningful role post-service, this episode is packed with insights to help you take charge and lead with impact.

Timestamps: 04:30 - Jason's journey from football to the Marine Corps 12:15 - The evolution of leadership from enlisted to officer 27:00 - Why "Officers Eat Last" is more than just a saying 39:45 - Finding purpose after military service 50:15 - Tactical leadership strategies for business and life

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://www.officerseatlast.com/

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The war doesn't always end when you come home. For many veterans, the toughest battles are fought in silence-moral injury, survivor's guilt, and the search for meaning after service. Retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho lived it. After surviving multiple IED blasts, he returned home to a life that felt shattered, eventually finding himself at the brink of suicide. But that wasn't the end of his story.

Through mountain climbs, advocacy, and discovering the power of faith-wherever that may be found-Eric transformed his pain into purpose. He now fights for veteran-focused legislation, educates others on moral injury, and helps fellow warriors find their own path forward. In this episode, he shares his journey, the struggles so many veterans face, and actionable insights on how to rebuild after the darkest days. Whether you're battling your own demons or want to understand the hidden wounds of war, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.

Timestamps: 01:15 - The moment that nearly ended it all and the path to recovery 04:00 - Moral injury vs. PTSD: Understanding the difference and why it matters 12:45 - Fighting for veterans on Capitol Hill and advocating for change 28:30 - The role of faith and community in healing 45:15 - Turning struggle into purpose and helping fellow veterans

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://www.ericdonoho.com

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We all have demons. Some we fought on the battlefield, others we fight in our own minds. For Army veteran Juan Espinoza, the weight of his experiences nearly crushed him-until he found a way to process the pain. After years of bottling up emotions and trying to "just push through," Juan hit a breaking point. One cold December night, he stepped into the rain, dropped to his knees, and screamed for purpose. What followed was an outpouring of emotion that turned into a book-written in just two days-that changed his life forever.

In this episode, Juan shares how writing became his therapy, how shifting your perspective can change your life, and why true strength comes from vulnerability, not suppression. Whether you're a veteran dealing with the unseen scars of service, struggling with relationships, or searching for purpose after the uniform comes off, this conversation will hit home.

And if you think you're not the "writing type," Juan's story might just change your mind.

Timestamps: 02:45 - Juan's Army career and combat deployments 10:45 - Writing as a form of healing and self-reflection 22:30 - The power of perspective in overcoming pain 35:45 - Strength in vulnerability and breaking toxic cycles 50:15 - How veterans can start their healing journey

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://juanespinoza.me

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Leaving the military is hard. Finding the right job? Even harder. Veterans often find themselves stuck in jobs that don't match their skills, struggling to translate their military experience into something that makes sense to civilian employers.

Jon Safran, a 23-year Air Force veteran and Chief Military Engagement Advisor at MilitaryConnected.org, knows this challenge firsthand. His mission? To bridge the gap between veterans and military-ready companies that understand and value their skills.

In this episode, we explain why many veterans feel lost in their first civilian job, the biggest transition mistakes to avoid, and how to connect with companies ready to hire and support veterans. If you're about to leave the military-or if you've already transitioned and are frustrated with the job search-this episode is for you.

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://militaryconnected.org/

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Too many veterans are handed a diagnosis and a prescription-but never a real solution. Dr. Fred Moss has spent decades working in psychiatry, only to realize that true healing doesn't come from medication-it comes from connection.

In this episode, Dr. Moss shares how veterans can reclaim their mental health by finding their true voice and engaging in meaningful communication. We explore why psychiatric labels can do more harm than good, how technology has changed the way we connect, and the power of listening as a healing tool.

For veterans struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or feeling lost after service, this episode is a wake-up call. Healing requires more than just suppressing emotions; it involves understanding them, embracing them, and using them to build deeper human connections.

Timestamps:

• 04:15 - Why communication-not medication-is the key to healing
• 16:45 - The power of human connection in overcoming PTSD
• 30:10 - Why society's definition of "normal" is flawed
• 45:20 - Breaking free from psychiatric labels and reclaiming identity
• 57:45 - Practical strategies to heal through self-expression

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://welcometohumanity.net
• Follow Fred Moss on Instagram: https://instagram.com/drfredmoss
• Follow Fred Moss on Twitter/X: https://x.com/drfredmoss

View the transcript for this episode.