Drive On: Helping Veterans Navigate PTSD & Life After Military Service

Christmas Thoughts and Easier Access to Support

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This Christmas episode slows things down for a moment and acknowledges how the season can affect everyone differently. Scott shares a straightforwa...

Veteran Mental Health And Operation Overwatch

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Army combat medic veteran Adam Fluegel talks about answering the call for medics after 9/11, running patrols during the first Iraqi elections, losing ...

Choosing Life When Everything Hurts

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The climb out of the lowest moments isn't clean or quick, and this conversation holds nothing back. A young airman who sprinted out of a rough home li...

Lyrics That Kept Me Here

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of vets say music is the only thing that still makes sense, and for Tony Kessel, that idea runs deep. He built a 366-song playlist of his life, ...

How Cooking Supports Veterans After Military Service

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the Army chapter closed, Cory Brown didn't know what came next. A decade later, he's a veteran, entrepreneur, and creator of "Eat Your Feelings,"...

The Power of Stoic Thinking

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A submarine is one of the most demanding workplaces on Earth. Confined, tense, and utterly dependent on trust and focus. William Spears has spent his ...

How Painting Helped an Air Force Veteran Recover Her Sense of Self

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cheri Carandanis spent her career caring for others as an Air Force nurse and later in hospice. After two brain injuries forced her to retire, she had...

The Hidden Heroes Beside Our Veterans

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When your mission shifts from the battlefield to the bedside, how do you keep going? This episode features Dan Contreras from Disabled American Vetera...

How a Veteran Found Freedom After the Corporate Grind

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After serving in the Air Force, Billy Rudd spent over two decades leading massive teams in corporate America. On paper, he had everything figured out....

Combat Letters and Life Lessons

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

He thought he'd miss the war, but fate had other plans. Marine aviator Don Eggspuehler's story begins with a stack of letters written from the jungles...

The Truth About Treatment Resistant Veterans

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes healing feels more like trial and error than progress. Brian Livesay knows that firsthand. After a decade in uniform and years working in ve...

Losing Sight Finding Strength

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Hale's story is about what comes next after tragedy strikes. After serving as a Navy cook, he switched to the Army to become an explosive ordnan...

Learning to Feel Like Yourself Again After the Military

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Getting out of the military doesn't come with a manual. You leave one world behind and step into another that doesn't always make sense. In this episo...

Why Veterans Struggle To Sleep

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sleep can feel like the enemy when nightmares, racing thoughts, or old deployment habits keep you wired at night. In this episode, Dr. Leah Kaylor,...

How Faith Rebuilt a Combat Veteran’s Life

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the war follows you home, and no amount of alcohol, drugs, or violence can silence it? Andrew Jones lived that reality. After Iraq, ...

Lifelong Care for Veterans and Families with Semper Fi & America’s Fund

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The toughest battles don't always happen overseas. Sometimes they hit when you're back home, trying to figure out how to live with injuries, stress, o...

The Warning Signs Military and Veteran Families Can’t Afford to Miss

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes the hardest battles aren't fought overseas. They're fought in living rooms, late at night, when the weight of war refuses to let go. In this...

Tools Veterans Need to Heal

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For many veterans, the hardest battles often come long after the uniform comes off. Erik Lawrence knows what that feels like. After years in Special F...

Veteran Finds Strength After the Weak Man Phase

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Losing your sense of identity after service feels like freefall. For Lee Freeburg, that struggle was real. A Navy hospital corpsman who fought to find...

When the Uniform Comes Off Everything Changes Overnight

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaving the military can feel like stepping off a cliff. One day, you've got steady pay, housing, and a community that's always around. The next day, ...

Treating Veteran Transition Like an Experiment

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Losing the uniform can mean losing identity, reputation, and even the sense of mission that kept you moving forward. For many, the transition feels li...

Turning Grief Into a Greater Mission

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Ballou's deployment to Afghanistan was supposed to overlap briefly with her husband's fourth combat tour. They'd have a couple of months in-c...

Fighting the Rush After Combat

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The battlefield changes you, but the real fight might start when you get home. Ben Sykes went from web designer to Marine machine gunner during the...

How Psychedelics Help After Military Service

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After two deployments and a solid run in the Marine Corps, Susannah Stokes did what a lot of vets do-she took her leadership skills into the corporate...

Get the VA Disability Rating You Deserve

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You served your country, endured physical pain, and now struggle to get the benefits you rightfully earned. If navigating the VA disability claims sys...

Building Veteran Community Through Fitness

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith didn't plan to become the program director of a veteran fitness nonprofit. When he left the Army, his only goal was to stay afloat. But af...

How Veterans Stay Mentally and Physically Strong

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the uniform comes off, many veterans feel like they've lost their team. And with it, their purpose. Michael "Sully" Sullivan knows that feeling f...

From Musician to Soldier and the Invisible Wounds After War

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joseph Fontenot gave up a rising career in music to enlist in the Army, only to be thrust into unexpected combat roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. He ...

Total Force Plus Making Military and Veteran Connections

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Transitioning out of the military brings challenges that don't end when the uniform comes off. Benefits, family readiness, and the search for a new pu...

Overcoming Perfectionism and Combat Stress

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cole Grace knows danger up close. In Iraq, he spent his days disarming IEDs and dodging sniper fire. But coming home wasn't the relief he'd expected. ...

How Military and Veteran Families Make Homeschool Work

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're active duty or a veteran with kids, you already know the school system doesn't move with you. New duty station, new rules, new problems, and...

Why Veterans Crave Chaos

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Veterans often return home to a world that feels muted. Mark Haddad, a former Army soldier and contractor, breaks down the reason why: our body-mind-s...

The Real Cost of Military Transition

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

He gave the Army 20 years, 8 months, and 8 days, nearly all of it in special operations. From Ranger Regiment to Green Beret team sergeant, Joshua Dan...

One Vet’s Fix for the VA’s Failures

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kris Searles got blown out, broken down, and pushed out. The VA gave him pills. He gave them the finger. Instead of numbing out, he wrote a check, ...

PTSD is Wrecking You. Fix it Now.

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If life after the military feels like it's constantly on edge, you need tools that actually help you get your head straight. Dr. Barbara Thompson i...

Veteran Suicide Awareness Through Rock

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when music becomes a lifeline, capturing the stories and struggles veterans carry silently? Today's guests, Bronson Hetzer and Cody Doenc...

A Marine’s Mission For Mental Health and Fitness

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A troubled past led one Marine to find redemption and purpose, turning adversity into a powerful mission. After struggling through his own difficult t...

Psychedelic Therapy for Combat Veterans

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the pills stop working and therapy feels like talking to a brick wall, where do you turn? Dr. Charlie Powell, a veteran and multi-board certified...

Shifting Veteran Mindsets by Healing PTSD with Gratitude

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Military spouse Marla Ballard discusses her journey from a farm in Kentucky to navigating the challenges of being a military spouse in the bustling D....

Overcoming Isolation as a Veteran

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After the service, feeling isolated can hit harder than expected. You move to a new place, start a new chapter, and suddenly realize that building rea...

From Deutschland to Devil Dog

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, the funniest stories are also the most revealing. Andy Dietrich takes us from his teenage years in Germany to the icy roads of Alaska and e...

Finding a Community After Military

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. That's the focus of this episode with Marine veteran Sean Abrusci and Warrior Strong founder Tom ...

How One Dog Saved a Veteran

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. Daniel O'Dell opens up about the brutal reality of life after service. Physical limitations, ment...

Fixing the Flaws in Veteran Transition

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard the lie: "You'll do great after the military. Companies are lining up to hire vets." But what if that's exactly what's breaking us? J...

Life After Blackwater

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Morgan Lerette didn't grow up dreaming about being a private military contractor. Like a lot of veterans, one thing led to another. He got pulled into...

How False Strength Keeps Men Stuck

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Strength doesn't always look like what you think. For years, Adam Kasix wore the mask, the intense energy, the warrior mindset, the high-functioning c...

Surviving the War After the War

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the mission ends but the war inside you doesn't? Ryan Reichert opens up about life after nearly two decades in the Army, includi...

Rebuilding Purpose Through Veteran Fitness

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After getting out of the Marine Corps, Rob Bracero found himself stuck, detached from purpose, struggling with chronic pain, and missing the community...

Alternative PTSD Treatments That Work

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Blown up. Burned out. Ready to end it all. That's where Sam Peterson found himself after his second deployment as an EOD tech. He nearly took his ...

How Blindness Revealed a Veteran’s Strength

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kijuan Amey had a plan. He was finishing school, building a business, and still serving in the Air Force Reserves. Then a motorcycle crash changed eve...

Tools to Reclaim Your Life After Combat

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Rademacher didn't wear the uniform, but the war still shaped his life. His two brothers served in Iraq, and that personal connection drove him to...

The Other Side of the GWOT

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not everyone who served in the Global War on Terrorism wore a uniform. Ganpat "Gunner" Wagh started as a Marine, moved into law enforcement, and then ...

Meditation Tools for Veterans

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pain and anxiety don't always show up on the outside, but they can dominate your inner world. That's the reality Ann Swanson lived with until she disc...

Strength Is a Choice You Make

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you've been wrecked physically, mentally, or spiritually, it's easy to believe that you're done. But Marine Corps veteran Brandon Mancine's story...

500 Times Veterans Chose to Drive On

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We made it to 500 episodes! Honestly, I didn't expect to hit this number when I first started the Drive On Podcast. I figured I'd try it out, see if i...

Why Dark Humor Keeps Veterans Alive

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaving the military doesn't mean your battles are over. It just changes the battlefield. In this raw, relatable episode, Navy veteran and podcast hos...

Finding Brotherhood After Combat

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Coming home doesn't always mean you're back. For Marine Corps reservist Ron Jansen, the toughest battles came long after Iraq, when the mission was ov...

Honoring the GWOT Generation

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's one thing to survive war, it's another to make sure it's remembered. In this powerful conversation, Special Forces veteran Michael "Rod" Rodrí...

Turning the Page on PTSD

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After deployment, some warriors come home. Others just arrive. Dustin Carter opens up about how writing became more than a hobby-it became his life...

Nutrition and Mental Health for Veterans

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You trained hard, ate right, and stayed in top physical condition in the military. But after getting out? It's easy for those habits to fall apart. Fo...

Archery for PTSD Relief

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Sam Westfall left the military, he felt the weight of transition, PTSD, and loss of purpose. He tried to cope the way many veterans do-through al...

What Vietnam Taught Us About the GWOT

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

War leaves a lasting impact-not just on those who fight, but on the generations that follow. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Naughton grew up in the shadow...

Veterans Transitioning to Cybersecurity Careers

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaving the military comes with challenges-redefining your purpose, finding a meaningful career, and stepping into an unfamiliar civilian world where ...

The Brandon Act and the Fight to End Military Suicide

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 se...

The Key to a Successful Military Transition

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why Officers Eat Last

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 leadersh...

Overcoming Moral Injury

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Veterans Turning Pain into Purpose

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why Veterans Struggle With Civilian Careers

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leaving the military is hard. Finding the right job? Even harder. Veterans often find themselves stuck in jobs that don't match their skills, struggli...

Healing PTSD Through Communication

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

A Daughter Carrying a Fallen Hero’s Legacy

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some sacrifices are too big to be forgotten. When Major Brent Taylor was killed in action in 2018, his daughter Megan Taylor was only 13 years old. No...

Faith and Resilience After Military Service

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Losing camaraderie after leaving the military can be one of the hardest parts of the transition. No one seems to understand, and it's easy to feel iso...

Fitness, Mindset, and Veteran Success

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Life after the military can feel like stepping into the unknown. That sense of mission, the camaraderie, the structure-it's suddenly gone. But what if...

Alternative Healing for PTSD

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The war might be over, but for many veterans, the battle continues long after they return home. Sleepless nights, intrusive memories, and the frustrat...

Why Veterans Make the Best Leaders

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trust. Resilience. Leadership. In the military, they weren't optional-they were life or death. But after service? No one hands you a guidebook on how ...

Practical Pain Solutions for Veterans

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chronic pain is something many veterans live with every day, whether it's from service-related injuries or the wear and tear of life. But what if you ...

Veterans and the Tools That Keep Us Sharp

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Knives have always been more than just tools for veterans-they're symbols of skill, precision, and independence. But what happens when injuries or yea...

Veteran Addiction Recovery Without Meds

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Addiction isn't just a bad habit-it's your brain craving relief. For many veterans, that relief comes in the form of smoking, drinking, or even harder...

Finding Freedom from Anxiety and PTSD

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many veterans struggle with anxiety, PTSD, and the hidden battles that linger long after their service ends. Army veteran and licensed professional co...

Turning Pain Into Purpose

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A single decision changed everything for Mark O'Brien. One night in 2008, a tragic mistake led to the loss of someone he loved-and a journey of guilt,...

Rising Strong After Combat Injury

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A split-second decision, a devastating explosion, and a new reality. Marine Corps veteran Davey Lind lost both of his legs to an IED during his fifth ...

How Military Discipline Built a Premium Scotch Brand

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Retired Marine Corps Major Eric Dominijanni shares his journey from the military to becoming the founder and CEO of FIOR Scotch. After years of servic...

Overcoming Addiction and Homelessness as a Veteran

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jay Wylie, a Navy veteran, shares his journey from addiction and career loss to sobriety and purpose. After being relieved of command and facing a pub...

Healing the Inner Wounds of War

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ron Schneebaum, retired pediatrician and author of Bigger Hearted, shares his two-part approach to helping veterans heal their inner wounds. Drawi...

Surviving Suicide and Finding Purpose

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sheridan Taylor, a Canadian Army combat veteran, former corrections officer, and suicide survivor, shares his raw and powerful story of survival, loss...

Warrior Strong Helping Veterans Stay Fit and Connected

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Tice, founder and CEO of Warrior Strong, shares how his organization helps veterans, first responders, and their families through free health and ...

Mastering Breathwork for a Better Life

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Thomas, founder of Breathwork in Bed and Australian Special Forces veteran, shares the life-changing benefits of proper breathing techniques. Draw...

Fight Until the Lights Go Out

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Pacelli, retired detective, Marine Corps veteran, and author, shares his gripping story of survival, recovery, and resilience after a life-changi...

Honor Guard Coffee Supporting Veterans and Service Dogs

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Ferguson, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Honorguard Coffee, shares his journey from deployment to navigating the challenges of civilian li...

Go for No Turning Rejection Into Success

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Waltz, co-author of Go for No, shares the transformative power of embracing rejection as a pathway to success. In this conversation, Andrea exp...

Connecting Rural Veterans to Vital Support

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Lang, Executive Director of Operation Honor: Rural Salute, shares how the organization connects rural veterans and their families to essentia...

Building a Community for Veterans Through Golf

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joshua Sears, retired Army Sergeant First Class and founder of the 100FORE22 Foundation shares his journey from combat deployments and personal strugg...

Helping Heroes Find Their Dream Home

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Cain, CEO of Heroes Home Advantage, discusses a real estate program dedicated to giving back to military members, first responders, healthcare w...

Lessons in Resilience from a Combat Physician

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Josh McConkey, a colonel, author, and emergency physician, shares insights from his military and medical careers in this impactful discussion. He ...

Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Philip Agrios, founder and CEO of Transcend Now, shares the TNow Method, a practical approach to overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors. He explains...

Strengthening Connections After Military Service

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caleb Walker, a veteran and entrepreneur, discusses his journey from military service to creating CollaboWave, a tool designed to revolutionize networ...

Crushing Cancer: Tools and Hope for Patients

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Kerry Forrestal, an emergency room physician and veteran, shares essential guidance for managing a cancer diagnosis. Drawing from years of experie...

Objective Zero Peer Support for Military Veterans

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Betsey Mercado, the co-founder of Objective Zero, shares how she leverages technology to support the military and veteran communities. Objective Zero ...

Warrior PATHH for Post-Traumatic Growth

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the Warrior PATHH Program: a non-clinical approach to aiding active duty service members, veterans, and first responders in overcoming trauma...

Warriors Set Free Faith-Based Healing

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hear from Army veteran Eric Brew, Georgia Director of Warriors Set Free Ministry, as he shares his 25 years of Army experience and his unique approach...