VET S.O.S. Podcast

VET S.O.S. — Veteran Transition, Resources & Brain Health
What if your lingering concussion symptoms aren't coming only from your brain—but from an injury everyone missed?
A veteran can have clear scans and still battle headaches, brain fog, dizziness, sleep problems, and hypervigilance years after a mild traumatic brain injury. Army veteran Dr. Chris Slininger believes part of the problem may be that we're examining the brain while overlooking what happened to the neck during the same blast, impact, or concussion.
In this episode, Dr. Slininger breaks down his research into the craniocervical junction and explains why asking "What did the kinetic force do?" may be more useful than simply asking where someone was hit.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Recognize common long-term MTBI symptoms—including headaches, migraines, dizziness, brain fog, cognitive decline, sleep disruption, and persistent fight-or-flight responses.
• Understand why Dr. Slininger believes the upper cervical spine deserves greater attention after blast exposure, concussions, airborne injuries, vehicle accidents, and other high-force events common in military service.
• Learn how neurological communication, blood flow, and cerebrospinal fluid flow factor into his theory about the relationship between the upper neck and brain function.
• Explore the veteran MTBI research he's building—from an initial 10-person pilot to a planned 400-person randomized controlled trial comparing brain-focused and craniocervical interventions, including former NFL players as a comparison group.
About Dr. Chris Slininger
Dr. Chris Slininger is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran who deployed to Kuwait in 2004–2005 and served in both the Engineer Corps and Medical Corps. His exposure to service members dealing with blast-related injuries helped drive his focus toward brain health and the invisible wounds associated with MTBI.
Today, his clinical work focuses on complex neurological conditions and the craniocervical junction. He is leading research examining whether upper cervical correction can affect persistent symptoms associated with mild traumatic brain injury in veterans.
Learn more:
cerebralchiropractic.com
mtbiresearch.com
Support VET S.O.S.
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 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.
Episode Chapters
00:00 — Introduction: Back Pain, Brain Health & the Invisible Wound
03:36 — Dr. Slininger's Army Service and Transition
08:33 — Fighting Red Tape to Continue the Mission
09:31 — How Does the Spine Affect the Brain?
15:07 — What a Concussion Can Do to the Neck
19:38 — Building a Veteran MTBI Research Study
21:36 — Battlefield vs. Playing Field: Veterans and NFL Players
24:28 — Precision Upper Cervical Correction Explained
28:17 — Headaches, Brain Fog, Dizziness & Hypervigilance
31:12 — Dr. Slininger's Own History of Multiple MTBIs
33:18 — Research, Resources & How to Get Involved
35:06 — Closing & Resources
Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong
Connect with VET S.O.S.
Website: vetsospodcast.com
Twitter: @vetsospodcast
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#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranBrainHealth #TBI #MTBI #TraumaticBrainInjury #ConcussionRecovery #InvisibleWounds #VeteranHealth #MilitaryHealth #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #MilitaryLife #Podcast

Getting a veteran off the street solves tonight's problem. Recovery means rebuilding what comes next.
Five Star Veteran Center CEO John Bear explains why his organization is not a shelter—it's a recovery program designed to help veterans regain stability and independence. After his own transition from a 32-year Navy career, John now leads a team addressing veteran homelessness through three interconnected pillars: mental health, financial stability, and physical health.
This conversation gets especially powerful when John shares the story of a veteran who arrived battling addiction and anger. Through Veterans Treatment Court, Five Star, and skilled-trades training, he became drug- and alcohol-free, earned three certifications, secured an electrical apprenticeship, found permanent housing, and began rebuilding his relationship with his daughter as he became a grandfather.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Understand why housing alone isn't enough and how Five Star prepares veterans to become self-sustaining rather than simply providing a temporary bed.
• Recognize the role mental health plays in veteran homelessness, including why John believes professional support for the trauma surrounding housing instability is essential to long-term recovery.
• See what a complete turnaround can look like through one veteran's journey from addiction and legal trouble to certifications, employment, housing, and renewed family connection.
• Apply John's military transition lessons, from using Onward Opportunity to earn a project management certification to networking his way through a civilian employment system dominated by online applications and AI resume screening.
About John Bear
John Bear retired from the U.S. Navy after 32 years, rising from enlisted nuclear machinist mate to commissioned Surface Warfare Officer through the Seaman to Admiral-21 program. His career culminated in command of the USS St. Louis. Today, he serves as CEO of Five Star Veteran Center, helping veterans facing homelessness and housing instability build independent, stable lives.
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 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.
Episode Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:08 - Leaving the Navy After 32 Years
05:00 - AI, Resumes & the Modern Veteran Job Search
08:38 - Why Networking Still Matters
10:56 - Five Star Veteran Center: More Than a Shelter
13:00 - The Three Pillars of Veteran Recovery
16:18 - Former Residents Helping Other Veterans
18:28 - Community Partnerships & Food Security
21:54 - From Addiction and Homelessness to a New Career
26:07 - Expanding Five Star to Serve Women Veterans
27:09 - How Veterans Can Find Help
28:03 - Closing & Resources
Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong
Connect with VET S.O.S.
Website: vetsospodcast.com
Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
Don't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranHomelessness #VeteranSupport #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #MilitaryLife

📻 VET S.O.S. — Veteran Support / Mental Health / Transition
A service dog can help a veteran with PTSD reclaim places, relationships, and parts of life they thought they'd lost.
Daniel Bean has seen that transformation happen in a matter of weeks. As CEO, General Counsel, and Board Chair of K9s For Warriors, he explains why pairing a veteran with the right service dog is about far more than companionship—and why the organization says it is "saving lives on both sides of the leash."
This conversation also takes an unexpected turn into Bean's own military transition, including the remarkable story of suing the United States Navy while serving as a Navy JAG reservist, winning the case, and watching that decision ultimately help propel his civilian legal career.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Understand why a service dog isn't simply a pet—and how it can help a veteran with post-traumatic stress enter environments that previously felt unsafe or overwhelming.
• Learn how K9s For Warriors matches the dog to the veteran, studying the personalities of both rather than simply assigning the next available animal.
• Hear what Daniel sees during the three-week training process, from veterans arriving with little eye contact and closed-off body language to beginning to engage, communicate, and rebuild confidence.
• Discover the story behind K9s For Warriors, beginning with Shari Duval's determination to help her son Brett after he returned from Iraq and seeing the difference their family dog made.
• Hear why Daniel believes doing the right thing can require professional risk, including his decision to represent a Navy nurse against the Navy—and the unexpected opportunity that followed.
About Daniel Bean
Captain Daniel Bean served 25 years in the U.S. Navy, beginning as a Surface Warfare Officer before being selected for the Navy's Law Education Program and continuing his career in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.
Today, he serves as CEO, General Counsel, and Board Chair of K9s For Warriors, which has paired more than 1,300 veterans with service dogs while rescuing more than 2,500 dogs. Its mission is focused on ending veteran suicide and improving the lives of veterans living with post-traumatic stress.
Connect with K9s For Warriors
Website: k9sforwarriors.org
Whether you're a veteran interested in a service dog or someone looking to support the mission, visit K9s For Warriors to learn more.
Follow & Review
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 30 seconds and puts this show in front of a veteran who needs it right now.
Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong
Connect with VET S.O.S.
Website: vetsospodcast.com
Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
Don't drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP
#VeteranMentalHealth #ServiceDogs #PTSD #VeteranSuicidePrevention
#Veterans #MilitaryLife #VeteranCommunity #Podcast

Veterans don't lose jobs because of experience—they lose them in the interview. Here's how to change that.
Landing a civilian job takes more than a great résumé. It takes confidence, preparation, and knowing how to communicate your military experience in a way hiring managers understand.
In this episode of VET S.O.S., Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant welcome Pat Hubbell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Candorful, to unpack one of the biggest challenges veterans face during transition: interviewing. Pat explains why veterans are often fully qualified for civilian careers but struggle to sell themselves in interviews, and how realistic mock interviews with experienced hiring managers can dramatically improve confidence, performance, and hiring outcomes.
In This Episode, You'll Discover:
• Learn why practicing three or more mock interviews can dramatically improve your confidence before the real interview.
• Understand why veterans are prepared for civilian jobs—but often not prepared for civilian interviews—and how to bridge that gap.
• Discover why networking leads to nearly 80% of job opportunities and hear practical advice on building relationships that open doors.
• Hear how Candorful connects veterans and military spouses with volunteer hiring managers from companies like Amazon, Oracle, Dell, Verizon, and PwC for real-world interview coaching.
• Gain insight into what hiring managers should focus on when interviewing veterans—including why character matters more than assumptions or first impressions.
About Pat Hubbell
Pat Hubbell is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Candorful, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses succeed in civilian careers through personalized interview coaching. With more than four decades of experience in engineering, management consulting, higher education, and career development, she has helped thousands navigate career transitions. Pat also serves on the FourBlock Foundation Board, expanding opportunities for veterans across the country.
Featured Quote
"Veterans are prepared for civilian jobs. They're just not prepared for civilian interviews."
If this episode helped you...
Please follow VET S.O.S. and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open the Apple Podcasts app, search VET S.O.S., scroll to the Ratings & Reviews section, and tap "Write a Review." It only takes about 30 seconds, and it helps another veteran discover the resources and support they need during transition.
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:29 – Meet Pat Hubbell & the Mission Behind Candorful
07:57 – Why Mock Interviews Work
12:23 – Building Confidence Through Practice
20:32 – FourBlock Partnership & Future Growth
21:42 – Why Networking Beats Online Applications
25:40 – Advice for Hiring Managers
30:09 – How to Get Started with Candorful
32:08 – Closing & Resources
Explore the VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop
▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong
Connect with VET S.O.S.
Website: https://vetsospodcast.com
Substack: https://substack.com/@vetsos
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
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TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranTransition #MilitaryCareers #CareerDevelopment

The best therapy for some veterans doesn't start in a counselor's office—it starts around a campfire.
EPISODE PREMISE
Healing doesn't always happen the way we expect. In this episode of VET S.O.S., Victor Bretting shares how a retirement ranch in North Texas became a mission to serve veterans through the outdoors, conservation, and authentic camaraderie. What veterans often take home isn't just a trophy—it's a renewed sense of connection, purpose, and peace.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Understand why Victor believes the hunt is only the excuse—and healing is the real mission.
• Learn how Hunting With Soldiers helps veterans rediscover the brotherhood many miss after leaving military service.
• Experience why campfires, shared meals, and quiet mornings in the field often become more meaningful than harvesting an animal.
• Hear incredible stories from Victor's dangerous game hunts in Mozambique and how those experiences shaped his perspective on conservation, leadership, and service.
About Victor Bretting
Victor Bretting is an eighth-generation Texan, construction executive, conservationist, author, and founder of Bretting Texan Ranch (BTEX Ranch). Although he never served in the military, he has dedicated his ranch to supporting veterans through Hunting With Soldiers by providing donated hunting experiences focused on healing, fellowship, and restoration. He is also the author of The Man That I Would Become and has pursued more than 140 species across five continents.
"The harvesting of a trophy is a very secondary thing. It's just an avenue to get here so they can have a little peace and quiet... and hopefully find that transition of healing."
🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow VET S.O.S. and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open the Apple Podcasts 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 and community they may need today.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Healing Beyond the Hunt
02:05 – Meet Victor Bretting
04:00 – Why BTEX Ranch Exists
10:22 – Campfires, Brotherhood & Veteran Healing
16:56 – Hunting With Soldiers
25:15 – Dangerous Game & Lessons from Mozambique
29:20 – Closing Thoughts & Resources
🎧 Explore the VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S. – Flagship Show
▶ Operation Startup
▶ Learning Lifeline
▶ The Scoop
▶ Testimony Strong
🔗 Connect with VET S.O.S.
Website: https://vetsospodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vet-s-o-s/id1735805548
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/vetsos
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
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TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranTransition #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryLife