VET S.O.S. Podcast

📻 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
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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
Facebook: https://facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: https://instagram.com/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
Facebook: https://facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vetsospodcast
X: https://x.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #VeteranTransition #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryLife

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
Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network
▶ VET S.O.S.
▶ 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/X: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryMentalHealth #VeteranTransition #SuicidePrevention #Veterans #MilitaryLife #MentalHealth

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.
🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow VET S.O.S. and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open Apple Podcasts, 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 hope they need.
⏱️ 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
🎧 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/X: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast
#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #MilitaryMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Veterans #MilitaryLife #Podcast