Veteran Voices: SITREP

Preserving the Story Behind Challenge Coins with Anna Redmond

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Tom and Chris Faust sit down with Anna Redmond, founder of BRAV and AllCoin, to talk about the powerful meaning behind challenge coins and the stories they carry.

Challenge coins have long been part of military, veteran, first responder, and security communities. But as Anna explains, the coin itself is only part of the story. The real value is in the memory, the moment, the relationship, and the meaning behind it.

Anna shares how she first discovered challenge coins while building relationships with veterans and first responders through her security company, BRAV. What started as curiosity became a mission: help preserve the stories behind the coins before they are forgotten.

The conversation explores how AllCoin is creating a digital challenge coin network where veterans, first responders, organizations, and coin holders can upload their coins, preserve the stories attached to them, and even create digital twins of physical coins using blockchain technology.

Tom and Chris also walk through creating the first Veteran Voices SITREP Podcast digital challenge coin during the episode.

In this conversation, we discuss:

The meaning behind challenge coins
Why the story matters more than the metal
How challenge coins preserve memory, service, and connection
The difference between collecting coins and earning them
How families can preserve the history behind a loved one’s coins
How AllCoin creates digital challenge coin walls
How blockchain can help protect provenance and authenticity
Why challenge coins matter across military, veteran, first responder, and security communities

Guest: Anna Redmond
Founder of BRAV and AllCoin
AllCoin: allcoin.brav.co
Contact: anna@braav.co

Thank you for watching Veteran Voices: SITREP, where we share stories, resources, and conversations that matter to veterans, military families, first responders, and the people who support them.

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us get these conversations in front of more people.

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Why Being ‘Physically Present’ Isn’t Enough for Your Family

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0800

Veteran Voices: SITREP -Episode 48

In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices, we sit down with Alex Johnson, a combat veteran who shares his unfiltered journey from war, identity loss, and alcohol dependency to healing, accountability, and conscious leadership.

Alex opens up about the moment his marriage nearly ended, how alcohol became a coping mechanism after leaving the military, and what finally forced him to surrender control and seek help. He walks us through laying face-down on a therapist’s office floor, learning to remove the “armor” at home, and redefining what service, leadership, and strength really mean outside the uniform.

This conversation dives deep into:

Transitioning out of the military and losing structure, identity, and accountability

PTSD, alcohol use, and the danger of “being present but not available”

Why surrendering and therapy are not weakness

Conscious leadership vs. reactive living

Healthy accountability between veterans

Rebuilding marriage, fatherhood, and trust

Letting go of comparison and focusing on 1% growth

What real service looks like after the military

This episode is for veterans, spouses, leaders, and anyone navigating change, trauma, or personal growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re supposed to become, this conversation is for you.

🔔 If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear it.

https://www.veteranvoices.us
Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us

Disclaimer: The discussions and topics covered on this podcast/transcript are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional medical advice. Our hosts and guests are not medical professionals and are not qualified to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any medical condition. If you're seeking medical advice or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. The information and opinions shared on this podcast are based on personal experiences, research, and general knowledge, and should not be taken as a substitute for professional medical care. We encourage our listeners to consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions about their health or well-being. By consuming this podcast/transcript, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to these terms. We're happy to provide information and insights, but we're not qualified to provide medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health, please seek help from a qualified medical professional.

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Your Disability Income Is Power — Here’s How to Use It

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Tom and Chris sit down with financial professional Nick Jarvis — a man quietly becoming the go-to guide for veterans facing medical retirement, disability decisions, severance, and the terrifying question… “What now?”

Nick breaks down the real challenges veterans face when stepping out of the military and into civilian life — the uncertainty, the fear, the lack of clarity, and the overwhelming options no one ever explains.

You’ll hear Nick’s simple, powerful message:
You have options. You’ve earned them. And you can thrive, not just survive.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:
• How to translate a military MOS into civilian job opportunities
• Why disability income is untapped power most veterans don’t leverage
• What to do with your TSP when separating
• The truth about severance, pensions, and private retirement strategies
• How families can better understand the emotional weight of transition
• Why too many veterans struggle — and how to change that

Nick also shares real stories of veterans he’s helped, the mindset shifts that changed their futures, and his mission-driven approach rooted in service, clarity, and family protection.

If you’re a veteran, a spouse, or someone supporting a service member through transition, this is required listening. You don’t have to do this alone.

Connect with Nick Jarvis:

🌐 Website: NicholasJarvis.com
📞 Phone/Text: 208-755-9288

About Veteran Voices: SITREP

Hosted by father-son Army veterans Tom and Chris Faust, the SITREP podcast exists to empower veterans with real stories, real resources, and real conversations that support a successful transition into civilian life.

Like, comment, and subscribe to help us reach more veterans who need this information.

https://www.veteranvoices.us
Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us

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Veteran to Police Officer: A Step-By-Step Guide With Frank McGaha

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Navy veteran and former federal law enforcement officer Frank McGaha joins us to share a raw, unfiltered look at transition, failure, purpose, and the realities of life after the uniform.

Frank takes us through his journey from BUD/S and SEAL training, to aviation, to multiple deployments, to a career-ending set of injuries — and the moment he realized he could no longer safely do the job he loved. What followed was a complete reinvention: rebuilding his identity, finding new purpose, and creating a coaching program for law enforcement candidates, including veterans navigating the toughest hiring process in the country.

If you’ve ever struggled with transition, questioned your purpose, or wondered how to keep serving when your body or circumstances say otherwise — this conversation is going to hit home.

🎙️ In this episode we cover:

The brutal truth Frank learned the first time he truly failed
How injury forced him to rethink everything he thought he was meant to do
The culture shock veterans face when entering law enforcement
Why so many military skills don’t translate on paper — and what actually does
What departments really look for in the psych eval, polygraph, and background check
How veterans can still find purpose, camaraderie, and service after the military
The role mentors played in shaping Frank’s entire career
The one mindset shift that helped him rebuild from the ground up

🔥 Key episode themes:
Failure as growth • Veteran transition • Law enforcement careers • Mental toughness • Injury & resilience • Identity after service • Purpose • Mentorship • Preparing for a second mission

Who This Episode Is For

✔ Veterans struggling with transition
✔ Active-duty service members preparing to ETS
✔ Veterans considering law enforcement careers
✔ Officers looking for stronger mindset, leadership, and preparation
✔ Anyone who’s ever felt stuck between who they were and who they’re becoming

About Veteran Voices: SITREP

Hosted by Army veterans Tom Faust and Chris Faust, Veteran Voices: SITREP exists to support, encourage, and empower veterans in their next chapter. Each episode dives into stories, tools, and conversations that help veterans navigate life after service with purpose, clarity, and community.

You’re not alone.
You have a mission.
And this is your SITREP.

https://www.veteranvoices.us
Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us

Connect With Frank

👉 Armogan Consulting & Training LLC (https://www.armoganct.com/)

Support the Mission

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🗣 Comment
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Your engagement helps us reach more veterans who need these conversations.

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Poetry as Therapy: Finding Healing and Purpose After Service | Chris Clark Interview

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, co-hosts Tom and Chris Faust sit down with Army veteran and poet Chris Clark (SFC Retired) to explore how creative expression can help veterans process trauma and rediscover purpose after service.

After retiring from over two decades in the Army, Chris found that transitioning to civilian life wasn’t as simple as expected. Through poetry, he discovered a powerful outlet for reflection, healing, and connection.

Join us as we talk about:

Replacing one routine with another after the military
How writing became Chris’s form of therapy
The challenges and surprises of adjusting to civilian life
Finding identity and meaning beyond the uniform

If you’re a veteran navigating life after service—or know someone who is—this conversation will remind you that your story still matters, and healing often starts with sharing it.

📌 About the Podcast:
Veteran Voices: SITREP shares real stories, resources, and insights to empower veterans in transition. Hosted by Tom Faust and Chris Faust, both Army veterans, the show covers topics like PTSD recovery, homelessness prevention, entrepreneurship, and community support.

🔗 Follow & Connect:
🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform
🌐 Visit veteranvoices.us

🔗 Where to Find Chris Carter:

https://www.youtube.com/@thepoetic1z
https://www.instagram.com/thepoetic1z/#
https://www.tiktok.com/@thepoetic1z
https://www.facebook.com/thepoetic1z

🔗 Where to Veteran Voices:

https://www.veteranvoices.us
Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us

#VeteranVoices #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #PoetryHealing #ChrisClark #PTSDRecovery #VeteranSupport

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Breaking the Silence: Veterans, Addiction, and the Road to Recovery with Dr. Tony Dice

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0700

Episode 44 – Dr. Tony Dice: After the Trident

Former Navy SEAL, firefighter, paramedic, and now clinical therapist, Dr. Tony Dice has lived through both the highs of service and the depths of addiction. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Dr. Dice opens up about the darker side of military culture, how alcohol and drugs became “emotional currency,” and the spiral that led him to rock bottom.

He shares powerful moments from his fight for sobriety—what he calls “passive suicide”—and the turning point that came when he realized his son might follow in his footsteps. Now 15 years sober, Dr. Dice has dedicated his life to helping veterans and first responders through Bishop & Dice Defense, a unique program that builds trust through tactical training before bringing in mental health support.

We talk about:

The transition from SEAL teams to civilian life—and the dangers of unchecked freedom
Why veterans need specialized treatment approaches for PTSD and addiction
How asking for help goes against military conditioning, yet saves lives
His upcoming book After the Trident: A Navy SEAL’s Battle with Secret Shame and Addiction
Why “even heroes need heroes”

This episode is a gut-punch reminder that the toughest fight often begins after the uniform comes off—and that recovery and redemption are always possible.

Dr. Dice's Links:

Bishop & Dice Defense: http://www.bishopdicedefense.com/
Get the Book: http://www.drdicebook.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bishopdicedefense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tonydice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.dice.5
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tonydice

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Beyond PTSD: The Hidden Wounds of War with Dr. Brian Livesay

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

🎙️ Episode 43: Dr. Brian Livesay — Moral Injury, PTSD, and the Healing Journey

In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Dr. Brian Livesay—Army veteran, psychologist, and innovator of Critical Memory Integration (CMI)—joins Tom and Chris Faust to dive deep into the unseen wounds veterans carry after service.

From redefining PTSD as a survival response to exposing the silent epidemic of moral injury, Dr. Livesay brings a raw, compassionate, and expert perspective to the complex mental health challenges faced by transitioning service members.

He shares:

* His own journey from the battlefield to the therapy room
* The emotional cost of leaving the uniform behind
* A story of transformative healing through CMI
* Why moral injury needs more attention, and how we begin to heal from it

Whether you're a veteran, a loved one, or someone who supports the military community, this is a must-hear conversation about hope, pain, purpose—and the power of facing your story head-on.

🫡 “Faith moves mountains... I’ve seen people transform the topography of their lives.” — Dr. Brian Livesay

Dr. Brian Livesay's BIO: https://www.veteranvoices.us/livesay-bio

Additional Links

Arise Alliance: https://arisealliance.org/
Arise Alliance Institute: https://www.instagram.com/ariseallianceinstitute/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5MyzV9KBg0eJ0uY88N-zCw

👉 Subscribe for more interviews that support veterans in their transition to civilian life.

🎧 Listen on all platforms: https://podcast.veteranvoices.us
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments—your voice matters here.

Our website: https://www.veteranvoices.us
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Battlefitted: How Robert Wheeler Turned Pain into Purpose

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0700

What happens when your military service ends, but the battle within continues?

In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Navy veteran Robert Wheeler shares his unfiltered story of identity loss, trauma, depression—and how he found hope again. From military police service to struggling through the dark aftermath of his transition, Robert opens up about holding a gun in his hand, nearly giving up, and what saved him: connection, coaching, and a mindset shift rooted in gratitude.

Today, Robert leads Battlefitted, helping veterans and first responders navigate trauma, rediscover purpose, and build resilience through fitness, mindset, and discipline.

This is a must-watch for anyone seeking real talk about what it takes to heal after service.

🔗 Connect with Robert: https://battlefittedbrand.com
🎧 Robert's Podcast: Battle Harder
👕 Texas Strong T-shirt (charity support): Available on the website

Please like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Your voice matters.

#MilitaryTransition #PTSDSupport #Battlefitted

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From Soldier to Puzzle-Making Pioneer

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:40:01 -0700

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, hosts Tom and Chris Faust sit down with veteran and lifelong "word nerd" Gail Marie Beckman—a trailblazing cruciverbalist who's been crafting custom crossword and word search puzzles since 1991.Gail shares her inspiring journey from enlisting in the Army to escaping the family construction business to building a one-of-a-kind puzzle business from scratch. Learn how a typo-filled cable company sparked her first custom crossword, how her puzzles have brought joy and healing to families and corporations alike, and why she believes puzzles offer mental clarity and therapeutic escape—especially for veterans.We also explore:Her service in Baumholder, Germany in the late '70sCreating puzzles for brands like Purina, Humana, and Johns HopkinsA special veteran-themed puzzle supporting suicide preventionHer heartfelt Betty White tribute puzzleAdvice for veterans looking to turn their passion into a businessPlus, don’t miss the exclusive word search puzzle Gail created for the Be The One campaign — available to download for free!🎁 Free Puzzle Download (Suicide Prevention & Veteran Support):👉 https://veteranvoices.us/be-the-one🛒 Check out Gail's puzzle books:Available via Barnes & Noble Print-on-Demand — titles include Mind, Body, Crosswords and More, Cannabis & Crosswords, and her upcoming Fur & Feathers puzzle collection!👉 http://veteranvoices.us/beckman-books💬 Connect with Gail:Find her on LinkedIn to inquire about custom puzzles for your next event, family celebration, or corporate training.👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-marie-beckman-638725309/———🪖 Veteran Voices: SITREP is your go-to podcast for real conversations that empower, uplift, and inform veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.🎧 Subscribe and follow for more inspiring veteran stories and resources.📢 Veteran Voices: SITREP — Where your voice matters.#VeteranVoices #CrosswordCreator #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryToCivilian #PTSDSupport #PuzzleTherapy #WomenVeterans #BeTheOne #VeteranTransition #GailBeckman #SuicidePrevention #PodcastInterview👉 https://www.veteranvoices.us👉 Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us

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Still in the Fight: Vanity Dawson on Advocacy, Healing, and the Mission Beyond the Uniform

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:42:09 -0700

Episode 40 - Interview with Vanity Dawton - Victim Advocate

In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, hosts Tom and Chris Faust sit down with Vanity Dawson, an Air National Guard veteran, trauma therapist, and former SHARP and victim advocate.

Vanity opens up about her personal journey from service member to licensed clinical professional counselor—revealing how her military experiences and personal trauma shaped her calling to support others.

💬 Hear how:

Helping others helped Vanity heal herself
She’s become a safe space for veterans seeking mental health support
Working with children and adults has expanded her mission
Her transition out of uniform was only the beginning of her service

🎧 Whether you're a veteran, a survivor, or someone passionate about healing and advocacy, this conversation will move you, inform you, and remind you that the mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode:

Vanity’s book: Life After Trauma:

Companion workbook: Empowered by Resilience

Connect with Vanity: https://vanitydawson.com

🔥 Subscribe for more veteran stories, resources, and tools to help you thrive after service.

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe

Our Website: ⁠https://www.veteranvoices.us⁠

Email Us: ⁠sitrep@veteranvoices.us⁠

#VeteranVoices #SITREP #VanityDawson #MentalHealth #MilitaryTransition #TraumaHealing #VeteranSupport #AirNationalGuard #VictimAdvocate #PostMilitaryLife

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