Épisodes

  • VA's Top Dawg: Sec. Collins shares updates on benefit claims, Congress, mental health and more

    VA's Top Dawg: Sec. Collins shares updates on benefit claims, Congress, mental health and more
    Nov 21 2025
    This week Eye on Veterans and Connecting Vets, Reporter Julia LeDoux had an informative conversation with VA Secretary Doug Collins. We asked many of the questions veterans have today. Collins shared his goals of lowering benefit claims processing times, simplifying the system and a revealed plans to overhaul the application. We also got a rare look at his military background as an Air Force Reserve Colonel, Chaplain and deployment to Iraq. He shared memories of a Thanksgiving, while stationed at Balad Air Base, and how his experience and faith guide his work today. We dove into topics like; veteran mental health, what's being done to lower veteran suicides and the connection between mental health and the medications so many veterans are prescribed. We asked his position on alternative treatments like psychedelics and cannabis. We also sought an explanation for why Congress recently blocked passage of The Maj. Richard Star Act. which defends veterans ability to receive both retirement and disability benefits. And we learned who he's (always) rooting for in college football! Find your VA benefits, and resources for all veterans here: https://www.va.gov/ Connect: CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Connecting Vets.com, Senior Veteran Affairs Reporter, Julia LeDoux julia.ledoux@audacy.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 min
  • The Warfighter: Tribute to Boone Cutler, Army combat vet and fiery voice of a generation

    The Warfighter: Tribute to Boone Cutler, Army combat vet and fiery voice of a generation
    Nov 4 2025
    Simply put, Boone Cutler, was one of the most influential veterans of the post 9/11 era. His recent passing comes too soon but reminds us to remember the alarms he sounded for improving VA care and properly addressing mental health. Cutler called out Congress, DoD and VA for overloading vets with prescription meds while holding an outdated stance on cannabis. And he worked to save countless veterans from the suicide epidemic, through The Spartan Pledge. In this episode we hear rare conversations recorded in 2019, where we discussed his life, combat in Sadr City, Psy Op (Psychological Operations) tactics and the gripping origin story of his advocacy. We began at a saloon in Nevada, where Boone shared his family’s rich military tradition. Later we heard Boone’s miraculous, autobiographical story, recorded at his kitchen table, where we truly got to know the man behind those distinctive black sunglasses. The experiences he shared, would eventually be heard by Congress, and trigger the VA to address the over-prescribing of pills- an issue Cutler dubbed, “The Combat Cocktail”. He powerfully described the pharmaceutical link to the suicide epidemic and illustrated through his own difficult memories, how veterans can consider ending their life. Cutler’s story also revealed how he was one of the first vets to reveal the second order effects that stem from TBIs and blast injuries. He further shared fierce advocacy for cannabis, and offered vivid examples of how it effectively replaced the pain killers and heavy psychoactive drugs, which are still prescribed too often today. We finally dove into his love for his wife, family, veteran brothers and sisters, and how The Spartan Pledge, was forged as a battle plan to save veteran lives. There will never be another vet like Boone Cutler. I am honored to have known Boone and called him a friend. Till Valhalla my brother. More on Boone Cutler- his advocacy, and award winning books here: https://boonecutler.com/home/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h et 49 min
  • What is your Retirement Readiness? Hear great advice from a Navy Federal Credit Union expert

    What is your Retirement Readiness? Hear great advice from a Navy Federal Credit Union expert
    Oct 31 2025
    Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger ... So how should we be saving and what makes a good plan? CDs, 401K vs. Roth, and college funds for our kids? We asked Sarah Sealey, a Navy Federal Credit Union, Manager and Certified Financial Planner, who shared what veterans should consider for a healthy financial future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 min
  • Run, Hike or Bike: Team RWB helps vets stay fit and find their tribe

    Run, Hike or Bike: Team RWB helps vets stay fit and find their tribe
    Oct 10 2025
    This week we talk about Team Red White and Blue! We hear how this organization helps veterans nationwide find warrior fellowship through running, hiking, rucking, premiere national race events and even obstacle challenges like Spartan Races and the Tough Mudder. Army Intel Officer and outgoing Team RWB founder, Lt. Col. Mike Erwin and Special Forces Col. (Ret.) Mike Sullivan discuss Team RWB’s mission and their fascinating careers. Colonel “Sully” shares the athletic events planned in the coming year and we examine how these workouts replace the shallow digital connection with real life connections through running hiking and other national events. We also examine why physical training with buddies is crucial as veterans age. Find your fellow workout warriors with Team Red White and Blue and start training today: https://teamrwb.org/ SPECIAL VETERAN TRIBUTE: We recently learned of the passing of Army veteran Boone Cutler. Cutler was one of the most influential veteran authors and activists of our time. As a team leader with a Psychological Operations combat team on the deadly streets of Sadr City, Iraq, Cutler documented his experience and the associated trauma in the bestselling book “Voodoo in Sadr City”. After a mortar blast resulting in a TBI and other physical injuries sent him to Walter Reed he began the fight of his life. Based on his personal experience being overprescribed medications (to the point of overdose) Cutler shined a light on the VA’s “Combat Cocktail” scandal in ’07. He lobbied and forced a change in treatment which benefitted a generation of veterans. As GWOT combat vets revealed a troubling national suicide epidemic, Cutler again advocated for his fellow warfighters and founded the Spartan Pledge. This simple commitment helped prevent countless vets from taking their own life. We share audio from Cutler’s gripping interviews we recorded over the years, and we salute this inspirational veteran warfighter, Boone Cutler. Till Valhalla, brother See more on Boone Cutler here To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 min
  • Find a new career! 7 Eagle Group puts vets in front of top execs live, online

    Find a new career! 7 Eagle Group puts vets in front of top execs live, online
    Oct 10 2025
    This week we’re talking about a free resource that helps veterans meet hiring managers before they even apply. More than just a job board, 7 Eagle Group founder Jordie Kern created an online community where job seekers jump on Zoom calls directly with executives seeking veteran talent. We discuss how like a career matchmaker, multiple daily Zoom sessions allow vets to interact with hiring executives, hear their personal stories, and even access training sessions. We also hear how 7 Eagle utilizes the DoD Skill Bridge program that allows service members to work with companies for a short time, like a career test drive before leaving the military. And we explore why veterans should seriously consider careers outside of their military occupational specialty, like trades, business ownership and more. Check out 7 Eagle Group’s daily Zoom sessions, online training and career contacts here: https://7eagle.com/ CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 min
  • Vet Phoenix: Rising from ashes of adversity to transforming lives of veterans

    Vet Phoenix: Rising from ashes of adversity to transforming lives of veterans
    Oct 3 2025
    Navy veteran Manuel Gomez has an awe-inspiring comeback story! In this episode he describes his unlikely journey and how he became the founder of Vet Phoenix, a nonprofit which helps incarcerated veterans recover, rehabilitate and create a bright future. For Manny, this struggle is personal- as he endured time in prison. From addiction, to crime, to living alongside LA gang members in solitary confinement, he transformed his life. He would eventually become a social worker, doctoral scholar and founder of an organization that transforms lives. We begin with a look back at his Navy service, and how prescribed medications sent him down a dark path. Gomez described how his addiction to prescribed meds fueled a darker addiction and eventually spiraled into crime, and being sentenced to prison. He shared vivid descriptions of prison life, solitary confinement, and how a Catholic radio station and hardened gang members inspired him to pursue a better path. He also recalled the emotional family moment when he dedicated his life to Christ, social work and a mission to mend spiritual wounds. Gomez describes his incredible rise after being released. He attended college earning a master’s degree, became an LA County executive and led programs for incarcerated vets, entered a Doctoral program and most recently launched Vet Phoenix. He shares how this innovative program helps justice-involved veterans get back on track and live a new life of meaning and purpose. He credits God for his success and is dedicated to sharing the unconditional love that inspired him to transform his life. Discover more and support Vet Phoenix here: https://vetphoenix.org/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 min
  • The Last Prisoner Project: Fighting for veterans convicted of cannabis crimes

    The Last Prisoner Project: Fighting for veterans convicted of cannabis crimes
    Sep 26 2025
    We’re discussing veterans, cannabis, incarceration and a story brought to us from The Last Prisoner Project. Alicia Deals tracks the story of her father, Air Force veteran Robert Deals, who was arrested, convicted and sentenced on cannabis related charges in Arizona, over a decade ago. In 2020 Arizona residents voted to legalize cannabis. (Now legal for both medical and recreational use). In an ironic twist, Alicia Deals was awarded a state license to operate a dispensary in Tempe, AZ. Yet her father remains behind bars. Deals shares more details of her father’s case and describes where cannabis tax dollars are currently being spent. The Last Prisoner Project’s Executive Director, Sarah Gersten describes other veteran cannabis cases from around the country and highlights their work to reform drug policy on both the state and federal level. We also discuss Deals’ current plea for clemency and share the response we received from the Arizona Governor’s office. See more from The Last Prisoner Project here: https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 min
  • The Power of Dogs: Vets share how incredible canines saved their lives

    The Power of Dogs: Vets share how incredible canines saved their lives
    Sep 19 2025
    It’s National Service Dog Month and we’re honoring the dogs from Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). We talked with two veterans whose stories demonstrate how these dogs truly save lives. We begin with a look at the military service of Marine Corps Sgt Major John Ploskonka and Army Cavalry veteran and Purple Heart recipient Phil Bauer. Bauer shared memories of the Chinook helicopter crash which resulted in the loss of his leg and Ploskonka shares how life after the military became a struggle, as he grappled with suppressed childhood trauma. Both offered a glimpse of what it’s like living with anger, paranoia and constant anxiety. Until the dogs entered their life. They each described how these dogs respond to their unique needs and the astounding ways they can read their minds. We also hear a fascinating scientific theory about they’re capable of doing it. Check out Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities and donate to support programs like Project HEAL here: https://www.ecad1.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 min