He Survived an IED. Now He’s Helping Other Veterans Heal. | Civvies Podcast | Aaron Knowles

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Aaron Knowles, a 20-year military veteran, IED survivor, and founder of Shred the Stress, a nonprofit helping veterans heal through innovative therapeutic methods. Aaron opens up about the emotional toll of transitioning to civilian life, the importance of community support, and how personal trauma fueled his mission to serve others.

We explore:

• The real challenges of military-to-civilian transitions
• How trauma uniquely impacts veterans
• The power of public affairs and nonprofit work
• Why mental health and self-care matter more than ever
• How AI and self-publishing can empower veteran voices

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Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

00:00 Surviving the IED Attack

02:46 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

06:07 The Journey into Public Affairs

08:53 The Impact of Trauma and Healing

11:54 Creating Shred the Stress

15:04 The Nonprofit Journey

18:13 The Importance of Community Support

21:13 Navigating Military Transition Challenges

36:15 Navigating Job Fairs and Networking Events

38:58 The Unique Challenges of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

45:08 Preparing for Transition: Timing and Resources

48:13 Overcoming Missteps in the Job Search Process

52:00 The Importance of Self-Care During Transition

58:48 Exploring the Algorithmic Frontier: AI in Content Creation

01:08:09 The Journey of Self-Publishing a Book

01:11:48 Supporting the Military Community: Small Acts Matter