Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans

What if saving a veteran's life could be as simple as a 40-cent dog tag? That's exactly what Ben Guinan and Robert  Adamczyk from Dog Tags 4 Life are doing with their groundbreaking suicide prevention initiative.

The program began after a sobering moment during a national veterans' organization meeting when one member had to abruptly leave because a fellow post member had attempted suicide. Another participa...

Meet Ben Ward, a remarkable young man who began his philanthropic journey at just 10 years old when he donated his birthday money to support Wounded Warriors at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. What started as a modest $60 contribution has grown into more than $12,000 in donations over nine years through creative fundraising efforts, including bake sales, yard sales, and strategic partnerships with veterans' organizations.

Northern Virginia's veteran community has been eagerly watching the construction of the Puller Veterans Care Center, and now we're getting closer to its highly anticipated opening. Mary Tietjen, the center's Director of Admissions, will join us to explain precisely what makes this facility so special and what veterans and their families can expect.

As Virginia's fourth state-run veterans nursing home, t...

What if your child's education could follow your military family around the world? For service members facing 7-15 relocations during a career, finding educational stability for their children often feels impossible. Each PCS move brings the stress of uprooting kids from schools, disrupting friendships, and navigating new academic systems – sometimes with devastating effects on children's confidence and performance.
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When Marine veteran Ryan Woodruff returned from two combat deployments to Iraq, he found himself adrift in civilian life. "It was even difficult just to strike up casual conversation," he reveals, describing the profound disconnect many veterans experience after service. Today, as CEO of Clear Path for Veterans, he's transforming lives through programs built on firsthand understanding of the military-civilian divide....

A profound connection exists between traumatized warriors and rescued horses. Both have experienced hardship, both carry invisible scars, and both possess remarkable resilience. This powerful relationship forms the foundation of the life-changing work happening at Lifeline Horse Rescue in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Executive Director Leila Hertzberg brings her expertise as an EGALA-certified equine specialist with military de...

What happens when a Marine survives what should have been unsurvivable? Tony Porta's story begins with a catastrophic IED blast in Iraq that claimed the lives of his fellow Marines and left him with burns over his entire body. From that moment in 2007, his journey through 143 surgeries and six years of hospital care reveals both the brutal reality of combat injuries and the extraordinary resilience of a Marine.

Tony t...

The transformative power of community support takes center stage in this revealing conversation with your host and Diane Lunsford, the Warrior Retreat Events Coordinator. As the organization celebrates its 10th anniversary of opening its doors to wounded warriors, it shares the profound impact its work has had on over 2,700 service members and their families.

"I used to think my family would be better off without me. ...

Ever wondered how military service shapes a career in healthcare? Join us for a captivating conversation with Dr. Matthew Reinhard, a leading figure in neuropsychology and the Director of the Complex Exposure Threat Center of Excellence at the VA in Washington, DC. Discover the personal journey that led him to champion veterans' health, inspired by his family's deep military roots. Dr. Reinhard offers an insider's lo...

What happens when the children of wounded warriors grow up and decide to create the support system they wish they'd had? Meet Sinaiyah (16) and Azara (14) Emami, two remarkable sisters who are changing the landscape for military children navigating the complexities of life with a wounded parent.

When the Emami sisters first visited the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run in 2018, they were just children seeking respite while ...

Financial transitions can be just as challenging as emotional ones for our military service members. Veterans who once had legal, financial, and human resources support readily accessible suddenly face navigating these complex systems alone—often at significant out-of-pocket expense.

The Warrior Retreat at Bull Run's innovative Financial Literacy Program addresses this critical need head-on. Led by dedicated volunteer...

Colonel Adrienne L. Schaffer Esq., a retired Army JAG officer with over 33 years of service, reveals the often-overlooked struggles of military children and the powerful work of the Military Children's Six Foundation. As founder and CEO, she champions a mission of leadership development and advocacy for these "hidden heroes" who sacrifice alongside their parents.

Military children face extraordinary challeng...

The heart and soul of the Warrior Retreat beats through its remarkable volunteer community. With only one full-time executive director and six part-time staff members, this extraordinary sanctuary for wounded veterans thrives thanks to the dedication of over 1,300 volunteers who contributed their time and talents last year alone.

Volunteer Coordinator Faith Lillemo guides listeners through the thirteen different volunteer ...

A rare conversation with Frank Phillips, one of the original "plank owners" of SEAL Team 6 and Red Cell, takes us behind the curtain of America's elite counter-terrorism unit and reveals startling truths about national security vulnerabilities that later became tragic realities.

Frank shares his remarkable journey from being a restless 17-year-old who "just wanted to be a warrior" to becoming part ...

What unique challenges do military families face, and how can we support them in times of need? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Vivian Dietrich, the Senior Regional Director for Region 4 of Operation Homefront, who brings 17 years of experience to the table. Gain insight into the critical financial assistance programs aimed at alleviating unexpected burdens like car repairs and housing costs, and discover the vital ro...

What if the key to healing and thriving after service lies in mindfulness and community? Join us as we welcome Charla and David Truesdale, the dynamic force behind the Warrior Spirit Project, a nonprofit that’s making waves in Texas by transforming the lives of veterans and first responders. Charla's expertise in health education and yoga, combined with David's extensive military and law enforcement background, has fueled...

Brain injuries are more common than most of us realize, and this episode sheds light on the critical issue of traumatic brain injury (TBI) awareness. Join host Larry Zilliox, along with Donna Meltzer, CEO of Brain Injury Services, and Dr. Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa, adjunct faculty in the Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, as they explore the far-reaching effects of TBIs on both children and adults. With insights into ...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Jen Wagman, the visionary president and founder of GenVets, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering veterans and easing their transition into civilian life. Inspired by her father, a retired Air Force colonel and judge advocate, Jen made a remarkable shift from her Wall Street career to championing veterans' rights. Uncover how her personal journey and legal expertise have fue...

Discover Ray Toenniessen's transformative journey as he takes us from his early days as an ROTC cadet at Syracuse University to his influential role at the Daniello Institute for Veteran and Military Families. Ray shares his insights on how a generous $30 million endowment from alum Dan D’Aniello has revitalized the Institute, turning it into a powerful force for veteran empowerment. This episode reveals how veteran-owned busi...