
Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans
Welcome Home is a Willing Warriors and the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run project. The program highlights activities at the Warrior Retreat and issues impacting all Veterans. For questions or feedback, please email us at podcast@willingwarriors.org.
Episodes
106 episodes
Military Kids Matter: The Blog Giving Voice to Children of Wounded Warriors
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 naviga...
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Season 3
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Episode 104
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23:11

From Military Paychecks to Civilian Budgets: Creating Your Financial Battle Plan
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—oft...
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Season 3
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Episode 103
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27:42

Defending Our Hidden Heroes: Colonel Schaffer's Mission to Protect Military Children
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 Milit...
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Season 3
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Episode 102
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30:43

Serving Those Who Served: Inside The Warrior Retreat Volunteer Community
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 dedi...
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Season 3
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Episode 101
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32:57

SEAL Team 6: Inside Stories with an Original Plank Owner
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 100
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44:17

Empowering Military Families: Overcoming Challenges with Operation Homefront
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
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Season 3
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Episode 99
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26:30

Supporting Veterans Through Mindfulness and Compassion
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 no...
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Season 3
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Episode 98
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23:09

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Understanding TBI and Its Impact
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. Julie...
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Season 3
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Episode 97
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40:47

Building Stronger Veteran Communities with GenVets
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. I...
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Season 3
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Episode 96
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26:01

Empowering Veteran Futures: The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
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 g...
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Season 3
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Episode 95
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25:29

Advocating for Affordable Military Housing Solutions
Unlock the challenges facing U.S. military service members in their pursuit of affordable housing with insights from our guest, Alissa Czyz, a Director at the Defense Capabilities and Management Section of the Government Accountability Office (...
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Season 3
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Episode 94
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19:19

Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs: Rachel Miller on Fostering Sustainable Growth at the PenFed Foundation
Discover the transformative journey of Rachel Miller, program manager for the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program, as she shares her inspiring transition from banking to education to empowering veterans in their entrepreneurial pursu...
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Season 3
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Episode 93
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24:15

Guarding Guam: Phil Massicotte on Military Life and Transitioning to Civilian Adventures
What does it take to transition from high school to the Air Force and end up guarding nuclear weapons on a tropical island? Join me, Larry Zilliox, as I chat with Phil Massicotte, a retired law enforcement officer and Air Force veteran, who sha...
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Season 3
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Episode 92
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45:13

Resilience in Crisis: Supporting Veterans Through California Wildfires
Join us as we sit down with Commander Joe Ramirez from the American Legion Post 283 in Pacific Palisades, California, for an eye-opening conversation about the recent wildfire crisis that nearly brought their close-knit veteran community to its...
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Season 3
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Episode 91
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19:35

Driving Independence: Tammy Phipps on Empowering Veterans Through Driver Rehabilitation
Ever wondered how a retired Army major transformed her passion for helping wounded warriors into a groundbreaking driver rehabilitation program? Meet Tammy Phipps, the driving force behind the Driver...
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Season 3
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Episode 90
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41:28

Leading the Way: Commissioner Chuck Zingler on Transforming Veteran Services in Virginia
Join us as we welcome Chuck Zingler, the dynamic Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, who takes us on an extraordinary journey from his early days enlisting in the Navy to the pivotal role he plays today. Inspired by the...
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Season 3
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Episode 89
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44:41

Navigating New Beginnings: Peter Baker on Military Transition and Finding Community in Civilian Life
Retired Army Colonel Peter Baker joins us to unravel the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from military service as an officer. Imagine standing at the crossroads of duty and personal freedom, deciding when to leave the structured l...
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Season 2
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Episode 88
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25:21

Bridging the Gap: Michelle Lang on Supporting Rural Veterans' Transition to Civilian Life
What if transitioning out of military life was harder than being deployed? Join us as we explore this provocative question with Michelle Lang, co-founder of Operation Honor: Rural Salute. Mic...
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Season 2
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Episode 87
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21:36

Empowering Homeownership: Jennifer Beeston on Unlocking the Full Potential of VA Loans for Veterans
Discover how VA loans can be a powerful asset for veterans and active duty service members with insights from the nation's top VA loan officer, Jennifer Beeston. In our conversation, Jennifer unrav...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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19:41

A Legacy of Love: Larry Jackson on Reconnecting Families and Honoring Active-Duty Service Members
Larry Jackson's journey from a Navy veteran to the co-founder of the Ben Jackson Foundation is both touching and inspiring. In this episode, we're honored to hear from Larry as he shares the heart...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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17:06

The Healing Canvas: Zach Herrick on Harnessing Art Therapy for Veteran Recovery
Could art be the key to healing wounds? Join us as we sit down with Zach Herrick, a combat veteran whose story of resilience is both harrowing and inspiring. Inspired by his father's footsteps, Zach joined the Army at 20, seeking a higher purpo...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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24:33

Healing Through Faith: Eric Brew on Overcoming Personal Battles and Advocating for Veterans
What happens when a veteran's fight is no longer on the battlefield but within themselves? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Eric Brew from Warriors Set Free, a veteran service organizatio...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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24:59

Chef Jeff Fritz on Blending Military Experience with Culinary Entrepreneurship
What if the skills you honed in the military could transform you into a culinary entrepreneur? Meet Jeff Fritz, a retired Air Force chef whose journey from a SEER instructor to a successful food indu...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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34:32

Holistic Healing: Holly Crocker on Transformative Massage Therapy for Veterans
Veterans and anyone seeking relief from physical pain, join us for an enlightening discussion with Holly Crocker, the visionary owner of Balanced Arch Massage in Haymarket, VA. Holly's personal transformation from debilitating pain to a skilled...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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28:35

Empowering Veterans: Justin Henderson on Harnessing AI for Seamless Career Transitions
Can artificial intelligence truly transform a veteran's job search experience? Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Justin Henderson, a former Marine now leading the charge at Vetera...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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25:46
