Helping The Brave Podcast

Hosted by Ed Parcaut

Business Education

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

"Helping the Brave" is a weekly podcast dedicated to supporting veterans as they transition into civilian life and beyond. New episodes are uploaded every Tuesday, offering insights, guidance, and real-world advice to help veterans navigate new opportunities. Our mission is simple: veterans helping veterans succeed after service. We also strive to raise awareness about the importance of accessing the VA benefits you've earned. Tune in as we share valuable resources and empowering stories to help those who have served thrive in their next chapter.

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60 recent

June 16, 202649 min

Veterans' Untold Stories: From Service To Life After

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Aaron Crippen for a real conversation about military service, hidden trauma, transition, reinvention, and purpose. Aaron shares why he joined the Army, what life looked like in infantry service, and how injuries and experiences from that time followed him long after he got out. He talks openly about not fully understanding PTSD at first, dealing with survivor's guilt, learning how trauma shows up years later, and navigating a system that often leaves veterans frustrated when they need help most. The conversation also explores what came next. Aaron found his way back into stunt work, built a business in a trust-based industry, and began writing a memoir rooted in one powerful idea: sometimes the moments that knock us down become the ones that shape us most. This episode is about resilience, mindset, veteran transition, storytelling, and what it means to keep getting back up. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #AaronCrippen #VeteranTransition #PTSDRecovery #ArmyVeteran #LifeAfterService #VeteranMindset #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTrauma #Stuntman #PurposeAfterService #VeteransHelpingVeterans

June 9, 202633 min

From Navy Vet to Film Production: Unexpected Roles

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Terry Weaver for a conversation about military service, transition, creativity, and the power of storytelling after the uniform comes off. Terry shares how he joined the Navy, served as a Corpsman with the Marines, and eventually had to figure out what came next after service. That next chapter took him through business, entrepreneurship, writing, acting, and filmmaking. What makes this conversation stand out is how honest it is about reinvention. Terry talks about discovering creativity later in life, building a new mission around meaningful stories, and why veterans need something purposeful to fill the void that can show up after service. This episode also explores faith, film, writing, military influence in storytelling, and the deeper need for connection and purpose. It is a strong conversation for veterans who know transition is not just about getting out. It is about becoming someone new without losing who you were. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #TerryWeaver #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #NavyVeteran #NavyCorpsman #VeteranStorytelling #PurposeAfterTheMilitary #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranCreativity #WritingAfterService #FilmmakerVeteran #PostMilitaryLife #VeteransHelpingVeterans

June 2, 202636 min

From Navy Veteran to Dog Training Empire

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Chad Singer, a Navy veteran and founder of Canine Revolution Dog Training, for a conversation about service, transition, entrepreneurship, and finding a new mission after the military. Chad shares how he came from a long family line of Navy service, attended The Citadel on a Navy ROTC scholarship, and served as a surface warfare officer before leaving the Navy and building a business in dog training. What started with a difficult personal experience with his own dog eventually became a full-time mission helping other owners better understand behavior, structure, and communication. This episode also dives into veteran entrepreneurship, the value of programs like Boots to Business, building a team from scratch, and why so many lessons from military service translate directly into business ownership. It is a practical, grounded conversation about adapting, learning, and building something useful in the next chapter of life. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #ChadSinger #CanineRevolution #VeteranTransition #VeteranEntrepreneurship #NavyVeteran #DogTraining #DogBehavior #LifeAfterService #BootsToBusiness #VeteranBusinessOwner #CanineTraining #MilitaryLeadership #ServiceToStartup

May 26, 202658 min

Military Tenacity to Tech Wins: Vet's Path to Success

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Mike LeBlanc for a conversation about military transition, identity, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of building a meaningful life after service. Mike shares why he chose the Marine Corps, what it was like coming from a non-military family, and how difficult it can be for veterans to translate military experience into civilian opportunity. He talks openly about the directness veterans carry into the civilian world, the struggles many face when trying to find their footing after getting out, and how he eventually found his path through education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The conversation also explores robotics, AI, solving pain points through business, and why veterans often make strong founders. From Afghanistan to Harvard to startup life, this is an episode about carrying the mission forward and building something that matters after the uniform comes off. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #MikeLeBlanc #VeteranTransition #VeteranEntrepreneurship #LifeAfterService #MarineCorpsVeteran #MilitaryLeadership #VeteranFounder #PostMilitaryLife #LeadershipAfterService #AIAndRobotics #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteransHelpingVeterans #MissionAfterService

May 19, 20261 hr 25 min

Afghanistan War: Why Veterans Need Politics for Peace

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Eric Hommel for a direct and thought-provoking conversation about military service, Afghanistan, leadership, and the long-term impact war has on veterans. Eric shares his unusual path through the military, from enlisted Navy submariner to Navy reservist to commissioned Air Force officer. He talks about the systems he saw from the inside, the politics of military careers, his experience commanding in Afghanistan, and why mission clarity matters more than most people realize. This episode also explores what happens when leaders focus more on careers than mission, why veterans often come home still trying to understand what their service meant, and how confusion, broken systems, and lack of accountability can deepen the struggle long after deployment ends. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #EricHommel #VeteranTransition #AfghanistanWar #PTSDAndVeterans #MilitaryLeadership #VeteranHealing #TheLosingGame #LifeAfterService #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #WarAndLeadership #VeteransHelpingVeterans #MissionMatters

May 12, 202633 min

Veteran's Military Journey: Army Medic To Navy Diver

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut talks with Scott English, a former Canadian Army medic and Navy diver who now leads Combat Fitness, a performance-focused training business for military, law enforcement, and tactical athletes. Scott shares his journey through service, his transition out, and how burnout, operational demands, and changing priorities pushed him toward entrepreneurship. He and Ed talk about the realities of military medicine, the difference between field and clinical environments, the mental toll of the COVID period on service members, and why veterans often make strong business owners after they leave the military. They also dive into training philosophy, injury prevention, tactical performance, and the need to stop breaking people in the name of "fitness." This is a conversation about discipline, systems, leadership, and building a new mission after service. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #ScottEnglish #CombatFitness #MilitaryTransition #VeteranEntrepreneur #VeteranFitness #TacticalFitness #LifeAfterService #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranCommunity #LawEnforcementFitness #TacticalAthlete #FormerMedic #VeteransHelpingVeterans

May 5, 20261 hr 13 min

Veteran Community: Sharing Knowledge & Boosting Each Other With Rater HQ After Dark

In this episode of Helping The Brave, Ed Parcaut sits down with RaterHQ: After Dark, a former VA rater and Army veteran, for an honest conversation about how the VA claims process really works. They discuss the rise of online information around veteran disability claims, the problem of misinformation, and why veterans need better guidance when it comes to DBQs, nexus letters, secondary conditions, and evidence. RaterHQ shares how her channel began as a way to educate VSRs, raters, and authorizers after hours, and why she continues to speak out about what veterans should know before filing or appealing a claim. This episode also explores her own service background, her transition from Army radiology tech to social work after military injury, and why she cares deeply about helping veterans avoid costly mistakes in the claims process. If you are trying to understand VA disability claims with less noise and more clarity, this episode is worth your time. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #RaterHQ #VADisabilityClaims #VAClaims #VeteranBenefits #DBQ #NexusLetter #VeteranSupport #FormerVARater #MilitaryTransition #VeteransHelpingVeterans #CAndPExam #SecondaryConditions #DisabilityClaims

April 28, 20261 hr 11 min

Lee Ettinger on Veteran Community Life And Finding Purpose Again

In this episode of "Helping the Brave," host Ed Parcaut sits down with guests Chris Miles and Lee Ettinger for an engaging conversation about military service, transition to civilian life, and entrepreneurship. Chris Miles shares candid stories from his time in the Marine Corps, including challenging boot camp experiences and lessons learned from amphibious assault training. He and Ed Parcaut dive into the ways military culture has evolved over the years, the importance of community among veterans, and the struggles many face after leaving service—especially when it comes to navigating benefits, healthcare, and finding purpose. The episode also explores the lack of support systems for veterans returning to civilian life, and both Ed Parcaut and Chris Miles reflect on the tools and connections needed for a smoother transition. In a hopeful turn, Chris Miles discusses building a new life abroad, learning Japanese, and eventually becoming a successful entrepreneur. He introduces his company, Power Plus, and explains how his experiences shaped the creation of an innovative energizing pain relief product. Listeners will take away valuable insights on: Overcoming adversity during and after military service The crucial need for veteran support networks and resources The process of building a business after service, leveraging discipline and resilience Current tools, like Ed Parcaut's efforts to ease the VA disability claim process, and the entrepreneurial journey behind Chris Miles 's energy shot Whether you're a veteran, family member, or someone inspired by stories of perseverance, this episode offers honest perspectives, practical advice, and a sense of community for those "helping the brave." Visit www.drinkpowerplus.com for more about Chris Miles 's business, and tune in for more veteran stories on "Helping the Brave. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #VeteranBenefits #VAclaims #Entrepreneurship #VeteranBusiness #PTSD #MilitaryService #SupportOurTroops #MarineCorps #Navy #Army #VeteranOwned #Podcast #EdParcaut #ChrisMiles #LeeEttinger

April 21, 202640 min

Transitioning from Soldier to Storyteller: Dean Davidson's Path to Hope

Join Ed Parcaut as he welcomes Dean Davidson for a candid conversation about military service, PTSD, and the journey of healing. Dean shares his story of serving in the U.S. Army, the challenges of lost records and transitioning to civilian life, and how writing and acting became a creative outlet. Delving into his upcoming novel "The Emir: The Tora Bora Vendetta," Dean discusses the power of storytelling for veterans, messages of hope and redemption, and the importance of reaching out for support. If you're seeking inspiration, honest perspectives, and insight into the veteran experience, this episode delivers. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #Veterans #MilitaryService #PTSDAwareness #Army #Navy #AuthorLife #VeteranStories #MentalHealth #TransitionStories #TheAmir #TorahBoraVendetta #Podcast #EdParcaut #DeanDavidson #Hope #NeverGiveUp #Resilience #FirstResponders #WritingCommunity #Acting #MilitaryFamily #Redemption #Inspiration #SupportVeterans

April 14, 202646 min

Hard Hat Philosophy: Empowering Veterans & Middle America with Randy Bridge

Welcome to Helping the Brave with host Ed Parcaut, the show dedicated to supporting veterans as they navigate life after service. In this episode, Ed sits down with Randy Bridge, Army veteran and author of Hard Hat Philosophy. Together, they discuss the challenges veterans face in accessing VA benefits, overcoming the stigma around seeking help for PTSD and service-connected injuries, and practical advice for maximizing your benefits and securing your family's future. Randy shares his personal journey from military service to a decades-long career in the railroad industry, overcoming periods of hardship, loss of purpose, and rediscovering meaning through helping others. The conversation also explores his creation of Gray Eagle Media—media and resources designed for middle managers and blue-collar workers who often feel overlooked. Dive in for candid stories, actionable tips for veterans and their families, and inspiration on finding support, building resilience, and thriving in post-military life. Plus, get a special limited-time offer for a free copy of Randy's book for Helping the Brave listeners. New episodes every week. Stay connected, get informed, and remember—you've earned your benefits. Learn more and access the special offer at grayeaglemedia.com/helpingthebrave. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #Veterans #VeteranBenefits #PTSD #VAClaims #MilitaryTransition #EdParcaut #RandyBridge #GrayEagleMedia #HardHatPhilosophy #BlueCollar #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #ArmyVeteran #MilitaryLife