Helping The Brave Podcast

Hosted by Ed Parcaut

Business Education

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 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

August 18, 202652 min

US Army Veteran's Story: Desert Storm and Real Military Truths

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Scott Lackey for a conversation about Army service, Desert Storm, military transition, endurance, writing, and what it means to keep rebuilding after life gets hard. Scott shares why he chose the Army, how he served in tactical telecommunications, and how a surprising assignment in Germany eventually led him into a front-row view of leadership and responsibility. He also talks about serving during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the chaos of early deployment conditions, and the lasting impact of military experiences that are not always easy to explain. The conversation goes far beyond service history. Scott opens up about how difficult civilian life was after leaving the military, why his "make it happen" mindset did not translate the way he expected, and how years later he found himself confronting a list of broken promises to himself during COVID. That self-examination led him toward endurance goals like the Ironman and eventually toward writing his book, Wake Up to Die Again . This is an honest episode about veteran transition, identity, discipline, endurance, trauma, and learning how to keep your promises to yourself when no one else can do it for you. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #ScottLackey #ArmyVeteran #DesertStorm #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #VeteranReinvention #IronmanMindset #MentalToughness #VeteranAuthor #PurposeAfterService #MilitaryToCivilian #EnduranceAthlete #WakeUpToDieAgain

August 11, 202645 min

Dad, Surgeon, Officer: A Life of Healing And Storytelling

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Sean Adelman for a thoughtful conversation about Air Force service, military medicine, transition, family, and what it means to keep growing after the uniform comes off. Sean shares why he chose the Air Force, how military service helped make medical school possible, and what it was like serving as a physician during a period marked by 9/11 and deployments to the Middle East. He also talks about taking care of special operations personnel, the unique culture of military medicine, and the difficulty of leaving a system and identity he thought would last for an entire career. The conversation goes deeper into veteran transition, self-worth, family, and perspective. Sean opens up about how his daughter with Down syndrome changed the way he measures success, happiness, and impact. He and Ed talk about mentorship, making a difference one person at a time, staying creative, writing books, and how veterans can find meaning again when life does not go the way they expected. This is an honest episode about service, transition, family, and learning to value the moments that matter most. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #SeanAdelman #AirForceVeteran #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #MilitaryMedicine #TraumaSurgeon #PurposeAfterService #VeteranMindset #MilitaryFamily #OrthopedicTrauma #ServiceAfterService #VeteransHelpingVeterans #NextMission

August 4, 202638 min

Bomb Dog Handlers Army Journey: From Croatia To K9 School

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Ryan Matthews for a conversation about Army service, military working dogs, trauma, entrepreneurship, and purpose after the uniform. Ryan shares why he chose the Army, how he became a bomb dog handler, and what it was like working with explosive detection dogs on missions that included clearing areas during elections in Iraq. He talks about discovering his love for working dogs, how his understanding of training has evolved over the last twenty-five years, and why the real work is often not just training the dog, but helping the human become more aware, more consistent, and more honest. The conversation also turns personal. Ryan opens up about surviving stage three colon cancer and a widow-maker heart attack, navigating service connection with the VA, reading more about PTSD, and recognizing how trauma can continue to show up in everyday life. He and Ed also talk about AI, entrepreneurship, and why veterans have a real edge when they apply discipline and drive to building something new. This is an episode about service, survival, healing, dog training, and using what you have learned to help others move forward. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #RyanMatthews #ArmyVeteran #MilitaryWorkingDogs #DogTraining #VeteranTransition #CanineBehavior #ExplosiveDetectionDog #VeteranEntrepreneur #LifeAfterService #PTSDAwareness #HealingAndGrowth #WorkingDogs #NextMission

July 28, 202650 min

Army Recruit To Gulf War Near-Miss: A Soldier's Story

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Eric Goebelbecker for a wide-ranging conversation about Army service, military transition, technology, writing, and the challenge of reinventing yourself after service. Eric shares why he joined the Army, how family history shaped that decision, and what life looked like serving in Germany as a Hawk continuous wave radar repair specialist during the Cold War era. He talks about loving Germany enough to reenlist, then eventually deciding to leave the Army when the next assignment no longer fit the life he wanted. From there, the conversation shifts into what many veterans know well: getting out without a perfect plan and figuring it out in real time. Eric explains how his military technical training became the foundation for civilian work in electronics, teleconferencing, factory systems, programming, and eventually Wall Street technology with Reuters. He and Ed also talk about AI, writing, copyright, the future of work, and why adapting matters more than ever. This is an episode about second acts, learning on the fly, and using the skills you built in uniform to keep creating value in the civilian world. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #EricGoebelbecker #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #ArmyVeteran #TechCareer #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranReinvention #SoftwareDeveloper #AuthorLife #AIAndWriting #HelpingVeterans #SecondAct #NextMission

July 21, 202648 min

Pilot, Chef, Coder? One Man's Incredible Journey

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Josh Brinson for a wide-ranging conversation about military service, transition, fitness, entrepreneurship, and finding purpose after the uniform. Josh shares how he joined the Navy, became a helicopter aircrew rescue swimmer, and found himself learning nearly every job around the aircraft. He talks about deployments, humanitarian work in Pakistan after the earthquake, the realities of leaving the military without a clear plan, and the challenge so many veterans face when they lose the structure and identity that service once gave them. The conversation also explores what came next: working with his dad, EMS and fire service, contracting overseas, competitive barbecue, fitness coaching, aviation, business ownership, and raising a family while continuing to evolve. Ed and Josh also touch on PTSD awareness, how trauma can hide in plain sight, and why staying physically and mentally engaged matters so much after service. This is an honest episode about transition, reinvention, purpose, and staying ready for whatever comes next. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #JoshBrinson #VeteranTransition #NavyVeteran #LifeAfterService #VeteranFitness #PurposeAfterService #RescueSwimmer #VeteranEntrepreneur #GuardianStrength #PTSDAwareness #MilitaryTransition #VeteransHelpingVeterans #NextMission

July 14, 202632 min

Conquering PTSD: 40 Years of Veteran Healing Secrets

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Faust Ruggiero for a powerful conversation about PTSD, trauma recovery, and what veterans really need in order to heal. Faust shares lessons from four decades of working with veterans, including why PTSD should not be treated as a simple mental health label and why talk therapy alone often falls short. He explains that trauma affects the body, emotions, and thinking all at once, and that real recovery takes trust, education, commitment, and the right guide. Ed and Faust also talk honestly about the frustrations many veterans face when trying to get help through the VA, the importance of community care and self-advocacy, how to choose a therapist who actually understands PTSD, and why medication by itself is rarely enough. This is a practical and hopeful episode about veteran healing, trauma education, and finding a better road map for PTSD recovery. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #FaustRuggiero #PTSDRecovery #VeteranPTSD #TraumaRecovery #VeteransMentalHealth #PTSDTreatment #HealingAfterTrauma #TraumaTherapy #LifeAfterService #VeteranHealing #FirstResponderTrauma #MentalHealthSupport #HelpingVeterans

July 7, 202654 min

From Jamaica To Army: Queen William's Inspiring Journey

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Dr. CM Queen Williams for a powerful conversation about Army service, military medicine, cancer care, veteran benefits, and finding purpose after burnout. Dr. Williams shares her journey from immigrating to the United States from Jamaica, to joining the Army as an enlisted soldier, to later becoming a physician and radiation oncologist through military medicine. She talks about paying for school with the GI Bill, going through medical training, serving at major military medical centers, and spending years treating cancer patients in uniform. The conversation also dives into a mission she cares deeply about today: helping veterans understand cancer-related claims, toxin exposure, presumptive conditions, the PACT Act, and when a strong nexus letter or DBQ actually matters. Ed and Dr. Williams talk honestly about the confusion many veterans face, the poor-quality letters some people are paying too much for, and why specialists need to stay in their lane if they want to truly help. This episode is about service, reinvention, medical expertise, and using what you have learned to make life easier for the veterans coming behind you. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #CMQueenWilliams #VeteranBenefits #PACTAct #ArmyVeteran #MilitaryDoctor #CancerClaims #ToxinExposure #NexusLetter #DBQ #VeteranTransition #WomenVeterans #MilitaryMedicine #VeteransHelpingVeterans

June 30, 20261 hr 1 min

Marine Corps: Rebellion, Family Legacy, & Tech Talk

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with John Smith for a conversation about life after military service, VA claims, family, faith, and finding purpose in the next chapter. John shares why he chose the Marine Corps, how he built a career as a tactical air defense controller, and how that path eventually led him to the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics community. After retirement, he stayed close to the mission by continuing to support Marines and sailors as a contractor and subject matter expert, while also building a podcast and looking for more ways to help veterans. Ed and John also dig into the confusion around VA disability claims, PTSD ratings, missing records, buddy letters, and why clear information matters so much for veterans trying to get the benefits they earned. The conversation expands into technology, AI, podcasting, multiple income streams, and how veterans can use their skills to create freedom, help others, and stay present for their families. This is an honest episode about service after the service, and how purpose does not end at retirement. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #JohnSmith #MarineVeteran #VeteranTransition #VADisability #VABenefits #LifeAfterService #VeteranAdvocacy #MilitaryRetirement #PTSDRatings #VeteranPodcast #FaithAndFamily #VeteransHelpingVeterans #NextMission

June 23, 202652 min

Drone's, Veterans, And Puerto Rico: The Drone Boss Interview

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast , Ed Parcaut sits down with Damon Darnall , also known as the Drone Boss, for a conversation about drones, entrepreneurship, and why this fast-growing industry can be a strong fit for veterans. Damon shares how he got into flying at a young age, how the drone industry has evolved, and why he believes commercial drones are creating one of the biggest business opportunities in the years ahead. He and Ed talk about inspections, solar, dams, power lines, delivery systems, mapping, AI-powered automation, and how drones are opening doors for small business owners. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is Damon's experience helping people move from traditional jobs into drone entrepreneurship. He explains why veterans often do especially well in this space, thanks to discipline, execution, and a natural ability to follow systems and operating procedures. This is a practical episode about veteran transition, new technology, side hustles, and building a business in a growing market. *Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com) For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #DamonDarnall #DroneBoss #DroneBusiness #VeteranEntrepreneur #VeteranTransition #DronesForVeterans #CommercialDrones #AIInTheSky #DroneTraining #BusinessOpportunity #SideHustle #PostMilitaryLife #VeteransHelpingVeterans

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