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

Hosted by Larry Zilliox

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Episodes

162

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 16128 min

Mission: Entrepreneur — How JDog Brands Is Turning Military Service Into Business Ownership

One customer, noticing an early arrival and a military haircut, kicked off a brand that’s now helping veterans become business owners. We sit down with Tracy Flanagan, co-founder of JDog Brands, to unpack how a junk removal and hauling side hustle grew into a veteran-owned franchise network with roughly 91 locations across 25-plus states and about 90% veteran ownership. Along the way, we get specific about what makes a franchise model work for military transition: structure, accountability, and a path to leadership that still feels familiar after service.We also talk money and operations without the hype. Tracy shares the real hurdles veterans face when they want to buy a franchise, especially financing, and the practical ways owners piece it together through savings, retirement funds, or 401(k) rollover strategies. We dig into why JDog expanded into carpet cleaning and floor care, how add-on services like power washing and light demolition create multiple revenue streams, and why their flat-fee royalty approach is designed so owners keep more upside as they grow.Finally, we zoom out to mission and impact: suicide prevention support, nonprofit partnerships, the Discovery Channel series Operation Hidden Treasures, and Tracy’s own podcast, Tactical Treasures, where she amplifies stories of service and post-service purpose. If you care about veteran entrepreneurship, franchise opportunities for veterans, and building a business with values, this one delivers. Subscribe, share this with a veteran who’s considering business ownership, and leave a review with your biggest question about franchising.

June 8, 2026Episode 16027 min

What Good Is A Benefit If No One Uses It; Free Eye Glasses for Veterans

Paying retail for prescription eyeglasses is frustrating enough. Finding out you may have qualified for VA glasses the whole time is worse. We sit down with Sean Loosen, CEO of PDS Optical and a West Point graduate with an infantry background, to explain how VA vision benefits actually work and why awareness remains the biggest barrier to better eye care for veterans. We break down the real-world basics: VA health care enrollment, what “service-connected disability” can mean for eligibility, and why even a 10% rating may open the door to prescription eyeglasses through the VA system. We also discuss the impact of the PACT Act and burn pit exposure claims, and how a surge in new enrollments is changing demand for optometry, vision exams, and affordable eyewear. If you’ve ever assumed the VA is only for the most serious cases, this conversation challenges that mindset with practical steps and plain language. Sean also shares what it looks like behind the scenes: large-scale eyeglass manufacturing, Patriot Vision Centers in VA hospitals and clinics across the country, hiring veterans, and keeping “Pride, Dignity, and Service” as a real operating standard rather than a slogan. We close with a forward-looking look at AI in manufacturing automation and leadership decision-making, plus a simple nudge that can help somebody today: tell one veteran who wears glasses to ask the VA what they qualify for. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a veteran or caregiver, and leave a quick review so more people can find these VA benefits conversations.

June 1, 2026Episode 15927 min

Stronghold: Where Veteran Healing Meets Purpose

A former Navy SEAL with 10 trips to Afghanistan should have had an easy off-ramp into high-paying contractor work, but Todd Peters chose a different mission. After years of watching suicides stack up across his community, he founded Stronghold Alliance, a faith-based restoration nonprofit built to tackle veteran suicide prevention with urgency, humility, and real-world tools that veterans and first responders will actually use.We talk through what many people miss about PTS and traumatic brain injury (TBI): these “invisible wounds” can hijack sleep, mood, focus, and family life, and they can make healing feel impossible even when you’re doing all the right things. Todd explains why Stronghold starts with the body and the brain using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, supplement support to reduce inflammation, and before-and-after NeuroQuant MRI scans that help prove something is wrong and show what is changing. Then we move into the mind and soul side of recovery: professional counseling pathways and weekly peer “rally points” where people can speak plainly, feel safe, and take the next right step without pretending they’re fine.We also get specific about logistics and impact: what a full course of care costs (around $15,000), how Stronghold currently funds 100% for local participants, what eligibility looks like for veterans with a PTS or TBI diagnosis, and why commitment matters if you want results you can keep. Todd closes with why he’s stepping into a new senior advisor role on mental health and suicide prevention for the Navy and Marine Corps, because he’s tired of seeing the same stats every year.If this conversation hits home, share it with a friend, visit strongholdalliance.org, and click “Stand With Us” to help fund treatment. Subscribe for more, leave a review, and tell us what kind of support makes the transition less lonely.

May 25, 2026Episode 15827 min

How An Iraq War Veteran Turned PTS Into A Band With A Message

A triple agent looks a young soldier in the eye and says the North Gate is about to be hit. Minutes later, the blast proves it. That moment is one of the turning points Sean Martin shares with us, and it’s also part of the story behind why his band, The Quarantined, doesn’t exist just to entertain.Sean is a prior-service Army airborne infantry veteran who deployed to Iraq and ran hundreds of combat missions. He opens up about what pulled him toward the most “consequential” path, how a required talk with an Army psychologist shattered his sense of confidentiality, and what it feels like to keep operating when trust inside your unit starts to crack. We also talk about the strange whiplash of being a junior enlisted soldier doing higher-level work, and the career-defining choice he faced afterward: a “golden ticket” toward Special Forces or a fast exit with disability benefits.From there, we shift into veteran mental health and the real mechanics of healing. Sean explains how PTS showed up in his nervous system, why therapy helped him translate emotions into words, and how music became both an outlet and a tool. We get into songwriting as catharsis, the lyric-first process behind their latest release, Aversion To Normalcy, and how sound and vibration can change your internal state in ways that feel close to frequency therapy. We also point you to Sean’s writing about PTS on the band’s website and discuss the questions veterans carry long after they come home.If you care about veteran stories, PTS recovery, VA disability realities, or music therapy that doesn’t sugarcoat the truth, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

May 18, 2026Episode 15718 min

How JPMorgan Chase Helps Veteran-Owned Businesses Succeed Through CEOcircle

Many veteran-owned businesses don’t struggle because their founders lack discipline. They struggle because growth demands a new kind of support system: peers who’ve been there, mentors who tell the truth, and a clearer plan for capital, technology, and scale. That’s exactly where our conversation with Alex McKindra goes, drawing a straight line from military service to building stronger outcomes for veterans and military spouses in business and beyond.Alex is a Managing Director in Global Corporate Banking and Co-Head of Global Banking Veteran Initiatives at JPMorgan. He shares his own path from the Air Force into banking, including what made the transition challenging and how other veterans helped him break in. We get specific about what actually moves the needle: resume and interview prep, access to real opportunities, and a community that doesn’t disappear when the uniform comes off.We also unpack CEOcircle, a yearlong program run with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) that supports veteran CEOs and military spouse entrepreneurs who already have a company and want to grow it. We talk mentorship, education, innovation, and technology adoption, capital structure, acquisitions, and why building a cohort “tribe” can be as valuable as any single workshop. If you’re considering a civilian career path, we also cover JPMorganChase’s Military Pathways and SkillBridge programs as on-ramps into banking and financial services careers.If this helped you, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share it with a veteran founder or transitioning service member, and leave a review so more people can find these resources.

May 11, 2026Episode 15621 min

Military Spouse Survival Kit

Your spouse raises a right hand, and suddenly, your whole life has a new rulebook. Larry Zilliox, Director of Culinary Services at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, sits down with Kayla LaFond, military spouse liaison for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), for an honest talk about what the transition into military spouse life really looks like, from the first duty station shock to the long stretches where you feel like you are rebuilding from scratch.Kayla shares her own path as part of a Navy family, including how a PCS move can crush momentum when professional licenses do not transfer cleanly across state lines. We dig into licensure reciprocity, why military spouse employment is so hard to sustain, and how underemployment can quietly become the norm. Kayla also explains how finding the right support at a Fleet and Family Support Center helped her turn a tough moment into a career breakthrough, and why good resume guidance and real connections beat random job boards when you are new to a community.We also get practical about what military families in Virginia are facing right now: child care waitlists that can reach hundreds of families, what happens when fee assistance changes during transitions, and why remote work opportunities can be a game-changer for spouse career continuity. Larry points listeners to official resources, including the Virginia DVS military spouse page and the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program that spouses can use, plus the on-installation spouse clubs that help you find your footing faster.If you know a military spouse who is job hunting, navigating child care, or staring down a PCS, share this conversation with them, then subscribe and leave a review so more families can find these resources.

May 4, 2026Episode 15521 min

A Community Car Show That Funds Healing at the Warrior Retreat

A great car can stop you in your tracks, but a great car show can do more than that. We’re joined by Chuck Berge, board member at Willing Warriors and the team lead behind Vettes For Willing Warriors, to lay out exactly what happens when hundreds of vehicles roll onto the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run and the community shows up in force.We talk real numbers and real details: 240 cars and about 865 visitors last year, with expectations of 1,000+ spectators this time. You’ll hear how judging actually works from someone who’s spent decades around Corvettes, from factory-correct originality to the craftsmanship behind smart modifications. We also cover practical basics that make planning easy: spectators are free, car owners can pre-register for $25 (then $30 later), car registration starts at 7:30 a.m., the public gates open at 10:00 a.m., and awards happen at 1:30 p.m. Expect food on site, plenty of variety beyond Corvettes, and awards like People’s Choice plus fun categories such as most unique license plate.The best part is the setting and the mission. Hosting on the retreat property means you can tour the grounds, see the homes that host Wounded Warriors and their families, and understand how this retreat supports recovery from PTS and moral injury. We also preview special guests like Wayne Carini from the TV show "Chasing Classic Cars," as well as familiar local faces like weatherman Chuck Bell, and we explain the bead-voting fundraiser that lets the public vote while donating.Subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation, and if you know a car lover or a supporter of military families, share this episode and leave a review. What would you bring to the show, and what would you vote for?

April 27, 2026Episode 15425 min

From Service to Survival: The Fight for Veteran Healing

The fastest way to lose your footing after the military is to lose your people and then pretend you’re fine. Host Larry Zilliox sits down with Navy Veteran Jordyn Jureczki, CEO of Frontline Healing Foundation, to talk about what happens when transition feels isolating, anger lingers, and the path to care is blocked by money, red tape, or geography. Jordyn shares how her own post-service road led her into law enforcement, a personal struggle with alcohol, and an unexpected turning point through jiu jitsu that introduced her to Warrior’s Heart. From there, we unpack how the nonprofit (formerly the Warrior’s Heart Foundation) helps veterans and first responders access real treatment by funding inpatient care through hardship applications. We get specific about how the foundation evaluates need, why it pays facilities directly, and how it works with vetted programs like Warrior’s Heart for substance use and dual diagnosis treatment and Deer Hollow in Utah for intensive trauma-focused PTS care. We also dig into the tough realities around VA community care, including why referrals for substance use treatment can be so hard to obtain, and why rural veterans can face a brutal mix of distance, isolation, and higher suicide risk. The big takeaway is clear: recovery is not only clinical, it’s also communal, and getting someone into the right setting quickly can change everything for them and their family. If you’ve ever wondered how Veterans' mental health support works when insurance fails, or what practical options exist for PTS, TBI, depression, and addiction recovery, this conversation delivers. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a battle buddy, and leave a review so more people can find these resources.

April 20, 2026Episode 15319 min

How A Combat Injury Led To A Fitness Mission For Veterans

A locked Marine recruiter door turned into an Army career, and an IED in Afghanistan turned that career into a fight to rebuild a life. I’m joined by Jason Smith, a retired Army infantryman, double amputee, and ambassador for Catch A Lift Fund, and he tells the story with zero polish and a lot of truth: the terror of transition, the identity shift after catastrophic injury, and the small decisions that make recovery possible. We dig into what happens after the evacuation flights and the hospital stays when PTS triggers show up in ordinary sounds and traumatic brain injury makes daily memory a constant battle. Jason shares the practical systems that help him function, including writing everything down, repeating key reminders, and focusing on “micro wins” instead of distant goals. If you’re searching for real-world tools for veteran mental health, PTS coping strategies, and TBI support, this part of the conversation hits home. Jason also breaks down how Catch A Lift Fund works and why it stands out among veteran nonprofits. The program starts with an eight-week, one-on-one virtual wellness plan that fits your life, whether you train at home or at a gym. After completing it, veterans can qualify for grants for home gym equipment or commercial gym support. We also talk about the Women’s Fitness Initiative and why women veterans often need a safer, more personalized approach to fitness, nutrition, and coaching from people who understand their experience. If you know a veteran who has tried to “just get back in shape” and couldn’t make it stick, share this conversation with them. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass the episode along to one person who could use a strong next step today.

April 13, 2026Episode 15222 min

What If Belonging Is The Best Medicine For Veterans

A lot of veteran suicide prevention talk gets complicated fast. This conversation stays refreshingly direct: isolation kills, connection protects, and a well-run event can be the difference between shutting down and showing up. I’m Larry Zilliox, and I’m joined by Kimberly Jewell Pond, Operational Support Coordinator and Lead Coordinator for the Washington, DC chapter of Irreverent Warriors, to break down how a “simple hike” becomes something much bigger for veteran mental health.Kimberly shares her path from 17 years in the Alaska Air National Guard to the hard reality of civilian transition, where the bonds you rely on in uniform don’t automatically exist on the other side. We talk about the moment she stumbled into Irreverent Warriors through a Halloween hike, and why being surrounded by veterans again felt like finding family after years of drifting. From there, she explains how IW events are designed to make connection unavoidable in the best way: talk to the person next to you, bring first-timers into the fold, and leave with a real buddy system.We also get into the practical details people want before they show up: hikes run about 5 to 13 miles at an approachable pace, registration matters for insurance and planning, and chapters host events year-round. We dig into impact, including the reported stat that 57% of veterans say suicidal ideation fully stopped or significantly improved after attending an IW event, and why women veterans show up in such strong numbers when the environment is safe and supportive. Kimberly also explains how partnering with the Vet Center can help veterans understand VA benefits and claims, plus what IW wants to build next with healing modalities like cold plunging, equine therapy, cooking, and retreats.If you’re a veteran looking for your people, or someone who wants a real-world way to fight veteran isolation, listen now, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more veterans can find the next hike.