We talk with Army combat veteran, and former Special Forces Public Affairs specialist, Aaron Knowles about “Shred the Stress” an organization he founded to bring the therapeutic benefits of the “Onewheel” electric skateboard, to veterans everywhere.

We begin by tracking his days in Iraq and the events that nearly cost him his life.

After surviving IED explosions and multiple life-changing moments, Knowles shared his transition from heavy vehicle operator to managing public affairs for units within the Special Operations community. But the joy of sharing our warfighter’s stories, was complicated by his own war wounds.

Knowles reveals the after-effects of traumatic brain injuries and describes living with PTSD. After trying to manage his mental health with the usual recommendations, he discovered an alternative tool that delivered powerful results- the Onewheel, electric skateboard.

Knowles described how surfing the earth on this unique board made him stoked in ways medication could not. Realizing his immediate improvement, he founded a riding group for all veterans, “Shred the Stress”.

Now based in Brooklyn, NY. we learn more about the group, its future, and how veterans across the country can get involved.

For more, check out Shred the Stress:

https://www.shredthestress.org/

Discover the Onewheel here:

https://onewheel.com/

For more military news and veteran stories see Connecting Vets here:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

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@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

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Former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone and his wife Amber share their emotional story about how a medically assisted Ibogaine treatment session saved their family, and this combat veteran’s life.

We begin by looking at how life as a Navy SEAL “breacher” and explosives expert, left Marcus with what seemed like untreatable PTSD and brain injuries. We learn how Marcus, once full of life and drive, was quickly slipping into the depression and anger often associated with these injuries. While war fighters receive the initial impact of combat related injuries, they are not the only ones who suffer.

Amber Capone describes how life after Marcus’ SEAL days, became extremely difficult for her and their children, threatening their marriage and overall family mental health. Facing their breaking point, Marcus and Amber took one last chance on psychedelic therapy.

Marcus shares vivid details from his medically assisted Ibogaine session. We hear how the experience differs from the stereo-typical “psychedelic trip” and how he confronted the dark images buried deep beneath the surface.

Our interview tracks life after the Ibogaine session too. From their heartfelt reunion to the many ways, they recognize the true healing that came from this complex and mysterious psychedelic compound.

We also look at the non-profit foundation they founded, Vets Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) which has helped over one thousand veterans gain access to psychedelic therapy, develops world class research and works to move VA, DoD and Congress to implement this therapy for veterans.

And, we conclude with a most surprising discovery- the incredible connection between psychedelic therapy and God.

For more on VETS grants for veterans to access psychedelic therapy, new research and advocacy check out:

https://vetsolutions.org/

For more military news and veteran stories check out Connecting Vets:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

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@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

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Decorated Army veteran, (Ret.) Master Sgt. Patricia Baisden shares how the Purple Heart is more than just the medal awarded for being wounded in combat.

She described how years after her service, The Purple Heart Foundation helped her in ways the federal government does not. More than complex medical issues or acquiring the benefits she earned, she received help with life’s basic needs … car trouble.

Her story illustrates how Purple Heart Foundation’s financial assistance really delivers the things veterans need most.

We also hear from PHF, CEO Stephen Ruckman, who describes their veteran programs and explains why your donations are crucial to ensure these programs continue.

Check out Purple Heart Foundation’s programs and make a donation here:

https://purpleheartfoundation.org/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories here:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

@EyeonVeterans

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Navy Hospital Corpsman are revered among the infantry as the medics who rush into combat to treat the wounded. However not all Navy Corpsman pursue a career in healthcare or the medical field after their military service.

Navy Corpsman veteran Vaughn Sullenberger went from serving with Marines to serving all veterans as a Mortgage Loan Manager for Navy Federal Credit Union.

He shares the specific steps he took that led to his post military success. But like qualifying for a loan, making a successful transition relies on several factors.

Sullenberger offers a detailed look at many of these factors and gives an easy to follow, multi-step plan for financial and personal success.

His journey proves that like the Marine Corps, his career and his love for the veteran community is Semper Fi.

For more on how Navy Federal Credit Union can help with banking, business, home loans, investing for retirement, or even your next career, check out:

https://www.navyfederal.org/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many Americans just assume vets always vote for the candidate who talks toughest about national defense, or offers strong positions on policies related to terrorism. While in some cases that may be true, the biggest question this year is still quite simple- Do vets favor Trump or Harris?

A recent survey of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) members, offers an interesting glimpse at where this group stands, just days before the election.

IAVA, CEO, and Army veteran Allison Jaslow reveals the survey results and shares how the survey breaks across categories like gender.

The survey also tells a unique story about IAVA members, who are younger than other veteran groups, and after their service in Iraq/Afghanistan have often done the heaviest lifting during the Global War on Terrorism.

More from IAVA here:

https://iava.org/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re taking a deep look into one of the most the significant elections of our lifetime with the nonpartisan, veteran-led group, “Vet the Vote” who recently recruited over 163K vets to volunteer at election sites nationwide.

Army veteran, VTV Deputy Director Loren Westerfield and Navy helicopter pilot veteran, Julie Hendricks share the impact veterans make while serving at election sites.

And as social media explodes (again) with; allegations of voter fraud, social users posting evidence through short video clips with minimal context and a rising sense of skepticism, we take a detailed look at their personal experiences serving as poll workers. Plus we hear what they kind of safeguards and methods they witnessed.

Ultimately, we seek to answer one of the biggest questions today, “Are these elections safe, accurate and reliable?”

Our veteran guests deliver fascinating and powerful answers.

More on Vet The Vote, and how to serve as an election volunteer here:

https://vetthe.vote/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk with Army veteran, Infantry Officer and former West Point hockey player Matt Schachman, who works on a unique team of veterans (and partners with Special Operations backgrounds) to lead mid-level businesses to massive growth.

It was a big departure from leading platoons in Iraq and Afghanistan, so we begin with the lessons he learned leading troops in combat. But more than the usual war stories- Schachman reflects on a pivotal moment with an Iraqi police chief, and how he learned a vital lesson in leadership from working with those who hold a drastically different world view.

Schachman shares more about his transition from the military to investment banking and the advice he received about ways to operate “at the tip of spear” in finance.

We also learn how Cold Bore Capital is able to effectively take companies from mid-level revenue to multi million dollar earnings through their expertise in capital investment, business management and mergers-acquisitions.

For any veteran considering scaling their business, or a career in finance, Matt is great resource.

Find out more about Cold Bore Capital here:

https://coldborecapital.com/our-story/

Reach Matt Schachman here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schachman-55719423/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many veterans, mental health challenges can appear after their service.

So imagine if depression, anxiety or even diseases that result in cognitive decline could be detected from just the sound of our voice. And, all of this it could be easily accessed through your phone.

Well, it’s happening- within the new, AI-powered, voice analysis app, Canary Speech.

We talked about it's benefits for veterans with co-founder and acclaimed scientist Henry O’Connell. He described how together with Jeff Adams, a leader in speech and language technology, they combined expertise in neurology and speech technology (Henry at the National Institutes of Health, and Jeff leading Amazon Alexa’s speech AI team) to explore how this type of speech technology could be used in medicine.

We took a deep dive into how Canary Speech works- analyzing the vocal tones far beneath the actual words we speak. And we learned how this app can serve as a useful tool to track our mental health.

We even learned how the classic cartoon, “Winnie the Pooh” helped in the process of creating this innovative app.

For more on the Canary Speech app and to try it yourself, check out:

https://canaryspeech.com/

Contact Canary Speech co-founder Henry O’Connell here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjoconnell/

For more veteran stories and military news check out:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.