Episodes

  • Forged in Chaos: Elite Delta Force veteran’s new book reveals groundbreaking theory and flaws in modern medicine’s treatment of PTSD

    Forged in Chaos: Elite Delta Force veteran’s new book reveals groundbreaking theory and flaws in modern medicine’s treatment of PTSD
    Jul 25 2025
    This week we’re talking about the new book, “Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story” by Army Special Operations veteran Tyler Grey. Tyler was the epitome of the modern warrior, a Delta Force operator, master of counterterrorism. He hunted the worst bullies on the world’s playground—high-value targets, bomb makers, warlords—executing covert missions that never made the news- until one mission in Sadr City, Iraq changed everything.” On what should’ve been a routine raid, an explosion ripped through the home shattering his arm and worse; it fractured his identity. Grey describes “chaos addiction” and how most combat veterans share a similar past, which support his groundbreaking LTSD theory, “Lack of Traumatic Stress Disorder”. We hear how this theory explains why Grey managed his mental health crisis with drugs, sex and toxic relationships. We also examine two traits common among combat vets, which he calls “The Warrior and Destroyer”. Grey also revealed serious flaws behind modern medicine’s current PTSD diagnosis, and how anyone who has experienced trauma can learn from his fight to conquer the battle within. This book doesn’t challenge the narrative; it destroys it, laying bare the cost of being forged in chaos. Check out “Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story” here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Forged-in-Chaos/Tyler-Grey/9798895652626 Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Host and Navy veteran, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Blazing Star BBQ: Travel + Asian flavors led USAF vet to create a bangin’ BBQ brand!

    Blazing Star BBQ: Travel + Asian flavors led USAF vet to create a bangin’ BBQ brand!
    Jul 18 2025
    We’re firing up the grill and talking killer BBQ with Blazing Star BBQ, Founder and Air Force veteran Michael Starr. We start with his Air Force days, where he was a satellite communications specialist aboard The National Airborne Operations Center, commonly known as “The Doomsday Plane”. These classified 747s are the nations’ mobile command center for The President, Pentagon and Joint Chiefs. Capable of withstanding the effects of nuclear and electromagnetic attacks, it follows the President everywhere and ensures the government and military can continue even amidst catastrophic attacks against our nation. Starr, who grew up in North Carolina, shared how his global travels ignited a passion for food, flavors and great BBQ … despite being raised on “salt, pepper, butter and bacon grease.” He shared how he first began making sauces for local restaurants and revealed some of the special ingredients in his Blazing Star BBQ recipe. We discussed his rise during the pandemic, and how his social media earned Starr recognition from some of the top BBQ Pitmaster Champions in the country. We also heard more about Blazing Star seasonings, and how his products would eventually get picked up by some of America’s largest retailers like; Home Dept, Ace Hardware and more. Get some Blazing Star BBQ essentials here: https://www.blazingstarbbq.com/ Special Shout out … Thanks to our delicious new sponsor “Eggland’s Best”. From their unique hen feed and strict quality standards to a network of USDA-inspected local farms all over the United States, you can be confident that a classic, organic, or cage-free egg with the EB stamp on the shell is a superior egg that delivers farm-fresh taste. https://www.egglandsbest.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Ranger to Rancher: Valor Provisions delivers great steaks (and more) to your door!

    Ranger to Rancher: Valor Provisions delivers great steaks (and more) to your door!
    Jul 3 2025
    This week we’re talking about veteran business success and the best steaks for your backyard BBQ, with Army Ranger veteran Patrick Montgomery. He shared his journey from warrior to rancher to founder of Valor Provisions, an innovative e-commerce site where consumers can get prime cuts of steak, burgers, and world-famous hot dogs delivered right to their door. We start with his transition from the military to a career in the cattle industry. Montgomery shared how his first attempt in the beef business almost failed. But his dedication to small ethical ranchers resulted in a break that would elevate his small business to a national brand. After his first taste of success, Montgomery shared how rising prices, the corporate-owned beef industry and other factors almost crushed his business. He outlined his innovative e-commerce membership model, and how being open and honest with customers was the real key to Valor Provisions’ success. Montgomery also talked about the premium meats Valor Provisions offers and new additions like grass fed beef and pasture raised chicken. We also learn the real origin story behind the wildly popular Wagyu beef. Check out the great steaks and unique Valor Provisions Co-Op membership here: https://valorprovisions.us/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Pioneering Psychiatrist Dr. Will Van Derveer says it’s time to make this available!

    Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Pioneering Psychiatrist Dr. Will Van Derveer says it’s time to make this available!
    Jun 27 2025
    This week we hear from Dr. Will Van Derveer about about the proven benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Dr. Van Derveer shared how after working with veterans he became discouraged by the conventional treatments like talk therapy and endless medications which often fail to treat the root cause of conditions like anxiety, bi-polar, depression and PTSD. After two decades of developing innovative approaches to address the root causes of symptoms, in 2018 he co-founded the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. A leader on a mission to transform mental healthcare, VanDerveer set a goal to train 10,000 providers in psychedelic-assisted therapy. We started with a discussion about the failures of standard mental health treatment protocols. Dr. Van Derveer shared data on the effectiveness of psychedelics, and updates on current VA, FDA trials, including MDMA, and Psilocybin. And how many vets are forced to “free-lance their own care” by going to Mexico to gain access to Ibogaine therapy. Dr Van Derveer also shared the vicious mental cycle a PTSD patient endures, what a psychedelic treatment session is like, and how psychedelics are proving effective at helping veterans heal. For more on psychedelic-assisted therapy, resources and training programs for mental care providers, check out The Integrative Psychiatry Institute: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Power Chords! Songwriting with Soldiers helps vets heal with Nashville hit makers

    Power Chords! Songwriting with Soldiers helps vets heal with Nashville hit makers
    Jun 20 2025
    Today we’re hearing how veterans are being healed by the power of music, and collaborations with the organization “Songwriting with Soldiers”. Air Force veteran Bruce Anderson, his wife Lesley and SW:S Music Director Jay Clementi share how these weekend retreats pair award-winning songwriters with veterans to create songs that help them tell their story and bring them closure. (Clementi’s credits include hit songs with Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, and more) We start with a look at Anderson’s deployments during the Global War on Terror. Anderson and his wife Lesley brilliantly recall the troubles he experienced after returning from war, and how they took a chance on attending a SW:S weekend retreat. The Andersons describe the origin of their song, “The Man You Used to Know,” and how writing it with hit songwriter Trent Willmon, was more powerful than any medicine. Jay Clementi describes the “Songwriting with Soldiers” writing process and a new music initiative where select songs from these powerful retreats are fully produced by award-winning Nashville producers and now available on all major streaming platforms. Check more from “Songwriting with Soldiers”, Hear the latest songs, Donate or Register for upcoming retreats here: https://songwritingwithsoldiers.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Fuji Fire: USMC veteran and journalist documents the forgotten story of a Marine Corps tragedy, typhoon and walls of fire.

    Fuji Fire: USMC veteran and journalist documents the forgotten story of a Marine Corps tragedy, typhoon and walls of fire.
    Jun 10 2025
    This week we talk with Marine Corps veteran and acclaimed journalist Chas Henry about his dramatic new book, “Fuji Fire, Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy”. It's the story of how in 1979 the largest typhoon ever recorded hit Camp Fuji, Japan, ruptured a fuel tank, sending 5000 gallons of fuel into huts where Marines were staying, eventually engulfing the camp in walls of fire after the fuel was ignited by kerosene heaters. Henry recalls the origin of the project was when he posted photos from his deployment there (before the fire), and how it inspired a multi-year investigation to finally tell their story. In our detailed interview Henry shares first-hand accounts he gathered from veterans who lived through the tragedy. He also shares how Japanese forces assisted Marine forces despite strained relations with the US Government. We also hear gripping stories about the crews who helped save Marines, a brave military doctor, advancements in emergency medicine and burn care and a Marine who inspired his fellow survivors. Plus how the work of legendary Hollywood actor Dick Van Dyke helped some Marines survive. Get a copy of “Fuji Fire: Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy” here: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781640126459/fuji-fire/ More on Marine Corps veteran, acclaimed journalist, and creator of CBS Eye on Veterans syndicated radio show and podcast, Chas Henry here: https://chashenry.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Fight for your Rights! Unite 4 Vets + Dropkick Murphys Rally to end slashing of VA

    Fight for your Rights! Unite 4 Vets + Dropkick Murphys Rally to end slashing of VA
    Jun 2 2025
    We recently heard about the “Unite 4 Veterans” rally, June 6th in Washington DC, where vets from around the country will make their voices heard in the loudest way possible … with the legendary Irish punk band The Dropkick Murphys. We spoke with Unite4Vets coalition members Army veterans Will Attig and Chris Purdy. Together they sounded the alarm about recent VA cuts without regard to the second order effects on veterans who rely on these programs. In a recent statement, Unite 4 Veterans said, “The Unite 4 Veterans Coalition stands in firm opposition to recent actions and proposals from the White House that amount to political theater at the direct expense of our nation’s veterans … The administration’s proposal to eliminate more than 80,000 positions from the VA and terminate thousands of jobs held by veterans and their families in the federal workforce is a betrayal. Veterans make up more than a third of the federal workforce. Cutting their positions while simultaneously gutting the VA staff that manages transition programs like the G.I. Bill and VA vocational rehabilitation is not about efficiency, it’s neglect! This administration’s priorities could not be clearer: spend over $50 million on a military parade while slashing programs like the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program—a proven resource that kept over 17,000 vulnerable veteran families housed. This is not sound policy; it is political optics at the expense of those who’ve sacrificed the most.” We also discuss the combat connection veterans have to Boston’s legendary punk band The Dropkick Murphys, and how they've always been huge supporters of first responders, veterans and America’s often ignored working class. More on “Unite 4 Veterans” Rally on The National Mall in DC, here: https://www.unite4veterans.org/ Read: Unite 4 Veterans Coalition Statement, “Stop Dishonoring Veterans with Broken Promises and Empty Gestures” here: https://www.unite4veterans.org/press/statement-stop-dishonoring-veterans To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • What makes a hero? Just show up! Army vet, actor J.R. Martinez on season 2 of “Medal of Honor” podcast

    What makes a hero? Just show up! Army vet, actor J.R. Martinez on season 2 of “Medal of Honor” podcast
    May 30 2025
    Looking for something to lift your spirits? This episode is for you! This week we discuss the podcast, “Medal of Honor, Stories of Courage” Season 2, with Host, Army combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, actor and best selling-author J.R. Martinez. Before we dove into the podcast, JR offered a closer look at his amazing life. We heard how he went from surviving an IED explosion and severe burns, to winning “Dancing with The Stars” and a role on the daytime TV drama “All My Children”. With his great sense of humor, JR also shared hilarious moments, like how he’s frequently mistaken for the famous musician Seal. We also examined the inspiring stories behind recipients of the Medal of Honor as told in the podcast. From stories of valor and truth from a WWI veteran to a teacher who saved a student’s life amidst a school shooting attempt, each story from the podcast will definitely lift your spirits. We also examined what makes a hero, and how we can all do it … if we just “show up” for someone else. Check out the inspiring podcast series “Medal of Honor, Stories of Courage” here: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/medal-of-honor-stories-of-courage And check out Army combat veteran, actor, author and Master Motivator J.R. Martinez here: https://jrmartinez.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins