In this episode of VET’ed., host Jen M. Wagman sits down with U.S. Army Veteran Tim Sheppard (Ret.), Executive Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission who served 40 years across the Army and Army National Guard, and Dr. Julie Elledge, Ph.D., LMFT, MCC.

NBC-HWC, BCC— the visionary behind the "Veterans Talking to Veterans" program and Founder & MCC Coach at Mentor Agility. Together, they pull back the curtain on the hidden struggles our heroes face after hanging up the uniform—from the emotional aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal to the quiet, devastating realities of food insecurity.

This conversation goes far beyond standard policy; it tackles the raw, human necessity of helping veterans truly thrive. Dr. Elledge explains how their intensive coaching framework acts as a protective net across communities, waking up the leadership skills of veterans to save their peers from despair. Director Shepard highlights how localized state initiatives like the Hunger Initiative provide a vital "hand up, not a handout," reminding local communities, including civilians, that true veteran care begins right at home.

Whether you are a veteran searching for a supportive network to navigate civilian life or an advocate looking to understand how grassroots mobilization changes lives, this episode serves as a powerful testament to the healing power of structured camaraderie.

To learn more about August 1-2 2026 VTTV Stronger Together Summit, visit veteranstalkingtoveterans.com

To learn more about GenVETS, visit https://genvets.org.

To leave comments, suggestions or ask questions regarding VET’ed. with Jen M. Wagman, email VETed@genvets.org

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