In this episode of VET’ed, host Jen M. Wagman looks ahead to the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio by sitting down with an extraordinary panel: Colonel David Paschal, US Army, (Ret.) , Director of the Warrior Games; Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Stephanie Shaver (USAF), founder of the Healing Hut; and Tish Stropes Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Fisher House Foundation. Together, they peel back the layers of what physical and mental recovery truly look like for our nation's wounded service members.

Dave shares how the nature of military injuries has fundamentally shifted over the years—moving from sustained battlefield trauma to devastating civilian accidents, cancer, and neurodegenerative illnesses like ALS—and explains why the need for a team identity remains a critical lifeline for these heroes. Dr. Shaver shares the raw, life-altering impact of the Healing Hut's integrative, alternative modalities, while Tisch highlights the quiet, exhausting sacrifices made by the caregivers and families standing on the sidelines. This conversation is a profound reminder that a gold medal is the least important thing happening on the field; the true victory is giving our veterans a launchpad to reclaim their lives, their community, and their sense of purpose.

To learn more about the Warrior Games, visit dodwarriorgames.com.

To learn more about Fisher House, visit fisherhouse.org.

To learn more about GenVETS, visit genvets.org.

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

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👍 Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for more episodes that inform and empower Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

#Veterans #MentalHealth #WarriorGames2026 #AdaptiveSports #FisherHouse #HealingHut #Resilience #Community #FamilySupport #InvisibleWounds

In this episode of VET’ed., host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Marty Trujillo, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran who is now leading the charge to heal families and veterans from the ground up. As the Executive Director for Colorado Youth Outdoors (Southern Region), Marty shares his insights into why our current approach to veteran mental health and transition is missing the mark. It isn't about adding more complex programming; it's about stripping away the noise, removing the technology, and rebuilding core human relationships.

From powerful metaphors about looking into a two-way mirror to personal stories of finding humility after hanging up the uniform, Marty explains how nature and shared experiences provide the ultimate space for genuine connection. Whether you're a veteran trying to navigate life after service or a family member looking to reconnect, this conversation is a powerful roadmap to finding your anchor and finishing the race strong.

To learn more about Colorado Youth Outdoors, visit www.coloradoyo.org

To learn more about the 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans service organization GenVETS, Inc. visit www,genvets.org

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

🔔 Available wherever you get your podcasts!

👍 Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for more episodes that inform and empower Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

#Veterans #MentalHealth #ColoradoYouthOutdoors #FamilyConnection #Community #Resilience #MarineCorps #Healing #VeteranSupport #PostTraumaticGrowth

In this episode of VET'ed, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with veterans' attorney Benjamin Pomerance to talk about a fight too many of us know too well: the fight for the benefits we earned.

They walk through the VA's recent attempt to reduce disability ratings for veterans whose symptoms are managed by medication—a proposal that would have undone fifteen years of court precedent and told millions of veterans that getting better on paper means getting less in reality. It was stopped. But only after a lawsuit. Only after advocates refused to stay quiet.

They talk about the appeals backlog nobody wants to name. About the 93.4% accuracy rate that no advocate on the ground actually sees. About veterans who are told to stop complaining when what they're really doing is fighting to be heard.

And they talk about something that doesn't get measured enough: the weight all of this puts on a person's will to keep going.

This episode isn't here to make you angry. It's here because silence never fixed a broken system. And because the promise made to those who served should never have to be earned twice.

To contact Benjamin Pomerance, email: benjamin.pomerance@veterans.ny.gov

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

🔔 Available wherever you get your podcasts!

👍 Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for more episodes that inform and empower Veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.

#Veterans #VeteransBenefits #VETedPodcast #AdministrativeLaw #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport #SpeakOut #SystemicChange #Accountability