The best therapy for some veterans doesn't start in a counselor's office—it starts around a campfire.

EPISODE PREMISE

Healing doesn't always happen the way we expect. In this episode of VET S.O.S., Victor Bretting shares how a retirement ranch in North Texas became a mission to serve veterans through the outdoors, conservation, and authentic camaraderie. What veterans often take home isn't just a trophy—it's a renewed sense of connection, purpose, and peace.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Understand why Victor believes the hunt is only the excuse—and healing is the real mission.

• Learn how Hunting With Soldiers helps veterans rediscover the brotherhood many miss after leaving military service.

• Experience why campfires, shared meals, and quiet mornings in the field often become more meaningful than harvesting an animal.

• Hear incredible stories from Victor's dangerous game hunts in Mozambique and how those experiences shaped his perspective on conservation, leadership, and service.

About Victor Bretting

Victor Bretting is an eighth-generation Texan, construction executive, conservationist, author, and founder of Bretting Texan Ranch (BTEX Ranch). Although he never served in the military, he has dedicated his ranch to supporting veterans through Hunting With Soldiers by providing donated hunting experiences focused on healing, fellowship, and restoration. He is also the author of The Man That I Would Become and has pursued more than 140 species across five continents.

"The harvesting of a trophy is a very secondary thing. It's just an avenue to get here so they can have a little peace and quiet... and hopefully find that transition of healing."

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow VET S.O.S. and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open the Apple Podcasts app, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes less than 30 seconds and helps another veteran discover the resources and community they may need today.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Healing Beyond the Hunt

02:05 – Meet Victor Bretting

04:00 – Why BTEX Ranch Exists

10:22 – Campfires, Brotherhood & Veteran Healing

16:56 – Hunting With Soldiers

25:15 – Dangerous Game & Lessons from Mozambique

29:20 – Closing Thoughts & Resources

🎧 Explore the VET S.O.S. Network

▶ VET S.O.S. – Flagship Show

▶ Operation Startup

▶ Learning Lifeline

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▶ Testimony Strong

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Most veterans who die by suicide never ask for help. This episode explains how to reach them before it's too late.

Most suicide prevention efforts begin inside hospitals—but Dr. Keita Franklin explains why that's already too late for many veterans. Drawing on decades of leadership at the VA, Marine Corps, and Columbia Lighthouse Project, she shares how a simple six-question screening tool is helping communities identify veterans at risk before a crisis becomes a tragedy.

This conversation moves beyond awareness and into practical action every veteran, family member, employer, and community leader can take.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Learn the six-question Columbia Protocol and understand why anyone—not just clinicians—can use it.

• Recognize why the first five years after military transition carry significantly higher suicide risk.

• Understand how the Marine Corps reduced suicide rates by changing where they looked for veterans in crisis.

• Discover why directly asking someone about suicide is one of the safest and most effective ways to help.

About Dr. Keita Franklin

Dr. Keita Franklin is a nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention with more than 25 years of experience serving military and veteran communities. She helped redesign the Department of Veterans Affairs' suicide prevention strategy into a public health model and now serves as Vice President of Healthcare Strategy at TriWest Healthcare Alliance while co-leading the Columbia Lighthouse Project, expanding evidence-based suicide prevention worldwide.

If this episode helped you, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap Write a Review. It takes less than 30 seconds and helps another veteran find the lifeline they may need.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction

03:09 — Military Family Transition

05:22 — How the Columbia Protocol Was Created

12:13 — The Six Questions That Save Lives

18:05 — Rethinking Suicide Prevention

23:27 — Bringing Prevention Into the Community

31:46 — Closing & Resources

Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network

▶ VET S.O.S.

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong

Connect with VET S.O.S.

Website: vetsospodcast.com

Twitter/X: @vetsospodcast

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Most veterans don't fail after transition—they fail because they never made a plan.

EPISODE PREMISE

Most veterans leave the military focused on what they're escaping instead of what they're building. In this conversation, Navy veteran Mr. Whiskey explains why that mindset creates unnecessary struggle—and how intentional planning, self-awareness, and community can completely change the outcome.

From surviving childhood trauma and toxic leadership to building a global platform helping others recover from addiction, mental health challenges, and life after service, this episode is packed with practical wisdom that applies long after the uniform comes off.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Avoid the biggest transition mistake veterans make when they say, "I don't care what I do as long as it's not the military."
• Understand why being "dry" and being truly "sober" are two completely different things—and why real recovery requires personal growth.
• Learn how a 16-hour weekend commute unexpectedly launched Mr. Whiskey's podcast and eventually became a worldwide mission serving others.
• Discover why recovery isn't one-size-fits-all and how listening to yourself can become the most powerful tool in overcoming addiction, trauma, and life's biggest challenges.
• Hear the deeply personal story of overcoming years of abuse, rejection, and limiting beliefs to build a life centered on faith, purpose, and service.

About Mr. Whiskey

Mr. Whiskey is a U.S. Navy veteran and former nuclear operator who founded Couple of Nukes, a self-improvement platform dedicated to helping people navigate military transition, addiction recovery, suicide prevention, mental health, relationships, and faith. Today he serves as a podcast host, author, speaker, preacher, comedian, and entrepreneur whose mission is simple: Protect. Provide. Serve. His unique perspective comes from overcoming childhood trauma, serving in the Navy's nuclear community, and turning those experiences into resources that help others heal and rebuild.

🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow VET S.O.S. and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Open Apple Podcasts, search VET S.O.S., scroll down, and tap "Write a Review." It takes less than 30 seconds and helps another veteran discover the resources and hope they need.

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why Most Veterans Struggle After Transition

01:07 – Meet Mr. Whiskey

02:37 – The Transition Mistake Too Many Veterans Make

06:37 – How Couple of Nukes Was Born

16:53 – Talking About Mental Health Without Losing Hope

20:16 – Recovery Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

26:05 – Finding Identity Beyond the Military

34:47 – Resources, Final Advice & Where to Connect

🎧 Explore the Full VET S.O.S. Network

▶ VET S.O.S. — Flagship Show

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Learning Lifeline

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop

▶ VET S.O.S. Presents: Testimony Strong

🔗 Connect with VET S.O.S.

Website: vetsospodcast.com

Twitter/X: @vetsospodcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast

YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast

Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast

Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #VeteranPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #HeroesMediaGRP #MilitaryTransition #MilitaryMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Veterans #MilitaryLife #Podcast