Healing Trauma and Finding Purpose After Service: Juan Espinoza Shares His Story
Release Date: 05/27/2025
Camaraderie, Career, and Creativity: A Veteran’s Guide to Transition
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this episode of Helping the Brave, host Ed Parcaut sits down with bestselling novelist and Marine veteran Michael Hopf for a wide-ranging, authentic conversation about life during and after military service. Michael shares his journey from growing up in Maryland to joining the Marine Corps, experiencing life on deployment, and successfully transitioning into civilian life through commercial diving, executive protection, entrepreneurship, and writing over 40 books. The duo discusses the unique challenges veterans face upon leaving the service—like loss of purpose, camaraderie, and...
info_outline
Vietnam Veteran's Powerful Story of Healing
Helping The Brave Podcast
Join host Ed Parcaut on Helping The Brave as he sits down with Vietnam veteran, therapist, and author Connard Hogan. In this candid conversation, Connard shares his journey from being drafted into the Army, becoming an intelligence analyst in Vietnam, to his transition into civilian life and a long career in counseling and therapy. Connard discusses the challenges faced by Vietnam vets, the impact of trauma and PTSD, and the healing process through writing and self-reflection. He also opens up about his memoirs—covering both his early life and his time in Vietnam—and offers insights for...
info_outline
Lessons From Combat Veterans with Cole Grace on Helping the Brave
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this candid episode of Helping the Brave, host Ed Parcaut sits down with Cole Grace, an Army National Guard combat engineer, for a real talk about military service, the challenges of deployment, living with PTSD, and navigating the complex world of VA disability benefits. Cole opens up about his experiences in Iraq as an IED hunter, the dangers he faced, and the aftereffects that followed him home—including medical struggles related to experimental equipment and the nuances of getting the right support from the VA. Ed and Cole dive deep into what really matters: why it’s so important...
info_outline
From Paratrooper to Author: Rick DeStefanis on Healing, Writing, and Veteran Life After War
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this episode of Helping The Brave, host Ed Parcaut sits down with Vietnam-era Army veteran and acclaimed author Rick DeStefanis. Rick shares his fascinating journey—from enlisting during the height of the Vietnam War, to his transformative experiences as a paratrooper, and his unexpected path to becoming a prolific writer of military fiction. Together, Ed and Rick dive into the complexities of military service, the lasting impact of PTSD (or PTS, as Rick prefers to call it), and the importance of sharing veterans’ stories, even when it’s difficult. Rick opens up about why he...
info_outline
Eric Donoho on Moral Injury, Veteran Suicide and Transitioning After Military Service
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this powerful episode of Helping the Brave, host Ed Parcaut talks with Army veteran Eric Donoho about the realities of military service, combat injuries, and the journey home. Eric opens up about his deployment to Iraq, his experiences with IEDs and traumatic brain injury, and how those moments shaped his life after service. Together, they delve into the challenges veterans face during transition, the importance of addressing both PTSD and "moral injury," and why it’s crucial to create real support networks for returning servicemembers. Eric shares his personal story—losing a...
info_outline
Amanda Zeine’s Inspiring Path: Army Medicine, Overcoming TBI, and Kids’ Books for Military Families
Helping The Brave Podcast
On this episode of Helping The Brave, host Ed Parcaut sits down with Dr. Amanda Zeine, a former Army pediatrician whose journey through military service, unexpected injury, and personal reinvention will inspire veterans and civilians alike. Amanda shares her accidental enlistment story—starting with a scholarship her mother encouraged her to pursue and leading to a 15-year career in the Army, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. From medical school and residency in Hawaii to serving as a flight surgeon with medevac missions, Amanda opens up about the unique challenges facing...
info_outline
Discover Joseph Bolton’s Transformation From Combat Engineer to Storyteller and Self-Published Author
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Helping The Brave, host Ed Parcaut welcomes Joseph Bolton, a 25-year Army veteran, author, and storyteller. Joseph shares his candid journey from enlisting right out of high school—at the insistence of his father—to reluctantly starting on what would become a distinguished military career. He recounts his experiences as a combat engineer, his turbulent path to and through West Point, surviving the infamous rigors of Ranger School, and serving as a space operations officer during a transformative time in U.S. Army history. After retiring from the Army, Joseph...
info_outline
From Ranger to Editor: Randall Surles on Military Service, Writing, and Life After Transition
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this episode of "Helping the Brave," host Ed Parcaut sits down with Randall Surles—a retired Army Green Beret, former Ranger, and now a professional editor and writing mentor. Randall shares his remarkable 30-year journey in the military, from his early aspirations of adventure to facing the challenges of Ranger school, Green Beret training, and beyond. He dives deep into the realities of military service, the transition to civilian life, and how he found a new calling in writing, editing, and helping other veterans tell their stories. The conversation takes listeners on a unique detour...
info_outline
Military to Mentor Jim Rojas-Taylor Shares Emotional Adaptability Secrets for Veterans
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this episode of Helping the Brave, host Ed Parcaut sits down with Jim Rojas-Taylor, a Marine Corps veteran who has carved a unique path from military service to the world of acting, theater, and emotional literacy. Jim shares his powerful journey—from his early fascination with the Marine Corps and tough experiences in service, to the surprising way theater and voice lessons helped shape his post-military life. Discover the tools and techniques Jim now teaches for mastering mental and emotional resilience, including the transformative Stanislavski system. Whether you’re a fellow...
info_outline
From Army Ranger to Real Estate: Justin Martinez’s Journey After Military Service
Helping The Brave Podcast
In this episode of "Helping The Brave," host Ed Parcaut sits down with Army veteran and entrepreneur Justin Martinez. Justin shares his journey from serving in the 10th Mountain Division and earning his Ranger tab to building a real estate business focused on Airbnbs, fix-and-flips, and creative investing strategies. He opens up about the challenges he faced in the military, the importance of using VA benefits, and how he leveraged his service to get both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Justin also discusses the mindsets and practical steps that led him to success in real estate,...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of "Helping the Brave," host Ed Parcaut sits down with Army veteran Juan Espinoza for an honest and inspiring conversation about service, sacrifice, and the challenging journey of transitioning back to civilian life. Juan shares stories from his deployments to Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, his time as a private contractor, and the struggles veterans face when leaving the military—from navigating VA benefits to processing trauma and finding new purpose.
Juan opens up about the healing process that led him to write his book, "Unbroken: Turning Pain to Purpose," and underscores the importance of breaking the silence around PTSD and mental health. Together, Ed and Juan discuss practical steps for veterans seeking support, the need for stronger community connections, and how events like Operation Firewalk are changing lives for veterans, first responders, and their families.
If you or someone you love has served, this episode is a must-listen—full of wisdom, camaraderie, and hope. Don’t miss Juan’s moving advice on transforming pain into a source of strength and the importance of reaching out for help.
Check out Juan's book, connect with local veteran resources, and learn more about upcoming events to support the veteran community in the show notes.
Subscribe now for more conversations that empower, inform, and uplift our nation's bravest!
**Contact Ed Parcaut:**
- 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com)
- 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com)
#HelpingTheBrave #VeteranStories #JuanEspinoza #EdParcaut #MilitaryTransition #PTSDawareness #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthMatters #FirewalkEvent #OperationFirewalk #UnbrokenBook #TurningPainToPurpose #VeteranBenefits #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryLife #FirstResponders #FamilySupport #SacramentoVeterans #ArmyVeteran #ShareYourStory