John and Vic are joined by Omar Portilla, a Marine Corps veteran, filmmaker, and author of the poetry collection Dust Settles. Omar shares his raw and honest journey of navigating the "wide open ocean" of transition, from being recalled for multiple deployments to finding his footing in the New York arts scene.

We discuss the "Minimalist Phone" habit, the importance of trying multiple jobs to find your "Gold," and how creative writing became a critical tool in Omar’s journey with PTSD.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[01:25] The "Dumb Phone" Experiment: Vic discusses moving toward a "minimalist phone launcher" to reclaim time and focus from social media [02:20].

[05:57] Operation Headshot: A shoutout to the photography nonprofit helping veterans and spouses build skills and network through the camera [07:43].

[15:22] The Japan Experience: Omar recalls the "culture shock" of being stationed in Japan as a young Marine and the life-altering games played in the barracks [17:30].

[24:31] The Recall Reality: The intense story of being recalled to active service just as civilian life was starting to take hold [25:04].

[34:52] Returning to Your Hometown: Why the "grass isn't always greener" back home and the challenge of realizing the people you left behind have moved on [36:16].

[41:02] Breaking Into Film: How Omar transitioned from acting in front of the camera to producing and directing behind the scenes [43:41].

[51:25] The Power of Trying Everything: Why veterans should "taste" multiple jobs—from bartending to tech—to find what truly fulfills them [53:19].

[58:28] Writing Through Trauma: Omar explains how his book, Dust Settles, was born out of his VA counseling for PTSD and why "speaking the secrets" removes their power [01:01:51].

[01:12:51] Accountability and Mentors: Remembering the late Gunner McGriff and the impact of strong leadership on a young Marine's life [01:12:24].

[01:14:29] The GI Film Festival: A look at the upcoming festival and the importance of supporting veteran creative projects [01:16:04].

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Dust Settles by Omar Portilla (Available on Amazon).

App: Minimal Phone Launcher for digital minimalism.

Nonprofit: Operation Headshot (Photography for Veterans).

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Join 2,700+ veterans for peer-to-peer support.

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