In this episode of the VET’ed. Podcast, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Benjamin Pomerance, Deputy Counsel for the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and one of the nation’s leading voices in veterans law and advocacy.

From drafting landmark legislation to challenging systemic failures in the VA claims process, Benjamin has spent more than a decade fighting for fair treatment, education access, housing solutions, and suicide prevention initiatives for veterans and their families. He also brings his unique perspective as a prolific writer and educator, blending legal expertise with a journalist’s eye for human stories.

Together, Jen and Benjamin dig into the hard truths about the Veterans Benefits Administration, explore the evolving duty to assist, and spotlight the ongoing “renaissance” in veterans' benefits and advocacy across the country.

🎙️ This episode speaks to every veteran, loved one, and advocate working to navigate—and challenge—the systems meant to serve our nation’s heroes.

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#Veterans #VetEdPodcast #BenjaminPomerance #VeteransLaw #VeteransBenefits #Advocacy #SuicidePrevention #MilitaryFamily #MentalHealth #DutyToAssist

Jen M. Wagman speaks with Scott Rice, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major whose 30-year career spanned global deployments and elite commands. After facing the cumulative toll of TBI, PTSD, chronic pain, and substance abuse, Scott found healing through the Avalon Action Alliance, a national network of programs dedicated to closing the care gap for Veterans and first responders.

Now serving as a peer support specialist at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Colorado, Scott shares his powerful journey from soldier to survivor to advocate. Together, we explore what real support looks like when warriors stop surviving and start healing.

🎙️ This episode shines a light on invisible wounds, post-traumatic growth, and the critical importance of barrier-free treatment for all Veterans, regardless of discharge status or ability to pay.

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

#Veterans #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #VetEdPodcast #ScottRice #AvalonActionAlliance #MarcusInstitute #InvisibleWounds #TBICare #PostTraumaticGrowth #MilitaryFamily

In this moving conversation from the VTTV Resource Fair at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in DuBois, Wyoming, host Jen M. Wagman sits down with Kris Searles, a U.S. Army combat veteran, VTTV coach, father, and founder of Overwatch 6.

Kris opens up about his personal journey from distraction to self-reflection, from search-and-rescue missions to leading peer coaching circles that blend music, storytelling, and deep emotional support. He shares how using lyrics instead of war stories sparked breakthrough conversations, and why real healing for Veterans—and their families—starts with courage, community, and doing the hard inner work.

🎙️ This episode is a testament to the evolving power of peer-led coaching and the critical role Veterans Talking to Veterans plays in suicide prevention and post-traumatic growth.

🔔 Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | and wherever you get your podcasts.

👍Subscribe, Like & Follow @VETedPodcast for the full summer series from DuBois and more episodes that inform and educate the Veteran, transitioning service members & their families on the issues affecting them most

#veterans #mentalhealth #suicideprevention #vetedpodcast #KrisSearles #VTTV #peersupport #herojourney #veteranleadership #militaryfamily