In this episode, Tyler sits down with Fred Apgar, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran and author of Return to the War on Plaine des Jarres. Fred served with the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (7 ACCS), coordinating the clandestine air war over Laos.

Fred discusses the complexities of the "Secret War," the painful homecoming many veterans faced, and his transformative 2014 return to Southeast Asia. From meeting survivors of the very bombings he coordinated to an emotional encounter with a former North Vietnamese officer, Fred’s story is a powerful testament to the healing found in forgiveness and shared humanity.

Featured Books:

• Return to the War on Plaine des Jarres by Fred Apgar
• Leadership Lessons from the Field by Fred Apgar

In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with Rob Evans, the developer and visionary behind two disruptive platforms: Hots and Cots and Vet Stats. Rob’s mission is simple but profound: use transparency to improve the lives of those who serve.

From rating moldy barracks and undercooked dining hall food to evaluating VA healthcare quality, Rob discusses how anonymous, data-driven feedback is forcing accountability at the highest levels of the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Resources & Links

• Vet Stats Website: vet-stats.io
• Hots and Cots: Hots&Cots Available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
• Social Media: Follow the mission on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook.

#Military #Veterans #VAHealthcare #QualityOfLife #Transparency #MilitaryBarracks #VeteransAffairs #HotsAndCots #VetStats

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron and Michelle Schafer share practical strategies to help veterans and service members translate military experience into civilian careers, build strong resumes and LinkedIn profiles, network effectively, and find work aligned with their values.

You’ll Learn:

How to identify and communicate transferable military skills

Resume and LinkedIn strategies for civilian employers

Why referrals fill most jobs before they’re posted

How to network through conversation—not self-promotion

Five reflection questions to clarify your next career move

Resources & Links:

Career Focus Framework • Cultivating Career Growth • LinkedIn • Glassdoor

Connect with Michelle: mschafercoaching.ca | LinkedIn

in this episode, Tyler speaks with historian and educator Jenny Chan about the often-overlooked atrocities of the Pacific Theater during World War II. Drawing from personal family histories and over one million archived documents, they explore Unit 731, POW camps, the Bataan Death March, Hell Ships, and the lasting impact of war across generations.

Jenny also shares how Pacific Atrocities Education works to preserve fragile historical records and why understanding this history is essential for human rights today.

Topics Covered

• Unit 731 and Japan’s secret human experimentation program
• POW camps, Hell Ships, and the Bataan Death March
• 35–40% POW mortality rate under Japanese captivity
• The Doolittle Raid and civilian retaliation
• Why the Pacific War remains under-documented
• Intergenerational PTSD and modern implications

Resources Mentioned

• The Rape of Nanking — Iris Chang
• Factories of Death — Sheldon Harris
• Unjust Enrichment - Linda Goetz Holmes
• Pacific Atrocities Education: pacificatrocities.org
• Podcast: Pacific Front Untold

Support the Show

Subscribe, rate, and share Coming Home to help preserve these stories and support veterans and historical education.

In this episode, Dr. Tyler Pieron welcomes back Dr. Paul Lawrence, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to discuss the latest initiatives and challenges at the VA. From modernizing healthcare to protecting veterans’ benefits, Dr. Lawrence shares insights, practical advice, and stories that matter to every veteran.

Topics Covered

• VA leadership priorities and putting veterans at the center of all decisions
• Reducing claims backlog and improving benefits processing
• Protecting veterans from predatory “claim sharks” and promoting free, accredited assistance
• Electronic health records and coordinated care
• Expanding community care and telehealth for rural veterans
• Efforts to combat veteran homelessness and available resources
• Legislative updates, including the Elizabeth Dole Act
• Modernizing benefits, appeals, and technology in VA services
• Practical advice and personal stories from veterans

If you or someone you know is at risk of homelessness, call the VA’s homeless hotline: 877-424-3838.

Resources

• VA Homeless Hotline: 877-424-3838
• Accredited Veteran Service Organizations:
• American Legion
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• Wounded Warrior Project
• State Departments of Veterans Affairs

Call to Action

If you found this episode helpful, share it, post about it on social media, or leave a rating and review. For additional resources, visit your local VA or reach out to an accredited veteran service organization.

Thank you for listening to Coming Home Well — until all are home and all are well.

In this episode of Coming Home Well, host Dr. Tyler Pieron speaks with Israeli author and former elite combat soldier Yishay Ishi Ron about PTSD, stigma, and the power of storytelling to heal trauma.

Ishi shares his personal journey from military service and silent struggle to writing his acclaimed novel Dog—a cult favorite in Israel now available in English. Using the story of a stray dog as an allegory, Dog explores trauma, redemption, and the life-changing impact of kindness.

Key Topics:

• Living with PTSD as a veteran
• Mental health stigma and seeking help
• Writing as a tool for healing
• The story and meaning behind Dog
• The upcoming film adaptation and Ishi’s next book, The Girl Who Wrote the White Lion

Resources:

• Buy Dog on Amazon
• Ishi Ron’s website

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode of Coming Home Well.

In this episode, host Dr. Tyler Pieron sits down with Matt Watkins, a Marine Corps veteran who spent 14 years serving as an F-18 mechanic, recruiter, and leader. Matt opens up about the pivotal moment he decided to transition out of active duty, the uncertainty that followed, and how he ultimately rediscovered purpose in the civilian world. Today, he serves as the Military Program Manager at Premise Health, where he advocates for veterans, military spouses, and the broader military community.

Guest Bio

Matt Watkins is a former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant with deep expertise in aviation maintenance, recruiting, leadership, and talent development. After 14 years of service, he navigated the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, applying his skills in new industries before finding his passion in veteran advocacy and workforce development. In addition to his role at Premise Health, Matt supports the military community through nonprofit work and mentorship.

Connect with Matt Watkins

Matt is eager to support veterans, military spouses, and service members. Connect with him on LinkedIn or through his nonprofit initiatives for mentorship, guidance, or community resources.

In this episode of Coming Home Well, host Dr. Tyler Pieron welcomes attorney James R. Burn, a seasoned advocate with decades of experience in veterans benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Offering a perspective rarely heard on veterans podcasts, one from a private attorney rather than a VA or state representative, James shares clear, practical insights into how veterans can successfully navigate two of the most complex benefits systems in the country.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the claims process, learn how to avoid unethical “claim sharks,” and discover why early, well-documented action is one of the best ways to ensure success.

Key Topics Discussed

• Differences between VA benefits and SSDI and how they overlap
• Why accredited representation matters and how to avoid claim sharks
• Updates on the PACT Act and Agent Orange presumptives
• Filing strong claims: documentation, timelines, and common mistakes
• How AI and technology are improving claims processing
• The truth about fraud and why it’s far less common than people think
• When veterans should seek legal help and how to verify accreditation
• Why it’s never too early to file a claim or ask questions

Contact Information

For a free consultation or to learn more about James R. Burn’s services visit abesbaumann.com