Preserving the Story Behind Challenge Coins with Anna Redmond

Preserving the Story Behind Challenge Coins with Anna Redmond

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Tom and Chris Faust sit down with Anna Redmond, founder of BRAV and AllCoin, to talk about the powerful meaning behind challenge coins and the stories they carry. Challenge coins have long been part of military, veteran, first responder, and security communities. But as Anna explains, the coin itself is only part of the story. The real value is in the memory, the moment, the relationship, and the meaning behind it. Anna shares how she first discovered challenge coins while building relationships with veterans and first responders through her security company, BRAV. What started as curiosity became a mission: help preserve the stories behind the coins before they are forgotten. The conversation explores how AllCoin is creating a digital challenge coin network where veterans, first responders, organizations, and coin holders can upload their coins, preserve the stories attached to them, and even create digital twins of physical coins using blockchain technology. Tom and Chris also walk through creating the first Veteran Voices SITREP Podcast digital challenge coin during the episode. In this conversation, we discuss: The meaning behind challenge coins Why the story matters more than the metal How challenge coins preserve memory, service, and connection The difference between collecting coins and earning them How families can preserve the history behind a loved one’s coins How AllCoin creates digital challenge coin walls How blockchain can help protect provenance and authenticity Why challenge coins matter across military, veteran, first responder, and security communities Guest: Anna Redmond Founder of BRAV and AllCoin AllCoin: allcoin.brav.co Contact: anna@braav.co Thank you for watching Veteran Voices: SITREP, where we share stories, resources, and conversations that matter to veterans, military families, first responders, and the people who support them. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us get these conversations in front of more people. https://www.veteranvoices.us Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/support] Thanks for listening! Please consider supporting this podcast. Website: https://veteranvoices.us [https://veteranvoices.us] Email: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep [https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep] #VeteranVoices #SITREP

Why Being ‘Physically Present’ Isn’t Enough for Your Family

Veteran Voices: SITREP -Episode 48 In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices, we sit down with Alex Johnson, a combat veteran who shares his unfiltered journey from war, identity loss, and alcohol dependency to healing, accountability, and conscious leadership. Alex opens up about the moment his marriage nearly ended, how alcohol became a coping mechanism after leaving the military, and what finally forced him to surrender control and seek help. He walks us through laying face-down on a therapist’s office floor, learning to remove the “armor” at home, and redefining what service, leadership, and strength really mean outside the uniform. This conversation dives deep into: Transitioning out of the military and losing structure, identity, and accountability PTSD, alcohol use, and the danger of “being present but not available” Why surrendering and therapy are not weakness Conscious leadership vs. reactive living Healthy accountability between veterans Rebuilding marriage, fatherhood, and trust Letting go of comparison and focusing on 1% growth What real service looks like after the military This episode is for veterans, spouses, leaders, and anyone navigating change, trauma, or personal growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re supposed to become, this conversation is for you. 🔔 If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. https://www.veteranvoices.us [https://www.veteranvoices.us] Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Disclaimer: The discussions and topics covered on this podcast/transcript are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as  professional medical advice. Our hosts and guests are not medical professionals and are not qualified to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any medical condition. If you're seeking medical advice or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. The information and opinions shared on this podcast are based on personal experiences, research, and general knowledge, and should not be taken as a substitute for professional medical care. We encourage our listeners to consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions about their health or well-being. By consuming this podcast/transcript, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to these terms. We're happy to provide information and insights, but we're not qualified to provide medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health, please seek help from a qualified medical professional. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/support] Thanks for listening! Please consider supporting this podcast. Website: https://veteranvoices.us [https://veteranvoices.us] Email: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep [https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep] #VeteranVoices #SITREP

Your Disability Income Is Power — Here’s How to Use It

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Tom and Chris sit down with financial professional Nick Jarvis — a man quietly becoming the go-to guide for veterans facing medical retirement, disability decisions, severance, and the terrifying question… “What now?” Nick breaks down the real challenges veterans face when stepping out of the military and into civilian life — the uncertainty, the fear, the lack of clarity, and the overwhelming options no one ever explains. You’ll hear Nick’s simple, powerful message: You have options. You’ve earned them. And you can thrive, not just survive. 🔍 In this episode, we cover: • How to translate a military MOS into civilian job opportunities • Why disability income is untapped power most veterans don’t leverage • What to do with your TSP when separating • The truth about severance, pensions, and private retirement strategies • How families can better understand the emotional weight of transition • Why too many veterans struggle — and how to change that Nick also shares real stories of veterans he’s helped, the mindset shifts that changed their futures, and his mission-driven approach rooted in service, clarity, and family protection. If you’re a veteran, a spouse, or someone supporting a service member through transition, this is required listening. You don’t have to do this alone. Connect with Nick Jarvis: 🌐 Website: NicholasJarvis.com [https://nicholasjarvis.com] 📞 Phone/Text: 208-755-9288 About Veteran Voices: SITREP Hosted by father-son Army veterans Tom and Chris Faust, the SITREP podcast exists to empower veterans with real stories, real resources, and real conversations that support a successful transition into civilian life. Like, comment, and subscribe to help us reach more veterans who need this information. https://www.veteranvoices.us [https://www.veteranvoices.us] Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/support] Thanks for listening! Please consider supporting this podcast. Website: https://veteranvoices.us [https://veteranvoices.us] Email: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep [https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep] #VeteranVoices #SITREP

Veteran to Police Officer: A Step-By-Step Guide With Frank McGaha

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Navy veteran and former federal law enforcement officer Frank McGaha joins us to share a raw, unfiltered look at transition, failure, purpose, and the realities of life after the uniform. Frank takes us through his journey from BUD/S and SEAL training, to aviation, to multiple deployments, to a career-ending set of injuries — and the moment he realized he could no longer safely do the job he loved. What followed was a complete reinvention: rebuilding his identity, finding new purpose, and creating a coaching program for law enforcement candidates, including veterans navigating the toughest hiring process in the country. If you’ve ever struggled with transition, questioned your purpose, or wondered how to keep serving when your body or circumstances say otherwise — this conversation is going to hit home. 🎙️ In this episode we cover: * The brutal truth Frank learned the first time he truly failed * How injury forced him to rethink everything he thought he was meant to do * The culture shock veterans face when entering law enforcement * Why so many military skills don’t translate on paper — and what actually does * What departments really look for in the psych eval, polygraph, and background check * How veterans can still find purpose, camaraderie, and service after the military * The role mentors played in shaping Frank’s entire career * The one mindset shift that helped him rebuild from the ground up 🔥 Key episode themes: Failure as growth • Veteran transition • Law enforcement careers • Mental toughness • Injury & resilience • Identity after service • Purpose • Mentorship • Preparing for a second mission Who This Episode Is For ✔ Veterans struggling with transition ✔ Active-duty service members preparing to ETS ✔ Veterans considering law enforcement careers ✔ Officers looking for stronger mindset, leadership, and preparation ✔ Anyone who’s ever felt stuck between who they were and who they’re becoming About Veteran Voices: SITREP Hosted by Army veterans Tom Faust and Chris Faust, Veteran Voices: SITREP exists to support, encourage, and empower veterans in their next chapter. Each episode dives into stories, tools, and conversations that help veterans navigate life after service with purpose, clarity, and community. You’re not alone. You have a mission. And this is your SITREP. https://www.veteranvoices.us Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us Connect With Frank 👉 Armogan Consulting & Training LLC [https://www.armoganct.com/] (https://www.armoganct.com/) Support the Mission 👍 Like 🗣 Comment 🔔 Subscribe Your engagement helps us reach more veterans who need these conversations. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/support] Thanks for listening! Please consider supporting this podcast. Website: https://veteranvoices.us [https://veteranvoices.us] Email: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep [https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep] #VeteranVoices #SITREP

Poetry as Therapy: Finding Healing and Purpose After Service | Chris Clark Interview

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, co-hosts Tom and Chris Faust sit down with Army veteran and poet Chris Clark (SFC Retired) to explore how creative expression can help veterans process trauma and rediscover purpose after service. After retiring from over two decades in the Army, Chris found that transitioning to civilian life wasn’t as simple as expected. Through poetry, he discovered a powerful outlet for reflection, healing, and connection. Join us as we talk about: * Replacing one routine with another after the military * How writing became Chris’s form of therapy * The challenges and surprises of adjusting to civilian life * Finding identity and meaning beyond the uniform If you’re a veteran navigating life after service—or know someone who is—this conversation will remind you that your story still matters, and healing often starts with sharing it. 📌 About the Podcast: Veteran Voices: SITREP shares real stories, resources, and insights to empower veterans in transition. Hosted by Tom Faust and Chris Faust, both Army veterans, the show covers topics like PTSD recovery, homelessness prevention, entrepreneurship, and community support. 🔗 Follow & Connect: 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform 🌐 Visit veteranvoices.us 🔗 Where to Find Chris Carter: https://www.youtube.com/@thepoetic1z https://www.instagram.com/thepoetic1z/# https://www.tiktok.com/@thepoetic1z https://www.facebook.com/thepoetic1z 🔗 Where to Veteran Voices: https://www.veteranvoices.us Email Us: sitrep@veteranvoices.us #VeteranVoices #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #PoetryHealing #ChrisClark #PTSDRecovery #VeteranSupport Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519755/support] Thanks for listening! Please consider supporting this podcast. Website: https://veteranvoices.us [https://veteranvoices.us] Email: sitrep@veteranvoices.us [sitrep@veteranvoices.us] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep [https://www.facebook.com/veteranvoicessitrep] #VeteranVoices #SITREP