In crisis? Veterans Crisis Line:call or text 988, then press 1

Skip to content
Back to all episodes
Artwork for Veterans' Untold Stories: From Service To Life After

Published June 16, 2026 · 49:48

Veterans' Untold Stories: From Service To Life After

Guest: Aaron Crippen

Watch on YouTube
  • Transition to civilian life
  • Mental health and healing
  • Business and career
  • Service stories
  • Health and wellness

Show notes

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Aaron Crippen for a real conversation about military service, hidden trauma, transition, reinvention, and purpose.

Aaron shares why he joined the Army, what life looked like in infantry service, and how injuries and experiences from that time followed him long after he got out. He talks openly about not fully understanding PTSD at first, dealing with survivor's guilt, learning how trauma shows up years later, and navigating a system that often leaves veterans frustrated when they need help most.

The conversation also explores what came next. Aaron found his way back into stunt work, built a business in a trust-based industry, and began writing a memoir rooted in one powerful idea: sometimes the moments that knock us down become the ones that shape us most.

This episode is about resilience, mindset, veteran transition, storytelling, and what it means to keep getting back up.

*Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com)

For more resources and support, visit HelpingTheBrave.com. #HelpingTheBrave #EdParcaut #AaronCrippen #VeteranTransition #PTSDRecovery #ArmyVeteran #LifeAfterService #VeteranMindset #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTrauma #Stuntman #PurposeAfterService #VeteransHelpingVeterans

Related episodes

July 21, 2026 · 48:58

Pilot, Chef, Coder? One Man's Incredible Journey

Guest: Josh Brinson

In this episode of Helping The Brave Podcast, Ed Parcaut sits down with Josh Brinson for a wide-ranging conversation about military service, transition, fitness, entrepreneurship, and finding purpose after the uniform. Josh shares how he joined the Navy, became a helicopter aircrew rescue swimmer, and found himself learning nearly every job around the aircraft. He talks about deployments, humanita

Episode pageTransition to civilian lifeMental health and healing

April 28, 2026 · 1:11:29

Lee Ettinger on Veteran Community Life And Finding Purpose Again

Guest: Chris Miles

In this episode of "Helping the Brave," host Ed Parcaut sits down with guests Chris Miles and Lee Ettinger for an engaging conversation about military service, transition to civilian life, and entrepreneurship. Chris Miles shares candid stories from his time in the Marine Corps, including challenging boot camp experiences and lessons learned from amphibious assault training. He and Ed Parcaut dive

Episode pageTransition to civilian lifeMental health and healing

April 14, 2026 · 46:24

Hard Hat Philosophy: Empowering Veterans & Middle America with Randy Bridge

Guest: Randy Bridge

Welcome to Helping the Brave with host Ed Parcaut, the show dedicated to supporting veterans as they navigate life after service. In this episode, Ed sits down with Randy Bridge, Army veteran and author of Hard Hat Philosophy. Together, they discuss the challenges veterans face in accessing VA benefits, overcoming the stigma around seeking help for PTSD and service-connected injuries, and practica

Episode pageTransition to civilian lifeMental health and healing