Combat veteran Liz Belt joins The Outreach Project Podcast to share her story of service, motherhood, transition, purpose, and the mission behind Charlie Golf One.Liz served as an Army engineer, deployed while her daughter was still an infant, and experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to move from the structure, adrenaline, and brotherhood of military service back into civilian life.Today, she serves as Vice Chair of Charlie Golf One, a Northern Michigan nonprofit working toward something ambitious: creating a veteran reintegration community near Traverse City that can provide veterans and their families with a stable landing zone, community support, resource navigation, and time to rebuild after leaving active duty.We talk about:• The reality of transitioning out of the military• The experience of female combat veterans• Finding purpose after service• Military families navigating reintegration together• Charlie Golf One's vision for veteran housing and community support• Their search for property in the Traverse City area• Why asking for help sometimes starts with calling one buddy• Josh's upcoming keynote appearance at the Charlie Golf One GalaThis conversation is funny, direct, personal, and ultimately about one thing:Making sure veterans don't have to figure out what comes next alone.Support Charlie Golf One:https://www.charliegolfone.org/Connect with The Outreach Project:https://links.theoutreachproject.app/

What does it actually take to survive a NASCAR race when the floor of the truck reaches 185 degrees?NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Kris Wright joins The Outreach Project Podcast to take us inside race day, the physical punishment drivers experience behind the wheel, and the team mentality that keeps him in the truck when everything in his body wants out.Kris also takes us through a career path that is anything but ordinary — competitive golf, European racing, aviation, COVID derailing his original plans, and the unexpected pivot that ultimately brought him to NASCAR.Then the conversation moves beyond racing.We talk about NASCAR's deep connection to veterans and military service, Kris' experience supporting the VFW community, his work helping provide thousands of golf clubs to kids, why giving back can mean more than making money, and the deeply personal story behind his own adoption.And looking ahead, Kris has one major racing goal still sitting in front of him:Take a shot at starting the Daytona 500 in 2028.It's racing, service, family, gratitude — and plenty of Shake & Bake.The Outreach Project — Stories. Resources. Connection.

The Outreach Project made it to Washington, DC.Seven months into the mission, Hodge and Josh found themselves inside the White House complex presenting what they've built and having serious conversations about the future of veteran and first-responder resource access.In this episode, they tell the full story—from the relationship that opened the door to Washington, to walking into the briefing, presenting The Outreach Project, receiving validation and pushback, and answering a difficult question: how quickly should this mission move when lives are on the line?They discuss the challenge of connecting millions of veterans, first responders, service members, and families with resources that already exist, the realities of funding and scaling the platform, and why they aren't interested in waiting years to find out whether this idea can make a difference.Of course, it's still Hodge and Josh—so the trip also involved profuse sweating, an unfortunate encounter between an iron and a suit jacket, and an AirPod meeting an airport bathroom floor.This one is about opportunity, pressure, validation, friendship, and what happens when an idea that started between two friends suddenly finds its way to Washington.Connect with The Outreach Project:https://links.theoutreachproject.app/No one has to face life's challenges alone.

A simple rubber duck opened the door to a veteran in crisis outside a VA hospital.Marine Corps veterans Sean Hutton and Tom Holmes of DuckDuck214 join Joshua Melching and Jonathan Hodge to explain how their “duck drops” are bringing humor, hope, and human connection to veterans, first responders, and their families.What began as Jeep ducking and a play on the DD-214 has become a nonprofit mission built around one powerful message: You are not forgotten.Sean and Tom share the story of encountering a veteran living in his vehicle and struggling to receive immediate help, why Sean refused to walk away, and how DuckDuck214 is working with other nonprofits and VA leaders to close gaps in veteran support.The conversation also explores PTSD, isolation, suicide prevention, nonprofit collaboration, the power of simply showing up, and DuckDuck214’s vision of growing from one small duck into a nationwide movement.“We care. You’re important. You matter.”Connect with DuckDuck214:https://duckduck214.godaddysites.com/Download The Outreach Project app, find trusted resources, watch the show, and support the mission:https://links.theoutreachproject.app/Episode sponsor:https://ironsoldierscoffeeco.com/This episode discusses suicide and mental-health crisis. Veterans in crisis—or anyone concerned about one—can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255.

Officer Ann Marie Carrizales was shot in the face and chest during an MS-13 ambush. She returned fire, got back into her patrol car, and pursued the gunmen.But surviving the shooting was only the beginning.Ann is a United States Marine Corps veteran, retired law enforcement officer, former Marine Corps boxer, nationally recognized speaker, and the creator of The Fight After the Fight.In Episode 33, Ann takes us beyond the shooting and into what she calls Round Three: the invisible fight that begins after the physical danger is over.We discuss post-traumatic stress, military sexual assault, women in the military and law enforcement, peer support, suicide, family trauma, vulnerability, and why making it home is not the same as truly surviving.Ann’s message is simple and direct: It’s okay not to be okay—but you cannot unpack and stay there. At some point, you have to come out of the foxhole and take action.This episode includes honest conversations about gun violence, military sexual assault, suicide, post-traumatic stress, and trauma recovery.CONNECT WITH ANNInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/thefightafterthefight/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thefightafterthefight/PODCAST SPONSORRucking Realty Grouphttps://ruckingrealtygroup.com/MISSION SPONSORApex Global Outdoorshttps://apexglobaloutdoors.com/THE OUTREACH PROJECT APP IS NOW LIVEDownload The Outreach Project on the Apple App Store or search “The Outreach Project” in the Google Play Store.Apple App Store:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-outreach-project/id6766302601Web App:https://theoutreachproject.appWebsite:https://www.theoutreach-project.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_outreachproject/

Former Air Force Pararescueman Ashton Levarek joins The Outreach Project Podcast to discuss the mindset behind success, transitioning from military service, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth.This episode explores:• Purpose after the military• Identity and limiting beliefs• Mental performance• Financial freedom• Real estate investing• Leadership• Building a life worth rememberingThis isn't just a conversation about money.It's about becoming the person capable of creating the life you want.Connect with Ashton:https://valkeregroup.com/https://go.valkeregroup.com/free-webinar-registrationMission Sponsor:Apex Global OutdoorsPodcast Sponsor:Rope Solutions

any veterans lose more than a career when they leave the military—they lose their community, identity, and sense of purpose.Navy veteran Amy Lockhart shares how fishing, the outdoors, and serving others helped rebuild hers. We discuss military transition, mentorship, women's experiences in service, rebuilding your network after retirement, and why simply showing up for someone can change a life.Proud Podcast Sponsor:☕ Iron Soldier Coffee CompanyMission Sponsor:💪 Gameday Men's Health

The mission doesn't stop after military service.This week, Jonathan Hodge and Josh Melching welcome Eddie "Hollywood" Wambolt, Director of the TACP Foundation's Resiliency & Restoration Program, for a powerful conversation about healing, leadership, veteran retreats, and supporting Tactical Air Control Party members beyond active duty.If you'd like to learn more about the TACP career field discussed throughout this episode, we highly recommend watching the documentary:https://youtu.be/fmbZTuemjFg?si=trrwtkpSUwC9LV_hEddie "Hollywood" Wambolt🏢 Eddie Wambolt's Company (MW Compounds)https://www.mwcompounds.com/🌐 TACP Foundationhttps://tacpfoundation.org/Apex Global Outdoorshttps://apexglobaloutdoors.com/🦍 Green Gorilla Land Management🧭 VetNav Services🎙️ Featured Guest🏔️ Mission Sponsor🤝 Episode Sponsors

Mike Nares is a two-time Purple Heart recipient, combat veteran, and leader within Freedom Alliance.In this episode, Mike shares his story of service, combat, loss, recovery, and finding purpose after war. He also talks about Freedom Alliance, War Heroes on Water, and the power of getting veterans back around people who understand what they have been through.This conversation is raw, personal, and powerful.Stories • Resources • Connection

In this episode of The Outreach Project Podcast, Josh and Hodge sit down with Drew Jones, founder of The Veteran’s Veteran, also known as The Vets Vet.Drew shares his journey from the Mississippi Army National Guard and law enforcement into veteran advocacy after navigating his own VA claim process. After years of denials, paperwork, appointments, and hard lessons, Drew reached 100% permanent and total status — then began helping other veterans do the same.This conversation covers the gaps many veterans face when leaving the military, especially in the Guard and Reserve, where transition support can be limited. Drew explains what makes his one-on-one coaching different, why veterans should not feel guilty about seeking benefits, and how VA disability can unlock access to healthcare, community care, student loan forgiveness, CHAMPVA, tax benefits, license benefits, and more.The episode also highlights the emotional side of transition — losing the brotherhood, the phone getting quiet, and the importance of asking for help before things get worse.Whether you are a veteran, first responder, spouse, or family member trying to help someone navigate the VA, this episode is packed with practical insight and real talk.