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.