Combat Veterans Finding Purpose Protecting African Wildlife with Brad Craven

Brad Craven is the founder of Warriors for African Wildlife.Born in Denver in 1982, Brad grew up in a loving family whose life changed after his younger brother Sam was born with cerebral palsy and autism. Watching his parents sacrifice everything to give Sam a future shaped his resilience, sense of duty, and belief in service. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he experienced the intensity of war, loss, and the struggle of coming home.Healing came through service. He helped train Sam to become an internationally decorated Paralympic athlete and later found renewed purpose in Africa, working alongside conservationists and anti-poaching units. In 2015, Brad travelled to Africa to volunteer at a lion sanctuary. These lions were rescued from the canned hunting industry. After his first trip he wanted more!  He kept going back once or twice a year. Listening learning from Africas Wildlife Conservation and Antipoaching experts how he could get further involved with respect and understanding. On Brad's third trip he trained with an anti-poaching unit. The mission in Africa had brought him back to himself. Brad thought to himself if this can do this for him it can do it for other Veterans. Brad founded Warriors for African Wildlife, a nonprofit that brings U.S. combat veterans to Africa to train with local rangers—helping veterans rediscover purpose while supporting wildlife conservation and local communities. Last year on Brad's last tour to Africa to train Africa's Antipoaching Rangers in South Africa his father, mother, and brother came to South Africa to see his mission first hand. Brad's father served as an US Army Lt. and has been a big motivator of Brad's mission. Sadly, Brad's Father passed in Africa after seeing the mission Brad has created. Brad's Father was 82 with congenital heart failure, but was not going to miss this trip. His work is dedicated to honoring his family, fallen friends, and the belief that trauma can be transformed into service and hope.This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder. Her latest book, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World was released in 2025.  Jessica is also the author of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six, published in 2014, which became a New York Times Bestseller. Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on stories from women who have been through something, now they know something and can teach us something.When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.