The Other Side of Service

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Hugh Tomes, a Vietnam veteran with a story as powerful as the heat behind his brand, Hotter Than Hugh.Hugh shares moments from his time in Vietnam and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. From service to storytelling to building something of his own, this episode brings heart, history, and a little heat.A story you won’t forget.

In Episode 13 of The Other Side of Service, we sit down with Bud Walters, a veteran who took the discipline, grit, and leadership learned in the military and turned it into something much bigger than himself.Bud is the founder of Cromwell Media, a company that now spans across Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. What started as a vision became a network of radio stations that inform, entertain, and connect communities every single day.In this episode, Bud shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, the risks he took to build Cromwell Media from the ground up, and the lessons he learned along the way. We talk about leadership, legacy, and what it really means to continue serving even after the uniform comes off.This is a story about purpose, perseverance, and building something that lasts.

In this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian sits down with Chris Morrison, author of The Warrior Never Leaves.Chris shares his journey through military life, the highs of service, and the difficult road that followed. From intense experiences to personal struggles, this conversation takes you through the reality many veterans face when the uniform comes off, but the mindset never does.Because the truth is, the warrior inside you never turns off.Chris opens up about learning how to live with that identity, finding purpose beyond service, and ultimately discovering what home really means through his marriage.This episode is raw, honest, and powerful, a reminder that the journey does not end after service, it just begins.

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Joe Wesner of Ultimate Veteran Adventures, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans reconnect through the outdoors.After the uniform comes off, many veterans struggle to find purpose, connection, and that sense of brotherhood they once had. Joe shares how Ultimate Veteran Adventures is changing that through hunting trips, fishing experiences, and outdoor retreats that bring veterans back together.This conversation dives into the real challenges veterans face after service, the power of community, and how something as simple as time in the outdoors can create healing and direction.If you are a veteran, know a veteran, or want to support those who served, this is a story you need to hear.

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Army veteran and entrepreneur Aaron Barnes, founder of Compact Care.After serving in the U.S. Army from 2009 to 2017 in communications and intelligence roles, Aaron experienced firsthand the challenges soldiers face in tough environments where even basic hygiene can be difficult. Instead of accepting the problem, he turned it into a solution.Aaron shares the story behind Compact Care, a veteran-owned company creating portable hygiene products designed for soldiers, first responders, outdoor workers, and anyone operating in rugged conditions.In this conversation, Aaron and Brian talk about military service, the transition to civilian life, the challenges of starting a business, and how the lessons learned in uniform can fuel innovation and purpose long after service ends.It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the next mission begins after the uniform comes off.

Marine veteran and host of the JMach Podcast, Joshua “JMach” Mach joins The Other Side of Service to talk about identity after the uniform, the mental health battles many veterans face in silence, and why vulnerability is not weakness. This is a real conversation about purpose, transition, and continuing the mission long after service ends.

The battle doesn’t always end when the uniform comes off.On this episode of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham sits down with Army veteran and national advocate Daniel O’Dell, known alongside his service dog, The Fluffy Poodle.Daniel shares his journey from military service to injury, chronic pain, and the difficult transition into civilian life. He opens up about PTSD, identity loss, and the silent struggles many veterans face after service.But this conversation is also about resilience — how a service dog became a lifeline, how advocacy became a mission, and how purpose can rise from pain.If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like after service, this is a powerful and honest listen.

On this episode of The Other Side of Service, I sit down with Lou Drawdy to talk about his time serving in the United States Marine Corps and the journey that followed after taking off the uniform.Lou shares what life looked like after service, the challenges of transition, and what continues to keep him motivated today. Alongside his wife, Linda, Lou never stopped serving. Together, they remain deeply involved in giving back through Toys for Tots and several other veteran-focused programs in the community.This conversation is a powerful reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. For Lou and Linda, it simply took on a new mission.A story of commitment, family, and continuing to serve long after active duty.

In this episode of The Other Side of Service, I sit down with Josh Givens to talk about a life shaped by service, storytelling, and unexpected connections.Josh shares his journey into the military, going active duty as a photographer, and how that path led to more than 30 years in journalism. We talk about seeing the world through a lens, capturing moments that matter, and how service can take you places you never planned to go.We also get personal. Josh opens up about his biological father, a relationship that never fully formed, and the unique way our lives crossed. His biological father was my stepdad, and Josh and I met just two days before he passed away. Out of loss came something neither of us expected… family.This is a conversation about service beyond the uniform, the stories we carry, and how sometimes life brings the right people together at the most unexpected time.

In Episode 6 of The Other Side of Service, Josh Givens shares a moment that changed everything. After decades without a relationship with his biological father, Josh receives a simple greeting card from our sister, Abigail, congratulating him on the birth of his new baby.No big speeches. No explanations. Just a card… and an open door.That small gesture became the start of something bigger, reminding us that family isn’t always found at the beginning of life. Sometimes, it finds you exactly when you need it most.🎧 Episode 6: Through the Lens of Life trailer

In Episode 5 of The Other Side of Service, we sit down with the nonprofit Operation Mind Body Soul to talk about life after the uniform.This conversation dives into the real struggles many veterans face, the wins both big and small that deserve to be recognized, and the importance of caring for mental, physical, and spiritual health. We also highlight the people and programs behind Operation Mind Body Soul that are committed to walking alongside veterans as they transition into civilian life.This episode is honest, meaningful, and a reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off.

Episode 4 of The Other Side of Service focuses on a powerful idea: service doesn’t end when military service does—it simply takes on a new mission.This episode features members of the Daughters of the American Revolutionary War (DAR), highlighting their continued commitment to honoring history, supporting veterans, and serving communities through education, remembrance, and civic engagement.We’re also joined by Lou Drawdy, a retired Marine whose post-service life has remained rooted in giving back, leadership, and supporting fellow veterans. His perspective reinforces why purpose and mission still matter long after the uniform comes off.Finally, Army veteran Travis Robbins, owner of WPT Non Wovens in Beaverdam, shares insight into veteran employment, leadership in business, and how service values translate into the civilian workforce.Together, these conversations explore why continuing the mission matters—not just for veterans, but for families, businesses, and communities. This episode is about purpose, responsibility, and finding meaningful ways to serve right where you are.

Episode 3 of The Other Side of Service brings together four guests whose work shows how service continues long after military life.Adrian Bambini joins the show to talk about his work connected to the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, highlighting a simple but powerful way communities recognize and support veterans in everyday life.Marine veteran Matt Ralph stops by to discuss the Honor Flight Bluegrass Region, focusing on what the experience means to veterans, the people who make it happen, and why those who may be unsure shouldn’t let the unknown hold them back.Tyler Goad, a veteran and JROTC instructor at Daviess County High School, shares insight into leadership, mentorship, and why veterans often feel called to stay involved in their communities and help shape the next generation.We close with Misty and Rick Baker, who work with Veterans Empowered Together and the Bridges Program, offering a look into equine-assisted therapy and how it supports veterans in a calm, pressure-free way.This episode highlights one powerful idea:Service doesn’t stop — it takes new forms.Kentucky Veterans Hall of Famehttps://www.kyveterans.org/history-Hall%20of%20FameHonor Flight Bluegrass Regionhttps://www.honorflightbluegrass.orgBridges Program – Equine Therapyhttps://thebridgesprogram.com🔗 Helpful Links

Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it changes.In Episode 2 of The Other Side of Service, Brian Basham continues the conversation about life after the military and what it means for veterans to keep serving in new ways.This episode features conversations with Nick Hetman, Commander of American Legion Post 9, Melody Wallace from Veterans Empowered Together, and Bud Walters, veteran and owner of Cromwell Media.Together, they discuss coping after service, the physical and mental weight veterans carry, the importance of connection and peer support, and why programs like She’s the VET exist to ensure women veterans are seen and supported. The episode also explores veteran leadership in the community and what it means to operate veteran-owned businesses that give people a voice and strengthen local communities.Still Serving is a reminder that veterans don’t stop mattering when their service ends — and that purpose, connection, and community are still within reach.

In the very first episode of Other Side of Service, host Brian Basham sits down with Nick Hetman for an honest conversation about what life really looks like after military service.Nick shares insight into the transition from service to civilian life, the challenges veterans face that often go unseen, and the importance of community, purpose, and knowing where to find the right resources. Together, they talk about breaking down barriers, having real conversations, and why veterans shouldn’t have to navigate the next chapter alone.This episode sets the foundation for the podcast by focusing on awareness, support, and the power of connection, not just for veterans, but for families, employers, and communities who want to understand the other side of service.