The Story Behind VET S.O.S.: How Shawn Welsh Built a Lifeline for Veterans | The Military Effect

Episode Description:
In this special episode highlighting the organizations participating in The Military Effect - It's Our Turn to Serve Campaign, host Kings sits down with VET S.O.S. Network co-founder Shawn Welsh, pulling back the curtain on the origins, growth, and future of one of the fastest-rising veteran support platforms .

Shawn—Army veteran, senior NCO, resiliency trainer, Maxwell Leadership member, and co-founder of VET S.O.S.—shares the real story behind the lifeline he created for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. This conversation dives into the early struggles, the leadership lessons, the mistakes, the mentors, and the faith-driven values that shaped both him and the organization.

In this episode, we explore:
• How VET S.O.S. began with one mentor’s push to step outside his comfort zone
• Why veterans feel they’re “drowning in the sea of transition” — and the lifeline VET S.O.S. provides
• The vision behind turning the podcast into a full nonprofit
• How the team is building a global transition story database to support all veterans
• The resiliency, mental health, and leadership lessons that shaped Shawn’s journey
• The meaning of The Scoop, the network expansion, and what’s next for the VET S.O.S. Network
• How YOU can volunteer, become a VET S.O.S. Lifeguard, or support the mission

About the Guest:
Shawn Welsh is a retired Army senior noncommissioned officer (Intelligence), resiliency trainer, Maxwell Leadership Team member, and co-founder of the VET S.O.S. Network. With over 20 years of service, he leads with authenticity, vulnerability, and purpose—amplifying stories, unlocking resources, and giving hope to veterans worldwide.

Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome to The Scoop
0:35 – Introducing Shawn Welsh
2:00 – How Shawn Joined the Mission
3:10 – The Story Behind VET S.O.S.
7:00 – The Scoop Show Origin
8:15 – From Saying “No” to Building a Movement
10:40 – Leadership Lessons & Failures
13:00 – Why VET S.O.S. Built Trust with the Community
18:00 – Meaning of the Lifeline & SOS
20:30 – Building the Transition Story Database
23:00 – Mental Health, Resilience & Breaking Stigma
27:40 – What’s Next for the VET S.O.S. Network
30:30 – How to Volunteer & Become a Lifeguard
34:00 – Closing Lifeline Message

Grab the Lifeline:
VET S.O.S. Network — helping you not drown in the sea of transition by connecting you to real people, real resources, and real community.

#VETSOS #VeteranSupport #MilitaryTransition #VeteranStories #TheScoop #VeteranNonprofit #MentalHealthForVeterans #ResilienceTraining #MilitaryPodcast #GrabTheLifeline #TheMilitaryEffect