Military & Veteran Life
Those who served and those who grew up in the ranks, from the Navy through 9/11 to a Bosnia deployment.
Military life threads through the show on both sides of the uniform: guests who enlisted and deployed, and guests who grew up as military kids, moving every couple of years and absorbing a parent's service (and sometimes a parent's PTSD).
Jon Wellington, the "Dad Bod Veteran," talks about a Navy career that ran straight through 9/11. Anthony Dyer reflects on the Air Force and family. Beth Stevens joined up and deployed to Bosnia. Others, like Wes Alford, served briefly before life took a different turn.
It is an honest look at duty, dislocation, and what service does to a family, told without a recruiting-poster gloss.
7 episodes exploring this theme
Episode 59 - GenX Speaks Series: Jon Wellington - The Dadbod Veteran
2/16/2026A military kid who served in the Navy through 9/11.
Jon grew up a military child and served in the Navy during 9/11.
Episode 70 - The Millennials - Author Anthony Dyer
7/1/2026An Air Force career, told by a millennial author.
Anthony reflects on his Air Force service and balancing it with family and writing.
Episode 71 - GenX Speaks Series: Beth Stevens - Bennett Peach
7/10/2026Joining the military and deploying to Bosnia after a hard childhood.
Beth joined the military and deployed to Bosnia, after a childhood marked by bullying.
Episode 51 - GenX Speaks Series: Wes Alford - Hiking for Hope
10/27/2025Three years of service, a medical discharge, and what came next.
Wes served three years before a medical discharge, then found purpose on the trail.
Episode 66 - GenX Speaks Series: Tracy Collins - Behavior Specialist
5/27/2026Growing up under a father's military service and his PTSD.
Tracy describes her father's military background and PTSD, and its ripple through the family.
Episode 64 - GenX Speaks Series: Jasmin Gomez - Jasmin Ageless Living
5/6/2026A 'military brat' childhood of constant moves, and a midlife reinvention.
Jasmin grew up a military brat, moving constantly, then rebuilt her sense of self in midlife.
Episode 16 - GenX Speaks Series: Jasmin's Story
1/20/2025In Episode 16 of the GenX Speaks Series, Jasmin shares her personal journey of growing up as a military brat, navigating cultural shifts, and redefining aging for women.
Jasmin grew up in various countries due to her father's military career, which shaped her adaptability.
Questions this theme answers
Which guests actually served?
Jon Wellington (Navy), Anthony Dyer (Air Force), Beth Stevens (deployed to Bosnia), and Wes Alford all served.
Does it cover growing up in a military family?
Yes. Jasmin grew up a 'military brat' moving constantly, and Tracy Collins describes her father's military background and PTSD.
Is there anything about service and mental health?
Several guests connect service to ADHD, PTSD, and the long work of processing it, especially Tracy and Jon.
How did 9/11 figure in?
Jon Wellington served in the Navy during 9/11 and reflects on what that period was like from inside the service.
Is it only GenX?
No. Anthony Dyer comes at it as a millennial, which adds a generational contrast on service and duty.