🎙️ VETSOCIAL Voices: From Combat Boots to Campaign Leads – Aaron Welch on Service, Strategy, and Supporting Veterans

In this episode of VETSOCIAL, we sit down with Aaron Welch, a proud U.S. Army veteran and founder of Lift Digital Marketing, to talk about his journey from military service to successful entrepreneurship.

Aaron shares how the discipline and mission-focus of his military background laid the foundation for launching and scaling a performance-driven digital agency. As a leader in the Chicagoland veteran business community, Aaron is more than a business owner—he’s a connector, advocate, and mentor for fellow veteran entrepreneurs. He is the founder of the non-profit, Chicagoland Veteran Business Owners

Tune in to hear:

• How Aaron translated military leadership into marketing innovation
• The story behind Lift Digital Marketing and how it’s helping businesses scale with strategy and integrity
• Why Chicagoland is becoming a hub for veteran-owned businesses—and what Aaron is doing to grow that ecosystem

Whether you're a transitioning service member, a digital marketing geek, or just love a good origin story—you won’t want to miss this episode.

Connect with Aaron on Linkedin and Lift Digital Marketing.

🎙️ VETSOCIAL Voices – Friendology: The Science and Soul of Connection

📅 Recorded Live at VETSOCIAL24

In this heart-centered and thought-provoking episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we sit down with Candyss Bryant, dynamic speaker, coach, and founder of the Friendology movement. Recorded live at Veteran Social Summit 2024 (VETSOCIAL24), Candyss unpacks the life-changing power of meaningful relationships and why friendship is a form of wellness—especially in the veteran and solopreneur communities.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The core principles of Friendology and why intentional connection matters

• How veterans and entrepreneurs can rebuild their circles after transition

• The neuroscience behind friendship and emotional resilience

• Personal stories of isolation, rediscovery, and authentic bonds

• A powerful call to action to nurture the right relationships

Whether you’re craving deeper connection, struggling to find your people, or curious about the psychology of friendship, this conversation offers perspective, healing, and community.

🎧 Press play and rediscover the mission of meaningful connection.

Powered by VETSOCIAL, where veteran voices drive change, connection, and culture.

🌐 VeteranSocialSummit.com

🎙️ VETSOCIAL Voices – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: A Panel Discussion on the VA Disability Claim Process

📅 Recorded Live: May 16, 2025

In this powerful episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we dive deep into the often complex and emotional journey of navigating the VA Disability Compensation system. Moderated by Ryan Patrick Hunt, this honest and unfiltered conversation features a dynamic panel of veteran advocates, tech leaders, and support professionals who break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to empower veterans through the claims process.

👥 Panelists Include:

• Kate Monroe – CEO of VETCOMM

• Dennis Spohn – Founder of VeteranAI

• Chris Whittemore – Host of Terror to Triumph

• Jane Babcock – VA claims expert at Talk Veteran

• Kyle Kuciemba – Co-founder of HeyHeyCRM

🧠 Topics Explored:

• Why claims are often denied—and how to challenge them

• Tips for first-time filers and those reapplying

• The evolving landscape of VA systems, automation, and appeals

• Firsthand experiences with the good, bad, and downright frustrating parts of the process

• What veterans wish they had known before filing

Whether you’re just starting your VA disability journey or you’ve been battling through the process for years, this episode provides clarity, compassion, and critical guidance.

🎧 Listen now to get informed, empowered, and supported.

Brought to you by VETSOCIAL25, the summit for veteran-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and community action.

🌐 www.veteransocialsummit.com