Episode Title:
Friendology & the Ranger Creed — Candace “Candyss” Bryant on Building the Ranger Legacy

Episode Description:
Ryan Hunt sits down with Candace “Candyss” Bryant—long-time force in the veteran community, former Best Ranger Competition lead, and founder of the Ranger Legacy Foundation—for a candid, high-energy conversation about grit, purpose, and building a lasting home for the Ranger story. Candace shares how a “happy accident” pulled her into the Ranger world, why the Ranger Creed became her compass, and what she learned stepping away to reset—and then returning with a bigger vision.

They dig into the Foundation’s plan for a world-class community center and home for the Ranger Hall of Fame, the phased fundraising (seed goal surpassed, next $1M to secure land and pre-design on the path to a $20M+ campaign), the Camo Jacket Society, and an active RFP for architecture and site work. Candace lays out a realistic runway (18–24 months of campaign activity; doors opening in roughly 4–5 years) and exactly how Rangers, spouses, and civilian allies can plug in—money, time, or network.

Plus: a preview of her VETSOCIAL25 “Friendology” Part II talk—why deep, intentional relationships are the veteran community’s unfair advantage.

If the Ranger Creed moves you—“shoulders back, chin up”—share this episode and get involved with the Ranger Legacy vision.

🎙️ Live from VetFest Atlanta!
In this episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, host Ryan Hunt sits down with Nathan Wheeler — Army veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader — for an unfiltered conversation about life after service, identity, and the power of financial education.

Nathan shares his powerful journey from 11 years in the Army (including time with the 10th Special Forces Group) to navigating one of the hardest transitions of his life. He opens up about losing his military identity, rebuilding from the ground up, and creating what he calls his “anti-drift formula” — a blueprint for veterans to align their associations, habits, affirmations, and faith with the person they want to become.

Now leading a team of 200+ associates in the financial services industry, Nathan is passionate about empowering veterans with financial literacy, mentorship, and personal development. He also reveals how his work in coaching, speaking, and writing is helping shape a new generation of veteran leaders.

💡 If you’ve ever struggled with transition, purpose, or finding your path after service, this episode will inspire you to lock back in with the veteran community and climb higher.

👉 Register free for VETSOCIAL25 (Sept 12–13, 2025) at www.VeteranSocialSummit.com

#VETSOCIALVoices #VeteranPodcast #VeteranCommunity

Episode description
Marine Corps ANGLICO veteran SGT Q joins VETSOCIAL Voices to share a raw, hopeful arc—from post-deployment spiral and homelessness to building a mission that saves lives. He recounts surviving a home-invasion gunfight, hitting bottom, and a turning point at New Life Church. A midnight grid search to save a fellow vet from an overpass sparked the blueprint for his app, originally called Operation Pop Smoke—a squad-based wellness tool with a daily 4-question check-in and a one-button alert that pings 2–3 trusted contacts when someone needs help.
We also dig into how he turned training into tech and workshops (including work with Cherokee and Choctaw partners), grew his company into the top 2% of U.S. small businesses, and won The Blox twice (Seasons 7 & 9) before returning as a coach and judge. Along the way: why hope is a survival catalyst, how to set up your “squad,” and practical steps leaders can use to protect their people.

In this ~39-minute episode (38:40), we cover:

• ANGLICO, call-for-fire, and the “pop smoke” metaphor for asking help

• Surviving a home invasion and the mental-health freefall that followed

• The rescue that led to designing a daily wellness + alert app (“Operation Pop Smoke”)

• Color-coded status, one-tap alerts, and building 2–3 person accountability squads

• Translating military training into tech + workshops; work with Cherokee/Choctaw communities

• Winning The Blox (S7 & S9), then coaching/judging—and what founders can learn

• Building a company into the top 2% of small businesses; recognized as Indiana Veteran of the Year (2025) by Military Friendly

Follow the show and share this with a veteran, milspouse, or ally who needs a simple, actionable way to “pop smoke” and get help fast.