@VeteranTickets (aka Vet Tix) Chief Strategy Officer Steven Weintraub.

Steve's dedication to service began in 1987 when he enlisted as a Combat Engineer in the Marine Corps Reserves. Following his 1989 graduation from Arizona State University, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served as a Logistics Officer. His active-duty career took him across the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf, including a deployment to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope aboard the USS Rushmore

Continuing his education, he earned an MBA in 2000. While in the Marine Corps Reserves, Steve answered the call to active-duty multiple times, completing two combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After over three decades of service, culminating in his retirement as a Colonel in 2019, Steve remains deeply committed to the veteran community.

Through his involvement with numerous organizations and initiatives in Arizona and nationally, he passionately works to connect transitioning service members and veterans with vital resources. This unwavering dedication was acknowledged with his inclusion in We Are The Mighty's MIGHTY 25 in 2021 and his induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.
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Quick Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Martin Foster sits down with Steven Weintraub to explore how shared experiences, connection, and community can profoundly impact the lives of veterans and first responders.

Through the story behind Vet Tix, Steven discusses the hidden challenges many veterans face after service, the importance of belonging, and why something as simple as attending an event can help restore purpose, identity, and hope.
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🔥 Torch Takeaways Include:
◼ Belonging is essential after service -
Many veterans struggle not because they lack discipline or skill, but because they lose the sense of tribe and connection they once had in the military.

◼ Small experiences can have a massive impact -
A concert, game, or family outing may seem simple, but shared experiences can improve mental health, strengthen relationships, and help veterans reconnect with life.

◼ Purpose doesn’t end with the uniform -
Steven Weintraub shares how service can evolve into new forms of impact through community-building and helping others.

◼ Generosity creates ripple effects -
Vet Tix demonstrates how one act of giving can positively affect veterans, families, donors, and entire communities.
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Steve's Resources:
◼ Website: https://www.vettix.org/

◼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenweintraub/
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Subscribe and Listen to Passing The Torch Podcast

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC04suOPTX3ny_M0aDxmBAXQ

🍏Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/passing-the-torch/id1338122884

ᯤSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47ZwWTJWETz5SwEfcuPQwF?si=055366dec7154b3c
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Connect with Passing The Torch!

Facebook: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/torchfoster

IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/torchmartin/
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Celebrating a Decade with Vet Tix
04:32 Memorable Experiences and Milestones
09:24 Personal Stories and Celebrity Encounters
14:23 From Fighter Pilot Aspirations to Vet Tix Leadership
22:19 The Overlooked Role of the Coast Guard
24:43 Mission of Vet Tix: Giving Back to Veterans
29:33 Impact of Vet Tix on Veterans' Lives
33:21 Engaging Conversations: The Next Evolution of Vet Tix
36:16 Creating Lasting Memories Through Experiences
42:02 Resilience and Finding Happiness
46:52 Lessons from the Lowest Points in Life
48:15 How to Support Vet Tix and Spread the Word
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Full Audio episode with Chapters:
◼https://www.buzzsprout.com/1946508/episodes/19189099
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Quotes to open episode:
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” — Joseph Campbell
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Episode Mentions:
Kurt Warner
@NFL
@Dbacks
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Keywords: Veterans, VetTix, community, resilience, veteran support, event tickets, military, veteran stories, mental health, veteran organizations