Podcast

On this episode of Sunnyside of Freedom, Sunny sits down with Navy veterans and former Military Working Dog handlers Matt Tarlton and Angela Young, co-founders of Building Battle Buddies. After decades of service—including global deployments and working with elite military units—both Matt and Angela experienced the difficult transition out of the uniform. Through their own healing journeys and the powerful bond with their dogs, they discovered something life-changing: training rescue dogs can restore purpose, connection, and hope. Building Battle Buddies, founded in 2025 alongside Billy Skipper, pairs rescue dogs with Combat Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, and First Responders in a 21-day immersive training program—designed to save two lives at once. This conversation is about invisible wounds, second chances, resilience, and what happens when loyalty and purpose collide. It’s about service after service—and proving that healing is possible. #VeteranStories #SunnysideOfFreedom #BreakStigmas #ServiceDogs #Healing #Purpose #NeverAlone #Resilience #AfterTheMilitary

Retired Navy Chief Chris. Today we are joined by Navy Chief Chris. He served 21 years in the U.S.Navy as a West Coast sailor, spending over 17 years stationed as NAS Lemoore, California, with a three -year tour in Millington, Tennessee as a Navy recruiter. In the middle of his career, behind the uniform was a long, personal battle- 43 years of alcoholism that nearly took his life. Today, he's 5 1/2 years sober and living proof that recovery is possible. After leaving the Navy, he spent more than 10 years working in the oil fields, before fully stepping into a new purpose. Now, he runs AA meetings veterans and first responders, sponsors fellow vets, and openly shares how faith, spirituality, and his Christain beliefs played a critical role in his recovery and healing. This conversation is about service, struggle, redemption, and finding purpose beyond the uniform. #Veterananstories #Sunnysideoffreedom #Breakstigmas #Inspiration #Leadership #Service #Faith #Family #Purpose #Soberity #Support #resilence #Healing #AftertheMilitary #Storiesmatter #Neveralone #NavyChief