🔥 When tragedy strikes, some people crumble. Others rise. Marine veteran Jerry Shaffer identified a need and stepped into the gap with purpose by co-founding the Red Star Foundation—a nonprofit supporting the families of veterans and first responders who have died by suicide. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever served, loved someone who has, or simply wants to be part of the solution.

Why not me? Veteran Suicide, Resilience, and the Fight toSave Lives

In this powerful episode of Tell This Story, host Doug White sits down with Marine Corps veteran and co-founder of the Red Star Foundation, Jerry Shaffer, for a moving conversation about the devastating impact of veteran and first responder suicide—and what we can do about it.

Together, we explore:

This episode is filled with personal stories, calls toaction, and a reminder that resilience is possible, even in the darkest hours. If you’re a veteran, first responder, family member, advocate, or ally—this one is for you.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

00:00 – Introduction and Jerry Shaffer’s background
05:29 – Transition from military to education
08:05 – Entrepreneurship and building Leatherneck.com
10:58 – Founding the Red Star Foundation
13:35 – Veteran suicide: The stats we can’t ignore
16:16 – Starting a nonprofit: The real talk
19:04 – Red Star’s core values & mission
22:07 – Key programs that support families
30:41 – The Red Star Banner: A new symbol of remembrance
34:38 – Taking the pledge: Choose life
36:30 – Red Star Voices and the power of storytelling
39:58 – A life-changing youth presentation
46:02 – Future goals for Red Star
47:53 – How to support the mission
52:02 – Final message: You are not alone
55:31 – Closing and community call-to-action

☕️ Sponsored by Polestar Coffee

Fuel your mission with Polestar Coffee. Visit: https://www.polestarcoffee.com
Use code “thisstory” at checkout for 10% off your order. Veteran-owned.

Mission-driven.

📚 Get the Book:

Buy Hiding in Plain Sight by Doug White on Amazon orwherever books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLCTKSP

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🧭 Resources:

🔴 Red Star Foundation: https://www.redstarfoundation.org
☎️ Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
🔵 Blue Line Rescue, Gold Line Rescue, Redline Rescue: https://bluelinerescue.org
🌄 Boulder Crest Foundation: https://bouldercrest.org
📞 Copline: https://www.copline.org
⚔️ Shields & Stripes: https://www.shieldsandstripes.org
🎯 The Overwatch Collective: https://www.theoverwatchcollective.com
🧠 UCF RESTORES: https://ucfrestores.com

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