What does it take to heal after experiencing profound loss and the realities of war?

In this meaningful Fourth of July episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins, licensed professional counselor and Army veteran, welcomes Keith Cole - a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, retired CPA, and author - for an honest conversation about grief, military service, resilience, and finding purpose after trauma.

Keith shares how the loss of his father redirected his life, leading him to enlist in the Marines during the Vietnam War. He reflects on the emotional challenges of combat, the lifelong impact of military service, and the healing that became possible through storytelling, reflection, and helping others.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How grief can shape life's biggest decisions
• Keith's journey from Marine Corps combat to personal healing
• Why talking about difficult experiences is essential for recovery
• The power of brotherhood, service, and community
• Lessons on resilience, purpose, and emotional growth after trauma
• What freedom truly means beyond the battlefield

Whether you're a veteran, have loved ones who served, or simply want to understand the resilience of the human spirit, this conversation offers timeless lessons about healing, courage, and hope.

Key Moments:

05:49 Joining the Navy as a chaplain

08:42 Ambushed during jungle patrol

12:25 Helicopter landing under potential fire

15:15 Teen's realization and prayer moment

18:04 Family reactions during Vietnam War

21:36 Returning from Vietnam

About the guest :

Keith Cole is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, retired CPA, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others overcome burnout, trauma, and life's toughest challenges. After serving in Vietnam and building a successful professional career, Keith experienced severe burnout that led him on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal.

Drawing from his lived experiences, Keith shares practical insights on resilience, faith, and the importance of moving beyond self-reliance to find lasting recovery. His book, Burnout: God's Recovery Plan, combines personal stories with actionable principles to help individuals navigate stress, emotional exhaustion, and life's unexpected hardships.

Today, Keith speaks to business leaders, caregivers, veterans, and organizations, inspiring others to embrace hope, healing, and purpose through authentic storytelling and faith-driven wisdom.

How to connect Keith : https://www.RecoveryByFaith.com

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What happens when millions of people lose everything - and the world barely notices?

In this powerful episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins continues his conversation with humanitarian Brad Brandon, founder of Across Nigeria, to uncover the realities facing families living inside Nigeria's Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Brad shares firsthand stories of communities displaced by violence, the devastating effects of corruption, and the extraordinary resilience of people who continue to live with hope despite overwhelming hardship.

Together, they discuss:

• The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Northern Nigeria
• Life inside Nigeria's IDP camps
• How corruption affects education, healthcare, and basic survival
• Why community, compassion, and dignity matter during crisis
• Lessons about gratitude, resilience, and purpose that apply to all of us
• What we can learn from people who continue choosing hope despite unimaginable circumstances

This episode is a reminder that resilience isn't built in comfort - it's revealed through adversity.

Whether you're interested in humanitarian work, leadership, faith, or simply understanding a part of the world rarely covered by mainstream media, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on courage, compassion, and our shared humanity.

Key Moments:

05:05 Impact of corruption on aid

07:03 Nigerian hospitality and resilience

12:01 God, suffering, and contentment

14:00 Discussing spiritual challenges

19:48 Canary in the coal mine analogy

22:08 Focusing on Gospel Simplicity

24:43 Frog in the kettle analogy

About the guest : Brad Brandon is the founder and CEO of Across Nigeria. Pastor Brad is a graduate of Concordia University. Since 2018, he has been actively serving in the foreign mission field. He primarily serves in high-risk, highly persecuted areas such as Northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Through Pastor Brad and the Across Nigeria team, groundbreaking work is underway to bring the gospel to areas with the most intense opposition. His passion is to reach people in these areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help persecuted Christians who live under the constant threat of violence because of their faith in Christ.

He is a skilled speaker and teacher. His years of serving in some of the most dangerous places on earth have made him highly sought after for churches, conferences, and as an interview guest.

How to connect Brad: Website : https://www.acrossnigeria.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-brandon-a02b7944/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What happens when everything you've worked for suddenly changes?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brad Brandon, founder and CEO of Across Nigeria, to discuss how a near-death experience transformed his understanding of success, purpose, and service.

After leading a successful megachurch in Connecticut, Brad found himself fighting for his life in an ICU. That experience forced him to reevaluate everything he believed about ministry, leadership, comfort, and calling.

Today, Brad serves in Northern Nigeria, one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians, helping provide education, clean water, medical care, and humanitarian support to underserved communities.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why comfort can become the enemy of growth
• How adversity often reveals purpose
• The difference between control and surrender
• Why many people struggle to discover their true calling
• What Brad calls "Finding Your Nigeria"
• The hidden humanitarian challenges facing Northern Nigeria
• How small steps of faith often lead to extraordinary impact

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, searching for purpose, or wrestling with uncertainty, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for taking the next step forward.

Key Moments:

02:33 The ICU Experience That Changed Everything

05:58 When Success Becomes a Work of the Flesh

10:50 Learning to Hear Through the Noise

15:05 What’s Your Nigeria?

17:54 The One-Way Ticket That Started It All

23:57 The Hidden Reality of Northern Nigeria

About the guest : Brad Brandon is the founder and CEO of Across Nigeria. Pastor Brad is a graduate of Concordia University. Since 2018, he has been actively serving in the foreign mission field. He primarily serves in high-risk, highly persecuted areas such as Northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Through Pastor Brad and the Across Nigeria team, groundbreaking work is underway to bring the gospel to areas with the most intense opposition. His passion is to reach people in these areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help persecuted Christians who live under the constant threat of violence because of their faith in Christ.

He is a skilled speaker and teacher. His years of serving in some of the most dangerous places on earth have made him highly sought after for churches, conferences, and as an interview guest.

How to connect Brad: Website : https://www.acrossnigeria.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-brandon-a02b7944/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/