Go offline with the Player FM app!
What happens when military service ends — but the real battles begin at home?
Manage episode 477338699 series 2829610
Let us know what you think! Text us!
In this episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Merrill Slepica — C-130 Gunner, veteran entrepreneur, and founder of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — to unpack the raw realities of life after the military.
From combat deployments to the quiet struggles of fatherhood, divorce, and mental health — Merrill shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose through creativity and community.
Together, Deny and Merrill dive deep into:
- The mental health battles veterans face after service
- The impact of military life on marriage, parenting, and family dynamics
- Financial literacy, divorce, and navigating alimony
- The healing power of entrepreneurship and creating with your hands
- The importance of building community for veteran support
- Lessons learned in leadership, fatherhood, and personal growth
- The journey of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — and how purpose is often found in the struggle
This episode is for every service member, veteran, or family member navigating the challenges of transition, healing, and building a new life after the uniform comes off.
🎧 Listen now — and remember, healing happens in community.
👉 Follow, Like, Share, and Subscribe to Security Halt! on:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Apple Podcasts
Join us — and help us keep veterans connected, growing, and thriving!
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Community Connections
03:04 Entrepreneurial Journeys and Healing
05:49 The Reality of Military Life
09:08 The Impact of Combat Experiences
11:56 Navigating Family Dynamics During Deployment
15:08 Fatherhood and Legacy
18:01 The Importance of Adventure and Exploration
25:50 The Journey of Becoming a Man
28:32 Learning and Teaching: The Father-Son Dynamic
30:53 Navigating Finances and Life Lessons
33:02 Breaking the Cycle: Fatherhood and Presence
36:35 The Struggles of Service Members in Family Dynamics
42:56 Mental Health and Divorce: The Hidden Battles
46:54 The Reality of Alimony and Financial Strain
52:29 The Importance of Advocacy and Awareness
55:54 Finding Your Place in the Military
58:54 Reflections on Military Experiences
01:01:28 The Reality of Military Recognition
01:06:17 Building a Business: Hammer 41 Leatherworks
01:10:09 Community and Support in Entrepreneurship
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Check out Hammer 41 Today!
https://www.hammer41leatherworks.com/
Produced by Security Halt Media
Chapters
1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)
2. Life After Military Service (00:10:39)
3. Inside the AC-130 Gunship Experience (00:23:05)
4. Fatherhood and Raising Good Men (00:38:23)
5. The Mental Health Recovery Journey (00:54:40)
6. Military Divorce Challenges (01:06:22)
7. Hammer 41 Leatherworks Success (01:16:28)
298 episodes
Manage episode 477338699 series 2829610
Let us know what you think! Text us!
In this episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Merrill Slepica — C-130 Gunner, veteran entrepreneur, and founder of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — to unpack the raw realities of life after the military.
From combat deployments to the quiet struggles of fatherhood, divorce, and mental health — Merrill shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose through creativity and community.
Together, Deny and Merrill dive deep into:
- The mental health battles veterans face after service
- The impact of military life on marriage, parenting, and family dynamics
- Financial literacy, divorce, and navigating alimony
- The healing power of entrepreneurship and creating with your hands
- The importance of building community for veteran support
- Lessons learned in leadership, fatherhood, and personal growth
- The journey of Hammer 41 Leatherworks — and how purpose is often found in the struggle
This episode is for every service member, veteran, or family member navigating the challenges of transition, healing, and building a new life after the uniform comes off.
🎧 Listen now — and remember, healing happens in community.
👉 Follow, Like, Share, and Subscribe to Security Halt! on:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Apple Podcasts
Join us — and help us keep veterans connected, growing, and thriving!
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Community Connections
03:04 Entrepreneurial Journeys and Healing
05:49 The Reality of Military Life
09:08 The Impact of Combat Experiences
11:56 Navigating Family Dynamics During Deployment
15:08 Fatherhood and Legacy
18:01 The Importance of Adventure and Exploration
25:50 The Journey of Becoming a Man
28:32 Learning and Teaching: The Father-Son Dynamic
30:53 Navigating Finances and Life Lessons
33:02 Breaking the Cycle: Fatherhood and Presence
36:35 The Struggles of Service Members in Family Dynamics
42:56 Mental Health and Divorce: The Hidden Battles
46:54 The Reality of Alimony and Financial Strain
52:29 The Importance of Advocacy and Awareness
55:54 Finding Your Place in the Military
58:54 Reflections on Military Experiences
01:01:28 The Reality of Military Recognition
01:06:17 Building a Business: Hammer 41 Leatherworks
01:10:09 Community and Support in Entrepreneurship
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Check out Hammer 41 Today!
https://www.hammer41leatherworks.com/
Produced by Security Halt Media
Chapters
1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)
2. Life After Military Service (00:10:39)
3. Inside the AC-130 Gunship Experience (00:23:05)
4. Fatherhood and Raising Good Men (00:38:23)
5. The Mental Health Recovery Journey (00:54:40)
6. Military Divorce Challenges (01:06:22)
7. Hammer 41 Leatherworks Success (01:16:28)
298 episodes
All episodes
×Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.