In this episode, we sit down with author Michael Ramos to discuss his powerful memoir, The After: A Veteran's Notes on Coming Home. Ramos, an Iraq War veteran, offers a raw and compelling look at the complexities of returning to civilian life after serving in combat. In his essay collection, Ramos delves into his decade-long military career, the challenges of transitioning back into a society that often misunderstands veterans, and the personal struggles he faced through divorce, remarriage, and the loss of comrades. Join us as we explore his journey from serving as a Navy chaplain's bodyguard to becoming a writer, teacher, and advocate for bridging the gap between military and civilian communities. We discuss the deeply personal stories that shaped his memoir, the nonlinear approach to storytelling, and his reflections on what it means to be a warrior, veteran, and father.