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Coming back from Afghanistan in 2016, Lito Villanueva just couldn't assimilate. He was snapping at people, short tempered and exhibiting the "fight or flight" attitude that kept him alive in war, but was creating a lonely life for him stateside. Lito was special forces in the military, so his service was ultra intensive. He always wanted to start his own business and putting two and two together, decided that there were others having the difficulty he was, and if he could use technology, he could save lives, literally. The suicide rate among veterans is astoundingly high, and the problems Lito experienced are the root of the problem. Lito's background was as a network engineer, so the technical side came easily for him. Lito did plenty of testing, and figured out how to build a community of people. And community is the first line to preventing suicide. Not necessarily a community of family, either, but a community of those who have walked in your shoes and has had your experience. Seeing what most people never see. Through people's day to day activity, plugging into a community helps keep those veterans from feeling alone, depressed and all the other feelings that lead down the path of suicide. The story has been a typical entrepreneurial one, of many failures, hiring the wrong people and so forth. And there are system issues making sure only veterans allowed into the circle. But Lito and his cofounder are determined to succeed for the lives of their brothers and sisters. Veteran Founder Podcast with your hosts Josh Carter and Cynthia Kao We record the Veteran Founder Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland. Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main Website was designed by Cameron Grimes Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster Theme music: Artist: Tipsy Track: Kadonka Album: Buzzz Courtesy of Ipecac Records 10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes Listen to the Veteran Founder Podcast every Friday at 1:00pm pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com