I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

Ep. 106 He Came Home From War Broken - Then Built Redemption by Hand | Josh Melching | I Am Redemption

1h14 | 12/24/2025

Description

When Josh Melching returned home from war, the battle didn’t end.

The symptoms of PTSD slowly began to surface. In a very short amount of time, Josh lost some of the closest people in the world to him. Trying to numb the pain, he turned to alcohol, a path that eventually led to serious trouble with the law.

Rock bottom came fast.

What changed everything wasn’t a shortcut or an escape. It was working with his hands. Josh found an outlet in woodworking. What began as a way to quiet his mind became his purpose. Piece by piece, he started creating handcrafted American flags — each one built with intention, discipline, and meaning.

Today, Josh is the owner of Wars End (@wars__end), a veteran-owned brand whose flags are in high demand, helping people commemorate memories, milestones, service, and sacrifice through powerful American craftsmanship.

Josh’s heart for giving back is just as strong as his work. He donated a custom flag to I Am Redemption to commemorate our 100th episode, and even more meaningfully, created and donated a flag for our good friend Kayleigh Williamson to honor her invitation to the Special Olympics.

This episode is about war, loss, accountability, addiction, healing, and what happens when you decide to turn pain into purpose. This is Josh Melching’s redemption.

Welcome to I Am Redemption, hosted by Shawn Livingston.

I Am Redemption is a community-driven platform focused on recovery, fitness, mental resilience, and real stories of transformation. We sit down with people who have lived through adversity and chose to build something meaningful with it. Built Different by Pain. Powered Different by Purpose. We Are What Comes After.

🔗 CONNECT WITH JOSH Instagram: @wars__end Veteran-owned | Handcrafted American flags & woodworking

🔗 CONNECT WITH I AM REDEMPTION Instagram: @iam.redemption

#IAmRedemption #ShawnLivingston #JoshMelching #VeteranStory #AirForceVeteran #VeteranOwned #PTSDRecovery #PurposeAfterPain #RedemptionStory #MilitaryMentalHealth

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

Are you ready for a journey of transformation, resilience, and personal growth? Welcome to the "I AM REDEMPTION" Podcast, where inspiring stories of redemption come to life.

Hosted by Shawn Livingston, this podcast takes you on a profound exploration of the human spirit. Join Shawn as he engages in deep, meaningful conversations with guests who have faced their own unique challenges and emerged stronger than ever.

Through authentic and compelling conversations, Shawn and his guests peel back the layers of their experiences, sharing raw emotions, hard-earned wisdom, and the strategies that propelled them toward redemption. Be prepared for thought-provoking insights, inspiring anecdotes, and valuable takeaways that will ignite your own personal journey of growth and resilience.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

Are you ready for a journey of transformation, resilience, and personal growth? Welcome to the "I AM REDEMPTION" Podcast, where inspiring stories of redemption come to life.

Hosted by Shawn Livingston, this podcast takes you on a profound exploration of the human spirit. Join Shawn as he engages in deep, meaningful conversations with guests who have faced their own unique challenges and emerged stronger than ever.

Through authentic and compelling conversations, Shawn and his guests peel back the layers of their experiences, sharing raw emotions, hard-earned wisdom, and the strategies that propelled them toward redemption. Be prepared for thought-provoking insights, inspiring anecdotes, and valuable takeaways that will ignite your own personal journey of growth and resilience.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

When Josh Melching returned home from war, the battle didn’t end.

The symptoms of PTSD slowly began to surface. In a very short amount of time, Josh lost some of the closest people in the world to him. Trying to numb the pain, he turned to alcohol, a path that eventually led to serious trouble with the law.

Rock bottom came fast.

What changed everything wasn’t a shortcut or an escape. It was working with his hands. Josh found an outlet in woodworking. What began as a way to quiet his mind became his purpose. Piece by piece, he started creating handcrafted American flags — each one built with intention, discipline, and meaning.

Today, Josh is the owner of Wars End (@wars__end), a veteran-owned brand whose flags are in high demand, helping people commemorate memories, milestones, service, and sacrifice through powerful American craftsmanship.

Josh’s heart for giving back is just as strong as his work. He donated a custom flag to I Am Redemption to commemorate our 100th episode, and even more meaningfully, created and donated a flag for our good friend Kayleigh Williamson to honor her invitation to the Special Olympics.

This episode is about war, loss, accountability, addiction, healing, and what happens when you decide to turn pain into purpose. This is Josh Melching’s redemption.

Welcome to I Am Redemption, hosted by Shawn Livingston.

I Am Redemption is a community-driven platform focused on recovery, fitness, mental resilience, and real stories of transformation. We sit down with people who have lived through adversity and chose to build something meaningful with it. Built Different by Pain. Powered Different by Purpose. We Are What Comes After.

🔗 CONNECT WITH JOSH Instagram: @wars__end Veteran-owned | Handcrafted American flags & woodworking

🔗 CONNECT WITH I AM REDEMPTION Instagram: @iam.redemption

#IAmRedemption #ShawnLivingston #JoshMelching #VeteranStory #AirForceVeteran #VeteranOwned #PTSDRecovery #PurposeAfterPain #RedemptionStory #MilitaryMentalHealth

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

Are you ready for a journey of transformation, resilience, and personal growth? Welcome to the "I AM REDEMPTION" Podcast, where inspiring stories of redemption come to life.

Hosted by Shawn Livingston, this podcast takes you on a profound exploration of the human spirit. Join Shawn as he engages in deep, meaningful conversations with guests who have faced their own unique challenges and emerged stronger than ever.

Through authentic and compelling conversations, Shawn and his guests peel back the layers of their experiences, sharing raw emotions, hard-earned wisdom, and the strategies that propelled them toward redemption. Be prepared for thought-provoking insights, inspiring anecdotes, and valuable takeaways that will ignite your own personal journey of growth and resilience.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

Are you ready for a journey of transformation, resilience, and personal growth? Welcome to the "I AM REDEMPTION" Podcast, where inspiring stories of redemption come to life.

Hosted by Shawn Livingston, this podcast takes you on a profound exploration of the human spirit. Join Shawn as he engages in deep, meaningful conversations with guests who have faced their own unique challenges and emerged stronger than ever.

Through authentic and compelling conversations, Shawn and his guests peel back the layers of their experiences, sharing raw emotions, hard-earned wisdom, and the strategies that propelled them toward redemption. Be prepared for thought-provoking insights, inspiring anecdotes, and valuable takeaways that will ignite your own personal journey of growth and resilience.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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