Shared Experiences: The Hidden Reset Button for Stress Relief

Eric White In a way, the title really does say it all—providing various event tickets to veterans to offer them a bit of recreation and fulfill that desire many of us share to get out and about. Could we take a small step back? I’d like to learn more about the organization’s story and how it all started.

Steve Weintraub Absolutely. It was founded locally in 2008 in Tempe, Arizona, which is near Phoenix. Our founder, Mike Focareto, a Navy veteran, came up with the whole idea. Our core mission is to give something to those who gave. Back in 2008, he attended the Super Bowl in Glendale with a veteran friend and noticed a lot of empty seats. This sparked a thought for his community project: why not thank veterans and active soldiers? He decided that sending them to events would be a fantastic way to honor their service and dedication, making up for lost time at home. Since that time, we’ve grown tremendously.

Eric White That’s great. You guys recently conducted an impact study to check if your efforts are paying off. I imagine you’ve gotten good feedback, but what stood out to you about the study, especially regarding giving a Super Bowl chance to people who might not have the budget?

Steve Weintraub Right, so an independent, third party organization actually ran the impact study. They surveyed more than 1,600 of our Vet Tix and First Tix members, asking about the impact of attending live events with family and close friends. We wanted to know how it affected their relationships, well-being, and their overall mental fitness. The findings showed that going to these live events together genuinely helps improve wellbeing and strengthens relationships. Interestingly, the more live events they went to, the higher these positive scores were. We understand that many veterans and soldiers feel uncomfortable going out in large groups. Still, the data revealed that it actually combats social isolation, builds resilience, and helps with their reintegrating.

Eric White That’s exactly the point I wanted to get into. It might sound like an overused idea, but many veterans don’t like to show off or draw attention to their own achievements. Yet, during the games, there’s often a moment to pause, and everyone stands up for a round of applause. How important is that for those who may not want to be singled out, but clearly appreciate being recognized for what they’ve been through?

Steve Weintraub That’s a fantastic point. Many times, veterans really don’t want to be in the spotlight—I’m the same way myself. However, regarding acknowledgment, I can’t speak for every single veteran or soldier, but when you depart from military service, a lot of veterans lose their sense of purpose, which is a huge struggle. So when events include a moment to honor their service, it truly means a lot. For us at Vet Tix and First Tix, we don’t treat them as showpieces. The goal is simply: go to the event, spend time with loved ones, have a blast, relax, and unplug. We aren’t pushing them to be put on display. However, if a supporter at the event happens to want to recognize them, even better.

Eric White We’re having a conversation with Steve Weintraub, the chief strategy officer for Veteran Tickets Foundation, or Vet Tix. That feeling of community is so powerful. In my own work and personally, I’ve introduced veterans to each other and seen lifelong friendships develop. I expect that sitting next to someone who served in a different part of the country or a different branch has sparked similar positive connections. Have you seen that happen?

Steve Weintraub Definitely, because the amazing thing about our program is that all these tickets come from donations by teams, leagues, performers, promoters, venues, and individuals with season tickets they won’t use. Often, these tickets are clustered in the same sections, rows, or blocks. So, intentionally or not, you end up seated beside other veterans, soldiers, or first responders. You might think, “This person has a similar vibe to me.” Then you realize, “We’re both in the Vet Tix section.” You are surrounded by your own kind, whether you notice it immediately or not. A lot of times, it brings back that brotherhood or sisterhood feeling, and they tend to relax a bit more because, “Hey, we wore the same uniform, even if it wasn’t for the same branch.” Even if we’re rooting for opposite teams, there’s an instant connection.

EricWhite Right. Even though the challenges for veterans are vast and shouldn’t be downplayed, being able to go through tough times and having this to look forward to can really boost that sense of community. In your study, you also inquired about mental health improvements and how these social events can aid in that area. Is there anything else you’d want to highlight on that?

Steve Weintraub To be clear, there isn’t a single “magic fix” for everything, whether it’s isolation, resilience, or building connections. However, this is one of our ways to contribute and give something to those who gave. By going to these events, talking to people nearby, or just being present, they form bonds. Thanks to over 2.5 million ‘thank you’ notes we’ve gathered, we know it has helped them form completely new friendships with people they met as strangers and are already planning future meetups.

Eric White We should also take a moment to appreciate those who contribute tickets and the groups we collaborate with. Since we’re in the D.C. area, I imagine many organizations have approached you to collaborate. Who are a few of your partners there?

Steve Weintraub Yes, in the D.C. region, some of our collaborators/donors are the Wizards, the Capitals, and the Capital One Arena. This means not just tickets to Wizards and Caps games, but also other shows and events held at the Capital One Arena. We have an excellent partnership with the

You’ve got teams like the Orioles, the Ravens, and the Nationals—great sports options. But beyond sports, Washington, DC is packed with concerts and performing arts. Many of our donors come from those circles, and they also enjoy family-friendly events. When you sign up and create an account, you’ll get alerts about local events. The fun part? You never know what’s coming up—or where your seats will be until you download your tickets. They could be courtside, right against the glass, or way up in the rafters. It’s always a surprise!

Eric White Yep, my son loves Monster Jam, so I’m pretty sure I saw you all at the last monster truck show.

Steve Weintraub Exactly! That’s the idea—we include events like Monster Jam, Disney on Ice, and the Harlem Globetrotters to make sure there’s something for everyone. Not everyone is into sports or live music, but when you want to take your kids out for a fun experience, those options matter. So we work hard to offer a wide variety of events.

Eric White Let’s spread the word for anyone who wants to join and score tickets—or get involved to support the organization.

Steve Weintraub Absolutely! It’s completely free to sign up at vettix.org. If you’re currently serving in the military—including Guard and Reserve—or are an honorably discharged veteran, you’re eligible. For first responders—federal, state, local, or municipal—head over to 1stTix.org. Just create an account, and you’ll start receiving notifications about events near you. It’s that simple.