Deep Cover: Seth’s Story
Episode Release Date: June 16, 2025
Season: 6 | Episode: Seth’s Story

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Seth’s Story," Deep Cover delves deep into the life of Seth Cole, a decorated veteran whose journey intertwines with Sarah Kavanaugh’s enigmatic narrative. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern and investigative journalist Jess McHugh, this episode unveils the layers of deception surrounding Sarah, revealing how her double life impacted numerous lives, including Seth’s.

Seth Cole’s Background

Seth Cole’s story begins in the small town of Stafford, Kansas. Abandoned by his father at a young age, Seth faced instability early on:

“I went all the way through life, you know, pretty much five years old. Didn't know a dad, didn't know anything about life. My mom said my dad ran off.” [11:40]

At fourteen, Seth’s life took a drastic turn when his mother remarried and subsequently kicked him out of the house, forcing him to fend for himself:

“So at 14, I was kicked out of the house.” [12:06]

Military Service and Injury

Desperate to escape his dire circumstances, Seth enlisted in the National Guard and was deployed to Mamadiya, Iraq, in 2007. His military service was marked by relentless chaos and trauma:

“Every day from that point on was either a mortar attack or a rocket attack or, you know, some sort of crazy thing that happened.” [13:43]

A life-altering incident occurred when Seth was accidentally injured by a colleague's mishandled grenade launcher:

“The round hit a wall, ricocheted, and exploded three feet from seth's face.” [14:03]

This traumatic brain injury left him hospitalized at Walter Reed and later at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he struggled with severe seizures and isolation, leading him to contemplate ending his life:

“I was just like, oh. Oh, crap, I'm dead. And so I passed out, and I was in and out of consciousness.” [14:38]

Recovery and Continued Struggles

After enduring three and a half months at Walter Reed and another year and a half in Kansas, Seth relocated to Washington State, attempting to rebuild his life. He enrolled in a clinical psychology program but had to drop out due to debilitating seizures:

“I couldn't keep up with it anymore. It was either work or go to school.” [12:37]

Feeling disconnected and alone, Seth faced profound despair, eventually reaching a point where he seriously considered suicide.

Wounded Warrior Project and Meeting Sarah

In 2016, almost a decade after his deployment, the Wounded Warrior Project introduced Seth to the Independence Program—a comprehensive support system providing services like community support specialists (CSS) who assist with daily tasks:

“The Wounded Warrior Project... they're putting your life changing moment.” [16:24]

At a financial summit organized by the program, Seth met Sarah Kavanaugh along with other veterans like Russ and Travis. Sarah’s vibrant and outgoing demeanor was immediately noticeable:

“She was outgoing. That was the biggest thing... I wanted that bug because I wanted to be able to get back to being a social butterfly.” [17:27]

Creative Vets and Artistic Healing

Sarah introduced Seth to Creative Vets, a Nashville-based nonprofit that aids veterans in healing through music and art. Initially skeptical, Seth joined the program and found solace in creative expression:

“So I went to the military. Then the national guard was like, yeah, we can get you in there.” [13:10]

During a retreat at USC in Los Angeles, Seth created a poignant piece titled "Dinner Before Disaster," symbolizing his near-death experience. This artistic endeavor was a turning point, helping him process his trauma:

“When I got done with the program, instead of going and eating that bullet, I went back and threw myself into the VA in the volunteer side.” [20:21]

Creation and Performance of "Rise Above"

Embracing his healing journey, Seth participated in a virtual songwriting program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborating with a mentor and a songwriter, he crafted a song that encapsulated his life’s struggles and triumphs:

“Trauma, memory, truth. All transformed into melody.” [27:17]

The culmination of this process was the song "Rise Above," which Seth witnessed being performed live at a Tennessee Titans game. The emotional rendition of his story before thousands was a testament to his resilience:

“My kids and I were all standing out there and it was just one of the most emotional moments of my life.” [31:09]

The Impact of Sarah’s Deception

Despite Seth’s progress, the episode uncovers the dark truth about Sarah Kavanaugh. It emerges that Sarah was not a genuine veteran but had been deceiving those around her to secure spots in Creative Vets programs meant for true veterans. This revelation had profound consequences:

“We are a very small organization... to have one that comes through the program multiple times that happens to not be a veteran really takes away from those that could have been able to get in here and do something with their life and turn it around.” [33:10]

Seth reflects on the loss of his friend Travis, a double amputee, who never had the chance to benefit from Creative Vets due to Sarah’s fraudulent actions:

“He was trying to find those tools... something happened that week that just completely threw him back into that spiral.” [32:18]

Reflections and Conclusion

Seth’s journey is one of profound healing intertwined with the heartbreak of Sarah’s betrayal. Through Creative Vets, he found a voice and a community, but Sarah’s deceit cast a long shadow, highlighting the fragility of trust and the far-reaching impacts of leading a double life.

“At Creative Vets, Seth found a place to talk. And now anytime he meets someone new, he doesn't have to answer questions or even say a word. He'll just play them his song.” [35:06]

Notable Quotes

• Seth Cole [11:40]:
  “I went all the way through life, you know, pretty much five years old. Didn't know a dad, didn't know anything about life. My mom said my dad ran off.”

• Seth Cole [17:27]:
  “She was outgoing. That was the biggest thing like, she was talking to everybody... I wanted to be able to get back to being a social butterfly.”

• Seth Cole [20:43]:
  “I had been planning on just going and saying goodbye to Russ and, you know, even Sarah at that time, and just kind of coming back and eating a bullet.”

• Seth Cole [35:20]:
  “Sometimes the cards you dealt ain't fair... you can choose to let it break you down fight to turn your life around Find the strength inside to rise above.”

Conclusion

"Seth’s Story" serves as a powerful narrative of resilience, community, and the devastating effects of deception. Through Seth Cole’s experiences, Deep Cover not only highlights the personal struggles of veterans but also exposes the vulnerabilities within support systems designed to aid them. This episode is a compelling addition to the ongoing investigation into Sarah Kavanaugh’s true identity and the broader implications of her actions.