Thanksgiving week has us in the mood for food, so we’re talking about how a former Apache helicopter pilot launched Arbo’s Cheese Dip into a huge success. Andrew Arbogast opens our interview with some memories about his days in the cockpit of world's most advanced attack helicopter. Arbogast shares memories of meats and cheeses on a Forward Operating base in Afghanistan, and the early days of Arbo’s Cheese Dip. He also explains how Bunker Labs played a pivotal role in the explosive growth of the...
Nov 22, 2023•40 min
Today we’re talking about how a Special Forces veteran met a Hollywood actor on a career website and the result was a groundbreaking new video game “With Them: Frontlines” where players experience combat ops in the places where US forces actually fought. Army Special Forces vet Shawn Piatz received creative help from Hollywood Actor/Producer Devin Reeve when they met on the veteran career site Heroes Linked. We start with some fascinating stories about Shawn’s experiences as a Green Beret in Afg...
Nov 17, 2023•38 min
On Veterans Day, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines will grapple, choke and arm bar each other to determine which branch has the ultimate fighter. Although it sounds brutal, off the mat it’s a brotherhood and the story of how Air Force veteran Pow Srikachorn founded a martial arts training facility that is helping his community and vets thrive through their love of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Pow’s journey into martial arts began in Afghanistan, where he worked on some of the most important missions...
Nov 11, 2023•32 min
We look at the recent survey of “The Best Places for Veterans to Live” with Cassie Happe from Wallet Hub dot com. Their recent survey analyzed the top 100 US cities and looked at where veterans are finding employment, great health care and the best quality of life. (Hello Florida and Texas) We also looked closely at additional metrics used to rank US cities, including growing economies and places where veterans are likely to find jobs based on their military experience. Find why vets are loving;...
Nov 10, 2023•20 min
Today we’re talking with Cal Thomas, about his latest book, “A Watchman in the night: What I’ve seen over 50 years reporting on America”. Thomas is a Vietnam era veteran who served as a radio broadcaster on Armed Forces Radio and then went on to become a legendary conservative journalist and Fox News broadcaster. We discuss what inspired his thoughts on American culture and conversations with Presidents, politicians, and world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Thomas r...
Nov 03, 2023•44 min
We investigate another side of the Israel-Hamas War raging in Gaza through the eye of a veteran who was an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Iraq War. In a recent op-ed, Dennis Fritz (Ret.) Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pentagon Senior Enlisted Advisor called out those in Congress who favor an escalation of fighting in Gaza, and even call for attacks on Iran. He calls for; the US to be a formidable peace broker in the region, lead efforts for real negotiations between Is...
Oct 27, 2023•30 min
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among cancer-afflicted Veterans. In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, VA is proud to participate in the second annual National Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Day. This significant day coincides with Veterans Day (November 11) emphasizing VA's commitment to our Veterans. We spoke with Dr. Chris Slatore, Chief Consultant, National Center for Lung Cancer Screening for the Veterans Health Administration, about the importance of this cancer screening awareness cam...
Oct 27, 2023•11 min
We take a deep look into the Israel-Hamas war through the eyes of a combat veteran and author with decades of experience fighting terrorism. Brad Taylor is a former Special Forces Lt. Colonel, who served in the Army’s most elite unit, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta … aka Delta Force. But more than just a Tier 1 Operator with vast tactical experience, Taylor’s knowledge of Hamas, Hezbollah and other Islamic terror groups stems from years of research as the best-selling author of ...
Oct 23, 2023•38 min
MDMA, commonly known as “Ecstasy” offers way more than its psychedelic, glow stick and rave reputation lead us to believe. Marine Corps veteran Juliana Mercer, Policy Director for Healing Breakthrough, a nonprofit organization leading the charge to get the VA to begin using MDMA Assisted Therapy, shares the incredible results of a Phase 3 clinical trial. We take a detailed look at the trials, where 67% of veterans who underwent MDMA Assisted Therapy were completely healed and examine how these s...
Oct 06, 2023•39 min
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and his wife Lauren Monroe, a musician and holistic wellness expert, founded Raven Drum Foundation to help veterans, first responders and other trauma survivors heal. They recently hosted Mountain Rhythm reset, a weekend retreat in Jackson Hole Wyoming. The weekend included rock star friends (like Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and Guns and Roses drummer Matt Sorum) but the real stars of the retreat were the veterans, first responders and trauma survivors who engaged wi...
Sep 29, 2023•35 min
We talked with Heather Prill, Senior Director of Strategy and Partnerships at The Home Dept Foundation about a recent multi-million-dollar grant and partnership with Bunker Labs which aims to help vets find jobs in the skilled trades and launch their own business in the trades. The partnership is part of the Foundation’s latest $6 million investment in skilled trades training through its “Path to Pro Program”, which aims to bridge the skilled labor gap by providing free, skilled trades training ...
Sep 29, 2023•20 min
Army Public Affairs Officer, Danielle Smith shares how she found financial and personal success after opening a Perspire Sauna Studio franchise. However, it was her military experience that played a huge role in her story. She describes how the intensity of her job at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay changed her perspective on life. But it also armed her with everything she needed to invest in her own business. Smith explained that the sauna business was not her first choice considering she lived in...
Sep 28, 2023•44 min
Today we look at how Navy veteran Alejandra Ameigan built the incredibly successful Vive Yoga and Jacksonville Natural Healing Wellness Center. She launched during the height of the pandemic and was on a crash course before attending a “business boot camp” which taught her how to scale her holistic health empire. Her journey began as a Respiratory Therapist in a hospital during the deadliest days of COVID. She describes how the toll of being on the front lines forced her to change direction. She...
Sep 16, 2023•39 min
Toby Harnden, Royal Navy veteran, and award-winning author talks about his best-selling book “First Casualty: The CIA’s mission to avenge 9/11”. It follows the thrilling story of Team Alpha, an eclectic band of linguists, tribal experts, and elite warriors, who were the first Americans to operate behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. The veteran author offers vivid details about how CIA Officers and Special Forces soldiers were dropped into the mountains of northern Afghanistan on October 17, 2001 ...
Sep 09, 2023•41 min
There is a tremendous focus on mental health in America today. But what are the real sources of pain for many vets? Making enough money to pay the bills. Air Force veteran and America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP), President, Jim Lorraine shows how this issue is the driving force behind anxiety, depression and even the suicide epidemic. However, help is available. We look at how AWP helps vets with emergency finances through local resources. And ways veterans can connect with AWP partners who are ...
Sep 08, 2023•28 min
Special Forces veteran and Connecting Vets.com Investigative Reporter, Jack Murphy, describes how a recently unsealed grand jury indictment is shedding light on murders that occurred on Ft. Bragg in 2020. When the bodies of an Army Delta Operator, William "Billy" Lavigne, 37, and U.S. Army veteran Timothy Dumas, 44, were found shot to death on the base there were instantly many unanswered questions. Murphy has tracked the investigation over the years and spoken with law enforcement officials and...
Sep 01, 2023•21 min
Veterans are creating a groundswell of support for federal marijuana legislation. Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) combat veteran Bryan Buckley is the co-founder of the Helmand Valley Growers Company, a retail cannabis company in California, talks about his own experience treating war wounds with medical marijuana, his foundation’s clinical research trials, and his meetings with politicians during a trip to Capitol Hill. We also talk with Marine Corps Major (Ret.) Tom Schueman about his new bo...
Aug 26, 2023•40 min
We hear a detailed update on what is being done to help residents of Maui, who saw their town burned to the ground during the recent wildfires. Earlier this week we spoke with Cajun Navy Ground Force Founder, Rob Gaudet who described what it was like on the ground when he arrived last week. Gaudet also describes the search for survivors, what they are calling a slow federal government response, and what we can all do to help residents struggling. You want to help a local charity doing great thin...
Aug 18, 2023•27 min
Today we have 2 incredible stories! They highlight how Building Homes for Heroes helps combat veterans overcome traumatic injuries, with the gift of a free home. We start with the story of Army Special Forces, Master Sergeant (Ret.) George Vera. He shares the gripping story of his “Alive Day” after being shot during a vicious firefight in Afghanistan that left him paralyzed. Next, BHH founder Andy Pujol describes how the idea of helping his fellow Americans was born while volunteering at ground ...
Aug 11, 2023•54 min
Navy SEAL veteran Remi Adeleke is truly one-of-a-kind! Born the son of an African tribal Chief, his family wealth was stripped by a corrupt government, his father tragically died, and he eventually landed on the dangerous streets of The Bronx. He beat all odds and became a SEAL, then went on to star in blockbuster films and became a best-selling author. In this episode we follow his journey from Africa to NYC, hear details about his adolescent life of crime and the faithful military recruiter wh...
Aug 04, 2023•53 min
We take a deep dive into a Navy SEAL’s Journey with psychedelics and how it inspired him to create a wellness software program that is having incredible success. After years of covert special operations missions and deadly combat, former SEAL Jonathan Wilson found himself with a great job at Goldman Sachs. On paper everything was great. But like many combat veterans understand, life would soon get out of control. Wilson describes his post-military pain in vivid detail, and how taking the psyched...
Jul 28, 2023•53 min
Special Forces veteran, Delta Force Team Leader and bestselling author Brad Taylor is back with “The Devil’s Ransom”. This high-octane combat adventure is the latest in the Pike Logan series, where Logan, (a fictional Spec Ops vet whose team conducts the highest classified missions) is tracking down cyber terrorists who attacked a commercial spacecraft in flight, all while trying to avoid being taken out by Taliban and Russian mercenaries searching for an ancient treasure stolen from Afghanistan...
Jul 21, 2023•39 min
This week we hear what it’s like to climb Mt. Everest … with only one leg! After surviving a helicopter crash while deployed in Afghanistan, Marine Corps veteran (Ret) Sgt. Kirstie Ennis endured a grueling recovery. But she went on to accomplish huge goals. From snowboarding champion to acclaimed mountaineer, she has used her athleticism and sheer determination to help her fellow vets live their best life. During our conversation she shared her story, and details about her second attempt to conq...
Jul 19, 2023•39 min
Can an energy drink be good for you? Former Special Forces combat medic Mike Chesne believes he and his team have developed one. Tecton Ketone Hydration is an energy drink that relies on the power of ketones, a chemical our body uses for energy when our liver burns fat, typically while fasting. We discussed how his idea was born after surviving many combat deployments and a career ending IED explosion. Struggling with constant brain fog and an endless list of VA prescribed drugs, Chesne describe...
Jul 03, 2023•39 min
Maddie Smith is a Spec Ops spouse, and her story is one that will inspire even the most hardened vets. She battled out of control drinking, postpartum depression, and crippling anxiety. We hear how her struggle with the bottle began, and how it almost drove her family apart. Maddie shares how she struggled to kick the habit, and how traditional recovery methods created other nightmare situations. After realizing Alcoholics Anonymous was not the right fit, Maddie was desperate. Then she discovere...
Jun 23, 2023•40 min
This week we focus on an incredible story of fatherhood, and its connection to veterans, PTSD, and mental health. Patrick Smithwick is a devoted father and author of the new book “War’s Over Come Home”. It’s the story of the ongoing quest to find his Marine Corps, combat veteran son, Andrew, who is currently roaming the country, homeless and fighting severe mental illness. We’ll hear how his son’s transition slowly went off the rails. And how his combat related PTSD may have played a pivotal par...
Jun 16, 2023•38 min
On today’s show we remember and honor the combat veteran, hip hop artist Doc Todd, whose life was cut short after a heart attack last month. George Michael Todd went by “Mik” but he was known to the rap world as “Doc Todd”. (Doc, a nickname for all Navy Corpsman, who are the first to respond to Marines and soldiers injured on the battlefield.) He was a big bear of a guy, who instantly made you feel good. Our friendship lasted several years, and over the course of several interviews he shared the...
Jun 09, 2023•45 min
On June 3, thousands will gather in DC and walk the city streets all night, to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Among those walking in the “Out of the Darkness; Overnight Walk” will be Air Force veteran Joan Pauling who shares how this all-night event was the first step on her journey to healing. Pauling offers a detailed discussion about how AFSP helps veterans, plus, how even people who appear to have it all together may be silently dealing with a mental health i...
Jun 02, 2023•51 min
He’s best known for his role as “Lt. Dan” in the film Forrest Gump, but for years acclaimed actor and veteran philanthropist Gary Sinise has been the host of the National Memorial Day concert. We talked about the concert and the incredible projects he's working on to support our wounded vets. Plus, the story behind his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the award-winning film. Watch the The National Memorial Day concert on PBS, Sun May 28, 8pm: https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/ Carry the L...
May 26, 2023•41 min
Sgt. Reckless is more than just a horse. Carrying ammo through explosive battlefields, she saved thousands of Marines during the Korean War in the early 1950s. In a research paper, Marine Corps veteran Dylan Clark documented her case and why she legally has the right to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His paper inspired animal and environmental attorney Jamie McLaughlin to create the current Change.org petition and push the DoD to give this Marine veteran the honors she earned. Sign th...
May 19, 2023•42 min
