Thinking you might need to stop drinking? This episode is for you. As we kick off the New Year, many folks attempt to give up alcohol in what’s commonly called “Dry January”. But for many veterans, drinking becomes more than just a social vice … it can have dangerous, criminal and even deadly consequences. We talked with former Navy Destroyer Commanding Officer, Jay Wylie, who shared his battle with booze, and how drinking went from a coping mechanism, to collapsing his military career. Tracing ...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min
We’re keeping the Christmas spirit alive, by sharing incredible letters written by service members deployed long ago. The letters come to us from Andrew Carroll, Founder of The Center for American War Letters, who has archived and preserved over 200K letters- some dating back to the Revolutionary War. We discussed several pieces from the collection, including; a letter from an Army nurse, expressing her condolences to the family of a soldier she cared for at the end of the war, and who didn’t pa...
Dec 23, 2024•33 min
It’s a week after the thrilling 125th Army-Navy Game, but even after the game, we still love hearing stories from our fellow Soldiers and Sailors. During our time on USAA’s Media Row, we had fascinating conversations with military vets and senior military leaders. We start with Maj. General Brett Sylvia, Commanding General of the Army’s mighty 101st Airborne (Air Assault). He shared some history from this legendary unit and offered a glimpse at the lethal capability they're bringing into the fut...
Dec 20, 2024•58 min
On this episode we talk with best-selling veteran authors about their fascinating books. We start with a brand-new release, “We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History” from Special Forces veteran, journalist and author Jack Murphy, who takes a deep dive into historical events that have never been written about before. Murphy describes his interviews with veterans who conducted ops you'll never read about in the history books ... like the time a team parachuted into position with a nuc...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This is the story of Army veteran and former Apache helicopter pilot Kevin Byrne, and his unstoppable mission to fight Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Initially diagnosed while leading a squadron in Korea, he has since become a staunch supporter of his fellow MS patients and the National MS Society, through his non-profit organization “Never Stop Never Quit”. Through his website he offers books, blogs, recipes other ways people living with MS can still thrive. As this holiday season serves as a reminde...
Dec 06, 2024•29 min
Marines are once again helping make Christmas wishes come true through the annual “Toys for Tots” gift donation campaign . We spoke with (Ret.) Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Simon Hebert about this awesome program. Herbert has unique experience as a Louisiana native who came from humble roots, and was once a recipient of gifts from Toys for Tots. Today he enjoys being able to give back and continues the tradition near Quantico, VA. We also hear about the powerful ways Navy Federal Credit Union i...
Dec 06, 2024•18 min
Thanksgiving gatherings and football games have us in the mood for food! So, we’re serving up the story of Army veteran Andrew Arbogast, who went from flying combat missions to building Arbo’s Cheese Dip into a national success. We start with some epic memories from inside the Apache cockpit- the world’s most advanced attack helicopter. Arbogast also recalls enjoying care packages filled with meats and cheeses on a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan, and how those moments eventually inspired ...
Nov 27, 2024•40 min
We talk with Army combat veteran, and former Special Forces Public Affairs specialist, Aaron Knowles about “Shred the Stress” an organization he founded to bring the therapeutic benefits of the “Onewheel” electric skateboard, to veterans everywhere. We begin by tracking his days in Iraq and the events that nearly cost him his life. After surviving IED explosions and multiple life-changing moments, Knowles shared his transition from heavy vehicle operator to managing public affairs for units with...
Nov 22, 2024•48 min
Former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone and his wife Amber share their emotional story about how a medically assisted Ibogaine treatment session saved their family, and this combat veteran’s life. We begin by looking at how life as a Navy SEAL “breacher” and explosives expert, left Marcus with what seemed like untreatable PTSD and brain injuries. We learn how Marcus, once full of life and drive, was quickly slipping into the depression and anger often associated with these injuries. While war fighters re...
Nov 15, 2024•59 min
Decorated Army veteran, (Ret.) Master Sgt. Patricia Baisden shares how the Purple Heart is more than just the medal awarded for being wounded in combat. She described how years after her service, The Purple Heart Foundation helped her in ways the federal government does not. More than complex medical issues or acquiring the benefits she earned, she received help with life’s basic needs … car trouble. Her story illustrates how Purple Heart Foundation’s financial assistance really delivers the thi...
Nov 08, 2024•18 min
Navy Hospital Corpsman are revered among the infantry as the medics who rush into combat to treat the wounded. However not all Navy Corpsman pursue a career in healthcare or the medical field after their military service. Navy Corpsman veteran Vaughn Sullenberger went from serving with Marines to serving all veterans as a Mortgage Loan Manager for Navy Federal Credit Union. He shares the specific steps he took that led to his post military success. But like qualifying for a loan, making a succes...
Nov 07, 2024•28 min
Many Americans just assume vets always vote for the candidate who talks toughest about national defense, or offers strong positions on policies related to terrorism. While in some cases that may be true, the biggest question this year is still quite simple- Do vets favor Trump or Harris? A recent survey of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) members, offers an interesting glimpse at where this group stands, just days before the election. IAVA, CEO, and Army veteran Allison Jaslow rev...
Nov 01, 2024•18 min
We’re taking a deep look into one of the most the significant elections of our lifetime with the nonpartisan, veteran-led group, “Vet the Vote” who recently recruited over 163K vets to volunteer at election sites nationwide. Army veteran, VTV Deputy Director Loren Westerfield and Navy helicopter pilot veteran, Julie Hendricks share the impact veterans make while serving at election sites. And as social media explodes (again) with; allegations of voter fraud, social users posting evidence through...
Nov 01, 2024•37 min
We talk with Army veteran, Infantry Officer and former West Point hockey player Matt Schachman, who works on a unique team of veterans (and partners with Special Operations backgrounds) to lead mid-level businesses to massive growth. It was a big departure from leading platoons in Iraq and Afghanistan, so we begin with the lessons he learned leading troops in combat. But more than the usual war stories- Schachman reflects on a pivotal moment with an Iraqi police chief, and how he learned a vital...
Oct 25, 2024•42 min
For many veterans, mental health challenges can appear after their service. So imagine if depression, anxiety or even diseases that result in cognitive decline could be detected from just the sound of our voice. And, all of this it could be easily accessed through your phone. Well, it’s happening- within the new, AI-powered, voice analysis app, Canary Speech. We talked about it's benefits for veterans with co-founder and acclaimed scientist Henry O’Connell. He described how together with Jeff Ad...
Oct 18, 2024•36 min
In the days (and weeks) since Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina, veterans serving with Team Rubicon moved into action. We spoke with Army paratrooper veteran, Drew Hanna, who described what he witnessed and his team’s mission to restore the Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, a transitional housing facility that assists veterans in need. Hanna also offered a behind the scenes look at how volunteers live while deployed to disaster areas and he spoke about other relief organizations that...
Oct 11, 2024•19 min
This week we’re highlighting veteran-led disaster relief groups currently working to help those devastated by two recent hurricanes. In the hours prior to Hurricane Milton crushing Florida’s Gulf Coast, we spoke with Special Operations veteran and former Intelligence Officer Bryan Stern, Founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation. Over the past 2 weeks, he and his team at Grey Bull have helped rescue disaster victims from Florida to NC. Beyond the recent hurricanes, he and his military veteran team ...
Oct 11, 2024•36 min
Today we’re talking with Army veteran, entrepreneur Trace Miller, about his revolutionary fast food franchise "Konala Protein Bowls and Salads". We’ll hear how it combines incredibly healthy food with the traditional drive thru, which is a staple of the American diet … yet slowly poisons us. Trace’s inspiration for using whole foods as a cure for disease was not born in the gym. Food was an essential part of how he defeated Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy as a child. His toddler days were filled with se...
Oct 04, 2024•56 min
Retired Lt Colonel Rob Schroder has gone from flying Harrier jets in combat to founding the hi-tech solutions company, SteerBridge. Their work supports everything from projects that modernize VA systems to designing data driven solutions for our nation’s defense and other major clients. Over the years SteerBridge has relied on exceptional talent, including former Baltimore Raven’s offensive lineman, Jason Thomas, now a Project Manager and leads their Veteran Affairs. Throughout this interview we...
Sep 27, 2024•57 min
Today we’re talking with Marine Corps combat veteran and award winning truck driver, Jesus Davila about National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept 15 thru 21st. During our conversation Jesus shared what the industry is like, stories from the road including delivery of one of the nation’s most important trees, and we hear how the trucking industry is a perfect fit for veterans. But long before Jesus joined the trucking industry, he was a Marine in Iraq … and he explained how being in a truck w...
Sep 13, 2024•41 min
Whether it's about Walz or Vance, Infantry vs. Admin, the current political climate is charged with toxic rhetoric. Social media has erupted with veterans dismissing the National Guard service of Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz, while others are claiming that Republican VP candidate Sen JD Vance was merely a photographer while he served in Iraq. The effect of this politically inspired mud slinging divides a community who would normally have each other’s back. So, we turn to Retir...
Sep 06, 2024•40 min
The events surrounding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August '21 (and our overall strategy) have had a huge impact on the veteran community, both physically and mentally. So, this week we’re sharing the words of our most insightful guests. We begin with Army veteran and DoD Intelligence Contractor Pete Turner. His interview was both an analysis of the situation he witnessed, and an indictment of the DoD’s failed strategy. This is easily one of our favorite interviews and one listeners wil...
Sep 04, 2024•41 min
Today we’re talking about the bright future of Navy veteran Jason Stucky, thanks to his decision to pursue business ownership and open a Color Me Mine pottery painting franchise in the suburbs of Chicago. We begin with the story of his time in the Navy. As an “AZ” Aircraft Maintenance Administration Specialist aboard the carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), Jason was responsible for the readiness of combat aircraft and the lives of the pilots. He was on a path to a stellar future, until it was ended ...
Aug 23, 2024•41 min
Today we’re hearing from two combat veterans and Purple Heart recipients about how the Purple Heart Foundation stepped up and helped them with financial assistance when they needed it most. After deployments to Kosovo and Iraq, Army veteran Michael Lipari was wounded in Afghanistan. He offers a vivid look at life during combat, how our military mishandled PTSD, and how the Purple Heart Foundation helped him through the storms he faced long after his service. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. John...
Aug 19, 2024•41 min
As we enter the Dog Days of Summer, it’s only appropriate that we highlight a veteran support organization that connects veterans and children with autism with amazing service dogs. Brandon Butler, CEO of Retrieving Freedom describes their service dog training and placement program. To demonstrate the huge impact these amazing dogs make, Air Force veteran and Chaplain, (Ret.) Lt. Colonel Patrick Genseal, shares his emotional story of the trauma he experienced while deployed in Iraq. He offers a ...
Aug 16, 2024•40 min
Air Force veteran and successful entrepreneur Jessie Tait founded "Enspra" a national company specializing in environmental testing, commercial cleaning auditing and consumer pet product testing. Her inspiration to develop more effective cleaning methods for large public spaces came after she contracted a bacterial infection from her seat, during a flight to Florida. Shortly afterward, the country locked down due to the global pandemic. Tait began experimenting with Ozone generators to kill cont...
Aug 02, 2024•39 min
We talk with former Army Master Sergeant Paul Holt about going from military intelligence to owning an incredibly successful home inspection franchise, Pillar to Post. He shares how his approach to a new career resulted in exceeding revenue goals for the past six years! Our conversation begins with his fascinating background as a satellite imagery analyst and how he worked with Task Force ODIN, a covert and crucial team which the US military employed to eliminate insurgents and IEDs in Iraq and ...
Jul 26, 2024•43 min
Former Green Beret Officer Matt Bowman talks about the innovative new app Autobiographer. After the loss of a friend he wanted to share their incredible memories and preserve them forever. After going from the military to Facebook, he worked with other co-founders to bring this incredible technology to life. Autobiographer allows users to simply speak about their life, and an AI powered interviewer helps convert these spoken memories into incredible content which can be converted into letters fo...
Jul 19, 2024•49 min
As Israel continues to be locked in war with terrorist organizations, there are predictions of a severe escalation with Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon. Special Operations veteran Bryan Stern, hostage rescue expert, and founder of the veteran-led organization Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, discusses the situation, and why his team is already staged in Beirut. Plus, Stern also shares; How this rescue op is even more complex than those he conducted in Afghanistan Why he believes another 9/11 event ...
Jul 03, 2024•30 min
Today we’ll meet world-renowned yoga master Daniel Hickman … but what I initially found interesting is that he’s not a Buddhist monk, or a ninja Sensei from Japan. He's a dude I grew up with in suburban Maryland, and we actually went to high school together in the 80s. Dan’s journey began with studying martial arts and then working in professional theater. He later became an expert rock climber, but eventually pursued even deeper enlightenment by studying with monks to become an accomplished exp...
Jun 28, 2024•40 min
