"I didn’t understand the stakes until I saw what these men had done and how they continue to serve." This week we speak with John Shertzer , Executive Director of the Medal of Honor Foundation , about the sacred mission of preserving valor, inspiring citizenship, and connecting generations through the legacy of America’s highest military honor. From classroom programs to national museums, John shares how the Foundation is amplifying the stories of Medal of Honor recipients and helping young peop...
Aug 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 33
"Commemoration is another kind of service. It is about remembering those who came before and inspiring those who come next." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Jay Singh-Sohal, active reservist, veteran, Chairman of the World War I Sikh Memorial, Trustee of The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, about representation, remembrance, and the power of storytelling. From Birmingham to Burma, Jay shares how his personal journey led to a global mission honouring Sikh and Commonwealth co...
Aug 20, 2025•35 min•Ep. 32
“We’re carrying that torch of remembrance - that baton we’re passing over for future generations.” This week on Story Behind the Stone, we sit down with Ben Mayne, battlefield tour guide and UK Director of Liberation Route Europe, to talk about remembrance, reconnection, and the power of walking in the footsteps of history. From Normandy to the Netherlands, Ben shares how Liberation Route Europe is building a network of trails, stories, and sites that help families, veterans, and future generati...
Aug 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 31
This week on the podcast we go deep into history (literally and figuratively) with Gail Francis-Tiron and Pete Jackson M.B.E. , two passionate stewards of history, preserving Gibraltar’s World War II legacy at The Tunnels Gibraltar's WWII Experience, which preserves miles and miles of tunnels carved into the Rock. Join us as we explore: 🌄 The strategic role Gibraltar played in WWII 🚢 Discover the emotional stories of wartime evacuation and return 🕵 Learn how Ian Fleming’s time in Gibraltar in...
Aug 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 30
How do you build a memorial for a war that’s still shaping lives? Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, shares his deeply personal mission to create a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. honoring generations of service and sacrifice. From 21 years in uniform to spearheading a project of national healing, Rod’s story is one of resilience, community, and remembrance. 🌟 Hear about the four guiding tenets — Honor. Heal. Empower. Unite. — and w...
Jul 23, 2025•37 min•Ep. 28
Traditional cremation leaves behind more than memories — it leaves behind toxic, fossil-like remains. This week we sit down with Amanda Kelly, co-founder of AWAKE, to talk about the quiet revolution in cremation — one rooted in science, soil, and sustainability. 🌱 Learn about: The rise of cremation: 60%+ in the U.S. (up from 3% in 1960!) Why traditional ashes don’t biodegrade The why behind AWAKE’s soil science What veterans and families are asking for in green burials...
Jul 22, 2025•27 min•Ep. 29
What happens when faith meets the frontlines? In this episode of Story Behind the Stone , we sit down with Patricia Cecil, Specialist Curator of Faith, Religion, and WWI at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Patricia takes us behind the scenes of Sacred Service , an extraordinary exhibit that uncovers how chaplains became unlikely healers, helpers, and mental health champions during the Great War. From 3D scans of rare artifacts to stories of sacrifice and courage, this convers...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone , host Matthew Cudmore sits down with France Q. Hoang—Army Ranger, former White House Counsel, Special Assistant to the President, and co-founder of AI-powered platform BoodleBox. Born in Saigon in 1973, France and his family were airlifted from Vietnam in 1975 as the city fell, beginning a journey that shaped a life of extraordinary service, leadership, and innovation. From graduating in the top 1% at West Point to serving in Bosnia and Afghanistan, and...
Jul 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 26
In this conversation, Matthew Cudmore and Ryan Mullens speak with Lee Collins, Chief of Staff at Pacific Historic Parks, about the organization's mission to preserve and honor the history of World War II and the sacrifices made by veterans. Lee shares his personal journey from military service to his current role, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, education, and volunteerism in preserving history. He recounts poignant stories of courage and sacrifice, highlighting the values th...
Jun 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, host Matthew Cudmore speaks with Gillian Nye, Forest Memorials Manager at Better Place Forests. Better Place Forests is a nonprofit operating nine memorial forests across the United States. They discuss the unique concept of memorial forests, where individuals can have their ashes placed in nature, creating a lasting tribute. Gillian shares her personal journey into this meaningful work, the experiences of families visiting the forests, and the special ...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore engage with Terri-Anne Simmonds, Head of Digital at the Australian War Memorial. They explore the significance of the memorial, its multifaceted role as a museum, memorial, and archive, and the personal connections Australians have with their military history. The conversation delves into the Places of Pride project, commemorative practices like Anzac Day, and the impact of modern conflicts on remembrance. Terri-Anne sha...
Jun 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 23
CEO of the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation Jeremy Diamond discusses his journey into the field of history and commemoration, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and personal narratives in engaging the public with Canadian history. He highlights the role of the RCAF Foundation in connecting generations through shared stories and innovative digital approaches to education. The conversation also touches on the future aspirations of the foundation, focusing on inspiring youth and ensuring...
Jun 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, host Matthew Cudmore speaks with Amy Osborn, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Museum. They discuss Amy's journey to the memorial, the unique features of the memorial, the impact of educational programs on youth, and the emotional rewards of working with veterans. Amy shares stories of the docents, the process of adding names to the memorial wall, and the future plans for expansion and support from the community. Th...
May 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore speak with William (Bill) Butler, the Acting President of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Bill shares his extensive military background and discusses the museum's mission to honor veterans and elevate their stories. The conversation explores the challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life, the importance of community engagement, and the various programs the museum offers...
May 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore engage with Nicolas (Nick) McCarthy, the Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Outreach for Canada's National Cemetery, Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, exploring its rich history and unique features. They discuss Nick's unconventional journey into the cemetery industry, the significance of Beechwood as a military and cultural landmark, and the personal stories that make it a living history of Canada. The conversation also touches on t...
May 16, 2025•46 min•Ep. 19
In this episode, A.J. Orlikoff, the interim executive director of the Historic Congressional Cemetery, shares his journey and passion for history. He discusses the unique features of the cemetery, its role as a community space, and the notable figures interred there. A.J. highlights the importance of serving bereaved families and the lively atmosphere of the cemetery, which includes an active dog-walking program and various community events. He also shares inspiring stories of individuals like L...
May 15, 2025•49 min•Ep. 18
The Library of Congress Veterans History Project is the most extensive oral history project in American history, with over 120,000 collections, encompassing oral, physical, digital artifacts and recordings of U.S. veterans — across generations of servicemembers and conflicts dating back to the First World War. In today's episode join us as we sit down with the dynamic Monica Mohindra, Director of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. who heads up a team raci...
Apr 30, 2025•40 min•Ep. 17
In this conversation, Ryan Mullens and co-hosts Matthew Cudmore and Matthew Stewart sit down with Jason Van Bruggen, a Dutch-Canadian visual artist behind the 80 Years of Freedom project. They discuss Jason's artistic journey, the importance of visual storytelling, and the emotional impact of sharing personal histories, particularly from the civilian perspective during wartime. The conversation highlights the significance of commemoration and the challenges faced in preserving these narratives f...
Apr 26, 2025•29 min•Ep. 16
Join us for our very first "walk and talk" episode hosted by Matthew Stewart and featuring guests Elizabeth Wratislav and Jacob Siermans who head up Te Arawhata, the New Zealand Liberation Museum located in Le Quesnoy, France. Elizabeth and Jacob share the museum's mission to commemorate New Zealand's role in World War I, particularly the liberation of the historic walled French village Le Quesnoy, and the ladder to liberation that helped free the town from occupation in the World War I.
Apr 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, host Matthew Cudmore interviews author Roseanna Rolph about her historical memoir, 'Dear Mr. Snippet,' which is based on the letters exchanged between her grandparents during World War II. Roseanna shares the emotional journey of discovering these letters, the significance of transcribing them, and the insights gained about her grandparents' relationship and experiences during the war. The conversation also touches on the impact of the book, her collabo...
Apr 17, 2025•25 min•Ep. 14
In this conversation, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore speak with Caitlin Bailey, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation. They discuss the foundation's mission to educate Canadians about their history, particularly the significance of Vimy Ridge, and the various programs aimed at youth engagement and commemoration. Caitlin shares her unexpected journey to the foundation, the importance of Vimy Ridge in Canadian identity, and the impact of their youth programs. The conversation also touches on...
Apr 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of Story Behind the Stone, host Matthew Cudmore speaks with Rich Darby, founder and president of Operation Honor Guard. The organization aims to support honor guards across the United States, which are primarily composed of volunteers who perform military honors at funerals. Rich shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind the organization, and the emotional significance of military funerals. He discusses the challenges faced by honor guards, the need for financial suppor...
Mar 31, 2025•27 min•Ep. 12
Join Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore as they speak with Nicola Nash from the Ministry of Defence about her work in the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Center (The War Detectives). They discuss the challenges of identifying military casualties from various conflicts, the emotional connections formed with families, and the importance of storytelling in remembering those who served. Nicola shares her experiences in Korea, the processes involved in identifying unknown soldiers, and the significanc...
Mar 21, 2025•33 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, Ryan and Matt sit down with Renée Davis, a research historian with the Department of National Defence Directorate of History and Heritage working in the Casualty Identification Program. They discuss Renee's journey into military history, the nature of her work in identifying the remains and graves of Canadian service members, and the emotional impact this work has on families. Renee shares specific case studies, including the identification of Private Arthur Venance, and emphasi...
Mar 17, 2025•37 min•Ep. 10
In this conversation, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore discuss the history and significance of war graves in Norway and around the world with Haakon Vinje from the Norwegian War Graves Service. They explore Norway's role in World War II, the traditions of commemoration, and the complexities of maintaining war graves for both Norwegian and foreign soldiers. Haakon shares personal stories of sacrifice, the importance of recognizing all contributions to the war effort, including those of the mercha...
Mar 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 9
Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore speak with Stuart Taylor, the president and CEO of the Allied Forces Foundation (AFF). They discuss the foundation's mission to support wounded warriors through various events and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of communication, connection, and family involvement. Stuart shares powerful personal stories of transformation and healing, highlighting the impact of the AFF's work on veterans and their families. The conversation also touches on upcoming events...
Mar 07, 2025•26 min•Ep. 8
Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore sit down with "The Running Historian", Professor Sam Edwards, exploring themes of memory, commemoration, and the impact of historical events on contemporary society. Sam shares his personal journey into the field of history, influenced by the American military presence in Eastern England during World War II. The discussion delves into the significance of memorials, the role of technology in preserving memory, and the importance of complicating historical narrativ...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 7
In this conversation, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore welcome Ultan Moran from Glasnevin Irish National Cemetery, exploring its rich history, notable figures buried there, and the cultural significance of cemeteries. Ultan shares insights into the cemetery's origins, the stories of prominent individuals, and the unique features that make Glasnevin a significant historical site. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of commemoration and the importance of preserving these narratives ...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 6
Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore speak with Scott Smith from the Royal Parks about his journey to the organization, the historical significance of the parks, and the role of technology in preserving their rich heritage. Scott shares insights into the parks' connection to World War II, personal stories of veterans, and the importance of remembrance. The discussion also touches on the impact of community involvement and the need to pass on these stories to future generations, concluding with book ...
Mar 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 5
In this episode, Ryan Mullens and Matthew Cudmore chat with Simon Bendry from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to explore the organization's vital role in commemorating those who served in the Commonwealth. They discuss the history of the CWGC, the unique stories behind various cemeteries, and the importance of personal connections behind the gravestones. The conversation also highlights the challenges faced in modern commemoration, the impact of technology in preserving stories, an...
Feb 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 4
