Story Behind the Stone

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, comm...

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...

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 dur...

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, a...

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 p...

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 j...

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, comme...

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 conversatio...

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 addi...

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...

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,...

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-...

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...

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 hi...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 h...

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. Ren...

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 sacrifi...

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 impac...

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,...

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 als...

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 comm...