Story Behind the Stone

"I think more importantly for my fellow veterans is just remember the promise that you made to never leave anyone behind." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Stuart Smith, who has dedicated 33 years to serving his fellow veterans. We explore Stuart's military service, his transition to civilian life, and his commitment to supporting veteran-owned businesses through organizations li...

"We all live in the world created by the First World War." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy, author of In the Centennial Footsteps of the Great War . Attila shares how a personal journey to Sarajevo evolved into a global project documenting the centenary of World War I. In this episode: - Discover why the First World War remains the most transformative pe...

"Every soldier’s story deserves to be remembered." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Courtney Trollinger, Vice President of Development at the Army Historical Foundation, the organization behind the National Museum of the United States Army. Courtney shares how the Foundation is safeguarding Army history and inspiring future generations through immersive exhibits. In this episode:...

"She deserved better, that she hadn’t joined the military. Me and my husband had both chosen to serve our country, but she hadn’t made that choice yet." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers in the United Kingdom. Louise shares how her personal journey as a military parent led to the creation of a national charity supporting children with par...

“No matter how you choose to commemorate or how you choose to remember people, just make sure you say their names.” This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Dr. Megan Wang, Historian and Academic Access Manager at the Royal Air Force Museum. Megan shares her passion for commemoration and the stories behind war graves in Britain and beyond. In this episode: - Understand the unique challen...

"Remembrance unites us and brings us together." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Philippa Rawlinson, Managing Director of the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK. Philippa shares how the Arboretum fosters connection through nature and storytelling, and why remembrance is more important than ever in today’s world. In this episode: - Learn how a memorial to the Desert Rats helped...

"Every day is different. Every day is exciting. And one of the things that drives me the most is this feeling of the overwhelming amount of stories that there are to be told at Arlington.” New this week is our episode featuring Dr. Allison S. Finkelstein with U.S. Army National Military Cemeteries Arlington National Cemetery where we learn about the incredible scale, scope, and deep meaning of thi...

“We have about 17,000 historical markers in Texas and every single one tells a story worth remembering.” – Charles Sadnick , Texas Historical Commission In this week's episode we speak with Charles Sadnick and Bob Brinkman of the Texas Historical Commission. Charles and Bob talk about preserving Texas history through their historical marker program, where each marker reveals a moment, a person, or...

"The ultimate purpose of the Casualty Identification Program is for the missing to be buried with their name, by their unit, and in the presence of their family." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Alexandra McKinnon, historian with the Canadian Department of Defence Casualty Identification Program. Alexandra shares how her team is using historical research, forensic anthropology,...

"War does something to you...it affects you for the rest of your life." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with New York Times bestselling author and veteran Stephen Harding. Stephen shares how a year in military hospitals shaped his lifelong commitment to telling the stories of those who served and those who never came home. His work explores the human cost of war, the complexities of...

"We want the public sentiment to turn away from war and towards reconciliation." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Professor Anoma Pieris and Arthur Tsakonas from the University of Melbourne about the Yokohama War Cemetery and the exhibition they co-curated at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. Eucalypts of Hodogaya is more than an architectural story. It’s a reflection on me...

“They're ordinary people who in a moment of time on the battlefield, courage met circumstance, and they did something extraordinary.” This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Mike Caldwell and Kevin Basik of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. Together, they’re building a museum, a monument, and a movement to help people reconnect with the values that hold a nation together. M...

"I didn’t go looking for it. It found me." This week we speak with Cyndi Benavides , Army veteran and founder of the nonprofit Mallory Cemetery, a historic cemetery tucked into the heart of Franklin, Tennessee. In this episode, Cyndi shares how a quiet walk in 2020 turned into a mission of preservation, storytelling, and connection. In this episode: - Learn how one veteran became the voice for a f...

"Just because they hang up the uniform doesn’t mean they stop serving." This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Steve Topham of Wounded Warriors Canada about the healing power of remembrance, the importance of community, and the transformative experience of the Battlefield Bike Ride. From Vimy Ridge to the Scheldt Estuary, Steve shares how this annual ride helps veterans, first responde...

“We had a nominee called Bryan Phillips, unbelievable lad. Double amputee. He was in the Irish Guards, lost his legs in Afghanistan. And when I saw his name was called out and he stood up ... I turned to my wife and I said, that's why I've done this.” This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Jason Gillard , veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Veteran Awards Ireland. Jason’s mission is...

"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 sha...

"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...

“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 i...

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 th...

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...