Vetted Conversations

Losing a leg in 2020 could have been the end of John Brace's athletic story. Instead, it was the beginning of a new one. In this episode, Anil sits down with Marine Corps veteran and wheelchair football quarterback John Brace, who joined the Move United Wheelchair Football League as a rookie linebacker and ended up calling plays under center when his team needed him most. They talk about the...

Eleven years of professional football leaves a mark and former defensive end Patrick Kerney has spent a lot of time thinking about what that mark might look like decades from now. In this episode, Anil sits down with Patrick and Tom Latkovic, co-founder of Better Brain, to talk about what the latest science says about Alzheimer's and dementia prevention, the risk factors we can actually contr...

Kevin Fredericks, known to the internet as KevOnStage, is a comedian and content creator who has built a massive following on laughs. But in this episode, he brings something else too. Sitting down with guest host and Army veteran Jermaine Clark, Kevin opens up about growing up as a military brat with a father who served 28 years in the Army and now with a wife who lived the same life. From El Pas...

Former world-ranked UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr knows what it's like to compete in front of 60,000 fans and he knows what it's like when the roar goes quiet. In this conversation, Anil sits down with the subject of The Smashing Machine to explore what fighters and veterans have in common when the spotlight fades: identity loss, mental health struggles, and financial instability. M...

Anil sits down with Khalid Cannon, Executive Director of Put Me In, an organization on a mission to make sure kids with incarcerated parents don't have to sit on the sidelines. Khalid's story is as compelling as the work he's doing. Growing up in Alabama with a father in prison, youth sports gave him something invaluable—a place to just be a kid. That experience became the foundatio...

Former Washington Commanders defensive end Jake Martin joins Anil from Radio Row at Super Bowl LX for a conversation that goes well beyond the football field. Jake opens up about what it took to push through a tough season, the culture Coach Dan Quinn has built in Washington, and why the makings of a great team aren't all that different from the makings of a great unit. With his sister curren...

We're celebrating the Season 4 halfway mark with a double feature — two conversations, two incredible guests, two hosts, and one common thread: service. First, Nate Boyer sits down with sports journalist and NFL Network host Erin Coscarelli. Beyond the bright lights of a Super Bowl week, Erin opens up about her family's military roots, what it really takes to build the next generation of...

New York Jets quarterback Hendon Hooker joins us live from Media Row at Super Bowl LX for a conversation about leadership, literacy, and investing in the next generation. Hendon shares how his father instilled a love of reading from an early age — and how that habit has made him a sharper, more effective quarterback on the field. Keep up with Hendon Hooker on IG at @hendonhooker or find him on Twi...

In this episode, we chat with singer/songwriter Rachel Hale for a conversation about family, patriotism, and what it means to carry a legacy of service. A finalist on American Idol, Rachel has spent her career using her voice to honor this country by singing the national anthem at NFL games and most recently at the DAV Bowl. She also traces her roots all the way back to Nathan Hale of the American...

In this episode, we're joined by former Navy SEAL, NFL player, and social entrepreneur Clint Bruce for a conversation about what it really means to perform, lead, and serve. From the football field to the battlefield to the boardroom, Clint unpacks how competition forged his character, why most of winning is really just about lasting, and the difference between being busy, productive, and fru...

In this episode, we’re joined by retired Army Lieutenant General and CEO of the USO, Mike Linnington, along with NFL stars and USO Global Ambassadors Vince Wilfork and Aaron Jones, for a conversation about what it really means to show up for our troops. As the USO celebrates its 85th birthday, the group reflects on connecting with service members across 11 countries in just three years and why tho...

In this episode, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran BJ Ganem, founder of Sierra Delta, to talk about the experiences that shaped both his service and his mission after the military. BJ shares the story behind starting Sierra Delta and why supporting the bond between veterans and their dogs became his life’s work. He also talks about events like the DAV Bowl, hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, and his ap...

This episode is a short, but sweet one as we have actor, comedian, Marine Corps veteran, die-hard Chiefs fan and overall legend Rob Riggle. We chat about his prediction for Super Bowl LX (spoiler alert: he was right), Pat’s Run with our friends at the Pat Tillman Foundation, and how he’s celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Side effects may include: laughing out loud, rewinding twice, and instant...

In this episode, we’re joined by Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, to talk about the impact of the NFL’s Salute to Service program and the powerful moment when veteran and military family focused nonprofits came together during Super Bowl LX. Anne Marie shares how partnerships like these help strengthen the veteran and military family community, why moments like the Super B...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Wounded Warrior Project’s Joe Allen Lloyd and Loaman “Nelly” Nelson, two Navy veterans who first met more than 20 years ago and recently attended Super Bowl LX courtesy of WWP. Joe and Nelly share their experiences with Wounded Warrior Project, how the organization has played a therapeutic role in their lives, and reflect on their time serving in the military....

In this episode, we sit down with TAPS Sports and Entertainment leaders, Diana Roday Hosford and Jessica Harper, to discuss their mission of supporting families of the fallen. From sports programs and mentorship to education benefits and policy advocacy. The two also highlight how TAPS being an NFL Salute to Service partner helps support surviving families, ensuring every family knows they are not...

In this episode, we talk with Craig Jones and Michael Mabes, two Vietnam veterans who didn't meet during their time in service, but their paths were shaped by it. Craig served as a Green Beret medic during the Tet Offensive. Michael served in the Navy aboard the USS Procyon. Both came home, both put down roots in San Francisco, and both, independently, found their way to the polls. Hear their...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations , former NFL star and Green Bay Packers all-time leading rusher Ahman Green joins us from Radio Row to discuss his latest ventures in gaming, athlete-led media, and community-driven Esports. As a founder of Alumni Media Network and AME Leagues, Ahman shares how he is building inclusive spaces for former athletes and military veterans to connect through conte...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, journalist and entrepreneur Tracy Sandler joins us from Radio Row to share the story behind founding Fangirl Sports Network, a platform created to empower female sports fans and spotlight meaningful causes. Tracy reflects on her experience covering Salute to Service award-winner George Kittle, her background in civic volunteerism, and the importance of comm...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, football coach and media personality Dr. Anthony Blevins joins us from Radio Row at the Super Bowl to discuss his coaching journey across high school, college, the NFL, and spring leagues. As the son of an Army veteran and part of a multi-generational military family, Blevins reflects on how military values shaped his leadership style, discipline, and caree...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, legendary Fox Sports broadcaster Chris Myers joins us from Radio Row to reflect on his decades-long career covering historic moments in sports and beyond. He shares stories from his new book That Deserves a Wow , discusses his father’s heroic World War II service in the U.S. Navy, and highlights the deep ties between sports, service, and civic responsibilit...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg joins us to reflect on the deep cultural ties between military service and football. He shares stories of connecting troops overseas with NFL players and the inspiration behind his new foundation focused on concussion awareness and brain health. Together, we explore how honoring service and building community can unite...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, Army veteran and former professional athlete Michael Smith shares his inspiring journey from injury to international competition and advocacy. Representing the U.S. Army in the World Class Athlete Program and now serving as an ambassador for Sierra Delta, Michael reflects on how service, identity, and purpose continue beyond the military. https://www.sierra...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, Navy Captain Jervy Alota and former NFL player Clint Bruce share a heartfelt conversation about mentorship, military service, and lifelong leadership. They reflect on their time at the Naval Academy, the role of discipline and opportunity in shaping their careers, and the importance of guiding the next generation. Their stories emphasize the power of contin...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, the military spouses on our team open up about the camaraderie, challenges, and misconceptions that come with military life. They reflect on the strength, adaptability, and leadership military spouses bring to every space they’re in. Tune in to hear how military spouses can take part in civic life and make an impact through programs like Vet the Vote and Mi...