WWIA Podcast

We could not accomplish our mission of bringing Honor, Connection, and Healing to America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart Recipients without having such an incredible group of patriotic supporters throughout North America. The generosity and selfless efforts these individuals, communities, and businesses offer in support of WWIA and our Heroes is simply remarkable. Our special guest today on the WWI...

On this latest episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes a longstanding friend and supporter of the Foundation, Mr. Kenny Thompson. Kenny is a part of Mighty Team MO-KAN, an exceptional group of supporters who have been honoring and serving our combat-wounded veterans through two outstanding annual events, the MO-KAN Ducks, Bucks, and Trapping Event, currently in i...

We are blessed and honored to have some remarkable partnerships that help us further our mission. One such partner of the Foundation is HotSpring Spas of Music City. Owned and operated by brothers Dennis and Kevin Croteau, they have been tremendous supporters over the years of WWIA and the Purple Heart Heroes we proudly serve. Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes Kevin Croteau to th...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee and Legendary Angler Joe Bucher to the WWIA Podcast. Joe is one of the most highly regarded multispecies fishing authorities in the outdoor business trade, having been an on-camera talent for 24 years. While his specialty is arguably muskies, Joe is equally adept at catching bass, walleyes, and other gam...

Most of us would agree that we live in a day and age where the pace of life is just blistering. Considering that we only have so much time and energy to give, deciding how and what we will devote our time and energy toward is all-important. In today’s episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, addresses this topic and provides some insight on how we can effectively bring bal...

Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, shares a wonderful conversation with Purple Heart Hero and WWIA Guide, Mr. Asa Barrett. Asa has been an avid outdoorsman since a young age. He grew up in a rural town outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather at the family ranch, and also worked as a guide for a Hog Hunting outfitter on weekends during high school. His...

Our WWIA events could not take place were it not for the generosity and selfless efforts of so many remarkable Hosts across North America. Today, we are honored to introduce you to one of our WWIA event Hosts that has been helping facilitate healing and recovery in the lives of our Heroes for over a decade! WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes Mr. Dan Bevevino to the podcast. Dan and his...

It is an honor to introduce you to some of America’s remarkable combat-wounded veterans. Sharing their stories and experiences with all of you is a high privilege. This week on the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes an outstanding Purple Heart Hero to the broadcast, Mr. Jason Gaudette. Jason proudly served in the United States Army for 20 years, traveling across the globe,...

We have another exceptional guest on this episode of the WWIA Podcast. WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is honored to share some time and a wonderful conversation with one of America’s tremendous Purple Heart Heroes, Mr. Greg Brazinsky. Greg recently retired from the United States Army after proudly serving for 20 years as a Combat Engineer. Greg is married, has three children, and holds a Bach...

This episode of the WWIA Podcast is all-important as we shine a light on the issue of veteran suicide. Veterans having faithfully served and defended our country are too often lost to suicide. It’s not only tragic, but also unacceptable. As United States citizens and supporters of our military, we have a duty to help these remarkable veterans overcome the issues that can lead to suicide. In this e...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel continues his veteran entrepreneur series as he welcomes Brett Baker to the program. Brett is a retired Army Ranger, husband, father of two, and the co-founder and visionary of VAUSA. VAUSA creates meaningful jobs and community for military families through strategically building remote teams for veteran and faith-based businesses. VAUSA prio...

We have an exceptional episode for you today as WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes a close friend and a true American Patriot to the podcast, General Douglas Crissman. Doug is a West Point graduate, having served more than 33 years in the Army, retiring as a Major General in 2021. Doug earned a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, taught on the faculty...

2023 is in the books, and it has been another outstanding year of serving, honoring, and changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded veterans. On this first episode of the New Year, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel provides us with WWIA’s year in review. John gives an overview of the Foundation’s mission throughout 2023, including some of the year’s highlights, as well as what’s in store for...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel recorded this episode on location at WWIA’s Northern Healing Center, Camp Hackett, in Phillips, Wisconsin. This recording was done at the conclusion of the 17th Annual Camp Hackett event in late October of 2023 and features one of the remarkable Purple Heart Heroes that attended the event, Mr. John Samuels. John is a proud patriot and Marine Corps veteran having...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes Mr. Eric Martinez. Eric is the Owner & CEO for Old Dogs New Tricks, LLC - a product development and marketing company that owns a portfolio of consumer-packaged goods products that includes energy drinks (Pursuit Energy), energy shots & powders, ready-to-drink & packaged coffee, beef and game jerky and dog treats all sold under the Pursuit b...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes Mr. Charlie Buntin to the WWIA Podcast. Charlie is a veteran entrepreneur, a retired Army Major, having proudly served our country from 2004 through 2016. Charlie began his military journey as a former member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, before attending the University of Tennessee at Martin where he commissioned through ROTC as a 2LT in the A...

We’ve got another outstanding episode for you today as WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel proudly introduces us to a man who has gone above and beyond in his passion and pursuit to honor and serve America’s combat-wounded veterans. Today, we welcome Mr. John Everett, affectionately known as “Jello" John to the WWIA Podcast. John has been a central figure and member of Team Erie for 11 years, whic...

We love introducing you to some of the remarkable people that are a part of our WWIA friends, family, and support network. We have had the honor of meeting and forming lasting relationships with so many outstanding American patriots who selflessly give of their time, talents, charitable donations, and life experiences. We could not accomplish and expand our mission without them. Today, WWIA Founde...

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is proud to welcome two outstanding American Patriots to the WWIA Podcast, Mr. Dixon Gunther and Dr. Keith Tidball. They are both avid outdoorsman and proudly serve as WWIA Advisors, Dixon as our Senior Outdoor Instructor & Advisor, and Keith as our Science Advisor. Dixon Gunther is a retired United States Army Colonel, a highly decorated veteran, having ser...

On today’s episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is honored to spend time talking with an incredible American Patriot and Hero. Crystal Masek is a Purple Heart recipient, WWIA Guide, and Host of the Inaugural Rocky Point Recreation Area South Dakota Archery Antelope Hunt. Crystal proudly served in the Army Reserves for twenty-six years and is an avid hunter and angler who appreciates and en...

On today’s episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, spends some time talking with two incredible American patriots, Dennis Reynolds and Shelley Cohen. Dennis and Shelley have been tremendous supporters of the Foundation, hosting 3 different WWIA events annually at their beautiful DoubleCreek Lodge in Tennessee. They currently host a turkey hunt in the spring, followed by a...

On this latest episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, introduces us to one of the Foundations premiere partners and friends, Mr. Chris DeMik. Chris is a part of the American Legion Thomas Hartung Post 1977 in New Lenox, Illinois. The American Legion Thomas E. Hartung Post 1977 are a WWIA Medal of Honor recipient, having donated over $210,000 in support of WWIA and our Pu...

Today is National Purple Heart Day, a day where we recognize and honor the tremendous service and sacrifice of those brave men and women who have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded on the battlefield or having paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives while in service to our country. On this special episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel talks a...

On today’s episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, is honored to introduce us to one of our phenomenal event Hosts, Mr. Scott Samuels. Scott has been proudly serving and honoring our Purple Heart Heroes at his stellar event, the Eagle River Muskie Chal-Lunge. Scott, along with his tremendous and generous community of friends, businesses, and supporters in Eagle River, Wis...

On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes Mr. Roy McKenzie to the program. Roy resides in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and is the founder and owner of 4 Bulls Meats, Seafood, & Deli. Roy has been in the meat and butchery business for over 35 years and has the distinct honor of having won four National Beef Stampede Awards. Roy is also the Host of WWIA’s A...