Eye on Veterans

After leaving the Army, Bruce Evans became a restaurant franchise development manager. And while the national chain of Capriotti’s Sub Shops is best known for great Italian subs and cheesesteaks, they got their start with a Thanksgiving essential.

With punchy headlines and gritty details, Josh Skovlund writes stories about vets, first responders, and crime for Black Rifle Coffee’s online magazine "Coffee or Die". Hear how he went from Army Ranger to EMT to covering the Minneapolis riots from the front lines. Plus, how his method of making a cup of Joe sounds like something straight out of Breaking Bad.  

Logan Bonney is going way beyond beer. Merging things like cider, hops, cinnamon, and Szechuan peppers? His gluten-free craft beers pack huge flavor and a high-octane punch. Hear how he founded “Anything But Beer” Restaurant and Tap Room after studying at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. 

When Marine Corps veteran Andrew Biggio placed his vintage M1 rifle in the hands of WWII combat vets, it inspired a collection of some of the best WWII stories ever told. We talked with him about his best-selling book “The Rifle”. 

To honor Veterans Day we asked Sen. Jon Tester, Rep. Mark Takano, and VHA’s Jon M Jensen for updates on laws and care for those suffering from toxic exposure. But Bart Stichman offered something that can actually help vets right now! Hear how National Veterans Legal Service Program is fighting for vets with the new Burn Pit Claims Assistance Program. For more go to nvlsp.org

A new podcast series “American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories” delivers incredible stories from WWII to today. Told by the veterans who lived them, we talked with series narrator Marine Corps veteran Phil Klay about what makes this one of the greatest veteran podcasts ever made. From the PBS 4-part series American Veteran.

Army veteran Geralyn Hall went from being an admin officer to a career in customer applications software with Salesforce. But she didn't have to become a software engineer. She discovered the Salesforce Fellowship Program, and a paid internship through Hiring Our Heroes dot org.

Meet Eli Crane- a former Navy SEAL, business owner, Shark Tank guest, and a tat-covered Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona. We talked for an hour and he shared everything from his rough road to becoming a SEAL to founding Bottle Breacher. And we went deep into issues like border security, national security, woke culture, sex trafficking, and election fraud/reform. Safety off, click, play...

Antietam National Battlefield is the sight of the deadliest day in Civil War history. 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing in action. We talked about the legend of Bloody Lane and heard actual paranormal recordings shared by researcher Angela Sounders, author of Ghosts in Sight. From the podcast VetStory, by Phil Briggs.

What is it like to be a veteran? A new four-part PBS series “American Veteran” answers the question brilliantly every Tuesday night Oct 26-Nov 16. Consulting producer, Army veteran, and award-winning journalist Kelly Kennedy shares why this documentary is so powerful. Plus, we hear segments from the show including gripping stories from WWII to today and USMC veteran turned celebrity Drew Carey. 

After the death of General Colin Powell, we talked with author Dr. Jeffery Matthews about his life and legacy, documented in the book, “Colin Powell: Imperfect Patriot”. He shares a glimpse of how Powell's upbringing made him a gifted leader and we discuss the controversies including Iran Contra and the WMDs of Iraq.

In her book “Sacrifice” Gold Star widow Michelle Black reveals the story of Staff Sgt. Bryan Black and the Special Forces mission in Niger that ended in tragedy. She reveals how Army officers pushed a false story to explain the deaths of four Green Berets. More than just a memoir, her story offers inspiration for everyone. See more

Patrick Griffith is an Army combat vet and former EOD tech who served in Afghanistan. He now leads the veteran support organization, Mission Roll Call. He talked about how they’re fighting to ensure that mental health programs built to help vets thrive, get the funding they need to stay alive.

Air Force veteran, retired Maj. Sam Peters breaks down Gen. Mark Milley's recent testimony before Congress and explains why so many vets are pissed at the military brass playing politics and appearing in book scandals. Peters who is currently a candidate for Congress in Nevada outlines why vets deserve more accountability and real answers about Afghanistan.

AMVETS' new National Commander is Navy veteran Greg Heun, a salty sailor with Kentucky roots. He shares his vision for the next year, how to combat suicide and why the post canteen is way more than just a bar ... it can save lives.

Army veteran Lt. Col (Ret.) Daniel Gade lost a leg in Iraq. But his new book will shock his fellow vets who collect benefits for everything from ED to PTSD. “Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy is making vets sicker and poorer” confronts a system that rewards vets for being sick forever and links current policy to the veteran suicide epidemic. 

Andy Stumpf is a veteran of the elite counter-terrorism unit, SEAL Team Six, and holds world records for skydiving from over 36,000 feet in a wingsuit. In our in-depth interview, he talks about his career, dysfunction in the Spec Ops community and delivers life advice like a zen master. Check out his badass podcast "Cleared Hot"

Danny Farrar is the founder of Soldier Fit gyms, an MMA fighter, father, and a proud Army combat veteran. On September 11th, he was stationed in DC with the "Old Guard" which is best known for ceremonial duties and escorting the President. Farrar shared how the events of that day would impact him and change his life forever.

For two toxic decades veterans have been dying from diseases related to burn pits and other toxins they encountered while deployed. Will Congress finally force the VA to give our warfighters the care and benefits, they deserve? We asked Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee. 

For two toxic decades veterans have been dying from diseases related to burn pits and other toxins they encountered while deployed. Will Congress force the VA to give our warfighters the care and benefits, they deserve? We asked Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. 

If Rolling Stone magazine and the NY Times made a kick-ass coffee table book about vets ... this would be it. Army Rangers Tom Amenta, Dan Blakely, and renegade photographer Beau Simmons deliver an eye-opening look into the lives of 71 veterans of the Global War Terrorism. See The Twenty-Year War here.

We asked Army vets, virus, and pharma experts Dr. Nathan Fisher and Dr. Margaret Felix to give us some straight talk about COVID vaccines and the recent DoD mandate for all troops to get the shots. 

Richard Porter served in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps Intel Officer. But when his phone rang recently, it was a call from a group of vets known as 'Team America'. He would soon become an essential part of a covert mission to help our allies make it out alive.

Army veteran, IAVA founder, and podcasting patriot Paul Rieckhoff sounds off on the crisis in Afghanistan. And shares how some veterans are doing what the administration has not. Check out his podcast Independent Americans.

Army veteran Matt Zeller is one of the loudest voices on saving our Afghan Allies. Hear about the terp that saved his life and the lengths vets are going to, in order to save our allies from the Taliban. Plus the deadly mistakes by our President and the Presidential advisor who has blood on his hands. For more info: The Association of Wartime Allies