Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Finding your Revolutionary War Roots THE INTERVIEW Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns talks about his new documentary film on the American Revolution, his Vietnam War documentary series, his path to a career in movies and more. He has created a legendary catalog of documentary movies including “The Vietnam War,” “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “The War,” “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea...

The American Legion is proud to introduce “Welcome Home,” a new podcast series from the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. GWOT Memorial Foundation CEO and former Army Green Beret Michael “Rod” Rodriguez chats with Chief of Staff and Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, who will host the upcoming series. The memorial will honor and remember military members who served since 9/11. Rodriguez and...

Military spouses often face challenges when seeking jobs. They raise their military families while one parent is frequently deployed for months or years at a time. Military members regularly PCS to a different duty station, making it difficult for a spouse to remain employed. Entrepreneurship is a good way for a military spouse to earn some extra money. Monica Fullerton created Spouse-ly, an onlin...

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers. Brian Marchegiani, co-founder of Mack Brothers Elevator, found his calling in the skilled labor field. But he does more than elevator repair. He gives back to the veteran community, providing jobs for former military members and military families. In fact, for this business owner, mentorship isn’t option...

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers. Former Army officer Kirby Atwell faced burnout in his first attempt at entrepreneurship post service. He stayed true to his calling, seeking a mission that would bring him freedom after his military service. Learn how he knew when to move on and how to make a pivot to unlock a more rewarding business tha...

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers. Air Force veteran Charlynda Scales found her business niche while honoring the legacy of her grandfather, a Korean War veteran. With no formal training in the food industry, she relied on her military experience to adapt, execute, and lead, bringing her vision to life. Her business, Mutt’s Sauce, is root...

Representatives of USAA, Mutual of Omaha, Sony and MilTrac share how they are supporting veterans through The American Legion. Veterans and servicemembers in transition can receive financial guidance, mental health support, hearing aids and more resources from these partners. They all stopped by the Tango Alpha Lima podcast booth during The American Legion National Convention in Tampa, Fla., for t...

Austin von Letkemann, better known by his MandatoryFunDay Instagram handle, leads off this episode by talking about his new podcast, the Army-Navy Game and more. Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation CEO Rod Rodriguez shares an update on plans for the memorial and a new podcast that launches with a pilot episode September 11. Representatives of The American Legion’s community service project...

With a rifle in one hand, and a sketch pad in the other, retired Marine veteran Joe Winslow’s combat service in the Battle of Fallujah inspired a return to his love of art. He drew sketches and collected artifacts before returning home to begin working on art reflecting the dedication of Marines, sailors, soldiers and others in action. Winslow discusses his time in the military, drawing inspiratio...

"Wayspring Wanderer" launches on Amazon. THE INTERVIEW Scotty Hasting is an Army combat veteran turned singer/songwriter who has performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Hasting, who received the Purple Heart, was shot 10 times at once in Afghanistan. Hasting has opened for artists including Dave Grohl, Jelly Roll, Parmalee and Tanya Tucker - and will be appearing at the American Legion National Conventio...

2025 American Legion World Series begins THE INTERVIEW Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the executive director of Vets4Warriors, lost both of his sons, including one to suicide. In response, Graham has dedicated his life to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, aligned with the Rutgers UBHC National Call Center. Vets4Warriors hires and trains veterans to be peer support specialists wh...

250 ways to participate in The American Legion USA 250 Challenge THE INTERVIEW Col. Bree Fram, a transgender Space Force member, is being forced out of the military and end her 23-year service that began with the Air Force. Fram is currently headed toward retirement due to President Trump’s prohibition on transgender service that was implemented in 2025. The White House implemented the transgender...

250 years of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps THE INTERVIEW Retired Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Schmiegel is helping fellow veterans to thrive instead of falling to the broken veteran narrative. Schmiegel, who previously founded Hiring Our Heroes, is now leading ZeroMils. Schmiegel shares how ZeroMills is breaking the broken veteran narrative by creating a military thriving movement. SCUTTLEBUTT Coast Guard...

Native Americans in the Revolutionary War. THE INTERVIEW Former Navy Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Schibell found success in the military but struggled to find work in the civilian sector. She rallied and rebounded to become vice president of Market Strategy at Aetion and create Mission to Commission, a nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans navigate career transitions. The former American Ninja War...

Remembering Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne and the Battle of Stony Point THE INTERVIEW Former Cro-Mags and Bad Brains singer John Joseph emerged from an abusive childhood in a foster home to serve in the Navy and then forge his punk rock career. Joseph rose through the ranks, along with others in the early 1980s scene including Henry Rollins, the Beastie Boys and others to become a successful singer. No...

OTDIH: The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence THE INTERVIEW Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bart Womack discusses creating an equine therapy facility for veterans with PTSD; mentoring ROTC cadets; his book, “Embedded Enemy,” which is about an insider terrorist attack; and more SCUTTLEBUTT Mapping US troops and military bases in the Middle East Navy destroyer, air defense system...

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day THE INTERVIEW Nutrition can be complicated. Army veteran and health and wellness expert Jennifer Campbell helps bring clarity and provides answers on how adults can fix the most disruptive things affecting their health. Among the topics she tackles are the best exercise for your health and longevity, lessons from the Blue Zones and understanding the role of...

Summer is in full swing and our hosts have big plans. THE INTERVIEW Navy veteran David Vardeman talks about guiding nonprofits to their goals, what’s led to his success, achieving financial literacy and more. A senior vice president for Capital Bank in Washington, D.C., Vardeman shares what led to his success, how he helps nonprofits and others meet their financial dreams and more. SCUTTLEBUTT An...

Navigating Visual Sequela Progression due to TBI THE INTERVIEW Mike Corrado discovered the power of music while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Music offers the power to heal, honor the fallen and inspire. He has seen firsthand how teaching songwriting to amputees helps them heal and move forward. Corrado talks about his lifelong love of music, its power to heal, his singer/songwriter retreats f...

Navy combat veteran, cancer survivor and mental wellness expert Aletha Williams shares how meditation and mind-body wellness has helped her learn how to let go of things that no longer serve her. As the founder of Inner Starr Compass Healing, she now helps individuals heal through inner wisdom, creativity and intuition. Learn more about how she helps others overcome PTSD and other mental health is...

OTD - In 1965 astronaut Edward Higgins White II became the first American to walk in space THE INTERVIEW Providing guidance to veterans navigating their VA services and benefits has turned Army National Guard veteran Joshua Parish into an entrepreneur. He has created Battle Buddy, a mobile app built to streamline access to services, support mental health through its AI-powered Talk to Sam feature,...

Retired Navy SEAL Matt Stevens helps The Honor Foundation guide members of the Special Forces community toward rewarding civilian careers. Stevens talks about how to discover your “why,” developing contacts and other tips for developing executives. THE SCUTTLEBUTT Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: The Meaning of Memorial Day The fallout of banned books at the U.S. Naval Academy Busch Gardens, Sea World...

THE INTERVIEW Native Americans serve at a higher percentage than the general population. Still, there are misunderstandings about their culture and spiritual beliefs even among their brothers and sisters in the armed forces. In this week's episode, Army veteran Mitchelene BigMan talks about her military service as a Native American, importance of culture, creation of a Native American women vetera...

Constitutional fun facts in honor of The American Legion National Oratorical Competition Finals THE INTERVIEW Army combat veteran Blake Hall created his company to protect veterans from identity theft. Veterans are more than 80% likely to have their identity stolen than other Americans. Learn how ID.me prevents fraud in this week’s episode. SCUTTLEBUTT A salute Ronin – the hero rat who set a Guinn...

Veterans, fourth-graders get special access to National Parks THE INTERVIEW Army combat veteran Chris Marvin has found his passion and purpose in America’s national parks. In 2020, Marvin established the Park-to-Park Tour project to help share national parks with his children as a way to demonstrate the purpose and legacy of his own military service. He believes strongly that patriotism is exhibit...