WWIA Podcast

Today on the WWIA Podcast, we're honored to welcome an incredible friend and supporter of the Foundation, Mr. Danny Kirsic.....a filmmaker, cinematographer, musician, and Air Force Veteran whose remarkable career has spanned more than four decades. Growing up in a military family and traveling the world from a young age, Danny developed a passion for storytelling through photography, music, and fi...

For combat-wounded Veterans, time spent in the great outdoors through therapeutic and adaptive sports like hunting and fishing can provide healing, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today on the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO John McDaniel is honored to welcome one of the most respected names and an expert in the outdoor industry, Captain Tom Rowland. From his early days fishing alo...

For more than 20 years, we’ve witnessed something powerful: the healing of combat-wounded Veterans not only through outdoor experiences like hunting and fishing, but also through unexpected avenues—like the art of woodturning. In this episode, WWIA Founder and CEO John McDaniel sits down with Tony Kopchinski, a National Guard Veteran from Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, who leads one of our most unique a...

Some of the most remarkable traits that our combat-wounded Veterans share are bravery, fortitude and resilience. On this latest episode of the WWIA Podcast, we are honored to introduce you to a special guest whose journey has been fraught with numerous challenges and extreme obstacles both personally and professionally. And despite all of it, she has pushed through with strength and determination,...

On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, is excited to welcome two remarkable entrepreneurs and tremendous supporters of the Foundation to the show, Mr. Joe Pechauer and Mr. Dan Bourget. Joe Pechauer is the President and master cue maker behind J. Pechauer Custom Cues, a family-owned business that has become one of the most respected names in billiards craftsmanshi...

Behind every WWIA event are countless individuals on the local level who go above and beyond to show their gratitude and appreciation to our Heroes for their tremendous service and sacrifice. They put in countless preparation hours throughout the year to ensure each event has everything it needs, pooling community resources and engaging others in the process to provide a world-class experience our...

Our event Hosts play a vital role in our mission to bring healing and restoration to our combat-wounded Veterans. Their selfless generosity and hard work behind the scenes truly set the stage for a memorable and life-changing time in the field, on the water, or around the dinner table or campfire. On today’s episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes one of our remarkable and long-stand...

On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO John McDaniel proudly welcomes two exceptional American Patriots to the show. Purple Heart Recipients and WWIA Guides Jake Whipkey and Matt Brannon join John for an engaging conversation on leadership. Jake Whipkey served five years in the U.S. Army, 101st ABN division, stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky. He was awarded the Purple Heart Me...

Our mission is made possible because of the tremendous generosity and support of patriotic people and businesses across North America. On this episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes one of these American Patriots, and an outstanding supporter and friend of the Foundation, Mr. Kyle Bennett to the show. Kyle is the General Manager at Kabco Builders, Inc., which des...

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, and a steadfast friend and supporter of our mission, Mr. Jeremy Smith. Jeremy served 2-1/2 years in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division. In 2006 he was injured by mortar...

We’ve got another outstanding episode in store for you today, as WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel proudly welcomes an American Hero and friend of the Foundation to the podcast. Today, we are joined by Purple Heart recipient and WWIA Guide, Mr. Eddie Hoffmann. Eddie grew up outside of Tampa, Florida, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in early 2001 as an 0311. Eddie was assigned to T...

Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes an outstanding Purple Heart Hero, WWIA Guide, and longstanding friend of the Foundation to the podcast, as Mr. Derek Duplisea joins us. Derek is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada but was born in the USA. Derek served a total of 5 years with the 1st Battalion, Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton & York) as an infantryman,...

On this week’s episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, is proud to welcome a great American Patriot, and one of his closest lifelong friends to the podcast. We are honored to have Colonel (Retired) Joel T. Suenkel join John for an engaging and timely conversation. Joel hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh as a Distinguished Military Graduate...

June is designated as PTSD Awareness month, because mental health matters. It’s no secret that our combat-wounded Veterans didn’t just leave what they experienced on the battlefield behind, they brought it home with them, often experiencing the life-altering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This, combined with the injuries they and their fellow service members sustained, or the loss of l...

There are those among us who quietly go about the business of doing good—who don’t look for praise or recognition, but whose steady presence and giving spirit make all the difference. The mission of the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation is built upon the shoulders of such Patriots—men and women, families and businesses—who choose to stand in the gap for our combat-wounded Veterans. They offer...

The world-class outdoor sporting adventures that our combat-wounded Veterans participate in would not be possible without the generosity and support of our event Hosts. We have a remarkable team of WWIA event Hosts across North America who work with their local communities, friends, and businesses to honor and serve our Purple heart Heroes throughout each year. These Hosts do this voluntarily, ral...

We have another outstanding episode to share with you today, as we welcome a tremendous patriot and friend of the Foundation to the program. Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is honored to share some time talking with Purple Heart Hero, WWIA Guide, and WWIA Event Host, Mr. Roy Holland. Roy is married to his beautiful wife Sasha and is a father to two sons, Russell and Braden. Having been...

Our mission would not be possible without the tremendous support and generosity from so many selfless Patriots across North America who go above and beyond to honor the service and sacrifices of America’s combat-wounded Veterans. Today’s guest on the WWIA Podcast is one of these special Patriots who has proven time and time again that there is truly no limit to the good works that can be accomplis...

On this latest episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes longtime supporter and WWIA Event Host, Mr. Sandy Deveney to the program. Sandy is the Host of the Central PA Cast & Blast, an outstanding event that has been proudly honoring and serving our combat-wounded veterans for the past 11 years. For 40 years, Sandy has been married to his beautiful wife Elizabeth...

Takeaways: Alan Probst emphasizes the importance of quality video and sound in outdoor educational content. Patience is crucial for successful trapping, especially when working with coyotes and other canines. Bedding traps properly is essential to ensure they function correctly and catch target animals. North American Trapper aims to educate the public about responsible and effective trapping meth...

At every WWIA event, there is a certified WWIA Guide present. WWIA Guides are an essential part of accomplishing our mission, as they have been recommended by their fellow Purple Heart peers and are certified through our WWIA Guide School. WWIA Guide School is the world’s first multidisciplinary adaptive sporting guide program and prepares our Guides to lead and serve their fellow Purple Heart rec...

The WWIA MO-KAN Ducks, Bucks, and Trapping Event has been proudly serving and honoring our Purple Heart Heroes for the past 15 years. It is one of our longest standing events within the Foundation, and their patriotic team of supporters are truly a remarkable group of people. On today’s episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes one of our good friends who is one of...

Takeaways: The WWIA Foundation has operated for nearly 19 years, supporting combat-wounded veterans. Chris Diesing emphasizes the importance of creating connections among veterans through shared experiences. Transformations in veterans’ lives are evident as they bond over outdoor activities. The Bayfield Cast and Blast event combines fishing and hunting to foster camaraderie. Chris's dedication to...

As our nation honors and celebrates Veterans Day, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes a very special guest to the WWIA Podcast, Mr. Michael Reagan. Michael is the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan and Academy Award-winning actress Jane Wyman. He is the Chairman and President of The Reagan Legacy Foundation, which seeks to advance the causes President Reagan held dear and memori...

Alaska is truly the Last Frontier, filled with expansive beauty, bountiful wildlife, and boundless adventures. Every year for the past 11 years, our Purple Heart Heroes have traveled to Seward, Alaska to partake in several days of world-class fishing, sightseeing, exploring, and more at WWIA’s Alaska Halibut Fishing event. This is a unique and unforgettable experience for our combat-wounded Vetera...