Vetted Conversations podcast

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In this episode, former Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer shares his remarkable journey from military service to the football field, and how both paths ultimately led him to co-found Merging Vets & Players (MVP)—a nonprofit that fosters community among veterans and pro athletes. Nate reflects on the parallels between military duty and elite sports, the identity challenges that arise after both careers, and the healing power of peer connection. This episode explores themes of purpose, resilience, and the importance of believing in yourself and in something greater as a driving force in life, service, and sport. Podcast available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube. links in bio. #VettedConversations #newpodcastepisode #BenKesier #EllenGustafson Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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SEASON 3 EPISODE 3 | BJ Ganem from Sierra Delta 18:08

il y a environ 6 jours18:08

18:08

In this episode, Founder Ben Keiser sits down with Marine veteran BJ Ganem, founder of Sierra Delta, to explore how a bond with a dog helped BJ heal after injury and loss—and sparked his mission to provide every veteran with access to canine companionship. BJ shares how Sierra Delta empowers veterans through dog training grants, a strong sense of community, and a “good foot” mentality rooted in purpose, adaptability, and connection. Together, they dive into the realities of veteran mental health, challenge outdated support systems, and highlight the transformative power of dogs. Podcast available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube. links in bio. • • #VettedConversations #NewPodcastEpisode #BenKeiser #EllenGustafson Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 | NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain for Trackhouse Racing 9:22

il y a environ 12 jours9:22

9:22

In this episode, Founder Ben Keiser speaks with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain to discuss racing, farming, and family legacy. Chastain shares insights on the competitive NASCAR points system, reflects on growing up as a watermelon farmer in Florida, and explains how smashing a watermelon after a win became his signature celebration. #VettedConversations #NewPodcastEpisode Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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SEASON 3 EPISODE 1 | Dave Woodruff from the Bob Woodruff Foundation 16:09

il y a environ 19 jours16:09

16:09

In this episode, Founders Ellen Gustafson and Ben Keiser speak with Dave Woodruff from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to discuss the foundation’s mission and its partnership with the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, including its presence at the Super Bowl. They also highlight the impact of the Wheelchair Football League, which empowers veterans through adaptive sports, and the VIVA Program, which has helped bring 92 babies into the world by providing in vitro fertilization (IVF) support for veterans. Additionally, they dive into the foundation’s efforts in mental health, housing, food insecurity, and disaster relief, and how listeners can get involved in supporting veterans and military families. #VettedConversations #NewPodcastEpisode Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 20: How Arizona and Nevada are preparing for 2024 elections 34:33

il y a 23 weeks34:33

34:33

Bonus episode! With Election Day fast approaching, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of the We the Veterans & Military Families, Ben Keiser, speaks with Arizona Secretaries of State Adrian Fontes and Francisco V. Aguilar to discuss the systems and processes in place to ensure safe, accurate, and transparent elections in their states. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 19: Who are the people running American elections? 58:02

il y a 30 weeks58:02

58:02

With the 2024 elections fast approaching, were focusing this episode on the people who are working hard to make sure America continues to have the safest, most secure, and most accurate elections on the planet. To begin, Matt Reisinger (1:40) , the Director of Elections & General Registrar for Warren County Virginia joins us to talk about how local elections are run, why early voting is important, and why it’s important for citizens to volunteer to help run elections. Next, the chair and vice chair of the Election Assistance Commission Chairman Ben Hoveland and Commissioner Donald Palmer - a Navy veteran- join Ellen and Joe to discuss the challenges facing state and local election officials this year and what the federal government is doing to help – to include voter education and countering foreign malign influence. Lastly, our own Loren Westerfield , deputy director of Vet the Vote, joins us to update our listeners on the latest numbers (we recruited more than 140,000 poll workers!), the latest partners (NASCAR joined the coalition!), and what’s coming down the pike in terms of local events. For more, check out www.VetThe.Vote . Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 18: Who is trying to interfere with our elections and how you can stop them 1:38:15

il y a 31 weeks1:38:15

1:38:15

We're sure it comes as no surprise that this world is filled with people who want to manipulate you - to shape your thoughts and feelings so they can influence your behaviors. This episode is all about how humans construct our realities with our five senses and the information we gather beyond our senses. And this is a garbage-in garbage-out process - when we consume bogus information, we tend to make decisions that aren't aligned with the interests of ourselves, our families, and our nation. Joining us in this episode is Zach Fryer-Biggs (1:33), the managing editor of Military.com - one of the military and veteran community's "hometown newspapers." Zach talks about why our system of self government requires a free, fair, independent, and inquisitive press. Next, we speak with Sasha Havilcek (18:05), the CEO of ISD Global who is an expert on extremism, polarization, and disinformation to help us uncover who is trying to influence you during our elections and why. Lastly, Joe brings former USMC intelligence officer Andrew Borene (1:00:54) aboard to talk about the dirty tricks propagandists use to fool us and how we can detect their attempts and thwart them. Nobody messes with M'erica! Andrew now serves as an open source intelligence expert, and we urge veterans and their family members to treat their news and social media consumption in the same way we'd gather intelligence - confirm the source, verify the information, cross check with other sources, and analyze for motive before deciding. It's up to us to seek good information upon which to make decisions about the future of this country. Now you're armed to do just that. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 17: Womens' contributions to our national defense 58:55

il y a 32 weeks58:55

58:55

This episode is all about the many contributions women have made to our national defense and how the military services are changing to better leverage the full talents of the American people. Leading off today's conversation, Joe speaks with U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot and combat veteran, Katey van Dam (1:33). Katey deployed in support of combat operations in Afghanistan and counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa/Gulf of Aden. She also co-founded No Exceptions, a non-partisan initiative that led the effort to get the Department of Defense to allow women to compete for jobs in the infantry, artillery, tanks, combat engineers and other previously closed military occupational specialties (MOSs). Next up, Ellen has a chat with Army veteran Phyllis Wilson (14:05) who served 37 years in the Army as a Military Intelligence (MI) Voice Intercept Operator. Phyllis has served around the globe – visiting more than 35 countries and had been mobilized numerous times to shoulder the duties of defense of the nation and has deployed to Iraq several times as an Intelligence Analyst with Special Operations. She now leads the efforts of the Womens Military Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery - whose mission is to capture and tell the stories of the many women who have defended our country. Lastly, Lindsay Knight (43:15) of Blue Star Families joins us for a discussion on what her organization is doing to strengthen the military community. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 16: Our American libraries and how they support our system of self governance 1:14:31

il y a 33 weeks1:14:31

1:14:31

America's founders knew that if our experiment in democracy was to survive, and people were to effectively govern themselves, the citizenry needed access to good information. While freedom of the press was enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, public libraries were equally important to the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. In this episode, Ellen and Joe speak with Dr. Shawn Healy (01:07) of iCivics on the rule of law and why it is important. Next up is Lisa Varga (06:00), the executive director of the Virginia Library Association and spouse of a Navy veteran to discuss how libraries serve our communities far beyond the collecting and issuing of books. And lastly, we speak with Kelsey Lawrence (50:30), a citizen, patriot, and mom living in rural Virginia who led an effort to fight off attempts to censor what library patrons could read. As our second President, John Adams said, "Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak and write!" Onward! Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 15: Trusting the Vote - how technology can help increase faith in election outcomes 1:09:36

il y a 34 weeks1:09:36

1:09:36

In this episode, Ellen and Joe speak with Dr. Shawn Healy (01:57) of iCivics about what the Electoral College is, why the Founders created it, and why it's so dang confusing to many Americans. Next, we have a very interesting conversation with Gregory Miller (07:51), the COO and co-founder of the Open Source Election Technology Institute - a non-partisan non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation headquartered in Silicon Valley. Gregory’s passion for defending democracy is rooted in a rich history as a 1st generation American, with a family journey escaping Nazi-Germany, immigrating to the U.S., becoming citizens, with family members serving the U.S. Military (Navy, Marines) in both NGO and enlisted capacities through the end of the Vietnam war. Greg talks about the strengths of our system of elections and how emerging technologies can make our elections even more safe and secure. Lastly, we speak with Marine Corps veteran Cole Lyle, who serves as the executive director of Mission Roll Call - a nonpartisan movement providing veterans with a powerful, unified voice that is heard by our nation’s leaders and communities. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 14: The importance of civilian control of the military & our Selective Service 59:21

il y a 37 weeks59:21

59:21

What would happen if you didn't register for the Selective Service, aka "the draft?" In this episode, Dr. Mike O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution joins Ellen and Joe for a quick civics lesson on why it's important to have civilian control of the military. Next, Navy veteran Joel C. Spangenberg, the acting director of the Selective Service System, discusses how his agency contributes to our national defense. Lastly, Marine Corps Combat veteran and executive director of The Mission Continues, Marybeth Bruggeman, discusses how veterans and their families can serve their communities in meaningful ways. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 13: How American citizens can fix Congress 52:52

il y a 39 weeks52:52

52:52

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Healy of iCivics joins Ellen and Joe for a conversation about what the Founders intent was with Congress and why they designed the legislative process to be deliberately slow. Next, long-time Capitol Hill staffer Mike Johnson joins us to discuss his new book Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People where he details out what the current challenges between the political parties and how everyday Americans can demand a better, more effective system. Lastly, for veterans who are interested in starting careers on Capitol Hill, Navy veteran Justin Brown joins us to talk about the mission of Hill Vets. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 12: How immigrants contribute to our national security 1:17:52

il y a 41 weeks1:17:52

1:17:52

Episode 12 asks the question: how do immigrants contribute to our national security. America is a country of immigrants, and this episode explores how the best teams are built from people with different backgrounds, skill sets, and cultures. We kick things off (00:47) with U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and current Deputy Chief of Citizenship and Applicant Information Services at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Al Eskalis who answers the question, "Why does America need immigration?" (3:12). Then,U.S. Army veterans and authors Adam Gamal and Kelly S. Kennedy join us to discuss their new book, The Unit: my life fighting terrorists as one of America's most secret military operatives. Adam discusses his journey from being a child in Alexandria, Egypt to joining a Tier 1 Special Operations Command unit so secretive that the Department of Defense prohibited him from publishing the unit's name. This is the first and only book to ever be written by a member of America's most secret military unit. This is the unit whose members go in BEFORE the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta or Naval Special Warfare Development Group (AKA Seal Team Six) hit the target. They are the people largely responsible for finding and fixing the target so other Tier 1 teams can finish them. Highly-trained in warfare, self-defense, infiltration, and deep surveillance, "the Unit," as the Department of Defense has asked us to refer to it, has been responsible for preventing dozens of terrorist attacks in the Western world. Never before has a member of this unit shared their story — until now. From Adam Gamal, one of the only Muslim Arab Americans to serve inside “the Unit," comes an incisive firsthand account of our nation’s most secretive military group. To protect his identity, Adam will also be using a voice scrambler for today’s interview - so please bear with us and understand this is for his and his family’s protection. And finally, U.S. Navy veteran and executive director of Minority Veterans of America, Lindsay Church joins us (1:03:29) to discuss how her organization helps minority veterans successfully make the transition from active duty to the civilian world. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 11: How veterans can get involved in local government 1:02:33

il y a 42 weeks1:02:33

1:02:33

Episode 11 explores how veterans can get involved in local government. Local government decisions often have a more direct impact on daily life than those at the state or federal level. We begin (1:24) with Dr. Shawn Healy, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at iCivics, who addresses the question, "What are our responsibilities as citizens?" (5:55). Next, Navy veteran Mike Cantwell discusses how veterans can run for local office. Finally, Garrett Cathcart, an Army veteran and executive director of More Perfect Union, shares how veterans and their families can strengthen communities through service and leadership. Support the show For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations…

Vetted Conversations

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Ep. 10: The role of our military in our democracy 1:00:36

il y a 43 weeks1:00:36