Vetted Conversations

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg joins us to reflect on the deep cultural ties between military service and football. He shares stories of connecting troops overseas with NFL players and the inspiration behind his new foundation focused on concussion awareness and brain health. Together, we explore how honoring service and building community can unite veterans and athletes around share...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, Army veteran and former professional athlete Michael Smith shares his inspiring journey from injury to international competition and advocacy. Representing the U.S. Army in the World Class Athlete Program and now serving as an ambassador for Sierra Delta, Michael reflects on how service, identity, and purpose continue beyond the military. https://www.sierradelta.com/
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In this episode of Vetted Conversations, Navy Captain Jervy Alota and former NFL player Clint Bruce share a heartfelt conversation about mentorship, military service, and lifelong leadership. They reflect on their time at the Naval Academy, the role of discipline and opportunity in shaping their careers, and the importance of guiding the next generation. Their stories emphasize the power of continued service—both in uniform and as ...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, the military spouses on our team open up about the camaraderie, challenges, and misconceptions that come with military life. They reflect on the strength, adaptability, and leadership military spouses bring to every space they’re in. Tune in to hear how military spouses can take part in civic life and make an impact through programs like Vet the Vote and Military 250.

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In this episode of Vetted Conversations, country artist and philanthropist Jay Allen www.jayallenofficial.com shares how losing his mother to early-onset Alzheimer’s inspired his mission to raise awareness and support to caregivers. He discusses his care facility concert tour, his connection to the military through friends and film projects, and the healing power of service. Jay also highlights his partnership with Round Pond Estat...

In this episode, Super Bowl champion Dominique Easley discusses his mission to promote mental health awareness and the power of vulnerability. Easley shares how his own journey inspired his work with Same Here https://samehereglobal.org and the Easley Foundation. https://www.easleyfoundation.org He also talks about the parallels between veterans' and athletes' transitions while encouraging community and support. 

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SEASON 3 EPISODE 7 | Jackie Chang from the NFL

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, we talk with Jackie Chang, Director of Media Strategy and Business Development at the NFL, about her path from West Point and Army intelligence to a career in media. She shares insights on her transition out of the military and her work with NBCUniversal, Peacock, and the NFL. Jackie also highlights a new veteran initiative and reflects on the la...

In this episode of Vetted Conversations, we talk with Daryl Johnston, Executive VP of Football Operations for the UFL. He shares how spring football is growing and opening doors for athletes to return to the NFL. We also discuss his personal ties to the military, the value of everyday service, and why building a culture of community matters now more than ever.

https://www.theufl.com/

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In this episode of Vetted Conversations, we speak with Gold Star mother Chastity about her daughter’s service in the Air Force and the tragic accident that took her life. Chastity shares how the support of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) helped her and her family navigate their grief and build lasting connections with others who have experienced similar loss. She also reflects on the power of faith, community, and t...

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...

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...

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. 
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Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4k1YBV...

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 th...

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.

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For more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedco...

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 citi...

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'...

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 ...

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...

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 ...