The COMPASS Podcast

In this episode, Glen and Scott discuss lawful and unlawful orders, the blurring of the lines between them, and the ethical responsibilities of service members.  They consider the gift and burden of an intact conscience, the struggles to discern right action in the midst of war, and the weights carried by many in the aftermath.  The conversation acknowledges that our moral sense runs deeper than legalities and permission.  “I was j...

Scott and Glen welcome Jeff Vagle, whose range of military experience includes service as a United States Marine deployed in the “War on Drugs,” as a military contractor supporting Armed Forces missions in Afghanistan, and as an intelligence officer for an Army National Guard Unit.  Jeff offers considerable insight and reflection on the breadth of veteran experience.  He relates the discovery of his own moral injury in the years fo...

In Vietnam, “Don’t mean nuthin” was a common expression of deep despair, depression, and darkness.  In this podcast, Glen reflects on his war experiences and the years since, recovering and revealing  many things that have truly “meant something.” Taking time for grief, tending to the violence done to the soul as well as the body, honoring the experiences and humanity of others—these have been vital. “You have to accept reality, ta...

Listen to this rich, extended conversation with Chanel Santiago, U.S. Army and Combat Veteran who served in Iraq.  Her storytelling and reflection unpack a journey that begins on the day after her high school graduation, takes her to the war zone in Iraq , a harrowing initial event, missions covering a million miles of road, eventually coming home to serve other veterans in a regional Vet Center.  

Chanel provides us with remarkabl...

Scott and Glen welcome Steve Gunn, an army veteran who served as a medic in the Ripcord campaign, the last major confrontation between US and North Vietnamese forces in the war. Steve discusses his experiences as a medic in the war zone,  his personal struggle of veteran homecoming, and what it meant to eventually begin a journey of personal healing after “thirty years of stuffing” his war experiences.  He articulates the role tear...

Glen and Scott discuss the origins of COMPASS, the importance of authentic veteran testimony, the power of storytelling, and what is involved in creating a safe space for sharing that serves as both sanctuary and crucible. Disengagement between veterans of war and the people in whose name they have served has been longstanding. Parades are more common than receptivity and deep listening. What can communities do to honor veterans by...