Eagle Nation Podcast

Chandler Smith is former collegiate wrestler, active duty Army Officer, and current CrossFit competitor. He's as humble as they come, and has had to overcome some major obstacles - to include the severing of a portion of his finger in a training accident.

His perspective on life is refreshing and inspiring - there's no way this podcast will not motivate you.

In this episode we discuss:

• His fantastic Instagram Page
• His belief in patience and "the process" in getting better
• How adversity has made him better

Speaking of CrossFit, it's WOD for Warriors season! Sign your gym up here!

Paul Andersen is a journalist, book author and wilderness guide. He has worked with veterans since founding Huts For Vets in 2013. Huts for Vets serves veterans who are seeking a perspective shift through beautiful mountain scenery, camaraderie, and philosophical explorations of literature. In this episode we discuss:

• Why spending time in nature is more important than ever - especially for veterans

• Literature, philosophy, and healing

• The origin story of Huts for Vets

Megan served 11 years in the Australian Regular Army, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). She is a senior consultant and coach with Integral Development and a trek leader for Back Track Adventures, which have given her the capacity and support to launch Buddy Up Australia. She has seen the need for an organisation which helps current and ex-service (military and 1st Responder) personnel reconnect with their local communities, find a new purpose and avoid the mental impact of service. In this episode we discuss:

• The universality of the military experience across countries
• Public perception of the military and first responders in Australia
• The origin story of Buddy Up Australia

Megan served 11 years in the Australian Regular Army, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). She is a senior consultant and coach with Integral Development and a trek leader for Back Track Adventures, which have given her the capacity and support to launch Buddy Up Australia. She has seen the need for an organisation which helps current and ex-service (military and 1st Responder) personnel reconnect with their local communities, find a new purpose and avoid the mental impact of service. In this episode we discuss:

• The universality of the military experience across countries
• Public perception of the military and first responders in Australia
• The origin story of Buddy Up Australia

Dylan Tête is the Executive Director and founder of Bastion Community of Resilience. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Economics and Systems Engineering at West Point, as well as a Master's in Public Health at the LSU School of Public Health. During a combat tour in Iraq as second-in-command of an Infantry company, Dylan established multiple recovery projects in collaboration with the Department of State. He moved to New Orleans in 2005 where he managed the construction of several FEMA housing facilities after Hurricane Katrina. Before his most recent position as a civil servant working alongside the New Orleans Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Dylan was hired by Military.com to assist transitioning military personnel and wounded warriors begin new careers in the civilian workforce. Dylan was selected into the Propeller Social Venture Accelerator in 2010, and awarded a fellowship with The Mission Continues for the creation of Bastion.

In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of housing for healing and living
• How New Orleans history of adversity is making it a leader in veteran support
• Why intentional design of living spaces can create community
• How other populations can benefit from this model
• The memorial onsite, specifically bricks for Joe Lusk and Ben Tiffner.

Chris Nowinski, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion crisis through education, policy, and research.

A former collegiate football player and professional wrestler, Chris suffered a serious concussion in June, 2003, but due to a lack of understanding, was not honest about his symptoms and continued to wrestle and work out for five weeks while symptomatic. He developed post-concussion syndrome and was forced to retire.

It wasn't until he visited the renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Cantu that Chris was first exposed to medical research that revealed to him that concussions and brain trauma were misunderstood in the sports world. Chris realized that this lack of awareness among athletes, coaches, and even medical professionals not only cost him his career, but also threatened the health and well-being of athletes of all ages.This led him to write the critically acclaimed book Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, originally published in 2006, in an effort to educate the world about this serious public health issue. In 2012, the book was adapted for the documentary film of the same name, Head Games, directed by Steve James, and the book was updated to coincide with the film's release.In 2007, Chris co-founded Concussion Legacy Foundation and is a leading force in changing the way we think about brain injury in America.

In this episode we discuss:

• The different types of brain injury
• How sports are changing, and why it's important
• Why it's critical to monitor impact in the brains of children
• How to donate your brain, and the current state of research
• For veterans, join Project Enlist here.

Danny Chung, is the business manager and chief of staff for Military Affairs at Microsoft, manages the Military Affairs team. Before coming to Microsoft, Danny provided strategic communications support for Ingram Micro, Southern California Edison and BRTRC Federal Solutions after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2010.

In this episode we discuss:

• The Old Glory Relay, and why it's such an important event
• The power of community and why Microsoft cares so much
• Veterans in our communities and why that's important
• The power of OGR in weaving together communities to break down the civ-mil divide

Jake Harriman is a former Force Recon Marine who started Nuru International during his time at Stanford. His experiences deployed led him to see the devastating effects of extreme poverty, and how it was affecting the war on terror - and inspired him to start an organization to break the cycle.

In this episode we discuss:

• The nexus of security and rural development
• His belief that only kinetic action will not win the war on terror
• The importance of removing isolation
• How to help yourself by helping others

Stand To is a national veterans convening, hosted by the George W. Bush Institute. In its second year, Stand To II brought influential leaders together with the purpose of advancing effective veteran support.

Team RWB Executive Director, JJ Pinter, had the opportunity to host our first ever live podcast on stage at this incredible event, highlighting real life stories of health and wellbeing from 3 incredible veteran leaders.

• Joe Quinn - Executive Director of the Headstrong Project
• Kayla Williams - Senior Fellow and Director, Military, Veterans, and Society Program at CNAS
• Will Reynolds - Manager at Deloitte

Dr. Dan Gade is a retired army officer who was massively injured in Iraq, leading to the amputation of his leg, amongst other injuries. Through his experiences in recovery, he has come to believe that the structure of the VA disability system is hurting veterans and creating a culture of entitlement. He's become a vocal supporter for change, and is a driving force in trying to force an overhaul in the way the VA addresses disability compensation.

In this episode we discuss:

• The incentives for disabled veterans to not work, and why this is bad
• The difference between disabilities and conditions
• His non-profit experiment, the Independence Project
• How the structure of the system incentivises abuse, leading to a culture of entitlement.