Oscar Mike Radio

In Episode 495 of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the privilege of speaking with Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring that veterans, service members, and their families have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve.

Anne Marie shared her personal connection to the military through her family and her husband, a Marine Corps veteran. That connection ultimately led her to the Bob Woodruff Foundation following journalist Bob Woodruff’s life-changing injury while reporting in Iraq in 2006. Her passion for serving the military community was evident throughout our conversation.

We explored the foundation’s mission of identifying and addressing the challenges facing veterans and military families through strategic grantmaking and the nationwide Got Your 6 Network. Anne Marie explained how the organization works to strengthen communities, improve access to care, and support innovative programs that create meaningful and lasting impact.

One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion focused on the future of veteran support. Anne Marie shared how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, could help better identify veteran needs, close service gaps, and improve outcomes for veterans and their families by 2030. The potential to leverage data and technology to connect veterans with the right resources at the right time represents an exciting opportunity for the entire military community.

What stood out most to me was Anne Marie’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every veteran, service member, caregiver, and military family has the opportunity to thrive long after military service ends.

This episode offers an insightful look at the work happening behind the scenes to support veterans nationwide and highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community in creating positive change.

Learn more about the Bob Woodruff Foundation at:

Thank you, Anne Marie, for joining me on Oscar Mike Radio and for your continued dedication to serving those who have served our nation.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the privilege of speaking with Brendan Kelly, an Army veteran whose 22 years of service took him from Air Defense Artillery to recruiting and ultimately to a new mission as an author.

Brendan shared his military journey, the lessons he learned while serving, and the challenges he faced after taking off the uniform. What makes this conversation especially powerful is his willingness to speak openly about his mental health struggles, including surviving two suicide attempts. His honesty is a reminder that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

We talked about the importance of building a support system, reaching out during difficult times, and finding purpose after military service. Brendan’s story highlights the reality that many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life and the courage it takes to navigate those challenges.

One of the most inspiring parts of our discussion was how Brendan unexpectedly found a new calling as a high school teacher. In many ways, he continues to serve by mentoring and guiding the next generation.

We also discussed his novel, The Echo of Silence, a book inspired by his own experiences and the struggles that veterans and civilians alike encounter throughout their lives. Through storytelling, Brendan hopes to reach those who may be struggling and remind them that they are not alone.

At its core, this conversation is about resilience, hope, and the power of human connection. Brendan’s message is one that everyone needs to hear: no matter how difficult life becomes, there is help available, and no one has to face their battles alone.

You can go to https://www.brendantkelly.com/ to learn more about Brendan and order, “The Echo of Silence”.

Thank you, Brendan, for your service, your honesty, and for sharing your story with the Oscar Mike Radio audience.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sat down with Yadi Caro, a communications expert with nearly 18 years of experience supporting U.S. military organizations worldwide. Our conversation explored one of the most important topics facing leaders today: how to build stronger teams through better communication, trust, and connection.

Yadi shared powerful insights into what truly makes teams successful. From creating psychological safety to establishing clear roles and rallying people around a shared mission, she explained why effective leadership begins with understanding people.

We also discussed her book, Hard Core Soft Skills, which is built around four key stages of leadership and communication: Connect, Communicate, Collaborate, and Create. What stood out to me was how practical these principles are. Whether you’re leading a military unit, managing a business, raising a family, or volunteering in your community, these skills can help you build stronger relationships and achieve better outcomes.

Yadi also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural communication, the qualities that separate good leaders from great leaders, and why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable than ever. As artificial intelligence continues to automate technical tasks, the ability to connect, communicate, and collaborate with others will remain a uniquely human advantage.

One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation was that soft skills are not soft at all. They require intentional effort, continuous practice, and a commitment to personal growth.

If you’re a leader, veteran, entrepreneur, professional, parent, or mentor looking to improve your communication and leadership abilities, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Learn more about Yadi Caro and her work at:

Thank you, Yadi, for sharing your knowledge, experience, and passion with the Oscar Mike Radio audience.

Every Memorial Day, I find myself making the same journey to Mount Vernon Cemetery in Abington. With a cigar in hand and a heart full of gratitude, I walk among the headstones and flags, reflecting on the men and women who gave everything in service to our nation.

In this special Memorial Day 2026 edition of Oscar Mike Radio, I wanted to share what this day truly means to me.

Memorial Day is more than a three-day weekend, backyard cookouts, or the unofficial start of summer. It is a sacred day of remembrance. It is a time to honor the service members who never came home and to recognize the profound sacrifices made by their families.

As I walk through the cemetery, I think about fellow Marines I served with, friends we’ve lost over the years, and the countless Americans whose names may be unfamiliar to us but whose sacrifices helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.

I also reflect on those who returned home carrying invisible wounds. Some veterans continued fighting battles long after their military service ended. Their stories matter. Their struggles matter. Their lives and sacrifices deserve to be remembered alongside every fallen service member who answered the call to serve.

What gives me hope each year is seeing communities come together in remembrance. Volunteers place flags at gravesites. Families gather for ceremonies. Young people learn the meaning behind Memorial Day traditions. These acts remind us that remembrance endures and that future generations understand that freedom comes at a cost.

This Memorial Day, I encourage you to pause and reflect. Visit a cemetery. Attend a memorial ceremony. Say a prayer. Share the story of a fallen hero. Take time to remember those who gave their lives so that we could live ours.

To all Gold Star families, veterans, volunteers, and communities who work tirelessly to preserve these memories, thank you.

May we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Semper Fidelis.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Anna Redman, founder of Braav, to discuss a unique mission that blends technology, storytelling, and military tradition.

Anna shares her journey from Harvard and venture capital into the world of physical security entrepreneurship, where she created Braav, an innovative platform that transforms military challenge coins into blockchain-based digital twins. These permanent digital records preserve the history, meaning, and provenance of every coin, ensuring that the stories associated with them are never lost.

This conversation hit home for me personally because my own challenge coin collection represents moments, memories, and people who shaped my journey in the military and beyond. For veterans, active-duty service members, police officers, and first responders, challenge coins are more than collectibles; they’re symbols of sacrifice, camaraderie, leadership, and service.

Anna and I talk about why preserving those stories matters and how technology can help protect military history in a completely new way. We also discuss the future of the Braav community, upcoming platform features, and how Oscar Mike Radio listeners can get priority access by joining the waitlist.

One of the best parts of this mission is accessibility: the platform is free for veterans, active-duty military, police, and first responders.

Start your collection today at www.allcoin.braav.co

Anna, thank you for taking the time to share your story and for creating a platform dedicated to preserving the stories behind service.

Dr. Carla Stumpf-Patton on Suicide Prevention, Grief, and Hope

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I speak with Dr. Carla Stumpf-Patton, Vice President of Suicide Prevention at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Dr. Stumpf-Patton shares her deeply personal story of losing her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, to suicide and how that experience shaped her mission to support military families affected by suicide loss.

Our conversation explores the stigma that still surrounds suicide and mental health within both military and civilian communities. We talk about why connection, compassion, and honest conversations are critical to preventing isolation and helping people feel seen during their darkest moments.

Dr. Stumpf-Patton also explains the comprehensive support services TAPS provides for surviving families, veterans, and loved ones navigating grief and trauma. From peer-based support to postvention care, TAPS continues to be a lifeline for those searching for healing after unimaginable loss.

One of the most powerful themes of this episode is the idea that healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry loss while continuing to move forward with purpose, support, and community.

This conversation is emotional, honest, and ultimately hopeful. If you or someone you know has been impacted by military suicide, this episode serves as a reminder that no one must walk through grief alone.

Learn more about TAPS and available support resources at https://www.taps.org/

Dr. Stumpf-Patton, thank you for sharing your story and for the work you continue to do for military families everywhere. We are Mission in Flight.

In this special episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I had the honor of presenting the second annual Mission in Flight Award to Joel Hunt. Joel is known across the community as “H Train,” founder of Military Broadcast Radio.

This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in service to the veteran community, and Joel embodies that mission every single day.

Joel leads a growing network of nearly 20 veteran podcast hosts, operates a Roku TV channel, and continues to mentor veteran creators who are finding their voice in media. What makes his impact even more impressive is that he does it all on a limited budget. Joel is driven by passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to others.

During the episode, I shared what Joel calls the “duck” metaphor. Joel is calm and steady on the surface, but beneath that calm is constant movement, hard work, adaptability, and relentless support for the people around him. That’s exactly how he operates.

His dedication to elevating veteran voices and building a platform for authentic storytelling has created a ripple effect across both the military and podcasting communities.

With this recognition, Joel joins Richard Sherman as a recipient of the Mission in Flight Award and earns his place on the Oscar Mike Radio Wall of Heroes.

Joel, thank you for everything you do. This honor is well deserved, and your impact is felt far beyond the microphone.

In part four of my Oscar Mike Radio series on JJ Millett, I sit down with his former platoon mate, Chad Abbott, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation.

Chad served alongside JJ in the Vermont Army National Guard and describes him as a calm, kindhearted veteran who served honorably in Afghanistan. JJ always looked out for others. That’s why he was shocked when he learned about the domestic terrorism charges JJ now faces following a mental health crisis.

From Chad’s firsthand experience, he makes it clear: these charges don’t reflect the man he knows.

In this episode, we dig into serious concerns surrounding the veteran crisis line system, the impact of sudden medication changes on mental health, and the broader consequences of criminalizing veterans who are trying to get help. Chad speaks candidly about why he believes the charges are excessive, unjust, and potentially harmful not just for JJ, but for the entire veteran community.

This conversation is about more than one veteran.

It’s about how we respond when those who served raise their hand and ask for help. It’s about accountability, compassion, and ensuring that support systems work the way they’re intended to.

Chad calls for community support and for the charges against JJ to be dropped, significantly reduced, or dropped altogether, because the stakes extend far beyond a single case.

If you care about veterans, mental health, and doing what’s right, this is an episode you need to hear.

JJ, you are not alone.

Jameson Buckley on AI SEO, Lead Spot, and Military Creator Con 2026 | Oscar Mike Radio

In this special Military Creator Con 2026 edition of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Jameson Buckley, co-founder of Lead Spot and Outwrite.AI, for a conversation that blends innovation, family, and purpose.

Jameson shares how he built a family-driven business alongside his father, Eric, and brother, Aidan—growing it into a powerhouse focused on AI-driven SEO and digital marketing. Their work is rooted in adaptability, speed, and a deep understanding of how to help brands stand out in a crowded digital space.

We discuss how their team helped expand Oscar Mike Radio’s reach within the military podcast community, using smart SEO strategies and data-driven insights. Jameson also reflects on how quickly they stepped up to support the advocacy efforts surrounding veteran JJ Millett, demonstrating that their mission goes far beyond business.

What stood out most was Jameson’s personal commitment to serving veterans. That purpose continues to guide his work and the impact his team is making across the veteran and creator communities.

We also preview what’s ahead at Military Creator Con 2026, where creators, veterans, and entrepreneurs will come together to collaborate, learn, and grow.

There’s still time to be part of it.

Grab your tickets at https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/ and join the community.

Jameson, thank you for taking the time to talk with me and for everything you’re doing to support veterans and creators alike.

We are Mission in Flight

In part three of my Oscar Mike Radio series on JJ Millett, I sit down with his aunt, Emily Wheeler, to share a story that demands both attention and action.

Emily describes JJ as a kind, respectful Army National Guard veteran who served in Afghanistan and later battled PTSD after returning home. Like so many veterans, he carried invisible wounds that don’t simply fade with time.

We talked about the moment everything changed.

In February, while experiencing severe side effects from VA-prescribed medication, JJ did exactly what we ask our veterans to do: he reached out for help and called a mental health crisis hotline. He cooperated fully with the authorities.

Yet today, he faces serious charges that could result in a 20-year sentence.

That reality should stop all of us in our tracks.

In this episode, I share Emily’s perspective and why she is urging the public to speak out. We discuss the dangerous precedent of criminalizing veterans for seeking mental health support, and how that could discourage others from reaching out when they need it most.

This is bigger than one case.

It’s about how we respond when veterans ask for help. It’s about whether we meet that moment with compassion, or consequences.

If this story moves you, I encourage you to make your voice heard:

You can write the Attorney’s office on JJ’s behalf or call directly. Please be polite when communicating with the Attorney’s office. See below for contact information.

Orleans County State’s Attorney’s Office
c/o Attorney Farzana Leyva & Attorney Vincent Illuzzi
217 Main St #2
Newport, VT 05855
Phone: 802-334-2037

We need to amplify this story, not just for JJ, but for veterans everywhere who are fighting battles most people never see.

JJ, you are not alone.