Proud American

It’s rare that we get the opportunity to talk with someone who’s life has taken the full arc of going from a family in need, to leading the very non-profit dedicated to helping those families. In this episode of the Proud American podcast, Marine Corps Veteran and host Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to the CEO of the Independence Fund, Sarah Verardo. After seeing the gaps in care and assistance offered to her husband, a severely wounded soldier, Sarah began as a volunteer for Independence Fund and was eventually selected as its first CEO. Now she works with wounded veterans, caregivers, corporations, communities and Congress to ensure our heroes and their families get the support they need.

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There's a popular phrase, “in a world full of dark, be a light.” As simple as that sounds, it can be difficult to find those moments or people that bring light into the darkness many of us feel from time to time. In this episode of the Proud American podcast, Marine Corps Veteran and host Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Jake and Sean, two friends and healthcare workers whose “Bad Joke Thursday” videos bring joy and giggles to so many. 

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In this episode of the Proud American podcast, Marine Corps Veteran and host Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to the CEO and President of Dorsey Pictures, Chris Dorsey. He's an avid sportsman, entrepreneur, conservationist and Proud American who truly loves the world God created for us, and has dedicated his time to the work it takes to preserve and enjoy the outdoors. He also produces Joey's Fox Nation show, Fox Nation Outdoors, which allows him to take Proud Americans, both celebrities and sportsmen, on excursions all over the country hunting, fishing and exploring America’s many unique game, habitat, hunting techniques, and tools.

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In this episode of the Proud American podcast, Marine Corps Veteran and host Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Stewart Hunter, a founding and managing partner of Benchmark Mortgage and organizer of the annual Boot Shoot fundraiser, and Chad Fleming, a career Army Ranger who went on to deploy five times after losing a leg in combat. Stewart and Chad now work together at Benchmark, organize the annual Boot Shoot designed to raise money and provide a positive experience for veterans returning and recovering from war, and through Chad's Third Option Foundation reach veterans wherever they are and bring them into the fold. Stewart and Chad know investing in and expecting from veterans is one way Proud Americans continue our legacy of patriotism and freedom.

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On this special crossover edition of the Proud American podcast, host Johnny Joey Jones teams up with the famous Robertson family for a special Unashamed X Proud American podcast. Here's what Joey had to say about it:

After eight years in the Marine Corps and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, one of the things I enjoy most now is getting into the outdoors to hunt or fish. These experiences are always best when you can do it with good friends and good people. Today's guests are just that. My friends, the Robertson family, are the Proud Americans who won over the country in their hit reality TV show "Duck Dynasty." And if you watch just one episode, you know duck hunting, faith and family is what they believe in. I joined Phil, Si, Jase and Al in West Monroe, Louisiana, for an early season hunt. Afterwards, we sat down for fellowship, and let's just say an entertaining conversation.

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Being a "Proud American" is paying an enormous sacrifice while serving our country, but coming out stronger and using your experience to help others dealing with not only physical, but mental and emotional wounds. Knowing how many service members go to war just to come home and fight another war within themselves is hard to fathom. In this episode, Marine Corps Veteran and Proud American Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Jacob Schick, CEO of 22Kill, a veteran’s nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans who are struggling with thoughts of suicide as well as those families who have suffered veteran’s suicide.

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Being a "Proud American" is vowing to protect your country in any way you can, big or small. Few professions demand as much from us as serving in the military, and few others are as thankless as police officers keeping us safe here at home. In this episode, Marine Corps Veteran and Proud American Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to someone you may know as Detective Alvarez on the hit TV show Gotham, but on top of being a successful actor and singer, he's also a United States Marine, New York State Police Officer and all around Proud American, J.W. Cortes, who has made a difference in this country and his community several times over.

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Being a "Proud American" is taking a personal tragedy and turning it into a truly life-changing blessing. September 11th, 2001 changed the lives of every American. For many, it simply changed what everyday life is like in this country. For others, that day changed the entire trajectory of their lives. We went to war and our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters paid that price. In this episode, Marine Corps Veteran and Proud American Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Stephen Siller Foundation Founder and CEO Frank Siller. Frank's brother Stephen was a NYC fireman who literally ran into the World Trade Center to save lives and sacrificed his own in doing so. Frank honors his brother, veterans and all who perished on 9/11 through his Tunnel 2 Towers foundation which supports our nation's heroes and their families in so many ways.

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Being a "Proud American" means honoring the men and women who have given their lives in order to protect the lives of complete strangers. At this point in time, the coronavirus has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, but many people were surprised when national cemeteries were restricted to only immediate family members on Memorial Day. In this episode, Marine Corps Veteran and Proud American Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Emily Domenech of Alexandria, VA, who used her smart phone and patriotic spirit to bring the headstones of our heroes to their friends and family when the threat of COVID-19 made it impossible to visit them personally.

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Being a "Proud American" means honoring those who have served our country in order to protect us and our democratic freedoms. Too many of our military and veterans come home and struggle to understand the effects of war and wartime service on both their physical and mental health. In this episode, Marine Corps Veteran and Proud American Johnny Joey Jones introduces us to Navy veteran, founder of Boulder Crest retreat and the Warrior PATHH program, and author of the book "Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma," Ken Falke, who is working tirelessly to help our veterans heal and grow.

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