Rally Point: Washington

By Washington Veterans Vote

Rally Point: Washington is the go-to podcast for veterans, active duty service members, and military families connected to Washington state. Hosted by Washington Veterans Vote, each episode feature

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FAQs about Rally Point: Washington:

How many episodes does Rally Point: Washington have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.

Rally Point: Washington episodes:

March 27, 2026The Next Mission: Empowering Washington Veterans Through Community & Connection w/ A Hero's Promise
Summary:
This episode features a candid discussion with Alan Acosta, Army veteran and executive director at A Hero's Promise, about supporting veterans and military families through community programs and volunteerism opportunities to connect veterans with the community. We explore veteran transition challenges, community engagement, and innovative programs making a difference in Washington state.
Chapters:
00:38 - Alan Acosta’s background and transition story from military to nonprofit work
01:34 - Veterans’ ongoing desire to serve through community projects
02:29 - Introduction to A Hero’s Promise and its mission in Washington state
03:29 - Alan’s military career and transition experiences
04:54 - Challenges during military-to-civilian transition and personal healing journey
08:13 - The importance of community engagement and mental health support
12:01 - Origin of A Hero’s Promise
13:24 - Programs offered by Heroes Promise: education, outdoor activities, emergency response
17:34 - Fish and wildlife program details and community impact
20:02 - A Hero’s Promise’s emergency management initiatives and veteran involvement
21:55 - How veterans can get involved through volunteering and skill-sharing
23:48 - Advice for veterans seeking purpose post-service and exploring new opportunities
30:48 - Resources for mental health and suicide prevention: LEARN Saves Lives, PAUSE Lethal Means Safely, Combatting Stigma, Veterans Crisis Line
35:08 - Legislative highlight: Global War on Terror Memorial at the Washington State Capitol
39:08 - Summary of suicide prevention programs and trainings available through Washington VA
40:38 - The importance of knowing and sharing crisis resources like 988 and online support
41:32 - Action of the week: volunteer locally, mentor, or support veteran organizations
Resources & Links:
A Hero's Promise
A Hero’s Promise Facebook Page
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention programs
Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 then press 1
Washington Legislature House Bill 2514 (Global War on Terror Memorial)
Sign up for our email list at waveterans.org to be the first to know about new episodes.
Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/washingtonveteransvote
www.instagram.com/waveteransvote
www.x.com/WAVetsVote
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44min
March 12, 2026How Veterans are Becoming Franchise Entrepreneurs
Summary:
This episode features veteran entrepreneur and consultant Curt Maier, sharing insights on transitioning from military service to business ownership, focusing on franchising, funding options, and leveraging military skills for success.

Keywords:
Veteran entrepreneurship, franchising, SBA loans, military transition, Washington State, veteran resources, business startup, veteran success stories

Key Topics:
Military skills transfer to business
Entrepreneurship for veterans
Franchise opportunities for veterans
Funding options including SBA loans
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Veteran Entrepreneurship
01:47 Curt Maier’s Introduction
02:25 Curt Maier's Military Background and Transition
11:30 Understanding Entrepreneurship for Veterans
12:03 Three Options for Veteran Entrepreneurship
12:30 What is Franchising?
16:29 How Military Skills Transfer to Franchising
19:00 Curt’s First Franchise Opportunity
19:35 Success in the First Year of Business
20:20 It’s Never Too Late to Start
20:35 Finding the Right Franchise Fit
21:06 The Veteran’s Business Outreach Center
22:40 Types of Franchises & Consultants
23:16 Examples of Franchises Veterans Have Chosen Recently
24:45 Biggest Misconception About Owning a Franchise
26:15 Funding Your Franchise
27:20 Franchise Fee Discounts for Veterans
28:00 First Steps Toward Franchises
28:35 Finding a Franchise Consultant
31:00 Military Transition Tips
33:15 Corporate Attitudes Towards Veterans
36:35 Resource: Veterans Business Outreach Centers
39:11 Voices from the Field: Submissions Open
41:02 Conclusion and Resources for Veterans

Resources & Links:
Curt Maier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtmmaier/
Small Business Administration Veterans Business Outreach Centers: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-centers-vboc
Business Impact NW: https://businessimpactnw.org/veterans-business-outreach-center/
Sign up for our email list at waveterans.org to be the first to know about new episodes.
Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/washingtonveteransvote
www.instagram.com/waveteransvote
www.x.com/WAVetsVote
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44min
February 27, 2026Special Update: Veterans Legislation in Washington
Summary
This episode gives an update on bills impacting veterans and military families in Washington. Visit www.leg.wa.gov and search by the bill number for the latest status.
Key Topics:
Legislative session
Bills affecting veterans
Time Stamps:
00:00 Legislative Overview
02:56 Bills Impacting Veterans
06:13 Stalled Legislation
09:03 Advocacy and Community Support
Resources & Links:
House Bill 1073: National Guard retention
House Bill 2088: Dietitian licensure compact
House Bill 2417: Code of military justice
Senate Bill 5901: School construction assistance
House Bill 2534: Military child enrollment in public schools
Senate Bill 5827: Preference points for state civic service
Senate Bill 6046: Washington division of civil air patrol
Senate Bill 6035: Electronic ballot portal
House Bill 2514: GWOT monument
Senate Bill 5907/House Bill 2099: Early childhood education
House Bill 1165/Senate Bill 5398: Property tax relief
Visit our website: www.waveterans.org
Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/washingtonveteransvote
www.instagram.com/waveteransvote
www.x.com/WAVetsVote
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12min
February 25, 2026 How PNWVETS Inspires Veteran Community in Washington
In this episode of Rally Point: Washington, host Paul Herrera and guest host Andy Stevens engage with Josh Wheeldon and Josh Penner, co-founders of PNWVETS. They discuss the importance of community for veterans transitioning to civilian life, the challenges faced during this transition, and the mission of PNWVETS to connect veterans and civilians through personal connections. The conversation highlights personal military experiences, the significance of building a supportive network, and practical advice for young veterans navigating their post-service journey.
Key Topics:
Relationships formed in the military
Transitioning to civilian life
Community engagement
Local veteran resources and support
Reaching out and connecting with others veterans
COVID-19’s impact on the desire for in-person connections
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Rally Point Washington
02:58 Meet the Co-Founders of PNWVETS
05:56 Military Backgrounds and Personal Journeys
09:03 Challenges of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
11:49 Advice for Young Veterans
15:09 The Genesis of PNWVETS
17:51 Connecting Veterans: The Role of PNWVETS
21:10 Engagement Strategies and Community Building
24:02 Overcoming Hesitation to Join Veteran Meetups
27:10 The Impact of COVID on Veteran Connections
30:00 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
32:54 Policy in Plain Language: Senate Bill 5827
36:09 Resource Spotlight: Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass
39:06 Voices from the Field: Winter Activities in Washington
40:01 Action of the Week: Growing Veteran Connections
Resources & Links:
PNWVETS Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/1435084746738238
PNWVETS Website: pnwvets.com/
Sign up for our email list at waveterans.org to be the first to know about new episodes.
Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/washingtonveteransvote
www.instagram.com/waveteransvote
www.x.com/WAVetsVote
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42min
February 18, 2026How a Coalition of Veterans’ Voices Helps Shape Washington Legislation
Discover how the Veterans Legislative Coalition is advocating for Washington’s veteran and military communities through legislative efforts. This episode features insights from Jerry Fugit, chair of the Veterans Legislative Coalition. While not all of these bills have made it past some key legislative cutoffs for this session, it’s helpful to understand the types of legislation at play during a typical session.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Washington state's legislative session and veteran advocacy focus
02:01 - History and mission of the Veterans Legislative Coalition
03:29 - Licensure compact for spouses in healthcare and education
04:27 - Supporting military members in transitioning to civilian professions
05:18 - Global War on Terror memorial at capitol grounds
06:12 - Property tax relief legislation based on VA disability
08:11 - National Guard education and employment benefits
08:40 - Initiatives to improve veterans’ employment and discharge documentation
09:37 - The legislative process: from bill introduction to signing
12:22 - Companion bills
13:02 - Challenges of passing bills within a 60-day session
17:39 - Closing remarks and podcast subscription info
Resources & Links:
House Bill 2514: Global War on Terror (GWOT) memorial on the state capitol campus
Senate Bill 5398: Property tax relief for veterans with disabilities
House Bill 1073: Washington National Guard retention efforts
House Bill 1016: Tax credits for hiring veterans or military spouses
Senate Bill 5827: Preference points for transitioning servicemembers to state civil service
Military Voting-Related Bills
House Bill 2064: Electronic ballot portal
House Bill 2572: Electronic ballot portal
Senate Bill 5017: Military and overseas voting standards and processes
Senate Bill 6035: Electronic ballot portal
House Bill 2470 / Senate Bill 5901: On-base school construction
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19min
February 11, 2026The Power of Unified Veteran State Advocacy
Discover how Washington's veteran community is shaping state legislation to support veterans and military families. In this episode, we explore veterans' advocacy efforts, key bills, and ways you can get involved to support your fellow veterans and their families.
Key Topics:
Introduction to Rally Point: Washington
Personal journey of Paul Herrera in military and civilian service
The role and impact of the Veterans Legislative Coalition
How veterans can unite to influence legislation
Overview of recent bills: supporting veteran benefits and services
The importance of nonpartisan advocacy and bipartisan cooperation
Steps for veterans to engage with legislation through comment, testimony, and emails
How to find your legislator and use the legislative website to stay informed
Stories from veterans across Washington about community involvement and dreams for 2026
Tips for staying active in the veteran community and volunteering opportunities
Resources & Links:
Washington State Legislature: Search bills and find your legislator
Senate Bill 5907: Expands access to early childhood education
House Bill 2099: Expands access to early childhood education
House Bill 2514: Establishes global war on terror (GWOT) memorial on the capitol campus
Washington Department of Children, Youth & Families: ECEAP Program
Washington Working Families Child Care Income Ranges
How to Contact Your Legislator
How to Comment on a Bill
How to Testify at a Committee Meeting
Sign up for our email list at waveterans.org to be the first to know about new episodes.
Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/washingtonveteransvote
www.instagram.com/waveteransvote
www.x.com/WAVetsVote
...more
57min

FAQs about Rally Point: Washington:

How many episodes does Rally Point: Washington have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.