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We all remember what we lost on September 11th, 2001. But 25 years later, there’s another question that matters just as much: do we remember what rose? 

We sit down with award-winning filmmaker Michael Geyer, director and producer of The Heroism and Resiliency of 9-11: From Tragedy to Triumph, narrated by Gary Sinise, to talk about the stories that rarely make the headlines. Michael shares why he set out to spotlight courage and compassion across the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, and how he found people whose names most of us have never heard, including quiet leaders who helped prevent a financial collapse and everyday New Yorkers who stepped into service without being asked. 

We also get into the craft behind the documentary: the deep research, tracking down interview subjects, the decision to add reenactments, and why Gary Sinise was the perfect narrator given how 9/11 changed his own life of service. Along the way, we keep returning to a simple theme that hits hard: unity doesn’t have to require tragedy, and helping your community can be as real as showing up, volunteering, or choosing basic kindness when it’s easiest to look away. 

You can stream the film on Amazon Prime Video, Google TV, Apple TV, and YouTube Movies. Watch the trailer and find links at www.the911film.com, then tell us what story stayed with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people find Stories of Service.

Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
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A kid from the Mississippi Delta grows up chopping cotton, runs out of money in college, donates plasma to eat, and still believes he can lead. That’s the starting line for my conversation with Ty Pinkins, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran who served three combat tours, traveled the world, and ended his military career as a communications aide to President Obama, a role that sometimes meant sleeping in the White House. His memoir, 23 Miles and Running, captures the improbable climb, but the bigger story is what he chooses to do next. 

Ty walks me through the leadership moments that shaped him, from being prior enlisted and suddenly responsible for a platoon in Iraq to living by the Army’s LDRSHIP values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. He explains why those principles don’t stay on a poster and why he thinks Washington is missing a moral compass. We also talk about why he takes the harder route, how independent veterans could disrupt a Senate divided along party lines, and what it would mean to deny either party an automatic majority. 

After earning a Georgetown Law degree, Ty returns to Mississippi as a public interest lawyer, building programs that help low-income residents facing evictions, medical debt lawsuits, and payday lending traps. He shares the case that pushed him into politics: Black farm workers being underpaid, Congress failing to act, and the decision to sue and win anyway. From campaign finance reform and Citizens United to banning members of Congress from trading stocks, he makes a clear argument for clean elections, real debates, and leadership that answers to voters instead of donors. 

If you care about Mississippi politics, independent candidates, veteran leadership, or fixing a broken system, listen now, share this conversation, and leave a review if it challenges how you see power.

Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
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Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

One of the hardest leadership tests isn’t combat, it’s standing up to your own institution when the truth becomes inconvenient. We sit down with retired Navy SEAL Captain Bradley Geary, a former commander in Naval Special Warfare, to talk about what it feels like to go from trusted leader to suspected scapegoat almost overnight.

Brad walks us through the BUD/S tragedy that ignited years of investigations, media pressure, and internal maneuvering. We unpack the uncomfortable details: black market performance enhancing drugs, how official findings can be re-scoped from the top, and why an autopsy decision not to test for certain substances can change everything. Along the way, we talk about ethics, accountability, and how “procedural compliance” can be weaponized when leaders are told to reach a predetermined conclusion.

The most powerful thread is moral courage. Brad explains the isolation that comes when teammates quietly step back, the family conversations that define what you’re willing to lose, and the strategic choice to go public and take the fight to Congress. We also dig into the military administrative system, due process gaps, and why “non-punitive” actions can still destroy careers. Brad closes with what comes next: leadership consulting, life after retirement, and his upcoming book, Hard Mind, Soft Heart: A Warfighter’s Battle for Truth, Brotherhood, and the Character of the SEAL Teams.

If you care about Navy SEAL leadership, military ethics, whistleblowing, and what integrity really costs, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What part of Brad’s story challenged you most?

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Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
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Watching someone turn the uniform into a prop for clicks hits different when you’ve worn it, deployed in it, and watched friends stake their lives on what it represents. That’s why we sit down with Dr. Chase Spears, former Army public affairs officer and combat veteran, for a blunt conversation about the erosion of military standards and what happens when influencer culture collides with good order and discipline.

We dig into the real mechanics of accountability: why leaders often won’t enforce existing military social media rules, how IG complaints and administrative pressure can become “the process is the punishment,” and why policy changes at the top don’t automatically become culture change at the unit level. We also connect the standards debate to bigger policy battles, including DEI, transgender service, and the constant tension between politics and readiness. Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, the central question stays the same: does this make the force more lethal, more cohesive, and more prepared to fight?

We also talk about side hustles and where the line should be drawn. Owning property, working extra jobs, and building a business can be fine, but commercial endorsements and provocative content paired with the uniform damage public trust and the profession of arms. From Mill Twitter to politicized media narratives about sailors and deployments, we unpack how the information environment shapes what the public thinks the military is becoming.

If you care about military professionalism, leadership, readiness, and veteran advocacy, listen, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people join the conversation. Where do you think the line should be on uniform use online?

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Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
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Thirteen service members died at Abbey Gate, and the country barely blinked before the headlines changed. That silence is what Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and wooden flag craftsman Joe Burdick could not accept, so he turned remembrance into something tangible, public, and permanent.

We talk about the Abbey Gate bombing during the Kabul evacuation and why it still hits so hard for Global War on Terror veterans who understand the true cost of service. Joe walks me through his own Navy aviation story, the disorienting shift from military purpose to civilian uncertainty, and how building handmade wooden American flags became a bridge back to service. What began as craftsmanship and community support grew into something much bigger once he met Gold Star families, including the family of Max Soviak, the only one of the 13 from Ohio.

From there, the conversation becomes a blueprint for civic action and veteran advocacy. Joe explains how he organized a local Abbey Gate Remembrance Day in Seven Hills, partnered with state lawmakers, testified, and helped pass Ohio Senate Bill 244 to honor all 13 fallen by name. We also dig into what this kind of remembrance can look like in schools and communities, why the national effort still matters, and the simple steps listeners can take to push similar legislation in their own states.

If you believe “never forget” has to mean more than a post, listen, share this with someone who cares about military service and Gold Star families, and subscribe and leave a review so more people find these stories.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
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Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

A single leadership decision can change the course of a career and sometimes a life. Chad Bruckner joins me to talk about what he’s learned across infantry combat missions in Iraq and 15 years in law enforcement, and why the “price of service” is often paid quietly after the call ends. We get honest about moral injury, shame, and the painful gap between how we train warriors and officers to perform under stress and how little we prepare them to come back, reconnect, and stay healthy.

We dig into toxic leadership, the trust gap inside agencies, and why officer wellness can’t be solved with a seminar, an app, or an annual training requirement. Chad breaks down what actually works: accountability at every level, leaders who model the standard, and a culture where hard conversations happen early. We also talk about fear-driven decision-making, endless meetings that replace real communication, and how “looking the part” can become a substitute for doing the work.

Then we move toward practical hope: building a tight circle of trusted people, using community and shared challenges as a healthier alternative to numbing, and returning to the basics of community policing where presence, respect, and relationships reduce crime and rebuild legitimacy. If you care about police leadership, law enforcement culture, first responder mental health, and what it takes to help people serve effectively and return home whole, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re bringing into your own life.

Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

Patriotism looks easy from the stands. It looks clean on a jumbotron, polished in a flyover, and settled in a two-minute tribute. But when we turn service into a performance, we lose the only thing that can keep us honest: responsibility. Teresa sits down with retired U.S. Army Major and Afghanistan combat veteran Michael P. Hart to talk about the price of war that modern culture keeps editing out, and how that distortion harms the very people we claim to honor.

We move from the real mechanics of deployment and coalition operations to the ethical stress fractures that show up in information operations and rules of engagement. Michael shares why “multiple things can be true” is the only adult way to talk about sacrifice, trauma, and accountability at the same time. We also explore how Hollywood storytelling and national mythology, from Vietnam’s aftermath to today’s forever war, can preserve national will while blocking hard lessons about leadership, strategy, and moral injury.

Along the way, we unpack the tension behind simplified hero narratives like Lone Survivor, and we ask what happens when the public gets a clean story instead of a usable truth. We close with a challenge that goes beyond hashtags: show up, get involved locally, and treat civic engagement like a duty, not a vibe. If this conversation hits you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people hear the honest side of military service.

Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

A judge told William Brown something that should stop any veteran cold: New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law did not clearly protect veterans like him. Bill is a former Navy SEAL, a working attorney, and the founder of the New York City SEAL Swim, so he did what he’s trained to do when the mission matters. He adapted. He organized. And he took the fight out of the courtroom and into the legislature.

We walk through the real mechanics of a successful advocacy campaign: how you identify a legal gap, build a coalition with veterans advocates and Gold Star families, show up at town halls, and keep pressure on elected officials without losing the plot. Bill shares what it felt like to face workplace retaliation, how cancel culture and DEI dynamics can shape professional life, and why free speech and viewpoint diversity are not academic ideas when your livelihood is on the line.

We also talk about resilience and balance. Bill explains his concept of “adventure therapy” and why the New York City SEAL Swim brings healing, purpose, and unity to warfighters and supporters alike. The big takeaway is simple and demanding: democracy is a proactive sport, and lasting change takes endurance.

If this conversation helps you think differently about veteran rights, workplace discrimination, or legislative strategy, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

A knock at the door is the moment many military families replay for the rest of their lives, and the person on the porch often had far less preparation than you’d expect. We sit down with retired U.S. Marine Christopher Murphy to talk about casualty notification and what it really means to serve as a casualty assistance officer when a service member dies. Chris shares how he got “tagged” for the duty shortly after reporting to a small unit, why the training can feel like a checklist without emotional armor, and how every word you choose in that first minute can shape a family’s memory forever. 

We dig into the realities people rarely hear about: notifying divorced parents at the same time, walking into homes where the right next of kin is not even there, and dealing with situations that can turn high-profile fast. Chris explains why the military insists notifications happen face to face, how “River City” communications blackout works in combat deaths, and what it takes to coordinate dignity in public spaces like airports during a dignified transfer. He also shares how families react, from quiet shock to anger, and why you can’t judge grief when you’re the bearer of it. 

Then we get practical about the parts that feel impossible to talk through the next day: SGLI, death gratuity, DFAS issues, VA survivor benefits, funeral expenses, and the paperwork that keeps a family financially stable even when no amount of money can touch the loss. If you’ve ever wondered how military death notification works, what the Marine Corps expects of a CACO, or why this job leaves such a lasting imprint, this conversation is for you. 

Subscribe for more Stories of Service, share this with someone who needs a clearer picture of military life beyond the headlines, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What do you think should change about how we train and support the people who have to make that knock?

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
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Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better!

A warship is built for uncertainty, but COVID demanded a different kind of readiness. We’re joined by retired Captain John York, the senior medical officer aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt during the 2020 outbreak, to tell the story from inside the crisis: what the medical team saw, what leaders heard, and why the public narrative never fully matched the lived reality of thousands of sailors trying to stay safe while the mission kept moving.

We talk through the early warning signs before the Vietnam port call, the sudden shift once exposures emerged, and the hard operational truth that a carrier doesn’t have to lose dozens of sailors to be crippled. York breaks down why mass illness overwhelms manpower, space, and medical capacity, and why his recommendations centered on getting sailors off the ship fast even when testing and guidance were still evolving. We also unpack the Guam response, including how “quarantine” sometimes became a label applied to conditions that did not actually stop spread.

Then we go to the part that still stings: the letters, the leak, the breakdowns up the chain, and the investigations that followed. York shares what it feels like to be criticized for “overreaction” while also being asked for lessons learned, and how that contradiction can create moral injury and lasting disillusionment. If you care about Navy leadership, military medicine, crisis communication, and what transparency should look like in a public health emergency, this conversation brings the context and nuance the headlines missed.

Subscribe for more firsthand military stories, share this with someone who still debates what happened on the Roosevelt, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76