USA Cares Podcast

This week Alexis welcomes USA Care's new staff member, Corine Gay! Corine is a military spouse and the newest Family Resource Specialist. She and Alexis discuss her new role with USA Cares, her passion for veterans, and what she hopes to accomplish. They also dive into the topic of how military families navigate the difficulties of moving duty stations, and what she has learned through those experiences herself.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Pam Zembiec is the 'bereaved military partner' of the legendary Marine nicknamed the Lion of Fallujah, Maj. Douglas Zembiec. Maj. Zembiec was nicknamed the "Lion of Fallujah as a result of his heroic actions commanding Echo Company during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. As a rifle company commander, he led 168 Marines and Navy Corpsmen in the first conventional ground assault into Fallujah. He earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. He also received two Purple Hearts due to wounds incurred in action. Maj. Zembiec was truly a Marines Marine who was praised by all he served with. Maj. Zembiec was killed in action while serving in the Ground Branch of the CIA's Special Activities Division in Iraq while leading a raid in Baghdad on May 11, 2007. Shattered by the death of Maj Zembiec, Pam spent years hiding the pain of her loss. She has now written a book to help others in navigating the grief process that so many wives and husbands of our fallen heroes must go through.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Pamala Zembiec - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-zembiec-b327b082/  Selfless Beyond Service: A Story about the Husband, Son and Father Behind the Lion of Fallujah - Buy the book here!  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week's episode features the Executive Director of the USA Cares DC Chapter, Kelley Rockwell. Kelley is an Army veteran and veteran advocate. She is very active in the EY military employee resource group, and advocates to help ease the transition out of the military and into civilian life within the EY community.  Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links D.C. USA Cares Chapter -https://usacareschapters.funraise.org/team/usa-cares-washington-dc-chapter EY (Ernest & Young) - https://www.ey.com/en_us/about-us#our-purpose  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt and Alexis bring on guest, Karissa Dunham. Karissa works at Sun Control in Minnesota, a commercial window signage company. Sun Control is a USA Cares partner that also goes to great lengths to hire military veterans. Karissa discusses their reasons for hiring veterans, how veterans can bring some unique talents to a workforce, and what other companies can do to support and empower their veteran workers. .Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Sun Control of Minnesota - https://www.suncontrolmn.com  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt & Alexis welcome Emily Kunkel of Craft Culture Concepts to the studio to discuss an exciting upcoming USA Cares chapter event in Kentucky. Craft Culture Concepts & Parlour Pizza has teamed up with the USA Cares KY Chapter to raise funds and support veterans and military families in need.Event Details: Saturday, June 11, 2022 11am-11pm EST 131 W Chestnut Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 $25/person – free t-shirt for the first 100 ticket sold (receive shirt at Parlour Palooza Event Registration) Kids 10 & under receive free admissionTickets are available here:https://usacares.org/2022/05/02/2022-parlour-palooza/ Concert Lineup: 12:00-1:30: Shane Dawson 1:45-3:15: JacknLindsey 3:30-5:00: Acquainted Strangers 5:15-7:15: The Skinny 7:30-8:30 The Leftovers 8:45-11:00: Radiotronic Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Craft Culture Concepts: https://craftcultureconcepts.com  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt & Alexis welcome Jay France to the studio. Jay is an Air Force veteran with over 31 years of service, whose the privilege of leading at every level, from tactical to strategic, from small groups and teams to an organization of 122,000 professionals. Directly after 2021, Jay hiked the 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which runs from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. Jay speaks on how that experience changed his perspective on the things that are important in life and the importance of slowing down for a moment, especially after a career in the military.To see Jay's journey through the PCT and other trails, make sure to check out his YouTube channel through the links below.  Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Jay F Hikes YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JayFHikes Elevate Coaching Solutions - https://www.elevateleadershipsolutions.com  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-l-france/  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Chris Cruise is back in the studio today to chat with Alexis & Matt. Chris is an Army paratrooper veteran, an entrepreneur, and a huge supporter of the USA Cares Mission. Chris owns Cruise Customs, a company that makes beautiful America Flags entirely out of bourbon barrels assembled by combat veterans. Chris provides an update on his business, new products, and how he continues to support veterans through his work. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Cruise Customs - https://cruisecustomsflags.com  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

In this episode, Matt welcomes Paula Redding back to the studio along with guest Don Pate. Don is a veteran and graduate of the USA Cares senior leadership program. He will be sharing is military experience and how the program has helped him find gainful employment and a new sense of purpose after his service in the military. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

Thomas Hebert runs a therapeutic program for veterans which allows them to go out in the field and apply their skills to the world of earth sciences and therapy digs for those that suffer PTSD and other ailments. Their goal is to help them get back to living, use their skills, provide a safe place to relax and enjoy the outdoors and create lasting relationships, and hopefully get some of them to engage permanently in the earth sciences.   Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Website - letsdig.org  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week Matt & Alexis speak with one of USA Cares' Family Resource Specialists, Becca Kitto. Becca is a military spouse and will be providing insight into what happens when a veteran in need first contacts USA Cares.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com