After a long distingushed career in the US Army, retired CSM Tim Metheny stops by the podcast and shares his experiences in Afghanistan, mentorship, mental health and overcoming loss. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube

Due to a busy July, we are taking a break for a few weeks to focus on some big events and to also focus on making the podcast even better.In the meantime, please provide us with some feedback on what topics you would like to see discussed, and what guests you would like to have on in the future. Thanks for your supportShow Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt and Alexis welcome Marine LtCol (RET) and author, Jonathon P. Myers to the studio. Jonathon served over 20 years working primarily as an intelligence officer in the United States Marine Corps. He wrote the book "American to the Corps" to provide a technical overview of the war in the Middle East. Additionally, Jonathon discusses his thoughts on the USA withdrawal from Afghanistan, the current climate and direction of United States Marine Corps, and what it is like to find out that your parents work for the CIA.  Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest LinksBook - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091GY1BFS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

This week, Alexis & Matt sit down with Jane Mosbacher Morris. Jane is the athuor of "Buy the Change You Want to See" and the Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET, a company that connects businesses and consumers to ethically made products from around the world. Jane and the team discuss using dollars to make a difference - donating to organizations that are truly good stewards of funds and make a positive impact. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com Guest Links https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Mosbacher-Morris/e/B07D1RCV8J%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share https://tothemarket.com

On this week's episode of the USA Cares podcast, Matt & Alexis welcome president Trace Chesser back on the show. Trace provides an update on USA Care's progress toward providing assistance to veterans in need in 2022. Some topics discussed:

•  The extreamly successful "Stars for Hero's" campaign with Hardee's and Carl's Jr.
• How inflation is affecting veterans
• How prior military experience can make it difficult to navigate the job market.
• State-based benefits for Veterans

Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt & Alexis sit down with retired Army Colonel, author, TEDx speaker, and now social studies teacher, Fred Johnson. Fred is an Airborne and Ranger qualified infantryman who served 29 years in the United States Army.  He first went to war in 1991 during Desert Storm and participated in the liberation of Kuwait.  In 1996, he participated in Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, which helped end the Serbian genocide of Bosnian Muslims.  In 2006-2007, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and at the height of the Surge, Fred received the Bronze Star for Valor during Operation Arrowhead Ripper and the liberation of Baqubah from Al Qaeda.  In his last combat deployment, Fred was the advisor to the most senior military officer in the Afghan National Army. Upon his departure from the military, Col. Johnson found himself slipping into a deep sense of depression that led to a nearly attempted suicide. His experience led him to write his book, Five Wars.  Five Wars is a personal account of the psychological impact of combat, moral injury, and the struggle with PTSD. It describes one soldier's journey from the grand adventure of war to coming home where he finds himself on the brink of self-destruction. However, family, friends and mental health professionals enable the healing process where he discovers his place as a healthy member of the community and learns that service to one's nation does not end when the uniform is taken off for the final time.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Col. Fred Johnson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-johnson-12822786/?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_picFive Wars - http://fivewars.com/index.html  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

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