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

This week, Matt & Alexis talk with Joshua White. Joshua is a USMC combat veteran, co-founder and owner of Midwest Elite Services, LLC, and author of "Among the Greatest."  Twenty years ago, Scottsburg, Indiana native Joshua White was in his freshman year of college at Indiana University Southeast when he watched the twin towers collapse live in TV. A few weeks later, he enlisted in the marines and was sent overseas to Iraq. White was one of the first to take part in what was then known as “Operation Enduring Freedom." Upon return, White, like so many active military and veterans, started to have PTSD. He became a firefighter and was one of the first responders during the Henryville tornado. “Among the Greatest” is not just a typical book about his time in Iraq, but it’s a legacy piece with inspiration and support for others who may have PTSD and similar experiences. It’s more than just about struggles on the battlefield — but also about what comes after and learning to heal. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links Buy Joshua's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QWCZPT3/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

This week, Matt & Alexis are joined in studio with Retired Coast Guard Veteran and bourbon Connoisseur, Mike "Big Chief" Hiatt. Mike, was a search and rescue specialist while active in the Coast Guard and share with the crew some great stories of his time in. Mike is also a host of a well-known whiskey podcast called "The Bourbon Road." Over the last few years, he and his team of whiskey experts joined with USA Cares to provide great bourbon for some of the amazing events USA Cares has put on. This year they will be offering some rare bottles again at the annual gala. Make sure to get your favorite whiskey neat for this episode and also give Mike's Podcast a listen after!  Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links The Bourbon Road Podcast - https://thebourbonroad.com  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com

In this week's edition of the USA Cares Podcast, Alexis and Matt have a great discussion with army veteran, fitness model, and serial entrepreneur Colin Wayne.   A very patriotic Colin joined the military as a military police officer when he was just 17. While on deployment, Colin sustained very serious injuries from a rocket blast, and ultimately was medically retired from the Army.   Colin found himself through the trauma, depression, and PTSD that came from his injuries at the gym. He became one of the top fitness models in the world and has been featured in just about every single magazine you can think of. Without a high school education, he also started a company called Redline Steel which has passed the $100M mark. Colin's story is one of inspiration, and if you are an aspiring veteran entrepreneur yourself, you are not going to want to miss this one. Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links The Bourbon Road Podcast - https://thebourbonroad.com Sponsors Colin Wayne -   LN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinwayne1/  FB - https://www.facebook.com/colinwayneofficial  IG - https://www.instagram.com/colinwayne1/?hl=enTwitter - https://twitter.com/colinwayne1 Redline Steel - https://www.redlinesteel.com

This week, Matt & Alexis have a heart-wrenching discussion with Jessica Buchanan. On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012. Jessica’s ordeal is detailed in her New York Times bestselling book, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six. Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Jessica is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, podcast co-host, and founder of a transformational coaching program. Jessica also works as a family liaison volunteer for the non-profit organization, Hostage US, supporting former hostages and their families during captivity and eventual return, and also continues to serve as a dedicated Ambassador for the Navy SEAL Foundation, which works to support families of fallen SEALs.Show Links www.usacares.org FB - @usacaresorg Twitter - @USACares IG - @usacares YouTube - USA Cares YouTube Guest Links https://www.jessbuchanan.com We Should Talk About That Podcast: https://www.westatpod.com  Sponsors Speakeasy Podcast Network - www.speakeasynetwork.com