Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Monica Bassett, founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry, is a Military Food Insecurity Expert and a dedicated advocate for military families facing this issue. A military spouse and the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, Monica knows first-hand the struggle some families face when it comes to food insecurity. She shares how her own experiences influenced her commitment to helping others, and why she continues to build trust and serve others with dignity. SCUTTLEBUTT Bravo Zulu to an Arizona post who helped distribute 250,000 lbs of food The U.S. Navy has run out of pants Special Guest: Monica Bassett.

THE INTERVIEW Román Baca, Artistic Director of Exit12 Dance Company is a classically trained ballet dancer and choreographer who, in 2001, took a hiatus from dance and enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served as a machine-gunner and fire-team leader in Fallujah, Iraq. Baca shares how he founded Exit 12 Dance Company to give veterans a storytelling platform through dance, theater and movement. SCUTTLEBUTT Reviewing Raygun - the breakout Olympic break dance competitor How Navy chiefs conspired to get themselves illegal warship Wi-Fi Bravo Zulu to Legion members in Canton, Ga. Special Guest: Román Baca.

Suicide awareness advocate Jerri Reed shares the story of losing her son, Iraq War veteran Cody Comacho, who took his own life after a 20-year battle with PTSD. Reed is striving to educate others about the dangers of using anti-psychotic drugs as PTSD treatment. Special Guest: Jerri Reed.

The gang is back together - and things get a little hairy before our guest arrives. THE INTERVIEW In his role as PACT Act Transitional Executive Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Army veteran Steven Miska serves as the senior advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs – providing oversight on the development, adoption and implementation of the PACT Act. Miska talks about his military experience, the journey that led him to his role at VA, his work in the veteran non-profit space and his involvement with resettlment of interpreters from conflict zones. SCUTTLEBUTT New documentary by Army veteran highlights the struggles faced by homeless veterans in Los Angeles. Years into civilian jobs, vets struggle with networking, resume skills Navy SEAL astronaut doctor Jonny Kim will blast off into space next year Special Guest: Steven Miska.

Joe marks his “hurt-a-versary” by looking back to the day 20 years ago when he was injured while running to assist a vehicle that had been hit by an IED. THE INTERVIEW Standing at 5'3" and weighing 110 pounds, young Navy recruit David Brown was laughed at and told he'd never make it through BUDS and become a SEAL. But Brown was determined. "If there was someone telling me I couldn’t do it, then this is the job for me. I was going to be Jacques Cousteau with a shotgun.” Brown shares how he proved the doubters wrong, the story of his military and federal law enforcement careers, and his book "And Goliath" in this week's episode. SCUTTLEBUTT No matter what happens in November...there will be a military veteran serving as vice-president. Rocky, a formerly-stray rescue dog who is now a Service Dog in training, is throwing his paws into the 2024 race to the White House. The Legion "Get Out the Vote" program encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections. Special Guest: David Brown.

How we continue to remember September 11 THE INTERVIEW Marine Corps veteran, endurance athlete, adventurer and author Akshay Nanavati has a picture of a friend he lost in war on his wall and under it he wrote, “This should have been you. Earn this life." This was the fuel to write his book, "Fearvana: The Revolutionary Science of How to Turn Fear into Health, Wealth and Happiness" in order to help others navigate their own suffering and turn it into nirvana, turn it into bliss. It is also fuel for his own extreme adventuring. In November, Nanavati will begin a 110-day, 1,700-mile solo trek across Antarctica, wher he'll ski for 10 to 12 hours a day hauling a 400-pound sled full of supplies and become the single most isolated being on the planet. He shares how he has been preparing for the grueling physical and mental challenges he will face along the way. SCUTTLEBUTT VA worker errors when reviewing claims for full disability cost $100M, auditors say Post 58 in Oklahoma using gaming to provide veterans camaraderie and support. Special Guest: Akshay Nanavati .

Grab your cowboy hats - Stacy briefly steps out of the recording studio and Adam and Joe launch a three-week "Bro-down" of episodes. IN THIS EPISODE September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a perfect time to be part of The American Legion Be the One mission by taking part in the online Columbia Training Protocol. THE INTERVIEW Our guest is Tanya O’Callaghan - an Irish-born bass player who has toured, written and recorded with music legends. She’s also a passionate advocate of living a vegan lifestyle to support health and environmental concerns. Inspired by her neighbor, Bob, a Vietnam veteran who has faced hardships and health concerns, Tanya is taking a year off from touring to make a documentary with Bob and others to show how health and wellness can positively influence the lives of veterans. SCUTTLEBUTT A little-known law has forced over 120,000 veterans to return the money they got to leave the military Army lieutenant ‘living the American dream’ after being crowned Miss USA Special Guest: Tanya O’Callaghan.

Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000 and lived to tell about it. While the suicide attempt broke his body, it did not break his spirit, and he has since dedicated his life to helping others overcome mental health challenges and teach them how to love the life they have. Kevin joins host Amy Forsythe to talk about his own mental-health journey and how he turned his miraculous survival into a role of advocacy and an upcoming movie. "The Net," is a documentary named after a new initiative that prevents suicide on the bridge. Special Guest: Kevin Hines.

In a special episode recorded live at the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Outpost at The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans, hosts Stacy Pearsall and Adam Marr catch up with former guests and meet new friends who discuss the exciting things they are sharing with convention attendees. Steve Burke, an Army veteran, West Point grad and Business Leader of Associations with Grouper talks about the critical need for social connection. Kristie McNally, deputy director of the U.S. Mint shares news of the 2024 Greatest Generation commemorative coin set. Kathryn Walker, chief executive director of Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd., discusses ketamine treatments and the integration of psychedelic medicine into mainstream mental health practices. Marine Corps veteran Waco Hoover, the chairman of Be the One and a member of The American Legion talks about the second annual Be the One symposium and the future of the Be the One mission. Norka Rojas, chief of Internment Services at Arlington National Cemetery talks about the process of requesting burial at Arlington. Lexie Millikan, executive director of Quilts of Valor talks about the community built through the act of making quilts to comfort and honor servicemembers, veterans and first responders. Navy veteran Andre Andrews, a member of American Legion Post 283 in Los Angeles and chairman of the Department of California’s Video Game Committee talks about the future of online gaming in the American Legion. Cullen Wright and Christina Lonigro of Advocate Healthcare give an update on their new product, Vetecare Special thanks to Wellcare for support of our Podcast Outpost on site in New Orleans. Special Guests: Andre Andrews, Christina Lonigro, Cullen Wright, Kathryn Walker, Kristie McNally, Lexie Millikan, Norka Rojas, Steve Burke, and Waco Hoover.

NAVSEA enters "Survey Era" - director urges employees to participate in annual survey in e-mail laced with Taylor Swift lyrics. THE INTERVIEW Our guest is Chase Sterling, founder of Wellbeing ThinkTank. She’s an Army veteran who has built a career working with organizations and individuals to create a culture of health and wellbeing in the workplace. SCUTTLEBUTT Ret. Gen. Mark Milley: One-third of US military could be robotic by 2039 Marines reunite with their beloved service dogs Bravo Zulu: Graham D Luhn American Legion Post 39 in Taylor, Texas helps their community keep cool Special Guest: Chase Sterling.

CELEBRITY VETERAN: A salute to George Carlin THE INTERVIEW LA Stand-up comedian and Marine Corps veteran Bryson Banks talks about his comedy show, Semper Funny, and his journey from his military service to successful entertainer. SCUTTLEBUTT Coffee & Chat at American Legion Post 243 in Oviedo, Fla. "A Soldier’s Journey" - WWI monument set to be unveiled in Washington DC Special Guest: Bryson Banks.

Remembering the sacrifices of servicemembers on Purple Heart Day THE INTERVIEW Jay Glazer, Fox Sports NFL Insider, talks about his advocacy for military veterans. As a co-founder of Merging Vets & Players, Glazer helps match former combat veterans and former professional athletes to help each other through the transition into their new lives away from the battlefields and playing fields.⁠ ⁠ Glazer also talks about his book, "Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too," being a voice for those struggling with mental health, and organizing the reunion of former POW Shoshana Johnson and one of her Marine rescuers.⁠ SCUTTLEBUTT Los Lunas American Legion Post makes her-story South-by-Southwest Festival bars military and defense companies from top-level sponsorships at the 2025 music and technology event Celebrity Veteran: ESPN founder and Air Force veteran, William "Bill" Rasmussen Special Guest: Jay Glazer.

TROLL PATROL 0 CHAT THIRTY SCUTTLEBUTT Special Guest: Dr. Craig Bryan.

Celebrating the rise of the WAVES THE INTERVIEW Author and internationally recognized keynote speaker, retired Army Lt. Col. Oakland McCulloch uses his 23 years of experience as a combat arms officer to inspire servant leadership. SCUTTLEBUTT China fines comedy troupe $2m for joke about the military VA problems lead veterans who die alone to go unclaimed BRAVO ZULU to Merton V. Hair American Legion Post 325 in Early, Iowa for support of their local sheriff’s department Special Guest: Oakland McCulloch.

‘A monumental step’ for LGBTQ+ rights THE INTERVIEW Author D. Paul Fleming shares his book “A Date With Suicide,” and discusses how to help veterans struggling with PTSD and mental health. THE SCUTTLEBUTT VA announces $10M in new funding opportunities for state, territory and Tribal governments to help understand, prevent veteran suicide A dental debacle: Why veterans struggle to navigate VA’s oral care The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know Special Guest: D. Paul Fleming.

Celebrating National Ice Cream Day with U.S. Navy Ice Cream Barge Bravo Zulu: Post 914 in Louisville, Ill. THE INTERVIEW Eric Stoffers, founder of BioXcellerator joins us to talk more about the stem cell therapy we talked about in Episode 216 with Crispy Avila. Eric takes us on a deeper dive into what this innovation can mean for the treatment of autoimmune and degenerative diseases as well as orthopedic, spine and disc, and neurological conditions. SCUTTLEBUTT CNAS Report: Social Media a barrier to bringing back the draft After dubious shootdowns, NORAD now checks with balloon hobbyist groups After CNN report, White House bringing back program for Gold Star families to honor service members buried abroad Special Guest: Eric Stoffers.

LEGIONTOWN Guitars for Veterans – using the healing power of music to restore feelings of joy and purpose THE INTERVIEW Rick Yount, founder and executive director, Warrior Canine Connection and veteran Joe Oullette and his dog Wells, join the podcast to talk about the organization’s mission to enlist recovering warriors in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow veterans. The guests also talk about WCC's legislative work surrounding the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act (PAWS Act), and the healing power of a connection with a dog. SCUTTLEBUTT A new documentary about a Marine veteran’s road trip with his brother that ended tragically in the Grand Canyon. Army set to debut new rapid test that checks for traumatic brain injuries using a single drop of blood Head of U.S. 2nd Fleet, demonstrated his pullup prowess during the Navy’s Fleet Week in New York City Special Guests: Joe Ouellette and Rick Yount.

Reaction to the FDA advisory panel rejection of MDMA-asisted therapy for PTSD THE INTERVIEW Fans of the paranormal, the fantastical or the downright frightening will enjoy our visit with former Army Intelligence officer R.C. Bramhall who talks about his book, "Haunted War Tales: True Military Encounters with the Bizarre, Paranormal and Unexplained." He shares how he came to write his book, and we discuss everything from cryptid encounters to creepy hauntings - even the story of a ghost plane pulled from the pages of The American Legion Magazine. SCUTTLEBUTT Postal worker finds WWII era letters and drives hours to deliver them Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: What makes the U.S. military so powerful and effective? Marine shielded student from grenade with his body...and survived Special Guest: R.C. Bramhall.

Dr. Chis Frueh is a professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii who has over thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans, servicemembers, special operators, private defense contractors, and firefighters; and has conducted clinical trials, epidemiology, historical, and neuroscience research. Dr. Frueh’s discusses his book, "Operator Syndrome" and describes the profound impact that years of extreme sacrifice have had on our military special operators and their loved ones. Special Guest: Chris Frueh.

HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE 74th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War THE INTERVIEW Retired Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith served for 25 of her 35 years in the Army while hiding her true self. On this week's episode, she shares her military journey before, during and after the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era, and how she became an advocate for LGBTQ+ and military veterans. She also addresses the struggles faced by servicemembers who were kicked out of the military during DADT, and how they can formally request an upgraded discharge. SCUTTLEBUTT The deadly, unintended consequence of a documentary about Afghanistan British teen's charity shop purchase connects Wisconsin family the brother killed in Vietnam The Marines are taking down PowerPoint Special Guest: Gen. Tammy Smith .