Borne the Battle
337 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 441 ratingsBorne the Battle recognizes each battle, challenge, and sacrifice our Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as spotlighting important resources, offices, and benefits VA offers our Veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this podcast, nor any media, products or services they may provide.
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Episodes
#213: Healing through Poetry w/ Army Veteran Erika Land, War Poet
September 28, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBThis week's Borne the Battle features Army Veteran Erika Land, who shares the story of how she changed her suicide letter into “War Song.” Before 9/11, Erika joined the Army as a pharmacy technician. Her job was to dispense medications in the emergency department. At work, she experienced pain, sorrow, anger, anxiety, depression and helplessness. After leaving service, she believed the only way out from feeling those emotions was to take her life – until she found poetry. VA’s Art...
#213 Healing through Poetry w/ Army Veteran Erika Land, War Poet
September 28, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBThe first poem Army Veteran Erika Land composed was meant to be her farewell gift to the world before she committed suicide. Now she travels around the country to share the art which motivated her to keep on living.
#212: Fighting Veteran Suicide, PTSD and Homelessness w/ Marine Veteran Aaron Quinonez, CEO of Operation Pop Smoke
September 21, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 234 MBFor many Veterans, readjusting to civilian life after leaving the military can be difficult. That's what Aaron Quinonez found when he left the Marine Corps, as he soon faced divorce, homelessness and the inability to secure a long-term job. Over time, his mental health steadily deteriorated as PTSD ravaged his mind. For Quinonez, life seemed to always get worse, and on one July 4th afternoon, he parked in an empty lot, pulled out his SIG Sauer and prepared to end his life. In this week’s epi...
#212: Fighting to End Veteran Suicide with the Press of a Button w/ Marine Veteran Aaron Quinonez, CEO of Operation Pop Smoke
September 21, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 234 MBFor many Veterans, readjusting to civilian life after leaving the military can be difficult. That's what Aaron Quinonez found when he left the Marine Corps, as he soon faced divorce, homelessness and the inability to secure a long-term job. Over time, his mental health steadily deteriorated as PTSD ravaged his mind. For Quinonez, life seemed to always get worse, and on one July 4th afternoon, he parked in an empty lot, pulled out his SIG Sauer and prepared to end his life. In this ...
#211: Benefits Breakdown, Debt Management Center
September 14, 2020 08:00 - 53 minutes - 122 MBThis week's episode of Borne the Battle is a Benefits Breakdown on the VA Debt Management Center (DMC). It features DMC's National Finance Director Joe Schimitt and DMC Director of Operations Jason Hoge. Schmitt and Hoge explain how the DMC helps Veterans with financial relief, how the debt repayment process works, and how the DMC actually assists Veterans by helping to improve their financial planning. Schmitt and Hoge explain the DMC mission, how it guides Veterans' debt repaymen...
#210: Tony Temerario, 9/11 Responder, Green Beret, AT&T Executive
September 07, 2020 08:00 - 52 minutes - 120 MBThis week's episode of Borne the Battle features Army Veteran Tony Temerario, who was also a 9/11 responder and a current AT&T executive. Temerario's parents were both WWII Navy combat Veterans. They served in the Pacific and in Operation Neptune during the Normandy D-Day Invasion in 1944. Temerario grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and was so influenced by service that he joined the military, too. In the podcast, he talks candidly about his experiences in the military and on s...
#209: Simplifying Online Identity w/ Blake Hall, Army Veteran, Founder and CEO of ID.me
August 31, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 180 MBThis week, Army Veteran Blake Hall, who shared how and why he joined the Army, what life was like after transitioning, and how he founded ID.me. Hall's decision to join the Army after September 11th felt to him like a right of passage. He wanted to be the one to lead the fight. He talks about that event as a shift for service members, and what it meant for the community, before discussing a 15-month deployment as a platoon leader and fighting the Iraqi insurgency. Blake received th...
#208: Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg
August 24, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 210 MBArmy Veteran Florent Groberg received the Medal of Honor in 2015 for his selfless actions during the War in Afghanistan, where he rushed a suicide bomber to protect 28 coalition and Afghan National Army personnel. Groberg knew he wanted to join the military when his uncle joined the Algerian army to fight the Armed Islamic Group, a terrorist organization that was eventually responsible for his uncle's grisly death. Groberg’s family moved to the United States when he was 12, and Gro...
BtB Rewind: Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke and USA Basketball, Army Veteran
August 17, 2020 08:00 - 19 minutes - 43.7 MBThis week we go back in time and revisit, Duke and USA Basketball legend, Coach K's interview on Borne the Battle.
#207: Using AI to Align Veterans to Careers Opportunities w/ Marine Recon Veteran Alex Calfee
August 10, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 157 MBThis week's episode of Borne the Battle features Marine Corps Veteran Alex Calfree, the co-founder of OpLign, a website that uses personal profiles of job seekers to connect them to employers and open up new career paths. Unlike most job-hunting websites which use keyword searches to connect job-seekers to employers, OpLign attributes its success to artificial intelligence that matches users’ complete profile to the employment opportunities that will allow them to succeed. After a ...
#206: VFW Talk w/ Army Veteran Terrence Hayes, VFW's National Director of Communications
August 03, 2020 08:00 - 48 minutes - 110 MBArmy Veteran Terrence Hayes is the director of communications and public affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has worked in public affairs for over 20 years, as a soldier and civilian alike. Hayes never saw an Army recruiter until the day he decided to call one and ask about the jobs that were available in the military. He ended up joining and reported for basic training only a few months after graduating high school. With his excellence in English, he decided to work in p...
#205: Benefits Breakdown, Alaska Native Veterans Program of 2019
July 27, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBThis week's episode of Borne the Battle features one of its largest panels to date, as representatives from VA and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) break down the details of the Alaska Native Veterans Program of 2019. This episode features: Program manager Paul Krabacher (BLM). Acting Chief, Adjudication Services Section, Native Allotment Lead Candy Grimes (BLM). Land Transfer Resolution Specialist and Acting Native Liasion Ralph Eluska (BLM). Deputy Communications Director...
#204 Military.com Staff Writer and Air Force Veteran Blake Stilwell
July 20, 2020 08:00 - 58 minutes - 133 MBBlake Stilwell shares his story of starting his career as a combat photographer and eventually becoming a professional writer for Military.com. Stilwell had only spent a year in the Air Force when he became the youngest and for a time lowest-ranking member of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron. Despite early challenges, he was grateful for the opportunity to learn from his friends and mentors. He said they taught him how to take his work seriously while also having fun. He still consid...
#203 The (Serial) Hiking (Army) Veteran, Erik Schlimmer
July 13, 2020 13:04 - 1 hour - 227 MBArmy Veteran Erik Schlimmer has camped over 1,000 nights, climbed over 2,000 summits and hiked over 15,000 miles. In 2010 he hiked the entire Trans Adirondack Route – which spans over 230 miles – over just a few weeks. Schlimmer believes that hiking is one of the best ways for anyone – Veteran or otherwise – to improve their health and their happiness. After completing two years of military service and four years of college, Schlimmer chose to spend his twenties and thirties enjoyi...
#202: Bring Every Dad Home w/ Marine Veteran Ben Killoy, Host of Military Veteran Dad Podcast
July 06, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 156 MBMany male Veterans find it difficult to address the challenges of being a husband and a father, during and after their military service. Marine Corps Veteran Ben Killoy was one of these Veterans. He created the Military Veteran Dad Podcast to help men like himself come home “both physically and mentally to their marriage and their family.” Killoy became interested in the Marines after meeting a recruiter in 2002. He was in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007 and served as a generato...
#201: Benefits Breakdown, CARES Act Funding to VA Homeless Programs
June 29, 2020 08:00 - 41 minutes - 95.9 MBCongress has provided $300 million through the CARES Act this year to help the VA address the problems faced by homeless and at-risk veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. John Kuhn, National Director of the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, explains on this episode how the VA is using that funding to support veterans and their families. The Supportive Services for Veterans Families, or SSVF, was founded in 2011 to help veterans and their families who are homel...
#200: AEW Wrestler Big Swole, AKA Air Force Veteran Aerial Johnson
June 22, 2020 08:00 - 51 minutes - 117 MBThis 200th episode of Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran Aerial Johnson, better known by her wrestling name “Big Swole,” Aerial shares her time in the military and how she transitioned into civilian life to eventually became a professional wrestler. Johnson joined the Air Force in 2008 to be a fire truck mechanic. She was stationed at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. On April 3, 2008, on a day she and her family would come to call her “secon...
#200: AEW Wrestler Aerial Johnson, AKA Big Swole, Air Force Veteran
June 22, 2020 08:00 - 51 minutes - 117 MBThis 200th episode of Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran Aerial Johnson, better known by her wrestling name “Big Swole,” Aerial shares her time in the military and how she transitioned into civilian life to eventually became a professional wrestler.
#199: A COVID Nurse's Story w/ Army Veteran Joshua Strickland, Lead Singer, Bayou Bandits
June 15, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 168 MBArmy Veteran Josh Strickland is a family man, the lead singer of the Phoenix-based band the Bayou Bandits, and a registered nurse who has worked through the COVID-19 pandemic in some of the hardest-hit areas of the United States. Music has always been a part of Strickland’s life. When he was growing up in Walker, La., he sang in his church’s choir, and his father and brother were both singers. After his service, Strickland played music at a saloon in Scottsdale, Ariz., and eventual...
Borne the Battle #198: Transition Talk w/ Marine Corps Veteran Beau Higgins, Amazon Military Affairs
June 08, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 159 MBMarine Corps Veteran Beau Higgins shares his story of how he started working for Amazon, and talks about the current employment landscape during COVID-19.
#198: Transition Talk w/ Marine Corps Veteran Beau Higgins, Amazon Military Affairs
June 08, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 159 MBOn this week’s episode of Borne the Battle, Marine Corps Veteran Beau Higgins shares his story of how he transitioned out of the military and started working for Amazon, helping veterans and families of veterans find meaningful employment. Higgins retired from the Marine Corps after 25 years of service in 2014. When he did, Veteran unemployment was higher than the national average. Things started to change when various companies dedicated themselves to hiring more veterans and mili...
#197: COVID Business Survival w/ Army Veteran Luke Wade
June 01, 2020 08:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MB“Fun, freedom, and community” is the motto of KC Crew, an adult sports and events company founded by Army Veteran and KC Crew Founder Luke Wade. After serving in the National Guard, Wade founded KC Crew. Centered in Kansas City, the group helps his community stay active and connected. Since its beginning, KC Crew focused on the idea of finding a place for people to play sports. Wade was able to create a community around people’s love for sports and events which also helped to revi...
#196: Tips and Changes to VA Home Loan w/ Navy Veteran Bryan Bergjans
May 25, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 177 MBOn this week's episode, Borne The Battle featured Navy Veteran Bryan Bergjans. He spoke about what he does with Caliber Home Loans and how he was able to become the National Director of Military and VA lending. He also discussed bridging the educational gap between the VA Home Loan Benefit and future military and veteran homeowners, and realtors. Bryan Bergjans uses different platforms to educate and provide information to service members, Veterans and eligible spouses about the VA...
#195: TEDx w/ Prince Taylor, Navy Veteran, Deputy Director, VA Voluntary Service
May 18, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 151 MBNavy Veteran Prince Taylor believes that military service develops perseverance and discipline—traits that are useful for Veterans even after they the military. But transitioning out of the Navy wasn't easy for Taylor. This week's episode of Borne the Battle is a discussion with Taylor about his journey from multiple entry level jobs into dead-end companies, into VA's human resources system, to organizing TEDx Veterans Affairs. Taylor's transition struggle is one that many Veteran...
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus No. 6
May 16, 2020 08:00 - 23 minutes - 54.9 MBCOVID-19 update on VA benefits (GI Bill, Home Loan, etc.) featuring the Undersecretary of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Dr. Paul Lawrence, as he breaks down recent changes in veterans' benefits.
#194: Amazon and USA Today Best Selling Author, Marine Veteran G. Michael Hopf
May 11, 2020 08:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBAs a big reader, G. Michael Hopf had a great desire to explore the world and have adventures. However, a near death experience led him to reconsider his career. With help from his father, Hopf found a new direction working as a private security detailer. During all of these adventures, he was always dabbling in writing. From journaling to short stories, Hopf kept in touch with his love of telling stories. After just dabbling with writing and self-publishing an illustrated childre...
#193: Talking Team RWB w/ Army Veteran Mike Erwin
May 04, 2020 08:00 - 55 minutes - 126 MBThrough founding Team Red White and Blue, Army Veteran Mike Erwin discovered that he didn’t have to be in the military to serve the nation. There are many different ways to serve our nation. Erwin’s mission as a social entrepreneur is to build non-profits that help make communities and our country better. The goal of Team Red White and Blue is to enrich Veterans by helping them have Better physical and mental health Stronger relationships A sense of purpose Veterans can ...
#192: Emergency Relief w/ LTG Raymond Mason
April 27, 2020 08:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBWhile most people do their best to be independent, sometimes life gets in the way. It's in these difficult moments when even strong, independent people reach out for help. This is what LTG (ret.) Raymond V. Mason learned from key mentors and leaders throughout his 35 years in the Army. Mason led the 82nd Airborne as the Support Commanding Officer, and also served in Grenada. Later, Mason served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, for HQ, US Army G-4 during his last tour on active duty. ...
#192: Emergency Relief with LTG Raymond Mason
April 27, 2020 08:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBLTG Raymond Mason says that receiving help in times of struggle is a sign of great strength. Today, he's the Director of the Army Emergency Relief (AER).
#191: Analyzing Human Behavior w/ Marine Scout Sniper, Brian Marren
April 20, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 184 MBProfiling has often been given a negative perspective. In this episode of Borne the Battle, Marine Corps Veteran Brian Marren explains how Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis is a scientific form of human behavior profiling, and how it's not based on race or religion but rather on how all humans behave. The world today seems far smaller and connected than the decades before it, bringing about stronger trade and increased diversity. However, a more integrated world has i...
#190: Benefits Breakdown, Debt Management Center, COVID-19 Relief for Veterans
April 13, 2020 08:00 - 20 minutes - 47.7 MBThis week's Borne the Battle podcast breaks down how the VA Debt Management Center is executing the president's directive to suspend or extend all VA Debt Collection due to coronavirus, or COVID-19. Joseph Schmitt is director of VA's Debt Management Center and Jason Hoge is director of operations. The recently answered questions virtually from the House Veterans Affairs Committee Disability and Mortuary Affairs Subcommittee. The focus was how Veterans are getting debt management re...
#190: Benefits Breakdown, Debt Management Center
April 13, 2020 08:00 - 20 minutes - 47.7 MBThe director and director of operations for the VA's Debt Management Center break down how they are executing the president's directive to suspend or extend all VA Debt Collection due to COVID-19.
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus No. 5
April 08, 2020 08:00 - 23 minutes - 53.8 MBTwo new VA coronavirus websites are online. Update on the Wheelchair and Golden Age Games. VA suspends veteran debt collection. Update on COVID-19 support from New Jersey Medical Center. Interview with Army Veteran Chad Butters, who early on, transformed his Pennslyvania distillery into a hand sanitizer production facility.
#189: Operation Abilene w/ Phil Hall and Fred Navarro
April 06, 2020 08:00 - 40 minutes - 92.1 MBWhile they only knew him for one day, Army Veterans Phil Hall and Fred Navarro remember the man that sacrificed his life for them and their fellow brothers in Vietnam. They both signed statements of recommendation to upgrade Airman William H. Pitsenbarger’s Air Force Cross to the Medal of Honor. In December 2000, 32 years after the Battle of Xa Cam My, Phil and Fred were able to attend Pitsenbarger’s Medal of Honor ceremony. The film, The Last Full Measure, is based on both battles ...
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus No. 4
April 01, 2020 08:00 - 28 minutes - 65 MBUpdates on SBA loans for affected small businesses, where you can find Veteran Health Administrations COVID-19 Response plan and FAQs, VA's medical support to New York City, where mobile vet centers are currently being deployed to, and an interview with two of the mobilized on-the-ground Vet Center directors currently operating in New York City and New Orleans.
#188: Justin Nassiri: Navy Veteran, Entrepreneur, Host of Beyond the Uniform Podcast
March 30, 2020 08:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MBMost, if not all veterans, are forced to ask this important question before retiring and entering into civilian life: What am I to do for my career? Many feel as if they are too late to pursue their goals or get their dream job. Justin Nassiri, a Navy veteran, thinks otherwise. On this episode of Borne the Battle, featured guest Justin Nassiri shares his backstory and insight into how he was able to transition into civilian life and achieve his dreams. As a Stanford MBA a...
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus No. 3
March 25, 2020 08:00 - 9 minutes - 22.5 MBIncluded in this episode: GI Bill Changes National Cemetery Information Update on rehiring retired VA medical staff VA Home Loan assistance website
#187: First Women to Command a Naval Ship w/ Darlene Iskra
March 23, 2020 08:00 - 55 minutes - 126 MBThis week's episode of Borne the Battle features Navy Veteran Darlene Iskra, the first woman to command a ship for the Navy. Despite her groundbreaking status, Iskra's initial goal in the Navy was not to be the first woman to command a ship. She just wanted to a career that was commensurate with her male counterparts. But her career includes many highlights of various roles for women in the military. One of Iskra's achievements includes being one of the first female diving offi...
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus No. 2
March 18, 2020 19:40 - 5 minutes - 12.7 MBAn in-depth breakdown of VA Public Health's coronavirus website and a message from the chairman of the board of veterans appeals. Link: www.va.gov/coronavirus
#186: Women in Choppers w/ Army Veteran Hallie Johnston
March 16, 2020 08:00 - 50 minutes - 116 MBThis week's episode of Borne The Battle features Army Veteran Hallie Johnston, who shared some insight into her military career as a black hawk helicopter pilot, her transition to civilian life, and her purpose for joining and becoming a board member at Carry the Load. Carry the Load was founded by two Navy SEAL Veteran, Steven Holley and Clint Bruce. Carry the Load is a nonprofit organization that teaches ordinary Americans about the honor and sacrifices made by our nation's servi...
UPDATE: COVID-19 / Coronavirus
March 12, 2020 19:05 - 5 minutes - 11.9 MBA quick update on VA's responses to COVID-19 / coronavirus pandemic and where to find information as it gets released.
#185: Benefits Breakdown, Burn Pit Registry
March 09, 2020 08:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBThis week’s Benefits Breakdown features Army Veterans Vincent Mitchell and Dr. Eric Shuping. They discussed the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and how Veterans can sign up. In 2014, Congress required the Department of Defense and VA find a way to record and offer help to service members and Veterans who have health concerns related to airborne hazards and open burn pits. The registry officially began in June 2014. There are two main parts of the Airborne Hazards and O...
#184: Honoring Vietnam Veterans w/ Army Veteran MG James T. Jackson
March 02, 2020 09:00 - 54 minutes - 124 MBNational Vietnam War Veterans Day is fast approaching (March 29). Army Veteran Major General James T. Jackson (Ret.) is the national director of the Vietnam War Commemoration. Directed by Congress and executed by Department of Defense, the commemoration’s goal is to reach out and thank those–our Vietnam Veterans–that never got a proper welcome home. Currently, there are over 6.2 million living Vietnam Era Veterans. They deserve a proper thank you for raising their right hand. On th...
#183: 9/11 NYPD Officer to Acting w/ Marine Veteran Hiram Murray
February 24, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBMarines Veteran Hiram Murray is a film military advisor and actor in LA. Murray discusses his journey from NYPD police officer on 9/11 to the USMC, to the LAPD and how those experiences led him to his current roles in Hollywood.
#182: Talking Sauce w/ Air Force Veteran Charlynda Scales
February 17, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 132 MBThis episode of Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran Charlynda Scales. She is a TEDx Speaker, Seasoned Brand Ambassador, and Girl Scout Gold Award Winner, and an entrepreneur. She is a veteran who started a business with a piece of paper willed to her from her grandfather and a $25,000 initial investment. Her grandfather, Charlie Ferrell Jr, was also an Air Force Veteran. He used to make a special sauce for friends and family. Grandpa Charlie was also Charlynda's "silver dol...
#181: The 2020 State of VA
February 10, 2020 09:00 - 27 minutes - 63.8 MBvery year after the president’s “State of the Union” speech, the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs gives he VA’s “State of VA.” Normally it is where the Secretary will proclaim the department’s successes from the previous year and outlines their priorities in the coming year. This year, Secretary Robert Wilkies touted: A 16% increase in the female veteran community who enrolled in VA services since becoming secretary. Leading the White House’s PREVENTS Task Force. Cutting 8,000 VA ...
#180: Benefits Breakdown - Board of Veterans Appeals with Cheryl Mason
February 03, 2020 09:00 - 40 minutes - 93.5 MBThis week’s Borne the Battle begins where episode #169 left off, featuring guest Cheryl Mason, Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). In this Benefits Breakdown, Chairman Mason talks about the third lane of Appeals Modernization. Where the first two lanes allow Veterans to appeal their compensation claim decision to a claims adjudicator, the third lane allows Veterans to appeal a compensation claim decision directly to the Board. More importantly, Chairman Mason addresse...
#179: Benefits Breakdowns, Meritorious Segments - 2019
January 27, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 94.6 MBWhat does the VA Home Loan Program, the VA Office of Faith and Opportunity, the VA Assistive Technology Program, Vet Centers, Appeals Modernization Office and VA’s diabetes training and self-management have in common? They were all featured as benefits breakdown episodes on Borne the Battle in 2019. Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week: Air Force Pararescueman Veteran John Pighini Additional Links: - https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ - https://www.va.gov/cfbnpartnerships/Wel...
#178: Meritorious Segments - 2019
January 20, 2020 09:00 - 43 minutes - 98.6 MBIf you've never heard an episode of Borne the Battle, this is a great place to start. Marine Veteran Tanner Iskra shares some meritorious segments from 2019. Segments include soundbites from NC farmer Valroy Williams, actress Jennifer Marshall, Postal Inspector Carroll Harris, Carry the Load's CEO Veteran Stephen Holley, Professional Wrestler Jan Ohrstrom, Pearl Harbor survivor William Bonelli, Camp Valor Outdoors' Denise Loring and Dan Duitsman, PopSmoke Media's Daniel Sharp, SecDe...
#177: Panel - The State of Military Film
January 13, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 95.4 MB“1917” and “The Last Full Measure” will soon be coming to a theater near you. These military movies have been carefully crafted to capture an authentic look at life in the military. Fortunately, many military films and TV shows have been carefully crafted with the help of Veterans like Dale Dye, Travis Wade, Jennifer Marshall, and Hiram Murray. They came on Borne the Battle to discuss the business of making military films in the current Marvel and Call of Duty era. CLICK HERE TO LE...