Veteran Cast artwork

Veteran Cast

25 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 10 ratings

Educate, inform, and improve the lives of Veterans in our community.

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Episodes

Episode 25: Hotel Tango: Spirits Distilled With Discipline

June 11, 2020 19:00 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MB

Disabled Veteran Travis Barnes, his wife Hilary, and some friends started Hotel Tango in 2014. To honor Travis’ military service, they named their distillery based on the NATO phonetic alphabet - Hotel for Hilary, Tango for Travis. Surrounding themselves with exceptional people at every level, they focus on crafting equally exceptional spirits. Spirits that reflect Travis’s exacting standards. Spirits that are fit to serve and made to share. In this episode, we interview Ginger Barnes (Vice P...

Episode 24: Understand Your Value as a Veteran and Go Beyond Roles to Find Purpose

April 07, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 90 MB

In this episode Douglas interviews Gulf War Enlisted Veteran, John Qualls. John has had an incredible career launching and leading several technology startups. His most recent company is Purposely (https://purpose.ly), a platform to empower employees or individuals to optimize their talents. Talent optimization is one of the most critical factors that will determine if your business is able to reach and exceed your desired business results. While most business strategies focus on technical an...

Episode 23: HVAF Of Indiana: Housing, Support, And Advocacy For Veterans And Their Families

March 18, 2020 20:00 - 27 minutes - 37.7 MB

HVAF was first incorporated as a Far From Home Chapter in June, 1993. In 1995, the organization completed its first housing project, establishing a residence for five homeless veterans. The project became the first transitional housing unit for homeless veterans in Indianapolis. In 1998, the organization adopted the name Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HVAF). In April, 2000, HVAF developed its Veteran Services Center, extending supportive services to homeless veterans and their ...

Episode 22: WGU Indiana: Affordable, Fully Accredited Online Degree Programs for Active Military and Veterans

December 30, 2019 23:00 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MB

On this episode, we interview Alison Barber Bell, Chancellor of WGU Indiana, and Andrew Nagel, Registered Nurse and Graduate of WGU's Nursing Degree Program. We discuss WGU's unique non-profit, accredited online degree program and how it's especially good for active duty military, transitioning military, veterans, and their families. WGU Indiana is an online, competency-based university established to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. The university offers more than 60 ...

Episode 21: SSGT Joe Biggs Discusses His PTSD Journey

November 21, 2018 18:00 - 44 minutes - 60.9 MB

Joe Biggs is a combat veteran of the United States Army, twice awarded a Purple Heart while serving several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Post-retirement, SSGT Biggs is a political investigative reporter who has a huge following online. This isn't an interview about politics, though. Joe has been transparent about his post-combat struggles with post traumatic stress disorder. Since the holidays are often a struggle, I asked Joe to share his story as well as his advice for other vet...

Episode 20: Eleven Fifty Academy: Turning Veterans into Developers

October 29, 2018 21:00 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MB

In a previous episode (https://www.veterancast.com/9) about the Eleven Fifty Academy, we interviewed Marine Veteran John Qualls about the opportunities for Veterans in the technology industry. Since that time, the Eleven Fifty Academy has historically acquired approval from the federal government for GI Bill usage. We returned to the Eleven Fifty Academy to speak to David Whitt, the first GI Bill graduate of the Eleven Fifty Academy, and Shawn Gardner, Eleven Fifty's Executive Vice President...

Episode 19: The American Warrior Initiative Ensuring Your VA Loan Benefit

June 27, 2018 22:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MB

In this episode, we speak to Angela Allen. Angela is the daughter of one of the first 100 Navy SEALs, Howard Wesley Allen. Howard was a Navy Frogman in the Korean and Vietnam war. He also assisted with the Mercury Missions. After losing her father at a young age, Angela dedicated her life to volunteering and assisting Veterans however they needed. Listen to her unique story in this episode. As well, we discuss VA Loans in great detail. This is an incredible benefit that goes unused by 94% of ...

Episode 18: Navy Club Ship 35: Keep the Fleet to Keep the Peace

June 05, 2018 20:00 - 41 minutes - 58.2 MB

On 18 June 1938, at a Navy Veterans Reunion in Quincy, Illinois, a new and powerful organization, the Navy Club of the United States of America, was launched. On that day, a Constitution and By-Laws was adopted to govern this unique and distinguished group, speaking the language of the men who go down to the sea in ships. The original organizational committee drew up a broad administrative charter that envisioned a new concept in collectively bringing together the many private Navy Clubs and ...

Episode 17: Marine for Life Network

May 21, 2018 02:00 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MB

Marine For Life is an extension of the Marine ethos “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”. Marine For Life is a continuation of the Marine Corps’ strategic engagement with Marines and their families across the continuum of the Marine For Lifecycle - commencing with their transformational entry into the Corps, symbolized in their earning the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, through their transition to Veteran Marine status and the return of these quality citizens back to their communities. Marine For Lif...

Episode 16: Project Healing Waters: Rehabilitation of Disabled Veterans With Fly Fishing Outings

May 11, 2018 21:00 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MB

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is unique in that their volunteers are teaching classes on an on-going, long term basis. It is much more than a one-time fishing trip. Their program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building classes for participants whose skills range from beginners who have never fished before, to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience. All fly fishing and tying equipment is provided to the participants at no cost. Fishing trips, both on...

Episode 15: Purple Heart 3 (PH3): Veteran Owned, Veteran Employed, and Veteran First Security Company

April 17, 2018 18:00 - 52 minutes - 72.4 MB

On this week's Veteran Cast, we are joined by Michael Fickert, Senior Project Manager of Purple Heart 3, a Veteran Owned & Veteran employed security company out of Indianapolis. Michael joins Veteran Cast to talk about his background in the Army, and then trying to find his purpose again after transitioning into the civilian world. Purple Heart 3 helped Michael find that purpose, and his passion for the organization & their mission is prevalent when he talks. PH3’s main mission is to ensure t...

Episode 14: Indy Custom Cornhole and Its Founder, US Marine Scott Melby

March 30, 2018 20:00 - 45 minutes - 62.8 MB

On this week's Veteran Cast, we take a bit of a break from Veteran's affairs and speak to entrepreneur Scott Melby. Scott is a US Marine who founded Indy Custom Cornhole. Indy Custom Cornhole is the first and largest cornhole business in Indiana, starting in 2003, Scott has run over 1400 tournaments, sold thousands of boards and bags and now focus more on the rental sets and monthly competetive cornhole tournaments which feed into a national rankings of over 7000 players that qualify to compe...

Episode 13: Team Rubicon: Disasters are their Business, Veterans are their Passion.

March 20, 2018 21:00 - 34 minutes - 48 MB

Team Rubicon’s primary mission is providing disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters, be they domestic or international. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible. Through continued service, Team Rubicon seeks to provide our veterans with three things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose, gained through disaster...

Episode 12: The Mission Continues: Empowering Veterans To Keep Serving and Succeeding

March 13, 2018 21:00 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MB

Since their founding, The Mission Continues has always been a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to bringing together veterans and innovative community organizations to create transformational change for communities in need all across the country. Their operations in cities nationwide deploy veteran volunteers alongside non-profit partners and community leaders to solve some of the most challenging issues facing our communities: improving community education resources, eliminating...

Episode 11: Vetforce: Salesforce Career Accelerator for Military Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses

March 08, 2018 00:00 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MB

Salesforce created the Vetforce program to build connections between our ecosystem and the military community. Veterans and spouses embark on one or more learning journeys where they receive structured, self-paced Salesforce training, collaborate in an online community, achieve Salesforce certification, and get connected to high-demand and high-wage employment opportunities in our ecosystem of more than 150,000 customers. Vetforce is also the internal employee resource group that fosters a st...

Episode 10: Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV)

February 26, 2018 20:00 - 36 minutes - 50.9 MB

Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing veterans, service members and military families for successful employment by connecting them with employers that seek top quality, well-trained employees. We make a personal connection and assist veterans of all eras and ability levels with their employment and career goals. OJRV was founded in 2007 as the Crane Learning and Employment Center for Veterans with Disabilities – with a focus on helping vetera...

Episode 9: Eleven Fifty Coding Academy: Veterans and GI Bill Welcome!

February 07, 2018 20:00 - 48 minutes - 66.7 MB

Eleven Fifty's coding academy provides immersive learning programs that help you develop into polished entry-level professionals in weeks not years. They recognize that people in their program are looking to launch or change your career immediately. In this interview with John Qualls, he shares his experiences as an enlisted Marine, how that prepared him for a career in technology, and what his mission is at Eleven Fifty Academy. Special Guest: John Qualls.

Episode 8: Transitioning with Post-Traumatic Stress... and News on the YMCA's Support!

January 31, 2018 00:00 - 51 minutes - 71.9 MB

The Taylor brothers both served in combat - Scott as an F-15 Fighter Pilot in the Air Force and Ted as an EOD Chief in the Navy. The experiences and transition for these two warriors were starkly different. We discuss the challenges of their journeys here, including post-traumatic stress, and encourage others to listen and get the assistance they need. As part of the conversation, we also discuss the YMCA's new initiative to serve all Veterans and are building a facility in Indiana specific t...

Episode 7: Run Ranger Run: Support for Transition from Active Military Service to Civilian Life.

January 25, 2018 15:00 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MB

In 2013, 3rd Ranger Battalion combat veteran Cory Smith highlighted the difficult transition so many veterans face by making a very difficult, public and personal transition. Cory ran from Columbus, GA to Indianapolis, IN – 565 miles - to his daughter. His example is now a national movement called Run Ranger Run where individuals and teams from around the country raise funds and awareness to assist in the transition from active military to civilian life. You can join Cory to make a difference...

Episode 6: Travis Manion Foundation: Strengthening America's National Character with Veterans Leading the Way

January 18, 2018 22:00 - 36 minutes - 50.9 MB

The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) is strengthening America’s national character. In an increasingly divisive cultural climate, they unite and strengthen communities. Our nation needs role models that inspire and we should look no further than the civic assets already living in our communities. Veterans and families of the fallen are leading the charge, pushing us to be better versions of ourselves and improving our collective character. In this episode, we speak to Courtney Mitchell, Direct...

Episode 5: INVets: Connecting Veterans From Across the World with Indiana Careers

December 12, 2017 01:00 - 42 minutes - 77.5 MB

Armed forces veterans come to the workforce with many of the attributes employers want most: maturity, experience, a can-do attitude and an understanding of teamwork and shared objectives. Conexus Indiana launched INVets to connect veterans with the thousands of opportunities in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, helping them find fulfilling employment in the civilian world and helping employers tap this rich reserve of solid employees. We interview Wesley Wood, INVets Progr...

Episode 4: What is Team Red, White, & Blue?

December 06, 2017 22:00 - 40 minutes - 73.8 MB

Michael Cook is the Director of Indianapolis' Team Red, White, Blue Chapter. Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Enrichment is defined as creating quality relationships and experiences that contribute to life satisfaction and overall wellbeing. The concept of enrichment consists of three core components—health, people, and purpose—that define a rich life. Enrichment Equation: Enrichment = ...

Episode 3: Why Veterans Join the American Legion

December 04, 2017 13:00 - 32 minutes - 15 MB

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen t...

Episode 2: No Greater Love Movie: An Interview with Purple Heart Recipient Tom Gorup

November 08, 2017 20:00 - 35 minutes - 20.3 MB

No Greater Love depicts the combat deployment of the legendary “No Slack” Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, through the eyes of Army Chaplain Justin David Roberts. While deployed in Afghanistan, Justin decided to carry a camera to document the hardships his unit endured. He captured not only the gritty reality of war but also the incredibly strong bond that is forged between soldiers. Little did Justin know that his decision to carry a camera would culminate in No Greater Love (https://nogr...

Episode 1: Reveille: A Roll Call for Hoosier Veterans

October 31, 2017 12:00 - 38 minutes - 18.6 MB

Blaine Zimmerman of Circle City Vets and Matt Hall, the Indianapolis Mayor's Veteran Service Officer join Harrison and Douglas Karr for the inaugural podcast, Veteran Cast. The mission of Veteran Cast is to educate, inform, and improve the lives of Veterans in our community. We're starting with Indianapolis, Indiana since that's our hometown - but the advice and information should be helpful to veterans throughout the United States.

Twitter Mentions

@codeofvets 1 Episode