Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Blue Star Families founder and CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet, is dedicated to her organization's mission to reshape the way America supports its military. Kathy shares how her own family's military journey led her to help military families by connecting them with their neighbors to create communities of mutual support. She discusses how Blue Star Families works to tackle issues faced by military families, such as military spouse unemployment, financial insecurity, and the challenges more than 600,000 families face each year when they relocate to new communities. SCUTTLEBUTT Military costumes for Halloween Amid setbacks in Ukraine, Russia is stepping up its recruiting efforts. Dive down the Reddit Rabbit-hole with Tango Alpha Lima Special Guest: Kathy Roth-Douquet.

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 psychiatric 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.