AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller had just completed a night shift with New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Squad 1. He was driving home to play golf with his brothers when he heard over his radio that America was under attack. He turned his truck around. When he reached the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it had been closed. So, Stephen strapped on nearly sixty pounds of firefighting gear and ran through the tunnel toward the Twin Towers. He was never seen alive again. In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, to discuss his brother Stephen’s extraordinary sacrifice, the devastating days that followed, and how one family’s grief became the impetus for one of America’s largest organizations supporting military families, first responders, Gold Star families, and injured and homeless veterans. Guest: Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO, Tunnel to Towers Foundation and AUSA’s 2026 Marshall Medal Recipient What is Tunnels To Tower? Tunnel to Towers Foundation Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Curtez Riggs, a retired First Sergeant, entrepreneur, and founder of the Military Influencer Conference. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Riggs watched the economic foundation of his community disappear almost overnight as manufacturing jobs vanished. With few opportunities available, he chose the Army—not simply as a career, but as a chance to build a better future. Today, Riggs shares how his childhood and Army experiences led him to create one of the military community’s largest networks, connecting veterans, service members, entrepreneurs, creators, and industry leaders. Guest: COL Chaveso "Chevy" Cook, PhDDivision Chief, Strategic Information Integration Division, The Joint Staff andCo-Founder, MilitaryMentors Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Curtez Riggs, a retired First Sergeant, entrepreneur, and founder of the Military Influencer Conference. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Riggs watched the economic foundation of his community disappear almost overnight as manufacturing jobs vanished. With few opportunities available, he chose the Army—not simply as a career, but as a chance to build a better future. Today, Riggs shares how his childhood and Army experiences led him to create one of the military community’s largest networks, connecting veterans, service members, entrepreneurs, creators, and industry leaders. Guest: 1SG Curtez Riggs, U.S. Army Retired Founder, Military Influencer Conference andVice President, Strategy &Engagement, Recurrent Military & Defense What is the Military Conference? The Military Influencer Conference (MIC) brings together military professionals, veterans, and industry leaders for networking and professional development. Click below to learn more. MIC 2026 — Military Influencer Conference Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Not every Soldier grows up planning to serve. In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with Cadet Orion Van Buskirk, a junior—otherwise known as a “Cow”—at the United States Military Academy at West Point, to explore what it means to discover service along the way. Raised in Eugene, Oregon, with no military background, Van Buskirk initially saw West Point as an opportunity for a free education, a challenge and a different path from his peers. But what began as a practical decision evolved into something deeper. In this conversation, Van Buskirk reflects candidly on the realities of West Point: the intensity, the structure and the moments that test resilience. He shares how the experience has reshaped his identity, from realizing he had outgrown his old environment to building lifelong bonds with fellow cadets. Guest: Cadet Orion Van Buskirk, U.S. Military Academy at West Point Cadets—from West Point, and across the country, send us your papers! Cadets, do you want a chance to be published in Early Insights: From the Army's Future Leaders? We are proud to announce the launch of this program developed with our friends at the United States Military Academy. Submit your articles and papers to our team here in the Education & Programs department at AUSA. Email us at education@ausa.org . Five Questions for a General Hear Cadet Van Buskirk interview AUSA's own GEN (Ret.) Robert B. Brown and LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith on Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

For many veterans, the end of military service raises a difficult question: Who am I now? In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with retired Green Beret Ryan Hendrickson. After eight deployments to Afghanistan and surviving a life-changing blast from an improvised explosive device, Hendrickson retired, and then later returned overseas as a contractor. But, following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, he found himself confronting something many veterans struggle with: loss of identity and loss of mission. Then Russia invaded Ukraine. Within weeks, Hendrickson left behind the stability he’d worked to establish, and he traveled into an active war zone—not as a combatant, but simply to ask one question: How can I help? Guest: SFC Ryan Hendrickson, U.S. Army Retired, Founder and CEO, Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Running the Army Ten-Miler is a Washington, D.C. tradition bringing together the military and civilians, including wounded warriors and wheelchair athletes, since 1985. It is a proud example of how the Army promotes wellness throughout the community—long after the final runner crosses the finish line. In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Maya Johnson, Deputy Director of the Army Ten-Miler and a longtime Army Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) professional. Originally from Bosnia, Johnson experienced war firsthand before immigrating to the United States as an Army spouse and serving with Army FMWR at Fort Benning, Germany, Hawaii, and now in D.C., with the Army Ten-Miler. They discuss the often-overlooked programs that help Soldiers and families thrive, the twists and turns of life as an Army spouse, and how participating in the Army Ten-Miler directly supports our Army community. Register to run the Army Ten-Miler, in person or virtually, this October 11th: https://www.armytenmiler.com/ . Guest: Maya Johnson, Deputy Direction, Army Ten-Miler Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

History often remembers the invasion: the beaches, the Soldiers, and the first waves crashing ashore on D-Day. But in the days before Allied forces reached Normandy, another battle was unfolding behind closed doors. A battle of judgment, uncertainty, and leadership under immense pressure. In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with filmmaker Anthony Maras, director, co-writer, editor, and producer of Pressure, now in theaters. This historical thriller focuses on the 72 tense hours before D-Day and the difficult decisions that faced General Dwight D. Eisenhower and meteorologist Captain James Stagg. The film examines a rarely considered side of history: decision making in times of uncertainty with millions of lives hanging in the balance. Known for building tension through films rooted in real events, including Hotel Mumbai, Maras discusses leadership under emotional pressure, how to make slow-moving weather patterns thrilling, and what really happened in the moments leading up to D-Day. Guest: Anthony Maras, Director, Pressure Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith sits down with SGM (Ret.) Mark Reilly, founder of The Washington Tattoo, a large-scale musical production designed to be a unifying voice at the intersection of music, history, and national identity. What began as a vision to create world-class performances has grown into a platform that supports servicemembers, veterans, first responders, and their families—particularly those facing the effects of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Reilly shares how his background with the Army’s Old Guard shaped The Washington Tattoo, explains what a military tattoo is, and reveals the unexpected healing power of music. The Washington Tattoo will perform in Washington D.C. on July 17-18. Find out more at: https://www.thewashingtontattoo.com Guest: SGM Mark Reilly, U.S. Army Retired, President and CEO, The Washington Tattoo Also Happening: The Warrior Games The Warrior Games is an annual event, first held in 2010, that celebrates the resiliency and dedication of military service members. The Warrior Games will be livestreamed on June 13-20th from San Antonio, TX. Click below to learn more. Link: https://dodwarriorgames.com/ Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTG (Ret.) Patricia Horoho to reflect on her experience responding firsthand to the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11 and the leadership that emerged in those first critical moments. 2026 marks 25 years since the attack, and her heroism will be remembered during the National Memorial Day Concert held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in D.C. on Sunday, May 24th. Trained in trauma nursing and mass casualty response, Patty Horoho reflects on her 33 years of service—from nearly leaving the Army, to rising through the ranks to become the first nurse and first woman to serve as the Army’s Surgeon General. Now continuing her service through initiatives like 2Serve Together, Horoho remains focused on supporting military families and strengthening the broader community. National Memorial Day Concert: https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/ Guest: LTG Patricia D. Horoho, U.S. Army Retired, Founder and President, 2Serve Together and AUSA Senior Fellow Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTC Armand Balboni, a U.S. Army officer whose career spans military service, biomedical science, law, academia and executive leadership in the private sector. Balboni’s journey did not begin with certainty. Told early on that he was not college material; he enlisted in the Coast Guard after high school—an experience that would ultimately give him the confidence to pursue higher education, earning an MD, PhD and a law degree. He held a successful civilian career as an innovator in medicine, but in search of more, LTC Balboni rejoined the Army Reserve, where he now works within the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). As the Deputy Director of the Advanced Capabilities Directorate, he helps bridge the gap between industry and the military—translating real-world needs into actionable solutions. Whether working with partners across Africa or advancing lifesaving technologies like freeze-dried plasma, his mission remains constant: reducing the time between innovation and impact. Guest: LTC Armand L. Balboni, J.D., M.D., Ph.D., U.S. Army Reserve Deputy Director, Advanced Capabilities Directorate U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa "My Country, My Story" 2026 Writing and Art Contest Winners will receive a $100 gift card and public recognition on the podcast, AUSA social media and at AUSA's Annual Meeting in DC that attracts 40K attendees. Find out more: https://www.ausa.org/education/writing-and-artwork-contest Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate . Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org . Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with BG Maurice “Moe” Barnett, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command. From growing up in Gary, Indiana, to leading the Army’s largest commissioning source, BG Barnett reflects on the mentors, missteps, and moments that shaped his 31-year journey. He speaks candidly about nearly leaving the Army after his initial obligation, the life-changing impact of battery command, and the lessons learned from both hard corrections and compassionate leadership. Barnett challenges young Soldiers and cadets not to treat service as a temporary obligation, but to “put all your chips in the middle of the table” and give their full commitment to the profession. Guest: BG Maurice Barnett, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command Army ROTC: https://armyrotc.army.mil/ Go Army ROTC: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Sgt. (Ret.) Rick Yarosh travels the country with Sweethearts & Heroes, speaking primarily to students about hope, empathy, resilience, and the idea that none of us succeed alone. He now describes the tragedy that brought him this wisdom as “the best thing that ever happened” to him. In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a retired U.S. Army cavalry scout, Purple Heart recipient, nationally recognized speaker, and author. Deployed to Iraq in 2005, Yarosh was serving near the Abu Ghraib prison when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on September 1, 2006, leaving him with severe burns on over more than 60 percent of his body and resulting in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. This conversation is not only about that day, but also about service, recovery and hope. Guest: SGT Rick Yarosh, U.S. Army Retired, Co-Founder and H.O.P.E. Expert, Sweethearts & Heroes Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Heroism is often remembered in a single moment, but for those who live it, the story does not end when the shooting stops. Leadership, responsibility, and accountability start long before, and continue long after the battle is over. In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Clint Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Battle of Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan. Drawing from a career shaped by family service, mentorship, and combat leadership, Romesha reflects on what prepared him long before that day, and what followed after. From the mindset of young Soldiers deployed to an isolated and vulnerable position, to the reality of continuing combat operations for nine months after losing teammates, Romesha offers an unfiltered look at leadership under extreme pressure, rebuilding trust, and the responsibility after service. Guests: SSG Clint Romesha, United States Army Retired, Medal of Honor Recipient Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

When it comes to readiness, the careers of Army spouses are sometimes overlooked, but the balance required to maintain economic stability and quality of life within the family is often tested through frequent moves, disrupted careers and hard choices made quietly in the background. In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Elizabeth O’Brien and Josh Fugate to share how Hiring Our Heroes is moving the ball forward for military spouses in their work lives. Liz is a military spouse, former college basketball coach and senior leader at Hiring Our Heroes who spearheaded fellowship programs that match military spouses with employers. Josh is a program participant whose newfound career portability is paying dividends. Today, we hear how Liz’s journey from coaching at West Point and leading college basketball programs to restarting her career after seven moves in nine years, forced professional setbacks that inspired a legacy. Guests: Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior Vice President, Hiring Our Heroes Josh Fugate, Army Spouse and Career Forward Participant, Hiring Our Heroes Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

The military does many things with precision and honor, but for families left behind, the hardest journey often begins after the ceremony ends. Grief does not follow a timeline, and loss does not end with the rifle volley as the final notes of “Taps” play. In this deeply personal episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with two nationally recognized advocates for military survivors: Maj. (Ret.) Bonnie Carroll, U.S. Air Force, and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Jennie Taylor, Gold Star spouse, mother of seven, and founder of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Both women share how the loss of their husbands reshaped their lives, and how survivor community, purpose, and service can coexist with grief. Together, they explore what military families truly need after loss, what civilians often misunderstand about grief, and why connection is the most powerful form of support. Guests: Maj. Bonnie Carroll, U.S. Air Force Retired, Gold Star Spouse and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Jennie Taylor, Gold Star Spouse and Founder, Major Brent Taylor Foundation Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

The character of war is changing, but its human stakes are not. Speed, software, autonomy, and long-range systems now shape the battlefield, yet every decision still carries life-or-death consequences for Soldiers on the ground. LTG (Ret.) Neil Thurgood’s background has prepared him to help guide thinking on the Army's adaptation without losing the values that define it. How can technology actually serve those who fight? In this episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with LTG (Ret.) Thurgood, whose career spans enlisted infantry service, combat aviation, senior acquisition leadership, and now defense industry innovation with the defense technology firm Anduril. From formative experiences as the child of an Army aviator, to his own experiences as an Infantrymen, Aviator, and senior leader standing up the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), Thurgood reflects on leadership under pressure, learning through failure, and why speed in acquisition is ultimately about giving Soldiers a chance to come home. Guest: LTG Neil Thurgood, PhD, U.S. Army Retired, Senior Vice President, Anduril Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

Officers and Soldiers of all ranks perform daily physical tasks that rival—if not surpass—those of some of the world’s top athletes, thanks to the Army’s world-class training and health programs. And who does the Army like to partner with to strengthen and innovate its own training methods? Professional sports teams and their staffs, often creating world-class programs in parallel. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Brett Fischer, the Director of Player Health and Performance for the Detroit Lions, to discuss how his blue-collar upbringing led to his love of sports, what he and his staff do to better their athletes, and how his work with veterans over the years continues to inspire him. Guest: Brett Fischer, Director, Physical Fitness, Detroit Lions Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

With its proximity to China, Russia, and—obviously—North Korea, the United States Forces Korea command is growing in importance by the minute. Leading this force—as well as the United Nations Command and the Combined Forces Command—is highly-regarded GEN Xavier T. Brunson, who brings not only his 35 years of Army experience to the table, but also a vast family history in leadership. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with GEN Brunson to discuss the latest developments in the region, how the Army has truly been a family affair for three generations of his family, and how to win an argument when your spouse has been an Army judge. Guest: GEN Xavier T. Brunson, Commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

In 2014, a military spouse and a priest—both avid bakers—wanted to create a fun, welcoming place that could help out transitioning veterans. They started Dog Tag Bakery, a Washington café that not only serves coffee and treats but also hosts a business incubator program. Over the last decade, the organization has assisted almost four hundred veterans and military spouses in their startup companies, creating employment—and high spirits—across the country. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Dog Tag’s Director of Programs and Community Impact, Maureen Devine-Ahl, and Army spouse and entrepreneur, Erin Vandre, to discuss what lessons the bakery teaches its fellows, how it aided Erin in the launch of her business (also a bakery!), and what their favorite sweets are. Guests: Maureen Devine-Ahl, Director of Programs and Community Impact, Dog Tag Bakery Erin Vandre, Dog Tag Bakery Fellow and Founder, Bravory Bakehouse Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

On Christmas Eve, 1944, Elizabeth Vincken and her twelve-year-old son, Fritz, sat down for a quiet Christmas Eve dinner, hopeful for a respite in the midst of deadly battles in the northern Belgian forest. Knocks on their door quickly turned their evening into a series of dramatic moments and standoffs, but Elizabeth’s bravery and compassion led to one of the most heart-filled – and unheard – stories of World War II. In this very special holiday episode, Army Matters senior producer Carrie Varouhakis and Army historian and writer Kevin Hymel unearth this story of a mother, a son, weary soldiers, warm food, a song, a fat goose and a lifelong quest, weaving it into a story that will fill your ears – and heart – with joy. Narrated by: Kevin M. Hymel, Historian, U.S. Army Carrie Varouhakis, Senior Producer, AUSA's Army Matters Podcast Music: The versions of “O Tannenbaum,” “Auld Lang Syne” and “Silent Night” found in this episode are performed by the U.S. Army Field Band. Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast! AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.