Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast

Lee Wagner | Dangerous Normal Life On episode 55 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Iraq War veteran Lee Wagner about joining the Marines, deploying to Iraq, both sides of active and reserve duty, the value of military work experience, and why we should not talk about the veterans’ suicide rate. […]

Andy Nigut | Now I Understand On episode 54 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Vietnam veteran Andy Nigut about becoming a Marine, being severely wounded in combat, learning to hate war, discovering delayed stress syndrome, and welcoming fellow combat veterans home. (This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)   […]

The Abernathy Family | No Justification On episode 53 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with three generations of the Abernathy family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about serving in the army during WWII through the War in Iraq, geo-political causes of war, leadership through love, and war’s impact on humanity. (This episode does […]

Brian Castner | The Walk On episode 52 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk to former Air Force EOD officer and bestselling author Brian Castner about classified rumors, being EOD cool, the evolution of IEDs, American ego, and acceptance of violence and grief. (This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)   […]

Souroth Chatterji | Use of Force On episode 51 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk to former army medic and combat veteran of Iraq Souroth Chatterji about illegal aliens, easy duty in Iraq, and his thoughts on community policing and the use of force after seven years with the Pittsburgh police. (This […]

Timothy Jones | There’s Hope On episode 50 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we feature a special cross-over presentation of the inaugural episode of the MST Podcast, sponsored by the Veterans Breakfast Club.  Host Lauren DelRicci talks with navy veteran Timothy Jones about his MST experience being raped and suffering the fallout among […]

Tim O’Brien | Making Sentences Is Hard On episode 49 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk to Vietnam veteran and noted author Tim O’Brien about memory and truth in war, making sense of absolutes, and how veterans can deal with experience through writing and storytelling. (This episode contains explicit language or subject […]

VBC at Night | Heinz Field On episode 48 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, VBC presents an evening of live veterans storytelling at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring the stories and voices of Matt Landis, Leonard Hammonds, LaShaundra Hammonds, Craig Williams, Jake Wheatley, Paul Abernathy, and many others. (This episode does not contain […]

Frankia Bernstein | I Saw So Many Things On episode 47 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Marine Corps combat veteran Frankia Bernstein about joining the military after 9/11, one less terrorist in the world, seeing things in boot camp that can’t be unseen, and providing life to the marines. […]

Derrick Clark | I See Myself On episode 46 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Derrick Clark about opportunities given and taken away by the military, what it means to be an operational yeoman, documenting war, mentoring today’s youth, and racism inside and outside the military. (This episode […]

VBC at Night | Beaver County On episode 45 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, VBC presents a live evening of veterans storytelling in Beaver, Pennsylvania, featuring the stories and voices of Darell Jerome, Larry Googins, Gene Bradshaw, Steve Brittian, Timmy Kellerman, and many others. (This episode does not contain explicit language or subject […]

Nickie Renee | No Control On episode 44 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Air Force veteran Nickie Renee about reasons for joining the military, underwhelming expectations of leadership, military sexual trauma (MST), and the ongoing struggle to keep it together. (This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)   […]

Bart Womack | Command On episode 43 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Command Sergeant Major Bart Womack about no interest in joining the army, North Korean defectors, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the importance of senior enlisted leadership, and surviving the massacre at Camp Pennsylvania in Iraq. (This […]

Paul Abernathy | Five Good Days On episode 42 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army combat veteran Rev. Paul Abernathy about invading Iraq, military hubris, veterans against the war, the priesthood, taking a knee, forgiving our trespasses, and treating community trauma. (This episode does not contain explicit language or […]

Anthony Reilly | Corpsman On episode 41 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Anthony Reilly about casually enlisting in the navy, becoming a pecker-checker (Hospital Corpsmen), fake military heroes, ice cream in Afghanistan, and learning the barber trade from a convicted murderer. (This episode contains explicit language or […]

Bryant Paz | Flight Deck On episode 40 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Bryant Paz about pressure to serve after 9/11, the navy’s worst leaders, and the most dangerous job in the world.   (This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)   Those who served since […]

Anthony Fedele | My Turn to Reach Back On episode 39 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army veteran Anthony Fedele about the rigors of the 10th Mountain Division, medical retirement, post-traumatic stress, and the importance of mindfulness and hope for veterans.   (This episode contains explicit language or subject […]

AJ Luna | Strategic Partners On episode 38 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army veteran AJ Luna about loss in Iraq, tough-guy reservists, decluttering the veterans service space, and the importance of strategic partners.   (This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)   Those who served since the […]

James Huggins | Promotion Denied On episode 37 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Air Force veteran James Huggins about serving as a military cop, tough duty assignments, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” and why leaving the service was the right thing to do.   (This episode contains explicit language or […]

Beverly Kreger, Marion Cole, Emily Drake | All Women’s Army On episode 36 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Beverly Kreger, Marion Cole, and Emily Drake recorded live at the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association national convention held in Pittsburgh, Pa.  We talk about their service during WWII, favorite stories, Nazis […]

Dave Campbell | The Logistics Guy On episode 35 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Lt. Col. Dave Campbell (Ret.) about his career in the Army Guard, leadership, army administration, and his duty as a casualty assistance officer.   (This episode does not contain explicit language/subject matter)     Those who […]

Chuck Jenkins | I Was Doing My Job On episode 34 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Marine Vietnam veteran Chuck Jenkins about fighting against the NVA, being wounded during Operation Swift and the Battle of Hue City, and receiving the Silver Star Medal–our military’s third-highest personal decoration for valor in […]

VBC at Night | Beaver County On episode 33 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we present a live recording of our Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling event in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Featuring the stories of Ed Blank (Vietnam), Paul Cupp (Vietnam), Damien Gabis (Afghanistan), Michael Sabatasse (Desert Storm), Ryan Ahl (Iraq), and Pete Longstreth (WWII). […]

Warren Goss | Back No More On episode 32 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with WWII veteran Warren Goss about landing on Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, coping with post traumatic stress, and sharing his story with children. (This episode does not contain explicit language/subject matter)     Those who […]

Chris Landis | Stuck Somewhere By Themselves On episode 31 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army veteran of the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan Chris Landis about serving in the army before and after 9/11, and the logistical, cultural, political, and personal complexities of fighting our nation’s longest war. […]

Aryanna Berringer | Serving to Give Back On episode 30 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army veteran of Iraq Aryanna Berringer about joining the army in reaction to 9/11, making life-long friendships, and why she’s running for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.       Those who served since the attacks […]

Blair Mickles | Let’s Go For It On episode 29 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army veteran of Afghanistan Blair Mickles about joining the army on a mission, Octoberfest, and finding fellowship among other veterans with the veterans service organization, The Mission Continues.     Those who served since […]

Matt Darwin | Kickin’ in Doors On episode 28 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Marine Corps combat veteran of Iraq, Matt Darwin, about infantry duty, urban combat, downtime, and life after the marines.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  […]

Carissa Snedden | My Body, My Self On episode 27 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Air Force veteran Carissa Snedden about reasons for joining the military, negative body images within the Air Force, and discovering meaningful fellowship and service among peer veterans.     Those who served since the […]

Joel Laudenslager | A Reasonably Odd Background On episode 26 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Marine Corps staff sergeant Joel Laudenslager about freaking out his mother, going to war in Iraq and Afghanstan, and staying in the Corps for the long haul.     Those who served since the attacks […]

Bob Harbula | Lesson from Korea On episode 25 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Korean War combat veteran Bob Harbula about the Marine Corps, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and hard lessons learned on the Korean Peninsula.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are […]

Tyler Benson | Smallman Galley On episode 24 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with former navy officer Tyler Benson about serving aboard ship, leadership skills learned in the military,  entrepreneurship and renewal in Pittsburgh, and why more businesses should hire veterans.     Those who served since the attacks of September […]

George Haught | The Battle of Huế City On episode 23 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Vietnam veteran George Haught about fighting and surviving the Battle of Huế City, one of the Marine Corp’s most legendary, bloodiest, and longest battles of the Vietnam War.     Those who served since […]

Lauren DelRicci | MST On episode 22 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we continue our conversation with navy veteran Lauren DelRicci and discuss her experience separating from the service, coping with military sexual trauma (MST), and effective treatment through the VA.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 […]

VBC at Night | Dormont On episode 21 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we present a live recording of our Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling event at VFW Post 694 in Dormont, Pennsylvania. Featuring the stories of John DeLallo (Vietnam), Lauren, DelRicci (GWOT), Larry Gamret (Vietnam), Kevin Farkas (Cold War), Peter Maurin (WWII), Jeff Bodell […]

Justin Thomas | Military Police On episode 20 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with military police officer and Army Reserve veteran Justin Thomas about the call to duty stateside on 9/11 and being among the earliest troops deploying to Iraq.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, […]

Todd DePastino | Every Veteran Has a Story On episode 19 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with VBC executive director Todd DePastino about veterans stories and live storytelling events.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million […]

Andrew Brennan | GWOT Memorial On episode 18 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Andrew Brennan, veteran of Afghanistan, army aviator, and executive director of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more […]

Taylor Smith | Army Infantry Afghanistan On episode 17 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Taylor Smith, army infantry and sniper combat veteran of Afghanistan.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million and make up nearly […]

Lauren DelRicci | Blue Ridge Snipe On episode 16 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Lauren DelRicci, US Navy veteran and machinist mate who served aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)–the navy’s oldest deployable combat ship.   Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  […]

Dave Andros | West Point to Iraq On episode 15 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Dave Andros, graduate of the United States Military Academy, Army Ranger, and veteran of Iraq.   Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 […]

Sebastian Junger | Covering the War On episode 14 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Sebastian Junger, author, war journalist, and documentary film producer of the award-winning chronicle of the war in Afghanistan, Restrepo.   Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more […]

Marvin Cadet | Empowering Veterans to Serve On episode 13 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Marvin Cadet of New York City, Army National Guard veteran of Iraq and project specialist with The Mission Continues.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  […]

Jake Voelker | Engineering the Korengal Valley On episode 12 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Jake Voelker of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, former army officer, combat engineer, and veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more […]

Aaron Scheinberg | The Mission Continues On episode 11 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Aaron Scheinberg, West Point graduate, veteran of Iraq, and Northeast regional director of The Mission Continues.     Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than […]

Matt Zeller | No One Left Behind (part 2) On episode 10 of Longest War: The Post 9/11 Veterans Podcast, we continue our conversation with Matt Zeller, former army officer, combat veteran of Afghanistan, and founder of No One Left Behind–helping Afghan and Iraqi combat interpreters resettle safely in the United States.     Those […]

Matt Zeller | No One Left Behind (part 1) On episode 9 of Longest War: The Post 9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Matt Zeller, former army officer, combat veteran of Afghanistan, and founder of No One Left Behind–helping Afghan and Iraqi combat interpreters resettle safely in the United States.     Those who served […]

Ben Stahl | US Navy  On episode 8 of Longest War: The Post 9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Ben Stahl about the rigors of bootcamp, navy traditions, sailors who can’t swim, Nicholas Cage, sh*tty tattoos, and serving aboard the USS Gladiator (MCM 11).     Those who served since the attacks […]

Sohrab | Afghan Interpreter (part 2) On episode 7 of Longest War: The Post 9/11 Veterans Podcast, we finish our conversation with Afghan interpreter, Sohrab, and talk about serving with US special forces during the Global War on Terror, the current state of Afghanistan, respect for veterans, and staying in America.     Those who served […]

Sohrab | Afghan Interpreter (part 1) On episode 6 of Longest War, the podcast of VBC’s Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project, we have an in-depth conversation with Afghan interpreter, Sohrab, about his experiences serving with US special forces during the Global War on Terror, coming to America, and finding brotherhood and acceptance among American veterans.     […]

Lee Bruner | Army – Afghanistan   On episode 5 of Longest War, the podcast of VBC’s Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project, we have an in-depth conversation with US Army veteran of Afghanistan, Lee Bruner, about first combat, the African-American veteran experience, coping with post-traumatic stress, and coming home. Explicit language/content.     Those who served since […]