Podcasts about veterans administration

First up, Georgetown law professor and former national legal director at the ACLU, David Cole, joins us to discuss the legal response to the Trump Administration's serial violations of the Constitution. Then Mike Ferner of Veterans for Peace checks in to update us halfway through his Fast for Gaza, 40 days of living on 250 calories per day, which is the average caloric intake of Palestinian survivors in Gaza. Finally, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Joe Holley, stops by to pay tribute to his mentor and colleague, the late crusading journalist, Ronnie Dugger, founder of the progressive Texas Observer.David Cole is the Honorable George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy and former National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He writes about and teaches constitutional law, freedom of speech, and constitutional criminal procedure. He is a regular contributor to The New York Review of Books and is the legal affairs correspondent for The Nation.Trump is obviously not concerned about antisemitism. He's concerned about targeting schools because they are places where people can criticize the president, where people can think independently, are taught to think independently, and often don't support what the president is doing. He's using his excuse to target a central institution of civil society.David ColeThe decision on Trump versus the United States is only about criminal liability for criminal acts, not for unconstitutional acts. And violating the Constitution is not a crime. Every president has violated the Constitution probably since George Washington. That's not a crime.David ColeMike Ferner served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and he is former National Director and current Special Projects Coordinator for Veterans for Peace. He is the author of Inside the Red Zone: A Veteran for Peace Reports from Iraq.Two hundred and fifty calories is technically, officially, a starvation diet, and we're doing it for 40 days. The people in Gaza have been doing it for months and months and months, and they're dying like crazy. That's the whole concern that we're trying to raise. And I'll tell you at the end of this fast, on the 40th day, we are not just going out silently. There are going to be some fireworks before we're done with this thing. So all I'm saying is: stay tuned.Mike Ferner: Special Projects Coordinator of Veterans for Peace on “FastforGaza”They're (The Veterans Administration is) being defamed, Ralph, for the same reason that those right-wing corporatists defamed public education. So they can privatize it. And that's exactly what they're trying to do with the VA. And I can tell you every single member of Veterans for Peace has got nothing but praise for the VA.Mike FernerJoe Holley was the editor of the Texas Observer in the early 1980s. A former staff writer at The Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial writer and columnist at the Houston Chronicle, he is the author of eight books, mostly about Texas.He would talk to people, and he would find out things going on about racial discrimination, about farm workers being mistreated, all kind of stories that the big papers weren't reporting. And this one guy, young Ronnie Dugger, would write these stories and expose things about Texas that a lot of Texans just did not know.Joe Holley on the late progressive journalist, Ronnie DuggerHe knew the dark side of Texas, but he always had an upbeat personality. I had numerous conversations with Ronnie (Dugger), and he was ferociously independent.Ralph NaderNews 6/13/251. On Monday, Israeli forces seized the Madleen, the ship carrying activist Greta Thunberg and others attempting to bring food and other supplies past the Israeli blockade into Gaza, and detained the crew. The ship was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thunberg had been designated an “Ambassador of Conscience,” by Amnesty International. The group decried her detention, with Secretary General Agnès Callamard writing, “Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and demonstrated its chilling contempt for legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.” On Tuesday, CBS reported that Israel deported Thunberg. Eight other passengers refused deportation and the Jerusalem Post reports they remain in Israeli custody. They will be represented in Israeli courts by Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. One of these detainees is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.2. Shortly before the Madleen was intercepted, members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern for the safety of these activists, citing the deadly 2010 raid of the Mavi Marmara, which ultimately resulted in the death of ten activists, including an American. This letter continued, “any attack on the Madleen or its civilian crew is a clear and blatant violation of international law. United Nations experts have called for the ship's safe passage and warned Israel to “refrain from any act of hostility” against the Madleen and its passengers…We call on you to monitor the Madleen's journey and deter any such hostile actions.” This letter was led by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and drew signatures from Congressional progressives like Reps. Summer Lee, AOC, Ilhan Omar, Greg Casar, and others.3. On the other end of the political spectrum, Trump – ever unpredictable – seemed to criticize Israel's detention of Thunberg. In a press conference, “Trump was…asked about Thunberg's claim that she had been kidnapped.” The president responded “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg…Is that what she said? She was kidnapped by Israel?” The reporter replied “Yes, sir,” to which “Trump responded by shaking his head.” This from Newsweek.4. Of course, the major Trump news this week is his response to the uprising in Los Angeles. Set off by a new wave of ICE raids, protesters have clashed with police in the streets and Trump has responded by increasingly upping the ante, including threatening to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom, per KTLA. Beyond such bluster however, Trump has moved to deploy U.S. Marines onto the streets of the nation's second-largest city. Reuters reports, “About 700 Marines were in a staging area in the Seal Beach area about 30 miles…south of Los Angeles, awaiting deployment to specific locations,” in addition to 2,100 National Guard troops. The deployment of these troops raises thorny legal questions. Per Reuters, “The Marines and National Guard troops lack the authority to makes arrests and will be charged only with protecting federal property and personnel,” but “California Attorney General Rob Bonta… [said] there was a risk that could violate an 1878 law that…forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.” Yet, despite all the tumult, these protests seem to have gotten the goods, so to speak: the City of Glendale announced it would, “end its agreement with…ICE to house federal immigration detainees.” All of this sets quite a scene going into Trump's military parade in DC slated for Saturday, June 14th.5. In classic fashion however, Trump's tough posture does not extend to corporate crime. Public Citizen's Rick Claypool reports, “Trump's DOJ just announced American corporations that engage in criminal bribery schemes abroad will no longer be prosecuted.” Claypool cites a June 9th memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, which reads, “Effective today, prosecutors shall…not attribute…malfeasance to corporate structures.” Claypool also cites a Wall Street Journal piece noting that “the DOJ has already ended half of its criminal investigations into corporate bribery in foreign countries and shrunk its [Foreign Corrupt Practices Act] unit down to 25 employees.”6. Americans can at least take small comfort in one thing: the departure of Elon Musk from the top rungs of government. It remains to be seen what exactly precipitated his final exit and how deep his rift with Trump goes – Musk has already backed down on his harshest criticisms of the president, deleting his tweet claiming Trump was in Epstein files, per ABC. Yet, this appears to be a victory for Steve Bannon and the forces he represents within Trump's inner circle. On June 5th, the New York Times reported that Bannon, “said he was advising the president to cancel all [Musk's] contracts and… ‘initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status'.” Bannon added, “[Musk] should be deported from the country immediately.'” Bannon has even called for a special counsel probe, per the Hill. Bannon's apparent ascendency goes beyond the Oval Office as well. POLITICO Playbook reports Bannon had a 20-minute-long conversation with Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman on Monday evening – while Fetterman dined with Washington bureau chief for Breitbart, Matt Boyle – at Butterworth's, the DC MAGA “watering hole.” This also from the Hill.7. On the way out, the Daily Beast reports, “Elon Musk's goons at the Department of Government Efficiency transmitted a large amount of data—all of it undetected—using a Starlink Wi-Fi terminal they installed on top of the White House.” Sources “suggested that the [the installation of the Starlink terminal] was intended to bypass White House systems that track the transmission of data—with names and time stamps—and secure it from spies.” It is unknown exactly what data Musk and his minions absconded with, and for what purpose. We can only hope the public gets some answers.8. With Musk and Trump parting ways, other political forces are now seeking to woo the richest man in the world. Semafor reports enigmatic Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and chaired Bernie Sanders' campaign in California, “talked with one of…Musk's ‘senior confidants' …about whether the ex-DOGE leader…might want to help the Democratic Party in the midterms.” Khanna added, “Having Elon speak out against the irrational tariff policy, against the deficit exploding Trump bill, and the anti-science and anti-immigrant agenda can help check Trump's unconstitutional administration…I look forward to Elon turning his fire against MAGA Republicans instead of Democrats in 2026.” On the other hand, the Hill reports ex-Democrat Andrew Yang is publicly appealing to Musk for an alliance following Musk's call for the establishment of an “America Party.” Yang himself founded the Forward Party in 2021. Yang indicated Musk has not responded to his overtures.9. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Democratic Party appears to be giving up entirely. In a leaked Zoom meeting, DNC Chair Ken Martin – only elected in February – said, “I don't know if I wanna do this anymore,” per POLITICO. On this call, Martin expressed frustration with DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, blaming him for, “[destroying] any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to.” Hogg meanwhile has doubled down, defying DNC leadership by “wading into another primary,” this time for the open seat left by the death of Congressman Gerry Conolly in Virginia, the Washington Post reports. The DNC is still weighing whether to void Hogg's election as Vice Chair.10. Finally, in some good news from New York City, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani appears to have closed the gap with disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo began the race with a 40-point lead; a new Data for Progress poll shows that lead has been cut down to just two points. Moreover, that poll was conducted before Mamdani was endorsed by AOC, who is expected to bring with her substantial support from Latinos and residents of Queens, among other groups. Notably, Mamdani has racked up tremendous numbers among young men, a demographic the Democratic Party has struggled to attract in recent elections. Cuomo will not go down without a fight however. The political nepo-baby has already secured a separate ballot line for the November election, meaning he will be in the race even if he loses the Democratic primary, and he is being boosted by a new million-dollar digital ad spend by Airbnb, per POLITICO. The New York City Democratic Primary will be held on June 24th.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

For the first time, ex-Mossad agents who led the exploding pager and walkie-talkie plot against Hezbollah, which garnered worldwide attention in September, detail their 10-year undercover op in an interview with correspondent Lesley Stahl. Meeting in Israel, the agents, who recently retired from service, share never-before-known details that caught Hezbollah fighters by surprise and ultimately spurred change across the region from Lebanon to Syria to Iran. Last year, the Veterans Administration announced it would begin funding clinical trials to explore the use of psychedelic drugs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction. However, these trials are small, and even if successful, it will likely be years before veterans can access psychedelics at the VA. Many U.S. veterans struggling with PTSD aren't waiting. Thousands of them are traveling overseas seeking relief at psychedelic retreats where these substances are legal to use, mostly in indigenous ceremonies. Correspondent Anderson Cooper follows nine veterans on a psychedelic journey to the west coast of Mexico, where they hope to find healing. Correspondent Jon Wertheim goes behind the scenes as George Clooney makes his Broadway debut, starring in an adaptation of the 2005 Oscar-nominated movie “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Clooney co-wrote both the original screenplay and this play, which tell the story of pioneering journalist Edward R. Murrow, who took on Senator Joseph McCarthy. Clooney calls it a fight for the ages and says the plot, which revolves around themes of truth, intimidation and courage in corporate media, resonates today. Now 64, the actor tells Wertheim why he finally feels ready to take on the role of Murrow himself. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tinnitus is the number one service-connected disability within the Veterans Administration, and for those with PTSD, it can cause significant distress. A UT Health San Antonio researcher who suffers from chronic tinnitus is studying the connection between the two and how to improve treatment.

Leah  explains whether nexus letters are needed for VA presumptive conditions. She breaks down what presumptive conditions are, referencing official VA sources like exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits, and Camp Lejeune toxins, and clarifies that these conditions are generally assumed by the VA to be service-connected, meaning a nexus letter is *typically* not required. However, Leah points out important exceptions, such as unclear service dates, denied claims, or secondary conditions, where a nexus letter might still be helpful. She emphasizes the importance of working with accredited VA representatives and gives practical advice for veterans navigating the claims process.

Leah breaks down everything veterans need to know about getting VA disability benefits for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). She explains how COPD includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, outlines symptoms, and dives into medical literature showing a strong connection between toxic military exposures (like burn pits or Agent Orange) and COPD—even in non-smokers. Leah details the VA rating system, diagnostic codes, necessary medical documentation (like pulmonary function tests), and strategies for building a strong claim. She also clarifies how COPD can be service-connected directly, secondarily, or presumptively, and encourages veterans to seek help from VSOs or accredited representatives if they've been denied.

Leah explains the crucial concept of favorable findings in VA disability claims. These are positive acknowledgments by the VA, such as confirmed diagnoses, in-service injuries, or credible lay statements, that remain on record even if a claim is denied. Leah walks viewers through how to find and interpret these favorable findings in their rating decision letters, why they're valuable in appeals, and how they can guide future claims. With clear examples and practical advice, she empowers veterans to better navigate the often-confusing VA disability process and encourages working with accredited legal professionals to strengthen their case.

Remember when US Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, claimed he would be an independent voice for veterans and positioned himself as standing up against budget cuts that would hurt vets? After stiff-arming constituents by refusing to hold town halls, the only voice he's hearing is from the guy in the White House who wants massive cuts to the Veterans Administration. So it wasn't a big surprise to hear Van Orden trot out the “bureaucracy” bogeyman in his latest promise that VA cuts would be all about bureaucrats and not the quality of veterans' health care. Also: Dan Shafer talked to us about his recent column on which legislators will be watched closely for signs of bipartisanship in their newly-competitive districts. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cherita Booker

Leah and Rebecca Deming from Provet Legal dive deep into the topic of "pyramiding" in VA disability claims. They explain how the VA prevents veterans from receiving multiple ratings for the same symptoms, using real-world examples involving mental health, respiratory conditions, and TBI. The conversation is packed with practical insights on how to avoid rating mistakes, maximize benefits, and when to seek legal and medical support. It's a thorough, relatable guide for veterans who want to better understand the rating process and protect their rights. 

With Hans Breitenmoser, we'll review the latest on Republicans' efforts to pass a budget that hurts farmers and the low-income families who rely on nutrition assistance provided by our farmers. Not only is Congressman Derrick Van Orden supporting that plan, he's also continuing to spread the notion that Veterans Administration cuts are only targeting fraud, an argument that is itself fraudulent. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guest: Hans Breitenmoser

N Engl J Med 1991; 325:303-10Background Enalapril was found to be superior to placebo for patients with severe, class IV heart failure in the CONSENSUS trial and the regimen of Hydralazine-Isosorbide dinitrate was found to be superior to Prazosin as well as placebo for stable patients with mild heart failure in the original V-HEFT I trial. No sufficiently powered trials in this space had been performed to assess whether Enalapril improved long-term morbidity or mortality for heart failure patients with milder symptoms and the CONSENSUS trial had important limitations. The V-HEFT II trial was undertaken to compare 2 vasodilator regimens (Enalapril and Hydralazine-Isosorbide dinitrate) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Besides comparing efficacy of these agents on mortality, investigators sought to understand how these agents affected physiologic endpoints. The trial was sponsored by the Veterans Administration and enrolled men and the patient population and methods were identical to the original V-HEFT trial.Cardiology Trial's Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Patients Men between the ages of 18 and 75 were recruited from 13 participating Veterans Administration hospitals and had to have chronic congestive heart failure based on either evidence of cardiac dilatation or left ventricular dysfunction (EF

N Engl J Med 1986; 314:1547-52Background Into the mid-1980's, digoxin and diuretics were the mainstay of chronic disease management for congestive heart failure. Vasodilator agents were also commonly used based on limited data of their favorable hemodynamic effects. No sufficiently powered trials in this space had been performed to assess whether administration of vasodilators or any other agents improved long-term morbidity or mortality for heart failure patients. The V-HEFT trial was undertaken to test the hypotheses that 2 widely used vasodilator regimens (prazosin or a combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate) were superior for reducing death versus placebo. The trial was sponsored by the Veterans Administration and only enrolled men.Patients Men between the ages of 18 and 75 were recruited from 11 participating Veterans Administration hospitals and had to have chronic congestive heart failure based on either evidence of cardiac dilatation or left ventricular dysfunction (EF 0.7 ng/mL and euvolemic volume status. Clinical evaluations and exercise-tolerance tests on 2 consecutive visits, two weeks apart, had to reveal clinical and exercise stability before randomization could occur. Following randomization, patients continued to receive the optimal dose of digoxin and diuretic along with 1 of 3 study regimens. The placebo group was given placebo tablets and placebo capsules and instructed to take them 4 times a day. The prazosin group took 2.5 mg prazosin capsules and placebo tablets 4 times a day. The hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate group took 37.5 mg hydralazine capsules and 20 mg isosorbide dinitrate tablets 4 times a day.In all groups, therapy began with 1 capsule and 1 tablet to be taken 4 times a day. In the absence of side effects, this was increased to 2 capsules and 2 tablets 4 times a day for a total of 20 mg of prazosin or 300-160 mg of hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate. If drug-related side effects occurred, the dose could be reduced to half a tablet 4 times per day or to one capsule 2 times per day. If the dose was reduced, an attempt was made later to reinstitute the full dose.In order to limit dropouts, rigorous criteria were established for “treatment failures.” Physicians were advised to hospitalize patients with worsening symptoms, and, if appropriate, to use temporary intravenous vasodilator or inotropic interventions for stabilization. Physicians were encouraged to resume study medications upon discharge. At least 2 such hospitalizations were required, along with objective evidence of deterioration, before the study medications were discontinued and replaced with known therapy.Endpoints The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.Results 642 patients were enrolled (273 in placebo group, 183 in prazosin group and 186 in the hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate group). Excluding discontinuations that took place within 1 month before death, 47 patients (17%) discontinued one or both types of placebos, 43 patients (23%) discontinued prazosin, and 60 patients (32%) discontinued either one or both drugs in the hydralazine-isosorbide group. Six months after randomization, the average prescribed doses were 18.6 mg per day of prazosin, 270 mg per day of hydralazine, and 136 mg per day of isosorbide dinitrate. More than 85% of the prescribed drugs were taken in each treatment group.The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (range 6 months to 5.7 years). Only 4 patients were lost to follow up (2 in placebo group, 1 in prazosin group, and 1 in hydralazine-dinitrate group). There were 120 deaths in placebo group (44%; 19 per 100 patient years), 91 in the prazosin group (50%; 22 per 100 patient years), 72 in the hydralazine-dinitrate group (39%; 17 per 100 patient years). A reduction in mortality over the entire follow-up period was observed in the hydralazine-nitrate group compared with placebo (p = 0.093 on the log-rank test and p = 0.046 on the generalized Wilcoxon test, which gives more weight to treatment differences occurring in the earlier part of the mortality curves and less weight to the latter part, where the numbers are smaller). The absolute difference in mortality between these groups increased during three years and then began to diminish. The absolute difference in mortality between the placebo group and hydralazine-isosorbide groups at years 1 through 4 was 7%, 9%, 11% and 4%, respectively.Prespecified subgroup analysis in CAD vs no CAD stratification showed no significant treatment effect heterogeneity for hydralazine-nitrate among those with CAD although the absolute difference in mortality between groups was numerically higher for patients with CAD.At 8 weeks and 1 year, SBP (-4.1 and -4.6 mmHg) and DBP (-3.2 and -2.7 mmHg) decreased the most in the prazosin group compared to placebo. Hydralazine-nitrate was not associated with a statistically significant nor clinically significant difference in BP with exception of DBP at 8 weeks. The EF rose significantly at 8 weeks and 1 year in the hydralazine-nitrate group (+2.9 and +4.2) compared to placebo but not in the prazosin group.Side effects were reported in 4.0% of placebo patients, 11% of prazosin patients and 19% of hydralazine-nitrate patients, respectively. The most common side effects were headache and dizziness. Headache was reported in 12% of hydralazine-nitrate patients.Conclusions This study compared the combination of hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate or prazosin to placebo in patients with chronic congestive heart failure who were optimized on digoxin and diuretic therapy. In what appears to be a young (58 years) and highly selected population of clinically stable, male veterans with dilated cardiomyopathies and low symptom burdens, the combination of hydralazine-isosorbide reduced death by 2 per 100 patient years, increased EF by 4% at 1 year and did not significantly alter BP compared to placebo. Side effects were reported in approximately 1 out of 5 patients with the most common being headache and approximately 1 out of 3 discontinued 1 or both study drugs. Prasozin did not reduce death or increase EF but did reduce BP compared to placebo. The internal validity of the study is high with only a few minor imbalances in baseline characteristics, which do not appear clinically relevant nor to consistently favor any one group. Less than 1% of patients were lost to follow up with no significant imbalances between groups. The external validity is limited by the fact that this is a population of male veterans and the etiologic distribution of cardiomyopathy and heart failure is likely different from a general heart failure population; etiologic causes of death are also likely to be different. Furthermore, the population is highly selected and its unclear how many patients from the general heart failure population would meet study criteria.Cardiology Trial's Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Cardiology Trial's Substack at cardiologytrials.substack.com/subscribe

Paul Rieckhoff, host of the "Independent Americans" podcast and founder of Independent Veterans of America, gives his battlefield assessment about the future of Defense Secretary-for-now Pete Hegseth and President Trump's crackdown on the supposed Anti-Christian bias at the Veterans Administration.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Today on America in the Morning   Ukraine In Question A gathering in London to find an end to the war in Ukraine did not go well, which included proposals Kyiv did not want, and concerns that the US would leave the equation altogether. Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports what is clear is that the Trump administration's patience is growing thin.    Trump's Oval Office Comments Ukraine was far from the only thing on President Trump's mind yesterday. Correspondent Rich Johnson has more on Trump's many comments following an Oval Office ceremony, which included an Executive Order cracking down on foreign funding to universities like Harvard.    NJ Wildfire Grows A fast-moving wildfire in the Southern New Jersey Pine Barrens has forced thousands to evacuate. Correspondent Julie Walker reports fire crews expect the blaze to worsen before it's contained.    Court Hears North Carolina Ballot Case A Federal appeals court is weighing in on a case surrounding disputed ballots in North Carolina. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.    Tariff Lawsuits Twelve states including New York and California are suing the Trump administration for what they are calling “illegally imposing” tax hikes on Americans through tariffs.     It's Electric California is going ahead with more electric school buses, as cuts in federal funds have some other states changing their plans.  Correspondent Donna Warder reports.        Remembering Pope Francis In Vatican City, the body of Pope Francis lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica days ahead of his weekend funeral. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.     Durbin's Last Term There was a surprise in Congress, as the Senate's number two Democrat released an announcement on Social Media saying that he's making way for a younger generation. Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.     Town Hall Trouble Going to a town hall meeting hosted by a member of Congress is far from a quiet gathering these days, including one recently hosted by Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Green where security had to use Tasers to regain order. Correspondent Donna Warder reports on how some town hall gatherings held by Republican members of Congress are turning into shouting matches.     Education Executive Orders President Trump on Wednesday signed a number of Executive Orders targeting education, aimed at reforming K through 12 school policies, tackling artificial intelligence, and reigning in woke ideologies and foreign funding at universities.    Weinstein In Court Harvey Weinstein's newest rape retrial opened Wednesday with added allegations from a former model. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.   Prison For Selling Secrets A former Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for giving sensitive military information to a person he believed was affiliated with the Chinese government.     VA's New Task Force A new task force within the Veterans Administration has been created to root out anti-Christian bias. Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports.     Judge Demands Garcia Information A federal judge in Maryland accused the Trump administration of "willful and bad faith refusal" to comply with court orders in the case of recently deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to El Salvador. Ben Thomas reports that the court is demanding to know what steps the Trump administration has taken to return him to the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Retired US Army Captain and Physician's Assistant Tony Ruiz is now the CEO of Veteran Nexus.  He and his employees support veterans nationwide with refined reviews of medical records and medical assessments for inclusion with submissions to the Veterans Administration for disability determinations. Our library of shows can be found at www.veteranscornerradio.comJoin us on Facebook at the page Veterans Corner RadioYou can contact our host Joe Muhlberger at joseph.muhlberger@gmail.com

Staff from U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz's office will be available to meet with residents on Monday, April 28, from 1-4 p.m., at the Sam Fore Jr. Wilson County Public Library, 1103 Fourth St. in Floresville. Constituents can get assistance with Veterans Administration or Social Security issues, U.S. passports, or other services. No appointments are needed.Article Link

Episode 32 - Sleep disorders related to PTSD can be treated! Andrew Colsky speaks with Dr. Liz Goldstein, a staff psychologist at the Veterans Administration. Disclaimer: Please note that all information and content on the UK Health Radio Network, all its radio broadcasts and podcasts are provided by the authors, producers, presenters and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. As a service to our listeners/readers our programs/content are for general information and entertainment only.  The UK Health Radio Network does not recommend, endorse, or object to the views, products or topics expressed or discussed by show hosts or their guests, authors and interviewees.  We suggest you always consult with your own professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advisor. So please do not delay or disregard any professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advice received due to something you have heard or read on the UK Health Radio Network.

Congressman Rudy Yakym talks about the Veterans Administration's (VA) misrepresentation of a $3 billion shortfall to Congress, which was later found to be false due to poor accounting practices. Yakym criticizes the Biden administration for using veterans as political pawns and highlights his efforts to combat improper government payments, which totaled over $2.8 trillion in the last two decades. He also addresses the issue of unemployment fraud, where $135 billion was fraudulently claimed during the pandemic, with only $5 billion recovered. Yakym introduces legislation to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting fraudsters and to protect Jewish students and faculty from discrimination and ties to terrorist groups. Additional interviews with Congressman Eric Burlison, who sheds light on the potential end of taxpayer-funded media, citing the abundance of information sources and the U.S.'s $37 trillion debt, and The Wellness Company's Dr. Peter McCullough, who shares new scientific research indicating that repeated COVID-19 vaccinations may harm individuals by causing the body to produce harmful antibodies, leading to recurring infections. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After answering repeated questions from CNN anchor Kaitlin Collins about the Signal group chat breach and security of communications among Trump cabinet members, VA Secretary Doug Collins turned the question around and asked Collins about a $5 million defamation suit her network settled with a veteran who successfully argued he had been libeled about his involvement in the Afghanistan withdrawal. Jimmy explains how Collins ignores the most important part of the Signal breach story. Plus segments on the REAL reason Trump is shipping all those alleged gang members from Venezuela to El Salvador, newly minted HHS Secretary RFK Jr. targeting big processed foods manufacturers and James Corbett talking to Jimmy about the phony left-right divide. Also featuring Stef Zamorano and Mike MacRae. Plus a phone call from JD Vance!

Mike Esworthy, Chief Strategy Officer at EnableComp, understands the challenges that health systems face when dealing with complex health claims such as workers' compensation, Veterans Administration, motor vehicle accidents, Medicaid, and out-of-state claims. These exception-based claims require deep subject matter expertise to identify the right payer and process the claims correctly. Using AI-driven technology, EnableComp helps hospitals manage complex claims, minimize the number of denials, optimize revenue, and allow them to focus on their core commercial claims.  Mike explains, "I think the easiest example to provide in that context, if you look at a worker's comp claim, more often than not, when a patient comes into the hospital, they don't know who their company's workers' comp provider is, and so often they hand over the commercial insurance card. If that doesn't get caught early, the commercial insurance gets billed, it results in a denial, and the claim sits out there in the ether for 30, 45 days before it comes back to the provider to go figure out who is the right payer class for this. So that's the big picture of the challenges. And then each of those claim types has unique nuances that make this challenging." "I think there are a lot of good things happening in the VA that are, in theory, improving access for veterans, and that's a great thing. From a claim standpoint, though, I think all of the core challenges still remain. And so I know that many of the EMRs have been putting a focus on interoperability, and all of that is great from a treatment care coordination, getting veterans seen in hospitals, and getting them through the door." "But once they've been treated, all of the same challenges that were prevalent before, all of these announcements are still out there. And I think the complexity still exists in terms of not being a normal payer pathway for providers and not knowing all the specific rules. One such example is that you were only allowed one appeal level within the veteran's claims, which means you have to get it right the first time. And so there's a really important component of knowing how to process the claim, getting it done correctly, and ensuring that you're maximizing the yield and the outcome of the claim itself." #EnableComp #VeteranCare #HealthcareInnovation #ComplexRCM  enablecomp.com Download the transcript here

Mike Esworthy, Chief Strategy Officer at EnableComp, understands the challenges that health systems face when dealing with complex health claims such as workers' compensation, Veterans Administration, motor vehicle accidents, Medicaid, and out-of-state claims. These exception-based claims require deep subject matter expertise to identify the right payer and process the claims correctly. Using AI-driven technology, EnableComp helps hospitals manage complex claims, minimize the number of denials, optimize revenue, and allow them to focus on their core commercial claims.  Mike explains, "I think the easiest example to provide in that context, if you look at a worker's comp claim, more often than not, when a patient comes into the hospital, they don't know who their company's workers' comp provider is, and so often they hand over the commercial insurance card. If that doesn't get caught early, the commercial insurance gets billed, it results in a denial, and the claim sits out there in the ether for 30, 45 days before it comes back to the provider to go figure out who is the right payer class for this. So that's the big picture of the challenges. And then each of those claim types has unique nuances that make this challenging." "I think there are a lot of good things happening in the VA that are, in theory, improving access for veterans, and that's a great thing. From a claim standpoint, though, I think all of the core challenges still remain. And so I know that many of the EMRs have been putting a focus on interoperability, and all of that is great from a treatment care coordination, getting veterans seen in hospitals, and getting them through the door." "But once they've been treated, all of the same challenges that were prevalent before, all of these announcements are still out there. And I think the complexity still exists in terms of not being a normal payer pathway for providers and not knowing all the specific rules. One such example is that you were only allowed one appeal level within the veteran's claims, which means you have to get it right the first time. And so there's a really important component of knowing how to process the claim, getting it done correctly, and ensuring that you're maximizing the yield and the outcome of the claim itself." #EnableComp #VeteranCare #HealthcareInnovation #ComplexRCM  enablecomp.com Listen to the podcast here

Fairbanks Reporter Adrian Peterson spoke with Sen. Dan Sullivan about DOGE cuts, possible development in Alaska and cuts to the Veterans Administration. Here is that extended interview.

Today, we dive into a passionate town hall meeting in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where Senator Ruben Gallego spoke candidly with frustrated veterans about deep cuts at the Veterans Administration under the Trump administration. Gallego, a Marine veteran himself, didn't hold back, sharing his own challenging experiences with the VA and highlighting the real human impact of plans to eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs. We discuss Gallego’s proposed Putting Veterans First Act, his push to modernize PTSD care, and hear firsthand reactions from veterans who worry about losing critical services.Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textBernie Sanders delivers a stark warning about America's democratic crisis while rallying unprecedented crowds across the Midwest. Speaking candidly with Pod Save America from Warren, Michigan, Sanders draws a staggering 10,000 attendees—an extraordinary turnout for a non-campaign event that signals growing resistance to what he describes as an oligarchic takeover."We're no longer moving toward an oligarchy, we are living in one," Sanders declares, pointing to Trump's inauguration ceremony where America's three wealthiest individuals sat prominently alongside thirteen billionaire cabinet nominees. This concentration of wealth and power, coupled with aggressive moves toward authoritarianism, represents what Sanders calls "the scariest times in my lifetime."The conversation delves into the Republicans' proposed reconciliation bill, which would provide $1.1 trillion in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while slashing Medicaid, nutrition programs, and education funding. Perhaps most shocking is the plan to eliminate 83,000 positions at the Veterans Administration—many held by veterans themselves. "I can't think of a less popular decision," Sanders notes.Despite these challenges, Sanders finds hope in the massive crowds gathering at his rallies. He believes when constituents mobilize in overwhelming numbers, they can make lawmakers more afraid of voter backlash than they are of Elon Musk's financial threats. "When people stand up and talk, when your phone line bangs off the hook, when you see rallies...you know what, I'm going to think twice about it," he explains.The conversation takes a surprisingly personal turn when Sanders reveals he's only tried marijuana twice in his life and "it didn't quite agree with me," politely declining the interviewer's suggestion to "get stoned" and discuss the future. This moment of levity underscores that while Sanders might be leading a movement against oligarchy, his approach remains firmly grounded in pragmatic political organizing.Join the movement to protect American democracy from billionaire control. Stand up, speak out, and show politicians that the people's voice still matters more than Musk's billions. Support the show

Recent decisions that can significantly impact public welfare have emerge from a lack of contextual awareness. We explore the dangerous consequences of this mismanagement, particularly with the current administration's interactions with Elon Musk, who has been given unwarranted access to vital government resources without accountability.We recount the chaotic beginnings of the Trump administration, laying bare the questionable movements made during high-profile meetings, such as the infamous one with Ukrainian President Zelensky, which underscores the abysmal state of media influence and misinformation. An alarming trend emerges where individuals associated with the administration, lacking real expertise or credibility, direct crucial governmental maneuvers with minimal oversight, raising significant concerns over the vulnerabilities within our institutions.There is an alarming trend of “slash and burn” approaches by Musk and his DOGE incels, who are indiscriminately accessing sensitive personal private information held by the Federal government. The implications of their superficial cuts are dire—jobs eliminated in vital sectors, such as the Veterans Administration, without understanding the significance of those roles. Reforms should stem from legislative actions and not arbitrary dismissals by unqualified individuals. We look at a push, in the Ohio legislature, for the display of specific historical documents in public schools. This initiative serves as a front for instituting religious ideologies—specifically the Ten Commandments—under the guise of educational reform. We dissect this bill, explaining the historical context of legislative overreach and drawing parallels to past incidents where the separation of church and state has been tested and challenged.We examine the motivations behind such legislative efforts, challenging the idea that simply placing these texts in schools could enrich the moral fabric of society. Instead, we argue that true education should empower students through critical thinking and contextual learning, rather than a superficial introduction to selected historical texts. The drive for these displays is less about education and more about a strategic push from Christian nationalist groups seeking to embed specific ideologies in public institutions.Full Show Notes & LinksSend us a textSupport the showSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out our MerchFollow us on BlueskyFind us on Twitter(for now) Find us on InstagramFind us on Counter SocialFind us on Mastadon

Dr. Halinder Mangat, Director of Research at the Brain Trauma Foundation, has developed evidence-based guidelines for treating severe traumatic brain injuries, which have been shown to improve outcomes significantly. The Foundation is conducting research in collaboration with the US Defense Department and Veterans Administration, including a clinical trial on the use of lumbar drainage to reduce intracranial pressure from a brain injury. While the brain was once thought incapable of healing, research shows early intervention from injuries can result in the regeneration of cells and formation of new neural circuits.  Halinder explains, "The initial focus of the Brain Trauma Foundation's mission was treatment. The Brain Trauma Foundation in 1997 became the first surgical organization and first professional body to produce evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of severe head injury. That means looking at the comprehensive literature body, finding out what robust research is, and compiling it all. Some studies may have contradictory results. We compile it all in a very objective, systematic way to then frame recommendations as to the best practice, and these fall under the umbrella of evidence-based medicine. In 1997, the first edition was published. Over the years, multiple studies have shown that this set of guidelines has improved good outcomes or decreased poor outcomes by 50%, which is the most remarkable intervention, perhaps short of vaccines or antibiotics. But in the surgical field, it is probably the most impactful intervention."   "So the first impact of the injury causes X amount of damage, and then following that, there is a cascade of it like dominoes falling. The whole focus has been to prevent downstream dominoes from falling by early intervention. And after the first injury when a few dominoes, for example, have fallen, the goal of the guidelines has been to as early and as intensively as possible to minimize downstream dominos falling, which means secondary injury, which in itself has its own legacy of influencing outcome. Over a period of time, there's been a lot of trials to try neuroprotective drugs, which would, in the first instance, mitigate the secondary injury."  #BrainTraumaFoundation #BTF #Neurology #Neurologist #TraumaticBrainInjury #TBI #BrainTrauma braintrauma.org Download the transcript here

Dr. Halinder Mangat, Director of Research at the Brain Trauma Foundation, has developed evidence-based guidelines for treating severe traumatic brain injuries, which have been shown to improve outcomes significantly. The Foundation is conducting research in collaboration with the US Defense Department and Veterans Administration, including a clinical trial on the use of lumbar drainage to reduce intracranial pressure from a brain injury. While the brain was once thought incapable of healing, research shows early intervention from injuries can result in the regeneration of cells and formation of new neural circuits.  Halinder explains, "The initial focus of the Brain Trauma Foundation's mission was treatment. The Brain Trauma Foundation in 1997 became the first surgical organization and first professional body to produce evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of severe head injury. That means looking at the comprehensive literature body, finding out what robust research is, and compiling it all. Some studies may have contradictory results. We compile it all in a very objective, systematic way to then frame recommendations as to the best practice, and these fall under the umbrella of evidence-based medicine. In 1997, the first edition was published. Over the years, multiple studies have shown that this set of guidelines has improved good outcomes or decreased poor outcomes by 50%, which is the most remarkable intervention, perhaps short of vaccines or antibiotics. But in the surgical field, it is probably the most impactful intervention."   "So the first impact of the injury causes X amount of damage, and then following that, there is a cascade of it like dominoes falling. The whole focus has been to prevent downstream dominoes from falling by early intervention. And after the first injury when a few dominoes, for example, have fallen, the goal of the guidelines has been to as early and as intensively as possible to minimize downstream dominos falling, which means secondary injury, which in itself has its own legacy of influencing outcome. Over a period of time, there's been a lot of trials to try neuroprotective drugs, which would, in the first instance, mitigate the secondary injury."  #BrainTraumaFoundation #BTF #Neurology #Neurologist #TraumaticBrainInjury #TBI #BrainTrauma braintrauma.org Listen to the podcast here

The Trump administration is attempting an attack on federal workers at every agency and is allowing Elon Musk access to sensitive data. Federal workers are organizing and fighting back. In less than two months, one federal worker union, AFGE, has gained over 16,000 new members compared to 7,400 new members in all of 2024. Clearing the FOG speaks with Suzanne Gordon of the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute about what is at stake and what workers are doing to resist efforts to force them out of their jobs. Gordon also explains why the Veterans Health Administration is a model of health care for the country and the work the VA does to benefit everyone. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Now that President Donald Trump has retaken the White House and is shaking up Washington with an onslaught of executive orders and controversial nominees for his Cabinet, correspondent Lesley Stahl profiles the longest-serving Senate party leader, Mitch McConnell, on his life, legacy and what he will do next since stepping down from Senate leadership. Tariffs were a signature of President Trump's campaign and are now part of his economic agenda promising to protect American trade and recover manufacturing jobs. Correspondent Scott Pelley interviews Robert Lighthizer, the top trade negotiator during Trump's first term who continues to be an informal advisor and confidant of the president. Last year, the Veterans Administration announced it would begin funding clinical trials to explore the use of psychedelic drugs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction. However, these trials are small, and even if successful, it will likely be years before veterans can access psychedelics at the VA. Many U.S. veterans struggling with PTSD aren't waiting. Thousands of veterans are traveling overseas seeking relief at psychedelic retreats where these substances are legal to use, mostly in indigenous ceremonies. Correspondent Anderson Cooper follows nine veterans on a psychedelic journey to the west coast of Mexico, where they hope to find healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is the first of a 2-part series where we hear a powerful interview with Army combat vet, Purple Heart recipient turned software developer Lukas Simianer- who fights the VA for vets, and wins.Wounded in Afghanistan at the age of 19, Lukas left the military with only a few hundred bucks in his pocket and started the difficult transition from enlisted soldier to civilian life.He struggled with his own mental health, isolation, lack of any meaningful DoD support and eventually endured being so poor that he lived in a rat infested trailer.But rather than accepting a tragic defeat, he made a bold commitment to change his life and taught himself computer programming.Lukas shares his dramatic story, exposes how the DoD still fails to properly support enlisted veterans after their service and how he became a pioneering tech entrepreneur.We conclude this episode with the story behind his first success as a software developer, creating Clusiv- the world's first online learning platform built for people who are blind.But that was just one step toward founding a revolutionary company that unleashes the power of AI to help his veteran brothers and sisters. Many of whom are currently battling the VA to get the support and benefits they rightfully earned.If you are struggling to get your VA benefits or correct disability rating, check out:https://vetclaims.ai/ For more on Lukas Simianer, VetClaims Founder and 82nd Airborne veteran: https://vetclaims.ai/founder-story/ Contact Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X:@philbriggsVet@EyeonVeterans@connectingvetsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thinking you might need to stop drinking? This episode is for you.As we kick off the New Year, many folks attempt to give up alcohol in what's commonly called “Dry January”. But for many veterans, drinking becomes more than just a social vice … it can have dangerous, criminal and even deadly consequences.We talked with former Navy Destroyer Commanding Officer, Jay Wylie, who shared his battle with booze, and how drinking went from a coping mechanism, to collapsing his military career.Tracing the origins of his drinking to college, Wylie described a military culture that appeared to embrace it. He shared a remorseful look at his drinking problem, “I ended up getting so drunk and stupid on liberty with a couple of female crew members, that I broke every rule in the Captain's book.” His booze-fueled behavior eventually led to conviction on sexual assault charges, which resulted in; being relieved of command of USS Momsen (DDG-92), court martialed, and sentenced to 42 months.In hindsight Wylie revealed, “as painful as that was… that's what it took to get me sober.”He also shared the steps he personally took to end the destructive pattern caused by his out of control drinking.Now with 13 years of sobriety, he's dedicated to helping other veterans quit drugs and alcohol.Wylie also shared how his work with Confidential Recovery, in San Diego, helps guide clients through the 12-Step process, and works with VA recovery services to help vets get the treatment they need, before suffering severe alcohol related consequences.He also offers insight on whether cannabis is helpful, or just another vice.As veterans (and even non-veterans) look to goals of self-improvement in the new year, Wylie's story reveals there is hope and resources for veterans searching for a way to break the cycle and begin a better life. Learn more about Confidential Recovery here: https://www.confidentialrecovery.com/ For more resources check out Veteran Navigation Center here: https://veteransnavigationcenter.org/ Contact Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X: @philbriggsVet @EyeonVeterans @connectingvetsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Doug Collins prepares to take a role in the incoming Trump administration, John Solomon explores the critical issues facing veterans in America today, as we revisit past interviews with Collins to get a sense of what his vision is. Join us as we delve into the challenges of military recruitment, the treatment of veterans by the Veterans Administration, and the inspiring efforts of Doug Collins, former Georgia Congressman and soon-to-be VA Secretary, to reform the system. Collins also discusses the political landscape, including the impact of recent elections and the future of military recruitment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamie Wells is running the State House of Representative seat, District #3. Improving the Veterans Administration system and health care service to the veterans is now essential. The veteran is demoralized with the lack of fairness and balance in the delivery of quality medical care. Jimmy Patronis abandoning Florida's insurance crisis is exposed! I HAVE A SOLUTION!Jamie Wells ~ Candidate for FL House Dist. #3on the GrassRoots TruthCast with Gene ValentinoORIGINAL MEDIA SOURCE(S):‣ Originally Recorded on December 22, 2024‣ GrassRoots TruthCast: Season 2, Episode 275‣ Image courtesy of: GeneValentino.com➡️ Join the Conversation: https://GeneValentino.com➡️ WMXI Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NewsRadio981➡️ More WMXI Interviews: https://genevalentino.com/wmxi-interviews/➡️ More GrassRoots TruthCast Episodes: https://genevalentino.com/grassroots-truthcast-with-gene-valentino/➡️ More Broadcasts with Gene as the Guest: https://genevalentino.com/america-beyond-the-noise/ ➡️ More About Gene Valentino: https://genevalentino.com/about-gene-valentino/

We're keeping the Christmas spirit alive, by sharing incredible letters written by service members deployed long ago.The letters come to us from Andrew Carroll, Founder of The Center for American War Letters, who has archived and preserved over 200K letters- some dating back to the Revolutionary War.We discussed several pieces from the collection, including; a letter from an Army nurse, expressing her condolences to the family of a soldier she cared for at the end of the war, and who didn't pass from combat injuries, but rather from influenza. Like the era we experienced during the global pandemic in 2020, the letter shows an empathy and compassion we wish we could see more often today.Carroll also shares letters from the Pacific during WWII, a snow covered Germany during WWII, and a Christmas themed letter that offers an inspiring look at post WWII Europe.Together, these letters portray how previous generations beautifully captured the human spirit in a writing style that sounds like classic Hemmingway.Check out more of these incredible letters or preserve your own famliy mementos, see Chapman University's Center for American War Letters here:https://www.chapman.edu/research/institutes-and-centers/cawl/index.aspxContact CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggsphil@connectingvets.comFollow on X@philbriggsVet@EyeOnVeterans@connectingvetsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textMichael Vesalero, an army veteran, artist, and poet, shares a moving and deeply personal story that opens the door to understanding the often-hidden struggles of military life and its aftermath. Growing up in upstate New York after being born in West Palm Beach, Michael's journey from a youth spent in challenging circumstances to his enlistment in the army at 18 sets a powerful narrative of resilience. His vivid recollections of basic training at Fort Benning and subsequent deployment with the "Ghost Battalion" and "Shocker Platoon" reveal the harsh realities of military service, painted with honesty and raw emotion.Listeners gain an intimate glimpse into the duality of combat experiences, with stories that range from night missions in perilous terrains to the emotional rollercoaster of camaraderie and loss. Michael doesn't shy away from addressing the profound mental health challenges he faced, including surviving the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and the struggles of reintegration into civilian life. His candid discussion highlights the critical need for support systems for veterans, drawing attention to the importance of addressing PTSD and mental health stigma within military culture.As the conversation unfolds, Michael underscores the healing power of creative expression, sharing how poetry and art have been lifelines in his journey towards recovery. He advocates passionately for greater recognition of art therapy as a therapeutic tool for veterans, while also presenting his heartfelt Christmas poem that reflects on positivity, family, and tradition. This episode promises an enlightening exploration of the transformative impact of storytelling and creativity, wrapped in a message of hope and healing for those who have served.

It's a week after the thrilling 125th Army-Navy Game, but even after the game, we still love hearing stories from our fellow Soldiers and Sailors. During our time on USAA's Media Row, we had fascinating conversations with military vets and senior military leaders.We start with Maj. General Brett Sylvia, Commanding General of the Army's mighty 101st Airborne (Air Assault). He shared some history from this legendary unit and offered a glimpse at the lethal capability they're bringing into the future.We also had a good time talking with Army Special Forces veteran, football player and filmmaker Nate Boyer. He discussed his "late bloomer" path to the Army and football, and how his organization “Merging Vets and Players” brings vets together with former NFL athletes.He was joined by American Legion, Executive Director of Government Affairs Director and Marine Corps veteran Mario Marquez. who shared how The American Legion is not your grandfathers pub, but remains an awesome organization for veterans from every generation.We wrap our time on Media Row, with two vets and Senior Executives from the Army Navy Game's proud sponsor, USAA. Former Army Major Rob Braggs shared how service has become a family tradition and former Navy Captain Bill White shares some of his favorite military memories, including how we actually served on the same ship back in the 90s. Plus how USAA offers services that can truly help our nation's veterans live their best life. For more on the Screaming Eagles of 101st Airborne (Air Assault):https://www.army.mil/101stAirborne For more on a great organization for veterans, check out The American Legion:https://www.legion.org/ See Special Forces vet Nate Boyer's organization MVP, a collaboration with FOX Sports' Jay Glazer here:https://vetsandplayers.org/ Follow Nate @NateBoyer37 Contact CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggsphil@connectingvets.com Follow on X@philbriggsVet@EyeOnVeterans@connectingvetsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode we talk with best-selling veteran authors about their fascinating books. We start with a brand-new release, “We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History” from Special Forces veteran, journalist and author Jack Murphy, who takes a deep dive into historical events that have never been written about before.Murphy describes his interviews with veterans who conducted ops you'll never read about in the history books ... like the time a team parachuted into position with a nuclear bomb in a backpack!Get “We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History” here:https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1NWe also revisit our conversation with covert DoD Task Force and Special Operations veteran Adam Gamal, who authored “The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives”. (See Eye on Veterans March 29 episode).This personal memoir recounts his time on the military's most covert unit … a team so classified that even its actual name cannot be released. Comprised of elite Special Operations soldiers, deep cover Intelligence assets and others with unique skills, The Unit, offers us a rare glimpse at what it takes to fight terrorists around the world. Get “The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives” here:https://www.amazon.com/Unit-Inside-Americas-Secret-Military-ebook/dp/B09Y457JN5Finally, we talk with Brad Taylor, a former commander of the Army's elite team Delta Force. Now a best-selling, action-adventure novelist, he describes his latest book “Dead Man's Hand”.Although this story of a pending nuclear attack by Russia is fictional, Taylor's exceptional writing fuses together historical events, insight into Putin's regime and terror groups that really exist in today's modern world.Get “Dead Man's Hand” here:https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Hand-Logan-Novel-ebook/dp/B0C2Q5TJB2Contact CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggsphil@connectingvets.comFollow on X:@philbriggsVet@EyeOnVeterans@connectingvets See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Veterans Radio Hour, host Mark Ely and co-host Eric Frey takes a deep dive into the origins, history, and enduring legacy of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) like the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. Explore how these vital organizations emerged from the Civil War, influenced the evolution of the Veterans Administration into today's Department of Veterans Affairs, and continue to honor Abraham Lincoln's promise to care for those who “shall have borne the battle.” A powerful journey through time, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of those who serve.

Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana is a distinguished physician, scientist, and happiness coach who has dedicated three decades of research to exploring human hope and happiness. He is the founder and CEO of the Triple H Project, an initiative that focuses on training and certifying happiness coaches. Dr. Obayuwana is recognized as a gold award-winning author by Literary Titan, having published several peer-reviewed articles in national medical journals. His notable contributions include the Hope Index Scale, widely utilized by firms such as Coca-Cola, General Motors, and the Veterans Administration, as well as academic institutions globally. His latest endeavor is the book titled "The Happiness Formula," where he presents his groundbreaking Triple H Equation. Please learn more about Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana at: www.TripleHProject.com In this engaging episode of Mr. Biz Radio, host, Ken " Mr. Biz" Wentworth, welcomes Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana to discuss the intriguing intersections of hope, hunger, and happiness. With decades of research and practice, Dr. Obayuwana shares insights from his new book, "The Happiness Formula," revealing a simple yet powerful equation for happiness: Hope over Hunger equals Happiness. This formula is designed to help individuals assess their personal joy and improve their well-being. Ken and Dr. Obayuwana dive into key topics such as the Hope Index Scale and the ADO questionnaire, tools for measuring happiness and hope levels. Key Takeaways: -Dr. Obayuwana's "Happiness Formula" offers a unique approach to achieving and sustaining happiness by balancing hope and hunger. -The Hope Index Scale and ADO questionnaire are crucial tools Dr. Obayuwana developed to measure personal happiness and hope. -Common myths about happiness include the misconception that money cannot buy happiness and misunderstandings about what constitutes a happy life. -Happiness has a universal definition and is measurable, challenging the notion that it is subjective or too elusive to gauge accurately. -The episode sheds light on how increasing hope while managing personal desires can lead to a more content and flourishing life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mrbiz/support

Marines are once again helping make Christmas wishes come true through the annual “Toys for Tots” gift donation campaign . We spoke with (Ret.) Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Simon Hebert about this awesome program.Herbert has unique experience as a Louisiana native who came from humble roots, and was once a recipient of gifts from Toys for Tots. Today he enjoys being able to give back and continues the tradition near Quantico, VA.We also hear about the powerful ways Navy Federal Credit Union is giving back from Brandi Gomez, Navy Federal Assistant Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and a Marine Corps spouse.To make a donation at NFCU locations or support online, check out:https://www.navyfederal.org/campaigns/branch-ops/toys-for-tots.htmlTo reach CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggsphil@connectingvets.comFollow on social:@philbriggsVet@EyeOnVeteransSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is the story of Army veteran and former Apache helicopter pilot Kevin Byrne, and his unstoppable mission to fight Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Initially diagnosed while leading a squadron in Korea, he has since become a staunch supporter of his fellow MS patients and the National MS Society, through his non-profit organization “Never Stop Never Quit”.Through his website he offers books, blogs, recipes other ways people living with MS can still thrive.As this holiday season serves as a reminder that we should always give more than we receive, consider making a contribution to Never Stop Never Quit .com and support all those living with MS.More about MS:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord: SymptomsMS can cause a wide range of symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, impaired coordination, numbness, tingling, weakness, and difficulty with mobility. Symptoms can vary from person to person and can change over time. CausesMS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the central nervous system. This damage to the protective coating of nerve cells, called demyelination, can lead to paralysis. TreatmentThere is no cure for MS, but medications and physical therapy can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. Early treatment can lead to better outcomes. PrognosisMost people with MS have a normal life expectancy, however end up dealing with degrading physical abilities and chronic symptoms over time .Learn more about Never Stop, Never Quit and Donate here:https://neverstopneverquit.com/To reach CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggsphil@connectingvets.comFollow on social:@philbriggsVet@EyeOnVeteransSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are excited to hear from today's guest, Kimberly Meredith. She has been prominently featured on the covers of and within numerous major publications, including Harper's Bazaar Vietnam, Éclair Magazine, Women Fitness, Preferred Health Magazine, MUPO Magazine, Awareness Magazine, The Life Connection Magazine, Thrive Global, LA Yoga Magazine, and The New York Daily News, The Edge Magazine, The Eden Magazine, and Medium. Kimberly is currently on a nationwide book tour and regularly keynotes at the largest spiritual expos in the world, including the Los Angeles Conscious Life Expo, the New Living Expo, and the New Life Expo. She has appeared at the Omega Institute, New York's OPEN Center, The Life Center of Connecticut, and the RA MA Institute. Kimberly is a recurring speaker at Jack Canfield seminars and Heaven and Earth Oasis, a non-profit organisation serving the Veterans Administration. A healer like no other, Kimberly Meredith bridges the gap between God and science. Youtube: https://youtu.be/Zl1eo678jT8 #voicesofcourage #kendfoster #KimberlyMeredith #channeling #healing #psychic #mediumship #spirituality #connectedness  

Join us for an insightful interview with Dr. John Stahl-Wert, Founder of the Center for Serving Leadership, as we explore his renowned book, The Serving Leader. With over thirty years of experience, John has helped organisations worldwide achieve exceptional results by investing in their people. Author of the best-sellers The Serving Leader and Ten Thousand Horses, John has coached executives in top organisations such as Progress Rail, Pan Pacific Hotel Group (Singapore), Honda's North American Lean Network, and the Veterans Administration. As well as hundreds of other businesses in the US, Singapore and Hong Kong. In this interview, John will discuss the core principles of The Serving Leader and how leaders can transform their organisations by fostering a culture of service and empowerment. Beyond his professional work, John enjoys a fulfilling personal life with his wife of 42 years (and business partner), Milonica, and their family. Tune in for valuable insights from a true leader dedicated to serving others and empowering organisations through leadership.

Today, the Two Mikes interviewed Mr. Ken O'Keefe, who is retired a Marine and has long been involved in campaigns against the U.S. Government's unending parade of interventionist wars in which no genuine national security interest is at risk. In our talk, Mr. O'Keefe was especially focused on the insanity of America supporting Israel's current murderous war against Palestine its intention to seizure their remaining territory, and its effort to complete longstanding plans for a “Greater Israel”. Mr. O'Keefe noted that, in general terms, U.S. interventionist wars have changed the values of Americans by hardening their attitudes toward tolerating unnecessary and unending wars, and making them nearly forget the hard fact that modern wars – including those of the United States – always kill far more civilians than it does the supposed military enemy. In Israel's wars, this is especially true because its definition of victory is territorial expansion by stealing the land of the Palestinians and killing of as many of them is possible. Since 1948, U.S. presidents and the members of both houses of Congress have knowingly accepted Israel's bloody modus operandi and assisted its accomplishment with enormous amounts of taxpayer money and endless supplies of the best U.S.-made arms. By waging these kinds of war, the U.S. Government also has wasted the lives of thousands of Americans soldiers and Marines, and have crippled many more. These wars also have troubled the minds of some our military personnel and the Veterans Administration has been consistently derelict in supplying adequate services to America's veterans. Indeed, 22 veterans are committing suicide every day.Follow Two Mikes on Pickax: https://pickax.com/twomikesFollow Freedom First Network on Pickax at https://pickax.com/freedomfirstnetElevate your meals with Freedom First Beef… even if you find yourself in the middle of the apocalypse! Use code TWOMIKES for 15% off and enjoy high-quality beef whenever you crave it – today or tomorrow! https://freedomfirstbeef.comBe ready for anything life throws your way with The Wellness Company's Medical Emergency Kit. Order today using code TWOMIKES for a 10% discount at https://twc.health/ffn.Protect your financial future with precious metals! Use code TWOMIKES to get your FREE Gold and Silver Guide from Genesis Gold today and take control of your financial destiny! https://pickaxgold.comUnleash the spirit of liberty in every cup with Freedom First Coffee's Founders Blend. Order now using code TWOMIKES and savor the unparalleled taste of freedom in every patriotic sip. https://freedomfirstcoffee.com

The National Security Hour with Col. Mike and Dr. Mike – We discuss my conversation with Luis Quinonez, Trump's Latino outreach representative. With record-breaking support among Latino and Asian voters, Trump's team is prepared to lead with a strong vision. Quinonez highlights Trump's commitment to reforming the Veterans Administration, revitalizing federal agencies, and ensuring qualified, loyal leadership across government roles.

The National Security Hour with Col. Mike and Dr. Mike – We discuss my conversation with Luis Quinonez, Trump's Latino outreach representative. With record-breaking support among Latino and Asian voters, Trump's team is prepared to lead with a strong vision. Quinonez highlights Trump's commitment to reforming the Veterans Administration, revitalizing federal agencies, and ensuring qualified, loyal leadership across government roles.

Jonathan Miller interviews Boone Cutler, the chairman of Spartan Sword, a veterans' advocacy organization, about continuing battles our nation's veterans face in ensuring access to hemp and CBD products for health and wellness purposes. If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at hemplegallyspeaking@fbtlaw.com. Hemp Industry questions covered in the episode: What is Spartan Sword, and how does the organization advocate for the interests of U.S. veterans?Why is access to hemp, CBD and cannabis important for our nation's veterans?What role has the U.S. Veterans Administration played in the provision of hemp and cannabis products to veterans?What policy changes are needed to better provide access to veterans of needed hemp and cannabis products?

In this classic episode, we're joined by guest cohost Goggs Mackay. Our three guests discuss a significant victory in the efforts to John Burroughs to receive medical disability coverage for the injuries he claims to have suffered in connection with the 1980 Rendlesham Forest UFO case. We're also joined by former UK Ministry of Defence official and UFO author Nick Pope, a co-author with Burroughs of “Encounter in Rendlesham Forest,” and J. Patrick Frascogna, the attorney who helped Burroughs achieve his victory with the U.S. Veterans Administration. This episode also covers the UK's Project Condign UAP (UFO) report, and some of the side issues that have arisen about the Rendlesham case. Sadly Goggs, long a friend of the show, is no longer with us.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-paracast-the-gold-standard-of-paranormal-radio--6203433/support.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 20: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Bliock (1:44) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump completely changes his Arlington Cemetery Scandal story. He had already single-handedly reignited his Arlington National Cemetery scandal by implying the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense are LYING about it, when Fox News doubled down on his lie, and basically put the entirety of the military establishment in the same position Senator Joe McCarthy tried to put it in, in 1954. The mistake – deciding you and your lies are more important than the military's truth – destroyed McCarthy. And it could conceivably destroy Trump. If one day your spokesclowns insist there WAS an event at the cemetery, only it was the fault of an unprincipled woman having a mental health episode, and that you have an exculpatory video proving so, and then you suddenly change the story and insist instead that "there was no conflict or 'fighting'...It was a made up story" by Vice President Harris, you give Senate Democrats and cemetery officials and the entirety of the Defense Department only one option: to investigate it fully. You would've thought Trump would've remembered not to take on the military with lies. The man who led McCarthy to his doom was none other than McCarthy's chief counsel - future Trump mentor Roy Cohn. And by the way: why is anybody - especially Trump - assuming that there is no security video from that day at Arlington National Cemetery that the military could release immediately? Why aren't news organizations demanding confirmation or denials that it exists, and copies of it if it does? POLLING: Harris by six nationally and closing gaps on Trump in all issue categories, per USA Today. A Harris three-tenths of a point lead in Michigan turns into a Trump 1.2 point lead (but the pollster is one-and-a-half stars). AND A DIFFERENT KIND OF POLLING: A North Carolina news outlet quotes six employees and customers of the city's video porn stores of a quarter century ago as saying current Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson was a five-nights-a-week customer.  B-Block (26:35) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: Elon Musk advocates for the world to be run only by elite males. Why would he exclude himself like that? The newest participant in the Activote "poll" is Abbot Gregor Mendel (Died, 1884). And Timmy Tammy Tomi Lahren doesn't know that airbuds aren't secure and Vice Presidents can't use them. C-Bloc (31:18) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Continuing our preview of the National Football League season, let's flash back to the one that started and suddenly stopped. The 1982 NFL strike and how I - as a 23-year old rookie reporter - somehow became the confidant of the union leaders, to the point of going drinking with them!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to another exciting episode! I'm thrilled to reintroduce our esteemed guest, John Bell III from the Veterans Administration. Today, John brings us crucial and timely updates on the Veterans loan program. Whether you're a Veteran yourself, know one, or you're a REALTOR® eager to update your newsletter with the latest information, this episode is packed with insights just for you. Enjoy the conversation, drop your questions or thoughts in the comments, and let's dive into the latest on VA loans!   Key takeaways to listen for Updates on the temporary rule changes for VA loans What improvements can you see on the VA loan program appraisals? Regulatory changes in the VA loan program and its benefits Innovative support programs for Veterans with financial difficulties Proactive measures to help Veterans manage escalating insurance premiums The VA's expanded training resources to educate real estate professionals so they can serve Veterans effectively   Resources mentioned in this episode Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) Program Federal Register:: Loan Guaranty: Servicer Regulation Changes Circulars: Calendar Years 2021 to Present - VA Home Loans   To receive announcements and updates regarding the VA Home Loan program, please register at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/subscribers/new?preferences=true    About John Bell III John E. Bell III began serving as Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service on June 21, 2022. He is responsible for delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow Veterans. Mr. Bell has extensive mortgage industry experience, having served in leadership roles with nationwide lenders for over 20 years before starting his career with the VA in 2010.   Mr. Bell's top priorities are ensuring that VA home loan benefits are the product of choice for Veterans and that Loan Guaranty is the VA program of choice for his 900 talented staff. Connect with Leigh Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.   Sponsors "You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly!, Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!  

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson and cohost Jack Fowler take on the Veterans Administration's ban on "VJ Day" photo, JK Rowling charged with hate crime, anti-Semitism and university crisis, Kerry joins Biden campaign, and Iran and its proxies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.