Starting the Conversation: Focusing on Mental Health Awareness
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Release Date: 05/12/2021
And of Course, World Peace
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
We welcome members of the VFW Washington Office for a roundtable on advocacy, benefits delivery, and showing up for veterans where it matters most. Leaders from National Legislative Service and National Veteran Service discuss how frontline experience shapes VFW’s work on Capitol Hill. The episode opens with updates from recent VFW congressional engagement, including a House roundtable on veterans’ data protection and claims fraud tied to predatory practices and AI-generated nexus letters. The panel also reviews Nancy Springer’s recent testimony on more than two dozen veterans-related...
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Mimecast and Callbots and Over-Prescriptions
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray sit down with Kristina Keenan, Ryan Gallucci, and Glenn Umberger, VFW Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, to break down the key legislative and administrative issues currently affecting America’s veterans. Keenan recaps her recent congressional testimony, highlighting concerns about VA proposals tied to Medicare Advantage, as well as the growing problem of predatory companies misguiding veterans seeking disability benefits. Gallucci expands on the VFW’s efforts to protect the VA Home Loan program and discusses challenges veterans face when...
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Gaming the System
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture is joined by Mike Figlioli, Ryan Gallucci, and Brittany Dymond Murray for a dynamic episode covering Veterans Day events, Combat Tested Gaming, and the VFW’s ongoing fight to Honor the Contract. The team reflects on a meaningful Veterans Day weekend with Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore, highlighting ceremonies at Arlington, community engagements, and their nearly 21-mile Warrior YOMP with the Allied Forces Foundation. In the featured segment, the panel welcomes Lynn Rolf, Tim Stocker, and Rob Caudle to discuss VFW Combat Tested Gaming: a thriving online community...
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Absurdly Generous AND Dubious
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture is joined by Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, and Mike Figlioli from the VFW Washington Office to discuss the Washington Post’s latest coverage of veterans’ benefits and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The team addresses a recent series of articles that, they argue, mischaracterize how veterans access the benefits they’ve earned — including claims that veterans are “flooding the system” or abusing disability compensation. They provide context on how accredited service officers, like those in the VFW’s Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program,...
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Keep Calm and March On
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray go hybrid to tackle two urgent themes: real-time support for service members during the government shutdown, and the healing power of rucks and long-distance “yomps.” Retired 16th Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief (AER), breaks down grants vs. no-interest loans and how AER surged to meet thousands of requests. Joy Craig from VFW’s National Legislative Service explains the “kitchen table” impact of missed pay and why the VFW is pushing Congress to guarantee military pay. Then Dr....
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Honor the Contract
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture convenes a powerhouse panel from the VFW Washington Office — Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, Mike Figlioli, and special guest Pat Murray — to tackle misleading media portrayals of veterans’ benefits and defend the promise made to all who serve. The team reacts to a Washington Post article alleging widespread abuse of VA benefits and sets the record straight: veterans have earned their compensation through sacrifice, injury, and service to the nation. With passion and precision, they unpack how the “Honor the Contract” movement began, why this debate...
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Let Us Reason Together
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture welcomes Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin’s 3rd District to the podcast. Van Orden is a retired Navy SEAL, VFW Life Member, chairman of the House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and recent recipient of the VFW Life Saving Award. Van Orden reflects on his path from military service to Congress, the importance of veterans’ voices in government, and his personal connection to the VFW dating back to his service in Bosnia. He shares how loss and hardship — including the passing of his daughter — shaped his sense of urgency in public service, and why...
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Rockstars!
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Rob Couture welcomes two historic leaders of the VFW in this inspiring episode of #StillServing: Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore and VFW Auxiliary National President Lois Callahan. Together, they share their personal journeys, their priorities for the year ahead, and their vision for how the VFW and Auxiliary can continue to strengthen advocacy and support for veterans and their families. Whitmore reflects on her decades of Army service, her milestone election as the first female Commander-in-Chief, and her focus on advocacy, service officers, and the POW/MIA mission. Callahan discusses her...
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An Unconventional Convention
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this dynamic episode of #StillServing, host Rob Couture is joined by Mike Figlioli, Gabby Kubinyi, Ryan Gallucci, and Brittany Dymond Murray to break down a truly historic VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, the organization’s birthplace. From the logistics of setting the stage and running the Claims Clinic to the long hours of delegate business, the team offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how convention comes together. The conversation dives into the emotional impact of the Afghanistan War Commission, where veterans courageously shared personal experiences, frustrations, and...
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Back to School
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this engaging episode of #StillServing, Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray sit down with Tammy Barlet, Jennifer Ross, and Kristina Keenan for a deep dive into the partnership between the VFW and Student Veterans of America (SVA). Together, they explore how SVA chapters support student veterans on campus, the impact of the GI Bill, and the opportunities created through the VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship. From personal journeys to national advocacy, the conversation highlights how the next generation of veterans is shaping policy, building community, and carrying forward the...
info_outlineMay is Mental Health Awareness month. If you are a proud veteran or service member who finds it difficult to reach out to others during life transitions, know that the VFW and veteran community is here for you. During this episode of the #StillServing podcast, Host Rob Couture reaches out, checks in, and starts the conversation about mental health and wellness. He speaks with the National Director for VA/DOD Mental Health Collaboration, a military evangelist and member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and Ms. Veteran America 2019 2nd runner-up. They discuss the challenges veterans face, share useful resources and perspectives, and remind us of the many ways to connect so we don't have to go it alone.
Doctor Chris Loftis talks about the new “1 Step Today” initiative that is part of the Make a Connection campaign. The honorable Rob Wilkins from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, discusses wellness from the top of our head to the soles of our feet and how veterans can stay motivated and inspired. And, Ms. 2019 2RU Zoe Magnertta, from VFW Post #2245 shares her story of overcoming the challenges of transitioning into civilian life in our #StillServing Spotlight.
National Director for VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration, Veterans Health Administration, Dr. Chris Loftis —
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Chris describes how the 1 Step Today program helps veterans connect during Mental Health Month. [2:58]
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The Make the Connection website assists veterans in overcoming the stigma about mental wellness by helping them express what they are experiencing. [4:38]
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Mental wellness is important for all veterans, even those in non-combat positions. [9:41]
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What veterans should do if they want to reconnect with a supportive community. [12:12]
Member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition and Military Evangelist, Honorable Robert Wilkins —
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Robert describes his role as a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. [21:30]
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Slowly removing the COVID-19 and how to regain a high quality of life. [26:49]
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Participants of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally need to be fit because the ride takes its toll on a body. [30:44]
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Robert describes how his family stays mentally and physically fit. [32:25]
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No matter how proud you are, reaching out to others will be one of the best things to increase mental wellbeing. [37:09]
#StillServing — Ms. Veteran America 2019 2RU from VFW Post #2245, Zoe Magnetta —
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Being on the cover of VFW magazine was an honor for Zoe. [44:36]
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Zoe spent 12 years in the Navy and helped others thrive during her service as a Drill Instructor. [48:05]
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As an Aviation Electronics Technician, Zoe served on an aircraft carrier during the Gulf War. [51:40]
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Zoe recalls the difficulty she experienced finding work after honorably discharging from the Navy. [56:15]
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The Ms. Veteran America competition and Final Salute focus on ending homelessness for women veterans. [1:02:10]
For more information or continue the conversation, please visit:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Website
Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW
Text “NEEDS” to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program
Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story
Make the Connection— 1 Step Today