Three's a Quorum.
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture is joined by Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office, and Mike Figlioli, Director of VFW National Veteran Service, to break down major developments affecting veterans. The conversation centers on the VA’s interim final rule amending 38 CFR 4.10 — a regulatory change that raised concerns about how disability ratings could factor in the effects of medication. The team explains what the rule meant, why it sparked backlash across the veterans community, and how coordinated advocacy led to VA announcing it would not move forward with enforcement for now....
info_outline
Still Shingling
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture welcomes Ryan Gallucci, Brittany Dymond Murray, Nancy Springer, and Gabby Kubinyi for a wide-ranging advocacy roundtable covering the latest veterans policy updates from Capitol Hill and beyond. The conversation begins with a major update on the Major Richard Star Act, including the VFW’s new three-part Action Alert strategy aimed at pushing Congress toward a long-overdue public hearing. The panel explains why hearings matter, what’s driving resistance, and how advocates can keep the momentum going. Next, the team breaks down major developments in the...
info_outline
Absolute Resolutions
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture opens the first episode of 2026 with VFW leaders for an in-depth discussion on veteran policy priorities and emerging national security issues. The episode centers on the Major Richard Star Act, breaking down why the bill was left out of the National Defense Authorization Act, clarifying misconceptions about cost and jurisdiction, and explaining why the Armed Services Committees play a critical role in advancing the legislation. The panel outlines the VFW’s updated advocacy strategy and how members can help push the bill forward through targeted engagement and calls...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn 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 VFW’s legacy of service.
From the campus lounge to Capitol Hill, today’s student veterans are tomorrow’s leaders — still learning, still leading, and still serving.
Featured Guests:
Tammy Barlet – Vice President, Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America; VFW Legacy Life Member (PA)
Jennifer Ross – VFW–SVA Legislative Fellow Alum; VFW Life Member
Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service
Brittany Dymond Murray – Co-host & Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach
Episode Highlights:
0:00 Welcome
2:15 Spotlight on Student Veterans of America and VFW partnership
4:54 Tammy Barlet’s journey from student veteran to national advocate
10:01 What SVA chapters offer on campus vs. VFW posts in the community
13:43 SVA’s 1,600+ chapters worldwide and their role in student success
18:33 The VFW–SVA Legislative Fellowship: purpose, process, and impact
20:19 Jennifer Ross shares her fellowship experience and advocacy on Guard/Reserve GI Bill parity
22:47 Application process, mentorship, and building a community action plan
25:18 Preparing student veterans to brief Congress alongside the VFW
27:02 Advocacy paths for introverts and extroverts alike
29:25 Fellowship open to all fields of study — passion drives impact
31:16 Balancing school, SVA, VFW, and fellowship commitments
1:06:54 Afghanistan War Commission session
1:08:27 Historic election of Carol Whitmore as the VFW’s first female Commander-in-Chief
1:11:01 Good of the Order: Tammy on how SVA modeled claims clinics after the VFW convention
1:14:13 Kristina Keenan previews the upcoming Fall Legislative Conference and expanded grassroots advocacy
1:17:22 Call to action: Afghanistan veterans encouraged to share experiences with the Afghanistan War Commission
For more information or to 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
Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online