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Rockstars!

Release Date: 09/12/2025

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

Join us for a discussion on legislative priorities, legal battles, and ongoing efforts to protect veterans’ benefits. In this episode, Rob and Brittany are joined by Ryan Gallucci, VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer, and National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns as the conversation dives deep into the impact of the VFW Washington Conference and the power of grassroots advocacy. The group reflects on the energy and outcomes of the conference, including direct engagement with lawmakers and efforts to push forward key legislation like the Major Richard Star Act. They also break...

Hail to the Chief

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast

On the heels of an electrifying VFW Washington Conference, Host Rob Couture welcomes VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, Ryan Gallucci, Kristina Keenan, and Mike Figlioli to reflect on a landmark week of advocacy, powerful testimony on Capitol Hill and the sobering reality that American service members remain in harm’s way amid escalating conflict involving Iran. Whitmore discusses delivering her testimony as VFW National Commander before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, calling on Congress to fully and faithfully “Honor the Contract" with...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

More Episodes

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 deep connection to the Auxiliary, her father’s legacy of service, and her passion for expanding educational opportunities through the Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship. Both leaders also highlight joint initiatives, including vital support for the VFW National Home.

From legislative battles on Capitol Hill like the Richard Star Act and TAP Promotion Act to grassroots training and community impact, this episode captures the unity and determination driving the VFW and Auxiliary forward — proving once again that veterans and families together are still leading, still advancing and still serving.

Carol Whitmore's bio: https://www.vfw.org/settings/content/nationalofficers/carol-whitmore

Featured Guests:

- Carol Whitmore – Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars

- Lois Callahan – National President, VFW Auxiliary

- Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office

- Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Intro and Roll Call

3:40 Meet the Leaders – Carol Whitmore and Lois Callahan share their backgrounds

6:53 Auxiliary story – Lois Callahan’s path to leadership

11:58 Carol Whitmore reflects on becoming first female Commander-in-Chief

17:10 Legislative priorities and honoring the contract