Mimecast and Callbots and Over-Prescriptions
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Release Date: 12/05/2025
There’s a New Chief in Town
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
A new Commander-in-Chief means a new chapter for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In Episode 70 of Still Serving, Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray recap the 127th VFW National Convention before sitting down with newly elected VFW Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler to discuss his priorities for the year ahead. From veteran wellness and community engagement to protecting earned VA benefits and advocating for America's service members, Geisler outlines his vision for the organization. The team also provides updates on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA), major legal victories against...
info_outline
The Quiet Part Out Loud
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Congress may have postponed action on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, but the fight to protect future veterans is far from over. Rob and Brittany are joined by Kristina Keenan and Ryan Gallucci to recap a historic week of VFW advocacy, explain how nearly 100 VFW members helped educate lawmakers on Capitol Hill and discuss why the organization remains firmly opposed to funding expanded veterans legislation by reducing future disability compensation. The conversation examines the outcome of the House vote, the growing momentum behind the VFW's grassroots advocacy campaign and...
info_outline
The Looniest of Times
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Congress may have delayed action on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, but the conversation surrounding the legislation is far from over. Rob and Brittany are joined by Kristina Keenan, Mike Figlioli and Gabby Kubinyi to break down the latest developments, explain why the VFW remains opposed to paying for expanded veterans legislation by reducing future disability compensation, and discuss what advocates are hearing during meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The discussion examines how the proposed changes could affect future veterans seeking disability compensation for...
info_outline
We Don't Pull Up Ladders
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
We examine the Take Care of American Veterans Act and what it could mean for veterans' disability benefits. The panel breaks down the legislation, which combines more than 60 veteran-focused bills—including a version of the Major Richard Star Act—with funding provisions that would reduce future disability compensation for sleep apnea and tinnitus. They explain why the VFW strongly opposes any effort to pay for veterans’ legislation by cutting earned benefits and why the organization views the proposal as a dangerous precedent for future generations of veterans. The conversation explores...
info_outline
The Mission Came First
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Editor’s Note: We experienced some technical audio issues during the recording of this episode. While every effort was made to improve the sound quality, listeners may notice occasional audio fluctuations throughout the conversation. Thank you for your understanding. Rob and Brittany welcome Congressman Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania’s 17th District to the podcast. Deluzio is a Navy veteran, VFW member, and member of the House Armed Services Committee who continues to advocate for service members, veterans, and military families on Capitol Hill. Before the interview, VFW National...
info_outline
Fight the Good Fight
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Rob Couture welcomes back Kristina Keenan, Director of VFW National Legislative Service, alongside Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office, for a wide-ranging conversation on the latest veterans’ legislation and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. The episode covers recent House Veterans Affairs Committee hearings on VA restructuring, toxic exposure oversight, expanded dental care, and transition support programs. The team also breaks down major updates surrounding the Major Richard Star Act, including growing bipartisan momentum and ongoing negotiations in Congress....
info_outline
Over There! Recapping the Far East Outreach Mission
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray are joined by VFW Washington Office leaders Ryan Gallucci, Mike Figlioli, and Joy Craig for a discussion on overseas military support, Memorial Day remembrance, and key legislative priorities impacting veterans. Joy Craig reflects on her recent overseas visit alongside VFW Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore through Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, where they met with VFW Posts, military leadership, service members, and families. The team discusses challenges facing troops and veterans stationed abroad, including healthcare access, spouse employment,...
info_outline
Is the VA Math Mathing?
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
In this episode, we’re coming to you on-location from Annapolis, Maryland, during the VFW National Veterans Service (NVS) Proficiency Training Conference alongside Ryan Gallucci, Mike Figlioli, Chris Macinkowicz and special guest VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler. Together, they pull back the curtain on how the VFW trains and equips its accredited service officers to better serve veterans navigating the VA claims process. The team explores the intensive training that ensures VFW representatives stay current on evolving laws, court cases, and VA policies, highlighting...
info_outline
Never Leave a Fallen Comrade
#StillServing: The VFW Podcast
Host Rob Couture records this special overseas episode of #StillServing: The VFW Podcast from Southeast Asia, joined by VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler. Together, they take listeners inside the VFW’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) fact-finding mission — a powerful, on-the-ground look at the ongoing effort to bring America’s missing service members home. Geisler reflects on his first experience in the region, sharing insights from visits across Hawaii, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. From the cutting-edge forensic work at the Daniel K. Inouye Center for...
info_outline
Shark of Record
#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...
info_outlineHost 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 navigating VA’s digital systems, including recent outages and access barriers.
Offering a national leadership perspective, Umberger underscores how these issues impact veterans at the Post and Department levels and emphasizes the importance of informed advocacy throughout the organization.
Links referenced in the episode:
Firms that help military vets with their disability claims can charge exorbitant fees
Why Clark Griswold may be one of the most perfect veterans in film
Join the VFW's Action Corps network
Episode Highlights:
0:00 – Intro and Roll Call
4:20 – Keenan’s congressional testimony and key legislative priorities
7:05 – VA cost recovery proposals and Medicare Advantage concerns
11:30 – Predatory claims companies and protecting veterans from exploitation
15:42 – Trajectory Medical and the fight against misleading “consultant” models
19:08 – Preserving the VA Home Loan program and preventing misuse of the funding fee
23:55 – Digital access challenges: website bottlenecks, outdated systems, and broadband gaps
28:10 – VA system outages, bot-driven traffic surges, and VFW escalation
32:15 – Navigating VA.gov and securing essential veterans’ records
36:42 – Grassroots reporting and the importance of accurate field intelligence
40:58 – National leadership perspective with Glenn Umberger
45:22 – Legislative and administrative priorities for 2024–2025
1:04:30 – Good of the Order – closing reflections
For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Website
Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW
Today’s VFW — Share Your #StillServing Story
Sports Clips Help A Hero — Text HERO to 71777 to donate online