THE INTERVIEW
Retired Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Schmiegel is helping fellow veterans to thrive instead of falling to the broken veteran narrative. Schmiegel, who previously founded Hiring Our Heroes, is now leading ZeroMils. Schmiegel shares how ZeroMills is breaking the broken veteran narrative by creating a military thriving movement.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Coast Guardsman on his first mission helped save 165 Texas flash flood victims

Not-so-hot pursuit! Charleston, S.C. police chase a burglary suspect going 3 mph on a tractor excavator

Special Guest: Kevin Schmiegel.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• After Action | For God and Country | Season 2 | Episode 2 | PBS
• USA 250 Challenge | The American Legion
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Homepage / ZeroMils
• Hiring Our Heroes: Bridging the Job Gap for Veterans
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Join The American Legion
• Coast Guard 'American hero' Scott Ruskan helps save Texas flood victims
• Not-So-Hot Pursuit of Burglary Suspect Sees Police Cars Chase Tractor Excavator at Walking Pace

THE INTERVIEW
Dr. Columbus Batiste honed his skills as a cardiologist while working for the VA. He is working to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease, which surpassed 702,000 in 2022. In celebration of Heart Health Month, he joins the Tango Alpha Lima podcast to share how veterans can protect their hearts to live longer, healthier lives.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Army officers had to write haikus about Pacific theater of World War II during a leadership course

Remebering Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan

We were soldiers once...and dipped.

Special Guest: Dr. Columbus D. Batiste.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• LET'S ALL EAT RIGHT DAY - February 25, 2025 - National Today
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• Home - Dr. Columbus Batiste
• Healthy Heart Nation - Healthy Heart Nation
• (4) Slave Food Conversations - How to keep your kidneys from failing - YouTube
• (4) FLAMIN' HOT | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures - YouTube
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Army has officers write haikus about WWII in leadership course — Army officers had to write haikus about Pacific theater of World War II during a leadership course
• Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan, Dies at Age 95 | Military.com — Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan,
• An ode to the GWOT spitter
• How To Quit Smoking & Other Tobacco: Veteran Resources - Mental Health
• Why I Abandoned Traditional Cardiology to Become the “Healthy Heart Doc”
• Join The American Legion

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Terri Tanielian, Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Affairs, is a nationally recognized expert in veteran and mental health policy. She discusses how the White House is tackling veterans issues such as suicide and homelessness, as well as how they are supporting military families and caregivers.

RAPID FIRE
 A very good girl deploys on carrier Ford: Sage the service dog
Marines to deactivate historically female recruit training battalion
The Story of Poppy Day

Special Guest: Terri Tanelian.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Texas' long troubled Fort Hood is renamed after first Hispanic four-star general | CNN
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast: Episode 9: Tango Alpha Lima: Race and Law Enforcement - Part I
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast: Episode 9: Tango Alpha Lima: Race and Law Enforcement - Part II
• Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers | The White House
• Join The American Legion
• A very good girl deploys on carrier Ford: Sage the service dog
• Marines to deactivate historically female recruit training battalion
• The Poppy Story | The American Legion

THIS WEEK'S GUESTS
Robin Phoenix Johnson is an Army veteran, comedian and CEO of the Best Medicine Brigade, where she gives veteran and military spouse comedians performance opportunities. She is also president of her non-profit organization, HEALARIOUS, a humor therapy program for veterans. Robin and Marine Corp veteran and Best Medicine Brigade comedian Doug Bennett talk about comedy as therapy and the Operation HEALARIOUS Comedy Competition sponsored by The American Legion.

RAPID FIRE
A call for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to make amends for omission of actor, Army veteran and American Legion member Paul Sorvino from the "In Memoriam" program during the Oscars

Woman complains about military-themed candles to shop attendant, who is a veteran.

American Legion Post in Georgia donates 50th vehicle to veterans in need.

Special Guests: Doug Bennett and Robin Phoenix Johnson.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Send us your feedback!
• New VA mission statement recognizes sacred commitment to all Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors
• American Legion Grassroots Action Center
• Best Medicine Brigade
• Operation HEAL*ARIOUS Comedy Competition
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 138: Tango Alpha Lima: Give An Hour CEO Dr. Trina Clayeux
• Operation HEAL*ARIOUS Comedy Night - National Veterans Memorial and Museum
• Be the One | The American Legion
• Commentary: Do the right thing, Hollywood | The American Legion — Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
• Woman Complains About Military Candles, Owner's Daughter Is a Veteran
• Malicious Women Candle Co – Malicious Women Co.
• Homeless Veterans program, American Legion Post 45 donate 50th car to veterans in need | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Thomas M. Brady Post 45, Inc.
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program