THE INTERVIEW
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the executive director of Vets4Warriors, lost both of his sons, including one to suicide. In response, Graham has dedicated his life to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, aligned with the Rutgers UBHC National Call Center. Vets4Warriors hires and trains veterans to be peer support specialists who answer calls within 30 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Graham discusses his time in the military, his work to reduce mental health stigma and the suicide rate, and more.

SCUTTLEBUTT
American Legion Family rallies to help Texas communities in the aftermath of devastating floods in Kerr County

The amazing escape of a WWII pilot who crash-landed into a field hosting a Nazi soccer match.

OTDIH 1981: IBM enters the personal computer market with the introduction of the IBM 5150.

Special Guest: Mark A. Graham.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• 2025 American Legion World Series
• Baseball Centennial Bookazine - American Legion Flag & Emblem
• BASEBALL | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Share | Legiontown U.S.A.
• USA 250 Challenge | The American Legion
• Ways to Collaborate - Vets4Warriors
• Partnership Opportunities - Vets4Warriors
• Become an Ambassador - Vets4Warriors
• Home - Vets4Warriors
• Post provides hope, support amidst tragedy of Texas flooding | The American Legion
• Texas counties eligible for NEF grants | The American Legion
• National Commander LaCoursiere gets firsthand look at Texas flooding impact | The American Legion
• This WWII pilot crash-landed into a field hosting a Nazi soccer match
• How the IBM PC Won, Then Lost, the Personal Computer Market - IEEE Spectrum
• (17) IBM PS/2 Commerical | Cast of MASH - YouTube

THE INTERVIEW
Marine Corps veteran, endurance athlete, adventurer and author Akshay Nanavati has a picture of a friend he lost in war on his wall and under it he wrote, “This should have been you. Earn this life."

This was the fuel to write his book, "Fearvana: The Revolutionary Science of How to Turn Fear into Health, Wealth and Happiness" in order to help others navigate their own suffering and turn it into nirvana, turn it into bliss.

It is also fuel for his own extreme adventuring.

In November, Nanavati will begin a 110-day, 1,700-mile solo trek across Antarctica, wher he'll ski for 10 to 12 hours a day hauling a 400-pound sled full of supplies and become the single most isolated being on the planet. He shares how he has been preparing for the grueling physical and mental challenges he will face along the way.

SCUTTLEBUTT
VA worker errors when reviewing claims for full disability cost $100M, auditors say

Post 58 in Oklahoma using gaming to provide veterans camaraderie and support.

Special Guest: Akshay Nanavati .

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Tango Alpha Lima 9/11 Series Playlist
• September 11: A Day of Remembrance and Service - NPS Commemorations and Celebrations (U.S. National Park Service)
• Improve Financial Health with VetCents 🇺🇸 Veterans Benefits Banking Program
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• Home - Fearvana
• The Great Soul Crossing
• Saving lives of veterans, their families, and communities with the Columbia Protocol | The American Legion
• VA worker errors when reviewing claims for full disability cost $100M, auditors say | The American Legion
• A new way to Be the One: Post to use gaming to reach struggling veterans  | The American Legion

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Executive Producer and Director Chase Millsap and Executive Producer Dale King, join us to talk about their documentary, “Small Town Strong.”

Filmed over four years in Portsmouth, Ohio, the one-time pill mill capital of America, “Small Town Strong” follows Dale, a former Army Intelligence Officer, who returns to his hometown after two tours in Iraq, to find it in shambles amid the growing opioid epidemic. With no one coming to save them, King starts PSKC Crossfit gym and offers job opportunities to those in recovery. Their unorthodox strategy takes on fentanyl with fitness – resulting in one of the biggest comebacks in small-town America history.

RAPID FIRE
Women in Army SOF resorted to buying their own armor, study finds

Share your Buddy Check Week plans with us

How rucking can give your walking routine a boost

Special Guests: Chase Millsap and Dale King.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• How the US Army made the world’s toughest sandwich
• Home
• Women in Army SOF resorted to buying their own armor, study finds
• Share your Buddy Check Week plans with us | The American Legion
• How rucking can give your walking routine a boost | CNN