Tango Alpha Lima Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Veteran Suicide”

Episode 276: Call of duty: A veteran-led peer support network with retired Maj. Gen. Mark Graham

The American Legion — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

2025 American Legion World Series begins

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:

Episode 248: Former Congressman still serving veterans

The American Legion — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

California Legion members standing strong and supporting communities devastated by wildfires.

THE INTERVIEW
Patrick Murphy, who joined the Army at 19, worked his way up to become the 32nd Army Under Secretary and America’s first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. Today, he continues to serve his brothers and sisters.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Happy Birthday Coast Guard
How Navy veteran Charles Sanna changed hot chocolate forever
Remembering President Jimmy Carter

Special Guest: Hon. Patrick J. Murphy.

Links:

Episode 238: How veterans can serve during election season

The American Legion — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

We're dropping this episode a few days early in honor of election day.

While The American Legion is a non-partisan organization, we have, since our earliest days, believed in the right to vote. Our "Get Out the Vote" program encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections. In addition, Legionnaires, posts, districts and departments are encouraged to fully involve themselves in the electoral process by serving as poll volunteers, poll workers and by encouraging and assisting others to register and vote.

This week, our guest is Anil Nathan, is co-founder and co-chairman of the board at We the Veterans, and Vet the Vote - which is a national campaign to recruit veterans and military family members to become poll workers.

Anil, who is a first-generation American and second-generation Air Force veteran, shares his own military story, and how he began his mission to foster civic engagement for veterans and their families.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Marine Corps veteran allegedly kicked off flight for wearing a t-shirt calling for an end to veteran suicide.

New television comedy features The American Legion

Send us your burning questions about the Space Force for our upcoming interview with Gen. Chance Saltzman

Special Guest: Anil Nathan.

Links:

Episode 225: Tango Alpha Lima: FOX Sports NFL Insider and MVP Co-Founder Jay Glazer

The American Legion — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Remembering the sacrifices of servicemembers on Purple Heart Day

THE INTERVIEW
Jay Glazer, Fox Sports NFL Insider, talks about his advocacy for military veterans. As a co-founder of Merging Vets & Players, Glazer helps match former combat veterans and former professional athletes to help each other through the transition into their new lives away from the battlefields and playing fields.⁠
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Glazer also talks about his book, "Unbreakable: How I Turned My Depression and Anxiety into Motivation and You Can Too," being a voice for those struggling with mental health, and organizing the reunion of former POW Shoshana Johnson and one of her Marine rescuers.⁠

SCUTTLEBUTT
Los Lunas American Legion Post makes her-story

South-by-Southwest Festival bars military and defense companies from top-level sponsorships at the 2025 music and technology event

Celebrity Veteran: ESPN founder and Air Force veteran, William "Bill" Rasmussen

Special Guest: Jay Glazer.

Links:

Tango Alpha Lima Be The One EP04: Veterans Mental Health Leadership Coalition Director Adam Marr

The American Legion — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

As a U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot, Adam Marr deployed to Iraq where he flew more than 400 combat hours and was awarded the combat action badge. In 2017, Marr co-authored the best-selling book, "Tales from the Blast Factory” where he shared the challenges his brother, a Green Beret, faced transitioning out of the Army because of his TBI and PTSD injuries sustained in combat. This book was the inspiration for the Academy Award-qualified documentary film Quiet Explosions: Healing the Brain (2020).

In this episode, Marr discusses the challenges his brother faced, his own struggles, and his current work as Director of Operations for the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition, a group of more than 45 organizations that advocates for increased research and safe, affordable access to psychedelic medicine and assisted therapies for Veterans and their family members.

Special Guest: Adam Marr.

Links:

Episode 190: Tango Alpha Lima: Veteran Powered Films with Julia Ling and Hiram Murray

The American Legion — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

IN THE NEWS
Return criminal penalties for those who take advantage of disabled veterans or their families

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Actress Julia Ling is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves, has appeared on many popular television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, House, ER, Grey's Anatomy, The OC – but is best known for her role as "nerd-herder" Anna Wu on Chuck.

After losing multiple military friends to suicide and battling her own depression after a training injury, Julia wanted to do more than raise awareness about the veteran suicide - she wanted to provide a solution. Thus was born Veteran Powered Films, a production company focused on empowering and engaging veterans in all facets of the entertainment industry via on-the-job training and mentorship with fellow military veterans.

Julia joins Marine Corps veteran and actor Hiram A. Murray, who will star in Veteran Powered Films next project - an apocalyptic horror film called "Homestead."

RAPID FIRE
Veterans banners to come down - maybe for good

U.S. veterans use art to help female Afghan soldiers who fled their country process their pain

‘Go beyond thanks:’ New survey reveals we should do more than simply thank our veterans for their service

Special Guests: Hiram A. Murray and Julia Ling.

Links:

Episode 185: Tango Alpha Lima: Advocating for Afghan Allies with Mahnaz Akbari and Rebekah Edmondson

The American Legion — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Will all NFL teams retire Pat Tillman's number?

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
This week we visit with two female veterans who work with the PenFed foundation keep faith with the Afghans who served alongside U.S. forces by assisting with their rescue and successful resettlement into American communities.

Mahnaz Akbari served 10 years the in Afghan special forces as the Commander of a Female Tactical Platoon – a small unit of Afghan women who worked with U.S. special operations forces (SOF) in Afghanistan to search, questioning, and medical assistance of women and children - in a way that was respectful of Islam and Afghan culture.

Rebekah Edmondson served 10 years in U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan several times to support a program called the Cultural Support Team, where she trained FTPs.

Both women talk about how they got started in their military careers, the missions they were part of an Afghanistan, and the work they are doing in support of Afghan allies today.

RAPID FIRE
Air Force to review discharges of troops with mental health conditions

Drunken Special Operators Struggle to Finish a Mission in New Action Comedy 'Obliterated'

American Legion Post 109 Donates $4,500 to Feed Vail’s Schoolchildren

Special Guests: Mahnaz Akbari and Rebekah Edmondson.

Links:

Episode 184: Tango Alpha Lima: Former Army White House Physician Dr. Jennifer Peña

The American Legion — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
10 Military Habits and Hacks That Will Change Your Life

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Dr. Jennifer Peña is a board-certified internal medicine physician, an Army combat veteran, a former physician in the White House Medical Unit, and an expert in digital and telehealth. She joins the podcast to share her experience serving as primary physician to the vice president under two administrations, and what it was like to return it to her home in Puerto Rico and become a leading voice in the advancement of telehealth care.

RAPID FIRE
Shaving the Sergeant Major of the Army? There’s an app for that.

A veteran started a gun shop. When a struggling soldier asked him to store his firearms – he started saving lives.

Army Colonel Enforces the Rules On and Off the Football Field

Special Guest: Dr. Jennifer M. Peña,.

Links:

Episode 181: Tango Alpha Lima: "Tier One" series coauthors Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson

The American Legion — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 06:45:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Food Insecurity In U.S. Military And Veterans Doubles National Average

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Navy veterans Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson have penned multiple covert ops and action-adventure thriller series including TIER ONE, SONS of VALOR, and THE SHEPHERDS. The duo joins the podcast to talk about how they got started, how they make the co-author process work, and how they are using their success to help fellow veteran authors and entrepreneurs.

RAPID FIRE
A corporal gave a speech in front of the top Marine — and got promoted
United States Is Growing A Robot Army
988 +1 challenge coins

Special Guests: Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson.

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Tango Alpha Lima Be The One EP01: Meet Be The One Chair Waco Hoover

The American Legion — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Marine combat veteran and Navy reservist Amy Forsythe, an award-winning multimedia journalist, is the host of our new podcast series focused on The American Legion Be The One initiative.

In this month’s episode, Forsythe kicks off the series with fellow Marine veteran Waco Hoover, who recently led the Be the One Symposium at The American Legion’s national convention.

Hoover, newly named as The American Legion Be The One Chair, talks about the next phase for the Be the One initiative.

Special Guest: Waco Hoover.

Links:

Watch video of this episode on YouTube
Learn more about Be The One
Veterans Crisis Line — Dial 988 then press 1

Episode 173: Tango Alpha Lima: Second Service Foundation Executive Director Lauren Hope

The American Legion — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Debating the Bonkers Billionaire Battle Royale between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Lauren Hope is a serial entrepreneur, an active-duty Army spouse and the Executive Director of Second Service Foundation. Where she and her team help make the American dream a reality for military businesses.

RAPID FIRE
Musk and Mark Zuckerberg

Meet Sage the Working Dog Assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford

“My life has been on pause”: surviving spouses of service members fight to retain benefits after they remarry

Leland N.C. Post 68 starts September campaign for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Special Guest: Lauren Hope.

Links:

Episode 163: Tango Alpha Lima: "Nevermind, We'll Do it Ourselves" authors Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter

The American Legion — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
VASEC McDonough says VA hiring push has helped mitigate spike in VA disability claims

GUESTS
Co-authors Alec Bierbauer and Ret. Col. Mark Cooter tell the origin story of the Predator drone program and the dawn of unmanned warfare in their book, "Never Mind, We'll Do lt Ourselves. The inside Story of How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a Drone Warfare Revolution."

The pair talk about how their own military experiences led them to share this story, how unmanned warfare changed how wars are fought, and where the technology is heading.

RAPID FIRE
Staten Island students help homeless veterans with “Backpacks for Life”

How stand-up comedy can heal the military-connected community.

American Legion launches Be The One Day

Special Guests: Alec Bierbauer and Mark Cooter.

Links:

Episode 160: Tango Alpha Lima: Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Affairs Terri Tanielian

The American Legion — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Long-troubled Fort Hood has been redesignated Fort Cavazos, in honor of Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos, a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars and the first Hispanic four-star general.

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:

Episode 158: Tango Alpha Lima: "War Journal" author Jim Sisco

The American Legion — Tue, 09 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Amazon lands rights to J.J. Abrams and Glen Powell Imax documentary 'Blue Angels'

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Combat-tested leader and seasoned executive James Sisco had a distinguished, 23-year military career as a reconnaissance Marine and Naval Intelligence Officer. He shares some of the military experiences that led him to penning his best-selling book, “The War Journal: A Young Marine’s Discovery of Critical Life Lessons from Desert Storm.”

RAPID FIRE
Legionnaires "Walk Across Texas"
Registration now live for 2023 American Legion Legacy Run
Biden to send 1,500 troops to border ahead of expected migrant surge

Special Guest: Jim Sisco.

Links:

Episode 157: Tango Alpha Lima: 22Zero Founder Dan Jarvis

The American Legion — Tue, 02 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Kevin Kline, a member of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 176 in Springfield, Va., executive director of the USS Arizona “Operation 85” project, is seeking help on his mission to identify the "unknown" Navy and Marine servicemembers from the USS Arizona using DNA samples from families.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Suffering from sleeplessness as a side-effect of a traumatic brain injury, struggling with survivors guilt and grieving his mother's death, Dan Jarvis found himself contemplating suicide. His journey to healing led him to found 22Zero, a non-profit that helps heal trauma using a technique known as Tactical Resiliency Training.

Dan shares his personal journey and how his organization assists veterans, first responders and their families.

RAPID FIRE
2023 American Legion Memorial Day speech available online
Fort Gordon families say base housing still plagued with mold, sewage and other problems
Get One Year of LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning for Free

Special Guest: Dan Jarvis.

Links:

Episode 155: Tango Alpha Lima: Military Transition with Sales Platoon CEO John Renken

The American Legion — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
NASA announces the crew of the Artemis II, which includes two former Navy pilots who will circle the moon in late 2024.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Our guest, John Renken, is a former U.S. Army Ranger, former professional MMA fighter, the founder of several churches, and a successful entrepreneur

He is owner of online travel booking engine Travel Mavericks; the owner of Southwestern Consulting where he provides coaching for sales professionals; and the CEO of Sales Platoon, a company focused on connecting active duty servicemembers to civilian sales careers.

We talk with John about his military career, his MMA experience, and how he uses his experience to provide career assistance for military veterans.

RAPID FIRE
Singing Legionnaires - where are you?
America's best hiking trails
'Kandahar' trailer stars Gerard Butler in escape from Afghanistan

Special Guest: John Renken.

Links:

Episode 154: Tango Alpha Lima: VA Vet Center Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer Mike Fisher

The American Legion — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
Suicide surges among soldiers not inherently tied to wars, according to a study published in the May issue of Psychiatry Research.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
VA Vet Centers Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer Mike Fisher joins us to talk about the services provided by Vet Centers, scholarship opportunities available through the Vet Center Scholarship program, and future growth and expansion of Vet Centers across the nation.

RAPID FIRE
American Legion Removes Confederate Flag After Vet’s Query
Legionnaires warned to not download unauthorized My Legion app
 Fred Brock Post 828 honors Vietnam veterans, family members during National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Special Guest: Mike Fisher.

Links:

Episode 146: Tango Alpha Lima: CBRN Expert Jeffrey Brodeur

The American Legion — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0500

IN THE NEWS
American Legion lines out priorities for the 118th Congress.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Former U.S. Army Ranger Jeffrey Brodeur has experience developing Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN) strategy, plans, and training programs. He is an internationally recognized CBRN expert who has lead survey teams in combat zones to support Department of State programs, and he talks about the technology being used for presumptive identification of potential toxins in combat zones.

RAPID FIRE
Be The One takes center stage at California American Legion Revitalization event.
Military Police commander at Fort Hood suspended amid ongoing investigations
American Legion post in South Korea honors Four Chaplain

Special Guest: Jeffrey Brodeur.

Links:

Episode 140: Tango Alpha Lima: Connecticut State Trooper Kyle Kaelberer

The American Legion — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

IN THE NEWS
Jeff and Ashley discuss "Retrograde" – a documentary about the U.S. military's final months in Afghanistan, as seen from an embed with U.S. Green Berets and an Afghan General.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
During a patrol on Sept. 11, 2021, Connecticut State Trooper Kyle Kaelberer stopped to check on a driver that pulled off the highway and activated their hazard lights. The bodycam footage of the interaction with the young veteran inside the vehicle has since gone viral, and Trooper Kaelberer has been lauded for his touching show of humanity.

Trooper Kaelberer talks about what happened that night, and how to use empathy to de-esclate and help a someone in crisis.

RAPID FIRE
McLaren and Lockheed Martin partnering to bring fighter-jet technology to supercars, Marine Corps develops technology to pull potable water from thin-air, and a centenarian attributes his longevity to daily workouts at the local gym.

Special Guest: Kyle Kaelberer.

Links:

Episode 124: Tango Alpha Lima: "Be The One" spokesman, Dr. M. David Rudd

The American Legion — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

IN THE NEWS
We have an update on the case of a Navy nuclear engineer and his wife who attempted to smuggle secrets about nuclear-powered warships in half-eaten PBJ sandwiches.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Jeff and Ashley are joined by Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, President Emeritus, and Director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention at the University of Memphis, Dr. M. David Rudd.

Dr. Rudd is also a spokesman for The American Legion "Be the One" initiative, and he talks about his own career helping veterans struggling with mental health issues and why veterans groups like The American Legion are an important part of helping them overcome psycological and emotional challenges.

RAPID FIRE
A story of Heroism and other Post Awards
Jeff and Ashley remember their favorite episodes from last year's award-winning 9/11 series

Special Guest: Dr. M. David Rudd .

Links:

Episode 84: Tango Alpha Lima: Veteran Suicide Part 2 - "The American Legion Saved My Life"

The American Legion — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

A decade ago, Air Force Veteran Jeffrey Freeman, frustrated by pain and limitations caused by service-related injuries and other health issues, attempted suicide. In the aftermath of that moment, Jeffrey found The American Legion and credits for saving his life nearly a decade ago, and he wants to share his story in hopes of helping other veterans who may need support.

Special Guest: Jeffrey Freeman.

Links:

Episode 79: Tango Alpha Lima: Stack Up CEO and founder Stephen Machuga

The American Legion — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga deftly avoids falling down the World of Warcraft well with CV as he shares the story of how he started his non-profit, Stack Up, as a way to bring veterans and civilian supporters together through a shared love of video gaming.

Stephen talks about the programs Stack Up offers, gaming as recreation therapy, and opportunities for American Legion members to connect.

Special Guest: Stephen Machuga.

Links:

Episode 69: Tango Alpha Lima: Convention AAR, Army Vaccine Mandate and Suicide Prevention

The American Legion — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

The hiatus is over and Team Tango is back to tackle the news of the week.

CV kicks things off with a reminiscence of the podcast team's experience at National Convention in Phoenix.

Jeff revisits the subject of COVID-19 vaccines for the military, now that the Army has issued mandates.

Ashley discusses how purpose plays a role in the in reducing the rate of veterans suicide.

RAPID FIRE
U.S. Flag sewn by POW during Vietnam War heading for Smithsonian
WWII veteran meets grade-school pen pal, now National Guard member.
Food inflation hits commissaries.

Links:

Episode 21: Tango Alpha Lima: MOH for SGM Payne, Burn Pits and Suicide Prevention

The American Legion — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0400

The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne, and Team Tango discusses the man CV claims is "tougher than woodpecker lips."

Jeff breaks out his knife-hand again as he gets riled up about new studies linking adverse health effects to burn pit exposure and the team talks about new legislation introduced to address obstacles many veterans face when seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for illnesses related to toxic exposure.

Ashley shares a story about time running out to pass pending legislation on veteran suicide prevention during the current Congressional session, and the team stresses the importance of actively using existing resources during mental health crisis, including the Veterans Crisis Line:
Call: 1-800-273-8255 – Press 1
Text: 838255
Online: veteranscrisisline.net

Rapid Fire
Russian Bounty story still unconfirmed, Chimp study influences squad sizes, Air Force Academy mascot gets a name, and Space Force deploys to the Middle East.

Links:

Episode 10: Tango Alpha Lima: John Ring and the Buddy Watch Walkers

The American Legion — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:15:00 -0400

Jeff and Ashley talk with John Ring and others fresh off the trail of the Buddy Watch Walk, a Pier-to-Pier trek across the southern U.S. to raise awareness of veteran issues such as mental health, PTSD, homelessness, unemployment, MST, TBI, addiction, and suicide.

They walkers are joined by representatives from The Alabama American Legion, who supported John during his stop in Montgomery, as well as drummed up additional assistance from Legion members across the South who helped support John for the remainder of his journey.

John began his journey solo at the pier in Tybee Island, Ga. As he walked he was joined by Jimmy Mathews in Pearl, Miss. Jimmy intended to accompany John across his home state of Mississippi, but ended up staying by his side for the remainder of the journey. Jason Hanner joined the duo in Texas, and Eli Hawkins stepped up to complete the crew in Tucson, Ariz.

The team finished the final leg of their walk from Hollywood Post 43 to the Santa Monica Pier on June 14, 2020, accompanied by a parade of American Legion Riders and other American Legion Family members by their side.

Special Guests: Greg Akers, James Gillespie, Jason Hanner, Jimmy Mathews, and John Ring.

Links: