In this compelling episode, we welcome Dr. Holt, a board-certified Pulmonary and Critical Care physician, associate professor at the University of Miami, and a key member of the Miami VA Healthcare System. Dr. Holt leads a highly successful lung cancer screening program, showcasing his commitment to veteran care through early detection and advanced treatment methods. Key Highlights: Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) Overview: Dr. Holt dives into the core mission of LPOP – identifying...

On this week's episode of Borne the Battle, host Pablo Meza spoke with Rachel Han from VA's mobile app team, who shared how VA is using apps as a digital bridge connecting Veterans to VA's benefits and services.

On this episode of Borne the Battle, we dive into the VA's efforts to make it easier for veterans to access the programs, services, and benefits they've earned. We learn about the VA's phone number, 800-MYVA411, and how it's the organization's "voice front door" to connect veterans with the right person or program. We hear a heartwarming story of a veteran who received assistance from a customer service representative and patient advocate to access the voucher program for the homeless. Our...

In this episode, we talk with Jason Strickland, director of communications for The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. In this week-long event, veterans from 42 different states and 80 VA medical centers or clinics participate in activities such as skiing, fly fishing, rock climbing, and even sled hockey. Participants have a variety of disabilities, including profound disabilities, vision impairment, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries. Organizers work...

In this episode of the Borne the Battle Podcast, we're connecting Nick Beelner the Director of the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, an adaptive golf program focused on empowering disabled veterans from coast to coast. We'll discuss the tailored golf lessons, user-friendly equipment, and entertaining activities they offer, as well as the sense of camaraderie and personal growth experienced by participants. Join us as we uncover the power of connection, teamwork, and triumphing over...

This week’s Borne the Battle – a benefits breakdown – features the Million Veteran Program (MVP), which is a national, voluntary research program to learn about how genes, lifestyle and military exposures affect health and illness in hopes to provide precision medicine improve health care for Veterans.

Retired Army Major General Charles (Chuck) Swannack, Jr. served in various command and staff positions during his thirty-plus years in the Army. He commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from October 2002 to May 2004, served as a brigade commander during Operation Uphold Democracy, was a battalion commander during Operation Nimrod Dancer and served in many more roles. Despite his impressive military service, Swannack argues that his contributions pale in comparison to the ones made by service...

Major General (retired) Mark Graham lost his two sons, Jeffrey and Kevin, less than a year apart from one another. Their deaths came unexpectedly and rocked the course of his life forever. For him, happiness will never be the same. And yet, he still finds joy in his life through helping Veterans triumph in their darkest moments. On this week’s episode of Borne the Battle, Graham takes listeners on a riveting journey through his life. He described how personal loss, depression, mental health,...

This week we revisit Army, Green Beret Veteran, and 37 year old NFL Rookie Nate Boyer’s interview.

While she was still on active duty, Army Veteran Olivia Nunn suffered a mental health crisis and contemplated suicide. She opens up about her experience and talks about how she found the help she needed, the challenges of transitioning from soldier to civilian and the need for better mental health resources for military personnel.

This week's Borne the Battle episode features Navy Veteran Ken Harbaugh, Podcast host, Entrepreneur and co-founder of The Mission Continues.

A recent study discovered that 25% of women Veterans receiving care at VA medical centers reported experiencing sexual harassment. Listen in to learn about your options for reporting harassment, how to get online bystander assistance training, and the White Ribbon VA pledge against sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence.

In 2014, VA established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry for Veterans who were exposed to toxic materials during their service. Learn more about the registry and how to sign up on this special rewind episode of Borne the Battle.

Before he was Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World or KITT on Knight Rider, William Daniels was a soldier in the U.S. Army. Daniels was drafted into the Army near the end of World War II and later used his GI Bill benefits to attend college and study acting. Tune in to this week’s special rewind episode of Borne the Battle to hear Daniels talk about being the first person in his family to attend college, meeting the pope, and using the skills he learned in the military to be successful after service.

In honor of Coach K's record breaking 13th and final - Final Four appearance - this week we go back in time and revisit his Borne the Battle interview.

After serving in the Vietnam War over a half century ago US Army Veteran Fred Bourjaily’s memories from his experiences still remain in his mind. Today, he helps Veterans who have committed non-violent offenses get their lives back on track. In this episode, listen to Bourjaily share his journey in the Army and about working as a Veteran’s treatment court mentor.

One of the first females to fly in a combat zone, Navy Veteran Linda Maloney, shares her journey in the Navy and her desire to honor Woman Veterans through Proudly She Served.

A creative spirit and self-professed nerd, Navy Veteran Andrew Bliss served as a Navy journalist and later left a job at Apple to attend film school and follow his passion. Today he puts his talents as a storyteller to use for JJ Abram's Bad Robot production company. Join us as Bliss discusses martial arts, the future of media, NFTs, and the advantages of living a life guided by insatiable curiosity.

Tim McCoy was born in Fort Jackson, S.C. and grew up in a military environment. He eventually joined the military and gave almost 26 years of service until a health condition forced him out. Despite his abrupt departure, he continues to involve himself with the military community in his capacity as a historian focusing on giving a voice to the lesser known and often forgotten figures in American military history.

This week’s Borne the Battle – a benefits breakdown – features the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). They are an internal accountability office that protects and advocates for Veteran-owned businesses. They also work to ensure that Veteran entrepreneurs can compete and be selected for a fair amount of contract opportunities.

Air Force Veteran and Retired General, Larry Spencer shares the life and financial lessons he learned on his 44-year journey from enlisted airman to four-star general. The former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force is now director or board member of multiple private-sector corporations. Did Spencer regret going straight back into work after retiring and does he recommend it to others? You might be surprised by his answer and what he recommends Veterans do instead.

“Adapt and overcome!” Marine Veteran Elysa Acosta-Millan talks about moving from holding a rifle in the Marine Corps to holding a microphone on the red carpet. She also talks about taking advantage of Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS), a program common to several branches of the military that allows reservists to serve in temporary postings while receiving all the benefits of of active-duty, including time accumulated toward retirement.

Today, Greg Williams is a world-renowned human behavior pattern recognition specialist. He trained every Tier One military force in the U.S., developed the Marine Corps’ “Combat Hunter” program, and so much more. How did Williams go from being a troubled teenager to being referred to by General Jim Mattis as a “national treasure”? Listen to this episode of Borne the Battle to find out.

With over two decades of experience, Mark Cooter and Alec Bierbauer have been called the “Wright Brothers” of the U.S. drone warfare program. They were the ones – in January 2000 – who were tasked with finding terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. They had nine months to carry out their mission. Cooter and Bierbauer discuss how their team located bin Laden a full year before the events of 9/11 (and why they couldn’t take action against him), how weapons were first added to drones, and the ways...