Podcast
Sword and Pen
Hosted by Military Veterans in Journalism · EN
Sword and Pen is a production of Military Veteran in Journalism, a professional association that builds community for vets, supports their career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Anthony Dyer, Memoir Writer & Air Force Aviation Veteran
Nov 3000:14:40Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, join host Devon Lancia and guest Anthony Dyer as the two discuss long-form writing, memoir composition, and how writing as a medium can help veterans heal. A former U.S. Air Force special missions aviator from the mountains of North Carolina with over a decade of experience in special operations aviation, Anthony works to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, aviation, and veteran communities through his speaking and writing. His debut memoir, Moon Child, tells the story of his experiences in combat, as well as his own mental health struggles after service.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production. Find out more about us at www.mvj.network.
Transcribe →Benjamin Goldhagen, War Documentarian & Human Rights Advocate
Oct 3100:29:06Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, host Devon Lancia sits down with guest Benjamin Goldhagen for a conversation on the art of creating war documentaries that tell the human perspective. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Benjamin’s personal history fuels his work, currently focused on showing the human cost of war from the lense of the conflict in Ukraine. During this conversation, he discusses his experiences with filming conflict and what fellow journalists need to know about war coverage today.Benjamin's two documentaries on the conflict in Ukraine, The Steel Porcupine and To the Zero Line, are available to watch online for free. Follow Benjamin on X to keep in touch with his work or reach out on the Goldhagen Group website!
Transcribe →David Kendrick, Veterans Mental Health Speaker & Writer
Sep 3000:27:34Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, join host Devon Lancia and guest David Kendrick for a conversation on mental health in veterans coverage. Using his experience as a Purple Heart veteran during the troop surge in Iraq, David tells his own story and those of veterans across the country to help bridge the military-civilian divide and give audiences a better understanding of what veterans need in mental healthcare. He also advocates for improvements in the VA system and general treatment of and sentiment around individuals with disabilities.Follow David on YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook to keep in touch with his work or reach out for storytelling advice!Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production. Find out more about us at www.mvj.network.
Transcribe →Chris Marvin, Veteran Storyteller & Firearm Safety Leader
Sep 1600:24:21Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, listen in as host Devon Lancia speaks with former Army officer and veteran empowerment leader Chris Marvin about his story, his advice for fellow storytellers, and his tips for firearm violence coverage. As the veteran engagement lead with Everytown for Gun Safety, Chris and his fellow veterans from all walks of life and backgrounds are helping shape the conversation around firearm safety - including how journalists can help.Everytown and its Veterans Advisory Council have just released their newest project: Train SMART, a first-of-its-kind program designed to provide both current and prospective firearm owners the info needed to learn and understand the same training, safety, and accountability military veterans have learned when owning and operating firearms. Check out Train Smart here to learn more: https://trainsmartgunsafety.org/Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production. Find out more about us at www.mvj.network.
Transcribe →Spotlight: Top Ten Veterans in Journalism of 2025
Aug 3100:27:34Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, listen in as we honor this year's Top Ten Veterans in Journalism awardees. Hear each speak about the stories they were selected for and their career experiences from our Top Ten Veterans in Journalism spotlight panel at #MVJ25 on July 8, 2025.Since 2021, MVJ has acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding contributions of veterans who are excelling in the news media via the Top 10 Veterans in Journalism awards. Find out more about this year's awardees and their pieces on the MVJ Blog: https://www.mvj.network/2025-top-10-veterans-in-journalism-winners-announced/
Transcribe →Drew F. Lawrence, Military.com Marine Corps Reporter
Jun 3000:16:43Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, MVJ Partnerships Director Devon Lancia sits down with Drew F. Lawrence, Marine Corps reporter at Military.com, host of the Fire Watch and Army veteran. Listen in as Drew discusses his own career journey, his advice for learning as much as possible early on, and the importance of readiness and taking care of yourself before - and after - becoming a journalist.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production.
Transcribe →Grace Under Fire: Ginger Baine Miller
May 15, 202500:26:29Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, host Caron LeNoir-Kelly discusses women veterans issues and considerations with Ginger Baine Miller, the CEO of Women Veterans Interactive Foundation. Listen in as the two talk about WVIF's efforts to build community for women veterans.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production.
Transcribe →Sara Samora, Manufacturing Dive Reporter
Apr 21, 202500:29:42Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, MVJ Partnerships Director Devon Lancia sits down with Sara Samora, MVJ Advisory Board member, Manufacturing Dive journalist and Marine Corps veteran. Tune in to learn about Sara's journey to get to where she is today and her advice for fellow vets looking to get started in business coverage.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production.
Transcribe →Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, The Happiness Scholar
Mar 28, 202500:25:33Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, host Caron LeNoir-Kelly sits down with Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, journalist, happiness scholar and co-chair of NABJ's Wellness Task Force, to discuss her efforts to support mental health in newsrooms. Listen in as the two discuss the value of journalists and newsrooms seeking ways to maintain stability and seek happiness in the churn of the news cycle.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production.
Transcribe →Honoring Black History & Looking Back at 2024
Feb 28, 202500:30:20Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Sword and Pen, host Caron LeNoir-Kelly honors Black history and Black military history while looking back at the Military Veterans in Journalism community in 2024. Listen in as LeNoir-Kelly and MVJ Board Member Zack Baddorf talk about what MVJ accomplished over the past year, what the future holds, and the importance of including veteran voices in journalism.Sword and Pen is a Military Veterans in Journalism production.
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