Podcast
Vetted Conversations
Hosted by Vetted Conversations · EN
Welcome to Vetted Conversations, where we explore the foundations, workings, and challenges of American self-governance with events, quality dialogue, and through our podcast. Our mission is to equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to become informed and engaged citizens, actively participating in safeguarding our liberties and freedoms.
57episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
SEASON 3 EPISODE 8 | Former NFL Player Dominique Easley
May 2, 202500:07:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Super Bowl champion Dominique Easley discusses his mission to promote mental health awareness and the power of vulnerability. Easley shares how his own journey inspired his work with Same Here https://samehereglobal.org and the Easley Foundation. https://www.easleyfoundation.org He also talks about the parallels between veterans' and athletes' transitions while encouraging community and support. •Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-3-episode-8-former-nfl-player-dominique-easley/id1717658799?i=1000705822967Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yVx8IZKgeDaGEner87ZKw?si=Siq2n0-9SYyFdcMHdztJTgYouTube: https://youtu.be/MLWB0InHgAo•#VettedConversations#newpodcastepisode#DominiqueEasley#AnilNathan#EllenGustafson#BenKeiser#patriotsSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 7 | Jackie Chang from the NFL
Apr 30, 202500:09:37Tap to summarizeSEASON 3 EPISODE 7 | Jackie Chang from the NFLIn this episode of Vetted Conversations, we talk with Jackie Chang, Director of Media Strategy and Business Development at the NFL, about her path from West Point and Army intelligence to a career in media. She shares insights on her transition out of the military and her work with NBCUniversal, Peacock, and the NFL. Jackie also highlights a new veteran initiative and reflects on the lasting impact of service and community.https://www.nfl.com•Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-3-episode-7-jackie-chang-from-the-nfl/id1717658799?i=1000705623678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yVx8IZKgeDaGEner87ZKw?si=Siq2n0-9SYyFdcMHdztJTgYouTube: https://youtu.be/MLWB0InHgAo•#VettedConversations#NFL#newpodcastepisode #JackieChang#JermaineClark#BenKeiser#EllenGustafsonSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 6 | Daryl Johnston from Fox Sports UFL
Apr 25, 202500:10:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Vetted Conversations, we talk with Daryl Johnston, Executive VP of Football Operations for the UFL. He shares how spring football is growing and opening doors for athletes to return to the NFL. We also discuss his personal ties to the military, the value of everyday service, and why building a culture of community matters now more than ever.https://www.theufl.com/•Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast: https://apple.co/3GVOxj2Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YC6F7QYouTube: https://bit.ly/4iS0sMe•#VettedConversations#UFL#newpodcastepisode #DarylJohnston#AnilNathan#BenKeiser#EllenGustafsonSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 4 | Nate Boyer from Merging Vets & Players (MVP)
Apr 8, 202500:11:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode, former Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer shares his remarkable journey from military service to the football field, and how both paths ultimately led him to co-found Merging Vets & Players (MVP)—a nonprofit that fosters community among veterans and pro athletes. Nate reflects on the parallels between military duty and elite sports, the identity challenges that arise after both careers, and the healing power of peer connection. This episode explores themes of purpose, resilience, and the importance of believing in yourself and in something greater as a driving force in life, service, and sport. •Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast: https://apple.co/4iRrS4YSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4k43LkjYouTube: https://bit.ly/3Z7y7KG•#VettedConversations #newpodcastepisode #BenKeiser #EllenGustafson #NateBoyerSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 3 | BJ Ganem from Sierra Delta
Apr 3, 202500:18:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Founder Ben Keiser sits down with Marine veteran BJ Ganem, founder of Sierra Delta, to explore how a bond with a dog helped BJ heal after injury and loss—and sparked his mission to provide every veteran with access to canine companionship. BJ shares how Sierra Delta empowers veterans through dog training grants, a strong sense of community, and a “good foot” mentality rooted in purpose, adaptability, and connection. Together, they dive into the realities of veteran mental health, challenge outdated support systems, and highlight the transformative power of dogs.•Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast: https://apple.co/430uIi2Spotify:https://spoti.fi/44ZnvRPYouTube: https://bit.ly/44rYONY•#VettedConversations#NewPodcastEpisode#BenKeiser#EllenGustafsonSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 | NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain for Trackhouse Racing
Mar 28, 202500:09:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Founder Ben Keiser speaks with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain to discuss racing, farming, and family legacy. Chastain shares insights on the competitive NASCAR points system, reflects on growing up as a watermelon farmer in Florida, and explains how smashing a watermelon after a win became his signature celebration. •Vetted Conversations is available on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4k1YBVXSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4iNofNrYouTube: https://bit.ly/3Z6dLkZ•#VettedConversations#NewPodcastEpisodeSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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SEASON 3 EPISODE 1 | Dave Woodruff from the Bob Woodruff Foundation
Mar 21, 202500:16:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Founders Ellen Gustafson and Ben Keiser speak with Dave Woodruff from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to discuss the foundation’s mission and its partnership with the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, including its presence at the Super Bowl. They also highlight the impact of the Wheelchair Football League, which empowers veterans through adaptive sports, and the VIVA Program, which has helped bring 92 babies into the world by providing in vitro fertilization (IVF) support for veterans. Additionally, they dive into the foundation’s efforts in mental health, housing, food insecurity, and disaster relief, and how listeners can get involved in supporting veterans and military families. •Vetted Conversations is available onApple Podcast - apple.co/4m9yiiISpotify - spoti.fi/44njiaxYoutube - bit.ly/434md5s•#VettedConversations#NewPodcastEpisodeSupport the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
Transcribe →Ep. 20: How Arizona and Nevada are preparing for 2024 elections
Oct 29, 202400:34:33Tap to summarizeBonus episode! With Election Day fast approaching, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of the We the Veterans & Military Families, Ben Keiser, speaks with Arizona Secretaries of State Adrian Fontes and Francisco V. Aguilar to discuss the systems and processes in place to ensure safe, accurate, and transparent elections in their states.Support the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
Transcribe →Ep. 19: Who are the people running American elections?
Sep 13, 202400:58:02Tap to summarizeWith the 2024 elections fast approaching, were focusing this episode on the people who are working hard to make sure America continues to have the safest, most secure, and most accurate elections on the planet. To begin, Matt Reisinger (1:40), the Director of Elections & General Registrar for Warren County Virginia joins us to talk about how local elections are run, why early voting is important, and why it’s important for citizens to volunteer to help run elections. Next, the chair and vice chair of the Election Assistance Commission Chairman Ben Hoveland and Commissioner Donald Palmer - a Navy veteran- join Ellen and Joe to discuss the challenges facing state and local election officials this year and what the federal government is doing to help – to include voter education and countering foreign malign influence. Lastly, our own Loren Westerfield, deputy director of Vet the Vote, joins us to update our listeners on the latest numbers (we recruited more than 140,000 poll workers!), the latest partners (NASCAR joined the coalition!), and what’s coming down the pike in terms of local events. For more, check out www.VetThe.Vote. Support the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
Transcribe →Ep. 18: Who is trying to interfere with our elections and how you can stop them
Sep 5, 202401:38:15Tap to summarizeWe're sure it comes as no surprise that this world is filled with people who want to manipulate you - to shape your thoughts and feelings so they can influence your behaviors. This episode is all about how humans construct our realities with our five senses and the information we gather beyond our senses. And this is a garbage-in garbage-out process - when we consume bogus information, we tend to make decisions that aren't aligned with the interests of ourselves, our families, and our nation. Joining us in this episode is Zach Fryer-Biggs (1:33), the managing editor of Military.com - one of the military and veteran community's "hometown newspapers." Zach talks about why our system of self government requires a free, fair, independent, and inquisitive press. Next, we speak with Sasha Havilcek (18:05), the CEO of ISD Global who is an expert on extremism, polarization, and disinformation to help us uncover who is trying to influence you during our elections and why. Lastly, Joe brings former USMC intelligence officer Andrew Borene (1:00:54) aboard to talk about the dirty tricks propagandists use to fool us and how we can detect their attempts and thwart them. Nobody messes with M'erica! Andrew now serves as an open source intelligence expert, and we urge veterans and their family members to treat their news and social media consumption in the same way we'd gather intelligence - confirm the source, verify the information, cross check with other sources, and analyze for motive before deciding. It's up to us to seek good information upon which to make decisions about the future of this country. Now you're armed to do just that.Support the showFor more, check us out at www.wetheveterans.us and at https://linktr.ee/vettedconversations
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