The National Defense Radio Show

We welcome the grandson of the late Meyer Lansky, Meyer Lansky II, to the program to talk about his fascinating grandfather and the stories detailed in his new book “The Lansky Legacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky.”  This book offers a definitive portrait of the legendary “Mob’s Accountant”, chronicling the singular life of the business entrepreneur who built a gambling empire, perfected money laundering, established a more efficient Mafia, and changed the course of organized crime forever.

We know that when one member of the family wears the uniform of the United States Military, the entire family serves.  While we focus extensively on the transition from active-duty service to the civilian world, military spouses can face professional transitional challenges EACH time their spouse is relocated around the world.  Amie Honeycutt, a military spouse, spent 20 years as a teacher and is now a senior learning associate for Capitol One Bank.  She fills us in on the work that Capitol One is doing to hire veterans, including last weekend’s National Hire a Veteran Day.

Kelly Ast is the Regional Mobility Chief Officer for New Growth Transit, a volunteer driver network operated by the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency across 15 rural counties in the state.  Randy speaks with Kelly about what exactly the Community Action Agency does all around the country, including her work getting Missouri veterans to and from their own doctor or V.A. clinic, which can be HOURS away from where they live.  We thank Kelly and her colleagues for the work they do connecting our veterans to the benefits they have earned.

The National Defense welcomes John Eaton to the show to talk about the continued work that the Wounded Warrior Project is doing to address those dealing with post-traumatic stress.  For over two decades, alternative methods of helping people deal with PTS, and John fills us in on initiatives like their Accelerated Brain Health Model, which can provide a full year’s worth of treatment in just WEEKS!  Thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project for continuing to be on the cutting edge of research in treating PTS in our veteran community.

We welcome 6-Time Emmy-Award winning actor, Kelsey Grammer, to The National Defense to talk about his lengthy career in Hollywood, some of his recollections of the great T.V. series he’s appeared on through the years, his work with Operation Restored Warrior, and his lead role in the sci-fi thriller “Lars Shrike Walks the Night.” Randy and Kelsey also discuss some of the incredibly famous “callers” into Fraiser’s call-in radio show as well as what his own future plans are.

We welcome a fascinating human-being, Noah Coughlin, one of only THREE people to ever cross all 50 States on foot to the show.  Noah just recently completed the final few states right around America’s 250th Semiquincentennial anniversary.  Randy discusses with Noah WHY he has undertaken this endeavor FIVE TIMES, but how Noah engaged with people all across our country asking “What Does America Mean to You?”

John Paul DeJoria joins the program to speak with Randy Miller about his great new memoir “Success Unshared is Failure.”  John Paul discusses with Randy his journey in the start-up of John Paul Mitchell Systems through the introduction and ultimate sale of Patrón tequila.  This is a fascinating look at a true 20th-century rags-to-riches story, and we’re happy to have John Paul on the show.

Randy welcomes comedian Jeff Arcuri to the show to talk about comedy, the nature of crowd-work in American comedy rooms, his new Netflix special “Nice to Meet You,” as well as his “The Road Trip” tour coming to a city near you. Thanks to Jeff for all the laughs!

We welcome back Reilly Upton, Vice President of Online Merchandising for Home Depot, to the program to talk about Home Depot’s partnership with the Military Exchange Program, featuring 30,000+ items now available for delivery to military personnel overseas!  Randy talks with Reilly about the logistical challenges that Home Depot, the USPS, and the Military Exchange Program have surmounted, bringing our military members and their families these great tax-free and 10% discounted items from Home Depot.

We welcome a great actor to the program, Lukas Haas, to talk about his career and his upcoming villain turn in MGM+ and Amazon’s new live-action “Spider Noir” (available in color and BLACK AND WHITE!)  Randy discusses the role, Lukas’ first day on set, staring down the legendary Nicholas Cage, how he’s living in the 1930s, and much more.