The National Defense Radio Show

Rae Dawn Chong on The National Defense

Actress Rae Dawn Chong joins the show to assure us that she is still, in fact, ALIVE, to talk about AI, and to promote her new film “Scared to Death.”  Rae Dawn stars as Ruth, a "motherly boss lady" and film producer, in this horror-comedy film.

Bill Spade and Jaymes Poling

We welcome Bill Spade, World Trade Center Firefighter, and sole survivor from FDNY Rescue Company 5 along with Jaymes Polling, a veteran with three tours in Afghanistan with 82nd Airborne Division to the show.  Bill and Jaymes have put together the incredible live show “Behind the Lines: a 9/11 Story.”   “Behind the Lines” is a live story, music, and theatre production set against the tragedy of 9/11 and the war that followed.

Mamie Van Doren with “You Thought I Was Dead”

We welcome Hollywood royalty, actress Mamie Van Doren, to the show to talk about her time in Hollywood, spilling the tea on USO tours during Vietnam, and about her new book.  “You Thought I Was Dead: My Life of Celebrities, Sex, and Champagne” is a candid, no-holds-barred memoir in which this Hollywood icon busts myths, settles old scores, and unveils untold stories from a life lived at the glittering and gritty edges of the Golden Age.

Founder of and TAPS President, Bonnie Carroll

We welcome back to the program, the founder and President of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Randy and Bonnie discuss TAPS, and their upcoming TAPS Good Grief Camp a program for children who are grieving the suicide death of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces.

Actor Nick Gehlfuss on The National Defense

We welcome actor Nick Gehlfuss to the show to talk about his role as by-the-book FBI Special Agent Bill Goodman in the CBS crime drama “CIA.” Nick and Randy talk about his work on the Dick Wolfe project, the relationship between TV viewers and actors, as well as how challenging it is to accurately portray espionage on network television. We thank Nick for his time and insight into his industry.

Journalist David Greene on The National Defense

We welcome retired NPR journalist and host, David Greene, to the program to talk about his life on the radio, as well as the new music documentary about humanity, conversation, and the search for common ground: “Louder Than Guns.” Following a school shooting in Nashville, David’s friend, musician Ketch Secor, traveled the U.S. to foster dialogue, aiming to bridge the gap between gun rights advocates and those seeking stricter gun safety laws.

Anti-Squatting Crusader Flash Shelton

We welcome a really interesting guest to the program in anti-squatting expert, Flash Shelton, who took his personal experience dealing with the home of his late mother being squatted in by seven people over a period of months, and how that experience informed his career protecting home-owners. Flash’s work is now being featured in the new A&E series “Squatters,” where he helps home-owners take back what rightfully belongs to them.

Lt General and 43rd Surgeon General of the United States

The National Memorial Day Concert honors our country’s veterans, servicemen and women and military families, and The National Defense is proud each year to promote this celebration on the National Mall in Washington D.C. It will be a very special Memorial Day this year as it is both the 250th birthday of our Nation, as well as the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks on 9/11. Taking part in these festivities is the 43rd Surgeon General of the U.S., Lt General Patricia Horoho who was present at the Pentagon on September 11th when it was hit by a hijacked airliner. Patty will be telling her story of the events of 9/11 and we hope you’re able to tune in on PBS!

Jeff Apter with “King of Hearts”

If you are a music fan, especially if you are captivated by the music of Roy Orbison like we are, you’ll love our guest, music journalist Jeff Apter!  Jeff has a new release entitled “King of Hearts,” a definitive biography of one of music history’s most beloved, versatile, unforgettable icons, from his chart-topping highs and tragic lows to his momentous comeback.  Orbison provided some fascinating subject matter for this great biography, we can’t wait to get our hands on it.

Actress Christina Moore with “Casa Grande”

We welcome actress Christina Moore to the show to talk about her acting career, the incomparable Lou Diamond Phillips, her month visiting troops in Afghanistan entertaining our troops, and most importantly the new release of her film “Casa Grande.”  The film focuses on a prodigal daughter’s return to her family's ranch as her ailing father faces mounting pressure from a rival seeking the property, leading to a conflict between the two families.  Check out this great film!