The National Defense Radio Show

Ford Bronco Wild Fund Helping Our 1st Responders

Nate Herron speaks with Dave Rivers, Ford Enthusiast Brand Manager, about the Bronco Wild Fund endowment. Ford is donating a customized 2023 Bronco Badlands the Bandelier National Park outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico. This custom donated vehicle will feature specialized equipment inside and out, including a state-of-the-art government communication system with satellite and antenna connections to provide reliability and redundancy in the most remote environments.

Wounded Warrior Project’s Director of Warrior Care Network

We wrapped up the month of June and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness month. We speak to Erin Fletcher, Psy.D. who serves as the Warrior Care Network Director for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). In this role, Erin ensures synergy across all WWP mental health programs. WWP is using technology to help our wounded veterans identify and treat PTS and fills us in on the world class programs that Wounded Warrior Project is putting into place for this generation of veterans.

George Shea, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Emcee

It wouldn’t be a Fourth of July show if we didn’t at least MENTION the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating competition! We are excited to welcome the emcee of the world famous event, George Shea, to the program. Randy and George talk about the meteoric rise in popularity of this event, it’s media rights being extended by ESPN, and hopefully no “reversal of fortunes” for competitors on Coney Island this coming Tuesday.

Actor Harry Lennix and the Final Season of “The Blacklist”

We welcome Harry Lennix to the program to talk about his role as Harold Cooper on NBC’s “The Blacklist” for 10 seasons. Randy and Harry talk about the role, working with James Spader, and what future projects we can look forward to seeing from Harry.

John Flynn Senior V.P. of Administration and Aviation for MGM Resorts International

We welcome Colonel John Flynn to the program, Senior Vice President of Administration and Aviation for MGM Resorts International. We chat about his work in the Air Force Reserves, and how it shades the work he currently undertakes for MGM Resorts International.

Jeopardy Host and Champion Ken Jennings

We welcome the historic Jeopardy Champion and current host of the show, Ken Jennings. Ken and Randy talk about how Ken’s life has changed since first appearing on the show and making his record-breaking run (all of which was nearly 20 years ago!) Ken has also written a new book “100 Places to See After You Die” and we’re really excited to get our hands on it.

Lt. Col Scott Mann with ’Last Out’

We welcome retired Lt. Col. Scott Mann, who served as a Green Beret. He has taken his experience in the Special Forces and written books, given TedTalks, and most recently has written a play called “Last Out” produced by the incredible Gary Sinise. Randy and Scott talk about his experience in the military, his connection to Gary Sinise, and the incredible people and circumstances that inspired the stage play “Last Out.”

Ford Motor Company Partnering with Team Rubicon

We are joined by Luisa Schumacher, social impact design leader at Ford. She tells us about the recent Ford Fund initiative supporting the incredibly important mission of our partner, Team Rubicon. Ford is donating 20 specially outfitted trucks to support the veteran led disaster relief group that assists those affected by disasters.

Jessica Manfre of the Inspire Up Foundation

We welcome Jessica Manfre who, along with Maria Reed, Samantha Gomolka, and Stacy Bilodeau founded the Inspire Up Foundation; built to serve the military and first responder community. Jessica talks about how her experience as a military spouse caused her to step up to address the unique set of problems that members of our military experience. We salute Jessica and the Inspire Up Foundation for the work they’re doing supporting our military families.

Tim Farrell on The National Defense

We welcome Air Force veteran and CEO of United Through Reading, Tom Farrell, to the program. We discuss his time as an airman in the Armed Forces, and how his introduction to the program led him to lead this veteran service organization. United Through Reading helps military families read together every day, no matter the distance.