The National Defense Radio Show

Hire Heroes USA CEO Andrew Sandoe on The National Defense

We welcome the Chief Executive Officer of Hire Heroes USA to the show to talk about his military service in the US Marine Corps, and his work in putting military veterans to work in the private sector once their military service career has come to an end. Randy talks with Andrew about how his military career was inspired by the attack on the World Trade Center Tower II on September 11th. Thanks to Andrew for his military service and for the incredibly important work he is continuing in helping our veterans put their unique skill sets to work in the civilian world.

Stunt Pilot Kevin LaRosa from Top Gun: Maverick

In this segment we welcome the Aerial Coordinator and Stunt Pilot for the smash hit Top Gun: Maverick, an ATP certified pilot who worked with Tom Cruise to put together a curriculum for an acting boot camp for the cast of this film. Randy talks with Kevin about some of the behind the scenes work to put the practical effects into place for Top Gun: Maverick and a little bit about his own experience as a stunt pilot in Hollywood.

Actor Lewis Pullman from Top Gun: Maverick on The National Defense

We welcome actor Lewis Pullman to the show to talk about his turn as Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd in the new film Top Gun: Maverick. Randy and Lewis talk about the process of making the film, his interaction with members of the U.S. Navy, and some thoughts on his great acting father, Bill Pullman. No fighter jet interview would be complete without civilians relating their stories of flying along with trained military pilots and how their bodies reacted to pulling Gs in a powerful plane.

Alex Balbir WWP Month of the Military Caregiver with Wounded Warrior Project

We welcome back Alex Balbir, Director of Independence Services at the Wounded Warrior Project, to talk about the incredibly important role played by caregivers of military veterans, and what Wounded Warrior Project is doing to both support and advance the methods to keep veterans in their homes and not be sent to institutional care.

Kelly Carlin Remembering her Father, George Carlin

The National Defense welcomes the daughter of the late George Carlin, Kelly Carlin to talk about the new documentary series “George Carlin: American Dream” available on HBO and streaming on HBO Max. Randy and Kelly talk about the career and legacy of her father, and relates some of the private stories that shaped his on-stage style and his comedic sensibilities, as well as how Judd Apatow came to direct this documentary about one of America's favorite comics.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Larry Jordan, Keynote Speaker for World War I Memorial Day Services

We welcome retired Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army, Larry Jordan, to the program. Lt. General Jordan will be giving a speech as part of the Memorial Day remembrances as well as help open up “Black Citizenship in the Face of Jim Crow” a traveling exhibit at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, MO. You can livestream the event at theworldwar.org/live

Darci Gurney, Ford Brand Content Alliance Manager

We welcome yet another great team member from Ford Motor Company, their Brand Content Alliance Manager, Darci Gurney, to talk about updates to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Ford Proud to Honor Hall of Heroes. Two new honorees, Johnathan Yellowhair and Maya Herzog, are going to be the newest honorees in the Ford Proud to Honor Hall of Heroes for their work in assisting veterans in both the indigenous and veteran community with PTS and mental health issues.

USAA Vice President of Marketing Eric Engquist on The National Defense

We welcome the Vice President of Marketing for USAA, Eric Engquist, to talk about just a handful of the Memorial Day remembrances that USAA is helping to facilitate all across the country. USAA is back on the National Mall in Washington D.C. with the Poppy Wall of Honor; a temporary installation honoring the more than 645,000 American servicemembers who gave their lives in service to our nation since World War I. Thanks to Eric for his, and USAA’s, continued work in serving active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.

“A Few Bad Men” from Major Fred Galvin, USMC (Ret.)

“A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed by America” is the incredible true story of an elite team of U.S. Marines set up to take the fall for Afghanistan war crimes they did not commit — and their leader who fought for the redemption of his men. We welcome the author of this book, and a figure central to the story, Major Fred Galvin, to the show to talk about his experience not only as a soldier, but to defend and clear his and his men’s name in the longest Marine Corps trial in it’s history.

“Somebody Feed Phil’s” Phil Rosenthal on The National Defense

We welcome the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Somebody Feed Phil” the #1 Food and Travel program on Netflix, Phil Rosenthal to the show. Randy and Phil talk his world travels and how he explores other people’s cultures through his stomach through his show, now entering it’s 5th season on Netflix.