The National Defense Radio Show

Ford Motor Company’s Dan DeRubeis, Lincoln Corsiar Brand Manager, joins the program to talk about the best selling SUV from the Lincoln line of vehicles: the Corsair. The new 2023 Lincoln Corsair is chock full of design improvements and features, and Dan talks with Randy about how the company has placed the bar even higher than the public is accustomed to for a vehicle of this type. Check out the great look of the new Lincoln Corsair

Randy welcomes Michael Fisher, Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer for the Veterans Health Administration. Michael Provides direct leadership and oversight for Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) 2,200 staff and assets to include the 300 Vet Centers, 83 Mobile Vet Centers, and the Vet Center Call Center which all provide readjustment counselling to Veterans, active duty Service members, and their families. Michael and Randy talk about how important it is for veterans to be able to avoid the stigma of being treated for the mental wounds of war.

We welcome back Frank Siller, the brother of New York Firefighter Frank Siller, who established the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor the memory of Frank who died running into the World Trade Center. Randy and Frank talk about the most recent anniversary of 9/11, as well as what the Tunnel to Towers Foundation does to support first responders and those whose health was affected in the aftermath of the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero.

We are excited to highlight even more great work done by actor Gary Sinise, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. We welcome the Chief of Staff for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Cristin Bartter, to the program. Randy and Cristin talk about some of the recent activities and programs that the Gary Sinise Foundation as taken part in, as well as how Bob Evans Farms has stepped up to further their mission of helping veterans and their families.

We are always happy to highlight the work of our partners that support veterans. This week we highlight The Home Depot Foundation, who has pledged to invest $500 million in veterans causes by 2025. We speak with Ellie Hollander, the President of Meals on Wheels America about Helping Homebound Heroes, a joint project between Meals on Wheels and the Home Depot Foundation. Ellie and Randy discuss the Meals on Wheels program, and how this new line of support from the Home Depot Foundation will allow them to further their outreach to veterans who are aging.

We welcome renowned actor and director Tyler Perry to talk about his new Netflix movie “A Jazzman’s Blues". This tale of forbidden love and family drama unravels 40 years of secrets and lies against a soundtrack of juke-joint blues in the Deep South. Tyler talks with Randy about the long process of birthing this project and we’re also joined by two actors from the film, Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer.

We had a chance to hit the infield garages at the Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400 to catch up with Tyler Reddick and Team Red White and Blue to talk about the custom-made deck lid for Reddick’s #8 car. Randy and Tyler discuss NASCAR’s work to support the military and veterans as well as talk a little bit about Tyler’s time on the track and what goes into being successful in motorsports.

We needed a little shot of culture on the show, and Randy welcomes a guest perfect for the task in renowned and award-winning opera singer Renee Fleming. Renee and Randy talk about her performing career, her upcoming project on September 18th in IMAX: “Cities that Sing: Paris” with Kelsey Grammer.

We speak with Nate Boyer, a Green Beret and National Football League veteran, about the new movie he has directed and starred in: “MVP.” In the film, Nate portrays a homeless former Marine named Zephyr who's also suffering from PTSD and suicidal thoughts while trying to forge a new life for himself. Randy and Nate discuss his other project supporting our veteran community as well.

We welcome the founder and CEO of Team Red White and Blue, Mike Erwin, to the National Defense. We spoke with Mike at the Kansas Speedway in advance of the Hollywood Casino 400, and Mike lays out to Randy how this type of partnership with NASCAR is so important in their outreach to the veteran community. Randy digs into what exactly the mission of Team Red White and Blue is, and how you can get in touch with them to support their mission, or to address transition and reintegration for those returning from active duty.