August 29, 2022
Whether it’s during a snowstorm, pouring rain or a heat wave, a devoted group of volunteers show up for every single Army funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, there to represent the Chief of Staff and the entire Army family. Cindy Risch, the current Senior Spouse of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, is one of those ladies and speaks to host Holly Dailey about how powerful her experience as an Arlington Lady has been, the highs and lows of being a military spouse and how some people just really love their cookies.
- Guest: Cindy Risch, Senior Spouse of the U.S. Army JAG Corps
- Host: Holly Dailey
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
August 22, 2022
Most people believe it’s not a question of if China will invade Taiwan, but “when”. So can this be prevented? Host Joe Craig sits down with Elbridge Colby to discuss his 2021 book The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict, as well as how a possible war might play out, how the Chinese forces could be neutralized before that happens, and what allies could surprisingly play the biggest roles.
· Guest: Elbridge Colby, author of Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict
· Host: Joe Craig
Resources:
Yale University Press:
Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict
Credits
Opening Dramatization:
Narrator: Carrie Varouhakis
Script: Anthony Del Col
Sound Design: Andy Bosnak
Book:
Colby, Elbridge A. Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2022.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
August 15, 2022
There have been countless analyses of the Ukrainian-Russian War since it began earlier this year. The most effective of these have been from experts who have witnessed the conflict firsthand. Colonel (Ret.) Dan Roper speaks with Dr. Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute about what he’s observed from the battlefields of Ukraine, explains the four stages of the war thus far, and describes how Ukraine could not only survive but defeat the Russians.
· Guest: Dr. Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow, Land Warfare – Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
· Host: COL (Ret.) Dan Roper
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
August 8, 2022
In October 2001, then-Captain Jim Wanovich parachuted into Afghanistan to begin the American invasion of the country. Twenty years later, in August 2021 Jim’s son, First Lieutenant Andrew Wanovich deployed to Afghanistan to assist with the evacuation of the country. Host Colonel (Ret.) Scott Halstead sits down with the Wanovich family – Jim, his wife Kim and Andrew – to discuss what these operations were like, how Kim felt watching both her husband and son go into these dangerous missions, and the best place to learn how to drive stick shift.
- Guests:
- COL (Ret.) Jim Wanovich
- Kim Wanovich
- 1LT Andrew Wanovich
- Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
August 1, 2022
Sergeant Major (Ret) Burnie Haney got hooked on fishing as a young boy when he caught a five-pound largemouth bass and his father carried it around the campfire like a trophy. After a thirty-eight-year Army career Haney decided to turn his passion into a full-time business, starting New York Fishing Adventures. Host Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret) Dan Dailey sits down by Lake Ontario with Haney to talk to him about his Army career, how to get help with startups from local groups and – yes – get some fishing tips.
- Guest: SGM (Ret) Burnie Haney, Owner, New York Fishing Adventures
- Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey
Resources:
New York Fishing Adventures
Web: https://burniehaney.com/
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs
Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers
Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
July 25, 2022
With over 30 years in uniform, Colonel (retired) R.D. Hooker Jr. served in various overseas postings (Grenada, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and more), taught at West Point, and served in the White House. Host Joe Craig sits down with Hooker, who just released his seventh book, The Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of America at War, to discuss his career, the times he refused orders, and how to make a great first impression - by burning down a watchtower…
- Guest: R.D. Hooker, Jr., author of Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of American at War
- Host: Joe Craig
Resources:
Casemate Publishers:
Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of American at War
Credits
Opening Dramatization:
Narrator: CSM(Ret.)Troy Welch
Script: Anthony Del Col
Sound Design: Andy Bosnak
Book:
Hooker, Richard D. The Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of America at War. Philadelphia, PA: Casemate Publishers, 2022.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
![How United Through Reading Keeps Families Connected]()
July 18, 2022
Reading as a family is proven to aid children in developing key language and literary skills. But what happens when a family member is away on leave for extended periods of time? Thirty-three years ago, a military spouse created United Through Reading to create a system that would help bring families together through books. Host Holly Dailey talks to United Through Reading’s Molly Haskin to talk about the program, how they have adapted to the latest phone technology, and whether it’s possible to develop mind powers like Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
- Guest: Molly Haskin, Director of Army, Air Force, and Space Force Programs for United Through Reading
Resources:
Morale, Welfare, Recreation (MWR) Library
Website: https://unitedthroughreading.org/read-beyond-the-beaten-path-this-summer/
Reading App Challenge June 15 – August 31
Website: https://unitedthroughreading.org/join-our-2022-summer-reading-app-challenge/
Mobile Van and Joining Forces
Website: https://unitedthroughreading.org/mobile-story-station-for-military-families-rolls-into-union-station/
Audio Clip Credits:
Reading for the Record with UTR - SMA Dan Dailey, US Army. YouTube. YouTube, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oebaBTMvL_Y.
July 13, 2022
When people think of Formula One racing, they imagine fast cars, exotic locales, and millions of fans. When former Acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley thinks of F1, he sees the future for the Army and other organizations. Host Colonel (retired) Dan Roper sits down with Whitley to talk about racecar driving, digital twins, and how someone who originally enrolled in agricultural studies worked his way towards overseeing a $700 billion military budget.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
- Guest: John Whitley, former Acting Secretary of the Army; Researcher and Advisor, Institute for Defense Analyses
- Host: COL (Ret) Dan Roper
July 11, 2022
Cadet Command is perhaps the most important initiative of the U.S. Army, overseeing more than 30,000 ROTC cadets that could become the next generation of officers and this country’s leaders. Host Colonel (retired) Scott Halstead sits down with his old friend, Major General Johnny Davis, to find out more about the program and the General’s role in overseeing it. The two discuss the role of mentorship, what today’s cadets have on their minds and – perhaps most importantly – the right way to drink coffee.
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
- Guest: MG Johnny K. Davis, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, Kentucky
- Host: COL (Ret) Scott Halstead
Resources:
U.S. Army Cadet Command
Web: https://www.cadetcommand.army.mil/
July 4, 2022
In December 2011, American E.O.D. tech Aaron Hale was immediately blinded by an explosion in Afghanistan. But rather than feel sorry for himself, he decided to make the rest of his life an adventure. Host Sergeant Major of the Army (retired) Dan Dailey sits down with Aaron as part of his series about entrepreneurship to talk about whitewater kayaking, how he overcome an even bigger disability, and how he re-discovered joy – and a successful business start-up – in making fudge with his wife Kayla.
- Guest: Aaron Hale, Co-Founder, E.O.D. Fudge and former Army Staff Sergeant
- Host: SMA (Ret) Daniel Dailey
Resources:
E.O.D. Fudge
Web: https://eodfudge.com/
AUSA’s NCO & Soldier Programs
Web: https://www.ausa.org/programs/nco-and-soldiers
Twitter (Dailey): @15thSMA
Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
