VFW National Commander Cory Geisler and National Legislative Committee Vice Chairman Staci Boyer join hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray, along with VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci, for a wide-ranging conversation from the VFW Fall Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
The group takes listeners inside the conference, from preparing new National Legislative Committee members to the evolving training that helps VFW advocates effectively communicate with lawmakers, staff and the media. Stacie reflects on her first year on the committee and discusses how personal stories can bring veterans' issues to life, including conversations surrounding Section 108, the Major Richard Star Act, the TAP Promotion Act, written informed consent and continuity of care.
With campaign season underway, the conversation turns to political engagement at the VFW Post level. The group discusses Post facility rentals, town halls, candidate forums, campaign materials, VFW members running for office and the distinction between advocating for veterans' issues and creating the appearance of a political endorsement.
Later, Cory breaks down Warrior Fitness Challenge, his initiative encouraging VFW members and veterans to get up, get moving and make physical activity part of their everyday lives. Staci, a competitive bodybuilder and gym owner, joins the discussion on strength training, consistency and ways Posts can encourage veterans of all ages and ability levels to become more active.
Finally, Ryan digs into the VFW archives with a September 1926 issue of Foreign Service magazine. A century later, the parallels are striking: advocating for veterans' earned benefits, protecting veterans from exploitation and helping hospitalized veterans remain physically active.
Hosts:
Rob Couture – Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach
Brittany Dymond Murray – Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach
Featured Guests:
Cory Geisler – VFW National Commander
Staci Boyer – Vice Chairman, VFW National Legislative Committee
Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office; Assistant Adjutant General
Episode Highlights:
0:00 – Intro and Roll Call
3:47 – VFW Fall Legislative Conference
4:12 – Welcoming New National Legislative Committee Members
6:49 – Mobilizing VFW Advocates and Section 108
10:54 – How Advocate Training Has Evolved
12:04 – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Advocacy Training
14:03 – Preparing VFW Advocates to Work With the Media
19:34 – Legislative Priorities and Meetings on Capitol Hill
21:54 – A Veteran's Story Demonstrates the Stakes of Advocacy
25:22 – Why Storytelling Matters
27:13 – Navigating Complex Veterans' Issues in Congress
29:46 – Continuity of Care and the TAP Promotion Act
31:22 – Cory on the Power of Personal Stories
35:19 – Challenging Lawmakers to See Programs Firsthand
37:23 – Campaign Season and VFW Political Engagement
39:03 – Post Rentals, Candidates and Avoiding Implied Endorsements
42:57 – Town Halls, Candidate Appearances and Post Events
46:13 – VFW Members Running for Office
47:44 – Lessons From a Nonpartisan Candidate Forum
51:15 – Wearing VFW Identifiers at Political Events
53:09 – Speaking as an Individual vs. Speaking for the VFW
54:40 – Warrior Fitness
58:31 – VFW Leaders and Members Getting Moving
1:00:00 – Strength Training and Women Veterans
1:02:29 – Bringing Fitness and Wellness to the Post Level
1:03:55 – What Was the VFW Doing 100 Years Ago?
1:05:03 – Inside the September 1926 Foreign Service
1:06:45 – Veterans' Benefits and Wellness, Then and Now
1:07:59 – Good of the Order
1:09:05 – Cory Meets a Virginia Post Charter Member
1:10:49 – Remembering the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
1:13:03 – Ask the VFW
1:14:30 – Brittany Reconnects With Her First VFW Post
1:14:50 – Rob Runs Into an Old Teammate at the Pentagon Memorial
1:16:10 – Closing Thoughts