VFW Podcast 73: Sets and Reps

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