WWIA Podcast

Our WWIA events could not take place were it not for the generosity and selfless efforts of so many remarkable Hosts across North America. Today, we are honored to introduce you to one of our WWIA event Hosts that has been helping facilitate healing and recovery in the lives of our Heroes for over a decade! WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes Mr. Dan Bevevino to the podcast. Dan and his wife Susan proudly host two different WWIA events annually, a turkey hunt in the spring and an archery deer hunt in the fall. Their events do a superb job of involving patriotic and grateful members of the local community who assist throughout the event. Their beautiful property in Pennsylvania provides an idyllic setting for our Heroes to get away from the demands of everyday life so they can relax, connect with their fellow Purple Heart recipients, and enjoy some world-class hunting and fishing in the great outdoors. Dan and Susan have both worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years and share 3 wonderful adult children who are also heavily involved in contributing to each event. We are excited to share this episode with you and hope you enjoy getting to know more about Dan, his family, and their tremendous contributions to the mission of WWIA.

It is an honor to introduce you to some of America’s remarkable combat-wounded veterans. Sharing their stories and experiences with all of you is a high privilege. This week on the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes an outstanding Purple Heart Hero to the broadcast, Mr. Jason Gaudette.

Jason proudly served in the United States Army for 20 years, traveling across the globe, before retiring in 2014 while stationed in Alaska. He currently serves as an Administrative Specialist for the Naval Information Warfare Center, and also serves as a Guide for WWIA, leading his fellow Purple Heart recipients during events across North America. Jason is an avid outdoorsman whose love for hunting and fishing started at a young age. He has traveled throughout the United States hunting for moose, caribou, black bear, as well as fishing for giant halibut and salmon in Alaska. He’s always in search of his next adventure and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others along the way. Jason currently lives with his wife Julie and son Jackson in South Carolina, where they enjoy getting outside to fish and hunt as often as possible.

We have another exceptional guest on this episode of the WWIA Podcast. WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is honored to share some time and a wonderful conversation with one of America’s tremendous Purple Heart Heroes, Mr. Greg Brazinsky. Greg recently retired from the United States Army after proudly serving for 20 years as a Combat Engineer. Greg is married, has three children, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston. In his off time, he loves spending time with his family, enjoys woodworking, is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He also serves as a Guide for WWIA on various events across North America, assisting his fellow Purple Heart brothers and sisters. This is a great episode that we know you’re going to enjoy.

This episode of the WWIA Podcast is all-important as we shine a light on the issue of veteran suicide. Veterans having faithfully served and defended our country are too often lost to suicide. It’s not only tragic, but also unacceptable. As United States citizens and supporters of our military, we have a duty to help these remarkable veterans overcome the issues that can lead to suicide. In this episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel discusses the current statistics surrounding veteran suicide including some of the contributing causes and some of the preventative factors. He also delves into an important collaborative and evidenced-based study between WWIA and Cornell University that shows how the work WWIA is doing is helping prevent veteran suicide and improve the lives of our combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes. If you’re a veteran, friend, or family member, and you’re struggling or considering suicide, we encourage you to please call 988 (then press 1) to be connected to a live person at the Veterans Crisis Line. You’re not alone. They are available 24 hours a day, it’s a confidential all, and they are ready and waiting to assist you. Again, simply dial 988 (then press 1).

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel continues his veteran entrepreneur series as he welcomes Brett Baker to the program. Brett is a retired Army Ranger, husband, father of two, and the co-founder and visionary of VAUSA. VAUSA creates meaningful jobs and community for military families through strategically building remote teams for veteran and faith-based businesses. VAUSA prioritizes people over profits, believes in using their business as a ministry, and is passionate about using their God-given gifts to serve others. Brett's other passions include mentoring transitioning veterans, homeschooling his two children, and running a homestead just outside of Savannah, Georgia.

We have an exceptional episode for you today as WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes a close friend and a true American Patriot to the podcast, General Douglas Crissman. Doug is a West Point graduate, having served more than 33 years in the Army, retiring as a Major General in 2021. Doug earned a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, taught on the faculty at West Point, served two tours in the Pentagon, and was the senior U.S. Army officer assigned to the British Army.

An Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster and avid outdoorsman, Doug enjoys hunting, hiking, and backpacking and recently completed several hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail. Since retiring from the Army, Doug divides his time and energy between helping to raise the next generation of Army leaders as an Army Senior Mentor, providing corporate leadership development to Fortune 500 companies as a Senior Advisor with Thayer Leadership, strategic advising as an independent consultant, and sharing his passion for the outdoors as an Assistant Manager for an outdoor gear store in Northern Virginia where he now resides.

Although a recent member of the WWIA Board of Directors, he has been involved with the growth and development of the Foundation since its inception in 2007 and looks forward to helping guide it’s continued progression to Honor, Connect, and Heal our Nation’s combat-wounded, Purple Heart recipients.

2023 is in the books, and it has been another outstanding year of serving, honoring, and changing the lives of America’s combat-wounded veterans. On this first episode of the New Year, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel provides us with WWIA’s year in review. John gives an overview of the Foundation’s mission throughout 2023, including some of the year’s highlights, as well as what’s in store for the upcoming year.

Over the past 17 years, it has been and remains a high honor and privilege to partner with so many incredible patriotic Hosts, Guides, Volunteers, Donors, Supporters, and remarkable communities across North America to bring Honor, Connection, and Healing to our Heroes. We move into 2024 with anticipation and gratitude, and we hope that the new year will bring you blessings, health, and happiness!

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel recorded this episode on location at WWIA’s Northern Healing Center, Camp Hackett, in Phillips, Wisconsin. This recording was done at the conclusion of the 17th Annual Camp Hackett event in late October of 2023 and features one of the remarkable Purple Heart Heroes that attended the event, Mr. John Samuels. John is a proud patriot and Marine Corps veteran having served from 2001 to 2005. He has been married to his beautiful wife for 20 years and they share 4 incredible children together. John continues to serve others long after his military career concluded, always seeking to give back to those in need. This episode gives you a unique look inside one of WWIA’s missions on the ground level and in real time from the perspective of a Hero attending the event. We appreciate John sharing his story with us, and it’s a great and entertaining episode that we are proud to share with you.

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes Mr. Eric Martinez. Eric is the Owner & CEO for Old Dogs New Tricks, LLC - a product development and marketing company that owns a portfolio of consumer-packaged goods products that includes energy drinks (Pursuit Energy), energy shots & powders, ready-to-drink & packaged coffee, beef and game jerky and dog treats all sold under the Pursuit brand.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Eric worked in a private equity firm as a managing director with oversight over certain portfolio companies. During his career, Eric held senior executive positions in various privately held and private equity owned companies including ProCare Automotive Service Solutions, Leo Burnett USA, Outboard Marine Corporation and Favorite Brands International. Early in his career, he held executive and management positions within publicly held companies including IMC Global, General Electric (GE Plastics), Amoco Corporation, and Ernst & Young.

Eric earned a Master of Management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BBA with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is a CPA. He currently resides in Wisconsin with his wife Becky and two heelers, Harley & Buehl.

WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes Mr. Charlie Buntin to the WWIA Podcast. Charlie is a veteran entrepreneur, a retired Army Major, having proudly served our country from 2004 through 2016. Charlie began his military journey as a former member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, before attending the University of Tennessee at Martin where he commissioned through ROTC as a 2LT in the Army Engineer Corps. In 2005 he deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Iraq. Charlie also served with the 1st Infantry Division, the Delta Company 35th Engineer Battalion 1st Engineer Brigade, and the 2nd Brigade 1st Cavalry Division to Iraq. Charlie also served as an instructor of the ROTC program at Middle Tennessee State University for 3 years before returning to Fort Hood for his final assignment as a member of 3rd Corps HQ. His awards include the Bronze Star medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal 1 oak leaf cluster, Joint Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge.  Charlie is the co-owner of Cigars on the Boulevard, a veteran-owned premium cigar bar and lounge located in Apollo Beach, Florida.