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The Veteran Blueprint

Cumulus Media Detroit

“The Veteran Blueprint” brings together veterans, advocates, and leaders from across the military community to share how they built lives of strength, purpose, and direction after their service. Discover the experiences that shaped these men and women before the uniform, the resilience they forged in service, and the intentional paths they are creating today as they design their futures with clarity and confidence. Veterans will gain practical strategies to understand their benefits, strengthen their families, and become their own best advocates. Hear The Veteran Blueprint Sundays at 6 a.m. on 760 WJR or listen on-demand and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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26 episodes
weekly
Avg 37 min
English

Episodes 26

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#112
Sunday · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Josh Parrish
Oct. 18, 2026 ~ In this special episode of The Veteran Blueprint, show co-host Josh Parrish shares his journey! From leading VETLIFE to taking a life-changing journey to Mexico for treatment, he joins Matt Leach to reflect on mental health, family, and healing.
#111
October 11 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Will Mattay
Oct. 11, 2026 ~ Will Mattay, a former Navy veteran, shares his story of growing up through severe family trauma, serving during the Persian Gulf War on the USS Missouri, and overcoming a life-altering diving accident that left him paralyzed. Despite multiple hardships, Will Mattay dedicated his life to mentoring fellow veterans and published his memoir, “Roller Coaster: Ride of My Life,” to encourage others facing tough obstacles to keep going.
#112
October 11 · 37 min
From Navy Ships to Deep Dives: Will Matei Proves Quitting is Not an Option!
October 11, 2026 ~ Josh Parish and Matt Leach present another powerful episode of the Veterans Blueprint. This week, retired Navy veteran Will Matei joins the show to share his remarkable story of overcoming trauma, military service, and life-changing obstacles with true resilience.
#110
September 27 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Doug "Odie" Slocum
Sep. 27, 2026 ~ Doug "Odie" Slocum, a retired one-star general in the U.S Air Force and Air National Guard, discusses his journey from military brat to advocate for veterans.
#109
September 20 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Amy Forsyth
September 20, 2026 ~ Amy Forsyth, a retired Navy Public Affairs officer and former Marine combat correspondent, discusses her extraordinary military journey. Amy Forsyth shares her unique perspective on covering the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq, managing the transition from enlisted Marine to Navy officer, and working as a military journalist during two decades of combat operations.
#108
September 13 · 37 min
From High Seas to High Notes: The Tommy Nutzman Story
September 13, 2026 ~ Josh Parrish and Matt Leach welcome former Navy Chief Petty Officer Tommy Nutzman to the Veterans Blueprint. They discuss his enlistment following 9/11, his impactful two-decade career as a rescue swimmer, and his current work supporting the veteran community as an advocate and influencer. It is a powerful conversation.
#107
September 6 · 37 min
The Veteran's Blueprint ~ September 6, 2026 ~ Full Show
September 6, 2026 ~ Matt Leech speaks with the first ever very first Veteran's Affair Manager of Detroit.
#106
August 23 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Chris Ford
Aug. 23, 2026 ~ Chris Ford, an Air Force veteran, discusses his journey from a childhood in a single-parent household to leading service-oriented initiatives. He highlights his transition from military leadership to focusing on veteran support through the Face the Fight movement, a coalition dedicated to suicide prevention.
#105
August 16 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Adrienne Spadavecchia
Aug. 16, 2026 ~ Adrienne Spadavecchia, a military child who grew up moving frequently, eventually became the first female Apache pilot in the Missouri National Guard. After a 26-year career that included deployments and balancing military service with motherhood, she transitioned into entrepreneurship to lead a nonprofit supporting veterans.
#104
August 9 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Gabe Krengel
Aug. 9, 2026 ~ Marine Corps veteran Gabe Krengel, the founder of Third Deck Brewing, discusses his path from a tough upbringing in Chicago to military service and his subsequent career transitions. He explains how his brewery honors the legacy of fallen brothers by donating proceeds to Gold Star families and veterans in need.
#103
July 12 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ JoAnne Bass
July 12, 2026 ~ JoAnne Bass, the first female Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, about her military journey and leadership philosophy. She reflects on the importance of being present, learning from failures, and maintaining an identity outside of the military service.
#102
July 5 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Chris Kolenda
July 5, 2026 ~ Chris Kolenda, a retired colonel, shares his journey from Nebraska to West Point, his military career, and his transition to civilian life.
#101
June 28 · 36 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Larry Fisher
June 28, 2026 ~ Larry Fisher, who leads his community and helps veterans get homes in Florida and Michigan, shares his family’s military background and his early involvement with the Civil Air Patrol, which led to his own distinguished military career.
#100
June 21 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Gretchen Smith
June 21, 2026 ~ Gretchen Smith, founder of Code of Vets, a nonprofit assisting over 8,000 veterans with rapid response efforts. Gretchen Smith shares her journey from growing up in rural North Carolina, her time in the Air Force, and the challenging transition back to civilian life.
#99
June 14 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Dennis Stephens
Feb. 14, 2026 ~ Dennis Stephens discusses his journey from growing up in Southeast Texas to joining the Marine Corps, going against his family’s Army tradition. Dennis Stevens shared his experiences in boot camp and his unexpected role as an amphibious assault vehicle crewman. Dennis Stevens later transitioned to civilian life, working for the Department of Energy, becoming a police officer, then a pilot, and ultimately starting his own vodka company.
#98
June 7 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Tony Grinston
June 7, 2026 ~ Tony Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, discusses his upbringing in Jasper, Alabama, his military career, and his current role. He shares experiences from basic training, being a drill sergeant, and the challenges of being the Sergeant Major of the Army, including testifying before Congress.
#97
May 31 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Michael Matteis
May 31, 2026 ~ Air Force veteran Michael Matteis, creator of Sentinel AI, to discuss his life journey and innovative work. He shares his upbringing, military experience stationed in England, and the challenges he faced post-service, including homelessness and suicidal thoughts. He introduces Sentinel AI, a platform designed to proactively reduce veteran suicide through a chat companion and a predictive risk score algorithm.
#96
May 24 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Blackhawk One Fox
May 24, 2026 ~ Blackhawk One Fox, an influencer, shares his courageous story on YouTube and TikTok to help struggling veterans. Blackhawk One Fox recounts a difficult childhood in Oregon and joining the military at 23, experiencing three combat tours and a severe injury.
#95
May 17 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Kwesi Betserai
May, 17, 2026 ~ Kwesi Betserai, Detroit’s first Veterans Affairs Manager, discusses his 28-year military career and its influence on his current role. He shares his upbringing in Detroit, his journey through college, and his decision to join the Army, where he discovered his leadership abilities.
#94
May 10 · 37 min
The Veteran Blueprint ~ Bonnie Carroll
May 10, 2026 ~ Bonnie Carroll’s upbringing and military career, which was influenced by her mother, a World War II pilot. Bonnie Carroll discusses how the tragic death of her husband led her to create the TAPS program, which provides support for military families grieving a loss.

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes