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