The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices

🔥 FireSide Chat w/ the Crew — The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices
Sometimes the best conversations are the ones you can’t script.
On this episode of FireSide Chat w/ the Crew, AJ, Mike, and Aaron get together for another wide-open conversation about military service, life after the uniform, veterans, history, and whatever else finds its way to the table.
FireSide Chat has become an important part of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices because it captures something different from our traditional one-on-one Veteran Stories. These conversations preserve the camaraderie, humor, opinions, memories, and experiences that happen when veterans simply sit down together and talk.
There’s no polished script and no predetermined path. Just veterans and friends having the kinds of conversations that have taken place in squad bays, barracks, motor pools, smoke pits, ready rooms, and around kitchen tables for generations.
🎙️ Hosted by AJ CoxFounder & Executive DirectorThe Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices
🔥 Featuring members of the FireSide Chat Crew
Every conversation is another piece of history.
With more than 700 episodes preserved, The Lost Art Project continues building a living digital history where veterans’ experiences aren't reduced to dates, battles, and statistics—but preserved through the voices of the people who actually lived them.
We’re more than just a podcast.
We’re preserving the conversations, personalities, experiences, and stories that might otherwise disappear with time.
🌐 TheLostArtProjectVeteransVoices.org
🇺🇸 The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ VoicesPreserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.

🔥 FireSide Chat with the Crew featuring Special Guest Anna Redmond of Braav AllCoin! 🔥
Tonight at 7:00 PM Central | 8:00 PM Eastern
Join us for another engaging FireSide Chat with the Crew as we welcome Anna Redmond from Braav AllCoin for an evening of authentic conversation, fresh ideas, and a look at how emerging technology can help preserve the stories that matter most.
Braav AllCoin has become an important supporter of The Lost Art Project: Veterans' Voices, and tonight we'll explore how innovation, community partnerships, and a shared commitment to preserving history can work together to create something that will benefit veterans, families, researchers, and future generations.
As always, nothing is scripted. We'll cover a wide range of topics—from veteran issues and current events to leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, military experiences, and the challenges and opportunities facing today's veteran community. Expect thoughtful discussion, plenty of laughs, and the kind of honest conversation that has made FireSide Chat a favorite among our viewers.
Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, family member, historian, podcaster, or simply someone who enjoys meaningful conversations, pull up a chair around the virtual campfire and be part of the discussion. We'd love to hear your questions and comments live throughout the show.
Learn more about our mission at:www.thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org
Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.

🇺🇸 NEW EPISODE | Carlo Orino | U.S. Air Force Veteran 🇺🇸
Every veteran's journey is different, and Carlo Orino's story is a powerful reminder that our paths in life can change with one decision.
Interviewed by Historical Archivist Dee Galvin, Carlo shares his incredible journey from a self-described troubled teenager to a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. He reflects on growing up in a military family, the lessons learned from his father's Navy service, and the moment he looked in the mirror and realized it was time to change the direction of his life.
Throughout this conversation, Carlo discusses his Air Force career, deployments to Kuwait and Iraq during Operation New Dawn, his experiences as a firearms instructor, leadership, family life, and the importance of becoming the kind of mentor and instructor who leaves a lasting impact on others. His story is one of perseverance, growth, service, and finding purpose through military service.
This episode is another example of why preserving these first-hand accounts is so important. Every veteran's voice adds another piece to our nation's history, ensuring future generations can learn directly from those who lived it.
🎙️ Guest: Carlo Orino – U.S. Air Force Veteran🎤 Interviewer: Historical Archivist Dee Galvin
Watch now and help us continue our mission of preserving the voices of America's veterans.
🌐 www.thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org
Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.

In this episode of The Lost Art Project: Veterans' Voices, Historical Archivist Dee Galvin sits down with U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Chambers for an engaging conversation spanning nearly eight decades of life, service, leadership, and reflection.
Jim begins by sharing memories of growing up in a large family with limited means, explaining how those early experiences shaped his work ethic, humility, and appreciation for the opportunities that would later come through military service. From there, he walks listeners through his decision to join the Air Force, his career progression, and the leadership lessons that would influence both his time in uniform and his life after retirement.
Throughout the conversation, Jim offers thoughtful insight into military education, the importance of developing leaders, and how service members continue to carry the values they learned long after they hang up the uniform. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he also reflects on the bonds shared by those who served, the significance of honoring their sacrifices, and why preserving these stories for future generations is so important.
More than a military history interview, this episode is a conversation about resilience, family, lifelong learning, and leaving a legacy worth remembering.
Join Historical Archivist Dee Galvin as she preserves another remarkable veteran's story—one voice, one life, and one legacy at a time.
The Lost Art Project: Veterans' VoicesPreserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.

🔥 FireSide Chat with the Crew – Tonight at 7 PM Central! 🔥
Join us tonight for another FireSide Chat with the Crew as we gather around for an evening of great conversation, shared experiences, and plenty of laughs. Whether you're a veteran, currently serving, a family member, or simply someone who enjoys hearing authentic stories and discussions, there's always a seat by the fire.
Each week we dive into topics that matter to the military and veteran community—from leadership and military history to current events, transition after service, and the everyday moments that connect us all. No scripts, no agendas—just honest conversation from people who have lived it.
As always, we welcome your comments and questions throughout the show. Your participation helps shape the conversation, making every FireSide Chat a little different from the last.
So grab your favorite drink, pull up a chair, and spend your Sunday evening with the crew.
Because every veteran has a story... and every conversation helps preserve another piece of history.
The Lost Art Project: Veterans' VoicesPreserving Voices! Protecting Legacies!

🔥 FireSide Chat with the Crew | Featuring Erik Monarca of Chat 62 Podcast 🔥
This week's FireSide Chat, we welcomed Erik Monarca, co-host of the Chat 62 Podcast, for an engaging conversation about military service, the power of storytelling, and the importance of preserving veterans' experiences for future generations.
What started as a discussion between two veteran-focused podcasts quickly became a deeper conversation about the shared mission of ensuring that the stories of those who served are never forgotten. Erik shared the vision behind Chat 62, how the show has grown beyond its original roots, and why giving veterans a platform to tell their stories continues to make such a lasting impact.
The crew also explored the future of veteran history preservation, including the growth of the Veterans' Voices Archive Network, the development of a searchable research database, and how podcasters, historians, museums, and researchers can work together to build one of the largest collaborative archives of veteran oral histories anywhere.
Along the way, there were plenty of laughs, stories from military life, and the kind of candid conversation that has become the hallmark of FireSide Chat.
If you believe every veteran's story deserves to be preserved, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Join AJ Cox, Mike, and Jess as they sit down with Erik Monarca of Chat 62 Podcast for a conversation about brotherhood, podcasting, preserving history, and ensuring that every veteran's voice has a place in history—because in the end... Your Story Matters.

In Part 2 of our conversation with U.S. Navy veteran Charles Russo, we dive even deeper into an extraordinary career that took him from military service to the front lines of counterterrorism and forensic intelligence. Charles shares what it was like working with the FBI's Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC), where improvised explosive devices recovered from battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world were analyzed to help identify bomb makers, uncover terrorist networks, and prevent future attacks.
Charles offers a fascinating look behind the scenes at the painstaking investigative work that most people never see—the collaboration between the military, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and international partners to protect lives. He also explains the extensive training required to work in this highly specialized field, from electronics and forensic science to intelligence analysis, and reflects on the responsibility that comes with examining devices that caused devastating loss on the battlefield.
The conversation doesn't stop there. Charles discusses his transition from federal service into higher education, his passion for research, publishing, and mentoring the next generation, and how his experiences continue to shape the students he teaches today. His story is one of lifelong learning, service, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference long after leaving active duty.
Whether you're interested in military history, intelligence operations, national security, or simply hearing the remarkable journey of someone who has dedicated his life to serving others, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Every veteran has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.

What does it mean to dedicate a lifetime to serving your country—both in and out of uniform?
In Episode 707 of The Lost Art Project: Veterans' Voices, we sit down with Dr. Charles Russo, a U.S. Navy veteran whose career of service extended far beyond his time in uniform. From his experiences during the Cold War era to a distinguished career supporting the nation's intelligence and law enforcement communities, Dr. Russo shares an incredible journey built on integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to protecting the United States.
His story offers a unique perspective on military service, leadership, intelligence, public service, and the lessons learned from decades spent working behind the scenes in some of our nation's most critical organizations.
Join us as Dr. Russo reflects on the people, experiences, and decisions that shaped his life, while reminding us that some of the most important contributions to our nation's history happen far from the spotlight.
Every veteran has a story worth preserving. Every story deserves to be remembered.

🔥 FireSide Chat w/ the Crew is LIVE! 🔥
Grab a seat around the virtual campfire and join the crew for another evening of great conversation, plenty of laughs, and honest discussions about military life, current events, veteran issues, and whatever else comes up along the way.
No scripts. No filters. Just veterans and friends sharing stories, experiences, and perspectives in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
Whether you’re a veteran, currently serving, a family member, or simply someone who enjoys hearing authentic conversations, we’d love to have you join us. 
Help us continue our mission of Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.
🌐 www.TheLostArtProjectVeteransVoices.org
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🔥 FireSide Chat is back, and this one is packed with great conversation!
Join AJ as he welcomes back Matt Okuhara, Iraq War veteran and author of Basra and Back: The Memoir of an Infantryman in the Iraq War.
Matt returns to share more of his experiences from combat, the lessons that have stayed with him long after deployment, and the journey that inspired him to write his powerful memoir. We’ll also dive into current events, military topics, veteran life, and whatever else comes up around the virtual campfire.
Whether you’ve served, know someone who has, or simply enjoy hearing authentic conversations and preserving veterans’ stories, you won’t want to miss this episode.
📖 Featured Book: Basra and Back: The Memoir of an Infantryman in the Iraq War by Matt Okuhara
🎙️ Featuring: AJ and special guest Matt Okuhara
Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.