S.O.S. (Stories of Service) - Ordinary people who do extraordinary work

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better! A wildfire can look sudden on the evening news, but the real story often starts days or decades earlier. We sit down with CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti to talk about his book Torch and what he learned reporting from evacuation zones, burned communities, and alongside first responders during some of the worst fires in the American West. The Palisades Fire and the destruction tied to January 7, 2025 become a case study in how climate-driven extremes collide with policy failures and everyday human decisions.We dig into the uncomfortable mechanics behind catastrophe: the role of controlled burns and fuel buildup, how “contained” fires can smolder underground, and why National Weather Service warnings about historic Santa Ana winds should trigger urgent, visible action. We also unpack leadership and emergency management questions that still hang over Los Angeles: unclear handoffs of authority, delayed coordination, and the kind of normalcy bias that makes even “bright red” forecasts feel optional.Then we get personal about what these failures cost. Jonathan shares what it looked like on the ground as evacuation routes jammed, vulnerable residents struggled to move, and help arrived too late in too many places. He also tells the unforgettable story of turning back into the danger to rescue three trapped dogs, a moment that reframes “service” as a simple decision to say yes when it matters.If you care about California wildfires, disaster preparedness, public records transparency, and accountability in government, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who lives in a fire zone, and leave a review with the question you want answered next.Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.Support the showVisit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better! A service member shouldn’t have to gamble their career to get mental health care, but that’s exactly the fear too many people carry into a toxic command climate. We talk with Patrick Caserta, a retired US Navy senior chief and combat veteran, about the life and death of his son, AE3 Brandon Caserta, and why Brandon’s story became the catalyst for the Brandon Act, now federal law.Patrick walks us through Brandon’s path from SEAL training to a helicopter squadron, the breakdown of trust inside the chain of command, and the moments where basic leadership and bystander action could have changed everything. We also get specific about what the Brandon Act is designed to do: create a direct, confidential pathway to mental health care during working hours, without forcing a service member to justify their pain to a supervisor. If you’re searching for practical information on military mental health rights, retaliation concerns, and suicide prevention policy, this conversation lays it out in plain terms.But law on paper isn’t culture in real life. We dig into why implementation still depends on unit leadership, what “accountability” could look like when leaders ignore or block requests for help, and why education at the deckplate level is essential so people actually know the protections they have. Patrick also shares the ongoing work of the Brandon Caserta Foundation and why awareness is still dangerously low across the force.If this resonates, subscribe, share this episode with someone who serves, and leave a review so more people learn what the Brandon Act is and how to use it. What would make it easier for you to ask for help?Stories of Service presents guests’ stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.Support the showVisit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better! A Navy helicopter pilot who has landed on aircraft carriers in the middle of the night is now trying to land something even harder: real accountability in Washington. I sit down with Rebecca Bennett, a veteran leader who served more than 15 years, moved through corporate healthcare and health tech startups, and is now running for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th district with a message that cuts through the partisan noise: country over party, results over reels.We start with Rebecca’s path from small town Texas to Navy aviation, what it means to lead under pressure, and why military life forces you to solve problems with the team you have. From there, we shift into the U.S. healthcare system, including women’s health, menopause care, and why a fragmented system makes continuity of care so difficult. We talk incentives too: fee for service vs outcomes, prevention vs reaction, and why rewarding health outcomes could lower costs and improve lives.Then we get into the gritty reality of modern politics. Rebecca explains what pushed her from volunteering to running, why campaign finance and fundraising rules block normal people from serving, and how she’s building a grassroots campaign without corporate PAC money. We also dig into veteran and military family issues like transition support, military spouse employment, the PACT Act, and why more women veterans in Congress matters.If you’re tired of performative hearings and want practical leadership, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a friend who cares about service and civic life, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the showVisit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76