Veteran Made with Carey Kight
by Carey Kight
Veteran Made with Carey Kight is where military grit meets the heart of arts, entertainment, and culture. Hosted by filmmaker and veteran storyteller Carey Kight, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with guests at the top of their fields — Hollywood directors, acclaimed actors, visionary producers, and best-selling authors who are redefining how American culture bridges the military-civilian divide.This isn’t polite small talk — it’s bold, revealing, and relentless. Veteran Made fuses the intensity of military discipline with the creative pulse of media and storytelling. Carey’s sharp, cinematic interviewing style cuts past surface talk to expose how creativity, courage, and conviction collide behind the scenes of today’s biggest cultural moments.Listen to Veteran Made with Carey Kight for the conversations other shows won’t touch.
Episodes
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The Best Set in Hollywood: Justin Lubin on the Brotherhood Behind The Terminal List
On episode 185, I’m joined by Justin Lubin, a Hollywood stills photographer who's spent more than 25 years working on productions like Star Wars, Get Out, and The Terminal List. Justin has photographed all three seasons of The Terminal List universe, and he joins me to talk about the creative...
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The Creative Brotherhood: How The Terminal List Helped Christian Brunetti Build a Filmmaking Family of his Own
Christian Brunetti is back on episode 184. Christian is an Army special operations veteran, stunt performer, military advisor, and filmmaker who's worked on projects like The Terminal List. And one of the things I've really enjoyed exploring with Christian is what makes those sets so special —…
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Aerial Perspective: How TJ Millard Went from Flying Apaches in Combat to Drones in Hollywood
TJ Millard flew Apache helicopters in the Army. Now he flies camera-mounted drones for some of the biggest shows on television. On episode 183 of Veteran Made, TJ joins Carey Kight to talk about his transition from Army aviation into Hollywood drone cinematography, working across the Taylor...
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Battlefield Promotion: How One Unexpected Moment on a Hit Show Kickstarted Michael Broderick's Career
On episode 182, I’m joined by actor and Marine Corps veteran Michael Broderick. Michael has built the kind of career a lot of actors dream about but not overnight, not through some clean, easy path. He built it by staying in the work. He’s been on shows like 24, NCIS, True Detective, The Terminal...
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Ancient History, Modern Operator: How Alex Dekker Fuses History and Mystery with High Adventure in Desert Heist
Episode 181 features Army Special Forces veteran, Alex Dekker, debut author of Desert Heist, a high-adventure thriller in the vein of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. Desert Heist smashes a lot of things together in a really fun way that feels both familiar and fresh because Alex spent twenty...
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Lights, Camera, Violence of Action: How Christian Brunetti Uses Tactics and Truth to Tell Stories
Christian Brunetti joins Carey Kight for a deep-dive conversation on military realism, Hollywood stunts, veteran storytelling, and the hard transition from special operations into the film industry. Known for his work on Army Wives, A24's Civil War, Marvel's Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and The...
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The Punisher: How Nick Koumalatsos Breathed Humanity Back Into Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle
Do it right, or don’t do it at all. In episode 179, Nick Koumalatsos returns to Veteran Made to talk about his work as a consulting producer on The Punisher: One Last Kill and his collaboration with Jon Bernthal to bring Frank Castle back to the screen with honesty, weight, and realism. Nick…
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Dancing with Text: How Ray Porter Brings Jack Carr's Books to Life by Getting Out of the Way
Discipline, humility, resilience, and what it means to serve the story first. In episode 178, I sit down with acclaimed actor and audiobook narrator Ray Porter for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, performance, and how a workmanlike approach to the craft has shaped his career. Ray...
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Forward Thrust: How Douglas Brunt Uses Narrative to Draw Connections Historians Have Missed
Forgotten history, political complexity, storytelling, and the strange ways oil, empire, and ideology have shaped the modern world. In episode 177, I sit down with bestselling author Douglas Brunt to discuss The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel, a sweeping narrative history about oil, revolution, and...
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The Fourth Option: How Jack Carr Navigated Collaboration and Control to Build a New Universe
Jack Carr is back on episode 176 to talk about The Fourth Option — his first thriller outside of the James Reece and Terminal List universe. This one still has all the flavor: authenticity, action, and the kind of detail that only comes from lived experience. But it also introduces a new…
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No Heroic Measures: Jessica Danger on Telling the Truth About Grief, Addiction, and Shared Humanity
On episode 175, I’m joined by writer, educator, and friend Jessica Danger to talk about her memoir, No Heroic Measures. This conversation is about grief, addiction, caregiving, estrangement, sobriety, and the responsibility that comes with telling the truth on the page. Jessica and I talk about…
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Crafting Humanity: How Luke Tennie Worked with Shrinking's Writers to Create a Whole Character
Responsible storytelling + creative collaboration = veteran characters who have depth, purpose, and a future. In episode 174, I sit down with Luke Tennie to talk about his role as Sean on Apple TV's Shrinking and why the character has resonated so deeply. Luke shares how he approached playing…
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Authenticity Isn't Optional: How Rudy Reyes Brings All of Himself to his Roles in Film, Television, and Advertising
We must be the ones telling these stories. Not just consulting. Not just advising. Leading. Creating. Producing. Representing ourselves with precision and truth across every level and in every facet of the industry. If we don’t step up, culture will continue to get it wrong. In episode 173, I sit...
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Tell Your Own Story: How Mark Harper Built a Powerhouse Team of Veterans to Produce the VA's Most-Ever Viewed PSA Campaign
On episode 172, I sit down with my friend Mark Harper — Air Force veteran, executive producer, and founder of GigLine Media — to unpack how a group of military storytellers pulled off one of the most ambitious PSA campaigns the VA has ever attempted. Mark’s journey runs from combat camera...
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Face Your Dragon: How Ryan Curtis Convinced the VA to Meet Veterans Where They Are
Does it matter who’s telling the story? In episode 171, I sit down with my friend, Ryan Curtis — an accomplished director, filmmaker, and producer — to unpack the creative and emotional mission behind the powerful new PSA campaign for the VA and DoW, “Face Your Dragon.” This campaign tackles one…
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BattleLab: Where Modern Warfare Meets Modern Media with Ethan Nagel
Can we build a blueprint for how the right content can pressure institutions to evolve? In episode 170, I sat down with my buddy Ethan Nagel — veteran infantryman and lethal filmmaker who lives at the intersection of modern warfare and modern media. He breaks down exactly what he and the team at...
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Cold Zero: Brad Thor & Ward Larsen on Cinematic Storytelling Through Thriller Novels
What really makes great storytelling work in the modern thriller genre? In episode 169, I sit down with two powerhouse thriller authors — Brad Thor and Ward Larsen in a conversation about COLD ZERO, their latest thriller. Centered on shared experience, military service, discipline, and a…
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Sheepdog: Matt Dallas on the Power and Importance of Independent Filmmaking
In episode 168 of Veteran Made, I sit down with actor and indie film producer Matt Dallas to dig into what it really means to commit more than a decade of your life to one movie and one story. We talk about how Sheepdog grew over a 10-year journey across the country, sitting with veterans, Gold...
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Sheepdog: Steven Grayhm on Telling the Truth and not Bending the Knee to Hollywood
In episode 167, I sit down with actor, writer, director, and producer Steven Grayhm to dig into the 14-year journey behind his new movie Sheepdog and why truthful storytelling about veterans and combat trauma cannot afford to be filtered through a political lens. From his first encounter with a...
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Full Metal Jacket: Matthew Modine on Working with Stanley Kubrick to Tell a War Story
In episode 166, I sit down with Matthew Modine who played Private Joker in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, for a direct and powerful conversation about the intersection of art, memoir, and the real experiences of Veterans. Our discussion went past surface nostalgia and straight into war,...
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Toad in a Glass Jar: Stan Lake on the Full Spectrum of the Warfighter's Experience
In episode 165, I sit down with my friend Stan Lake — author, poet, naturalist, filmmaker, and veteran — to dig into his new poetry collection, “Toad in a Glass Jar,” published by Dead Reckoning Collective. Stan and I have shared campfires, conversations about art, music, and nature, and…
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Narrative History: Jake Tapper on Making Non-Fiction Thrilling, Entertaining, and Accessible
In episode 164, I sat down with Jake Tapper, acclaimed journalist, author, and host of The Lead with Jake Tapper and State of the Union on CNN, to dive deep into his forthcoming book “Race Against Terror.” Our conversation covered why history, especially the stories of terrorism and the global…
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Cry Havoc: Jack Carr on World Building and the Ever Expanding Terminal List Universe
In episode 163, I sit down with Jack Carr — veteran, bestselling author, and screenwriter — to talk about Cry Havoc, his latest addition to The Terminal List series of novels and the evolving journey from page to screen. Our conversation dives into how Jack’s relentless world building isn’t just...
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Zone Rouge: How a Marine Corps Veteran’s Debut Novel Explores the Lingering Wounds of War
Episode 162 is a recording from conversation with my friend, Michael Jerome Plunkett, at Storyline Bookshop in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Michael shares the journey behind his debut novel “Zone Rouge,” (published by Unnamed Press) chronicling his fascination with Verdun, France and the lingering...
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Terminal Leave: How an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Built a Career on Connection
In episode 161, I dive deep into the heart of life after service, exploring what it means to transition from the military into the creative world of media and storytelling. I sit down with my friend, Martin Foster, a retiring Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, podcaster, speaker, and actor, to…
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If You Can Dream It, Be It: How a Girl Became a Marine, an Olympic Athlete, and a Pageant Queen
In episode 160, I sit down with Marine Corps captain and children’s book author, Riley Tejcek, to dive into what it really takes for a veteran to step into the world of publishing. Riley shares her journey from serving as an officer and competing for Team USA as a bobsled pilot, to becoming a...
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Reinventing Film Noir: How an Army Veteran Modernized a Classic Genre
In episode 159, I spoke with Ryan Curtis, an Army veteran and the writer, director, and producer of Hollywood Grit. Ryan shares his journey from growing up in a working-class town outside Boston, serving in the Army during the height of the Global War on Terror, and ultimately finding his calling...
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From Netflix to Disney: How an Army Veteran Became an Industry Veteran
In episode 158, we pick up where we left off with Daril Fannin, founder of KINO — the highs and lows of Hollywood, lessons learned from working with icons like Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon, and navigating the collapse of promising projects. Daril opens up about personal rock bottom moments, the...
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From a Cult to the Army to Hollywood: How an Army Veteran Landed a Netflix Show in Film School
In episode 157, I sit down with Daril Fannin — Army veteran, award-winning screenwriter, producer, and the founder of KINO — for a raw, energetic conversation about his path from military life to Hollywood and the power of authentic human interaction. We dive deep into Daril’s upbringing in a...
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Make Jeans in America Again: Patriot Jean Co's Mission to Redefine Modern Apparel
In episode 156, I dive deep with Patrick Mate, founder of Patriot Jean Co., exploring what it truly means to be a veteran entrepreneur committed to leadership and building a small business rooted in American values. Patrick shares his journey from military service to civilian life, emphasizing…
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From Tactical to Strategic: Leveraging Military Experience in the Civilian Workforce
In episode 155, I sit down with Rich Comitz, Chief Operating Officer at American Corporate Partners, to have a candid discussion about the realities of the transition from work in the military to work as a civilian. We explore how making the leap from military service to corporate business...
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From Collecting Intel to Brewing Coffee: How an Army Veteran Fosters Meaning Through Business
In episode 154, I sit down with Carl Churchill, co-founder of Alpha Coffee and an inspiring veteran entrepreneur, to unpack the realities of leadership, small business ownership, and the transition from the military to civilian life. We dive deep into Carl’s dynamic journey from serving as a...
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From the Battlefield to the Archery Range: How a TAC-P Veteran Builds Community Through Business
In episode 153, I sat down (again) with my friend, Dan Horgan, USAF TAC-P veteran and founder of Arrow and Honor Co., to talk about what it really takes to build a community-driven business from scratch with our own resources. We talked about how the only thing that keeps us moving forward is the...
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All of Your Friends are Imaginary w/ Gary Stevens
Creativity is not a gentle muse that visits the idle; it’s a relentless force that demands your full engagement, discipline, and honesty. In episode 152, Gary Stevens strips away the romantic myths surrounding creative work and expose its true nature: ideas are raw materials mined from the grind…
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sometimes i go away w/ Steve Callahan | Author at Dead Reckoning Collective
Episode 151 with Steve Callahan, author of sometimes I go away, Dead Reckoning Collective’s latest collection of poetry is a relentless exploration of creativity — not as a gentle muse that occasionally visits, but as a force that demands engagement, discipline, and honest labor. The conversation...
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Don't Consume, Contribute w/ JC Glick | CEO of The Commit Foundation
Too many veterans make the mistake of dragging every military habit, mindset, and experience into civilian life, expecting the world to adapt to them. That’s unrealistic, and it leads to frustration and irrelevance. The hard truth is, you must aggressively shed the skills and attitudes that no...
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Accountability Drives Performance w/ Dan Goldenberg | President of Call of Duty Endowment
The Call of Duty Endowment stands apart in the veteran employment space by deploying an aggressive, business-driven system to vet, coach, and hold accountable the non-profits it funds to ensure only the highest-performing organizations are available to junior enlisted veterans seeking meaningful...
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Tell the Truth w/ Michael "Rod" Rodriguez | CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
Episode 148 features Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. We dive headlong into the tangled realities of the GWOT, refusing to shy away from its complexities or the ways participation in such a conflict can both expand and restrict one’s worldview. He...
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A Sense of Belonging w/ Mary Kreis | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
Episode 147 features Mary Kreis and is the last in our series featuring Team RWB and the Old Glory Ultra Relay. This was not just another endurance event—it was a bold, uncompromising statement about what it truly means to represent the entire veteran population. Team RWB’s selection of its...
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Trust and Teamwork w/ Josh Kraus | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this episode, the reality of teamwork in Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay is laid bare: this is not a challenge that anyone could possibly conquer alone. The logistics, physical demands, and relentless pace of a transcontinental relay require more than just individual grit—they demand a level…
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Rapid Mindset Adjustment w/ Peter Consalvi | Crew Chief for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this episode, listeners are confronted with the raw, unvarnished reality of what it means to face a sudden, non-negotiable change in role-right on the eve of a major team event. Peter Consalvi, originally slated to run in Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay, is forced by injury to relinquish his...
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Relentless Effort w/ Gavin Woody | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay is not just an endurance event — it’s a full-blown logistical and psychological battle, where the best-laid plans are destined to be shattered the moment the race begins. Episode 144 pulls no punches: the runners, all military veterans, are acutely aware that “no...
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A Rebirth of American Patriotism w/ Jordan Buck | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
Patriotism in America is not a monolith — it’s a battleground of identity, sacrifice, and service — and this episode of Veteran Made rips off the veneer of easy answers. Host Carey Kight and guest Jordan Buck, a former Army Cav Scout, refuse to let listeners coast on tired clichés. They confront...
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A Conflict of Participation w/ Zack Lever | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this episode of Veteran Made, Zack Lever shares his compelling journey leading up to his participation in the Old Glory Ultra Relay. Initially selected as a team chief rather than a runner, Zack candidly discusses the internal conflict he faced when asked to contribute in a supporting role...
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Leadership w/ Cole DeRosa | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
The Old Glory Ultra Relay is not just a test of physical endurance — it is a crucible for leadership at every level, demanding relentless initiative, adaptability, and cohesion from all involved. Episode 141 with Cole DeRosa makes clear that pulling off an event of this magnitude requires far…
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In the Suck Together w/ Lindsay Kasow | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this gripping episode of Veteran Made, Lindsay Kasow dives deep into the transformative power of shared suffering and how it forges unbreakable bonds. Through her journey as an ultrarunner and participant in Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay, Lindsay shares how pushing physical and mental…
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Supportive Competitors w/ Bill Savage | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this episode of Veteran Made, host Carey Kight sits down with Bill Savage, a former Army infantry officer and endurance athlete, to explore the relentless pursuit of growth during the transition from military service to civilian life. Savage shares his journey from serving in elite units like...
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Stacking Moments w/ Johnny Glenn | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In this gripping episode of Veteran Made, host Carey Kight interviews Johnny “MF” Glenn, a former Special Forces operator and current ultra-runner participating in Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay. Glenn’s unconventional approach to training and life philosophy challenges listeners to rethink…
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Captain America w/ Zach Polega | Ultrarunner for Team RWB's Old Glory Ultra Relay
In episode 137 of Veteran Made, Zach Polega, a West Point grad and former Army Ranger, challenges veterans to take aggressive ownership of their post-service purpose. Polega, preparing for the grueling Old Glory Ultra Relay, emphasizes that the military equips service members with invaluable...
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A Different Purpose w/ Roel Gonzalez | Crew Chief for Team RWB
This episode of Veteran Made dives deep into the transformative power of purpose and the dangers of misdirected effort, featuring Roel Gonzalez, an Army veteran and crew chief for Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay. Gonzalez shares his journey from military service to ultra running, revealing how...
About this show
Veteran Made with Carey Kight is where military grit meets the heart of arts, entertainment, and culture. Hosted by filmmaker and veteran storyteller Carey Kight, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with guests at the top of their fields — Hollywood directors, acclaimed actors, visionary producers, and best-selling authors who are redefining how American culture bridges the military-civilian divide.This isn’t polite small talk — it’s bold, revealing, and relentless. Veteran Made fuses the intensity of military discipline with the creative pulse of media and storytelling. Carey’s sharp, cinematic interviewing style cuts past surface talk to expose how creativity, courage, and conviction collide behind the scenes of today’s biggest cultural moments.Listen to Veteran Made with Carey Kight for the conversations other shows won’t touch.
Hosted by
Carey Kight
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