PODCAST · government
First Coast Military Life
by CMG Jacksonville
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are proudly rooted in military tradition — we’re honored to be America’s premier military community. A weekly radio talk show and podcast dedicated to the stories, challenges, and triumphs of our region’s veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and the community that supports them. Airing every Sunday at 8 a.m. on FM 104.5 WOKV, and available anytime online and via podcast, First Coast Military Life explores the full landscape of military and post-military life. From finding a purposeful life post their military journey to transitioning out of service to navigating VA benefits and highlighting organizations offering essential support, our mission is to inform, connect, and empower. We also shine a spotlight on local events, community initiatives, and programs that strengthen bonds between the military, veterans, and the wider First Coast community. If it matters to military families and those who support them, we’ll talk about it—on Fir
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45
5/3 - Episode 43: "What is the Corps of Engineers?"
This week's guest is LTC Matt Westcott. The non-profit spotlight features Vet Jobs and Military Spouse Jobs w/ Katherine Debeers & Regina LeValley.
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44
4/26 - Episode 42: "What's MEPS doing these days?"
This week's guest is Cdr. Ryan Roeling of MEPS. The non-profit spotlight features National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) w/ Angie Reno .
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43
4/19 - Episode 41: "Military Service, Public Service, and Florida"
This week's guest is Lt. Governor Jay Collins, and the non-profit spotlight features the Travis Manion Foundation w/ Manny Vera.
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42
4/12 - Episode 40: "From Military Service to Service as a 1st Responder with JSO and JFRD"
This week's guests are Angela Gaff (JSO) and Renaldo Horn (JFRD). The non-profit spotlight features National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) w/ Angie Reno.
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41
4/5 - Episode 39: "Women Veterans, Their Service, sacrifice, and presence in our community"
This week's guest is Dee Quaranta from Women Veterans United. The non-profit feature is on TF Hydro 1 with Ricky Van Rickley.
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40
3/29 - Episode 38: "Creation, financing, and scaling a business with Silicon Beach's Jason Engelhardt"
This week's guest is Silicon Beach's Jason Englehardt, and the non-profit spotlight features the USS Orleck with Dan Bean.
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39
3/22 - Episode 37: "The Power of Networking and the Effective use of LinkedIn"
This week's guest is Randall Thomas, host of the PB & Jax podcast. This week's non-profit spotlight features Jill New from Hire Our Heroes.
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38
3/15 - Episode 36: "The Army, ROTC, Opportunities, Small Business Ownership and More"
This week's guest is LTC Sal Forlenza, and the non-profit feature is on Operation New Uniform with Michele McManamon.
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37
3/8 - Episode 35: "A Story of Sacrifice; What Happened on March 10, 2008"
Tables turn this week as Randall Thomas of the PB & Jax podcast hosts, while Col. Chris Budihas takes the guest chair. He recounts events from March 10, 2008, and honors those who served with him. This week's non-profit spotlight features Operation New Uniform with Michele McManamon.
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36
3/1 - Episode 34: "From the Dirt into the World of Cyber"
Wayne Loveless, Managing Director of Services for OnDefend, is the featured guest. This week's non-profit spotlight is Hiring Our Heroes with Jill New.
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35
2/22 - Episode 33: "What's going on at Blount Island?"
This week's guests are Col. David Merles, commanding officer for USMC Blount Island Command, and Sgt, Major Shonor Burton, Senior Enlisted Leader. They discuss the duties and importance of Blount Island in global military logistics. This week's non-profit spotlight is Hope 4 Veterans with Lynn Geiser.
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34
2/15 - Episode 32: Growing Up w/ a Father Veteran and Supporting the Military
This week's show features Rick Alexander, and a philathropy profile of Operation New Uniforrm.
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33
2/8 - Episode 31: "Seapower - the Strength of the Nation" NS Mayport CO
Guest is Capt. Michael Trumbull, non-profit spotlight is "Here Tomorrow" with Brannon Hicks.
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32
2/1 - Episode 30: "Creation, financing, and scaling a business with Silicon Beach's Jason Engelhardt"
Guests Jason Englehardt discussing strategies for building a business, and Alexandria Field discusses the non-profit Cohen Center at Cornerstone.
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31
1/25 - Episode 29: "The Silent Service - the Strategic Importance of Kings Bay"
Guests include Capt. William Dull, and Hope 4 Veterans' Lynn Geiser.
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1/18 - Episode 28: "From the Quarterdeck and into City Hall"
Guest is Will Lahnen,and this week's non-profit spotlight is for S.T.I.X. Academy with Joe Melendez.
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29
1/11 - Episode 27: "From the USN to JEA"
Guests include: Bill Hickey (JEA/Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business Program), and Dee Quaranta (NE Florida Women's Veterans).
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28
1/4/26 - Epsiode 26: "So, you want to start a non-profit?"
Featured guests: JSEB Nonprofit Manager Dana Warsop, and Our Community Salutes w/ Ryan Bauman.
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27
12/28 - Episode 25: "Changing How Veterans & Their Spouses Transition Into The Civilian World"
Guests include Michelle McManamon (CEO Operation New Uniform) and John Bear (CEO Five Star Veterans Center).
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26
12/21 - Episode 24: "Service Doesn't End When The Uniform Comes Off, It Simply Takes A New Form"
Guests include Nick Howland (City Council VP & Fire Watch Executive Director), and Dan Bean (President of USS Orleck Executive Board).
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25
12/14 - Episode 23: Starting, Scaling, and Sustaining Non-Profits
Chris Budihas looks at non-profit organizations started, run by, and/or serving military veterans. Guests include Dana Warsop from the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business Program, and Dan Bean from K9s For Warriors.
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24
12/7 - Episode 22: "The Few and The Proud" USMC Recruiting in NE Florida
This week's guests: Maj. Matt Weber, and a profile of Task Force Hydra 1 with CWO Rick Van Rickley.
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23
11/30 - Episode 21 - "What and where is Camp Blanding?"
Guest is Col. Todd Hopkins, plus a feature on non-profit mental health & crisis intervention service "Here Tomorrow" with Brannon Hicks.
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22
11/23 - Mental Health and PTSD Support – Destigmatizing treatment and spotlighting local services
Guests include Nick Padlo, of Sophros Recovery, and a spotlight on USO with Aaron Bowman.
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21
11/16 - Episode 19: "Getting a Second Chance w/ Duval County Veterans Court"
Guests include: Col. David Abramowitz (Ret) from Duval County Veterans Court, and a philanthropy spotlight on The Fire Watch with Nick Howland.
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20
11/9 - Episode 18 "From Directing Aircraft to A.I."
Guests include retired Warrant Officer Nathan Robinson of Red Class Solutions; and a profile of non-profit NE Florida Women Veteran's Organization, with President & CEO Dee Quaranta.
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19
11/2 - Episode 17: "Salty Beginnings to Senior Positions"
This week's guests include: Rear Admiral Gene Kindall (R), and a charity spotlight on Operation Lifeline w/ LtCol Erick Saks (Ret).
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18
10/26 - Episode 16: "From Salty Beginnings to K9s"
Guests include: Dan Bean (K9s for Warriors); Manny Vera (Travis Manion Foundation)
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17
10/19 - Episode 16: "From Ranks to becoming the Wounded Warrior Project CEO"
This week's guests include: Lt. Gen. Walt Piatt (Ret), CEO of Wounded Warrior Project; and US Navy veteran Steven Papas, Director of the UF Haley Brian Wellness Program.
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16
10/12 - Episode 15: "From Boots to City Hall: A Veteran's Journey into Politics"
Guests include: Jax City Councilman Col. Chris Miller (Ret), USN Capt. Dan Bean (Ret) of K9s For Warriors.
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15
10/5 - Episode 14: "From Military Executive Leadership to Corporate Leadership"
Guests include: Lt. General (Rt) Guy Swan, reflecting on his service career and business/community involvement beyond his service tenure; and with VeteransMuseum.org Scott Mythen.
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14
9/28 - Episode 12: Service in the National Guard - Why It Matters
This week's guests inlcude: COL(R) Felix Rodriguez; Operation New Uniform Update w/ Michele McManamon.
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13
9/21 - Episode 11: "Being Informed for the Biggest Financial Decisions as a Veteran"
On this week's episode: 21st Century Housing Purchase Need to Know as a Vet w/ Tom Reber ; USS Orleck w/ Dan Bean ; Critical Thoughts for Future Financial Stability thru and Beyond Military Service w/ Steve Strum .
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9/14 - Episode 10: Serving the Community in Retirement, and Ways the Bold City Supports Military Personnel
This week's guest lineup includes: USN Captain (Ret.) Aaron Bowman, discussing USO charitable programs; Candace Mabry discusses First Coast Honor Flights; and COJ's Military & Veterans Affairs Director Harrison Conyers discusses military recognition events and veterans care resources.
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11
9/7/25 - Episode 9: "Serving the Community after Retirement"
Brigadier General (Ret.) Mike Fleming discusses the Cohen Center. USN Captain (Ret.) Aaron Bowman discusses USO charitable programs.
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10
8/31 - Episode 8: The Bold City Supports
Col. Budihas discusses the new Chief of Navy Operations, Admiral Daryl Caudle, who took command of the US Navy earlier this week. This week's guest is COJ's Military & Veterans Affairs Director Harrison Conyers, and this week features a spotlight on First Coast Honor Flights with president Candace Mabry.
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9
8/24 - Episode 7: "The Unsteady Waters of Nagivating the VA Disability Process"
On this week's episode, US Army veteran and VA certified practicing attorney Terrence Gorman discusses challenges and strategies for filing and executing VA benefit claims. And we look at Operation Lifeline w/ Erick Saks.
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8
8/17/25 - Episode 6: "Veterans in Tech: Their Next Mission"
What sort of opportunities exist in emerging technology after military service? And how do skills acquired in the military translate into the civilian/business sector? Guests include: US Navy veteran and Tech & Manufacturing Expert Rory Comiskey, and Our Community Salutes w/ Ryan Bauman.
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7
8/10 - Ep.5 From Boots to Bots: Veteran's Taking Flight in the Drone Industry
FCML profiles former and current military service personnel and their engagements in the Jacksonville business and social community. This week's guests include Scott Forbes (Verizon's Director of Drone Operations), and Nick Howland (Fire Watch).
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6
8/3 - Episode 4: From Boots to the Ballot: A Veteran's Journey to City Hall
Guests include: Councilman Jimmy Peluso, USNR Commander, and John Bear, CEO for 5-Star Veteran's Center.
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5
7/27 - Episode 3: "From the Sea (or Land) to the C-Suite: Navigating the Civilian Job Market"
This week's episode addresses transitioning out of military life into civilian careers. Guests: Randall Thomas, US Navy vet and host of the "PB & Jax" podcast; and Steve Pappas with the UF Leon Hailey Brian Wellness Clinic.
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4
Week of 7/20/25
Topics include entrepreneurship after military service. Guests: Greg Grant, Jacksonville Small/Emerging Business Program -- Jodie Biehlman, Steven Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone.
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3
7/6 Premiere episode (encored 7/13)
Retired Colonel Chris Budihas hosts the premiere episode of First Coast Military Life. The show explores active duty and post-military life, local events, community initiatives, and programs that strengthen the bond between military, veterans, and the wider First Coast community. If it matters to military families and those who support them, we’ll talk about it
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are proudly rooted in military tradition — we’re honored to be America’s premier military community. A weekly radio talk show and podcast dedicated to the stories, challenges, and triumphs of our region’s veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and the community that supports them. Airing every Sunday at 8 a.m. on FM 104.5 WOKV, and available anytime online and via podcast, First Coast Military Life explores the full landscape of military and post-military life. From finding a purposeful life post their military journey to transitioning out of service to navigating VA benefits and highlighting organizations offering essential support, our mission is to inform, connect, and empower. We also shine a spotlight on local events, community initiatives, and programs that strengthen bonds between the military, veterans, and the wider First Coast community. If it matters to military families and those who support them, we’ll talk about it—on Fir
HOSTED BY
CMG Jacksonville
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