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Unfiltered conversations with Hollywood directors, acclaimed actors, visionary producers, best-selling authors, and sports media personalities 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
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
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 careers. With over 44,000 veteran-serving organizations in the U.S. alone, the Endowment’s Seal of Distinction is earned through a rigorous, data-driven process: applicants must prove, with hard numbers, their effectiveness in placing veterans into high-quality jobs, their cost efficiency, and their organizational integrity. This isn’t a one-time check. CODE — in partnership with Deloitte — conducts ongoing audits and only those who consistently deliver results receive continued funding and support. If a grantee fails to meet placement or quality targets, they’re coached intensively; if they still fall short, CODE moves on, scaling up only those partners who prove their impact year after year.
For transitioning veterans, especially junior enlisted, this relentless vetting and accountability means you never have to navigate the chaos of career transition alone or risk wasting time with underperforming organizations. Don’t get lost in a sea of 40,000 choices or settle for generic advice: the Call of Duty Endowment has already done the hard work of finding, funding, and improving the best. You owe it to yourself to leverage these resources because your service deserves more than a transition, it deserves a launchpad to a truly meaningful civilian career.
Visit the Call of Duty Endowment’s website, connect with a vetted partner, and take control of your next mission.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/callofdutyendowment/
ARTICLES:
https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/call-of-duty-vets-jobs-endowment-1236404763/
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
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 lays bare the war’s multidimensional nature which spans continents, cultures, and generations and challenges listeners to confront the uncomfortable truth that even those who lived it can struggle to define or fully understand it. Rodriguez insists on telling the whole story, not just of soldiers in uniform, but also the intelligence officers, contractors, and families whose sacrifices are often overlooked. He makes it clear: the GWOT is not a series of isolated battles, but a single, ongoing, global campaign that demands a new kind of national reflection and commemoration.
The episode is a masterclass in how one career can prepare you for another. Rod draws a direct line from his experience as a Green Beret, where learning to communicate across cultures and lead diverse teams prepared him for his current mission: navigating the labyrinth of congressional politics and federal bureaucracy to build a national memorial. He is blunt about the emotional toll and the necessity of vulnerability, arguing that only by embracing the full weight of these experiences can we hope to create something lasting and true. Listeners are pushed to reconsider their assumptions, to recognize that service comes in many forms, and to see that the skills honed in service are not just transferable, but essential for tackling the next great challenge.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/monsterzdad/
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
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 12-person relay team was not about assembling the fastest or youngest athletes, but about building a group that embodies the full spectrum of the veteran community: different ages, backgrounds, service branches, and running abilities. This was vital. Veterans across America are not a monolith—they are men and women in their 20s and their 90s, combat-wounded warriors and those who found purpose after service, elite athletes and those rediscovering fitness after injury or struggle. By fielding a team that mirrors this diversity, Team RWB sends a powerful message: every veteran matters, every story counts, and the journey to health and belonging is for all—not just a select few.
The Old Glory Ultra Relay was a world-record-setting, 3,000-mile gauntlet, but its real impact lies in how it unites veterans of every age and ability into one unstoppable force, proving that resilience is not limited by age or speed. This team is a living, breathing cross-section of the veteran population, showing America that strength comes in many forms. If you care about honoring service, you cannot settle for token representation or surface-level diversity. It is essential to ensure that events like the Old Glory Ultra Relay reflect the entire veteran community. Anything less is a disservice to the millions who have served and continue to seek purpose, connection, and wellness in civilian life. Let this episode challenge you: who is missing from your team, your event, your story? Representation isn’t a box to check — it’s the foundation of real impact.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/mary.rwb/
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
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 of coordination, trust, and mutual support that only a true team can provide. Every runner, from the seasoned ultra veterans to those newer to the scene, must constantly communicate, adapt, and strategize together. Decisions about pacing, shift rotations, and even how to handle injuries or setbacks are made collectively, not in isolation. The episode makes it clear: one person’s miscalculation or overexertion can jeopardize the entire team’s success, and the only way forward is through unwavering collaboration and shared responsibility.
Josh Kraus challenges listeners to abandon the myth of the solo hero. The Old Glory Ultra Relay is a crucible where egos are checked, and the focus shifts to the group’s survival and triumph. The team’s ability to pivot strategies based on terrain, weather, and the unpredictable toll on each runner’s body is a testament to the necessity of collective intelligence and adaptability. Crew chiefs, support staff, and runners all play indispensable roles—no one is expendable, and no single person can carry the flag across the country alone. If you think you understand endurance, think again: this episode will force you to confront the hard truth that, in an event of this scale, individual achievement is meaningless without the power of the team. Step up, listen in, and be prepared to rethink everything you thought you knew about what it takes to accomplish something truly epic.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/josh_krausfit/
https://www.instagram.com/teamrwb/
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
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 runner position and step up as crew chief. This isn’t a gentle pivot; it’s a high-stakes, high-pressure transition that demands immediate acceptance and a complete mental reset. Pete lays bare the emotional turmoil, the self-doubt, and the honest grief that comes with letting go of a role you’ve trained for, dreamed about, and been honored to fill. But he doesn’t wallow-he attacks the new challenge, channeling his energy, experience, and leadership into ensuring the team’s success from a new vantage point. This is not just about personal sacrifice; it’s about recognizing when stubbornness becomes a liability to the mission and having the guts to make the hard call for the greater good.
Listeners are challenged -- directly and unequivocally -- to examine how they respond when the ground shifts beneath their feet. Are you ready to drop your ego, recalibrate, and throw yourself into a new role at a moment’s notice? Peter’s journey is a masterclass in rapid mindset adjustment: he processes the loss, trusts his gut, and then gets to work, leveraging his strengths to support the team in a way that’s just as critical as running. The episode pulls no punches about the discomfort and drama inherent in these transitions, demanding that you ask yourself: can you adapt fast enough when your plans explode? Can you communicate, lead, and execute without missing a beat? This is a call to action for anyone who wants to be indispensable-not just when things go according to plan, but especially when they don’t.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/pedalingwithpete/
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
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 plan survives first contact with the enemy.” They have meticulously mapped out every shift, every handoff, every mile of the 3,000-mile journey from San Diego to Washington, D.C., but as Gavin Woody, an ultra-running legend and Army veteran, makes clear, the real test begins when the unexpected hits-fatigue, injury, missed connections, and the relentless grind of running, stopping, and running again, day and night, for fifteen days straight. The team’s military backgrounds have prepared them for chaos, but nothing can fully simulate the unique, punishing rhythm of this relay, where recovery, communication, and improvisation are as critical as physical endurance.
Listeners, don’t underestimate the depth of this challenge. These runners are not just fighting their own limits-they’re battling the unpredictable realities of a cross-country mission, where every variable can-and will-change. The relay is a living, breathing operation, demanding constant adaptation: when a runner falters, the team must instantly adjust; when terrain, weather, or logistics throw a wrench in the works, they pivot, recalibrate, and keep the flag moving. This is not a solitary ultra-marathon; it’s a relentless test of teamwork under fire, where success depends on the ability to plan, adapt, and execute with military precision-and then throw the plan out the window when reality bites. If you want to understand true resilience, tune in and witness what happens when a plan meets the enemy, and only grit, ingenuity, and relentless drive carry the mission forward.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/gavinwoody/
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
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 the reality that waving a flag or wearing a uniform is not the sum total of service. For Buck, who never deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, the military was transformative, making him a better man. Yet, he’s blunt: not every veteran’s journey is the same, and not every act of service is recognized or understood. This episode demands that you stop measuring patriotism by a single yardstick. Service is not about the loudest display, but the quiet, relentless drive to give back in your own way, whether that’s running an ultramarathon relay across the country or supporting your community at home.
Listeners are challenged to interrogate their own assumptions about what it means to serve and what it means to be patriotic. Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay, where Buck and his team will run the American flag from coast-to-coast, isn’t just a spectacle; it’s a living, grueling testament to American service. The episode lays bare the divisions and judgments that simmer beneath the surface — who “counts” as a real veteran, whose sacrifice is “enough” — and then torches them. If you think patriotism is simple, this episode will force you to reckon with its complexity. It’s a call to action: understand that service is different for everyone, and true patriotism means honoring every path, every sacrifice, and every story, not just the ones that fit neatly into your idea of what America should be.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/notjordanbuck/
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
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 rather than running—a passion that defines him. Despite his initial hesitation, Zack leaned into the challenge, embracing the leadership role and preparing to guide his team through the grueling relay. However, when unforeseen circumstances opened a spot for him to run, Zack seamlessly transitioned back to his original aspiration, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. His story is a testament to the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and finding meaning in contributing to a greater cause, even if it’s not in the way initially envisioned.
This episode challenges listeners to reflect on their own willingness to engage in hard, meaningful activities — especially when they don’t align perfectly with personal desires. Zack’s experience underscores the importance of embracing opportunities to serve and lead, even when they require sacrifice or compromise. As he prepares for the physically and emotionally demanding task of running multiple days with his team, Zack exemplifies how persistence, teamwork, and a commitment to something larger than oneself can lead to unexpected growth and fulfillment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about grit, adaptability, and finding purpose in every role you play.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/ztwain/
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
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 more than just elite runners; it calls for a military-grade approach to logistics, communication, and mutual accountability. From the top-level organizers at Team RWB, who orchestrate the complex web of support, planning, and logistics, to the sub-teams and individual runners, leadership is the engine that keeps the operation moving. The event’s success hinges on leaders who can both direct and listen, who know when to step up and when to support, and who are unafraid to make hard decisions in the face of adversity — a reminder that the real challenge is not just the miles, but the orchestration of people, resources, and time under pressure.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/cjdrosa/
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
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 limits alongside others creates a profound sense of community. Whether it’s enduring grueling night runs or facing the unpredictable challenges of a cross-country relay, she explains that suffering together builds trust, camaraderie, and an unmatched depth of connection. Her insights challenge listeners to seek out these difficult experiences intentionally—not to avoid pain, but to embrace it as a pathway to meaningful relationships and personal growth.
This episode is a rallying cry for those who crave authentic connection in a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions. Lindsay’s stories of perseverance, teamwork, and gratitude reveal the beauty of enduring hardship with others. She inspires listeners to step out of their comfort zones and create spaces where adversity becomes the glue that binds communities together. If you’ve ever wondered how to build deeper relationships or find purpose through struggle, this episode will push you to take action. Lace up your shoes, gather your team, and prepare to face the challenge head-on—because true belonging is forged in the fire of shared trials.
Episode Sponsors:
- VM Merch
- Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
- True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
- Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/l_jo_k/