In 2014, a military spouse and a priest—both avid bakers—wanted to create a fun, welcoming place that could help out transitioning veterans. They started Dog Tag Bakery, a Washington café that not only serves coffee and treats but also hosts a business incubator program. Over the last decade, the organization has assisted almost four hundred veterans and military spouses in their startup companies, creating employment—and high spirits—across the country. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Dog Tag’s Director of Programs and Community Impact, Maureen Devine-Ahl, and Army spouse and entrepreneur, Erin Vandre, to discuss what lessons the bakery teaches its fellows, how it aided Erin in the launch of her business (also a bakery!), and what their favorite sweets are.

Guests:

• Maureen Devine-Ahl, Director of Programs and Community Impact, Dog Tag Bakery
• Erin Vandre, Dog Tag Bakery Fellow and Founder, Bravory Bakehouse

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org.

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

On Christmas Eve, 1944, Elizabeth Vincken and her twelve-year-old son, Fritz, sat down for a quiet Christmas Eve dinner, hopeful for a respite in the midst of deadly battles in the northern Belgian forest. Knocks on their door quickly turned their evening into a series of dramatic moments and standoffs, but Elizabeth’s bravery and compassion led to one of the most heart-filled – and unheard – stories of World War II. In this very special holiday episode, Army Matters senior producer Carrie Varouhakis and Army historian and writer Kevin Hymel unearth this story of a mother, a son, weary soldiers, warm food, a song, a fat goose and a lifelong quest, weaving it into a story that will fill your ears – and heart – with joy.

Narrated by:

• Kevin M. Hymel, Historian, U.S. Army
• Carrie Varouhakis, Senior Producer, AUSA's Army Matters Podcast

Music: The versions of “O Tannenbaum,” “Auld Lang Syne” and “Silent Night” found in this episode are performed by the U.S. Army Field Band.

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org.

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.

As they helped Afghanistan refugees during the sudden withdrawal of American troops from the country in 2021, social entrepreneur Alex McLeod and her husband, MAJ Jay Long, realized they wanted to create a better system for these new immigrants to fund their small businesses. They created Parlay Protocol, an AI-aided, veteran-built financial platform that makes it easier for banks to approve small business loans. It’s just one of many startups for this Army couple, who have a great track record of success as entrepreneurs – and in their marriage. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Alex and Jay to discuss the all-female Afghan battalion that inspired them, how Jay’s work with the newly-founded Detachment 201 has taught him a few lessons, and what they do when they disagree.

Guests:

• Alex McLeod, CEO, Parlay Finance
• MAJ Jay Long, U.S. Army Reserve and COO, Parlay Finance

Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA’s Army Matters podcast!

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.

Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA’s educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate.

Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org.

Disclaimer:

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.