{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Sets and Reps","description":"VFW National Commander Cory Geisler and National Legislative Committee Vice Chairman Staci Boyer join hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray, along with VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci, for a wide-ranging conversation from the VFW Fall Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The group takes listeners inside the conference, from preparing new National Legislative Committee members to the evolving training that helps VFW advocates effectively communicate with lawmakers, staff and the media. Stacie reflects on her first year on the committee and discusses how personal stories can bring veterans\u2019 issues to life, including conversations surrounding Section 108, the Major Richard Star Act, the TAP Promotion Act, written informed consent and continuity of care. With campaign season underway, the conversation turns to political engagement at the VFW Post level. The group discusses Post facility rentals, town halls, candidate forums, campaign materials, VFW members running for office and the distinction between advocating for veterans\u2019 issues and creating the appearance of a political endorsement. Later, Cory breaks down Warrior Fitness Challenge, his initiative encouraging VFW members and veterans to get up, get moving and make physical activity part of their everyday lives. Staci, a competitive bodybuilder and gym owner, joins the discussion on strength training, consistency and ways Posts can encourage veterans of all ages and ability levels to become more active. Finally, Ryan digs into the VFW archives with a September 1926 issue of Foreign Service magazine. A century later, the parallels are striking: advocating for veterans\u2019 earned benefits, protecting veterans from exploitation and helping hospitalized veterans remain physically active.   Hosts: Rob Couture \u2013 Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach Brittany Dymond Murray \u2013 Associate Director, VFW Public Affairs & Strategic Outreach   Featured Guests: Cory Geisler \u2013 VFW National Commander Staci Boyer \u2013 Vice Chairman, VFW National Legislative Committee Ryan Gallucci \u2013 Executive Director, VFW Washington Office; Assistant Adjutant General   Episode Highlights: 0:00 \u2013 Intro and Roll Call 3:47 \u2013 VFW Fall Legislative Conference 4:12 \u2013 Welcoming New National Legislative Committee Members 6:49 \u2013 Mobilizing VFW Advocates and Section 108 10:54 \u2013 How Advocate Training Has Evolved 12:04 \u2013 Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Advocacy Training 14:03 \u2013 Preparing VFW Advocates to Work With the Media 19:34 \u2013 Legislative Priorities and Meetings on Capitol Hill 21:54 \u2013 A Veteran\u2019s Story Demonstrates the Stakes of Advocacy 25:22 \u2013 Why Storytelling Matters 27:13 \u2013 Navigating Complex Veterans\u2019 Issues in Congress 29:46 \u2013 Continuity of Care and the TAP Promotion Act 31:22 \u2013 Cory on the Power of Personal Stories 35:19 \u2013 Challenging Lawmakers to See Programs Firsthand 37:23 \u2013 Campaign Season and VFW Political Engagement 39:03 \u2013 Post Rentals, Candidates and Avoiding Implied Endorsements 42:57 \u2013 Town Halls, Candidate Appearances and Post Events 46:13 \u2013 VFW Members Running for Office 47:44 \u2013 Lessons From a Nonpartisan Candidate Forum 51:15 \u2013 Wearing VFW Identifiers at Political Events 53:09 \u2013 Speaking as an Individual vs. Speaking for the VFW 54:40 \u2013 Warrior Fitness 58:31 \u2013 VFW Leaders and Members Getting Moving 1:00:00 \u2013 Strength Training and Women Veterans 1:02:29 \u2013 Bringing Fitness and Wellness to the Post Level 1:03:55 \u2013 What Was the VFW Doing 100 Years Ago? 1:05:03 \u2013 Inside the September 1926 Foreign Service 1:06:45 \u2013 Veterans\u2019 Benefits and Wellness, Then and Now 1:07:59 \u2013 Good of the Order 1:09:05 \u2013 Cory Meets a Virginia Post Charter Member 1:10:49 \u2013 Remembering the 25th Anniversary of 9\/11 1:13:03 \u2013 Ask the VFW 1:14:30 \u2013 Brittany Reconnects With Her First VFW Post 1:14:50 \u2013 Rob Runs Into an Old Teammate at the Pentagon Memorial 1:16:10 \u2013 Closing Thoughts ","author_name":"#StillServing: The VFW Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/thevfwpodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"