WWIA Podcast

Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) is a national 501(c)(3) public charity that devotes all its energy and resources to supporting the men and women wounded in combat who were awarded the Purple Heart medal. WWIA supports these phenomenal Heroes by providing them with the opportunity to participate in therapeutic, world-class, adaptive outdoor sporting activities at no cost to them. We do this to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.

WWIA Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation, with 75 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation hosts WWIA Podcast, a sports show with 75 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #74

  Episode 74: Where Science Meets Service: An Interview with Veteran, Educator, Outdoorsman, and WWIA Science Advisor Dr. Keith Tidball

  Aug 20, 202656 min

  On this latest episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel welcomes back our longstanding friend, supporter, event Host, and WWIA’s Science advisor, Dr. Keith Tidball. With over 25 years of experience in the natural resources and conservation field, Keith currently serves as the Executive Director at Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, leveraging his expertise in executive-level management, social science, wildlife and outdoor education, and organizational leadership to execute the organization's mission of promoting outdoor education and conservation. His work focuses on cultivating programs and initiatives that inspire citizen conservationists and foster a sustainable land ethic, with a particular emphasis on hunting and fishing as timeless pathways to environmental stewardship. As an academic (Emeritus), Dr. Tidball’s research and applied scholarship explore the intersection of natural resource management, human dimensions of conservation, and resilience in the face of rapid change, trauma, and conflict. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background that includes cultural anthropology, disturbance ecology, and environmental psychology, he often collaborates with diverse stakeholders to enhance recovery and resilience through outdoor recreation. Aside from contributing invaluable research and insights as WWIA’s Science Advisor, Dr. Tidball and his wife Moira--in conjunction with the Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club--have proudly hosted WWIA’s Kuneytown FLX Ducks and Bucks Hunt in beautiful Seneca Falls, NY for the past 12 years. This is a wonderful episode that we know you’re going to enjoy. Takeaways: The central mission of the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation is to bring honor, connection, and healing to combat-wounded veterans, particularly those who have received the Purple Heart. Dr. Keith Tidball's extensive experience in conservation emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities for veterans, promoting resilience and recovery through nature. The recent survey data indicates that a significant percentage of veterans felt less isolated and more connected after participating in outdoor events organized by WWIA. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the podcast highlights how local hosts contribute to the success of the events, fostering lasting relationships with veterans. The discussion underscores the need for educational programs that connect youth with the outdoors, aiming to instill a sense of environmental stewardship from an early age. The dialogue reveals a profound understanding of trauma and its effects on veterans, demonstrating how intentional outdoor activities can serve as a remedy for psychological challenges. Companies mentioned in this episode: Wounded Warriors in Action Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation Safari Club International Cornell University Field and Stream

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #73

  Episode 73: Leadership Development with Purple Heart Heroes and WWIA Guides Jeremy Smith and Derek VanBuren

  Jul 19, 202657 min

  On this latest episode of the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel is honored to spend some quality time with two of the Foundation’s long-standing friends and leaders. Today, we proudly welcome combat-wounded Purple Heart Heroes and WWIA certified Guides Jeremy Smith and Derek VanBuren to the show. Jeremy and Derek are attending WWIA’s 2nd iteration of their Leadership Development Program at WWIA headquarters in beautiful Apollo beach, Florida. The Leadership Development Program is designed to identify, train, and develop key leaders within WWIA. Few have the opportunity to fully understand the inner workings of the organization—how events are planned, resources are managed, and operations are developed. This program bridges that gap by providing personalized leadership development experiences led directly by WWIA’s Founder and CEO. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to plan, resource, and execute complex WWIA events and activities, as well as manage the day-to-day functions that keep the organization thriving. Jeremy Smith served 2-1/2 years in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division. In 2006 he was injured by mortar shrapnel in Baghdad, Iraq, and was awarded the Purple Heart medal. After several surgeries and months of physical therapy, he was medically retired from service. Jeremy currently lives in Burke, South Dakota with his beautiful wife April, and their daughter Natalie and son Matthew. For the past three years Jeremy has owned and operated Star Lake Outfitters, providing exciting hunting and fishing expeditions. Hunting and fishing have always been a part of his life, but it never played such an important role until now. Since leaving the military, Jeremy has found special solace in the conservation of the outdoors, and the tranquility and peace it provides. Derek VanBuren grew up with a love for hunting, fishing and trapping from an early age and his passion for all things outdoors continues to this day. While attending college, he worked as a hunting guide, which broadened his interest in hunting, especially bow hunting. Derek joined the Army in July of 1998 and was deployed to Afghanistan from Nov 2008 until July 2009. While deployed, he and other members of his crew were wounded by an RPG during an intense firefight. He then spent time in Lundstuhl, Germany, Walter Reed Army Hospital, and the Warrior Transition Unit while recovering from wounds, for which he received the Purple Heart medal. He attended his first WWIA event at Camp Hackett, Wisconsin in the fall of 2010 and has been a valuable part of the WWIA team ever since. Today he lives in Negaunee, Michigan, with his wife Katie and two children Eli and Amelia. He enjoys stream fishing for Brook Trout, fishing Lake Superior for Lake Trout, Predator Hunting, grouse and small game hunting, bow hunting of all kinds, and most anything outdoors. Takeaways: The WWIA Podcast emphasizes the importance of honoring America's combat wounded Purple Heart Heroes, fostering a sense of connection and healing among them. Participants in the Leadership Development Program are afforded the unique opportunity to gain insight into the operational and event-planning aspects of the WWIA foundation. The podcast features stories of resilience from combat veterans Jeremy Smith and Derek Van Buren, highlighting their experiences and the impact of their military service. The Leadership Development Program is designed to cultivate leadership skills among Purple Heart recipients, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the foundation's mission. Through outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting, the WWIA fosters camaraderie and support among veterans who have faced significant challenges in their lives. The podcast serves as a platform for sharing personal narratives that underscore the transformative power of connection, honor, and healing in the lives of combat-wounded veterans. Companies mentioned in this episode: Star Lake Outfitters Pheasants Forever Wounded Warriors in Action

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #72

  Episode 72: A Journey of Adventure, Service, Songs, and Storytelling with Danny Kirsic

  Jun 23, 202653 minS0

  <p>Today on the WWIA Podcast, we're honored to welcome an incredible friend and supporter of the Foundation, Mr. Danny Kirsic.....a filmmaker, cinematographer, musician, and Air Force Veteran whose remarkable career has spanned more than four decades. Growing up in a military family and traveling the world from a young age, Danny developed a passion for storytelling through photography, music, and film. His experiences in the U.S. Air Force, including helping document the historic evacuation of Saigon in 1975, profoundly shaped his creative vision and lifelong dedication to capturing authentic human stories.</p><p>Danny has since built an...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #71

  Episode 71: The Attributes of Being a Good Guide with Captain Tom Rowland of Saltwater Experience

  May 24, 20261h 1mS0

  <p>For combat-wounded Veterans, time spent in the great outdoors through therapeutic and adaptive sports like hunting and fishing can provide healing, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today on the WWIA Podcast, WWIA Founder and CEO John McDaniel is honored to welcome one of the most respected names and an expert in the outdoor industry, Captain Tom Rowland.</p><p>From his early days fishing alongside his father in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to guiding on the legendary rivers of Jackson Hole and the waters of Key West, Captain Tom Rowland has built a remarkable career fueled by hard work...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #70

  Episode 70: Interview with Tony Kopchinski, Host of the Wisconsin Woodturning Event

  Apr 24, 202639 minS0

  <p>For more than 20 years, we’ve witnessed something powerful: the healing of combat-wounded Veterans not only through outdoor experiences like hunting and fishing, but also through unexpected avenues—like the art of woodturning. In this episode, WWIA Founder and CEO John McDaniel sits down with Tony Kopchinski, a National Guard Veteran from Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, who leads one of our most unique and deeply impactful programs, the Wisconsin Woodturning Event.</p><p>Now in its 12th year, this one-of-a-kind experience introduces our Heroes to the craft of woodturning, shaping wood on a lathe into beautiful, functional pieces like bowls, plates, and...

  ListenShow Notes

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.