In this episode, we’re joined by Army veteran and founder of Green Star Families of America, Matt Cahill, for an honest conversation about life after military service and the unseen battles many veterans face. Matt reflects on his years as an Army medic, the physical and emotional weight that followed retirement, and how personal loss shaped his mission.

He shares the vision behind Green Star Families- an effort to bring national recognition and meaningful support to families who lose a veteran to suicide- and explains why mental health deserves the same urgency as physical battlefield care.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Matt’s path from Army medic to veteran advocate
• The mental and physical toll of long-term military service
• Why Green Star Families exists and what it represents
• How improving military mental health care can benefit civilians

0:00 – Intro

1:25 – Matt’s background

6:20 – Starting Green Star Families

11:16 – Fixing military mental health

17:46 – Find your mission

Matthew Cahill

Learn more about Matt HERE

Episode Links

Green Star Families of America

https://greenstarfamilies.org/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/green_star_families?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/GREENSTARFAMILIES

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@green_star_families?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

EPISODE RESOURCES

Need immediate help? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line via phone, text or online chat. Dial 988 then Press 1 or text 838255 or use the online chat at https://bit.ly/3OunXzg

Voice & Vision: https://bit.ly/3miwFoy

CompeerCORPS: https://bit.ly/3GgKryU

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://bit.ly/40PtrrN or call 877-222-8387 (M-F 8am-8pm EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document: https://bit.ly/3m8PBWS

View more about PA’s resources for veterans: https://bit.ly/416cf0Q

In this episode of Untold Valor, we sit down with Margo Cianchetta, Director of Philanthropy for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation- and a proud Marine Corps daughter and former scholarship recipient herself. Margo shares the Foundation’s remarkable 60-year mission of honoring Marines by educating their children, including Navy Corpsmen and chaplains who serve alongside them. She explains how the program began with one act of generosity and has grown into more than $235 million in scholarships awarded worldwide. Listeners will learn how to apply, how families can get support, and how donors or volunteers can get involved in shaping the futures of Marine families.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The mission: Honoring Marines by educating their children
• Over $235M in scholarships awarded since 1962
• Support for college, technical, and trade education
• Application window: Jan 1 – Mar 1, 2026 (annual)
• Ways to give- from QCDs to legacy gifts
• Volunteer opportunities across the country

0:00 – Intro

2:20 – Getting to know Margo

3:40 – Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation history

7:00 – Regional and national reach

8:25 – Upcoming application window & requirements

11:34 – Ways to give: donations, QCDs, legacy gifts

13:16 – Volunteer committees & events

Margo Cianchetta

Margarita, “Margo” Cianchetta is currently the Director of Philanthropy at the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Margo joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2022. She brings more than 15 years of philanthropic & development experience to the organization. In her current role, Margo is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships between investors and the Scholarship Foundatin’s mission by Honoring Marines by Educating Their Children in the Northeast region. Margo earned her undergraduate degree in Communications, Summa Cum Laude, from Rutgers University, and also holds the prestigious Certified Fundraising Executive credential (CFRE). Margo is a proud MCSF Scholarship recipient alumna as her father, Sergeant Major Mario Cianchetta USMC (Ret.), served for 28 years in the Marine Corps. Margo is an avid marathon runner and currently resides in Middletown, NJ.

Learn more about the Marine Corps Scholarship Program:

https://www.mcsf.org/

Apply:

https://www.mcsf.org/apply/

Donate:

https://support.mcsf.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3569&3569.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&_gl=1*1q87ah1*_ga*MzY4NTE1NTY0LjE3NjU5MDkzMzU.*_ga_H3CPP0X6R0*czE3NjU5MDkzMzUkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjU5MDk4NTYkajYwJGwwJGgw

EPISODE RESOURCES

Need immediate help? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line via phone, text or online chat. Dial 988 then Press 1 or text 838255 or use the online chat at https://bit.ly/3OunXzg

Voice & Vision: https://bit.ly/3miwFoy

CompeerCORPS: https://bit.ly/3GgKryU

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://bit.ly/40PtrrN or call 877-222-8387 (M-F 8am-8pm EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document: https://bit.ly/3m8PBWS

View more about PA’s resources for veterans: https://bit.ly/416cf0Q

In this episode of Untold Valor, we welcome Army veteran and Navy civilian, John Bond. After 18 years of service and a challenging transition into civilian life, John found stability, connection, and renewed purpose through Team Red, White & Blue’s community-centered approach to veteran wellbeing.

He joins the show to share how the organization supports veterans of all ages and abilities, why belonging is critical after service, and what makes Team RWB’s physical, social, and emotional programs so effective.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• John’s journey from the National Guard to the Navy
• How psychology and leadership studies shaped his military and civilian career
• The emotional challenges of transitioning out of service
• Why Team Red, White & Blue is a lifeline for veterans seeking connection
• How Team RWB supports all abilities through accessible wellness challenges

0:00 – Intro

2:07 – Meet John

6:57 – Transitioning out of the military

8:25 – Team Red, White & Blue

12:10 – Meeting veterans where they are

14:17 – Getting connected

John Bond

Learn more about John HERE

Team Red, White & Blue:

https://teamrwb.org/

EPISODE RESOURCES

Need immediate help? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line via phone, text or online chat. Dial 988 then Press 1 or text 838255 or use the online chat at https://bit.ly/3OunXzg

Voice & Vision: https://bit.ly/3miwFoy

CompeerCORPS: https://bit.ly/3GgKryU

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://bit.ly/40PtrrN or call 877-222-8387 (M-F 8am-8pm EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document: https://bit.ly/3m8PBWS

View more about PA’s resources for veterans: https://bit.ly/416cf0Q