Retired Army Maj. Gen. Tammy Smith shares the compelling story of her 35-year military career, including 25 years serving under Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) while hiding her identity. As one of the first openly gay generals in U.S. military history, Smith discusses the psychological toll of living authentically in secret, the 2011 repeal of DADT, military-to-civilian transition, and moral injury.

Learn about LGBTQ+ veterans' unique challenges, discharge upgrade opportunities for those separated under discriminatory policies, and resources available through American Legion service officers. Smith provides insight intoLGBTQ+ military families, finding acceptance in veteran communities, and healing from service-related trauma.

Critical listening for LGBTQ+ veterans, military families, those interested in military history and policy, discharge upgrade information, and veteran advocacy.

SHOW NOTES

Learn more about PFLAG

Learn more about Modern Military Association of America

Three-time national wrestling champion and Army Special Operations veteran Sally Roberts shares her powerful journey from delinquent youth to elite athlete and military leader.

Roberts, founder of Wrestle Like a Girl, discusses how wrestling saved her life, built her winning mindset, and prepared her for success in Special Operations and deployment to Afghanistan.

Learn about overcoming adversity, developing mental toughness, the power of suffering and endurance, and breaking barriers for women in combat sports.

Roberts addresses military transition challenges, building resilience, leadership development through athletics, and empowering girls and women through wrestling. Essential listening for veterans navigating transition, athletes seeking motivation, parents of daughters in sports, anyone overcoming difficult backgrounds, and those interested in women's wrestling, mental resilience training, and veteran success stories.

SHOW LINKS

Learn more about Wrestle Like a Girl

Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997. He was 30 years old, blind, and raising three daughters alone. What he did next is the kind of story that makes you rethink every excuse you've ever made.

In episode 303 of Tango Alpha Lima, Bedwell shares his extraordinary journey — from talking his way onto a construction crew as a blind man, to kayaking 226 miles through the Grand Canyon (earning National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year), to summiting Mount Everest with a failed oxygen mask 750 feet from the top.

Now Bedwell is one expedition away from making history. He has summited six of the Seven Summits and skied to the South Pole. When he reaches the North Pole, he will become the first blind American to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam — an achievement fewer than 75 people in history have accomplished.

His journey is the subject of a feature documentary called Beyond Vision. "I lost my eyesight," he says. "I gained vision."

Also in this episode: the VA's new Artificial Intelligence tool and what it means for your appointments, plus three new laws signed into law that expand housing access, improve VA accountability, and strengthen job training for veterans.

SHOW NOTES

• Download the VA Health and Benefits mobile app
• Join The American Legion
• Learn more about Lonnie Bedwell
• Learn more about the film "Beyond Vision"
• Join The American Legion Family USA 250 Challenge
• New VA Database causes concern among lawmakers
• AI tool helps VA doctors minimize administrative tasks and focus on patients
• View American Legion Legislative Agenda
• Check out The American Legion Grassroots Action Center
• Learn more about American Legion Advocacy

Retired Air Force physician Dr. Mary Ann Kiel reveals how lifestyle medicine transformed her health and revolutionized her approach to treating servicemembers and military families.

As a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Kiel explains the six pillars of wellness: whole food plant-based nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, stress management, social connection and avoiding harmful substances.

Learn evidence-based strategies for disease prevention, increasing healthspan (not just lifespan), and addressing the root causes of chronic illness without relying on medications. Dr. Kiel shares practical behavior change techniques she teaches as a Food for Life Instructor and discusses why military members face unique health challenges.

Perfect for veterans, military families, health-care professionals, and anyone interested in preventive medicine, holistic health and sustainable wellness practices.

Sleep isn't a luxury — it's a mission-critical function. And for veterans, the stakes are even higher. Dr. Sara Alger, Sleep Research Scientist with the Psychological Health Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, unpacks what chronic sleep deprivation is actually doing to your brain and body — and what you can do about it.

Alger explains why the military culture of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" carries real long-term consequences, how combat-trained sleep patterns can follow you home long after deployment, and why those 3 a.m. wake-ups may be more biology than disorder. She also makes the case for tactical napping as a legitimate performance tool — not a sign of weakness.

Whether you're dealing with PTSD-related sleep disruption, years of short nights, or just waking up exhausted, this conversation offers science-backed answers and practical strategies.

Also in this episode: a bipartisan effort to expand overdose protection for veterans, the wartime origins of Daylight Saving Time, and how the Star-Spangled Banner became official.

SHOW LINKS

Learn more about Buddy Checks

Join The American Legion Family USA 250 Challenge

Learn more about the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Facts about tactical napping

Defense Health Agency Continuing Education Program Office

Be a part of The American Legion Oratorical Contest

Learn more about the End Veterans Overdose Act of 2026

Wartime history of Daylight Savings Time

Health tips for help you Spring Forward

Star-spangled history or The National Anthem

Learn more about the U.S. Flag - Indivisible: The Story of Our Flag

Navy veteran Kelley Gilberry shares his inspiring transformation story from obesity and heart disease to optimal health.

Before age 40, Gilberry battled cardiovascular disease, high blood sugar and a 70-pound weight problem fueled by fast food. Discover how he reversed heart disease naturally through plant-based eating and lifestyle changes, and became a certified health coach and nutritionist. Learn about his "Medicine Free Method" and "Ant Philosophy" for sustainable weight loss, diabetes prevention, and getting off medications.

Gilberry, founder of One Determined Vegan and author of "Plants Saved My Life," provides practical guidance on eliminating processed foods, reducing carcinogens, and adopting whole food nutrition.

Essential listening for veterans struggling with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, or anyone seeking health transformation without pharmaceuticals.

SHOW LINKS

Plants Saved My Life on Amazon

Learn more at KelleyGilberry.com

Mark Schatzker "The Dorito Effect"

From childhood trauma to military service, from a career-ending brain injury as a paramedic to Paralympic glory — Shawn Cheshire's story is one of extraordinary resilience.

In this powerful episode, the former US Army helicopter mechanic and 13-time US para-cycling national champion shares how she rebuilt her life after losing her sight at age 36. The Army veteran opens up about her journey from contemplating suicide to becoming a Paralympian, crossing the Grand Canyon solo as the first blind woman to complete Rim to Rim to Rim, and cycling across America on a single bike.

Her new documentary "Blind AF" captures her incredible endurance challenges and the trauma she's overcome. This is a conversation about refusing to be defined by your circumstances and choosing to see possibility even in darkness.

Also in this episode: the BEACON Act, the magic of audio books and more.

SHOW LINKS

Military memoir audiobook recommendations

AURA Special Offer

Learn more about Shawn Cheshire

Choosing to See

Join the USA250 Challenge

American Legion Advocacy Toolkit

American Legion Grassroots Action Center

Visit Legiontown

Reddit Rabbit Hole: Tall tales and fish stories in the military community

Discover proven strategies for improving heart health and living longer with interventional cardiologist Dr. Columbus Batiste.

In this encore episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, Dr. Batiste shares expert guidance on cardiovascular diseaseprevention, plant-based nutrition, and cardiac rehabilitation specifically for veterans and military families.

Learn about Healthy Heart Nation, his nonprofitorganization helping thousands reverse heart disease through whole food nutrition, exercise, sleep and lifestyle medicine. Perfect for veterans facing increased heart disease risk, anyone interested in preventive cardiology, or those seeking natural approaches to cardiovascular wellness.

Topics include cardiac rehab programs, heart-healthy eating, the physiology of heart disease and practical steps to reduce your risk of the leading cause of death in America.

SHOW LINKS

Dr. Columbus BatisteHeart Healthy Nation