Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

Heart health for veterans: Cardiologist shares how to beat America’s leading cause of death - Tango Alpha Lima

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 Batiste [https://drbatiste.com/ ]Heart Healthy Nation [https://myhhn.org/ ]

From combat linguist to women veterans advocate - Tango Alpha Lima

Army veteran Kayla Williams served in combat, deploying to Iraq in 2003 as an Arabic linguist with the 101st Airborne Division. Since retiring from the military, she has become a bestselling author, and leading advocate for women veterans and military families. From serving without body armor plates during the 2003 Iraq invasion to navigating her husband's traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, Williams shares her journey of resilience and her ongoing fight to preserve the hard-won gains women have made in the military. Discover why hope matters more than hardship, and why evidence-based policy changes are critical for the future of veteran health care. Also in this episode: a VA health care change that will help women veterans, tips on how veterans can protect themselves against scammers, the legend of Cafe Ground Zero and more. Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) eligibility [https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2023-title38/USCODE-2023-title38-partII-chap11-subchapII-sec1114] https://buy.aura.com/american-legion https://kaylamaureenwilliams.blog American Legion Junior Shooting Sports [https://www.legion.org/Get-Involved/Youth-Programs/Junior-Shooting-Sports] VA makes it easier for women to access gynecology care [https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-makes-it-easier-for-women-veterans-to-access-gynecology-care/] Avoid veteran scams [https://news.va.gov/139500/be-vigilant-of-scammers-targeting-smc-benefits-purple-heart-recipients/] The legend of Cafe Ground Zero [https://www.dvidshub.net/news/541373/pentagon-hot-dog-stand-cold-war-legend-torn-down]

From Vegas street kid to combat comedian: Marine veteran brings free shows to troops – Tango Alpha Lima

What does it take to make 200 armed, exhausted Marines laugh? Michael D'Angelo knows. The Las Vegas street punk turned Marine Corps veteran turned comedian created Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a nonprofit delivering free standup shows to military bases nationwide. From surviving Vegas streets — including a razor attack that required 32 stitches to his face — to living in his car while pursuing comedy in LA, D'Angelo's journey to serving those who serve is both heartbreaking and inspiring. In Episode 299 of Tango Alpha Lima, discover how comedy became his way of continuing to serve, how he's exposing young troops to diverse perspectives through art, and why performing for skeptical Marines is the ultimate comedy bootcamp. Also in this episode: the truth about the notch in dog tags, can this platform save veterans money and more. https://www.vettix.org/visitor/home Join The American Legion Family USA250 Challenge [https://www.legion.org/get-involved/community-programs/usa250/challenge] Rapid Fire Comedy Tour [https://www.rapidfirecomedytour.org/ ] Join the American Legion [https://www.legion.org/join] The Reddit Rabbit Hole [https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/comments/i8pzy5/is_it_worth_it_to_join_american_legion/ ] Military Fact or Fiction [https://www.uso.org/stories/1799-fact-or-fiction-military-myths-examined ] ExpertVoice [https://www.expertvoice.com/join?onb_groupCode=0853-877B-DAED-F443 ]

How veterans rescued 195,000 Afghans after Kabul fell – Tango Alpha Lima

For Navy veteran Shawn VanDiver, a 2021 call from Afghanistan sparked the creation of AfghanEvac, now one of the most successful refugee advocacy organizations. In this season premiere, VanDiver discusses his path from getting his GED to military service, his work with the Truman National Security Project, and how a single emergency became a mission supporting more than 195,000 Afghan refugees. He explains his community-first approach, why this work extends beyond Afghanistan, and concrete ways veterans can advocate for allies worldwide. Plus: Tango Alpha Lima hosts warn about predatory VA claim services, explore the Together We Served veteran network, and honor WWII veteran and Beetle Bailey cartoonist Mort Walker. LINKS The War Horse: VA Warned These Companies They May Be Breaking the Law. Most Are Still in Business [https://thewarhorse.org/veterans-affairs-claim-benefit-company-letters/] NPR: Congress calls for a crackdown on companies charging disabled vets [https://www.wmra.org/2025-12-10/congress-calls-for-a-crackdown-on-companies-charging-disabled-vets] Join The American Legion Family USA250 Challenge [https://www.legion.org/get-involved/community-programs/usa250/challenge] AfghanEvac Website [https://afghanevac.org/] Afghan Allies Vetting process [https://afghanevac.org/vetting] How you can help AfghanEvac [https://afghanevac.org/uscis-policy-alert] AfghanEvac Store [https://afghanevac.org/store] The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program [https://www.legion.org/Get-Involved/Youth-Programs/Junior-Shooting-Sports] Learn more about Together We Served [https://www.togetherweserved.com/] Remembering Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker [https://www.dvidshub.net/news/532979/mort-walker-still-tickles-military-funny-bones-80?utm_source=chatgpt.com ] Legion calls for Congress to include Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Amendment in 2025 NDAA [https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/legislative/2024/november/legion-calls-for-congress-to-include-fulfilling-promises-to-afghan-allies-amendment-in-2025-ndaa]

Best of 2025: A Vietnam POW's story of survival - Tango Alpha Lima

One of our first episodes of Season 6 resonated the most for us. Retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Col. Lee Ellis, who was shot down and captured during the Vietnam War, talks about leadership and team building lessons he learned during his five years as a prisoner of war, as well as throughout his military service and his 25 years as a leadership coach.