We take a look at the fascinating world of Disney engineering, and how it’s story-driven attitude makes it “Imagineering” at the Disney properties. Randy welcomes Scott Mallwitz, Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, to talk about the ups and downs of creating some of the incredible worlds that Disney has created at their properties, and what we can look for in the future in “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
Randy welcomes back Tracy Farrell, Vice President of Connection Program Management Wounded Warrior Project, to chat about a recent study on how female military veterans are coping with their transition to non-uniformed life. Tracy digs into the numbers and reasoning behind this trend, and how Wounded Warrior Project is putting together programs to address these serious feelings of isolation and depression in our women warriors.
We welcome Heritage and Brand Manager from Ford Motor Company, Ted Ryan, straight from the New York City Auto show, to talk about the historic link between Lincoln cars and the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley. Elvis owned a number of different Lincolns, and drove a Ford truck, but the story behind his famous Lincoln Continental Mark II has to be heard.
Big news on the veteran employment front as we welcome Mark Elliott, Head of Military and Veterans Affairs for JP Morgan Chase, to talk about his own military service in the U.S. Military, retiring as a Colonel, and then his transition to civilian life where he continues to strive to support the men and women who have put on the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces. Randy and Mark discuss J.P. Morgan Chase and Co.’s veteran hiring initiatives and much more in this segment.
Kevin Smokler, author of three books about pop culture, and the director of the new documentary “Vinyl Nation” joins the show to talk about music, the medium of vinyl, and how important Record Store Day has been in revitalizing the music industry. With sales increasing every year over the past decade and a half, Randy and Kevin discuss how this medium is finding a toe-hold in the world of smartphones and mp3 players.
Documentarian Ken Burns is back yet once again on the show to talk about his newest documentary subject: Benjamin Franklin. Randy and Ken talk about the process in which these topics are identified and gives us a few morsels of what we can expect from this new series on PBS, the PBS website, and the PBS app.
Ben Kligler, MD, MPH Executive Director, Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation for the Veterans Health Administration. Randy and Dr. Ben talk about the VHA, and get an update on some of the current challenges being faced by the VA as well as the successes that the agency has seen in providing care to our veterans!
Jim Meskiman joins The National Defense to talk about his long-running acting career, his own REAL mother, actress Marion Ross (better known as Mrs. C from “Happy Days”) serving as America’s T.V. mom. Jim is an INCREDIBLY talented impressionist and shares some of his craft with us here on The National Defense.
Randy welcomes Vlad Coric, CEO and Chairman of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals to discuss an exciting advance made in Nurtec ODT used to treat migraines. Randy and Vlad talk about the drug, the process in which they identified patients whose lives have been directly affected not only by debilitating migraines but also for those who have been able to get them under control with these issues. Military members who have suffered high stress, traumatic brain injury, and more are all at advanced risk to suffer from the scourge of migraines.
