Losing a leg in 2020 could have been the end of John Brace's athletic story. Instead, it was the beginning of a new one. In this episode, Anil sits down with Marine Corps veteran and wheelchair football quarterback John Brace, who joined the Move United Wheelchair Football League as a rookie linebacker and ended up calling plays under center when his team needed him most. They talk about the road from military service to adaptive athletics, what it means to show up for newly amputated veterans as a living example of what's possible, and why disability is never the period at the end of the sentence. As America turns 250, John's message about pride, purpose, and the many ways to keep serving hits differently.

Learn more about Move United Wheelchair Football League at moveunitedsport.org

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Eleven years of professional football leaves a mark and former defensive end Patrick Kerney has spent a lot of time thinking about what that mark might look like decades from now. In this episode, Anil sits down with Patrick and Tom Latkovic, co-founder of Better Brain, to talk about what the latest science says about Alzheimer's and dementia prevention, the risk factors we can actually control, and why veterans dealing with TBI are just as much a part of this conversation as former players. If your brain has taken hits, on the field or in the field, this episode is a good listen.

Learn more about BetterBrain at www.betterbrain.com

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Kevin Fredericks, known to the internet as KevOnStage, is a comedian and content creator who has built a massive following on laughs. But in this episode, he brings something else too. Sitting down with guest host and Army veteran Jermaine Clark, Kevin opens up about growing up as a military brat with a father who served 28 years in the Army and now with a wife who lived the same life. From El Paso to Fort Bragg to Fort Lewis, moving every three years didn't just shape his childhood — it shaped his entire personality. They dig into why adaptability is a superpower, the deep respect Kevin carries for the veteran and military family community, and yes, a little Yacht Rock. The laughs are there, but so is the heart.

Watch Kevin’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@KevOnStageStudios

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Former world-ranked UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr knows what it's like to compete in front of 60,000 fans and he knows what it's like when the roar goes quiet. In this conversation, Anil sits down with the subject of The Smashing Machine to explore what fighters and veterans have in common when the spotlight fades: identity loss, mental health struggles, and financial instability. Mark also shares his work with Datavault AI, a blockchain platform taking on stolen valor and helping veterans and athletes own their name, image, and likeness. Listen to this raw, honest conversation about what recovery really looks like and why human connection is at the center of it.

Learn more about Datavault AI at https://dvlt.ai/, watch The Smashing Machine on streaming platforms and follow Mark on Instagram at @markkerrtsm

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Anil sits down with Khalid Cannon, Executive Director of Put Me In, an organization on a mission to make sure kids with incarcerated parents don't have to sit on the sidelines.

Khalid's story is as compelling as the work he's doing. Growing up in Alabama with a father in prison, youth sports gave him something invaluable—a place to just be a kid. That experience became the foundation for Put Me In, which is now changing the lives of over 150 families across the country. Khalid also draws a powerful parallel between finding your team on the field and finding your community in the military, and why that sense of belonging isn't a luxury, it's a lifeline.

Tune in for a conversation about resilience, purpose, and why everyone deserves a team.

Learn more about Put Me In at putmein.org

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Former Washington Commanders defensive end Jake Martin joins Anil from Radio Row at Super Bowl LX for a conversation that goes well beyond the football field.

Jake opens up about what it took to push through a tough season, the culture Coach Dan Quinn has built in Washington, and why the makings of a great team aren't all that different from the makings of a great unit. With his sister currently serving in the Navy, Jake knows firsthand what service looks like and how that shapes the way he shows up for his teammates.

Tune in for a conversation about grit, gratitude, and why America's 250th birthday is worth stopping to celebrate.

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We're celebrating the Season 4 halfway mark with a double feature — two conversations, two incredible guests, two hosts, and one common thread: service.

First, Nate Boyer sits down with sports journalist and NFL Network host Erin Coscarelli. Beyond the bright lights of a Super Bowl week, Erin opens up about her family's military roots, what it really takes to build the next generation of athletes, and why bringing the big game back to L.A. hits differently for her.

Then, Anil Nathan connects with Bron Heussenstamm — founder of Bleav Network and former USA surfing team competitor — for a conversation about storytelling, sacrifice, and why he painted an American flag on his surfboard. Bron shares why he believes podcasting is one of the most powerful tools we have for tackling the conversations that matter most, including the ones that save lives.

Two guests. Two stories. All heart.

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New York Jets quarterback Hendon Hooker joins us live from Media Row at Super Bowl LX for a conversation about leadership, literacy, and investing in the next generation. Hendon shares how his father instilled a love of reading from an early age — and how that habit has made him a sharper, more effective quarterback on the field.

Keep up with Hendon Hooker on IG at @hendonhooker or find him on Twitter/X.
Learn more about Stand Up Together at standuptogether.org

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