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Veterans Unmasked is more than a podcast—it's a living archive dedicated to preserving the stories of military veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and those whose lives have been shaped by service.
Hosted by Remy, a Disabled Combat Veteran/Gold Star Husband, each long-form conversation goes beyond headlines, sound bites, and social media posts to document the real experiences behind the uniform.
From combat deployments and life-saving calls to personal loss, transition, resilience, and purpose, these stories are recorded, preserved, and shared so future generations can hear them directly from the people who lived them.
Through the Veterans Unmasked Legacy Archive, we are building a permanent collection of voices, experiences, lessons, and memories that might otherwise be lost to time.
Because every story matters.
Because every voice deserves to be heard.
Because behind every uniform is a story.
Unmasked. Unbroken.
Support the Mission
Watch Full Episodes @ Veterans Unmasked on Youtube
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Explore the unfiltered stories of military veterans and their families on Veterans Unmasked, a compelling podcast hosted by Remy, a combat veteran and Gold Star spouse. Delve into the complexities of military life, from the challenges of PTSD to the impact on families and the transition to civilian life. Through heartfelt conversations, Veterans Unmasked aims to bridge understanding, honor unsung heroes, and amplify the voices that deserve to be heard. Join us as we unmask the stories that shape us and bring to light the resilient journeys of those who have served.
Episodes
Sep 28, 2026
Sep 28, 2026
2 hr 9 min
On September 25, 2006, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Tallouzi was serving at Camp Taji, Iraq, when his area came under attack.
Shrapnel struck Daniel behind his right ear, penetrated his skull, and entered his brain.
Thousands of miles away, his mother Mary's life was about to change forever.
In Episode 16 of Veterans Unmasked, Gold Star Mother, military caregiver, and advocate Mary Tallouzi shares the deeply personal story of her son Daniel—from his service in Iraq and catastrophic combat injuries to the years Mary spent beside him navigating hospitals, treatment, recovery, and an entirely new life as his caregiver.
When Mary finally reached Daniel's bedside, she placed her hand on his arm.
“It's Mom. I'm here. I'm going to take you home.”
Then she felt the slightest response.
“There you are.”
Mary takes us inside moments few outside the military and caregiver communities ever witness: learning the circumstances of Daniel's injury, seeing the extent of his wounds, fighting through an overwhelming medical system, and discovering the extraordinary doctors, nurses, service members, and strangers who became part of their story.
She also shares an unforgettable phone call from a nurse who cared for Daniel in Balad.
The nurse told Mary that she held Daniel's hand and refused to let go until she had to. Years later, she could still remember his eyes—and needed his mother to know that Daniel had not been alone.
Daniel ultimately died from his injuries, but Mary's journey didn't end with his death.
She became a Gold Star Mother and advocate, carrying Daniel's story into a larger mission of supporting wounded Veterans, caregivers, and military families. Mary discusses how she found the strength to begin telling Daniel's story, her involvement with Wounded Warrior Project, Veteran mental health and wellness, the bonds between those who served together, and why Americans need to better understand the price military service can carry long after a deployment ends.
As Mary explains:
“This is not about my son anymore. This is about his friends. This is about people that I meet every day.”
This episode is about war—but much of the battle takes place far from the battlefield.
It's about a mother becoming a caregiver.
A family learning what happens after a wounded service member comes home.
The people who refuse to let go.
And a Gold Star Mother determined to carry her son's name forward.
With the help of Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Unmasked is honored to preserve the story of Mary and Staff Sgt. Daniel Tallouzi.
One Conversation. One Story. One Legacy.
🌐 VeteransUnmasked.org
Follow Veterans Unmasked for real stories from Veterans, First Responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and the families who serve beside them.
Topics discussed:
Gold Star families • Gold Star Mother • Iraq War • Camp Taji • U.S. Army • combat injury • traumatic brain injury • military caregivers • wounded Veterans • military families • Veteran mental health • Wounded Warrior Project • grief • military service • Veteran advocacy • military medicine • caregiver advocacy • legacy
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Sep 14, 2026
Sep 14, 2026
2 hr 3 min
Michael Matthews survived Iraq.
But surviving the battlefield was only the beginning.
In Episode 15 of Veterans Unmasked, Michael sits down with Remy McNamara to tell the story of war, catastrophic injury, survivor’s guilt, suicidal thoughts, recovery, and eventually finding purpose by helping other veterans.
Michael served as a U.S. Army infantryman and deployed three times to the Middle East. During his final deployment, he found himself operating in an active war zone in Iraq where enemy contact became a regular part of life.
He remembers the invasion. Reconnaissance missions. Firefights. Kicking in doors. Sleeping underneath vehicles and going months without a real shower.
Then came the blast.
Michael remembers blood in his eyes, struggling to breathe, and Sgt. Robinson—the man he credits with helping save his life—nearby.
Then nothing.
His next memory is waking up 14 days later in Germany.
The list of injuries was extensive: shrapnel wounds, damage to his head, neck and shoulder, a jaw broken in two places, damaged teeth, ruptured eardrums and other injuries that would require a long physical recovery.
But some of Michael's hardest wounds couldn't be seen.
After returning home, he struggled with anger, isolation, PTSD and survivor's guilt. He found himself asking why he survived when others didn't and whether there was something more he could have done.
Eventually, thoughts of suicide became a constant presence.
In this conversation, Michael speaks openly about reaching a point where he believed he had decided how his life would end—and about the connections that helped change what happened next.
A chance encounter with another veteran eventually helped lead Michael toward Wounded Warrior Project, where he began meeting people who could look at him and say:
“I'm going through the same thing.”
Those connections became part of his recovery.
Michael eventually began giving back himself through community outreach and veteran peer support, turning some of what he had experienced into an opportunity to be there for the next veteran.
His message today is simple:
Talk. Ask for help. And when another veteran is ready to tell their story, sometimes the most important thing you can do is listen.
This special episode of Veterans Unmasked was arranged in collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project for Suicide Prevention Month.
For veteran suicide-prevention information and resources:
Wounded Warrior Project — Suicide Prevention
If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, or text 838255.
Veterans Unmasked exists to preserve the stories of Veterans, First Responders, Gold Star Families, military spouses, caregivers, and the people whose experiences deserve to be remembered.
One Conversation. One Story. One Legacy.
Learn more, support the mission, or share your story at VeteransUnmasked.org.
#VeteransUnmasked #MichaelMatthews #WoundedWarriorProject #SuicidePreventionMonth #VeteranMentalHealth #PTSD #SurvivorsGuilt #IraqWar #CombatVeteran #VeteranStories #VeteransHelpingVeterans
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
1 hr 34 min
What happens when military service ends, but the drive to serve never does?
In Episode 14 of Veterans Unmasked, we sit down with Martin Melkonian, a veteran whose story stretches from military deployments and detainee operations in Iraq to motorcycle culture, veteran advocacy, service dogs, fundraising, and years of giving back to the veteran community.
Martin takes us inside his military experience, including his deployment to Camp Bucca, Iraq, where he served with Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion 5. He reflects on joint operations with the Army and Air Force, the importance of every military occupation, and an experience that took on an entirely different meaning years later: interacting with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before ISIS emerged as the organization the world would eventually come to know.
The conversation also turns to the consequences that followed many veterans home. Martin discusses burn pit and toxic exposure, including the loss of Petty Officer Anthony Thornton to brain cancer, and why veteran health advocacy remains personal to him.
But Martin's story isn't defined solely by military service.
We talk about his involvement in motorcycle clubs and the misconceptions surrounding that community, his efforts supporting veteran organizations and homeless and disabled veterans, and his work helping raise money and awareness for causes throughout Texas. Martin also discusses Give Us Paws, service dogs, his German Shepherd Chance, and the role these organizations can play in veterans' lives.
And because this is Veterans Unmasked, the conversation isn't all serious.
Martin shares stories about hallucinating from exhaustion during boot camp, tackling a drill instructor, taking his wife to the gun range, being rear-ended on his motorcycle by his own wife, discovering that Top Gun may have given him unrealistic expectations about Navy jobs, and why one experience caused him to swear off Starbucks.
Through the humor, loss, military memories, motorcycles, advocacy, and community service runs one consistent theme:
Service doesn't necessarily end when you take off the uniform. Sometimes it simply changes form.
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
2 hr 14 min
What happens when the uniform comes off, but the desire to serve never goes away?
In Episode 13 of the Veterans Unmasked Podcast, we sit down with Army veteran Dustin Cook for a conversation that goes far beyond military service.
As a fourth-generation veteran, service has always been part of Dustin's life. But like many veterans, leaving the military brought an entirely new set of challenges.
During this episode, we discuss:
• The reality behind the "22 veterans a day" conversation
• Why the military doesn't teach service members how to transition back into civilian life
• Finding a new sense of purpose after military service
• The complicated emotions surrounding the phrase, "Thank you for your service"
• Life as a middle school science teacher and the challenges facing public education
• Emergency communications and disaster response operations
• How military skills can be adapted and applied long after service ends
• Family, mentorship, leadership, and giving back to the veteran community
We also share a few stories that will make you laugh, including conversations about Call of Duty lobbies, Top Secret security clearances, and one unforgettable story involving a military radio and a canteen full of water.
At its core, this episode is about something many veterans understand all too well:
The mission may change, but the desire to serve never truly disappears.
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
1 hr 50 min
Every veteran has a story. Some battles happen on the battlefield. Others begin after the uniform comes off.
In Episode 12 of the Veterans Unmasked Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Maddron for one of the most honest and deeply personal conversations we've had in the studio.
Jeff opens up about military service, the emotional weight of attending memorial services while deployed, the invisible wounds that followed him home, and the darkness that eventually led him to a suicide attempt. Rather than hiding from those moments, he shares them in the hope that someone else may realize they are not alone.
But this isn't a story about giving up.
It's a story about choosing to stay.
Today, Jeff is a husband, father, business owner, and living proof that even after life's darkest moments, purpose can still be found. His journey is one of resilience, healing, faith, family, and discovering that the mission doesn't end when military service does—it simply changes.
Throughout this conversation, Jeff reflects on the realities of military life, the impact of loss, rebuilding after trauma, and the importance of reaching out before it's too late.
Whether you've served, love someone who has, or simply believe in the power of authentic conversations, this episode offers hope, perspective, and a reminder that tomorrow is always worth fighting for.
Topics in this episode include:
- Military service
- Memorial services during deployment
- Mental health
- PTSD and depression
- Suicide prevention
- Recovery and healing
- Family
- Leadership
- Finding purpose after service
- Life beyond the uniform
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Aug 3, 2026
Aug 3, 2026
2 hr 41 sec
From Desert Storm and Somalia to Embassy Security duty and life after catastrophic injury, William "Big Sarge" Hansen's story is one of perseverance, leadership, and unwavering service.
In this episode of Veterans Unmasked, Big Sarge reflects on growing up in a family with generations of military service, earning the title of United States Marine, deploying around the world, and facing life-changing challenges years after leaving active duty. Through humor, honesty, and hard-earned perspective, he shares lessons about resilience, recovery, and the importance of continuing to serve others.
Whether you have worn the uniform yourself or simply want to better understand the people behind it, this conversation offers an authentic look at the sacrifices, struggles, and victories that often go unseen.
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
Find us on Social Media
Facebook
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Jul 27, 2026
Jul 27, 2026
2 hr 20 min
Some stories are difficult to hear.
Some are even harder to tell.
In this deeply personal episode of Veterans Unmasked, Navy veteran Elina Hobbs shares her journey through military service, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), PTSD, betrayal, healing, and ultimately finding the strength to reclaim her voice.
This conversation is not simply about what happened to her.
It is about surviving what no one should have to endure.
It is about carrying invisible wounds while continuing to move forward.
It is about discovering that healing is possible—even after years of silence.
Military Sexual Trauma affects thousands of service members and veterans, yet many survivors never speak publicly about their experiences. Elina chose to tell her story in the hope that someone listening may realize they are not alone.
This episode contains discussions of:
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
• PTSD
• Trauma and recovery
• Mental health
• Military life
• Healing and resilience
Viewer and listener discretion is advised due to mature subject matter.
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.
Jul 20, 2026
Jul 20, 2026
2 hr 43 min
Military service is filled with moments that change us forever. Some happen during duty. Others happen in everyday life.
In Episode 009 of Veterans Unmasked, we sit down with Roxanne Sotelo-Adamick, a United States Navy veteran, as she shares her journey through military service, unexpected challenges, memorable duty stations, and the experiences that helped shape the person she is today.
From stories in British Columbia and Hawaii to the friendships, hardships, and humor that come with military life, Roxanne offers an honest look at the realities of serving in uniform. Her story reminds us that not every defining moment happens in combat—many come from the people we meet, the places we go, and the obstacles we overcome along the way.
Veterans Unmasked exists to preserve the stories of veterans, first responders, military families, and Gold Star families so they are never forgotten.
Because when we share our stories, we remind others they are not alone.
Where Silence Ends. Stories Live Forever.
About Veterans Unmasked
Veterans Unmasked is a nonprofit organization preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, caregivers, and community leaders through long-form documentary-style conversations.
Every interview becomes part of our permanent Legacy Archive so these stories will never be forgotten.
Where Silence Ends.
Learn More
🌐 Website
📚 Legacy Archive
https://VeteransUnmasked.org/the-legacy-archive
🎧 Listen on Podbean
https://veteransunmasked.podbean.com
📺 Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@VeteransUnmasked
If this conversation inspired you, please consider subscribing, leaving a comment, and sharing it with another veteran, first responder, or family member. Every share helps preserve another story.
Veterans Unmasked is a long-form documentary podcast preserving the stories of veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, military spouses, and caregivers.
New episodes premiere every Monday at 5:00 AM CT on podcast platforms, with full video episodes released Fridays at 5:00 PM CT on YouTube.