Veterans Day is bringing a new podcast dedicated to the stories of Americans who have served their country, beginning with a Vietnam War hero whose bravery earned him the Medal of Honor. Nashville music producer and podcast host Tony Mantor is launching “Coast To Coast Heroes” today (Nov. 11), with a series of conversations highlighting military veterans, their sacrifices and the challenges they have overcome both during and after their service.
The new podcast is produced in partnership with Inflection Network and distributed through iHeartPodcasts, Its debut episode features Sammy L. Davis, a Vietnam War veteran who received the nation’s highest military decoration for valor after rescuing fellow soldiers under enemy fire. Davis recounts his battlefield experiences, his unexpected connection to the Academy Award-winning film “Forrest Gump,” and how playing the harmonica helped him find common ground with former enemies.
“I’m proud to launch ‘Coast to Coast Heroes’ and give a voice to Americans whose service, sacrifice, and resilience too often goes unrecognized,” Mantor says. “Their journeys deserve to be heard, and their stories have the power to inspire courage and change lives. Their stories remind us that extraordinary courage often lives in ordinary people.”
The Veterans Day premiere begins a series
The Veterans Day premiere begins a series of episodes focusing on military service, the transition to civilian life and the importance of finding purpose and support after leaving the armed forces.
On Nov. 19, Mantor will speak with Jeff Gibboni, an Army veteran and former U.S. Marshal whose experiences with recovery and counseling led him to help others facing personal challenges.
The Thanksgiving Day episode on Nov. 26 will feature Army veteran and advocate Chante Franco, who discusses surviving trauma and suicide attempts before finding renewed purpose through the Wounded Warrior Project.
December episodes will continue that focus
December episodes will continue that focus. Military veteran Chris Kusmaul will discuss helping fellow veterans rebuild their lives and discover new missions beyond military service on Dec. 3. A week later, submarine veteran and advocate Jonathan Rowles will share his experiences with leadership and helping other veterans navigate civilian life.
While the first five episodes focus on military veterans, Mantor plans to broaden the series to include first responders, community leaders and everyday Americans whose actions have made a difference in the lives of others.
The launch expands Mantor’s relationship with Inflection Network and iHeartMedia, which also distribute his existing podcast, “Tony Mantor: Why Not Me?” That series, which launched in September, focuses on autism, mental health and the experiences of individuals and families navigating personal challenges. According to the announcement, it has reached No. 7 overall on the Apple Podcast charts and topped the Mental Health and Health & Fitness categories.
