Episodes

This episode is a truly inspiring story of resilience, perseverance, transformation, and the power of making pivotal choices. Dr. Monica Sanford, DNP and retired Marine Lt Col David Sanford are joined by Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard veteran Jan Ackley. Jan’s story begins in the hills of Appalachia, where he was raised by a single mother and grew up knowing what it meant to live with very little. Money was scarce, opportunities were limited, and there were moments when finding loose ch...

Navy Veteran and Combat Systems Port Engineer for the USS Carl Vinson, Mr. Travis Ramsey joins us to talk about his debut romantic thriller, What Was Meant to Fall. Set against a backdrop of romance, danger, survival, and unexpected twists, the story takes readers from a plane crash to a deserted island, where trust becomes just as important as survival. Ramsey draws inspiration from his own experiences while stationed on the romantic island of Sicily, bringing a unique perspective to his story...

Dr. Moley is a double board-certified Psychiatristspecializing in adult sports psychiatry. His concierge-style private practice focuses on high-performance individuals, including C-suite executives, elite athletes, Veterans and other professionals operating under extraordinary pressure. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and The OhioState University, Dr. Moley is certified by the American Board of Sports and Performance Psychiatry and the International Society for Sports Psychiatry. He ...

Maddie Humbert is the founder and creative mind behind thewidely popular BNA Bites, a platform dedicated to showcasing Nashville's finest culinary gems and dining destinations. Through her passion for the localfood scene, she has become one of Nashville's most trusted and recognizablefood influencers for discovering where to eat in Music City. Herimpact has earned her a nomination for Most Popular Influencer at the Nashville Creator Awards, presented by Nashville Lifestyle Magazine—recognizing ...

I am joined today by Jason Boatwright, Air Force veteran and founder of The Boatwright Foundation. He tells us all about the Foundation we hear what inspired him to start the Foundation and their mission to support veterans and their families. He answers some True/False type questions on what you need to know and do to file your claims! I've known Jason for quite a few years now, and he's been on the show two or three times before talking about VA disability claims, the VA system, and helping ...

We sat down with Chris Turner is a Marine Corps veteran and Nashville recording artist whose career blends country music with a mission of service, resilience, and advocacy for veterans. His story is defined by determination, grassroots hustle, and a commitment to using his platform to support those who’ve worn the uniform.Chris Turner is a United States Marine Corps veteran, an iTunes charting country artist, and a man who’s turned his music into a mission. After growing up in the small town o...

She was a total Blast! We sit down with the trailblazer The First Lady of EOD- Explosive Ordinance Disposal. She was the first female to graduate EOD school and become a bomb technician and breaking barriers under pressure. Combat Veteran, Bronze Star, first ever female to achieve the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. She tells us how her nails and bobby pins are some unusual, surprisingly, effective EOD tools. We discussed what women were doing in the AF in the 1970s and how s...

PART 2: Dr. Mark Glazer is an interventional cardiologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Dr Executive Medical Director at Vanderbilt University Medical Center inNashville, Tennessee. Over a medical career spanning more than 50 years, he has served as a principal investigator on numerous cardiac trials and studies, presented at national conferences, and authored multiple publications. He is also the author of the bestselling book Code Man, which explores how coding and billing influence t...

Dr. Mark Glazer is an Interventional cardiologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Dr Executive Medical Director at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Over a medical career spanning more than 50 years, he hasserved as a principal investigator on numerous cardiac trials and studies, presented at national conferences, and authored multiple publications. He is also the author of the bestselling book Code Man, which explores how coding and billing influence the practi...

We sit down with Joshua Parish: Veteran, Attorney, CEO of Vet Life Today. Along with his wife and 2 of NFL greatest players they are making a huge impact with their funding for advocacy, resources, developing an app and creating the Operation Safeguard program. The Board of Directors consists of 2 of the greatest players in Detroit Lions NFL history and they are working together to help millions of Veterans. Hear all about the Battle Buddy app, already used by 1/2 million vets and the VA to st...

After 30 years of telling everyone else’s stories, today we finally get to hear hers. In her first-ever podcast interview, we are joined by Laura Hussey — the award‑winning broadcast journalist and beloved morning news anchor at WEAR 3, known across northwest Florida for her honesty, compassion, and unwavering commitment to telling people’s stories. With over 30 years of experience, Laura has lived nearly every angle of media with nine years in video production, 12 years as a country radio sta...

Dr. Linda Silbert has dedicated more than 40 years to working with students of every age and ability.We discussed what can make school feel overwhelming for so many children. She and her husband co‑authored the award‑winning, million‑copy bestseller Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades:What Parents Need to Know and Do. A former teacher and principal, Dr. Silbert is a lifelong educator who has developed countless learning and study tools, contributed weekly educational columns to multiplepublications, ...

I’m joined by Jayla Thomas—Nashville Housing Trust FundCommissioner, businesswoman, community leader, and candidate for State House District 55. With a strong background in systems, operations, andefficiency, Jayla has led work in mergers and acquisitions within the renewable energy sector. She’s also deeply committed to supporting entrepreneurs—helpingthem launch, restructure, and pivot for long-term success. As an advocate for the communities she serves, Jaylasees firsthand the urgent challe...

In this episode, I am joined by Arlie Haddix, CEO of Operation Stand Down Tennessee. Arlie is an Air Force veteran, retired Lt. Col., and graduate of both the U.S. Air Force Academy and Vanderbilt University School of Business Management. Under his leadership, OSDTN delivers coordinated services that reflect the full complexity of veterans’ needs — from urgent mental‑health support and emergency food & housing to career development, leadership courses, and community connection. We talk about t...

PART TWO: From Battlefield to Boardroom lessons in Leadership: We sit down with retired Marine Major Lee Stuckey — a three-time combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, professional MMA fighter and the Founder & CEO of AHERO USA, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide and rebuilding lives through connection, purpose, and community. The powerful episode has 3 Marines talking! Also, a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing hard‑earned lessons on leadership, resilience, and the mission...

PART ONE: From Battlefield to Boardroom lessons in Leadership: We sit down with retired Marine Major Lee Stuckey — a three-time combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, professional MMA fighter and the Founder & CEO of AHERO USA, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide and rebuildinglives through connection, purpose, and community. The powerful episode has 3 Marines talking! Also, a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing hard‑earned lessons on leadership, resilience, and the mission-...

This week, we’re joined by Jodie Howard, a Navy spouse of over 30 years, entrepreneur, author, and gifted chakra & energy healer. Jodie opens up about the challenges of marrying young in the military world — the deployments, separations, uncertainty, personal growth, and how they stay deeply committed and connected through it all. We dive into: 💙 What it really takes to keep a marriage strong through deployments, relocations, and the constant reinvention military life demands and the challeng...

This week on the show, Monica Sanford and retired Marine Lt. Col. David Sanford sit down with someone whose story hits the heart of service, music, and the veteran community—retired Marine Colonel Mike Corrado. Hear about his impactful, powerful story and how it has led to music and songwriting retreats & therapy for veterans. Corrado has taken the stage with everyone from Toby Keith—yes, the Red Solo Cup legend himself—to the Black Eyed Peas, using music as a bridge between military life and ...

Listen to the ladies of IMPACT100 Nashville Nancy Lamberton, Membership Director, Tara Waters, Board Secretary and Ginger Duncan Legacy Chair as they explain how the model of collective giving allows for millions of dollars in givingback to the community. Hundreds of women come together each year by pooling individual contributions into large, high‑impact grants that transform local nonprofits. Each member typically contributes $1,000 annually, and those funds are combinedto award major grants ...

Nashville is the cradle of entertainment from blues to bluegrass and is a booming hub of hospitality, high-tech innovation, technology, industrial expansion and world-classsports. Metro City Councilwoman Joy Styles has set her sight on the executive leadership role as the Mayor of Music City. Nashville prepares for transformative milestones— with Elon Musk, Tesla’s & The Boring Company tunnel to the airport, future of Oracle headquarters, a new NFL stadium, expanding high‑tech and industrial s...

Wendy & Madison Hively: The Spotlight on CharlieMadison Originals, beyond the jewelry & the science behind being an entrepreneur. I sat down with the mother–daughter powerhouse duo behind CharlieMadison Originals, known for their beautifully crafted specialty bracelets. They share the inspiration and intention behind their designs—and the stories that fuel their creations. Each design is intentionally crafted to tell a story, spark confidence or celebrate a journey. Wendy brings a unique pers...

PART TWO: Please go back and listen to part one from last week! Monica Sanford and retired Marine Lt. Col. David Sanford sit down with someone whose story hits the heart of service, music, and the veteran community—retired Marine Colonel Mike Corrado. Fun memories and we hear impactful, powerful stories and how it has led to music and songwriting retreats & therapy for veterans. Corrado has taken the stage with everyone from Toby Keith—yes, the Red Solo Cup legend himself—to the Black Eyed P...

This week on the Monica Sanford Show, the episode is a solo catch‑up where I fill you in on everything happening behind the scenes over the past 1 year. I’m sharing how our move has been, how we’re settling into life in Nashville, what’s new with my job, and how my son is adjusting and some exciting news that we are thrilled about. I also talk about what life looks like right now for my Veteran Marine and what’s coming up on the show in the weeks ahead. It’s a little life update, a little hear...

Shari Biery is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, sought‑after speaker, author, and respiratory therapist who teaches women everywhere how to just take their turn and breathe! After 20 years as a military spouse — the anchor, the steady presence, the one who always showed up and put everyone else first — Shari finally gave herself permission to take her own turn. That decision became the catalyst for her mission: helping women move from burnout to purpose with clarity, confiden...