The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices

Andrew Cox

Mission The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and archiving first-person oral histories from U.S. military veterans across generations. These long-form interviews capture leadership, combat experiences, and personal reflections that rarely appear in official records. New episodes Daily - Monday thru Friday Live recordings on Sundays & Thursdays @ 7 PM Central Time (Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn) About the Project The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is an independent oral-history initiative dedicated to preserving first-person accounts of U.S. military service, leadership, and veteran life. Through long-form conversations, the project captures unfiltered testimony from service members and veterans across ranks, roles, and generations. Unlike traditional history podcasts that interpret past events, this project creates primary historical sources by recording lived experience in real time — before memory fades and before stories are lost. With more than 580 recorded episodes, the collection represents one of the most extensive independently produced oral-history archives focused on modern American military and veteran culture. Episodes are publicly available and preserved to ensure long-term access by families, researchers, educators, and historians. All recordings from The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, including FireSide Chats, Veteran Stories, and Jarhead Jabber, are being archived with the Marine Corps History Division, ensuring permanent historical preservation. This work serves not only as a record of individual service, but as documentation of evolving leadership philosophy, unit culture, transition experiences, and the broader social impact of military service in the 21st century. The project exists to ensure these voices are not summarized, edited out, or forgotten — but preserved as they were lived and spoken. Nonprofit Status The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation confirms that the project operates exclusively for educational and historical preservation purposes. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and all funding directly supports the recording, production, and long-term archiving of veteran oral histories. Becoming a nonprofit strengthens the project’s sustainability, transparency, and ability to preserve veteran stories at scale. Two Segments. One Mission.🔥 Segment One: FireSide Chat The FireSide Chat is a relaxed, conversation-style segment focused on current veteran topics and community impact. These episodes often explore: • Issues affecting veterans today • Leadership, resilience, and mindset • Life after military service • The importance of community and accountability A key component of the FireSide Chat is highlighting veteran-owned businesses and organizations. This segment provides exposure to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and initiatives making a difference within the veteran community and beyond. 🎖 Segment Two: Veteran Stories Veteran Stories is a one-on-one interview format dedicated entirely to the individual. These episodes walk through the veteran’s life journey, including: • Background and upbringing • Decision to serve • Military experiences and defining moments • Challenges faced during and after service • Lessons learned and advice for others Each story is unique, personal, and preserved in the veteran’s own words. The goal is simple: capture the story before it’s lost. Mission The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and archiving first-person oral histories from U.S. military veterans across generations. These long-form interviews capture leadership, combat experiences, and personal reflections that rarely appear in official records. What We Do • Record long-form oral history i

  1. 20h ago ·  Video

    #709 FireSide Chat w/ Erik Monarca of Chat 62 Podcast; 30 Jul 2026

    🔥 FireSide Chat with the Crew | Featuring Erik Monarca of Chat 62 Podcast 🔥 This week's FireSide Chat, we welcomed Erik Monarca, co-host of the Chat 62 Podcast, for an engaging conversation about military service, the power of storytelling, and the importance of preserving veterans' experiences for future generations. What started as a discussion between two veteran-focused podcasts quickly became a deeper conversation about the shared mission of ensuring that the stories of those who served are never forgotten. Erik shared the vision behind Chat 62, how the show has grown beyond its original roots, and why giving veterans a platform to tell their stories continues to make such a lasting impact. The crew also explored the future of veteran history preservation, including the growth of the Veterans' Voices Archive Network, the development of a searchable research database, and how podcasters, historians, museums, and researchers can work together to build one of the largest collaborative archives of veteran oral histories anywhere. Along the way, there were plenty of laughs, stories from military life, and the kind of candid conversation that has become the hallmark of FireSide Chat. If you believe every veteran's story deserves to be preserved, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Join AJ Cox, Mike, and Jess as they sit down with Erik Monarca of Chat 62 Podcast for a conversation about brotherhood, podcasting, preserving history, and ensuring that every veteran's voice has a place in history—because in the end... Your Story Matters.

  2. 1d ago ·  Video

    #708 Part 2 Charles Russo Navy Veteran; 30 Jul 2026

    In Part 2 of our conversation with U.S. Navy veteran Charles Russo, we dive even deeper into an extraordinary career that took him from military service to the front lines of counterterrorism and forensic intelligence. Charles shares what it was like working with the FBI's Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC), where improvised explosive devices recovered from battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world were analyzed to help identify bomb makers, uncover terrorist networks, and prevent future attacks. Charles offers a fascinating look behind the scenes at the painstaking investigative work that most people never see—the collaboration between the military, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and international partners to protect lives. He also explains the extensive training required to work in this highly specialized field, from electronics and forensic science to intelligence analysis, and reflects on the responsibility that comes with examining devices that caused devastating loss on the battlefield. The conversation doesn't stop there. Charles discusses his transition from federal service into higher education, his passion for research, publishing, and mentoring the next generation, and how his experiences continue to shape the students he teaches today. His story is one of lifelong learning, service, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference long after leaving active duty. Whether you're interested in military history, intelligence operations, national security, or simply hearing the remarkable journey of someone who has dedicated his life to serving others, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Every veteran has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.

  3. Jul 23 ·  Video

    #704 Tony Johnson Marine Veteran; 23 Jul 2026

    Interviewed by Historical Archivist Dee Galvin For the first time on The Lost Art Project: Veterans' Voices, one of our Historical Archivists takes the lead behind the microphone. Dee Galvin sits down with Marine Corps combat veteran Tony Johnson for an authentic conversation that captures a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and perseverance. Tony shares how growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and learning the value of hard work from his father helped shape the man who would eventually earn the title of United States Marine. Throughout his career, he served in demanding assignments, trained on heavy weapons systems, prepared for Drill Instructor School before being redirected to combat operations in Iraq, and reflects on the realities of deployment, combat, leadership, and the bonds forged through military service. The conversation doesn't stop when the uniform comes off. Tony also speaks openly about life after retirement, living with PTSD, and how he now uses his own experiences to help fellow veterans through peer support and group therapy. His message is one of resilience, healing, and continuing to serve long after active duty has ended. This episode also marks an important milestone for The Lost Art Project as Historical Archivist Dee Galvin conducts her very first preservation interview, helping fulfill our mission of ensuring every veteran's story is professionally recorded and preserved for future generations. Because every veteran has a story. Every story deserves to be remembered. Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Mission The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and archiving first-person oral histories from U.S. military veterans across generations. These long-form interviews capture leadership, combat experiences, and personal reflections that rarely appear in official records. New episodes Daily - Monday thru Friday Live recordings on Sundays & Thursdays @ 7 PM Central Time (Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn) About the Project The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is an independent oral-history initiative dedicated to preserving first-person accounts of U.S. military service, leadership, and veteran life. Through long-form conversations, the project captures unfiltered testimony from service members and veterans across ranks, roles, and generations. Unlike traditional history podcasts that interpret past events, this project creates primary historical sources by recording lived experience in real time — before memory fades and before stories are lost. With more than 580 recorded episodes, the collection represents one of the most extensive independently produced oral-history archives focused on modern American military and veteran culture. Episodes are publicly available and preserved to ensure long-term access by families, researchers, educators, and historians. All recordings from The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, including FireSide Chats, Veteran Stories, and Jarhead Jabber, are being archived with the Marine Corps History Division, ensuring permanent historical preservation. This work serves not only as a record of individual service, but as documentation of evolving leadership philosophy, unit culture, transition experiences, and the broader social impact of military service in the 21st century. The project exists to ensure these voices are not summarized, edited out, or forgotten — but preserved as they were lived and spoken. Nonprofit Status The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation confirms that the project operates exclusively for educational and historical preservation purposes. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and all funding directly supports the recording, production, and long-term archiving of veteran oral histories. Becoming a nonprofit strengthens the project’s sustainability, transparency, and ability to preserve veteran stories at scale. Two Segments. One Mission.🔥 Segment One: FireSide Chat The FireSide Chat is a relaxed, conversation-style segment focused on current veteran topics and community impact. These episodes often explore: • Issues affecting veterans today • Leadership, resilience, and mindset • Life after military service • The importance of community and accountability A key component of the FireSide Chat is highlighting veteran-owned businesses and organizations. This segment provides exposure to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and initiatives making a difference within the veteran community and beyond. 🎖 Segment Two: Veteran Stories Veteran Stories is a one-on-one interview format dedicated entirely to the individual. These episodes walk through the veteran’s life journey, including: • Background and upbringing • Decision to serve • Military experiences and defining moments • Challenges faced during and after service • Lessons learned and advice for others Each story is unique, personal, and preserved in the veteran’s own words. The goal is simple: capture the story before it’s lost. Mission The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and archiving first-person oral histories from U.S. military veterans across generations. These long-form interviews capture leadership, combat experiences, and personal reflections that rarely appear in official records. What We Do • Record long-form oral history i