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. 6d ago ·  Video

    #748 FireSide Chat w/ Jeff Newton & the Crew; 15 Oct 2026

    🎙️ EPISODE #748 — FireSide Chat w/ Jeff Newton & the Crew | 15 October 2026 🇺🇸 VA HOME LOANS: UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS YOU'VE EARNED! 🏡 Did you know that VA home loan benefits may offer veterans more opportunities than simply purchasing an existing home? What about building a new house, purchasing land, renovating a property, or refinancing your current mortgage? In this episode of The Lost Art Project, host Andrew "AJ" Cox and the Crew welcome Jeff Newton, founder of National VA Loans, for an informative, entertaining, and eye-opening conversation about VA home loan benefits and the opportunities many veterans may not realize are available to them. Jeff has worked in the mortgage industry since 2002. Inspired by conversations with his brother Josh, a 21-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Jeff recognized that many veterans were not receiving the information they needed to fully understand their earned home loan benefits. That realization helped shape his mission of educating and assisting veterans through National VA Loans. Throughout the conversation, Jeff breaks down several important aspects of VA home financing, including: 🏠 VA Home Purchases — Understanding the VA home loan benefit and how veterans can use it to purchase a home. 🔨 VA Construction Loans — Exploring the possibility of purchasing land and building a new home through a one-time-close construction loan. 🛠️ VA Renovation Loans — How certain financing options may allow eligible borrowers to purchase and improve an existing property. 💰 Refinancing and Financial Decisions — Understanding available options and making informed decisions about homeownership. 📋 The VA Loan Process — Qualifications, appraisals, contractors, and why working with knowledgeable professionals matters. 🇺🇸 Veteran Education — Why understanding earned benefits is just as important as having access to them. Of course, it wouldn't be FireSide Chat without plenty of laughs, friendly banter, and a few conversations that take unexpected turns! From the frustrations of homeownership and changing weather to the housing market, financial history, and movie recommendations, the Crew keeps the conversation entertaining while Jeff delivers valuable information. 📚 WORDS OF WISDOM The episode concludes with our traditional Words of Wisdom segment, including a book recommendation for The Big Short, a reminder about protecting your personal peace, and Jeff's message encouraging veterans to understand and make informed use of the benefits they've earned through service. 🎙️ ON THIS EPISODE: Andrew "AJ" Cox — Host, Founder & Executive Director of The Lost Art Project; USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) Jeff Newton — Special Guest, Founder of National VA Loans Mike — FireSide Chat Crew Jess — FireSide Chat Crew 🔗 CONNECT WITH OUR SPECIAL GUEST National VA Loans 🌐 Website: https://www.nationalvaloans.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nationalvaloans 📞 Phone: 855-956-4040 🇺🇸 ABOUT THE LOST ART PROJECT The Lost Art Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the firsthand experiences of our nation's veterans. Through Veteran Stories, FireSide Chats, and historical archiving, we work to ensure these voices and experiences remain accessible to future generations. 🌐 https://www.thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLostArtProject ❤️ SUPPORT THE MISSION Your support helps us continue recording, preserving, and archiving the stories of those who served. Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire #TheLostArtProject #VeteransVoices #FireSideChat #JeffNewton #NationalVALoans #VALoans #VeteransBenefits #VeteranHomeownership #MilitaryVeterans #MarineCorps #VeteranStories #PreservingHistory

  2. Oct 12 ·  Video

    #747 FireSide Chat w/ the Crew; 12 May 2026

    🔥 #747 FireSide Chat w/ the Crew — Leadership: Military Lessons That Still Work Today Recorded October 11, 2026 The uniform comes off, but the leadership lessons—and the friendships—stay with us. Join Andrew “AJ” Cox, Vick Ney, and Jess Kindelspire for an honest, often hilarious conversation about carrying military experience into civilian life. From workplace disagreements to accepting uncomfortable feedback, the Crew explores what happens when direct military communication meets a world with different expectations. Vick shares a real challenge from his work as a music educator, opening a discussion about boundaries, tone, and the difference between what we intend and what someone else hears. Can you stand your ground while recognizing that your approach needs a “rudder adjustment”? And does being an effective leader require being liked? The conversation also examines the friendships veterans build through service, why those connections can feel harder to find afterward, and the value of people who care enough to tell you when you’re getting something wrong. Of course, it wouldn’t be a FireSide Chat without a few detours! Football banter leads into military rugby memories and honoring fallen teammates. Old computer games spark a conversation about teaching history honestly, while military movies, questionable uniforms, and exaggerated service claims bring plenty of laughs. AJ and Vick also share their experiences with tinnitus and hearing loss, reflecting on habits they wish they had changed earlier. The evening closes with Words of Wisdom about taking action, embracing uncertainty, and getting out of your own head—and a reminder to check on the people you served beside. 🎙️ ON THIS EPISODE Andrew “AJ” Cox — Founder / Executive Director / Host Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant. Vick Ney — FireSide Chat Crew / President, The Lost Art Project Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant and music educator. Jess Kindelspire — FireSide Chat Crew Recurring Crew member sharing veteran perspectives, personal stories, and candid humor. 🤝 Thank you to our sponsors and supporters: Saddleback Leather Company • Tinker Federal Credit Union • Honor Dog Designs • AllCoin / BRAV 🇺🇸 Every Veteran Has a Story. Every Story Is a Piece of History. The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices preserves veterans’ lived experiences through recorded conversations, oral histories, and historical archiving. 🌐 Learn more: https://thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org ❤️ Become a monthly supporter: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/preserving-veterans-voices-protecting-their-legacy 📺 Join our live FireSide Chats Sundays and Thursdays at 7 PM Central / 8 PM Eastern on YouTube @TheLostArtProject. Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect · Preserve · Educate · Inspire

  3. Oct 9 ·  Video

    #746 FireSide. Chat w/ Douglas Kaluhiokalani & The Crew; 8 Oct 2026

    🔥 #746 FireSide Chat w/ Douglas Kaluhiokalani & The Crew 8 October 2026 | The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices How safe are you in today's digital world? And how much information about you is already available to someone who wants to use it against you? In this episode of FireSide Chat, host Andrew “AJ” Cox and the crew welcome Douglas Kaluhiokalani, a United States Air Force veteran and cybersecurity professional with approximately 17 years of experience, for an eye-opening conversation about cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital warfare, online scams, and the threats hiding in everyday technology. Douglas shares his journey from being a young computer enthusiast to serving in Air Force special operations and eventually working in defensive and offensive cybersecurity. Drawing on his experience supporting cybersecurity exercises involving Army Cyber Command and NATO, he explains how modern warfare has evolved far beyond traditional weapons and battlefields. The conversation explores how military communications, satellite technology, digital footprints, and artificial intelligence are changing the way military operations are conducted. The crew discusses how quickly technology advances, the difficulties of keeping military systems current, and the risks that arise when organizations depend on technology they don't fully understand. But the discussion doesn't stop with national security. Douglas brings cybersecurity down to a personal level, explaining how easily criminals can gather publicly available information, create convincing phishing emails, impersonate trusted individuals, and use artificial intelligence to make scams increasingly believable. From compromised social media accounts and identity theft to outdated routers, smart televisions, weak passwords, and suspicious text messages, the crew explores the vulnerabilities that ordinary people encounter every day. One particularly interesting discussion centers on how artificial intelligence can collect publicly available information about someone and help identify the types of scams that person might be most likely to believe. It's a powerful reminder that the information we share online can sometimes be used against us. Throughout the conversation, AJ, Mike, Jess, and Douglas mix serious discussions with the humor, military stories, and good-natured trash talking that make FireSide Chat what it is. There are plenty of laughs about outdated military computers, Marines breaking equipment, technology frustrations, and even a few technical difficulties during the show itself. The crew also discusses the importance of maintaining mental health in an increasingly connected world. Douglas explains why people working in high-stress environments need to recognize their limits, step away from technology, and make time to recover mentally. As the episode moves toward its conclusion, Douglas shares cybersecurity resources, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), where individuals can learn more about online safety and report suspected cybercrime. And, as always, the crew closes with their Words of Wisdom, reflections on life, and a reminder that looking out for one another remains just as important today as it was during military service. Words of Wisdom from the episode: Jess shares a recommendation for a World War II history book. Mike reminds everyone not to save their kindest words for someone's funeral—say them while they can still hear them. Douglas recommends Sandworm by Andy Greenberg and The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal, emphasizing the importance of understanding both cybersecurity threats and how to manage stress. 🎙️ On This Episode Host: Andrew “AJ” Cox — United States Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) | Founder & Executive Director, The Lost Art Project Special Guest: Douglas Kaluhiokalani — United States Air Force Veteran | Cybersecurity Professional FireSide Chat Crew: Mike McNany — United States Marine Corps Veteran Jess Kindelspire — FireSide Chat Crew 🇺🇸 A Reminder to Our Veteran Community If you're struggling, please reach out. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net. And if you're doing well, take a moment to check on someone you served with. Sometimes a simple conversation can make all the difference. The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire 🌐 www.thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org ▶️ YouTube: @TheLostArtProject

  4. Oct 6 ·  Video

    #745 Dr. James Walsh Air Force Veteran; 6 Oct 2026

    🎙️ #745 James Walsh — Air Force Veteran In this episode of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, host Andrew “AJ” Cox sits down with James Walsh, a United States Air Force veteran whose lifetime of service, education, and leadership took him from the enlisted ranks to the officer corps and ultimately to decades of continued service supporting Airmen and their families. James entered the Air Force in 1966 at just 19 years old, choosing to enlist while facing the possibility of being drafted. His journey would take him far from his home in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning with an assignment to Taiwan and continuing through assignments and experiences in places including Korea and Greece. Throughout the conversation, James reflects on his transition from enlisted Airman to commissioned officer and the responsibilities that came with leadership. As a young lieutenant, he found himself responsible for approximately 500 people, experiences that helped shape a leadership philosophy centered on listening, understanding people, earning their trust, and having the courage to make decisions. That philosophy eventually earned James a description that followed him throughout his career: “Tough, but fair.” Education also became a defining part of James’ life. What began with taking college courses while serving overseas grew into a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. His experiences in uniform eventually allowed him to pass those lessons on to others through leadership and management education. James’ service to the Air Force continued long after his active-duty career ended. He returned as a Department of Defense civilian, eventually spending more than two decades working at the Pentagon. His work included personnel policy, benefits and entitlements, Airmen and Family Readiness, and programs directly affecting service members and their families. He ultimately retired from federal civilian service in February 2025. AJ and James also discuss the lessons behind James’ book, You’re a Leader, Now What? Build Trust, Inspire Teams, Drive Results, including communication, collaboration, conflict management, situational leadership, and the importance of understanding the people you lead. The conversation even turns to artificial intelligence and its place in modern leadership. James explains why leaders should embrace useful tools while never allowing technology to replace their own responsibility to think, evaluate information, and make decisions. And, of course, James takes on the rapid-fire questions, including a memorable zombie-apocalypse combination involving a bazooka and the National Anthem, and why a German Shepherd best represents his military career. When asked whether he would do it all again, James doesn’t hesitate: Absolutely. No regrets. After a lifetime dedicated to service, leadership, education, and helping others, James leaves listeners with a simple but powerful message: “Be kind. Gain trust.” 🎙️ Host: Andrew “AJ” Cox — U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) 🇺🇸 Guest: James Walsh — U.S. Air Force Veteran The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire

  5. Oct 5 ·  Video

    #744 FireSide Chat w/ Barry Morris & the Crew; 4 Oct 2026

    🔥 #744 FireSide Chat w/ Barry Morris of Mission Roll Call & the Crew In this episode of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices, host Andrew “AJ” Cox and the FireSide Chat crew welcome Barry Morris, Marine Corps veteran and Communications Director for Mission Roll Call, for a conversation about something that should matter to every veteran: making sure our voices are actually heard. Barry begins by sharing his own journey—from growing up in a military family and enlisting in the Marine Corps, to becoming a Staff Sergeant, earning a commission through MECEP, serving as a Public Affairs Officer, and deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan. That background eventually led him into communications and veteran advocacy and, today, his work with Mission Roll Call. The heart of this episode focuses on what Mission Roll Call actually does and why it matters. Barry explains how the organization regularly goes directly to veterans through polling and surveys to find out what issues are affecting them—not what someone assumes veterans need, but what veterans themselves say is important. Mission Roll Call then takes that information, along with veterans’ testimonials and experiences, and puts it in front of decision-makers. As Barry explains during the conversation, the goal is to collect that information and present it so leaders can make better decisions “for the greater good of our veteran community.” The discussion covers issues facing veterans across the country, including care for service-connected conditions, disability compensation, military retirement, VA healthcare, mental health and suicide prevention, education benefits, civilian employment, housing and home-loan assistance, caregiver support, survivor benefits, long-term care, and veteran homelessness. The crew also digs into the importance of identifying the gaps between what veterans need and the services available to them, and how many issues that appear to be local problems are directly connected to larger national challenges. One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is the importance of participation. If organizations like Mission Roll Call are going to carry the veteran community's priorities forward, veterans have to be willing to speak up, complete the surveys, share their experiences, and make their voices part of the data being presented to those making decisions. This episode is also a reminder of how much stronger the veteran community can be when organizations work together instead of operating in isolation. Whether the mission is advocating for veterans today or preserving their stories for tomorrow, it begins with listening to the people who served. And, as always with a FireSide Chat, AJ, Barry, and the crew mix an important conversation with plenty of camaraderie, Marine Corps stories, humor, and the unscripted back-and-forth that makes these episodes what they are. 🎙️ Host: Andrew “AJ” Cox — U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) 🇺🇸 Special Guest: Barry Morris — U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Communications Director, Mission Roll Call 🔥 Andrew “AJ” Cox — Host Jess — FireSide Chat Crew Mark O’Loughlin — FireSide Chat Crew Mike — FireSide Chat Crew Vic — FireSide Chat Crew The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies. Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire

5
out of 5
16 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