Shows
Gold Star StoriesThe Bond That Doesn’t Break – Renee Tomlinson on Losing Her Son, LCpl Albert Garcia - Episode 17In this deeply moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Renee Tomlinson, the proud mother of Lance Corporal Albert Garcia, a U.S. Marine who lost his life in a tragic car accident on base in 2022.Renee shares the powerful connection she had with her son — a bond so strong, she physically felt the moment he left this world. From the chaos of that unimaginable day to the heartbreaking task of planning his funeral, Renee walks us through the raw truth of sudden loss. But this isn’t just a story of g...
2025-07-3140 minGold Star StoriesEpisode 16 - Honoring Sgt Shane Duffy - Shanon's StoryToday’s episode of Gold Star Stories hits close to home. Nick Letendre sits down with Shannon Duffy—veteran, advocate, and proud Gold Star sibling—to honor the life of her brother, Sergeant Shane Duffy.Shannon was only 18, getting ready for senior prom, when she opened the door to two casualty officers. That moment changed everything. But in this episode, she shares so much more than loss. She tells us about Shane—the goofball, the protective big brother, the one who made people feel seen. We hear stories of towel-stealing humor, AIM chats from Iraq, an...
2025-06-2534 minGold Star StoriesEpisode 14 - Honoring SPC Orlando Perez - Angelica's Story🎙️ Episode 14 – The Knock at the Door: Angelica Marta on Losing Her Brother, Orlando PerezWhat does it mean to lose your big brother, your protector, and your best friend at just 16 years old?In this emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Angelica Marta, whose older brother, Specialist Orlando Antonio Perez, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008. Orlando wasn’t just a soldier—he was a hilarious, thick-glasses-wearing, shoelace-tying big brother who made every room brighter just by being in it.
2025-06-0333 minGold Star StoriesEpisode 11 - Honoring SGT Colin Arslanbas - Nicole's StoryIn this emotional and eye-opening episode, Nick Letendre sits down with Nicole, a Marine Corps mom, educator, and fierce advocate, to honor the life of her son, Sergeant Colin Arslanbas—a Recon Marine who died during a preventable training accident in North Carolina.Colin was more than a Marine. He was a husband, a big brother, a soon-to-be dad, and the kind of guy who made people laugh even in the most serious moments. Nicole shares his story—from childhood memories to leadership failures that led to his death. This episode is not just abou...
2025-05-2852 minGold Star StoriesEpisode 10 - Honoring Sgt. Daniel Brett - Natalie's StoryWhen a soldier comes home, the war isn’t always over. In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Natalie Brett, widow of Sergeant Daniel Brett—an Army MP, a devoted husband and father, and a man whose battle with invisible wounds ended in tragedy.Natalie shares the full story: not just of Daniel’s death by suicide in 2023, but of his life—his humor, his love, his service, and the unbearable pressure he faced in the civilian world. This episode dives into the aftermath that so few talk about: t...
2025-05-1443 min
Gold Star StoriesEpisode 9: Honoring PFC Justin Davis - Paula's StoryIn this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Paula Davis, a mother who has carried the unimaginable weight of losing her only child—Army Private First Class Justin Davis. At just 19 years old, Justin was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, a little over a year after joining the military. What followed for Paula was a journey marked by grief, service, and an unwavering commitment to making sure her son is never forgotten.Paula shares stories of Justin’s vibrant personality, his love for music, his dream of becoming an actor, and his...
2025-05-0852 min
Gold Star Stories🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s Story🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s StoryIn this powerful and emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Ashley Southard — a mother, a widow, and a woman rebuilding life in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. Her husband, Sergeant Andy Southard, a Black Hawk crew chief with the 160th SOAR, was killed during a training mission over the Mediterranean in November 2023.Ashley shares the kind of story that lives in the quiet — the knock at the door, the stocking that fell from the mantle, the weight of...
2025-05-0148 min
Gold Star StoriesEpisode 6 - Honoring SPC Chris Neiberger - Ami's StoryIn this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Ami Neiberger shares the life and legacy of her younger brother, Specialist Christopher Neiberger, who was killed in Iraq by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) in 2007 — just three days after his 22nd birthday.Ami opens up about the day everything changed, the emotional weight of sibling grief, and how she transformed her pain into purpose through advocacy and storytelling. From childhood memories and stolen traffic cones to military service and loss, this conversation is raw, real, and unforgettable.We explore what it...
2025-04-3050 min
Gold Star Stories🎙️ Episode 5 - Honoring Sergeant First Class Daniel B. Crabtree - Mallory's Story🎙️ Episode 5 - Mallory Crabtree: A Gold Star Daughter’s JourneyWelcome back to Gold Star Stories, hosted by Nick Letendre. Today, we are honored to sit down with Mallory Crabtree, daughter of Sergeant First Class Daniel B. Crabtree, a brave Green Beret who gave everything for his country when Mallory was just 17 months old.Mallory’s perspective is unique — growing up shaped by her father’s legacy rather than direct memories. She shares how her family, community, and her father’s brothers-in-arms helped keep his spirit alive, and how her own journey...
2025-04-2629 min
Gold Star StoriesEpisode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s StoryEpisode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s StoryIn this profoundly moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we’re honored to introduce you to Rachelle, an Army veteran whose incredible journey is marked by both heartwarming memories and profound tragedy. Uniquely a Gold Star spouse twice over, Rachelle courageously shares the story of her first husband, Staff Sergeant Daniel Merriweather, who was killed in action during his deployment to Afghanistan.Rachelle warmly recalls their unforgettable meeting at Airborne School, the unexpected bond they formed over country music, late-night Crystal Burg...
2025-04-251h 13
Gold Star Stories🎙️ Episode 3: Sergeant Jonathan Lootens – Through the Eyes of a Sister - Andi Hefti's StoryIn this episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Andi Hefti to share the story of her brother, Sergeant Jonathan Lootens, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.Andi opens up about the moment she got the call, the overwhelming aftermath, and what it felt like to carry the weight of planning, paperwork, and public attention—while everyone else asked how her mom was doing. Her honesty sheds light on what it means to be a Gold Star sibling, and how grief shows up in ways the world rarely sees....
2025-04-1348 min
Gold Star Stories🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s Story🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s StoryIn this episode of Gold Star Stories, Jennifer Faulkner opens up about the life, love, and loss of her husband, Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner.Michael was a devoted father, a joyful soul, and a man whose dream of flying led him to the U.S. Air Force. But beneath the surface, he carried the weight of past trauma and unspoken pain—pain that eventually overwhelmed him.Jennifer shares the devastating impact of t...
2025-04-1151 min
Gold Star StoriesEpisode 1: Honoring Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck – Kim Deck’s Story🎙️ Episode 1: Honoring Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck – Kim Deck’s StoryIn the first episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Kimberly Deck—widow of Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck—for an unfiltered, emotional look into the lasting impact of military loss. Sean served 23 years in the U.S. Navy. But when his final deployment ended, the battle didn’t.Kimberly, known on TikTok as @One_Badass_Navywidow, opens up about grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. She shares how TAPS, her child...
2025-04-1055 min