Best U.S. Army Soldier For Life Podcasts (2025)

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Feature: The award-winning director of ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ shows us Ukrainian soldiers up close in ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ 19:00

18h ago19:00

19:00

The war in Ukraine started in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. We watched as civilians sheltered from airstrikes and buildings became ruins in the Oscar award-winning documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol’, just as the Russians took siege of one of Ukraine’s largest metropolitan areas. Now, three years after the Russian invasion…

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FilmWeek: ‘The Naked Gun’, ‘The Bad Guys 2’, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’, and more! 30:30

18h ago30:30

30:30

Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Manuel Betancourt and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Naked Gun, Wide Release The Bad Guys 2, Wide Release Happy Gilmore 2, Streaming on Netflix Together, In Select Theaters Architecton, In Select Theaters 2000 Meters to …

1
Episode 70: Character, Presence, Intellect: The Triple Threat of Army Leadership 12:56

3d ago12:56

12:56

Send us a text Ever wondered what truly separates good leaders from great ones in the Army? Forget the stereotypes about badge-heavy uniforms and drill sergeant voices. The secret lies in mastering three fundamental leadership attributes: character, presence, and intellect. In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the foundations of Army lead…

1
Navy Veteran/U.S. Marshal Risks Everything Exposing Federal Corruption 2:00:09

1d ago2:00:09

2:00:09

PTSD. Whistleblowing. Betrayal by your own agency. Robert Ledogar lived it. A 32-year career — Navy vet turned U.S. Marshal — shattered when he chose integrity over silence. From chasing fugitives in New York to working the El Chapo and MS-13 cases, Lugar served at the highest levels… until the U.S. Marshals turned on him for protecting a fellow De…

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Wounded Warriors Family Support – Leadership, Growth & Real Impact 26:40

3d ago26:40

26:40

What does it take to grow a small, underfunded nonprofit into a $4 million-per-year force for veteran support? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Kate McCauley, CEO of Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS), to explore how operational clarity, disciplined leadership, and heartfelt dedication can scale a mission—without los…

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Feature: JAWS actor Robert Shaw’s life story is told in a new book 16:30

8d ago16:30

16:30

Although nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Henry VIII in the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, audiences now may know Robert Shaw best for his role as Captain Quint in the 1975 film Jaws. Having been released a decade later, Shaw’s performance as the grizzled shark hunter served as an important role in the Hollywood blockbuster, mixing …

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FilmWeek: 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' 'Oh, Hi!' 'BTS Army: Forever We Are Young,' and More! 33:00

8d ago33:00

33:00

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Wide Release Oh, Hi! In Select Theaters Heightened Scrutiny Laemmle Noho July 26|Laemmle Monica Film Center Jul. 27|Laemmle Glendale Jul. 29 The Ride Ahead…

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Episode 69: Gen Z Soldiers: Soft or Savvy? 24:29

10d ago24:29

24:29

Send us a text Are today's soldiers truly soft, or are they simply adapting to systems that haven't evolved with the times? This thought-provoking episode dives deep into the generational divide shaping today's Army culture. When senior NCOs claim that Generation Z soldiers lack discipline or respect for tradition, they're often misinterpreting cri…

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Marine Remembers Blast That Left His Friend Dismembered 49:30

11d ago49:30

49:30

This week on Urban Valor, we sat down with Marine veteran Ernesto Menjivar. A man who watched his brother lose both legs to an IED right in front of him. Ernesto was 19 years old when he first hit the ground in Afghanistan, assigned to one of the most IED-infested regions in Helmand Province. The firefights came fast. The first one he was ever in, …

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Clarity Over Chaos: John Krotec on NeoMasculinity, Leadership, and the Power of Silence 19:53

11d ago19:53

19:53

What if the biggest challenge men face today isn’t weakness—but noise? In this compelling episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry welcomes John Krotec, a U.S. Army veteran, speaker, and founder of NeoMasculinity Solutions. Together, they explore the dangers of modern misinformation, the collapse of authentic leadership, and how stoicism, silence…

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FilmWeek: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 'Eddington,' 'Smurfs,' and More! 33:00

15d ago33:00

33:00

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms! Films: I Know What You Did Last Summer Wide Release Eddington In Select Theaters Smurfs Wide Release Afternoons of Solitude Laemmle Monica Film Center Finally Dawn Laemmle Glendale …

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Feature: Godzilla’s 70 years chronicled in new book 16:30

15d ago16:30

16:30

What was originally a creature feature that metaphorically gets into the horrors of nuclear bombs, Godzilla has now become a media icon that’s lasted for more than 70 years. In Steve Ryfle’s new book, Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions, the author digs into the well-known monster's filmography…

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Army Brat Andrew Scott Goes From Military Moves to Co-Founding Frontline Heroes Outdoors 53:13

16d ago53:13

53:13

WWW.PUNKBRATS.COM | 512.682.5333 From Base to Backwoods: Army Brat Andrew Scott Shares His Journey to Frontline Heroes Outdoors. Andrew is a proud Army Brat and co-founder of Frontline Heroes Outdoors. Growing up, Andrew moved from place to place, like many military kids do. Through all the change, one thing remained constant: his pride in his fath…

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Episode 68: Stripes on the Horizon: 9 Keys to Dominating Your Next Military Board 27:15

17d ago27:15

27:15

Send us a text Facing a military promotion board can make even the most confident soldier anxious. The stakes are high—one wrong answer could derail your career advancement. But what if you could walk into that room knowing exactly what to expect and how to respond? This episode delivers a comprehensive roadmap for conquering any military board, fr…

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Episode 67: Beard or No Beard: Decoding the Army's Facial Hair Memo 10:37

18d ago10:37

10:37

Send us a text Confused about the Army's new facial hair policy? You're not alone. The recently released Directive 2025-13 has created waves throughout all Army components, with soldiers debating what it really means for their grooming standards. Join me as I cut through the confusion and give you a straight-talking breakdown of what's actually wri…

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Camp Cowboy: Breaking Horses, Healing Humans – A Veteran’s Path to Purpose 21:46

18d ago21:46

21:46

What does it really mean to be a cowboy—and can horsemanship heal the human soul? In this gripping episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry rides into the heart of Texas to meet Lane Robison, Program Director of Camp Cowboy, a powerful 90-day program that uses horses, sweat, and soul-searching to help veterans, active-duty military, and first res…

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Green Beret Faces Worst Nightmare After Surviving Hell in Afghanistan 58:15

19d ago58:15

58:15

Green Beret Terry Wilson faced daily ambushes, IEDs, RPG attacks, and brutal firefights while deployed in Afghanistan’s deadly Helmand Province. But even after surviving the horrors of war, nothing could prepare him for the tragedy that struck back home—the heartbreaking loss of his son. This week on Urban Valor, we sit down with retired U.S. Army …

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Feature: The New York Times surveyed readers and filmmakers about the best 21st-century films, we discuss the responses 14:30

22d ago14:30

14:30

A couple of weeks back, the New York Times released an expansive project, with a focus on determining the best films released in the 21st century. Having polled 500 people in the film and entertainment industry, asking each person about their top 10 favorites, they released many of the topline results. In a separate ask to its readers, over 200,000…

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FilmWeek: 'Superman,' 'Kill The Jockey,' 'Apocalypse in the Tropics,' and More! 35:00

22d ago35:00

35:00

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Superman Wide Release Kill The Jockey Laemmle NoHo 7 Apocalypse in the Tropics Laemmle Monica Film Center |Streaming on Netflix July 14 To a Land Unknown Laemmle Royal Don't Let's Go to the D…

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Episode 66: Stop Settling for Mediocrity in Your Military Service 31:49

24d ago31:49

31:49

Send us a text What separates excellence from mediocrity in military service? It all comes down to your relationship with standards. While the Army establishes baseline requirements for physical fitness, marksmanship, and professional competence, truly exceptional soldiers view these minimums as merely the starting point—not the destination. In thi…

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S15E11 Task Force Movement 34:39

25d ago34:39

34:39

Task Force Movement works with the private sector, military, academia, and government and nongovernment organizations to help identify and solve problems that our military and veteran families face when it comes to finding civilian employment AND to help create smoother civilian career pathways for the military community. Learn more from our discus…

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Make a Difference Every Day: How LTC (Ret.) Scott Robison Turns Purpose into Action 15:33

25d ago15:33

15:33

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with veteran, entrepreneur, and Camp Cowboy founder LTC (Ret.) Scott Robison for a candid and insightful conversation on initiative, leadership, and how to build trust in business and in life. Scott shares how a joke about stolen valor turned into a hard lesson about assumptions and recognitio…

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Marine Veteran’s Shocking Childhood Made Him Unbreakable 1:51:33

26d ago1:51:33

1:51:33

He survived hell—and now he inspires millions. Tom “Quitproof” Jones, a former U.S. Marine and world-class endurance athlete, endured one of the most traumatic childhoods imaginable: being beaten, terrorized, and even woken with a gun to his forehead. In this episode of Urban Valor, Tom opens up about how his abusive father hunted his mom—with Tom …

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FilmWeek: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth,' '40 Acres,' 'Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print,' and More! 34:20

29d ago34:20

34:20

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewenstein review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Jurassic World: Rebirth Wide Release 40 Acres In Select Theaters Nobu Laemmle Monica Film Center The Old Guard 2 Streaming on Netflix Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print Streaming on Max H…

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Feature: FilmWeek critics share their top picks for 2025 so far 21:35

29d ago21:35

21:35

As we enter the second half of the year, and the 4th of July weekend, our critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewenstein will take some time to recap what’s been released this year so far and talk about their favorite films that have been released as of now.By LAist 89.3 | Southern California Public Radio

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Episode 65: New Army Policy Leaves Many Surprised! 30:51

1M ago30:51

30:51

Send us a text The military grooming standards debate has reached a critical turning point. A bombshell Military.com article reveals the Army's upcoming policy that could separate soldiers diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—a condition affecting up to 94% of Black men—if they require shaving exemptions for more than 12 months in a two-y…

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Leadership at the Speed of Trust: MG (Ret.) Dusty Shultz’s Mission to Empower Teams 21:57

1M ago21:57

21:57

In this episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry sits down with MG (Ret.) Dusty Shultz, a trailblazing Army officer who’s redefining what leadership looks like after service. From director of intelligence at SOUTHCOM to her current mission advising companies and empowering teams, Dusty brings clarity, compassion, and candor to every conversation.…

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Army MP Recounts Combat Missions in Iraq & Haunting Investigations 1:01:15

1M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Meet Richard Aviles, a U.S. Army Veteran and former Military Policeman whose story is as raw as it is remarkable. In this Urban Valor episode, Richard recounts growing up in Puerto Rico, navigating culture shock in the U.S., and enlisting in the Army to escape homelessness and pursue purpose. Within months, he found himself deployed to Iraq, runnin…

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Feature: New book details Hollywood’s “Gay Golden Age” during the Hays Code, Lavender Scare 16:30

1M ago16:30

16:30

Although the Hays Code and Lavender Scare served as a deterrent to queer representation in cinema, many filmmakers still found ways to include queer themes into their works. In his new book Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, film historian Michael Koresky collects examples of these early queer projects an…

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FilmWeek: 'F1', 'M3GAN 2.0,' 'Sorry, Baby,' and More! 32:59

1M ago32:59

32:59

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: F1: The Movie Wide Release M3GAN 2.0 Wide Release Sorry, Baby In Select Theaters AMC| The Grove 14| AMC Century City 15 Familiar Touch Laemmle Glendale My Mom Jayne Streaming on Max Enig…

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Episode 64: Beyond the Uniform: 5 Traits That Set Great Soldiers Apart 22:41

1M ago22:41

22:41

Send us a text The stark contrast between exceptional soldiers and those merely going through the motions reveals itself through five distinct traits that consistently separate warriors from paycheck collectors in today's military. Drawing from experiences across multiple duty stations, this raw, unfiltered breakdown exposes what truly makes certai…

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S15E10 Military Travel Benefits: Space-A, Military Lodging & More! 31:57

1M ago31:57

31:57

We've all heard the term Space-A travel, but have you ever wondered what it is and how it works? Or how you can take advantage of Space-A flights, Space-A lodging, and military recreational lodging as a service member, military retiree, veteran with a service-connected disability, and more? You can find out on this week's new Soldier for Life Podca…

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From Addiction to Impact: Richard Kaufman’s Comeback Story 32:32

1M ago32:32

32:32

“I started living for what I can do—not what I can’t do.” — Richard Kaufman In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry welcomes Richard Kaufman—Army Veteran, best-selling author, and host of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency podcast—known nationwide as The Comeback Coach. From addiction and homelessness to blindness and recovery, Ri…

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Marine Suffers Severe Burns From AAV Blast in Final Training Exercise 1:14:31

1M ago1:14:31

1:14:31

A Marine's worst nightmare came true in a split second. In this episode of Urban Valor, Marine veteran Kyle Hansen recounts the devastating moment his AAV (Amphibious Assault Vehicle) ran over a natural gas line, sparking a massive explosion that left him severely burned and changed his life forever. Kyle served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2014–2…

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FilmWeek Feature: Celine Song talks ‘Materialists,’ modernizing rom-coms, and love triangles 19:30

1M ago19:30

19:30

Celine Song, writer-director of the new film Materialists, uses a similar framework that garnered her a lot of admiration from moviegoers. In her feature directorial debut, Past Lives, the lead character Nora struggles to manage a love triangle, only for her to discover what the differences are between these lives she’s romanticized. In Materialist…

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FilmWeek: '28 Years Later,' 'Elio,' 'Tatami,' and More! 28:06

1M ago28:06

28:06

Guest host Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Correction: A previous version of this episode had errors related to a review of the film Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project, which partially referenced an…

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F/A-18 Marine Pilot Takes Down a Russian MiG-29 in Dogfight 1:28:54

2M ago1:28:54

1:28:54

What really happens when a U.S. Marine fighter pilot faces off with a Russian MiG-29 at 8Gs? In this week’s episode of Urban Valor, we sit down with Major Ed Rush, a decorated Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of tactical flight time and over 50 combat missions under his belt. Raised by a legendary basketball coach and an NBA refere…

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Leading with Authenticity: Matthew Marsden’s Mission to Honor Veterans Through Film 35:38

2M ago35:38

35:38

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with actor and producer Matthew Marsden, known for his roles in Black Hawk Down, Rambo, and Transformers. Though not a Veteran himself, Marsden has become a passionate advocate for the military community through his work on and off the screen. Marsden shares how his experience training with Ar…

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Feature: “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach 19:55

2M ago19:55

19:55

On May 31, the FilmWeek team hosted a screening of the 1962 Robert Aldrich film What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Larry got up on stage for a conversation with FilmWeek and LA Times critic Amy Nicholson, and UCLA film historian Jonathan Kuntz.By LAist 89.3 | Southern California Public Radio

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FilmWeek: 'How to Train Your Dragon,' 'Materialists,' 'Echo Valley,' 'A Photographic Memory,' and more 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt, Christy Lemire, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.By LAist 89.3 | Southern California Public Radio

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Episode 63: USAREC to USARD: Inside the Army's Recruiting Makeover 50:24

2M ago50:24

50:24

Send us a text The Army recruiting landscape is changing dramatically, and we've got the inside scoop. In this eye-opening conversation, Sergeant Bruner returns to break down the major transformation happening within Army recruiting—starting with the elevation of U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) to U.S. Army Recruiting Division (USARD), now a …

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Marine Survived Desert Storm, Invaded Iraq with His Son, Then Survived Fallujah 1:28:24

2M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Meet Marine Corps veteran Armando Garcia, a dual-branch warrior who served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps. In this episode of Urban Valor, Garcia recounts his incredible journey from Desert Storm to Fallujah, including surviving a grenade blast, building military infrastructure, training future Marines, and even serving alongside h…

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S15E9 Why YOU Should Tell Your SFL Story 24:27

2M ago24:27

24:27

Our Soldiers for Life are Army ambassadors. They are amazing individuals who chose to dedicate themselves to serving their country, to making a difference. They help people in their communities understand - and connect with - our Army. And they help inspire the next generation to serve. And one of the most important ways that they do all of this is…

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Mandatory Fun Day: How Humor, Grit, and Service Fuel a Viral Voice for Veterans 26:12

2M ago26:12

26:12

In this episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry sits down with Army officer and viral military influencer Austin von Letkemann, better known as Mandatory Fun Day. With a decade as an enlisted soldier before commissioning, Austin delivers raw, hilarious, and brutally honest insights about military life — from barracks blunders to leadership that …

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FilmWeek: ‘The Life of Chuck,’ ‘Ballerina,’ ‘Karate Kid: Legends,’ ‘The Ritual,’ and More 31:38

2M ago31:38

31:38

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Life of Chuck In Select Theaters|Expands June 13 Ballerina Wide Release Karate Kid: Legends Wide Release Dangerous Animals Wide Release The Ritual Wide Release I Don’t Understand You In Sel…

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From Code to Command: Marlie Andersch on AI, GovCon, and Leadership After the Uniform 36:31

2M ago36:31

36:31

Air Force veteran Marlie Andersch, CEO of rockITdata, shares her raw journey from launching a tech startup before COVID to scaling in GovCon and AI. She dives into lessons on leadership, layoffs, hiring mistakes (including an AI bot!), and the real cost of loyalty. If you're building, leading, or navigating the veteran-to-entrepreneur path, this is…

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Iraqi Kid Leads Marines to Buried American Soldiers 1:55:19

2M ago1:55:19

1:55:19

Former U.S. Marine Michael Delery joins us on Urban Valor to share a powerful and haunting story from his time in Iraq. During the 2003 invasion, Mike’s unit was approached by a young Iraqi boy who led them to a shallow grave—revealing the remains of four missing American soldiers. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Mike faced nonstop pressur…

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FilmWeek: ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ ‘Bring Her Back,’ ‘Mountainhead,’ ‘Lost in Starlight,’ and More 30:25

2M ago30:25

30:25

FilmWeek: ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ ‘Bring Her Back,’ ‘Mountainhead,’ ‘Lost in Starlight,’ and More Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein, Beandrea July, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Phoenician Scheme In Select Theaters| Expands June 6 (next Friday) …

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Feature: Charles Burnett talks ‘Killer of Sheep’ 4K restoration, and the film’s lasting influence 19:05

2M ago19:05

19:05

Charles Burnett talks ‘Killer of Sheep’ 4K restoration, and the film’s lasting influence After a theatrical release in select theaters by Janus Films, the Criterion Collection now introduces the new 4K restoration of Charles Burnett’s 1977 feature debut film, Killer of Sheep, into its library. The film follows a family in Watts, with the father in …

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S15E8 U.S. Army Medical Retirement and Separation Process 38:56

2M ago38:56

38:56

If you are going through the Army medical retirement/separation process (we're including Soldiers, their families AND their Army commanders in that "you"), there is a LOT to know and do, but like everything we talk about, there are MANY resources out there to help. And on this week's all new Soldier for Life Podcast, Mr. Lemuel (Lem) Chance from th…

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