AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast

Jan 29 2025 100 ep. 28 mins 119
AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast artwork

AUSA’s Army Matters podcast amplifies the voices of the Total Army – one story at a time. Join hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey every other Wednesday as they interview the modern chroniclers of the Army experience to discuss inspiring leadership stories, current issues faced by soldiers, and our military families’ journeys.

  Government
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Leading Soldiers on—and off—the Field

Jan 29 2025 38 mins  
The 2024 football season was one of the best ever for the West Point Military Academy Black Knights football team. Leading the squad was head coach Jeff Monken, who has brought stability and strategy to a squad and allowed it to compete toe-to-toe with some of the top, best-funded football programs in the country over the last decade-plus. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (

Tales from a 99-Year-Old Army Vet

Jan 15 2025 32 mins  
Seventeen-year-old Jack Moran enlisted in 1944 to help fight the Nazis, and, within his first fifteen seconds of combat, he witnessed seven fellow Soldiers die. He went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, chase Nazis through Germany and help liberate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with the now-99-year-old M

One Big Happy Army Family

Jan 01 2025 33 mins  
The Army is a family—and just like with all families, communication is key. That’s why Soldier and Family Readiness Groups were created, and the Army continues to spread the word on the services they provide—and solicit feedback from all possible stakeholders. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Dee Geise, the Director of the Prevention, R

What the Army Taught an Olympic Champion

Dec 18 2024 38 mins  
In the final seconds of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Rugby 7s Bronze Medal game, the American squad came from behind for an upset victory, clinching its first-ever medal in the sport. Captain Sammy Sullivan played a huge role in the victory, and hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with her to discuss her journey from Army Brat to eventual Olympic cham

Stopping Enemy Drones

Dec 04 2024 36 mins  
Drone technology has made incredible advances in the last few years, and the Army is at the forefront of this technology. Leading the charge is Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda, who is the director of the Joint C-sUAS (Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) University and helping to train soldiers and other American groups on ways to defend against enemy drones. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. S

In Case of Financial Emergency, Call AER

Nov 20 2024 32 mins  
If Army Soldiers or officers find themselves in a financial emergency, the Army Emergency Relief (AER) organization is often the first place they turn to. SMA (Ret.) Michael “Tony” Grinston took over the helm of the group earlier this year, and he’s making changes that’ll take the organization to new heights. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit do

This Army Vet Wants to Fund Your Business

Nov 06 2024 32 mins  
After leaving the Army in 2010, Tim Hsia wasn’t quite sure what to do next, but he had an itch to become an entrepreneur. His path took him to Stanford University, where he found some inspiration, and now his Context Ventures has poured millions into veteran-led startup companies. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Tim to talk about his own b

Once-Classified Con Artists Receive the Spotlight

Oct 23 2024 41 mins  
Inflatable tanks. Phony uniforms. Fake radio traffic. In early 1944, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the “Ghost Army,” was founded, and its ragtag collection of artists, Soldiers and engineers oversaw almost two-dozen “deception missions” that saved the lives of an estimated 30,000 Soldiers. In March of this year, their work was recognized with the Congressio

A Memorial Day Miracle at “The Wall”

Oct 09 2024 38 mins  
On Mother’s Day, 1968, Army Medic SPC Allen Hoe watched 18 of his friends die in battle during the Vietnam War. In the five decades since then, he has devoted his life to helping the families of those fallen Soldiers and the Army community. And it was at a 2005 Memorial Day event in Washington that he met a nurse who returned the favor by giving Allen peace after the death of All

Finding Strength Through Tragedy: The Gold Star Mothers’ Story

Sep 25 2024 47 mins  
Almost 100 years ago, a mother grieving the loss of her son in battle brought together other mothers who were coping with similar losses; in the process, she started American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Over the past century, the organization has grown and continues to aid mothers—and families—through the grieving process, inspiring its members to continue a life of service. Hosts