Raven Conversations
News & Politics
About
The official podcast of the Washington National Guard.
Episodes
- Raven Conversations - Aviators serving together since 2007, on active duty and now in the Guard
Jarin Trakel and Sandy Brainard share their 17-year experience serving together in the Aviation community within the Washington Army National Guard, transitioning from active duty.
- Raven Conversations - WA National Guard 4th Command Chief Warrant Officer, with CW5 Marc Brackett
CW5 Marc Brackett, the 4th Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Washington National Guard, shares his career path within the Washington Army National Guard in this episode of Raven Conversations.
- Raven Conversations - WA National Guard Safety Office, with SSG Tom Foose and SGT Mike Cummings
SSG Tom Foose and SGT Mike Cummings from the WA National Guard Safety Office join Raven Conversations to discuss service member safety, both on and off duty. The episode touches on training, field experience, teamwork, and resilience.
- Raven Conversations - Tactical Data Link Manager, with SSgt James Carlson
SSgt James Carlson, who serves as a Tactical Data Link Manager for the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, discusses his role in this episode of Raven Conversations.
- Raven Conversations - Special Operations Detachment - Pacific (SOD-P), with MSG Sotheara Chum
MSG Sotheara Chum, a member of the Special Operations Detachment - Pacific (SOD-P), is featured in this episode of Raven Conversations.
- Raven Conversations - Jungle Operations Training Course, with 2LT Jenner Sapienza
Raven Conversations: Today, we are joined by 2LT Jenner Sapienza, 205th RTI Training Officer. Listen in as he talks about his experiences at the Jungle Operations Training Course.
- Raven Conversations - From PVT to SGM as a CBRN Specialist (74D), with SGM Maria Lepe
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we sit down with SGM Maria Lepe, Western Regional Counterdrug Training Center (WRCTC) Operations Sergeant Major. Listen in as she talks about her military journey and how she moved up the ranks from…
- Raven Conversations - Personal Financial Counselor, with Christopher Lilley
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we invite Christopher Lilley, a Personal Financial Counselor who is here to serve members of the Washington National Guard.
- Raven Conversations - Swiftwater Rescue Team, with LT Olson from WA Fish & Wildlife and SFC Hiatt
Raven Conversations: Today, we are joined by LT Erik Olson from WA Fish & Wildlife and SFC Austin Hiatt, Washington National Guard Operations and Training (G3). Listen in as they talk about the recent flood support and the Washington Swift…
- Raven Conversations - Public Health in the Air National Guard, with TSgt Jabari Guary
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by TSgt Jabari Guary, a member of the 194th Medical Group. Tune in as he talks about working in public health with the Washington Air National Guard.
- Raven Conversations - VA Compensation While Serving in the Guard, with Annie DeAndrea
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we welcome Annie DeAndrea, Joint Services Support Transition Assistance Specialist.
- Raven Conversations - Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), with MSgt Brandon Smith
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we welcome MSgt Brandon Smith, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Flight Chief for the 194th Communications Squadron.
- Raven Conversations - Military Intelligence vs Information Operations, with MAJ Jesse Morgan
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we welcome MAJ Jesse Morgan from the 156th Information Operations Battalion.
- Raven Conversations - My Journey in the National Guard, with 1LT Mikhenna Miller
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we welcome 1LT Mikhenna Miller. Join us as she talks about her journey in the National Guard.
- Raven Conversations - Inactive Ready Reserve_ Called Back into Service, with 1SG Dan Massey
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by 1SG Dan Massey, who talks about the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and how he was called back into service.
- Raven Conversations - Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, NGB with SEA John Raines & Karen Raines
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by two very special guests! Make sure you tune in to this episode as SEA John Raines, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, National Guard Bureau and his spouse Ka…
- Raven Conversations - Generations of Service_ A Father and Sons National Guard Story
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we invite COL Jack Mushallo, Washington National Guard Chief of Staff and his son, PFC Ethan Mushallo.
- Raven Conversations - Air National Guard Education Benefits, with MSgt Davis and MSgt Rivera
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we welcome MSgt Davis and MSgt Rivera, who talk about Air National Guard Education Benefits.
- Raven Conversations - Joint Services Support, with Deb Discolo
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we invite Deb Discolo, Lead Military and Family Readiness Specialist for the Joint Services Support.
- Raven Conversations - Human Performance Optimization Team, with Dustin Chadwick
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by Dustin Chadwick from the Human Performance Optimization Team.
- Raven Conversations - 252nd Cyberspace Operations Group, with COL Jack Johnson
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we invite COL Jack Johnson, who talks about the 252nd Cyberspace Operations Group.
- Raven Conversations - My Career in the National Guard from Signal to Intel, with 1SG Heidi Cristel
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by 1SG Heidi Cristel, who discusses her 28 years of service and her transition from a signal soldier to an intelligence specialist.
- Raven Conversations - Social Media Content Creating, with MAJ John Howell
Raven Conversations: We welcome MAJ John Howell (WA Army National Guard G33) to the show! Find out how MAJ Howell went from working in the Recruiting and Retention Battalion to becoming a content creation powerhouse. Get the backstory on h…
- Raven Conversations - My Journey into Aviation, with CW2 Cruz and WO1 Vasilauskas
Raven Conversations: Ever wondered what it really takes to pursue a career in aviation and serve with purpose? In our latest Raven Conversations podcast, we sit down with CW2 Cruz & WO1 Vasilauskas as they share their unique journeys into…
- Raven Conversations - Life After 44 Years of Service in the Military, with MG Bret Daugherty (Ret.)
Raven Conversations: We are joined by Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty (Ret.) Join us as he shares the story of his 44 years in the military and what life is like after the National Guard.
- Raven Conversations - From Commissioned to Enlisted to Warrant, with CW5 Tim Gordon (Ret.)
Raven Conversations: Join us for a fascinating conversation with CW5 Tim Gordon (Ret.), the former Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Washington National Guard! In this episode, Tim shares his extraordinary journey through the ranks, co…
- Raven Conversations - Lumenas MindGym, with Brandon Murphy
Raven Conversations: We are joined by Branden Murphy, Lumena MindGym's Chief Revenue Officer. Listen in as he introduces us to Lumena's MindGym and how it will benefit members of the Washington Military Department. In this episode, Tim sha…
- Raven Conversations - Adapting to Military Culture, with CPT Troy Evans and Val Osollo
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we sit down with CPT Troy Evans, 1st Corps. Public Affairs and his spouse, Val Osollo. Tune in as they talk about adapting to the military culture as newlyweds and their experiences together in the m…
- Raven Conversations - 35T Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer, with SGT Stephen Fujita
Raven Conversations: In today's episode, we are joined by SGT Stephen Fujita, a 35T Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer. Tune in as he talks about his career field.
- Raven Conversations - WA Army National Guard Recruiters, with SFC Adam Lorey and SFC Tramal Williams
In this episode of Raven Conversations, join SFC Adam Lorey and SFC Tramal Williams as they dive into what it means to serve, the opportunities available in the Washington Army National Guard, and how prospective Soldiers and their familie…
- Raven Conversations - My Story of Survival, with CPT Paula Ramirez
Raven Conversations: Today, we are joined by CPT Paula Ramirez, who shares her incredible story of finding her inner strength and overcoming obstacles in her life.
- Raven Conversations - WA Air National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, with CMSgt Stephen Nolan
Raven Conversations: Today, we are joined by CMSgt Stephen Nolan, WA Air National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader. Tune in as he talks about his journey in the Washington Air National Guard.
- Raven Conversations - Beyond the Rank: The Mission of Giving Back, with CW3 Joshua Orr
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we sit down with CW3 Joshua Orr to discuss the powerful intersection of military service and volunteering. While many see the uniform as the ultimate form of service, Joshua shares how his journey in…
- Raven Conversations - Missouri Senator and Air National Guardsman, with Capt. Steven Roberts
Welcome to another Cobra Gold 2026 edition of Raven Conversations. In today's episode, we talk to Capt. Steven Roberts, Senator for the State of Missouri and Air National Guardsman. Join us as he talks about his second experience at Cobra…
- Raven Conversations - Cobra Gold 2026 Royal Thai Navy, with LTJG (Ninyar) NAPASSAKORN TIPSO
Welcome to a special edition of Raven Conversations. This week, we’re reporting from the Kingdom of Thailand for Cobra Gold 2026. Joining us is Lieutenant Junior Grade Napassakorn 'Ninyar' Tipso to discuss the vital role of the Royal Thai…
- Raven Conversations - Department of Defense Warrior Games, with SGT Bianca Hayden
Welcome to another Cobra Gold 2026 edition of Raven Conversations. In today's episode, we talk to SGT Bianca Hayden, who shares her experience at the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
- Raven Conversations - 3rd Rotation to Kingdom of Thailand for Cobra Gold, with MAJ Nathan Frei
Welcome to another Cobra Gold 2026 edition of Raven Conversations. In today's episode, we talk to MAJ Nathan Frei, who shares his experience at his third Cobra Gold rotation. Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on the bell notificatio…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 151 - My Journey in the National Guard, with MAJ (Ret.) Brian Nelson
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by MAJ (Ret.) Brian Nelson. Please tune in and listen to his journey in the Washington National Guard. He discusses his struggles, how he overcame them and his wor…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 150 - Col. (Ret.) Greg Allen
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by COL (Ret.) Gregory Allen, former commander of the 96th Troop Command. Please tune in and listen to his journey from active duty to the National Guard and his experiences as a leader…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 149 - Col. (Ret.) Bill Pola
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by COL (Ret) Bill Pola, previous commander of the 2nd Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute. Join us as he talks about his career while in the Washington…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 149 - Col. Matthew Cooper
Raven Conversations - In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by COL Matthew Cooper, United States Property and Fiscal Officer.
- Raven Conversations: Episode 148 - Washington Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, with SFC Leif Wywadis
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by SFC Leif Wywadis, a member of B Co., 181st Brigade Support Battalion. Tune in as he talks about the Washington Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
- Raven Conversations: Episode 147 - Col. (Ret.) Adam Iwaszuk
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we're joined by COL (Ret.) Adam Iwaszuk, director of the Construction and Facilities Management Office.
- Raven Conversations: Episode 146 - Washington National Guard State Partnership Program Stryker Exchange
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we take you on location to the Kingdom of Thailand, where we are joined by CW4 Ricky Thomas, Joint Force Headquarters Senior Maintenance Warrant Officer and 1SG Jacob Harrington, 1st Battalion 205th…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 145 - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Jeremy "Java" Horn
In this episode of Raven Conversations, Brig. Gen. (R) Jeremy Horn talks about his career after retiring from the Washington National Guard with Alaska and Horizon Airlines
- Raven Conversations: Episode 142 - Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States w/ Bob Sweeney
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by SGM (R) Bob Sweeney, President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). Tune in as he speaks about his journey in the National Guard and how h…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 144 - My National Guard Story with Maj. Drew Nevins
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by Maj. Drew Nevins, Information Operations officer with the 156th Information Operations Battalion. Drew shares his Guard story, talks about his time in recruiting, military police, bu…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 143 - Think Twice: Educating and Bringing Awareness, with MAJ Shaun Neil
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we are joined by MAJ Shaun Neil, a member of the 56th Theater Information Operations Group. Tune in as he talks about his career in the National Guard and how he got involved with Think Twice. Learn…
- Raven Conversations: Episode 140 - Recruit Sustainment Program with SFC Rebecca Gaines
In this episode of Raven Conversations, SFC Rebecca Gines, the Recruit Sustainment Program Area 2 NCOIC, discusses RSP and how it has helped soldiers during their Initial Entry Training.
- Raven Conversations: Episode 141 - Serving the Community in Different Uniforms, with CMSgt Lawson SGT Sprowl
In this episode of Raven Conversations, we invite guest host CMSgt Allan Lawson, State Senior Enlisted Leader and guest SGT Matt Sprowl, a member of the 122nd Theater Public Affairs Support Element. Tune in as SGT Sprowl talks about his mo…