Best VTC Podcasts (2025)

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Giving with Purpose: CEO Kurt Schake on Impact and Year-End Support 53:13

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1d ago53:13

53:13

Join us for an inspiring conversation with VTC CEO Kurt Schake as he shares highlights from his nine years as CEO, the accomplishments he’s most proud of, and the progress VTC has made in serving Veterans. We also discuss the importance of end-of-year giving, the different ways to support our mission, and how generosity during this season helps cha…

1
Mission-Driven Finance: Inside VTC with CFO Evan Heath and GPD’s Bill Gilreath 54:51

15d ago54:51

54:51

In this episode, we sit down with VTC’s CFO, Evan Heath, and GPD Case Manager, Bill Gilreath, for an inside look at what keeps our mission moving forward. Evan breaks down how the finance department operates behind the scenes and explains how community donations fill critical gaps. Supporting programs and services that grants and government funding…

1
Hope Restored: Stories of Change at VTC 53:35

22d ago53:35

53:35

In this episode, we talk with Steve, an LTORR case manager, and Gerald, a Marine veteran, about resilience, recovery, and the transformative power of VTC’s programs. Steve shares his experience working with Veterans and how it differs from the other clients he has worked with. Gerald opens up about his military service, struggles with addiction, an…

1
Behind the Grants: Thomas Lamphere is Back 54:00

1M ago54:00

54:00

In this follow-up conversation, we welcome Tom back to the podcast to dive deeper into his transformation, from military service, to VTC program graduate, to his impactful role as our grant writer. Tom reflects on the growth he’s experienced since his first appearance and the challenges and victories along the way. Join us as we explore what’s chan…

1
Where Policy Meets Practice 53:13

2M ago53:13

53:13

In this episode, we sit down with two incredible members of the VTC team: Will Myers, our Shelter Supervisor who oversees intake for Veterans entering the GPD program, and Tara Gibson, our dedicated HR Manager who helped build our HR department from the ground up. Will shares insight into what it’s like welcoming Veterans into our programs and help…

1
Voices of Impact: Dan and Kristen Scott 54:03

2M ago54:03

54:03

In this heartfelt episode, we reconnect with Dan and Kristen Scott, two former VTC team members whose compassion and dedication left a lasting mark on the Veterans they served. Joining us over the phone, Dan and Kristen share their experiences working at VTC, the moments that shaped their time here, and how their journey continues beyond the organi…

1
A Life Restored, Part 2: Continuing Ronnie’s Journey 53:07

2M ago53:07

53:07

In this follow up episode, Ronnie Randon opens up about life after renewal and how he continues to stay grounded in his purpose. Joined again by his case manager, Korina McKinley, they reflect on the progress he’s made since beginning the LTORR program.By veteransvoices-scv

1
A Life Restored: Ronnie’s Story of Renewal 54:03

3M ago54:03

54:03

This episode explores the transformative journey of Ronnie, a Veteran in our LTORR program, as he reflects on the power of forgiveness and the process of rebuilding his life. His case manager, Korina McKinley, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the LTORR department, sharing the what drives her work every day. Together, they illustrate how LTORR e…

1
Inside VTC: Bill, Kaleb & Randy Share Their Stories 53:54

3M ago53:54

53:54

In this episode, we sit down with three members of the VTC family. Kaleb, our Operations Director, shares what it takes to maintain our housing units and create safe spaces for Veterans. Bill Kelly, a Veteran and VTC Board Member, reflects on his time in the military and why he chose to join our board. And Randy, a proud VTC graduate turned staff m…

1
Supporting Veterans Through Food & Art 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

Join us in this inspiring episode as Veteran Kenneth Critchfield opens up about his time at VTC and the work he now does in our pantry, helping fellow Veterans access meals and support. We’re also joined by Ryan, a Veteran on our operations team, and Regina Palmer, who shares insights about VTC’s weekly art class.…

1
Dreams in Motion: Tom’s Bucket List Adventures 54:06

3M ago54:06

54:06

In this episode, we sit down with Veteran Tom Hawkins and his case manager, Delinda Watkins. Tom reflects on his time at the Veterans Transition Center, the joy of moving into his new home, and the dreams he’s excited to cross off his bucket list. Delinda shares her personal “why” for serving Veterans and the meaningful experience of supporting Tom…

1
The Many Roles of Marcus Blevins 54:13

4M ago54:13

54:13

In this episode, we talk with Marcus Blevins, an LTORR Veteran and dedicated member of the VTC team. Marcus shares his journey from military service to his role at VTC, where he wears many hats to support Veterans and their families.By veteransvoices-scv

1
Veteran and VTC Board Member Tony Tollner 52:56

4M ago52:56

52:56

In this episode, we sit down with Veteran and VTC board member, Tony Tollner. Tony shares his experiences serving in the military, his path into entrepreneurship, and the values that continue to guide him today. He also opens up about what drew him to VTC and why supporting fellow Veterans is so important to him.…

1
A Woman in Uniform: Yvonne’s Story of Service 54:25

4M ago54:25

54:25

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Aleen, case manager at Lightfighter Village, and resident Yvonne. Yvonne opens up about her experience as a woman in the military, the challenges she faced during and after service, and her journey of overcoming PTSD. Together, Aleen and Yvonne share powerful insights about resilience, recovery, and the supp…

1
More Than a Program: Denise, Craig, and a Life Saving Kidney 54:52

4M ago54:52

54:52

This week, we sit down with Craig Linfoot, VTC resident and front desk receptionist, alongside Denise Hernandez, Director of our LTORR program. Denise shares what it’s like leading the program and the many ways her team works daily to support our Veterans. Craig opens up about his military service, his journey with VTC, and how, thanks to Denise an…

1
A Conversation with Francisco and Steve Part 2: Building Futures Together 54:20

5M ago54:20

54:20

Francisco takes us deeper into his military journey, revealing how the discipline, hardships, and brotherhood of service have shaped not only who he is, but how he leads as GPD Director. His story is one of carrying the values of the battlefield into the heart of community service. Steve shares the next chapter of his own path, life after service, …

1
From Homeless to Community: Inside the GPD Program 54:52

5M ago54:52

54:52

GPD Director Francisco Narewski shares goes in depth about his military background and his roles as department director at VTC. Joining him is our Veteran resident Steve Hawthorne, as he opens up about life after service, his experience with homelessness, and how VTC helped him rebuild. Twice. A moving conversation about transformation, purpose, an…

1
A look at Lightfighter Village: From Case Management to Community 54:02

5M ago54:02

54:02

In this episode, we talk with Bobby Merritt, a longtime case manager at the Veterans Transition Center and current liaison for Lightfighter Village, and Gary Roidt, a U.S. Veteran and VTC graduate who now lives in the supportive housing community. Bobby and Gary share their personal experiences, insights on the transition from homelessness to housi…

1
The Determination of Richard Hibbard 54:01

5M ago54:01

54:01

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Richard Hibbard, a Veteran and former VTC resident whose journey is nothing short of remarkable. Richard opens up about life before, during, and after his time at VTC, reflecting on the people, moments, and ideas that helped shape his path forward. From launching his own radio segment, working on a new po…

1
Changing the Narrative: The Thomas Lamphere Story 52:42

6M ago52:42

52:42

In this powerful episode of Veteran Voices with VTC, our CEO Kurt Schake opens with a moving overview of the Veterans Transition Center and the life changing work being done to support veterans in crisis. He shares a heartfelt story of one Veteran’s transformation, setting the stage for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation with our guest, …

1
A Second Chance: Timothy's Journey 53:59

6M ago53:59

53:59

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Timothy Jackson, a former VTC resident, and Adriana Kosinski, one of our dedicated case managers who supported Timothy throughout his journey. Together, they share an inspiring story of transformation. Timothy opens up about his past and the path that led him to VTC, while Adriana offers a behind-the-scenes loo…

1
The Courage To Continue 18:22

2y ago18:22

18:22

We speak with Marine Corps veteran and VTC graduate Dillon Watts about his journey toward healing and wholeness and the difficulties of 'changing everything' for recovery. Listen in and hear this powerful story. VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery ~ VTC https://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/ Support https://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/ Music from the VTC …

1
Conversation with the District Attorney 23:49

2y ago23:49

23:49

We speak with Todd Williams, District Attorney of Buncombe County, and learn more about his work with the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). Todd Williams is a North Carolina native, the elected District Attorney for Buncombe County, and a Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor’s in Englis…

1
Breaking It Down: A Conversation with Dr. Vaske 18:45

2y ago18:45

18:45

We are excited to speak with Dr. Jamie Vaske, VTC researcher, statistician, and resident 'VTC Best-Practices Expert.' We dive deeper into the elements that make up the VTC, including procedural justice, equity, and collaboration. Dr. Vaske's research interests include quantitative methods, biosocial criminology, evidence-based diversion methods, an…

1
Marching Towards Healing: Conversation with a Veteran Change-Agent 24:40

2y ago24:40

24:40

We are thrilled to speak to Brandon Cowan, CPSS and Army veteran, about his transformational journey in the VTC. An essential part of Brandon's story is the utilization of Suboxone and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), which provided a platform for sustained recovery. Brandon now serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the VA Medical Cente…

1
VTC Partnerships: Pisgah Legal 16:41

2y ago16:41

16:41

Today, we speak with Robin Merrell, Managing Attorney at Pisgah Legal Services, about her role in supporting VTC veterans. Pisgah Legal Services seeks to pursue justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives. Robin states, "I serve the most vulner…

1
Mentors: The Backbone of the VTC 22:36

2y ago22:36

22:36

We are thrilled to speak with Robert O. Wirt Jr., Captain, USN (Ret), the Buncombe County VTC Mentor Coordinator, and Chairman of the VTC Foundation. Learn about the critical role that Mentors play in supporting VTC veterans and how more veterans can get involved to truly 'Leave No Veteran Behind.' VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery ~ Become a Mentor:…

1
Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) 19:48

2y ago19:48

19:48

Today, we speak with Katherine Houghton, LCSW, the VJO at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, to learn more about her role on the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program is an outreach initiative designed to provide legally involved veterans with linkages to VA and community resources…

1
Marine Veteran Finds Peace Through Service 15:43

2y ago15:43

15:43

Today, we speak to Daniel Conway, CADC and Coordinator for the Henderson County Recovery Court. This is an incredible story of transformation and healing. Tune in and listen to this inspirational story of a Marine Corps veteran's journey with addiction, PTSD, and unaddressed suffering. Just as Daniel found healing through the services and support o…

1
Judge Marvin Pope (Founder of the Buncombe County VTC) 25:22

2y ago25:22

25:22

Today, we speak to Judge Marvin Pope, the founder of the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Asheville, NC. Learning about his motivations for starting a treatment-based program for justice-involved veterans and his hopes for the future of the criminal justice system. This is the VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery…

1
A Soldiers Story of Recovery 14:23

2y ago14:23

14:23

Today, we hear the story of a VTC graduate who found himself struggling for years after his time in the Army. From struggling with substance misuse, mental health challenges, and PTSD to becoming a leader in the recovery community, this veteran showcases the very best of what a VTC can offer. VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery…

1
A VTC Veterans Story 20:47

2y ago20:47

20:47

Kevin Rumley, LCSW, Purple Heart Veteran, and VTC Program Director, talks to a VTC graduate about his journey of transformation and healing. While every VTC veteran's story is unique, certain factors are universal: honor, courage, and commitment. This is a commitment to remain open, and vulnerable, and grow from the experience of the VTC. This is t…

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Bonus: The Ultimate Outdoorswoman from Out There 28:58

4+ y ago28:58

28:58

Subtitle: How Harriet Tubman could change your perspective on who belongs outdoors Episode description: You probably learned about Harriet Tubman in school growing up — how she led slaves to freedom on the underground railroad. But she was a lot more than an activist and freedom fighter. She was a daughter, wife, entrepreneur — and a talented outdo…

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Bonus: Musician Rhiannon Giddens on Harriet 19:16

6y ago19:16

19:16

This bonus episode is a condensed version of our interview with musician, artist and activist Rhiannon Giddens. She’s a Grammy-winner, and you might know her as a founding member of the band Carolina Chocolate Drops. As we were really examining the experience of African Americans in the 19th Century, we discovered Rhiannon’s song, “At the Purchaser…

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Harriet’s Legacy Today: Strength, Courage & Triumph 23:10

6y ago23:10

23:10

In this episode, we pull Harriet’s story and the story of the African American experience in 19th Century America right through to the present. We talk about why a movie like Harriet is so important to us as Americans at this time. In this episode we heard from historians Ed Ayers, Elvatrice Belschese, Jessica Millward (Finding Charity's Folk), Cat…

1
The Enslaved & the Virginia Freedom Seekers 23:59

6y ago23:59

23:59

As we learn about Harriet Tubman, we not only peer into the incredible life of one of our country’s most iconic heroes, we also get a better understanding of the broader experience for African Americans in the 19th Century. In this episode, we travel to museums throughout Virginia and to the presidential homes of Thomas Jefferson (Monticello) and J…

1
Becoming Harriet 31:32

6y ago31:32

31:32

Harriet Tubman was so much more than the short history lesson we heard got her in school. She was a wife and mother, an entrepreneur, a soldier, a spy, a nurse and an activist who fought for women’s right to vote. In this episode, we explore the life of one of the bravest and most extraordinary women in our country’s history through interviews with…

1
Introducing 'Following Harriet' 2:16

6y ago2:16

2:16

Most people first met Harriet Tubman in a black and white photo in a textbook. We all read a couple paragraphs about how she was a conductor in the Underground Railroad. She saved the lives of people attempting to flee from slavery. That was it. That was the end of the story we got. But Harriet Tubman was so much more than that. She was a wife and …