First Coast Military Life
First Coast Military Life

Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are proudly rooted in military tradition — we’re honored to be America’s premier military community. A weekly radio talk show and podcast dedicated to the stories, challenges, and triumphs of our region’s veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and the community that supports them. Airing every Sunday at 8 a.m. on FM 104.5 WOKV, and available anytime online and via podcast, First Coast Military Life explores the full landscape of military and post-military life. From finding a purposeful life post their military journey to transitioning out of service to navigating VA benefits and highlighting organizations offering essential support, our mission is to inform, connect, and empower. We also shine a spotlight on local events, community initiatives, and programs that strengthen bonds between the military, veterans, and the wider First Coast community. If it matters to military families and those who support them, we’ll talk about it—on First Coast Military Life. Our goal is to be a trusted resource and a strong voice for those who serve, have served, and the communities that stand behind them!

Guests include: Bill Hickey (JEA/Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business Program), and Dee Quaranta (NE Florida Women's Veterans).
Featured guests: JSEB Nonprofit Manager Dana Warsop, and Our Community Salutes w/ Ryan Bauman.
Guests include Michelle McManamon (CEO Operation New Uniform) and John Bear (CEO Five Star Veterans Center).
Guests include Nick Howland (City Council VP & Fire Watch Executive Director), and Dan Bean (President of USS Orleck Executive Board).
Chris Budihas looks at non-profit organizations started, run by, and/or serving military veterans. Guests include Dana Warsop from the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business Program, and Dan Bean from K9s For Warriors.
This week's guests: Maj. Matt Weber, and a profile of Task Force Hydra 1 with CWO Rick Van Rickley.
Guest is Col. Todd Hopkins, plus a feature on non-profit mental health & crisis intervention service "Here Tomorrow" with Brannon Hicks.
Guests include Nick Padlo, of Sophros Recovery, and a spotlight on USO with Aaron Bowman.
Guests include: Col. David Abramowitz (Ret) from Duval County Veterans Court, and a philanthropy spotlight on The Fire Watch with Nick Howland.
Guests include retired Warrant Officer Nathan Robinson of Red Class Solutions; and a profile of non-profit NE Florida Women Veteran's Organization, with President & CEO Dee Quaranta.
This week's guests include: Rear Admiral Gene Kindall (R), and a charity spotlight on Operation Lifeline w/ LtCol Erick Saks (Ret).
Guests include: Dan Bean (K9s for Warriors); Manny Vera (Travis Manion Foundation)
This week's guests include: Lt. Gen. Walt Piatt (Ret), CEO of Wounded Warrior Project; and US Navy veteran Steven Papas, Director of the UF Haley Brian Wellness Program.
Guests include: Jax City Councilman Col. Chris Miller (Ret), USN Capt. Dan Bean (Ret) of K9s For Warriors.
Guests include: Lt. General (Rt) Guy Swan, reflecting on his service career and business/community involvement beyond his service tenure; and with VeteransMuseum.org Scott Mythen.
This week's guests inlcude: COL(R) Felix Rodriguez; Operation New Uniform Update w/ Michele McManamon.
On this week's episode: 21st Century Housing Purchase Need to Know as a Vet w/ Tom Reber ; USS Orleck w/ Dan Bean ; Critical Thoughts for Future Financial Stability thru and Beyond Military Service w/ Steve Strum .
This week's guest lineup includes: USN Captain (Ret.) Aaron Bowman, discussing USO charitable programs; Candace Mabry discusses First Coast Honor Flights; and COJ's Military & Veterans Affairs Director Harrison Conyers discusses military recognition events and veterans care resources.
Brigadier General (Ret.) Mike Fleming discusses the Cohen Center. USN Captain (Ret.) Aaron Bowman discusses USO charitable programs.
Col. Budihas discusses the new Chief of Navy Operations, Admiral Daryl Caudle, who took command of the US Navy earlier this week. This week's guest is COJ's Military & Veterans Affairs Director Harrison Conyers, and this week features a spotlight on First Coast Honor Flights with president Candace Mabry.
On this week's episode, US Army veteran and VA certified practicing attorney Terrence Gorman discusses challenges and strategies for filing and executing VA benefit claims. And we look at Operation Lifeline w/ Erick Saks.
What sort of opportunities exist in emerging technology after military service? And how do skills acquired in the military translate into the civilian/business sector? Guests include: US Navy veteran and Tech & Manufacturing Expert Rory Comiskey, and Our Community Salutes w/ Ryan Bauman.
FCML profiles former and current military service personnel and their engagements in the Jacksonville business and social community. This week's guests include Scott Forbes (Verizon's Director of Drone Operations), and Nick Howland (Fire Watch).
Guests include: Councilman Jimmy Peluso, USNR Commander, and John Bear, CEO for 5-Star Veteran's Center.
This week's episode addresses transitioning out of military life into civilian careers. Guests: Randall Thomas, US Navy vet and host of the "PB & Jax" podcast; and Steve Pappas with the UF Leon Hailey Brian Wellness Clinic.
Topics include entrepreneurship after military service. Guests: Greg Grant, Jacksonville Small/Emerging Business Program -- Jodie Biehlman, Steven Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone.
Retired Colonel Chris Budihas hosts the premiere episode of First Coast Military Life. The show explores active duty and post-military life, local events, community initiatives, and programs that strengthen the bond between military, veterans, and the wider First Coast community. If it matters to military families and those who support them, we’ll talk about it