It was 22 years ago that Dave and his radio co-host, Sydney J. Michaels, sat down on The Dave Carter Show in North Carolina and shared some laughs with Dave’s radio audience. Now, Dave brings Sydney our direction, and we think you’ll be glad he did. For the first time since 1997, Dave and Sydney “mic up,” and the laughs flow as easily as an uncorked bottle full of mischief. Along the way, they even manage to unearth a few keys to a good life and happy memories. But mainly,…they laugh, we laugh, and we’re pretty sure you’ll laugh too.

“This is the most difficult, and yet the most important, podcast that I’ve done.” With those words, Dave Carter told us of the conversation he had with author and military mom, Phyllis Hardin, whose son lost his life while in the care of a military medical system rife with mismanagement and unaccountable malpractice. The conversation takes us from the circumstances surrounding Master Sergeant William Cornett’s death, to a comprehensive discussion on needed reforms and current initiatives to enact those reforms. For a small glimmer into the people whose lives were forever altered by military medical malpractice, you can watch the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the topic just a few days ago:
https://armedservices.house.gov/2019/4/feres-doctrine-a-policy-in-need-of-reform. Read Hardin’s book, “The Dead American Dream: The Hidden Face of Military Non-Combat Healthcare 1981-2013, Master Sergeant William Cornett,” here: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-American-Dream-Non-Combat-Healthcare/dp/1644245299/.

So this is a tough one,…not because it isn’t compelling. On the contrary, it’s compelling beyond description. But the subject matter is difficult to hear, though hear it we must. In 1995, 18 year-old Yadyra Fiol enlisted in the Air Force and became a Security Forces member because she wanted to be part of the Air Force’s combat force. What then followed was a succession of medical incidents that left her traumatized and with severe physical ailments that persist to this day. A former Security Forces member himself, Dave give his fellow Veteran a chance to tell her story. As Dave wrote us, “The eloquence with which Yadyra speaks of these horrific events is testament not only to the lady’s endurance, but her dedication to make sure that no one ever goes through this kind of thing again.” Dave noted that toward the end of the interview, it was obvious that his fellow Veteran was starting to feel poorly as yet another migraine was kicking in. The conversation methodically tracks many incidents, and among the questions asked was whether Yadyra would be willing to put on the uniform again, after all she had been through. We think you’ll find the answer to this and other questions well worth listening to.

Ever heard of The Tennessee Waltz? It was written by Redd Stewart, along with Pee Wee King, and this week Dave sits down with Redd Stewart’s nephew, Larry Stewart, who is an accomplished musician himself, to talk about the story of that iconic American standard and Larry’s own career as one of the finest steel guitarists in the country. “I guess I’ve led a charmed life in some respects,” Dave writes, “because I’ve been able to get to know some remarkable people, Larry Stewart being smack at the top of the list.”

Taking a needed reprieve from political theater, Larry and Dave instead talk about “Uncle Redd,” and the type of guy he was off-stage. After reminiscing about playing “dueling records” as kids, Larry traces his own career in country music before talking about the direction that country music is currently taking. You won’t want to miss this.