Fragout Podcast

01/08/2026

Spiritual and exciting podcast with my friend Franki Mascato. Franki was on American Idol and she founded the Franki Mascato Foundation that focuses on young adults to preventing su***de and promote mental wellness through inspiration, education, and kindness.

We talked about both our experiences with bullying and how we used it to better our lives. We talked about music and her strong faith. This was a super fun podcast and I learned a lot. Episode will be live soon!

Franki Jo

01/06/2026

19 years of Veteran Advocacy 🇺🇸

Started helping veterans in 2007—never stopped.
15,000+ lives impacted across Wisconsin and the country.
Real advocacy is earned through time, consistency, and showing up when it’s hard.
This isn’t a phase or a title—it’s who I am. 🇺🇸

01/05/2026

19 Years of Veteran Advocacy

I started helping veterans in 2007—walking the hallways of the Milwaukee VA Hospital, handing out Christmas gifts. I had no idea then that this would become my life’s work.

Since that day, I’ve helped 15,000+ veterans, service members, and families. I’ve worked with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, The Pentagon, nonprofits, and as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. I’ve traveled every corner of Wisconsin—small towns, rural counties—hundreds of times to make an impact and save lives. I’ve traveled across the country mentoring and speaking with veterans from all walks of life.

I’ve stood with veterans at their highest moments—and sat with many at their lowest. This work is not for the weak or the faint-hearted.

Anyone can call themselves a veteran advocate. In my world, that title is earned. Experience matters. Time matters. Consistency matters. I was doing this work before most nonprofits even existed. Many try to mimic it—but they don’t understand it.

This is who I am.
I have no plans to slow down or stop.

I’m obsessed with helping fellow veterans and pushing them to build and manifest the life they want. My work ethic separates me from the rest.

I’m grateful for old friends, new collaborations, and the work still ahead.

See you all at work. 🇺🇸

01/01/2026

Day 1 — 2026.
This is the starting line. Tune out the noise and lock in. Execute your plan, stay disciplined, and let consistency do the talking. Hard work, focus, and a little obsession will always separate you from the rest.

#2026

12/26/2025

Ran into my friend Patrick from OffgridVisuals. He shot some great content for me this waterfowl season and took amazing pictures. We saw each other at Scheels.. we both were spending some Christmas money..🤣

Enjoy your fishing trip bud! 🤙🏻🇺🇸

12/24/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from The Fragout Podcast 🎄

To our veterans, service members, first responders, and families—thank you.

Christmas can be loud for some and heavy for others. For many in our community, it’s a reminder of deployments, empty chairs, missed moments, and battles that don’t always show on the outside. If that’s you—know this: you are not forgotten, and you are not alone.

This year, I’m grateful for every conversation, every story shared, every hunt, every message that said “this helped”. That’s why we do this. Real people. Real stories. Real impact.

If today is full of joy—soak it in.
If today is hard—reach out.
If you’re somewhere in between—hold the line.

From my family to yours, thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your trust. We’ll keep showing up, keep telling the truth, and keep taking care of our own.

Merry Christmas. 🇺🇸
See you at work in the new year.

— Ryan

12/22/2025

⬇️Christmas Wishlist ⬇️
🎥 ISO: Camera / Content Creator (Hunting + Events)

I’m looking for a camera person / content creator to help capture hunting experiences, outreach events, and real moments within the veteran community.

This is not just highlight reels — the goal is to film:
• 🎬 Mini-documentary style stories
• 📱 Micro content (short-form clips, reels, BTS)
• 🦆 Authentic hunting moments (waterfowl, turkey, deer)
• 🤝 Veteran outreach & community events

What This Includes:
• Commission: TBD (open to discussion)
• Barter options available
• Access to various hunting opportunities
• Invitations to outreach events
• Free swag, gear, and partner items
• Travel: TBD (based on schedule & location)

Who I’m Looking For:
• Someone who loves storytelling, not just filming
• Comfortable in outdoor environments & fast-moving situations
• Interested in building something meaningful
• Does NOT have to be a veteran
• Wants to help tell a bigger story through film

If you’re looking to help create a mini-documentary + ongoing content around purpose, camaraderie, and the outdoors — let’s talk.

📩 DM me with examples of your work or a short intro.

12/18/2025

High-Level Advocacy ✅

This is one of many initiatives I worked on in my last role.
The VA is complex—but unnecessary formalities and broken processes create backlogs that directly harm veterans financially, mentally, and physically.

I served as a full-time consultant for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, working alongside senior executives and GS-13 to GS-15 leadership.
That experience is what separates real advocacy from performative advocacy wannabes.

Veteran Advocacy is my reputation. I stand by it 100%.
See you at work. 🇺🇸

The Department of Veterans Affairs will slash the number of networks that support VA medical centers and realign policy offices to promote consistency.

12/16/2025

Veteran Advocacy Stories #14
Veteran was living in his car overnight and he had his daughter with him a few times we think. We coordinated with various programs for funds for a hotel for a few nights until his HUD/VASH voucher was approved for an apartment. Because he had a dependent 50% of the time his housing voucher was a priority.

12/15/2025

Real Impact. Real People. ✅

I got this message the other day from a veteran in a different state. That’s why I keep going. That’s why I don’t stop.

Stories matter. Stories heal. Stories remind people they aren’t alone.

I know I’ve got haters—and that’s fine. They’re welcome too.
This space is for anyone who needs it.

12/15/2025

‼️New episode is live‼️
#243 Rick Crosson

Rick is a retired LT. Colonel running for congress for the 8th Congressional district in Wisconsin.
Rick and I talked about his 20 years of service in the Army and how he decided to run for congress. This was fun and light hearted. Politics are not our usual type of content but this was just about his vision and mission.



https://www.reconsniperfoundation.org/vaspire

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fragout-podcast/id1483611193

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VI6WM6aCS5lfn5DDhziXh?si=LIBVgt7pTuWOszK2lirxTA

Libsyn: http://fragoutwivet.libsyn.com/

https://castbox.fm/channel/Fragout-Podcast-id2436093?country=us

12/12/2025

GO ARMY. BEAT NAVY. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Was in Maryland in November and made a quick stop at the U.S. Naval Academy—just establishing dominance early before the game.
Psychological operations matter.

Stopped by Annapolis to remind them what’s coming! 🙌🏻🇺🇸