Retired US Army Green Beret, author, and playwright Scott Mann shares the journey behind his new one-man play "11 Days," adapted from his book "Operation Pineapple Express," and opens up about the challenges veterans face after service, the importance of keeping promises, and the healing power of storytelling.

Discover how Scott channels his Special Forces experience into creative work, the lessons learned from loss and legacy, and why storytelling is vital for both veterans and civilians. Doug and Scott also discuss the realities of the Afghanistan withdrawal, moral injury, and the need for resilience in today’s world.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & Scott Mann’s background

5:00 – The creative process & one-man shows

15:00 – Coping with chaos after service

30:00 – Loss, legacy, and honoring the fallen

45:00 – The making of "11 Days"

1:00:00 – Storytelling, moral injury, and public perception

1:20:00 – Leadership lessons from Special Forces

1:40:00 – Writing discipline & creative advice 2:00:00 – Preparedness, security, and closing thoughts

In this special episode on the American Soldier podcast, host Douglas Taurel welcomes a variety of guests to discuss the importance of honoring veterans through art, music, and community support and featuring artist Kenny Curcio, who shares his heartfelt song 'American Soldier,' and Suzie Pepe from BAYADA. a nonprofit home health care organization that helps patients, including veterans, find hope in the cherished moments they have.

The episode highlights meaningful ways to give back, including touching personal stories, details about an event on November 6th featuring live performances and notable speakers, and the therapeutic role of equine therapy and peer support groups. Join us to learn more about veterans' crucial missions, challenges, and triumphs and how we can all contribute to honoring those who have served.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:35 Kenny Curcio's Musical Inspiration

03:01 Suzie Pepe and BIDA's Mission

06:20 Event Details and Community Involvement

09:01 Honoring Veterans and Personal Stories

16:54 Musical Performances and Personal Reflections

19:56 Ozzy Osbourne and Crazy Train

21:11 Introducing Metallica to the Kids

21:48 Favorite Guitarists and Bands

22:15 Guns N' Roses and Axl Rose Stories

23:05 Kenny's Music and Songwriting

25:15 Supporting Veterans and Community Work

28:44 Challenges Faced by Veterans

38:51 Upcoming Veterans Event Details

Kenny Curcio Website: https://kennycurciomusic.com/ Contact: kennycurciomusic@gmail.com Suzie Pepe / BAYADA spepe@bayada.com or 267-638-1483

November 6th Event @ 11am / Nov 6th 2024

LEHMAN MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH 300 S. YORK RD. HATBORO,

The American Soldier is a one-man show made to HONOR our Veterans and Military families. Its goal is to say THANK YOU to our Veterans and their families. Based on letters from Veterans and their families, spanning from the Revolution to our recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The script has been crafted through extensive research and countless interviews with veterans and their family members. It has been nominated for an Amnesty International Award for theatre excellence, received 4 out of 5 stars at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and been featured in The Huffington Post, The Military Times, The Washington Post, Washington Times, DC Metro, US Veteran Magazine and Time Out, to name a few.

Websites:

wwwTheAmericanSoldierSoloShow.com

www.LandingHomeWebseries.com

www.DouglasTaurel.com

Say hi on social:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglastaurel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasTaurel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglastaurel/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglastaurel/

Today I had the honor to speak to Veteran Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann. A Veteran and a former US Army Green Beret with tours worldwide, including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. We discussed my play, The American Soldier, and his powerful play, "Last Out," and plans for his new play based on his unbelievable and selfless mission, "Pineapple Express." Where he helped rescue Afgan Special Forces, who fought so bravely alongside our brothers and sisters.

My interview with Diana Vasquez, Seargent V. An amazing woman, a Purple Heart recipient, and a fantastic poet.

I was privileged to interview Sgt. First Class Brian Eisch on patriotism, veteran's response to my solo show, and what he feels can help our veterans transition back home from service. We also discussed his thoughts on how communities might better understand and support our veterans when they return. And how society can more openly discuss the needs of veterans and their families.