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Beyond the Frontlines: Veterans in the Humanities

Beyond the Frontlines: Veterans in the Humanities

Written by: Missouri Humanities
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Drawing on the legacy of Proud to Be, Missouri Humanities is thrilled to release "Beyond the Frontlines: Veterans in the Humanities." Hosted by Missouri Humanities Program Coordinator and Marine Corps Veteran Nick Lopez, this podcast explores veterans’ experiences during their military service and how that service led them to art, poetry, prose and the preservation of history and culture. Disclaimer: This podcast contains themes of war and violence, and the use of adult language. Discretion is advised. If you are a veteran in crisis please call the Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. Episodes 1-9: "Proud to Be" highlights veterans, military personnel, and family members published in Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Proud to Be (PTB) is a creative writing anthology that preserves and shares our nation’s military experience through poetry, fiction, essay, interviews, and photography. This season interviews PTB contributors as we discover their military affiliation and the stories behind their PTB contributions.Missouri Humanities Council Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • W[A]RN and TRANSFORMED: Uniforms as Stories of U.S.
    Apr 21 2026

    Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Frontlines. In this episode we feature three veteran artists, Drew Cameron, Martin Lesinski and John Schnieder, who participated in the W[A]RN and TRANSFORMED: Uniforms as Stories of U.S. exhibit, at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Missouri. Our host Nick Lopez moderated a panel discussion with the veterans and discussed Drew’s program Combat Paper, www.combatpaper.org, and each of their processes of transitioning and healing after military service.

    We want to thank Nicole Johnston, Curator of Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection, who allowed us to be a part of this program. The W[A]RN and Transformed exhibit was presented by The State Historical Society of Missouri and Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection at Mizzou and sponsored by Mizzou College of Arts & Science, Missouri Arts Council, and Missouri Humanities. The exhibit will be on view until August 15, 2026, for more information: https://shsmo.org/exhibitions/warn-and-transformed-uniforms-stories-us-exhibition.

    This podcast episode was supported by The Veterans United Foundation and Missouri Arts Council.

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    36 mins
  • Part 2: Matt Gallagher, Veteran and Author
    Mar 9 2026

    This podcast contains discussions of war, violence, and the realities of military service. It also includes strong language. Listener discretion is advised.

    In this episode of Beyond the Frontlines: Veterans in the Humanities, we sit down with Army veteran and acclaimed author Matt Gallagher, whose work explores the moral complexities of war and the long shadows it casts long after service ends.

    Matt is the author of four books, including the novels Youngblood, a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and Daybreak. Through fiction and nonfiction alike, he wrestles with questions of duty, identity, and the personal cost of conflict. A U.S. Army veteran who served in the Iraq War, Matt brings firsthand experience to his storytelling—writing with both unflinching honesty and deep humanity.

    Beyond his novels, Matt has reported on the ongoing war in Ukraine as a correspondent for Esquire and Arrowsmith Journal, continuing his commitment to bearing witness to war’s realities.

    Join us as we examine Matt’s memoir Kaboom and novel Daybreak, and how he transformed combat experience into literature that challenges, confronts, and ultimately deepens our understanding of war and the human condition.

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    45 mins
  • Matt Gallagher, Veteran and Author
    Mar 2 2026

    This podcast contains discussions of war, violence, and the realities of military service. It also includes strong language. Listener discretion is advised.

    In this episode of Beyond the Frontlines: Veterans in the Humanities, we sit down with Army veteran and acclaimed author Matt Gallagher, whose work explores the moral complexities of war and the long shadows it casts long after service ends.

    Matt is the author of four books, including the novels Youngblood, a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and Daybreak. Through fiction and nonfiction alike, he wrestles with questions of duty, identity, and the personal cost of conflict. A U.S. Army veteran who served in the Iraq War, Matt brings firsthand experience to his storytelling—writing with both unflinching honesty and deep humanity.

    Beyond his novels, Matt has reported on the ongoing war in Ukraine as a correspondent for Esquire and Arrowsmith Journal, continuing his commitment to bearing witness to war’s realities.

    Join us as we examine Matt’s memoir Kaboom and novel Daybreak, and how he transformed combat experience into literature that challenges, confronts, and ultimately deepens our understanding of war and the human condition.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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