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#77 ds Honoring Veteran Storytellers: The Vision Behind the Military Veteran Entertainment Awards

Feb 10, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

On this episode of The Goode Show, I sit down with Joe Ramirez — U.S. Marine veteran and founder of the Military Veteran Entertainment Awards (MVA) in Los Angeles. After transitioning out of the military, Joe recognized something most people overlook: there is an entire creative community inside the military. Veterans and service members are working in film, television, music, and production — writing, directing, editing, acting, and telling powerful stories — yet there was no dedicated platform acknowledging their work. Instead of waiting for recognition to come, Joe created it. The Military Veteran Entertainment Awards were built to honor military creatives both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, giving them visibility, community, and a renewed sense of purpose after service. In our conversation we talk about transition, identity beyond the uniform, and how storytelling helps veterans process their experiences and stay connected. If you’ve ever wondered what comes after the mission… this episode is it. Listen now, and if you want to watch the full conversation, head over to The Goode Show on YouTube and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes.