Gold Star Stories
Gold Star Stories is a podcast dedicated to the families left behind. Each episode features honest, emotional conversations with those who have lost a loved one in military service—spouses, siblings, parents, and children. These are stories of strength, grief, resilience, and legacy told in the voices of those who lived them. We don’t shy away from the heavy parts. We honor them. Because the impact of military loss doesn’t end with a folded flag—it lives on in the people who carry that story forward. 🎙️ Hosted by a Gold Star sibling 📲 Follow us on TikTok: @USAGoldStarStories 📍 New episodes every month If you’re a part of this community, or if you want to better understand what it means to truly serve and sacrifice—this podcast is for you.
Episodes
Today’s episode of Gold Star Stories hits close to home. Nick Letendre sits down with Shannon Duffy—veteran, advocate, and proud Gold Star sibling—to honor the life of her brother, Sergeant Shane Duffy.
Shannon was only 18, getting ready for senior prom, when she opened the door to two casualty officers. That moment changed everything. But in this episode, she shares so much more than loss. She tells us about Shane—the goofball,...
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Episode 14 – The Knock at the Door: Angelica Marta on Losing Her Brother, Orlando Perez
What does it mean to lose your big brother, your protector, and your best friend at just 16 years old?
In this emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Angelica Marta, whose older brother, Specialist Orlando Antonio Perez, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008. Orlando wasn’t just a soldier—...
In this emotional and eye-opening episode, Nick Letendre sits down with Nicole, a Marine Corps mom, educator, and fierce advocate, to honor the life of her son, Sergeant Colin Arslanbas—a Recon Marine who died during a preventable training accident in North Carolina.
Colin was more than a Marine. He was a husband, a big brother, a soon-to-be dad, and the kind of guy who made people laugh even in the most serious moments. Nicole ...
When a soldier comes home, the war isn’t always over. In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Natalie Brett, widow of Sergeant Daniel Brett—an Army MP, a devoted husband and father, and a man whose battle with invisible wounds ended in tragedy.
Natalie shares the full story: not just of Daniel’s death by suicide in 2023, but of his life—his humor, his love, his service, and the unbearable pres...
In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Paula Davis, a mother who has carried the unimaginable weight of losing her only child—Army Private First Class Justin Davis. At just 19 years old, Justin was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, a little over a year after joining the military. What followed for Paula was a journey marked by grief, service, and an unwavering commitment to making sure her son is never forgott...
🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s Story
In this powerful and emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Ashley Southard — a mother, a widow, and a woman rebuilding life in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. Her husband, Sergeant Andy Southard, a Black Hawk crew chief with the 160th SOAR, was killed during a training mission over the Mediterranean in November 2023.
Ashley shar...
In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Ami Neiberger shares the life and legacy of her younger brother, Specialist Christopher Neiberger, who was killed in Iraq by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) in 2007 — just three days after his 22nd birthday.
Ami opens up about the day everything changed, the emotional weight of sibling grief, and how she transformed her pain into purpose through advocacy and storytelling. Fro...
🎙️ Episode 5 - Mallory Crabtree: A Gold Star Daughter’s Journey
Welcome back to Gold Star Stories, hosted by Nick Letendre. Today, we are honored to sit down with Mallory Crabtree, daughter of Sergeant First Class Daniel B. Crabtree, a brave Green Beret who gave everything for his country when Mallory was just 17 months old.
Mallory’s perspective is unique — growing up shaped by her father’s legacy rather than direct memorie...
Episode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s Story
In this profoundly moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we’re honored to introduce you to Rachelle, an Army veteran whose incredible journey is marked by both heartwarming memories and profound tragedy. Uniquely a Gold Star spouse twice over, Rachelle courageously shares the story of her first husband, Staff Sergeant Daniel Merriweather, who was killed in action during his d...
In this episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Andi Hefti to share the story of her brother, Sergeant Jonathan Lootens, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.
Andi opens up about the moment she got the call, the overwhelming aftermath, and what it felt like to carry the weight of planning, paperwork, and public attention—while everyone else asked how her mom was doing. Her honesty sheds light on what it means t...
🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s Story
In this episode of Gold Star Stories, Jennifer Faulkner opens up about the life, love, and loss of her husband, Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner.
Michael was a devoted father, a joyful soul, and a man whose dream of flying led him to the U.S. Air Force. But beneath the surface, he carried the weight of past trauma and un...
🎙️ Episode 1: Honoring Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck – Kim Deck’s Story
In the first episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Kimberly Deck—widow of Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck—for an unfiltered, emotional look into the lasting impact of military loss. Sean served 23 years in the U.S. Navy. But when his final deployment ended, the battle didn’t.
Kimberly, known on TikTok as @One_Badass_Navywidow, opens up about g...
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