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.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 46 minutes
- Episodes
- 15
- Years Active
- 2025
Honoring Lance Corporal Larry Philippon - Bryan's Story
In this deeply personal episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Bryan Philippon to remember his big brother, Lance Corporal Lawrence Robert “Larry” Philippon. Larry was larger…
Episode 18 - Honoring SSgt Edvin Franco - Georgia's Story
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Georgia, wife of Staff Sergeant Edvin Franco, a U.S. Army tank mechanic whose life and legacy continue to shine thr…
The Bond That Doesn’t Break – Renee Tomlinson on Losing Her Son, LCpl Albert Garcia - Episode 17
In this deeply moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Renee Tomlinson, the proud mother of Lance Corporal Albert Garcia, a U.S. Marine who lost his life in a tragic car accident on bas…
Episode 16 - Honoring Sgt Shane Duffy - Shanon's Story
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 Duf…
Episode 14 - Honoring SPC Orlando Perez - Angelica's Story
🎙️
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…
Episode 11 - Honoring SGT Colin Arslanbas - Nicole's Story
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 Marin…
Episode 10 - Honoring Sgt. Daniel Brett - Natalie's Story
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 h…
Episode 9: Honoring PFC Justin Davis - Paula's Story
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 1…
🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s Story
🎙️ 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 woma…
Episode 6 - Honoring SPC Chris Neiberger - Ami's Story
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 penet…
🎙️ Episode 5 - Honoring Sergeant First Class Daniel B. Crabtree - Mallory's Story
🎙️ 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 Sergean…
Episode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s Story
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 m…
🎙️ Episode 3: Sergeant Jonathan Lootens – Through the Eyes of a Sister - Andi Hefti's Story
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…
🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s Story
🎙️ 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 hu…
Episode 1: Honoring Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck – Kim Deck’s Story
🎙️ 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 unfi…