The official podcast and initiative by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) (https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2025/11/waking-up-with-the-vfw), aiming to build community and support for veterans and service members through video games, featuring veteran hosts Smank and Cootie Shadow, guest interviews, and discussions on veteran mental health and videogames.
In this episode, Shadow and Smank invite on many of the friendly faces of CTG.
30 Mar 2026
Smankolish
In this episode... well? what did you learn? Listen and find out.
23 Mar 2026
The Mitch Fuller Episode
In this episode Cootie Shadow and Smank invite in our Producer Mission Commander as an aid with the "terrible weather." The Podcast also invites in a fan favorite Mitch Fuller as they discusses the legislative efforts of the VFW, the Grunt Style Foundation and the force multiplication factors, and hemp products usage by veterans who are looking for relief and its barriers.
16 Mar 2026
Sarge and the CTG iRacing Race Team
In this episode of Waking up with the VFW's Combat Tested Gaming Podcast, Host Cootie Shadow and Co-host Smank explore the world of iRacing: as they interview Game/Race Team Lead Chris "Sarge" Norris.
9 Mar 2026
Bonus Army March 2026- By the VFW
Cootie Shadow and Smank are rambling as normal, with the spritz of VFW. Producer Mission Commander "Ronnie Steele" attended and shared the walk with the Podcast.
23 Feb 2026
An Episode about Social Anxiety
Cootie Shadow gives Discount Dad some advice. Cant say it is good or if its bad, you can listen and tell
16 Feb 2026
Healing Properties of Video Games
Discount Dad and Cootie Shadow discuss many ways that video games are a way of the future. Ways that video games and shenanigans create comradery and change veterans lives.
9 Feb 2026
What a Monday
Discount Dad is not feeling of the weather, but CTG makes him feel better. Cootie Shadow has been snowed in for the past week. Listen in to Discount Dad and Cootie Shadow recollect whatever that they can from their mind boggling weeks
2 Feb 2026
Cootie Episode
In this episode our host Stocker says his farewell as Discount Dad is introduced. We also introduce our listeners to the World of Cooties, as we introduce the National Commander Tracy Woodman, National Sr Vice Commander Ronnie Steele, and National President Dawn VanTassel to the outside world.
27 Jan 2026
Always Give Back
Stocker, Cootie, and Peeps are delving out Mental Health and Gaming as we hear about the Non Profit Always Give Back, and how it was founded, their mission. The solid take, "do something with no expectations."
19 Jan 2026
Stress and Hobbies
Our Hosts dive into the importance of Hobbies and why veterans can use it to help with mental health.
10 Jan 2026
Waking up 2026
In this episode our hosts tap VFW Programs, as well as talk about 2026 and Holidays, helping veterans, and videogames.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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