“My wife saw that I was taking combat Marines to the track for a Memorial Day race. I showed them what a producer and editor do during a NASCAR race. My wife saw what I was doing and she submitted an application on my behalf for a position with the VA. ”
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Why Listen:
After serving 12 years in the Marine Corps, Tanner went on to work at NASCAR as a Producer and Senior Post Production Editor. In this interview we talk about how Tanner’s wife led him to his current career as a podcaster/video producer for the VA. We talk about what his career was like in NASCAR and now at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. We talk about life at the VA, and more importantly, how he now runs the podcast, Borne the Battle. We talk about what he’s learned in doing this podcast, as well as the VA’s upcoming VA Podcast Network.
About Tanner:
Tanner Iskra works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he hosts the podcast, Borne the Battle. He started out in the Marine Corps as a Combat Videographer, where he served for nearly 12 years. He has also worked as a Producer and Senior Post Production Editor for NASCAR.
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Selected Resources:
Transcript & Time Stamps:
2:40
Joining me today from Washington, DC is Tanner Iskra. Tanner Iskra works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he hosts the podcast, Borne the Battle. He started out in the Marine Corps as a Combat Videographer, where he served for nearly 12 years. He has also worked as a Producer and Senior Post Production Editor for NASCAR.
Do you have anything to add?
I love my hometown of Humptulips, WA so I would just add a shoutout to my hometown.
4:20
Would you ever want to move back to a small town?
Yes someday I would like to move to a ranch with lots of acreage. My wife calls herself a prepper - she’s gotten deep into prepping. So she wants to move to Wyoming or Montana.
5:50
Can you describe your transition out of the Marine Corps?
Everyone in the military knows that it’s a young man’s game. I had early arthritis setting in but I wanted to be active for my future children. So that really pushed me toward getting out. I also never had the goal of staying in until retirement. For me it was time to move on.
If you feel like you’ve accomplished your goals inside the military, don’t be afraid to get out and explore something else.
8:15
What lead you to NASCAR?
I decided to get out about a year before I actually got out. I was at a great unit and I decided I wanted to go out on top.
About six months before separating, I started applying to a bunch of places. I knew that I was going to be settling in Seattle. After I got out, I got a call from NASCAR and was offered a job in their production department. The job was in Charlotte which was a problem because I had moved to Seattle. But my wife and I decided that it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss so we moved to Charlotte so that I could start in the position.
I advise people to always think about your next step and make sure you’re preparing yourself for what could be ahead. At the same time, don’t be afraid of any opportunities that come up along the way.
13:00
What was your experience like at NASCAR?
I usually helped producers polish their stories graphically. I was the final person that would look at the video before it was sent out to different news outlets.I also got to help with some of the graphics in the NASCAR video game.
15:00
Was it similar to what you did in the Marine Corps?
Yes. In the Marines, I would come up with a storyline and then shot the footage. Once I had that, I would edit the footage down to create a final product.
One of the things that I missed when I was at NASCAR was sitting across from someone and hearing them tell their story. I didn’t get to do much of that in my role there, which made me realize how important it was that I eventually get back to having more of that.
18:20
What advice would you give to someone that wants to get involved in this kind of work?
You need a technical background in media creation software to be competitive for these positions. You have to have a portfolio.
I learned in the Marine Corps how to keep making better and better products and I was able to bring that to my role at NASCAR.
19:30
Can you tell us about your role at the VA?
My wife saw that I was taking combat Marines to the track for a Memorial Day race. I showed them what a producer and editor do during a NASCAR race. My wife saw what I was doing and she submitted an application on my behalf for a position with the VA. Eventually, I got hired as a video producer. My role has shifted over time and now 90% of my time is devoted to the VA’s Borne the Battle podcast.
When I was at NASCAR, I finished my bachelors at Arizona State University. I learned a lot during that program about how you can effectively use media to reach an audience. You want people to be loyal consumers of your media.
One thing I read in podcasting books is that newsletters and emails can be effective at reaching your consumers as well. I send a newsletter out to nine million veterans detailing various programs within the VA that can help them.
25:40
What has podcasting been like for you?
I love it - I get paid to talk to people. The podcast has been a journey back to the public sector for me. When I left the Marines, I never thought I would work for the government again.
29:00
How have you liked working for the VA?
I love working at the VA. I get to talk to veterans learn how I can help them. Through the podcast, I get to help make sure information about VA programming is getting out to veterans.
Many VA employees are also veterans. And we’re always looking for other veterans to join us so I encourage anyone who may be interested to apply for a position.
30:40
What is a typical day like for you?
Monday is blog writing, Tuesday is recording the podcast, Wednesday is positing the podcast, Thursday is my coordination day for future interviews and Friday is preparing for next week’s podcast.
The VA is looking to add five additional podcasts in the upcoming year. Those podcasts will touch on everything from veteran suicide to interviewing non-veterans that want to help the military community.
We constantly seek feedback from our audience and shape the podcast around what will be beneficial to them.
34:42
Do you have any favorite episodes?
I’ve loved all of them. One in particular that stands out is the episode where we interviewed Dale Dye. We also had a 9/11 episode focused on Dr. John Baxter. He was at the Pentagon September 11th. Before any first responder arrived on scene, he lead the Pentagon evacuation.
My first interview was with Rick Robinson. He’s an Emmy award winning cinematographer. He was a videographer for Michael Jackson as well.
I also brought Urusula Draper on the show. She shared with us many of the medical innovations that have come about to help wounded veterans live better lives post-injury.
37:30
Are there any resources you recommend?
There are two podcast books I recommend - Podcast Domination and 100 Great Podcasting Tips.
38:50
Is there anything else you’d like to share with veterans?
The transition out can be very stressful. Reach out to veterans that you know that are getting out and make sure they have the support they need.
If you hit a roadblock during your transition, don’t give up. Keep on going. If you have combat experience, try to keep talking about it. That can be very cathartic.