The Veteran-focused talk show “Vet Talk” is now celebrating 13 years of amplifying veteran voices and community advocacy across New York City by returning to film at BronxNet studios, reflecting the show’s longstanding ties to BronxNet.
Devil Dog USA Chief Executive Officer Gonzalo Duran launched Vet Talk in 2013 as a way to provide veterans with a platform to share their stories and connect with resources.
Just months after its launch, Vet Talk was picked up by the Albanian American Network, before production then moved to BronxNet. While on BronxNet, Vet Talk’s programming expanded to field reporting, community storytelling and a more structured public access format.
“It’s important to have informative and entertaining programming on BronxNet that serves every facet of the Bronx population, especially for our veterans who have given so much to our freedom and democracy,” BronxTalk and Bronx Music Podcast Host Gary Axelbank said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the show shifted primarily to online platforms under the American Patriots Network. Vet Talk then expanded its reach after the pandemic through additional public access and digital distribution networks, including the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
Production of the show is now handled by Devil Dog USA’s sister nonprofit, the Big Apple Gazette, with Duran as the Editor-in-Chief and Gary Lutz as Executive Producer.
With production returning to BronxNet this year, work is now underway to strengthen Vet Talk’s hosting and presentation skills under the guidance of Axelbank, a legendary talk show host and Bronx Walk of Fame inductee. Filming is scheduled to begin this summer at BronxNet studios.
Vet Talk is scheduled to broadcast Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m. on BronxNet, channel 70 for Optimum users and channel 2136 for those who have FiOS.
In 2024, Duran launched another show, “Political Chit Chat,” which is a companion program to Vet Talk that focuses primarily on political dialogue and public discourse. In addition to digital distribution, both shows are also distributed across platforms like BronxNet, the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Queens Public Television, Community Media of Staten Island and Brooklyn Free Speech TV. Further expansion is already in the works.
Youth development is a key component for both Vet Talk and Political Chit Chat. The shows are supported by paid teen interns through Devil Dog USA’s mentorship programs and partner organizations, giving them hands-on experience, production credit and creative input opportunities.
