Stack Up: Connecting Veterans Through the Power of Gaming | Stephen Machuga

The Innovators

Combating Veteran Suicide Through Gaming: The Story of Stack Up

The Innovators Radio Show and Podcast featuring an in-depth interview with Steve Machuga, the founder and executive director of Stack Up, an organization dedicated to combating veteran suicide through gaming. Steve shares his journey from serving in Iraq, where video games helped him cope, to founding Stack Up in 2015. Stack Up supports veterans and fosters community through gaming initiatives such as the Stacks, Supply Crates, Air Assaults, and the Stack Up Overwatch Program (STOP). The organization also collaborates with the VA to address veteran suicide, highlighting the need for community and support beyond traditional methods. The challenges of fundraising and the importance of volunteers are discussed, alongside the impact Stack Up has had on veterans' lives by offering them a sense of belonging and an escape through gaming. The podcast touches on the changing perceptions of gaming in society and the potential for growth and support in this unique intersection of gaming and veteran assistance.

00:00 Introduction to Stack Up: Combating Veteran Suicide Through Gaming

00:34 Launching The Innovators Radio Show and Podcast

01:26 Meet Steve Machuga: The Force Behind Stack Up

02:26 The Power of Gaming in Veteran Support

04:14 The Genesis of Stack Up

06:32 Expanding Impact and Facing Challenges

10:36 The Stark Reality of Veteran Suicide

18:55 The Journey of Fundraising and Staying Afloat

21:40 The Future of Gaming and Veteran Support

25:01 Closing Thoughts and How to Get Involved