20 Years Done Podcast

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20 Year Air Force Veteran, Blogger, (Apparently now a podcaster), Law Student, Fed-the-F**k-Up with status quo b******t. Added perks can be found on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/20YearsDone

20 Years Done


    • May 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 13m AVG DURATION
    • 105 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from 20 Years Done Podcast

    Episode 104 - Veteran Media with Dr. Daniel Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 100:42


    I'm joined by Dr. Daniel Johnson to discuss his research on blast injuries, as well as his work bringing his research to legislatures and media. We also discuss trying to access national media on behalf of veterans and servicemembers in a noisy media environment.

    Episode 103 - Derrick Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 46:29


    I'm joined by Derrick Jackson to discuss his 21 year career as an aircraft maintainer and OSI Special Agent. Derrick has authored his first novel Shadow One loosely based on his career. Derrick and I discuss myths around OSI, human trafficking in South Korea and the impacts on security clearance, counter-intelligence, and crime.

    Episode 102 - Megan Harless - PCS Like A Pro

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 68:07


    I'm joined by Megan Harless to discuss the recent and upcoming changes to military PCS moves, both through contractors and if service members elect to move themselves.

    Episode 101 - Career Debrief with Nina Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 67:48


    I'm joined by SMSgt(retired) for a debrief of her 23 year career. We discuss her challenges as a young airman and how that informed her later in her career.

    career debrief nina brown
    Episode 100 - Do what your stripes can handle

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 77:55


    I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Elton Madden to discuss his mentorship during my career. Elton discusses the concept of "Do what your stripes can handle" and how it is both a warning and a responsibility to push for things to be better.

    Episode 99 - Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 65:51


    I'm joined by Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh to discuss her experienced as a foreign born military spouse and how those lived experienced informed her advocacy work. For more information check out this link: https://fbmnetwork.com/

    Episode 98 - Veterans Law from the Student Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 133:26


    I'm joined by 3L students Neha Srinivasan and Briana Thompson to discuss veteran disability law, active duty legal issues, cultural norms surrounding military discipline and military law. I also reference an article I wrote 2 years ago linked here: https://www.fafo-law.com/blog/blog-post-title-four-ygdhx

    Episode 97 - Veterans Upward Bound

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 58:17


    I'm joined by Jennifer Ross to discuss the Veterans Upward Bound program. This link is the survey discussed in the latter half of the episode: https://sites.google.com/view/project-parity/home?authuser=0

    Episode 96 - Leadership with Jason Silvernail

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 84:16


    Join us for a compelling conversation with Jason Silvernail, a U.S. Army physical therapist, as we explore essential leadership themes. Jason breaks down the critical relationship between responsibility, accountability, and authority in leadership. Learn how these concepts interconnect to cultivate effective leadership practices that can transform individuals and organizations. The article "Lying to Ourselves: Dishonesty in the Army Profession" referenced in the episode: https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/466/

    Episode 95 - Burnout with Dr Angela Karnes Padron

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 79:53


    I'm joined by Dr. Angela Karnes Padron to discuss the concepts of burnout and its impacts, whether immediately tangible or not.

    Episode 94 - Sea Waves with Leah Stiles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 109:37


    In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by retired Navy Senior Chief Leah Stiles, founder of Sea Waves, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing eating disorders within the military. We delve into the cultural and organizational factors that contribute to eating disorders among service members, highlighting their unique vulnerabilities due to military life. Through education and support, Sea Waves aims to assist those struggling with these challenges.

    Episode 93 - Veterans Day 2024 - VHP with Monica Mohindra

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 55:47


    In this episode, I'm joined by Monica Mohindra, the Director of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. We explore the program's impact and delve into how it enhances our understanding of American veterans. We discuss societal perceptions of veterans and how the project provides a more holistic view of their experiences and contributions.

    Episode 92 - Green up v Fix

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 110:43


    I'm joined by Aaron "Doogie" Hauser to discuss the differences between fixing jets and merely greening them up, and how the distinction between the two belies more profound organizational issues within aircraft maintenance in the Air Force.

    Episode 91 - The Officer And Enlisted Divide

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 82:58


    I'm joined by Kevin Traw to discuss the Officer and Enlisted divide and how it survives, or doesn't, in the civilian sector.

    Episode 90 - Advocacy Updates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 24:31


    An update on the DOD Occupational Suicide Study and what efforts have been made to push for a full release of the data required by the 2023 NDAA.

    Episode 89 - Jessica Ruttenber

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 71:10


    I'm joined by Jessica Ruttenber to discuss her time in the Air Force and her advocacy work both during her military service and afterwards. Her organization Level Up Aviation (https://www.levelupaviation.org) is focused on equity in aviation.

    Episode 88 - Toxic Leadership w/ Jeff Hurlbert

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 49:09


    I'm joined by Jeff Hurlbert to discuss the article he co-authored on the necessity of the US Air Force to define toxic leadership. The article can be found at: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASOR/Journals/Volume-2_Number-4/Stringer_et_al.pdf

    Episode 87 - AETC Risk Management Worksheet With Kurtis Ott

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 100:38


    I'm joined by CMSgt(ret) Kurtis Ott to further discuss the AETC Mishap Worksheet discussed in Episode 86. Additionally, check the link below for more information as well as images of the Worksheet as of 6/1/2024 and the implementation guidance. It is recommended you review those forms for this episode as Kurtis and I go through the worksheet in detail. https://www.20yearsdone.com/blog/risk-management-or-mismanagement-a-closer-look-at-aetcs-new-worksheet

    Episode 86 - AETC Mishap Worksheet With Dr. Angela Karnes Padron

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 64:00


    I'm joined by Dr. Angela Karnes Padron an I/O Psychologist to discuss a recent Risk Management worksheet implemented by the Air Education and Training Command. For reference, here is an article from the Air Force Times: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2024/04/23/air-force-maintenance-mishaps-are-rising-can-a-worksheet-fix-it/

    Episode 85 Mike Wilke

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 64:00


    I'm joined by CMSgt(ret) Mike Wilke to discuss our time serving together where I faced significant career challenges. For more information, see this blog post for the full story: https://www.20yearsdone.com/blog//2018/07/smoke-doesnt-always-mean-fire-part-i.html

    Episode 84 - Becky Warren

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 43:10


    I'm joined by musician Becky Warren to discuss her music, her work with veterans, and her solo project creating custom tailored songs creation. Find Becky's songwriting coaching here: https://songsidekick.com/ Find Becky's Spotify page here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mTESq7qkYJ5k6WiEAY9Uk?si=51-kJpHASP-DTbwr5-fQPw

    spotify becky warren
    Episode 83 - DOD And Congress With Kevin Traw

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 79:56


    I'm joined by Kevin Traw to discuss his time working in the Pentagon and how the DOD interacts with Congress. This episode provides valuable insights for our on going work to expose cultural issues in the DOD as it relates to suicidality.

    Episode 82 - Brian Ingram

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 99:47


    I'm joined by Brian Ingram who was my flightline expediter from 2005 until 2007. Brian was also the focus of my blog post titled "What's with the 7 levels?" Brian and I discuss leadership theory, flightline culture, and how often junior personnel don't have the situational awareness to understand the complexities of a unit culture and resources and internalize dysfunction on each other. Brian's blog post can be found here: https://www.20yearsdone.com/blog//2019/01/so-whats-with-7-levels.html

    Episode 81 - The Small At The Expense Of The Big With Tony Carr

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 68:59


    I'm joined once again by Tony Carr to discuss the misprioritization of the inconsequential over the important. How we arrived here, why we have persisted, and what we need to do to change our culture.

    Episode 80 - Francesca Graham

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 82:59


    I'm joined by Francesca Graham to discuss her recent article on the lack of legal protections and assistance for DOD complainants. Francesca is also the creator of the newsletter the DOD Times (Redacted) which can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-dod-times-redacted-7149423593871855616/

    Episode 79 - The Good Times With Eric Stromski

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 59:21


    I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Eric Stromski once again. In this episode we discuss many of our positive experiences in the Air Force.

    Episode 78 - Billie Flynn

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 63:16


    I'm joined by Billie Flynn a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Combat Commander, fighter pilot, test pilot, and a global strategic advisor and consultant. Billie shares his insights about how organizational culture can directly impact flight safety. Billie can be found at: https://billieflynn.com/

    Episode 77 - Travis Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 89:30


    I'm joined by Travis Barnes to discuss his time in maintenance, his separation from the Air Force, and the evolution of his Subaru performance business Snail Performance. https://www.snailperformance.com/

    Special Episode Open Letter Companion

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 216:50


    This episode I call every single House and Senate Armed Services Committee member to let them know there is an open letter unambiguously stating they are complicit in a recent suicide due to their inaction of exercising congressional oversight to compel the DOD to release the suicide study. Don't look away. https://www.20yearsdone.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-the-house-and-senate-armed-services-committee-members-on-behalf-servicemembers-and-their-families

    Episode 76 - Tony Carr

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 110:56


    I'm joined by Tony Carr to talk about the evolution of his career through the Air Force, the JQP blog, and his current blog The Radar. This episode serves as an introduction to Tony and a discussion about Air Force policy for the last 15 years.

    Episode 75 - Military Recruitment Struggles With Luther Abel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 49:12


    I'm joined by Luther Abel to discuss his National Review article analyzing the different factors negatively impacting military recruitment over the last few years. His article can be found here: https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/02/why-military-recruitment-is-miserable/

    Episode 74 - MSgt(ret) Jason Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 69:07


    I'm joined by my long-time friend MSgt(ret) Jason Walker to discuss leadership, perseverance, and how his time in the military uniquely prepared him for standing up the first private sector F-16 squadron.

    Episode 73 - Renaming The U.S.S. Stennis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 59:46


    This episode examines the significance of renaming the U.S.S. Stennis, exploring its namesake's segregationist legacy and its impact on today's military. Guests Reuben Green and John Cordle provide insights into the historical context and the symbolic importance of this change for servicemembers.

    Episode 72 Hira Byrne Paulin, M.Ed., CRC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 92:25


    In this episode, Hira Byrne Paulin, M.Ed, CRC, shares her expertise in rehabilitation counseling, highlighting strategies to empower servicemembers with disabilities and advocating for a societal shift towards inclusivity and accommodation.

    Episode 71 - Dr. Angela Karnes Padron

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 77:35


    Join us for a meaningful dialogue with Dr. Angela Karnes Padron, I/O Psychologist and Air Force veteran, exploring workplace burnout, trust, and organizational challenges. We'll also touch on her recent book and its reflections on her experiences.

    Episode 70 - Ross Steen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 72:00


    I'm joined by my friend Ross Steen to do a deep dive on the effects of policies and cultures that require people to bring solutions with problems.

    Episode 69 - Corie Weathers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 67:43


    Corie Weathers, LPC, NCC, BCC joins me to discuss her new book Military Culture Shift: The impact of war, money, and generational perspective on morale, retention, and leadership. Corie is the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and expert on military culture. Her new book released November 14, 2023 (Yes today!).

    Episode 68 - Denise Rucker Krepp

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 65:16


    In this episode, Denise Rucker Krepp, former MARAD Chief Counsel, unpacks the Tailhook Scandal, recent Coast Guard Academy assaults, and recounts her career repercussions for requesting an IG investigation, alongside a discussion on the deep-seated issues that impede accountability for military sexual assaults.

    Episode 67 - John Cordle Dr. Eng.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2023 94:40


    John Cordle, Dr. Eng. is an expert on human factors. In this episode he discusses the correlations between sleep deprivation, crew rest periods, and mishaps. John also discusses unique issues related to human factors and the military.

    Episode 66 Reuben Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2023 87:52


    I'm joined by Lt Cmdr (ret) Reuben Green to discuss his time in the service, his advocacy work, and his insights into contemporary issues within the military that are exacerbating discriminatory effects for underrepresented servicemembers.

    Episode 65 - Air Force Advocacy Updates

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 70:41


    I'm joined by frequent guest Kevin Traw to discuss updates on my advocacy efforts centered around servicemember suicides, maintenance culture, and "Big Air Force"

    Episode 64 - Walk The Talk With Ryan Sweazey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 53:32


    I'm joined by Ryan Sweazey to discuss his experience in the military as a whistleblower and how that motivated him to create the Walk the Talk Foundation to help current servicemembers navigate the whistleblowing process. walkthetalkfoundation.org

    Episode 63 - Religious Accommodation In The Military - Beards

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2023 64:27


    I'm joined by Gaddiel Israel to discuss his experience with Religious Accommodation Waivers while serving in the military.

    Episode 62 - Understanding The Operational Role Of Military Spouses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 52:57


    I'm joined by Jennifer Barnhill to discuss her research into the often overlooked operational support that military spouses provide the military.

    Episode 61 - Trauma Informed Leadership with Maria Guido

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 57:45


    In this episode I discuss the effects of childhood trauma on young adults and how those effects can impact work performance in the military and how to adjust leadership approaches to help young personnel succeed.

    Episode 60 - Medical Profiles

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 50:22


    I'm joined by Adam Buffone to discuss his experience in aircraft maintenance, medical profiles, treatment, time off work, and balancing his health and career.

    Episode 59 - Human Metrics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 101:22


    I'm joined once again by Kevin Traw to discuss maintenance metrics and human metrics.

    Episode 58 - Core Values

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 97:55


    I'm joined by CMSgt(ret) Kurtis Ott to discuss the AF Core Values, and how they interact with leadership principles both in theory, and the state of leadership in the field.

    Episode 57 - Career Debrief With Andrew Norton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 66:59


    I'm joined by Andrew Norton to discuss his career in the Air Force, what he enjoyed, what he hated; and ultimately what made him separate from the Air Force. This is the first in a new series where I debrief people after their separation.

    Episode 56 - Mission First People Always

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 44:29


    I'm joined by frequent guest Mike Cissell to discuss his thoughts on leadership, standing up for your people, and the issues with the term "Mission First, People Always"

    Episode 55 - Salute2Suit

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 44:21


    I'm joined by Arod the founder and CEO of Salute2Suit. Salute2Suit is a custom tailor company for servicemembers and veterans. Arod offers quality suits at an affordable price.

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