Fight Or Die Podcast

Host Will Atkinson is joined by cohosts Adam Howarth and Cole Bakken for a second round of discussion with Charlie Campbell. We hear about returning from Afghanistan during COVID, readjusting to life back in the states, an unwanted deployment to Washington D.C. for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration, and finally - some thoughts about the current state of affairs in Afghanistan and how to cope when life has unique challenges. 

Daniel Pina leads us from the streets of East Los Angeles, through the Post-9/11 combat landscape, and to his new mission in life. Daniel is growth and humility personified - which we can appreciate here at FOD. 

We found a way to sneak in and get close with John Matter, a USMC recon sniper with a history of taking the fight to the enemy while also working on his personal development. Come enjoy the mix of laughter and seriousness as we get to know John as he went from a young man playing football to becoming a respected MMA fighter and onto his role as a father and speaker. 

BJ Ganem is currently the CEO of Sierra Delta - an organization that started focusing on service-dog and has grown to helping Veterans get their life buddies and stay connected to training and community. BJ shares a lot of detail as to why Sierra Delta came to exists and the reasons they area needed. BJ also talks about his time as a Marine and relationships that may be gone, but are not forgotten. 

Incoming!Our Memorial Day episode explores the ups and downs of 30 years of military service with CSM (Retired) Tom Eppler. We learned about Tom’s escape from Dubuque, Iowa enlisting into the Calvary and his outstanding career spanning three decades polished off with a trip to the Sergeants Major Academy. We learn about Tom’s relationship with Adam in the service and honor the legacy of their shared brother-in-arms who made the ultimate sacrifice, SSG Jorge Pena.Stay safe this Memorial Day and enjoy the episode.

In our latest no-holds-barred chat recorded live from Afghanistan, Wisconsin National Guard infantryman Charlie Campbell educates us on the Taliban Covid-19 pandemic response, walking away from SERE training, and the transition from Vegas Emergency Room to BabyTown, baby! We also take a moment to appreciate Jody, discuss the elevated art forms of Spoken Word and rugby, wax philosophical on strip club etiquette, and explore the current rental market for a popular brand of sex toy. All this - and more! - as “Chuckles” joins Will, Adam, and Karen to share his story of service spanning components of both the Air Force and the Army.

Rachel Bannach joins us from Ukraine highlighting small town life before joining the Army to ride around on Chinooks dealing out ammunition across the country in the dead of night. In her initial enlistment, she spent most of her time deployed leading her to reclass into the Military Police to keep her career moving into what hopes to be finding a slot in the National Guard as a Sergeant First Class. Come find the ups, downs, laughs, and frowns of this story while Rachel gives the insightful look into the life that has survived deployments across the world with more to come.

Hosts Adam, Nick, Karen, and Will explore Travis Leanna's decision to join the Marine Corps in the world after September 11th, his time at Marine Corps Station Miramar dealing with his desire to deploy, and finally his chance to go to Iraq and honor the condition that every Marine is indeed a rifleman.

Join hosts Adam, Karen, Will, and Nick as they take a deep dive into the life and times of SFC Josh Walkington as he made his way from Woodstock, Illinois to 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington (JBLM). 

Join Adam, Will, and Karen as they learn more about Natalie's preparation to become a USMC Marine Officer for OIF I. Celebrating her readjustment into civilian life and lessons learned along the way. 

Join hosts Will, Nick, Karen, and Adam for a brief look into their lives and how they came to join the Fight Or Die team.