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Show Notes The 1842 Mexican invasions of Texas and their aftermath, including the Mier expedition and the Black Bean Incident. Sam Houston's use of privateer-style commissions, authorizing Charles Warfield and later Jacob Snively to raise private forces against Mexican trade on the Santa Fe Trail. Warfield's failed raid near Mora, New Mexico, and his men's 200-mile walk back to Bent's Fort after losing their horses. The unrelated robbery and murder of Santa Fe merchant Antonio José Chávez, and its effect on U.S.–Texas–Mexico relations. Snively's Battalion of Invincibles, their march to the Arkansas River, and their lopsided victory over Governor Manuel Armijo's advance scouts. Armijo's retreat to Santa Fe and the U.S. Army's intervention under Captain Philip St. George Cooke, including his disputed disarming of the Texans. The diplomatic fallout: Santa Anna's closure of the Santa Fe Trail, Texas's formal protest, and the military court of inquiry into Cooke's conduct. The shift from Lamar's aggressive New Mexico policy to Houston's peace-seeking approach, and how the boundary dispute was eventually settled in the Compromise of 1850. The later lives of the expeditions' key figures, including Jacob Snively, Charles Warfield, and Captain Philip Cooke. Follow the Show Stay up to date with new episodes and Texas history extras between shows: ● Twitter/X: @WiseAboutTexas ● Instagram: @WiseAboutTexas Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, leave a five-star review — it helps other Texas history lovers find us. Support the Show on Patreon Wise About Texas is a labor of love dedicated to preserving and promoting Texas history. If you'd like to help support that work, become a patron: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WiseAboutTexas
Aaron Katersky has details on what unfolded inside a federal courtroom as Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty, admitting to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in cold blood and revealing how he hunted him down; Jay O'Brien has the latest on the U.S. Army temporarily grounding all Apache helicopter test flights following a crash in Texas that left two pilots dead; Matt Rivers reports on the air traffic controller credited with averting a catastrophe after two American Airlines jets with the same flight number were headed in the same direction; and more on tonight's broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lindsay Clancy's murder trial enters its 13th day as jurors hear digital evidence from the weeks and hours before she killed her three young children and weigh her insanity defense - MK True Crime Show co-host Dave Aronberg weighs in. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces she will leave the administration at the end of August to spend more time with her young family. New reporting raises questions about the Israeli intelligence behind the Iranian threat that led President Trump's security team to secretly switch him off Air Force One. Two soldiers are killed when an Army Apache helicopter crashes in Central Texas, sparking a 155-acre grass fire and forcing nearby evacuations. Subscribe now to Emily's "After Party": Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/after-party-with-emily-jashinsky/id1821493726 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0szVa30NjGYsyIzzBoBCtJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AfterPartyEmily?sub_confirmation=1 Lean: Discover why LEAN is becoming the choice for real weight‑loss results—shop now at https://TAKELEAN.com use code MK. Birch Gold: Text MK to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Where did wokeness come from? In the finale of Woke Army, we continue our journey by telling the story of how Herbert Marcuse’s disciple got entangled in a horrific crime…and how the movement took a detour that would make wokeness go mainstream. Online security starts with Surfshark. Use code "RPA" at checkout for four extra months of SurfShark.Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A two-inch, eyeless fish with no color and a broken sight gene turned up in a single pool under the Army base locals call Alabama's Area 51 – inside a cave scientists had been watching for thirty years.SOURCES, LINKS, AND PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/demoncavefishLook for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.LIKE WHAT YOU'RE HEARING? WEIRD DARKNESS has new episodes 7 DAYS A WEEK! Listen FREE wherever you get podcasts or visit https://weirddarkness.com/listen. • Paranormal • True Crime • Ghosts • UFOs • Cryptids • Unexplained • Want even more? Become an OFFICIAL WEIRDO for commercial-free episodes, bonus episodes, weeknight live chats, audiobooks & more at https://WeirdDarkness.com/OFFICIAL
SlimFast is power walking…the mall? Lazlo was forced to write his mom a letter in the Army, and a teacher was brought to tears over how illiterate his students are. Slim HATES Flock cameras, Gen Z is using sports betting instead of putting their money in a 401(k), and White Women are the DEVIL. Place your bets! Will Lazlo get SlimFast the Wade Davis ball on Monday? (+100 on no). Stream The Church of Lazlo podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Part 2 of this conversation with Mike Sarraille picks up inside the deployments that followed Ramadi, including the chaotic quick-reaction mission into Sadr City alongside a hastily assembled team from two different SEAL platoons. Mike breaks down the brotherhood built with Army infantry on the ground, the Sunni Awakening, and why he believes the Iraq War was ultimately a policy mistake despite the valor shown by the troops who fought it. He also opens up about the line he drew when ordered to move his men into an unnecessary risk, his transition to DEVGRU, the reality of Green Team versus BUD/S, the night Adam Brown was killed in Afghanistan, and the devastating loss of Extortion 17—including the brutal process of notifying the families left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Where did wokeness come from? In Part Four of Woke Army, we continue our journey by telling the story of how Herbert Marcuse’s dark alliance hits the streets and college campuses harder than ever before. Woke Army (Part Five) airs Friday, August 14th, 2026 at 3pm PST. Online security starts with Surfshark. Use code "RPA" at checkout for four extra months of SurfShark.Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: The U.S. Army goes head-to-head with Ukraine's battle-hardened drone warriors in a major war game—and suffers a crushing defeat that exposes a dangerous weakness in America's preparations for modern combat. Vladimir Putin threatens to seize European vessels if Western governments continue targeting Russia's shadow fleet, raising the risk of a direct maritime confrontation. Foreign troops could soon enter Lebanon to verify Hezbollah's disarmament under a developing plan backed by Israel and Beirut. American fuel pours into Cuba's emerging private market, where gasoline has fetched an astonishing $38 per gallon. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Trust & Will: Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated—create your will or trust online in minutes with Trust & Will and get 20% off at https://trustandwill.com/PDB Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com Nobl Travel: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join our beautiful soccer community/discord and support the pod: https://www.patreon.com/samsarmy HOT TOPICS: Gianni Infantino caught with hand in the cookie jar, Mexican Federation embarrasses themselves, Mikey's audacious plan to combine CONCACAF and CONMEBOL (that gets less ridiculous the more you think about it), temperature check on Leagues Cup and which Premier League transfers we like most and least. STOPPAGE TIME: Ivan Toney's Best Bets and GOAWs
Some of life's toughest battles aren't fought on the battlefield—they're fought within. In this unforgettable episode of The ToosDay Crüe, host Cagney welcomes Brandon Burton, a retired U.S. Army veteran whose 20-year military career included two deployments to Afghanistan, seven years as an instructor, and leading soldiers as a Company Commander. Brandon's experiences shaped more than his military career—they transformed his understanding of leadership, humility, responsibility, and what it truly means to care for the people entrusted to you. Inspired by becoming a grandfather, Brandon wrote Authority Without Control, a memoir that goes beyond traditional military stories. Rather than focusing solely on combat, he shares powerful lessons about servant leadership, personal accountability, healing from trauma, fatherhood, marriage, and the lifelong pursuit of becoming a better leader. Throughout the conversation, Brandon discusses: • Why leadership is about influence—not control • Lessons learned from Afghanistan • Toxic leadership versus servant leadership • Transitioning from military to civilian life • PTSD, self-care, and asking for help • Building trust inside organizations and families • The inspiration behind Authority Without Control • Advice for young leaders beginning their journey Whether you're a veteran, first responder, business owner, manager, coach, parent, or someone searching for practical leadership wisdom, this episode delivers authentic stories and meaningful takeaways that extend far beyond the military. Featured Guest Brandon Burton • Retired U.S. Army Veteran • Combat Engineer • Afghanistan Veteran • Leadership Author • Speaker • Author of Authority Without Control In This Episode • Serving after 9/11 • Combat engineering • Military leadership • Company command • Building strong teams • Leading with humility • Healing after service • Becoming a grandfather • Writing a leadership memoir • Lessons every leader should know If this episode inspired you, please follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone striving to become a better leader. Every download helps us continue bringing authentic conversations to the Misfit Nation community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
JJ Hardy gave the Army 18 years of his life, including 35 months in combat. He came home with a 100% disability rating, a PTSD diagnosis, and a transition he describes as "very, very messy." No clear mission. No sense of identity. Just the quiet, disorienting weight of trying to figure out who he was without the uniform. In this episode, JJ opens up about what it actually took to climb out of that place, and how he learned to flip post-traumatic stress into what he calls post-traumatic growth. He and Jon dig into the gap between military leadership and what often passes for leadership in the civilian world, and why JJ walked away from job after job because he refused to abandon the people counting on him, a value straight out of "never leave a fallen comrade." JJ also shares his philosophy of training your mind the same way you'd train for combat: same discipline, same reps, same commitment. Because if you want the fight to go a certain way, you have to train for it, mentally included. This conversation is grounded, practical, and honest about what healing actually requires. JJ now runs Victory Leadership Coaching and hosts the Speak Up, Show Up, Lead podcast, helping other veterans and leaders do the same work he had to do on himself. If you've ever felt like your training prepared you for everything except what came after, this episode is for you.
In this episode of Hope Natural Health, we sit down with John Ossipinsky (known globally as the "Lymph Man"), a certified lymphedema therapist, author, and expert in craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation. Drawing from his background as an Army medic and NYC firefighter, John shares how a stagnant lymphatic system the body's waste removal network is often the root cause behind chronic fatigue, brain fog, stubborn gut issues, and systemic inflammation. Learn how acidity clogs your lymphatic flow, the newly discovered link between the brain's "glymphatic" system and mental health, and simple daily physical techniques you can start using today to get your body flowing. In this episode, you will learn: How your lymphatic system acts as the body's internal waste disposal and why its clogging leads to anxiety, brain fog, and chronic fatigue. How acidic buildup in the brain blocks your "glymphatic" system and impacts mental health. The surprising way stagnant cellular waste worsens IBS, bloating, and intense menopause symptoms. Quick, simple daily breathing and movement techniques you can do anywhere to instantly boost lymphatic flow. Why balancing body pH and supplementing with magnesium glycinate can reduce systemic inflammation. Connect with Dr. John Ossipinsky: Website: lymphman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lymphman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnossipinsky/ For more on Dr. Erin: Join The Hope Circle Community: https://hormonehealingproject.drerinellis.com/communities/groups/the-hope-circle/home?invite=69120d498b7e3f60397656b8 Work with Dr. Erin here: https://p.bttr.to/3E88ps4 Buy Dr. Erin's Supplements here: https://drerinellis.com/shop Get the Period Productivity Planner here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBYBRT5Q?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Download the FREE Menstrual Cycle Nutrition Guide here: https://detox.drerinellis.com/ Watch The Free Video "7 Hormones Affecting Your Weight Loss Goals" here: https://weightloss.drerinellis.com/ Let's Be Friends: Follow Dr. Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.erinellis/ Follow Dr. Erin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drerinellisnmd Follow Dr. Erin on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.erinellis?lang=en Join the Free Hope Circle Community: https://hormonehealingproject.drerinellis.com/communities/groups/the-hope-circle/home?invite=69120d498b7e3f60397656b8 Bookmark Dr. Erin's Website: www.drerinellis.com Subscribe to Hope Natural Health on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChHYVmNEu5tKu91EATHhEiA Follow Hope Natural Health on FB: https://www.facebook.com/hopenaturalhealth Sign up for Newsletters here: https://booking.hopenaturalhealth.com/widget/form/VUubL7MNYELduwQL8ssI
Antoinette Berrafato is a U.S. Army veteran and former Air Assault medic with 11 years of service.After a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, and PTSD left her relying on a walker, service dog, and full-time caregiver, she rebuilt her life as a sponsored adventure athlete. Antoinette now shares her step-by-step recovery framework as the ‘Take Back Your Health From Chronic Illness' movement with audiences worldwide.She hosts the New Normal Big Life Podcast, named a Top 10 Health & Fitness Podcast by PodMatch, and is the health and wellness columnist at Culturs Magazine, reaching 1.5 million readers in over 200 countries.Off the mic, Antoinette enjoys life in the Midwestern Northwoods with her family, tending their river homestead, and pursuing adventure sports.
Buffalo Bill Cody had an astute talent for both business and self-promotion. He turned his experiences as a Pony Express rider, Army scout, and buffalo hunter into a successful career as a major celebrity. Ned Buntline wrote dime novels about Cody, and Buffalo Bill starred in a Broadway show about — who else? — himself.
Sandeep is a marathoner, a fitness enthusiast and Head of the Reliance Combat K9 Unit (RCCU) at Vantara. His fitness journey began at an early age, shaped by his father's Army background, outdoor sports and NCC. What started as a passion for staying fit eventually evolved into a serious pursuit of marathon running.In 2023, Sandeep began following a more structured approach to running and training. Since then, he has achieved a 3:13 finish at the Tata Mumbai Marathon and taken on the Comrades Marathon, while continuing to manage a demanding professional role and lead a team working with K9s. His journey offers a practical perspective on discipline, consistency and making time for fitness despite a busy schedule.In this episode, we covered:Sandeep's early fitness journey, sports and NCCHis transition from running for fitness to structured marathon trainingBalancing a demanding career with running and fitnessHis 3:13 finish at the Tata Mumbai Marathon and his experience at the Comrades MarathonTraining, mileage, strength work and recoveryThe importance of self-motivation, discipline and consistencySetting priorities and managing distractionsPushing beyond your comfort zone and staying committed to your goalsAbout Vikas Singh:Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:Instagram: @vikas_singhhLinkedIn: Vikas SinghTwitter: @vikashsingh101Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!
Tonight's “MK Confidential” begins at the police station in Westfield, New Jersey, in the wee hours of the morning. It is the summer of 1971, and officers have brought in two teenage girls for smoking cigarettes. Both girls' fathers arrive to claim them; one looks like he came straight from bed, and the other sports a coat and tie. John List has come to pick up his daughter, Patricia. He is furious, afraid that she is slipping away from the life and the faith he wants for her. He doesn't tell her to “Go to Hell,” but that she is already going there on her own. Megyn Kelly traces the story of John List back to its beginning, in a cold, small Michigan town off of Lake Huron. From his German Lutheran upbringing to service in the Army to accounting degrees in Ann Arbor, List becomes the forgettable face atop the ever-present coat and tie. He meets and marries Helen and sets out to build the life he thinks he should have, and fails. His failures push him from city to city and state to state, until the Lists reach for a beautiful, dilapidated house on a hill in Westfield. There, his beautiful life falls apart entirely. John List sees his wife succumb to disease, his prospects evaporate, his daughter drift from the church, and his bank account dry up. From there, he decides there is only one way to save his family: to remove their chance to stray further from the life they were meant to live. This is Episode 2 of the John List story. Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/megyn and use promo code MEGYN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection. Lean: Discover why LEAN is becoming the choice for real weight‑loss results—shop now at https://TAKELEAN.com use code KELLY Follow The Megyn Kelly Show on all social platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MegynKelly Twitter: https://Twitter.com/MegynKellyShow Instagram: https://Instagram.com/MegynKellyShow Facebook: https://Facebook.com/MegynKellyShow Find out more information at: https://www.devilmaycaremedia.com/megynkellyshow Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Where did wokeness come from? In Part Three, we continue our journey with the story of a movement born in academia, shaped by the teachings of the Frankfurt School - and determined to bring its revolution into the heart of America. Woke Army (Part Four) airs Thursday, August 13th, 2026 at 3pm PST. Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A 30-year-old soldier can have the knees of a 60-year-old. Not from one bad injury, but from carrying a load every single day for years. Family medicine and sports medicine physician Ann Lebeck returns to explain why she came to see soldiers as tactical athletes, and what that means for their bodies. This episode is based on her article "Military sports medicine and the cost of readiness," published on KevinMD. You will hear why young recruits who never played sports kept saying the Army broke them, how early joint damage shows up predictably with years of service, and why a soldier is a year-round athlete for two decades, not a four-year career. Ann shares the program she built that taught running mechanics, strengthening, and even the right shoes, and the results after 1,200 soldiers came through. You will come away seeing soldiers, and every physically demanding job, through the eyes of the doctor who learned to treat the body that carries the load. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
Just days ago, Marine One took off from the White House carrying President Trump while an airliner was taking off from nearby Reagan National Airport. This event highlights unresolved air space issues made apparent by the fatal midair collision involving a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional airliner. The FAA is typically notified, and controllers clear the airspace for Marine One. John Goglia and Todd Curtis share what happened in this latest event. They discuss the significant safety issues involved. The issues raised after the recent fatal collision in the same airspace clearly still need action. Also headlining this episode is the discovery of cracks found in 737 aircraft. The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive. The AD addresses structural issues with three models of the 737 and raises significant safety concerns about these aircraft. In July, the crew of a British Airways A320 overcame serious flight control issues shortly before landing at Heathrow Airport in London. The crew experienced two stall warnings in flight. This incident raises serious safety issues for this computer-controlled aircraft. Don't miss what's to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website. Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety.Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com. Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
John Spencer is a retired Army officer, Urban Warfare expert, Chair of War Studies at the Madison Policy Forum and Executive Director at the Urban Warfare Institute. He's been in some funky situations (including seven visits to Gaza), and encountered everything from terrorists to killer bees. He captures it all in his new book, Twenty Times I Almost Died: Life Lessons from the Edge of Survival. It's a great book, funny and insightful, and you should absolutely buy it for yourself and the people in your life.We talk about the badass bond between the IDF and the US Armed Forces, the privilege of being a pacifist, and why John might prefer his kids go to Columbia over the Naval Academy (shudder)* Chaya Leah was also in the army… Hashem's army* The NY Times wants to know if John got his $7,000 from us.* Pushing back against Jon Stewart* No man steps into the same river twice* John can't decide what's worse, sending his kids to Columbia, or the Naval Academy.* Oh you don't believe in war? How nice.* We ask John about his life, he answers about subterranean warfare.* A brief detour to Ukraine* Can you teach resilience?* Total victory? It's possible.* The bond between the US military and the IDF is pretty badass.* Lies of omission are everywhere.* Soft times create weak men.* Children on flights are worse than some wars. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe
Bleeding is what kills people after trauma. That single fact sits at the center of this WarDocs episode, in which host Dr. Wayne Causey, a vascular surgeon, sits down with two military interventional radiologists — Dr. John Pavlus of Brooke Army Medical Center and Dr. Jonathan Schutt, an interventional radiology resident at Yale — to examine one of the fastest-moving areas in modern medicine and what it could mean for the wounded service member. Endovascular care, as they describe it, is deceptively simple to explain and remarkably hard to field: a small stick in the groin or the wrist, image guidance instead of an incision, and wires and catheters small enough to be called straws, threaded through the vascular tree to block a bleeding artery or reline an injured one. As one guest puts it, the patient goes home with a band-aid. The conversation moves quickly from definition to system. At Brooke Army Medical Center, a trauma activation commits the interventional team to needle-stick access within sixty minutes of the call, day or night. That standard was not bought with equipment. It was built on years of bi-directional trust with the trauma surgeons, to the point that the team now responds without stopping to relitigate the imaging. Both guests are blunt that ownership is the price of admission: if interventional radiology wants a seat on the trauma team, it has to show up at two in the morning for cases that are neither lucrative nor glamorous. The harder question is how far forward this capability can go. REBOA is scaled today at Role 2, and stent graft and embolization cases in Role 3 remain largely case-reportable events performed by clinicians who brought their own equipment. The limiting factor, both guests argue, is not technique — it is imaging, logistics, and institutional will. Meanwhile, Israeli teams transition to bunker operations within twenty-four hours, and Ukrainian experience with drone-driven injury patterns is already reshaping assumptions about REBOA and embolization that the United States has not yet tested. The episode closes on people rather than platforms: the case for a military interventional community that crosses Service lines and partners with surgical colleagues, the argument for a skill identifier that lets the system find the right clinician, and a practical inventory of what one interventional radiologist would carry in a backpack if told to deploy tomorrow. Chapters (01:11-06:26) Two Pathways Into Military Interventional Radiology (06:26-10:15) Endovascular Care Explained: A Lot Through a Pinhole (10:15-17:02) The Sixty-Minute Trauma Activation at Brooke Army Medical Center (17:02-26:11) Forward Capability: REBOA, Stent Grafts, and the Role 2 and Role 3 Gap (26:11-35:54) Silos, Superpowers, and the Real Cost Equation (35:54-49:56) Allied Lessons, a Military IR Community, and What Fits in a Backpack Chapter Summaries (01:11-06:26) Two Pathways Into Military Interventional Radiology Both guests trace how they arrived at interventional radiology and at military service — one from the Air Force Academy and a fighter pilot track redirected by a day shadowing an orthopedic surgeon, the other from a childhood spent in a pararescue uncle's uniform and an HPSP commissioning. Each was pulled toward endovascular work by the same realization: that the future of the specialty was in doing more through less. Their training routes differ, one through diagnostic radiology and fellowship, the other through an integrated residency pathway. (06:26-10:15) Endovascular Care Explained: A Lot Through a Pinhole The guests define endovascular care in the language they use with patients: a small poke in the groin or the wrist, image guidance rather than an open field, and catheters threaded through the vascular tree like a plumber working pipes. Roughly ninety-five percent of the work is image guided, most often with fluoroscopy. The host adds the surgeon's framing — always ask what can be fixed through the blood vessel before opening a chest or an abdomen. (10:15-17:02) The Sixty-Minute Trauma Activation at Brooke Army Medical Center A blunt trauma patient arrives, CT shows active extravasation from a high-grade splenic injury, and the trauma activation commits the interventional team to needle-stick access within sixty minutes. The guests describe how that pathway was built on bi-directional trust rather than debate over each scan, and why the team now launches without relitigating the imaging. Both stress that owning trauma call — unglamorous, poorly reimbursed, and at all hours — is what earns interventional radiology its place on the team. (17:02-26:11) Forward Capability: REBOA, Stent Grafts, and the Role 2 and Role 3 Gap The conversation turns to what exists downrange. REBOA is scaled today at Role 2, and endovascular hemorrhage control at Role 3 remains largely a set of case reportable events performed with clinician-supplied equipment. The guests explain stent grafts as simultaneous hemorrhage control and reconstruction, and identify imaging, transport, and packaging — not procedural skill — as the true limiting factors on projecting this capability forward. (26:11-35:54) Silos, Superpowers, and the Real Cost Equation One guest argues that interventional radiology has been siloed by civilian incentives the military has no reason to copy, and that the specialty's real advantage is the fusion of diagnostic reading and procedural skill he calls a superpower. The host and guests weigh the higher up-front cost of advanced imaging and devices against the dramatically lower recovery burden of a pinhole procedure. The biggest hurdle, one guest says flatly, is people — convincing decision makers the capability is worth funding. (35:54-49:56) Allied Lessons, a Military IR Community, and What Fits in a Backpack Israeli teams shifting hospitals to bunker operations within twenty-four hours and Ukrainian experience with drone-driven injury patterns are held up as evidence the United States is playing catch-up. The guests describe the effort to build a military interventional radiology community across Services and to partner with the American College of Surgeons military chapter. The episode closes with a practical deployment loadout — ultrasound, micropuncture kits, sheaths, a base catheter, coils, and wire — and a walk through current training pathways into the specialty. Take Home Messages Bleeding is the mission. The immediate cause of preventable death after trauma is hemorrhage, which is why endovascular capability belongs in the operational conversation at all. Every argument for pushing this capability forward reduces to stopping the bleeding fast enough, and doing it without creating a second catastrophe. Framing the specialty this way makes its military relevance impossible to dismiss. Trust is the system, not the equipment. A sixty-minute call-to-stick standard at a level one trauma center was not purchased — it was built over years of bi-directional trust between the trauma team and the interventional service. Once that trust exists, the activation launches without relitigating the imaging, and everything else falls into motion. Any unit trying to replicate the capability should build the relationship before it buys the gear. Ownership earns the seat. Trauma call is unglamorous, poorly reimbursed, and inconvenient, which is exactly why some centers have written interventional radiology out of the pathway entirely. Showing up at two in the morning, reviewing imaging alongside the trauma team, and taking responsibility for the patient is what secures a permanent place on that team. Presence before the activation is what makes the activation work. The limiting factor is logistics, not technique. Everything done at a level one trauma center is technically achievable far forward — the constraint is diagnostic imaging, fluoroscopy, packaging, and airlift, not procedural skill. Progress therefore depends on investment decisions and institutional will rather than on new procedures. Convincing leaders that the capability is valuable is the hurdle, and funding follows conviction. Allies are already ahead, and the injury patterns are changing. Israeli teams move a hospital into bunker operations within twenty-four hours, and Ukrainian experience with drone-driven wounding is already reshaping assumptions about balloon occlusion and embolization. Planning for the last war is the fastest way to arrive unprepared for the next one. Learning from partner nations now is cheaper than relearning under fire. Episode Keywords military medicine, interventional radiology, endovascular care, WarDocs podcast, non compressible torso hemorrhage, REBOA, stent graft, embolization, hemorrhage control, combat casualty care, Brooke Army Medical Center, trauma activation, expeditionary interventional radiology, Role 2 care, Role 3 care, military trauma system, vascular surgery, image guided procedures, John Pavlus, Jonathan Schutt, Air Force medicine, Army medicine, military health system, battlefield medicine, damage control #WarDocs, #MilitaryMedicine, #InterventionalRadiology, #EndovascularCare, #CombatCasualtyCare, #HemorrhageControl, #TraumaCare, #MilitaryHealthSystem Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission- WarDocs exists to honor the legacy of Military Medicine, preserve its history, and inspire every generation — across all Services, Corps, and Ranks — to serve with excellence and pride. Through mentorship, coaching, and education, we equip those considering, entering, and serving in military medicine with the knowledge, connections, and community they need to thrive. We celebrate Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoW, and Our Nation. Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called “Docs” as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield, demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms. Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast
What happens when a well-intentioned Flight Instructor lets a rusty student "dig a hole" during a cross-country flight? In this episode, host Carl Valeri is joined by flight instructor, mechanic, and aviation writer Jamie Beckett, who recounts a humbling 1992 New England flight where inadequate planning, misplaced confidence, and misidentified landmarks led to a surprise landing on a U.S. Army helicopter field. Join Carl and Jamie as they break down the critical lessons learned about pre-flight briefing, overcoming complacency, and why owned mistakes make everyone a safer pilot.
In this episode, Howard Farran sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter, an Arizona native and proud Army veteran who earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lassiter spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army, completing his specialty training through the United States Army Prosthodontic Program, and today provides relationship-centered dentistry that blends science and artistry to create healthy, natural-looking, long-lasting smiles. The conversation traces Dr. Lassiter's path from a 19-year-old applying to dental school — admittedly naive in those early interviews — through his entry into the Army via officer basic training and an AEGD program, to years of service that included time living in Germany. He shares an honest look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Army dentistry, what drew him to prosthodontics, and the experience of caring for veterans and soldiers during his residency. The episode closes on his transition into civilian private practice and the journey from associate to ownership, offering a grounded perspective for anyone weighing a similar route into military or specialty dentistry. Episode #1726 : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran, Howard sits down with Dr. Kevin Lassiter — Arizona native, proud Army veteran, and prosthodontist who spent 12 years serving as a dentist in the U.S. Army before transitioning to private practice. From applying to dental school at 19, to Army life and training in Germany, to finding his passion in prosthodontics and making the leap from associate to owner — this is a candid, inspiring look at one dentist's unconventional path.
Mark Woodland is an unexpected CEO — he started his career in the Army as a tribute to his late brother, then went on to revolutionise his mum's paper-based childcare company.As a young man Mark Woodland was at a loss with what to do with his life.After years of moving around, the family — headed by Mark's single mum — settled in Ipswich, Queensland, where Mark showed himself to be a playful and enthusiastic boy, but school wasn't his first priority. When he graduated, Mark was most interested in driving around with his friends, playing music loudly with the windows down. When he needed money to fill the tank, Mark found a job at McDonald's.His younger brother was a new recruit to the Army when he was killed in a car accident. Ben was just 18.Mark decided to honour his brother by keeping Ben's wish alive, and so Mark joined the army, and served for 10 years.He left to help his mum run her childcare business, and Mark revolutionised the business' administrative system, moving from paper to a digital world.Today Mark is the founder and CEO of tech healthcare company Kismet.Further informationRead more about the short film, Versa.This episode was produced by Meggie Morris. The Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It covers infant loss, NDIS, digitisation, childcare subsidy, daycare, family business, Army, Navy, not giving up, not quitting, car accident, morgue, Ipswich, Brisbane, Puckapunyal, Albury-Wodonga.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com Find Col. Douglas MacGregor at www.macgregorwarrior.substack.com https://www.youtube.com/@macgregorwarriordiplomacy and https://nationalconversation.org/ No Existential Threat from China/Russia—America's Real Crisis Is Internal In a wide-ranging discussion, Col. Douglas MacGregor argues there are no existential military threats to the United States from China or Russia, contending the most serious dangers come from instability and organized crime in Mexico and the Caribbean Basin, weakened social cohesion, mass migration, and loss of American identity. He criticizes U.S. and NATO leadership over Ukraine, predicts Russia will ultimately defeat Ukraine, and calls Ukraine a "zombie state," while disputing portrayals of Putin as Hitler. MacGregor says defending U.S. borders and reducing overseas "forward presence" are essential in an age of precision missiles, and warns financial manipulation is postponing an inevitable economic reckoning driven by massive public and private debt. He claims the U.S. government is acting against Americans' interests, describes "Israel first" influence in Washington, and expects renewed action against Iran that could exhaust remaining U.S. capacity, while forecasting major geopolitical realignments in the Middle East. 00:00 Biggest Threats Today 01:40 No Military Existential Threat 04:17 Ukraine War Reality Check 05:34 Putin Hitler Narrative 06:14 Son Visits Russia 08:22 Why Russia Moves Slowly 11:30 Ukraine as Zombie State 12:49 Border Security Focus 15:15 End Expeditionary Warfare 17:33 Demographics and Migration 18:19 Army on the Border 20:30 American Identity Erosion 23:08 Immigration and Prosperity 24:46 Europe Identity Rebound 30:35 Assimilation or Collapse 31:55 Scarcity and Education 40:29 Government Not Ours 41:12 Israel First Policies 45:19 Rural Urban Civil Strife 48:20 Hybrid American Identity 49:20 Executive Power Creep 50:01 Historic Strongmen Examples 52:48 Trump and Donor Control 55:04 Corruption and Cromwell Fix 56:12 Midterms and ICE Backlash 58:10 Scarcity and Revolution Risks 01:00:52 Institutional Decay and Youth 01:05:31 Debt Reckoning and Vacuum 01:10:40 Iran War Paths and Alliances 01:17:02 Gaza as Regional Catalyst 01:18:02 Where to Follow MacGregor 01:19:08 Military Reform and Four Stars 01:24:57 National Conversation Closing
On this week's podcast, Jared Bridges, Editor in Chief of the Washington Stand and Bob McGinnis, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, AI expert and author join Casey Harper to discuss artificial intelligence. OpenAI's model broke out of the lab and hacked another model! How important is this latest Open AI "escape" and hacking? Is AI a good thing or a bad thing? Some are saying A.I. feels like the end of days, like Biblical prophecies coming to life. Do you agree? Given all that, should Christians be using AI?
Service Business Mastery - Business Tips and Strategies for the Service Industry
Most companies do not last. A huge share of the biggest names in the world vanish within a few decades. The Smith & Oby Company has been running since 1898. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Josh Crouch sit down with Jake Wattenbarger, president of Smith & Oby, a Cleveland mechanical contractor that has stayed relevant for 125 years by reading the market before it forces the issue, and by building systems and a culture that outlast any one person. Jake spent nearly a decade as an Army logistics officer before the trades, and it shows. He gets into why you never cross the finish line, how to build a business you can hand down instead of sell off, why you do not have to sell to make real money, and how culture and a talent pipeline keep a union shop winning the big jobs. If you want to build a trades business that lasts for generations, not just one you flip, this is the blueprint. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Upfrog, one of our show partners. Upfrog turns paid ad spend into booked, sold system replacements instead of wasted leads. Learn more at upfrog.com. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why You Never Cross the Finish Line 2:33 – From Combat Engineer to Mechanical Contractor 4:19 – Logistics Before Tactics: Structure and Accountability 8:28 – Advice for Anyone Starting Their Own Business 11:04 – Still Standing Since 1898: A 125 Year Old Contractor 12:47 – You Don't Have to Sell Your Business to Make Money 14:05 – The 40 Year Employees Behind a Lasting Company 15:15 – Recruiting Into the Commercial Trades and the Union Hall 18:06 – Building a Talent Pipeline When the Hall Can't Keep Up 18:51 – What Union Labor Really Costs, and Why It's Worth It 22:20 – Competing on Best Value, Not Lowest Bid 26:22 – Building Culture Inside a Union Shop 29:44 – Empowering Field Leaders Who Still Turn Wrenches 34:46 – Adapt or Become Polaroid: Reading the Market Early 35:26 – Staying Ahead With VDC and Investing in the Shop 46:01 – Where to Find Jake WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - Why the best businesses never cross the finish line, and how to read the market before it pushes you out - How to build a trades business you can hand down, instead of one built only to sell - Why you do not have to sell your company to make serious money - The Army logistics mindset that runs a business: structure before action, logistics before tactics - How to build a talent pipeline when the union hall cannot fill your jobs fast enough - What union labor really costs, and why best value beats lowest bid - How to build culture in a union shop, where there is no PTO by default - How investing in your shop and technology turns into margin, not just cost THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY UPFROG System replacement leads from paid ads, nurtured and booked into sold jobs before your team arrives: upfrog.com MARKETSTORM An AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ CALLRAIL CallRail assigns a unique tracking number to each marketing effort, so you know which channels bring your best leads. Try it free at https://callrail.com/sbmpod. BREEZY Capture 25-30% more clients with Breezy AI Agents. Use code 'SBM' to book a demo and get $500 on us PHONETAP Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo COMPANYCAM Capture work, track job progress, and stay connected from the field to the office with photo documentation and AI tools that keep work moving. Start a free trial at https://companycam.com/ CONNECT WITH OUR HOSTS AND GUEST Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Josh Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Jake Wattenbarger, The Smith & Oby Company: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakewattenbarger/ | https://smithandoby.com ABOUT SERVICE BUSINESS MASTERY Service Business Mastery helps home service owners run better, more profitable companies. Every week, Tersh Blissett and Josh Crouch break down the operations, technology, and leadership behind growing an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business, with the operators actually doing the work. More at https://servicebusinessmastery.com/ Want the frameworks from each episode in your inbox? Join the free Service Business Mastery newsletter: [newsletter link] Subscribe on YouTube and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. If this one helped, share it with an owner who needs it. #ServiceBusinessMastery #Trades #FamilyBusiness #MechanicalContractor #SkilledTrades
What Actually Happened at the June 2026 Career Conference Thirty-seven officers. Three hundred eighty-four interviews across two days. Every single officer pursued by an industry-leading company for the follow-up process. Two weeks later, most of the officers knew where they were launching their business careers. In this episode, Cameron-Brooks transition coach Brock Dudley sits down with two recent alums to talk through what the June conference was actually like and what they would tell an officer preparing for August. In this episode: – Why Jake went on five follow-up visits and received an offer from every one – How Xavier’s one location requirement nearly cut his options in half, and what changed his mind – What eleven interviews in two days actually feel like, and why they were conversations rather than tests – The number both officers say you should be comparing when you evaluate an offer, and it is not base salary – The two weeks after the conference, and the scheduling mistake to avoid Meet the panel: Xavier Mallet spent eight years in the Army as an engineer officer, leading a platoon in Hawaii and commanding a construction company in Germany. He is now a project manager at AMS Industrial in the Denver area. Jake Sidner served just about five years in the Marine Corps as an air defense control officer and left as a captain. He is now a go-to-market finance manager at Motorola Solutions in Chicago, where he grew up. If you’d like to learn more from other recent alums about their experience, you can listen to the following alumni roundtables: April 2026 Career Conference February 2026 Career Conference November 2025 Career Conference August 2025 Career Conference If you have any questions, we’re happy to help. For those of you in our program, we know how daunting the process up the career conference can be. We are here for you and we’ve got your back. In the meantime, practice in your study groups, stay active in discord, and attend your interview workshops. And if you’re new to Cameron-Brooks and are looking to explore your transition to the business world, we’re happy to talk. Follow Cameron-Brooks on LinkedIn.
WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS: People carrying unresolved grief, traumatic loss, family addiction, shame, suicidal thoughts, or the weight of generational trauma—especially anyone who feels trapped inside a chapter they cannot imagine surviving.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET: An honest look at how isolation magnifies shame, why asking for help can interrupt a suicidal crisis, and how grief recovery is built through imperfect, repeated choices rather than one dramatic turning point.DESCRIPTION:Army veteran and author Devin Fish joins Nick for an unflinching conversation about unresolved grief, childhood trauma, family addiction, suicidal ideation, and the long road toward healing. Before turning eighteen, Devin moved sixteen times, attended seven schools, and learned to survive instability by withdrawing from the people around him. At nineteen, after his mother Rachel died unexpectedly, he was forced to make the decision to remove her from life support and then returned to military life without truly processing the traumatic loss. Years of loneliness, shame, online exploitation, and repeated blackmail eventually convinced him that his career and future were over—and that suicide might be his only escape. Devin tells Nick how thirty seconds of courage allowed him to admit the truth to a military family life counselor and begin a grief recovery process that unfolded over several difficult years. He also explains how becoming an Army career counselor gave him purpose, how he learned to recognize old destructive patterns, and why healing does not require forgetting the past. Their conversation explores generational trauma, complicated grief, self-forgiveness, faith, and the difference between wanting life to end and desperately needing life to change. Through his book, Answering the Hard Questions, Devin offers listeners a message rooted in lived experience: let this be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book.This episode answers:· How do I cope with unresolved grief and regret after my mother dies?· Why can loneliness, shame, and blackmail lead to suicidal thoughts?· What should I do when I feel like suicide is the only way out?· How do you heal from childhood trauma and addiction in the family?· Can you forgive your parents without excusing the harm they caused?Key Takeaways:· Isolation can turn fear and shame into convincing lies; telling one safe person the truth can interrupt that spiral.· A suicidal crisis may come from desperately needing the current pain or circumstances to end—not from an unchangeable desire to die.· Grief recovery is rarely one clean turning point. It is a turning curve built through support, setbacks, boundaries, and repeated choices.· Understanding the trauma and addiction carried by previous generations can create compassion without erasing accountability or harm.· Sharing an honest survival story can return hope to someone who cannot yet imagine the next chapter of their own life.Guest ResourcesAnswering the Hard Questions — book: https://a.co/d/028ZBmgDDevin Fish on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79/988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/ DEVIN'S LINKSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79/ YouTube — Answering the Hard Questions: https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-fish-179069386 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devin_5054/EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to ResiliencyA heartfelt podcast series that brings to light the challenges and triumphs of...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showGIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtywordYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/
In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Curtez Riggs, a retired First Sergeant, entrepreneur, and founder of the Military Influencer Conference. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Riggs watched the economic foundation of his community disappear almost overnight as manufacturing jobs vanished. With few opportunities available, he chose the Army—not simply as a career, but as a chance to build a better future. Today, Riggs shares how his childhood and Army experiences led him to create one of the military community's largest networks, connecting veterans, service members, entrepreneurs, creators, and industry leaders. Guest: 1SG Curtez Riggs, U.S. Army Retired Founder, Military Influencer Conference andVice President, Strategy &Engagement, Recurrent Military & Defense What is the Military Conference? The Military Influencer Conference (MIC) brings together military professionals, veterans, and industry leaders for networking and professional development. Click below to learn more. MIC 2026 — Military Influencer Conference Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA's Army Matters podcast! AUSA's Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA's Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.
Mitch invites T Chambliss back on the show to talk about the July 2026 dataslate and the many blessings it brings to the sororitas! Together the duo talk about the general game changes, points changes, detachment changes, and sororitas rules changes, as well as our thoughts on where to take list building in this bold new era. As the Emperor-blessed genius behind the previous edition's Glorious Heavy Bolter Vahlgons in Army of Faith, T brings a fantastic set of melta-hot takes to the conversation. How we build lists and approach the game has been blown wide open, with at least 3 major detachments feeling highly viable with this new slate. Enjoy!
Chief Giles Goose, also known as Joseph, was an Arikara scout, soldier, and mail carrier whose life reflected the rapid change on the Great Plains. Between 1870 and 1882, Goose served as a scout for the U.S. Army while military posts lined the Missouri River. During this time, he guided and protected settlers and traders traveling along this route, the primary transportation and trade corridor.
Where did wokeness come from? We continue our journey into the origin of wokeness by telling the story of how a dark alliance put the Frankfurt School’s teachings into action. Woke Army (Part Three) airs Wednesday, August 12th, 2026.Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode we are joined by back, to back, TO BACK Stanley cup champion Pat Maroon. He talks Weight issues, Philly letting him go, Army almost sending him down, and Dale Hunter believing in him.Download the app today and use promo code STRICK to score SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS in Fantasy Bonus Entries when you play your first FIVE dollar. Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+) in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.npcgamling.org; AZ: 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783) or text NEXT-STEP to 53342; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)Head to policygenius.com/CAM to compare life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could save.Right now, Betterwild is offering our listeners up to 40% off your order at betterwild.com/CAMControl Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando (https://shopmando.com/) and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code STRICK at shopmando.com (https://shopmando.com/) #mandopodCheck out our Sponsors!
Economic mobility has dropped 45% in recent decades. The American Dream - doing better than your parents did - is getting harder to reach. But Leigh Mansberg and Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South are doing something about it. In this conversation with Bill, Leigh breaks down how Junior Achievement uses experiential learning to unlock economic mobility for kids K-12 - and why giving a child hope might be the most important thing a community can do. This episode will change how you think about education, opportunity, and what it means to invest in the next generation. This episode is for everyone who wants to see the American Dream continue on through future generations. ARMY ACTIONS Subscribe to the podcast and rate & review us! Signup to join the Army, visit NormalFolks.org Follow us on social media @ArmyofNormalFolks Join or start an ANF local service club at https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/ Take The 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service" at 10LevelChallenge.org Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Economic mobility has dropped 45% in recent decades. The American Dream - doing better than your parents did - is getting harder to reach. But Leigh Mansberg and Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South are doing something about it. In this conversation with Bill, Leigh breaks down how Junior Achievement uses experiential learning to unlock economic mobility for kids K-12 - and why giving a child hope might be the most important thing a community can do. This episode will change how you think about education, opportunity, and what it means to invest in the next generation. This episode is for everyone who wants to see the American Dream continue on through future generations. ARMY ACTIONS Subscribe to the podcast and rate & review us! Signup to join the Army, visit NormalFolks.org Follow us on social media @ArmyofNormalFolks Join or start an ANF local service club at https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/ Take The 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service" at 10LevelChallenge.org Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/#joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben King spent six years in the Army before starting over in the startup world as a Sales Development Representative. He brought discipline, leadership, and resilience, but still had to learn a new industry, prove himself in a new environment, and build his civilian career one sales conversation at a time. Now at Loop8, Ben is helping companies move beyond AI hype and use automation and cloud technology to solve real business problems. This conversation explores what veterans bring to tech, what startup sales actually demands, and why successful AI adoption should begin with the mission not the tool. We also discuss: • Starting over as an SDR after leaving the Army • Translating military experience into civilian value • Why veterans are built for high-pressure sales environments • The habits that create long-term sales success • Building go-to-market systems inside a growing company • Selling AI without exaggerating what it can do • How Loop8 approaches AI, automation, and cloud infrastructure • Why business outcomes matter more than flashy technology Sponsor This episode is sponsored by 2BAR Spirits, a Northwest grain-to-glass distillery with an all-female production team. The first Seattle distillery to produce bourbon, 2BAR Spirits creates approachable whiskey designed to bring people together. 2BAR Spirits also sponsored The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day. https://www.2barspirits.com/ Ben's links Ben King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-king-013041148/ Email Ben: ben.king@loop8.io Loop8: https://www.loop8.io Cloudy with a Chance of Awesome podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ynfms8t8MZbLWrU6S5h4a?si=d93ab1af30e64e4b Jason links https://linktr.ee/jasoncavness
We’ve got a full house this week as James, Omar, and Dan join Rob to preview the Black Knights’ offense […]
Send us Fan MailAt some point, life changes all of us.Maybe you've experienced the loss of someone you love, divorce, burnout, a frightening diagnosis, children leaving home, menopause, or simply woke up one day and realized you didn't recognize yourself anymore.People often tell us to "be strong," but very few teach us what mental strength actually looks like.In this heartfelt episode of It's Hertime, Cody Jean Sanders sits down with psychiatric nurse practitioner, Army veteran, retired Navy Reserve Commander, author, and creator of the Mentally STRONG Method, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara (Dr. B), for a conversation about grief, burnout, emotional resilience, and healing after life's hardest seasons.After experiencing unimaginable personal loss—including the loss of three children and her husband—Dr. B combined her professional expertise with her own journey through grief to develop a practical framework that helps people move forward without pretending they're okay. Today, she teaches thousands of people how to build genuine mental strength through practical, everyday tools rooted in both clinical psychology and lived experience. In this episode, we discuss: What mental strength actually looks like (and what it doesn't) Why understanding your emotions isn't always enough to create healing The difference between grief, burnout, depression, and chronic stress Why so many women feel stuck after major life transitions How perfectionism, people-pleasing, overworking, and staying busy can become unhealthy coping mechanisms The connection between hormones, stress, and emotional health How to stop catastrophic thinking and regulate your nervous system What it means to grieve the version of yourself you used to be Practical daily habits that build resilience over time How to begin trusting yourself again If you've ever felt like you had to hold it all together for everyone else, this conversation is for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, fresh perspective, and the reminder that healing doesn't require pretending everything is fine.Connect with Dr. Cristi Bundukamara
Federal agencies publish every contract they award, and that spending data reveals which offices buy your service and how much they paid last year, including one region where the Army alone obligated $27 million. ack Golden walks through pulling agency spending into a pivot table to find the offices actively buying, the recipients already winning, and the NAICS codes that point a small vendor toward contracts with little competition. What you'll learn in this episode: - How to turn raw federal spending data into a ranked list of which offices actually buy your service - The reverse-engineering move that starts from what you do and finds the agencies that fund it - How to read number of actions to tell a one-off contract from an office that buys repeatedly - How to surface the companies already winning in your area as competitors or teaming partners - Why more than 70 separate places hide federal opportunities, and how to stop hunting across all of them Chapters: 0:00 - Federal opportunities buried across 70+ places 0:48 - Picking an agency, NAICS code, and industry to search 1:40 - Army region with $27 million in unbid work 2:00 - Building the pivot table from raw contract data 2:38 - Ranking offices by total dollars obligated 4:05 - Following the money to the top NAICS codes 5:52 - Reading number of actions to spot repeat buyers 7:00 - Finding recipients already winning in your area 7:47 - California construction spending by agency and office Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.
Daniella Mestyanek Young grew up in the Children of God, left at fifteen, and went on to become a U.S. Army intelligence officer. She has spent her career since studying how high-control groups are built — and arguing that the tactics are the same whether the group is a commune, a military unit, or a political movement. In this conversation she and Jen Taylor-Skinner examine what separates a political movement from a cult, and why the distinction matters less than the tactics being used. They discuss the role race has played in American cults from the 1960s onward, the "validity mascot" — the woman brought in to make a leader look normal — and why cult leaders become fixated on birth rates and gender roles. Young explains what she calls trance talk: the deliberate cadence cult leaders use, and a simple test for hearing past it. They also discuss what it takes to leave. Young is direct about the limits: there is no reliable, ethical way to pull someone out of a cult, and the deprogramming of the 1970s amounted to soft torture. What works, she argues, is waiting for the crack — and knowing what to ask when it appears. Daniella Mestyanek Young is the author of The Culting of America and Uncultured. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He slept on the floor of a radio station he couldn't afford to staff, got told by the local coffee shop crowd he'd be out of business in six months, and ran that station for 45 years.Before he was a U.S. Congressman, Steve Womack was a Startup Junkie: a broadcaster's son who talked his way into a shoestring AM station in Rogers, Arkansas, and built it into an institution. In this episode, he sits down with Daniel Koontz, Jeff Amerine, and Caleb Talley to trace the throughline from that station to the Rogers mayor's office to Congress, and the entrepreneurial instincts that never really left him along the way.⏱️CHAPTERS0:27 – Welcome, Congressman Steve Womack1:06 – His "Marvel Origin Story"4:13 – Building a Radio Station From Scratch8:37 – Proving the Skeptics Wrong11:07 – Lessons From Football, the Army & "Make Your Bed"17:18 – Underwriting "Errors of Enthusiasm" as a Leader23:09 – The Vision Behind Rogers' West Side25:04 – "You're Not Thinking Big Enough": The Pinnacle Promenade Story27:16 – Northwest Arkansas' Growth Challenges32:06 – The Walmart Origin Story (and What Comes After It)38:21 – The Case for a Skilled Trades Campus41:27 – Government, Debt & a Coming Social Security Reckoning47:40 – Advice for Entrepreneurs and His Younger Self54:17 – A Tribute to Lt. Jason Hunt---
Joining me this week is author Amy Nathan where we explore the inspiring story of Sarah Keys Evans, a civil rights hero who fought against segregation in transportation. Learn how her legacy sheds light on the long struggle for racial equality in America and why her story isn't better known. To learn more about Amy, check out her website www.amaynathanbooks.comBe sure to grab a copy of Riding into History wherever fine books are sold, or via my bookshop affiliate storefront here. Support the show
Host Jeff returns with a solo, podcast-style episode that blends biblical vision, geopolitical observation, and practical warnings. He opens by addressing the viral attention around August 12, 2026 — a day of a solar eclipse, planetary alignment, and a meteor shower — and explains his view on astronomy vs. astrology, how celestial signs might signal spiritual moves, and why we should remain watchful but sober in our expectations. The episode moves into the global financial picture: recent U.S.-Japan debt actions, central banks hoarding gold and silver, China's role in moving gold toward a physical-asset model, and the risk of a digital currency-led “ledger” that could erode privacy and freedom. Jeff offers big-picture context (not personal financial advice) on why these shifts may point toward a new financial system being prepared and what that might mean for personal sovereignty. Jeff also discusses his course, Decoding the Power of Three, including a personal vision connected to the biblical firmament and the three heavens — a symbolic picture of the veil being removed and God's kingdom coming down. He explains how that theology ties into current events and spiritual preparation. Turning to cultural symptoms of the age, Jeff reacts to a disturbing Perez Hilton incident and frames it as part of a broader uptick in demonic activity and mass activation. He describes the “harvest” as a separation of wheat and chaff, warns about spiritual deceptions, and underscores the need for faith, readiness, and discernment. Previewing a short new video series, Jeff outlines five brief episodes that explore the Noahide laws, Jewish mysticism, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Kabbalah, the Seven Mountain Mandate, Joel's Army, and related movements. He argues that some NAR leaders are using Kabbalah-based techniques that function like magic over audiences and that these currents will contribute to a global push against the remnant—covering themes such as martyrdom of the saints and how different religious systems may converge against believers. Episode logistics and extras: Jeff is solo on this episode (Tim Cohen may appear in a later show), he announces a short premiere schedule for the new series (planning a 4:00 PM ET debut for the first short episode), and he shares offers and resources mentioned in the show: the Decoding the Power of Three course with coupon code SUMMER50 (valid through August 31), affiliate pet products (Mush Puppies and InForce via RORPetClub247.com), and a weekly prayer meeting on Telegram Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET. Expect theological reflections, cultural critique, and practical prompts to strengthen faith and community preparedness. Want to Understand and Explain Everything Biblically? Click Here: Decoding the Power of Three: Understand and Explain Everything or go to www.rightonu.com and click learn more. Use coupon code Summer50 for $50. value savings until August 31st.. Thank you for Listening to Right on Radio. Prayerfully consider supporting Right on Radio. Click Here for all links, Right on Community ROC, Podcast web links, Freebies, Products (healing mushrooms, EMP Protection) Social media, courses and more...https://linktr.ee/RightonRadio Live Right in the Real World! We talk God and Politics, Faith Based Broadcast News, views, Opinions and Attitudes We are Your News Now. Keep the Faith
Day Break | Fauci, Flock & the Far-Left Freefall --- 00:00 - Monologue 19:14 – Gerald Malloy, retired U.S. Army officer, West Point graduate, and Trump-backed Republican. Malloy discusses his effort to break through Vermont's traditionally Democratic political landscape, focusing on his military background, campaign strategy, and the broader challenge Republicans face in deep-blue states. 28:08 – Nick Hopwood, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Peak Wealth Management. In this week's No Lazy Money, Hopwood discusses a net loss in jobs, persistent inflation, and a recent breakout in the S&P 500 following a volatile spring and summer. He also stresses the importance of tracking monthly expenses and net worth, encouraging listeners to become more engaged with their finances and retirement planning. 38:19 - Monologue 47:19 – Allen Mendenhall, Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation's Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies and Senior Advisor to the Free Enterprise Initiative. Mendenhall discusses the Senate's move to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt and explains what could happen next procedurally and legally. 57:34 – Dewayne Moore, political and community leader and founder of The Dewayne Moore Foundation. Moore discusses a crowded 10-way Republican House primary in Florida, examining the competing factions, endorsements, and political dynamics shaping the race. 1:06:31 – Rand Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Fuel Ox. Taylor discusses the financial pressure facing U.S. truckers as diesel prices rise, examining the impact on independent operators, shipping costs, supply chains, and the broader transportation industry. 1:16:40 - Monologue 1:25:09 – Katie Heid, News Director for Michigan News Source. Heid delivers the Michigan Rundown, focusing on the gubernatorial race and the expected debates between the major-party nominees. The conversation looks at how the campaigns are taking shape and the issues likely to define the contest. 1:34:42 – Ryan Duffy, member of the Enbridge Communications Team. Duffy discusses a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling sending one of the Line 5 tunnel permits back to the Michigan Public Service Commission for additional review, while also addressing recently approved environmental permits. He explains the earlier permitting process, ongoing archaeological and cultural studies at the Straits, and what comes next for the project. 1:43:26 – Ivey Gruber, President of the Michigan Talk Network. Gruber discusses changes to the federal vaccine schedule under President Trump and the renewed scrutiny surrounding Dr. Anthony Fauci, examining the political and public-health debates surrounding both issues. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 24 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/UrGZQdE62jA
Twenty years ago, a young logistics lieutenant solved an impossible field problem with a Franklin Planner, a satellite phone, and a contact who happened to be at his desk. It worked — but it ran on luck. Bill Pessin has spent his career since making sure the mission never has to. He joins Tyler Sweatt to trace the line from Army logistics to leading Salesforce's Missionforce, and why acceleration, not just speed, is the point.What's happening on the Second Front:How a satellite phone and a Franklin Planner solved an impossible field problem — and why depending on luck is a system failureWhy Salesforce is the “central nervous system” of the mission enterprise, from HUMINT to workflowHow Missionforce was born from a single dinner between Marc Benioff and a combatant commanderWhat “acceleration” really means when moving faster through the mission is the goal, not the metricThe one piece of government friction he'd fix first if he had a magic wandBill Pessin is SVP of Missionforce at Salesforce and a U.S. Army veteran who has led the company's national security business since 2014.Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billpessin/Connect with Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylersweatt
Where did wokeness come from? To find the answer, we tell the story of how an obscure group of German refugees started all of this woke madness…and what we need to do to stop it. With the rise of the socialist movement in America, this March 2022 series has never been more relevant. Woke Army (Part Two) airs Tuesday, August 11th, 2026.Support the show: https://redpilledamerica.com/support/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Journalist Jasper Craven joins the show today to talk about his new book God Forgives, Brothers Don't. The book is a deep dive into the history of the American military academy and how it has shaped the country's conception of manhood. Craven's investigation led him from Valley Forge to West Point, uncovered a strange 20th century Joe Rogan who changed his name so it sounded like a lion's roar, and landed him multiple interviews with Graham Platner.A brief history of Jasper CravenWhere lost boys flyThe Nancy Mace skeleton keyFrom West Point to the Citadel“The gentleman soldier”Army engineers as public relations campaignBernarr MacfaddenMasculinity, American styleThe Scabbard and the BladeOfficers versus enlisted“Send me”“What the military does is create powerful bonds between men.”God Forgives, Brothers Don'tThe Complications of Graham Platner's Veteran IdentityBattle of the SexesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last time we spoke about the ending of the Second Battle of Changsha. In late September and early October 1941, Chinese commander Chen Cheng planned an operation to retake Yichang, a strategic Yangtze River city whose control was essential for protecting the approach to Chongqing. Japanese forces were pulling back from Changsha, weakened by supply problems and casualties, which created an opportunity for Chen to intensify his campaign. Yichang had been captured by Japan in 1940, a defeat that Chen carried as a personal and political burden. He therefore moved to encircle the Japanese 13th Division inside Yichang and drive it to collapse. Although the Chinese held a clear manpower advantage—fourteen divisions against the encircled Japanese—progress was slowed by stubborn fighting from prepared, entrenched positions. The battle inside the city produced desperate close-quarters combat and heavy casualties, showing how the fate of Yichang and the wider defense of Chongqing were tightly linked. #214 War hits the Pacific Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. The guns fell silent on October 9, 1941, as the Ninth War Zone's forces restored their pre-battle positions, marking the end of the Second Battle of Changsha. The balance sheet was grim on both sides, but it was China that bore the heavier cost. The Ninth Military Front suffered 70,672 killed, wounded, or missing. The concurrent Yichang offensive added a further 21,368 casualties to the Sixth Military Front, a force that outnumbered its Japanese opponents ten to one yet still failed to retake the city. By the time the dust settled, the Chinese army had lost nearly 100,000 men across both theatres. The Chinese command was frank, at least in private, about what had gone wrong. The Japanese had moved with a speed that recalled Blitzkrieg, advancing 130 kilometres in eleven days and withdrawing at twelve kilometres a day, catching the defenders perpetually off-balance. The 26th, 37th, 10th, and 74th Corps had been picked apart piecemeal rather than fighting in concert, the original plan to destroy the Japanese south of the Miluo River coming to nothing. Elite formations had paid a disproportionate price: the 74th Corps suffered 14,521 casualties, the 37th Corps 14,015, and the 58th Division alone lost 6,192 of its 11,907 men, nearly its entire fighting strength. Yet none of this was the story the public would hear. On October 10th, China's National Day, radio stations announced the "Second Great Victory in Northern Hunan", the annihilation of over 40,000 enemy troops. Newspapers rushed out special editions. Congratulatory telegrams flooded in from government ministries and civic organizations. Senior officials seized on the moment: Sun Ke, Premier of the Executive Yuan, declared that the victory "laid the foundation for the counter-offensive and the recapture of Hankou and Guangzhou," while General Bai Chongxi called it "the pivotal moment for us to turn defeat into victory." Chiang Kai-shek, reading through the pages of triumphant commentary produced overnight by his propagandists, was reportedly impressed by their industry, if not convinced by their content. He had not wanted to call it a victory at all, but the political calculus was unavoidable: after four years of war, an exhausted nation needed the psychological sustenance that only "victory" could provide. The gap between public performance and private reality was nowhere more visible than in the arrival of a twenty-two-member international press delegation on October 13th. Journalists from Britain, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hong Kong, and major Chinese newspapers were flown to Changsha and carefully guided through selected battlefields, where they inspected mountains of war trophies and heard testimony from soldiers and civilians. They left satisfied, presenting their war souvenirs—swords, binoculars, Japanese military flags—to their audiences back home as proof of Chinese heroism and Japanese defeat. Both China and Japan were claiming victory simultaneously. The only conclusion the foreign press could draw was that one side was lying, and it was not the side that had shown them the evidence. Chiang Kai-shek's real verdict came at the Third Nanyue Military Conference, held from October 16 to 21. His anger was withering. He condemned his generals for their obsession with defending sprawling outer perimeter lines while leaving city centres barely fortified, a mentality so rigid, he said, that the Japanese could announce the exact time of their advance and withdrawal in advance and still execute it on schedule without interference. "Generals, what a disgrace this is!" On the failure to capture prisoners, only 263 prisoners were claimed across the entire front, of whom only 16 names were actually published, he was almost incredulous: "We can definitely defeat the enemy, capture many enemy prisoners, and seize countless enemy weapons! Even if we cannot capture ten thousand prisoners, we should at least capture a thousand! If not a thousand, then at least a hundred! But now, you don't even have ten!" The conference handed down punishments to match the rhetoric. Liao Lingqi, commander of the shattered 58th Division, was sentenced to death for desertion and shot on October 22nd. His men were so outraged that three regimental commanders resigned in protest; the division was pulled from the order of battle entirely and given three months to rebuild. Li Yutang, commander of the 10th Corps, was dismissed—though the Third Battle of Changsha would begin before his replacement could take post, and he would be reinstated to play a key role in the city's defence. On the Japanese side, the 11th Army acknowledged 1,670 killed, 5,184 wounded, and 14 missing, far fewer than Chinese claims, though post-war regimental histories suggest the true figure was higher. Lieutenant General Anami, who had championed the operation, found himself stung by the charge that the battle had served mainly as material for Chinese propaganda. On November 23rd, he reportedly reacted with visible displeasure when someone in his headquarters said as much aloud. Anami's annoyance was easy enough to understand, but the accusation carried a troubling degree of accuracy. The Second Battle of Changsha had yielded no decisive strategic gain and no substantial alteration in the military balance. What it did generate, rather effectively, was a story and by the autumn of 1941, stories were one of the few things China still had in plentiful supply. The most consequential struggles were taking place not along the Miluo River, but in foreign ministries and embassies, in Washington and Moscow, in the messages passing between Chongqing and London, and in the increasingly strained calculations of statesmen trying to determine, amid rapidly changing circumstances, whom to support and for how long. For Chiang Kai-shek, the challenge was never merely military. It was structural, and had been so from the outset. He had always seen clearly, precisely because he understood China's weakness, that Japan could not be defeated by China alone. The country lacked the industrial base, the logistical reach, and after four years of relentless attrition more and more the manpower needed to force a decisive result on the battlefield. China's survival depended on making its war inseparable from the wars of other powers. Since 1937, Chiang's diplomacy had pursued that single objective: convincing enough great powers that their interests were aligned with China's, and holding that coalition together long enough for Japan to be subdued. That effort turned out to be vastly more difficult than it ought to have been. The problem started with the international order in which the war emerged. Chiang had hoped to assemble a concert of allies willing to help defend China against Japanese aggression. He was blocked not just by the reluctance of neutral states to aid China, but by the speed with which alliances shifted in the opening years of the Second World War. He had never welcomed the prospect of a general European conflict, correctly fearing that it would push China even further to the margins of world attention. Even so, he recognized that once the lines had hardened between the imperial democracies and fascism, new alignments might become possible. From his perspective, the growing amity between Berlin and Moscow was therefore disastrous. He had been eager to draw the USSR into war against Japan. Instead, the Soviets were now effectively aligned with the Nazis, who were themselves allied with Tokyo. The world created after Versailles had already enraged many Chinese. After all, the May Fourth demonstrations of 1919 had arisen directly from the settlement reached at the Paris Peace Conference. Yet that older order had at least possessed recognizable anchors, especially the dominance of the two great European empires and the United States. Now those empires were weakening, and no one could say with confidence what the new geopolitical order would be. For all Chiang knew, Germany might emerge as Europe's new dominant power. The early years of the European war produced a bewildering spectacle of diplomatic realignment. The Nationalist government had previously enjoyed a short-lived flirtation with Nazi Germany. In fact, Hitler's regime continued supplying Chiang with munitions in the first months of China's war against Japan. The Anti-Comintern Pact of 1936 had theoretically joined Germany, Italy, and Japan into the Axis, but mutual distrust prevented them from forming anything like a fully coherent alliance. Chiang found it useful to imply to Western powers that he might be pushed into closer alignment with Germany, a particularly disturbing possibility for the USSR, which faced enemies in both Europe and Asia. But eventually the contradictions in German policy toward East Asia became too severe. In April 1938, Germany yielded to Japanese pressure and ended its support for China. Britain offered little meaningful help. Neville Chamberlain became prime minister in May 1937 at the head of a Conservative-led National Government, and was quickly overwhelmed by the deteriorating European situation. If Czechoslovakia was for him a "far-off country of which we know nothing," China's fate was even more distant and obscure to many, perhaps most policymakers in London. The Nationalists had more success in cultivating the United States. At the Nine-Power Conference in Brussels in November 1937, the Chinese delegation failed to persuade Washington to impose sanctions on Japan and confront it directly. By the middle of 1938, however, American views were beginning to shift. As Japan pushed deeper into southern China, it became increasingly obvious that the occupied territory would be closed to foreign trade. In December 1938, Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau arranged a private American loan of $25 million to China, to be repaid through shipments of tung oil, a varnish product whose real importance lay not in itself, but in what the arrangement signified: a quiet American expression of faith that Chongqing would survive. Chiang also held on to the hope of an even less likely partnership. He had become fiercely anti-Communist during the 1920s, yet in the early years of the anti-Japanese war his greatest hope still rested on Soviet entry into the conflict. Soviet advisers and pilots had aided China from 1937 to 1939, but the USSR never formally declared war on Japan. Still, as Japanese aggression in northern Asia intensified, it remained possible that the Soviets would eventually be drawn in. Then, as so often happened whenever Chiang tried to impose some control over the course of the war, events beyond China's borders altered the struggle in fundamental ways. While Western attention remained fixed on Europe's darkening horizon, a battle with major consequences for East Asia unfolded on the frontiers of Outer Mongolia, Manchukuo, and the eastern Soviet Union. Throughout much of 1938 and early 1939, one faction within the Japanese Imperial Army sought to pressure the Soviets along their eastern frontier. The USSR appeared vulnerable; Stalin's paranoid purges had executed or exiled many of the Red Army's best officers. In May 1939, fighting broke out near Nomonhan between forces from Soviet-backed Mongolia and Japanese troops from Manchukuo. Within days, both sides had reinforced heavily, until nearly 60,000 Soviet troops faced about 40,000 soldiers from the Kwantung Army. Over the next four months, until mid-September, they fought a major battle ending in a decisive Japanese defeat and establishing the reputation of General Georgi Zhukov, who would later become one of Stalin's most celebrated wartime commanders. The much-derided Soviet Army had fought with formidable effectiveness, and the result was not only a ceasefire but also a nonaggression pact between the two sides, extinguishing, in one stroke, Chiang's hopes for a Chinese-Soviet military alliance. The final blow came after developments in northern Europe. In the Winter War of 1939–1940, the Soviet invasion of Finland led Britain and France to back a motion expelling the USSR from the League of Nations. China, then a member of the League Council, declined to use its veto to block the resolution. Stalin was enraged by Chiang's failure to prevent Soviet expulsion, and mutual suspicion thereafter poisoned relations between the two leaders for the rest of the war against Japan. China would now have to continue without further major Soviet backing. By the spring of 1940, China's position had become deeply precarious. In March, senior Japanese negotiators sought an agreement with Chiang in Chongqing, while Wang Jingwei was trying to formalize his rival Nationalist government in Nanjing. This effort, known in Chinese as the Tong Operation, and in Japanese as Operation Kiri, led to talks in Hong Kong from March 7 to 10, 1940. Militarily, the Nationalists were in grave danger: the United States remained neutral, and Europe was in chaos. Indeed, that same spring, with France seemingly near collapse, the British government also sent out discreet feelers to explore the possibility of a negotiated peace with Germany. For China, Western assistance was nowhere in sight. The Japanese judged the moment favorable for pressing Chiang toward concessions. Faced with serious danger to his regime, Chiang allowed the door to negotiation to open just slightly. As a consequence, the Japanese delayed full recognition of Wang Jingwei's new government. Through the summer and autumn of 1940, Tokyo remained uncertain about the defector. Prominent Japanese figures such as Count Arima Yoriyasu of the Privy Council said Wang's conduct demonstrated his untrustworthiness, and Foreign Minister Matsuoka Yōsuke continued to express interest in an agreement with Chongqing. Zhou Fohai captured the defectors' frustration, men who believed they had made the highest patriotic sacrifice when he wrote: "Chongqing sees us as collaborators, we see ourselves as heroes. We think only peace can save the country — that's why we think of ourselves as heroes. If we end up classed as heroes, then China and Japan will be at peace. If we end up classed as collaborators, then China and Japan will never be at peace."That formulation conveyed something genuine about the moral dizziness of the period. Most of the defectors were not men devoid of principles; they were men whose principles had carried them to a place that history would find exceptionally hard to pardon. The "New Fourth Army Incident" brought to a close one of the most consequential years in modern Chinese political history. The battle of ideas unfolding in 1940 was already visible to informed contemporaries. Early in 1941, US Ambassador Nelson Johnson sent Washington a detailed assessment of the Chinese political situation in reply to another report passed along by Major Evans Carlson, an American officer who had made an extensive journey through the Chinese interior. The contrast between the two documents revealed a widening split in American views of China. Carlson, together with his travelling companion, the New Zealander Rewi Alley, had become increasingly sympathetic to the Communists after visiting their territories in 1938 and admiring their discipline. Carlson described the Nationalists as moving toward "fascism," and argued that American aid should be conditioned on Chiang's government being compelled to adopt more "democratic" institutions. Johnson strongly disagreed. It was "only normal and natural," he wrote, that the Nationalists wanted to retain power, but during the war they had established the National Political Consultative Council, in which multiple parties, including the Communists, were represented. He also noted that the CCP could publish its own newspaper in Chongqing in a way that would have been impossible before the war. One might have expected the Nationalists to use the war as a justification "to extinguish . . . all political opposition," yet instead they had chosen to "muddle along." Johnson further thought that the influence of competing cliques inside the Nationalist Party had been overstated. Chiang Kai-shek, by contrast, had "grown in stature, as he has come to be recognized as the symbol of united resistance to Japanese encroachment"; ultimately, "it is he who makes the final decisions." Johnson did agree with Carlson that Chiang's regime was hesitant to encourage a broad-based popular movement animated by anything beyond anti-Japanese feeling, though he also pointed to Nationalist cooperative programs and county-level reforms. But he rejected the idea that American support should depend on sweeping political transformation. Chiang was committed to continuing the war against Japan, and Washington should back him in that effort. In a notably farsighted passage, Johnson wrote: "It is my view that since the fall of the Manchu dynasty and the collapse of the traditional Chinese concept of government the Chinese people have been feeling their way along toward a new evolving form of government. A definitive form of government has not yet been established and may not be established for decades; it may or may not be in the form of a democracy, but it will be a type of government that will be adapted to the needs of China and its people." The tension between these two American interpretations, Carlson's idealized belief in the Communists and Johnson's pragmatic support for Chiang was more than a minor bureaucratic dispute. It foreshadowed a debate that would dominate American foreign policy for the next decade, and would still echo when the People's Republic was proclaimed in 1949. The disastrous experience of 1940 seemed to cast doubt on whether any future for China existed outside the Japanese Empire. As 1941 wore on, another dreadful event shook the exhausted wartime capital. On June 5, Chongqing endured roughly five hours of bombing, driving the population into air-raid shelters. In one tunnel in the Shibati district, the conditions were even worse than usual. The large shelter was supposed to have lights and electric fans, but the generators had never been connected. Inside, the air was dark, hot, and suffocating. Around ten that evening, people began emerging from the tunnel when rumors spread that the Japanese were returning with poison-gas bombs. Air-raid wardens forced people back inside, even as others were still trying to come out. Bodies toppled over one another, and panic spread as people realized they could not breathe. Over the next few hours, hundreds died underground in the darkness. The exact number was never definitively established: the official figure was 461, though a contemporary police report placed it far higher, at 1,527. What rescuers remembered most vividly were the tortured expressions of the dead, people tangled together in each other's arms as they lost consciousness, clothing ripped to shreds by desperate hands clawing at one another, and bodies so drenched in sweat that they looked as though they had been soaked in water. One survivor, Tang Zhengchang, remembered a hand reaching out from a pile of corpses and pleading, "Sir, please help me . . ." The grip on Tang's shorts was so tight that it pulled them off; he escaped the tunnel naked from the waist down. Official descriptions of the disaster were softened. Even so, the tragedy deepened the city's gloom and in a place already saturated with grief, an added layer of darkness mattered a great deal. Yet events elsewhere would soon offer the National Government a narrow margin of hope. Late in 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt won re-election as president of the United States. "I am not going to send your boys into any foreign wars," he had proclaimed during the campaign against Wendell Willkie. But Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull both understood that Nazi domination of Europe posed a grave challenge to American influence there. And with China's "Open Door" to trade effectively shut by Japanese occupation, it was becoming increasingly clear that strict neutrality might not remain viable. In a 1941 report on China's domestic and foreign situation, Ambassador Johnson noted that during Germany's sweeping victories across Europe in mid-1940, the Chinese had become anxious about whether the Allies would remain committed to their cause. Britain's refusal to surrender, however, together with continuing Soviet goodwill, lifted public morale in China. People now looked toward the United States and Britain for support and felt that "victory" was "virtually theirs." Then, on June 22, 1941, the world awoke to news that roughly three million German soldiers were advancing into the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's invasion of the USSR, dramatically overturned the nonaggression that had governed relations between the two major European dictatorships for the previous two years. It transformed the war in Europe entirely. Less obviously, it also transformed the war in Asia. Thanks to intelligence leaks, Chiang Kai-shek had already realized that war between Germany and the USSR was likely. After the neutrality treaty between the USSR and Japan was signed on April 13, 1941, Chiang predicted that the United States would be drawn into the Asian war, and even that Japan might eventually reverse course and strike the Soviet Union. If that happened, China would become the critical Asian ally of both Washington and Moscow. Stalin had been caught off guard by the German assault — largely because he ignored increasingly urgent warnings from senior colleagues receiving intelligence from well-placed spies in Germany and the Comintern, eager to preserve its alliances, now pressed the Chinese Communists to cooperate more closely with the Nationalists. On June 23, 1941, the CCP Central Committee responded with a declaration that it would "persevere in the Anti-Japanese United Front, persevere in Nationalist-Communist cooperation," and would align itself with the British, the Americans, and others resisting the "fascist rulers" of the Axis. In Chongqing and Yan'an, the German attack on the Soviet Union was interpreted as a hopeful sign that Japan's fortunes might be beginning to turn. In Nanjing, the reaction was different. On June 22, Zhou Fohai recorded in his diary that, although the outcome "cannot be predicted," members of the Nanjing regime "all believe Germany will win and will take Moscow within two months." Zhou speculated that Japan could not easily reconcile its neutrality treaty with the USSR and its membership in the Anti-Comintern Pact, which was supposed to unite the Axis against Soviet expansionism. Still, because Germany had struck first, Japan was under no formal obligation to help. Zhou also continued to view events through a lens he had never abandoned: that of Chinese nationalism. "If Chongqing joins the Allies and they win," he wrote, "then this is good for China." If they lost, it would be disastrous for Chiang Kai-shek; but because Wang Jingwei had established a government in Nanjing under Japanese sponsorship, China now had "a foot in both boats." It was a ruthless calculation, but not a wholly dishonorable one. Zhou was not merely advancing Japanese interests. He was hedging, wagering on multiple futures in the name of a China he believed would endure beyond whatever constellation of powers happened to dominate at the moment. Whether posterity would judge that conduct prudent or collaborative was a question he could neither settle nor live to see resolved to his satisfaction. The summer of 1941 marked a major geopolitical turning point in the war. Until then, the conflicts in China and Europe had remained separate, if desperate, struggles on the Eurasian continent. Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union now forced Japan to decide whether it too would enter war against the USSR. Debate in Tokyo was brief. Although some officials, including Foreign Minister Matsuoka, favored striking north before moving south, both the Kwantung Army and the Navy advised against helping Germany at least until Germany had succeeded in drawing substantial Soviet forces away from Siberia and into Europe. Konoye, once again prime minister, agreed. With the northern option set aside, Japanese leaders turned toward another great power instead: the United States. Japan's failure to gain further decisive momentum in China had fueled demands for broader regional expansion, especially into Southeast Asia, with its abundant oil, rubber, and other strategic resources. From 1940 onward, measures such as the pressure to close the Burma Road made it increasingly obvious that Tokyo had adopted a more aggressive posture in Asia. Unable to subdue China, Japanese policymakers chose instead to escalate the conflict still further. Japanese political life had become ever more dominated by the unresolved war in China. As early as 1938, military expenditures consumed about 70 percent of the national budget, and that same year a National Mobilization Bill granted the government "total war control" over the zaibatsu, Japan's major industrial conglomerates. By 1940, the New Order was making itself felt throughout everyday life, with campaigns against luxury and extravagant consumption taking on new prominence. In February 1940, a parliamentarian was expelled from the Diet simply for daring to criticize the "holy war" in China. In such an atmosphere, retreat from imperial ambitions became increasingly unthinkable. That figure, 70 percent of the national budget devoted to the military is worth dwelling on, because it reveals something essential about the trap in which Japanese strategists had placed themselves. The war in China had not been won, yet abandoning it would have meant admitting a failure so severe that it would have shaken the ideological and institutional foundations of military supremacy in Japanese politics. The only apparent ways out required pushing further in: more conquest, more extraction, more expansion. The logic was brutally clear, and profoundly destructive. The Roosevelt administration watched these developments with growing alarm. Though still formally neutral, the United States was already using Lend-Lease to provide major assistance to Britain and the Soviet Union in their struggles against Germany. It now expanded aid to China as well. On February 10, Roosevelt's representative Lauchlin Currie visited Chongqing to inform Chiang Kai-shek that the United States would soon provide $45 million in military equipment. General John Magruder, head of the small AMMISCA mission, the American Military Mission in China had been sent to Chongqing in September 1941, as part of quiet preparation for possible Chinese entry into an alliance against Japan. The China branch of the OSS, precursor to the CIA, was led by General William "Wild Bill" Donovan, whom Roosevelt had dispatched to China in early 1941. The Americans repeatedly tried to discourage Japan from moving south into Southeast Asia, but relations only grew more confrontational. Japan occupied the southern part of French Indochina, and in response the United States imposed an oil embargo in July 1941. The consequences were immense. Japan imported around 80 percent of its oil from the United States. Without that supply, its navy, the essential instrument for southern expansion had reserves for perhaps eighteen months. The real question facing Tokyo, then, was not whether it must act, but how soon. Unable any longer to resist mounting military pressure for war, Konoye resigned on October 16 and was replaced as premier by General Tōjō Hideki. Tokyo accelerated its preparations for conflict with the Western powers. Planned targets included Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaya, the Netherlands East Indies, and the Philippines. I should note, if you want to learn about all of this history in more detail, you can go check out the pacific war channel on youtube. I have a chronological series that is just now talking about events like the Japanese invasion of french indochina and the road to pearl harbor. Throughout the autumn of 1941, increasingly desperate negotiations took place between Japan and the United States. Washington insisted that Japan withdraw from China; Tokyo was equally firm that it would do no such thing. From the Japanese point of view, the demand to leave China was not a serious negotiating position but a demand for national humiliation a call to repudiate four years of war, vast casualties, and the ideological basis of Japanese militarism in a single diplomatic act. In the end, the gulf between the two positions could not be bridged. While civilian and military leaders in Tokyo argued over the pace at which they should move toward war, few among Japan's rulers doubted that war was coming. At the imperial conference of November 5, it was formally agreed that if no satisfactory diplomatic solution had been reached by December 1, war would follow soon after. Talks in Washington between Ambassador Nomura Kichisaburō, diplomat Kurusu Saburō, and Secretary of State Cordell Hull led nowhere. On November 26, Hull delivered a note repeating the American position that Japan must withdraw from both China and Indochina. On December 1, the imperial conference resolved to go to war; the following day, the date of attack was fixed as December 8, December 7 by American time. In one sense, this was the culmination toward which the entire previous decade had been moving. The war in China had started as a localized conflict, then expanded into a continental one, and was now about to become something larger still: a truly global war, stretching from the North Atlantic to the western Pacific. China's long, lonely resistance would suddenly gain new dimensions and new allies, though not the ones Chiang had spent four years trying to cultivate, and not under circumstances he would have chosen. In the early morning of December 7, 1941, the US Pacific Fleet lay anchored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, its sailors and officers still largely asleep as dawn crept across the Pacific. The attack did not come without warning signs, American and Japanese diplomats had been locked in increasingly desperate negotiations throughout the autumn, each side hardening its position until no room remained to maneuver. Washington had demanded that Japan withdraw from China, a condition Tokyo viewed not as a serious opening offer but as a demand for national humiliation: a call to repudiate four years of brutal war, hundreds of thousands of casualties, and the entire ideological foundation upon which Japanese militarism rested. No agreement was possible on those terms, and both sides privately knew it. The strike force assembled in secret was formidable. Six aircraft carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, Hiryū, Shōkaku, and Zuikaku had sailed under strict radio silence across the North Pacific, launching their aircraft in two successive waves before the American base had any meaningful chance to respond. The first wave of approximately 183 planes swept in just before 8 a.m., targeting the rows of battleships moored along Battleship Row and the military airfields at Wheeler, Hickam, and Ford Island simultaneously, ensuring that American aircraft could not scramble in time to mount an effective defense. A second wave of roughly 170 planes followed less than an hour later, pressing the attack on damaged ships and harbor installations. The destruction was staggering. The battleship Arizona suffered a catastrophic magazine explosion after a armor-piercing bomb penetrated her forward decks, killing nearly 1,177 of her crew in minutes, almost half of the total American dead from the entire attack. The Oklahoma capsized after being struck by multiple torpedoes. The West Virginia and California sank at their moorings. In total, seventeen vessels were damaged or destroyed, and the vast majority of military aircraft at the nearby airfields were caught on the ground and obliterated before they could take flight. Around 2,400 Americans were killed and another 1,100 wounded, making it the deadliest single attack on American soil or territory in the nation's history to that point. Yet the attack was not a complete strategic success for Japan. The US Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers, the vessels that would ultimately decide the naval war in the Pacific happened to be at sea that morning and escaped unharmed. The harbor's fuel storage and repair facilities were also left largely intact, allowing the fleet to reconstitute faster than Japanese planners had anticipated. What Japan achieved in tactical devastation, it partly squandered in strategic miscalculation. The attack ended American neutrality instantly and irrevocably. The following day, President Roosevelt addressed Congress, calling December 7 "a date which will live in infamy," and within hours the United States declared war on Japan. For China, after more than four years of fighting alone, the blow that devastated Pearl Harbor paradoxically carried a thread of desperate hope at last, the great power Chiang Kai-shek had spent years trying to draw into the conflict had arrived, not under circumstances he would have chosen, but arrived nonetheless. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. After years of fighting, China's situation darkened in 1941 with intense bombing of Chongqing and fears of poison-gas attacks. Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June shifted alliances and pressured Japan toward wider war. Japan escalated plans for Southeast Asia, suffered an oil embargo, and negotiations with the United States broke down over withdrawing from China and Indochina. Then the Pearl Harbor attack began the Pacific War.