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Now entering Greener Pastures! Greener Pastures is a comedy and satire site run by a bunch of writers obsessed with out-writing, out-joking and out-funnying each other! And because we love to writing satire, talking about it, and the people who do it, we've expanded into podcasting! Today, we interview Jan Lionsnest! Jan is scrivener-in-Chief of medieval satire at Ye Olde Tyme News and also contributes at Duffel Blog. Find Jan and Ye Olde Tyme News online: Website Tune in next Monday for the next episode! Follow us on Twitter at @greenerpastsat and on Medium at Greener Pastures Magazine.
In 2012, former USMC Sergeant Paul Szoldra started a website satirizing the military. Over the last eleven years that site – The Duffel Blog – has entertained hundreds of thousands of people both within and outside the military. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with Szoldra to talk about the effectiveness of satire, some of their favorite Duffel Blog articles, and a certain SMA ranking story from years ago… Guest: Former Sgt. Paul Szoldra (USMC), Duffel Blog, Founder and Editor in Chief If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email 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.
In this episode Brock speaks with Paul Szoldra. After Paul's exit from the Marine Corps in 2010, he fell into journalism where he went on to write for publications like Business Insider, We are the Mighty, and later became the editor at Task and Purpose. He's the founder of the popular military satire newsletter, Duffel Blog and late this last year went full time on a solo newsletter, The Ruck, a weekly national security newsletter. In this conversation, Paul talks about why everyone has the ability to create through writing with heuristics on getting started, the origins of Duffel Blog and his early insight into content marketing, and going solo as a writer with some of the tools he uses in his process. Episode Resources: Wonder Tools Substack Paul on Twitter Paul on Instagram The Ruck Newsletter Duffel Blog Notes: (01:35) - What Paul is most proud of and position the Marines to his kids (08:55) - Taking off the uniform but not exiting service (17:26) - Was journalism a means to an end? (25:14) - Everyone having the power to write and create (32:31) - Origins of Duffel Blog (41:40) - Duffel Blog's growth over time and where it is today (45:14) - How Paul's writing style has evolved over 10 years writing on defense (52:27) - How to know where the knowledge of your reader is with the nut graf (57:49) - Content evolving over time (01:02:34) - Importance of feedback and finding what to work on (01:13:36) - Starting the Ruck and building a sustainable solo business (01:22:18) - Tools, software, and resources Paul likes The Scuttlebutt Podcast - The podcast for service members and veterans building a life outside the military. The Scuttlebutt Podcast features discussions on lifestyle, careers, business, and resources for service members. Show host, Brock Briggs, talks with a special guest from the community committed to helping military members build a successful life, inside and outside the service. Get a weekly episode breakdown, a sneak peek of the next episode and other resources in your inbox for free at https://scuttlebutt.substack.com/. Follow along: • Brock: @BrockHBriggs • Instagram: Scuttlebutt_Podcast • Send me an email: scuttlebuttpod1@gmail.com • Episodes & transcripts: Scuttlebuttpodcast.co
I interview Brian Lutz, a former Army Pilot and current writer for Duffel Blog, a military satirical news website. We talk about communicating hilarity, storytelling, and making veteran experiences approachable to everyone.
The war stories we tell both reflect and shape the relationship between American society and its military. In the second of two episodes, Alice and Jim explore how the stories Vietnam veterans told about their war have shaped America's experience of the war in Afghanistan. They interview author and Army veteran Matt Gallagher, about his most recent novel, Empire City, and consider how blogs and social media have influenced the ways we tell war stories, drawing on insights from counterinsurgency expert, Dr. Erin Simpson, and Marine Corps veteran and creator of the Duffel Blog, Paul Szoldra. Features "Born to Drive Me Crazy" by Lance Conrad via Artlist.
Today we talk with Marine Corp. veteran Paul Szoldra, founder of the wildly popular satirical website Duffel Blog, the military equivalent to The Onion, beloved by service members from boots, all the way up to James Mattis, for its ability to hilariously speak truth to power. About the Show: Incoming showcases the true stories of America’s military veterans, told in their own words, straight from their own mouths. Produced by So Say We All, a 501c3 literary and performing arts nonprofit, in collaboration with San Diego’s NPR station KPBS. Website: https://www.sosayweallonline.com/incoming/ Connect: https://www.facebook.com/SoSayWeAllOnline https://www.instagram.com/sosayweallonline/ https://twitter.com/Sosayweallsd Email: info@sosayweallonline.com
"Don't have a chip on your shoulder. Don't get out of the military thinking that anybody owes you anything." - Paul SzoldraWelcome to Sword and Pen, a podcast about journalism, military veterans, and military veterans in journalism. In this episode we welcome Paul Szoldra, a Marine Corps veteran and the Editor-in-Chief of Task and Purpose. You also might recognize him as the founder of the popular satire news website, Duffel Blog. Sword and Pen is a production of Military Veteran in Journalism, a professional association that builds community for vets, supports their career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets. Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr)
Despite the darkness of combat, there always seems to be moments of levity that surface from time to time. Paul Szoldra, whether he believes it or not, is a master at finding those moments. Whether it was Marine boot camp, or the unforgiving landscape of Afghanistan, Szoldra found humor to get him through the boredom, frustration, and nervous anticipation of combat. A near miss from an IED blast that most certainly would have taken his life, was all that was needed to make Szoldra all-too aware of the horrific realities of combat. But none of the darkness, including life-altering and life-ending IEDs, would have been overcome without humor. And so Paul Szoldra eventually left the Marine Corps and started the “Duffel Blog,” an online military satire publication that has seen over one million unique readers each month. The Duffel Blog has been praised by everyone from Defense Secretary Mattis, to former Pentagon spokesman George Little, and The Onion’s founding editor Scott Dikkers! Check it out on this rather lighthearted episode of HAZARD GROUND! www.paulszoldra.com | www.duffelblog.com | www.taskandpurpose.com/author/paulszoldra2/ This episode is also brought to you by our latest sponsor, Knife Country USA. Knife Country USA has the largest selection of knives, cutlery and accessories on the Internet. With over 30,000 models from 500+ manufacturers, Knife Country USA is CONFIDENT they have the perfect item for you. In addition to a tremendous selection, no other company can beat Knife Country USA’s commitment to exceptional customer service – their owner personally guarantees it. Go to our website, hazardground.com, and click on the Knife Country USA banner on our Sponsors page. Then enter coupon code: “HAZARD1” at checkout to get 15% off your entire order. Thank you, thank you, thank you for listening…Spread the word, tell a friend!!
The guys interview Kate from Barstool Sports and Zero Blog Thirty. She tells her story of serving in the Marine Corps outside the wire before she was even allowed to and transitioning from military life to writing on the Duffel Blog and eventually becoming a blogger/podcaster for Barstool Sports. Then the guys give their audio resume to Coach Calhoun to be considered for defensive coordinator, they do a little behind enemy lines, and talk about not understanding tent guard duty.
Donald Trump's suggestion that the military should have a division called the 'Space Force' has Chaps thirsty to re-enlist. Chaps and Cons roast PFC RadioBren for being young and dumb. Kate's Corner is about Women's History Month and she's treatin' herself. Chaps and Kate interview Duffel Blog founder Paul Szoldra about founding the military's version of The Onion, and more.
On this week's episode of Zero Blog 30 we talk about a North Korean soldier who went balls to the wall in his escape attempt into South Korea, which leads to a discussion about our favorite war movie escape scenes. Lady POG Kate Mannion joins us to talk about contributing to Duffel Blog, some funny stories from her service days, and how her background in comedy came to be. All this and more on ZBT.
In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast, Blake speaks with Marine veteran and "Terminal Lance" creator Max Uriarte about his newest projects and other current events. Related: 'Terminal Lance' creator talks about the Marine Corps and the future of his comic "When I first started 'Terminal Lance' I was convinced I was going to get my sh*t pushed in," Max humorously explains. "I knew I was going to get in trouble. I was waiting for that phone call." Soon, Max was releasing hundreds of “Terminal Lance” comics covering a wide range of topics, including military customs, the most popular (and the most disgusting) MREs, long-distance relationships, and other aspects of life in the Corps. His latest book "Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus" delivers the complete collection of Abe's shenanigans. It features over 500 serialized comics published on terminallance.com, with additional comics previously published only on the Marine Corps Times newspaper, and new, never before published comics. The Omnibus will also include Uriarte's signature blog entries and previously unpublished bonus material. The "Terminal Lance Ultimate Omnibus" hardcover book will be available April 24, 2018. We also discussed Uriarte's new podcast "After Action," a show about national security, military life, and other random bull—t, according to Uriarte. It's co-hosted with Paul Szoldra, the founder and editor-in-chief of the popular military satire site Duffel Blog. You can listen to After Action on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Uriarte joined the Marine Corps in 2006 as a 0351 Marine Assaultman and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Uriarte deployed to Iraq twice with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2007 and 2009. During Uriarte's four years of enlistment in the Corps, he served as SMAW Gunner, Team Leader, Squad Leader, .50Cal Gunner, Combat Photographer, and a Combat Artist. In 2010, Uriarte started the hit comic strip "Terminal Lance," which soon became the single most popular comic strip in the military. In 2016, Uriarte released the world's first graphic novel about Iraq, written and illustrated by an Iraq veteran, called "The White Donkey: Terminal Lance." The "White Donkey" was independently published in February 2016 and was a massive success. Within 72 hours of its release, it was picked up by publisher Little, Brown & Company for smash publication on April 19th, 2016. Hosted By: Blake Stilwell: Air Force veteran and Managing Editor Tim Kirkpatrick: Navy veteran and Editorial Coordinator Orvelin Valle (AKA O.V.): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer
GallantFew, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to reducing Veteran unemployment, homelessness and suicide. Today's show is a two-fer! 1st scheduled guest is Miyoko Hikiji. Miyoko is an Iowa native who served as an active duty soldier from 1995-98. She was a supply clerk and armorer in Air Defense Artillery, stationed at Fort Polk LA and Fort Bliss TX. She returned home after completing her initial enlistment, joined the Iowa Army National Guard and deployed as a truck driver with the 2133rd Transportation Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Miyoko completed over 70 supply convoy, security and raid missions throughout the northwest quadrant of Iraq. Simultaneously she worked as the unit correspondant and administrative sergeant. Miyoko earned two B.S. degrees from Iowa State University in 2004 - journalism and mass communication and psychology. Her war memoir All I Could Be: My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq wll be released in May thorugh History Publishing. Follow her on Twitter: @MHikiji Second scheduled guest is Paul Szoldra, the Founder of The Duffel Blog. Paul Szoldra is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, graduate of the University of Tampa, Masters candidate at the University of South Florida, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Duffel Blog, co-creator of a 3-year old named Jason, and according to his mother, "the most wonderful person on the entire planet."