Episodes
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Episode 127 - Failure is an Option with Tony Carr
When the military talks about the cost of undermanned, overworked units, the conversation almost always turns to risk: what might break, what might crash, what could go wrong. In this episode, I sit down with Tony Carr, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, former squadron commander, and C-17...
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Episode 126 - Moral Injury MM
I'm joined by retired Marine Dr. Michael McDowell to discuss his thoughts on moral injury. Michael details his own experience with moral injury both personally and in his interactions with transitioning service members.
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Episode 125 - Moral Injury w/ Abi Dorhosti
I'm joined by Abi Dorhosti to discuss the concept of Moral Injury. We walk through the differences between moral injury and PTS and how both may manifest similarly, but the root of each is different. We also discuss how addressing the cause of moral injury is just as important (if not more) than...
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Episode 124 - Kevin Traw Debrief
I'm joined by occasional frequent guest Kevin Traw to discuss his recent retirement from the corporate sector and lessons learned in hindsight about his military transition. Kevin also discusses leadership development outside the military, and how to function within teams with misaligned…
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Episode 123 - GeoBaching
I'm joined by Chelsea Thomas, founder of Family in Flight, to unpack why families choose GeoBaching, the financial and bureaucratic hurdles that come with it, and the toll it takes on marriages, kids, and retention across the armed forces. We also dig into what support actually looks like for...
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Episode 122 - Wokeness w/ Ryan Sweazey
Ryan Sweazey returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, promotions, dissent, whistleblowers, professional identity, organizational culture, and the forces that shape decision-making inside large institutions. From fighter squadrons to Inspector General investigations, we...
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Episode 121 MIssion Alpha with Kristi Cabiao
I'm joined by Dr. Kristi Cabiao to discuss her advocacy work around Tricare, military families, and all the nuts and bolts under the hood that many of us don't perceive.
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Episode 120 - Dr. Buchanan
I'm joined by Dr. Pamela Buchanan to discuss her experience working in emergency medicine, and the medical industry generally over the past 20+ years. While our lived experiences differ, we found common in ground as we viewed our respective professional backgrounds through the lens of mental...
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Episode 119 - Chris McGhee
I'm joined by Chris McGhee to discuss professional and leadership development in the corporate sector. We compare that development against how the military develops leadership.
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Episode 118 - Kevin Traw Buffet Episode
This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Kevin Traw, starting with the role of chaplains on the flight line and how their presence, trust, and nontransactional support shape maintenance culture and professionalism. From there, we move into military discipline and how commanders approach...
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Episode 117 - Career Debrief with Elaina Kovnat
In this episode, I’m joined by Elaina Kovnat, someone I supervised about 15 years ago during my time in aircraft maintenance. She shares her experiences across multiple work centers and leaders, and what daily life in the career field actually felt like. This was a difficult conversation for me...
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Episode 116 - Make Chaplains Great Again
In December 2025 the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video and accompanying policy to rescind the DoD’s chaplain doctrine and replace it with a more Christian-centric framework. In this episode, I’m joined by Libby Alders to examine the “Make Chaplains Great Again” theme and what it...
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Episode 115 - Discharge Upgrades with Doug Smits
I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Doug Smits a 20 year Air Force veteran and current 3L law student. We discuss the factors and facets of military discharges that many people are unaware of and the long term effects that discharges below Honorable can carry.
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Episode 114 Give Directly
This week, I am joined by myself, Chris McGhee, for a personal conversation about growing up in poverty, the shame that often accompanies it, and the hidden costs of being poor that go far beyond money. I also explain why this episode is part of a fundraising effort with GiveDirectly, which...
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Episode 113 - Religion in the Military with Libby Alders
Libby Alders joins me to explore how religion operates differently within the military, including the influence of Christian nationalism both inside and outside the ranks. We discuss moral injury, why theocratic structures fail, and the broader risks created when a military force is not…
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Episode 112 - The Effects of Federal Downsizing with John Cordle
I'm joined by John Cordle, Dr. Eng., to discuss his experience with the federal downsizing in early to mid 2025. John and I do a deep dive on the highly capable federal workforce that works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to improve the quality of processes, programs, and facilities for...
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Episode 111 - The Art of the Apology with Jason Silvernail
In this episode I'm joined once again by Jason Silvernail. We discuss the art of apologizing which has seemingly been lost, or more accurately co-opted in this day and age to no longer account for behavior but to instead react to feelings. Jason discusses why apologies are not the proper repair…
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Episode 110 - Dave Siemiets - Air Force Culture
I'm joined by Dave Siemiet who recently wrote an article titled "CMSAF, abandon the ivory tower and lead us - Back to Our Roots" In this discussion Dave and I delve into the complex politics of chasing that next promotion when there are no more stripes to get. Dave gives fascinating insights into...
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Episode 109 - Author Jennifer Barnhill
In this episode, Jennifer Barnhill joins to discuss her new book, The Military Stories You've Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear. We talk about the power of storytelling as a form of advocacy, the lessons she learned from hosting Reverse Town Halls with service members and families, and how...
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Episode 108 - Bodyboarding into Freedom
I'm joined by Siaosi Soto an Air Force veteran to discuss his viral video where he bodyboards in his blues uniform and what inspired him to make the video. We also discuss his career in Security Forces, his approach to leadership and followership, and some of the issues he experienced in his…
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Episode 107 - Perceptions of AI with Jessica Reif
In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Reif, a PhD candidate at Duke University, to explore her recently published research on how employees perceive AI in the workplace—and how these perceptions differ from reactions to past workplace innovations. We also dive into her insights on collaboration...
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Episode 106 - The precursors to genocide
Dr. Abraham Peck joins me for a deep dive into the conditions that led to the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany between World War I and World War II.
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Episode 105 - Public Perceptions of Unlawful Order Safeguards
I'm joined by a very good friend of mine Eric Pulkowski to discuss his perceptions and expectations as a civilian for military safeguards against unlawful orders.
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Episode 104 - Veteran Media with Dr. Daniel Johnson
I'm joined by Dr. Daniel Johnson to discuss his research on blast injuries, as well as his work bringing his research to legislatures and media. We also discuss trying to access national media on behalf of veterans and servicemembers in a noisy media environment.
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Episode 103 - Derrick Jackson
I'm joined by Derrick Jackson to discuss his 21 year career as an aircraft maintainer and OSI Special Agent. Derrick has authored his first novel Shadow One loosely based on his career. Derrick and I discuss myths around OSI, human trafficking in South Korea and the impacts on security clearance,...
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Episode 102 - Megan Harless - PCS Like A Pro
I'm joined by Megan Harless to discuss the recent and upcoming changes to military PCS moves, both through contractors and if service members elect to move themselves.
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Episode 101 - Career Debrief with Nina Brown
I'm joined by SMSgt(retired) for a debrief of her 23 year career. We discuss her challenges as a young airman and how that informed her later in her career.
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Episode 100 - Do what your stripes can handle
I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Elton Madden to discuss his mentorship during my career. Elton discusses the concept of "Do what your stripes can handle" and how it is both a warning and a responsibility to push for things to be better.
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Episode 99 - Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh
I'm joined by Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh to discuss her experienced as a foreign born military spouse and how those lived experienced informed her advocacy work. For more information check out this link: https://fbmnetwork.com/
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Episode 98 - Veterans Law from the Student Perspective
I'm joined by 3L students Neha Srinivasan and Briana Thompson to discuss veteran disability law, active duty legal issues, cultural norms surrounding military discipline and military law. I also reference an article I wrote 2 years ago linked here:...
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Episode 97 - Veterans Upward Bound
I'm joined by Jennifer Ross to discuss the Veterans Upward Bound program. This link is the survey discussed in the latter half of the episode: https://sites.google.com/view/project-parity/home?authuser=0
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Episode 96 - Leadership with Jason Silvernail
Join us for a compelling conversation with Jason Silvernail, a U.S. Army physical therapist, as we explore essential leadership themes. Jason breaks down the critical relationship between responsibility, accountability, and authority in leadership. Learn how these concepts interconnect to…
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Episode 95 - Burnout with Dr Angela Karnes Padron
I'm joined by Dr. Angela Karnes Padron to discuss the concepts of burnout and its impacts, whether immediately tangible or not.
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Episode 94 - Sea Waves with Leah Stiles
In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by retired Navy Senior Chief Leah Stiles, founder of Sea Waves, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing eating disorders within the military. We delve into the cultural and organizational factors that contribute to eating disorders among service members,...
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Episode 93 - Veterans Day 2024 - VHP with Monica Mohindra
In this episode, I'm joined by Monica Mohindra, the Director of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. We explore the program’s impact and delve into how it enhances our understanding of American veterans. We discuss societal perceptions of veterans and how the project provides…
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Episode 92 - Green up v Fix
I'm joined by Aaron "Doogie" Hauser to discuss the differences between fixing jets and merely greening them up, and how the distinction between the two belies more profound organizational issues within aircraft maintenance in the Air Force.
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Episode 91 - The Officer And Enlisted Divide
I'm joined by Kevin Traw to discuss the Officer and Enlisted divide and how it survives, or doesn't, in the civilian sector.
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Episode 90 - Advocacy Updates
An update on the DOD Occupational Suicide Study and what efforts have been made to push for a full release of the data required by the 2023 NDAA.
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Episode 89 - Jessica Ruttenber
I'm joined by Jessica Ruttenber to discuss her time in the Air Force and her advocacy work both during her military service and afterwards. Her organization Level Up Aviation (https://www.levelupaviation.org) is focused on equity in aviation.
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Episode 88 - Toxic Leadership w/ Jeff Hurlbert
I'm joined by Jeff Hurlbert to discuss the article he co-authored on the necessity of the US Air Force to define toxic leadership. The article can be found at: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASOR/Journals/Volume-2_Number-4/Stringer_et_al.pdf
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Episode 87 - AETC Risk Management Worksheet With Kurtis Ott
I'm joined by CMSgt(ret) Kurtis Ott to further discuss the AETC Mishap Worksheet discussed in Episode 86. Additionally, check the link below for more information as well as images of the Worksheet as of 6/1/2024 and the implementation guidance. It is recommended you review those forms for this...
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Episode 86 - AETC Mishap Worksheet With Dr. Angela Karnes Padron
I'm joined by Dr. Angela Karnes Padron an I/O Psychologist to discuss a recent Risk Management worksheet implemented by the Air Education and Training Command. For reference, here is an article from the Air Force Times:...
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Episode 85 Mike Wilke
I'm joined by CMSgt(ret) Mike Wilke to discuss our time serving together where I faced significant career challenges. For more information, see this blog post for the full story: https://www.20yearsdone.com/blog//2018/07/smoke-doesnt-always-mean-fire-part-i.html
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Episode 84 - Becky Warren
I'm joined by musician Becky Warren to discuss her music, her work with veterans, and her solo project creating custom tailored songs. Find Becky's songwriting coaching here: https://songsidekick.com/ Find Becky's Spotify page here:...
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Episode 83 - DOD And Congress With Kevin Traw
I'm joined by Kevin Traw to discuss his time working in the Pentagon and how the DOD interacts with Congress. This episode provides valuable insights for our on going work to expose cultural issues in the DOD as it relates to suicidality.
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Episode 82 - Brian Ingram
I'm joined by Brian Ingram who was my flightline expediter from 2005 until 2007. Brian was also the focus of my blog post titled "What's with the 7 levels?" Brian and I discuss leadership theory, flightline culture, and how often junior personnel don't have the situational awareness to understand...
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Episode 81 - The Small At The Expense Of The Big With Tony Carr
I'm joined once again by Tony Carr to discuss the misprioritization of the inconsequential over the important. How we arrived here, why we have persisted, and what we need to do to change our culture.
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Episode 80 - Francesca Graham
I'm joined by Francesca Graham to discuss her recent article on the lack of legal protections and assistance for DOD complainants. Francesca is also the creator of the newsletter the DOD Times (Redacted) which can be found here:...
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Episode 79 - The Good Times With Eric Stromski
I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Eric Stromski once again. In this episode we discuss many of our positive experiences in the Air Force.
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Episode 78 - Billie Flynn
I'm joined by Billie Flynn a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Combat Commander, fighter pilot, test pilot, and a global strategic advisor and consultant. Billie shares his insights about how organizational culture can directly impact flight safety. Billie can be found at: https://billieflynn.com/