PODCAST · comedy
So There I Was...
by Womack Career Coaching & Consulting
A place where military veterans can come together and share stories of their careers. In hopes of continuing the connection, bond and brotherhood and prevent further veteran suicide.
Episodes
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Episode 47: Jaime Martinez – What Do You Do With the Gift of Life? A Story of Service, Cancer, and Resilience
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Martinez has lived enough experiences for several lifetimes. A first-generation Peruvian-American, Jaime enlisted as an infantryman, served in the 82nd Airborne Division, fought in Panama and the Gulf War, earned a direct commission, served at the Pentagon…
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Episode 46: Kelley Jensen – TMS, Autism, and PTSD Recovery
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with Kelley Jensen, Chief Marketing Officer of Brain Performance Technologies, to explore the growing use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for autism, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, sleep issues, and traumatic brain injuries. Kelley...
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Episode 45: Devin Smith – Suicidal Thoughts, Army Life, and Rebuilding Identity
In this episode, Devin Fish shares the raw story behind his book Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of the Chapter, Not the End of the Book. From poverty, addiction in his family, repeated instability, and losing his mother while serving in the Army, Devin walks through the mental…
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Episode 44: Mark Parrish – War to Business Leadership
In this episode, Mark Parrish shares his journey from National Guard service to building a multi-unit McDonald’s franchise operation. He reflects on joining the military before 9/11, deploying to Ramadi during one of the most violent periods of the Iraq War, and navigating the challenges of...
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Episode 43: Evan Lowe – Artillery to Marketing
In this episode, Evan Lowe shares his path from Army artillery officer to a future in marketing within the Army. He talks through ROTC beginnings, deployments, command experiences, and the reality of leading soldiers through both discipline and chaos. Evan breaks down the shift from combat arms…
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Episode 42: Lucas Velmer – From Combat Engineer to Civil Affairs: War, Transition, and the Reality After Service
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with Army veteran Lucas Velmer to unpack a career shaped by war, leadership, and a brutally honest transition out of the military. Lucas shares how he went from a small-town upbringing to joining the Army in 2000, serving as a combat engineer…
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Episode 41: Michael Brennan – Leadership, Trauma, and Rebuilding After Military Service
In this episode, Travis sits down with Air Force veteran and First Sergeant Michael Brennan for one of the most raw and real conversations on military service, transition, and recovery. Michael shares his journey from joining the military after 9/11, through years of back-to-back deployments…
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Episode 40: Shain Uddin – From Bangladesh to the U.S. Army: Leadership, Identity, and Earning the American Dream
In this episode, Travis Womack sits down with Army officer Shahin Uddin to unpack a journey that starts in Bangladesh and leads to senior leadership in the U.S. military. After immigrating to America at age 12, Shahin’s path was shaped by sacrifice, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of...
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Episode 39: Michael Brown – From Air Force Plumber to Tech Founder: Building Opportunity from the Ground Up
In this episode, Travis Womack sits down with Air Force veteran and entrepreneur Michael Brown for a conversation that cuts across service, risk, and reinvention. What starts as a practical decision to join the military turns into a career shaped by unexpected opportunity—from plumbing in the Air...
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Episode 38: David Bartley – From Suicide Attempt to Saving Lives Through Connection
David Bartley — From Suicide Attempt to Saving Lives Through Connection In this episode, I sit down with David Bartley — speaker, mental health advocate, and someone who has dedicated his life to helping others after surviving his own suicide attempt. David didn’t serve in the military, but his...
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Episode 37 – Timothy French — Iraq, Loss, and the Reality of Combat Nobody Talks About
Timothy French — Iraq, Loss, and the Reality of Combat Nobody Talks About In this episode, I sit down with Tim French — infantry veteran, Old Guard alum, and someone whose story captures both the intensity of combat and the weight that comes with it long after. Tim joined the Army just months...
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Episode 36 – Jody Shouse — From Mogadishu to the Old Guard: A Career of Airborne Leadership
Jody Shouse — From Mogadishu to the Old Guard: A Career of Airborne Leadership In this episode, I sit down with Jody Shouse — a former commander of mine, mentor, and career Army officer whose path through the military spans airborne operations, Somalia, and multiple assignments with the historic...
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Episode 35: Clear Path Home: Service, Struggle, and Second Missions
Ryan Woodruff, Marine Corps infantry veteran and CEO of Clear Path for Veterans. Ryan shares his combat experience in Iraq, the difficult transition home, struggles with identity and alcohol, and the long road to healing. He unpacks the power of community, faith, service, and purpose—and explains...
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Episode 34: Rank, Reactor, and Reality: Life in the Nuclear Navy
Retired Navy veteran Mark Schneider joins Travis to share his extraordinary journey from submarines to aircraft carriers to a combat deployment in Iraq supporting the Army. As the only combat nuclear limited duty officer, Mark offers rare insights into Navy culture, rank quirks, and the…
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Episode 33: From Combat to Caskets: A Soldier’s Story of Service and Sacrifice
Army veteran Jeremiah Anderson-Kaapa shares his journey from infantry deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to serving in the Old Guard at Arlington. With over 1,200 funerals performed including the lying in state of President George H.W. Bush he reflects on the discipline, humility, and meaning...
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Episode 32: From the Corps to Community: The Veritable Veteran’s Story
Marine veteran Evan—better known online as Veritable Veteran—joins Travis to share his powerful journey through service, struggle, and healing. From deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to finding purpose after leaving the Corps, Evan reflects on combat stories, mental health battles, and the...
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Episode 31: The Voice of The Old Guard
Matt Dewagner joins the show as his Army career is slowly coming to an end. He reflects on his enlisted time and later officer time serving in The Old Guard. His voice has narrated what would seem like countless ceremonies over the years. I had the pleasure of serving with Matt and his ability to...
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Episode 30: Keep Moving, Keep Shooting
Clay Novak shares about his pretty awesome and crazy military career and what sparked him to want to write a book! Check it out and if you like it he may have to write part 2! Keep Moving, Keep Shooting...
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Episode 29: A Gold Star Widow
Michelle Black joins us to talk about the worst time of her life and the search for truth. Her husband and Green Beret Bryan Black was killed in Niger in 2017 and the redacted information drove her to find the truth. The full story you can find in her book, "Sacrifice: Sacrifice: The Green…
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Episode 28: A pallet in Pakistan and SGT Blake
Steve Wallace shares many of his adventures as a paratrooper, commander, Old Guard alumni, and one hilarious story of that time he had to find SGT Blake. The post Episode 28: A pallet in Pakistan and SGT Blake first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 27: Building the Space Force, Breaking Under Pressure, and Leading Through It — Shawn William Campbell
Building the Space Force, Breaking Under Pressure, and Leading Through It — Shawn William Campbell In this episode, I sit down with retired Air Force officer Shawn William Campbell — one of the first senior leaders tasked with standing up the United States Space Force. Shawn served 30 years in...
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Episode 26: Alani Bankhead — Imposter Syndrome, Child Exploitation Investigations, and The Least of Us
In this episode, I sit down with Alani Bankhead — Air Force investigator, author, and TEDx speaker — for a raw and honest conversation about purpose, pain, and protecting the vulnerable. Alani began her career on active duty before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, serving as a special…
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Episode 25: Don Bentley – Aviator turned Author
Don Bentley joins the show to talk about his career as an Apache Helicopter pilot, deploying to Afghanistan, and his transition into retirement and writing his first book. He is the author of three Tom Clancy novels as well as his own series, most recently the release of "Forgotten War." The post...
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Episode 24: The all female Cultural Support Team
Kat Kaelin served as one of the first volunteers for the Army "Cultural Support Team" (CST), also nicknamed the "The Pink Team," which was the pilot program to introduce women into combat arms. She served in Afghanistan, deployed with Army Rangers. We cover many topics from the challenges of…
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Episode 23: A Marine Combat Photographer
Michael Molinksi was a Marine Combat Photographer, that is the short version. He is an inventor, anti child drowning advocate, and an ultra fitness athlete. Listen in on his fun adventures in the Marine Corp as well as his never ending pursuit to help others since he got out. The post Episode 23…
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Episode 22: An Army Combat Medic in Germany
Jerry Dugan joins the show to share how he went from his time in college going to be a Doctor to joining the Army and becoming a Combat Medic. The post Episode 22: An Army Combat Medic in Germany first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 21: From 9/11 to 1-5 Marines, Mike Boscia’s Story
From 9/11 to 1/5 Marines — Mike Boscia’s Story In this episode, I sit down with former Marine Mike Boscia, who served from 2002–2006 as an NBC (Chemical, Biological, Radiological) specialist with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Mike’s journey into the Marine Corps started on September 11th. As a...
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Episode 20: Tank Gunnery and a Deer
Sam Westfall, CEO and founder of Archery N Motion, tells a tale of being involved in Tank gunnery and a deer unknowingly walked out onto the range. https://www.archerynmotion.com/ The post Episode 20: Tank Gunnery and a Deer first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 19: 6 Miles, Granny Gear, Follow Me
Former Marine, Sean George joins the show to talk about his time as a Marine Officer, what he has learned in being an executive coach and the importance of continuing his fitness journey. Oh yeah, and his awesome book: On Mission: your journey to authentic leadership. Amazon link for book:...
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Episode 18: Jose Velazquez — 30 Years Telling the Army’s Story
In this episode, I sit down with Jose Velazquez — a retired Army public affairs leader with more than 30 years of service and a career dedicated to telling the Army’s story. Jose started his journey in an unexpected way. Growing up in the projects with dreams of working in radio and television…
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Episode 17: Basic Training on 9/11
Rob Prah joins the show and tells several stories of his many years of service including his experience of being in basic training on 9/11. The post Episode 17: Basic Training on 9/11 first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 16: Leading While Being Led
MSG Sean Sweeney joins the show to talk about his career and what drove him to write his book "Leading While Being Led." Also a few good stories from our time together in The Old Guard. Get his book here:...
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Episode 15: Playing Drums for Presidents
Mark Reilly — Music, Service, and the Mission to Heal Through the Washington Tattoo In this episode, I sit down with Mark Reilly — 20-year Army veteran, former member of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and President of The Washington Tattoo. Mark spent two decades representing the Army at the...
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Episode 14: Throwing grenades in the ocean
Former Army special forces operator Nick Mastrovito, tells some hilarious tells of being SF during Desert Storm. The post Episode 14: Throwing grenades in the ocean first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 13: With only one bullet
Kevin Dow Crowsyn joins the show and tells a hilarious story of being in Kuwait at the beginning of the war. Visit his website: https://www.kevincrowsyn.com/ The post Episode 13: With only one bullet first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 12: John McGlothlin – Paratroopers Guide to Life
John McGlothlin, author of How to Deal with Damn Near Anything - The Paratrooper's Guide to Life tells us about life as a paratrooper in Italy and more. Get the book at:...
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Episode 11: Shawn Livingston – In Germany during 9/11
Shawn Livingston tells several stories including being in Germany during 9/11, his time as a Green Beret and training future Officers in OCS. The post Episode 11: Shawn Livingston – In Germany during 9/11 first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 10: Psychology of Suicide
LTC (Ret.) Dave Grossman — Suicide, Sleep Deprivation & the Hidden Killer Among Veterans In this powerful episode, I sit down with Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Dave Grossman, former West Point psychology professor, Army Ranger, and author of On Killing, On Combat, and On Spiritual Combat. We tackle...
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Episode 9: Vince Fowler – A Canadian Paratrooper
Vince Fowler joins the show and tells many stories from his time as a Canadian Paratrooper. One being the Fort Bragg green ramp disaster. The post Episode 9: Vince Fowler – A Canadian Paratrooper first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 8: Luke Shabro – Navy blue to Army Civilian Green
Luke Shabro, former Navy veteran and current Army civilian, talks about his passion for reading and some fun differences between services. The post Episode 8: Luke Shabro – Navy blue to Army Civilian Green first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 7: Jos Willard – The War That Never Came: A Veteran’s Identity Journey
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with former Army infantryman Jos Willard for a conversation that goes far beyond deployments and combat stories. Jos shares his unconventional Army journey—from joining with dreams of becoming an airborne cavalry scout, to earning jump wings,...
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Episode 6: Neal Stratham – 60 Days Underwater: Life Inside a Nuclear Submarine
In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with retired Navy veteran Neal Stratham to explore a military career unlike anything most people can imagine. As a nuclear machinist mate aboard the USS Alabama, Neal spent years operating nuclear reactors, living underwater for months at a…
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Episode 5 – Ash Hess, Writing Army Marksmanship Doctine
In Episode 5 of the So There I Was podcast, host Travis Womack interviews Ash Hess, a retired Army veteran with 22 years of service and a key figure in the modernization of Army marksmanship doctrine. The episode delves into Hess’s career journey, particularly his pivotal role in rewriting TC...
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Episode 4: On the Nimitz
Jay Reafs talk about his time from serving in the Navy on the USS Nimitz. He shares a funny story from his time at sea during the gulfwar. The post Episode 4: On the Nimitz first appeared on Womack C3.
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Episode 3: Service Shaming
Special guest Adam Braatz, founder of The Thriving Veteran and author of "LinkedIn Mastery: For Veterans & Transitioning Service Members" joins us to discuss the issue with service members questioning value of each others service and how to use your service in your LinkedIn profile. The post...
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Episode 2: The day “patches” was destroyed
In this episode, host Travis Womack reconnects with old friends Mike, Donovan, and Brown as they relive their time in Iraq from 2006–2009. From incoming mortars and skidding RPGs to the legendary Humvee they called “Patches,” the crew shares hilarious, raw, and harrowing memories of combat…
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Episode 1: The 9/11 episode
Where were you on 9/11? I tell my story and briefly what made me join the Army. The post Episode 1: The 9/11 episode first appeared on Womack C3.
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Promotional Episode
The start of the So There I Was... podcast. The post Promotional Episode first appeared on Womack C3.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A place where military veterans can come together and share stories of their careers. In hopes of continuing the connection, bond and brotherhood and prevent further veteran suicide.
HOSTED BY
Womack Career Coaching & Consulting
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does So There I Was... have?
So There I Was... currently has 48 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is So There I Was... about?
A place where military veterans can come together and share stories of their careers. In hopes of continuing the connection, bond and brotherhood and prevent further veteran suicide.
How often does So There I Was... release new episodes?
So There I Was... has 48 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to So There I Was...?
You can listen to So There I Was... on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts So There I Was...?
So There I Was... is created and hosted by Womack Career Coaching & Consulting.
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