PODCAST · society
Top Game Podcast
by Samuel Castro
Your host, Sammy Castro, interviews guests on lessons learned in the military and elsewhere in order to better understand finding a balance in life.
Episodes
-
Top Game Episode 35 - MSgt Jeff Averette
In this episode of Top Game Podcast, we sit down with MSgt Jeff Averette, the Senior Enlisted Leader at the Marine Corps Software Factory, to explore the intersection of Marine Corps traditions and cutting-edge software development. MSgt Averette shares his journey of adapting to leadership in a...
-
Top Game Episode 34 - MSgt Quinn Le
Discover the intricate dance of leadership and camaraderie within the Marine Corps as we sit down with Top Le, the senior enlisted leader from Company H, MCSB. Listen to tales of navigating various assignments, including SIOC instructor duty and recruiting, and balancing the dual responsibilities...
-
Top Game Episode 33 - MGySgt Jeff Rooke
In episode 33 of Top Game, I had the distinct honor of sitting down with my brother in arms, Master Gunnery Sergeant Jeff Rooke. Over the past 24 years, Jeff and I have shared a bond forged through the challenges and triumphs of our Marine Corps careers, as well as our shared roots as fellow...
-
Top Game Episode 32 - CWO Trebor Whitehead
In this insightful episode of Top Game, host Sammy Castro sits down with Chief Warrant Officer Trebor Whitehead to explore the multifaceted world of military leadership and the evolving landscape of warfare technology. Join us as we delve into personal growth, mentorship, and the importance of...
-
Top Game Episode 31 - CWO4 Nate Cherubini
Nate & I sat down at my basement bar in Virginia to connect. We never had the opportunity to serve together in the same unit, so we took advantage of a conference to set time aside to record this interview. Initially, he was reluctant because he thought he had nothing to offer the audience. I…
more -
Top Game Episode 30 - MSgt Nate Bailey
Episode 30 has been a long time coming. Top Bailey & I first "met" on Reddit when he reached out to say thanks for creating a forum for us to discuss to us. Since we've been in contact, he's been a great sounding board to help provide insight into what our community needs to hear: "Intimate...
-
Top Game Episode 29 - Marshall Troy - BJJ Black Belt
Marshall Troy is a close personal friend and Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. He is a stalwart ambassador for jiu jitsu as therapy, particularly for veterans battling ptsd and struggling to cope with suicide ideation. Marshall & I met back in August 2019 at the in Maine at the Origin Immersion Camp. Hailing...
-
Top Game Episode 28 - SSgt Antuan Martin
Episode 28 brings us to SSgt Antuan Martin. We first met in Hawaii when I was visiting as an evaluator for a 3d Radio Bn field exercise in 2017. He was a Sgt at the time, and an adage I learned from the dog men I grew up around fit perfectly. "There were some big paws on that pup." Since that...
-
Top Game Episode 27 - MSgt Samuel Castro - 2020 SITREP
Following a hectic PCS move from Okinawa to the Pentagon, we're finally back up and running with plenty of high value targets in the vicinity to link up with. Thanks for all your support. Thanks for your patience. Fortitudine. JP 3-85 JEMSO Gen Krulak's 1997 Speech on the Marine Corps' Future Top...
-
Top Game Episode 26 - MSgt Tom Dean (Ret.)
Episode 26 is one of the first episodes I ever recorded during a trip to San Angelo for an OCCFLD working group. The delay was primarily technical and partially content. I deliberated quite a bit about what, if anything, I needed to pull from the interview. What you hear in this conversation is…
more -
Top Game Episode 25 - MGySgt Rich Deuto
In Episode 25, I finally sit down with the outgoing Operations Chief of III MEF Information Group, MGySgt Rich Deuto. As he heads back to familiar territory as the incoming Senior Enlisted Leader for Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, we investigate his passion for history, the impact of…
more -
Top Game Episode 24 - MGySgt Leon Ransom, Jr.
Episode 24 highlights Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion's Senior Enlisted, MGySgt Leon Ransom, Jr., a single father currently preparing his family for assignment overseas in Okinawa, Japan. In the course of the interview, MGuns highlights the dangers of Retirement On Active Duty (ROAD), key...
-
Top Game Episode 23 - MSgt Saul Barajas (Ret.)
Episode 23 brings us to Saul and Claudia Barajas. Saul was my Military Language Instructor back in 2000 as I was going through the Spanish Course at DLI. Our paths diverged for many years but the bond remained intact. Tragically, his family suffered the devastating loss of their daughter…
more -
Top Game Episode 22 - MGySgt John Tiffany (Ret.)
In Episode 22, I sit down with MGySgt John Tiffany to dive into the wave tops of his 26 year career. We met in passing at Ft. Meade back in 2015, regrettably never having the opportunity to be stationed together. It could have been his wild eyed intensity or our shared love of science fiction but...
-
Top Game Episode 21 - MGySgt Vince Quinteros
In Episode 21, I interview one of my closest friends in the Marine Corps, MGySgt Vince Quinteros. In the exchange, we cover a timespan from the beginning of our careers to his current billet as the Operations Chief of Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion. During our conversation, he highlights…
more -
Top Game Episode 20 - MGySgt John Stancel
In Episode 20, I sit down for the first time one on one with MGySgt John Stancel, one of our 2659s currently serving on the staff of the Deputy Commandant for Information. His insight into the modernization of our occupational field along with his experience at MARFORCYBER brings to light some of...
-
Top Game Episode 19 - CWO3 Jenn Cocco
In Episode 19, I sit down with Jenn Cocco as she explains to the audience what this podcast has meant to her. She details some of her personal medical and family history and how the Marine Corps experience helped prepare her for all she's had to endure. Her lessons learned over the course of a...
-
Top Game Episode 18 - MSgt Conor Mahoney
In Episode 18, we host our first 0261, MSgt Conor Mahoney. Currently serving as the Data Strategist for the Marine Corps, we get into topics ranging from professional military education, augmented intelligence, data stovepipes, philosophy and science fiction. More than anything, Top Mahoney...
-
Top Game Episode 17 - MGySgt Sara Clark
In episode 17, I sit down with one of my favorite Marines, Sara Clark. In only the way she can, she highlights some of the battles and issues she's struggled with in her attempt to balance out privacy versus transparency, as well as motherhood against professional obligations. She also grants us...
-
Top Game Episode 16 - Mrs. Elizabeth Castro
In Episode 16, I sit down with my wife to discuss some key issues facing military families, to include overseas assignments, family readiness, spousal employment & access to education. At the suggestion of another guest, we started off asking one another questions, but I took this opportunity to...
-
Top Game Episode 15 - SgtMaj Mario Marquez
In Episode 15, SgtMaj Marquez & I sit down at his dinner table and shoot straight on a range of topics from his approach to leadership, his brush with adversity, the formative influence of his SNCO leadership to taco rice and the command climate on Okinawa. A recognized and seasoned leader…
more -
Top Game Episode 14 - CWO5 Jim Musch
Long overdue, Episode 14 finally brings the CWO community front and center with none other than CWO5 Jim Musch. As the senior SIGINT Marine in the OccFld, he provides unique perspective in several areas. Chief amongst them is the role the CWO fulfills in the command structure. He also delves into...
-
Top Game Episode 13 - MGySgt Kyle Cornett
Episode 13 of Top Game finds us in San Angelo, Texas with the Marine Corps Detachment Goodfellow's Senior Enlisted Advisor, MGySgt Kyle Cornett. A MARSOC veteran and key leader in the community, we had the opportunity to cross paths for the first time at a working group earlier this year. With a...
-
Top Game Episode 12 - MGySgt Scott Daubert
Episode 12 of Top Game brings us to 1st Radio Battalion's Operations Chief, Master Guns Scott Daubert. A dedicated teacher and mentor, he highlights several key takeaways critical to his success, particularly getting the buy in of your fellow SNCOs. He discusses his broken service time and the...
-
Top Game Episode 11 - MGySgt Sean Nakao
Episode 11 of Top Game drops today with the highly anticipated MGySgt Sean Nakao, MARSOC veteran and current Operations Chief of America's Radio Battalion. In our conversation we explore not only the importance of caring about the life we lead in uniform, but more specifically, how we can…
more -
Top Game Episode 10 - MSgt Sam Jerome
Episode 10 brings one of the hardest working SNCOs in our OccFld into the spotlight and outside of his comfort zone. A former grunt and lat mover, Top Jerome's dedication and perseverance have enabled him to play "catch up" in such a challenging and technical field. From his studies as a heritage...
-
Top Game Episode 9 - MSgt Samuel Carter
In Episode 9 of Top Game, your host sits down with none other than MSgt Samuel Octavius Carter, the 2651 OccFld Specialist. In the conversation, the topics range from lessons learned in trust and friendship, the value of a healthy home life, and the reasons why sometimes, "It Takes A Marine" to...
-
Top Game Episode 8 - MSgt John Scoggins
In episode 8, MSgt Scoggins, the 2600 OccFld Specialist, sits down with your host to highlight the complexity behind balancing the needs of the occupational field with the needs of the Marine Corps. He articulates in detail his approach to "crowdsourcing" subject matter expertise down to the LCpl...
-
Top Game Episode 7 - Sgt Eric Moreno
At the request of many, Sgt Eric Moreno is our first NCO guest. Initially nervous and understandably so, he sits down with your host to discuss some of the challenges faced by an older Marine still at the front end of his career. In his interview, he not only covers his perspective as a team...
-
Top Game Episode 6 - SgtMaj George Garcia III
SgtMaj George Garcia III sits down with your host to discuss the challenges of the 8999 community to "keep the promise," his decision to walk away from his Occ Field, and the importance of always being ready.
-
Top Game Episode 5 - MGySgt Orlando Reyes
Episode 5 with MGySgt Orlando Reyes is our first step outside of the 26XX field. A logistician by trade, he sits down with your host to discuss the obstacles he's been able to overcome and some he is still contending with. We covered everything from the challenges of recruiting duty to his very...
-
Top Game Episode 0 - MSgt Samuel Castro
Your host takes you through some of the motivation behind the Top Game podcast and lines out a snapshot of things to come.
-
Top Game Episode 4 - MSgt Chris Thomason
MSgt Chris Thomason sits down with your host to discuss the unique perspective of the "re-tread," life outside the Marine Corps and what ultimately brought him back to active duty.
-
Top Game Episode 2 - Joyce and MSgt Darry Cross
MSgt Darry Cross and his wife, Joyce, sit down with your host and reflect upon a life shared in the Marine Corps.
-
Top Game Episode 1 - GySgt Chris Sonnabend
Radio reconnaissance and MARSOC veteran, GySgt Chris Sonnabend sits down with your host to reflect on lessons learned in the Marine Corps.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Top Game Podcast have?
Top Game Podcast currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Top Game Podcast about?
Your host, Sammy Castro, interviews guests on lessons learned in the military and elsewhere in order to better understand finding a balance in life.
How often does Top Game Podcast release new episodes?
Top Game Podcast has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Top Game Podcast?
You can listen to Top Game Podcast 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 Top Game Podcast?
Top Game Podcast is created and hosted by Samuel Castro.
URL copied to clipboard!