PODCAST · health
We Happy Few
by The Loudmouth Project
We Happy Few is a podcast created by a veteran, for veterans and it explores the complexities of what military service means through the stories of veterans, their families and their friends. The stories span all types of experience, from the monotony of training to the long-term impact of combat to the difficulty in adjusting to civilian life, as well as the challenges families face when one member volunteers to serve in the armed forces. The podcast is hosted by Air Force and Army National Guard veteran Jason Comstock. He offers veterans the chance to tell their stories in hopes of creating an understanding of just how complex and nuanced the issues facing veterans, especially in this modern era, are. With less than 3 percent of the population serving in the military today, it is critical that civilians understand what it means to "thank" a veteran for his or her service. The Loudmouth project is proud to offer veterans and their families this opportunity to tell their stories and
Episodes
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Veterans Day Special: The Oath
The Oath of Enlistment is something all branches of the military have in common. In this special Veterans Day episode, we invited service members and their families to share their thoughts on what the oath means in their lives. Those who share their feelings are:Tracy Brinkman, Carl Churchill,...
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Lessons Learned Serving during peace time
David Hollingsworth joined the U.S. Army to get away from a broken heart. But in 1982, there wasn't much "going on" in the military. Still, it was serving in a time of peace that he learned life lessons that still resonate in his life. One of the things he learned as an MP is that there is always…
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When you've served, you can judge
When Tracy Brinkmann joined the US Army he knew he was carrying on a legacy that started with his grandfather serving in the German Army during WWII. In spite of learning at a young age of the traumatic experiences that both his grandfather and father had, he still wanted to serve and follow…
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Soldier and Business Owner
Thea Jorgensen was a little older than her fellow soldiers in Basic Training, being almost 10 years older than most recruits, and because of that, she felt she had a lot to prove. That desire to outwork those around her has persisted. Serving in the Public Relation field has given her the chance…
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Leadership and Non-conformity
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Jody Hanks always saw himself as a non-conformist, but that didn’t stop him from joining the AirForce and making a career out of it. Over the years he learned that real leadership takes leaders that are willing to say what some might not have the courage to say and...
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Memories of 9/11
On September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked four U.S. passenger planes, flying two of them into the World Trade Towers in Manhattan and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania, when passengers overpowered the hijackers, ensuring it didn't make it...
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Sofia Olds: Staff Sergeant and Mom
To look at Sofia Olds you wouldn’t think she was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Reserves or the mother of seven beautiful children. But it wouldn’t be the first time she shattered preconceived notions about who she is or what she is capable of accomplishing. She's spent her life surpassing...
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Veterans Issues in a Pandemic
Isolation is an issue I have experienced first-hand as a veteran who lives with depression and PTSD, as a result of military service. I've battled that by creating connections through service organizations that help veterans reconnect to their purpose and community. Now all of us find ourselves…
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Twice a veteran - from enlisted to officer
David Moss started his military career in the Idaho Army National Guard and wanted to serve until he could retire. Always outspoken, Dave had a run in a 1st Sergeant and ended his career after 10 years of service. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Dave wanted to serve in the...
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Telling Veterans Stories: Filmmaker Zane O'Gwin
When an opportunity to capture a historical parachute jump into Normandy on the 75th anniversary, Utah filmmaker Zane O'Gwin knew he wanted to be part of it. He quickly learned there was more to the story than the decision of a group of veterans to try and honor World War II veterans who…
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From a dairy farm to caring for animals in the U.S. Army
Growing up Casey Talbot always thought he'd be an Idaho dairy farmer, even though he also dreamed about serving his country as a soldier. After going to school to study veterinary medicine he got a job in Fairgrove, Missouri, where a colleague was preparing to leave on an Army deployment. Shortly...
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A Marine's Wife
As a newlywed in 1968, the last thing Jean Donaldson expected was for her husband of five months to come home from a trip to Salt Lake City with news that he was leaving college to join the U.S. Marine Corps. She was five months pregnant with their first child (who happens to be Loudmouth's own…
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What does the Oath of Enlistment mean?
The Oath of Enlistment is something all branches of the military have in common. In this special Veterans Day episode, we invited service members and their families to share their thoughts on what the oath means in their lives. Those who share their feelings are: Keimon Dixson, Krista Palmer…
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Finding family in 'the suck'
Sgt. Mike Hendry joined the U.S. Army after deciding college wasn't the path for him. He gravitated to the grittiest assignments and found purpose alongside his brothers in the 82nd Airborne and 10th Mountain Division (light infantry) for "six years and 16 weeks to the day." He served in both…
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A lifetime commitment
Ninzel Rasmuson's desire to serve her brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces didn't end when her service in the Air National Guard ended. In this episode, she talks about the impacts of working as a mishap investigator, having sons that serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, and starting a nonprofit...
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The Family Service Creates
Homeless and broke, Marcy Hehnly decided to meet with an Army recruiter when she was 20-years old. Four years earlier, she'd lost her mother to cancer, which led to struggles with her father as they both tried to rebuild their lives. It was a decision that not only changed her life, but it showed...
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The Ghost Army Secret
On this episode of We Happy Few Amy Donaldson and Jason Comstock visit with WWII veteran SSgt Stanley Nance and his great granddaughter Madeline about his service and the secret she recently learned. SSgt Nance served in a unit during the war the German High Command dubbed the Ghost Army. His war...
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Serving an Adopted Homeland
In this episode, Jason Comstock talks with Daniel and Angie Bucio about his service in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Dan immigrated to the United States from Mexico after his family learned that his grandfather was a U.S. citizen and had served in World War II. Like many Americans, Dan felt a desire to...
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Too Small to be a Marine
In this episode, Amy Donaldson talks Kelli Pacheco about joining the U.S. Marine Corps, being in the second groups of women to participate in the Crucible - a test recruits must endure after they join. Although she wanted to fly, she ended up going into a computer field. Kelli struggled when she...
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The sacrifice of sons
In this episode, host Jason Comstock has a conversation with his children about how his military service impacted them. When Comstock was deployed (2004), David was 11, and Mason was 8 - and they had three sisters - who all had to deal with their father being sent to combat. They discuss why they...
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The Impact of deployment on Family
In this episode, John Ellis shares what he is doing to prepare his children for his upcoming deployment. John serves in the Air Force Reserves and this will be his first deployment. With young children at home, a large part of his own preparation is helping his children understand why Dad will be...
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Semper Fi: Understanding the Marine who raised me
This episode features a conversation I've wanted to have all my life. I was raised by a Vietnam Veteran - a Marine. Throughout my childhood, pieces of my father's service manifest in what he said, what he believed and sometimes in how he treated us. I learned the Marines' Hymn and understood my...
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The meaning of the Purple Heart
In this episode of We Happy Few, Jason Comstock and Amy Donaldson speak with Army veteran Layne Morris and his wife Leisl about the impact of military service on the family, especially the spouse. Layne shares his experience of serving in Afghanistan at the beginning of the war on terror, being...
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Saved by service
In this episode Dan Paget, veteran US Army Tanker, talks about the lessons he learned while serving in the military. He shares how leaders had an impact on his life, not only while he served but long after his military service ended. In spite of being diagnosed with a condition called alexithymia...
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Military Intelligence: Serving to protect
Story Notes - In this episode, Levi Lee tells how serving in the Army helped him take control of his career. He discusses how serving as an intelligence analyst boosted his career and helped him feel like he was protecting his fellow soldiers, including his brother, who served in the Marine…
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Still my guys: Continue-ing Mission
In this episode, Sgt. Josh Hansen talks about the purpose he felt working to keep his fellow soldiers safe as he cleared explosive devices from roadways as they traveled throughout Iraq. After being wounded and leaving the Army, he realized his responsibility to the men and women with whom he'd...
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No such thing as a former Marine
In this episode, 20-year-old Kimono Dixson shares his excitement about becoming a United States Marine at age 18. He talks about what he learned from deployments to the Philippines and Guantanamo Bay, and how he enjoyed seeing the world and being part of something larger than himself. But he also...
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The Best Worst Day
In this episode Jason Comstock and Amy Donaldson talk to Retired Sergeant 1st Class Arlo Doyle about his military career, the impact of multiple deployments, and a long-running joke that nearly became reality. Just days before Arlo was scheduled to return home from his fourth deployment, an…
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The Realities of Women in the Military
In this episode Krista Palmer shares her dream of helping others by joining the Air Force with host Tom Luoma. Krista found great joy and satisfaction serving in security forces. Sadly, like an estimated 25% of her fellow female service members, Krista was sexually assaulted; and like so many, no...
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A soldier's Olympic journey
In this episode, Amy Donaldson talks with Army Captain (soon-to-be Major) Chris Fogt about why he joined the military, what it was like to be competing as an Olympic bobsledder for Team USA when the men he trained with were deployed to Iraq, and why he left the sport after the 2010 Games to serve…
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'A real veteran': Vietnam in a suitcase
In this episode, Jason Comstock talks with Army Veteran Stan Taylor and his wife Anita about his service during the Vietnam War. Although Stan came from a family that served in the military he had no desire to serve but was drafted, and felt he needed to honor those who'd served by doing what was...
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The view from a ship at war
In this episode, hosts Jason Comstock and Tom Luoma talk with Navy Veteran Keith Gordon and his family about his service during World War II. Keith discusses being drafted and what life was like aboard a ship fighting the Japanese on the water and islands in the Pacific Ocean. He reads a letter...
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Roadside Uncertainty
Story Notes - In this episode, US Army Veteran Jason Comstock tells his story about the unexpected impact of serving in the War on Terror during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Not until years after returning home, did he and his family feel the full weight of those experiences on Jason's heart and…
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Unexpected Consequences
In this episode, U.S. Army Veteran Frank DeVito shares a story about the unexpected sacrifices service members often make when they choose military service. For DeVito, a mistake on some paperwork meant not having the opportunity to say goodbye to a family member who'd loved and supported him,...
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In D.C. on 9/11
In this episode, U.S. Army Sgt. Mandee Stakely talks about being in Washington D.C. when terrorists flew into the Pentagon. As a sergeant in the Army, she had to help young soldiers do the job they’d been trained to do, as well as help them deal with the trauma of that day. Although not in the...
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Then and Now
In this episode Tom Luoma and Amy Donaldson have a very candid and insightful conversation with Bart Thomassen whose Army career spans the front lines of the cold war, to Afghanistan and to Africa. Comparing how our warriors prepared and fought before the end of the cold war to how our warriors...
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Sacrifice
In this episode Amy Alleman talks about the decision she and her husband Micheal B. Alleman made to join the military in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Amy talks about why the history teacher wanted to volunteer with a pregnant wife and two small boys, and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We Happy Few is a podcast created by a veteran, for veterans and it explores the complexities of what military service means through the stories of veterans, their families and their friends. The stories span all types of experience, from the monotony of training to the long-term impact of combat to the difficulty in adjusting to civilian life, as well as the challenges families face when one member volunteers to serve in the armed forces. The podcast is hosted by Air Force and Army National Guard veteran Jason Comstock. He offers veterans the chance to tell their stories in hopes of creating an understanding of just how complex and nuanced the issues facing veterans, especially in this modern era, are. With less than 3 percent of the population serving in the military today, it is critical that civilians understand what it means to "thank" a veteran for his or her service. The Loudmouth project is proud to offer veterans and their families this opportunity to tell their stories and
HOSTED BY
The Loudmouth Project
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does We Happy Few have?
We Happy Few currently has 37 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is We Happy Few about?
We Happy Few is a podcast created by a veteran, for veterans and it explores the complexities of what military service means through the stories of veterans, their families and their friends. The stories span all types of experience, from the monotony of training to the long-term impact of combat...
How often does We Happy Few release new episodes?
We Happy Few has 37 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to We Happy Few?
You can listen to We Happy Few 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 We Happy Few?
We Happy Few is created and hosted by The Loudmouth Project.
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