In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Armyveteran Joseph Yurrick , host of The Sober Vet Podcast. As a fellow air defense artillery veteran, we talk openly about our shared experiences in the military, the realities of military life, and the deeply ingrained culture of alcohol within the armed forces.

Joseph shares his powerful personal journey to sobriety, howit impacted his family, and why he felt called to create The Sober Vet Podcast to support other veterans walking a similar path. Our conversation explores the unbreakable bonds formed through service, the challenges manyveterans face after leaving the military, and why it’s so important to normalize sobriety, honest conversations, and mental health support within the veteran community.

This is a candid, meaningful discussion about growth,accountability, and taking care of one another long after the uniform comes off.

Go to https://thissobervet.com/ to learn more about Joe and the work he is doing for Veterans. Thank you Joe for talking with me!

It was exciting to sit down with Army veteran, writer, andpoet Ryan McDermott to talk about his memoir, Down Downriver: A Memoir of a Warrior Poet. Ryan shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to WestPoint, his experiences as a platoon leader during and after 9/11, and the emotional toll of war and the transition back to civilian life.

We talked about the healing power of poetry, the importanceof family, and the ongoing process of reconciliation. It’s an honest, powerful conversation that offers a candid look at service, trauma, and hope.

Learn more about Ryan and his book at www.downrivermemoir.com.

Thank you, Ryan, for taking the time to talk with me.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with filmmaker Stephen Grayhm to talk about his new movie, Sheepdog.

Stephen shares how his Grandfather’s WWII service and a chance encounter with a veteran inspired him to tell veterans’ stories and focus on post-traumatic growth authentically.

We dive into the deep research behind the film, the importance of empathy, and the challenges ofaccurately portraying both veterans and mental health professionals.

This conversation is all about bridging the gap between civilian and military communities through honeststorytelling. Steven’s vision is to foster a way to encourage support, understanding, and open conversations around veterans’ experiences and healing journeys.

Go to https://www.sheepdogthemovie.com/to learn more.

Thank you, Steven, for talking with me.

In this New Year’s Day episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I reflect on technical challenges, shares family updates, and discusses his personal growth as a podcaster.

I discuss the $9 billion fraud scandal in Minnesota, criticizing the lack of oversight and its impact on public resources, particularly for veterans.

I want to start this year by encouraging aspiring creators to embrace mistakes and start their own projects, emphasizing the accessibility of podcasting today.

It is a great time to look ahead with optimism, envisioning stronger, more connected veteran communities and the continued evolution of veteran content creation. Happy New Year, We are Mission in Flight!

Episode 473 of Oscar Mike Radio was recorded outdoors at Island Grove Park in Abington, MA, cold, windy New England weather and all.

I shared how Oscar Mike Radio grew in 2025 and what’s ahead for 2026, including our 500th episode milestone. We talked veteran storytelling, teaching podcasting, embracing video, veterans' advocacy, employment challenges, and why strong community support matters now more than ever.

Even battling the elements, the mission didn’t stop. I wrapped the episode grateful for the support and more committed than ever to amplifying diverse voices and encouraging resilience and engagement.

We are Mission in Flight. Merry Christmas!

OneStream Live is streaming this episode of Oscar Mike Radio. I had the privilege of speaking with Colonel Wesley Martin and retired Command Sergeant Major Dan Elder about a mission that truly matters, preserving the history, leadership, and legacy of Army Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs). Both Colonel Martin and CSM Elder are deeply involved with the NCO Historical Society, an organization dedicated to safeguarding the stories and experiences of America’s enlisted soldiers. Their passion and insight reminded me of the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations.

📚 “Earn It” — Leadership, Legacy, and Lessons One of the key parts of our discussion focused on the book Earn It, which chronicles the life and philosophy of Command Sergeant Major of the Army William “Bill” Gates. Through this book, readers gain an authentic look at leadership, mentorship, and what it truly means to serve with integrity as an NCO. We discussed how the principles of “Earn It” reflect the values that continue to shape the Army today, from personal accountability and education to resilience and loyalty. These lessons reach far beyond the military; they apply to anyone striving to lead with honor.

🪖 The Mission of the NCO Historical Society - The NCO Historical Society exists to collect and share the stories of past and present NCOs — the backbone of the U.S. Army. During our conversation, Colonel Martin and CSM Elder shared how the Society preserves history through oral storytelling, publications, education, and outreach programs. We also explored the evolution of NCO leadership over the years — and how today’s soldiers are inspired by those who came before them. It’s a powerful reminder that mentorship and education are just as vital on the battlefield as they are in civilian life. To learn more about the Society’s work, visit ncohistory.com.

💬 A Conversation About Service and Legacy I want to thank Colonel Martin and Command Sergeant Major Elder for taking the time to share their perspectives and for their commitment to honoring the history and values of the NCO corps.

Conversations like these remind me why the stories of our servicemembers matter not just to the military community, but to the nation as a whole.

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, host Travis interviews Army veteran Sean Loosen, CEO of PDS Optical. Sean shares his journey from West Point to leading a company that manufactures prescription eyeglasses for U.S. veterans through VA contracts. They discuss his military background, transition to civilian life, PDS Optical’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable eyewear, and the challenges of leadership and innovation in the optical industry. Sean also highlights the company’s core values—Pride, Dignity, and Service—and its commitment to supporting veterans and engaging with veteran organizations nationwide. Go to https://pdsoptical.com/ to learn more.

Thank you, Evocati Public Relations, for the connection with Sean.

Thank you, Sean, for talking with me!

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with RickDungey from the Christmas Spirit Foundation to talk about the incredible mission behind Trees for Troops. Rick and I discuss how the foundation delivers real, farm-grown Christmas trees to military bases across the U.S., and what ittakes from logistics to community support to make it all happen.

Rick shares powerful stories from service members andfamilies who have received these trees, and the emotional impact they bringduring the holidays. He also explains how volunteers, donors, tree farmers, andpartners like FedEx come together each year to support the program.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how you can get involvedand why bringing a bit of holiday cheer to those serving far from home mattersmore than ever.

Go to https://www.christmasspiritfoundation.org/to learn more and support the mission.

Thank you, Rick, for talking with me. Merry Christmas!