Military Matters
175 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsMilitary Veterans and hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy bring you stories and topics affecting our military, servicemembers, and veterans. Listen to the stories that matter, this is Military Matters.
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Episodes
Bowe Bergdahl, an American Cipher
July 21, 2022 10:30 - 51 minutes - 70.1 MBThirteen years ago Army infantryman Bowe Berghdal walked off of Observation Post Mest near the town of Yahya Kheyl in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. He was held captive for almost five years. Jack Murphy sat down with Michael Ames, co-author of "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan." Is there more to the story of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and detention? Over a decade later, new questions are being raised and the answers aren’t what you think.
Bowe Bergdahl, American Cipher
July 21, 2022 10:30 - 51 minutes - 70.1 MBThirteen years ago Army infantryman Bowe Berghdal walked off of Observation Post Mest near the town of Yahya Kheyl in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. He was held captive for almost five years. Jack Murphy sat down with Michael Ames, co-author of "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan." Is there more to the story of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and detention? Over a decade later, new questions are being raised and the answers aren’t what you think.
Suicide in the Secret World of Intelligence
July 05, 2022 10:30 - 37 minutes - 51.4 MBCheck out last week's episode on the death of intelligence professional Michael Froede. Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the secret world of intel, secrets and suicide, and some of the strange issues surrounding Froede's death. --- This Episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.
A "Secret Solider", a mysterious suicide, and PTSD in Intel
June 23, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBMichael Froede was a US Army Human Intelligence (HUMINT) collector working in clandestine special operations programs. After struggling with hallucinations and depression related to PTSD and TBIs, he jumped to his death from a parking garage. His death has left many unanswered questions for his mother, who remains skeptical about the circumstances of her son's death. Then, retired senior intelligence professional Erick Miyares takes us into the world of a clandestine intelligence operator, a...
A "Secret Soldier", a mysterious suicide, and PTSD in the intelligence world
June 23, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBMichael Froede was a US Army Human Intelligence (HUMINT) collector working in clandestine special operations programs. After struggling with hallucinations and depression related to PTSD and TBIs, he jumped to his death from a parking garage. His death has left many unanswered questions for his mother, who remains skeptical about the circumstances of her son's death. Then, retired senior intelligence professional Erick Miyares takes us into the world of a clandestine intelligence operator, a...
Fast Take - Andrew Milburn, Mozart Group, and the war in Ukraine
June 16, 2022 10:30 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MBRod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the war in Ukraine, how a former SOF Commander is making a difference, and what the presence of contractors in a war against Russia could mean for us all.
Former SOF Commander teaching Ukrainians how to fight!
June 09, 2022 10:30 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBWhy is the former Deputy Commander of Special Operations Central (SOCCENT) in Ukraine? Jack Murphy brings us an incredible interview with Col. (R) Andrew Milburn about why he decided to join the fight and how his company The Mozart Group is helping "build sustainable capacity in the Ukrainian military and territorial defense units so that Ukraine can defend itself from Russia’s invasion."
Fast Take — A letter to the SECDEF, woo-woo lingo, and 4-star accommodations?
June 02, 2022 10:30 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBRose Thayer and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode about the insane corruption that is military housing. We talk about the lethargy some folks feel about this topic, a 'strongly worded letter' to the SECDEF, and how many homes could the government have purchased for the price of a general's home in Austin (just curious)?
Fast Take — A letter to the SECDEF, woo-woo ling, and 4-star accommodations?
June 02, 2022 10:30 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBRose Thayer and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode about the insane corruption that is military housing. We talk about the lethargy some folks feel about this topic, a 'strongly worded letter' to the SECDEF, and how many homes could the government have purchased for the price of a general's home in Austin (just curious)?
Corrupt contracts, children falling out of windows, and do you even care?
May 26, 2022 10:30 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBCommanders are taking the side of Military housing companies against their own service members. Children are falling out of military housing windows at an alarming rate and the fix is not economical for housing companies. If you're in a wheelchair in government housing you're screwed, and much much more. This episode was written and reported by Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer. --- This episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. Go ...
A Tenant Bill of Rights and dead infants on Fort Bragg REPLAY
May 19, 2022 10:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBNext week, Stripes reporter Rose Thayer gives us an update on the tenant bill of rights and whether its working. Before then though, we suggest you listen to two other episodes to help prime you for that update. We suggest "Black mold and lead in military housing, and the law letting it happen" and this episode, which you're about to hear. Is the military just bad at environmental testing, or is there more? Could the deaths of infants on Fort Bragg have been prevented? If you have a t...
Fast Take - Oil, Crypto, and Weed Coin?
May 03, 2022 10:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBJack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss last week's episode on the effects of sanctions against Russia, oil, and cryptocurrency. Do we have to tell you the conversation goes off the rails? Check out last week's episode!
Sanctions, Guns, and Cryptocurrency
April 21, 2022 10:30 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBRussian commodities analyst Nick Trickett talks with Jack Murphy about sanctions against Russia, the squeeze on European oil, and what role China plays in Russia's down-trending economy. Then cybersecurity and cryptocurrency expert Rick Jordan talks with us about the role cryptocurrency is playing in today's world economy and what any of that matters in war. Guest Links Nick Trickett - TW: @ntrickett16 - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-trickett-54b41634/?originalSubdomain=uk ...
Fast Take - Thinking of joining the fight in Ukraine? Not so fast...
April 07, 2022 10:30 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBBefore you decide to volunteer for the Ukraine Foreign Legion, listen to our conversation with Marine veteran and experienced overseas contractor Tim Lynch about what you need to know before making that commitment. There's more at stake than you might realize... --- This Episode is brought to you by Tekto Gear. TEKTO Gear is giving 15% off the entire purchase. Go to Tektogear.com and use discount code, Stripes.
Future War: Urban warfare and the Russian perspective
March 31, 2022 10:30 - 1 hour - 86.2 MBThe Russian perspective on the war in Ukraine, the Russian army in urban warfare, and can Putin survive a failed invasion? GUESTS Dr. Rita Konaev is an Associate Director of analysis at the Center for Security and Emergent Technology. Twitter: @RitaKonaev Dr. Golfo Alexopoulos, professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at USF and director of the USF Institute on Russia. Twitter: @GolfoAlexopoulo
Fast Take - Zelensky's ask, the Tik Tok war, and a new proxy war
March 24, 2022 10:30 - 17 minutes - 23.5 MBMilitary Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the U.S. Congress, war tourists, and do YOU think Zelenskyy should have worn a suit? Send your comments to [email protected] or find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Fast Take - Zelenskyy's ask, the Tik Tok war, and a new proxy war
March 24, 2022 10:30 - 17 minutes - 23.5 MBMilitary Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the U.S. Congress, war tourists, and do YOU think Zelenskyy should have worn a suit? Send your comments to [email protected] or find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Future War: Russia's Military and Warfare
March 17, 2022 10:30 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBTanks, Spetsnaz, "Little Green Men" and information warfare. Jack Murphy takes us beyond the headlines and into Russia's military, strategy, and how they envision victory. This is part two of our Future War series on Russia. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Fast Take - Who knew Russia would be this bad?
March 10, 2022 11:30 - 17 minutes - 23.5 MBMilitary Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode on the Russia/Ukraine crises. How the collapse of the Soviet Union has everything to do with this war, Putin's slipping power, and whether nukes could play a role in this. Subscribe today. Part 2 of our Future War Series on Russia coming soon!
Future War: Russia and Ukraine
March 01, 2022 11:30 - 48 minutes - 78.2 MBThe invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has sent shockwaves throughout the world resulting in the highest tensions between the East and the West since the Cold War. Russia analyst Nick Trickett and former Russian FSB Officer Jan Neumann explain how Russia got to this point, what this war could mean for Russia's leader Vladimir Putin, and what could happen next. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
ICYMI Kabul Embassy the Taliban and the Fall of Afghanistan
February 24, 2022 11:30 - 41 minutes - 66.9 MBThis is our final ICYMI before we kick of season 5! Former U.S. Special Forces service member and current intelligence professional shares an insider's view of the Taliban's takeover of the country, the chaos at the US embassy, and how it all went so wrong. Follow Military Matters on Twitter and Facebook
ICYMI Fast Take: Kabul Embassy the Taliban and the Fall of Afghanistan
February 24, 2022 11:30 - 41 minutes - 66.9 MBThis is our final ICYMI before we kick of season 5! Former U.S. Special Forces service member and current intelligence professional shares an insider's view of the Taliban's takeover of the country, the chaos at the US embassy, and how it all went so wrong. Follow Military Matters on Twitter and Facebook
The Death of Mark Leshikar ICYMI
February 17, 2022 11:00 - 56 minutes - 89.9 MBThe recent deaths of Army Delta Force member William J. Lavigne and Army Veteran Timothy Dumas are being investigated as homicides. Their deaths have brought attention back to another fatal shooting Lavigne was involved in, the shooting of his best friend and Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar. Jack Murphy takes us into the life and death of Mark Leshikar. We talk with his sister and widow, uncovering details never before revealed about this mysterious case. Missing evidence, redacted r...
QAnon - exposing extremists views within the ranks ICYMI
February 10, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBWe are revisiting our Qanon episode, in which we explored the murky world of QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory that falsely claims President Donald Trump is fighting a shadowy cabal of Satanist pedophiles. To find out how child pedophilia rings, Pizzagate, and the existence of a deep state made their way into the mainstream consciousness, and also to learn about the conspiracy theory’s links to the military and veteran community, we talk with QAnon Anonymous podcast co-host and Washin...
What Happened to Vanessa Guillen? ICYMI
February 03, 2022 11:00 - 44 minutes - 72.7 MBThe story of Vanessa Guillen rocked the military and lead to drastic changes not only at Fort Hood but throughout the DOD. The passing of the Vanessa Guillen bill was one of those major changes that came out of this tragedy. Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer walks us through what the Vanessa Guillen bill is and an update to the Vanessa Guillen case. Then we're revisiting our Season 2 episode, "What Really Happened to Vanessa Guillen?" Email us at [email protected] and fo...
Afghanistan, China, Covid, and #wokemilitary
January 13, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes - 88.9 MBIt's our season 4 wrap-up! Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the stories covered this season from the Afghan evacuation to our "woke" military story. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and send us your thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected]
The CIA and the Afghan Evacuation
January 06, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 45.8 MBMick Mulroy is a former CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East. In this interview with Jack Murphy, Mick discusses the CIA's efforts to rescue Afghan allies as the Taliban reseized the country and why it was so important to the agency to do so.
Task Force Pineapple
December 30, 2021 11:00 - 31 minutes - 49.8 MBRetired Special Forces officer Scott Mann shares the incredible story of veterans helping their Afghan partners find their way out of Afghanistan as the Taliban retake the country. These veterans accomplished this harrowing task from their kitchens, cars, and front rooms! Find out how in this episode of Military Matters! For more information on Task Force Pineapple go to www.taskforcepinapple.org Also, check out SOFcast's episode "Reflecting on 9/11 and Afghanistan", available everyw...
Fast Take: The Mission to Save Our Allies
December 16, 2021 11:00 - 32 minutes - 52.7 MBRod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode about the broken State Department visa program that foreshadowed the debacle that was their NEO operation. Also, the Tim Kennedy situation and why did the military need civilians to do their job for them? Share your ideas or hit us up with a tip at [email protected].
The mission to Save Our Allies
December 09, 2021 11:00 - 59 minutes - 95.4 MBWith the Taliban now in control and U.S. forces withdrawing, Afghans desperate to find a way out turned to U.S. veterans they had served alongside for help. Some of those veterans heeded their call and went to their rescue. Save Our Allies Coalition's Chad Robichaux, Nick Palmisciano, and The Diplomat's Catherine Putz take us into the story of a broken immigrant visa program, a high stakes rescue mission, and the tragic story of how busloads of orphans were left behind...
Quick message about this week's episode
December 02, 2021 11:30 - 1 minute - 3.17 MBIn order to tell the next story about the recent Afghan evacuations, we need a little more production time, so we won't have a new episode for you this week. In the meantime, I highly recommend you check out our previous episodes The Battle for Kunduz and its accompanying Fast Take: Kabul Embassy, the Taliban, and the Fall of Afghanistan. Thank you for your patience!
Fast Take - Great Power Competition and the rest of the DoD
November 16, 2021 15:49 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBJack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss what Great Power Competition or GPC means to the military outside of SOF and why this will matter to you! Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod or send us your feedback to [email protected]
Great Power Competition - Where does SOF fit in?
November 09, 2021 11:00 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBThe withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has signaled a new era in military operations and presence, but we aren't alone. "Great Power Competition" or GPC isn't just some new set of buzzwords, it's a shift in how the DOD will do business in a world of near-peer adversaries. What does GPC mean for today's military? How will it affect SOF operations? What will tomorrow's war really look like?
Fast Take: UFO’s, “El Diablo” and cursed housing!
October 28, 2021 10:00 - 31 minutes - 50.5 MBRod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about the listeners' ghost stories from last episode, talk about their own experiences with the supernatural, and we share three more stories from our listeners! From lights in the sky to deadly phantoms! Subscribe today!
Restless Japanese spirits and a melody from beyond the grave
October 21, 2021 10:00 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MBIt's that time again for another Haunted Military Matters! In this episode, we bring you three real ghost stories from our listeners. From roaming spirits of Japan to a ghostly melody from beyond the veil, listen if you dare... Follow Military Matters on Twitter @stripesmmpod and visit stripes.com for your daily dose of news!
Fast Take: Nazis, the occult and us?
October 12, 2021 10:00 - 26 minutes - 52.6 MBMilitary Matters hosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the previous episode, an interview with Dr. Eric Kurlander about the Nazi fascination with the occult. Could the desire to live in a fantasy world happen again? Subscribe today and share this podcast!
Pseudoscience, the occult and the rise of Nazi Germany
September 30, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBWhat do vampires, werewolves and Nazis have in common? Jack Murphy talks with Dr. Eric Kurlander, author of "Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich" about the Nazi obsession with the occult and how Hitler convinced a country to abandon science for the allure of mysticism. Subscribe today and never miss an episode!
Fast Take - Future War: China with Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez
September 21, 2021 10:00 - 46 minutes - 75.1 MBHosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the three-part Future War: China series and how the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan might have changed the game. Does this generation have what it takes to take on a near-peer adversary like China? How will cyberwarfare play into this? All that and more on this Fast Take.
Future War: War with China...
September 14, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutes - 81.7 MBWe return to the third of our three-part future war series on China. Jack Murphy talks with Roger Cliff, a research professor of Indo-Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Army War College and the author of "China's Military Power: Assessing Current and Future Capabilities." You can find Cliff's book on Amazon and everywhere you purchase books. Follow Military Matters on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Fast Take: Kabul Embassy, the Taliban, and the fall of Afghanistan
August 31, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 55.3 MBFormer U.S. Special Forces service member and current intelligence professional, Daniel, was recently evacuated from Afghanistan. Daniel shares an insider's view of the Taliban's take-over of the country, the chaos at the US embassy, and how it all went so wrong. Follow Military Matters on Twitter and Facebook You can follow Rod Rodriguez on Twitter @rodpodrod and Jack Murphy at @jackmurphyrgr
The Battle for Kunduz
August 24, 2021 04:27 - 1 hour - 112 MBJack Murphy brings us the story of the battle to save Kunduz from the Taliban and why a Doctors Without Borders hospital was destroyed. Jack talks with Special Forces Medical Sgt. Joshua Middleton about the heroic efforts of the Afghan Commandos and the dismal failures of the Afghan National Army that were the precursor to the recent fall of the Afghan government back into the hands of the Taliban. This story was inspired by the book "Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Fore...
Fast Take: Afghanistan, Chinese espionage, and what does a won war look like?
August 17, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 49.8 MBHosts Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the recent events of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. There are some serious tie-ins to any future war with China that can't be ignored. What does a victory over China look like? Is Taiwan the next Iraq or Afghanistan? Follow us on Twitter at @stripesmmpod and shoot us an email at [email protected]
Future War: Chinese Espionage
August 10, 2021 10:00 - 46 minutes - 74.5 MBThis is part 2 of 3 in our Future War series on China. Jack Murphy and the co-author of "Chinese Communist Espionage: An Intelligence Primer," Matthew Brazil, tackle the topic of Chinese spies and how the winner of a future war could be determined by our respective nations' spymasters. You can follow Matthew Brazil on Twitter @matthew_brazil
Fast Take - Future War: China with Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy
August 03, 2021 10:00 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBJack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez dive a little deeper into last week's episode on the rise of China. Check out "Future War: The Rise of China and US National Security implications". Leave us a comment on social media! Like, Listen, Subscribe, and Share!
Future War: The Rise of China and US National Security implications
July 27, 2021 10:00 - 53 minutes - 85.8 MBIn our first of three episodes on China, Jack Murphy and our guest, former CIA analyst and China expert Gail Helt, discuss how today's China came to be, why Taiwan is so important, and how the coming years of relations with China will decide whether or not we go to war. Follow Gail Helt on Twitter @ghelt and Miltary Matters @stripesmmpod Email us with you questions or comments at [email protected]
Fast Take-Woke with Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy
July 20, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 81.8 MBLast week's episode about Woke, Critical Race Theory, and the military has hit a lot of nerves. Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss the episode, the feedback, and Jack's perspective on this politically and socially charged topic. Like, Listen, Subscribe, and Share this podcast!
What is WOKE and Critical Race Theory?
July 13, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 61.8 MBIn this episode, we're getting to the bottom of what exactly is "woke" and "critical race theory" and what any of it has to do with our military! Guests: Brian "BK" Kimber, former AF Pararescueman and host of World News with BK Dr. John Witte, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin Madison. And the departments of political science in the Robert Lafollette School of Public Affairs Link to World News with BK
Q-Anon, the murder of an SF soldier, UFO's, and Jim Gant's take on Afghanistan
June 10, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBJack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez talk about the stories they covered in Season 3, from the death of SF soldier Mark Leshikar to QAnon and the Terrible Game. We also discuss what Jack thinks of the UFO report coming out in June, and he also shares a special message from Afghan war veteran Jim Gant. All that and more on the season finale of Military Matters.
A former West Point cadet vanishes without a trace
May 17, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 52.7 MBMaura Murray's disappearance 17 years ago has left investigators and her family confused and dumbfounded. She was a former West Point cadet with dreams of becoming a nurse. Then one day after exhibiting strange behavior, she vanished. Jack Murphy talks with her sister, Julie Murray, about one of the first disappearances of the social media age to capture the attention of the public. What happened to Maura Murray?
Fast take: Service members vs. the vaccine
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 39.2 MBDefense One reporter Elizabeth Howe joins Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy to discuss the reaction to last week's episode, some of the strange arguments they've heard against getting the vaccine, and some "conspiracy" theories behind what some think the vaccine REALLY is. Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod and don't forget to share this episode.