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
Service members vs. the vaccine
May 03, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 151 MBA surprising number of service members have gone public stating they're not taking any of the COVID vaccines. This week, Military Matters talks with an ER doctor and U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Dr. Kamal Kalsi, Defense One reporter Elizabeth Howe and the director of the Bi-Partisan Commission on Biodefense Dr. Asha George. Are you getting the vaccine? Email us at [email protected].
Artificial Intelligence, coming to a battlefield near you ...
April 26, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 38.9 MBArtificial Intelligence (AI) and virtual reality are slowly becoming integrated with our warfighters. But what role will AI play on the battlefield of tomorrow? Jack Murphy talks with the vice president and director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, Paul Scharre. Paul is also a former Special Operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and the author Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. Follow Paul Scharre on Twitter @...
Virtual Reality Warfighters and a $21.9 billion deal
April 19, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 53.9 MBThe Army has signed a $21.9 billion deal with Microsoft to integrate its HoloLens with the Army's Integrated Visual Augmented System, or IVAS. Is this technology going to change the way we fight? Will we forget how to train in the real world? What does the future of VR look like? Guests Palmer Luckey, Anduril Garth Smith and Gareth Seburn, Meta VR Kevin Cornish, Moth+Flame VR Tony Isaacs, PLW Model Works
A Tenant Bill of Rights and dead infants on Fort Bragg
April 09, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 62.1 MBDoes the DOD's "Tenant Bill of Rights" actually do anything for military families living in privatized housing? Is the military just bad at environmental testing, or is there more? Could the deaths of infants on Fort Bragg have been prevented? We talk with Sarah Kline, military housing advocate, and Leigh Tuttle, a military spouse who has seen first-hand some questionable practices. For more information on the Military Housing Network go to https://militaryhousingadvocacynetwork.org...
Black mold and lead in military housing, and the law letting it happen
April 01, 2021 16:40 - 31 minutes - 53 MBToxic lead and black mold in military housing. A mother’s horror story of how her children suffered the effects. Families have been hurt, and the military is locked into 50-year leases with privatized housing companies. You’ll be shocked at the law these companies are hiding behind to avoid lawsuits and their responsibility to our service members. Jack Murphy unravels this story of neglected military oversight, insane legal loopholes and the families left to suffer the consequences. Go...
Why the DOD won't punish sexual predators with Katie Chorbak
March 25, 2021 10:00 - 44 minutes - 74.9 MBKatie Chorbak, founder and president of Our Sister's Keeper Movement tells us why she believes the DOD doesn't actually punish sexual predators. She points to a "zero tolerance" policy that has been repeatedly been ignored. Chorbak also shares the current state of the #iamvanessaguillen bill. Is civilian oversight needed? Should veterans and service members be able to sue the DOD over negligence? Send your ideas and opinions to [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmp...
Sexual Assault & Harassment in the Military
March 19, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 50.7 MBWe talk with online personality and Army Sgt. 1st Class Astin Muse about her reaction to the Marine TikTok video that rocked the DOD and the Corps. Then Jack Murphy takes us into the bizarre story of a military sexual assault victim who found herself behind bars instead of her perpetrator. Go to www.stripes.com and use promo code PODCAST to get 50% off your digital subscription. Leave us a 5-Star review and share this podcast. You can find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
Fast Take: Interview with Lamia Taylor
March 11, 2021 11:00 - 36 minutes - 61.4 MBLamia Taylor is the wife of Mike Taylor and the mother of Peter Taylor, both currently being held in a Japanese prison awaiting trial. Mike and Peter's case was largely ignored by government officials despite Mike's service to his country as a Special Forces Officer. Lamia talks to us about her frustrations with the case, how Mike and Peter are doing now, and what's next.
Special Forces veteran and son extradited to Japan
March 04, 2021 11:00 - 37 minutes - 65.8 MBFormer auto industry mogul Carlos Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan in true Hollywood heist movie fashion while awaiting trial for corporate fraud. Now Special Forces veteran Mike Taylor and his son Peter have been extradited to Japan in connection with Ghosn's evasion of Japanese authorities. Japan has a long track record of inhumane and even brutal treatment of foreign prisoners, and the State Department knows this. We take you into the story that has rocked the headlines from the US to J...
Fast Take: Military legacy, the wrong breaching formulas and TBIs.
March 04, 2021 03:10 - 23 minutes - 40.5 MBJack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss what it means to pass on our military culture and skills to our children, why the explosive formulas for breaching are wrong, and we talk TBIs. Do you have a tip or story idea? Email us at [email protected] You can find us on Twitter @stripesmmpod
The Terrible Game
February 18, 2021 11:00 - 24 minutes - 39 MBDan Tyler Moore knocked out President Theodore Roosevelt's eye, fought Nazis with the OSS and invented a modern-day ballistic helmet. That is to say that Dan Tyler Moore the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accomplished those feats respectively. Jack Murphy talks with Dan Tyler Moore III about his family's amazing legacy of almost 100 years of service to this country. We also talk about how to derail a train! Link to Jack Murphy's article "Special Ops has a broken culture with explosive breaching th...
Forensics expert Paul Ciolino discusses the case of Mark Leshikar
February 11, 2021 11:00 - 29 minutes - 49.4 MBRod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy are joined by forensics expert Paul Ciolino to discuss the death of Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar. Paul discusses the facts that were shared in our last episode from Mark's sister and widow. We also share new information about Mark's shooter that raises even more questions. Do you have a tip or idea for a story? Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @rodpodrod and @jackmurphyrgr Leave us a review and share this podcast!
The Death of Mark Leshikar
February 04, 2021 11:00 - 57 minutes - 93.9 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 re...
"He was wearing a Confederate flag..."
January 28, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes - 77.8 MBRod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the controversial last episode. We answer your criticisms and feedback. Also, CEO of Triple Nikel and retired Green Beret Ruben Ayala shares the personal story of his own SF Soldier wearing the Confederate flag. What he did and didn't do about it... All that and more on this perhaps not so Fast Take... Find us on Twitter @militarymatters You can also follow Jack Murphy @jackmurphyrgr and Rod Rodriguez @rodpodrod Go to Stripes.com use promo c...
Extremism in the Military
January 21, 2021 11:00 - 29 minutes - 55.5 MBIn this episode, we talk with Shannon Foley Martinez, a former neo-Nazi, about radicalization and extremism in the U.S. military. Before leaving the movement, Shannon knew up to thirty soldiers who were part of the white supremacy movement. She discusses how she radicalized, and how service members she knew did the same in this episode of Military Matters. Follow Jack Murphy on Twitter @jackmurphyrgr and Rod Rodriguez @rodpodrod Go to www.stripes.com use promo code PODCAST and save ...
Season 3 preview
January 14, 2021 11:00 - 20 minutes - 43.6 MBMilitary Matters welcomes aboard Jack Murphy! He's our new co-host and producer. We talk about his work on QAnon stories, UAPs, and what we have cooking for Season 3 of Military Matters. We also have a new email address so shoot us your story ideas and comments at [email protected]
The Capitol Under Siege
January 07, 2021 18:22 - 32 minutes - 57.1 MBJanuary 6th, 2021 thousands of Trump supporters took to the capital of our nation. What started off as a peaceful protest turned ugly as protests turned to rioting as hundreds of people stormed the Capitol building where the electoral votes were being counted. Lawyer, veteran and former Department of Homeland Security senior counselor Kevin Carroll takes us into what this means for our nation, will the President be held accountable, and what could happen going forward. Follow Rod Rodrig...
Death at Fort Hood
December 17, 2020 11:00 - 29 minutes - 51.5 MBIn this Season 2 Finale, we revisit the murders at Fort Hood under the light of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee's report. What we uncovered is tragic and could have been avoided... Follow Rod Rodriguez on Twitter @rodpodrod Go to cheap tickets.com/military and get 18% off hotels offer valid for active duty service members, veterans, military reserves, and the national guard. Save 50% on your digital subscription at Stripes.com, use promo code 'PODCAST'
The Fort Hood Report
December 10, 2020 19:28 - 14 minutes - 26.4 MBStripes reporter Rose Thayer helps us make sense of the "Report of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee". This jaw-dropping report has already resulted in numerous disciplinary actions. How bad is it? Worse than you think... Follow Rose Thayer on Twitter at @rose_lori and Rod Rodriguez at @rodpodrod
New Social Media and Section 230
December 03, 2020 18:30 - 27 minutes - 45.9 MBAs the elections winded down thousands of Servicemembers and Veterans migrated away from Twitter and Facebook to MeWe and Parler, but why? And a recent Tweet from President Trump puts Section 230 back in the spotlight. What is Section 230 and how will that affect social media as we know it? Guests: MeWe CEO Mark Weinstein, Life Flip Media Co-Founder Eric Mitchell, and actor Vincent "Rocco" Vargas Go to Stripes.com, use promo code PODCAST and save 50% on your digital subscription! Thi...
Happy Thanksgiving 2020
November 26, 2020 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.6 MBJust a quick message from our family at Military Matters to yours. Don't forget to go to Stripes.com and save 50% on your digital subscription, just use promo code PODCAST!
Fast take: Time for some inspiring stories from the US Army
November 19, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 20.2 MBIn a year of COVID-19, strife and division, there's nothing like some positive news. The inspiring stories, for example, of 2020 U.S. Army Soldier of the Year, Sgt. James B. Akinola, and the brand new National Museum of the U.S. Army. For more information on The National Museum of the US Army go to https://thenmusa.org
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs): A National Security Threat
November 12, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 71.5 MBFormer Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher Mellon and the director of the documentary film "The Phenomenon" talk with host Rod Rodriguez about how UAPs aren't just about lights in the sky, they pose a real threat to our national security. Subscribe to the Military Matters podcast today! Save 50% on your digital subscription when you use promo code PODCAST at stripes.com Click here for The Phenomenon Film
Revisiting the use of the military amid election-related chaos
November 05, 2020 21:15 - 20 minutes - 32.9 MBUncertainty over the result of this week's presidential election has given way to legal action, demonstrations and even violence. In this tense time, the Military Matters podcast looks back at interviews from one of last season's episodes on the use of the military to handle episodes of civil unrest. National Guard units have been called up or put on standby across the country to contend with election-related discontent, just as they were employed in the aftermath of the killing of George ...
Episode seven: Revisiting the use of the military amid election-related chaos
November 05, 2020 21:15 - 20 minutes - 32.9 MBUncertainty over the result of this week's presidential election has given way to legal action, demonstrations and even violence. In this tense time, the Military Matters podcast looks back at interviews from one of last season's episodes on the use of the military to handle episodes of civil unrest. National Guard units have been called up or put on standby across the country to contend with election-related discontent, just as they were employed in the aftermath of the killing of George ...
Fast take: A very haunted Military Matters
October 29, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutes - 17 MBNoises in the night. A haunted library. With Halloween right around the corner, host Rod Rodriguez shares more of listeners' own stories of spooky happenings in this eerie fast take episode of Military Matters. Listen as host Rod Rodriguez relates tales of unsettling events in a World War II-era infirmary and unexplainable phenomena in a library where the reminders of decades-old trauma still linger. And in a medieval town in Germany famed for malign spirits, soldiers collect evidence of...
Episode six: Spooky service stories
October 22, 2020 09:00 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBThe specter in the Spectre. The terror in Tonga. Just in time for Halloween, host Rod Rodriguez and guests share their own personal tales of frights, spirits and other paranormal events in this eerie episode of Military Matters. Rod, former Army officer Dean Bundschu, former Marine and "To the Point" host Eric Mitchell, and an Air Force veteran named Mike relate spine-tingling tales of aggressive apparitions, ghosts in a gunship and bivouacs where things go bump in the night. And Navy ve...
Spooky service stories
October 22, 2020 09:00 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBThe specter in the Spectre. The terror in Tonga. Just in time for Halloween, host Rod Rodriguez and guests share their own personal tales of frights, spirits and other paranormal events in this eerie episode of Military Matters. Rod, former Army officer Dean Bundschu, former Marine and "To the Point" host Eric Mitchell, and an Air Force veteran named Mike relate spine-tingling tales of aggressive apparitions, ghosts in a gunship and bivouacs where things go bump in the night. And Navy ve...
Fast take: How do extremist ideologies find a home in the military community?
October 15, 2020 09:00 - 15 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this fast take episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez discusses feedback we've gotten since the QAnon episode and explores possible characteristics of veterans and service members that make them so vulnerable to extremism. Rod talks again with journalist and former former Army Ranger and Green Beret Jack Murphy, who shares his perspective on the QAnon community and his experience with former military colleagues who have become absorbed in the movement. Rod and Jack discuss th...
Episode five: QAnon – exposing extremist views within the ranks
October 02, 2020 09:00 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBIn this episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explores 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, Rod talks with QAnon Anonymous podcast co-host a...
QAnon – exposing extremist views within the ranks
October 02, 2020 09:00 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBIn this episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explores 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, Rod talks with QAnon Anonymous podcast co-host a...
Episode four: Unidentified aerial phenomena part two — the engineer's take
September 08, 2020 09:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBIn the most recent episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explored unidentified aerial phenomena and what the Defense Department knows about those unexplained encounters. This week, he finds out from an expert about the facts that can be gleaned from those encounters. Rod talks with Steve Justice, director of the aerospace division of To the Stars... Academy of Arts & Science. He is an aerospace engineer who spent 33 years at Lockheed Martin's fabled Skunk Works — an elite organiz...
Unidentified aerial phenomena part two — the engineer's take
September 08, 2020 09:00 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBIn the most recent episode of Military Matters, host Rod Rodriguez explored unidentified aerial phenomena and what the Defense Department knows about those unexplained encounters. This week, he finds out from an expert about the facts that can be gleaned from those encounters. Rod talks with Steve Justice, director of the aerospace division of To the Stars... Academy of Arts & Science. He is an aerospace engineer who spent 33 years at Lockheed Martin's fabled Skunk Works — an elite organiz...
Unidentified aerial phenomena — what are the facts, and are they a threat?
August 24, 2020 09:00 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBUFOs have long been a staple of science fiction: aliens and flying saucers, aerial technology that dwarfs anything that is man-made. But when video footage of unknown objects recorded by Navy fighter pilots was released publicly in 2017, all that changed. To get to the bottom of what the Pentagon has found out about interactions with unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, Military Matters host Rod Rodriguez talks with Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Intelli...
Episode three: Unidentified aerial phenomena — what are the facts, and are they a threat?
August 24, 2020 09:00 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBUFOs have long been a staple of science fiction: aliens and flying saucers, aerial technology that dwarfs anything that is man-made. But when video footage of unknown objects recorded by Navy fighter pilots was released publicly in 2017, all that changed. To get to the bottom of what the Pentagon has found out about interactions with unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, Military Matters host Rod Rodriguez talks with Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Intelli...
Fast take: Updates on slayings of Fort Hood soldiers
August 14, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBSo far this season, the Military Matters podcast has looked at recent homicides of soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. This week, host Rod Rodriguez and guest host Christine Bartruff bring you updates with the latest news in all three cases. Find out about arrests linked to the slaying of Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans, whose body was found May 18 in a town not far from Fort Hood and his burned Jeep was found a few miles away the same night. In the case of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was killed on post ...
Episode two: Soldiers' deaths and Fort Hood's silence
July 31, 2020 09:00 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBFort Hood, Texas, has seen a shocking number of soldiers killed in recent months and in this episode of Military Matters, the podcast looks at two of those cases — the homicides of Pfc. Gregory Wedel and Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans. Host Rod Rodriguez talks with Gregory Wedel's mother, Kim, about her struggle to get information from police and Army officials about her son's case, and, after learning of the discovery of his remains, the agonizing effort she has endured to have his classification...
Soldiers' deaths and Fort Hood's silence
July 31, 2020 09:00 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBFort Hood, Texas, has seen a shocking number of soldiers killed in recent months and in this episode of Military Matters, the podcast looks at two of those cases — the homicides of Pfc. Gregory Wedel and Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans. Host Rod Rodriguez talks with Gregory Wedel's mother, Kim, about her struggle to get information from police and Army officials about her son's case, and, after learning of the discovery of his remains, the agonizing effort she has endured to have his classification...
What happened to Vanessa Guillén?
July 17, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MBThe brutal killing in April of U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood, Texas, has garnered wide attention and has put a spotlight on the military’s continuing struggle to combat the scourge of sexual harassment. But largely overlooked has been the struggle her family has faced in trying to get help and answers since they first realized something was wrong — within hours of her disappearance. In this premiere episode of the second season of Military Matters, hosts Rod Rodriguez and D...
Season premiere: What happened to Vanessa Guillén?
July 17, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 54.6 MBThe brutal killing in April of U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood, Texas, has garnered wide attention and has put a spotlight on the military’s continuing struggle to combat the scourge of sexual harassment. But largely overlooked has been the struggle her family has faced in trying to get help and answers since they first realized something was wrong — within hours of her disappearance. In this premiere episode of the second season of Military Matters, hosts Rod Rodriguez and D...
Season two preview: The slaying of Spc. Vanessa Guillén
July 10, 2020 09:00 - 2 minutes - 3.13 MBNext week, as the Military Matters podcast returns with the start of our second season, we will focus on the case of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, whose disappearance April 22 from Fort Hood, Texas, garnered the attention of officials and celebrities. Tragically, remains discovered in late June in woods not far from the Army post were determined to be Guillén’s. Her family is devastated, a suspect is dead, and a possible co-conspirator is in custody. Many questions remain, including how the mili...
The Other Side of Vincent Vargas
July 03, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MBYou may recognize Vincent “Rocco” Vargas from the Article 15 crew and from television and movies. What you may not know about are his struggles to be a dad and an actor and the sacrifice he’s making today in order to fulfill a promise to himself. Rocco opens up about his struggles with PTSD and what keeps him going. To learn more about Vincent “Rocco” Vargas go to https://vincentroccovargas.com You can find VetStory at https://connectingvets.com or search for VetStory wherever you list...
Military Matters fast take: What's in a name?
June 23, 2020 09:00 - 5 minutes - 11.7 MBIn the wake of protests seeking racial justice following George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police, Military Matters podcast host Desmon Farris looks into U.S. Army posts that are named for Confederate generals and why the Army continues to honor men who fought against it. Alongside the protest movement, calls have increased for the removal of Confederate statues, military leaders have moved to ban the display of Confederate imagery, and numerous officials have joined a push ...
Special edition: The Army goes to Washington
June 10, 2020 09:00 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBIn the wake of George Floyd's death, America continues to be roiled by protests and authorities' response. Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris look into why and how elements of the U.S. armed forces were deployed to contend with the situation and what the ramifications could be. To find out more about the impact of those developments on justice, the use of our military and the intersection between civil and military authority, Rod and Des talk to former Green Ber...
Fast Take: Using Troops in Domestic Policing
June 02, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MBTroops could be deployed stateside to cope with the unrest gripping the nation after a Minneapolis man died in police custody. Military Matters podcast host Rod Rodriguez examines the laws that govern the use of troops in peacekeeping efforts on U.S. soil. What is the Posse Comitatus Act, and what does it allow? What law enforcement roles could federal troops fulfill, and what are the potential dangers? How much authority does the president have to use troops this way? Stars and Stripes'...
Season Finale - Information warfare
May 22, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MBIn the season finale of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris shed light on the murky world of information warfare. Message manipulation can take many forms, it can be employed on any topic and it can be directed at anyone. It is used to alter our decision-making process and can have wide-ranging influence on our choices: what products we buy, which candidates we vote for, how we respond to a health crisis — it even can impact national security. How can disi...
Coming soon: Season finale – information warfare
May 14, 2020 09:00 - 1 minute - 1.97 MBAs we near the end of the inaugural season of the Military Matters podcast, hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris offer a look at the topic for next week's season finale, information warfare. Rod and Des examine what message manipulation might look like and find out from industry experts what we should beware of and how we can be prepared. Stars and Stripes' podcasters are working to get the information that matters to you. Subscribe today!
Military Matters Review: Breathing with COVID-19
May 07, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this review episode, Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris talk some more with one of last week's guests, retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis — also known as the Fired Up Chief — about how his recovery from COVID-19 is coming along. Lewis is continuing to improve, but he's not yet able to go home from the care facility. He talks about his current health status, what it's going to take to be able to go home, how long his doctor says his overall...
Episode 8: Breathing with COVID-19
May 01, 2020 18:05 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBAs Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris dig further into the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, they find out what it's like to fight the disease; they learn about ventilators — why they're a political lightning rod, why they're needed and what they mean for patients; and they get the story behind an Air Force veteran's innovative, new ventilator. Rod and Desmon talk with retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, known as the The Fired Up Chief, who has been ...
Breathing with COVID-19
May 01, 2020 18:05 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBAs Military Matters podcast hosts Rod Rodriguez and Desmon Farris dig further into the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, they find out what it's like to fight the disease; they learn about ventilators — why they're a political lightning rod, why they're needed and what they mean for patients; and they get the story behind an Air Force veteran's innovative, new ventilator. Rod and Desmon talk with retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Juan Lewis, known as the The Fired Up Chief, who has been ...