Once Upon A Boot
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsOnce a boot always a boot right? I'm going to be talking with veterans and active duty military, telling the everyday stories of what it's like to be in the military. From enlisting, deploying, the hurry up and waiting, you name it! Ever wonder what happens during a deployment to Afghanistan, serving on a ship in the middle of the Persian Gulf, sitting on base, in a barracks, or the ridiculous entertainment we make for ourselves to sane!? Well you're in the right place! We also talk about the importance of mental and physical health while trying to provide connection with other veterans so they don't feel so alone, and aim to bridge the veteran civilian divide by sharing our experiences. Follow us on social media, rate, review, subscribe, and enjoy!
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Episodes
BATTLESHIP Watch Along w/ Chris Jacob
June 09, 2021 04:00 - 2 hours - 93.6 MBThis week is a very special edition of the podcast! Former guest on the show Chris Jacob and myself watch the 2012 movie "BATTLESHIP" on HBO MAX and talk lots of shit haha. We tell lots of sea stories along the way, as well as how they got something so wrong when they literally had real life sailors at their fingertips. The link to the movie on HBO MAX is in the show notes so please watch along with us! Lets all watch LT/LCDR/CO/VBSS Captain America wannabe and his trusty sidekick GM/FC/FCA/...
Best/Worst Types of People w/ D.J. White, Mike Rineck, and Marcus Castro
May 12, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 81.5 MBThe fellas are back and this time we're talking all about the best/worst types of people you find on a ship (or really in the military)! Show favorites D.J., Mike, and Marcus join me once again and we really get into it! Lots of hilarious sea stories and fun characterizations of the different personalities that always seem to find their way in the military. Who's the worst of the worst and the best of the best? Is it the smelly kid or the blue falcon? Is your favorite person the one with t...
Caleb Versus Self w/ Caleb Dunham
May 05, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBThis week on the show I have Caleb Dunham, Army vet and the host of the podcast "Caleb Versus Self". Caleb served five years in the Army deploying twice to the middle east. We talk a lot about the human condition in the military and just how diverse everyone is. Would you still have become friends with whom you did if you had just met them anywhere else besides the military? We also get in to the human condition and how it can be both vastly positive and negative. As always, lots of fun boot...
Boot Tales: Ass-Puckering Edition
April 21, 2021 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBWe've all been there right? You're in trouble, DRB or Captain's Mast is looming, maybe your Division Officer is yelling at you, or the ever popular "Hey Shipmate!". This episode is all about me recapping those wonderful moments from my time in the Navy which I'm sure many of you listeners can relate to. I'll be getting in to everything from lying to MA's, "gun decking" maintenance, or finally saying "fuck it" and yelling back at your XO. Lots of fun and hope you all enjoy and laugh at my mis...
Boot Life, Aliens, and The Enduring Campaign w/ Rachelle
April 14, 2021 04:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBThis week I have Rachelle on the show! Rachelle is an Operation Enduring Freedom Marine Corps veteran, who currently runs the non-profit "The Enduring Campaign". We talk about how she continues to serve the veteran community after separating, as well as how you can help! We of course talk about just how boot we all once were, including the ever popular wearing of uniform items as part of civilian attire (We've all done it). We confirm that aliens are of course real (clearly we're experts)....
Army Vet, Teacher, and Author w/ Jennifer Hobbs
April 07, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBThis week I have Jennifer Hobbs on the show! Jennifer served in the Army National Guard for 9 years with a deployment to Iraq. Jennifer is currently a 3rd Grade teacher, and in the process of releasing her first book! Jennifer has a unique story where she actually enlisted at 17 years old, while she was a junior in high school. Meaning, she actually was enlisted during her entire senior year (the level of cockiness I probably would've had would have been awful lol). We talk deployment tales,...
Open Sea Leather Co. w/ Michael Bluth
March 31, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 54.8 MBMormons, Navy Cryptology, and Leather, Oh My! What and episode this week where I have Michael Bluth; the owner and operator of Open Sea Leather Co. Mike is an 11-year Navy veteran who served as a Cryptologic Technician Interpretive. Mike grew up as a Mormon, and talks about his initial mission where he found a love for Spanish, ultimately leading him to be a linguist in the Navy. Mike served across several commands, having to master both Spanish and Chinese. We get into some of the off perso...
Army Vet to Stand-Up Comic w/ Pete Stegemeyer
March 17, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBI start this week with a small and totally subtle "fuck you" to a Fox News supporter (my views do not represent that of my guests). . The main event, and what an episode this week ladies and gentleman! I have the hilarious and talented Pete Stegemeyer on the show; an Army veteran, pug lover, cigar enthusiast, husband and stand-up comic! We get into all the fun stuff of his Army career, talking funny bootcamp and deployment stories and the tale of getting a special forces contract only to be ...
GI Bills, Air Force Military Police, and Gaming w/ Jared Holzhaeuser
March 10, 2021 16:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBThe show starts this week with a bit of deep dive into the Montgomery GI Bill and how ridiculous it is. . Also this week I have Jared Holzhaeuser, Air Force veteran on the show! Jared served 6 years in the Air Force as Military Police, deploying 4 times over the course of his career. We get into just how "boot" we both were after bootcamp and hear some fun stories from his time in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Hear some fun stories of what it was like working on bases both stateside and ove...
Hanging At A Brewery w/ Cody Crowder
March 03, 2021 05:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBThis week I have Cody Crowder, my buddy from my time in the Navy on the show! Cody was a Logistics Specialist who served 4 years on a destroyer, conducting two 5th fleet deployments. Cody happened to be at a brewery during the recording (hence the loud background noise), and we reminisce about the good and bad of being on a destroyer. Cody shares what it was like to be an LS on the ship, sharing his favorite and not so favorite parts of ship life. As always, we share plenty of stories and l...
Once Upon A "Dependa":Love Edition w/ Ashley Galsband
February 17, 2021 17:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBIt's a special Once Upon A "Dependa":Love Edition featuring my beautiful wife Ashley! With Valentine's Day having just passed, I thought what better way to talk about love, than they ways to show love (and not to) in the military! We rank some of the best things to send and receive in a. care package, what not to do to show affection on base or in military housing, and as always some fun stories! Hope you all enjoy! . Please rate, review, and subscribe! . . . Ashley Galsband Instagram . Once...
Life And Times Of A Female Sailor w/ Chi Ho
February 10, 2021 17:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBThis week I have Chi Ho on the show! Chi served in the Navy as a Logistics Specialist aboard a Destroyer on two 5th fleet deployments. Was great catching up with her and talking all things Navy! We chat about why Chi decided to join in the first place, what it was like arriving on her first ship in the middle of a deployment, and overall what it's like being a female onboard a ship. We get into what it was like working for supply, the climate on the ship, and how political/childish things ca...
Boot 101 w/ Chad Galsband
February 04, 2021 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBOn this week's episode, join my baby brother and myself as we explore how to be as boot as possible! Hear how Chad made some very common boot mistakes, and what to do to avoid them. We talk about why Chad joined the Navy, his time as a PR, as well as the transition into civilian life. Of course, anytime with my brother and I means story time! Hope you guys enjoy the short conversation we had! Sorry for any audio problems with Chad's mic...he is a boot after all. . Please rate, review, and s...
Army Intel to Radio and Podcasting w/ Jeff Butcher
January 27, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBThis week on the show I have Jeff Butcher; Army Reserve veteran, podcast host, and Radio D.J. We talk about his time in the Army reserve during the Bosnian conflict in the 90s, including what it was like growing up in Michigan to suddenly doing Army intel in Germany. Hear about his transition out of the military working multiple jobs until he finally stumbled into the radio business. We also get in to the ins and outs of podcasting, as well as the state of affairs with COVID in the US and ho...
Boots Across the Pond w/ Ryan Walker
January 20, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBWelcome back everyone to the official first episode of 2021! This week we have a first as the guest is Royal Air Force veteran Ryan Walker! We had a blast chatting it up about his time in the RAF, as well as the differences between the US and UK military! Ryan is a Logistics professional as well as a podcaster, which I will link down below. Ryan was a riot, and I had a great time talking with him! Enjoy boots! . Please rate, review, and subscribe! . . . Ryan Walker Podcast Facebook . Once U...
Saying What Needs Saying
January 07, 2021 19:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBI never wanted to have to make this, but it has to be done. I am absolutely disgusted by the blatant terrorist attack on our Capitol. I think this episode really speaks for itself. If you don't want to listen, just know that if you support what happened at the capitol, if you support terrorism, DO NOT FUCKING LISTEN OR SUPPORT MY SHOW. Enjoy. Support the show (https://onceuponaboot.bigcartel.com/)
See you in 2021!
December 16, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 5.11 MBJust a quick thank you and update on the show these past months, as well as what 2021 has in store! Thanks to all of my guests for coming on the show and giving me something to talk about, and all the listeners keeping the show going! Have a safe and happy holidays, see you boots in 2021! . Please rate, review, and subscribe! . . . Once Upon A Boot https://onceuponaboot.bigcartel.com/ https://www.instagram.com/onceuponaboot/ https://twitter.com/onceuponaboot https://www.facebook.com/onceu...
This Is The Way w/ Earl Skjoldager
December 09, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBAlright everyone I know what you're thinking...whoa this episode is long! Listen, I was going to split it into two parts, but we get into some more serious things in this episode, and felt that If I split it off we would have a happy-go-lucky episode, and a serious one. For the integrity of the conversation, I kept it as one. Earl and I served on my first ship together. He served 24 years in the Navy, retiring as a Chief. We talk everything from his time coming up in the Navy, his time spent...
Sea Stories and Trash Talk w/ Chris Jacob
December 02, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBEveryone, I think the title really says it all. Chris and I got on the show together and it quickly turned into a shit talking/reminiscing session. This may be the most accurate representation of what it's like to chill out on the ship and bullshit. Be a fly on the wall and hear some of the ridiculous stories from some of the most colorful characters we've encountered in our Navy journey. Chris has been in the Navy over 10 years now, currently training for his new NEC where he will then go o...
Bootcamp, Bloody Feet, Sea Stories and Beyond w/ Collin Cortez
November 25, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBThis week's show is a long one, but a good one! I got a chance to catch up with one of my oldest buddies from the Navy, and you all get to be a fly on the wall for it. I wanted to present this in it's entirety and hear the great stories. We cover Collin joining the Navy, our time in bootcamp together, Great lakes shenanigans (included bloody thighs and feet), and lots of sea stories. We also delve into powerlifting and strong man style lifting, as well as mental health upon leaving the camar...
5 Best/Worst Feelings of Ship Life w/ D.J. , Mike , and Marcus
November 18, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 73 MBWhat a show, what a show! I have three former guests: D.J. White, Mike Rineck, and Marcus Castro on the show for a very special edition! We rank the 5 best/worst feelings of ship life. This is episode is full of sea stories covering the hilarious deployment antics of sailors, what ship life is like, and our favorite/least favorite things about it. If you ever were a sailor you'll be in tears hearing about these shenanigans. If you never were, get ready to hear what it's like on board and hav...
Constitutional Defender w/ Takura Nyamfukudza
November 11, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBThis week is a really cool show everyone, I had the pleasure of speaking with criminal defense attorney and former Army infantryman turned officer: Takura Nyamfukudza! Takura was full of great stories covering everything from what enticed him to join the Army in the first place, all the way to defending the Constitution in a different way as a criminal defense attorney! Takura is a true success story, moving to the United States, joining the Army as 11B infantry, becoming an officer, and now...
Air National Guard, Project Management, and Manga w/ Kodie Egenolf
November 04, 2020 17:00 - 50 minutes - 35.1 MBThis week is a bit of a different episode of Once Upon A Boot. I have Kodie Egenolf with me, a project manager with Viz Media. We talk about his journey from enlisted to officer in the Air National Guard/Air Force, to being a project manager at an anime/manga company. Hear about what he does in the world of digital comics, including his podcast "Weekly Shonen Jump". This episode really delves into the different ways a veteran can approach their life after the military, with an emphasis on fo...
Ghosts Of The Valley w/ Sean Ambriz
October 28, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBThis week I have a very special guest on the show: Sean Ambriz! Sean is an Army MP, Afghanistan war veteran, and author of the book "Ghosts of the Valley". We talk about all facets of his military service, from bootcamp, to both of his Afghanistan deployments, his struggles with PTSD and mental health, and what inspired him to write his book. We go in depth in to some of the stories I found most intriguing about the book, and I'm sure you all will too. We discuss the importance of great lea...
Good vibes, good friends, and good times w/ Mike Rineck
October 21, 2020 04:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBThis week I had the pleasure of speaking with my good friend Mike Rineck about all things from our time in the Navy. We served on the same ship together and became great friends during a challenging time. Mike is one the nicest people I've had the pleasure of serving with. Hear about how Mike first entered the Navy, some of the timidness he experienced to start, and how he emerged as an Electronics Technician killing it in the fleet. We talk about our favorite port visits overseas, the good ...
Seabees, Gunners, and Ship Life w/ Chris Bourg
October 14, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBThis week I have Chris Bourg joining the show. Chris did over 10 years in the Navy as a Gunners Mate. We talk about his time dropping out of Navy engineering school, to then going undesignated to a Seabee command. Listen to his story about how he struck Gunners Mate, and what life was like both with the Seabees as well as on the ship. We get in to what life was like aboard a particularly notorious destroyer and the shenanigans that ensued! This was a really fun chat, hope you all enjoy! . Pl...
Voices of America's Veterans w/ Joey Verhalen
October 07, 2020 04:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBThis week I have the host of the Voices of America's Veterans podcast; Joey Verhalen on the show. He tells of starting a family young, joining the Navy, and the trials and tribulations that come later. From being in the Nuclear pipeline for the Navy, to being then sent conventional machinist mate, the stories that ensue are great. Have you ever you ever flooded out a senior enlisted berthing!? I'm sure the chiefs loved it, and so will you when you hear the story. We talk life differences bet...
Redemption and Triumph w/ David Therrien of the American Vet Podcast
September 30, 2020 04:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBThis week I have Marine veteran David Therrien on the show. Listen how he triumphed and overcame from being an emancipated teen, to a marine, becoming addicted, and coming out the other side with a positive outlook ready to help other veterans who are struggling. Of course we can't have an episode without the funny stories in between like getting drunk in Japan and giving noogies to the locals!? This is a fun and insightful episode into the life of a Marine stationed in Japan, overcoming add...
A Wild Ride Called Life w/ Annette Whittenberger
September 23, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBCEO, speaker, writer, podcaster, wife, mother, and retired Army veteran (yes all one person!) Annette Whittenberger joins the show this week! Hear the journey from being in a small catholic school to retiring from the army as a high ranking officer! Hear about Annette immediately being sent to Germany, her multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, how she rose through the ranks of the Army, and the struggles with mental health along the way. We even compare differences of what we do as s...
Once Upon A "Dependa" w/ Ashley Galsband
September 17, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBThis week I have a very special and beautiful guest: Ashley Galsband a.k.a. my wife. We delve into what makes a "dependa". Hear the hilarious stories of military spouse and the spouses we have encountered over the years. We talk how to make a marriage and family in the military work, compare "boots" and dependas", talk the importance of independence, and the age old topic of "sharing rank". This is certainly an episode you do not want to miss! . . Please rate, review, and subscribe! I will b...
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September 09, 2020 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.73 MBThis is a different episode this week of Once Upon A Boot. This is a short talk about some of mental issues I've dealt with, as well as different ways to seek out help. As September is Suicide Awareness Month, I wanted to take an episode to remind everyone to reach out to those they love. Don't let your brothers/sisters suffer in silence! . Want to be on a future episode? Send an email to [email protected] . Please rate, review, and subscribe! . Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-82...
Boot "Sergeant" to Senior Chief w/ Edwin Rodriguez
September 01, 2020 19:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThis week I have 23-year retired Senior Chief Edwin Rodriguez on the pod! We talk about everything from him playing minor league baseball in Puerto Rico and joining the Navy, all the way to retiring as a Senior Chief! Hear the great stories such as redeeming himself after a DUI, and even how he had a sailor who faked cancer!? We also talk about his now successful real estate career and even some tips for everyone out there! Don't miss the newest episode of Once Upon A Boot! . Please rate, r...
Broken Arms, Star Wars and More w/ Marcus Castro
August 26, 2020 03:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBFrom breaking an arm at hardcore show, to getting in trouble on base with a Master at Arms, these two boots reminisce about the good ol' days of the Navy. We're talking funny stories from training, the ship, and deployment stories featuring Star Wars on a mountain in Spain!? You don't want to miss this great episode of Once Upon A Boot! Once Upon A Boot https://www.instagram.com/onceuponaboot/ https://twitter.com/onceuponaboot Marcus https://www.instagram.com/lilmarcus_va/ Music Slapshot ...
Don't Give a Bit w/ D.J. White
August 19, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBOn the first episode I talk with my good friend, Navy veteran, and exceptionally talented content creator D.J. White. We're talking embarrassing out of boot camp moments, what it was like coming to our first ship in the Navy, some deployment tales, and naturally which cereal is best. Be sure to check out everything D.J. is doing on all his social media and give it a follow! Hope you enjoy! D.J. https://www.instagram.com/dontgiveabit/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzAWwTwfqTJPhCNk0stdaoQ ...
Don't Give a Bit feat. D.J. White
August 19, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBOn the first episode I talk with my good friend, Navy veteran, and exceptionally talented content creator D.J. White. We're talking embarrassing out of boot camp moments, what it was like coming to our first ship in the Navy, some deployment tales, and naturally which cereal is best. Be sure to check out everything D.J. is doing on all his social media and give it a follow! Hope you enjoy! D.J. https://www.instagram.com/dontgiveabit/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzAWwTwfqTJPhCNk0stdaoQ ...
Introduction
August 15, 2020 17:00 - 5 minutes - 4.07 MBWelcome to the Once Upon A Boot Podcast! A short introduction to myself and the show, stay tuned for more episodes featuring talented and interesting veterans! Music: Slapshot - Hang Up Your Boots Artwork: [email protected] Support the show (https://onceuponaboot.bigcartel.com/) Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.