What a Hell of a Way to Die
463 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 452 ratingsWhat a Hell of a Way to Die is a left-wing military and veteran podcast hosted by Nate and Francis, two extremely online combat veterans. Join us to hear discussion of veterans issues, defense news, and military culture — all from a lefty perspective.
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Episodes
Hell of a News Roundup: Our friend the Bradley
June 25, 2024 13:13 - 53 minutes - 61.2 MBThis is the audio portion of youtube. See the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7QJiE1CBY4&ab_channel=WhataHellofaWaytoDie This week Francis shows off his second hand pickups, watches a Bradley Fighting Vehicle throw hands, and looks for more ways to expand the show.
DadChat: Boy Scout Reminiscences (Positive When Possible)
June 23, 2024 20:16 - 51 minutes - 60.3 MBNate and Francis are back for a dadchat and we’re talking Boy Scouts (no idea how we got to this topic). We were not Eagle Scouts and don’t have any stake in defending the institution, but we reflect on our experiences as weird goofy nerds in uniforms (before the military). Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches...
DadChat: Resist the Vape’s Siren Song
June 16, 2024 19:12 - 57 minutes - 80.6 MBIt’s Father’s Day in the US and UK. In this episode, Nate and Francis are back with a DadChat that spans many topics... but particularly emphasizes the fact that, while vaping is better than smoking, you may be unable to resist its power. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that ...
DadChat: Don't worry, they bounce
June 09, 2024 14:23 - 53 minutes - 43 MBThis week Francis and Nate discuss baby's first head bonk, preteen's first kiss, and how you too can set up a complex series of decades old cables to get that weird buzz out of your recordings
HapsburgCon 2024 with Chris Hooks
May 31, 2024 15:50 - 40 minutes - 32.1 MBThis week Francis talks with Texas journalist Chris Hooks who attended the Plano, Tx Hapsbug convention. Come meet all the factions of royalists, come hear about the hurdles to get to sainthood, and come enjoy the Terminally Online Eudard Hapsburg Follow Chris here - https://x.com/cd_hooks Keep up with his fantastic reporting from Texas - https://www.texasmonthly.com/contributors/christopher-hooks/
Deadliest Warrior: Pirate Vs Knight *Preview*
May 28, 2024 13:50 - 10 minutes - 8.77 MBGet full access to the full episode and even more bonus content for $5 a month - https://www.patreon.com/posts/105094216?pr=true Francis is joined by Kelly to pick over another Deadliest Warrior episode. This month, a French Knight from the 15th century squares off with a low rent Captain Jack Sparrow in the scrub brush of Southern California. If you're into deep dives of Canadian History, then check out Kelly's show and more on Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/bornunderpunchs
DadChat: Letting Stuff Go Edition
May 26, 2024 10:58 - 59 minutes - 49.1 MBNate and Francis discuss the perennial troop phenomenon of getting dumped overseas, the goal of being a better person in your forties than you were in your twenties, the stereotypes associated with various universities in the Midwest, and the important ask-a-dad question of ‘is there a uniformly good brand of diapers?’ Hope you enjoy! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPEC...
A Night at the Museum with Lilith
May 20, 2024 15:12 - 51 minutes - 41.3 MBThis week Francis talks with museum collections manager Lilith from the National Japanese American Historical society. We discuss moving your collections, doing provenance research, and begging you not to donate your grandfathers dirty Korean War era underwear. Search the digital archives here - https://digitalcollections.usfca.edu/digital/collection/p15129coll10 If you'd like some historical documents, you can pick some up https://njahs.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/nisei-...
DadChat: The Prince of Roblox Songs
May 20, 2024 15:02 - 58 minutes - 48.6 MBNate and Francis are back for a DadChat, this time discussing important questions such as: what if your kid gets into Roblox? What if your kid just likes reading a lot? Are video games better or worse for you now than they were in 1989? And an essential Ask A Dad question: what sort of gifts should you get for new parents? Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNC...
The Zoo Crew Presents: Predator *Preview*
May 13, 2024 15:32 - 10 minutes - 8.67 MBThis month we watch a classic action flick that most of have never seen. It's got all the memes, the blood, the guy constantly shaving, and all the unlimited ammo magazines you could need Get the FULL episode at the $5 a month level, and access to seven years of bonus content - https://www.patreon.com/posts/104170458
DadChat: Newborn Edition feat. Chris James
May 12, 2024 09:37 - 59 minutes - 49.5 MBFor this week's DadChat, Francis speals with Chris James (@theCJS) of the Guys Podcast about his experiences in parenting a newborn. As in, he's got a one-month-old and he's extremely sleep-deprived, but there's already so much to talk about. Very much hope you enjoy! Check out Guys With Bryan Quinby here: https://sites.libsyn.com/458346 Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie ...
DadChat: Is There a Perfect Time to Have a Kid? No
May 04, 2024 09:44 - 1 hour - 51.7 MBNote: this DadChat was recorded back in March right before Nate had a family emergency, so if it seems out-of-date it’s due to that. For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss the perennial question of ‘when is it the correct time to have a kid?’ And the answer is: whenever the circumstances work for you, but there’s always something happening that makes it a challenge. And once it happens you will never sleep normally again. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hund...
DadChat: 2000s Culture Free Association
April 28, 2024 20:47 - 53 minutes - 44.7 MBFor this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis examine just what would constitute an ‘I remember the 2000s’ cultural encapsulation. As someone who literally owned an ‘All Your Base Are Belong to Us’ shirt (Nate) and a guy who experienced the red ring of death on an Xbox 360 (Francis), we simply know the source material too well. Also in this episode: Nate having to wage war against the British postal service because one guy apparently has the power to send your mail to the bottom of the ocean if ...
Deadliest Warrior: Spartan vs Ninja *Preview*
April 24, 2024 14:38 - 10 minutes - 8.71 MBThis month Francis is joined by Quinn from the Failure to Launch podcast for Deadliest Warrior: Spartan vs Ninja. Spears, shields, swords and...pocket sand? Get the full episode here at the $5 level - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie Listen to Failure to Launch, a podcast about why you shouldn't go into space - https://open.spotify.com/show/67k2E47btdeWWdljZAmf9A
Spinning the wheel of Ecological disasters with Calvin Norman
April 22, 2024 05:00 - 53 minutes - 42.9 MBThis week Francis is joined by Forestry expert and conservationist Calvin Norman to discuss the impact of the War in Ukraine on the local ecology, and the extent it's going to take to get it back up and running again. Calvin also shares some of his favorite existential horrors that are less 'How do I pay my bills' and more 'will this hamburger eat my brain?' Check out the many webinars we discuss here - https://extension.psu.edu/the-war-in-ukraine-impacts-on-the-people-forests-and-enviro...
DadChat: Ursula Le Guin Laudation Station
April 20, 2024 15:22 - 54 minutes - 45.1 MBFor this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss books they’re reading, which leads to an examination of how Nate wound up giving the work of Ursula Le Guin and Phillip K. Dick a try, and why he strongly recommends both. We also discuss childhood insomnia and recommendations for easy-to-manage herb gardens. It’s a DadChat package deal. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie ...
Militia House with John Milas
April 15, 2024 05:00 - 52 minutes - 42.4 MBVeteran and Author John Milas joins Francis to discuss his debut horror Novel Militia House, set in 2010 Afghanistan and following a couple of bored Marines stuck in the middle of nowhere. John discusses his journey from Marine to author, his writing process, and what it is about horror that people love Pick up Militia house here or wherever you get books - https://www.amazon.com/Militia-House-Novel-John-Milas/dp/1250857066
DadChat with Greg from the Brigham Young Money Podcast
April 12, 2024 16:11 - 53 minutes - 42.6 MBThis week Francis talks with Greg of the Brigham Young Money Podcast about raising your kids around Religion. Greg is an ex Morman and Francis an ex Catholic and discuss how to talk about God and beliefs when you don't believe yourself Listen to his show about Utah Politics http://brighamyoungmoney.com/ His other podcast about the Utah Jazz - https://twitter.com/Unsalvageables Follow him on twitter - https://twitter.com/DadShammdad If you like what you're getting here, please cons...
Failing Upwards with Steve Beynon
April 04, 2024 16:26 - 51 minutes - 41.1 MBThis week Military.com reporter Steve Beynon stops by to update us on some of his more recent stories, such as a four star general greasing the wheels for a subordinate to be promoted, Special Forces once again getting caught with Nazi patches, and Chow Hall dining kiosks Special Forces - https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/27/army-shared-image-of-special-forces-soldier-wearing-nazi-patch.html General Hamilton suspended - https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/22/army-4-s...
The Zoo Crew goes to Man Camp *Preview*
April 02, 2024 13:20 - 10 minutes - 8.48 MBThis week the Zoo Crew is headed to Man Camp. We're dropping enough money to buy a new Toyota Corolla and instead of having a sensible car with low miles, we're getting slurs screamed at us by an angry Armenian guy Get the whole episode and more by signing up at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/zoo-crew-goes-to-101486176
Broken Tracks with Davis Winkie
March 27, 2024 16:41 - 58 minutes - 46.6 MBContent warning: Suicide This week Davis Winkie comes on the show to talk about his deep dive into the suicide epidemic faced by Army Tank units Read more about it here - https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/03/11/broken-track-how-army-times-discovered-high-tank-unit-suicide-rates/ If you like what we do here, consider supporting us on Patreon. $5 a month gets you access to seven years of bonus interviews, movie reviews, and a lot in between - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofa...
Hell of a Way News Roundup: The Army's Navy
March 20, 2024 19:37 - 40 minutes - 46.2 MBThis week Francis discusses the Navy. But not the American Navy, the Army Navy. Also covered is the Thai Navy shooting itself (Because it's nice to know it's not just us) and the National Guard dicking around on their phones in the Subway stations. Instead of a madia section, we're back to reading from anti war zines of the 1970s. I've been running through a lot of Sharpe books and while they are fun, they are also hardly conversational Take 15% off in the store all month with the code '...
DadChat: Live from the Monkey House with Jack Forman
March 18, 2024 12:51 - 57 minutes - 46 MBThis week Francis brings Jack Forman, formerly of the Sirius XM station Kids Place Live on the show. Jack has run a kids call-in show for eleven years, taking thousands of calls from kids all around North America and now finds himself let go, but still continuing his vision. We talk about conversations with kids, 'kindie' music, and strange Italian songs Listen to Jack three times a week on his Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/jackforman Francis' Kindie spotify playlist - https://...
DadChat: Dreaming of a World with No Dodge Neons
March 16, 2024 01:37 - 58 minutes - 69.4 MBFor this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis talk about their first cars… but also a discussion of what goes into sound production for podcasts, the roller-coaster of your child getting every germ on earth when they start nursery, and some discussions for fans of war-themed genre fiction. Hope you enjoy! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now h...
Into the Wild Blue Yonder
March 11, 2024 12:47 - 46 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week Francis talks with Emerson, a fellow Public Affairs troop, but for the Air Force. We discuss the fun of being in PAO, the differences in the branches, and how much better it is to be an airman than a soldier
DadChat: Making Drywall Exciting
March 11, 2024 00:03 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBIt’s DadChat, and we’ve got a spirited discussion about dealing with old houses and their old house problems, solid vs. hollow walls, the hobbies we picked up from our own dads, and the strange situation where British banks let landlords take out interest-only mortgages that were, of course, adjustable-rate mortgages. You can imagine how that went. Hope you enjoy? Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patr...
Hell of a News Roundup: Air Force Blues
March 06, 2024 14:40 - 45 minutes - 51.6 MBThis week it's all about the Air Force as Francis discusses three stories from the branch we all love to hate. Take 15% off all orders in the store this month with the code 'march' - https://www.hellofawaytodie.com/shop You can also get access to all our bonus content and interview episodes early on out patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie National Guard story - https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/03/01/guard-officials-probing-texas-generals-appearan...
DadChat: Aspirational Uncle Status
March 03, 2024 23:38 - 1 hour - 51.4 MBSorry for the delayed episode! For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis convene on the topic of whether America or Britain hates kids more, the milestone of leaving your kid at daycare, Francis’ recent experiences reading books about Navy SEALs, and an Ask A Dad question about how to be good at being an uncle. We hope you enjoy! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPEC...
What a Hell of a News Roundup: Jailing Jody
February 28, 2024 13:49 - 53 minutes - 61.5 MBThis week Francis discusses a Chinese Jody looking at 10 months in prison for doing Jody stuff. We also dive back into the 1943 Women's Home Companion and the sunsetting of yet another free benefit for troops that's being taken away. Get on the Patreon before the end of the month at the $10 level to get this quarter's care package - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie Jody - https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2024/02/22/chinese-jody-hit-with-jail-time-after-stea...
Deadliest Warrior: Gladiator vs Apache *Preview*
February 27, 2024 13:02 - 10 minutes - 8.28 MBOnce upon a time there was an incredible show called Deadliest Warrior which took stoned conversations guys had in the mid aughts about who would win a fight and put it to some of the goofiest tests you've ever seen. Francis is joined by KD to talk about the Gladiator vs Apache Warrior Get the whole episode at the $5 level on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/99234962?pr=true
Lefty get your gun: A Better Way 2A
February 26, 2024 12:54 - 52 minutes - 42.1 MBThis week Francis interviews Jordan from the Better Way 2A organization. We discuss gun rights, legislation, arming your queer friends, and handling all the latest at Shot Show 2024 Find out more about the organization here - https://www.abetterway2a.com/
DadChat: Don’t Hurt Your Own Feelings
February 25, 2024 19:32 - 57 minutes - 80.4 MBSorry for the delayed episode! For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss relationships: what they’ve learned from previous ones, what they appreciate about their partners, how they’ve tried to improve upon years of making mistakes, and how fortunate they both feel to have met people who like them despite their (conspicuous) flaws. And you get a few stories about first meetings and weddings and so on. We very much hope you enjoy it Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get...
Hell of a News Roundup: Get those hands in your pocket, sailor!
February 21, 2024 15:23 - 1 hour - 69 MBThis week Francis talks mystery books, Ukraine, and why the HELL THE SAILORS GET TO PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS NOW! Get seven years of bonus content when you sign up for $5 or more on the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie Take 20% off in the store with the code "podcast" Stories cited JD Vance - https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/18/republican-opponent-of-us-aid-ukraine-brings-his-case-international-conference.html Military Housing - https://taskan...
A Better Way 2A *Preview*
February 19, 2024 16:34 - 9 minutes - 7.73 MBThis week Francis interviews Jordan from the Better Way 2A organization. We discuss gun rights, legislation, arming your queer friends, and handling all the latest at Shot Show 2024. Find out more about the organization here - https://www.abetterway2a.com/ Get the full episode early at any dollar amount on the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie
DadChat: Future Kaaba of Indianapolis
February 16, 2024 00:50 - 1 hour - 49.8 MBIt’s another DadChat in which we discuss Francis’s catholic upbringing, making Indianapolis a site of religious pilgrimage (place the reliquary in Monument Circle), British actors doing extremely good American accents, and much more. We also field an ‘Ask A Dad’ question: how do you avoid making the same mistakes your parents did? Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL...
The Zoo Crew presents: Battle Los Angeles *Preview*
February 15, 2024 15:28 - 11 minutes - 9.22 MBVoted on by our Patreons, The Zoo crew watches the very forgettable Battle Los Angeles. We mourn the first casualties of the war effort (Coasties) and marvel at Aaron Ekhart's jawline. You can get this episode and more at the $5 level of the Patreon, and have the opportunity to vote on the next movie
DadChat: School of Dad Rock
February 08, 2024 03:19 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBNate and Francis discuss learning to play music. Well, really it’s more an episode where Francis asks Nate about why he plays music and how he got back into it starting at age 35. And we also discuss Francis’s new goal of learning to paint, and the idea that you can stave off a midlife crisis by deciding to pursue new interests (so long as they’re not self-destructive ones! Don’t do that!) Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the w...
Hell of a News Roundup: The Second Amendment now covers nuclear capable ballistics
February 07, 2024 14:46 - 55 minutes - 63.4 MBThis week on the show, Francis covers the privitization of Army Barracks, Lt Colonels who need to be fired into the sun (all of them), and the second amendment allowing a man to keep a cold war era, Nuclear capable rocket For the media, we're talking Underwater action thrillers and Attack on Titan Interview with Taylor regarding the crushed submersible - https://www.hellofawaytodie.com/podcast/episode/4407e758/06839453-leagues-under-the-sea If you like this, you can get seven years o...
DadChat: Operation Yuck Mouth
February 02, 2024 02:11 - 1 hour - 51.8 MBFor this week’s episode, Nate and Francis discuss the travails of having (or not having) dental insurance in America, how it’s different in the United Kingdom, and why Nate is still dealing with the consequences of an unfortunate game of basketball in 2007. The conversation also somehow touches on the subject of P-1/P-2 visas for Afghans who helped the U.S. military. No one can claim we don’t have range. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus conte...
Hell of a Way News Roundup: Getting stupid at twenty paces
January 31, 2024 14:54 - 49 minutes - 56.8 MBThis week Francis dives into some local politics as a Missouri state senator is trying to bring back dueling. Also covered is the Drone attack on Tower 22, specifically how a drone managed to follow another drone into the area of attacks For media, we cover Masters of the Air and the book Storm of Steel Remember: take 20% off your order all week with the code 'podcast Get your new Carlton Gustaf pins here - https://www.hellofawaytodie.com/product-page/carlton-gustaf-pin Sign up for t...
Hots & Cots, the Junior Enlisted Yelp
January 29, 2024 06:00 - 43 minutes - 34.8 MBThis week Francis speaks with Rob, the creator of the app Hots and Cots. From moldy barracks and closed dining facilities to palatial living quarters and snow crab chow, it's the place for your troops to show off the good, bad, and ugly of military bases Download the app here - https://www.hotscots.app/
DadChat: Redwall Woodland Creature Epistemology
January 26, 2024 05:01 - 1 hour - 51 MBThis week’s free episode is another DadChat in which Francis discusses his experience reading Brian Jacques’ “Redwall” to his daughter, a long discussion to form indisputable proof that the Redwall badgers are Scottish, and much more. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also ...
The South Africa charges of Genocide w/ Joe Kassabian
January 22, 2024 13:40 - 59 minutes - 47.8 MBJoe Kassabian stops by to discuss the current charges of genocide against Gaza and the Palestinian people. This episode was recorded Jan 10, 2024 so we're working with the knowledge we had at the time. Namely that the Dersh was going to be way more involved than he actually is
DadChat: You’ll Miss Your Sewer When It’s Gone
January 18, 2024 05:01 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBFor this week’s free episode, it’s a DadChat in which Nate and Francis discuss the calamity of having your sewer stop working, what it’s like to watch your kid get immunized and know it’s for the better good (but also internally freak out at them being in pain), how to subtly but steadfastly encourage your kid to not want to become a cop, and much more. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hel...
Hell of a Way News Roundup: Fixing the Sassy tanks of PS Magazine
January 17, 2024 13:56 - 41 minutes - 47.8 MBThis week Francis discusses the final folding of PS Magazine, the only cool graphic novel the military ever funded. We also talk about Top Gun, Redwall, and pulling a Dante to put all the people we don't like in Hell. If you like this, get even more on our Patreon. Your money makes it so we don't have to try to sell you mail order mattresses - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie
DadChat: Dispatches from the Fatherhood Trenches
January 12, 2024 00:30 - 48 minutes - 40.5 MBNate is back on the show and recounts to Francis his story of becoming a father… and some unexpected events that took place later. It’s a fun and heartwarming episode that also contains a lot of descriptions of what you might call medical malpractice related trauma. So, just be advised. But there are also laughs! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: www.patreon.com/hellofawaytodie *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEME...
What a Hell of a News Roundup: Sorry Mr. President, I have medical
January 10, 2024 15:19 - 52 minutes - 60.2 MBThis week Francis discusses some changes to the Patreon, fun times at the Costco Business center, Iraq finally kicking us out, and the disappearence of our Sec Def Support us on patreon! Five bucks a month gets you early access to interview episodes, the discord, and seven years of bonus episodes - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie
Hell of a New Years Roundup: Sign on the dotted line if you smell what The Rock is cooking
January 04, 2024 14:04 - 52 minutes - 62.6 MBWe're back with another news roundup with Francis. This year we're getting Nate back, making changes to the Patreon, and finding new ways to get content into your ears Sign up for the Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/Hellofawaytodie
Deadwood Episode 7: Bullock Returns *Preview*
January 02, 2024 18:42 - 10 minutes - 8.77 MBIn this episode, Seth Bullock decided braining a native american with a rock was enough killing for him and sends the killer of Wild Bill to the cops for prosecution. He's...a complicated man
Dads in a Blender (Free Bonus)
December 26, 2023 06:05 - 56 minutes - 45 MBIt's the Holiday and as a present to you, here's the interview Francis did with Max from Eve6 about being a middle aged, alt rock dad