Episodes

  • Congressman Rick Crawford: From EOD To Capitol Hill

    Congressman Rick Crawford: From EOD To Capitol Hill
    Mar 24 2025
    Representative Rick Crawford discusses his military background, particularly his experience as an EOD technician, and how it has shaped his career in Congress. He emphasizes the importance of supporting veterans, addressing issues like traumatic brain injury and veteran suicide, and highlights the establishment and growth of the EOD caucus. Representative Crawford also shares insights on the camaraderie within the EOD community and the need for continued advocacy for EOD personnel in the military.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    33 mins
  • Military Libraries with Paula Laurita

    Military Libraries with Paula Laurita
    Nov 11 2024
    Mike sits down with Paula Laurita, the Command Librarian for Army Materials Command, to discuss the significance of Military Libraries Week and the extensive resources provided by the MWR Library System. They explore the various services available to military families, including educational resources, free subscriptions to magazines and newspapers, and the role of libraries in supporting service members and their families. Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    26 mins
  • Staff Wars, Social Media and the Army: Josh Green AKA OnexPunchXDad

    Staff Wars, Social Media and the Army: Josh Green AKA OnexPunchXDad
    Oct 28 2024
    In this conversation, Mike sits down with Josh Green, known as One Punch Dad, to discuss his unique journey from aspiring musician and actor to a warrant officer in the Army. They explore the challenges and surprises of military life, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of social media on his career. Josh shares insights on creating relatable content that resonates with fellow service members and reflects on his experiences in the Army, ultimately expressing gratitude for the path he has taken and the joy he finds in his work.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    37 mins
  • From Marine to Hollywood and Beyond with James LaPorta

    From Marine to Hollywood and Beyond with James LaPorta
    Oct 7 2024
    In this episode, Mike sits down with James LaPorta, a verification producer for CBS and former Marine, to discuss his journey from military service to journalism. They explore the realities of combat, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the impact of trauma. James shares his experiences in Afghanistan, the struggles of returning home, and how he found purpose in journalism. He also discusses the importance of veterans in the media and his role as a military advisor for television shows. The conversation highlights the complexities of identity, healing, and the power of community in times of crisis.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Leveraging Social Media: Tyler Butterworth

    Leveraging Social Media: Tyler Butterworth
    Sep 23 2024
    I sat down with digital media creator and Soldier, Tyler Butterworth, to talk about his time in the Army National Guard, and how he got into creating content on Social Media. His content is hilarious, but it was great to sit down and have serious conversation about the Army, and his personal life. Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    26 mins
  • Stolen Valor

    Stolen Valor
    Sep 9 2024
    Anthony Anderson, founder of Guardian of Valor, discusses his work in exposing stolen valor and the importance of protecting the integrity of military awards. He shares his personal journey as a veteran and how he became involved in exposing imposters. Anthony explains the legal definition of stolen valor and the difference between stolen valor and embellishing military records. He also addresses the process of obtaining service members' records and the pushback he receives from candidates and their supporters. Anthony emphasizes the nonpartisan nature of his work and the importance of presenting facts to the public.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    35 mins
  • EOD in Afghanistan

    EOD in Afghanistan
    Aug 26 2024
    In this conversation, Mike sits down with Joe Czikalla, an EOD technician, to discuss Joe's experiences in the EOD community. They discuss the challenges and adrenaline rush of being an EOD technician, as well as the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the field. The conversation also touches on the tragic loss of three EOD technicians during Joe's deployment. Joe discusses the intense workload and reporting requirements of EOD teams in Afghanistan, and shares his experiences of being constantly on the move and the exhaustion that came with it. He highlights the intelligence and organization of the enemy fighters and the dangers they posed. He emphasizes the importance of the EOD community and the support they provide to one another.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • Captain "Chowdah" Hill and The Way of the Warrior Sailor

    Captain "Chowdah" Hill and The Way of the Warrior Sailor
    Aug 11 2024
    Captain Chris "Chowdah" Hill, commander of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, discusses his leadership style and the use of social media and managing over 5,000 sailors on a ship. Captain Chowdhill's leadership philosophy, known as the Way of the Warrior Sailor, focuses on creating morale and recognizing the value of every sailor. He emphasizes the need for constant communication, mission and purpose, and sailor recognition. His social media presence, particularly on Twitter and Instagram, has gained attention and support from high-level leaders in the Navy.Mike is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer in the Army. Prior to commissioning, he served as an enlisted Soldier for 10 years. He is an advocate for mental health and taking care of the force. You can follow him on X @EODHappyCaptain and Instagram @EODHappyCPT Thank you for listening! Be sure to follow along for new episodes and leave a review!
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    36 mins