20 Years Done Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Elaina Kovnat, someone I supervised about 15 years ago during my time in aircraft maintenance. She shares her experiences across multiple work centers and leaders, and what daily life in the career field actually felt like.

This was a difficult conversation for me personally. I’ve known Elaina a long time, and hearing the pressure she faced reinforced how demanding maintenance already is and how that difficulty can increase for women in the workspace.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of workplace harassment and predatory supervisory behavior that some listeners may find distressing.

In December 2025 the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video and accompanying policy to rescind the DoD’s chaplain doctrine and replace it with a more Christian-centric framework. In this episode, I’m joined by Libby Alders to examine the “Make Chaplains Great Again” theme and what it suggests about rolling back religious pluralism in the military. We discuss how the chaplaincy has evolved to serve a diverse force; and why that evolution is now under political fire. The conversation explores what this debate means for service members, institutional neutrality, and the future of faith inside the ranks.

I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Doug Smits a 20 year Air Force veteran and current 3L law student. We discuss the factors and facets of military discharges that many people are unaware of and the long term effects that discharges below Honorable can carry.

This week, I am joined by myself, Chris McGhee, for a personal conversation about growing up in poverty, the shame that often accompanies it, and the hidden costs of being poor that go far beyond money. I also explain why this episode is part of a fundraising effort with GiveDirectly, which provides direct cash assistance to people living in extreme poverty.

givedirectly.org/Done

#PodsFightPoverty

#GiveDirectly

Libby Alders joins me to explore how religion operates differently within the military, including the influence of Christian nationalism both inside and outside the ranks. We discuss moral injury, why theocratic structures fail, and the broader risks created when a military force is not emotionally or psychologically developed.

I'm joined by John Cordle, Dr. Eng., to discuss his experience with the federal downsizing in early to mid 2025. John and I do a deep dive on the highly capable federal workforce that works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to improve the quality of processes, programs, and facilities for servicemembers; and how the 2025 downsizing may not be "right-sizing" as much as senior leaders would want people to think.

In this episode I'm joined once again by Jason Silvernail. We discuss the art of apologizing which has seemingly been lost, or more accurately co-opted in this day and age to no longer account for behavior but to instead react to feelings.

Jason discusses why apologies are not the proper repair for feelings, only to take accountability for harmful behavior.

I'm joined by Dave Siemiet who recently wrote an article titled "CMSAF, abandon the ivory tower and lead us - Back to Our Roots"

In this discussion Dave and I delve into the complex politics of chasing that next promotion when there are no more stripes to get.

Dave gives fascinating insights into the inner workings of Chief to Chief interactions and relations.

In this episode, Jennifer Barnhill joins to discuss her new book, The Military Stories You've Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear. We talk about the power of storytelling as a form of advocacy, the lessons she learned from hosting Reverse Town Halls with service members and families, and how she transformed those discussions into a data-informed, human-centered narrative about military life.

I'm joined by Siaosi Soto an Air Force veteran to discuss his viral video where he bodyboards in his blues uniform and what inspired him to make the video. We also discuss his career in Security Forces, his approach to leadership and followership, and some of the issues he experienced in his career that left him with a lasting impression.

Link to Siiaosii's instagram video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNUl6gENheW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==