On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony are joined by Mary Challman of the "Monster Movie Happy Hour Podcast", Patrick McGuire of the "History Things Podcast", and newcomer Kaleb Kuzmierczyk to discuss one of the most interesting topics in the American history field today: the practice of Living History compared to the hobby of war reenacting. All of the guests on this episode have had experience with both topics in the past, and get into an important discussion on the differences between the two, the pros and cons of each, and how both play into this very uncertain present timeline. The banter gets real and ,at times, hilarious. Also, Avery expresses his love for the hit show "Peaky Blinders". Enjoy!

On this episode of Battles and Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony continue the Korean War 70th Anniversary series with their analysis on Operation Chromite, the codename for the United Nations forces landing at the South Korean port of Inchon on September 15, 1950. In the following days, the X Amphibious Corps would advance to the South Korean capitol of Seoul and liberate the city from North Korean possession, which would occur nearly three months after the city fell earlier that summer. The guys analyze the details and significance of the operation, how it affected the the events taking place on the Pusan Perimeter, and how everything tied into the bigger military picture in Korea. Plus, Codie has another song for everyone so there's that! Enjoy!!

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery returns to the Western Front of WWI with recurring regular Justin Voithofer and historian/author Ryan Quint to discuss the vicious fighting and legacy of Belleau Wood, the battle that earned fame for the United States Marine Corps in June 1918. Today, Belleau Wood is the location of the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and the resting place of nearly 2,300 Americans who gave their lives for their country, and ultimately other countries as well. Avery, Ryan & Justin highlight the significance of the battle, and why people should care about it today outside of the Marine Corps', who have immortalized it as beginning of the USMC as we know it today. Unfortunately, ignorance is prevalent right now in the U.S., and we here at Battles & Banter want to make it clear that men who gave the last full measure of devotion at Belleau Wood ARE NOT LOSERS. So if you have never heard of Belleau Wood and want to know more, this episode is a good place to start. Enjoy.

On this very special episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by Codie and regular recurring guest Julia Wall to pay tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who passed away on August 28, 2020. Boseman was most famously known for portraying T'challa aka Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also portrayed famously historic Black American figures such as Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and James Brown. Avery, Julia & Codie highlight Boseman's career and then dive into the MCU headfirst to take on the climax of 'Black Panther': the clash between T'Challa and Erik Killmonger, as well as their forces, at the top of Mount Bashenga aka the Great Mound. It's a more somber episode, but a great one at that! Chadwick, this one is for you.

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony pick up where they left off with the first part of the Pusan Perimeter analysis and dive into the second and final installment. The guys discuss the second phase of the fighting that took place around the Pusan Perimeter defenses in September of 1950 during the Korean War. Keeping up with the 70th Anniversary of the first year of the conflict, the guys discuss some of the pivotal actions that resulted in the first major United Nations victory of the war that was hard fought and paid for in the blood of young soldiers. Also, Codie delivers quality podcasting content with another amazing song. Enjoy!

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the announcement of the Japanese surrender ending WWII, which became heralded as Victory in Japan Day or V-J Day. On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony are joined by Justin Voithofer to talk about the events that seemingly led to that announcement: the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Perhaps one of the most hotly debated events in world history, these bombings were the first and (hopefully) last instances of nuclear weapons being used on people. The guys talk about the popular history around these bombings and dissect the #1 question that has haunted historians for years: was there any other alternative? Strap in for the 40th Episode of the podcast some people are talking about. Enjoy!

On this episode of Battles and Banter, Avery is joined by Codie & Tony for the next installment in the Korean War 70th Anniversary Series to cover the first large scale battle of the Korean War: the Battles around the Pusan Perimeter. In August 1950, the United Nations Forces comprising of American, South Korean and British soldiers held off multiple attacks by North Korean forces in the rectangular defensive position around the port city of Pusan in southeast South Korea. The guys talk about the engagements that made up the first phase of the battle and how important the tactical successes of the U.N. forces were in the larger scope of the conflict. Codie also has another phenomenal song for you all so don't miss out! Enjoy!

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by Rich Condon of "Civil War Pittisburgh" and Patrick McGuire of "The History Things Podcast" to discuss the Civil War Battle of Franklin, Tennessee (November 30, 1864). This will be the first battle from the Western theater of the American Civil War that the BnB squad has talked about. The guys will discuss the importance of John Bell Hood's Tennessee Campaign of late 1864 and how the Battle of Franklin was the battle that broke the Confederate Army of Tennessee's back. Enjoy!

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery once again is solo for his third installment of the Korean War series. Currently in its 70th Anniversary, the Korean War was only a few weeks old by this point in July of 1950. Things were not going well for United Nations forces on the ground who were fighting against the North Korean People's Army. For the American units arriving on the Korean Peninsula, they were unprepared, poorly trained and ill-equipped for what awaited them. As August loomed closer, the American & South Korean forces had to fight more delaying actions to buy time for a massive defensive line to be set up in the valleys and mountains around the southeastern port city of Pusan (present-day Busan). Avery briefly describes the events that led to the climactic battle at the Pusan Perimeter, and points out some of the more overlooked aspects of that dark summer month of July 1950. Enjoy!

For Avery's birthday, a very special episode was recorded: The Battle of Naboo as seen in the climax of "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace". Avery was joined by fellow Star Wars nerds Julia Wall, Mary Challman and Jeff Martin as they helped him celebrate his 28th with a four-hour long Skype call and the subsequent discussion about all things Star Wars that followed. The gang dissects the Battle of Naboo from all angles: the diversionary role of the Gungan Grand Army, the incredible leadership of Padme Amidala, the craziness of a 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker in a space battle, and the "Duel of the Fates" itself, Darth Maul vs. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Tune in if you're a fan of a galaxy far far away as this was a good time! Enjoy!