It's A Blast Podcast

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Mary Dague sits down with me and discusses her time as an EOD technician and life after EOD. She talks about her decision to join the army and her experience in EOD school. Mary also shares her first unit assignment and the challenges she faced as the first female in the unit as well as the challenges she faced in a male-dominated field, including communication barriers and preconceived notions. Mary talks with me about an incident in Iraq where she was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED), losing both of her arms and her road to recovery. We discuss her time after the Army, Hollywood, and resilience. 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!

Jeff Dawson, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient and EOD technician, shares his journey in the army and his experiences in the field. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the 28th EOD, a specialized EOD unit, and was involved in a mission where he encountered multiple IEDs and casualties. Despite being wounded multiple times, Jeff continued to work and save lives on the ground. He went on to complete seven deployments.

Jeff talks about being wounded in combat on multiple occasions, and his recovery process, including his physical therapy goals and the challenges he faced. He also delves into his journey of addressing his mental health, including his use of ketamine infusions and exploration of alternative medicines. 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!

Mike sits down with Jeff Truex, a retired Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, and discusses his military career and the creation of the nonprofit organization, After the Long Walk, aimed at reducing EOD veteran suicide. After the Long Walk was founded in 2015 in response to the suicide of an EOD technician. The organization provides a 24-hour hotline manned by EOD technicians for EOD technicians in need of support. After the Long Walk is a program created by and for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians to provide support and prevent suicide within the EOD community. 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!