From ‘Worm’ to ‘Wolfy’: A wild ride through a career in Naval Aviaton

What happens when a determined young man with a dream of flying almost misses his shot—only to have fate (and a sharp-eyed Naval Officer) step in? Wolfy joins us to share his incredible journey: from nearly missing his chance to serve, to nailing the perfect interview, to never, ever quitting.

Along the way, he’ll crack you up with stories of how ‘Worm’ became ‘Wolfy’, and drop some unexpectedly deep wisdom—like what it’s like to attend your own funeral. Oh, and did we mention he’s worked alongside the elite Navy SEALs and somehow made it into the Blue Angels? Yeah, buckle up for this one.

Laugh, learn, and get inspired—you won’t want to miss this episode of So There I Was!

👉 Listen now!

JTAC Combat Stories with Black Rifle Coffee’s JT

This week, So There I Was takes a wild turn as we welcome JT—combat veteran, Air Force JTAC, and co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Not only is he a certified badass, but he also runs a fund to support veterans and first responders—because great coffee and great causes go hand in hand.

Surviving JTAC Training & Dodging Bullets

JT shares insane combat stories, from his grueling selection process (spoiler: it involved deception, suffering, and maybe some regret) to climbing a ladder in the middle of a warzone while F-16s screamed overhead. What could possibly go wrong?

Explosions, Cows & Annoying Canadians

Ever wonder how to seriously piss off a Canadian soldier? Or what happens when military guys accidentally take out a cow with a .50 cal? Yeah, we go there.

Don’t Miss This One!

If you like wild combat stories, dark military humor, and people making questionable decisions under fire, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now—just don’t get shot!

Lucky may be the most fitting callsign ever. On September 11, 2001, she and her squadron were caught off guard—just like the rest of the nation. Thrust into an unprecedented mission, they had to adapt and overcome in real-time.

In this gripping firsthand account, hear how Lucky responded to the attacks, the challenges she faced, and why she still believes they failed that morning. This episode delivers a powerful inside look at one of the most pivotal days in modern American history.

This week on So There I Was, we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the skies safe.

Dan takes us inside the tower, where every day is a mix of routine operations, high-pressure moments, and the occasional heart-stopping emergency. Ever wondered what really happens when pilots mess up on the radio? Or how controllers handle everything from student pilots to fast-moving military traffic? Dan shares the good, the bad, and the hilarious from behind the mic.

But that’s not all—Dan is also a Iraq War veteran with firsthand experience in high-stakes military operations. He talks about his time in service, the mindset required to make split-second decisions, and how those experiences shape the way he sees the world today.

It’s an episode packed with stories, insight, and the kind of no-BS perspective you can only get from someone who’s lived it. Don’t miss this one!

Double-L comes back to chat with us about firefighting from the air! This episode takes an in-depth look at the dangers and challenges of aerial firefighting, featuring returning guest, Double-L. The discussion kicks off with his harrowing experiences flying C-130s through valleys engulfed in flames, emphasizing the immense risks pilots face. He shares firsthand accounts of Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS), strategies for containing wildfires, and the high-stakes decisions made in extreme conditions. From battling unpredictable microbursts to maneuvering through treacherous terrain, this episode provides an inside look at the crucial role military firefighting pilots play. The crew delves into the coordination required between agencies, the grueling pace of missions, and the ever-present dangers in the cockpit. Packed with real-life stories, technical insights, and a touch of humor, this episode sheds light on a little-known but vital aviation mission.

See the video of the show on YouTube here: https://tinyurl.com/SoThereIWas143

Here’s the URL to the YouTube of this episode including another video that Sticks played of a retardant lay-down run. https://tinyurl.com/SoThereIWas143

This week, A-10 pilot Soup shares the untold story of leading the first mission into Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda. Navigating chaotic airspace without deconfliction in a high-stakes “knife-fight in a phone booth” battlespace, Soup delivers gripping accounts of close air support, critical decisions, and coordinating dozens of aircraft to protect troops on the ground.

This episode dives into leadership, resilience, and the ingenuity of combat aviation, showcasing life-or-death stakes and the pride of serving. Perfect for military aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, Soup’s adrenaline-filled stories offer a rare glimpse into the bravery and dedication of those who serve. Don’t miss this powerful firsthand account of history in action!

Shyster joins us to talk about flying Marine Attack helicopters after being told by the recruiter, “The Air Force is down the hall.” After combat deployments, Shyster found himself at HMX-1 – The Presidential lift squadron – and one fateful morning in September when the world turned upside-down, Shyster was right there at the highest levels of our government watching and working in the highest-stress crisis management of his life.

DON’T miss this one!

Some of the best stories of 2024. May you have a blessed and happy 2025. We’re thrilled you’re with us and we only ask that you please share the show with friends. Each chapter of this show lists the episode from which the story was taken.

Check Six!

Welcome to the first ever So There I Was Hangout. Being as it’s the holiday week we are publishing this hangout as a show. Sound quality is rough in some parts and it’s not a ‘smooth’ interview… but there are thousands of folks who didn’t get to come hang out with us. We will do a “Best Of” show on New Years Day – and plan on resuming with regular interviews on the 9th January! We had a ball chatting with so many folks. We will do this again! Come join us next time!

This week Fig, RePete & Sticks engage in some hangar talk this week as we had a tech issue preventing our scheduled guest from joining us. Hear us numbskulls recount some of the stories that led us to where we are today!

Hang Out with us on Zoom 22 Dec at 5PM Eastern Time

Click Here for the zoom link!