The Ready Room Podcast

In late April, 2004, Nicholas Berg was grusomelly beheaded, by hand, by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The 5 minute and 37 second long video was recorded and distributed thoughout the internet for all the world to see. It was an instant hit. It would be the worlds sobering and tragic intoduction to the tactics and commitment that would come to represent al Qaeda in Iraq. It would prove to be a monumental domino among many that would soon fall.

On this episode...

- The Nick Berg story

- Ramadi and Fallujah crumble

- Zarqawi attacks his home

- Jordan and the United States join forces

- Keeping the pressure on

- "Thats him"

- Looking into American eyes, as he took his last breath

This episode was recorded in late March, 2024.

As the historical dominoes are lining up, a critical and world changing event happens on September 11th, 2001. It will be a major tipping point in the events that follow in the months and years to come. For the United States the gloves are now off, and the memory of that fateful September morning will fuel a fire that will see the deployment of U.S. Military forces to both Afghanistan and Iraq. The dominoes are lined up, and they will slowly fall, one by one. 

The dominoes...

- September 11th, 2001 

- Invasion of Afghanistan

- Assassination of U.S. Diplomat Laurence Foley

- Invasion of Iraq

- The disbanding of the Iraqi military and Baath party

- The arrival of Zarqawi 

Historically, when the proper dominoes are arranged and then fall in the correct order, amazing and positive things can happen, unfortunately, however, that same reality exists for evil and darkness as well. This is the story of ISIS, a very real form of indescribable evil that still exists and even thrives in parts of the world today. On today’s episode I welcome 2-time Pulitzer Prize winning author and Washington Post correspondent, Mr. Joby Warrick, to discuss his 2016 Pulitzer Prize winning book, Black Flags, the rise of ISIS. We discuss his background as a journalist, his road to developing a passion and interest in Middle East politics and events, and how the dominoes of history laid a framework for one of the darkest and most evil ideologies to ever exist, and allowed it to germinate and spread throughout much of the middle east. This is part 1 of our 4 part series. Enjoy!

79 years ago today, the battle of Iwo Jima was raging in the Pacific theatre of WWII. At the conclusion of the campaign over 18000 Japanese and over 6000 Americans lay dead. This very short mini-episode is a recording of a eulogy that was presented by Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn at a memorial service after the battle. It is simply known as "The Highest and Purest Democracy". Listen to the words. Thank you.

United States Marines are known as the few and the proud, and of those few, barely 7% are women. It takes an extremely adventurous and willing soul to join an organization that has a twisted sense of satisfaction in doing the most difficult things, under the worst conditions, at the absolute worst time, but yet, will do them happily while wearing a sadistic smile and with a pride that only other Marines can understand. On today’s episode I welcome my good friend, Ret. USMC Maj Nicole Jansen-Hinnenkamp, callsign Cougar, who served 20 years on active duty as both an enlisted Sailor, and Marine Corps Officer. We talk about the work ethic and humor that became her trademark, how she excelled as a woman in the Marine Corps, as well as a very moving story on dealing with tragedy. Then we finish it up with some highlights that can only happen when you are a woman flying in combat that is blessed with a beautiful voice. Enjoy!

According to Merriam Websters dictionary, the word Intentional is defined as “done by intention, intended” In other words, not random, not by chance, and not accidental. And according to the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” On today’s episode I welcome career coach, yoga instructor, TED-X speaker coach, and host of “The Intentional Mind” podcast, my good friend, Angela Barnard. We discuss how she has evolved into a living breathing example of ambition, intentionality, and humor, and how applying an intentional mindset to your life can yield a fulfillment and freedom that will open up doors you never knew existed. Enjoy!

On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the Vietnam War. In the days before, U.S. forces evacuated thousands of Americans and South Vietnamese. However, not everyone who wanted to escape, could. With South Vietnam now under communist control, life for those left behind became a completely new and challenging world, one that would eventually lead many to escape by any means necessary. On today’s episode I welcome back Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, LtCol “Charlie” Dinh for Part 2, to discuss his life As a Vietnamese refugee in the US. We talk about his combat experience as a Marine, some great lessons on selfless leadership, and then an absolutely amazing story on his full recovery from being paralyzed, and how self-pity will get you nowhere, but having a badass wife can elevate you in ways you never imagined. I am your host, SUSAN, and this is the Ready Room Podcast.

On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the Vietnam War. In the days before, U.S. forces evacuated thousands of Americans and South Vietnamese. However, not everyone who wanted to escape, could. With South Vietnam now under communist control, life for those left behind became a completely new and challenging world, One that would eventually lead many to escape by any means necessary. On today’s episode I welcome Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, WSO, and Forward Air Controller, LtCol “Charlie” Dinh for Part 1 of our 2 part series. We talk about his childhood in communist South Vietnam, how his family eventually escaped, what life was like as a Vietnamese refugee in Paris, France, and how going to HS in Los Angeles not knowing a word of English, is a great motivator to learn a language. Enjoy!

In 1962 President JFK announced to the world that the US would put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. And after 8 years of trials and tribulations, NASA had made it to the finish line. However, the challenge of crossing that finish line would prove to be a monumental and historic challenge. On today’s episode I welcome back to the show, author, podcast host, and Space NERD, Mr. Rick Houston, for Part 2 of our 3 part series. We talk about the Apollo 11 story, and cover in detail the somewhat unknown but critical significance of the Apollo 12 mission. We also talk astronaut humor, what it's like to be talking on the radio when 900 million people are listening in, and how landing on the moon with only 18 seconds of fuel remaining, is just like taking a walk in the park. Enjoy!

American history is riddled with historic highs and lows, events of greatness, and events of despair. However, there have been the occasional moments when the nation as a whole was linked arm in arm in a common goal, and in 1962, that goal was to put a man on the moon. The process was a mystery, the objective almost a dream, but for those involved, no one told them it couldn’t be done, so they did it. On today’s episode I welcome Mr. Rick Houston. He is NASCAR historian, podcast host, NASA enthusiast, and the author of the book “Go Flight, the unsung heroes of MC”. We talk about his adventures as a journalist, his experience writing “Go Flight” and some amazing stories never been told from behind the scenes of NASA’s mission control. As well as a short story about how having the last name Houston pretty much guarantees you will become a NASA nerd. Enjoy!