The War Locker Show

Most people finish college looking for the easiest path. Matthew Perry chose the opposite. After earning his degree from the University of Cincinnati, he joined the U.S. Army because he wanted to serve. That decision would shape every chapter that followed, from combat deployments to investigations, leadership, fraud prevention, and senior operations management. In Episode 331 of The War Locker Show, Matthew talks about why service still matters, how military leadership translates to civilian success, and why integrity, accountability, and mentorship remain timeless values in an increasingly complicated world. If you've ever wondered whether choosing the harder road actually pays off, this conversation is for you. In this episode:

• Why he joined the Army after college
• Leadership lessons from military service
• Transitioning from the military to civilian leadership
• Fraud investigations and operational analysis
• Building trust and mentoring future leaders
• Why integrity is still a competitive advantage

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

Former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins joins The War Locker Show for one of the most candid conversations we've ever had about justice, government power, prosecutorial discretion, and institutional trust. Bud discusses how information regarding Burisma first came to his attention, why he became involved in communicating information between foreign prosecutors and U.S. authorities, and the surprising events that followed.

The conversation explores the challenges of distinguishing politics from prosecution, the role of career government employees, and the dangers of allowing any institution to become more focused on protecting itself than pursuing the truth. The discussion then shifts to the controversial ATF operation involving Little Rock Airport Executive Director Bryan Malinowski. Drawing from his own investigation into the case, Bud walks through the facts, decision points, legal questions, and operational choices that continue to generate debate regarding probable cause, prosecutorial priorities, and the appropriate use of government power. 

Throughout the episode, Bud offers a rare insider's perspective on how federal prosecutions are selected, how priorities change between administrations, and why maintaining public trust requires more than authority alone. Because in a constitutional republic, the question is not whether government has power. The question is whether it exercises that power with discipline and restraint.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

Tom and guest co-host, Ret. Lt. Col. and Author of the Terry Davis books, Clay Novak sit down with Army combat veteran Matthew Perry to discuss military service, leadership, decision-making under pressure, and the difficult transition from military life back into the civilian world.

Matthew shares his journey from the financial sector into the Army, his experience entering the Special Forces pipeline, his decision to step away from that path, and his deployment to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division during the drawdown of the war. The conversation quickly moves beyond military stories and into something deeper: why some veterans thrive after leaving the service while others struggle, how leadership shapes future leaders, the importance of communication, and the lessons learned from both good and bad examples.

Along the way, Tom, Clay, and Matthew explore everything from Ranger School aspirations and combat deployments to body language, interviewing techniques, mentorship, accountability, and the value of owning your mistakes. This episode is ultimately about adaptation. Whether in combat, business, law enforcement, or everyday life, success often comes down to recognizing reality, adjusting when the plan changes, and remembering one hard truth: The enemy gets a vote. Episode dedication: Army SPC Matt Maupin, whose sacrifice and legacy inspired a generation of young Americans to serve.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Chuck, Tom and author Clay Novak sit down with former Washington State police officer and current San Diego School District internal investigator Carlos Rodriguez for a difficult but important discussion about juvenile sex trafficking, exploitation, and the realities investigators face behind the scenes. 

We talk about Carlos' experiences as a street cop and some of the parrallels with Clay's experinces in the military.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

In Part I of this two-part conversation, Marco and Chuck sit down with former Washington State police officer and current San Diego School District internal investigator Carlos Rodriguez for a difficult but important discussion about juvenile sex trafficking, exploitation, and the realities investigators face behind the scenes. Drawing from years of investigative work, Carlos explains how predators identify vulnerable youth, how manipulation and grooming often happen in plain sight, and why many people misunderstand what these cases actually look like in the real world. The conversation explores the emotional weight carried by investigators, the warning signs families and schools miss, and the uncomfortable truth that exploitation rarely looks the way people expect it to. Carlos also discusses his book, The Ugly Underneath, and the personal and professional toll that comes with working cases involving exploited children and traumatic investigations. This episode is not built around sensationalism. It’s an honest conversation about protection, awareness, human behavior, and the hidden realities that exist underneath otherwise normal-looking environments.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

Dont miss part one of Adam and Dan. Two hard-charging Gang Officers who found themselves in a bad spot... more than once.




Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

Marco and Chuck sit down with former FBI bomb technician and author Barry Black for a conversation about operating in environments where there is no margin for error. Barry pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to approach explosive threats for a living, where every decision carries weight and hesitation can cost more than action. The discussion goes beyond the mechanics of bomb disposal and into the mindset required to stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively when everything is designed to go wrong. They also dive into Barry’s transition from bomb tech to author, how real-world experience shapes storytelling, and what people consistently misunderstand about risk, preparation, and control in high-stakes situations. This episode isn’t just about explosives—it’s about judgment under pressure, disciplined thinking, and what it takes to make the right call when there are no second chances.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

In Episode 324, Tom is joined by guest co-host Clay Novak and Garrett, a deputy sheriff from Major County, for a conversation about what law enforcement looks like when distance is part of the threat matrix.With roughly 1,000 square miles to cover, a population density of just over eight people per square mile, and only an elected sheriff plus six deputies protecting the county around the clock, Garrett breaks down the realities of rural policing where backup may be far away, decisions get made alone, and self-reliance isn’t a slogan—it’s survival.The conversation covers the challenges, unexpected perks, and unique mindset required to work big country with small manpower, and what urban agencies often misunderstand about law enforcement where the map is wide, the roads are long, and help may be a long way out. This is a grounded look at responsibility, autonomy, and policing at the edge of the grid.




Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

Episode 323 brings in a man who’s lived in the places most people only hear about after the fact. Special Forces veteran and author Wretched Descent, Rob Leach, sits down with Chuck and the crew to talk about what deployment actually looks like when the noise fades and reality sets in.

From stories on the ground to the mindset required to operate in unstable environments, Rob breaks down the gap between perception and truth—what people think these missions are versus what they really cost. The conversation moves from his time overseas to the deeper purpose behind his writing—and into the work he’s doing now with the Civil Military Innovation Institute, something we ended up calling “Everyman’s DARPA.” It’s the idea that innovation, problem-solving, and mission-focused thinking shouldn’t be locked behind government walls or elite institutions—it should be accessible, adaptable, and driven by people who’ve actually operated under pressure.

No theatrics. No Hollywood filter. Just a straight look at what happens when you go where others won’t—and what you carry back with you.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

What really happened when 4 cops tried to help the CHP arrest a man named Rodney King?

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.

Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. 

Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Twitch Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.