What's The Scuttlebutt Podcast

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This week on the What's The Scuttlebutt Podcast, Don and Jeff sit down with Trent "TJ" Jones of TJ3 History to discuss his incredible new documentary, 10 Good Men: The Final Story of the B-17.

Be sure to see "10 Good Men" on Nov 11th 2026 on  Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. 

We take a deep dive into TJ's journey, how he built one of YouTube's leading WWII history channels, and what inspired him to take on the tremendous responsibility of creating this documentary.

10 Good Men brings together the firsthand accounts of ten of the last surviving World War II veterans who flew aboard American B-17 bomber crews over Europe. Through their own words, these men share their experiences, memories, and stories of service, giving us an invaluable opportunity to hear history directly from the people who lived it.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this film is that these interviews were recorded within the last four years. These are voices and experiences that future generations may never have the opportunity to hear directly again.

During our conversation, we discuss how the documentary came together, the challenges of bringing this project to life, the veterans behind the stories, and the importance of preserving their memories for generations to come. .

This is more than just a documentary about the B-17. It's a tribute to the men who climbed aboard these aircraft, faced extraordinary danger, and did their part during World War II. It's a reminder that behind every aircraft, mission, and historical account were real men with families, lives, and stories worth remembering.

10 Good Men: The Final Story of the B-17 premieres worldwide on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Join us for a conversation about history, storytelling, filmmaking, and the incredible responsibility of making sure the stories of the Greatest Generation are never forgotten.

Be sure to see "10 Good Men" on Nov 11th 2026 on  Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. 

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A Snapshot of Sacrifice: Family, World War II, and the Stories Left Behind with Christopher Earley

This week on What’s The Scuttlebutt, Don, Jeff, and Dennis sit down with author Christopher Earley to discuss his new book, A Snapshot of Sacrifice, a deeply personal look at World War II through the experiences of members of his own family. What began as an effort to understand the military service of his relatives became a decades-long journey into the sacrifices, hardships, and lasting consequences of war.

Christopher shares the stories of his family members who served during World War II, including the loss of loved ones, the realities of combat in Europe and the Pacific.

We also get into what it takes to turn family history into a published book. Christopher walks us through the research process, from tracking down military records, letters, photographs, and historical documents to using modern technology and the internet to uncover information that might otherwise have remained lost. But sometimes, getting the story right means going old school: following leads, digging through archives, asking questions, and putting those journalism skills back to work.

Join us for a fascinating conversation about World War II history, family sacrifice, historical research, and the importance of preserving the stories of the Greatest Generation.

This and much, much more on Episode 232 of What’s The Scuttlebutt!

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This week on What's The Scuttlebutt Podcast, Don sits down with Winnie and Gabby from The Donut Dollies Podcast to explore a fascinating and often overlooked part of World War II history: the women who brought a little taste of home to American servicemen overseas.

Don also gets to know the ladies behind the microphone, finding out how Winnie and Gabby first met, what inspired them to start their own podcast, and how they came up with the idea for a show dedicated to exploring history, women's contributions during wartime, and the fascinating stories that often get overlooked in traditional history books. We also talk about how they decide which topics to explore and what sparked their interest in bringing these stories to a wider audience.

During World War II, American Red Cross Donut Dollies traveled in Clubmobiles to military installations, serving coffee and doughnuts, providing recreation, and offering servicemen a much-needed taste of home amid the stress and uncertainty of war. Don, Winnie, and Gabby explore the history behind these remarkable women, the vehicles they operated, the challenges they faced supporting troops overseas, and how the program evolved beyond WWII. Together, they discuss why these often-overlooked contributions deserve a place in the history of the Greatest Generation.

Join us for another episode of What's The Scuttlebutt, where we go beyond the battlefield to explore the people, stories, and sacrifices that shaped the Greatest Generation—and meet the modern-day storytellers working to keep those stories alive.

Listen in, learn something new, and help us keep their stories alive!

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This week on What’s the Scuttlebutt Podcast, we finally get caught up with Jeff, who’s back from his trip overseas! Jeff shares some of the highlights from his time in Rome, including the history he experienced firsthand and some of the fascinating aspects of traveling through Italy.

There are also some exciting upgrades behind the scenes. COGG has a new office, which means Jeff now has a faster and more reliable internet connection—and hopefully, an even better-quality show. Don also got the mixing board fixed, so we should be hearing a noticeable improvement in the audio quality as well!

From there, we turn our attention to VJ Day, discussing the final days of World War II in the Pacific and the tragic story of the last pilot to die during the war—an incident that ultimately came down to a lack of communication.

And, of course, we wrap things up with another edition of “Whatcha Reading?”

All of this and more is coming up on Episode 230 of What’s the Scuttlebutt Podcast!

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This week on What’s the Scuttlebutt Podcast, Don and Dennis sit down with LTC Tim Scherrer (Ret.) to discuss his new book, Do Our Part: The Tragic Tale of the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works.

Tim takes us through the history of the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works, from its creation and construction during World War II to the land management decisions and challenges that followed. He provides a detailed look at how this massive ordnance facility came to be, the communities and land affected by its construction, and the lasting impact the war effort had on the people who lived there.

It’s a fascinating look at a lesser-known chapter of the American home front during World War II—and a reminder that the costs of war are not always measured on the battlefield.

Join Don, Dennis, and LTC Tim Scherrer as they uncover the story behind the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works and the people whose lives were forever changed by America's effort to support the war.

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Re-Deployment: Captain Dale Dye — Bringing Military Authenticity to Hollywood

This week on The What’s The Scuttlebutt Podcast, we’re re-deploying one of our favorite conversations with a true military legend, Captain Dale Dye.

Captain Dye joins us to share his remarkable military history and the story behind the creation of WARRIORS Inc., the organization that has helped bring a level of authenticity to military-based films that audiences rarely see. From advising filmmakers to putting actors through intense military-style boot camps, Captain Dye has played a major role in making Hollywood’s portrayal of combat and military life more realistic.

But Captain Dye’s talents don’t stop on the battlefield or behind the scenes in Hollywood. We also talk about his love of writing and how he turned that passion into multiple successful books. He explains how his experience as a writer has also strengthened his work as an actor, military advisor, and consultant.

It’s a fascinating conversation with a man who has spent decades helping Hollywood understand what it takes to portray the military—and the men and women who serve—with authenticity and respect.

So strap in and join us for this Re-Deployment episode of The What’s The Scuttlebutt Podcast with Captain Dale Dye!

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What's the Scuttlebutt Podcast – Episode 228: Conserving the Legacy of the Greatest Generation

This week, Don, Dennis, and Roger sit down to introduce an exciting new nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of America's Greatest Generation: COGG – Conservators of the Greatest Generation.

Founded by Dennis, Jeff, and Roger, COGG was created with a clear mission—to help preserve, protect, and promote the history, artifacts, stories, and legacy of those who served during World War II. In this episode, the team explains how the organization came to be, what inspired its creation, and the goals they hope to accomplish in the years ahead.

The conversation explores COGG's mission and vision, including plans to work alongside museums, private collectors, historical organizations, preservation groups, living historians, event organizers, and historic sites to ensure that the sacrifices and stories of the Greatest Generation are never forgotten. They also discuss the importance of responsible artifact stewardship, historical education, and building partnerships that strengthen the WWII history community.

Whether you're a collector, museum volunteer, reenactor, educator, historian, or simply someone passionate about preserving history, this episode provides an inside look at what COGG is all about, why it was formed, and how it hopes to make a lasting impact on the preservation of World War II history.

Join us as we take a closer look at the future of historical preservation and the people working to safeguard the legacy of the Greatest Generation for generations to come.

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Happy 250th Anniversary to the United States of America!

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we invite you to look back with us at one of our favorite Independence Day episodes in this special Re-Deployment Episode of The What's The Scuttlebutt Podcast.

Originally released as Episode 212: "Fourth of July Reflections, Wartime Realities, and Battles Around July 3rd," this conversation remains just as meaningful today. Don is joined by Jeff and newly announced producer Zach for a thoughtful discussion that explores the meaning of Independence Day, not only as a celebration of our nation's founding but also as a time to remember the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Jeff shares the powerful emotions he experienced returning home from war, describing the surreal contrast between life in a combat zone and arriving back to a country where daily routines continued as though nothing had changed. That personal reflection leads to an important conversation about the experiences of World War II veterans returning home in the 1940s, and how they may have wrestled with many of the same emotions after witnessing some of history's most devastating battles.

Through that historical lens, the team examines three significant World War II battles that took place around the July 3rd timeframe, discussing their strategic importance, the courage of the men who fought them, and the lasting impact they had on the Allied war effort. The discussion serves as a reminder that the freedoms celebrated every Fourth of July were secured through the sacrifice of generations willing to answer their nation's call.

The episode also features another installment of Whatcha Readin', where Jeff shares exciting news that he has begun writing his own memoir, giving listeners an early glimpse into the personal stories, experiences, and lessons he hopes to preserve for future generations.

As we commemorate America's Semiquincentennial, we hope this episode serves as a reminder that history is more than dates and battles—it is the story of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things. Their sacrifices built the nation we celebrate today, and preserving those stories ensures they will never be forgotten.

Join us for this special Re-Deployment Episode filled with history, reflection, remembrance, and appreciation for the men and women who defended freedom. Happy 250th Birthday, America!

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In episode 227 of the What's the Scuttlebutt Podcast, we welcome Tim Gray of the WWII Foundation to discuss their latest project, The Road to Rome. Narrated by legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz, this captivating series takes us through the pivotal campaigns of WWII in Italy, from Sicily to Rome. We dive into the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, the strategic turning points, and the untold personal stories along the way. Join us as we walk in the footsteps of history on The Road to Rome.

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What's the Scuttlebutt Podcast – Episode 226

This week on What's the Scuttlebutt, Don and Dennis discuss how a simple idea that began with the creation of the Rooftop Oath event unexpectedly opened the door to an incredible opportunity for Dennis.

Dennis shares the story of being selected to attend the United States Marine Corps Educators Workshop, an immersive week-long program hosted at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Designed for educators, community leaders, coaches, counselors, and other influential professionals, the workshop provides participants with a firsthand look at how the Marine Corps transforms civilians into Marines.

Throughout the week, attendees experience many aspects of Marine Corps life, including recruit training demonstrations, physical fitness events, leadership exercises, classroom instruction, and direct interaction with Marines at various stages of their careers. The program aims to demystify military service while educating participants on Marine Corps training, career opportunities, educational benefits, and the values of honor, courage, and commitment that define the Corps.

Dennis discusses how the invitation came about, what he hopes to learn from the experience, and why programs like the Educators Workshop play an important role in building understanding between the military and the communities it serves. He also shares his thoughts on representing the living history and veteran communities while gaining a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the most respected military training organizations in the world.

Join Don and Dennis as they explore this exciting opportunity, reflect on the connections that made it possible, and discuss what listeners can expect to hear when Dennis returns from San Diego with stories and insights from inside the Marine Corps experience.

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