Best Veterans Breakfast Club Podcasts (2024)

1
Cold War of the 1980s with Author and Intelligence Veteran Brian Morra 1:31:21

10h ago1:31:21

1:31:21

Brian Morra joins us again to talk about his followup to his successful thriller The Able Archers. Brian’s new book, The Righteous Arrows, takes the story to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, an event that previewed the wars following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Brian is a highly decorated former American intelligence officer and a retired…

1
The US Army at Guadalcanal 1:23:06

4h ago1:23:06

1:23:06

Glenn Flickinger leads a conversation with military historians and Pacific War experts Jeff Ballard and Dave Holland on the US Army’s role in the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. Dave, a seasoned veteran with a 28-year career in the US Marine Corps, is host of the popular Guadalcanal – Walking a Battlefield YouTube channel. He shares with us …

1
War and Transgenerational Trauma 1:24:37

2h ago1:24:37

1:24:37

Combat veterans may not tell their children about their experiences, but they transmit them invisibly, almost imperceptibly, through deep channels of influence in the mind, body, and psyche. Author, artist, and son of Vietnam veteran Carl Sciacchitano joins us to talk about his family story as captured in his new graphic memoir, The Heart That Fed:…

1
How the Allies Almost Lost the Air War in Europe 1:25:34

4h ago1:25:34

1:25:34

In preparation for our September VBC trip to England for a tour of English air fields and WWII sites, Glenn Flickinger gives us a presentation on the Air War Over Europe, and how the Allies almost lost it. World War II in Europe saw the pinnacle of air warfare, characterized by immense strategic impact and a vast scale of operations. Tens of thousa…

1
The Challenges Facing Military Wives with Simone Gorrindo 1:35:02

2h ago1:35:02

1:35:02

When one half of a couple joins the military, the other does also, in a sense, by default. There can be a sense of abandonment, as well as a troubling intimation that the military will always come first. Military spouse Simone Gorrindo joins us to talk about her experience as captured in The Wives: A Memoir. Her book is an intimate and evocative ac…

1
The Battle of Britain 1:07:29

3h ago1:07:29

1:07:29

In preparation for our September VBC trip to England for a tour of English air fields and WWII sites, Glenn Flickinger gives us a presentation on the Battle of Britain, a clash of air power to control the skies over Britain and the English Channel. We will experience a re-enactment of the battle at the Duxford Air Show September 13-15. The Battle o…

1
Astronaut Jan Davis 1:29:04

5h ago1:29:04

1:29:04

Astronaut Jan Davis talks about her life in aviation and the legacy of service in her family. Her memoir Air Born, tells the story of her and her father. Her father was Ben Smotherman, a B-17 pilot in World War II, vwho aliantly fought in the European Theater of Operations before being shot down over Holland in July 1943. After enduring twenty-one …

1
Veterans Open Conversation on VBC Scuttlebutt 1:40:08

16h ago1:40:08

1:40:08

VBC Scuttlebutt is a virtual watering hole where camaraderie and connection flow as freely as laughter and shared stories. Join us to swap stories, good and bad, at home and overseas, old and new. At the VBC, veterans from every era and branch are drawn together by the warm glow of shared purpose. Here are a few of the things we plan to discuss ton…

1
The Untold Story of American POWs at Buchenwald 1:50:56

2d ago1:50:56

1:50:56

During World War II, 168 American airmen found themselves in one of the most notorious concentration camps of the Holocaust: Buchenwald. This unexpected and harrowing chapter of their captivity began in 1944 and stands as a grim reminder of the broader atrocities of the war. Author Ric Martini joins us to discuss his research into this disturbing s…

1
The Hunt for Enigma and the U-Boat Carrying It in World War II 1:38:04

28d ago1:38:04

1:38:04

We welcome writer and Executive Producer of Inside Edition Charles Lachman to talk about his new book, Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and The Elusive Enigma Machine. The book is a white-knuckled saga of a maverick captain, nine courageous sailors, and a US Navy task force who achieved the impossible on June 4, 1944–capturing Nazi submari…

1
Major League Baseball Players in World War II 1:38:58

1M ago1:38:58

1:38:58

For the 80th anniversary we talk about D-Day veteran Yogi Berra and the 38 other Major League Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II. That’s right: 39 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown served in the military during World War II. It’s a sign of how the war effort took precedence over everything in American life between …

1
Found: A Veteran Story by Best-Selling Author Jack McLean 1:29:10

26d ago1:29:10

1:29:10

Jack McLean joins us again to talk about his new book, Found: A Veteran Story which tells how he healed from Vietnam. Last year, Jack recounted the history behind his best-selling memoir of 2009, Loon: A Marine Story. Jack served in Vietnam in 1967-68 tour with Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He survi…

1
Playtone’s Kirk Saduski on “Masters of the Air” 1:28:36

1M ago1:28:36

1:28:36

Playtone’s Kirk Saduski talks about creating “Masters of the Air,” as well as working on Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and many other historical features, series, and documentaries. Kirk Saduski has a B.A. in history from UCLA and an M.A. in history from S.F. State. He has been a producer and executive at Playtone since 1998. He was Executive-in-c…

1
WWII Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart 1:42:08

29d ago1:42:08

1:42:08

WWII P-51 Pilot and Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart shares his story with us on Greatest Generation Live. Stewart successfully completed 43 missions during World War II and is one of only four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three aerial victories in a single day of combat. When the war in Europe ended, Stewart and his comrades expected to go to the P…

1
My Father, Marine 1:29:15

1M ago1:29:15

1:29:15

Brian Ahearn is the son of a Vietnam Marine veteran and author of a memoir, His Story, My Story, Our Story, a heartrending tale that illuminates the stark realities of war, from the battlegrounds of Vietnam to the emotional frontlines at home. Following a Marine veteran, the narrative intricately unravels his grapple with PTSD and the profound ripp…

1
WWII B-24 Pilot John Homan 1:29:03

23d ago1:29:03

1:29:03

Guest John Homan was a B-24 pilot in World War II. He recently published his memoirs, "Into the Cold Blue: My World War II Journeys with the Mighty Eighth Air Force" with Professor Jared Frederick, who also joins us. Into the Cold Blue is a riveting account of the air war over Europe, when hell was four miles above the earth. A born daredevil, John…

1
The Bloody 100th Bomb Group in World War II 1:27:07

25d ago1:27:07

1:27:07

Glenn Flickinger leads another conversation about Masters of the Air, this time with children and grandchildren of the Apple TV+ series’ main characters. Each is an expert on the 100th Bomb Group, and each will share their family members’ stories and their thoughts on the series. Rebecca Crosby Hutchinson, daughter of Navigator Harry Crosby, Sam Ro…

1
Army Helicopter Pilots Randy & Jackie Kluj 1:25:21

29d ago1:25:21

1:25:21

We welcome husband and wife duo, Randy and Jackie Kluj, who share their extraordinary journeys from Army helicopter cockpits to their work with Creek and Timber Legacy nonprofit. The Klujs bring a unique perspective on service, resilience, and the healing power of nature. Randy Kluj, a native of northern Maine, grew up with a profound love for the …

1
POW Spies at Stalag Luft III in World War II 1:29:05

28d ago1:29:05

1:29:05

Jim Keeffe and Carol Godwin join Glenn to share the history of Stalag Luft III. On the 8th of March 1944, during a bombing mission to Berlin, 19-year-old B-24 pilot James Keeffe was shot down over Holland, catapulting him into a world squeezed colorless by the ever-tightening fist of Nazi occupation. Moving from safe house to safe house with the he…

1
How Winston Churchill Waged War with Allen Packwood 1:02:04

1M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Glenn welcomes distinguished historian Allen Packwood, director of the Churchill Archives in Cambridge to discuss Winston Churchill’s wartime leadership. Our travel “Masters of the Air” tour to England in September 2024 will include a presentation by Allen Packwood at Churchill College in Cambridge. Packwood’s book, “How Churchill Waged War,” delve…

1
Veterans Open Conversation 1:42:01

1M ago1:42:01

1:42:01

VBC Scuttlebutt is a virtual watering hole where camaraderie and connection flow as freely as laughter and shared stories. Join us to swap stories, good and bad, at home and overseas, old and new. At the VBC, veterans from every era and branch are drawn together by the warm glow of shared purpose. The stories bridge the gap and the years with veter…

1
Sons of Lt. Col. Everett Blakely on “Masters of the Air” 1:28:39

2M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

Everett Ernest Blakely was a highly decorated B-17 pilot with the “Bloody Hundredth” Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force in Europe. In the Apple TV mini-series, “Masters of the Air“, is David Shields plays the role of Blakely. Tonight, we have his two sons, David and Jim, to discuss what they think of the series and to tell us about their father…

1
“Masters of the Air” Creator and Writer John Orloff 1:31:33

1M ago1:31:33

1:31:33

Writer John Orloff joins Glenn Flickinger to discuss how he brought “Masters of the Air” to television. Production was a meticulous process marked by deep research, careful storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to historical accuracy. John shares his background, influences, and the challenges he faced in crafting the series. Orloff’s fascinati…

1
American POWs in World War II 1:28:06

2M ago1:28:06

1:28:06

World War II POW and Eighth Air Force expert Marilyn Walton leads an expert conversation about the experiences of prisoners in Germany. The experts also discuss fact and fiction in the depiction of POW camps in the Apple TV mini-series “Masters of the Air.” In addition to Marilyn and the VBC’s own Glenn Flickinger, commenters include: Carolyn Clark…

1
Recovering WWII Normandy MIA Nathan Baskind and Memorial Day Conversation 1:44:58

2M ago1:44:58

1:44:58

We mark Memorial Day with the PFC Lawrence Gordon Foundation's Jed Henry (https://www.pfclawrencegordonfoundati...) who, along with Operation Benjamin (https://www.operationbenjamin.org/nat..., recently recovered the remains of 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind, who was killed in Normandy near Utah Beach in 1944. In June 1944, Baskind was assigned to Company …

1
WWII Ball Turret Gunner and POW Les Schrenk 1:37:45

2M ago1:37:45

1:37:45

Les Schrenk’s story as a World War II ball turret gunner is one of courage, resilience, and unexpected humanity amidst the chaos of war. He was assigned as a ball turret gunner to the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, stationed at RAF Podington. As a ball turret gunner, Schrenk inadvertently found himself in his posi…

1
Infantry Culture in the Global War on Terror 1:18:22

2M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

Marine Stew Blackwell joins us to talk about his new book, Savages: Infantry Culture in the Global War on Terror. In his debut book, Blackwell explores the complex culture, complete with its own value system, of the American warrior serving during the Global War on Terror, known as “GWOT.” The GWOT began after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the …

1
How to Shoot Down B-17 1:32:49

2M ago1:32:49

1:32:49

Experts Colin Heaton and Joe McCarthy join Glenn Flickinger to discuss the tactics of aerial combat in World War II, focusing especially on how the Luftwaffe attempted to bring down B-17 formations, and the defenses those formations used to get through to their targets. Glenn will also discuss his thoughts on the finale of the Apple TV mini-series …

1
WWII Veteran Yoshio Nakamura, 442nd Regimental Combat Team 1:24:09

3M ago1:24:09

1:24:09

“We had Japanese faces but American hearts.” So says our special guest Yoshio Nakamura, a Japanese-American born in California. Yoshio experienced first-hand the upheaval of World War II when Japanese-Americans were classified as enemy aliens. He endured internment at Tulare Racetrack and Gila River Camp, facing humiliation and loss of freedom. Des…

1
The Ninth Air Force in World War II 1:34:54

2M ago1:34:54

1:34:54

We turn our attention to the Eighth Air Force’s little brother, the Ninth Air Force which, among other things, played a crucial role in supporting the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. Thomas Hughes, author of "Overlord: General Pete Quesada and the Triumph of Tactical Air Power in World War II" and our own P-47 pilot, Ed Cottrell, who tur…

1
The POW Experience at Stalag Luft III in World War II 1:23:58

2M ago1:23:58

1:23:58

Historian and technical advisor on the TV series Masters of the Air, Colin Heaton returns to the program to talk about the WWII POW experience in Europe. Joining him is fellow technical advisor, Marilyn Walton, an expert on the treatment and lives of American prisoners in Germany. We also welcome Anita Sybesma, historian and President of the 96th B…

1
Nurses in Vietnam and Other Subjects a part of Open Conversation on VBC Scuttlebutt 1:36:13

3M ago1:36:13

1:36:13

We have another fast-moving, free-for-all Open Conversation with the Veterans Breakfast Club. This is National Nurses Week, in honor of Florence Nightengale's birthday on May 12, so we discuss military nursing and ask our nurses about their service. We also ask veterans who were treated--and perhaps lives were saved--by nurses in battle zones aroun…

1
8th Air Force Expert Steve Snyder and B-17 Pilot “Lucky” Luckadoo on “Masters of the Air” 1:28:24

3M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Steve Snyder is author of "Shot Down: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth," a poignant and meticulously researched account that delves into the untold stories of the B-17 Flying Fortress Susan Ruth and its crew during World War II. At the heart of the narrative is Lieutenant Howard Snyder, the author’s father, …

1
Vietnam Veteran Chuck Theusch and the Library of Vietnam Project on The Scuttlebutt 1:22:19

3M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

Vietnam Veteran Chuck Theusch discusses his transformative journey from the battlegrounds of Vietnam to the peaceful mission of building libraries in Vietnam and Cambodia. In 1969-70, Chuck served in the 4/3 Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division in Vietnam. Like many others, he experienced the harsh realities of combat, witnessing the …

1
Author Robert Matzen on “Masters of the Air” with Glenn Flickinger 1:11:09

3M ago1:11:09

1:11:09

What Does Author Robert Matzen Think of “Masters of the Air”? Robert Matzen is author of "Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe," a full account of the Hollywood star’s experiences and an 8th Air Force pilot and commander. In March 1941, a few months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart enlisted as a private in the United States Arm…

1
Historian and USAF Veteran Robert Ehlers on Air Intelligence in World War II on Masters of the Air 1:29:47

3M ago1:29:47

1:29:47

Robert Ehlers on Air Intelligence in the Air War Over Europe Glenn welcomes Dr. Robert Ehlers, who draws on his own experiences as an Air Force Intelligence officer in writing "Targeting the Third Reich: Air Intelligence and the Allied Bombing Campaigns. " "Targeting the Third Reich"examines the pivotal role of air intelligence in the Allied bombin…

1
B-17 Co-Pilot John "Lucky" Luckadoo Discusses "Masters of the Air" 1:25:13

3M ago1:25:13

1:25:13

Glenn welcomes WWII veteran John “Lucky” Luckadoo, who survived 25 missions as a B-17 co-pilot in the 100th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in World War II. Joining Lucky is his bestselling author biographer Kevin Maurer to talk about the Air War and the “Bloody Hundredth.” P-51 pilot Joe Peterburs and P-47 pilot Ed Cottrell join the conversation. A rare…

1
Five Historians Discuss "Masters of the Air" 1:18:43

3M ago1:18:43

1:18:43

In conjunction with the release of the highly-anticipated Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, VBC historian host Glenn Flickinger has created a 10-part livestream series that will recap and provide history discussion around each episode. Each week, Glenn will cover the action and background of the series in conversation with show producers and cr…

1
VBC Open Conversation: Manchu Regiment & Drug Use in Vietnam 1:33:32

4M ago1:33:32

1:33:32

A large group of Veterans gathered to discuss their military service for a Veterans Breakfast Club Open Conversation. We talked about the 4/9 24th Infantry Division "Manchus," the experience of PTSD, and the use of buttons vs. brass zippers on Army fatigues. But the most robust, disturbing, and important aspect of the conversation was a discussion …

1
Chloe Melas on Masters of the Air with Glenn Flickinger 1:11:35

3M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

One of the major characters in Masters of the Air is B-17 navigator Frank Murphy whose granddaughter, Chloe Melas, republished his memoir, The Luck of the Draw. As a navigator on a B-17, Murphy played a crucial role in guiding the aircraft through the treacherous skies over Europe. Navigators were tasked with plotting courses, ensuring precise loca…

1
How to do Military Records Research 1:18:40

4M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Beth Reuschel is a professional military records researcher who helps families discover their legacies of service. She conducts research for people and also coaches them to do their own detective work. Through her expertise and guidance, dozens of people have tracked down service records of veteran parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, as …

1
German World War II Veteran Wolfram Forster 1:19:56

4M ago1:19:56

1:19:56

German World War II Wehrmacht veteran and US Army veteran Dr. Wolfram Forster joins VBC Happy Hour to tell us about his harrowing route from Hitler’s Germany to the United States. Wolfram shares his story in his memoir, Farewell, Berlin: My World War II Story of Surviving Hitler’s Germany and Embracing Life in America. Wolfram grew up in Berlin dur…

1
What Traveling in Vietnam is Like Today 1:35:43

4M ago1:35:43

1:35:43

In November and December last year, 21 of us—including five veterans who had served in-country during the war—traveled to Vietnam, from Hanoi and Halong Bay in the North to Saigon and the Mekong Delta in the South. Vietnam is a beautiful and often bewildering place, ancient in history and now yoked to American culture and memory. The country presen…

1
"Masters of the Air" Author Donald L. Miller 1:33:06

4M ago1:33:06

1:33:06

We are proud to welcome author Donald L. Miller to VBC Greatest Generation Live with Glenn Flickinger hosting. Donald’s book, Masters of the Air, is the inspiration for the major Apple TV+ series which premiered in January 2024! The riveting history of the American Eighth Air Force in World War II and the young men who flew the bombers that helped …

1
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus 1:01:33

5M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Ray Mabus served as the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, the longest to serve as leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I. Secretary Mabus is a Navy veteran himself, having served two years in the Navy as a surface warfare officer from 1970 to 1972 aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock (CLG-4), achieving the rank of Lieutenant Ju…

1
The Tragic Failure of the M-16 in Vietnam 1:33:39

5M ago1:33:39

1:33:39

Author and Vietnam veteran Bob Orkand discusses what he calls the “tragic failure” of the M16 rifle in Vietnam, a story captured in his book, Misfire. The M16 rifle in the Vietnam War was marred by a series of critical problems that severely undermined its effectiveness and tarnished its reputation among soldiers. Initially introduced as a replacem…

1
War Movie – The American Battle in Cinema 58:43

5M ago58:43

58:43

War Movie is a five-part documentary series that examines not only the history of war in American cinema but how this medium has shaped our country's perspective on conflict, foreign policy, race, masculinity, and national identity. Cinematic depictions of military conflict have been common since the first crank of a shutter. From early films like …

1
Lioness The Origin Story Ep. 12 1:33:48

5M ago1:33:48

1:33:48

*This episode of Lioness The Origin Story was recorded live on Zoom during a VBC Monday night veteran's storytelling program. The VBC celebrates Women’s History Month with writer, filmmaker and VBC member Daria Sommers hosting a conversation with three remarkable veterans and leaders. Retired USAF Colonel Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Relati…

1
Dogs For Our Brave 1:04:16

5M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Dogs for Our Brave’s mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at no cost to veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country. Their goal is to use rescue dogs at every opportunity, thus saving two lives at once. In order to fully realize their mission without adding financial burden, they al…

1
Author and Poet Victoria Kelly 54:18

5M ago54:18

54:18

Victoria Kelly is the author of Homefront, Mrs. Houdini, and When the Men Go Off to War. Victoria graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard University. She received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and her M.Phil. in Creative Writing from Trinity College Dublin, where she was a U.S. Mitchell Scholar. Her fiction and …

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