Best Guadalcanal Podcasts (2024)

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
53 Days on Starvation Island: How The US Marines Fought on Guadalcanal While Completely Surrounded 59:08

8d ago59:08

59:08

On August 20, 1942, twelve Marine dive-bombers and nineteen Marine fighters landed at Guadalcanal. Their mission: defeat the Japanese navy and prevent it from sending more men and supplies to "Starvation Island," as Guadalcanal was nicknamed. The Japanese were turning the remote, jungle-covered mountain in the south Solomon Islands into an air base…

1
America’s First Crime Boss Was Female Immigrant Philanthropist-Turned-Criminal Mastermind 43:07

29m ago43:07

43:07

In 1850, an impoverished twenty-five-year-old named Fredericka Mandelbaum came to New York in steerage and worked as a peddler on the streets of Lower Manhattan. By the 1870s she was a fixture of high society and an admired philanthropist. How was she able to ascend from tenement poverty to vast wealth? In the intervening years, “Marm” Mandelbaum h…

1
The War Under No-Man’s Land: Military Mining and Tunnel Combat in World War One 45:18

3d ago45:18

45:18

Beneath the trench warfare of World War One existed an entirely separate war underground: battles in the mines and dugouts between the Great Powers. In 1914–17, the underground war was a product of static trench warfare, essential to survive it and part of both sides' attempts to overcome it. In the stagnant, troglodyte existence of trench warfare,…

1
Allied Prisoners of War of the Japanese-Episode 407 1:30:08

1h ago1:30:08

1:30:08

This week Seth and Bill take on the unpleasant topic of Allied Prisoners of War held by the Japanese. The guys get into the weeds talking about the brutal treatment of Allied POWs at the hands of the Japanese, getting into the Burma-Thai Railway, Hell Ships, Japanese methods of torture, starvation, Ofuna, Omori and finally liberation. Louis Zamperi…

1
Eisenhower’s Logistics and Diplomatic Nightmare: Planning and Executing D-Day 1:01:35

4m ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In the months leading up to D-Day, Eisenhower’s attention was in relentless demand, whether he was negotiating, rallying troops, or solving crises from his headquarters in Bushy Park, London. He projected optimism outwardly but resisted it inwardly. The day of the invasion, he gave the most rousing speech of his life, exhorting the tens of thousand…

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 Cabanatuan Raid-Episode 406 1:35:20

14m ago1:35:20

1:35:20

This week Seth and Bill take a deep dive into one of the most exciting, and heroic, episodes of the Pacific War-the rescue of some of the survivors of the Bataan Death March during the raid on Cabanatuan in 1945. US Army 6th Rangers under the command of COL Henry Mucci infiltrated deep behind Japanese lines to rescue American POWs languishing in th…

1
When the Waters Rose: Fighting for Family and Community After the Eastern Kentucky Flood 55:44

15d ago55:44

55:44

Show Notes: "When the Waters Rose: Fighting for Family and Community After the Eastern Kentucky Flood" Episode Summary: In this compelling episode, host Kristen sits down with Perry County resident Brian Lucas to discuss his harrowing experience during the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky in July 2022. Brian, a clinical engineering director f…

1
Taiwan’s 100-Year Rise From Japanese Colony to Monopoly Producer of Microchips 43:05

21m ago43:05

43:05

When global supply chains were shut down in 2020 and messily rebooted after COVID lockdowns ceased, one island nation emerged as the most important player in getting critical components to factories around the world. That was Taiwan, which produces 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductors. Without this island nation of 23 million, there ar…

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
When States Rights Were Emancipatory and Federalism was Restrictive: The Interbellum Constitution of 1812-1865 48:23

16m ago48:23

48:23

Today, the words “federalism” and “originalism” are bandied about in the news almost daily, but to get at the underpinnings of these modern interpretations of constitutional law, it is essential to look at how the Constitution was being interpreted and applied during the crucial period of 1815-1861, between the end of the War of 1812 and the beginn…

1
Japanese Atrocities in Manila with James Scott-Episode 405 1:43:09

23m ago1:43:09

1:43:09

This week Seth and Bill welcome author and historian James Scott to the show to discuss Japanese atrocities in Manila during the battle. The guys discuss some of the more heinous Japanese atrocities committed against the population of Manila at places like Dy Pac Lumberyard, St Paul's, and Fort Santiago. Following that somber discussion, the guys g…

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
Special Episode: Flying the Hump in the CBI with Caroline Alexander 59:43

3d ago59:43

59:43

In this special episode Seth and Bill welcome author Caroline Alexander to the show to discuss her new book: Skies of Thunder-The Deadly World War II Mission Over the Roof of the World. In this hour, the guys and Caroline talk about the treacherous flight path known to history as The Hump, the deadly aerial supply run to help keep China in World Wa…

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
Is America Going Through a Late Roman Moment of Its Own? 46:52

14d ago46:52

46:52

Every citizen of every state for the last two thousand years has compared his nation to Rome at some point. Americans considered Geroge Washington their Cincinnatus for taking on supreme power and giving it up once his work was done. Inflation hawks call for a Diocletian to end the debasing of national currency. Upset citizens call their leader a N…

1
How Five Castaways Survived After Being Left for Dead on the Falklands in 1812 44:49

4d ago44:49

44:49

Charles H. Barnard, captain of the American sealing brig Nanina, had only the best of intentions. His aim was to ensure the survival of the people under his care. On June 11, 1813, Barnard and four other volunteers disembarked the anchored Nanina, climbed into a small boat, and sailed about 10 miles from New Island to Beaver Island, both part of th…

1
The Liberation of Santo Tomas-Episode 404 1:10:46

21d ago1:10:46

1:10:46

This week Seth and Bill talk about the liberation of the civilian internment camp in Manila at the University of Santo Tomas. In a daring dash through Japanese lines, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division, known to history as Chase's Flying Columns, blow through Japanese lines and head towards the Pearl of the Orient, Manila, to liberate civilian pr…

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
The Capetians: The Dynasty That Made Medieval France and Gave Us the Fleur-De-Lys 56:00

9d ago56:00

56:00

If Gothic cathedrals, troubadours, and the Crusades evoke a certain picture of medieval Europe, you might be surprised that these foundations of a shared French culture continue to shape European society, all beginning with a single dynasty. Reigning from 987 to 1328, the Capetians transformed an insecure foothold around Paris into the most powerfu…

1
Oral History with 102-year-old WWII Seabee Cam Pelletier 1:04:41

9d ago1:04:41

1:04:41

In this special 4th of July episode, Bill takes a handoff from Seth and records his first ever oral history. The subject is 102-year-old World War II veteran Cam Pelletier, a Seabee at Guadalcanal, the Russell Islands, the Green Islands, and most notably on Peleliu.#seabees; #history; #worldwar2; #pacific ; #peleliu; #usmc; #firstmarinedivision…

1
Why the Book is Humanity’s Most Important Invention 48:55

11d ago48:55

48:55

Even in our increasingly digitized world, the print book endures as a technology at the heart of human culture. Throughout its 550-yearhistory, the book has transformed at the hands of countless printers, bookbinders, typographers, and illustrators who have yet to see their own stories of innovation on the printed page. In “The Book-Makers: A Histo…

1
The Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal with John Bruning - Episode 403 2:12:29

21d ago2:12:29

2:12:29

This week Seth and Bill welcome back pal John Bruning to the show to talk about his new book, and always a fascinating subject, the Cactus Air Force. John's new book, 53 Days on Starvation Island is an absorbing look into the first two United States Marine Corps squadrons to land on Henderson Field in August 1942, VMF-223 and VMSB-232. The guys get…

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
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
How and Why Humans Started Speaking 52:45

16d ago52:45

52:45

Most people know at least 50,000 words and speak around 16,000 per day. We speak between 120 and 200 words per minute and read them at twice that speed. We invent word games like crosswords, Scrabble, and Wordle, and we are constantly adding new terminology and slang to our dictionaries. Our love of words is no secret, but how we evolved to acquire…

1
The American Detective Who Fought the Kaiser’s Spy Ring and an Anarchist Bombing Syndicate 43:28

1M ago43:28

43:28

America in the early twentieth century was rife with threats. Organized crime groups like the Mafia, German spies embedded behind enemy lines ahead of World War I, package bombs sent throughout the country, and the 1920 Wall Street bombing dominated headlines. And one man was tasked with combating these threats. Born to working-class parents in 186…

1
The Battle for Manila with John McManus-Episode 402 1:34:23

1M ago1:34:23

1:34:23

This week, Seth, Bill and good friend John McManus take a look at the the battle for the Filipino capital of Manila. The team dissects the incredibly violent and horrific fight for General Douglas MacArthur's beloved Pearl of the Orient. The fighting in Manila was one fo the most violent combat areas of the entire war and the team breaks the fighti…

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
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
Patton’s Tactician: Geoffrey Keys, “The Best Tactical Mind” of WWII 39:47

23d ago39:47

39:47

Nineteen months after Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor and forced the United States to enter World War II, boats carrying the 7th US Army landed on the shores of southern Sicily. Dubbed Operation Husky, the campaign to establish an Allied foothold in Sicily was led by two of the most noted American tacticians of the twentieth century: George S…

1
The Seven Cleopatras Who Ruled Egypt 46:49

25d ago46:49

46:49

Behind the legendary, singular figure of Cleopatra stood six other women who bore her name. The infamous Cleopatra we think we know was actually the seventh queen in a long line of powerful female rulers whose stories have been lost to history. The seven queens named Cleopatra, ruling from 192–30 BC, defied the stereotype of the nameless, faceless …

1
The Liberation of Luzon with John McManus - Episode 401 1:57:51

1M ago1:57:51

1:57:51

In the first episode of Season 4, Seth and Bill welcome good buddy John McManus as the trio takes on the topic of the Liberation of Luzon in 1945. The guys discuss the initial landings and successes while also getting into Douglas MacArthur's personal feelings and courage displayed on the island during the campaign. The guys then dig into some of t…

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
The Battle off Samar with Jon Parshall (both episodes combined) 3:00:33

2M ago3:00:33

3:00:33

Again, due to popular request, we have combined both Samar episodes with Jon Parshall into this long-form version. This is both parts 1 and part 2 combined. Hope you enjoy.This week Seth, Bill and good pal Jon Parshall get into the much anticipated Battle off Samar! The guys get into the background of the epic fight, the commanders on both sides, E…

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
Modern Black Ops Warfare Began with a British WW2 Operation to Steal Boats Off Africa’s Coast 52:46

1M ago52:46

52:46

When France fell to the Nazis in 1940, Churchill declared that Britain would resist the advance of the German army--alone if necessary. Churchill commanded the Special Operations Executive to secretly develop of a very special kind of military unit that would operate on their own initiative deep behind enemy lines. The units would be licensed to ki…

1
The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World Were Colossal, Prone to Destruction, and Not All May Have Existed 46:45

1M ago46:45

46:45

For millennia, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World have been known for their aesthetic sublimity, ingenious engineering, and sheer, audacious magnitude: The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus, the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse at Alexandria. E…

1
The Battle of Surigao Strait with Jon Parshall and Tony Tully (Both Episodes Combined) 3:15:26

2M ago3:15:26

3:15:26

Due to popular request, I have combined both parts of the Surigao Strait shows and released them as one, here. As Bill and I prepare for Season 4, please enjoy the long-form version of Surigao Strait with our buddies Jon Parshall and Tony Tully.By William toti, Jon parshall, Seth paridon

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
Want to help an active duty person transition to civilian industry? 6:22

1M ago6:22

6:22

Captain Bill Toti talks about what led him to write his book, "From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership." The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/CO-CEO-Practical-Transitioning-Leadership/dp/1637630638/ref=sr_1_1?crid=323AAEQTQ2XJZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hpvYz2JpfclBGK_hqITNxCgAXH0a7JJFfYxQNXVDWy…

1
Being the Ultimate Constitutional Originalist in 2024 Means Donning a Tricorn Hat and Applying to Practice Piracy 46:24

1M ago46:24

46:24

Many decisions impacting the lives of Americans today adhere to a set of rules established over 200 years ago. The Constitution is in the news more than ever as politicians and Supreme Court justices battle over how literally it should be taken. Did the framers intend for Americans to follow their instructions as written for eternity? Or did they w…

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
We Answer MORE of Your Questions-Episode 335 1:51:15

2M ago1:51:15

1:51:15

This week, Seth, Bill and new guest, retired US Army Major Shawn Bergstrom return to answer another round of your questions. In this final episode of season 3, we get into some cool topics that include, the fate of battleships, the morality and necessity of liberating the Philippines, and more. Tune in and see if your question is one of the ones we…

1
The Last Time Humanity Believed in Unstoppable Progress: Paris in the Belle Époque (1871-1914) 46:46

2M ago46:46

46:46

Many of the specific features we associate with Paris today – impressive sites like the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur, French cinemas, and even the distinguished Art Nouveau Metro entrances – were born out the period of the Belle Époque. This era, which lasted from the later 19th century up to the beginning of World War I, is oft characterized as on…

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
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
The Silk Road Travel Adventures of a 16th Century Mughal Princess and Her Massive Royal Retinue 41:35

2M ago41:35

41:35

To most Westerners, the Mughal Empire is a forgotten stepchild of world history. Even though it produced the Taj Mahal and controlled nearly all modern-day India, the Mughal Dynasty’s accomplishments are crowded out by those of the Romans, Chinese, and British. Nevertheless, it was a great Asian power from the 16th-19th centuries, comparable to the…

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Guadalcanal Podcasts

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