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The Ready Room

Arts & Culture Podcasts

The Ready Room is an idea that started with two Marine Corps pilots lamenting the decline of civil discourse, and the ideological barricades with which so many have surrounded themselves. If only we could come out from behind our political fortresses and talk openly with one another and truly seek to open our minds to change, we could regain a shared civic trust. The challenge then, was to make that step personally, and in a way that would include others. Thus The Ready Room was launched. Our mission statement is simple, and I invite you to join us in this endeavor: We seek to gain strength and wisdom by examining and challenging our beliefs. To search for truth. To learn everything we can from those who know more than us. To engage in earnest discussion on topics great and small. To better ourselves, and bring others along for the ride. To further civil discourse. To explore the world, and in the process, build lasting friendships.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Ready Room is an idea that started with two Marine Corps pilots lamenting the decline of civil discourse, and the ideological barricades with which so many have surrounded themselves. If only we could come out from behind our political fortresses and talk openly with one another and truly seek to open our minds to change, we could regain a shared civic trust. The challenge then, was to make that step personally, and in a way that would include others. Thus The Ready Room was launched. Our mission statement is simple, and I invite you to join us in this endeavor: We seek to gain strength and wisdom by examining and challenging our beliefs. To search for truth. To learn everything we can from those who know more than us. To engage in earnest discussion on topics great and small. To better ourselves, and bring others along for the ride. To further civil discourse. To explore the world, and in the process, build lasting friendships.

Language:

English


Episodes
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The Cobra Blows Cold Air On Your Junk

5/5/2020
In this episode, “Chunks” is back in The Ready Room, and we get back to our roots in aviation. We talk about how we became interested in flying, and reminisce about the different paths we took to earning our “Wings of Gold” and becoming Marine Corps pilots. We talk about the different aircraft we’ve flown, and some favorite historical aircraft that inspired our early love of aviation. We swap flying stories, recounting some of our most memorable experiences as aviators. Chunks recounts his...

Duration:01:28:30

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Strength, Kindness and Choke Holds: The Improbable Journey of a Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

4/21/2020
In this episode I'm speaking with Professor Noah Crome. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach, whose incredible journey from a debilitating back injury that left him barely able to stand, to improbably, becoming a black belt training under the tutelage of UFC and Pride veteran, Ricardo Almeida, is nothing short of inspirational. Noah’s story is a decades long journey of trials and broken dreams, that ultimately lead to his becoming an elite practitioner and coach, in one of the toughest jiu jitsu...

Duration:02:55:11

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A Firefighter's Take on the COVID-19 Pandemic

4/9/2020
In this episode Chunks (Keith Phillip) and I discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its possible implications for a post-pandemic world. In addition to being a Marine Corps Officer, Chunks is also a Lieutenant in a large metro-area fire department. Which puts him squarely on the front lines in this crisis. Not surprising to me, since Chunks is the kind of person who has always sought to put himself on the front lines of crisis. Whether it’s the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, or running...

Duration:02:02:50

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What Happens in Vegas, Will Take You Around the World

12/20/2019
In this episode I’m speaking with Lisa Anderson. Lisa is the director of the United Nations Commercial Air Travel Safety Unit, which falls under the UN department of safety and security. Essentially Lisa and her team evaluate commercial air operators throughout the world and determine their suitability to safely and reliably transport UN personnel. It’s important to note that when Lisa was hired to take the position, the CATSU didn’t exist. She was given guidance on what the UN wanted to...

Duration:01:35:08

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You Get by With a Little Help from Your Friends

11/22/2019
In this episode I’m speaking with Leo Bottary, an accomplished author, keynote speaker, adjunct professor, and fellow podcaster. Leo is a thought leader on the topic of “peer advantage”; The idea of engaging peers in a way that’s selective, strategic and structured. His latest book is called “What anyone can do: How surrounding yourself with the right people will drive change, opportunity and personal growth”. Leo makes the case for harnessing the power of relationships in order to maximize...

Duration:01:50:35

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Fights! Camera! Action!

11/5/2019
In this episode, I’m speaking with Greg and Tony from the YouTube channel “Little Wars TV”. The channel is dedicated to the hobby of historical miniature wargaming. The guys tell the story of their club, from its humble beginnings almost two decades ago with two guys in the back room of a comic book store, to a well-organized club of over 30 members, with a privately-owned, purpose-built, loft-style, downtown clubhouse decorated with military memorabilia, photos and antiques, and replete...

Duration:02:16:55

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The Sex Panther is an Emo Boomer

10/11/2019
In this episode “Chunks” (LtCol Keith Phillip) and I are back in studio for the first time since our inaugural episode. Chunks gives his thoughts on the show so far and what he thinks of my early efforts. We talk at length about where we think The Ready Room is headed and how that matches our earliest ideas for the show. We discuss society’s rapid shift toward a new normal, and talk openly about what that means from our own perspective. Both of us ponder whether it’s possible to have a show...

Duration:01:26:19

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A 94 year-old World War II Veteran Looks Back

7/29/2019
In this episode I’m honored to be speaking with Private First Class Kenneth W. Pasch Sr. Born Dec 4, 1924, Ken grew up in LaSalle, NY during the depression and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1944. He was assigned as a gunner aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and served in the Pacific campaign, where he was involved in several large battles and countless smaller engagements. He served aboard the Hancock until V-J Day. After Japan’s surrender, he was briefly assigned as part of the...

Duration:02:13:21

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Do Great Leaders Need to be Virtuous? It Depends on how you Define “Great"

7/7/2019
In this episode I'm talking with Ken Pasch. Ken is an author, an entrepreneur and a retired Air Force Colonel. He is the founder and President of KiVisions Inc., a leadership development company whose mission is to make good people great leaders. We talk about groups versus individuals as it relates to building a successful organization. We laud the unsung benefits of devil’s advocates. We discuss the difference between “good” and “effective” leaders and determine that one’s moral compass...

Duration:01:47:16

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In the future, we’ll live for 200 years, robots will be friends, and unicorns will roam the earth.

5/31/2019
In this episode I talk with Frank Diana. Frank is a recognized futurist, thought leader, and advisor in the context of business, societal and economic evolution. With over 30 years of business leadership in various executive roles, Frank scans the human horizon for emerging trends and technology, and leverages storytelling and pragmatic solutions to provide clients with a clearer path to success in a rapidly changing world. Frank and I discuss just how fast the world is changing, and the...

Duration:01:28:28

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Are Drones Looking Through Your Bedroom Window? Possibly.

4/29/2019
In this episode, I sit down with Eddie Kostakis. Eddie is the co-founder of both Xizmo Media, and Aerospect, two of the most successful aerial drone companies in New York City. We talk about how the drone industry has evolved, and where it's headed. We discuss the concerns that much of the general public has with the increasing ubiquity of these devices; privacy, security, and safety. Eddie talks about how he and his business partner went from working out of his father's basement, to running...

Duration:01:38:04

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Was Ebenezer Scrooge Trppin' on 'Shrooms?

4/7/2019
In this episode of The Ready Room I speak with Dr. Matthew Johnson. Matt is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, and an expert on the behavioral and psychological effects of psychoactive drugs in humans. Matt talks about how one finds his way into making a (legal and respectable) living on magic mushrooms. We shine a light on the little-known connection between LSD and “I Dream of Jeannie”. We discuss whether Charles Dickens’ transformative tale of...

Duration:01:08:57

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Best friends. Great beer. Miles of farmland. Is this paradise?

3/13/2019
In this episode I sit down with Brett Bullock and Ryan Cole; lifelong friends, and co-founders of "Screamin' Hill Brewery". The guys look back on how they turned their passion for home-brewing into a successful business, We contemplate the modern rise of craft beer brewing, and how to remain genuine to your vision. We talk about the terroir of great beer, the beauty of really old lumber, and the desire for "local" in a global world. We note how great beer enjoyed in a sublime setting seems...

Duration:01:04:36

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Create your passionate life... Just make sure you have a plan

1/30/2019
In this episode of The Ready Room, I sit down with Joe Battista. Joe is a coach, mentor, motivational speaker, and author of "The Power of Pragmatic Passion: 7 Common Sense Principles for Achieving Personal & Professional Success” We discuss what it means to follow your heart, and whether it's possible to do so without severing all ties, and leaving yourself and family in financial straits. We ask the question: What truly defines happiness? We talk about why it is that two-thirds of American...

Duration:02:17:02

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Find your passion in life... Just make sure you have a plan.

1/29/2019
In this episode of The Ready Room, I sit down with Joe Battista. Joe is a coach, mentor, motivational speaker, and author of "The Power of Pragmatic Passion: 7 Common Sense Principles for Achieving Personal & Professional Success” We discuss what it means to follow your heart, and whether it's possible to do so without severing all ties, and leaving yourself and family in financial straits. We ask the question: What truly defines happiness? We talk about why it is that two-thirds of American...

Duration:02:17:02

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Two Marine Corps Pilots Started a Podcast

1/17/2019
In our inaugural episode, I sit down with the other half of the Ready Room Podcast team, LtCol Keith Phillip to talk about 40 oz. bottles of malt liquor as a competitive testing strategy, what it means to have a combat mentality, the philosophy of tactical thinking, our vision for where we hope to take the show, and why friendship and communication is of vital importance in civil discourse.

Duration:00:56:18

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There's a hidden door in a phone booth somewhere...

12/21/2018
Prior to our first episode, I sit down with Ming Chen of A Shared Universe podcast studio to talk about podcasting, creating content, hidden speakeasys, smoked cocktails, and the excitement of the future of the Ready Room podcast.

Duration:00:39:11