Baggage

In this episode, the guys agree that having a doctor for a friend is great but it sucks for the doctor. They also discuss who is the most expendable in a post-apocalyptic world. Spoiler: it’s the comedian. Ryan Frank shares his pathway into the Marine Corps and his training to become a helicopter crew chief. His training included SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape). The guys share a c...

In this episode, the guys are joined by Mark as he tells his experience as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot. Mark shares his path to becoming a pilot, the combat deployments he was on, and his transition to HMX: the President’s squadron. Mark explains the rigorous training process and the precision required in flying HMX helicopters. He shares with us what it’s like flying the most important person...

In this episode, comedian Ryan Conner explains how he survives while living amongst an uncomfortable amount of bugs in LA. He also critiques The World's Ugliest Dog Contest. The guys finally get around to what the show is actually about and listen to clips from the most recent guest: virologist Meghan. She talks about the transition from pandemic to endemic and the frustrations that scientists fel...

Remember that COVID thing? Well, in this episode, the guys are joined by Meghan, a laboratory director with expertise in virology and infectious diseases. They discuss Meghan's experience working in a clinical testing laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meghan shares insights into the development of COVID-19 tests, the challenges faced by healthcare workers, and the impact of the pandemic on...

In this episode, the guys have some follow-up comments from Kate’s episode including a clip from possibly the craziest story she had to share. Eric gives his input about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for kids and, somehow, that leads to talking about 80’s movies about the USSR. There’s also talk about the latest on MDMA treating PTSD. The guys finish up with a preview of what the next episode...

In this episode, the guys interview Kate. She's spent 17 years as a teacher, teaching coach, and school administrator. Maybe you think your kids' teachers had it hard already but trust us, you have no idea. Kate talks about dealing with difficult parents and the most challenging situations. She also delves into the effects of the pandemic and social media. Yes, there's an unusual number of poop st...

In this episode, the guys play a couple of clips that didn't make it into the last episode with guest and Vietnam Vet, Don Frank. That generates a discussion amongst the guys about burn pits and, yes, burning your poo. The guys also talk about what young men do for extended periods of time without the company of women as well as answer listeners' questions. Music provided by Quincy Ledbetter ( htt...

We’re back with part two with retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Don Frank’s stories surrounding the Vietnam War. We pick back up when he’s in country dealing with the challenges of combat. He talks about going from Vietnam to having to recruit on college campuses during the war. Finally, he shares he thoughts on PTSD and Vietnam vets’ challenges versus vets of Afghanistan and Iraq. Music pro...

This is the first episode of Carry-On: a place to talk about all the stuff that didn’t fit into an episode of Baggage. We go over listeners’ questions from the first half of Don’s Vietnam Vet episode as well as questions from Eric’s three-episode series. There’s Oliver North, Dave Attell, and dysentery stories mixed in there. Plus, we cover the ins and outs and things to avoid regarding Vietnamese...

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Don Frank shares his early days in the Marine Corps as a captain in Vietnam. We start with his not-so-successful attempt to master the Vietnamese language which, somehow, leads to him being the dean of a Vietnamese language school? Don shares insights into the war, his experiences, and some anecdotes along the way. We finish with Don talking about a very dark day in his...

This episode is the final chapter in Dr. Eric Shaw’s journey in the medical field. He shares his journey through medical residency, the challenges faced in the emergency room, and his transition to outpatient pediatrics. He discusses the emotional toll of working in high-stress medical environments, the importance of humor, and the impact of personal experiences on mental health. The conversation...

In this episode, we’re back with Eric Shaw as he shares stories from his days as a medical student. The guys delve into the rigorous and often challenging journey of medical training, exploring themes of burnout, trauma, and the emotional toll of working in healthcare. Eric shares personal stories from medical school, including experiences with pediatric patients and the harsh realities of surgica...

In the show’s first episode, we start at home. One of the hosts, Eric Shaw, shares his early experiences as an EMT and Paramedic. He explains the challenges faced by first responders, the impact of trauma on mental health, and the often humorous yet harrowing stories that come from their work. The guys explore the moral dilemmas encountered in emergency situations, the realities of working in high...

Baggage is a collection of compelling, unique, and sometimes traumatic stories from people of all walks of life. These stories typically only get heard by the storyteller’s friends, family, or co-workers. Now there is a platform for everyday individuals to share their experiences with a larger audience as well as how they cope with the emotional and mental baggage that sometimes follows those even...