Austin Schindel and Zachary Whitt

Les Incompetent

History EN ↓ 102 episodes

Welcome to Les Incompetent, a History podcast hosted by Austin Schindel and Zachary Whitt! We are just two guys who have a passion for history, enjoy discussing the topics, and reading about events and people we are just learning about. Hopefully you join us on our discussions and read along!

Author

Austin Schindel and Zachary Whitt

Category

History

Podcast website

sites.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Jul 5, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Les Incompetent Year in Review 2025 03.01.2026

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the year we had. We talk about Napoleon, Pirates, Vietnam, what books we enjoyed, what movies we enjoyed, and a whole lot that we didn't. We talk about how we have grown as a show, we we hope to accomplish in 2026, and how thankful we are to our listeners. Thank you!

Les Incompetent Christmas Special (2025) 28.12.2025

Merry Christmas from Les Incompetent! This Holiday Season, we are taking break from the horrors of Vietnam and just hanging out and talking about life. Stop by and hang out, and enjoy your holidays!

Episode 8: The History of the World 20.12.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss episode 8 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We discuss Nixons Presidency, the vicious and violent reaction to the antiwar movement, and the start of the peace negotiations with Northern Vietnam. We also discuss the death of Ho Chi Minh, and the emerging difficulties of a prolonged war. 

Rambo (1982) 13.12.2025

This week on Les Incompetent we go over the 1982 film Rambo starring Sylvester Stallone playing John Rambo, a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD. We go over treatment of Veterans, how Vietnam vets were treated when they came home, and how we have failed veterans in trying to reenter society after war. 

Episode 7: Thin Veneer of Civilization 06.12.2025

This week on Les Incompetent we cover episode 7 of Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the 1968 election, the growing rise of dissent against the milatary, and the beginning of the Nixon administration. We go indepth to Nixon committing treason earlier than Watergate, and the new commanding force directing the war effort.

The Sorrow of War 29.11.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Bao Ninh's novel The Sorrow of War. We go over perspective of a northern Vietnam soldier; one that is severely lacking in the conversation about the war in America, as well as what its like to go back to "normal" after a war has ended. We also go over the ideas of sorrow, regret, and acceptance in understanding what you were fighting for. 

Episode 6: Things Fall Apart 22.11.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 6 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War . In this episode we go over the Tet Offensive, and how it not only solidified American distrust of the war effort, but how it had devastating effects on the people managing the war, especially General Westmoreland. We also go over the rise, and assassination of Robert Kennedy, and how his loss cast a dark sh...

Episode 5: This Is What We Do 15.11.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we continue Ken Burns Documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode, we do a dive into the state of the military, the demons the veterans are still facing, and how difficult the choices they made were. We also talk about the rising anti war movement, and the presidential response to its rise. 

Episode 4: Resolve 08.11.2025

This week on Les Incompetent we are discussing episode 4 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we go over the growing frustration of American Leaders, especially President Johnson during the war. We also go over the emerging anti war movement, and what that meant to the people in charge of the war effort. 

Halloween Special: Nuclear Fallout 01.11.2025

Happy Halloween to all our listeners! This week on Les Incompetent, we go over something that was present during the Vietnam war, and something that everyone was thinking about while our soldiers we over in Asia; Nuclear Fallout. We talk about the various times we have gotten close, the various test we completed around the world, and the impact of us dropping weapons on Japan at the end of WWII. W...

Episode 3: The River Styx 25.10.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over episode 3 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we over the importance of historical recordings, especially from the president, the uneasiness of now knowing the war was unwinnable in 1963, and the strategy adjustment the Vietcong used to combat the invading US troops. We also discuss the human aspect of the war, with Ken Burns diving in Mogsie Cro...

Episode 2: Ride the Tiger (1961-1963) 17.10.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 2 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War. On this episode, we go over the struggles facing a newly elected President Kennedy, a deepening Crisis in South Vietnam, a rise in insurgency and rebellions due to negligence, and are shown the happiness one feels when they successfully defend their homeland. 

Dr Martin Luther King Jr 11.10.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we are discussing Dr King, his impact on the civil rights movement, and how his approach to equal rights differed from Malcolm X. We go over Peniel Josefs book The Sword and the Shield as well as Jonathan Eig's King: A Life. We also discuss current events associated with the topic, the harm on inaction, and how going to your leaders is the best way to enact real chang...

Malcolm X (with Collin Ruffin) 04.10.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we are joined by our good friend Collin Ruffin to discuss Malcolm X, his teachings, his impact, and what he left behind. We go over readings from Peniel E. Josephs book The Sword and the Shield as well as The Autobiography of Malcolm X as well as going over multiple interviews, lectures, and tapings that are easily acceptable. We discuss how he would look at the world...

Full Metal Jacket (1987) 27.09.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Stanley Kubricks film Full Metal Jacket that is his depiction of the Vietnam War, and what it takes to become a marine. We go over the balance of the movie, and how both parts have their pupose. We also talk about the huamnity people lose in war, and how important it is to have it stay intact. 

Episode 1: Deja Vu 1858-1961 20.09.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we begin watching Ken Burns miniseries The Vietnam War. Incredibly indepth, as Ken Burns always delivers, we discuss episode 1, which goes over early Vietnam and their Japanese and French occupation, the French war, and the eventual inclusion of America unto the warfare. We also go over Ho Chi Minh and his incredible popularity, the OSS getting involved in the militar...

The Things They Carried 13.09.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we are covering Tim O'Briens novel The Things They Carried ; A hisotrical fiction account of his time in the Vietnam War, and what is really important. He shows us what a real war story is, how connecting with others is needed in times such as war, and how simple innocence can be corrupted by war. Its an incredibly powerful book, and it shows the humanity on display,...

Sorcerer (1977) 06.09.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Williams Friedkins 1977 box office failure Sorcerer and why it deserves a second look, and maybe a reevaluation. We go over the unfortunate movie it had to go up against at the box office, how this influenced all Top Gear specials, and how the scene on the bridge is a must see for anyone.

The 1964-65 New York Worlds Fair 30.08.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the 1964 New York Worlds Fair, created by the infamous and controversial Robert Moses. We go over creation of the fair, its numerous controversies, Walt Disneys accomodations, and what this fair meant for the future and what Robert Moses didn't want to include. Needless to say, we do not like Robert Moses and it will be pretty clear. Walt Disney did have so...

Jaws (1975) 23.08.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the original Blockbuster  Jaws from Steven Spielberg. We talk about how this movie revolutionized Hollywood, we discuss the camera work, the practical effects, the effective horror, and how this movie ruined the ocean for so many people, leading to Shark Week. We also discuss how Shark Week has lost the plot, and may need to be reminded why it exists in the...

Zodiac, Robert Graysmith, and the Responsibility of the Paper 16.08.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover the Zodiac Killer, who was active in the late 60's in California. We go over the book  Zodiac written by Robert Graysmith, and the 2007 film of the same name adapted from the book. We go over the irresponsible nature of the San Francisco Chronicle allowing a literal serial killer to take their front page, and how this influenced other people to commit murders...

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) 09.08.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over Quentin Tarantinos 2019 film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and shows his fairytale ending to what happened in 1969. We go over the themes that are covered, as well as discussing the fairytale aspect of the movie, and what we were robbed in in real life. 

Charles Manson and the Death of the Sixties 02.08.2025

CONTENT WARNING AHEAD: We will be discussing the controversial figure Charles Manson and the murders he commited. Please be advised. We will be discussing Tom O'Neill's book "Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties" as well as Vincent Bugliosis book "Helter Skelter." We will be going over Charles Mansons life, crimes, and infamy, as well as dissecting the true crime c...

The Deer Hunter (1978) 26.07.2025

On this weeks episode of Les Incompetent, we go over the 1978 Best Picture winner "The Deer Hunter." A critique on the Vietnam War, while also showing how this war affects a small town in Pennsylvania, this movie is a lot to take in. This movie does a very good job at showing the pain war causes, how war affects men who serve, and how the pain they are feeling can be seen/ felt by their own loved...

USA Presidents 1960's-1970's 19.07.2025

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the US Presidents that served during the Vietnam war, which covers JFK, LBJ, Nixon, and Ford. We go over what each accomplished in office, what dogs they had (big fans of Checkers) and their defining Legacy, or for Nixon, what he did besides Watergate. We go over what each president did for the war effort, and what changes they implemented at a governmental...

Listen to the Les Incompetent podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.