Pop Culture Field Manual

Cameron and Israel take the the skies in this episode dedicated to all those flying fighting forces we love. Be it the Air Force, Navy or even the RAF; they cover a lot of them. There's even some not so airborne stuff covered, like Red Dawn, but hell, it's our podcast and we'll fudge it however we feel like it. If you don't like it (or especially if you do) you can shoot us a line at pcfmpodcast@g...

We at the Pop Culture Field Manual podcast love video games. We really do. But we've come to realize a lot of times we end up talking about movies or television shows rather than giving video games the respect and time they deserve. To correct this we've dedicated this entire episode to military (and as always, military adjacent) video games and why we love them. Cam and Iz are bound to bring up o...

It's that magical time of year where everyone (in America at least) stops to reflect on what they're thankful for. And although Israel and Cam are superior physical specimens with an intellect an average person can only dream of attaining, they're just like everyone else. This episode is dedicated to giving thanks for all of the pop culture magic they get to enjoy this year and every year. They fi...

We finally did it. After months of planning and meticulously pouring over every possibly combination, we sat Israel and Cameron down to tell us their pop culture dream teams. Izzy's is an ODA and Cam's is a Ranger platoon (sort of) but the gang's all here and ready to fight whatever theoretical battle we can think up. Listen in and see how their teams stack up to your OWN dream team that you've wr...

Just in time for Veterans Day, our two very own veterans Cameron and Israel sit down with fellow veteran Mike Eckard to share a bevy of cool war stories and talk about their favorite veterans in pop culture. If we tried a little harder, we probably could have fit a few more "veterans" into that previous sentence. Lots to enjoy here from tales of being Special Forces in Vietnam, to everyone dishing...

Women in the military (and action movies/video games) is not only NOT controversial, but something to be celebrated. Think of all the badass women that populate our pop culture: Jill Valentine, Captain Janeway, and of course, Ellen Ripley of the Alien franchise. Cameron and Israel bring on a special guest, retired Marine Jennifer Brofer, to discuss all things we love about fierce women in movies,...

BOO! Did we get you? Well, don't worry... we will. Israel and Cameron bring new meaning to the phrase "the amount of bodies that get stacked, something's gotta come back" as they bring to you the most creepy military ghost stories from around the U.S. Armed Forces: the terrifying events at OP Rock, haunted tunnels in Vietnam and even a chilling first hand account from Cameron's time at Ft. Benning...

Just in time for Halloween, a bonus chapter discussing The Thing. Israel breaks down why he loves the movie and Cameron interrupts him to tell him why he loves the movie. They go back and forth. It's a whole thing. Very entertaining. Support the show Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pop-culture-field-manual--5956105/support .

Assemble your team: you need the quiet person, the technology person and the person that makes ill timed jokes. We're talking HEISTS, baby! In this episode Cameron and Israel run through some of their favorite heist movies including Heat, Die Hard and Point Break. They even do you the huge favor of rating the heists, so please send us your handwritten thank you letters. The only thing they're inte...

Tear jerkers aren't just sappy, poorly written Lifetime movies. Action/military movies can be as sad (and cathartic) an experience as anything you'll find. Cameron and Israel fight back the tears as they talk about some of their favorite sad moments in pop culture. Grab something to wipe away those tears: a Kleenex, an old sock or even your favorite issue of Guns and Ammo.  They finish off the epi...

Another delightful Bonus Chapter of the Pop Culture Field Manual coming at you. Cameron is discussing his experience with MilSim West (http://milsimwest.com) and what he thinks about that whole world in general. Israel chimes in a few times, but let's be real: this episode is all about Cam. Support the show Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pop-culture-field-manu...

Some people are the WORST. But imagine that person being in your platoon or in command of you; EVEN WORSE. Israel and Cameron explore all the soldiers from movies and video games that make you say "Don't be that guy."  The episode rounds off with a "Game of Chicken." IT could also be called "Name that coward," but we didn't name it that and you're going to have to live with that. Unlike the people...

Our two favorite veterans talk about some of their favorite veteran characters populating the pop culture landscape. Walter Sobchak? Check! Walt Kowalski? Right here, buddy! We promise, we talk about veterans not named "Walt." They round off the episode with a game of Israel's invention called "Dance Move or Finisher." Cameron's dance move knowledge is put to the test. Also his Mortal Kombat 11 kn...

This is a new segment we're trying out: Bonus Chapters. A little extra content for all the PCFM fans out there. Cameron or Israel (or sometimes both!) will take this time to talk in depth about why they love certain bits of pop culture. Whether it's a game, a movie or even a particular character. This Bonus Chapter, to no one's surprise, is dedicated to Israel's love of the movie Aliens.  Enjoy! S...

When a monster attacks, who are you going to call? Probably not the fire department. Certainly not the Ghostbusters, because they're fictional. There's only one choice left...the military! Israel and Cam take a deep dive into the military fighting all types of baddies, whether they be werewolves, beings from another dimension or just plain old Godzilla. Nine times out of ten, the military is more...

Cam and Iz take some time out from their busy schedule of being badasses to answer some of your most pressing questions. Do soldiers talk politics? What fictional fighting force would they like to join? What's the skinny on gunshot wounds?!? All these and more get the PCFM treatment.  They round out the episode with the soon-to-be-fan-favorite game "What number am I thinking of?" It's not what you...

Weapons are cool. Cam and Iz know it. You know it. A well built weapon can be the difference between life and death. But what happens when you don’t have that perfectly crafted marvel of modern engineering handy? Why, just grab a bat with some nails in it and voila! You’re a killing machine. Today’s episode is dedicated to all the makeshift weapons out there that we love. Whether it's a katana str...

Stereotypes; we all use them. But there are some especially fun ones about military personnel that Cam and Iz have been dying to talk about. Whether you're looking to get a sweet Dodge Charger at 15% APR right out of basic or trying to navigate grunt fashion, or if you're just trying to avoid being a "dirty bird," these guys have all the advice you need.  They round it out with a game of "5 Clues"...

Winning isn't everything. In fact, sometimes being on the losing side is more memorable. Israel and Cameron delve into their favorite last stands in pop culture. The discussion ranges from the Battle of Scarif to Platoon and the always required mentions of Aliens and Lord of the Rings. Oddly enough, the Alamo is never talked about. Weird. They finish with a game of "One Liner Bonanza." Can they ma...

Frenemies? Who needs that?! Give Israel and Cameron a good old fashioned, evil bad guy any day. Someone that is truly terrible, but you still find yourself rooting for them (just a little bit). They cover a lot of ground here; everyone from the Balrog to Alma from F.E.A.R. We hope you're listening on a long car trip (you know you only listen to this in your car) because once you start this episode...

Death from above...and every other direction! Cameron and Israel talk about the greatest (most memorable, most gruesome and even the saddest) movie and video game deaths they can think of. Gonna shed a lot of tears on this one, whether they're tears of sadness or laughter, so get your tissues ready, folks. They wrap it up with a fun game of "Death by One Liner" with all Arnold quotes. Spoilers: Iz...

Our two intrepid hosts don their finest space suits to explore war in space. Why are there explosions in space? Which battles will be remembered for all time? No, not that one. Not that one either. Look, it's not really a guessing game. These are rhetorical questions they'll answer in the episode. Regardless, get ready to have your minds put in to warp drive as they cover pretty much everything. T...

Izzy and Cam take another crack at answering all the wacky questions they get sent from listeners. Best home military workouts? We got you. How would they use weapons from video games in real life situations? Right here, buddy. No question is too out there for these guys. Just don't ask about how they got that scar...it's still too soon.  They finish it up with another rousing game of "Military Mo...

Lucky Episode 13! Our best friends in the whole wide world, Iz and Cam, are talking about dynamic duos (or groups) in movies and video games that they ship. Are people still saying they ship things? Regardless, get your ear holes ready for a friendship fest and the reveal of who the greatest on-camera duo in the history of everything is.  They round this episode out with a game of "5 Clues" with C...

Cameron and Israel talk over goblets of ale of their favorite battles long fought and won. Helms Deep! The Battle of the Bastards! Avengers: Infinity War Final Battle Without a Specific Epic Name! All your favorites are here. Or all of their's, more precisely. Gather round the fire in the great hall and hear the stories of great warriors doing great things. Reign of Fire might be in there too... T...