The Dirt Wasp Podcast

Send a text We are in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 U.S. national elections.  Ballots are still being counted as of 5 Nov, and some people are having anxiety attacks over the outcome.  Don't let external circumstances control your emotions!  Take a step back, a deep breath, and take back the power to control your own emotions!  As Shakespeare wrote, "There is nothing either good or...

Send a text The Colonel lets us know where he's been and then rants about social media, the election, and rants some more about (anti) social media!  The Colonel mentions the Golden Rule and introduces the "Silver Rule" for online engagement.  Listen to what the Colonel has to say! The Golden Rule: Treat other people as you would want to be treated. The Silver Rule: Do not say somet...

Send a text The Colonel is working on a big project right now, so we are continuing our Focus on Valor Series this week with our colleague LtCol Jay Seffern.  This episode tells us about World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacher.   Let us know what you think about this series!

Send a text The Colonel is working on a big project right now, so we are continuing our Focus on Valor Series with our colleague LtCol Jay Seffern.  In this episode we learn about World War II Air Force leader Jimmy Doolittle.  Let us know what you think about this series!

Send a text The Colonel is working on a big project right now, so we are continuing our Focus on Valor Series this week with our colleague LtCol Jay Seffern.  This episode tells us about Korean War hero Ted Reuben.  Let us know what you think about this series!

Send a text The Dirt Wasp Podcast "Focus on Valor Series" describes American heroism in grave times of war.  Narrated by our colleague, LtCol Jay Seffern, Episode #1 features Daniel Inouye, a young soldier from Hawaii who's World War II heroism earned him the Medal of Honor.  He later became a United States Senator. Email us at: TheColonel@TheDirtWaspPodcast.com Follow us on Twitter...

Send a text The Dirt Wasp Podcast "Focus on Valor Series" describes American heroism in grave times of war.  Narrated by our colleague, LtCol Jay Seffern, Episode #2 features Russell E. Dunham, who's heroism earned him the Medal of Honor in World War II.

Send a text The Dirt Wasp Podcast "Focus on Valor Series" describes American heroism in grave times of war.  Narrated by our colleague, LtCol Jay Seffern, Episode #3 features Edwin "Butch" O'Hare, a Navy fighter pilot who's heroism earned him the first U.S. Navy Medal of Honor awarded in World War II.  Chicago's O'Hare Airport is named for him. 

Send a text Are you looking for a hobby?  Or looking for a new hobby?  How can having a hobby help you?  Our guest is jet pilot and plastic modeler Mike Lepek.  Mike has won many local, state and regional modeling championships, and is a judge for the International Plastic Modelers Society.  Using his model building experience as the catalyst to the conversation, Mike tells us about the importance...

Send a text Actor and musician Vic Mignogna joins us on this episode of the podcast!  Vic is best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the internet distributed television show "Star Trek Continues," and for his voice acting work as Edward Elric in the "Fullmetal Alchemist" series, for which he won the 2007 American Anime Association Best Actor Award!  He is also known for...

Send a text This week's episode is quite the departure from our usual format.  The Colonel had an email exchange this week with a listener who we shall call, "Bob."  Bob wanted the Colonel's advice on his marriage because Bob is attracted to a co-worker of his, and is considering leaving his wife.  Tune in to hear what the Colonel has to say about that!   The Colonel is married...

Send a text In this episode we discuss how to determine which of the eight (8) branches of the U.S. military is right for you.  We discuss the mission of each branch, how to deal with recruiters, how to visit recruiting stations to collect information, and how to make an informed decision about which branch of service is the best fit for you.  The Colonel has 39 years of regular, reserve, and Guar...

Send a text Sensei Christopher Hein joins us to discuss Aikido, its pros and cons, why and how it is useful, when it is not, and its philosophy and study.  Chris is the owner and chief instructor of Aikido Fresno. Chris also has a background in several other martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. Aikido has been a much maligned martial art in the MMA era.  Does it dese...

Send a text Writer Patricia McFerren, author of the Guy LeBlanc Mystery Series, joins us in this episode!  Pat, a book author, screenwriter, Yoga and Pilates instructor, personal trainer, and certified equine masseuse (yep, there is such a thing!) talks with us about her journey to become a mystery writer and how you, too can become a writer.  Pat offers advice to aspiring writers and to those who...

Send a text There are many, many martial systems around the world! In this episode, we explore Historical European Martial Arts, or HEMA for short. Our guest is Nathan Grepares, Chief Instructor at Sword to Sword HEMA Longsword School in Houston, Texas. Nathan specializes in the Longsword, and trains with a variety of other weapons. Nathan also tells us about how wrestling is utilized in sword fig...

Send a text In this episode we talk with Youtube personality and 2nd Amendment advocate Johnny B about firearms, freedom, and protecting our rights under the Constitution!  Johnny B talks about what being a member of the Youtube gun community (Guntubers) is like, his Second Amendment advocacy work, our freedom as Americans, and how anyone can - and should be - involved in protecting our freedom. N...

Send a text We're talking geek gold in this episode!  Join sci-fi fans and Star Trek geeks Mike Lepek (the Gunny) and Todd (The Colonel) to talk about the sci-fi genre, attending Star Trek (and in one case, Star Wars) conventions, a comic con or two, and the Time Travelers!  This episode is light hearted fun.  Please join us! Twitter @DirtWaspPodcast www. TheDirtWaspPodcast.com Email me at: T...

Send a text Sensei Ando Mierzwa of Happy Life Martial Arts joins us to discuss how "even a little martial arts makes life a whole lot better!"  Sensei Ando's approach to martial arts is philosophical without being esoteric, and our discussion certainly changed how I think about the martial arts!  Sensei Ando believes that the martial arts "style" is not as important as wha...

Send a text Our guest is Police Chief Billy Cordell, chief of the Burleson, Texas Police Department who talks with us about a career in the police service.  Chief Cordell joined the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) in 1985 as a patrol officer and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. Chief Cordell was hired away from the FWPD by the City of Burleson, a suburb of Fort Worth, to be its chief of depar...

Send a text This is the story of The Dirt Wasp Podcast, the origins of its name and logo.  TDWP is a new podcast in the universe of podcasts, debuting in July 2020.  We wanted to let our listeners know about our story, and ask you all to be plank owners of The Dirt Wasp Brigade!  Find us at www. TheDirtWaspPodcast.com and on Twitter @DirtWaspPodcast.  Email your host directly at TheColonel@TheDirt...

Send a text Our guest is Fire Chief Ken Freeman, chief of the Burleson, Texas Fire Department who talks with us about a career in the fire service.  Chief Freeman joined the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) in 1977 as a Firefighter Private (that's right, a private!) and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. Chief Freeman was hired away from the FWFD by the City of Burleson, a suburb of Fort Wort...

Send a text The practice of Martial Arts can help you in mind, body and spirit.  It can also come in handy if things go bad and call upon you to defend yourself.  Our guest is Tom Morgan, a Judoka (Judo practitioner), Karateka (Karate practitioner) and former competitive boxer who spent nearly 40 years in law enforcement on the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.  Tom will discuss which...

Send a text Our Guest, Patrick McGaha, is a husband, father, and grandfather. He fought in the Persian Gulf War (Desert Shield/Storm) with the 14th Marine Regiment, and survived a violent ambush while on a nighttime surveillance as a federal narcotics officer.  He also lost one of his children, a daughter, to a long-term illness.  A now-retired federal agent, Patrick discusses philosophy and how t...

Send a text Have you thought about or been thinking about a career in public service?  How about a military career?  Our guest Gunnery Sergeant Michael A. Lepek, USMC (Ret.) discusses the pros and cons of a choosing a military career.  Gunny Lepek served 20 years in Marine Corps aviation and he describes what led him to the Marine Corps, why he chose it as a career, and what an enlisted military c...

Send a text It's June 2020 and the United States is experiencing dramatic civil unrest as well as a global coronavirus pandemic, with mandatory mitigation that many call "quarantine."  Will the Republic continue to stand? Guest David DeVoll discusses current events and where we go from here.  Will an American Robespierre rise?