Tracer Burnout

In this Quick Hit episode, we speak with Ms. Mallory Crabtree whose father, SFC Daniel Crabtree, was killed in Iraq when she was barely a year old. She tells us about some of the hardships she faced growing up without her dad, the things her family did to preserve his memory for her, the largest Star Wars collection in Ohio, and a little advice for other Gold Star children. Theme song by EduardByk...

"Radical trauma requires radical treatment." In this episode we talk with Navy fighter pilot and founder of the No Fallen Heroes foundation, Mr. Matthew "Whiz" Buckley. He tells us about growing up watching for Soviet bombers off the Jersey shore, the disaster-laden start to his Navy career, the sheer terror of a night landing on an aircraft carrier, and the challenges of atten...

In this Quick Hit, we welcome the Executive Director of the Hunter Seven Foundation, Mr. Tim Pachasa, into our virtual studio. We talk about the foundation's beginnings, it's namesake, their noble goal of early detection and treatment of cancer in GWOT veterans, and Tim's personal goal of having an all-in-one campus for all veteran needs. Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Su...

“Combat’s not all that fun sometimes.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran and Green Beret, Mr. Chuck Ritter. We discuss how $70k in credit card fraud landed him in the infantry, why you should always inspect your equipment, the importance of planning, why you should be selfish sometimes, his non-negotiable principles, the meaning of an old Greek word and missing mop buckets? In the Free F...

In this Quick Hit, we welcome Jenna Carlton aka The Millennial Veteran, into our virtual studio. We discuss her time in the US Navy, authoring The Veteran Workbook, the pros and cons of social media, and her efforts to bring women veterans back into the larger veteran community one cake pop at a time. Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Support the show https://tracerburnout.com/

“I had to prioritize my trauma.” In this episode, we speak with Air Force veteran Mrs. Jessica Guidone. We discuss how being a "hot mess" in ROTC leads to running a newspaper, advising senior officers as a young lieutenant, trying not to tip over small islands, handling trauma after tragedy, how a dad demanding a handshake can change your life… plus poetry and coloring books? In the Free...

In this Quick Hit, we welcome US Army Colonel Christina Fanitzi into our virtual studio. In observance of April being the Month of the Military Child, we discuss the challenges and triumphs of being a dual military family with a child with spina bifida. We also talk about some lessons learned along the way.  Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Support the show https://tracerburnout.com/

“You can lie to me, you even can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to the horses.” In this episode, we speak with Marine Corps veteran Mr. Michael Parker. We discuss the ludicrous amount of labor required to keep an Osprey flying, red flags and the poor choices that got him tossed in the brig, homelessness and mentorship in Hawaii, using horses to help veterans heal, and transforming unruly pups...

In this Quick Hit, we welcome back fan favorite, Josh Martin. Fresh off of his victories at the 2025 Invictus Games, Josh tells us about his start in adaptive sports, the Invictus Games experience, and where he's taking his talent next. Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Support the show https://tracerburnout.com/

“This is it? Okay then, now what?” It’s the final episode from our road trip and we’re in Charlottesville at the Aerial Resupply Coffee roastery. We speak with Army veteran and ARC owner, Mr. Mike Klemmer. We discuss being a broken-hearted college dropout, having a military specialty that gets phased out, driving through mine fields, building a Foward Operating Base from the ground up, and how to...

In this Quick Hit, we have the one and only Ben Owen in our virtual studio. We discuss how he’s “buying back the block“ in some of the worst areas of Memphis, how he’s combatting human trafficking, and much more. If you want to support his latest effort, please click the Kickstarter link below and make a pledge/donation. Please hurry, it expires soon! Kickstarter: http://kck.st/4ikvgFC https://wef...

Former Army Ranger Warren Cash is in our virtual studio to discuss Hurricane Helene’s aftermath in western North Carolina and how his small team is making a big difference helping those who need it most.  If you are interested in helping his team, email them at: prayersforappalachia@gmail.com or their Facebook page at Queen City Strength.   Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Support the sho...

"I had a hit-man tell me that I needed to find God." *This episode discusses the very serious topics of sex trafficking and exploitation of children. Our guest was a federal prosecutor with a focus on those heinous crimes. Please proceed with caution. All of the legal details are accurate to the best of Mr. Jones’ recollection.* In the first episode of our recent road trip, we're at...

On our first TB Quick Hit, we welcome fire captain Josh Grandinetti into our virtual studio. We discuss his passion, mental health through mindfulness, for the first responder and military communities. Please visit his website to find a series of great programs: https://www.foundationfortified.org/.  Theme song by EduardBykovets via Pixabay. Support the show https://tracerburnout.com/

Soon, we will be releasing shorter content every other week. These episodes will offset our traditional episodes where we discuss military service of the veteran. These “Quick Hit” episodes will have all kinds of guests on from academia, to athletes, to veterans, and beyond. These episodes will be audio format only on your favorite podcast channel.  Support the show https://tracerburnout.com/

“Sam, don’t be upset because you’re gonna marry that boy someday.”  In this special Valentine’s Day edition, we speak with co-authors of Zero Percent Chance, Jon and Samantha Turnbull. We discuss their love story starting at a church youth camp through West Point, across multiple deployments and the suicide bombing that killed Jon twice. Even two years of surgery and recovery at Walter Reed Nation...

“I’ve always wanted to do something that helped other people.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran Mr. Scot Storey. We discuss casualties during Operation Just Cause, the burdens of leadership, how perception shapes reality, running an Operations Center in the wake of 9-11, and how quickly an advanced degree can collect dust. In the Free Fire Area, we discuss mysteries we want answers to....

“It’s not my story. I’m a character in the book. It’s our story.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran and author Mr. Andrew Bragg. We discuss his two combat deployments in Afghanistan, making it into a James Dietz print, losing friends in combat, driving across the country to reconnect with those that survived, and a magical land full of unicorns, gumdrops, and rainbows. In the Free Fire A...

“The time you take to beat yourself up over doing something wrong is the time you could have taken to do it right.” In this episode, we speak with Air Force and Army veteran and now author Ms. Bevin Goldsmith. We discuss her rich family history of military service, how she should have gone from the Army to the Air Force (not vice versa), her experiences on a Female Engagement Team in Iraq, her wri...

Christmas time is here (sung in the tune of Peanuts). We reflect on The Christmas Truce of 1914, read General Patton’s 1944 Christmas address to the troops, discus various Christmas traditions that service members and their families might see while stationed overseas, and try some cuisine that you might find at Christmas dinner tables across the world, all the while tackling the greatest holiday i...

“I actually called her collect from Antarctica.” In this episode, we speak with Coast Guard veteran Mr. Chris Johnston. We discuss scientific exploration and discovery in Antarctica, searching for Santa Claus while avoiding polar bears, how the CG prepared him for 9-11 and Hurricane Helene rescue efforts, being on liberty in Australia, and how, under the right circumstances, the military really ca...

Our dulcet tones return to bring you our 2024 Thanksgiving Special. We run through a variety of holiday subjects, starting with a reading of President Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. We then discuss military holiday traditions, give a nod to some great non-profits, and denounce some of the most well known Thanksgiving meal staples. It’s a little bit of merriment to distract you during the...

“I worked too hard for this to quit.” In this episode, we speak with Army veteran Mr. Ladell Williams. We discuss how enlisting at 17 may have saved his life, his three tours in Vietnam, touring Western Europe, and how sometimes a unit is SO bad that you’ll volunteer to go back to ‘Nam to get away. In the Free Fire Area, we each choose one genre of music to listen to for eternity.  We need your su...

“I really didn’t expect to come back to my wife and kids.” In this episode, we speak with Airman Mr. Dan “Cookie” Cook. We discuss his rocky early years and struggles with mental health, how the Air Force was a perfect fit for him, the importance of faith in his life, and the time he took advice from a mustachioed man called “Mouse.” In the Free Fire Area, Dan has a pumpkin spice meltdown. Cookie’...

“I was with my people.” In this episode, we speak with Navy Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Theresa Carpenter. We discuss her time as an enlisted Aviation Electrician’s Mate, her rocky transition to becoming an officer, the inspiration for starting her SOS Podcast, and Soylent Green? In the Free Fire Area, we discuss family-friendly Halloween/spooky movies (Know what I mean, Vern?). Then we parse how...