Choices Not Chances Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Choices Not Chances Episode 60-Marc Arrington (MSgt. USMC Ret.) Pillars of Stoicism & Stoics Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

From the merchant Zeno of Citium to Marcus Aurelius, we chat about the pillars of stoicism and explore the eudaimonic nature of stoic philosophy. Marc Arrington is a returning guest to the show. He was featured in episode 47 and returned to discuss China and Taiwan in episode 55. Marc is a retired Marine Raider, heavily affiliated with the Raider Foundation and several other non-profit organizations in Eastern North Carolina, greater Camp Lejeune area.

Choices Not Chances Special Edition-Chase McGrorty-Hunter(GySgt. USMC) Flashpoint Taiwan Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Chase McGrorty-Hunter joins the show to talk about Flashpoint Taiwan. Chase is an active duty Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and has been someone that I started to follow on social media some time ago. In the past few years a cluster of active duty enlisted Marines as well as Officers have taken to the social media scene to enhance the warfighter. As I followed I learned, and every conversation we have had, I have learned as well. Gunny McGrorty-Hunter takes us through the structure of Flashpoint Taiwan, a war game of the largest kind. He speaks to articles written, Q&A sessions, and the culmination of the games in December. If you are an active duty Marine you do not want to miss this information.

Choices Not Chances Episode 59-Stewart Blackwell (Sgt. USMC) Author Of Savages Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

For an infantry Marine, you "march or die". When Marines do get to march on the enemy it is an unforgettable, life-altering experience. Re-entry to friendly lines is winning the day. "The fight raged for hours, and for hours we raged back. We flew in from the sky for the opening of our attack. Three days they stood and fought us hard before they were overcome.We dropped them in the killing fields between the poppy runs. Such a pretty battlefield, I never would have dreamed, the beauty of a poppy field in Marjah in the spring.

Choices Not Chances Episode 58-Yonel "Yogi" Dorelis (Maj. USAF Ret.) Operation Anaconda Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Yonel Dorelis AKA Yogi joins us for this episode to talk about his distinguished career flying for multiple different branches of the U.S. military. We talk about his youth and his service, culminating in his actions during operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. He is a true American Patriot with an amazing story!

Choices Not Chances Episode 57-Dean Wegner(Capt. US Army)West Point Huey Pilot Entrepreneur Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Dean Wegner joined the podcast to talk about his life and his apparel company. He graduated from West Point and joined the Army. He flew choppers and achieved the rank of Captain before exciting the ranks to pursue other ventures. I was recommended to Deans apparel company "Authentically American" by Jeffery Sabins and instantly started an order. Matt and I were looking for an American made company to support and after one chat with Dean we found just that. Patriotism runs deep in the Wegner bloodline, and this episode was a blast to record.

Choices Not Chances Episode 56-Larry Briar (1st Sgt. USMC Ret.) Kabul to Fallujah Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Retired First Sergeant Larry Briar joins the show and discusses his experiences. We talk about combat, loss, and transition. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Choices Not Chances Episode 55-Marc Arrington (MSgt. USMC Ret.) China VS. Taiwan Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

This week we have a returning guest Marc Arrington on the show to talk about a topic that has been in the news a lot over the past few years. I wanted to know more about why China would want Taiwan or feel entitled to take it. I Knew from the last recording that Marc wrote his thesis on this very topic, so I invited him back to discuss it. While in graduate school, he wrote an honors thesis focusing on the intellectual history of influential Chinese leaders with a heavy emphasis on the interpretation of the Chinese grand strategies of Clausewitz’s writings (or vice versa). I learned a lot and really enjoyed this recording. Let us know your thoughts on the current situation in the comments below, and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe to be alert when new content is released.

Choices Not Chances Episode 54-Ash Hess(SFC US ARMY RET.) Afghanistan Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

This week we sit down with a former soldier who has very much remained in the shooting community and influencing online. Ash Hess spent his service time in the Army and has been shooting ever since. I started following Ash on Instagram a while back. He works with Knights Armament and shoots professionally. I was very interested in sitting down and talking about some of the new pistol brace legislation and doing a deep dive into how we got to this point. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Choices Not Chances Episode 53-Kyle Mihalecz(Ssgt USMC) Marjah, Afghanistan and Scout Sniper Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

In my first book, “Lions of Marjah”, I talk about several situations that took place in the country. Specifically, I wrote about a day when we were in a pretty good gunfight. There were fighters squirting out of the forward edge of the battle area and this was observed by my squad and the remaining Marine co-located at the same Patrol Base. During the Fight, an enemy mortarman squirted out of the battle and headed east away from the fight on a motorbike. He had his mortar system in tow. Instantly our 60mm mortar team, headed by Kyle Mihalecz, went into action. They prepared the rounds for airburst, calculated the flight time, and used another one of our weapons guys inside the courtyard as an aiming stake. They let the round fly and gave us a 3-second countdown to the splash. Like clockwork, the round splashed, and the enemy fighter disappeared in the mortar impact. It was a direct hit and the surgical accuracy of the shot meant we didn’t need to conduct a battle damage assessment BDA. Kyle later became a Scout Sniper and deployed again. In this conversation, we cover his life, career, and subsequent initiatives. Please enjoy this episode.

Choices Not Chances Special Edition-Johnny "MF" Glenn(CWO3 US Army Ret.) The JMFG Podcast Release Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Several years ago, I was introduced to a living legend. Johnny Glenn (JMFG) as I came to know him, is one of the most real people on the planet. Johnny is an All-American Bad Ass. Johnny and I hit it off immediately over our passion for storytelling, pranks, and all things combat. But there is more to Johnny than storytelling and pranks. Johnny is a true friend to those close to him and an excellent mentor to those around him. Johnny encapsulates true grit, and steadfast devotion to bringing out the GOOD in all things. Johnny is one of my best friends, and he is launching his own podcast on July 4th, 2023. I am already a big-time fanboy and want all of you to give his show a listen. Johnny has a unique way of driving conversation, and the guests are sure to be top-notch. This episode is to give you a dose of what is to come with the JMFG Podcast. Please enjoy!

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