Shows
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Being a DustOff MedEvac Crew Chief in VietnamWhat was it really like flying Dust Off medevac missions in Vietnam?In this powerful oral history, Kerry Cunningham, a DustOff medevac crew chief, shares what he experienced flying wounded soldiers out of combat zones during the Vietnam War, often under fire, often at night, and often with no margin for error.From being shot at during a “possible broken arm” call, to night hoist rescues in triple-canopy jungle, to the emotional toll of carrying the wounded and dying at just 19 years old, Kerry takes us inside the realities of Vietnam medevac missions.🎖️ Curious Humanogra...
2026-02-191h 55
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Being an Artillery Sergeant in VietnamWhat was it really like to be an artillery sergeant in Vietnam? In this powerful episode, Paul Henderson shares an unfiltered account of his service during the Vietnam War, from volunteering for the draft in 1968, to leading a 105mm howitzer crew in some of the most dangerous areas of the war. Paul walks us through life on remote firebases, artillery raids deep into hostile territory, incoming rocket and mortar attacks, and the night his life nearly ended in a devastating gun pit explosion.But this episode goes far beyond combat stories; Paul opens up about coming home to a...
2026-02-121h 35
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Flying Loaches in VietnamIn this episode, we sit down with Ben Thornal, a retired U.S. Army aviator who served in Vietnam flying OH-6 “Loach” helicopters during some of the war’s most intense operations, including Hamburger Hill.Ben takes us from the moment he received his draft notice, through flight school, combat reconnaissance missions, near-misses, loss, and the brotherhood that defined his service. He shares what it was really like flying low and slow over hostile terrain, calling in gunships, surviving being shot down, and witnessing extraordinary courage — including a Dustoff rescue that still stays with him decades later.But this conversa...
2026-02-041h 21
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Being an Armorer in VietnamIn this episode, Vietnam veteran and writer Brian Delate shares stories he’s carried for decades: from being drafted at 19, to flying into Vietnam on a commercial airline, to unexpectedly becoming the armorer for a helicopter company responsible for millions of dollars in weapons and equipment.Brian talks about what they don’t tell you about Vietnam: the heat and the smell when you step off the plane, the pressure of leadership at a young age, the loyalty forged between soldiers, and the psychological weight that lingers long after the war ends.He reflects on boot...
2026-01-102h 06
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About SOG Missions in VietnamStep inside a powerful conversation with Vietnam Veteran Jim McCauley, who served in Special Forces during the Vietnam War. From jungle reconnaissance missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to the harsh realities of combat, to surviving illness and loss, Jim shares experiences from the war that few people ever hear about, including:► His first time in combat,► Recon and hatchet force operations► Life inside SOG (Studies and Observations Group)► Montagnard soldiers and cross-border missions► The trauma and danger of “friendly fire"► The emotional toll of losing teammates► Coming home after Vietnam► His reflections on politics, purpose, and what the war m...
2025-12-231h 57
Curious HumanographyI Was a Machine Gunner in VietnamIn this episode, we sit down with Marv Hamilton, a Vietnam veteran whose story bridges courage, loss, grit, and a lifetime of perspective. From enlisting as a young man to carrying the weight of a machine gun in the thick of the Vietnam jungle, Marv shares what life was really like: the friendships, fear, humor, and moments that stay with you forever.He opens up about:What boot camp didn’t prepare him forWhat it feels like to step into combat for the first timeThe role of a machine gunner in VietnamThe emotional aftermath of warThe resilience and gr...
2025-12-111h 59
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Flying Fighter Jets Over RhodesiaFormer fighter pilot Steve Murray joins us for one of the most captivating aviation conversations we’ve ever had. From pushing a Mirage to Mach 2, to navigating fuel warnings at 40,000 ft, to his first real combat strike over Mozambique — Steve shares the stories most people never hear about what it actually feels like to fly in war.We dive into:* How he was rejected from pilot training three times* What it’s really like to dogfight at supersonic speeds* The unspoken “code” between fighter pilots* Life in the air squadron during the Rhodesian conflict* His transition from military j...
2025-11-262h 03
Curious HumanographyVietnam War: US Marine Tells All About Being Hit in the ’68 Tet OffensiveIn this episode of Curious Humanography, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran Richard Lemmons, who served two tours during the Vietnam War, including surviving a mortar blast during the Tet Offensive. Richard shares his journey from growing up in Utah, enlisting after his father’s passing, enduring boot camp, serving as a Fire Direction Control Marine, experiencing Operation Starlite, life at Chu Lai and Phu Loc, being wounded in 1968, and the long-term impacts of PTSD and recovery.
2025-11-241h 29
Curious HumanographyHow I Became a Green Beret During VietnamJoin us as we sit down with Vietnam-era Green Beret Rawland, who shares unforgettable stories from his first parachute jump, to Special Forces training, to working with fighter jets in Vietnam and beyond. His life is a powerful reminder of courage, humor, and service to country.
2025-11-242h 02
Curious HumanographyWhat I Saw as an Army Combat Photographer in Vietnam with the 1st Air CavalryIn this episode, we sit down with Ken McConnell, a Vietnam War veteran who shares his journey from growing up in California and working in radio, to being drafted in 1964 and serving as a combat photographer with the U.S. Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division. Ken’s story is one of courage, luck, humor, and perspective. He opens up about the chaos of the war, close calls in combat, life on base, and the emotional return home. He also reflects on what the experience taught him about life, loss, and gratitude.
2025-11-241h 12
Curious HumanographyI Flew Two Combat Tours in the F-104 Starfighter Over VietnamIn this episode, Harold Alston shares his extraordinary journey from Salt Lake City to the skies of Vietnam, flying some of the fastest jets ever built. From dodging SAM missiles and dropping napalm at 100 feet to flying Mach 2 in an F-104 “missile with a man in it,” Harold’s story captures the thrill, danger, and humanity of a true fighter pilot. He reflects on 36 years in the Air Force, 156 combat missions, the loss of friends in the air, and what it meant to come home. This is the raw truth about flying fighters in Vietnam.
2025-11-241h 32
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don't Tell You About Vietnam Until You're ThereIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Vietnam veteran Ed, who enlisted in the Marines in 1965 with a mission to “save the people of South Vietnam from the communists.” What followed was a journey that changed his life forever.Ed shares vivid stories from his time in Vietnam: life on the fire base, surviving a midnight attack, and the inner conflict between his faith and the realities of war. He opens up about his battle with PTSD, his path to healing through service at the VA, and the meaning he’s found in helping fellow veterans.
2025-11-241h 11
Curious HumanographyWhat They Didn’t Tell Me About Driving Convoy Missions Through Iraq at 38Craig Flores shares his powerful story of leaving behind life in Guam, joining the military later in life, and becoming one of the oldest recruits at boot camp. From the challenges of basic training to deployment in Iraq, Craig's journey is a raw and inspiring look at service, resilience, and brotherhood.
2025-11-241h 24
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Fixing Tanks in War – An Army Mechanic’s TruthFrom wrenching on cars in small-town South Texas to fixing tanks in war zones, David Garza’s life is a story of grit, knowledge, and survival.In this episode, we sit down with David to unpack his journey from a young mechanic to an Army turret technician, National Guard instructor, and Iraq convoy driver who built his own armor and kept driving after an IED blast.David's humor, wisdom, and “keep it simple” philosophy remind us that applied knowledge is power, and sometimes the strongest armor is your mindset.
2025-11-241h 29
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don’t Tell You About Re-Enlisting: From Iraq to Syria Why He Went BACK to WarIn this episode, we sit down with veteran Colin Noble to hear his incredible story of resilience, service, and transformation. We follow his path through basic training at Fort Knox, deployment to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and his firsthand experiences in pivotal moments like the Thunder Run into Baghdad. From re-enlisting after 9/11 to serving in multiple deployments, becoming a tank and weapons repair specialist, and eventually transitioning into retirement, Colin reflects on what he learned about leadership, sacrifice, and life after service.
2025-11-211h 13
Curious HumanographyNavy Pilot Reveals Insane Truth of Flying Jets Off Carriers in VietnamIn this episode, retired Navy pilot Fred Lewis shares his incredible journey from learning to fly a Cessna at BYU to launching jets off aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era. Fred takes us inside the high-pressure world of naval aviation—night landings on carriers, hair-raising near misses, aerial refueling, and dogfighting drills.Beyond the cockpit, Fred reflects on the camaraderie of his squadron, the sacrifice of fellow service members, and the lessons he carried into family life and beyond. From his first solo flight to serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, his stories reveal the grit, danger, and humor of...
2025-11-212h 19
Curious HumanographySgt Tells All - What You’ve Never Heard About IraqIn this episode, we sit down with Carl Parkhurst to hear his journey from Sarasota, Florida, to more than two decades in the U.S. Army. Carl opens up about growing up with a father who carried the scars of Vietnam, the unlikely way he found himself enlisting, and the transformation that took him from a 330-pound teenager to an artillery mechanic.With humor, honesty, and grit, Carl recounts everything from the chaos of basic training and life overseas to the sobering realities of combat and the challenges of transitioning home. He shares candid stories of family, brotherhood, sacrifice...
2025-11-212h 26
Curious HumanographyI Fought on the Mekong River - Navy Veteran Remembers VietnamIn this episode, we sit down with Don DeVoe, a Vietnam veteran with an unforgettable story. From childhood to his decision to join the Navy Reserve, Don takes us on a journey through the unexpected twists that carried him into the heart of the Vietnam War. With vivid recollections of boot camp, life at sea, combat, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood, he paints a raw and powerful picture of service and sacrifice. Don also opens up about the challenges of returning home and finding his place again, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the...
2025-11-211h 43
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don't Tell You About Desert StormFrom a young boy with big dreams to a soldier on the frontlines of the Gulf War, Jamie Willis’s journey is one of courage, sacrifice, and survival. In this episode, Jamie relives the realities of combat in Iraq: the fear, camaraderie, and moments that left lasting scars. With raw honesty, he shares the battles that continued long after he came home: the weight of PTSD, the strain on his family, and the search for peace beyond the battlefield. This is more than a story of war, but a testament to resilience, brotherhood, and the fight to reclaim life af...
2025-11-212h 21
Curious HumanographyWhat They Don't Tell You About War - The Truth About AfghanistanWarrior. Survivor. Grunt by Choice.Ronny Bruce first joined the Marines hoping to serve on the front lines, but found himself stuck in a quiet role. Years later, at 32, he made a bold choice: re-enlist as an Army infantryman, this time determined to see real combat. What followed was a journey through the heart of war that would change him forever.In this raw and unfiltered episode, Afghanistan veteran Ronny Bruce opens up about the brutal realities of combat. The chaos. The brotherhood. The impossible choices. And the invisible wounds that linger long after the last bullet is fired...
2025-11-213h 22
Curious HumanographyReal Cop Tells All: SWAT, Murders & MayhemWhat does it really take to survive 26 years on the frontlines of American law enforcement?In this gripping full-length interview, retired San Jose Police Officer Alan pulls no punches as he shares the unfiltered truth about life behind the badge. From his early days patrolling the streets in the dead of night, to leading high-stakes SWAT operations and solving violent homicides, Alan opens up about the brotherhood, the brutality, the bureaucracy — and the price that comes with wearing the uniform.This is not your average cop story. Alan lived through the golden age of gritty, proactive policing. His stories ar...
2025-11-212h 32
Curious Humanography1,100 Flights Into Hell — Memories of a Vietnam Med Evac PilotMake no mistake: Jerry was a Top Gun.As a med evac helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Jerry flew over 1,100 life-or-death missions in just one year. Under fire. Into chaos. Without hesitation. He didn’t drop bombs, he rescued the wounded. When others said it was too dangerous, Jerry said, “I’ll go.”In this unforgettable conversation, Jerry shares his story, from volunteering to fly Dustoff missions, to being shot at, shot, and still returning to save lives.This is the real story of Vietnam’s Dustoff elite. This is Curious Humanography.
2025-11-211h 34
Curious HumanographyThe Realities of War - One Soldier's Journey Surviving Afghanistan, Iraq, & BosniaIn this episode, we hear from veteran Tom Bercher as he recounts his time in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia as a PSYOP Solider. From the challenges of navigating treacherous terrain to the emotional toll of combat, this episode offers a raw and honest look at the realities of war. Join us as we explore bravery, brotherhood, and the ongoing struggle with PTSD.
2025-11-212h 25
Curious HumanographyWhat I Saw in Hell - Memories of a Vietnam VeteranIn this episode, we hear the extraordinary story of John Hastings, a Vietnam veteran who shares his experiences from war. John recounts tales of bravery, loss, and the deep bonds formed with fellow soldiers amidst the chaos of combat. He reflects on his life after Vietnam, the struggles with PTSD, and the unexpected blessings that followed. Join us for a heartfelt journey exploring courage, patriotism, and the enduring impact of war on a soldier's life.
2025-11-201h 15