Shows
Finding New WatersFinding Joy in Sobriety: Dylan Starrs on Purpose, Relapse, and Building a Life That LastsIn this deeply personal episode of Finding New Waters, we sit down with Dylan Starrs, Program Director at Mountain House Recovery in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dylan walks us through his rollercoaster journey—from chasing rock stardom and working at Bel-Air Country Club to disappearing into addiction, crashing in motels, and ultimately finding recovery that stuck.He shares how he stopped “auditing” recovery and finally put real sweat equity into his sobriety—through mentorship, structure, and showing up every day for his community. Dylan also reflects on music, golf, grief, purpose, and what it really means to stay co...2025-05-2139 min
STARRS PodcastFreedom's Last Stand: Understanding Marxist Strategies in AmericaAlexander Markovsky, a Soviet immigrant who grew up as the son of a high-ranking Communist Party member, brings his rare and valuable perspective to this episode of STARRS & Stripes podcast hosted by retired Navy Commander Al Palmer. Markovsky offers listeners an insider's view of Marxist ideology and its modern manifestation in American institutions.Drawing from his degrees in economics and political science from the University of Marxism and Leninism, Markovsky unpacks the fundamental nature of socialism as an "artificial social order" that requires enforcement to exist—making it inherently incompatible with freedom. His most startling revelation comes wh...2025-05-1658 min
STARRS PodcastThe Military's Leftwing Ideological Resistance: Fighting Back Against the Military Reforms of the President and SecDefSTARRS held its quarterly Town Hall meeting on 9 April 2025 with special guest speakers Sam Shoemate, a retired Army intelligence analyst, and Chase Spears, a retired Army Public Affairs Officer.-A chilling revelation unfolds as military whistleblowers expose the coordinated resistance against presidential executive orders to dismantle DEI programs within the Department of Defense. Former Army intelligence officer Sam Shumate and former Army public affairs officer Dr. Chase Spears share firsthand accounts of "malicious compliance" and deliberate subversion from within military ranks.We discover how senior officers openly mock the chain of command...2025-04-101h 34
STARRS PodcastReviving Warfighter Culture by Removing Divisive DEI - With BGen. Chris Petty, USA retIn this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, interviews retired Brigadier General Christopher Petty who draws from his distinguished 31-year Army career as a West Point graduate, combat helicopter pilot, and battalion commander in Iraq to discuss how CRT/DEI ideology has affected military readiness and what must be done to restore a warfighting focus.Among the topics he discusses: West Point graduate who chose aviation after seeing helicopter pilots during Ranger SchoolDiscusses how DEI policies introduced under Obama's 2011 Executive Order have undermined military unit cohesionExplains how prioritizing demographic quotas has resulted i...2025-04-0857 min
STARRS PodcastUS NAVY IN EXTREMIS! Facing China's Growing Maritime Threat with Capt. Brent Ramsey, USN ret.America faces a maritime crisis that few citizens recognize but that threatens our national security at its core. In this eye-opening conversation, Captain Brent Ramsey, a 40-year Navy veteran and defense writer, provides urgent insights into America's diminishing naval capabilities against China's rapidly expanding fleet and strategic ambitions.America's status as a maritime nation with 90% of global commerce traveling by seaUS Navy has shrunk from 600+ ships during the Reagan era to just 295 ships today China's naval force now numbers 400 combat vessels plus 180 armed Coast Guard shipsAmerica's shipbuilding capacity is 1/20th of China's current production capabilityChinese technology theft costs...2025-04-0155 min
STARRS PodcastThe Constitution Comes First: How Our Military Legal System Lost Its Way - Judge Bruce Tucker SmithOn this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host Al Palmer talks with Judge Bruce Tucker Smith, a 21-year veteran JAG officer and former administrative law judge, who reveals how military legal services were compromised by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that prioritized ideology over combat readiness and the Constitution. Topics they discuss:• Most JAG officers (70%) enter service directly from law schools that promote leftist ideologies• Military lawyers failed their duty by allowing illegal racial quota systems to be implemented• The infamous August 2022 memorandum from Air Force leadership violated anti-discrimination laws• Military attorneys must remember their cl...2025-03-251h 02
STARRS PodcastFrom Flying F-4s to Fighting DEI: A Veteran's Journey to Restore Military ValuesSTARRS & Stripes podcast host Al Palmer and guest Ron Olds, two veteran F-4 Phantom pilots during the Vietnam War, discuss how political ideologies infiltrated military academies and threatened the warrior ethos that once defined service to country, and how the STARRS organization is fighting to restore military readiness as the primary focus. Ron Olds is a 1969 graduate of the US Air Force Academy.Ron Olds shares his journey from a small farming town to the Air Force Academy and combat missions in VietnamHow a Black Lives Matter video at the Air Force Academy sparked concern about...2025-03-1758 min
STARRS PodcastJourney to Chief: Rod McKinley on Military Service, Standards, Families and Leadership ValuesSTARRS & Stripes host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, interviews STARRS Board of Directors member Rodney McKinley, who served as the 15th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. McKinley shares his journey on how a childhood visit to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB ignited a spark that led to a lifelong commitment to service from enlisted airman to the highest-ranking enlisted person in the Air Force. The discussion centers on military heritage, the importance of Junior ROTC programs, accountability in leadership, and the ongoing need for public awareness of military culture and values.• Insights on th...2025-02-121h 20
STARRS PodcastCognitive Diversity and Constitutional Values in Today's Military: A Conversation with Navy Veterans from the Calvert Task GroupSTARRS & Stripes host Commander Al Palmer, USN ret, leads a thought-provoking discussion that challenges current narrative views on military diversity and readiness, featuring key insights from three retired Navy veterans LCDR Bruce Davey (a Blue Angel), Capt. Guy Higgins, and Capt. Brent Ramsey. All are members of the Calvert Task Group, an organization concerned with restoring the US Naval Academy, Navy and Marines.Is the U.S. military's core mission being overshadowed by societal and political influences? Our guests address this pressing question, offering a critique of the current landscape shaped by diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts...2024-11-221h 20
STARRS PodcastA Conversation with USAF Brigadier General Christopher "Mookie" WalkerIn this episode of STARRS & Stripes, host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, talks with retired Air Force Brigadier General Christopher S. Walker, call sign "Mookie" (USAFA '88). Gen. Walker grew up in Jamaica, Queens in New York City and describes how his journey of wanting to be a pilot led him to the US Air Force Academy and a career in the Air Force.Palmer and Walker have a great, wide-ranging discussion on many topics: military service breaks down stereotypeswhy it's NOT necessary to have 'leaders who look like you' how DEI disappears in combat when on...2024-11-141h 05
STARRS PodcastLeft-Wing Brainwashing in the Military and Academia with Dr. Stanley Ridgley and Dr. Ron ScottThis important episode of STARRS & Stripes looks at the radical and dangerous left-wing ideological influences and indoctrination reshaping both the military and academic world and those in it. Host Al Palmer interviews Dr. Stanley Ridgley, a professor, former military intelligence officer and author of, "Brutal Minds: The Dark World of Left-Wing Brainwashing in Our Universities". Joining the interview to discuss these issues is STARRS President Col. Ron Scott, PhD, USAF ret. It's important to recognize and expose the left-wing indoctrination techniques used against service members and students so that its effects are neutralized. Brutal Minds: The Dark W...2024-10-311h 33
STARRS PodcastMike Rose: Fighting for Justice and Integrity in the Military and Service AcademiesIn this episode of STARRS & Stripes, prepare to engage with a riveting conversation on the intricate landscape of justice and military integrity with our esteemed guest, Michael T. Rose. His journey from rural Kentucky to a distinguished career as an attorney, state senator, and now Executive Vice President of STARRS reveals a passion for upholding the American values of justice, ethics and integrity.Mike shares his experiences at the Air Force Academy, NYU School of Law, and Harvard Business School, alongside his commitment to combatting injustice in the military. He discusses his game-changing law paper, "A Prayer...2024-10-251h 21
TALK 94.5 Liz And NickVOICES THAT MAKE YOU THINK | Navy Captain and STARRS National Board advisor Jerry Rovner (10/17/24)Send us a textTo learn more about STARRS visit this website: https://starrs.us/2024-10-1817 min
STARRS PodcastAre the Motivations to Serve Missing in Today's Military? A Conversation with Three LeadersSTARRS & Stripes Host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, was joined by the presidents of three veterans organizations who are working towards eliminating CRT/DEI ideology from the military and restoring a focus on high standards and merit. They include from STARRS Colonel Ron Scott, USAF ret, USAFA '73; from the MacArthur Society Colonel Bill Prince, USA ret, USMA '70; and from the Calvert Task Group Captain Tom Burbage, USN ret, USNA '69.They begin by discussing what made each of them want to attend the service academies and serve in the military. The conversation then steers towards t...2024-10-1852 min
STARRS PodcastRay Semko: Patriotism, Sacrifice, and the Call to Civic ActionSecurity Educator and Public Speaker Ray Semko: The D*I*C*E Man, who served as the STARRS Rally for Our Republic emcee, also gave a talk at the event held in September 2024 in Arizona.Reflecting on the profound themes of patriotism and sacrifice, he takes you on a journey through personal stories of being drafted and serving in Vietnam. These experiences illuminate the emotional resonance of iconic symbols like the national anthem and the eagle. He discusses the complex geopolitical landscape, contrasting past perceptions of communism with modern global relations, particularly with communist China, whom he...2024-10-0435 min
STARRS PodcastMatt Lohmeier: Navigating Ideological Shifts in the MilitaryMatt Lohmeier, Executive Vice President of STARRS, author of the book "Irresistible Revolution" and a public speaker, gave the keynote talk at STARRS Rally for Our Republic in September 2024 in Arizona. His presentation starts with a video introduction of his story, an early preview of his upcoming documentary.Former US Air Force/US Space Force Lieutenant Colonel Matt Lohmeier (also a 2006 USAFA grad) shares his personal journey from commanding the 11th Space Warning Squadron to grappling with a profound leftwing ideological shift within the military amplified by the events in 2020. His evolving sense of patriotism and deep...2024-10-0444 min
STARRS PodcastTimothy Sandefur on Frederick Douglass and the American DreamTimothy Sandefur of the Goldwater Institute gave a talk at STARRS Rally for Our Republic in September 2024 in Arizona. Rally emcee Ray Semko, the D*I*C*E Man introduced Timothy.Description:Frederick Douglass—the escaped slave who became an internationally famous spokesman for liberty and one of America’s most celebrated intellectuals—declared in the 1850s that the U.S. Constitution was “a glorious liberty document,” and that those who denounced it as enshrining white supremacy and slavery were wrong. What led Douglass to break even with anti-slavery allies to defend the Constituti...2024-10-0431 min
STARRS PodcastFree Speech Under Fire: Ann Atkinson's Stand Against Academic CensorshipWhistleblower Ann Atkinson, a staunch defender of free speech, gave a talk at the STARRS Rally for Our Republic in September 2024 in Arizona. She was introduced by rally emcee Ray Semko, the D*I*C*E Man.Advocating for free speech in academia can be a path fraught with peril. Ann Atkinson, former executive director of the TW Lewis Center for Personal Development at Arizona State University, courageously stood her ground amidst a storm of opposition of her of promoting traditional American values by hosting an event with speakers like Dennis Prager and Robert Kiyosaki. Her story...2024-10-0419 min
STARRS PodcastKim Miller: What Happens When Women Wake Up!Kim Miller, President & CEO of Arizona Women of Action, spoke at the STARRS "Rally for Our Republic" in September 2024 in Arizona. Look for the analogy in her speech of dealing with scorpions in her home is how to deal with evil.Rally emcee Ray Semko, the D*I*C*E Man, begins the segment and introduces Kim.00:00:05 Patriotism and Political Action00:04:35 Empowering Women in Political Action00:13:12 Fighting Marxism in American Institutions00:19:08 Exposing Marxist Influence in Schools00:28:19 Community Impact Through School Board InvolvementDescription:Women are...2024-10-0430 min
STARRS PodcastWoke Policies are Destroying the Military from the Inside OutSTARRS held a Joint Town Hall with the MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates and the Calvert Task Group. The guest speaker was Amber Smith, former Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Outreach in Public Affairs. Amber is a former U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot and air mission commander in the 101st Airborne Division and flew two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is also the author of the recent book, "Unfit to Fight: How Woke Policies Are Destroying Our Military", a topic of great concern to all three organizations. ...2024-10-0149 min
STARRS PodcastThe Amazing Military Aviation Life of F-4 Wild Weasel Al PalmerHis Army Air Corps grandfather received his pilot license from Orville Wright and knew aviation legends like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. His father served in the Air Force and in Korea. And third generation aviator Al Palmer flew fighter jets in the Air Force--including the famed F-4 "Wild Weasel" missions during the Vietnam War--then later changed to becoming a naval aviator in the Navy flying the new F-14 Tomcats off of aircraft carriers.We're turning the tables on this episode of STARRS and Stripes and interviewing the host himself, CDR Al Palmer, US Navy ret to...2024-09-271h 23
STARRS PodcastTribute to the Leadership and Legacy of Warfighter General Robert F. Titus, "Earthquake"What makes a military leader truly exceptional? Brigadier General Robert F. Titus, known as "Earthquake," exemplifies the qualities of a remarkable military warfighting career, and in this episode of STARRS & Stripes, we pay tribute to his remarkable legacy. Host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, who served under Gen. Titus, talks with Bill Scott, retired editor at Aviation Week and Space Technology and author of the book "Earthquake" about Gen. Titus, as well as Lieutenant General Tom McInerney, USAF ret, a distinguished combat pilot and senior Air Force leader who served with Gen. Titus. We cover General Titus's j...2024-09-2049 min
STARRS PodcastPreserving Military Excellence through Leadership and Unity with Tom Burbage and Bruce Davey of the Calvert Task GroupJoin STARRS & Stripes podcast with host CDR Al Palmer, US Navy ret, for an inspiring conversation with leaders of the Calvert Task Group: Naval Academy graduates Captain Tom Burbage, US Navy ret, and Lieutenant Commander Bruce Davey, US Navy ret, as they all share their remarkable journeys shaped by deep-rooted family legacies in military service. From Burbage’s childhood dreams sparked by naval officers to his impactful career at Lockheed Martin, and Davey's exhilarating experience flying with the Blue Angels and his transition to a successful aviation consultancy, as well as Palmer's career as a F-4 "Wild Wea...2024-09-1258 min
STARRS PodcastUpholding the Warrior Ethos in the Military: Interview with MOH Recipient Drew DixSTARRS & Stripes host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret interviews retired Army Special Forces Major Drew Dix, Medal of Honor recipient and a member of the STARRS advisory board. They cover his journey from enlisting in the Army at 17 to his experiences as a Special Forces soldier in Vietnam. Major Dix’s narrative highlights the significance of camaraderie, the warrior spirit, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the line of duty.Major Dix's recounts his covert CIA mission in Vietnam to train and lead indigenous troops against the Vietcong. From navigating the moral complexities of war to employing in...2024-09-061h 30
STARRS PodcastFlying the F-14 Tomcat: Lessons in Leadership and Camaraderie with Navy Commander Dave BaranekEver wonder what it takes to fly one of the Navy's most iconic jets? Join STARRS & Stripes podcast with host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, for an in-depth conversation with retired Navy Commander Dave "Bio" Baranek, as he shares his fascinating journey from a young aviation enthusiast inspired by air shows, to becoming a seasoned F-14 Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the Navy. Discover the compelling stories behind his experiences with various squadrons, including VF-24, and gain unique insights into the evolution and maintenance of the legendary F-14 Tomcat. We'll explore the intense dynamics of naval aviation, f...2024-08-2759 min
STARRS PodcastMajor General Joe Arbuckle on Meritocracy, Accountability and Military ReformWhat does it take to rise from a private to a Major General in the U.S. Army? Major General Joe Arbuckle, US Army ret, joins STARRS & Stripes podcast host CDR Al Palmer, US Navy ret, to share his military journey, influenced by his father’s service and his decision to volunteer during the Vietnam War. He talks about his early training, his role as an infantry advisor in Vietnam, and his first-hand experiences during the pivotal Easter Offensive of 1972. Arbuckle paints a vivid picture of his path through the ranks of the Army.Our conversation continues wi...2024-08-2154 min
STARRS PodcastShifts in Military Culture: Insights from Lt General Rod BishopIs the U.S. military compromising its unity and readiness for the sake of progressive ideologies? Join STARRS & Stripes host Commander Al Palmer, USN ret, as he talks with Lt General Rod Bishop, USAF ret, about the controversial inclusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within our armed forces. They tackle head-on the impacts these policies have on military cohesion and meritocracy, illustrated by examples like the production of a Black Lives Matter video at the Air Force Academy. General Bishop shares his candid thoughts on how these top-down ideologies may be eroding the...2024-08-1546 min