by Travis Partington | Nov 16, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 121 – Army Veteran Brian Richards – Media Career
Doug Meehan & Brian Richards
I met Brian Richards three years ago. He was working at Massasoit Community College, and they were having their first annual Dale Dorman Media Day. I was working to break into voice over acting and podcasting.
Brian was a flurry of activity but one thing stuck out the moment I saw him. He was wearing an Army Veteran hat. I introduced myself and we talked for a few minutes, then he was a blur again!
I saw him the next year and he asked how I was doing. I told him I had 60+ podcasts recorded and was looking for more. I joked that he never quits moving on Dale Dorman days and he told me he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The 3rd Dale Dorman Day happened in April this year and we talked about having him come on Oscar Mike Radio. Brian told me about his Gen X Flashback show at Massasoit and finally we got together and talked on November 12th, 2018.
I asked Brian questions about starting a media career. I meet a lot of Veterans who want to get into YouTube, Instagram or podcasting. They get frustrated when things don’t work out they way they envisioned. Brian emphasized that it takes time and practice to perfect the craft. One needs training, coaching and equipment to succeed. If one can’t get training or coaching then be prepared to learn by trial and error.
Speaking of trial and error, I had been working doing more live work in front of a camera. I wanted to live cast this using Open Broadcast Studio and then use the audio for a podcast.
Facebook Live simply would not recognize my web cam. Brian was cool the entire time, I went through all my options and while we started late, I felt the video (Episode 121 LiveCast) turned out well despite the technical snafus.
Brian is a great example of a Veteran who re-invented himself after getting out of the military. Working with others to help them realize their career aspirations in media and content creation means his influence will be felt far and wide for a long time. I enjoyed my time with him, and now it is my turn to be interviewed by him. Thanks for your time brother, I hope to learn a lot from you.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Jackson Blue and Brian Richards
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Travis Partington | Nov 9, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 120 – Army Veteran Steve Kimball: Owner of Kimball Painting
I met Steve but not on any construction or painting job. We met when I had some trouble with my motorcycle. I wanted to find out more about Steve and his company Kimball Painting (See contact info below). Watching some of his videos on Facebook, it seems that Steve is old school, no nonsense, but fair.
Steve and I met at Dunkin Donuts for this interview. We started talking about his family and how he got into the Army. I am glad he found what he was looking for in the military. After he got out, he worked through all the trades until he was able to open his own business.
I have been to college courses about business, but learned more talking with Steve than reading a book. He wants people working for him to invest in themselves. People do this by giving 100% to the task at hand. Steve is willing to teach those who work for him if they have the desire and willingness to take tough love he dishes out.
You should really watch some of his videos. Not only are they entertaining, but I actually felt like he was explaining things in a way that made sense to someone who does not work construction. I also got an appreciation for the fact that companies like Kimball Painting are the exception, not the norm in construction.
Steve pass along many good pieces of advice on everything from selecting a good contractor to how to get good tools. I left the interview thinking it would be good to maybe see about doing some work just to learn and get out of my comfort zone. Click on the links below if you want to find out more or contact Steve. He took care of me. He can help you.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Facebook Videos
Learn, laugh and most important, invest in yourself. Construction on!
Your Company Name Can’t Fool Me
VCT Removal
Friday Rant
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information for Kimball Painting
Owner: Steve Kimball
Address: 94 Pinehaven Drive Whitman, Massachusetts 02382
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Travis Partington | Oct 28, 2018 | Podcast
A Family’s Battle – Chayce
I got a Facebook Message from a family who I had worked with doing community outreach in Brockton, MA. I was asked to talk to a family that had an issue at a local skating rink. A nine year old boy, Chayce Imperato, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This means normal physical activity is difficult, if not impossible at times for Chayce.
I wasn’t sure about doing this at first. I have focused on military and veterans. Talking to parents about a disease and situation like this was going to be different. However, the more I read, the more I was convinced that meeting the family and talking with them was the right thing to do. Oscar Mike Radio is mobile so I packed up and headed out to meet them.
Chayce did not have a shy bone in his body and before I knew it I had some help setting up my rig. He is a big fan of GoPro and he loved all the knobs and cables. Once we tested everything, we sat down to talk with Brittany and Donnie.
Looking at both Brittany and Don, I could see a tiredness in their eyes that comes from being in the battle. They may not be using a physical weapon for this fight, but they are giving everything they got every day. When you consider that the outcome was pre-determined when Chayce was diagnosed with DMD in 2016, one has to respect their fighting spirit. They are fighting to give Chayce the best life possible, and they are fighting for their other son Cam. Brittany and Don were planning to build a life together and while wedding plans are on hold, that has not crushed their spirit.
People with disabilities deserve dignity and respect. Brittany and Donnie just want Chayce to be treated like any other kid. It was a privilege and honor to talk with this family.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Travis Partington | Oct 26, 2018 | Podcast
Question of the Week
How was the 22Kill Boston Casino night? I had a lot of fun getting to see familiar faces and meet new people. 22 Kill was at the Emerald Club in Abington, MA doing a fundraiser.
I am hoping that 22Kill Boston does more events. The whole tribe concept is very appealing to me. A group of people who are bound together is a powerful force.
Speaking of people, a listener was at the event and it was good talking about their story. They may be coming on the Oscar Mike Radio very soon. It is important to socialize and connect with each other. It is the only way to cover each other’s 6.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WWI Series Part 4 – Eye Deep in Hell
I got the book Eye Deep in Hell from a friend of mine. Again, I thought I had a pretty good idea about how World War One was fought. To my disappointment I discovered again that my knowledge was elementary at best. John Ellis takes the reader through everything about Trench Warfare.
There is no whitewashing of the situation in this book. John lays out the history and methodology behind trench warfare. He then goes into the soldier’s lives doing this kind of warfare. I thought I had hard times serving in the desert, but nothing I experienced comes close to what these men did.
Lice, rats and standing twelve hours or more in icy waist deep mud was all in a normal day for the Doughboys. More men were injured from gangrene than anything else. It was a war of attrition that ground soldiers on all sides into nothing. This was a difficult book to read. However, it is just the kind of book that we all should read, especially high and college kids. You can get Eye Deep in Hell from Amazon for $25.00. I consider this a must read. Like I have said before, I could a year of podcasts on World War One and not even scratch the surface. I hope you enjoyed these. I learned just how little I know. OMR out.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Time Question
My podcast is targeted for 30 minutes air time. Some people are asking for 60 minutes. That raises all kinds of questions, and I would like to know what you think.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
by Travis Partington | Oct 19, 2018 | Podcast
Question of the Week
How was the 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala?
I really admire the mission of the New England Center and Home for Veterans. Their mission focus is to serve a segment of the Veteran population that is disadvantaged – homeless Veterans. However, in recent years the Center has transformed into a place that serves all Veterans. It was great seeing all the people come out to support NECHV during their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala.
Really enjoyed Bill Brett’s writeup about the Gala. I am extremely happy to see all the support for the Center and their mission as well. I am already looking forward to 2019!
Bill Brett Boston Globe Article
The Word
World War One Series Part III – Battle of Orleans
Chatham Coast Guard Rowing out to save 32 Americans
Once again, I found out how little I know about World War One. I had no idea that a German U-Boat attacked an American tug boat and four barges. On July 21st, 1918 off the coast of Orleans a German surfaced and began shelling the tug boat Perth Amboy. I based this podcast off the Mass Moments Website (https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/german-u-boat-attacks-cape-cod.html).
The Chatham Coast Guard rowed wooden boats in the middle of the U-Boat attack to rescue crew, their wives and children. I had never heard about this until recently. This is the kind of subject I wanted to cover for my World War One Series.
Perth Amboy Sunk
Upcoming Events
Big thanks to Davide Henke, Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the VA Boston System for providing these upcoming events to check out.
- The North Shore Veterans Collaborative Bi-Monthly Meeting:
October 18, 2018 @ 6:30pm – Portuguese American War Vets Club; 103 Tremont St., Peabody, MA 01960
Vets In Tech Training – 22-26 October – Boston – there a few slots left in the cybersecurity course. Veterans and spouses can attend and they cover the tuition / course materials. Go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vetsintechdraftkings-cybersecurity-training-boston-w-palo-alto-networks-tickets-48713204506
Or contact Christopher Starling, VetsinTech, 415-713-0722
Hire a Veteran Month Kick Off at the Massachusetts State House: October 31st – Members of all Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Development Boards and Businesses in the Massachusetts area are invited to discuss veteran’s programs within the Commonwealth. One of the primary focuses of this event will be the Department of Labor’s Veteran’s Medallion Program to employers, along with other resources available to Businesses in hiring veterans. Event showcases the Commonwealth’s Workforce System re-branding to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). All of their work has culminated into One Vision, One Mission and One Name bringing the Commonwealth’s Workforce System into a new era based on Collaboration, Respect, Reliability and Ingenuity.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
