Four years ago I went to Massasoit Community College to learn more about podcasting. I have said before that podcasting appealed to me because I could use my voice and I could create my path for Veteran’s Advocacy. Over the last couple of years Keith Hayes of Whoobazoo has asked me to come along to watch and participate on some level. The 4th Annual Media Day proved to be memorable in so many ways.
LiveCast for 4th Annual Media Day
The 4th Annual Massasoit Radio and Digital Arts and Media Conference took place on April 25th. This year Keith asked me do my podcast live. I was excited. This was chance to showcase my “rig” and make it work for us.
I brought my streaming PC, Zoom H6, Microsoft Web Cams, and microphones. The goal was to show that all these items can work together to make the experience good for those watching and listening.
The room started filling up and during the livecast people came in and out. Keith and I got asked some great questions. I thought it was awesome that Massasoit and high school students were making their own podcasts! Four years ago podcasting was nothing like it was today.
A big thanks to Keith Hayes and Anthony Arnold of Whoobazoo for taking the time with me those years ago. Dr. Lisa Zinsius Supka, I appreciated the opportunity to present what Oscar Mike Radio is to an interested audience.
Make sure you go to – https://www.facebook.com/RadioMassasoit/ and check out all the photos and information about Radio Massasoit. I am already looking forward to 2020. I can’t wait to see what will happen before year five.
Bill reached out to me on Facebook Messenger about coming on Oscar Mike Radio. He asked me if I would come out and talk to him at his headquarters in Worcester, MA. I headed up on cold morning in February and found the office pretty easily.
I met Bill and said introduced myself. The first thing that stood out were all the coats and toys in his office. He explained that they were a donation from UNUM Insurance Company https://www.unum.com/ and would be given to children of Veterans in need.
Bill got a laugh out of me with some good natured ribbing about me being a Marine. I had learned about Bill’s Air Force Career and gained a massive amount of respect for what he did when he served.
We moved the conversation to how Bill got Project New Hope off the ground. There is this desire that Bill has to serve and be of service. Meeting the other volunteers who popped in and out to work the mission was one of the highlights of the day.
There is also a Project New Hope Office in Westfield, MA. By car is it 60 miles one way to Westfield. That is a lot of ground to cover for any non profit organization. Bill and his team are committed to Veterans and I was glad to make the trip to meet everyone. A big shout out to BOSE for supplying headphones to troops. Thanks for my pair Bill, they sounded great!
Back in November, I had this Facebook Message in my inbox that made me curious. Mugzy Brady introduced himself as a rapper from Australia. He wondered if I would promote his music on Oscar Mike Radio.
I told him that Oscar Mike Radio was a military and Veterans podcast, but if he could send me some of tracks I would give it a listen.
Rap and Hip Hop is not my first love in music. However, I like the older stuff, so I gave his music a listen. Mugzy has a good message. The message in his music is based on being positive and pursing what you want in life. Also, there is no profanity in the lyrics of the tracks he sent me. Listening to the tracks, I became more and more interested in talking with him. We went back and forth and finally figured out a time that would work for the both us. Mugzy is thirteen hours ahead of me, but we made it work.
The conversation started off with Mugzy telling me about getting into hip hop. He had a difficult childhood, and rap allowed him to create and find a voice to make change in his life.
The key to his success and progress with his career is a willingness to be flexible and never quit. There have been challenges, ups and downs pursing being a hip – hop artist, but he has never quit.
So while talking about rap and hip-hop aren’t really military, this podcast reminded me of talking to Fitzy Mess ( https://whoobazoo.com/oscarmike/2017/06/30/episode-50-fitzy-mess-born-bar/ ) about using hip hop to inspire people. Click on the link below to go to his Facebook Page and find out more.
Mugzy Brady Contact Info
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMugzy/
Check out the Link for what is going on with Mugzy!Can’t say it any better
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.
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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
