Updating the Website

I’ve spent most of the time I dedicate towards this hobby of late in getting podcasts out and I have neglected the website. Multiple episodes had not been updated yet, and some of those that were had broken audio links. My social media links were broken as well. Today I tried to clean up website issues, all episodes should now be up and the audio working, links to my social media accounts should be correct, and I added a “Resources” page where I list the books, movies, and podcasts I and my guests recommend in each episode. If you have other suggestions for improving the website I’d love to hear it, airmindedpodcast@gmail.com.

Desert Storm Overview Podcasts

On the 30th anniversary of the kick-off of Desert Storm, January 17, 2021, I dropped the first two in a three-episode arc on Desert Storm. The overview to the conflict was split into two podcasts. My guest is Air National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Chris “SLAM” Gentry. In the first episode we discuss the key sources to learn about the conflict, the key players in the air war, and how the plan for the air campaign was developed. In the second episode we discuss the major events of the conflict, what went right, what went wrong, and lessons we can and should take from the conflict.

Episode 1: Operation Bolo is Published

I was going to wait until the 54th Anniversary of Operation Bolo (Jan 2nd, 2021) to release the first full episode, but I decided to get in the habit of Thursday releases (I have an episode ready to go for next week Thursday as well). I learned a lot from the prologue episode, primarily improvements I needed to make in editing and sound. I worked on a new intro and segment breaks and will continue to work on “professionalizing” the podcast in future episodes. The next one has an interview that had some spotty internet connectivity, so it will test my very basic editing skills. Hopefully it will come out ok. This has been a fun, but slightly maddening process and there is a nervousness that I get each time before I hit the “publish” button to send out the episode into the world. So far the feedback has been very positive and I’ve gotten lots of helpful hints on how to improve the final product, which I hope to continue doing. Thanks to the listeners out there, I really do appreciate it. — Gorilla

Prologue is up on iTunes!

Whoa…published the prologue episode to Apple Podcasts tonight (if you’re like me you probably still call it iTunes). It was totally surreal to see it downloaded on my phone from Apple (still not available for search for some reason, you have to link to it; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-airminded-podcast/id1545273136 supposed to be searchable by the time you read this). I toyed around with the idea of this podcast for a little while, months in fact, but it wasn't until Amazon Prime Day (Oct 13th) that I pulled the trigger on a starter podcast set to force myself to do this. Hard to believe that little idea is now an actual podcast that possibly dozens of people will download. Now comes the hard part, keeping this going and building some momentum.

The Prologue Episode is in the Can

Last night I fired up the podcasting gear and recorded a short, just over 2-minute prologue episode that describes what the podcast is, what you’ll hear on the podcast, and who I am as your host. I won’t lie, I took a lot more takes to get a usable version than I thought I would need. Tough to get comfortable just talking by yourself into a microphone. I got more comfortable with each take…until I went back to listen. Does anyone like the sound of their own voice? Now that the episode is complete just a couple of more steps and I’ll have it posted to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. Excited to get this one out there and hear some feedback, and then on to the Operation Bolo podcast. Been reaching out to some friends, I think I’ll have some fun and interesting guests in the new year. Hope you will tune in…

So It Begins

I’ve wanted to host my own airpower-focused podcast for what seems like years now but I always found a reason not to. Finally, I decided to give it a go, so begins the journey of The Airminded Podcast. I am an airpower aficionado, I love aircraft, aerial history, airpower theory and employment, and I love talking about and occasionally teaching on the subject. The Airminded Podcast is designed to share that love of all things “airminded.” The first step is always the hardest, but I am hoping to learn quickly and produce a product that fellow airminded junkies like me will enjoy listening to. I am always eager for feedback, so hit me up via email, airmindedpodcast@gmail.com, or on Twitter @GorillaWetzel.