The Stage

Its been longer than I'd like since I've posted an episode. I've been busy trying to build another business and life gets little crazy. Some fun stuff planned for The Stage this year tho, I would like to thank my cousins and two of my best friends for helping me out. We laughed alot on this one, I definitely needed it, hope you all enjoy it.

This episode I talk with Marcos Arredondo. We served in the Marine Corps together on the 31st MEU. Dondo, as we call him has been of one of my closest friends for over 20 years. We dive into his life and talk about some fun times. Dondo and his wife Ivonne have been huge blessings in my life, im extremely thankful for them.

This episode I talk with Brad Sexton, we served together in Okinawa. Brad is a little different though, he was recalled back to the USMC after 9/11. He has a more unique story than many. We had a blast recording this, I have a feeling there will be some pictures of us playing golf together this summer.

This episode I talk with Tommy Oswalt and Rickey Keeton, they are two of the founding members of the local Marine Corps League in Sheffield Al. You get to know them and their background a little and then we talk about the mission of the Marine Corps League. I've known both of these men for years and I can tell you that our community, especially our veteran community is better off because of them. I appreciate them having me at THE POUND to record this episode.

Didn't have my regular producer with me when I travel, thank...

This episode I talk with Tommy Fahy, we served on Okinawa together in 2002. Tommy was deployed to Iraq two times, on his second deployment was injured and received the Purple Heart. The Corps survives because of Marines like Tommy, the Corps survives because of past great leaders.

For this episode I talk with my closest friends and we shoot the breeze while we finish up the year. 2025 was great year for us here and it wouldn't be possible without you all. we cant wait for 2026, we hope you have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will see you the 3rd week in January.

On this episode I talk with my dad about a business venture and his new podcast, Be Ready Always. His first episode is live and available on the same streaming platforms where you find The Stage.

This episode we celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, I thought about this one a lot, maybe too much. As soon as I started I was hit with a wall of anxiety! It's not what I wanted it to be but it rarely goes as planned here on The Stage. Happy birthday Marines, wherever you may be.

This episode I talk with Royce Young who I served with in the Marine Corps. We talk about our days in Okinawa and the many Marines we spent time with. Lots of laughs were had over this weekend. I really appreciate Royce coming to visit and hanging out in studio for a few days. There were a lot of people here for this one so you will hear some outside noise.

This episode we talk about the trip across the country to California, it was a very interesting trip! Its been difficult to get all our schedules on the same page for this one. Thank you Dusty, Jessica, Justin, and Rickey for working with me. I'd travel across the country with you all any time.

This episode I talk about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, of course there are cat problems in the beginning.....that's my life so hang past that.

In this episode I talk with one of the Very Few The Very Proud, Mellissa Whitaker. Mellissa was stationed in Okinawa at the same time I was and was also an MP. The most memories I have of her was when she was an accident investigator, because we always worked on different bases. One thing I can tell you about this Marine was when she showed up you knew immediately she was there for a reason and she always got the job done proficiently, in my opinion the world would be a better place with more people like this...

This episode I talk with Justin Osterberg while in sunny San Diego. Justin is my Marine brother and worked on what I consider is the greatest police shift I've ever worked, military or civilian. The guy has a heart of gold (pun intended) but id also go to war with him anytime anywhere. He's been a great asset to our country for many years and we are indebted to him many times over. Thank your Justin and Jessica for your dedicated service, lets drive across the country together some time.

This is a solo episode where I talk about the one-year anniversary of The Stage and briefly about our trip to California. This year wouldn't have been possible without all of you, thank you so much for your support and believing in me.

First, I'd like to say I made a mistake when giving gifts, I didn't say Seth Kirkendall. I said the same name twice and I regret that. Seth was the first one to be on board when I ask Marines if they wanted to contribute. Seth, I owe you one. Second, I'd like to say when Marines get together the booze normally flows.

Now to the good part, this episode I talk with Anthony Hernandez (Herbobdez). We talk about his up bringing, his time in the Corps, and his retirement. I want to say it's hard to...

You read that title correctly, this is the last episode....of July. Sorry I had to peek your interest, this is the last episode until I get back from California the first week of august so we will probably be a week or two late. This episode I talk about the California trip, things I hate at check outs of stores, and friend who always grosses me out. I'm hoping to get a ton of content from this trip so be on the lookout, thank you all for listening and believing in me.

This episode I talk with Seth Kirkendall, we discuss why he joined the Marine Corps, life in Okinawa, his success after the Corps......and all his animals. Seth was my first best friend when I got in the Fleet Marine Corps, he's as good of a man there is and I'm very happy for him and the life he has built.

I've taken some time off from recording, I needed a break. I've got some episodes on the way but needed an easy 0ne for this week so I called in my boy Diddy. We talk about a lot of stuff.... poop stories, Rickey who is still a podcast ghost as a subject, hats and kidneys. PAM PAM PAM....thank you for listening, if you want to support The Stage, the best way is to buy hat.

In this episode I talk with Tim Edleman and Luis Cora, if you met them, you would wonder how they are so close. But the Corps can make the most different of people family, Honestly two of the nicest and most humble people I've met despite their differences. We talk about what led them to join the Corps, their time before Okinawa and what happened while they were on the Island with me. Two outstanding Marines/Men, very proud to call them my brothers.

If you are offended by words catch the next episode, this one is funny, but Marines will be Marines.

In this episode I talk with one of my Marine brothers Kayvon Karimi. We talk about him joining the Corps, being on judge Joe Brown, and his time in Okinawa ( his dirty whitey tighteys on his bed). We discuss his time at his next duty station including an unfortunate toothbrush incident and how the Corps is different place to place. Kayvon once took a walk he didn't intend to come back from, luckily the circumstances of that walk...

In this episode I talk with Angel Aguayo, we talk about his life before, during, and after the Marine Corps. Angel was my first leader when I got into the fleet Marine Corps, immediately I knew he was who I wanted to model my leadership style after. He went to bat for his troops and the loved him for it. Thank you, Angel, for everything you have done for me.

In this episode I talk with my old friend from Lynn high school, Lee Cagle Williams. We discuss him actually being Haleyville (didn't know that), playing sports in high school/college, and why he became a teacher/coach. Lee once held the state rushing record for most yards in a season in the state and the record for most rushing yards in a state championship game. He is currently the head baseball coach at Addison high school.

This episode I talk with my favorite teacher, Derek Cleghorn. We discuss his life before teaching, teaching, and his family. This one is special to me, Coach has been very important my life, I could never repay him for all he has done for me. Hope you all enjoy this one!

My dad is back for his second episode. We discuss some of his childhood and the tricks they pulled, a funny fight he was in, and a story about his dad that is my favorite story of all time. As always it was great having my pops in studio, hope you all enjoy it!

This episode I talk with Courtney Hunt, he is a retired Gunnery Sergeant/USMC. We discuss his childhood, Okinawa, being a drill instructor, a dog handler and some of his time in the middle east. Was an honor to have this outstanding Marine on the show.

While talking about our time in Okinawa we talk about some barracks shenanigans, we mention a fellow brother Joel Gorniak. Joel we learned passed away this past Thursday, the 27th of February. Rest Easy Marine, we have the watch from here.

If cussing isn't your thing or words hurt you....id skip this one.

This episode I talk with Anthony Hernandez and Chaz Mayes, We talk about our time in Okinawa together and how they were together since training. I didn't get into much detail about their lives because an in-person episode is coming. Chaz can't make it Anthony's retirement, so this was on my list of episodes that needed to happen.

This episode was done via zoom and had a couple internet hiccups.

This episode I interview Ed Kugler, he is a Marine scout sniper who served in Vietnam, he is also the author of multiple books. His book Dead Center (my favorite) is most of the topic for this interview. Ed is the original of a group nicknamed the Rouges, who spent most of their time on small sniper patrols in Vietnam. Ed is a Mount Rushmore for me for The Stage, it was an honor to spend a couple hours with him.

Note: this was the first interview with the new equipment and also the first done on...

This episode I talk with my brother Dusty Lindley. We discuss growing up together, school/sports, and the wreck that would change our lives forever. We had a blast doing this and continued to talk for a long while after I stopped recording. I'm looking forward to him come back on The Stage.

This is the last episode recorded on the old equipment, excited to see how the upgrade sounds.

For the last episode of the year, I wanted to thank everyone who has been a part of The Stage. I want to tell you about future podcast and also record for the first time with the upgraded equipment. I hope 2025 is the best for you all yet, thank you for listening!

We stroll down memory lane with two of my favorite people. These guys are my cousins and we always laugh a ton together. This episode was edited by Kevins son, Blake. He is 12 years old and has an extremely bright future.

This episode I talk with Crystal Henson, we discuss some of our time in school together, being a nurse during the pandemic, and a near death experience. Crystal is my first female guest, who's episode was semi hijacked by cats.

In this episode I give an update on my life and the direction of the podcast through the holidays.

This episode I talk to one of my best friends Shane Dodd. We discuss our long friendship, us going to bootcamp together, and what I believe is his calling....being a foster parent.

This episode I talk to Marine Corps veteran Bill Long. We discuss his time in the Corps, his time as a police officer, and his insane love of Halloween......and me crawling through the woods finding my phone, that I didn't put there.

I talk with my cousin and one of my best friends Brett Aday, also unfortunately nick named Diddy. We talk about our friendship, how we found out we are related, and his recent medical diagnosis.

Note: we talk about something from 20 years ago that I wouldn't do today:)

This episode I talk with Tyler Thomas. We talk about our quick friendship, his time in the ARMY National Guard and his will to be successful and his beautiful family.

This is my first ever recorded episode, before the podcast had a name. In this episode we talk very briefly about the night before recording, which was wild and didnt want to get to detailed about. we also talk about a deployment in the middle east, our time in Okinawa, and Stan catching our friends hair on fire.

In this episode we discuss how Brooks leadership changed when being put in his first field unit, also we talk about an unfortunate situation that happened in Jungle Warfare Training and very bad tattoo choice.

We discuss Gunny Finley's 22 year Marine Corps career, his journey from being a young Marine to an outstanding leader and now leader/mentor for his students. Semper FI

Note: we recorded this in front of an audience, there are a couple 4 letter words than you can hear from them, as said before i want to keep this as raw as possible

We talk about what to expect from the podcast and its future. I tell a very brief story of my life, its the most raw ive ever been.