The Amphibious Tractor Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on raising money to build a memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The memorial will honor Amtrac Marines who manned U.S. Marine Corps Landing and Amphibious Assault Vehicles since 1942. Our guests today are members of the team driving mission forward – Colonel John B. Atkinson, USMC ( Ret) National Commander,  Marc R. Chabot, USMC (Ret), and Peg Lee spearheading the art and design of the future memorial.  These are dedicated people who continue to serve our country and fellow Marines. The Association continues to  educate the general public and Marines, ensure this legacy endures, recognize and reward exceptional Marines, and support the education and hardship needs of Marines and their families over time.

Today we get down to business with the help of James Whitman from www.growthguidepost.com. He is the author of a dynamic new book on how to grow businesses and foster success entitled,  “Launch Code:  The Playbook for Continuous Growth.”  Make this the year you celebrate  entrepreneurship and career success.  James offers practical, common sense advice designed to empower you to win!

Brad Meltzer returns to share news about his latest book, “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy – and Why it Failed.“ Along with co-author Josh Mensch, Brad sends up another suspenseful non-fiction thriller, a story that many of us had know knowledge of, and an event that would have changed history. Brad Meltzer is a best-selling novelist, TV producer, comic book creator, children’s author and historian. When Brad joins me on the podcast, he never disappoints!

Mike Baker spent approximately 15 years with the CIA, working as a covert field operations officer specializing in counterterrorism, counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations.  He’s been in most of the world’s dangerous hotspots, working with others to defend America. In 2022, Mike  began hosting a news and geopolitical commentary podcast called “The Presidents Daily Brief”, which covers national security related matters in the news, providing a roundup of the day’s events. The name is a reference to the President’s Daily Briefing in which the President of the United States is given intelligence updates each morning.  It is an honor to welcome Mike as he shares his views on the challenges for America in the coming decade.

What a joy it is to meet and feature fellow podcasters doing important work. That is the case with today’s guests Matt and Monica, who recently launched “The Matt and Monica Podcast” sharing stories of vulnerability and resilience of inspiring guests as well as themselves. This husband and wife team travel far to interview incredible people, many of whom are first responders and veterans who have sacrificed so much for so many. The podcast has been life affirming for Matt and Monica and their growing audience, including your humble host, who fully supports their mission!

Let’s put on a show! There is nothing more exciting than live theatre. One of the most historic and venerable ones in the Boston area is The Regent Theatre in Arlington. Longtime director Richard Stavros recently retired and a new leader has taken over. He is Harvard computer science professor David Malan. David and I discuss his innovative plans to revitalize the theatre through the introduction of what he calls “educational theatricality.” This will involve streaming community and educational programs adding to the theatrical experience. The show will go on!

Meet Jennifer Jukanovich, co-author along with Russell West of “The Culturally Conscious Board: Setting the Boardroom Table for Impact.”   Their goal is to transform the culture of boards across the spectrum–from the local cancer nonprofit to the multinational anti-poverty NGO. Using their tested “Board Culture Placemat,”  the authors provide “Conversation Starters” to make mentionable the often-silent role board culture plays in a board’s decision-making habits.  It explains how board members  can positively shape board culture, especially in crucial decision-making moments.  Respecting the culture, being responsible and adhering to an ethical value system is a sound formula for any organization’s success!

On today’s episode, we cover “science and the arts.” Dr. Robert Kellan is a renowned ophthalmologist with over 60 years in medicine. He also has an active creative side. Besides being an accomplished painter, Bob is also a playwright with several well received plays to his credit. We explore the magical essence of live theatre and how this playwright breathes life into his characters and ideas!

When a sinister cyber-terrorist plot is poised to plunge the U.S. into devastating digital darkness, one man, an experienced cyber forensic expert takes on the challenge of stopping the evildoers. We welcome novelist and technologist George Mehok who delivers a fast-paced thriller called, “Going Dark: A Liberty Unit Novel.” The tech is real and will make you think about the lengths that terrorists will go. Luckily, there are homegrown heroes protecting us. The novel has an alternate historic timeline dating back to the Revolutionary War that is equally as exciting!

Today we celebrate the holiday season in style with Dr. Quentin Schultze, the author of “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out: Life Lessons from the Movie A Christmas Story.”
For the first time, Quentin Schultze, who taught storytelling with screenwriter Jean Shepherd, reveals the “secret” parables that Shepherd included in his screenplay for A Christmas Story. Now you won’t need a decoder ring to learn why the Old Man’s leg lamp is his “trophy wife,” why the bully is named “Scut,” why there is a “Bumpus” in all of us, why Mom and the kids give a “Bronx cheer” after singing “Jingle Bells” in the Olds, and so much more.