Best Trackpads Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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Drones Before Drones: Balloons, the Kettering Bug, and UAS Ancestry 34:46

Play Pause

3d ago34:46

34:46

From the smoke-filled skies above Fleurus in 1794 to the buzzing wooden Kettering Bug of 1918, militaries have long searched for ways to see and strike without risking pilots. Balloons, target drones, and early reconnaissance craft were fragile, often flawed, yet each altered the rhythm of warfare by extending vision and reach. This extended podcas…

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The Arsenal Behind the Lines: Combat Engineers as War-Makers 38:15

10d ago38:15

38:15

Combat engineers have long been the arsenal behind the lines, shaping victory in ways that rarely make the history books. From minefield breaches to river crossings, from urban rubble turned into strongholds to lifelines of supply carved under fire, their work determined the tempo of campaigns and the fate of armies. This episode is an extended ver…

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Welcome to Uniform: Stories of Service Podcast! 1:43

11d ago1:43

1:43

Uniform: Stories of Service is built on a simple idea: if you wore the uniform, your story matters. Not just the big battles and headline moments, but the late-night guard shifts, the training cycles, the friendships, the moves, the families, and the quiet decisions that shaped your life long after you took the uniform off. This podcast is where in…

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Mogadishu: The Night Urban Warfare Changed 38:41

17d ago38:41

38:41

In October 1993, a mission meant to last just ninety minutes unraveled into one of the most intense urban battles of modern times. Task Force Ranger entered Mogadishu with precision and confidence, only to face a city that turned every alley, rooftop, and crowd into a weapon. Helicopters fell from the sky, convoys became trapped in endless ambushes…

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Amphibious Mastery: From Gallipoli’s Failure to Inchon’s Shock 34:32

24d ago34:32

34:32

The clash between failure and triumph defines the story of amphibious warfare. In 1915, Allied troops rowed toward Gallipoli’s unforgiving cliffs, only to be broken by terrain, fire, and poor planning. Thirty-five years later, Marines stormed Inchon’s seawalls, scaling ladders against the tide and reshaping the Korean War. This extended version of …

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From Horse to Track: The End of Cavalry and the Birth of Mechanized Shock 36:04

1M ago36:04

36:04

The First World War opened with the thunder of hooves and the proud banners of cavalry still carrying centuries of tradition. Within a generation, those horsemen faced extinction at the hands of trenches, barbed wire, and machine guns, replaced by the roar of engines, radios, and steel treads. This extended podcast episode expands on our written ar…

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Partisans, Maquis, and Rangers: Irregular Warfare That Bent Front Lines 34:37

1M ago34:37

34:37

World War II’s front lines were never as fixed as maps suggested. In the forests of Belarus, Soviet partisans derailed trains and severed supply lines. In the mountains of France, the Maquis carved out fragile sanctuaries, daring to declare a Free Republic on the Vercors plateau. Across the sea, American Rangers scaled cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and p…

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Eugene Bullard: All Blood Runs Red 31:55

2M ago31:55

31:55

From the red clay fields of Jim Crow Georgia to the skies above Verdun, Eugene Bullard carved out a path that defied the odds. Denied opportunity at home, he became America’s first Black combat aviator—though under the flag of France, not the United States. This extended version of our written article places Bullard’s journey in the full context of…

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Liberty Ships, Iron Will: The Jeremiah O’Brien and the Fleet that Fed Victory 31:21

2M ago31:21

31:21

The Liberty ships were the lifeline of World War II, blunt-nosed freighters that carried the food, fuel, and ammunition which kept entire armies fighting. Against U-boats, storms, and staggering odds, they proved that industry could be turned into strategy. This extended version of our written article takes you beyond the page to show why these “ug…

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Trailer 1:47

2M ago1:47

1:47

By Dr Jason Edwards

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Operation Fortitude: Deception as a Strategic Weapon 36:30

2M ago36:30

36:30

By Dr Jason Edwards

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Wolves of the Deep: How Submarines Won (and Denied) Sea Control 31:26

2M ago31:26

31:26

Beneath the waves, the true battle for sea power unfolded. From World War I’s U-boat terror to the relentless wolfpacks of the Atlantic and the Silent Service in the Pacific, submarines denied oceans to the strongest fleets and starved empires into submission. This extended version of the written article explores how the wolves of the deep reshaped…

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Hold the Gate: Darby’s Rangers at Chiunzi Pass 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

In September 1943, the Allied invasion of Italy teetered on the brink. At Salerno, the beachhead was fragile, and the road to Naples ran through a twisting mountain corridor known as Chiunzi Pass. When Darby’s Rangers reached the high ground first, they were given a stark order: hold the gate. What followed was a desperate defense against artillery…

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Beam, Jam, Burn: How EW and Lasers Will Break Drone Swarms 19:06

3M ago19:06

19:06

Drone swarms are changing the battlefield by making mass cheap and scalable. Hundreds of low-cost drones can overwhelm sensors, saturate defenses, and force militaries to burn through expensive interceptors just to stay alive. In this episode, we unpack why swarms are so difficult to stop and why the old math of defense no longer works. The solutio…

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Eighty Years After the Bomb: Evidence vs. Myth 15:28

4M ago15:28

15:28

Eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the debate over the atomic bombings is still alive—and often shaped more by myth than evidence. Were the Japanese already ready to surrender? Was the bomb uniquely evil compared to other destruction in the war? Could a simple “demonstration” have ended the conflict without killing civilians? In this episod…

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U.S. Invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) 26:32

4M ago26:32

26:32

In this episode, we explore Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983, highlighting the political crisis, rapid military operations, and intense combat engagements that reshaped Cold War dynamics. You'll hear about the tense airborne and amphibious landings, dramatic rescues of American medical students, and the strategic challeng…

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How Military History Is Preserved: Museum Ships 24:12

4M ago24:12

24:12

In today's podcast episode, we explore the fascinating and vital role that museum ships play in preserving naval and maritime history. You'll discover how these floating museums, such as the USS Constitution, USS Missouri, and USS Drum, offer visitors immersive experiences, authentic historical artifacts, and compelling insights into the evolution …

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The Blitzkrieg: Germany’s Lightning War in WWII 30:02

4M ago30:02

30:02

In today's episode, we explore Blitzkrieg—the revolutionary "lightning war" tactics that dramatically reshaped warfare during World War II. We’ll examine how the brutal trench warfare of World War I inspired German military thinkers like Heinz Guderian to create rapid, coordinated assaults combining tanks, aircraft, and mechanized infantry, decisiv…

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Battle of Salerno (Operation Avalanche) 23:55

5M ago23:55

23:55

In this episode, we explore the intense and strategically significant Battle of Salerno, part of the Allies' bold invasion of mainland Italy in September 1943. Despite Italy's recent surrender, German forces swiftly reinforced positions, turning Operation Avalanche into a brutal test of determination and resilience. From chaotic amphibious landings…

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The American Civil War: Innovations in Warfare 24:05

5M ago24:05

24:05

Welcome to Trackpads Military Podcast, where history, leadership, and heroism come alive. In this episode, we dive into how the American Civil War fundamentally reshaped warfare through unprecedented technological, tactical, and logistical innovations. From ironclad ships and railroads to battlefield triage and the telegraph, the war introduced gro…

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The Role of Chaplains in Military Units 22:32

5M ago22:32

22:32

This podcast episode explores the critical and often understated role of military chaplains throughout history, from their ancient origins accompanying Roman legions to their essential functions within today's diverse armed forces. Listeners will learn about chaplains' key responsibilities, including providing spiritual guidance, confidential couns…

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Gothic Line Offensive 23:30

5M ago23:30

23:30

The Gothic Line Offensive marked the final chapter of the Allies' hard-fought Italian Campaign in World War II. Stretching across the treacherous Apennine Mountains, German forces constructed formidable defensive positions intended to halt the Allies' northward push and prolong the war indefinitely. Allied soldiers confronted daunting terrain, fier…

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Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) 31:36

6M ago31:36

31:36

In this episode, we explore Operation Husky—the critical Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II. This ambitious campaign combined airborne assaults, massive amphibious landings, and cunning intelligence operations to successfully establish the first significant Allied foothold on Axis-held European territory. Despite fierce German counteratt…

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Cradle of Revolution, Crosshairs of War: Iran’s 50-Year Descent 39:10

6M ago39:10

39:10

In this powerful episode, we examine Iran’s descent from monarchy to theocracy—and its rise as a global sponsor of terror and proxy warfare. With the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities marking a historic escalation, we trace the regime’s path over the past five decades: the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the bloody Iran-Iraq War, the cre…

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The Bradley Fighting Vehicle: Versatility in Combat 24:24

6M ago24:24

24:24

This episode dives deep into the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a cornerstone of modern mechanized infantry forces. From its development during the Cold War to address growing Soviet armor threats, through its pivotal role in conflicts like Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the Bradley's versatile capabilities and continuous evolution highl…

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The F-35 Lightning II: Multi-Role Dominance 25:41

6M ago25:41

25:41

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of the F-35 Lightning II, a cutting-edge fighter aircraft that has reshaped the landscape of modern aerial combat. Born from the ambitious Joint Strike Fighter program, the F-35 was designed to combine stealth, versatility, and advanced avionics into a single airframe capable of performing multiple…

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Ctrl+Alt+Combat: Drones at War 31:18

6M ago31:18

31:18

In this episode of Trackpads, we explore the fascinating, and sometimes unsettling, evolution of drone warfare. We take you from the early days of clunky prototypes to the razor-sharp precision of today’s AI-driven combat machines. Along the way, we’ll examine what it means to be a drone pilot, the psychological toll of remote warfare, and the cutt…

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Leadership Traits from the Battlefield to the Boardroom 18:38

6M ago18:38

18:38

In this episode, we explore powerful leadership lessons drawn directly from military experience and examine how these battlefield-proven traits effectively translate into the corporate world. We delve into core attributes like decisiveness, adaptability, accountability, resilience, and empathy—qualities that define exceptional leaders in high-stres…

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The Turning Point at Midway 26:31

7M ago26:31

26:31

This episode of Track Pads brings to life the decisive events of the Battle of Midway, a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War Two. Listeners will hear how Japan’s ambitious plan to eliminate the United States Pacific Fleet was upended by American codebreaking, strategic foresight, and the courageous actions of naval aviators. From the …

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First Line of Defense: The Tragic Story of Task Force Smith at Osan 24:15

7M ago24:15

24:15

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the harrowing story of Task Force Smith, America's initial response to the North Korean invasion during the Korean War. Listeners will experience the intense moments of July 1950 near Osan, where a small, under-equipped American force faced overwhelming North Korean armor and infantry. The narrative explor…

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F-22 Raptor: Apex Predator 24:04

7M ago24:04

24:04

The F-22 Raptor isn’t just a fighter jet—it’s an apex predator in the sky, built to dominate any airspace with stealth, speed, and cutting-edge technology. Born from Cold War tensions and designed to ensure air superiority well into the future, the Raptor revolutionized aerial combat with its supercruise capability, thrust-vectoring maneuverability…

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Shaping Warriors: Inside U.S. Military Boot Camp 26:54

7M ago26:54

26:54

Basic training is where civilians are transformed into warriors, pushing their physical and mental limits to prepare for military service. Each branch of the U.S. military has its own grueling process, from the Marine Corps’ infamous Crucible to the Army’s 96-hour Forge and the Navy’s high-stress Battle Stations 21. But beyond the sweat, exhaustion…

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Hell on Heartbreak Ridge 16:30

8M ago16:30

16:30

Today, we're tackling one of the most grueling fights of the Korean War—Heartbreak Ridge. What was supposed to be a swift offensive turned into a brutal, month-long struggle against entrenched North Korean and Chinese forces. Soldiers fought through relentless artillery barrages, night assaults, and brutal hand-to-hand combat, all while navigating …

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The Silent Service of WW2 21:08

8M ago21:08

21:08

In this episode, we take you deep into the world of the Silent Service—America’s undersea warriors of World War II. From the early struggles with limited intelligence and defective torpedoes to the evolution of daring attack strategies, this episode covers how U.S. submarines transformed into one of the most devastating forces in the Pacific. You’l…

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Thermopylae: The Last Stand That Changed History 25:08

8M ago25:08

25:08

In this episode of Trackpads, I bring the Battle of Thermopylae to life, narrating the legendary last stand of King Leonidas and his warriors as they faced the overwhelming might of the Persian Empire. We’ll explore the strategic brilliance behind the Greeks’ choice of terrain, the brutal clashes that unfolded in the narrow pass, and how the discip…

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The Battle of Corregidor 18:26

8M ago18:26

18:26

Hello everyone, welcome to this week’s episode taking you to the Battle of Corregidor, fought on May 5-6, 1942, in Manila Bay’s rocky fortress. Picture 13,000 American and Filipino troops, led by General Jonathan Wainwright, facing 75,000 Japanese under General Masaharu Homma in a desperate two-day clash. This is the story of World War Two’s last A…

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Desert Storm: Modern Combat Redefined 29:30

8M ago29:30

29:30

In this podcast episode, we take you through the key lessons of Operation Desert Storm, narrating the full article for those who prefer to listen on the go. From the geopolitical tensions that led to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait to the overwhelming military response by the U.S.-led coalition, this episode explores the strategies, technological innovat…

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The Battle for Mosul 19:51

8M ago19:51

19:51

In this episode, I take you through the gripping and brutal nine-month battle for Mosul, one of the most intense urban warfare campaigns in modern history. You’ll hear how Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, fought street by street, building by building, to reclaim Iraq’s second-largest city from ISIS. From the initial assault to the desp…

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The Psychology of Leadership Under Fire 21:10

9M ago21:10

21:10

In this episode of Trackpads, I take you through the psychology of leadership under fire, exploring what it takes to make critical decisions in the heat of battle. Leadership in combat is more than strategy and tactics—it’s about resilience, decisiveness, and the ability to maintain composure when everything is on the line. I break down the mental …

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The Battle of Saint Mihiel 19:47

9M ago19:47

19:47

In this episode of the Trackpads Podcast, I take you through the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, the first major independent offensive led by the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I. This was a defining moment for U.S. military history—550,000 troops, 148 tanks, and 1,500 aircraft came together in a massive combined arms operation that shatt…

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USS Enterprise: The First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier 25:00

9M ago25:00

25:00

In this episode of Trackpads, I take you through the incredible history of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. From its groundbreaking design and Cold War origins to its legendary service across five decades, Enterprise redefined naval warfare. We’ll explore its role in key conflicts like the Cuban Missi…

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The Second Battle of Fallujah 16:05

9M ago16:05

16:05

Hey everyone, welcome to this week’s episode where we’re diving into the Second Battle of Fallujah, fought from November seven to December twenty three, two thousand four, in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province. Picture this: over twelve thousand coalition troops, led by folks like Lieutenant General John F. Sattler, clashing with three thousand insurgents un…

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The SR-Seventy One Blackbird: Chariot of the Gods 21:20

9M ago21:20

21:20

In this episode of Trackpads Military Newsletter, I take you on a deep dive into the legendary SR-71 Blackbird—the fastest jet ever built. From its origins as a Cold War intelligence asset to its cutting-edge design and record-breaking speeds, this episode explores what made the Blackbird such an engineering marvel. You’ll hear about its ability to…

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The Battle of Leyte Gulf 21:17

9M ago21:17

21:17

The largest naval battle in history wasn’t just a clash of warships—it was a battle that shaped the future of the Pacific. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s last, desperate attempt to halt the American advance and defend the Philippines. Over four days, fleets clashed in a chaotic struggle that saw massive battleship duels, …

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Women in Combat: A Historical Perspective 24:51

9M ago24:51

24:51

Throughout history, women have defied expectations and broken barriers on the battlefield, from ancient warrior queens to modern-day combat soldiers. In this episode of The Trackpads Podcast, we explore the evolution of women in combat—how their roles have shifted, the challenges they’ve faced, and the undeniable impact they’ve had on military hist…

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The Battle of Khe Sanh: A Siege in the Highlands 23:42

9M ago23:42

23:42

In this podcast episode, I narrate the gripping tale of the Battle of Khe Sanh, a 77-day siege in 1968 where 6,000 U.S. Marines faced off against a North Vietnamese force of 20,000 to 40,000 in South Vietnam’s rugged Quang Tri Province. You’ll hear about the historical stakes—set against the Vietnam War’s escalating tensions and the strategic impor…

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The Vietnam War: Americas War 24:44

9M ago24:44

24:44

In this episode of Trackpads, I take a deep dive into one of America’s most complex and controversial conflicts—the Vietnam War. Narrating directly from the latest newsletter article, I explore the war’s origins, key battles, military strategies, and its lasting impact on both the U.S. and Vietnam. From the early days of Cold War tensions and the D…

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The P-51 Mustang: King of the Skies 19:29

10M ago19:29

19:29

In this episode of Trackpads, I take you through the story of the P-51 Mustang, the fighter that reshaped the skies of World War II. From its rapid development by North American Aviation to its game-changing upgrade with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, this warbird wasn’t just another fighter—it was a revolution in air combat. You’ll hear how the Mu…

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George Washington: The General Who Built a Nation 19:46

10M ago19:46

19:46

In this episode, I take you through the incredible military leadership of George Washington, narrating the full article for those who prefer to listen on the go. We explore how Washington transformed an untrained militia into a disciplined army, outmaneuvering the British with strategy, resilience, and the power of endurance. From his early lessons…

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The Art of War by Sun Tzu: Timeless Leadership Lessons 27:53

10M ago27:53

27:53

In this episode, I bring The Art of War to life, narrating the latest Trackpads Military Newsletter article exploring Sun Tzu’s timeless strategies. From the chaos of ancient China to modern warfare, business, and leadership, we dive into the enduring lessons of deception, adaptability, and strategic thinking. You’ll hear how historical leaders lik…