What a Hell of a Way to Die

What a Hell of a Way to Die is a left-wing military and veteran podcast hosted by Nate and Francis, two extremely online combat veterans. Join us to hear discussion of veterans issues, defense news, and military culture — all from a lefty perspective.

DadChat: Is There a Perfect Time to Have a Kid? No 05/04/2024

DadChat: Is There a Perfect Time to Have a Kid? No Note: this DadChat was recorded back in March right before Nate had a family emergency, so if it seems out-of-date it’s due to that. For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss the perennial question of ‘when is it the correct time to have a kid?’ And the answer is: whenever the circumstances work for you, but there’s always something happening that makes it a challenge. And once it happens you will never sleep normally again. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/31122273

DadChat: 2000s Culture Free Association 04/28/2024

DadChat: 2000s Culture Free Association For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis examine just what would constitute an ‘I remember the 2000s’ cultural encapsulation. As someone who literally owned an ‘All Your Base Are Belong to Us’ shirt (Nate) and a guy who experienced the red ring of death on an Xbox 360 (Francis), we simply know the source material too well. Also in this episode: Nate having to wage war against the British postal service because one guy apparently has the power to send your mail to the bottom of the ocean if he doesn’t want to load a heavy package on a truck. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/31020383

Deadliest Warrior: Spartan vs Ninja *Preview* 04/24/2024

Deadliest Warrior: Spartan vs Ninja *Preview* This month Francis is joined by Quinn from the Failure to Launch podcast for Deadliest Warrior: Spartan vs Ninja. Spears, shields, swords and...pocket sand? Get the full episode here at the $5 level - Listen to Failure to Launch, a podcast about why you shouldn't go into space - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30967628

Spinning the wheel of Ecological disasters with Calvin Norman 04/22/2024

Spinning the wheel of Ecological disasters with Calvin Norman This week Francis is joined by Forestry expert and conservationist Calvin Norman to discuss the impact of the War in Ukraine on the local ecology, and the extent it's going to take to get it back up and running again. Calvin also shares some of his favorite existential horrors that are less 'How do I pay my bills' and more 'will this hamburger eat my brain?' Check out the many webinars we discuss here - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30729238

DadChat: Ursula Le Guin Laudation Station 04/20/2024

DadChat: Ursula Le Guin Laudation Station For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss books they’re reading, which leads to an examination of how Nate wound up giving the work of Ursula Le Guin and Phillip K. Dick a try, and why he strongly recommends both. We also discuss childhood insomnia and recommendations for easy-to-manage herb gardens. It’s a DadChat package deal. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30911408

Militia House with John Milas 04/15/2024

Militia House with John Milas Veteran and Author John Milas joins Francis to discuss his debut horror Novel Militia House, set in 2010 Afghanistan and following a couple of bored Marines stuck in the middle of nowhere. John discusses his journey from Marine to author, his writing process, and what it is about horror that people love Pick up Militia house here or wherever you get books - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30729118

DadChat with Greg from the Brigham Young Money Podcast 04/12/2024

DadChat with Greg from the Brigham Young Money Podcast This week Francis talks with Greg of the Brigham Young Money Podcast about raising your kids around Religion. Greg is an ex Morman and Francis an ex Catholic and discuss how to talk about God and beliefs when you don't believe yourself Listen to his show about Utah Politics His other podcast about the Utah Jazz - Follow him on twitter - If you like what you're getting here, please consider donating to out Patreon. Five dollars a month will get you access to years of bonus interviews, reviews, and discussions - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30799098

Failing Upwards with Steve Beynon 04/04/2024

Failing Upwards with Steve Beynon This week Military.com reporter Steve Beynon stops by to update us on some of his more recent stories, such as a four star general greasing the wheels for a subordinate to be promoted, Special Forces once again getting caught with Nazi patches, and Chow Hall dining kiosks Special Forces - General Hamilton suspended - DFAC Kiosks - If you like what we do here, consider giving to the Patreon. For five bucks you get access to seven years of bonus content and will never have to hear us shill for Casper Mattresses - Check out our new stuff in the store. Patches, pins, stickers and buttons available - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30682248

The Zoo Crew goes to Man Camp *Preview* 04/02/2024

The Zoo Crew goes to Man Camp *Preview* This week the Zoo Crew is headed to Man Camp. We're dropping enough money to buy a new Toyota Corolla and instead of having a sensible car with low miles, we're getting slurs screamed at us by an angry Armenian guy Get the whole episode and more by signing up at Patreon - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30642988

Broken Tracks with Davis Winkie 03/27/2024

Broken Tracks with Davis Winkie Content warning: Suicide This week Davis Winkie comes on the show to talk about his deep dive into the suicide epidemic faced by Army Tank units Read more about it here - If you like what we do here, consider supporting us on Patreon. $5 a month gets you access to seven years of bonus interviews, movie reviews, and a lot in between - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30566783

Hell of a Way News Roundup: The Army's Navy 03/20/2024

Hell of a Way News Roundup: The Army's Navy This week Francis discusses the Navy. But not the American Navy, the Army Navy. Also covered is the Thai Navy shooting itself (Because it's nice to know it's not just us) and the National Guard dicking around on their phones in the Subway stations. Instead of a madia section, we're back to reading from anti war zines of the 1970s. I've been running through a lot of Sharpe books and while they are fun, they are also hardly conversational Take 15% off in the store all month with the code 'March' - Hear more on our Patreon. Five bucks a month gets you access to 7+ years of bonus content - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30464408

DadChat: Live from the Monkey House with Jack Forman 03/18/2024

DadChat: Live from the Monkey House with Jack Forman This week Francis brings Jack Forman, formerly of the Sirius XM station Kids Place Live on the show. Jack has run a kids call-in show for eleven years, taking thousands of calls from kids all around North America and now finds himself let go, but still continuing his vision. We talk about conversations with kids, 'kindie' music, and strange Italian songs Listen to Jack three times a week on his Patreon here - Francis' Kindie spotify playlist - Prisencolinensinainciusol - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30418213

DadChat: Dreaming of a World with No Dodge Neons 03/16/2024

DadChat: Dreaming of a World with No Dodge Neons For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis talk about their first cars… but also a discussion of what goes into sound production for podcasts, the roller-coaster of your child getting every germ on earth when they start nursery, and some discussions for fans of war-themed genre fiction. Hope you enjoy! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30396183

Into the Wild Blue Yonder 03/11/2024

Into the Wild Blue Yonder This week Francis talks with Emerson, a fellow Public Affairs troop, but for the Air Force. We discuss the fun of being in PAO, the differences in the branches, and how much better it is to be an airman than a soldier /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30319038

DadChat: Making Drywall Exciting 03/11/2024

DadChat: Making Drywall Exciting It’s DadChat, and we’ve got a spirited discussion about dealing with old houses and their old house problems, solid vs. hollow walls, the hobbies we picked up from our own dads, and the strange situation where British banks let landlords take out interest-only mortgages that were, of course, adjustable-rate mortgages. You can imagine how that went. Hope you enjoy? Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30312853

Hell of a News Roundup: Air Force Blues 03/06/2024

Hell of a News Roundup: Air Force Blues This week it's all about the Air Force as Francis discusses three stories from the branch we all love to hate. Take 15% off all orders in the store this month with the code 'march' - You can also get access to all our bonus content and interview episodes early on out patreon - National Guard story - Jack Teixeira - New Air Force regulations - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30254948

DadChat: Aspirational Uncle Status 03/03/2024

DadChat: Aspirational Uncle Status Sorry for the delayed episode! For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis convene on the topic of whether America or Britain hates kids more, the milestone of leaving your kid at daycare, Francis’ recent experiences reading books about Navy SEALs, and an Ask A Dad question about how to be good at being an uncle. We hope you enjoy! Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now — subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30211333

What a Hell of a News Roundup: Jailing Jody 02/28/2024

What a Hell of a News Roundup: Jailing Jody This week Francis discusses a Chinese Jody looking at 10 months in prison for doing Jody stuff. We also dive back into the 1943 Women's Home Companion and the sunsetting of yet another free benefit for troops that's being taken away. Get on the Patreon before the end of the month at the $10 level to get this quarter's care package - Jody - Army E-Learning - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30149993

Deadliest Warrior: Gladiator vs Apache *Preview* 02/27/2024

Deadliest Warrior: Gladiator vs Apache *Preview* Once upon a time there was an incredible show called Deadliest Warrior which took stoned conversations guys had in the mid aughts about who would win a fight and put it to some of the goofiest tests you've ever seen. Francis is joined by KD to talk about the Gladiator vs Apache Warrior Get the whole episode at the $5 level on Patreon - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30109428

Lefty get your gun: A Better Way 2A 02/26/2024

Lefty get your gun: A Better Way 2A This week Francis interviews Jordan from the Better Way 2A organization. We discuss gun rights, legislation, arming your queer friends, and handling all the latest at Shot Show 2024 Find out more about the organization here - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30109353

DadChat: Don’t Hurt Your Own Feelings 02/25/2024

DadChat: Don’t Hurt Your Own Feelings Sorry for the delayed episode! For this week’s DadChat, Nate and Francis discuss relationships: what they’ve learned from previous ones, what they appreciate about their partners, how they’ve tried to improve upon years of making mistakes, and how fortunate they both feel to have met people who like them despite their (conspicuous) flaws. And you get a few stories about first meetings and weddings and so on. We very much hope you enjoy it Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30099943

Hell of a News Roundup: Get those hands in your pocket, sailor! 02/21/2024

Hell of a News Roundup: Get those hands in your pocket, sailor! This week Francis talks mystery books, Ukraine, and why the HELL THE SAILORS GET TO PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS NOW! Get seven years of bonus content when you sign up for $5 or more on the Patreon - Take 20% off in the store with the code "podcast" Stories cited JD Vance - Military Housing - Hands in Pockets - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30050263

A Better Way 2A *Preview* 02/19/2024

A Better Way 2A *Preview* This week Francis interviews Jordan from the Better Way 2A organization. We discuss gun rights, legislation, arming your queer friends, and handling all the latest at Shot Show 2024. Find out more about the organization here - Get the full episode early at any dollar amount on the Patreon - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/30016913

DadChat: Future Kaaba of Indianapolis 02/16/2024

DadChat: Future Kaaba of Indianapolis It’s another DadChat in which we discuss Francis’s catholic upbringing, making Indianapolis a site of religious pilgrimage (place the reliquary in Monument Circle), British actors doing extremely good American accents, and much more. We also field an ‘Ask A Dad’ question: how do you avoid making the same mistakes your parents did? Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29978928

The Zoo Crew presents: Battle Los Angeles *Preview* 02/15/2024

The Zoo Crew presents: Battle Los Angeles *Preview* Voted on by our Patreons, The Zoo crew watches the very forgettable Battle Los Angeles. We mourn the first casualties of the war effort (Coasties) and marvel at Aaron Ekhart's jawline. You can get this episode and more at the $5 level of the Patreon, and have the opportunity to vote on the next movie /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29969313

DadChat: School of Dad Rock 02/08/2024

DadChat: School of Dad Rock Nate and Francis discuss learning to play music. Well, really it’s more an episode where Francis asks Nate about why he plays music and how he got back into it starting at age 35. And we also discuss Francis’s new goal of learning to paint, and the idea that you can stave off a midlife crisis by deciding to pursue new interests (so long as they’re not self-destructive ones! Don’t do that!) Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29852503

Hell of a News Roundup: The Second Amendment now covers nuclear capable ballistics 02/07/2024

Hell of a News Roundup: The Second Amendment now covers nuclear capable ballistics This week on the show, Francis covers the privitization of Army Barracks, Lt Colonels who need to be fired into the sun (all of them), and the second amendment allowing a man to keep a cold war era, Nuclear capable rocket For the media, we're talking Underwater action thrillers and Attack on Titan Interview with Taylor regarding the crushed submersible - If you like this, you can get seven years of bonus content on our Patreon. Your patronage means we don't have to try to sell you mail order mattresses and disgusting protein powder - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29841648

DadChat: Operation Yuck Mouth 02/02/2024

DadChat: Operation Yuck Mouth For this week’s episode, Nate and Francis discuss the travails of having (or not having) dental insurance in America, how it’s different in the United Kingdom, and why Nate is still dealing with the consequences of an unfortunate game of basketball in 2007. The conversation also somehow touches on the subject of P-1/P-2 visas for Afghans who helped the U.S. military. No one can claim we don’t have range. Like Hell of a Way? Check out our Patreon and get hundreds of hours of bonus content dating all the way back to 2017: *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* We now have a storefront to sell the patches, buttons, and magnets that we also give out as flair for our $10 tier. Buy some sweet gear here: We have a YouTube channel now -- subscribe here and get sweet videos from us in which we yell in our cars like true veterans: You can follow the show on Twitter here: Follow Nate here: Follow Francis here: /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29764458

Hell of a Way News Roundup: Getting stupid at twenty paces 01/31/2024

Hell of a Way News Roundup: Getting stupid at twenty paces This week Francis dives into some local politics as a Missouri state senator is trying to bring back dueling. Also covered is the Drone attack on Tower 22, specifically how a drone managed to follow another drone into the area of attacks For media, we cover Masters of the Air and the book Storm of Steel Remember: take 20% off your order all week with the code 'podcast Get your new Carlton Gustaf pins here - Sign up for the Patreon to get exclusive deals, access to the discord, and seven years of bonus episodes - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29732523

Hots & Cots, the Junior Enlisted Yelp 01/29/2024

Hots & Cots, the Junior Enlisted Yelp This week Francis speaks with Rob, the creator of the app Hots and Cots. From moldy barracks and closed dining facilities to palatial living quarters and snow crab chow, it's the place for your troops to show off the good, bad, and ugly of military bases Download the app here - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/29687138

What a Hell of a Way to Die

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