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Welcome to Patriot to the Core Podcast

Patriot to the Core 2018

This podcast exists b/c of my little brother Mark Forester.  While he was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 9/11.  He felt the calling then to complete his service to God with his next mission being to serve his country.  He knew God wanted him to help control the world's terrorists population.

On September 29, 2010, he was killed in action on his first deployment.  From his death notification to my family, to the Dignified Transfer ceremony at Dover, to his viewing, funeral, and subsequent memorials, I was amazed at the new world of heroes and warriors we met.  These men and women have become close to our family and been huge supports.  But they also stood out because of their willingness to voluntarily fight evil.  They believed in freedom and liberty.  Because of their actions, I started this podcast to interview great Americans who serve their country and communities.

By supporting this podcast, you help support The Mark Forester Foundation and its cause.

I interview those from all branches of the military, serving multiple roles (combat controllers, PJs, Green Berets, SEALs, Rangers, Infantrymen, Marines, Pilots, etc) and the US government. In addition, I speak with your everyday mom who goes about doing good--from starting a non-profit to fighting for freedom in our communities and schools. I also get to talk with Gold Star Parents, Siblings and Spouses, and Medal of Honor recipients.

This provides an opportunity to learn about everyday Americans who go above and beyond to protect us and to help others. As a Gold Star brother, many of my guests have a military connection, but I still have a wide variety of people who answer the call to serve in various ways.

We talk fighting terrorism, self-protection, exercise, mental toughness, charity, parenting, fugitives and occasionally pop culture and politics (like government overreach).

Please follow and subscribe so we can have many episodes to come. Send suggestions and questions to me at thad@patriottothecore.com. Hope you enjoy!

You can also become a patron.  Your support is not considered a donation--it's a way to get something in return for helping support my cause.  See link below:

Become a Patron!

 

Ep 095 | Brian Jodice – Pick Up the Six Podcast

September 26, 2022 By Thad Forester

Brian Jodice is the owner and host of Pick up the Six Productions and Podcast, where he shares stories about the men and women among us who go above-and-beyond to PICK UP THE SIX through SERVICE, PURPOSE and IMPACT.

He recalls many impactful interviews he’s done in the last few years, among them was the Commander of the USS Cole when it was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists in 2000. Also, the lesser-known pilot for Marcus Luttrell’s rescue during Operation Red Wings, Jeff “Spanky” Peterson.

We also discuss F3 Nation – what it is, why they call him “Hello Kitty”, the benefits of F3 and Brian’s favorite workouts, including his recent 208 mile relay in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mentioned in this episode:

CDR. Kirk Lippold – USS Cole

Jeff Spanky Peterson – Operations Red Wings

Thad Forester – My Brother in Arms

Jason McCarthy – Founder of GoRuck

*PTC is on Patreon.  If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com



https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1349946271-user-645944549-brianjodice-95.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: f3, operation redwings, suicide, uss cole

Ep 094 | Ish Villegas – 2-time Silver Star Recipient

September 19, 2022 By Thad Forester

Ish Villegas is one of three people who have received the Silver Star twice, since 9/11.

Today he walks us thru the battle in 2009 where he got his first Silver Star. It was a 16 hour fight that resulted in at least 32 enemy insurgents killed. During this fight, Ish ran 200 feet across an open, uncleared IED minefield to more effective position and returned fire with his M-4 and then directed aircraft (rotary and fixed wing) onto the enemy locations in a surgical and lethal manner. It’s an incredible story; one that he completed with two broken arms.

He also trained my brother, Mark Forester, at FOB Cobra/Tinsley and we are forever grateful for his friendship to Mark and for showing him the ropes in one of the most active areas in all of Afghanistan.

Ish is a great American and we’re lucky to have men like him on our side. You can listen to details of his 2nd Silver Star here on Black Rifle Coffee.

*PTC is on Patreon.  If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1345284724-user-645944549-ishvillegas-94.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: afghanistan, afsoc, cct, cobra, pipeline, silver star, tinsley

Ep 093 | Leading Well in Turbulent Times

August 8, 2022 By Thad Forester

“Good judgment comes through experience, which comes from bad judgment.”

Brig. Gen. Robert (Gwyn) Armfield and Lt. Gen. Bruce Fister, both USAF, retired are on the show to talk about their new book “Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead.”

They use their experience from extensive military careers and now consulting with companies–from non-profits, to large organizations.

Some specifics we discuss:
-Leading in a crisis
-How do develop leaders, including delegating effectively
-Giving feedback: possibly an area where most leaders struggle
-Gwyn and Bruce’s mistakes and responses to them

I’ve already given the book a 5-star rating on Amazon and recommend it to all listeners to Patriot to the Core.

Purchase the book here: Lead to Serve book

You can also listen to my previous interview with Gwyn here.

*PTC is on Patreon.  If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1319487622-user-645944549-armfield-fister-93.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: cct, stts

Ep 092 | Justin Roberts – On the Ground in Ukraine

July 26, 2022 By Thad Forester

Former Army Chaplain Justin Roberts (@justindroberts) has been in Ukraine since April 2022 recording a documentary film series to highlight people who are doing good in Ukraine–helping with aid, managing donated money effectively and honestly, and just serving their fellow man.

I wanted to know what it’s like in the war where he’s been. How are the Ukrainians living? What is their morale? Are they going about their daily lives in some parts? How do they respond when Russian soldiers come to their home? Why is this war mostly artillery and not small arms?

It was fascinating to talk with Justin from his air b and b in Lviv. He goes out with the military in the mornings and works from his home in the afternoons and evenings.

Below are links where you can follow him, watch videos showing the destruction and fight of the Ukrainian military and civilians, and listen to my first interview with him from back in 2018. Please follow him and support where possible.

Do Good Army on Facebook

Do Good Army on Tiktok

Episode 53 of Patriot to the Core

Justin on War Stories podcast

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1311745450-user-645944549-justinroberts-92.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: donbas, lviv, right sector, russia, territorial defense, tyranny, ukraine

Ep 091 | William Markham – One Veteran at a Time

July 18, 2022 By Thad Forester

Retired Chief Master Sergeant William Markham spent 30 years in the Air Force, was inducted in the 2021 Air Commando Hall of Fame and in the 2022 USSOCOM Hall of Heroes.

I know him personally because he was the chief of my brother Mark’s squadron (21st STS out of Pope Field, NC). I never met him until he delivered the notification of Mark’s death to our family on Sept 29, 2010. And he rarely left our home for the next week. Our family has tremendous respect for Markham.

Now, he has found a way to give back to his community and our veterans. He is the Chairman of Project OVAT and Executive Director of The Patriot Fund.

He’s a big believer in service dogs and in helping our vets get the services they need b/c he had several difficult years of figuring out his benefits, insurance and disability.

This man was on the ground in Afghanistan in Oct 2010 and was awarded the Silver Star on that deployment. He’s served our country well and now continues to serve in other ways.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 36: Kurt Buller

Ep 48: Bart Decker

Ep 88: Kyle Stanbro

Ep 76: Gen. Gwyn Armfield

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: afghanistan, air force, hall of fame, oda 555, patriotfund, security police, service dog, socom, triple nickel, ussocom, warrior canine connection

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