Amplifying Veteran Voices Through Podcasting (Military Creator Con Panel 2026)

Send us Fan MailRecorded live at Military Creator Con 2026 in Arlington, Texas, this special episode features my portions of the Podcaster Panel, including the questions directed to me and my responses. The full panel was moderated by Military Creator Con Founder James Van Prooyen and also featured Mike Dell, Founder of Blubrry, and Robin Phoenix Johnson, comedian and podcaster. This release focuses specifically on my perspective and experiences, while the complete panel is available separately through Military Creator Con for future purchase.I share how I discovered podcasting while still serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy, using long drives and commutes as opportunities to learn, stay entertained, and make better use of my time. That eventually led me to create Couple O’ Nukes without really knowing what I was doing—which means I also made plenty of mistakes. I discuss why aspiring podcasters should research the business, technology, branding, and resources available to them before launching, as well as why military service members do not have to postpone their creative ambitions until after leaving the uniform.Mr. Van Prooyen also pushes the conversation into personal branding, leveraging a podcast, and determining what success actually means. I explain how Couple O’ Nukes grew beyond its original military roots into a platform supporting my work in speaking, comedy, writing, mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, and self-improvement. For me, podcasting has never simply been about download numbers. It is about building trust, authority, reputation, connection, and a body of work that can continue reaching the right person at the right time—even years after an episode was originally released.I also get into some of the less glamorous realities of podcasting: difficult guests, rejecting episodes that do not align with your standards, unrealistic expectations about making money, online criticism, fluctuating engagement, and the enormous amount of work creators often perform behind the scenes. From recording video even when you initially plan to release audio only, to editing your own early episodes, experimenting with social media clips and B-roll, cross-promoting appearances, and learning your voice before outsourcing everything, this conversation is a practical look at podcasting as both a creative craft and a long-term platform. Whether you are a veteran, military creator, aspiring podcaster, content creator, or someone trying to turn your ideas into something meaningful, this episode offers lessons I learned by building the show from the ground up.militarycreatorcon.comWebsite: https://coupleonukes.comDiscounted Military Creator Con Tickets: http://militarycreatorcon.com/register?afmc=MCCMWExodus, Honor Your Heart, & Nulu Knives: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch:  https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007 Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.