Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude

In this week’s episode of Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick off with weather whiplash and use it as a springboard into a spirited life update: long winters, dreams of warmer zip codes, and plotting an eventual move abroad (with the Philippines taking the lead thanks to VA access). From there, we tumble into a surprisingly practical tour of AI tools—voice cloning on ElevenLabs, the quirks of various chatbots, and the art of prompting to get balanced answers—before detouring through fiber internet upgrades, home server dreams, and crypto staking strategies. We also trade travel-and-living wisdom about trusts, wills, inheritance, and why some businesses and people are bailing on high-tax states. True to form, we keep the laughs coming with confessions of unusual comfort foods (PB&J with chips and green olives, PB + garlic salt, BLTs with hot cheese, Old Bay on popcorn), prairie wind war stories, and a drive down memory lane through small-town America, VHS nostalgia, and grand plans for future Airbnbs and truck gardens. We close with our value-for-value reminder and an open invite to send us your weird food combos and thoughts on trusts, crypto, and moving somewhere warm.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick things off battling cold weather and tech gremlins, then settle into a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation the way only old friends can. We swap CPAP upgrades and sleep-apnea war stories, debate movie nostalgia versus modern CGI, and pitch a monthly classic-film chat (yes, even A Christmas Carol). From there, we dive into cultural shifts, personal finance discipline, and why brewing coffee at home beats $7 sugar-bomb lattes. We chew on free speech, accountability for public officials, AI bias, and the value of being discerning with tech and news. We also detour through trucking economics, rugged individualism vs. collective action, immigration nuance, and why fewer ads and more listener-driven value keeps this show authentic. We wrap with job-site freeze-ups, sand-trailer shop talk, and the Dude’s timeless tip of the day: if it’s cold, wear a jacket and shoes.As always, we’re ad-free and value-for-value. If you got something from the show, share it, send feedback, help with chapters or art, or support the hosting bills. Email: circlecast@gmail.com (Bryan) or rchelson@gmail.com (Rich). If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s episode of Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick things off with classic audio gremlins, shop talk, and a storm rolling across Texas, Mississippi, and beyond. We dive into trucking yard logistics, overtime headaches, HR-proof blunt honesty, and why common sense (and throat chops) still matter. From kale conspiracies to bagged salad betrayals, we keep the laughs rolling, then pivot hard into radio nerdery: contests, sunspots, solar flares, band conditions, and why upgrading from General to Extra unlocks the 80m playground. We also geek out on DIY audio fixes (shock mounts for the win) and voice-cloning AI toys that turn a single photo into a talking, hand-waving character. We wander through movies we’ve missed and loved—from White Christmas, The Music Man, Porky’s, and Fast Times to Pitch Perfect, Jack London’s Sea-Wolf, and Steinbeck rabbit holes—plus the idea of a monthly “Movies Rich Missed” segment. We close with winter weather misery forecasting, shoutouts to our listeners, and how you can help grow the show via sharing, chapter art, and value-for-value support. Same grumpy charm, same unfiltered camaraderie—just three friends keeping each other sharp and entertained through the deep freeze.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick things off with some classic tech gremlins, button-mashing banter, and a lively dive into Linux setups, podcast rigs, and the eternal Zoom-is-weird struggle. From there, we roam through rising grocery costs, beef buying strategies, and the realities of food and fuel—from E85 to biodiesel and why regulations make ranching harder than it has to be. We also get tactical with a spirited discussion on evolving small-arms calibers, body armor, AK vs. AR history, and a few sea/airpower detours (CWIS and A-10 fans, you’ll smile). We round it out with autonomous trucks, nuclear power for AI data centers, mother-in-law mercy, ham radio contests (voice, RTTY, and a nod to CW), Morse code woes, keyboards that won’t quit, and why friendships on purpose matter. We close with a heartfelt value-for-value reminder: no ads, just you. Share the show, send your ideas, lend your time/talent/treasure, and help shape future episodes. Thanks for riding along—whether you’re in Tokyo at lunchtime or stateside near midnight, we see you and appreciate you!Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets, the three of us catch up on life, weather swings, bills, and a deep dive into wood stoves and heating hacks—right down to firewood sizes and the best slow-burning woods. We roll into Jeep tire drama (RIP KO2s), price-versus-wear debates, and why research can change your mind about Patagonia's. From there, we veer through a spicy but civil Facebook dust-up about geopolitics and legality, then swing into radios: selling big rigs, unboxing a new contest-grade DX10, late-night France contacts on 40 meters, logging workflows, Linux toys, and prepping for upcoming contests. We round it out with road stories about DPS stings, hands-free laws, ghost-marked cruisers, yard work, stubborn acorns, donut loyalties, value-for-value podcasting, and the eternal loyalty (and gas) of our dogs. It’s classic us: three friends intentionally showing up, swapping stories, sharpening each other, and laughing at our own nonsense—from “let me take two PTO hours for a throat chop” to queef-slapper-level punchlines. If it’s on our minds—heating, radios, tires, laws, Linux, biscuits, or bacon-laced beans—it’s on the mic. Share it with a friend (or an enemy), send us your thoughts, and we’ll see you next week.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this New Year’s episode, I catch up with Bryan and The Duuude for a freewheeling, three-hour hang where we kick off 2026 with stories, laughs, and some real talk. We swap New Year’s Eve recaps—from solo fire-pit zen with a pack of 7% seltzers, to hot-chocolate-at-midnight serenity, to working oilfield staging pads while hunting for cell signal. From there, we wander delightfully through trucking and fracking loads, fireworks prices and city ordinances, drones-as-firework-viewers, dog thunder shirts, vertigo, and the odd places different states drop acorns, anchors, and balls at midnight. We even go deep on the surprising history of time balls and the first Times Square drop in 1907.We also geek out hard: home bread machines and einkorn wheat, DIY pizza and pretzels, Linux backups, self-hosting, and AI chatbots (how to prompt better, where they’re useful, and why they’re not AGI). The Dude shares ham radio updates—DX chasing, noisy bands, contest goals, and 2026 awards—while I reflect on site traffic milestones, writing rhythms, and value-for-value podcasting. We close with a candid detour on border drug interdictions, the EMT smuggling sting in Texas, and a few state and national political riffs—then wrap with gratitude, goals, and good wishes for a better 2026.Chat Links: (Not Sponsored)https://www.farm2flour.comEmail Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we celebrate a birthday (the Duuude's) and dive into a lively, winding conversation about intentional living, service, and everyday grit. We kick off with retail rants (Walmart vs. H‑E‑B and the lost art of customer service), drift into wealth, power, and philanthropy, and spotlight the Bentonville/NW Arkansas boom. From there we hit military life—why a one‑time $1,776 payout matters to junior service members—then swap stories from the road: high‑wind trucking hazards, governed rigs, and the science of getting blown around at 70,000 lbs. We cover nicotine’s grip, addiction recovery, and mindset triggers; ham‑radio contest woes and sunspot cycles; winter storms out West; cold‑weather Army “Mickey Mouse” boots and Alaska training; plus moonshine stills, Jeep tires, and the economics of tire warranties. We also get into health: VA visits, amniotic‑fluid injections for shoulder pain, new hearing aids that stream calls and music, and how better hearing changes daily life (from birdsong to turn‑signal clicks). Not only that, but we round it out with AI image/video tinkering, backups and local models, pet antics, Mardi Gras timelines, and a quick Value‑for‑Value segment on how listeners can support the show. Programming note: we’re off for Christmas and back on New Year’s Day. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!Resources mentioned (non‑sponsored):• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville, AR) — free admission supported by philanthropy• SolarHam for solar and sunspot activity (ham radio propagation)• VA audiology and ortho care discussions (hearing aids; context)Email Us:Rich -- mailtto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick off with post-Thanksgiving catch‑ups and a surprising win with the local post office. We riff on tech tinkering—expanding backup storage to 7TB, rediscovering years of photos, playing with Darktable on Linux, and dabbling in AI video experiments.Then, things get... grumpy. We discuss everyday life gear, specifically a $2,500 mattress that Bryan claims "just lays there and sweats."On the heart side, Ron shares a meaningful afternoon playing chess with veterans at a VA home—learning to match play to a person’s abilities (and dealing with spilled coffee). Then we step through tough family terrain involving "Cluster B" personalities, custody battles, and protecting grandkids—balancing concern with letting grown kids make their own choices.We wrap up with a friendly debate on whether politics belongs in church, some Jeep talk, a Sasquatch meme war, and a reminder of why this show exists: three friends showing up for each other.Merry Christmas, and good luck to Rich in the 10‑meter contest! (Go get that Silver!)Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, we kick off with real life updates: Rich’s MRI reveals significant shoulder tendon tears, bursitis, and pain management ups and downs, plus Bella the dog’s hilarious water-glass heist. We wander into geeking out on Linux, local AI models, audio workflows, backups, and why permissions matter—complete with a near-disaster Gmail wipe and how he recovered it. From there, we dive into a spirited, good-natured brawl over AI: art quality, “brown and muddy” palettes, hallucinations, summary collapse, and the soul of human-made art. We compare classic works like the De Witt brothers, Raft of the Medusa, and Ivan the Terrible to AI images, and debate what counts as “good art” versus useful tools. We also hit healthcare headaches in rural Oklahoma, insurance changes, pharmaceutical incentives, and the cost-of-living contrasts with manufacturing abroad. Rounding out the hour: drones and looming DJI restrictions in the U.S., staking Solana on-chain and APY realities, chess at the VA soldiers’ home as a way to give back, and a nostalgic first Christmas tree in decades—complete with vintage bubble lights. We close with value-for-value: share the show, send us feedback, and keep the conversations rolling.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets, the crew gets real about everyday life, health hiccups, and the small joys that keep us going. Bryan kicks things off riding the struggle bus with a full-on tooth emergency and the saga of finding an in-network dentist, urgent care antibiotics, and insurance timing. From there we wander through the comforts (and crimes) of hot dog cooking methods, microwaved pot pies, and the eternal spam vs. Vienna sausage debate, with plenty of laughter and veteran-grade gallows humor along the way.We shift gears into road-life stories from the truck, AI dash-cam shenanigans, and how modern safety tech can be both blessing and nuisance. Rich shares a big win from the ham radio November Sweepstakes—325 contacts, pileups, and rare states snagged—plus antenna upgrades that transformed Rich's station. We round out with practical talk on marriage communication (ditch the score keeping), crypto ups and downs, Linux and podcast app picks (AntennaPod for the win), stargazing through a serious telescope, and plans around Thanksgiving. As always, it’s unfiltered camaraderie with some hard-earned perspective and a few genuine wins to celebrate.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, I open the mics with Bryan and the Duuude for a sprawling, honest hang that runs from health and MRIs to ham radio, Linux life, dogs, decluttering, and a heavy dose of real‑talk on politics and insurance. We kick off with Rich’s marathon MRI session, steroid shots, pain management, and the search for relief through acupuncture and even cupping. That flows right into ham radio world: solar flares, auroras, contest scores, chasing DX across the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and the ongoing quest for a clean sweep amid radio blackouts. We also get nerdy about ditching Windows for Linux Mint, terminal scripts, logging software, and why onions and Tor matter. From there, it’s pure life: decluttering garages, estate sale realities, and the insanity of insurance inspections. We riff on playgrounds, liability, and how risk-averse culture and policy shape everyday life. We swap veteran shop stories—motor pools, gun bunnies, generator mishaps, jump boots, and mirror shines—before landing on the pure joy of dogs. Bella and her buddy Ringo steal the show with paper‑towel confetti, toilet‑paper “snow,” a murdered turkey toy, and the truth that a tired dog is a happy dog. It’s the kind of episode that feels like sitting around the table with friends: practical, salty, funny, and real.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

The Duuude kicks things off by talking coins—specifically, the end of silver in quarters and the slow demise of the penny, which leads the guys down a rabbit hole of gas prices, taxes, and how rounding up or down might change... well, probably nothing.This somehow pivots to New York City's new "communist" mayor, free housing, and the logistics of delivering anything in a city that charges a fortune just to cross a bridge.But the real tech news? Rich got mad as hell at Windows and... (drumroll)... he switched to Linux! He shares his journey of telling Windows 11 to "hold my beer," turning off BitLocker, and discovering the clean, crisp world of Linux Mint Cinnamon. The guys dive into whether you can really game on Linux, the power of root access, and breathing new life into old computers.Bryan jumps in from his truck to explain the loud, 15-hour-day-filled world of "zipper" fracking, and the guys get a new subscriber (Hi, Deanna!).The conversation then careens into a UPS plane crash, "rapid unscheduled disassemblies," a slammed Mustang throwing sparks, low rider regrets, and the existential dread of getting older, needing hearing aids, and trying to sleep with a fan on (or not).Finally, the guys tackle the "Eliza effect" of people marrying AI, the fracturing of pop culture thanks to Napster and Netflix, and why we might all just need a good dose of boredom.Email Us:Rich --mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s candid, freewheeling hang with the Two Grumpy Vets, we riff on everything from cold season and culinary skirmishes (al dente vs. soggy noodles, cornbread the right way) to ham radio contest season—logging 155+ QSOs across the globe, multipliers, team stations, and the art of staying sharp over marathon operating sessions. We veer into cars and culture (Cybertruck camper shells, classic oddballs, off-roading mishaps), swap basic training and service stories across branches, and kick around tech tinkering—ditching Windows for Linux, GPU drivers, and the hunt for a solid contest logger. We round it out with life talk, a little civics and social commentary, and an open invite for listeners to write in, weigh in, and keep the conversation going. If you’re here for the camaraderie, the laughs, and the steady drip of practical wisdom from three friends who show up weekly to sharpen one another, you’re in the right place. Come for the banter, stay for the brotherhood—and don’t forget to send your questions, gripes, and great ideas for next time.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets, the three of us catch up after a wild couple of weeks. I share the saga of my blue-screened laptop and migrating to Linux, plus a big ham radio win: new antenna, long-distance QSOs to Scotland, Russia, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, and even the North Cook Islands—all while gearing up for a 48-hour contest. We also swap stories from Cruisin’ The Coast, where 10,334 registered hot rods turned the Gulf Coast into a rolling car museum and we watched old-school gassers tear down the strip from 30 feet off the finish line. Bryan opens up about a serious family development as his daughter leaves an abusive situation; we discuss trauma bonds, boundaries, and practical next steps. We riff on balanced budgets, shutdown spin, daylight savings time (abolish it!), winter temps, and a dog named Bella who can clear a patio wall like an Olympian. We close with show updates: growing UK listenership, download spikes, and how you can support via time, talent, or treasure—no sponsors, just three vets talking life and laughing through it.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

This week on Two Grumpy Vets, I sit down with Bryan and the Duuude for a meandering, laugh-out-loud catch‑up that runs from ham radio projects to hot rods, road rage, and real talk on military standards. We kick off with Rich’s Mississippi antenna build, WebSDR 101, and Raspberry Pi tinkering, then veer into highway headaches, CDL enforcement stories, and prep for Mississippi’s massive Cruisin’ the Coast car week. From gassers at the strip to shade-hunting curbside strategy, we map out our plan to soak in 10,000+ rides. We pivot into a serious segment on the state of the U.S. military, leadership, PT standards, and why tough love matters—grounded in our own experiences from smoking soldiers to the heavy burden of casualty notifications. We wind down with windshield woes, Jeep mods, old-money rabbit holes, urban legends, and book talk—Stephen King, Truman Capote, and the Amarillo-set Bomb City—before closing with our value‑for‑value invite and listener shout‑outs. If you like shop talk, service talk, and a little life talk, grab a seat in the garage and hang with us.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets (and the Duuude), we kick back for a sprawling, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt hang. We start with life updates and a beloved dog named Bella, then meander into cooking wins (breakfast casseroles, 7-Up cake, and vintage church cookbooks), the Mandela Effect, and a triumphant return to roller skating—complete with hard vs. soft wheels and sore muscles. From there, we free-range into civil discourse, free speech, news fatigue, and how to stay grounded: focus on living well, learning openly, and disagreeing without being disagreeable. We also riff on podcast stats, listener shoutouts from around the world, and the joy of making a show that feels like three friends on a porch at sunset, solving (and laughing at) the world’s problems together.Expect humor, a few spicy takes, a dose of faith and history chat, and a reminder that friendship, curiosity, and a good casserole can go a long way.Email Us:Rich-- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this week’s Two Grumpy Vets, the three of us catch up on real life: gaming detours (Fortnite, Helldivers, Mortal Kombat), home projects gone sideways (garage chaos and armored soffit vents vs. ninja squirrels), and shop talk from roofing to ham radio antennas. We wander through cooking adventures (DIY mixers, homemade rolls, bacon pancake bakes, Amish onion fritters), dog shenanigans (Bella’s water-bowl rebellion and Jeep-key sprints), and the never‑ending battle of fast‑food prices. We also get candid about heavy family matters—trauma bonds, safety plans, and choosing patience over vengeance—while reminding each other why conversations, humor, and friendship matter. We wrap with a quick explainer on our value‑for‑value model, how to send in feedback, and an open invite to share topics you want us to tackle next—whether it’s outdoor stories, gear talk, life stuff, or why stroking corn really is just buttering cobs.Email Us:Rich -- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this episode of Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude, the hosts dive into a lively discussion about the challenges and humorous aspects of daily life, from dealing with broken partials and internet upgrades to the complexities of modern relationships. Bryan shares a personal story about his daughter's tumultuous relationship, highlighting the manipulative behaviors of narcissistic partners and the importance of recognizing red flags. The conversation also touches on the resilience required to navigate life's unexpected hurdles and the value of maintaining strong family bonds.The hosts also explore broader societal issues, such as the impact of government policies on housing and the economy, and the role of education in shaping future generations. They discuss the importance of critical thinking and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Throughout the episode, the hosts maintain their signature blend of humor and candidness, offering listeners a mix of personal anecdotes, social commentary, and thought-provoking insights.Email Us:Rich-- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan-- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this lively episode of "Two Grumpy Vets and a Dude," Bryan, Rich, and the Duuude gather to share their unique perspectives on intentional living, social commentary, and the quirks of daily life. The conversation kicks off with humorous anecdotes about pets, yard work, and the challenges of keeping up with energetic dogs. The trio delves into the intricacies of gaming, reminiscing about classic arcade games and discussing the evolution of gaming consoles. They also touch on the peculiarities of modern technology, including AI and the latest trends in gaming.The discussion takes a turn towards more serious topics as the hosts explore issues like property taxes, the housing market, and the complexities of political discourse. They share candid opinions on the state of the world, touching on subjects like immigration, government policies, and the influence of big corporations. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted look at hobbies, from model trains to cooking experiments, and a reminder of the value-for-value model that keeps the podcast ad-free and listener-supported. Join the conversation for a mix of humor, insight, and a touch of grumpiness.Email Us:Rich-- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here. 

In this lively episode of "Two Grumpy Vets and a Duuude," we dive into a myriad of topics with our signature blend of humor and candid commentary. We kick off with a light-hearted discussion about the nuances of button mashing versus button pushing, and the technical hiccups that sometimes accompany our live recordings. The conversation then shifts to the quirks of pet ownership, particularly dealing with dogs during thunderstorms, and the various solutions like thunder shirts and earmuffs that can help calm our furry friends.As the episode progresses, we tackle more serious subjects, including the challenges of homelessness and the societal structures that contribute to it. We explore the complexities of poverty, the role of government assistance, and the importance of personal responsibility. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of video games, the impact of social commentary in gaming, and the nostalgia of classic arcade games. Throughout the episode, we maintain a balance of humor and thoughtful discourse, ensuring an engaging experience for our listeners.Email Us:Rich-- mailto://rchelson@gmail.comBryan -- mailto://circlecast@gmail.com If you are struggling with life please reach out to The Suicide Life Line - Dial 988The world needs you here.