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WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast dives into the untold stories of America’s most decorated battleship. Hosted by the Battleship’s CEO, Marshall Spevak, this podcast features interviews with veterans, historians, and key figures connected to the ship’s legacy. We’ll explore life aboard the Battleship, spotlight New Jersey’s military and veteran community, and connect the past to the present. Whether you’re a history buff, a Navy enthusiast, or just curious about the stories behind the steel, WETSU is your all-access pass to the heart of the Battleship New Jersey.
18 Episodes
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On this very special bonus episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes the 56th Governor of New Jersey and Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard, the Honorable Phil Murphy. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Governor Murphy reflects on nearly eight years in office and his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Germany. He shares stories from his visits with U.S. troops in Afghanistan, overseeing the highest operational tempo in New J...
On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, we proudly hosted Rear Admiral Kenneth R. Blackmon, Vice Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Admiral Blackmon sat down with Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak for a dynamic conversation tracing his remarkable journey—from witnessing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait as a junior officer aboard USS DAVID R. RAY (DD-961), to rising through the ranks from Ensign to Flag Officer. Over more than three decades in uniform, RADM Blackmon...
On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with CDR Skip Leeson, who served as Commanding Officer of the USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) Reserve Unit in the 1980s. In this wide-ranging conversation, CDR Leeson reflects on his active-duty service off the coast of Vietnam—where his ship was part of the New Jersey’s protective convoy near the DMZ—and shares remarkable insights from one of the most significant chapters in the battleship’s modern histo...
On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host Marshall Spevak sits down with author, historian, and USS New Jersey (BB-62) veteran Paul Stillwell—one of the foremost authorities on America’s most decorated battleship. In this engaging conversation, Paul reflects on his 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, shares vivid stories from his time as a crew member aboard the New Jersey, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ship’s third decommissioning. Paul also previews his ...
On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, we’re giving the people exactly what they’ve been asking for: an in-depth conversation with our very own Curator, Ryan Szimanski! Join host Marshall Spevak as he sits down with Ryan to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to care for, interpret, and share the story of America’s most decorated battleship. From the massive undertaking of dry docking a 45,000-ton historic warship, to the surprising artifacts and hidden treasures...
On this episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Ken Kersch, a proud veteran of the USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) who served during her Vietnam War deployment. A plankowner from the ship’s 1968 recommissioning, Ken personifies the WETSU spirit—"We Eat This Stuff Up"—from his days preparing the Battleship for war to standing the watch off the coast of North Vietnam. In this compelling and heartfelt conversation, Ken shares firsthand stories of the ship'...
On this episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Commander Carne Livingston, USN, for an engaging and insightful discussion that captures the breadth of a distinguished naval career. CDR Livingston exemplifies the phrase “join the Navy, see the world,” having served across a diverse array of platforms—including landing helicopter docks (LHDs), amphibious transport docks (LPDs), and guided-missile destroyers (DDGs). Most notably, he served as the...
In this compelling episode of WETSU: a Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes a distinguished guest—Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, USAF, The Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. As New Jersey’s highest-ranking military official, Brig. Gen. Mays commands over 8,400 citizen soldiers and airmen of the New Jersey National Guard while overseeing the state’s Veterans Affairs operations. She joins the podc...
In this poignant and powerful episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host Marshall Spevak welcomes a truly remarkable guest—Assemblywoman and Gold Star Mother, Melinda Kane. Melinda shares the deeply personal story of her son, Marine LCpl Jeremy Kane, who was killed in action during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2010. With courage and grace, she reflects on the profound grief that followed—and the strength it took to transform that loss into a lifelong mission of service. Fr...
On this episode of WETSU, Battleship New Jersey CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Tim Parlatore, Managing Partner of Parlatore Law Group LLP — a distinguished attorney who specializes in representing veterans and active-duty service members. A former Surface Warfare Officer turned Navy JAG, Tim brings a rare blend of operational experience and legal expertise to the conversation. From his days as a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy to leading sailors aboard the USS NORMANDY (CG-60), Ti...
Step aboard for Episode 8 of WETSU, where Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Dr. Chris Lehman for an extraordinary conversation. A key figure in the reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships, Chris brings firsthand insight from his time on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Reagan White House. He was in the Situation Room with President Reagan when the USS NEW JERSEY unleashed its powerful 1...
Join Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak for an exclusive conversation with CAPT Kent “Brewski” Smith, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle, a critical hub for U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Monmouth County, NJ. In this episode, CAPT Smith shares his firsthand experiences—from deploying with his Carrier Strike Group in the aftermath of 9/11 to the historic commissioning of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-796) at NWS Earle. Learn about the base’s strategic role in storing, handling, a...
Dive deep into the legacy of the USS NEW JERSEY—this time, not the legendary battleship, but the cutting-edge Virginia-class submarine! In this must-listen episode of WETSU, host and Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with a distinguished guest: CDR Steve Halle (USN), the Plankowner Commanding Officer of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-796). Together, they explore CDR Halle’s remarkable naval career—from his journey through the STA-21 program to navigating the Arctic in ICEX 2018—and...
In this compelling episode of WETSU, Battleship New Jersey CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Captain Joe Benton III—a veteran docking pilot with McAllister Towing, a Battleship New Jersey Board Trustee, and the only docking pilot in the entire U.S. Navy Reserve. Captain Benton has had the rare honor of maneuvering the 887-foot Battleship New Jersey to and from dry dock on four separate occasions. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of these high-stakes movements, offering an ...
Episode 4 of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast brings you an extraordinary conversation with Admiral J. Paul Reason (USN, Ret.), a trailblazing leader whose remarkable career helped shape the modern Navy. Host and CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Admiral Reason for a candid and captivating discussion, tracing his journey from the U.S. Naval Academy to his pivotal encounter with Admiral Hyman Rickover that secured his place in the nuclear propulsion program. Admiral Reason shares firsth...
On Episode 3 of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes retired Navy SEAL Bill Brown for a riveting discussion on service, sacrifice, and leadership. Bill takes us inside his extraordinary career—from the grueling trials of BUD/S to high-stakes missions protecting the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister during Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a first responder to suicide bomber attacks in Iraq. But his dedication to service didn’t end with the Navy. Now an Attorn...
Dive into the second episode of the WETSU Podcast, where Battleship New Jersey CEO and host Marshall Spevak sits down with Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-1st) for an engaging and insightful conversation. In this episode, Congressman Norcross delves into the remarkable journey of the Battleship New Jersey, from the founding of the Home Port Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization that now stewards the historic ship, to her dramatic transit through the Panama Canal en route to Camden. He also shar...
Introducing the inaugural episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast! Host and CEO Marshall Spevak kicks off the series with a powerful conversation featuring Rear Admiral R.D. Tucker (USN, Ret.), the 19th and final Commanding Officer of the legendary USS New Jersey (BB-62). In this episode, Admiral Tucker reflects on the meaning of WETSU, his distinguished Naval career, and his time at the helm of the Battleship. He also shares insights into commissioning the new USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-...
🚨BIG NEWS🚨 On January 15, 2025, we're launching WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey podcast. Our CEO Marshall Spevak will spotlight untold stories with key figures connected to the ship's legacy, explore life onboard with veterans including a former commanding officer, and connect our past and present with New Jersey's military and veteran community leaders. These stories behind the steel will be launching every other Wednesday on our YouTube channel and wherever you listen to your podcasts! Subsc...
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