Making Motivation with Dr. Drill

Sgt. Rick Swehla was the Platoon Guide of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marines between 1993-1995. He was squared away, stern but fair and the epitome of leadership-by-example - exemplifying the kind of Marine we all wanted to be. Under “Sgt. Swehla’s” leadership, along with SSgt Cobbs and Lt Cooper, our platoon trained our asses off, working up for a deployment to the Mediterranean with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEU) aboard the USS Ponce.

Joe McCarthy is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1957 at the age of 16, after being turned away from the Army for being too young. Joe served in 2nd Recon Battalion and later an artillery unit. In this episode of Making Motivation, PFC McCarthy tells his service story, which continues to the present. Semper Fi, Joe!

Making my motivational rounds, I invited West Virginia's, Shawn Gates onto the podcast to catch up on old times and discuss our service in the USMC. Thought it would be a nice touch to surprise Gates with our 1/6 brothers, Robert Nunn and Adron Presley. It was smiles all around, as we reminsiced. We enjoyed a great conversation today, as Gates shared his post-USMC service in the WV Nation Guard, deployments to Afghanistan and ultimately, his retirement following 20 years of honorable service. Nunn joined in and we engaged in a few rounds of, "remember when," and discussed inspiring leaders we recall. Finally, we all accompanied Presley on a virtual lunch date in his home town of Laurel, Mississippi, which is the very location of the reality TV series, Home Town. He introduced us to his friends and family and we all got a little peek into the life of Adron, a very good dude. We finished up sharing our thoughts on the topic of brotherhood and the importance of reconnecting with our fellow Devildogs.

Rick grew up in Philadelphia native and enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Viet Nam at Phu Cat Air Base. This is his story.

My neighbor, Marcos Gonzalez has been collecting Transformers since the 80's when, as a little boy he stared into the television watching Optimus Prime and Megatron fight it out in an epic battle between good and evil! "Roll out" with us as Marcos gives us a personal tour of his vast collection. It truly is, more than meets the eye! Intro music: Transformers theme

An extraordinary account of a life well-lived, the bond between mother and son and how all the love comes back to us in the end. Rush, Time Stand Still "I turn my back to the windTo catch my breath before I start off againDriven on without a moment to spendTo pass an evening with a drink and a friend I let my skin get too thin I'd like to pause, no matter what I pretend Like some pilgrim who learns to transcend Learns to live as if each step was the end (Time stand still) I'm not looking back, but I want to look around me now (Time stand still) See more of the people and the places that surround me now Time stand still Freeze this moment a little bit longer Make each sensation a little bit stronger Experience slips awayExperience slips away Time stand still"

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Sue O’Sullivan, My Chainsaw Sensei!Making Motivation Podcast mission: honor authentic people and tell their motivating stories. In the process, we aim to inspire and inform, put smiles on faces and a little fire under the asses of the masses. Date and Time: Saturday, April 13, 2024 @ 1100Context: A unique hobby of mine is chainsaw carving, not a lot of people pursue this pastime and I’m not here to encourage it. But while it might sound dangerous and downright crazy to sculpt wood with a chainsaw, it is a tremendously rewarding form of art and can be done quite safely, when you use your tools properly and wear your PPE. And…it’s not something you want to learn via trial and error, right? It is imperative that you have a mentor, someone to show you the ropes and make sure you don’t do anything stupid and lose a limb! During the early days of my carving wood with power tools, I was fortunate to find an online community of chainsaw carvers and virtually apprentice under Sue Hallet. Among quite a few encouraging carvers in this community, Sue stuck out…was friendly, kind and inspiring but also communicated in a no-nonsense manner, how to properly wield a blade of steel at 3000 rpms per minute to remove wood and make beautiful things. From saw maintenance and chain sharpening to wood selection and pricing my art, Sue was a great help to me and thanks to her guidance I am alive today with all my digits.Sue is a kind of Renaissance Woman, in that she does a lot of things very well and is always looking for new challenges.Musical intro: Darude, SandstormTalking PointsHow in the world did you get into chainsaw carving?What kind of person does this?Did you have a mentor?Why were you so willing to help me?What does your carving kit include, tools etc? Let’s take a lookIs chainsaw carving hazardous?Importance of PPE, safety measures etc?How to sharpen a chain?Favorite type of wood to carve?Favorite carving you ever did?Least favorite carving?Best and worst customers?Strangest shit you experienced on a carving job?Can you make good money chainsaw carving and in art generally?Define the term, “Saw Bitch.”What motivates you, Sue?https://youtu.be/4G_TagicNRM

Musical Intro: Beck, Where It's At Erik Watson grew up in Long Island, NY and from a very young age he dreamed of being a United States Marine. Manifesting this ambition in the early 90s, Erik shipped off to recruit training in Parris Island, SC and was soon out serving in the Fleet Marine Force, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Platoon. Upon my arrival at 1/6 in 1993, Watson was among the seasoned Marines tasked with bringing us new guys up to speed. He was a very squared away fellow and a great role model for us boots. In this podcast, Watson and I discuss his USMC experiences, as well as some of the lessons learned during his enlistment and the Devildogs he served with. Semper Fi, Brother!

Jim Valentin served in the Air Force for twenty years, operating in Vietnam, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He flew in various aircraft, such as the C-150 Spectre Gunship and has a great many stories to tell. His resume: Enlisted in Air Force December 1968  Motivation: Vietnam war, draft, older brother was already in AF  AFSC/MOS jet engine/ helicopter mechanic  February 1970 Vietnam, MACV SOG, C-130 Gunships  --Commando Hunt, Cambodian Campaign  1971 Back to US, Dover AFB, DE  -certified as Spanish Interperter  --campaigns in all South and Central America  Operation Fuerte Apoyo (Strong Support) Nicaragua  Stationed in Germany 1978-1981 7th Special Operations Squadron  --operations in middle east and Africia  USMTM (supported United States Military Training Mission)  --Operation Eagles claw (Iran Hostages)  Returned to United States 1981  --Operation Urgent Fury  1983 (Grenada)  --Operation Secure Enhance (Panama)  --Operation Just Cause (Panama) 1989  Retired June 1993  Entered Law School August 1993-Graduated January 1997  EDUCATION  Associate in Applied Science- Aeronautics, Community College of the Air Force  Bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University  Masters in Administration, Central Michigan University  Juris Doctorate, Temple School of Law  At 75 years of age, Jim remains a practicing lawyer, focusing on veterans rights and immigration law. In his spare time, Jim is a firearms instructor, teaching coures in handgun and carbine safety and weapons employment to both law enforcement and civilians.

Guests include Deirdre Callaghan, Jim Valentin, Erik Watson

Musical intro: These Are The Days. 10,000 Maniacs Context: I grew up with Deirdre in the Pine Barrens of NJ. She is a gifted artist and has always been an outstanding human being and friend. Bio: My name is Deirdre Callaghan and I am originally from Jersey City, NJ I attended Saint Peters grammar school in Paulus Hook section of Jersey City. The school t. Peters Grammar School was built in 1861 and St. Peters Hall, also known as the auditorium building, was constructed in 1898. My great great grandfather was a solicitor for the land the parish and school was built on. He is named on a cornerstone of the original church. By the time I attended Saint peters it was a satellite school for Spanish speaking students. My friends were from all over the planet. It was so diverse and some of these friends have turned into family. My identity was my name and I was what Ellis Island left behind. NYC was my backyard and I knew more about Manhattan then the rest of Jersey City. My family moved to Lacey, NJ. When I was 10 years old. When I found out Long beach Island was our backyard I loved it. I currently reside here with my 2 cats, 2 chickens, 1 dog and we all live in Forked River. I am currently a commercial art teacher at Monmouth County Vocational school for the past 17 years. I have also taught at the Community School in Teaneck New Jersey which specializes in special education. In 2003-2004 I lived in Cork City, Ireland for 12 months as an advocate for the homeless at the Simon Community of Ireland. I studied visual communications at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, and received my alternate route teaching certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I worked at Designation inc. for the artist/illustrator Mike Quon for several years creating award winning graphics. I also worked on the Betsy Ross to Sacajewa coin in 1996 in Philadelphia as the graphics department for pitney bowes management services. Besides teaching at MCVSD, I also teach classes at the Lacey recreation as well as Barnegat/Waretown recreation. I was in a community theater play “Godspell” in 2005 in Jersey City. I was part of JC Fridays in 2006 singing with the cast members. I have shown my fine art work at 313 Gallery in Jersey City, Jersey City Puerto Rican day Parade 2021-22, Barrow Mansion in Jersey City, Project Greenville in Jersey City as well as a chosen artist in JCAST a show hosted by the City of Jersey City. I currently curate local art shows in Ocean County showcasing local artists.

Sunday, March 22, 2024 Context: I grew up with Jay Houle in the Pine Barrens of NJ. We were part of a tight knit group of friends who were always together - surfing, drinking beer and otherwise carrying on. We remain great friends to this day, though our busy lives don’t offer the freedom of jumping in the truck and heading down to LBI as often. Following high school graduation, Jay, myself and several other friends joined the Marine Corps. This is Jay’s account of his USMC service and up to the present day. Musical intro: Broheim, by Pennywise

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Andrew Von Hack, AKA "Hack" and I served together in 1st Battalion 6th Marines in the 90's. Hack is a larger-than-life fellow, with a variety of interests and experiences to share. Join us as we compare notes, flashing back to our time in service. Thereafter, Hack is generous enough to provide us a tour of his gold nugget cache, 600+bourbon bottle and decanter collection, lunchbox and model care collection, as well as assorted military surplus and swords. We also philosophize about such important topics as leadership, resilience, politics, work and family. I enjoyed every minute of this podcast, it was time well spent with a friend. Semper Fi, Hack!

Wow! How interesting it was to Make Motivation with Forensic Scientist, Mandi Mohr! Mandi Mohr is a Montana native that transplanted to Pennsylvania in 2010 for graduate school. She holds a Masters Degree in Forensic Science from Arcadia University. Mandi is a board certified forensic toxicologist, and currently serves as a Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research, education and outreach in the forensic sciences. In her role at the CFSRE, she is responsible for the management and oversight of a portfolio of research projects and contracts. She is active in the forensic toxicology community and a member of several professional organizations. Her research interests include drug impaired driving and oral fluid drug testing. Mandi is the proud wife of an army vet and mom to 2 amazing kids. She enjoys traveling and doing all things that in involve physical activity. 

Grant and I served out our entire enlistment together, from boot camp in summer of 1993 to honorable discharge from active duty in 1997. We discuss our exploits at length in this episode. Grant would later rejoin the USMC reserves, serving in the air wing and a stinger missile unit, deploying to Iraq. Today, Jeff is a family man living down in Florida. He works for Amazon and remains active in a number of veteran organizations where he puts to use his JJDIDTIEBUCKLE to continue to make a difference. Another great conversation with a 1/6 hard dick. Loved it!

Making Motivation Podcast mission: honor authentic people and tell their motivating stories. In the process, we aim to inspire and inform, put smiles on faces and a little fire under the asses of the masses. Sunday, 10 March 2024 @ time 2pm Context: I served with Kip Tillman from the time of boot camp, through our infantry schooling and for the entirety of our time in 1st Bn 6th Marines. Though Tillman was in 3rd Platoon, I would see him all the time and he was always a stellar Marine, PT stud and all around good dude. Musical intro: Simple Man, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Anchors Aweigh with Dan O’Hara Making Motivation Podcast mission: honor authentic people and tell their motivating stories. In the process, we aim to inspire and inform, put smiles on faces and a little fire under the asses of the masses. Context: Daniel O’Hara is an old school Philadelphia native who served in the Navy from 1966 to 1969 Vietnam War era......on LPH Helicopter carrier, USS Guam...loaded 3,000 marines on board at Onslow Beach (Camp Lejeune) for jungle warfare training on Vieques Island in the Caribbean. Worked for 48 years on the railroad Married for 48 years, with a son and two beautiful granddaughters. Dan is an Irish tenor. Musical intro: Oh, Danny Boy

Making Motivation Podcast mission: honor authentic people and tell their motivating stories. In the process, we aim to inspire and inform, put smiles on faces and a little fire under the asses of the masses.  Sunday, 10 March 2024 @ time 2pm Context: I served with Kip Tillman from the time of boot camp, through our infantry schooling and for the entirety of our time in 1st Bn 6th Marines. Though Tillman was in 3rd Platoon, I would see him all the time and he was always a stellar Marine, PT stud and all around good dude. Musical intro: Simple Man, Lynyrd Skynyrd