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Combat Story

AJ Pasciuti
Afghanistan
Iraq
Russia
Vietnam War
CIA
Fallujah
Ukraine
PTSD
Iraq War
Combat Experience
Marine Corps
Navy Seals
Special Forces
F-15e Strike Eagle
China
Leadership
United States Marine Corps
Mental Health
Taliban
Camaraderie

Combat Story is a podcast built on honest conversations with the men and women who lived it. These are not scripted interviews or highlight reels. They are real accounts from veterans across generations, including infantry, special operations, pilots, JTACs, and more, sharing what it was like to operate in high-stakes environments where decisions carried real consequences. Each conversation explor... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes231Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesHistoryScience

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Artwork for Combat Story

Latest Episodes

He thought he was accepting a routine IT contract. Instead, Peter Moore disappeared into captivity for 946 days.

In 2007, British IT consultant Peter Moore traveled to Baghdad believing he would be helping rebuild Iraq's Ministry of Finance from th... more

What happens after the writing is done and the book has to face the world?

Nearly two months after the release of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, the microphone changes hands.

Combat Story founder Ryan Fugit returns to int... more

What does it take to lead one of the largest air assault operations in military history?

Retired Army Colonel Frank Hancock joins Combat Story to share a firsthand account of planning and executing the historic 101st Airborne Division air assault d... more

In Episode 2 of Reconnaissance Man, presented in partnership with Combat Story, we follow U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant James "Jim" Steele through two defining Cold War flashpoints: the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Dominican Civil War.

After returni... more

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Recent Guests

James Stejskal
Former US Army Green Beret, Detachment A Berlin participant, CIA case officer, historian and novelist
Author of Special Forces Berlin books and thrillers
Episode: James Stejskal: The Secret Green Berets of Cold War Berlin
Kelly Perdew
West Point graduate, Ranger School and Airborne qualified, winner of The Apprentice Season 2
Moonshots Capital
Episode: From Army Ranger to The Apprentice Winner | Kelly Perdew
James McDevitt
Author, firefighter, infantry officer
US Army / Author of A Walk Among Heroes
Episode: From Iraq to Firefighter | The Weight of Service
Joshua Shores
Marine Infantry Combat Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, former Marine Raider, author
Counting on Death (author)
Episode: "We Thought We Were Going to Die Every Night" | Ramadi Veteran Story With Marin Raider Joshua Shores
James Lyle Steele
Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, Force Reconnaissance Team veteran
U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
Episode: He Was in Vietnam Before the War Began | Reconnaissance Man Ep. 1
Mark Grdovic
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Green Beret, author of Those Who Faced Death
U.S. Army Special Forces
Episode: The Secret War Before Iraq | Green Berets, Kurdish Fighters, and the Northern Front
Jeremy Rebmann
FBI special agent and FBI SWAT sniper, author of Send Me, Chronicles of an FBI Sniper
FBI
Episode: FBI SWAT Sniper: The Shot That Saved His Team | Jeremy Rebmann
Alexander Lemons
Former US Marine scout sniper; co-author of War Body
US Marine Corps, War Body collaboration
Episode: Marine Scout Sniper Alexander Lemons on Iraq, Hidden Wounds, and the Real Cost of War | Combat Story
Isaac Lee
Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Retired), CH-53 pilot and author
United States Marine Corps
Episode: The CH-53 Mission to Recover a Downed Night Stalker Helicopter | Ret. Lt. Col Isaac G. Lee

Host

AJ Pasciuti
Host of Combat Story

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • The guests need better microphones

    Great content and great guests. My biggest complaint is that the guest will often times use a cheap microphone and they sound like they are far away from the mic. It makes it harder to hear them and so I have to turn up the volume. When the host speaks, he is too loud because he’s using a great microphone.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sumsmitus
    United States25 days ago
  • Truly exceptional

    Been listening to this channel for a while now and love it. Being a British army veteran, having served 25 years and recently left, these interviews rest my soul. The questioning allows the guest to open up in a way other podcasts must envy. The best interview so far for me, was Ryan’s Dad. Heard a lot about his father and his Vietnam helicopter tour, as he’s often referenced, but the interview was something which needed to be heard and didn’t disappoint.

    Keep the great work guys. 💪🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bash Bailey
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Rapid Fire Comedy Tour

    I listen to Combat Story regularly and this was one of the most engaging episodes I have yet to listen to. Keep up the great work and convey my best wishes to Michael.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rocklike1
    United States3 months ago
  • Change title to “The life and times of a soldier who was also involved in combat”

    Once the narration and dialogue arrives at an actual “Combat Story” it is a great podcast. But in the interval there is banter that should be left on the cutting room floor instead of being included in the podcast. It is fine that the narrator has connections with so many guests, but we really don’t need to hear about it. Many times the podcast is 3/4 finished before real combat is actually described.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    M.P. Barry
    United States4 months ago
  • Saturday afternoon weekly listen

    I enjoy the episodes and the regular releases every Saturday. I have been a weekly listener since the summer of 2023. Recently it seems like the episodes are edited to remove the conversation between Ryan/AJ and the interviewee. Bring back the longer episodes with more conversation. Also, the recent addition of sound bites are not value added. The content alone from these combat warriors is more than enough for the listener.

    Keep it going! I’m just trying to share some feedback.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrianD.03
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise deep, candid conversations and high production quality.
Engaging, authentic storytelling from veterans; interviews feel intimate and respectful.
Mixed feedback on pacing and occasional use of background music; episodes still valued for firsthand military insights.
Consistently strong listener connection and sense of community among veterans and allies.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#123
Norway/History
Apple Podcasts
#220
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#239
Argentina/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Army Ranger to The Apprentice Winner | Kelly Perdew
Q: How did Kelly Perdew's military background help him on The Apprentice and in later business ventures?
His leadership training and ability to coordinate diverse team members under pressure translated directly to task management and decision-making on The Apprentice, and those same skills became foundational for his success in entrepreneurship and venture investing.
James Stejskal: The Secret Green Berets of Cold War Berlin
Q: How did Special Forces training emphasize judgment over brute force, and what was Robin Sage?
Training prioritized independent thinking, teamwork, and leadership. Robin Sage was the final exercise simulating an unconventional warfare scenario with a guerrilla force, teaching teams to operate as a cohesive unit in a contested environment.
James Stejskal: The Secret Green Berets of Cold War Berlin
Q: What was the mission of Detachment A in Berlin, and how did they operate under cover?
Detachment A's mission was to slow the forward Soviet movement and interdict rail lines and supply routes from inside Berlin, using civilian clothes and forged identities to blend into the city while coordinating behind-the-lines sabotage and intelligence gathering.
The 35-Hour B-52 Mission That Launched Desert Storm | Secret Squirrel with Col. Trey Morris
Q: What drew you to the Air Force?
Trey Morris explains that his heritage and family history in military aviation inspired him to join the Air Force.
From the Streets, to Service, to Stand-Up: Michael D'Angelo's Military Comedy Mission
Q: What led you to the idea to eventually raise your right hand and join the Marine Corps?
Michael shares that his tumultuous childhood, characterized by instability and chaos, pushed him to seek structure and purpose, which he found in the Marine Corps.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Combat Story

What is Combat Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on intimate, long-form conversations with veterans from infantry, special operations, pilots, and other high-stakes roles. Episodes explore how each guest entered service, the defining moments of combat, and the lasting impact on life after leaving the military. Listeners get a candid look at leadership under pressure, the ethics of warfare, trauma and resilience, and the human side of extraordinary experiences, told through personal storytelling rather than scripted summaries. The format often blends hard-earned tactical insights with reflections on community, mentorship, and the ongoing work of preserving these memories for future generations. A standout aspect is the depth and trust built in interview style, which tends... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Combat Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Combat Story:

1. The Team House
2. Mike Drop
3. Tier1 Podcast
4. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
5. Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

How many episodes of Combat Story are there?

Combat Story launched 6 years ago and published 231 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Combat Story?

Recent guests on Combat Story include:

1. James Stejskal
2. Kelly Perdew
3. James McDevitt
4. Joshua Shores
5. James Lyle Steele
6. Mark Grdovic
7. Jeremy Rebmann
8. Alexander Lemons

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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