20 Years Done Podcast

Chris McGhee
  • 4.8 (22)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

20 Year Air Force Veteran, Blogger, (Apparently now a podcaster), Attorney, Tired of status quo culture that perpetuates cycles of abuse.

  1. Episode 117 - Career Debrief with Elaina Kovnat

    FEB 16

    Episode 117 - Career Debrief with Elaina Kovnat

    In this episode, I’m joined by Elaina Kovnat, someone I supervised about 15 years ago during my time in aircraft maintenance. She shares her experiences across multiple work centers and leaders, and what daily life in the career field actually felt like. This was a difficult conversation for me personally. I’ve known Elaina a long time, and hearing the pressure she faced reinforced how demanding maintenance already is and how that difficulty can increase for women in the workspace. Content note: This episode includes discussion of workplace harassment and predatory supervisory behavior that some listeners may find distressing.

    2h 2m
  2. Episode 116 - Make Chaplains Great Again

    FEB 2

    Episode 116 - Make Chaplains Great Again

    In December 2025 the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video and accompanying policy to rescind the DoD’s chaplain doctrine and replace it with a more Christian-centric framework. In this episode, I’m joined by Libby Alders to examine the “Make Chaplains Great Again” theme and what it suggests about rolling back religious pluralism in the military. We discuss how the chaplaincy has evolved to serve a diverse force; and why that evolution is now under political fire. The conversation explores what this debate means for service members, institutional neutrality, and the future of faith inside the ranks.

    1h 44m
  3. Episode 115 - Discharge Upgrades with Doug Smits

    JAN 19

    Episode 115 - Discharge Upgrades with Doug Smits

    I'm joined by MSgt(ret) Doug Smits a 20 year Air Force veteran and current 3L law student. We discuss the factors and facets of military discharges that many people are unaware of and the long term effects that discharges below Honorable can carry.

    1h 40m
  4. Episode 114 Give Directly

    12/21/2025

    Episode 114 Give Directly

    This week, I am joined by myself, Chris McGhee, for a personal conversation about growing up in poverty, the shame that often accompanies it, and the hidden costs of being poor that go far beyond money. I also explain why this episode is part of a fundraising effort with GiveDirectly, which provides direct cash assistance to people living in extreme poverty. givedirectly.org/Done #PodsFightPoverty #GiveDirectly

    25 min
  5. Episode 113 - Religion in the Military with Libby Alders

    12/08/2025

    Episode 113 - Religion in the Military with Libby Alders

    Libby Alders joins me to explore how religion operates differently within the military, including the influence of Christian nationalism both inside and outside the ranks. We discuss moral injury, why theocratic structures fail, and the broader risks created when a military force is not emotionally or psychologically developed.

    1h 36m
  6. Episode 112 - The Effects of Federal Downsizing with John Cordle

    11/23/2025

    Episode 112 - The Effects of Federal Downsizing with John Cordle

    I'm joined by John Cordle, Dr. Eng., to discuss his experience with the federal downsizing in early to mid 2025. John and I do a deep dive on the highly capable federal workforce that works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to improve the quality of processes, programs, and facilities for servicemembers; and how the 2025 downsizing may not be "right-sizing" as much as senior leaders would want people to think.

    1h 10m
  7. Episode 111 - The Art of the Apology with Jason Silvernail

    11/10/2025

    Episode 111 - The Art of the Apology with Jason Silvernail

    In this episode I'm joined once again by Jason Silvernail. We discuss the art of apologizing which has seemingly been lost, or more accurately co-opted in this day and age to no longer account for behavior but to instead react to feelings. Jason discusses why apologies are not the proper repair for feelings, only to take accountability for harmful behavior.

    1h 10m
  8. Episode 110 - Dave Siemiets - Air Force Culture

    10/26/2025

    Episode 110 - Dave Siemiets - Air Force Culture

    I'm joined by Dave Siemiet who recently wrote an article titled "CMSAF, abandon the ivory tower and lead us - Back to Our Roots" In this discussion Dave and I delve into the complex politics of chasing that next promotion when there are no more stripes to get. Dave gives fascinating insights into the inner workings of Chief to Chief interactions and relations.

    1h 31m
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4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

20 Year Air Force Veteran, Blogger, (Apparently now a podcaster), Attorney, Tired of status quo culture that perpetuates cycles of abuse.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris McGhee
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    20 Years Done Podcast