Stories from the Center of the Universe

Episode 126: CW3 Rich Brown

In Part 5 of our Honoring the Military Series, Rich Brown (USMC) joins us. Rich was born in Knoxville, TN, but moved around a bit due to his Dad’s job. Growing up, Rich did martial arts and spent a lot of time with the best grandparents a guy could have! Paul and Rich talked about Rich’s family lineage and then why he chose to join the United States Marine Corps. They discussed his 23 year USMC career which included some travel and September 11th. Rich then chatted with Paul about his life post USMC and how he started his own podcast in 2015.  They finished by talking about his wife and four kids.

Episode 125: SSgt Stuart Wiley

Stuart Wiley is a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force and continues our series honoring members of our U.S.Military. Stuart grew up in Fluvanna County, Va. and when Paul asked him about growing up, he said it was all about baseball from tee ball through playing travel and for high school. They talked about what he did after high school and why he decided to join the USAF.  Stuart did admit that he really didn’t have any idea what he was getting into! They ended by discussing his career and where he went which included a tour in Korea where he discovered his love for Korean Barbecue.

Episode 124: Dr Richard Sander

Dr. Richard Sander joins the podcast today via a connection with former VCU Basketball player Rodney Ashby (Episode #115). Dr. Sander is from Cincinnati and Paul, Kevin and Richard talked about his childhood and then playing sports in high school. This led to playing football and basketball in college where he also participated in ROTC. Richard discussed his time in the U.S. Army and his career path afterwards which led him to VCU. Richard was the Athletic Director at VCU for twenty plus years. They talked about his fondest memories and his proudest moment at VCU. Richard finished up by talking about raising money for a charity related to one of his grandkids and about his family.

Episode 123: Captain Jeff Davila, USN, Retired

Jeff Davila come to the podcast via a connection with Jeff Burke (Episode #7). Jeff grew up in Richmond, Va. He played a lot of sports growing up and he was a three sport athlete in high school.  After graduating from high school, Jeff attended the United States Naval Academy where he majored in Math. Jeff went to fight training school, learned how to fly jets and became a Naval Aviator. Paul and Jeff discussed his various assignments in the U.S. Navy and finished by talking about his wife and four children. 

Episode 122: Dwight Vick

Dwight Vick was born in North Carolina, but grew up in the Newport News/Hampton area of Virginia. Dwight, Paul and Kevin talked about his great “old school” childhood and how it became clear that football would be an important part of his life. Dwight was always a big guy and played at Hampton HS for a legendary coach. He was heavily recruited by colleges and ended up playing at Virginia Tech.  The guys discussed his fondest memories at VT which included meeting his wife.  They finished by discussing his business, his podcasts, how he loves movies and his family.

Episode 121: BG James Zollar

Paul and retired Brigadier General James Zollar know each other from serving together in the Virginia Army National Guard. James was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and lived on both sides of the Windy City. He was in ROTC in high school which he originally thought would lead him to the Marine Corps. Instead, James enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in various capacities during an almost thirty-seven year career. James finished the podcast by talking about his wife and his kids.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our veterans out there!  

 

Episode 120: Nick Clarke

Nick Clarke comes to the podcast via two paths.  Paul’s son Zach and Nick’s brother Colby are good friends and Nick is business partners with Alec Eberle (Episode #107). Nick was born in Fairfax, Va., but came to Hanover County at a young age. He played all kinds of sports growing up, but football became his passion.  Paul and Nick talked about his football journey from recreation to playing at Old Dominion University. Nick told a lot of stories and they had a special discussion about the 2018 ODU/VT game. They finished by talking about Nick’s business and his family.

Episode 119: Chuck Hawkins - US Coast Guard

Chuck Hawkins and Paul have known each other since they were kids and Chuck was even taught by Paul’s mom Brenda (Episode 46) in kindergarten. Chuck grew up in eastern Hanover, but went to Patrick Henry because his parents taught there. Chuck spoke of his admiration for his parents and also about his dad’s sports accomplishments. Paul and Chuck talked about his time in college and how after school and a few different jobs, he decided to enter military service with the United States Coast Guard. Chuck led a distinguished career that spanned twenty-six years. Paul and Chuck finished by talking about that career and his kids.

Episode 118: Ken Oxendine

Ken Oxendine is a former Va Tech and NFL player who grew up in Chester, Virginia. Ken and Paul talked about his youth and growing up in the “big house” with lots of family. They discussed his recruiting process, how he decided on VT and how recruiting is different for today’s athletes. They talked about his non-profit and some of the charity work he is involved with through the non-profit. They finished by talking about his wife Mei-Ling and their two daughters, Ivy and Willow.

Episode 117: Laura Colombell Marshall

Laura Collombell Marshall knows Paul from being in school together at UVA. She talked to Paul about growing up in different places because of her dad’s job and she landed in Northern VA for high school.  Laura attended UVA where she ran track and then went to the University of Richmond for law school.  Paul and Laura discussed her professional career including one of her more memorable cases and it’s impact. Laura also talked about her parents, her four sisters and finished by talking about her husband Curtis and their five children.