Sasha Maggio, a senior intelligence analyst with expertise in Russia and military history, discusses the evolution of his podcast 'Why We Fight.' He shares how military history informs contemporary strategy and the importance of humor in military culture. They explore untold stories from nations like Canada and Brazil, emphasizing collaborative storytelling's role in fostering unity. Maggio also highlights his online community engagement efforts and upcoming projects on World War II, aiming to make overlooked military narratives relatable.
Sasha Maggio's diverse experience in intelligence and social media management informs her insights into military history and operations.
The 'Why We Fight' podcast evolved from a passion for historical military studies, promoting lessons from past maneuvers to enhance current military education.
Challenges in engaging Navy contributions highlight the importance of collaboration among U.S. military branches for a comprehensive understanding of joint historical narratives.
Deep dives
Sasha's Professional Background
Sasha has extensive experience in intelligence analysis, with a focus on Russia and the former Soviet bloc, as well as working in information operations training for the Army. She has a diverse professional history that includes roles in marketing, content development, and even experience as a pastry chef. Currently, she is a unit deployment manager at the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Force Base. Her multifaceted background informs her approach to managing the Mother of Tanks account on social media, which she has been running for six years.
The Genesis of the Why We Fight Podcast
The Why We Fight podcast emerged during the pandemic when Sasha transitioned jobs and had more time to engage in professional reading. Her exploration of historical military maneuvers in 1941 inspired her to create a series of social media posts, which eventually evolved into the podcast. By sharing lessons learned from significant Army exercises, she crafted content to enhance military education and sparked broader interest among service members. This growth led to the podcast's expansion, enabling inclusion of other military branches and contributions from international historians.
The Importance of Studying History
Sasha emphasizes the significance of studying history, particularly military history, as it provides valuable lessons applicable to current military operations. With the renewed focus on large-scale combat operations, understanding historical precedents can help fill gaps in experience for current and future military leaders. The podcast not only serves the military audience but also offers civilians opportunities to gain insights into less commonly taught historical narratives. By examining the complexity of warfare and the interconnectedness of military actions, listeners are encouraged to recognize their historical relevance.
Challenges in Expanding Inclusion
Sasha faces challenges in expanding her project to feature contributions from other U.S. military branches, particularly the Navy. While she has managed to gather participation from various historians and historians from the Air Force and Marine Corps, the Navy's involvement remains limited. She seeks to encourage more officers from the Navy to share their insights, emphasizing how collaboration across branches enhances collective historical understanding. Encouraging participation from diverse military perspectives is crucial to creating a comprehensive narrative of joint operations and historical significance.
Future Directions and Aspirations
Looking ahead, Sasha is scripting a post-World War II series while working on her dissertation, which focuses on the contributions of military police throughout the 20th century. Her ambitious writing plans include novels that fictionalize historical events while maintaining factual accuracy, aimed at making history more accessible to general readers. By connecting historical stories of underdog contributions in military contexts, she hopes to shed light on often-overlooked narratives. Sasha's drive to share these stories, combinative with her ongoing research, positions her as a dynamic storyteller in military history.
