

The Gedunk Show
VALOR Media Network
Welcome to The Gedunk Show, where two Navy veterans—Bobby, who proudly graduated dead last in his class at the Naval Academy, and Dan, a Navy SEAL who moonlights as an ER trauma surgeon—team up to bring you a podcast like no other. Equal parts camaraderie and chaos, each episode dives into a wide range of topics, from leadership and military life to everyday absurdities and current events. With their unique blend of humor, experience, and candid storytelling, you’ll never know what’s coming next—except for the laughs. Tune in, grab a snack, and let’s hit the mess deck!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 14, 2025 • 30min
Why America Holds Coaches to Higher Standards Than Politicians
Why do we demand accountability from coaches—but not from the people who actually run the country?
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, Dan and Bobby tackle one of society’s biggest double standards: the culture of excellence in sports versus the culture of excuses in politics, education, and leadership.
We break down:
⚖️ Why firing a coach for losing is normal—but politicians failing their communities face no consequence
🧠 What this says about American values and our definition of “performance”
🗳️ How sports culture could teach politics something about accountability and results
🏆 What true leadership standards should look like across every field
🎙️ Tune in for thoughtful conversation, humor, and the kind of real talk you only get from veterans who’ve led teams on and off the field.

Sep 16, 2025 • 51min
After Charlie Kirk: How Political Rhetoric Fuels Violence
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, we dig into the fallout from the Charlie Kirk shooting — what it tells us about our culture, our politics, and our responsibility. We explore how political rhetoric has escalated beyond speech, why young men are increasingly using violence, and what we can all do to tone down the anger and start healing—both individually and as a society.

Aug 28, 2025 • 56min
How Sports Unite Us, Why Boys’ Schools Need Athletics, and the Myth of Red Pill Masculinity
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, Dan and Bobby dive into the power of sports as more than just a game. We talk about how athletics bring people together, why sports have always been political, and why any great school — especially one designed for young men — needs sports as a central pillar.
We also push back on the nonsense of “red pill” podcasts that tell men they don’t need to compete and that others should worship them. Instead, we highlight how real strength comes from discipline, teamwork, and striving to be your best — not from entitlement.
Tune in for a conversation that blends culture, education, leadership, and the lessons sports teach us about life.

Aug 8, 2025 • 29min
Power, Punishment & the Price of Leadership | The Gedunk Show
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, Dan and Bobby cover the wide terrain of what it means to lead, to govern, and to wield power—especially in a world teetering on the edge of major change.
From the solvency of Social Security and the future of Medicare and Medicaid, to climate change, healthcare access, and the impact of U.S. tariffs—this episode breaks down the interconnected systems shaping our lives. Most importantly, we ask the core question:
Why have power? To protect… or to punish?
We unpack how that question applies not just to American leadership, but to global conflicts like Israel and Gaza, where accountability and restraint are tested daily.
Follow us here: https://linktr.ee/valormedianetwork

Aug 1, 2025 • 29min
CTE, Gun Laws & Mental Health: What the NYC Shooting Reveals
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, Dan and Bobby dive into the recent New York City shooting involving a man who claims to suffer from CTE. We unpack the complicated intersection of mental health, gun legislation, and public safety—asking hard questions that policymakers often avoid.
Before getting into the heavy topics, we kick things off on a lighter note with a look at the return of football training camps, player buzz, and early predictions.

Jul 24, 2025 • 54min
How Sports Teams Reflect America—and Unite Us When Politics Fails
In this episode of The Gedunk Podcast, Bobby and Dan dig deep into how sports teams are more than just rosters and rivalries—they’re cultural reflections of the cities and regions they represent.
We explore how local values shape team identity—and how successful teams build cultures that transcend race, class, and politics.
We also unpack how sports create bridges between people that politics too often tears down—and what lessons political leaders can learn from great coaches and locker rooms.

Jul 17, 2025 • 53min
From Politics to the NFL Draft: How Conspiracy Theories Shape Our Thinking
In this episode of The Gedunk Show, Bobby and Dan dive deep into the world of conspiracy theories — why people believe them, how they spread, and what makes them so damn addictive.
From political paranoia to sports conspiracies like the NBA Draft Lottery or the NFL being rigged, we unpack famous examples, break down the psychological pull, and explain how conspiracy thinking is creeping into everyday life — even when you don’t realize it.
🔥 Why do people cling to conspiracy theories?
🏈 Is the NBA Draft really fixed?
📺 How do these beliefs distort our politics, fandoms, and trust in institutions?
This episode is part breakdown, part reality check — with a few laughs along the way.

Jul 10, 2025 • 48min
Leadership Is for the Storm—Not the Sun
This week, Dan and Bobby break down what real leadership looks like—not in the easy times, but in the moments that matter.
⠀💥 Why leadership isn’t just about having authority
⚖️ Why responsibility and accountability must walk hand in hand
🧭 And why management is for peacetime—but leadership is for crisis.
⠀Too many so-called leaders crumble when things go wrong because they skipped a step

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h
How America’s Priorities Are Failing Veterans, Fueling War, and Rewarding the Wealthy
From the NBA Draft’s celebration of young potential… to the crushing reality of a combat-wounded American veteran deported to Korea… to U.S. airstrikes in Iran… to the devastating impact of Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” — Bobby and Dan pull no punches.
We connect the dots between war abroad, betrayal at home, and a government more interested in tax breaks than taking care of those who serve.
🗳️ 💣 🏀 🇺🇸
If you care about veterans, justice, and truth over spin, this one’s for you.
🎧 Tune in now.
📍Starts with the NBA Draft
📍Iran conflict at 10:00
📍Veteran deportation at 28:00
📍Trump’s bill breakdown at 35:00
📍Wrap-up + where to follow us at 60:00Follow Dan and Bobby on Substack:
Bobby - https://substack.com/@navshad
Dan - https://substack.com/@dbarkhuff
Check out VFRL and become a member:
vfrl.org
https://secure.everyaction.com/N3UCmjecTEWOUrrmmhF_Ug2
#Veterans #NBA #Iran #TrumpBill #OneBigBeautifulBill #Politics #NationalSecurity #GedunkShow

Jun 19, 2025 • 52min
Too Smart to Lead: Ego, Experts, and Escalation in the Middle E
In this episode of The Gedunk Show, Dan and Bobby break down the dangerous cocktail of inflated egos, siloed subject matter experts, and absent leadership that’s accelerating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States. We explore how competence without wisdom—and knowledge without strategy—is pushing us toward a volatile tipping point. This isn’t just bad policy—it’s bad command. Listen now. #MiddleEast #ForeignPolicy #LeadershipMatters #TheGedunkShow