Flags, Fighters, and Fastballs: A Canadian Veteran’s Extraordinary Life- EPISODE 167

Flags, Fighters, and Fastballs: A Canadian Veteran’s Extraordinary Life- EPISODE 167

Bruce Stock, a Canadian veteran, public affairs veteran, and novelist, joins Rob Frenette on HODGEPOD  to discuss his career, his novel about a rare ambidextrous pitcher who transforms baseball, and memorable experiences—from serving at Rideau Hall and peacekeeping in Bosnia to briefing Dan Rather and writing a heartfelt letter from the Canadian flag to Old Glory.

82nd Airborne, SEER Training, and Two Thrillers: Jared Maxwell on War, Law Enforcement, and Writing- EPISODE 166

Hello, everybody. This is Rob Fredette with the podcast HodgePodge, and welcome back for another episode. My guest today is Jared Maxwell, author of "The Last Gunfighter" and "Wolfhound Dawn", a veteran who served nine years in the Army (35 months in combat) and 11 years in law enforcement. We discuss his experiences from enlisting after 9/11, intense deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan — including the Korengal Valley — airborne training with the 82nd Airborne, SEER survival doctrine, and how those experiences shaped his fast-paced novels focused on PTSD, survival, and moral conflict.

Ideasphere: How Our Ideas Became an Ecosystem- EPISODE 165

In this episode Rob Fredette interviews Anne Riley about her theory, the Ideasphere, which connects human ideas to biological systems. They explore how ideas evolve, how social media and AI change speech and accountability, and how human societies could learn from nature’s collaborative rules to address inequality, governance, and global challenges. Riley discusses her background, the book that inspired her, and the practical implications of choosing ideas that support collective survival rather than short-term profit—calling for clearer rules, accountability, and a renewed focus on collaboration.

The Superman Wars: Inside the Creator's Fight for Justice- EPISODE 164

Rob Fredette interviews William Bernhardt about his new narrative nonfiction book" The Superman Wars", tracing Jerry Siegel’s creation of Superman, the decades-long legal battles over creator rights, and the injustices faced by comic creators. They also cover Bernhardt’s writing process, editing tips, the WriterCon community, avoiding publishing scams, and practical advice for aspiring authors. www.williambernhardt.com [http://www.williambernhardt.com] www.writercon.com [http://www.writercon.com]

Talking Rick Pitino, UCONN Mens and Women's Basketball and Boston Sports Nostalgia with Author Clayton Trutor- EPISODE 163

Host Rob Fredette welcomes author Clayton Trutor for a conversation about Boston and New England sports, focusing on college basketball—Rick Pitino’s revival at St. John’s, Dan Hurley and UConn’s continued dominance in Mens and Women's basq, and the lasting legacies of Jim Calhoun and Gino Auriemma. The episode covers tournament highlights, the effects of NIL and the transfer portal, memorable moments from the Garden and NCAA tournaments, and the cultural history of Boston sports including the Beanpot and Patriots Day. Clayton also discusses his books Boston Ball and Loserville, shares stories from sports history, and points listeners to his Substack and social channels for more writing and projects. https://claytontrutor.wordpress.com [https://claytontrutor.wordpress.com] X- @claytontrutor https://claytontrutor.substack.com [https://claytontrutor.substack.com] RECORDED APRIL 17TH, 2026