RSS
For the uninitiated, a podcast is a series of audio (or video) recordings posted on the web by a content producer. It is possible for a listener/viewer to subscribe through services like iTunes to have new episodes automatically downloaded to a computer or mobile device for listening at their convenience using Really Simple Syndication (RSS). I think of it as being like radio shows you can listen to whenever you like, only there is way more content than radio could ever deliver. There are podcasts about topics that could never get enough of an audience in a given geographic area to be practical for a radio show. We even have airsoft podcasts. Let me tell you about some audio-only airsoft podcasts. You may find that you would like to listen to some or even become a subscriber to them.
Currently Running Shows
The description of individual shows will begin with those which seem to be currently running. I say “seem to be” because a phenomenon found in podcasting is “podfading.” Podfading occurs when a podcast misses its regular release time and shows back up with a new episode at a later date. Those I consider to be current shows have either never podfaded or they have made a definitive return from podfades. I would like to start with the longest running current podcast, Gorilla Airsoft Radio. I was going to start with my own podcast until I was surprised to find Gorilla Airsoft Radio is actually a year older than Airsoft Medicine.
Gorilla Airsoft Radio
Gorilla Airsoft Radio is an approximately bi-monthly hour-plus long “explicit” podcast running since the beginning of 2010. The style is an evolving ensemble cast lead through a predetermined agenda of topics by the host, “Beast.” Each episode starts with their “drink of the evening,” and often escapes the confines of sobriety as they progress through the evening’s airsoft topics. Topics of specific games local to the Bakersfield area, tech-related details, and gun reviews predominate. Individual hosts are very knowledgeable and/or very entertaining. The show is very accessible and regularly answers email and voice mail left by listeners.
Airsoft Medicine
Airsoft Medicine has been running with monthly episodes for the last three years. It is an entertaining 30 minute long monthly show by two regular hosts. The goal of Airsoft Medicine is to keep airsoft fun by keeping it safe. They often speak on topics related to airsoft safety and protective equipment. Along with these topics they will often speak of other things of interest to airsofters including legislation, games, game rules, and airsoft guns. The hosts play small day skirmishes and big weekend-long milsim “lite” operations like Lion Claws events. The hosts include, myself, Mark Vaughan, M.D. (Dr. Airsosft), a Family Medicine physician with board certification and experience in Emergency Medicine, and Rangemaster Larry, a real law enforcement rangemaster. The podcast is made for airsofters in general, but there is a slight orientation to parental concerns regarding children starting in the sport.
This Week in Airsoft
Despite its moniker to the contrary, This Week in Airsoft has been released somewhat less often than weekly, starting February, 2012. It follows a co-host format with James Broadus leading discussion with a co-host and frequent interviews with show guests. It is the most “journalistic” of the airsoft podcasts, taking on serious topics with a degree of story investigation that goes beyond just reading secondary sources to actual interviews with individuals making the airsoft news.
Solo host, Arthur Lowther, former Corporal, Infantry USMC, and previous police officer gives prepared tactical training presentations aimed at milsim players. The depth of tactical training content of his shows is not found in any of the other airsoft podcasts. His orientation is toward the endurance style hardcore milsim events. You do not listen to this podcast to hear jokes; it is for serious learning of real military tactics applied to milsim airsoft.
Archived Shows
Airsoftology
With over 50 co-hosted, entertaining, professionally produced episodes, Jonathan Higgs has created a landmark in the field of airsoft podcasting. His show went on to spawn both Airsoft Medicine and Eric Fine’s The Gear Locker. Both podcasts were guest segments on Airsoftology before being produced as independent shows. Each episode is neatly divided by sound bumpers into sections on news, gear reviews, and listener segments. Local events near Nashville are often discussed in earlier shows. Episodes are usually one hour but can vary from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. In my opinion, it is one of the best podcasts ever made.
CQB Radio
Solo host, Carp, produced over 30 podcasts lasting one to two hours with about five short “minicasts” mixed in. The show was similar to a solo form of Airsoftology with more gear reviews per episode and interviews with personalities in the airsoft industry. An early segment of each show would cover upcoming events in and near to Carp’s locale of New Hampshire. This podcast is also one of my favorite general shows, and it was the home of ten “Dr. Airsoft” segments throughout 2010.
DeadRag Airsoft Radio
I think of DeadRag Airsoft Radio as a three host Texas version of CQB Radio with lots of equipment reviews and the addition of some banter between hosts. Shows include interviews with guests to discuss their equipment and style of play. Its twenty shows from 2007 to 2009 have been very influential on podcasts which have followed.
Opsec Airsoft
Radar and the gang produced over 100 shows before dying a stuttering death in 2011, following a move from Southern California to the Northeast. I do not know where to find archived episodes as they are no longer available through iTunes. The show was modeled by Gorilla Airsoft Radio.
The great thing about podcasting is that nearly every episode produced is available for download or streaming at anytime. You can go through all of the episodes of an entire podcast for first to last or just pick out ones with specific topics that interest you. You can also subscribe to currently running podasts to be sure to always have the lastest from the airsoft and milsim universe waiting for you during your next commute, exercise time, or night of insomnia.
We have a very special guest from the world of Airsoft Ophthalmology join us for our August Airsoft Medicine podcast. Dr. Timothy Chou of the State University of New York, Stoneybrook, discusses the only known case of eye penetration by an airsoft bb. The ironic point made by Dr. Chou is the remarkable safety record of the airsoft sp0rt demonstrated by the rarity of this unique case. He notes that enucleation (removal of the eye globe) is more commonly a result of serious paintball eye injuries. We also again emphasize the need to wear adequate eye protection when playing airsoft, and even when target shooting. Rangemaster Larry provides an update on SB 199 which has since passed the California Assembly Appropriations Committee.
