Battle Scars

by Panoply
159

Some firefights and bomb blasts never make the news or the history books, but they’re still incidents that changed the lives of those involved. In each episode, host and former soldier Thom Tran talks to fellow veterans of our recent wars. We hear from a badly burned vet who became a TV star; a medic who says God answered his prayers on the battlefield; and one of the few women soldiers to take an enemy life in action. Thom also shares his memories of fighting in Iraq, where a sniper's bullet came within an inch of killing him. Sometimes raw, often funny, but always arresting.

Recent Episodes
  • Draft Episode for Mar 21, 2025
    Mar 21, 2025 – 23:17
  • Welcome to the world
    Apr 5, 2024 – 02:03
  • Surrounded, Outnumbered, Shot in the Throat... But I Fought On.
    Jan 11, 2018 – 30:16
  • From War in Afghanistan to a Fight in the NFL
    Jan 4, 2018 – 29:18
  • I Fought with Hate... Until it Caught Up On Me
    Dec 28, 2017 – 36:36
  • Don't Die with Skeletons in Your Closet
    Dec 21, 2017 – 40:51
  • I Tried to Help Land Our Black Hawk, Then Passed Out
    Dec 14, 2017 – 31:02
  • The First Woman to Kill in Battle
    Dec 7, 2017 – 32:14
  • When I Went to Iraq it Killed My Dad Back Home
    Nov 30, 2017 – 26:44
  • When the Caskets Start Coming Home
    Nov 23, 2017 – 28:27
  • Panoply Fall 2017 Trailer
    Nov 20, 2017 – 05:03
  • God Loves Medics
    Nov 16, 2017 – 31:12
  • Landmines freaked me out... and guess what got me?
    Nov 9, 2017 – 28:49
  • Trailer
    Nov 1, 2017 – 03:39
Recent Reviews
  • The Real Cardz
    Is This Podcast Ever Coming Back?
    Just saw your live on Forces Andes and came straight here. You got in the podcast game at the right time, and quit at the wrong time. Bring it back?
  • Rad_Dad87
    Great outlet
    I love this podcast, its created an outlet for service members to speak there truth and tell there story, please relaunch in 2021 I think you stopped to soon. (Don’t quit before the magic happens)
  • spanks a-lot
    Season two bro??
    Come on bro lol
  • Rooster521
    Solid
    Coming from a military family, my father was afflicted with some PTSD for a while; some of what these men and women discuss on this show is what he went through, too. I’ve recommended the show to him and he loved it. I hope there’s another season coming out! This was well-done and great podcasting!
  • EmCaCo
    Amazing Perspective
    Makes a solid point about how much people talk on behalf of soldiers and veterans or use them as movie fodder, but how little we hear veterans tell their own stories. Well-produced show, great flow, worth a listen.
  • gr1771n
    Must listen to
    The people he has on the podcast have a gift of telling stories. It really makes you feel like your there.
  • Sandune83
    WRITE REVIEWS!!!
    Our vets are so under appreciated. I'm really sad to see that there aren't more reviews to keep this podcast going. Hopefully this will help. These are incredibly brave people and their stories are beyond words of praise.
  • VetLawyer27
    Fantastic!
    I just discovered this podcast, and I'm glad I did! Very well done, great production quality, and the host is just as intriguing as the guests. Definitely recommend!
  • Mferretta
    Thank you !
    This is a great podcast that captures the humanity of our military service members.
  • Donna207
    This podcast is GREAT
    Love this show. I listen to many podcasts kind of like a new hobby. This one is informative and entertaining, not funny but serious info. L:ove it and wasn't sure I would. I have zero military and don't know anyone really in the military so LISTEN to the stories and start with ep One.
  • Kellymaclean
    Holy Shot
    Every American should listen to this to understand what people go through in our defense. And because Thom is freaking brilliant funny sweet amazing.
  • Logansmommy612
    Wow
    We just simply take our life for granted. Thank you and everyone for your service. Please keep it coming
  • A Dollar Poorer
    Left Wing Rants
    A bunch of left wing veterans ranting, I’ll pass. And yeah, I too got hurt overseas and had high hopes for a program like this. What a wasted opportunity. Couldn’t make it past the Duckworth episode and the hosts anti Trump rants.
  • Newdeal33
    Fantastic, necessary
    This show explores something that people forget about soldiers and war: the humanity of it. Beautifully done
  • Terrashpere
    So Excellent- keeps getting better and better!
    As an OIF veteran, army spouse to an active duty soldier/OIF&OEF veteran, and daughter of an OIF veteran; this podcast really hits me where it counts. Gripping, emotional, and inclusive of so many different view points about what it was like to have boots on the ground over there and all the forms our battle scars can take.
  • ___Colonel
    Incredible stories
    For anyone who's had to battle with something, internal or external, the show is a beautiful tribute to that pain and struggle.
  • hannah_co
    Battle Scars is all heart
    Battle Scars is a powerful balance of stories that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’ve had loved ones in the military and it’s not an easy lifestyle. Society often forgets about those who are fighting their country’s battles for them. Thank you for sharing these stories!
  • Oripah
    Important Perspectives
    Few of us will ever wear the service uniforms of our country, but all of us should listen to voices of those who do.
  • Midnight Perry
    Powerful stuff
    These stories pack a wallop - and the production design is really well done.
  • carlylmig
    Such brave storytelling.
    Thom has a gift of really getting his guests to open up. It takes so much courage to relive these moments, which are presented in such a beautiful way.
  • SweetHeart2020!
    Bravo!
    An important show to have in the mix.
  • Lydjones
    So important
    I have very few military affiliations. My grandpa served for a few years when he was young but never saw combat, and that is the extent of my military relationship. I became close veterans and people who were dating active military personnel in college and I realized how ignorant I really was about the military. It’s been difficult to ask the people I know their stories because I’m not very close to them and I don’t want to be rude, but hearing stories such as these really puts their sacrifices into perspective. This is just one way I’m trying to educate myself about the military and the people who served. Thank you all for sharing!
  • Acrook19
    It’s going to help.
    Loved episode 1. J.R. is an amazing guy. Thanks Thom for suggesting it. You’re off to a good start. I think this could be helpful for more vets, and I hope we get the word spread around through out the veteran community!
  • JessEliB
    Amazing.
    I think those of us safe in our own country forget some of the sacrifices made. This podcast is amazing in that it allows us to hear, first hand, from those who keep us protected. Subscribed!
  • JPM_5
    So, so good!
    Thank you for telling these stories. Hopefully this podcast can help other fellow veterans out there and also educate civilians on why it's important to take care of veterans.
  • Envy96
    Thank you
    As an AD service member, it’s great hearing these stories.
  • mmlawrence
    Amazing
    Just so awesome. Cannot wait for the next episode!
  • ashzula
    Brave
    I think this is an amazing topic to podcast about and share incredible true stories outside of what's seen in the movies. Thanks for taking the initiative.
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