We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Travis Partington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Travis below.

Hi Travis, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful things I have done with my podcast, Oscar Mike Radio, is advocate for Joseph “JJ” Millett. JJ is a Vermont National Guard Veteran who is fighting to clear his name after being charged with domestic terrorism.

JJ served in Afghanistan in the Vermont National Guard. After leaving the service, he became a corrections officer. JJ has battled depression and PTSD. He receives care from the Veterans Administration.

In January 2026, his medication was changed. By February, JJ realized he was not okay and called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for help. He was told to go to the Vermont State Troopers and turn himself in for help. He willingly went, and once the Vermont State Troopers had him, they returned him to VA care.

Three days later, JJ is charged with Domestic Terrorism. While he was being treated at the VA, a search warrant was executed, and his property was searched. The Prosecuting Attorney felt that JJ’s therapy journal contained what was believed to be a domestic terrorism manifesto. This carries a 20-year prison sentence in Vermont.
(https://www.wcax.com/2026/03/19/veterans-lawyers-push-drop-domestic-terrorism-charge-over-crisis-hotline-call/)

March 24th, Emily Wheeler, JJ’s Aunt reached out to me and asked for help. This has set me on a path to use my podcast to advocate for someone who doesn’t have a voice.

This is more than a podcast, story, or TikTok clip. Telling JJ’s story and talking with people and fellow Veterans about how JJ has been treated has allowed me to live my purpose with Oscar Mike Radio.

Travis, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My podcast, Oscar Mike Radio, is almost 10 years old. In 2016, I was going through a difficult time and was in a bad place. During that time, the “22 a Day” for Veterans’ suicide was coming to the forefront of people’s minds in America.

I am a life member of the Marine Corps League. My Detachment is the 1st Lt. Brian M. McPhilips Metro South #1115. We would do burial rituals for Veterans who have passed. During that time, there were several funerals of Veterans who had taken their own lives.

It was hard to understand. Many of these Veterans had families who loved them and cared deeply for their loved ones who had passed. As bad as things were for me, I hadn’t lost hope. With that idea in mind, I wanted to do something.

Around this time, I had started doing some guest hosting for South Shore New and Views. It was a program hosted by Jack White at WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA. Jack would have me come down to sit on his show when there were Veterans stories, issues, or persons. I absolutely enjoyed myself. and got me thinking. What if there were a show just for Veterans and Veterans’ stories? Maybe if there were a place for Veterans to have their stories told, it would be a place where they could lift each other up and come together for one another.

I started thinking about how I would do this and realized I didn’t know anything about radio, how it worked, or how to create a radio show. Also, at the time, AM radio for WVBF cost $ 2,000.00 per month or $500 per hour. Financially, the radio was out.

That is when I came across podcasting. 10 years ago, podcasting was nothing like it is now. One needed special equipment, software, and knowledge to do a podcast. However, podcasting has significant upside. I could do it on a computer and host it in various ways for a fraction of the cost.

I needed a name for my podcast. Doing this podcast put me on the move with purpose, and it brought me back to my days in the Marine Corps. There is a military saying called “Oscar Mike”. I had to be Oscar Mike for my show and the Veterans I would be talking about.

My first part-time job was at 98 Rocks in Shreveport, LA, where I worked the phones. Being a radio station has stuck with me all my life. I decided to call my podcast, “Oscar Mike Radio”. I am going to be “On the Move, or On Mission” over the airwaves.

Over the years, I developed my own style of doing a show. I want my guests to feel comfortable, like we are in a big military truck, just talking for a while. Doing this podcast has opened other doors for me. I do voice-overs, emcee engagements, and work in film. All while advocating for Veterans and giving them a place to tell their stories.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It is having a family member, or a complete stranger, come up to me or email me to say that the story, or the guest on my show, had a positive impact on their life.

Followers, subscribers, downloads are great but knowing that my work had a profound effect on a human being is even better. There is something that happens to me during those moments that I still struggle to articulate after all these years.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Many non-creatives wonder why I do this if I am not making large sums of money podcasting. Oscar Mike Radio is more than a hobby, but not a job. I believe that if one is using creative pursuits to chase money, they will never be fulfilled. Those individuals are chasing the wrong thing when it comes to what it means to create.

Creating for a purpose is a calling that few understand, I have found. It can be lonely at times. When someone comes along who understands what I am doing, a kinship forms. It is in those times that I know my internal compass is aligned to my fulfillment.

There may be a day when Oscar Mike Radio becomes profitable. Until then I am happy as it is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oscarmikeradio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscarmike_radio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oscarmikeradio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-partington-7977845/
• Twitter: https://x.com/oscarmikeradio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@oscarmikeradioonmission-al6081