In this episode of the WPAOG podcast, we sit down with retired Lieutenant General Dan Karbler to explore his unexpected journey from commanding missile defense operations to working alongside Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow on the national security thriller A House of Dynamite. The film brings cinematic intensity to a simulated missile attack on the U.S., and Karbler’s firsthand expertise shaped everything from the script to the set design, ensuring military authenticity at every turn.

For nearly 37 years, LTG Karbler served our nation in a variety of positions in the United States and around the world. An expert in Air and Missile Defense and Space Operations, he has extensive experience in effectively leading large and complex military commands, conducting operations, requirements and capability development, test and evaluation, and budget formulation. Before retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant General, he led the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a globally dispersed organization across 23 locations and 11 time zones responsible for providing homeland and regional air and missile defense and space operations.

Listeners will hear how a cold Zoom audition led to a major consulting role, what it takes to get military uniforms and terminology right for film, and how his leadership style aligned seamlessly with Bigelow’s directing approach. Karbler also reflects on what it means to serve, both in uniform and as a parent of two West Point grads, and shares advice for military professionals considering creative second careers. This episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the making of a military thriller through the eyes of someone who’s lived it—both on screen and in service.

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“ When those curve balls come at you, or high pressure or complexity comes in, if you don't have that good basic foundation to fall back on, you start to make mistakes. You can get nervous, which is gonna affect your, uh, potential judgment or recommendations or could affect your decisions. So you have got to become the master of your craft. And you do that through repetition. You do that through practice, you do it through rehearsals, you do it by staying current with contemporaries, whether that's reading, listening to a podcast. Sometimes it's just, having a cup of coffee with friends and bouncing some ideas off of each other.”

-LTG (Ret.) Dan Karbler

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(00:09) From General to Hollywood

(03:20) On Set: Authenticity and Technical Advising

(04:51) Behind the Scenes: Working with Kathryn Bigelow

(17:04) Family Legacy: West Point and Military Service

(25:19) Advice for Aspiring Military and Hollywood Careers

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Watch A House of Dynamite on Netflix

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In this episode of the WPAOG podcast, we sit down with West Point graduates Brian Anthony ’01 and Sean Mullin ’97, filmmakers and former Army officers, to explore the making of their new documentary Brothers on Three. The film captures more than a championship rugby season; it’s a story of resilience, identity, and brotherhood at West Point. Through the lens of the Army Rugby team, the film examines leadership under pressure and the power of trust, commitment, and love within a team.

Brian Anthony is a West Point graduate who served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2010, including as a Ranger and Special Forces Green Beret. Today, he’s a screenwriter whose credits include CW’s Kung Fu, Constantine, The Night Shift, and Station 19. His comic book short Terps was featured in the SOLDIER STORIES anthology for Veterans Day 2022. Sean Mullin, also a West Point grad, served as an Army officer in Germany before finishing his service as a Captain in the New York Army National Guard, where he led soldiers at Ground Zero after 9/11. He later transitioned into filmmaking and comedy, building a successful career as an independent director and producer.

Listeners will hear how Sean and Brian translated their shared experience on the rugby field into a powerful film narrative, the emotional revelations captured during filming, and the surprising leadership outcomes among Army rugby alumni. They also discuss the challenges of independent documentary filmmaking, from funding to field logistics, and reflect on the evolution of West Point’s culture of masculinity and emotional strength. The episode is a behind-the-scenes look at a deeply personal and cinematic tribute to the long-lasting bonds formed at the Academy.

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 ”One of the more kind of impressive stats that came out during filming, the typical West Point cadet has a 1% chance of getting promoted to the rank of general officer. But if you play rugby, you've got a 3% chance. So that's a 300% Delta, which is a massive Delta statistical anomaly. It's not even close, not double, it's triple. And I'll be honest with you, I started crunching more numbers, it's probably higher than three. So I feel confident saying that we've been, we've had a couple guys just get promoted recently, too. It's an incredible thing, and that was definitely something we wanted to investigate with this film is what's in the sauce. Why is that? I do feel like that's not just in the military chain of promotions. I do feel like also in the civilian world, you see a lot of business leaders and you see a lot of entrepreneurs who have a rugby background because again, there is a certain element of risk to this sport. And I think that translates well into people who maybe metabolize risk in a different way in the business world.”

-Sean Mullin, Class of ’97

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(01:20) The Message Behind Brothers on Three

(05:45) The Long Road to Making This Story Happen

(08:30) Discovering Unexpected Moments of Brotherhood

(14:20) Community Reactions and Premiere Plans

(21:40) The Surprising Stats Behind Rugby and Leadership

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Find where Brothers on Three Playing Near You

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In this episode of the WPAOG podcast, we welcome COL (R) James Lynch, MD West Point Class of ’89, a retired military physician and national expert in Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). A promising treatment for PTSD and anxiety. With over three decades of military service, including 20 years in special operations, Dr. Lynch shares his journey from Army physician to mental health innovator.

Dr. Jim Lynch is a physician and mental health advocate who established a practice in Maryland in 2021 after serving 31 years in Army medicine. Board-certified in Family and Sports Medicine, he’s treated thousands of trauma-affected patients and pioneered SGB as a powerful treatment for PTSD and anxiety. Dr. Lynch has presented internationally, published multiple peer-reviewed studies, and served as a U.S. Olympic Team physician for over a decade. He continues to champion access to effective trauma care for veterans, civilians, and underserved populations globally.

Listeners will gain insight into how SGB works to reset the fight-or-flight system, its remarkable results among veterans, and why traditional PTSD treatments often fall short. Dr. Lynch also discusses the broader applications of SGB, including for survivors of sexual trauma, and how he’s taking this treatment global, reaching communities in crisis like Ukraine.

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(00:32) What is Stella Ganglion Blocks (SGB)

(06:43) Discovery and Evolution of SGB for PTSD

(12:27) Dr. Lynch's Journey into Medicine

(16:56) Advice for PTSD and Anxiety Sufferers

(23:06) Challenges and Accessibility of SGB

(29:20) Dr. Lynch's Humanitarian Efforts

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Connect with Dr. James

Learn more about SGB

Learn more about WPAOG’s Veteran Services for West Point grads:

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