Madcat Podcast

About Madcat Podcast

This podcast captures the history of Pararescuemen (PJ) and Combat Rescue Officers (CRO). "That Others May Live" is the motto PJs and CROs live by, but we are also known for our obsession with late nights, small wooden idols and tattoos on our rear-ends. Join us for stories of new and old. Support our podcast! https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

Publisher

Madcat Podcast

Category

government · history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

28 May 2023

Latest episode

22 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Jun 2026

   John Pighini (feat. Scott Gearen)

   In this episode, John Pighini and Scott Gearen sit down to recount stories of John's career in uniform — from flying combat rescue missions over Laos and Thailand during the Vietnam War, to becoming the founding Pararescuemen at the classified JSOC unit known as Det 4 NAFCOS (later known as the 24th STS). John recounts: Flying 100+ combat missions in the Jolly Green Giant, picking up downed pilots under fire, and earning the Silver Star. Lima Sites and what life was really like in Udo...

2. 

   30 Mar 2026

   Al Stanek

   Episode 32 of the Madcat Podcast is with Al Stanek. He is a legend of the PJ community! He survived a shoot-down, saved his pilots from a burning wreck, and spent a night in the dirt fighting off enemy forces to protect the wounded. He’s a Silver Star recipient and a PJ's PJ. Join us for an incredible conversation. Donate to the cause: https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

3. 

   5 Jan 2026

   Mike Fish

   Mike Fish served as a PJ at the 41st ARRS at Hamilton AFB, California, 38th ARRS at Tuy Hoa AB and the 71st ARRS at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. He shares his story of earning the Air Force Cross and all of the jump missions he managed to get on! He remains a titan of the PJ community, this was an awesome interview for us to do in person. Check out the full video on our YouTube. Buy Podcast SWAG or Donate to the Cause. https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

49,821

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

60

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

71

Contact Madcat Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.