Butterfingers and the Bomb: An Unexpected Journey from Draft to Laughs

In this episode of Well, That Was Awkward, Bree and Mendy share an incredible story from one of their listeners, Paul, whose journey from a law school student to a soldier during the Vietnam War takes a surprisingly hilarious and awkward turn. Get ready to hear about Paul's unique draft experience, his run-ins with bullies during basic training, and an unexpected assignment with nuclear weapons!

Mendy kicks off the episode with a story about her crush on Noam Chomsky and a memorable encounter at MIT, setting the stage for a discussion on parasocial relationships with celebrities. Bree follows up with a hilarious tale of her childhood crush on Ricky Schroder and an embarrassing fan letter gone wrong.

But the real story unfolds when Paul, our listener and self-proclaimed biggest fan, recalls his life-changing draft to Vietnam. With the war raging and uncertainty in the air, Paul navigates the trials of basic training, including gorilla stomps and unusual punishments, only to find himself pulled into an even more bizarre situation—learning to assemble nuclear bombs.

As Paul’s story reaches its climax, he is chosen for a special assignment, leading to a jaw-dropping reveal during a high-stakes NATO inspection. The result? A classic Well, That Was Awkward moment that you won't want to miss.

Tune in for this episode filled with laughter, unexpected twists, and a heartfelt reminder that sometimes, life’s most awkward moments make the best stories.

Question of the week: if you are reading this, who was your first celebrity crush? Email us at [e-mail]

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Advice for world travelers from “Paul”: 

 

“I found it very helpful to read up on the places you intend to visit –  not only on the history but also on the current state of their affairs. Then use that knowledge to start conversations with the people who live there and ask for advice about places to visit and where to eat. 

 

Also, read up on the places in said countries you want to visit and try to make sure you get there. 

 

Always be polite, kind and appreciative. No ugly American stuff, and don’t be demanding or rude. Kindness begets kindness😀😘🤗”

 

Top Five Places that Paul recommends seeing in a hippie car.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Florence, Italy

Paris, France

Vienna, Austria

Lugano, Switzerland

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