#743 FireSide Chat w/ the Crew & Quarterly Raffle Winner Announcement; 1 Oct 2026

🎙️ Episode #743 — FireSide Chat w/ the Crew | Saddleback Leather Raffle Drawing

This episode of FireSide Chat w/ the Crew brought plenty of laughs, current events, veteran conversation, and one moment everyone had been waiting for — the LIVE drawing for our Saddleback Leather Co. Flight Bag raffle!

The crew covered a wide range of topics, from unusual stories making headlines and military news to COVID, flu shots, movies, history, and the kind of good-natured back-and-forth that has become a regular part of the FireSide Chat. The conversation even wandered into George Washington, the Sons of the American Revolution, information-age warfare, and the importance of understanding history.

But the big event of the evening was the raffle.

With AJ's sister Sheila doing the honors, the winning ticket was pulled LIVE — and Mike Francis was announced as the winner of the Saddleback Leather Co. Flight Bag! Mike even called back during the show and got the news live from AJ and the crew.

The episode also introduced the next quarterly raffle, featuring a Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 binocular and Vortex Triumph HD 850 laser rangefinder, along with additional Vortex gear.

The crew wrapped things up with their usual Words of Wisdom, some final laughs, and an important reminder to veterans: if you're struggling, reach out. And if you're doing well, check on the men and women you served beside.

Andrew “AJ” Cox — Host, Founder & Executive Director, The Lost Art Project Mark O’Loughlin — FireSide Chat Crew Mike — FireSide Chat Crew Jess — FireSide Chat Crew Craig — FireSide Chat Crew Sheila — Joined AJ for the live raffle drawing Mike Francis — Saddleback Leather Co. Flight Bag raffle winner, who called into the show after the drawing

🎙️ ON THIS EPISODE