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PODCAST

Les Incompetent

Austin Schindel and Zachary Whitt

Welcome to Les Incompetent, a History podcast hosted by Austin Schindel and Zachary Whitt! We are just two guys who have a passion for history, enjoy discussing the topics, and reading about events and people we are just learning about. Hopefully you join us on our discussions and read along!

history books

All Episodes

01:06:55

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Les Incompetent ·

2026/03/05

This week on Les Incompetent, we are going over Randall Wallaces 2002 film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. Taking place during the Vietnam War, it is a retelling of the Ia Drang Valley and what occured there. We discuss the significance of the film, what did and didn't work, and whether or not this is a faithful adaption of an event during the war.

en

01:34:20

Henry Kissinger

Les Incompetent ·

2026/03/02

FreaThis week on Les Incompetent, we cover the controversial figure throughout a large portion of the Vietnam War, Dr Henry Kissinger. We cover his political philosophy Real Politik, and how it has had massive consequences to Americas foreign policy, while also covering current events to tie into his philosophy, and whether it aligns with Americas ideals. Needless to say, he's a interesting figure for sure.

en

01:36:35

Killing Zone

Les Incompetent ·

2026/02/22

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Frederick Downs Jr's novel Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. This is a first hand account of a single persons tour of the Vietnam War and it is, arguably, the best to read to understand the conflict. We discuss what was lost, what was gained, and what it was all worth in the end.

en

47:47

Born on the Fourth of July (1989)

Les Incompetent ·

2026/02/14

This week on Les Incompetent, we are watching Oliver Stones film Born on the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise. We go over whether it is a good representation of the Vietnam War, PTSD, veterans coming back to society, and if the overall message works. Needless to say, we were not fans of this film.

en

01:11:10

Robert McNamara: In Retrospect

Les Incompetent ·

2026/02/08

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss Robert McNamaras novel In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. We go over the idea of Hindsight, shifting the blame, and putting yourself in the fire the better explain the situation; all of which we felt while reading this book. We also discuss his open debate at Harvard University, which was both an admirable attempt, but also may have done more harm than good.

en

30:38

OT/OT Snow Day

Les Incompetent ·

2026/01/31

This week on Les Incompetent, its a snow day in the Triangle, so Austin will be solo talking about Stephen Kings The Shining and Misery since we are snowed in. Both films showcase isolation, loneliness, and losing yourself, but also the humanity that prevails. We are back next week to discuss Robert McNamaras In Retrospect.

en

01:11:47

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Les Incompetent ·

2026/01/24

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Francis Ford Coppolas film Apocalypse Now. We cover the significance of the film, the meaning of the ending, and how director cuts have ruined cinema for us all.

en

01:13:28

Episode 10: The Weight of Memory

Les Incompetent ·

2026/01/17

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the Watergate Scandal, the resignation of Nixon, the fall of Saigon, and what the war was for. We also discuss the veterans reaction to the aftermath, and them coming to terms to what they had been put through.

en

01:12:22

Episode 9: A Disrespectful Loyalty

Les Incompetent ·

2026/01/11

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 9 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We cover the Vietnam Veterans joining the anti war effort, the release of the pentagon papers, and the creation of Nixons group of burglars, the plumbers. We also discuss what the Vietnam War was for, what was gained and what was lost.

en

01:25:55

Les Incompetent Year in Review 2025

Les Incompetent ·

2026/01/03

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the year we had. We talk about Napoleon, Pirates, Vietnam, what books we enjoyed, what movies we enjoyed, and a whole lot that we didn't. We talk about how we have grown as a show, we we hope to accomplish in 2026, and how thankful we are to our listeners. Thank you!

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01:13:10

Les Incompetent Christmas Special (2025)

Les Incompetent ·

2025/12/28

Merry Christmas from Les Incompetent! This Holiday Season, we are taking break from the horrors of Vietnam and just hanging out and talking about life. Stop by and hang out, and enjoy your holidays!

en

01:07:19

Episode 8: The History of the World

Les Incompetent ·

2025/12/20

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss episode 8 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We discuss Nixons Presidency, the vicious and violent reaction to the antiwar movement, and the start of the peace negotiations with Northern Vietnam. We also discuss the death of Ho Chi Minh, and the emerging difficulties of a prolonged war.

en

47:29

Rambo (1982)

Les Incompetent ·

2025/12/13

This week on Les Incompetent we go over the 1982 film Rambo starring Sylvester Stallone playing John Rambo, a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD. We go over treatment of Veterans, how Vietnam vets were treated when they came home, and how we have failed veterans in trying to reenter society after war.

en

01:01:05

Episode 7: Thin Veneer of Civilization

Les Incompetent ·

2025/12/06

This week on Les Incompetent we cover episode 7 of Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the 1968 election, the growing rise of dissent against the milatary, and the beginning of the Nixon administration. We go indepth to Nixon committing treason earlier than Watergate, and the new commanding force directing the war effort.

en

51:16

The Sorrow of War

Les Incompetent ·

2025/11/29

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Bao Ninh's novel The Sorrow of War. We go over perspective of a northern Vietnam soldier; one that is severely lacking in the conversation about the war in America, as well as what its like to go back to "normal" after a war has ended. We also go over the ideas of sorrow, regret, and acceptance in understanding what you were fighting for.

en

54:18

Episode 6: Things Fall Apart

Les Incompetent ·

2025/11/22

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 6 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode we go over the Tet Offensive, and how it not only solidified American distrust of the war effort, but how it had devastating effects on the people managing the war, especially General Westmoreland. We also go over the rise, and assassination of Robert Kennedy, and how his loss cast a dark shadow at the tail end of the 60's.

en

01:00:45

Episode 5: This Is What We Do

Les Incompetent ·

2025/11/15

This week on Les Incompetent, we continue Ken Burns Documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode, we do a dive into the state of the military, the demons the veterans are still facing, and how difficult the choices they made were. We also talk about the rising anti war movement, and the presidential response to its rise.

en

01:13:51

Episode 4: Resolve

Les Incompetent ·

2025/11/08

This week on Les Incompetent we are discussing episode 4 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we go over the growing frustration of American Leaders, especially President Johnson during the war. We also go over the emerging anti war movement, and what that meant to the people in charge of the war effort.

en

01:11:39

Halloween Special: Nuclear Fallout

Les Incompetent ·

2025/11/01

Happy Halloween to all our listeners! This week on Les Incompetent, we go over something that was present during the Vietnam war, and something that everyone was thinking about while our soldiers we over in Asia; Nuclear Fallout. We talk about the various times we have gotten close, the various test we completed around the world, and the impact of us dropping weapons on Japan at the end of WWII. We alos go over who should be allowed to dictate who can have a nuclear arsenal, and if we really should

en

01:05:48

Episode 3: The River Styx

Les Incompetent ·

2025/10/25

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over episode 3 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we over the importance of historical recordings, especially from the president, the uneasiness of now knowing the war was unwinnable in 1963, and the strategy adjustment the Vietcong used to combat the invading US troops. We also discuss the human aspect of the war, with Ken Burns diving in Mogsie Crockes life.

en

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