The Days Grimm Podcast
The Days Grimm, "arguably Indiana's most comical, thrilling, and controversial podcast", This three-pronged mandate acts as a primary filter for their guest selection. The "comical" aspect is reflected in its official genre of "COMEDY INTERVIEWS" and its history of hosting local stand-up comedians. The "thrilling" component is evident in interviews with individuals who have extraordinary life stories, such as people who survived shootings, rare medical conditions, and combat. Finally, the "controversial" element is demonstrated by Brian & Thomas’ willingness to engage in difficult or unfiltered conversations, touching on topics like homelessness, artificial intelligence, and religious hypotheticals.
A crucial element of the show's tone is its tagline, "Brought to you by Sadness & ADHD (non-medicated)". This self-aware and raw positioning signals a modern comedic sensibility that embraces vulnerability and finds humor in personal struggle. The podcast's brand is not built on polished narratives but on the authentic, often messy, intersection of hardship and humor. The most compelling guests are those who have navigated a "Grimm" reality and emerged with a story to tell, and ideally, a sense of humor about it. This dynamic is the core of the show's appeal and the primary filter for identifying a story worth telling.
The Days Grimm Podcast
EP247 Surviving an IED in Afghanistan & Finding Purpose Through Running | Erik Goodge
In this episode of the Day’s Grimm, hosts Brian Michael Day and Thomas Grimm sit down with Erik Goodge, a United States Marine Corps veteran, financial planner, and avid endurance runner. Erik shares his journey from growing up in the Evansville area to joining the Marine Corps as a Forward Observer (FO) during the height of the Afghanistan conflict.
The conversation dives deep into Erik’s military service, including the high-stakes role of targeting for artillery and the harrowing experience of being hit by an IED in Helmand Province. Erik provides a raw look at the realities of combat, from the "Spider-Manning" through irrigation fields to the intense physical and mental toll of long-term deployments
Beyond the uniform, Erik discusses his transition into the civilian world where he launched his own financial planning practice, UVest Advisory, in 2018. He explains his philosophy on asset allocation and why he focuses on long-term stability over market hype.
Finally, Erik shares his passion for running, which serves as his mental "anchor". At the time of recording, Erik was on day 681 of a consecutive running streak, using his endurance challenges to raise thousands of dollars for "Mission First," a non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans through projects like "The Sanctuary on the Hill".
Whether you are a veteran looking for inspiration, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in the discipline required to maintain a multi-year running streak, this episode offers valuable insights into resilience and purpose.
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
• The role and responsibilities of a Marine Corps Forward Observer (FO).
• Memories of training at Fort Sill and Naval Gunfire School in Coronado.
• First-hand account of Operation Conjure and the largest helicopter insertion since Vietnam.
• The physical reality of surviving an IED blast and the recovery process at Bethesda.
• Transitioning from the military to launching UVest Advisory financial planning.
• Investment strategies: Why asset class level investing beats chasing individual stocks.
• The discipline behind a 680+ day running streak and competing in 50-mile ultra-marathons.
• Supporting "Mission First" and local veteran outreach in Evansville.
Eriks Links:
UVest Advisory Financial Planning
Mission First:
https://thesanctuaryonthehill.org
NOTABLE QUOTES:
• "Running's like my anchor in the ground... it's so nice to have one thing that happens no matter what." (Erik Goodge)
• "I invest at the level of the asset class, not at the level of the company." (Erik Goodge)
If you enjoyed Erik’s story of resilience, make sure to like this video and subscribe to the Day’s Grimm for more interviews with local legends and veterans. Have a question about financial planning or starting your own running streak? Drop a comment below!
TIMELINE:
00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:10 - Family History and Evansville Roots
[The Days Grimm Podcast Links]
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDaysGrimm
- Our link tree: linktr.ee/Thedaysgrimm
- GoFundMe account for The Days Grimm: https://gofund.me/02527e7c
[The Days Grimm is brought to you by]
Sadness & ADHD (non-medicated)