About us
ClothTalk is an internet-radio show (”podcast”) whose goal is to document and share the spoken history of Scouing. In many ways, that history Scouting is well documented in the thread of patches we collect. Here at ClothTalk, these same patches are the starting point for conversations on all aspects of the history of Scouting.
Our hosts
M. Tim Hall
Since his beginnings in scouting as a Cub, Tim has been stayed quite involved in the Scouting movement. He served the OA as Lodge Chief of Kaskanampo 310, as well as Section Chief of Section SE-4A in 1979. Tim is also a 15 year broadcast veteran from the world of international radio. Nicknamed the “Voice of Arabia” during the 1980’s, Tim also worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes supporting journalists in the field during Desert Storm. While in the mid-east Tim’s dedication to scouting did not weaken. He served as chairman of the Arabian District of the Direct Service Council 800 and Chapter Advisor of the Memsochet (“Traveler”) Chapter of Gamenowinink Lodge 555. Tim was the final Lodge Advisor of the Kaskanampo Lodge and played an integral role in the tri-Lodge merger into Coosa Lodge 50. Tim now serves as an Associate Advisor of the Coosa Lodge.
Ben Killen
A part of Tiger and Cub units that collapsed and failed while he was a member, Ben might have found it easy to lose interest in Scouting before he’d even begun. Nonetheless, upon finding stable troop, Ben’s excitement in Scouting was renewed. Albeit a bit of a late-comer in relation to his counterparts, Ben soon began to soar through the ranks of scouting. Originally a member of Kaskanampo Lodge 310, he served as his lodge’s final Lodge Chief as well as an executive to the Tri-Lodge merger committee. Ben’s role in guiding the three lodges through the merger process proved absolutely invaluable. Ben has also held positions on the section level for section SR-8B as well as having been a Charter Coosa Lodge officer. Additionally, having newly relocated to the New York City area, Ben is excited at the opportunity to experience the Scouting program in a completely new environment.
Chris Brightwell
As the son of a son of an Eagle Scout, Chris Brightwell—one of eight Eagle Scouts in three generations of Brightwells—comes from a family rich in Scouting. He served in a wide range of leadership roles in his Troop, served as a three-term Lodge Treasurer for Kaskanampo Lodge (the basis for his Vigil Name, Nagatamen Mawachpo), was elected to a single term as Lodge Chief for Coosa Lodge, and current serves as the adviser to Coosa’s Nomination and Recognition Committee.
As a student of Computer Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Chris brings his technical knowledge and experience to The Scout History Project and serves as the project’s technical lead.
Guests
Dr. James Flatt
James first spark of interest in Scouting’s history came while attending the 1975 National OA Conference in Ohio–listening and interacting with the patriarchs of Scout memorabilia collecting. Since then, he has written/co-written 2 books on Order of the Arrow history and memorabilia, and contributed to several others, all while serving as the Region 5 Editor for The Blue Book . James credits his interest in Scouting’s history and memorabilia as the common denominator in establishing hundreds of friendships in Scouting.