⚓️ 91-year-old Navy veteran, Jim Paulk, compiler of Shaking Up the World, shares powerful Naval Academy memories, Pearl Harbor recollections, and why preserving veterans’ stories matters for future generations.

I sat down with Jim Paulk — a storyteller, Navy veteran, and one of the driving forces behind Shaking Up the World: Stories of the Naval Academy Class of 1957 — to talk about collecting the voices of his classmates, the unexpected turns life took after his Naval academy graduation, and the lessons these personal narratives leave for us all. Jim tells stories that range from funny NFL-related anecdotes to heart-wrenching memories of wartime and Pearl Harbor. We dig into how relationships, humor, and simple acts of kindness shaped lives and created legacies worth preserving.

If you care about veterans, memoirs, Naval history, or learning life lessons through personal stories — this conversation is for you.

Get Jim's book and audiobook here:https://www.amazon.com/Shaking-Up-World-Stories-Academy-ebook/dp/B0D3VS3GJGhttps://www.audible.com/pd/Shaking-Up-the-World-Audiobook/B0FN6CC9GX?srsltid=AfmBOoqdvUl4ANf5LfcK8Z_QPW5ffrQtZLMDKb1v0DPUM0OksI70415g

🎧 Listen to the show on Your Favorite Platform:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/WhosOnMyMindPodcast

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-on-my-mind/id1783427441

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to James D. Paulk

04:34 Inspiration Behind Shaking Up the World

07:27 The Collaborative Process of Storytelling

09:51 The Impact of the Book’s Proceeds

12:25 Unique Stories from the Naval Academy Class of 1957

15:25 Inspirational Story — From Janitor to Admiral

18:20 Capturing Pearl Harbor Memories

20:28 Journey to the Naval Academy

24:39 Life After Graduation & Submarine Service

33:35 Heartbreaking Stories of War

37:29 Survival & Resilience in Adversity

41:54 The Importance of Storytelling

46:20 Lessons from Life & Decisions

55:04 Humor in the Midst of Seriousness

01:00:16 A Journey to Annapolis

01:02:32 Engagement & Marriage

01:03:21 Life After Marriage

01:04:01 Marriage Encounter Experience

01:04:32 Trust, Respect & Love in Relationships

01:06:47 Favorite Stories & Lasting Memories

01:14:41 Reflections on Life & Relationships

01:19:08 The Importance of Relationships

01:22:37 Legacy & Family Connections

#storytelling #navalacademy #veterans #oralhistory #pearlharbor #navy