A method of manufacturing a feedthrough for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), the method comprising the steps of: a) forming a feedthrough insulator, comprising the steps of: A) forming an alumina ceramic in a green state, or, stacking discrete layers of a green state alumina ceramic one upon another and pressing them to form the alumina ceramic in the green state, the alumina ceramic having an alumina ceramic body fluid side opposite an alumina ceramic device side; B) forming at least one first via hole straight through the alumina ceramic to the body fluid and device sides; C) filling the at least one first via hole with a ceramic reinforced metal composite (CRMC) paste, the CRMC paste comprising platinum and, by weight or by volume, about 15% to about 80% ceramic material; D) drying the alumina ceramic including the CRMC paste to thereby form a first CRMC material filling the at least one first via hole in the alumina ceramic; E) forming a second via hole extending straight through the first CRMC material to the alumina ceramic body fluid and device sides, the second via hole being smaller in diameter in comparison to the at least one first via hole, wherein a portion of the CRMC material remains in the at least one first via hole; F) filling the second hole with a substantially pure metal core; and G) sintering the alumina ceramic including the first CRMC material and the substantially pure metal core to thereby form the feedthrough insulator; and b) providing an electrically conductive ferrule comprising a ferrule opening; and c) hermetically sealing the feedthrough insulator to the ferrule in the ferrule opening. a) forming a feedthrough insulator, comprising the steps of: A) forming an alumina ceramic in a green state, or, stacking discrete layers of a green state alumina ceramic one upon another and pressing them to form the alumina ceramic in the green state, the alumina ceramic having an alumina ceramic body fluid side opposite an alumina ceramic device side; B) forming at least one first via hole straight through the alumina ceramic to the body fluid and device sides; C) filling the at least one first via hole with a ceramic reinforced metal composite (CRMC) paste, the CRMC paste comprising platinum and, by weight or by volume, about 15% to about 80% ceramic material; D) drying the alumina ceramic including the CRMC paste to thereby form a first CRMC material filling the at least one first via hole in the alumina ceramic; E) forming a second via hole extending straight through the first CRMC material to the alumina ceramic body fluid and device sides, the second via hole being smaller in diameter in comparison to the at least one first via hole, wherein a portion of the CRMC material remains in the at least one first via hole; F) filling the second hole with a substantially pure metal core; and G) sintering the alumina ceramic including the first CRMC material and the substantially pure metal core to thereby form the feedthrough insulator; and A) forming an alumina ceramic in a green state, or, stacking discrete layers of a green state alumina ceramic one upon another and pressing them to form the alumina ceramic in the green state, the alumina ceramic having an alumina ceramic body fluid side opposite an alumina ceramic device side; B) forming at least one first via hole straight through the alumina ceramic to the body fluid and device sides; C) filling the at least one first via hole with a ceramic reinforced metal composite (CRMC) paste, the CRMC paste comprising platinum and, by weight or by volume, about 15% to about 80% ceramic material; D) drying the alumina ceramic including the CRMC paste to thereby form a first CRMC material filling the at least one first via hole in the alumina ceramic; E) forming a second via hole extending straight through the first CRMC material to the alumina ceramic body fluid and device sides, the second via hole being smaller in diameter in comparison to the at least one first via hole, wherein a portion of the CRMC material remains in the at least one first via hole; F) filling the second hole with a substantially pure metal core; and G) sintering the alumina ceramic including the first CRMC material and the substantially pure metal core to thereby form the feedthrough insulator; and b) providing an electrically conductive ferrule comprising a ferrule opening; and c) hermetically sealing the feedthrough insulator to the ferrule in the ferrule opening.