Forge Forward Podcast

Dewie Vieira is a U.S. Army Veteran and champion of communication equality. He served from 1997 to 2005, completing his service at the rank of captain. Now at Sorenson, Dewie is the Director of Veterans Outreach, responsible for the development, organization, and implementation of the Sound Off Project (SOP), an initiative to address the needs of his fellow vets and Military Service members. 

On this episode we have our brother in arms, Vincent "Rocco" Vargas. Rocco is one of a kind and does so much for veterans and those still wearing the uniform. We're grateful to know him and honored he came on the show to tell his story. 

Listen as Bric talks to Air Force veteran Brian Ouellette. Brian was our first participant in our brain study. He talks about where he was mentally before and how his mental health has improved over the last 8 months. 

Listen as Forge Forward Project CEO, Bric Simpson, talks to the Project's Chief Research Officer, Brenden Borrowman. Brenden talks about how his upbringing and time in the military lead him to dedicating the last decade to finding better treatments for PTSD. 

Host Bric Simpson breaks down successes from 2022 and where the Forge Forward Project is headed in 2023. 

Listen as we talk to JT Laybourne, entrepreneur and TikTok Star. JT has garnered a large following on social media through his lip-sync videos, comedic sketches, and motivational videos. He believes making people smile helps make the world a better place. 

Today we have Ryan McIntosh who's such an inspiration to us. Ryan is a soldier who lost his leg after stepping on a land mine in Afghanistan but he's never let it slow him down. Even with his injury, through hard work and dedication he was able to compete in the Army World Class Athlete Initiative- a program that uses athletic training to improve military readiness. 

Today we talk with Peter  "Chappy" Meyerhoff. Peter is a rare type, he was very successful in athletics growing but became involved with drugs in high school. He was sent to prison for 12 years at the age of 18 and didn't get out until after his 30th birthday. Being the alpha male Peter is he ended up getting swallowed up by prison politics and ended up being the shot caller in there. When Peter got out of prison he hit the streets running. He ended up becoming successful transferring his pains from prison to drive for success out in the world. Peter' goals now are to motivate people when he speaks using the mental strength he acquired in solitary confinement, helping people get sober, and change the recidivism rate by showing people what's really possible with the right drive and no excuses.

On this episode we sit down with Adam Hightower- Actor, Director, Entrepreneur. Adam talks about his background and shares his Forge Forward moment. 

On this episode we sit down with Utah Senator Daniel Thatcher. Senator Thatcher has been championing suicide prevention since 2014 and was instrumental in developing the SafeUT App. SafeUT is a crisis chat and tip line that provides real-time crisis intervention for students, parents/guardians, and educators through live chat and a confidential tip line—right from your smartphone.

Listen as we talk to Summer Thatcher, a Navy Combat Photographer and veteran mental health advocate. She talks to us about her deployment history and what she does to stay resilient.  

We sat down with Leslie Zimmerman, a Combat Medic Veteran, author, wife and mother of three. Leslie deployed to Kuwait in 2003 and entered Iraq at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  She received an Army Commendation Medal for her actions while deployed. In addition to supporting veterans, Zimmerman is a published children's book author of Dream Big, and has published two children's book which aims to help children of deploying parents to understand deployment. She also volunteers time to support the Utah State High School Cycling League.

On this week's episode we have Ryan Stream. Ryan is a veteran, musician, and motivational speaker who captivates audiences with his story of overcoming homelessness, addiction, suicidal ideation, and how to Forge Forward. 

Listen as we talk to Josh Emfield, Utah National Guard veteran and leader at "The Emfield Team" by Realtypath LLC. Josh talks about his experiences in the Guard and working as a congressional aide. He also shares his "Forge Forward Moment". 

Listen as we talk to Bruce Roberts, founder and CEO of August Mission, about his "Forge Forward moment." August Mission is a non-profit dedicated towards applying unique solutions to problems that plague displaced persons, under-serviced communities, and persecuted groups. 

On today's episode we have Ian Wendt, the founder and CEO of Official Patriot Gear. Ian shares what he's learned about being an entrepreneur and forging forward through adversity.  officialpatriotgear.com forgeforwardproject.org

Forge Forward Project Founder and CEO Bric Simpson talks with Chief Strategy Officer James Dansie about why he started the Project and what the project plans to do to help veterans.