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CZ Lopez is a true force of nature, a visionary leader whose career spans groundbreaking work alongside culinary titan Robert Irvine and a dedicated mentorship transforming the lives of veterans. From humble beginnings that led him to find his purpose as an Air Force para-rescueman, CZ's journey of resilience, humility, and unwavering commitment has shaped him into an extraordinary voice in leadership, inspiring countless individuals to embrace accountability, proactively take charge, and make every second count.Takeaways:The Fluidity of "Because": Your core motivation, the "because" that drives you, is not static but evolves with the seasons of your life, demanding constant reflection and alignment.Adversity as Opportunity: Misfortunes and failures are not roadblocks but pivotal lessons and opportunities for growth, strengthening character and fueling future drive.Humility as a Leader's Anchor: True leadership is grounded in humility, recognizing that believing your own hype leads to ego and diminishes credibility, while candid feedback fosters genuine progress.Sound Bytes:"My because is simply because we're temporary. Our existence is numbered. We don't know how long we have on this earth to make a difference. So we have to make every second count.""I looked at failures as something that was going to make me stronger, that was going to give me further drive, more motivation, a chip on my shoulder to just go ahead and keep on pressing forward.""If it's going to be a book about you, buddy, I think you need your face in the front... that beret needs to be in there because that's really who made you who you were, the career field of para rescue."Connect & Discover CZ:Instagram: @therealczcolonlopezThreads: @therealczcolonlopezLinkedIn: @ramoncolonlopezBook: Carnivore Leadership: Taking Charge Instead of Taking Shit
Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to introduce you all to: Air Force Veteran, Former All-Source Intelligence Analyst, loving and devoted wife, UAP and HNI experiencer, humanitarian, non-globalist human rights efforts activist Michaela FacharA distinguished U.S. Air Force veteran, Michaela served as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst, including a deployment to the CENTCOM Air Operations Center in Qatar from October 2020 to May 2021. There, she processed mission reports, including anomalous UAP activity and instances of "blue on blue" information - revealing choke points in intelligence flow that she later went public with on to highlight systemic issues in information sharing. Her analytical sharpness - honed through high-stakes environments - extended to China-focused intelligence work, leveraging her Mandarin proficiency from time spent living in China earlier in life. Following her deployment, she interned with the Defense Intelligence Agency's Special Operations Division before diving into academia.At Georgetown University, Michaela earned her Master's in Foreign Service. Immersed in courses on globalization, international relations theory, realism, idealism, and social constructivism, she sought to dissect policy failures to prevent future missteps. Yet, in the year 2021, during this intellectually intense period, her path veered into the extraordinary. What began as accelerated insights and "downloads" escalated into a life-altering experience: contact with non-human intelligence (NHI).This encounter unfolded dramatically - marked by crumbling perceptions of space-time, urgent premonitions of nuclear risks, symbolic visions, and a surreal hospital sequence blending apparent government orchestration, psychological distress, and spiritual liberation. She encountered entities, received symbolic messages, and felt cosmic connections. Though initially attributed to potential mental health challenges, the experience ultimately liberated her spiritually, shifting her from a "normie" national security trajectory to one aligned with deeper truths.Today, Michaela walks her true path with fierce purpose. She envisions collaborating with trustworthy allies to liberate children from demonic influences and believes many courageous souls volunteered for this pivotal time to transition humanity away from globalist, satanic Illuminati control. CONNECT WITH MICHAELA: X: https://x.com/MichaelaFacharIG: https://www.instagram.com/michaelafachar/ CONNECT WITH FOCUS CONGO: IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscongo/LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/focuscongo?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnOFPJEb44ul3qAAyHFSaWXCFJFLReDuHR-jhCSJfI0ib6im99chksEXVuPVM_aem_7lD03RV2SsU1ofEYtyk9-gCONNECT WITH EMMA:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationpodcastofficialEMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.com OR standbysurvivors@protonmail.comMy Substack: https://emmakatherine.substack.com/BUY ME A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.coSupport the show
This week Erin tells us about Michelle Theer, a psychologist who manipulated her lover into murdering her Air Force captain husband as part of a deadly love triangle and insurance plot, then went on the run before being caught and sentenced to life in prison.Sources:https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/nc-court-of-appeals/1201672.htmlhttps://www.osi.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/2311497/the-murder-of-capt-marty-theer/https://cases.justia.com/north-carolina/court-of-appeals/051640-1.pdfhttps://murderpedia.org/female.T/t/theer-michelle.htmhttps://truecrimearchives.blog/air-force-reservist-michelle-theer-military-love-triangle-murder-conviction/https://free-john-diamond.blogspot.com/Support the show
In this episode, Ron Simmons interviews Nate Sheets, who is a fifth-generation Texan, entrepreneur, and founder of Nature Nate's Honey. Nate shares how an Air Force upbringing, a life-changing mission trip to Venezuela, and years in full-time Christian ministry shaped his faith and calling. He tells the story behind evangelism tools like the EvangeCube and the I Am Second movement, reflects on walking through his mother's battle with Alzheimer's and cancer, and explains why he's now running for Texas agriculture commissioner to support farmers, protect local agriculture, and improve the quality of the food we eat. Visit Nate's website here: https://natesheets.com Check out I Am Second here: https://www.iamsecond.com Share the Arrows 2026 is on October 10 in Dallas, Texas! Tickets are on sale now at: https://sharethearrows.com Buy Allie's book "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": https://www.toxicempathy.com — Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (00:50) Nate's Background (04:40) Working in Ministries (08:20) Campaigning for Texas Agriculture Commissioner (09:10) Ron's Analysis — Related Episodes: Ep 1307 | This Is What AOC Means When She Says "Worker Focused Trade" | Ron Simmons https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000750786201 Ep 1300 | Was the Government Shutdown a Win or Loss for Trump? | Ron Simmons https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000748662175 Ep 1293 | Ron Simmons | Can Trump Use the Insurrection Act Against Minnesota Mayhem? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000746486355 Ep 1286 | Maduro Detained, Minnesota ICE Altercation, Can Trump Save Single-Family Homes? | Ron Simmons https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000744608458 — Buy Allie's book "You're Not Enough (and That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love": https://www.alliebethstuckey.com Relatable merchandise: Use promo code ALLIE10 for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, I talk with Bill Rogers, who has a very diverse legal career: civilian practice, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, government servant, general counsel, advisor, BnB owner/operator, back to private practice, and farmer. In light of that, the title of this podcast is a hat tip to the Grateful Dead.
There are over 140 games on the betting board for Saturday & Greg picks & analyzes EVERY one of them! Link To Greg's Spreadsheet of handicapped lines: https://vsin.com/college-basketball/greg-petersons-daily-college-basketball-lines/ Greg's TikTok With Pickmas Pick Videos: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregpetersonsports?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Timemarkers 3:35-Start of picks NC State vs Notre Dame 6:04-Picks & analysis for Virginia vs Duke 8:02-Picks & analysis for Iowa vs Penn St 9:59-Picks & analysis for Seton Hall vs Connecticut 12:00-Picks & analysis for Florida St vs Georgia Tech 14:31-Picks & analysis for St. Joseph's vs Rhode Island 17:10-Picks & analysis for Colorado vs Houston 19:41-Picks & analysis for Fordham vs VCU 21:52-Picks & analysis for Missouri vs Mississippi St 24:18-Picks & analysis for New Mexico St vs Middle Tennessee 26:33-Picks & analysis for Cleveland St vs Robert Morris 29:22-Picks & analysis for Georgetown vs Xavier 31:44-Picks & analysis for Massachusetts vs Bowling Green 34:07-Picks & analysis for UCLA vs Minnesota 36:32-Picks & analysis for Campbell vs Towson 38:44-Picks & analysis for South Dakota St vs South Dakota 41:14-Picks & analysis for Fort Wayne vs IU Indy 43:45-Picks & analysis for William & Mary vs No Carolina A&T 46:22-Picks & analysis for Oklahoma St vs Cincinnati 48:38-Picks & analysis for Oregon vs Northwestern 50:56-Picks & analysis for Central Michigan vs Buffalo 53:22-Picks & analysis for Boston College vs Miami 55:52-Picks & analysis for Vanderbilt vs Kentucky 58:04-Picks & analysis for San Diego St vs New Mexico 1:00:26-Picks & analysis for Youngstown St vs UW Green Bay 1:02:54-Picks & analysis for St. Bonaventure vs George Mason 1:05:06-Picks & analysis for VMI vs Chattanooga 1:07:06-Picks & analysis for The Citadel vs Wofford 1:09:30-Picks & analysis for Louisville vs Clemson 1:11:48-Picks & analysis for Sacramento St vs Montana St 1:14:19-Picks & analysis for Detroit vs Oakland 1:16:10-Picks & analysis for Florida International vs Louisiana Tech 1:18:40-Picks & analysis for Elon vs Monmouth 1:21:19-Picks & analysis for UTEP vs Western Kentucky 1:24:25-Picks & analysis for South Carolina vs Georgia 1:27:01-Picks & analysis for Utah vs Arizona St 1:29:28-Picks & analysis for Richmond vs Loyola IL 1:31:45-Picks & analysis for Texas Tech vs Iowa St 1:34:02-Picks & analysis for Northern Colorado vs Idaho 1:36:37-Picks & analysis for Ball St vs Northern Illinois 1:38:58-Picks & analysis for San Diego vs Portland 1:41:17-Picks & analysis for Portland St vs Montana 1:43:28-Picks & analysis for Toledo vs Ohio 1:45:39-Picks & analysis for Nebraska vs USC 1:48:26-Picks & analysis for Kansas vs Arizona 1:50:40-Picks & analysis for Valparaiso vs Evansville 1:52:39-Picks & analysis for Northeastern vs Hampton 1:55:13-Picks & analysis for Southern Indiana vs Little Rock 1:57:33-Picks & analysis for Northern Arizona vs Eastern Washington 1:59:49-Picks & analysis for Abilene Christian vs Utah Valley 2:02:29-Picks & analysis for Texas vs Texas A&M 2:04:58-Picks & analysis for Wisconsin vs Washington 2:06:48-Picks & analysis for Pittsburgh vs California 2:08:42-Picks & analysis for Air Force vs Wyoming 2:10:41-Picks & analysis for Tennessee St vs UT Martin 2:13:09-Picks & analysis for Lindenwood vs Western Illinois 2:15:06-Picks & analysis for Eastern Illinois vs SIU Edwardsville 2:17:36-Picks & analysis for East Tennessee vs Mercer 2:20:09-Picks & analysis for Tennessee Tech vs SE Missouri St 2:22:07-Picks & analysis for Colorado St vs San Jose St 2:24:21-Picks & analysis for North Dakota vs North Dakota St 2:26:38-Picks & analysis for Delaware vs Kennesaw St 2:29:10-Picks & analysis for Providence vs Creighton 2:31:09-Picks & analysis for Missouri St vs Sam Houston 2:33:07-Picks & analysis for Furman vs Western Carolina 2:35:28-Picks & analysis for BYU vs West Virginia 2:37:21-Picks & analysis for Syracuse vs Wake Forest 2:39:53-Picks & analysis for Oklahoma vs LSU 2:42:17-Picks & analysis for Dartmouth vs Princeton 2:44:43-Picks & analysis for Yale Columbia 2:47:00-Picks & analysis for SMU vs Stanford 2:49:35-Picks & analysis for Brown vs Cornell 2:51:47-Picks & analysis for UNC Greensboro vs Samford 2:54:13-Picks & analysis for Liberty vs Jacksonville St 2:56:34-Picks & analysis for Harvard vs Penn 2:59:17-Picks & analysis for San Francisco vs Pacific 3:01:40-Picks & analysis for Weber St vs Idaho St 3:04:01-Picks & analysis for Alabama vs Tennessee 3:06:12-Picks & analysis for TCU vs Kansas St 3:08:08-Picks & analysis for Wright St vs Northern Kentucky 3:11:00-Picks & analysis for Hawaii vs CS Fullerton 3:13:16-Picks & analysis for Stony Brook vs Hofstra 3:15:06-Picks & analysis for Boise St vs Fresno St 3:17:17-Picks & analysis for Washington St vs Pepperdine 3:19:19-Picks & analysis for Oral Robert vs Kansas City 3:21:28-Picks & analysis for Omaha vs St. Thomas 3:23:28-Picks & analysis for Oregon St vs Santa Clara 3:25:29-Picks & analysis for Baylor vs Central Florida 3:27:29-Picks & analysis for CS Northridge vs UC Riverside 3:29:21-Picks & analysis for Villanova vs St. John's 3:31:45-Picks & analysis for Duquesne vs Saint Louis 3:34:11-Picks & analysis for Ole Miss vs Auburn 3:36:27-Picks & analysis for Arkansas vs Florida 3:38:29-Picks & analysis for Utah Tech vs Southern Utah 3:40:36-Picks & analysis for Virginia Tech vs North Carolina 3:42:27-Picks & analysis for Tarleton St vs Cal Baptist 3:44:19-Picks & analysis for Seattle vs Loyola Marymount 3:46:12-Picks & analysis for Long Beach St vs CS Bakersfield 3:48:21-Picks & analysis for Nevada vs UNLV 3:50:27-Picks & analysis for Grand Canyon vs Utah St 3:52:38-Picks & analysis for Cal Poly vs UC San Diego 3:54:56-Picks & analysis for UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine 3:56:55-Picks & analysis for Gonzaga vs St. Mary's 4:01:05-Start of extra games Le Moyne vs New Haven 4:02:40-Picks & analysis for Army vs Lafayette 4:04:33-Picks & analysis for Chicago St vs Wagner 4:06:19-Picks & analysis for St. Francis PA vs Central Connecticut 4:08:10-Picks & analysis for Queens NC vs Central Arkansas 4:10:08-Picks & analysis for Austin Peay vs Bellarmine 4:12:05-Picks & analysis for Boston U vs American 4:14:05-Picks & analysis for Charleston Southern vs UNC Asheville 4:16:12-Picks & analysis for UMB vs UMass Lowell 4:18:25-Picks & analysis for Florida Gulf Coast vs Stetson 4:20:11-Picks & analysis for Loyola MD vs Holy Cross 4:22:06-Picks & analysis for New Hampshire vs Albany 4:23:49-Picks & analysis for Maine vs Binghamton 4:25:36-Picks & analysis for Mercyhurst vs Stonehill 4:27:29-Picks & analysis for Bucknell vs Lehigh 4:29:13-Picks & analysis for North Alabama vs West Georgia 4:31:20-Picks & analysis for Gardner Webb vs USC Upstate 4:33:22-Picks & analysis for Radford vs Longwood 4:35:24-Picks & analysis for Bethune Cookman vs Southern 4:37:20-Picks & analysis for NJIT vs Bryant 4:39:01-Picks & analysis for Colgate vs Navy 4:40:34-Picks & analysis for Howard vs Morgan St 4:42:40-Picks & analysis for Presbyterian vs Winthrop 4:44:22-Picks & analysis for Lipscomb vs Eastern Kentucky 4:46:09-Picks & analysis for SE Louisiana vs Nicholls 4:48:01-Picks & analysis for Fairleigh Dickinson vs Long Island 4:49:52-Picks & analysis for South Carolina St vs Maryland Eastern Shore 4:51:41-Picks & analysis for Norfolk St vs Coppin St 4:53:31-Picks & analysis for NC Central vs Delaware St 4:55:14-Picks & analysis for Stephen F Austin vs Houston Christian 4:57:04-Picks & analysis for Lamar vs Incarnate Word 4:59:13-Picks & analysis for Alabama St vs Alabama A&M 5:01:15-Picks & analysis for Jackson St vs Texas Southern 5:03:00-Picks & analysis for Alcorn St vs Prairie View 5:04:34-Picks & analysis for East Texas A&M vs UT Rio Grande Valley 5:06:31-Picks & analysis for McNeese vs New Orleans 5:08:15-Picks & analysis for Jacksonville vs North Florida 5:10:24-Picks & analysis for Mississippi Valley St vs Arkansas Pine Bluff 5:12:32-Picks & analysis for Northwestern St vs Texas A&M CC 5:14:25-Picks & analysis for Florida A&M vs Grambling Hosted by Simplecast, an 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Chris Grullon is based in San Antonio TexasChris Grullon was born and raised in Queens, NY. He lives in TX with his wife and two kids. Jumped into standup in Oct 2018. He is a wounded warrior and Air Force veteran with 14 years in the military. He takes the experiences of growing up in the ghetto, being in the military, marriage to a Latina, having 2 kids and living in a Republican state onto the stage with his observational comedy. He recently went viral on Instagram
Send a textThis one moves fast.West Point dismisses a cadet for using generative AI to create fake explicit images. Zero tolerance for abusing emerging tech. Meanwhile, the Army drops a $186 million order for Switchblade loitering munitions and tank-killer variants. Drone warfare isn't theoretical anymore—it's procurement reality.The Navy rotates leadership in Submarine Force Atlantic and rehearses anti-ship strikes with a B-2 off California. Maritime targeting is a different animal, and joint integration matters.The Air Force arrests a former pilot accused of training Chinese military personnel after gaining exposure to F-35 simulator operations. If proven, it's a brutal breach of trust.Space Force openly discusses offensive posture against China's expanding spy satellite network while also pausing Vulcan launches over an anomaly.VA formally rescinds the medication-based disability ratings rule. Barracks standards get mandatory upgrades across the services. And Russia launches a massive drone and missile barrage ahead of talks.No fluff. Just movement.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and sponsor 02:00 West Point AI misconduct dismissal 04:00 Fort Hood murder arrests 06:00 $186M Switchblade drone order 08:00 Submarine Force Atlantic leadership shift 10:00 B-2 anti-ship strike rehearsal 12:00 Marine body composition changes 14:00 Former Air Force pilot charged in China case 17:00 Space Force offensive posture remarks 19:00 Vulcan rocket launch pause 21:00 VA rule rescinded 23:00 Barracks standards issued 25:00 Russia drone and missile barrage
Send a textPeaches and Trent riff on an uncomfortable truth the Air Force rarely markets well: per capita, it's the most lethal force in modern warfare. From GWAT kill ratios and budget realities to why “Chair Force” jokes might actually be strategic misdirection, this episode spirals into a candid breakdown of how the services really operate. They dig into logistics versus lethality, why the Army wins wars by sustaining them, how the Navy quietly controls the underwater domain, and why the Space Force affects everyone whether they realize it or not. The conversation also tackles SOCOM funding myths, why selection and pipelines aren't interchangeable, the reality of special mission units, and how expensive it is to create—and keep—elite capability. Messy, funny, blunt, and very Ones Ready.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Ones Ready intro and sponsor plug 03:00 OTS explanation and what it is not 06:45 Peaches' per-capita lethality hot take 09:30 Air Force vs Army vs Navy reality check 12:00 Budget myths and service comparisons 14:00 Space Force impact explained simply 16:00 GWAT lethality and air dominance 18:30 Logistics wins wars—Army perspective 21:00 Why ST isn't a unilateral force 23:30 SOCOM funding myths clarified 26:30 Selection vs pipeline differences 31:00 Why SOCOM doesn't “shut down” pipelines 35:30 Competition, standards, and why comparison is dangerous 40:00 Cost of training elite forces 45:00 Life in special mission units vs white side 49:00 Panels, recruiting, and community outreach 54:00 Lethality, truth, and why the Air Force undersells itself 56:30 Closing thoughts and upcoming OTS events
Ash and Kristen continue their dive into the wildly controversial world of Graham Hancock and his hotly debated speculations!In part two, the gals dig into Hancock's Ancient Apocalypse era- breaking down his theory that a catastrophic comet wiped out an advanced civilization at the end of the last Ice Age, whose survivors may have spread knowledge of agriculture, astronomy, and architecture across the world. They explore mysterious Indonesian mountaintop ruins, buried structures, global mythology connections, archaeological pushback, debate-stage drama, and Hancock's ventures into altered consciousness, psychedelics, and the eternal question: suppressed truth, misunderstood evidence… or just a really fascinating speculative rabbit hole?STUFF TO CHEER YOU UP:Ash's list of "Comfort Shows" (and where to watch them for freeeee)Ash learned a dance and actually filmed it... aka Ash dancing alone in …her yard aka "How Ash Likes to Party" Behind the scenes of Ash struggling to make a simple dance video ft. her SPARKLY BOOTS!PODS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED:It Could Happen Here- It Could Happen Here started as an exploration of the possibility of a new civil war. Now a daily show, it's evolved into a chronicle of collapse as it happens, and an exploration of how we might build a better future.Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay - Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.Pod Save the World - A weekly podcast that breaks down international news and foreign policy developments, but doesn't feel like homework.This F*cking Guy - Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco, co-hosts of the podcast Hysteria, do a deep dive into the lives of some of the worst b*tches in the game - and let you know everything there is to know about their horrible, corrupt, and dishonest pasts.Behind the Bastards - There's a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous ideology, the founder of Blackwater's insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein's side career as a trashy romance novelist.Gaslit Nation - Gaslit Nation provides a deep dive on the news, skipping outrage to deliver analysis, history, context, and sharp insight on global affairs. Hosted by journalist and filmmaker Andrea Chalupa, an expert on authoritarian states who warned America about Russia and election hacking before the 2016 election.The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team cover today's biggest headlines. The “Ears Edition” of The Daily Show features full episodes, extended content, exclusive interviews, and more.If you'd like to support my escape to Indonesia, check out the GOFUNDME :)Follow us on Instagram, where Ash is actually starting to post again!We'd love to see you in our Discord, come hang out!Audio editing by Tina Lukic.
After opening the episode with pointed commentary on current breed association messaging and the direction of Angus genetics, host David Brown shifts into a grounded, practical conversation with Montana cattleman Jed Polk. What follows is a thoughtful, transparent look at what it truly takes to build a cow herd — and now a seedstock program — from scratch. Jed Polk and his wife Angel operate Polk Cattle in the heart of Montana's cattle country near Rainesford. The ranch itself dates back to 1886 and represents Angel's fifth-generation family operation. But Jed did not grow up in ranching. Raised in Helena, Montana, he joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 and served both active duty and in the Guard before ultimately transitioning back home. His entry into ranching came through marriage, mentorship, and a willingness to ask questions — a lot of them. What makes Jed's story compelling is not that he stepped into an established operation, but that he and his wife built their herd methodically, one cow at a time. Starting with just two cows, Jed expanded strategically year by year. He paid close attention to markets, bought cattle during drought-driven selloffs, and used disciplined budgeting to ensure growth without overleveraging. In years when calf prices were strong, he focused on paying down debt and upgrading infrastructure. In difficult years, particularly during severe drought, he made tough culling decisions — often selling older cows to preserve younger genetics and long-term viability. Jed runs between 350 and 500 commercial cows depending on environmental conditions, all in a demanding Montana climate. With no irrigation and largely dryland hay production, his cattle must travel, graze, and endure weather extremes. Longevity, fertility, foot quality, and udder soundness are non-negotiable traits in that environment. He places heavy emphasis on cow families and proven maternal lines when selecting bulls, prioritizing real-world production records over flashy numbers. In recent years, Jed's passion has expanded into registered seedstock production. After early trial-and-error purchases, he recalibrated his approach — moving away from bargain registered cattle and toward embryos and proven older cows with established track records. His goal is consistency. He wants cattle that perform under commercial pressure, not just cattle that look good on paper. For Jed, integrity, predictability, and long-term reputation matter more than chasing trends. The conversation dives into practical realities: developing bulls properly, building facilities to support a seedstock operation, managing herd replacement rates, and balancing commercial stability with registered ambition. Jed is candid about financial planning, market cycles, equipment investment, and the importance of preparing for downturns even during strong markets. Ultimately, this episode is less about theory and more about stewardship — of land, genetics, capital, and relationships. Jed's vision is to build a seedstock program rooted in functionality and trust, with the long-term goal of hosting his own production sale and marketing cattle backed by consistency and integrity. Sponsor & Ad Mentions
The Mountain West Conference Tournament starts on March 7. Air Force men's hoops will be looking at a new lease on life. The Falcons freshmen stars are playing well. Head coach Jon Jordan joined Steve Cofield and Willie Ramirez to talk about it. Tix - themw.com/2026.
Step onto the battlefield for one of the most powerful and critically acclaimed films of the 1980s. This week on the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, host Tim Williams is joined by guest co-host Laramy Wells to honor the 1989 cinematic masterpiece, Glory.Together, they examine the harrowing and heroic true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the very first African-American units to fight for the Union during the American Civil War. From the breathtaking cinematography to the powerhouse performances that defined a generation of actors, Tim and Laramy break down why this movie remains an essential watch.In this episode, we march into:
Mountain Trails sits nestled on Winchester's Old Town walking mall at 115 North Loudoun Street, where owner Garry Green has cultivated something rare in retail: a store that feels like a community. After 34 years in business—the last 13 at this location—Garry has discovered what he calls "the Loudoun Street Magic," especially on Saturday evenings when the mall comes alive. He shares his passion during this episode of The Valley Today, with host Janet Michael and cohost Brady Cloven, executive director of Friends of Old Town. Mountain Trails' move from its original Cork Street location transformed the business entirely. "The demographic literally went from climbers, backpackers, and travelers to just everyone," Garry explains. The visibility proved phenomenal, and the store has become an integral part of Winchester's identity, appearing regularly in social media posts and drawing visitors from states away. Education Over Sales: A Revolutionary Approach What sets Mountain Trails apart isn't just their inventory—it's their philosophy. Garry's mission statement centers on creating "a safer, more enjoyable wilderness or travel experience," which means the staff focuses on qualifying customer needs rather than pushing products. "We are not here to sell things to you," Garry emphasizes. "We try to qualify your needs and provide for those needs." This approach resonates deeply in a business where equipment failures can have serious consequences. Whether customers are paddling the Shenandoah River for the first time or heading to Mount Everest base camp, their concerns receive equal validation. Garry recalls outfitting a gentleman for climbing Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at nearly 20,000 feet. When the climber returned, he shared a remarkable moment: "I was at 16,000 feet and I heard you talking to me." The boots and backpack performed exactly as Garry had promised—the ultimate validation for the staff. Curating the Right Gear for Every Adventure Every single item in Mountain Trails serves a purpose. "Everything in Mountain Trails other than, let's just say a t-shirt, needs to function," Garry explains. "It has a job. And it needs to do that when you need it to do it." From rain gear to sock structure—yes, even socks matter—the curation process ensures customers receive appropriate equipment for their specific adventures. The store's tagline captures this breadth: "hiking, climbing, trekking, travel." However, their secondary motto, "Quality Outdoor Outfitters," opens the door wider. International travelers heading to Peru or around the world find the education and experience they need. Summer canoeists discover dry bags and quick-drying clothing. Skiers find bibs and cross-country equipment. Technical rock climbers locate harnesses and safety gear. Meeting Customers Where They Are Understanding the customer's experience level proves crucial to Garry's approach. The outdoor industry's biggest emerging demographic is what he calls "the casual adventurer"—people who want to hike two miles to a waterfall with trail runners, trekking poles, and a day pack, then return to town for lunch. These customers have vastly different needs from long-distance trekkers carrying their "house on their back" for multiple days. "Not everybody needs a $400 three-layer Gore-Tex rain jacket," Garry points out. While climbers heading to Mount Everest might need that level of protection, an $80 waterproof jacket works perfectly for someone's golf bag. This honesty builds trust. Moreover, the relationship continues as customers grow in their outdoor pursuits, returning to upgrade their gear as they tackle more challenging adventures. The Power of Kindness and Experience When hiring staff, Garry's number one criterion isn't outdoor expertise—it's kindness. "You have to put that customer's best interest at heart above anything else," he insists. This philosophy creates what international visitors have called "the feel" of Mountain Trails, something that distinguishes it from sterile big-box retailers. The staff's personal experience matters tremendously. "They've been wet, cold, hungry, tired," Garry notes. "They're here to help you suffer better." Garry himself spent years guiding in Alaska and running outdoor adventure programs for the U.S. Air Force, helping service members decompress after deployment. He recalls a winter camping trip where a participant thought she wouldn't survive the night because her "butt was cold"—she hadn't inflated her sleeping pad. After inflating it and adding hand warmers, she proclaimed he'd saved her life. "You passed through a window," he told her, referring to those challenging moments all outdoor enthusiasts eventually face. Beyond the Hardcore: Everyday Customers Welcome While Mountain Trails caters to serious adventurers, everyday shoppers find unexpected value. Janet shares how the store helps her buy gifts for her mother-in-law who bikes the C&O Canal—despite Janet's self-proclaimed lack of outdoor interests. "I can come in here and just say, she does this and you can help me find the perfect gift for her," she explains. The store even welcomes those who simply want to look the part. "I love this store even though I am not an outdoors person," Janet admits. Garry laughs, acknowledging that sometimes "it's all about the look." This inclusive approach means everyone feels welcome, whether they're heading into the wilderness or just want quality gear for weekend activities. A Global Reputation Built on Local Service The store's reputation extends far beyond Winchester. Visitors from Syracuse, Cleveland, and even international locations make Mountain Trails a regular stop. Garry recalls a family from Israel who declared it their favorite outdoor store globally. "We go into these stores all over the world, and this one is our favorite so far," they told him. What impressed them? The feel of the place—something intangible that staff members hear about regularly. This atmosphere stems from Garry's operating principle: "Everybody's welcome until they're not." The staff genuinely cares, creating an environment that feels more like a community gathering space than a transaction-focused retail outlet. Social media serves not primarily as a sales tool but as "an instrument of familiarity," sharing articles about climbing, skiing, and outdoor adventures that customers want to read over their morning coffee. Connecting with Mountain Trails In mid-March, Mountain Trails will transition from their winter hours into regular hours: Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sundays noon to 5 PM. Customers can find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit mountain-trails.com for basic information, though the real experience requires stepping through their door on the walking mall. Old Town Winchester: Building Community Through Events Chocolate Escape Perseveres Through Arctic Conditions The second half of the conversation shifts focus to Brady Claven, executive director of Friends of Old Town Winchester, who shares updates on recent events and upcoming attractions. February's Chocolate Escape faced brutal weather—17-degree temperatures with windchill predictions of negative 10 degrees—yet determined participants still filled the walking mall with their maps, hitting every participating location. Approximately 30 merchants participated in the event, which aims not just to distribute chocolate but to drive foot traffic into stores during cold months. The strategy worked. Faire Isles, for instance, welcomed numerous first-time visitors, and overall feedback indicated people discovered stores they'd never visited before. "The point of it is to get people into stores," Brady explains, noting that participants might not linger outside as long in freezing weather, but they spent more time browsing inside. Celebrating Black History Month Through Partnership Friends of Old Town partnered with NAACP Winchester and secured generous sponsorship from Valley Health to present three Black History Month events. Typewriter Studio hosted a spoken word and art gallery night featuring Monica James and representatives from Selah Theater. Bright Box presented "History and Cocktails" with Nick Powers from the MSV delivering an outstanding historical talk about the Valley's Black history, tying into the upcoming VA250 celebration. Finally, Bistro Sojo offered a small plates and jazz night with a $35-per-person special menu and live performance by SU. Spin to Winchester: Pedaling for Progress Friends of Old Town's second annual Spin to Winchester fundraiser brought participants together inside Valley Health for a 45-minute stationary bike class. Each rider crowd-funded their participation, raising a minimum of $250, with prizes awarded for most funds raised, sweatiest rider, and highest mileage. The event exceeded expectations, hitting 120% of its goal and attracting 20 more individual donors than the previous year. "It's very apparent by the end of this 45-minute class, certain people are, myself included, just dripping with sweat," Brady admits, describing the intense workout led by instructor Pam from Valley Health. Despite the physical challenge—including what seemed like endless "last hills"—the fundraiser's success directly supports Old Town programs and events throughout the year. Taylor Pavilion: A Transformation Underway Ground has broken on the Taylor Pavilion renovation, with completion targeted for before WineFest during Apple Blossom season. The transformation will create a social gathering space that addresses a common community need. "We do hear a lot from people that say, well, you know, there's really not a space if I don't wanna drink or if I don't want to eat," Brady notes. The new pavilion will offer a place where people can grab a bagel and sit, play chess, listen to music, or simply enjoy being on the mall. It will serve as a meeting point before art classes at Typewriter Studio or ShenArts—a place for friends to gather with coffee and catch up before heading to other destinations. Notably, the infamous "ping pong table on an incline" from the conceptual rendering will not materialize, though Brady jokes they should install a commemorative statue. Celtic Fest Returns March 14th Looking ahead to March, Celtic Fest promises to be a highlight. Scheduled for Saturday, March 14th from noon to 5 PM, the event will feature approximately 35 vendors lining the mall from the south end near Hideaway northward. Partners include Ravenwood Foundation, which brings expertise in outdoor Highland games. City Pipes and Drums will perform throughout the day. Faire Isles plans Irish dancers in their alcove, while other merchants prepare special attractions. Piper Dan's and Union Jack's—recently reopened after flooding—will participate, with Brady hoping to coordinate a special menu. Additionally, Brady plans to transform the museum lawn into a kids' Highland games zone, where children ages four to ten can throw foam logs, compete in disc throwing, and win prizes. Staying Connected Those interested in Old Town Winchester events can follow Friends of Old Town on Facebook and Instagram (@FriendsOfOldTownWINC) or visit friendsofoldtown.org for a complete calendar. First Friday events return in June with a "Summer of Covers" theme featuring cover bands, including a special August event partnering with River House. A Community That Cares Whether discussing Mountain Trails' dedication to customer safety and satisfaction or Friends of Old Town's commitment to creating community experiences, this conversation reveals Winchester's character: a city where businesses and organizations prioritize people over profit, relationships over transactions, and community over convenience. From outdoor gear to outdoor festivals, the message remains consistent—everyone's welcome, expertise matters, and kindness forms the foundation of everything worthwhile.
Scott Muir is one of the most inspirational and positive people that I've been honored to meet. His story is both incredible and so so scary; and through it all he is one of the most upbeat, engaging, and happy people I've met. I got way more out of this interview than Scott has any idea. He thoroughly impacted me and I have very much taken his messages to heart. Scott is a proud husband and parent, a passionate lifelong surfer, an Air Force Academy graduate and D1 soccer player, an Air Force veteran, pilot, is someone that likes to do hard things; and speaks in compelling and inspirational sound bites. He's truly an embodiment of all the books and podcasts on high performers that I consume. In September 2025, Scott completed a giant goal he had set for himself; paddling the 30 mile prone paddle fundraising event in honor of fallen lifeguard Ben Carlson; the Ben Did Go 10.0. And he crushed it. Two weeks later Scott was surfing with a good friend in solid surf. Because of a split second choice and a smile, they made friends with two young guns out surfing the same spot. That connection saved Scott's life. Scott tells the story of breaking his neck, being rescued and the recovery journey he is on. This interview is full of chicken skin moments, inspirational storytelling, and an incredible way to look at life. We should all strive to live like Scott.
Send a textThis Daily Drop is all movement, no filler.The Army is doubling down on its auction-style warrant officer retention bonus experiment. Market-driven talent management? Maybe. Hunger Games for CW5s? Also maybe. At the same time, lessons from Ukraine are reshaping armored warfare training, drone integration, and electronic warfare acquisition speed.The Navy installs a new Submarine Force Atlantic commander and rehearses an anti-ship strike with a B-2 off California. Targeting ships at sea isn't the same as dropping bombs on dirt—and that joint integration matters.The Air Force mobility enterprise is waving red flags. Aging tankers and airlift fleets aren't getting replaced fast enough, and timelines stretching into the 2030s aren't comforting. Meanwhile, Reserve and Guard leaders are pushing for equal benefits when serving identical missions.Space Force pauses Vulcan rocket launches over an anomaly—national security missions now in holding.And at the policy level, legal tension continues over military speech and disciplinary authority.A lot moving. A lot worth watching.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and sponsor 02:00 Warrant officer retention bonus auction system 04:30 Ukraine armored warfare lessons 06:30 Electronic warfare acquisition overhaul 08:30 New Submarine Force Atlantic commander 10:00 B-2 and Navy anti-ship strike rehearsal 12:30 Mobility fleet modernization concerns 15:00 Equal benefits push for Guard and Reserve 17:30 Space Force Vulcan rocket launch pause 19:00 Legal dispute over military speech limits
Send a textTrey Morriss is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with thirty-one years of service, serving and supporting the legendary Eighth Air Force. His love of aviation runs deep―shaped by stories of his grandfather and uncle, who flew combat missions over Europe in World War II. Early in his career, Morriss took part in a top-secret, record-setting strike that opened Operation Desert Storm―the longest combat mission of its time and a turning point in modern warfare. He later flew 32 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan following 9/11. He's a decorated veteran and sought-after keynote speaker. He lives in Louisiana with his wife, and they cherish time with their five adult children and three grandchildren.Instagram: @treymorrissColonel Morriss's book, Doom 34: https://www.amazon.com/DOOM-34-Firsthand-Top-Secret-Operation/dp/1493093614If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at info@vsompodcast.com, or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmindSupport the show
My latest guest is Chris Black, CEO of Thread Bank, a Nashville-based community bank that has been purpose-built around embedded banking. Chris came to banking by way of a career as an Air Force pilot, followed by time on Wall Street analyzing banks during the financial crisis, before eventually making his way into community banking in Nashville. He partnered with fintech investor Joe Maxwell of Fintop Capital to recapitalize a small Tennessee bank and transform it into an embedded banking platform focused on vertical software companies serving small businesses.In our conversation, Chris talks about how Thread navigated the BaaS regulatory storm of 2023 and 2024, what they look for in fintech partners, and how their fiduciary-first philosophy was already in place long before regulators came calling. We also discuss the wave of fintechs now seeking bank charters, the future of community banking in America, and what Thread has on the horizon with the launch of embedded lending and merchant acquiring.In this podcast you will learn:Lessons Chris learned during his time in the Air Force.How the idea for Thread Bank came together.How they took the acquired bank and made it ready for embedded banking.When they took on their first fintech partner.What they are looking for in a fintech partner.Where Chris sees the biggest opportunity for Thread.How Thread navigated the BaaS regulatory hurricane of 2023 and 2024.Why the shift in regulatory focus with the Trump Administration has not changed their thinking.What Chris thinks about all the fintechs that are now acquiring bank charters.What it takes for a new fintech to be onboarded with Thread.The process when a fintech wants to do something that Thread does not think is reasonable.The key to a thriving community bank sector over the next decade.What exciting developments are coming down the pipe.Connect with Fintech One-on-One: Tweet me @PeterRenton Connect with me on LinkedIn Find previous Fintech One-on-One episodes
On the February 26 episode of The Daily Herold, Jon Herold tackles a packed news cycle ranging from election legislation drama to explosive oversight revelations. Jon breaks down the confusion surrounding the SAVE Act, the mechanics of a talking filibuster, and whether Senate leadership actually intends to force Democrats to hold the floor or quietly allow a 60-vote threshold to block the bill. He also covers reports that Hillary Clinton's closed-door Epstein deposition was paused after a leaked photo circulated online, raising questions about transparency and political theater. In addition, Jon analyzes claims that Biden's DOJ obtained call records tied to Kash Patel and Susie Wiles during the Trump investigations, exploring what that means for surveillance powers and accountability. Other topics include Fani Willis receiving a federal grant during her prosecution of Trump, a former U.S. Air Force pilot arrested for training Chinese military pilots, and escalating rhetoric surrounding Iran. Throughout the show, Jon emphasizes discernment, election integrity concerns, and the broader institutional resistance facing President Trump's agenda.
Earthquake joins the show and starts by breaking down how he picked up women when stationed in Japan while a member of the Air Force. He breaks down how he ran his own comedy club in Atlanta after getting swindled out of a gig with Paul Mooney. Earthquake then gives some insider info about the Sitcom that he is working on with Bill Burr that's in development at Fox and they wrap up by talking about the difference between how Black and White families deal with death. This was a fun one with a comedic legend! Check out Earthquakes special “Joke Telling Business” on Netflix now.News Stories Covered: U.S. Issues Shelter-in-Place Warnings for Popular Tourist Destinations in Mexico After Major Cartel Leader Is Killed, Gavin Newsom ripped for telling black mayor ‘I'm like you' before quoting his low SAT score: ‘Liberal racism on display', L.A. wanted to dismantle homeless RVs. A judge just shut that down. FOR MORE WITH EARTHQUAKE:SPECIAL: Joke Telling BusinessOut Now On NetflixWEBSITE: therealearthquake.comINSTAGRAM & TWITTER: @therealearthquakeFOR MORE WITH ELISHA KRAUSS: INSTAGRAM: @elishakraussWEBSITE: elishakrauss.com JOURNAL: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/author/elisha-krauss/LIVE SHOWS: February 27 - Dallas, TX (2 shows)February 28 - Dallas, TX (2 shows)Thank you for supporting our Sponsors:BetOnlineSnag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life, the American Giant Classic Full Zip. Go to www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code ADAM. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show!Pluto.tvoreillyauto.com/adamSHOPIFY.COM/carollaTecovas.com/ADAMSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Send a textPeaches goes full savage on the Air Force soap opera. From the tragic news of CMSAF Flosi's loss, to General Allvin's early retirement, to Wilsbach's DEI flip-flops and obsession with uniforms—this episode is a rollercoaster of military drama and unfiltered hot takes. Expect snark about fat generals, the “broken windows” theory of PT standards, political rumors about Trump donors, and why Peaches thinks General Minihan is the warrior the Air Force actually needs. If you thought the Pentagon was boring, buckle up—this is the no-BS breakdown you didn't know you needed.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Peaches solo takeover and warm-up rant 02:05 – Tragic news: CMSAF Flosi's family loss 04:31 – AFA conference chaos and leadership shifts 07:19 – General Allvin retires early (no one's sad) 09:26 – Wilsbach vs. Boussier: ego battle royale 11:49 – 4-stars cashing out with defense contractors 14:12 – Wilsbach's bio and Pacific pivot cred 18:36 – Ring camera distractions and Pacific ops talk 22:47 – Patch-wearer credentials and assignments rundown 25:04 – Chief Wolfe's background and power pair with Wilsbach 27:02 – Policies, controversies, and uniform obsession 31:03 – Broken windows, fat Airmen, and Giuliani comparisons 35:26 – Political rumors, DEI baggage, and Trump connections 40:17 – Peaches' own run-ins with Wolfe (fat Tony saga) 45:00 – Security Forces “spec ops” claim and eye rolls 47:12 – Better options for CSAF: Minihan, Spain, Conley 49:24 – Minihan's savage memo: “Aim for the head” 53:24 – Risk-averse DoD vs. Minihan's kill-bad-guys mindset 55:43 – Wrap-up and member merch reminder
Send a textThis Daily Drop hits heroism, policy shifts, and geopolitical tension in one tight package.President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for extraordinary heroism during the Maduro raid. The 160th SOAR pilot was wounded under fire and still completed the mission. It's the kind of quiet professionalism the Night Stalkers are known for—even if he'd rather not be in the spotlight.The Army is experimenting with auction-style retention bonuses for senior warrant officers. The Navy's EOD teams are training in extreme Arctic conditions. The Coast Guard is intercepting migrant vessels while dealing with funding uncertainty.The VA has indefinitely paused the controversial disability ratings rule that would have factored medication effects into compensation decisions. That story isn't over.Meanwhile, Japan is bolstering air defenses near Taiwan, and satellite imagery shows a new Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine entering the fleet.Operational tempo isn't slowing down.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and sponsor 02:00 Medal of Honor for Maduro raid pilot 05:00 Warrant officer “auction-style” retention bonuses 07:00 Fort Bliss sentencing 09:00 Navy EOD Arctic training 11:00 Air Force line-of-duty policy update 13:00 Coast Guard migrant interceptions 15:00 VA disability rule on hold 17:00 Pentagon anomalous health team realignment 19:00 State of the Union honors 21:00 Iran tensions and military buildup 23:00 Japan air defense near Taiwan 25:00 China's new nuclear submarine
The UFO public had high hopes when Congress created AARO to investigate UFO/USO/UAP incidents and report findings to both Congress and the public. Years later, AARO is widely viewed as a complete failure. Its first report was riddled with factual errors and typos. Its first director revealed himself to be a thin-skinned, diehard UFO skeptic, hardly an impartial investigator. Witnesses and whistleblowers say AARO ignored or belittled their testimony. As for transparency, AARO has released very few findings, even fewer UAP images, and a second report, as required by law, is many months overdue. The idea that a small office inside the Pentagon could rigorously investigate its own parent organization - the Department of War - seems preposterous on its face. But has AARO found even a single UFO incident it's been unable to debunk? The answer is yes. British journalist Chris Sharp, editor and publisher of Liberation Times, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to break story after story about UFO matters in both the US and the UK. Now he's wrangled an exclusive interview with AARO's former Deputy Director, Tim Phillips. Sharp's full interview could be published in days. In this episode of WEAPONIZED, Jeremy and George hear what Chris picked up from his extremely candid conversation with Phillips. The revelations are stunning. Phillips admitted AARO identified 40-50 cases showing "utterly bizarre" capabilities the "best and brightest people in the world" couldn't explain - instantaneous acceleration, right-angle turns, maneuvers no human aircraft can achieve. They "conclusively proved" these weren't adversary or friendly tech, yet never released a single video to the public. For the first time, a former AARO official confirmed UAPs detected in space. Some demonstrated "signature management" - actively avoiding detection over sensitive military locations. Despite admitting impossible performance characteristics, Phillips refused to say they're non-human or extraterrestrial. Chris describes it as "describing a dog without calling it a dog." His responses felt scripted and performative. Jeremy coins a new term: "Project Blue Box" - information flows in, nothing comes out. Phillips confirmed AARO approached Glenn Gaffney, the CIA Director George named under oath as blocking transfer of a non-human spacecraft. Shockingly, Phillips claimed he wasn't aware James Clapper admitted on camera the Air Force ran a UAP program above Area 51. How did AARO manage to screw everything up? Has it been an honest arbiter of UFO facts? And is there a future for AARO in light of President Trump's directive to federal agencies to release any and all UFO related files? *Follow Chris Sharp & Liberations Times https://x.com/ChrisUKSharp & https://LiberationTimes.com
Justin Taylor reached a $2.8 million net worth by age 35 and retired in his early 30s. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he built wealth, transitioned from the Air Force to corporate America, and walked away from full-time work to design a life focused on freedom, health, and travel. Justin shares how growing up with a scarcity mindset shaped his financial habits, why tracking your net worth changes everything, and the simple total stock market index fund strategy that fueled his growth. If you've ever felt behind financially or wondered whether financial independence is possible for you, this conversation will give you both tactical steps and mindset shifts. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Check out my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You'll Learn: How Justin built a $2.8 million net worth by 35 His simple index fund investing approach The income journey from military to corporate What early retirement actually looks like How to overcome a scarcity mindset Resources Mentioned: The Financial Independence Show: https://thefishow.com/ Saving Sherpa: https://saving-sherpa.com/ Monarch Money (track your net worth): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a business world awash with endless content, few voices cut through the noise like Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. In this episode, we sit down with the co-founders of Military Creator Con, James Van Prooyen and Marah Lago, for a candid conversation about the untapped entrepreneurial potential of America's military veterans and their families. The three dive into the values, mindset, and experiences that position veterans as pioneering creator capitalists, explore the origin and purpose of Military Creator Con, and unpack the unique blend of community, grit, and creativity shaping this movement. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go. Veterans as America's Untapped Entrepreneurial Force One of the central themes in this conversation is the notion that military veterans embody many of the qualities that make great entrepreneurs. All three agree that the ability to problem-solve under pressure, think outside the box, and adopt a daring, “pirate mentality” are forged through military service as much as through business challenges. James shares firsthand how being tasked with mission-critical communication and IT projects in remote environments taught him to adapt quickly, improvise, and persist; skills invaluable to starting and growing any venture. Marah, coming from a creative civilian background, adds that seeing military spouses and families approach challenges with ingenuity and resilience gave her new appreciation for the community-oriented nature of military life. Both agree that, contrary to common stereotypes, the military is not merely an environment of rigid order-following. Instead, it is a crucible for innovation and resourcefulness, making veterans natural candidates for building businesses or leading creative projects. Building a Community of Military Creators Military Creator Con was born out of a desire to unite veterans, active duty, and military-connected families who were blazing trails in art, digital media, entrepreneurship, and beyond. James and Marah recognized a gap for military creators and entrepreneurs: while the discipline and camaraderie of military service fostered community, transitioning out of uniform often led to a sense of isolation in the civilian creative or business worlds. They envisioned MCC as a gathering to break down those silos, offering a space to learn, share ideas, and collaborate freely. The event's spirit is deliberately inclusive, welcoming not only veterans but also their spouses, families, and anyone connected to military life. Attendees range from podcasters and artists to business founders and technologists. Workshops and keynote talks are designed to equip participants with practical skills in storytelling, marketing, AI, and social impact — delivering on the promise to empower military-connected visionaries to realize their entrepreneurial dreams while staying true to their roots. Lessons in Grit, Creativity, and Community Throughout the episode, the trio reflects on what sets this community apart. There is an acknowledgment that veterans, and the military world in general, are often filled with what Lochhead calls “misfits”: people who don't always fit into conventional molds and are thus drawn to forging new paths. This trait, they argue, is the beating heart of entrepreneurship and creator culture. MCC aims to harness this shared sense of adventure, service, and innovation, nurturing it through mentorship, new technology, and peer support. Stories about overcoming challenges, learning on the fly, and even embracing some chaos, like a good laugh about rationed whiskey or unscheduled road trips, underscore the theme that creativity thrives on adaptability and boldness. By tapping into these lived experiences, Military Creator Con is more than just an event; it's a movement rallying a diverse community to shape the narrative of what it means to create, lead, and make an impact after service. To hear more from James and Marah about the MCC, download and listen to this episode. Bio James Van Prooyen and Marah Lago are the founders of Military Creator Con (MCC). James Van Prooyen, a U.S. Air Force veteran, launched MCC in 2020 as a way to bring military-connected creators, such as podcasters, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs, together to share their experiences and grow their impact. Marah Lago, his wife and co-founder, serves as the CEO of MCC and has been instrumental in expanding the event into a national gathering focused on community, mentorship, and creative empowerment. The conference has grown significantly since its inception, with the 2026 edition scheduled for April 16–18, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. Links Connect with James Van Prooyen and Marah Lago James Van Prooyen: Veterans is Business Show | The Ragnar Life Podcast | LinkedIn Marah Lago: LinkedIn Military Creator Con 2026 Want to get tickets for Christopher Lochhead’s panel for Military Creator Con? Grab your tickets for the Category Design Intensive! We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!
We take a look at the Lockheed Constellation with one of the last pilots to have flown the L-1649A Starliner Constellation. In the news, the ROTOR Act and an ADS-B In mandate, GAMA's annual Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, the Government’s partial shutdown impact on the TSA, Government luxury jets, and a plan to market an Embraer aerial tanker. Also, an interview from the Singapore Airshow with a Product Development VP from Textron Aviation. Lockheed Starliner L-1649A flying in TWA colors. Guest Philip Kemp has been an Airline Transport Pilot for 17 years, and he has more than a little experience with the Lockheed Constellation. That connection came about in the 1980's after meeting Maurice Roundy, a Lockheed Constellation fan and collector of the airplane. Philip is one of the last pilots to have flown the L-1649A Starliner Constellation. Philip describes the development of the Lockheed Constellation and its variants, and how the airliner was obsoleted by jet transports. He tells us about his adventures ferrying Connies, the remaining examples that still exist, and the sale of Maurice's Constellations, including an ultimately unsuccessful attempt by Lufthansa to make one of the aircraft flightworthy. Philip explains that N8083H is now at the TWA Hotel at JFK after a cosmetic restoration, N974R is with Kermit Weeks also for a cosmetic restoration, and that N7316C was shipped to Hamburg for the 100th Lufthansa anniversary. Ferry flight from Sanford, Florida, to Kermit Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight. October 2001. Philip started his career with Continental Express, and then he flew Part 135 jet charter with Charter Ops for two years. He returned to the airlines with SkyWest, then back to Continental Express (ExpressJet). Philip spent nine years with North American Airlines flying troops all over the world, and his last six years were with JetBlue. He was the Manager of Crew Training at Waltzing Matilda Aviation/Connect Airlines, a new Part 121 airline, flying Dash 8 Q400's. Philip is now looking for a good teaching opportunity in the aviation world. N8083H L-1649A at the TWA Hotel, JFK. N7316C and N8083H next to Maurice Roundy's airport house. Maurice Roundy, the day before the last flight. Lockheed 749 Constellation versus the Lockheed 1649A Starliner Constellation. See Ralph M. Pettersen’s Constellation Survivors Website. Aviation News After DCA crash, Congress acts to mandate decades-old aircraft tracking tech Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is an aviation system that uses GPS to determine aircraft position and also provides other flight information. ADS-B has two functions: ADS-B In and ADS-B Out. ADS-B Out broadcasts position and other identifying information, and has been required for many aircraft in the U.S. since 2020. ADS-B In receives transmissions from other aircraft and from ground stations. The bi-partisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act (S.2503) would require ADS-B out aircraft to have ADS-B In to display information about nearby traffic in the cockpit. The ROTOR Act was unanimously passed by the Senate in December 2025, and at the time of recording, a vote in the House was scheduled. House to vote Monday on ROTOR Act following deadly midair collision After recording, the House voted on the bill, but it did not pass due to insufficient votes. Under the ROTOR Act: FAA must issue final rules for ADS‑B In equipage not later than 2 years after enactment, effective within 60 days of publication. The final rule has a fleet-wide compliance deadline of December 31, 2031, for affected aircraft, with at most a 1‑year extension for certain operators. FAA must start regular briefings and public reports on the rulemaking status within 180 days after enactment and then every 90 days. GAMA Reports Strong 2025 for OEMs The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report: Airplane shipments in 2025 compared to 2024: Piston airplanes flat (+0.6%) Turboprops declined by 5.1% Business jets increased 11.8% with 854 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2025 was $31.0 billion, an increase of 16.1%. Helicopter shipments in 2025 compared to 2024: Piston helicopters were down 2% Turbine helicopters down 2% (preliminary) The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2025 was $4.7 billion, an increase of approximately 5.5%. Homeland security reverses course on TSA PreCheck suspension Citing staffing shortages caused by the partial government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially suspended the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs. Soon thereafter, DHS revised the directive in a social media post saying, “TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly.” Chris Sununu, president and CEO of the trade association Airlines for America, said in a statement that the group “is deeply concerned that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended and that the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown”. Geoff Freeman, head of the US Travel Association, accused Democratic and Republican lawmakers of putting politics first. “Air travel is essential for our economy and daily life, and it's disgraceful for travel to be used as leverage in political disagreements,” he said in a statement. No Expense Has Been Spared’: Inside a Luxury Jet DHS Wants to Buy for Deportations DHS has been leasing a Boeing 737 Max 8 featuring bedrooms, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs, and a bar. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is asking the OMB to approve its purchase of the jet for $70 million. ICE says that it would be used for deportations and travel for Cabinet officials. A DHS spokesperson said, “at least one of the bedrooms is currently being converted for seating to prepare the aircraft to meet the demands of its deportation mission set.” In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said, “This plane flies at 40% cheaper than what the military aircraft flies for ICE deportation flights—saving the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars. This is part of Secretary Noem's broader efforts to clamp down on inefficiencies and save taxpayer dollars.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Spends $200 Million of Taxpayer Money on Pair of Gulfstream G700 Private Jets During Government Shutdown House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lauren Underwood (IL-14) requested more information from the Secretary regarding the purchase, which does not align with earlier funding requests for the Department. Northrop, Brazil's Embraer partner on KC-390 to pitch US, others Under a memorandum of understanding, Embraer and Northrop Grumman are looking at adding an autonomous boom refueling system to the KC-390 Millennium, which currently employs a hose and drogue system. A new boom would enable the tanker to refuel U.S. Air Force aircraft. Singapore Airshow 2026 Brian Coleman brings us interviews from the Singapore Airshow. In this episode, he talks with Jimmy Beeson, Textron Aviation Inc. VP of Product Development. Mentioned Fantasy of Flight Alaska Airlines’ 20-minute baggage guarantee Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman
What if the next medical breakthrough could be undone—not by biology—but by a hacker? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Christian Espinosa, CEO and Founder of Blue Goat Cyber, a leading medical device cybersecurity consultancy helping innovators protect patients by securing the technology behind modern healthcare. With over 30 years of experience spanning the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, and MedTech industry, Christian brings a rare perspective on precision, resilience, and empathy in cybersecurity After a personal health scare revealed vulnerabilities in his own implanted device, Christian turned mission into movement—founding Blue Goat Cyber to transform cybersecurity from a regulatory afterthought into a strategic advantage Christian shares how patient safety—not data protection—must be the heart of every cybersecurity strategy, why "bolting on" security late in development can derail innovation, and how emotional intelligence drives his leadership in high-stakes medtech environments. Whether you're a startup founder, RA/QA leader, or healthcare executive, this episode delivers powerful lessons on building trust, protecting patients, and creating a culture where security saves lives.
The military does many things with precision and honor, but for families left behind, the hardest journey often begins after the ceremony ends. Grief does not follow a timeline, and loss does not end with the rifle volley as the final notes of “Taps” play. In this deeply personal episode of Army Matters, hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with two nationally recognized advocates for military survivors: Maj. (Ret.) Bonnie Carroll, U.S. Air Force, and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Jennie Taylor, Gold Star spouse, mother of seven, and founder of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Both women share how the loss of their husbands reshaped their lives, and how survivor community, purpose, and service can coexist with grief. Together, they explore what military families truly need after loss, what civilians often misunderstand about grief, and why connection is the most powerful form of support. Guests: Maj. Bonnie Carroll, U.S. Air Force Retired, Gold Star Spouse and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Jennie Taylor, Gold Star Spouse and Founder, Major Brent Taylor Foundation Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA's Army Matters podcast! AUSA's Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath. Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA's Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.
Cheri Carandanis, an abstract painter and former Air Force critical care nurse, shared her journey from pre-med studies to nursing, driven by her desire to balance career and family. She transitioned to the military, specializing in ICU and CCAT teams, and served in Afghanistan post-9/11. After separating from the military, she pursued hospice nursing and earned a master's degree in nursing. In 2019, she suffered two brain injuries, leading to cognitive and vestibular issues, forcing her to retire her nursing license. Through functional neurology and alternative therapies, she recovered significantly, emphasizing the importance of creativity and mindfulness in healing. For the transcript and full story go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/cheri-carandanis Highlights from today's episode include: When I paint, I don't have a brain injury." – Abstract art and flow state became a powerful part of her neurological and emotional healing after two brain injuries. "If you've seen one healing, you've seen one healing." – Every healing journey is unique, and creativity, intuition, and somatic work can open paths that conventional medicine alone often can't. "Nothing's really broken; it's just not communicating how it should." – The body often needs a reset, not a label, and approaches like Bowen and other body-centered work help "reboot" the nervous system so healing can happen. ABOUT CHERI CARANDANIS: Cheri Carandanis is an abstract painter, mixed media artist, and former Air Force Critical Care nurse who knows a thing or two about surviving what she never saw coming. After a traumatic brain injury ended her 25-year nursing career, she turned to art…not as a hobby, but as a lifeline. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Cheri creates raw, emotionally layered work that invites connection and contemplation. Her paintings don't try to explain everything—instead, they hold space for what's been broken, unraveled, and rebuilt. Through texture, color, and bold mark-making, she explores themes of healing, resilience, and the beauty that often shows up after the fall. Her story is one of reinvention, grit, and choosing creativity when everything else falls away. Core purpose/passion: My core purpose is to create space for truth, the kind that lives in the body, not just the story. I'm passionate about art as a place where people can slow down, feel what they've been avoiding, and come back to themselves without being fixed or explained. I care about honest healing, not performative healing, and about beauty that holds weight, not escape. My work invites presence, courage, and staying with what's real. Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | ABOUT MANON BOLLIGER, RBHT, FCAH: As a retired Naturopath 1992-2021, I saw an average of 150 patients per week and have helped people ranging from rural farmers in Nova Scotia to stressed out CEOs in Toronto to tri-athletes here in Vancouver. My resolve to educate, empower and engage people to take charge of their own health is evident in my best-selling books: 'What Patients Don't Say if Doctors Don't Ask: The Mindful Patient-Doctor Relationship' and 'A Healer in Every Household: Simple Solutions for Stress'. and What if Your Body is Smarter than You Think? I am the Founder & CEO of The Bowen College Inc. which teaches BowenFirst™ Therapy and holds transformational workshops to achieve these goals. So, when I share with you that LISTENing to Your body is a game changer in the healing process, I am speaking from expertise and direct experience". Mission: A Healer in Every Household! For more great information to go to her weekly blog: http://bowencollege.com/blog. For tips on health & healing go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/tips Follow: Manon Bolliger website | Linktr.ee | Rumble | Gettr | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | LinkedIn | Follow: Bowen College Inc. | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter | Rumble | Locals ABOUT THE HEALERS CAFE: Manon's show is the #1 show for medical practitioners and holistic healers to have heart to heart conversations about their day to day lives. Subscribe and review on your favourite platform: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Libsyn | iHeartRadio | Gaana | The Healers Cafe | Radio.com | Medioq | Audacy | Follow The Healers Café on FB: https://www.facebook.com/thehealerscafe Remember to subscribe if you like our videos. Click the bell if you want to be one of the first people notified of a new release. * De-Registered, revoked & retired naturopathic physician after 30 years of practice in healthcare. Now resourceful & resolved to share with you all the tools to take care of your health & vitality!
Have you ever found community through your art? In this episode of Identified, Nabil Ayers sits down with musician Ryan Kattner to talk about growing up in an Air Force family, moving every three years, and never quite feeling rooted in one place. Ryan reflects on being mixed race, with a Filipino mother and a white father, and how navigating different cultural spaces shaped his sense of identity. He shares what it was like to feel caught between worlds, passing in some environments while feeling out of place in others. The conversation explores how constant movement shaped his understanding of family, where friends often became family, and how music eventually became a space where he felt understood and connected. Ryan also talks about the realities of life on the road, the bond that forms between musicians, and how creativity can help process loss and major life moments. Guest: Ryan Kattner Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Produced and Distributed by: Palm Tree IslandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send a textThis Daily Drop covers multiple days of movement across the force—and there's a lot to unpack.The Army is integrating AI into doctrine writing, launching drone competitions, and standing up a rapid soldier innovation office. The Navy is chasing new anti-radar missile capability while looking at sailor burnout and at-sea tour changes. The Marine Corps is digitizing the battlefield and pushing hard on mental health messaging.The Air Force? It's a mix of progress and pain. The A-10 depot mission at Hill is officially ending. The B-21 Raider just got a $4.5B acceleration deal targeting 2027. Collaborative combat aircraft are entering armed testing. AI is moving into air operations centers.Space Force is arguing for faster expansion after real-world operational demand in Iran and Venezuela highlighted capability gaps.Plus: VA disability rule backlash, Medal of Honor news, fraud indictments, pet PCS warnings, and why abandoning your dog makes you a terrible human.No hype. Just what's moving.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and sponsor 02:00 Army using AI in doctrine development 04:00 Drone warfighter competition 06:00 Delayed Purple Heart recognition 08:00 Rapid soldier innovation office 10:30 Pet PCS warning to Korea 12:30 Navy anti-radar missile requirement 14:30 Sailor burnout and at-sea tour review 16:30 Marine digital battlefield push 18:00 Mental health leadership appeal 20:30 A-10 depot mission ends 22:00 B-21 acceleration contract 24:00 Collaborative combat aircraft testing 26:00 Space Force expansion push 28:00 VA disability rule halted 30:00 Medal of Honor recognition
What if adversity isn't the end of your story — but the launchpad?On this powerful episode of Women Road Warriors, Shelley Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro sit down with Ilana Golan — trailblazer, tech executive, Ironman triathlete, and founder of one of the fastest-growing companies in America – Leap Academy.Ilana made history as the first woman to become a commander in the F-16 Flight Simulator in Israel's Air Force. She later became Intel's youngest hire and rose through the ranks of Silicon Valley as a high-level tech executive. But her journey didn't follow a straight line. After a devastating startup betrayal that left her at rock bottom, Ilana rebuilt — stronger, smarter, and unstoppable.Today, she is the CEO and founder of Leap Academy, ranked in the top 7% of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., revolutionizing how we think about careers, education, and the future of work. She has interviewed icons like Richard Branson, Gary Vaynerchuk, and the president of Starbucks on her hit podcast and delivered keynotes on some of the world's biggest stages.This conversation dives into resilience, reinvention, leadership, and the courage to leap when life forces you to pivot. If you've ever felt stuck, blindsided, or unsure of your next move — this episode will show you what's possible.It's not about avoiding adversity. It's about outgrowing it.
In this episode I discuss my latest 3 pickups, all AF1s! Then of course we get into some cool upcoming pairs! Thanks as always for listening AFS Squad! Shoutout to the Patrons: Kingsley G, Tristan S, Joshua N, John You can support this podcast, get your name listed above and get early access to episodes (paid tier) at: Patreon.com/ActualFanOfSneakers
Cybersecurity has been getting bigger recognition as an integrated enabler in key U.S. military operations in Iran and Venezuela. That comes on the heels of the Pentagon last year introducing a new cyber mission force generation model as part of the larger Cybercom 2.0 effort. So, who better to discuss the growing prominence of cyber in the defense space than the principal cyber advisors of the various branches overseeing cyber-kinentic integration. At CyberTalks, Daily Scoop host Billy Mitchell hosted a panel with those leaders and a representative from industry to hear the latest on this emerging space. Joining him on the panel were the PCAs from each service — Ann Marie Schumann of the Department of the Navy, Wanda Jones Heath of the Department of the Air Force and Brandon Pugh of the Army — as well as Dave Galoppo, senior director for full spectrum cyber at GDIT. The Department of Energy is rapidly building out multidisciplinary teams to support the Genesis Mission as it prepares to unveil a minimum viable product later this year, according to a senior agency official. The format for the demonstration is to be determined, but progress is palpable. “We're going to show quite a lot of results this year,” Darío Gil, DOE's under secretary for science and director of the Genesis Mission, said in an interview with FedScoop. “We're going to show results on our progress of building AI supercomputers … the software and the agentic framework.” The agency also plans to showcase the efforts behind the data curation used to train “next generation” AI and the results tied to the application of AI in science and engineering, he added. The Genesis Mission launched in November 2025 by way of an executive order that tasked the Energy Department with leading a national, coordinated effort to accelerate innovation and discovery with the latest advancements in AI, quantum and high-performance computing. As part of the initiative, the agency is working to build an integrated platform that draws on federal scientific datasets and expertise from public and private sectors. A demonstration of the Genesis platform's initial capabilities is required by mid-year, according to the deadlines outlined in the presidential directive. A pullback of educational requirements for federal contracting jobs, including in technology work, moved one step closer to reality Monday. The Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act (H.R. 5235) sailed through the House and now awaits Senate consideration. The bill from Reps. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., would ban minimum education requirements for personnel in some contracts. Introducing the bill on the House floor ahead of Monday's vote, Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., said the legislation ensures federal contractors can “hire who they want to hire without additional red tape.” Mace, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, recounted January 2024 testimony from an IBM executive who said “federal contractors are rarely able to place an individual without a four-year degree on a technology services contract, regardless of their qualifications.” Mace said the issue goes “beyond technology and service contracts,” affecting work across the federal government. Eliminating four-year degree requirements would do away with “a paper ceiling” that blocks “talented Americans” from pursuing opportunities in the billion-dollar industry that “shapes the entire labor market,” she said. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation Mark Solomon, co-founder of the Veterans Community Project. We talk about their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness through tiny home communities, wraparound support, and a mission to ensure every veteran has both housing and connection.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMark Solomon is a Naval Reserve Officer and co-founder of the Veterans Community Project, an organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness through innovative housing and supportive services. Drawing on his own military experience and the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life, he helped launch the project in 2014, leading efforts to create a tiny-home village and comprehensive outreach center in Kansas City that connects veterans with resources such as health care referrals, employment assistance, and counseling.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeVeterans Community Project Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Finding Veteran Support Programs. No matter what issue you're facing, you can use the power of the internet to reach out and get the help you deserve. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Finding-Veteran-Support-Programs Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
Federal Tech Podcast: Listen and learn how successful companies get federal contracts
Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com When people look back on 2025 they will see many changes in the FedRAMP process. It looks like a new administration examined the process, got feedback from companies, and launched new initiatives to speed up the process. During today's interview, Irina Denisenko (Knox CEO) details FedRAMP's challenges and something called "FedRAMP 20x." Knox runs the largest FedRAMP-managed cloud, enabling 90-day authorizations by hosting customers' production environments. Denisenko explains the story of the origin of Knox Systems: she was running a training company and the Air Force wanted to use her product. It would have taken so long to complete the FedRAMP requirements that she just bought a company that was FedRAMP compliant. It is hard to believe that the process is so frustrating that fewer than 500 apps are authorized at moderate/high FedRAMP The initiative from the GSA is called FedRAMP 20x It shifts to continuous monitoring and continuous authorization, moving from annual audits (sampled every 3 years) and monthly CVE spreadsheets to real-time, machine-readable data. What Knox offers is a tried-and-true platform that has reduced time for compliance in order to better serve federal needs.
Send a textThis one gets spicy.Peaches, Aaron, and Trent dig into a $99 million Air Force coaching contract and ask the uncomfortable question: why are we outsourcing leadership?When NCOs and officers are supposed to mentor, coach, correct, and develop their people, what happens when that responsibility gets handed to a third-party company? What are we losing in the process? Reps. Hard conversations. Ownership. Growth.The guys break down contracting culture, institutional drift, how outsourcing became the easy button, and why paying civilians to “coach” Airmen might actually be robbing future leaders of the experience they need.They also hit on PME, leadership development, range training, the difference between logistics support and skill outsourcing, and how money gets justified inside big systems.It's not anti-contractor. It's anti-lazy leadership.And yes… it ends with a gold medal hockey celebration because America.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Intro, sponsorship, and setting the tone03:20 The problem with outsourcing leadership07:10 Easy buttons and institutional drift12:45 Range training, reps, and skill decay18:30 $99 million coaching contract breakdown23:50 Are we stealing growth from NCOs?30:15 PME, mentorship, and hard conversations36:40 When contractors make sense—and when they don't43:10 Leadership reps vs resume padding49:30 Bridging contracts vs permanent crutches53:40 Overtime hockey and national pride
In 1959, the U.S. Army drafted a serious plan to build a nuclear-powered military base on the Moon.Serious... They really did.With reactors. And personnel. On purpose. It was called Project Horizon.Then JFK pivoted to Apollo, astronauts planted flags, and history books closed the case… Or did they?This week, we break down the documented Cold War Moon plans, JFK's race to beat the Soviets, MJ-12 whispers, and hacker Gary McKinnon's claim that he stumbled onto evidence of a secret space fleet and the possibility this was never really mothballed.Was Horizon just a very ambitious binder? Or was Apollo the public show while something quieter happened in the background?Join us as we separate the record from the rumors, run a thought experiment on how a hidden lunar base could work, and ask the big question: Did we just visit the Moon… or did we move in? All that and more this week on Hysteria 51!Special thanks to this week's research sources:Project Horizon (1959 U.S. Army Lunar Base Study)U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency. Project Horizon: A U.S. Army Study for the Establishment of a Lunar Military Outpost (1959). Declassified study outlining a proposed military lunar base. https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB479/docs/EBB-Moon01_sm.pdfU.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. “Project Horizon History Overview.” https://www.army.mil/article/189129/smdc_history_project_horizon_abma_explores_a_lunar_outpost“Project Horizon.” Wikipedia overview with citations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_HorizonJFK & The Decision to Go to the MoonJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library. “Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs” (May 25, 1961). https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/special-message-to-the-congress-on-urgent-national-needs-19610525 John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. “Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort” (Sept 12, 1962). https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/address-at-rice-university-on-the-nations-space-effort-19620912 NASA History Office. “JFK and the Decision to Go to the Moon.” https://www.nasa.gov/history/60-years-ago-president-kennedy-proposes-moon-landing-goal-in-speech-to-congress/Majestic 12 (MJ-12)FBI Vault. “Majestic 12 Documents.” FBI files noting Air Force findings that core MJ-12 documents were fraudulent. https://vault.fbi.gov/Majestic%2012National Archives. JFK Assassination Records Collection. https://www.archives.gov/research/jfkAllen Dulles & Assassination ContextWarren Commission Report (1964). https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-reportAssassination Records Review Board (Final Report, 1998). https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/review-board/reportGary McKinnonBBC News. “Gary McKinnon hacking case timeline.” https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-19946958 U.S. Department of Justice (archived release on McKinnon indictment). https://www.justice.gov/archive/criminal/cybercrime/mckinnonIndict.htmCold War Classified Space Programs (Context)CIA. “The CORONA Satellite Program.” https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/studies-in-intelligence/the-corona-satellite-program/ Email us your favorite WEIRD news stories:weird@hysteria51.comSupport the Show:Get exclusive content & perks as well as an ad and sponsor free experience at https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51 from just $1Shop:Be the Best Dressed at your Cult Meeting!https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51?ref_id=9022See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear Brazil has a history of official UFO investigation almost as long as that of the United States. However, it has an official policy on disclosure that predates the U.S.'s by more than a decade. In 1954, the Brazilian Air Force started The First Confidential Inquiry into Unidentified Aerial Objects in response to the first major flap in that country. In 1969, the Sistema de Investigação de Objetos Aéreos Não Identificados (SIOANI) was established, and nearly 100 detailed case files were accumulated up until its termination in 1972. After this, in 1977, in response to reports of injuries and deaths as a result of UFO encounters in the area of Pará (mainly in Colores) Operação Prato was authorized by Colonel Protásio Lopes de Oliveira. This resulted in more than 2000 photos, 16 hours of film, and a 179-page report. The First Confidential Inquiry, SIOANI and Operação Prato files were classified for decades, but thanks to a freedom of information campaign begun in April of 2004 by the Brazilian UFOlogist and publisher of UFO Revista, Ademar José Gavaerd, many of the files were shown to him and other UFOlogists in 2005 as a prelude to releasing them to the general public. Then, in 2010, Brazil issued Ordinance 551/GC3, requiring every branch of the military and aviation sectors to collect and transfer all UFO reports to the Aerospace Defence Command in Brasilia along with any material proof by way of photos or video on a yearly basis. There, it is to be catalogued and made available to the public. Along with this, since 2012, the Air Force has periodically released declassified files through the Brazilian National Archives, and recently released 893 reports in May of this year. In this blog, we'll look at the history of the Air Force investigation, the efforts of Gevaerd and other UFOlogists to gain access to the case files, and some of the most interesting (at least to us) cases (translated files can be found here) found within them. Read more →*Note: audioblogs are now a cloned AI version of Martin's voice.
New Book: Lost in Time — Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge | An Interview with Jack R. Bialik | An Analog Brain In A Digital Age With Marco Ciappelli There's a particular arrogance embedded in how we talk about progress. We speak about innovation as if it moves in one direction only — forward, upward, smarter, faster. But what if the line isn't straight? What if it loops, doubles back, and occasionally vanishes entirely? That's the uncomfortable question at the center of my conversation with Jack R. Bialik. His book Lost in Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge doesn't read like a history lesson. It reads like a case file — evidence, example by example, that the civilization we assume is the most advanced in human history is also, in some critical ways, deeply amnesiac. Take cataract surgery. We learned it in the 1700s, right? Except we didn't. Indians were performing it in 800 BC. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians had diagrams of the procedure dating back to 2,400 BCE. The knowledge existed, worked, and then — somewhere in the chaos of collapsing empires and burning libraries — it vanished. We didn't progress past it. We forgot it, and then reinvented it from scratch, centuries later, convinced we were doing something new. Or the Baghdad Battery: clay pots, 2,000 years old, that when filled with acid can generate 1.1 volts of electricity. We don't know what they used them for. We don't know who figured it out. We just know it worked, it existed, and then it didn't anymore. This is what Bialik calls the pattern of loss — and it's not random. It follows catastrophe: the Library of Alexandria, the systematic destruction of Mayan records, the slow erosion of oral traditions as writing systems took over. Knowledge disappears when the systems that carry it collapse. And here's where the conversation gets uncomfortably relevant: we are building those systems right now, and we are not thinking about how long they'll last. The curator at the Computer History Museum told Bialik that to preserve the data from early IBM PCs and Macintosh computers, they had to print it on paper. The floppy drives had become brittle. The formats were unreadable. The digital archive was failing — and the only solution was to go analog. A vinyl record from the 1920s still plays. A CD from the 1980s may not survive another decade. I've been thinking about this since we recorded. My brain is analog — that's not just a podcast title, it's a philosophy. I grew up in Florence, surrounded by things that had survived centuries because they were made to last: stone, fresco, manuscript. Then I jumped on the digital train like everyone else, seduced by infinite libraries on my phone, music on demand, knowledge at my fingertips. But what Bialik is pointing out is that fingertips are fragile. And so are hard drives. The deeper issue isn't storage format. It's the distinction Bialik draws between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the data — the cataract surgery technique, the battery design, the pyramid engineering. Wisdom is knowing why it matters, when to use it, and what the consequences might be. We've gotten extraordinarily good at accumulating knowledge. We are considerably worse at transmitting wisdom. And wisdom, Bialik argues, doesn't live in databases. It lives in the space between people — in stories, in teaching, in the slow transmission of judgment across generations. That's why oral tradition survived when everything else failed. Not because it was more sophisticated, but because it was more human. It didn't require a device to run on. I don't know how to solve the digital longevity problem. Neither does Bialik — not yet. But I think the first step is admitting we have one. That's actually one of the quietest, most powerful arguments in the book: be humble. We don't know everything. We never did. And some of the things we've lost might be exactly what we need right now. The question isn't just what we've forgotten. It's what we're forgetting today, while we're too busy scrolling to notice. Grab Lost in Time: Our Forgotten and Vanishing Knowledge — link below — and spend some time with a perspective that goes very, very far back. Which is maybe the only way to see very, very far forward. And if this kind of conversation is what you come here for, subscribe to the newsletter at marcociappelli.com. More of this. Less noise. — Marco Ciappelli Co-Founder ITSPmagazine & Studio C60 | Creative Director | Branding & Marketing Advisor | Personal Branding Coach | Journalist | Writer | Podcast: An Analog Brain In A Digital Age ⚠️ Beware: Pigs May Fly |
What does Islamic institutional growth actually look like in your community? In this second installment of the Islamification of America series, listen as Pastor Nate Brown and Air Force veteran Ryan Onesto examine specific developments happening right now across Central Texas—from Leander and Georgetown to Cedar Park and Austin.You'll Learn:✅ The scale of mosque and institutional growth in Texas over the last decade✅ How irrevocable property trust systems work to secure Islamic developments permanently✅ Why Texas passed HB 4211 to address Sharia-compliant compounds✅ The four-stage framework from institutions to enforcement playing out worldwideWhether you're on your commute or at the gym, this episode will open your eyes to what's happening in Texas suburbs and why it matters for every Christian in America. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen first for the full picture.Hit follow so you never miss an episode—new episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 AM CT.
In this episode, I'm joined by Major General Rick B. Mattson, retired U.S. Air Force leader and now CEO of Bone Valley Industries. After decades of combat, diplomatic, and global leadership experience, he shares what it takes to lead in high-stakes environments. We explore service before self, faith under pressure, and the framework of values that shapes courageous leadership—from the battlefield to the boardroom.
I'd love to hear your thoughts - send me a text hereIn the chaos following PT 109's collision with IJN Amagiri, Jack Kennedy does everything he can to rescue his shipmates and when it becomes obvious that no one is coming to rescue them, he choses an island deep inside enemy territory and hopes it is small enough to be of no strategic value to the Japanese; but only time will tell if it is garrisoned or not.
Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for February 20, 2026. 0:30 Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson — civil rights leader, founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, two-time presidential candidate, and a man who undeniably shaped America’s political and cultural conversation for decades. But the debate today isn’t about whether he mattered. It’s about whether he meets the historic threshold for one of the nation’s highest ceremonial honors: lying in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. After Mike Johnson declined a request to grant that distinction, critics cried partisanship. We slow the conversation down and ask a deeper question: What is the standard? The Rotunda is reserved for figures deemed central to the constitutional story of the United States — a rare honor previously extended to individuals such as Rosa Parks, Billy Graham, and even Pierre Charles L'Enfant. So where is the line between influence and national consensus? Between impact and constitutional significance? We discuss Jackson’s contributions, his controversies, and the broader principle at stake: preserving the Rotunda as sacred civic space — not a stage for popularity or partisanship. 9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. The US Supreme Court struck down President Trump's use of Tariffs without congressional authorization. The United States and Indonesia finalized a bilateral trade agreement today that will lower tariffs between the two countries to 19%. Jesse Jackson's body will not lie in state under the Capital Rotunda.Jackson's family had requested that his body be allowed to lie in state, but that request was denied by Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. 12:30 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:00 The Supreme Court of the United States handed down a 6–3 decision striking down President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court made clear: that particular statute can’t be used as the vehicle for those tariffs. But that didn’t end the story. Within hours, the administration pivoted — announcing a new 10% tariff under the Trade Act of 1974, a separate law that explicitly grants the president temporary tariff authority. In fact, even members of the Court noted there are other statutory paths available. So what are we witnessing — constitutional chaos or constitutional chess? 16:00 We got a question for the American Mamas: “I’m so glad I grew up in the ’80s. How can you keep up with all the trends today?” It sparks a lively (and hilarious) walk down memory lane as Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson join us to compare the universal “just knew it” culture of the 1980s with today’s lightning-fast, social-media-driven world. From slang that changes overnight to the pressure of documenting everything online, we explore how growing up before smartphones may have been a hidden blessing. The conversation turns to modern milestones — over-the-top weddings, pricey bachelorette trips, elaborate gender reveals — and how platforms like TikTok and Twitter have transformed private celebrations into public productions. What used to be punch, mints, and a phone call has become curated content and camera-ready moments. It’s a funny, relatable look at generational shifts, cultural pressure, and why some of us are grateful our most embarrassing moments weren’t captured in 4K. Got a question for the American Mamas? Visit americangroundradio.com/mamas and click “Ask the Mamas.” 23:00 President Donald Trump has directed the Secretary of Defense and other agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and any potential information connected to extraterrestrial life. Laugh if you want — but for years, trained Navy and Air Force pilots have reported aerial objects performing maneuvers that appear to defy conventional aerodynamics. These aren’t backyard videos or internet hoaxes. They’re encounters documented by military aviators asking a serious question: what exactly are we seeing? We explore the long shadow of Area 51, Cold War-era secrecy, and how government disinformation about experimental aircraft may have fueled decades of alien speculation. We also separate fact from fiction when it comes to so-called “chemtrails” versus ordinary condensation trails — and why conspiracy theories persist. 26:00 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Kentucky this week with a bold message: Congress won’t fix itself — and it’s time for the states to step in. Testifying before Kentucky lawmakers, DeSantis urged them to support an Article V constitutional convention aimed at passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. With the national debt approaching $40 trillion, he argued that without permanent structural changes, Washington’s “muscle memory” of spending and compromise will continue — no matter which party is in power. We Dig Deep into break down how an Article V convention works, why 34 states are required to trigger it, and where the effort currently stands. Twenty states have already signed on — mostly Republican-led — but even if every remaining red state joined, supporters would still need buy-in from purple or Democrat-led legislatures. 32:00 Get Performlyte from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 32:30 A social media post from Congressman Randy Fine has gone viral — and sparked a firestorm. Fine responded to comments tied to New York political circles suggesting restrictions on dogs in public housing, referencing concerns rooted in Islamic views that consider dogs unclean. Fine pushed back bluntly, arguing that if Americans were ever forced to choose between their pets and accommodating religious restrictions, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision. Critics immediately labeled the remarks Islamophobic. Supporters say the point wasn’t about religion — it was about culture, assimilation, and whether American traditions should bend to accommodate beliefs that conflict with everyday life in the U.S. In this segment, we unpack the controversy, the statistics behind America’s deep attachment to pets — including service and therapy dogs — and the broader debate over cultural expectations in a free society. We also discuss Fine’s proposed “Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act” and what it symbolizes in the larger conversation about immigration, religious freedom, and preserving American norms. 35:30 Plus, it's Fake News Friday! We're putting you to the test with our weekly game of headlines—are they real news, fake news, or really fake news? From cowboys and Gavin Newsom's dyslexia, to the airport being named after President Trump can you spot the fake news? Play along, keep score, and share your results with us on Facebook page: facebook.com/AmericanGroundRadio. 39:30 We talk about Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling on presidential tariff authority and what it means for the balance of power in Washington. When former Vice President Mike Pence praised the decision as a win for the Constitution, was it a straightforward defense of separation of powers—or a subtle jab at Donald Trump? And we end today's show with the powerful Olympic story of Alysa Liu—an American gold medal victory with international intrigue and a reminder of the opportunities and freedoms that define the American dream. May your pursuit of happiness bring you joy. Articles US and Indonesia finalise deal to cut tariffs to 19% Major Defense Contractor Flees Spanberger’s Virginia Just Weeks After She Takes Office. Why was Ron DeSantis in Kentucky? What he wants from state lawmakers @ReOpenChris X Post: "Governor DeSantis pitches Federal Balanced Budget Amendment to Kentucky Legislature." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Schmidt sits down with Terry Virts, a 30-year Air Force fighter pilot veteran and NASA astronaut, who is now running in the 9th Congressional District of Texas. The Houston Chronicle stated in its endorsement of Terry that "in MAGA country, Terry Virts offers hope of holding onto a redistricted seat." His district is literally 'Ground Zero' for gerrymandering, and supporting Terry's race is critical to crushing MAGA in the midterm elections. Hear what Terry has to say about the kind of candidates required for the Democratic Party to flip the House, what he will do if he is elected to Congress, as well as some fascinating stories about his experience as a fighter pilot and astronaut. DONATE to Terry Virts here: https://www.terryvirts.com Subscribe for more and follow me here: Substack: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribe Store: https://thewarningwithsteveschmidt.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewarningses.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSchmidtSES/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarningses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarningses/ X: https://x.com/SteveSchmidtSESSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the early morning hours of April 17, 1966, five law enforcement officers from four different agencies watched in disbelief as a massive, glowing, football-shaped craft silently hovered over a Pennsylvania shopping center parking lot — the same object two Ohio sheriff's deputies had just chased at speeds exceeding 100 mph across 86 miles of highway. When the Air Force investigated, they had a simple explanation: the officers had been chasing the planet Venus.*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*IN THIS EPISODE: Some believe them to be ghosts, others feel they are creatures or even humans from a different dimension. Still others believe they are demonic entities. Whatever the truth about what they are, the one thing everyone agrees about is that an encounter with a shadow person is undeniably terrifying. (Terrifying True Stories Of Shadow People) *** The townsfolk of Beaver County, Pennsylvania saw something very strange in 1966 – and now, so many decades later, it's just as much of a mystery as it was the day the encounter occurred. (The Unsolved Sighting in 1966) *** Some are beloved favorites like “The Wizard of Oz”, others you may never have seen, like Atuk. Some are dark in tone like “Poltergeist”, or heroic like the first Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve. But one thing all of these films and the others I'll share in this episode have in common is that they are all supposedly cursed. (Infamously Cursed Films)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:47.590 = Terrifying True Stories of Shadow People00:10:44.014 = Unsolved Sighting in 1966 ***00:39:29.825 = Infamously Cursed Films ***01:04:29.801 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakHELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES…https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harmhttps://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren MarlarSOURCES and RESOURCES:“Terrifying True Stories Of Shadow People” from Anomalien.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5f3vxdh4“The Unsolved Sighting in 1966” by Scott Tady for EllwoodCityLedger.com and The Beaver County Times: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3ck54nvr“Infamously Cursed Films” by Randolph Strauss for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/uh8xjj9j=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: July 21, 2021EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/UFOPoliceChaseABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness #UFO #FlyingSaucer #UFOSighting #UFOEvidence #ProjectBlueBook #AirForceUFO #GovernmentCoverUp #UAP #UFOWitness #RealUFO #UFOPoliceChase #1966UFO #PortageCountyUFO #OhioUFO #DaleSpaur #UFOTrueStory #AlienSpacecraft #UFOInvestigation #CloseEncounters #UnexplainedPhenomena #ParanormalTrue #TrueUFOStories #UFOHistory #AncientAliens #UFOCommunity #ExtraterrestrialLife #UFOAlert #ConspiracyTheory #UFODisclosure
BONUS: From Combat Pilot to Scrum Master - How Military Leadership Transforms Agile Teams In this bonus episode, we explore a fascinating career transition with Nate Amidon, a former Air Force combat pilot who now helps software teams embed military-grade leadership principles into their Agile practices. Nate shares how the high-stakes discipline of aviation translates directly into building high-performing development teams, and why veterans make exceptional Scrum Masters. The Brief-Execute-Debrief Cycle: Aviation Meets Agile "We would mission brief in the morning and make sure everyone was on the same page. Then we problem-solved our way through the day, debriefed after, and did it again. When I learned about what Agile was, I realized it's the exact same thing." Nate's transition from flying C-17 cargo planes to working with Agile teams wasn't as jarring as you might expect. Flying missions that lasted 2-3 weeks with a crew of 5-7 people taught him the fundamentals of iterative work: daily alignment, continuous problem-solving, and regular reflection. The brief-execute-debrief cycle that every military pilot learns mirrors the sprint cadence that Agile teams follow. Time-boxing wasn't new to him either—when you're flying, you only have so much fuel, so deadlines aren't arbitrary constraints but physical realities that demand disciplined execution. In this episode with Christian Boucousis, we also discuss the brief-execute-debrief cycle in detail. In this segment, we also refer to Cynefin, and the classification of complexity. Alignment: The Real Purpose Behind Ceremonies "It's really important to make sure everyone understands why you're doing what you're doing. We don't brief, execute, debrief just because—we do it because we know that getting everybody on the same page is really important." One of the most valuable insights Nate brings to his work with software teams is the understanding that Agile ceremonies aren't bureaucratic checkboxes—they're alignment mechanisms. The purpose of sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives is to ensure everyone knows the mission and can adapt when circumstances change. Interestingly, Nate notes that as teams become more high-performing, briefings get shorter and more succinct. The discipline remains, but the overhead decreases as shared context grows. The Art of Knowing When to Interrupt "There are times when you absolutely should not interrupt an engineer. Every shoulder tap is a 15-minute reset for them to get back into the game. But there are also times when you absolutely should shoulder tap them." High-performing teams understand the delicate balance between deep work and necessary communication. Nate shares an aviation analogy: when loadmasters are loading complex cargo like tanks and helicopters, interrupting them with irrelevant updates would be counterproductive. But if you discover that cargo shouldn't be on the plane, that's absolutely worth the interruption. This judgment—knowing what matters enough to break flow—is something veterans develop through high-stakes experience. Building this awareness across a software team requires: Understanding what everyone is working on Knowing the bigger picture of the mission Creating psychological safety so people feel comfortable speaking up Developing shared context through daily stand-ups and retrospectives Why Veterans Make Exceptional Scrum Masters "I don't understand why every junior officer getting out of the military doesn't just get automatically hired as a Scrum Master. If you were to say what we want a Scrum Master to do, and what a junior military officer does—it's line for line." Nate's company, Form100 Consulting, specifically hires former military officers and senior NCOs for Agile roles, often bringing them on without tech experience. The results consistently exceed expectations because veterans bring foundational leadership skills that are difficult to develop elsewhere: showing up on time, doing what you say you'll do, taking care of team members, seeing the forest through the trees. These intangible qualities—combined with the ability to stay calm, listen actively, and maintain integrity under pressure—make for exceptional servant leaders in the software development space. The Onboarding Framework for Veterans "When somebody joins, we have assigned everybody a wingman—a dedicated person that they check in with regularly to bounce ideas off, to ask questions." Form100's approach to transitioning veterans into tech demonstrates the same principles they advocate for Agile teams. They screen carefully for the right personality fit, provide dedicated internal training on Agile methodologies and program management, and pair every new hire with a wingman. This military unit culture helps bridge the gap between active duty service and the private sector, addressing one of the biggest challenges: the expectation gap around leadership standards that exists between military and civilian organizations. Extreme Ownership: Beyond Process Management "To be a good Scrum Master, you have to take ownership of the team's execution. If the product requirements aren't good, it's a Scrum Master's job to help. If QA is the problem, take ownership. You should be the vessel and ownership of the entire process of value delivery." One of Nate's core philosophies comes from Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership. Too many Scrum Masters limit themselves to being "process people" who set meetings and run ceremonies. True servant leadership means owning everything that affects the team's ability to deliver value—even things technically outside your job description. When retrospectives devolve into listing external factors beyond the team's control, the extreme ownership mindset reframes the conversation: "Did we give the stakeholder the right information? Did they make a great decision based on bad information we provided?" This shift from blame to ownership drives genuine continuous improvement. Building Feedback Loops in Complex Environments "In the military, we talk about the OODA loop. Everything gets tighter, we get better—that's why we do the debrief." Understanding whether you're operating in a complicated or complex domain (referencing the Cynefin framework) determines how tight your feedback loops need to be. In complex environments—where most software development lives—feedback loops aren't just for reacting to what happened; they're for probing and understanding what's changing. Sprint goals become essential because without knowing where you're headed, you can't detect when circumstances have shifted. The product owner role becomes critical as the voice connecting business priorities to team execution, ensuring the mission stays current even when priorities change mid-sprint. Recommended Resources Nate recommends the following books: Team of Teams by General McChrystal Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink About Nate Amidon Nate is a former Air Force combat pilot and founder of Form100 Consulting. He helps software teams embed leadership at the ground level, translating military principles into Agile practices. With a focus on alignment, accountability, and execution, Nate empowers organizations to lead from within and deliver real results in a dynamic tech landscape. You can link with Nate Amidon on LinkedIn and learn more at Form100 Consulting.
PART II ALREADY OUT ON PATREON! IT'S AD-FREE, AND THERE'S A TON OF OTHER GREAT PATREON PERKS, JOIN US THERE!Ash and Kristen begin their dive into the wildly controversial world of Graham Hancock and his hotly debated speculations. Along the way, they take approximately 700 Wikipedia detours through Gnosticism, Catharism, esoteric secret-knowledge clubs, and so much conspiracy-adjacent archaeology, religious relic lore, and Ice Age brain-melt timelines that Ash has to stop Kristen every 2-3 minutes to define something. So naturally, we had to make this a two-parter!In part one, the gals talk about Hancock's journey from respected journalist to alternative archaeologist who digs into controversial theories about lost ancient civilizations and literally everything else throughout time and space. They dig into his greatest hits: the Ark of the Covenant, the Knights Templar, pyramids/Sphinx “they're older than you think” chaos, the Face on Mars, and that whole “is this an ancient warning or just Virgin Mary on toast?” dilemma.STUFF TO CHEER YOU UP:Ash's list of "Comfort Shows" (and where to watch them for freeeee)Ash learned a dance and actually filmed it... aka Ash dancing alone in …her yard aka "How Ash Likes to Party" Behind the scenes of Ash struggling to make a simple dance video ft. her SPARKLY BOOTS!PODS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED:It Could Happen Here- It Could Happen Here started as an exploration of the possibility of a new civil war. Now a daily show, it's evolved into a chronicle of collapse as it happens, and an exploration of how we might build a better future.Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay - Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.Pod Save the World - A weekly podcast that breaks down international news and foreign policy developments, but doesn't feel like homework.This F*cking Guy - Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco, co-hosts of the podcast Hysteria, do a deep dive into the lives of some of the worst b*tches in the game - and let you know everything there is to know about their horrible, corrupt, and dishonest pasts.Behind the Bastards - There's a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous ideology, the founder of Blackwater's insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein's side career as a trashy romance novelist.Gaslit Nation - Gaslit Nation provides a deep dive on the news, skipping outrage to deliver analysis, history, context, and sharp insight on global affairs. Hosted by journalist and filmmaker Andrea Chalupa, an expert on authoritarian states who warned America about Russia and election hacking before the 2016 election.The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team cover today's biggest headlines. The “Ears Edition” of The Daily Show features full episodes, extended content, exclusive interviews, and more.If you'd like to support my escape to Indonesia, check out the GOFUNDME :)Follow us on Instagram, where Ash is actually starting to post again!We'd love to see you in our Discord, come hang out!Audio editing by Gaytrice Perdue.
While answering questions on Air Force one President Trump was asked about Prince Andrew and Obama's answer on alien life. Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.
Protecting the Voiceless: Bill Waybourn on Human Trafficking and Hidden AbuseThis week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with one of Texas' most respected law enforcement leaders and advocates for the vulnerable — Sheriff Bill Waybourn.With more than three decades of service, Bill's career has been defined by courage, conviction, and a relentless commitment to protecting both communities and the voiceless.From pioneering groundbreaking DWI reform programs to shaping Texas firearm legislation, Bill has stood at the intersection of public safety, constitutional rights, and moral responsibility.But beyond the badge, Bill's story is also one of deep compassion — especially when it comes to children in need.Bill served 31 years as Chief of Police in Dalworthington Gardens, where he became a recognized expert witness and leader in statewide criminal justice reform.He is credited with pioneering the Texas “No Refusal” DWI program, a model that has significantly reduced drunk driving fatalities and has since been adopted by multiple states.Bill has also testified before the Texas Legislature on a myriad of key issues.Bill is especially honored to have helped pass the Chris Kyle Bill, which streamlines the process for military servicemen and women transitioning into law enforcement careers.His dedication to veterans and service members reflects a lifelong commitment to those who have sacrificed for this country.During his first term as Sheriff, Bill launched several nationally recognized initiatives, including a Human Trafficking Unit, a Department of Intelligence, aggressive inmate service programs, less-than-lethal training expansion, and cutting-edge departmental reforms.Bill and his wife Laura Waybourn are the proud parents of ten children, eight of whom have been adopted.Together, they are passionate advocates for children without families, and their lives are rooted in service far beyond law enforcement.A Heartbreaking Story of Survival: AlyssaOne of the most emotional moments in this episode comes as Bill shares the story of his foster daughter Alyssa, who endured horrific medical abuse as a toddler.He recounts how Alyssa was severely malnourished, weighing only 18 pounds, dehydrated, and tragically harmed by her biological mother through Munchausen syndrome by proxy — a form of abuse where caregivers fabricate illness for attention or control.Under proper medical care, Alyssa began to flourish — but her story shines a light on a rarely discussed form of child abuse that demands awareness and action.This conversation is equal parts intense, inspiring, and deeply human — a reminder that real leadership means protecting those who cannot protect themselves.In this episode you will hear:• My dad believed in practical lessons. After bragging that I was the best cowboy on the ground today, and my dad put me on a Bramer steer. I lasted about a second and a half on that ride. He went from there teaching about humility, and how it's a biblical principle, and I needed to learn about that. (9:10)• One of the things that the Air Force did well is that they taught you leadership, independence, and discipline all at the same time. (15:56)• I was 24 years old, and the Police Chief resigned. The city council interviewed a bunch of people and about an hour and a half later, they called me back and said, “You're the Chief.” (20:34)• [Marcus] Q: Explain to me the difference between a constable, a police officer, and a sheriff. (A: Starts at 22:40 and runs thru 28:14)• There've been some great moments throughout my career. My [most memorable events] were surrounded by life-saving stuff. (30:57)• As Sheriff, I was blessed to make a human trafficking unit. We are now moving close to 1,200 rescues. (31:42)• Our daughter, Alyssa, at 3 ½ years old, weighed 18 pounds, and was on 17 meds and a feeding tube. She went septic. It was later proved that her biological mother put human feces and urine into her feeding tube. (34:34)• We were honored that God called us to take her in. (40:36)• I met Chris Kyle right after he came home in '09. (55:29)Support Bill:- IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheriffwaybourn?igsh=cHU1eWt6djMzdGF3Support TNQ - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13 - https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquitSponsors: - Navyfederal.org - selectquote.com/TNQ - davidprotein.com/TNQ - mizzenandmain.com [Promo code: TNQ20] - masterclass.com/TNQ - Dripdrop.com/TNQ - ShopMando.com [Promo code: TNQ] - Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes - meetfabiric.com/TNQ - Prizepicks (TNQ) - armslist.com/TNQ - PXGapparel.com/TNQ - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ - shipsticks.com/TNQ - stopboxusa.com {TNQ} - Tonal.com [TNQ] - greenlight.com/TNQ - drinkAG1.com/TNQ - Hims.com/TNQ