Podcasts about marine corps

Joseph John Vigiano is a former U.S. Marine and presently serves as a Detective with the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit where he is assigned to Squad 7 in Brooklyn. Joe is a 2015 graduate of SUNY Maritime College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation with a Third Mates License Unlimited Tonnage. Upon his college graduation, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as an 0352 Antitank Missileman. He served as a Sergeant in Weapons Company 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. While serving with 2/25, Joe he deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 as part of the Georgian Liaison Team. Joe joined the rank of the NYPD in 2017 and was assigned to the 7-5 Precinct in East New, Brooklyn. The same command where both of his parents started their careers with the NYPD.  While assigned to the 75th Precinct, Joe performed duties as a patrol officer and a member of the Midnight Public 13 Safety Team, the predecessor to Anti-Crime.  Joe graduated from the Emergency Service Unit's Specialized Training School in 2023.  ESU is the NYPDs tactical and technical rescue team which covers down a variety of responsibilities that include high-risk search warrants, barricaded perpetrators, barricaded emotional disturbed persons, rope rescue, weapons of mass destruction/Hazmat, and extrication.  Joe is currently assigned to ESU Squad 7 and was promoted to Detective Specialist 3rd Grade in 2025.  Joe and his wife Jenny, are the parents of Joseph Vincent Vigiano II, named after Joe's father, 9/11 hero Detective Joseph Vincent Vigiano. Joe has two brothers, James and John.  James is also a member of the NYPD, assigned to Brooklyn North's Community Response Team and is a Marine Corps veteran who served with Weapons Company 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. Younger brother John is currently serving as a Corporal of Marines with the 3rd Littoral Regiment in Hawaii. Joe is the grandson of the late Captain John Vigiano, FDNY and Mrs. Jan Vigiano who actively honored their sons' sacrifice through tireless advocacy for our nation's post-9/11 military veterans. Captain Vigiano served as the principal mentor for Leadership Under Fire from its inception until his passing from 9/11 related cancer in 2018.  This conversation about leadership, risk, and resilience is from an LUF online emerging leaders' development course. Fall Leadership Development Course on the Farm  

Host Justin Tuminowski sits down with Adam Catledge to unpack his transition from the Marine Corps into creative real estate investing through the SubTo community. Adam breaks down a 24-unit multifamily deal in New Orleans, including how a bird dog connection led to the opportunity, how the team raised roughly $500,000, and why 0% seller financing with six months of deferred payments created a strong runway. They also discuss collaboration, private money, networking at meetups, and Adam's next focus in new construction. Follow Adam Catledge - www.instagram.com/adamcatledge Follow Justin - https://www.instagram.com/real.estate.justin

He survived combat in Afghanistan. Then a freak accident in Las Vegas nearly took his head off. Everything changed after that.Episode 114 of The Wild Chaos Podcast features Andrew Coville, a United States Marine Corps veteran and longtime Cape Cod police officer whose life changed in seconds during a 2025 Las Vegas vacation.To watch this episode in studio, visit: https://youtu.be/gJjiA0HxBU4While walking the Las Vegas Strip, a construction trailer towing a large street sign detached without warning. The trailer broke loose and the sign slammed into Andrew, nearly decapitating him and leaving him with devastating facial trauma and a traumatic brain injury.We talk about Operation Khanjar, the shift from firefights to IED warfare, loosing his best friend Nick in Afghanistan and carries the kind of survivor's guilt that can quietly steer your entire life and the whiplash of flying home from a war zone to stand at a coffin draped in an American flag. Andrew shares what it's like to return to Afghanistan after the funeral, why compartmentalizing works in the moment but costs you later, and how a single letter and a valor award helped pull him out of a post-service spiral.In this episode we talk through:• Andrew's Marine Corps deployment to Helmand Province• Operation Khanjar and combat in Afghanistan• Losing his best friend Nick during deployment• Survivor's guilt and post combat identity• Police work on Cape Cod and crisis negotiation• The 2025 Las Vegas accident that nearly killed him• Severe facial trauma and traumatic brain injury recovery• Losing his law enforcement career overnight• His book Somewhere in Between• Honoring Nick's legacy through documentary work and storytellingThis conversation is about trauma, identity, grief, survival, and rebuilding when life changes in an instant.Learn more about Andrew Coville's story at AndrewCoville.com. His book Somewhere in Between gives a raw, honest look at combat, loss, identity after the uniform, and rebuilding after trauma. If this episode resonates with you, his story goes even deeper there.If you know someone navigating loss, injury, or life after service, share this episode.

A lot of people say they want to write a book, but what they really mean is they want to have written one. We get honest about the gap between those two things, and why the difference is almost never talent. It's grit, craft, and the decision not to quit when the work turns into a long, hot march. We talk with the author behind the Gunny Mac historical fiction series, a storyteller shaped by the Marine Corps, deep reading, and a love of character-driven plots. He shares the simple mindset shift that helped him stop romanticizing the process and start finishing pages, plus the surprisingly powerful lesson he picked up at a small writers conference: nail your concept and premise, then let character logic do the heavy lifting. If you've ever felt stuck, this will give you a practical way forward without gimmicks. From there, we dig into what makes historical fiction feel alive. He explains how research becomes story texture, why humor belongs even in hard times, and why shock-value violence can't replace real character development. We also get into the themes that run through his books: duty, honor, service, faith, redemption, and the kind of loyalty that turns strangers into family. You'll hear how Gunny Mac is built as a tough Marine with a bruised heart, and why flawed people trying to do the right thing can be the most compelling heroes. If you love WWII-era history, Marine Corps stories, character-driven novels, and no-nonsense writing advice, you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe for more author interviews, share this with a writer friend who's been stalling, and leave a review so more readers and storytellers can find the show. Grab the series here: https://amzn.to/4uI0ux1Support the showElsa's AMAZON STORE Elsa's FAITH & FREEDOM MERCH STOREElsa's BOOKSElsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she's also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today's topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW's career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women's novels. Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units .  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more tha...

Jay Rogers was in the Marine Corps, consulting, and sailed around the world. He first came to additive through his company, Local Motors. He talks us through that firm’s promise and development. We also talk about his new venture, medium and large-format 3D printing firm Haddy. We also talk more broadly about entrepreneurship, companies, venture capital, additive manufacturing, and business. This episode of the 3DPOD is brought to you by Alexander Daniels Global, specialists in talent solutions for the additive manufacturing and advanced engineering sectors. From the production line to the C-suite, ADG delivers confidential hiring, supports rapid scale-up phases, and secures critical leadership appointments, helping industry 4.0 businesses buld teams that need to perform, innovate, and lead.

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: The United States and Iran have reportedly reached a draft agreement to extend their ceasefire for another 60 days, though the deal still requires President Trump's approval. Mike is joined by David Daoud of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to discuss what the proposed agreement could mean for Iran's nuclear program and the broader security situation in the Middle East. Cuba's power grid is under growing strain as fuel shortages continue to fuel blackouts across the island, while the Trump administration opens a new front by bringing criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. Mike speaks with retired Marine Corps intelligence officer Hal Kempfer about the implications for the Cuban regime and U.S. policy toward Havana. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Blocktrust: Move your retirement into the next generation of assets, go to https://mikebakercrypto.com now to claim your $2,500 Bitcoin bonus. Fox One: Sign up at https://fox.com to watch The PDB show and more on-demand with FOX One. ZBiotics: Go to https://zbiotics.com/PDB and use PDB at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is Graham Platner's Nazi tattoo disqualifying? As Democrats search for four Senate seats to reclaim the majority, Maine has emerged as one of the most important battlegrounds in the country. Michael examines the high-stakes race between longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Graham Platner, a Marine Corps veteran whose campaign has been rocked by revelations about controversial Reddit posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi-era symbol. Platner says he was unaware of its meaning when he got it and has since covered it up, but critics argue that explanation strains credibility. Does the controversy end the conversation—or should voters weigh the full context before deciding? Listen in, and please rate, review, and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Marine Jeremy Bourgeois did not just casually transition into civilian life; he hit the ground running with an unstoppable drive for financial freedom. By immediately investing in his education, adopting the house hacking model, and leveraging cold-calling, he rapidly scaled from a complete beginner into a nationwide virtual wholesaler.Brent Daniels uncovers exactly how Jeremy builds massive active income to fund his long-term rental portfolio. Jeremy shares the tough lessons he learned outsourcing his lead generation, why he specifically targets the Tulsa market from his home in Utah, and the exact tools he uses to pull and skip-trace his data. If you need a serious shot of motivation to change your environment and take control of your financial destiny, this is your blueprint. Be a part of the TTP training program now.---------Show notes:(0:00) Beginning of today's episode(1:49) Transitioning from the Marine Corps to real estate(3:14) The power of personal development and consuming content to shift your mindset(5:48) Getting started in real estate by house hacking a fourplex with a childhood friend(8:31) How Arnold Schwarzenegger used the house hacking strategy to build early wealth(10:46) Why increasing your active earned income must come before building a rental portfolio(12:40) Ken McElroy's three essential skills(18:04) The importance of changing your environment and surrounding yourself with ambition(20:16) Running a virtual wholesaling operation from St. George, Utah and targeting Tulsa(21:50) Testing lead generation strategies and hiring premium no-accent callers(24:23) Utilizing Kind Skip Tracing for pulling highly accurate, skip-traced seller lists(28:01) Breaking down the acquisition of a massive 20-unit apartment complex deal(31:00) How relentless follow-up and smart renegotiation led to a $100,000 assignment fee----------Resources:BiggerPocketsJim RohnCall Motivated Sellers Kind Skip TracingInstagram: @utah_homebuyerInstagram: @realbrentdanielsTo speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community  are endless, what are you waiting for?

Climate surveys used by the War Department like the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) are annual check-ins to assess unit morale, cohesion and leadership trust. Traditionally, these surveys take a long time to gather and analyze by leadership. A pair of Marine Corps innovators told AI GovCast that they've created a new AI–enabled survey tool prototype that is designed to give commanders near‑real‑time insight the day‑to‑day stressors affecting Marines. The prototype, called PULSE Check, aims to close long‑standing feedback gaps that leaders say contribute to retention problems — particularly in the reserve component. Col. Prescott Wilson, chief of staff for the 4th Marine Logistics Group, said the idea emerged after a commanders' conference where Marines explained why they were leaving drilling status for the Individual Ready Reserve. "By the time we're talking to these Marines on stage, they've already made a decision … that's talent we can't get back," Wilson said. Lt. Col. Samuel Sung, an innovation officer with the Logistics Innovation Office and a Marine reservist who co‑developed the prototype, said the team deliberately focused first on whether the idea was even useful before tackling the complex security and compliance requirements of deploying AI inside the department. He added that AI-driven analysis enables more frequent surveys and faster feedback cycles, allowing commanders to test changes and measure results monthly instead of annually. That accelerated process, Sung said, can improve decision-making while also reinforcing to Marines that their feedback is being heard.

In this explosive new episode, Joe rips back the curtain on the quiet war being waged against the American people and the institutional rot tearing at the very fabric of our society. From startling new allegations of foreign election interference—where leaked emails point to remote access of voting systems—to the devastating reality of communities left defenseless by radical municipal policies, we break down how the modern political apparatus is driving a calculated societal meltdown. Joe exposes the staggering double standards embedded in our cultural and healthcare systems, contrasting the taxpayer-funded priorities of the state with the real, unvarnished struggles of everyday citizens who feel entirely abandoned by their government.The heart of the broadcast features an exclusive, deeply moving conversation with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jeff Kyle, brother of the legendary "American Sniper" Chris Kyle and President of the American Valor Foundation. Stepping onto the front lines of the cultural battlefield, Kyle delivers a masterclass in true patriotism, offering a tactical blueprint for healing a fractured nation and reclaiming a sense of unified American identity. He tackles the hard questions head-on: how to spot exploitation within modern non-profits, the expanding psychological toll facing local first responders, and the essential steps isolated veterans must take to "kick the door in" and rediscover their purpose after hanging up the uniform.Finally, Joe confronts the toxic underbelly of the "tolerant" ideological movement that dominates our media echo chambers, dissecting the escalating rhetoric that actively demonizes conservative values while everyday citizens are forced to build DIY barricades just to protect their neighborhoods. This episode is not just a wake-up call regarding the constant surveillance, hyper-vigilance, and manufactured chaos designed to keep us divided—it is a rallying cry for truth, accountability, and the restoration of authentic American strength. Don't miss a single second of this raw, uncompromising broadcast; watch the full episode now to arm yourself with the insights needed to filter out the noise and focus on what truly matters.

This episode includes themes of combat trauma, mental health, and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.Meet Richard Casper

Let me know what you think of this episode? If these stories are encouraging you, consider buying me a coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/dorseyrossJay Setchell: A Life That Refused to QuitIn this powerful episode of the Dorsey Show, host Dorsey sits down with Jay Setchell — Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, inventor, and author — whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. From growing up on a working farm in rural Illinois, where hard work and responsibility were instilled from an early age, Jay went on to serve in the Marines in covert operations, only to face a series of near-death experiences that would have broken most people.Jay opens up about dying during his Marine Corps service, surviving a near-fatal car accident, and breaking his neck in four places after a swimming pool accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down — all before the age of 42. With over 73 surgeries and counting, Jay shares how faith, stubbornness, and an unrelenting will to keep moving forward have carried him through decades of physical pain and recovery.He also discusses his book The Strength Within You, his mission through Never Quit Trying, and his current work in battlefield immersion training to help save soldiers' and first responders' lives. Throughout the conversation, Jay reflects on prayer, purpose, and why he believes it's always too soon to quit.A deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, faith, and finding the strength that lies within.Jay Setchell's website link https://neverquittrying.com/ Support the showWant to be a financial supporter of the show, click here, https://www.buzzsprout.com/1754677/supporters/newFollow and subscribe to the podcast here, and get weekly updates on when new episodes are released.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dorsey-ross-show/id1495921329Social Media Links,  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dorsey.ross/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DROCKROSS/ My Book Amazon Book Overcomer https://bit.ly/4h7NGIPWant to be a guest on Dorsey Ross Show? Send Dorsey Ross a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1615423845838x127949785844303500Affiliate Link For Podmatch https://www.joinpodmatch.com/dorseyross

Esteban Valenzuela was a talented high school football player and could have continued playing in college. Instead, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, while he was still in high school. Several months later, he was in Vietnam on a tour lasting well over a year and took part of some of the intense fighting connected with the enemy's Tet Offensive in early 1968.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Valenzuela takes us into Marine Corps boot camp and how he saw the benefits of that and other training once he was in Vietnam. You'll also hear how he rose in rank and responsibility during his time in Vietnam.But Valenzuela also describes the heat of intense combat during the Tet Offensive, how losses mounted even though the U.S. successfully repelled the attacks, how Valenzuela lost one of his best friends, and how he responded in that moment.Valenzuela also explains how a return to Vietnam in 2025 helped to heal some very old wounds.

Ryan Kuperus is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant with 17+ years in infantry, recon, and Force Recon. Medically retired after multiple combat deployments and enough kinetic stories to fill a book. From leading teams in Now Zad to pulling his own guys out of multiple IED strikes, this one gets raw fast. We talk leadership failures in combat, hunting, ibogaine, and why the system chews up warriors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Lee dials in from Ukraine for a long-form WarTalk on what the front line actually looks like in year four — where infantry sit underground for six months without seeing the sun, where 2% of casualties come from small arms, and where the "forward line of troops" has been quietly replaced by a forward line of UAV teams. Rob Lee is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and one of the most-read analysts of the Russia-Ukraine war; he's joined on the show by WarTalk regulars Bryan Clark, Tony Stark, and Justin. We discuss… The six-month infantry rotation and what isolation, drone threat, and zero-line resupply do to a human being Why Ukraine has reclaimed the drone edge — and what the Hornet, Bumblebee, and FP2 are doing to Russian logistics Ukraine's new corps structure, where the brigade-only model broke down, and what the Azov-derived elite corps look like Why 2% of Ukrainian casualties come from small arms and what infantry are actually doing on the zero line Starlink as the indispensable game-changer — and Russia's increasingly serious attempt to jam it Combat casualty care when CASEVAC takes 12 hours, the golden hour is dead, and tourniquets sit on for a month What the Marine Corps should steal from Ukraine — pushing Hornets to the battalion, Bumblebees to the company, and giving up something to make room this ep's a little too dark for a suno song Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall open up Season 6 with friend, author and historian Pete Owen. Pete, a retired United States Marine, and Naval Academy graduate, brings us the story of VMF-221's Pacific War odyssey. 221 first saw combat at Midway in June 1942, then went on to Guadalcanal after a lengthy rebuild. After the Canal, and flying the F4U Corsair, the Falcons flew in the Solomons before finally ending up aboard USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in 1945. Pete gives us the low-down on the squadron and some of their personalities and training that are in his new book. Check out our first episode of Season 6--plenty more to come! NOTE: “Although Pete Owen is a retired Marine Corps officer, an adjunct faculty with Marine Corps University, and a federal civil servant, his remarks are his own and do not reflect the position of the US Government.” #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #china #burma #oil #marinecorps

Jeremy Stalnecker is the CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation and a former platoon commander in the Marine Corps. He served in Iraq and now works with first responders and military personnel who are suffering from PTSD. This podcast is well worth the listen and time.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Georgine Nanos — board certified family physician, founder of Kind Health Group and Kind TMS, and the first clinician in the world to successfully condense the 40-day TMS protocol into a single day. TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It's been FDA approved since 2008, has no long-term side effects, and uses magnetic field energy to create new synaptic pathways in the part of the brain where anxiety, depression, and PTSD get locked into negative stress loops. The Stanford trial that condensed it from 40 days to five days got a 90% response rate. Dr. Nanos condensed it further — to a single 12-hour day — and got the same results. But this is not just a clinical episode. We talk about why men specifically have such a hard time reaching out, why burnout is a perfectly valid reason to pursue this, why the cop from the Bay Area who couldn't be present for his kids started playing drums again a month after treatment, and why the family almost always sees the improvement before the patient does. Dr. Nanos also gets personal — she has mild anxiety and insomnia, was skeptical when she first tried TMS on herself, and has now done it multiple times since. Her kids describe her as chill. She credits the machine.   Timeline Summary [0:00] Introduction to the Dad Edge mission and the movement to raise leaders of families and communities [1:03] What TMS is — transcranial magnetic stimulation, FDA approved for 18 years, not electric shock therapy [2:38] How negative stress loops form in the brain — and how TMS creates new synaptic pathways around them [5:41] The difference between TMS and ECT — why TMS was born and why ECT is the last resort [6:59] Why TMS hasn't gone mainstream — 40 days, insurance barriers, and older devices that were uncomfortable [8:11] Stanford condenses it to five days and gets a 90% response rate — then Dr. Nanos condenses it to one [10:05] The single-day protocol study — 34 patients, same results as Stanford, now being studied at UCLA and Harvard [12:16] Response rate vs. remission — what the clinical measurements actually mean [14:47] Introducing Dr. Nanos — Kind Health Group, Kind TMS, and refusing to stay inside the lines of traditional medicine [17:15] What the experience actually feels like — comfortable table, dim lights, binaural beats, light tapping on the skull [24:00] Why medication is only 40-50% effective for depression — and why TMS is a more targeted approach [28:01] Men and mental health — the walk of shame, the fear of looking broken, and why burnout is a valid reason to come in [30:44] High-functioning people at their last straw — midlife, peak career, aging parents, hormonal shifts, and the perfect storm [31:40] What patients feel after the 12-hour day — tired, then slow incremental change, sleep improves first [33:41] The Marine Corps veteran who felt agitated around his kids — and what changed after TMS [35:58] TMS is scaffolding, not a silver bullet — you still have to do the climbing [39:22] Who is a candidate — ages ten into their 90s, autism spectrum, teens, veterans, first responders [43:25] The cop from the Bay Area — Iraq War veteran, suicide attempt in his past, couldn't be present for his kids [45:23] He got the band back together — and his wife saw the change before he did [47:27] What happens when patients relapse — booster sessions, obsessive follow up, and a year of ongoing care [49:07] Insurance only covers the 40-day protocol — and only after failing 3-4 medications [51:06] The price point — $12,000 for the full year of care including financing options and veteran programs [54:07] Dr. Nanos did TMS on herself — skeptical at first, now does booster sessions every 6-7 months   Five Key Takeaways TMS is not electric shock therapy. It is safe, FDA approved, has no long-term side effects, and has been around for 40 years. Most men have simply never heard of it. You do not have to be in a mental health crisis to benefit from TMS. High-functioning men who feel flat, burned out, or not quite like themselves are exactly who this was designed for. Burnout is a brain state, not a character flaw. The negative stress loops that build up over years of pressure, peak career, and family demands can be addressed — and the first thing that tends to improve is sleep. TMS is scaffolding, not a silver bullet. It gives you the pathways to climb out of the hole. But you still have to do the work — therapy, exercise, and the lifestyle habits that keep the pathways open. The people around you will see the change before you do. The cop's wife saw his improvement first. Dr. Nanos's kids noticed before she did. Your family is watching — and they want their dad back.   Links & Resources Dad Edge Business Boardroom — June 1st cohort, applications open through May 31st: http://thedadedge.com/boardroom Kind TMS website: https://kindtms.com Kind Health Group: https://kindhealthgroup.com Follow Dr. Nanos on Instagram: @doctorgeogienos Kind TMS on Instagram: @kindtms Call Kind TMS directly: (760) 701-5463 Episode Link & Resources (Episode 1482): https://thedadedge.com/1482   Closing If there's one message from this episode that stands out, it's this: you do not have to keep white-knuckling it through life. The cop from the Bay Area was drowning in silence — a past suicide attempt, a demanding job, young kids, aging parents, and nowhere to put any of it. One month after treatment, he's playing drums again. His wife sees it. His kids feel it. That is what is possible when a man stops waiting until it gets bad enough and starts asking what getting better actually looks like. Go out and live legendary.

Retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former NYPD officer Jimmy Dennedy and NYC Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione for a gripping discussion on violent crime, justice, and redemption. Jimmy recounts the shocking murder of NYPD officers Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster by the Black Liberation Army, while Michael reveals the challenges of prosecuting those responsible. The conversation then shifts to something unexpected—redemption. After retiring, Jimmy began working in prison ministry, where he witnessed firsthand how even hardened criminals, including mobsters, can change their lives. This episode dives deep into: The reality of cop killings in New York City The struggle to prosecute violent offenders Inside stories from mob cases Redemption and transformation inside prisons Get the book Hard Guys Cry. If you're interested in true crime, mafia history, and real law enforcement stories, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Subscribe for more mafia history and true crime stories every week. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here.  To purchase one of my books, click here. [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers, good to be back here in studio, Gangland Wire. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and now turned podcaster. And I have another retired cop here on the show, Jimmy Dennedy. Jimmy, I tell you what, I had it down, Dennedy, like Kennedy. And our friend who’s been on here several times, Michael Vecchione. Welcome, Michael. Welcome, Jimmy. Thank you very much for having us, Gary. Thank you. All right. Michael has several books out there. He’s, he’s prosecuted the mob. That’s how I got onto him. He prosecuted the, he had something to do with the mob cops, Louis Eppolito. And I can’t remember exactly now. I should have made a note on that, Michael. What was the name of that book? [0:48] The name of the book? Friends of the Family. Friends of the Family. Is that those two New York PD coppers that were in the pay of? Louis Eppolito and Louis Eppolito was one of the cops. And you know what, Gary? during the, when Jimmy, when you talk to Jimmy, Jimmy has a kind of a, an odd situation regarding Louie Eppolito. And, and it’s a good story. I think he should tell you, tell your listeners. All right. Great. We look forward to that, Jimmy and Jimmy Denity, who was a New York city policeman. And he has a book, tough dies to cry. Hard guys cry. Let me do that over again. Yeah. I said, I left, I had it written down here and he had Jimmy Denity is here with us. He is a retired New York City copper, and he has a book, Hard Guy’s Cry. So welcome, Jimmy. [1:34] Good morning. Thank you very much for having me. All right, Michael, you and Jimmy, did you guys work together a little bit on the job? Did you know each other back then? Yeah, we certainly did. We’ve probably known each other now for maybe 45 or more years. I got to know Jimmy because I got assigned a case involving, unfortunately, the death, the murder of two New York City police officers who were assigned to Jimmy’s precinct at the time in Bed-Stuy. And it was a case that had been tried twice before I got it. And there were hung juries in both of the cases. And the DA at that point was going to just simply decide to not prosecute it anymore. And the head of the policeman’s union went to the DA, the district attorney, and said, listen, just give it one more shot. So I was at the time the head of a group called the Major Offense Bureau in the Brooklyn DA’s office. And I got, I’ll never forget this. I was sitting at my desk and the boss of the unit, the bureau that I was part of, came into my office and said, come with me. We’ll go to see the DA. [2:41] I didn’t know. I thought maybe I was in trouble for some reason, but I sat down and he said, listen, I want to give you one more shot. I want to take this case to trial one more time and you are the guy that we want to do it. So I was happy to do it. I tried a lot of cases by that point. And, and the best part of the whole situation, Gary is I met Jimmy Danity. That was, he, we became fast friends and I got to tell you a little funny story. He had been involved in the two other trials. [3:11] But when he sat down with me, the first thing he said to me was, or one of the first things was, do you eat lunch? I said, yeah, of course I eat lunch. Why? He said, the guy that tried the case before you and the one before him, they didn’t eat lunch. And by the time the afternoon came, their energy was all waned, had waned. And he said, so here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to have lunch on your desk every time you come back for the lunch break from the trial. And he did. There was a sandwich waiting for me every day when I came back, and he is the guy that brought it to me. But before the trial, we went out. Me, Jimmy, and detective from the Homicide Bureau, who was assigned to the case. [3:57] Tony Martin, went out to the scene. And again, another one of these scenes, which I’ll never forget. The scene was in the middle of Bed-Stuy on Troop Avenue. Jimmy, that was the, yeah. [4:10] Willoughby and Troop. Willoughby and Troop. So we’re on the street and the three of us are standing there right on the sidewalk. And we look around and I said to Tony, did you hit every one of these buildings looking for witnesses? Because there was a problem with the case with the witnesses. One had died in a very strange way. And so he looked around I don’t know if you remember this, Jimmy And he pointed to a building Diagonally across from the spot Where the two cops were shot And he said, Mike We never went into that building, And Jimmy and Tony went into the building, canvassed it and came up with two new witnesses. And so it was a wonderful experience working with Jimmy. He was a hard worker. He really was tied to this case in the sense that these guys were his friends. They were two guys who were gunned down for really no reason by a member of the Black Liberation Army at the time who was part of the Attica riots here in New York. He was actually one of the guys who started the Attica riots in New York. And he was out and he was with another guy. And we believe that they were going to meet another one of their fellow. [5:27] I don’t want to call them gang members, to set up a robbery. And that’s why they were in Brooklyn. And the case had so many ups and downs and twists and turns. And it was something which I obviously will never forget. But the best part about it, I’ll repeat myself, is that I met Jimmy Denity. And he and I have been friends from that point on until today. And so let me just get to the book because Hard Guy’s Cry to me was a labor of love. It really was. I got a call one afternoon and I’m sitting out on my deck and Jimmy calls me and we just got to talking and he asked me about doing a book about his life and his story. And I said, it’s great. There are lots of books out there about cops and street cops and what they’ve done on the street. He said, so he said, oh, but he started to now expand on it. And then he told me the second part of his career, which was the prison ministry in the federal prison and a state prison here in New York. And I said, Jimmy, you buried the lead. That’s the part of this book that I can sell to a publisher. Because Gary, you probably know this. You probably interviewed these guys who do books when they retire. This was just going to be one of those. Jimmy’s career on the street was terrific. [6:47] The only problem was there are lots of guys who have books out there like that. So when he told me the story about his prison ministry, I was working at the time with a partner of mine, Jerry Schmetterer, who has now passed away. And we both talked about it and we said, this is definitely a story. This is definitely a book. And it’s been a long journey, Jim, until we got to this point. We’ve had COVID. We’ve had the Minneapolis, the guy in Minneapolis who was killed and agents saying to us, nobody wants to publish a book about a good cop. Nobody wants to do that. You can’t sell this until I didn’t give up. I really didn’t give up. And I took the proposal and I rewrote it after Jerry died. And then I sent it out to a couple of publishers and one of them grabbed it and said, yes, I want to do this. And then believe it or not, Gary, his publishing company hit the skids in terms of being able to spend money. He went out of business. So I had one more shot and I gave it to the publisher of my novels. [7:55] And she finally is the one who said, yes, let’s do this. And then here we are today. [8:01] It’s really, again, I said this before, but it was a journey of love. It really was to tell this guy’s story. and we, I know I’m repeating myself, but we became such good friends that our families got to know each other. I went to Jimmy’s house for holidays. We really just became very good friends. And here we are. And I’m so happy that I was able to write this book because I really believe that the people who read it will say, wow, this is a great guy. This is a great guy. And he is. Interesting. Hey, Jimmy, I got a couple of questions for you. Now, you worked, that was the Rocco and Lori case, if I remember right. And everybody who worked big city policing at the time, that scared the dog shit out of us. It was like these guys just laid in wait for a couple patrolmen to walk by, stepped out and shot them. That was my impression. And I worked that kind of a neighborhood. And we were jumping. We were pretty jumpy for quite a while. And it wasn’t solved for a while. We knew it was some kind of a political act, or at least that’s what we’re led to believe. Did you guys feel the same way in New York? Let me just stop you for a second. The case that I did with Jimmy was Norman Cerullo and Christina Soames years later. The one that you’re talking about, Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster, was much earlier. [9:21] Jimmy was involved in it because he was a good friend of Rocco Laurie. They went to the academy together. But I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to make sure that we were talking about the right thing. [9:33] So that kind of a case, you actually went through two of them. So tell us about your feelings about that. Did that, how did that affect your dealings on the street? I was in the academy with Rocco Laurie, right? And we had both come out of the Marine Corps at the same time. And we worked out together. We boxed together. And some of the guys were slacking off. The guy’s name was Mr. Clean. He was the instructor. He would say, okay, now you’re going to box with Denny or you’re going to box with Laurie. Of course, they were slacking. We weren’t slacking. Oh, God. That was me. They said, Jenkins, go over there and box with one of those guys. No brother in Lime. [10:12] So we became close we we knew his wife he knew that time it was my girlfriend but that was my wife we had gone out to dinner and he was a really good man in the academy i won the gun for physical fitness he won the gun for overall excellence and we got pictures with our guns together and stuff. So I was working at midnight with this guy, Victor Grillo, nice guy. And a job came over. Cops shot in Manhattan. We were in Brooklyn. It’s on the other side of the bridge. So we’re saying, wait. And that became the ninth precinct. That’s where Rocco worked. So we used to call him the Rock. I hope it’s not the Rock. And it turns out it was him. These guys executed him. They were basically a domestic terrorist group. They were robbing banks. They were killing cops for no reason. They just walked past them, turned around, opened up on them. And they shot them all over the face to the groin. And then they took their guns and shot them. And some of the guns actually wound up out in St. Louis or in West Area. [11:16] So did it affect me? Absolutely. I became, I don’t want to say callous, but I was very leery of everybody. [11:26] And I started, my niche was guns. I locked up a lot of guys for a lot of guns. But anything to do with it, Black Liberation Army or anything, I used to accumulate information, intelligence information, and my locker was full of it. I’d lock up a guy, and they used to have years ago the little address books. I used to take their address books, and they would ask me information, the FBI, the Major K-Squad, Jimmy, have any information on this guy? And which I did many times, right? Fast forward several years later, I’m out, and I’m having a few cocktails, and then i drove back to the precinct the 79th precinct to meet a friend of mine bobby perry, and while i was at the front of the desk there’s a place they could check your messages if anybody calls you messages so i’m checking my messages and it came over shots fired then it came over cop shot then it came over two cop shot then i drove down to my civilian car right it was dark, and it was like help you know radio card door is open you know I mean blood all over the place he also shot his friend right and he’s laying it dead with a gun in his hand his blood all over the place it was a nightmare so let me figure this out but now everybody name others coming down because he’s cop-killing students a doubleheader so to speak and then I see the blood going across the street and the blood stops. [12:53] So obviously somebody was shot. It’s not our guys. And then I assume he got into a car. [13:00] So I’m trying to figure, is he going to go to the Spanish neighborhood or deeper into the black neighborhood? And I said, let me go to the hospital. So I drive to the hospital to see if they need blood or anything. And out of the corner of my eye, when I passed Lexington Avenue, I see there had been a car accident. A guy hit parked cars. I kept going. And then I told Mike, you know, my father gave us a game when we were kids. It was called Game in the States. at a map of the united states and you had two little electric wires and you plug one into the state and there’s a list of capitals on the other side and when you hit that the light would go on you got the right answer and as god is the lord a light went off in my head just like it was the right state capital yeah went to the hospital and they did you know and then this guy paulie has ever seen him he’s crying he was in plain clothes anti-crime i said paulie listen to me Two things. Once, I want to come in the car. I’m going to go back to the scene. Because when I got there, there was a Spanish guy on the pool across the street. And he was a little biggazy type guy himself. But he used to give me information. He used to give me information on his competitors. Yeah. [14:10] Yes. So when he saw me, you know, he ran. Right? I wanted to come back and talk to him. But on the way back, I said, Paul, I’m going to stop at this accident scene. This is, it’s just there. Yeah. Go back there. Ambulance is starting to pull away fire truck was there pulling away so i went over there they said it’s an accident scene the guy’s injured i said what kind of injury is it the guy said well he dressed his wound because he won he refused medical aid this guy so i said i just dressed his wound i saw undress the wound let me look at it i’m not undressing the wound i went over and i just ripped it off and it’s a gunshot wound yeah right yeah so all he had a radio calls the sergeant down and they bring a witness from willoughby avenue she comes down she says that’s the guy who killed the two cops so we get him put him in the ambulance right in the ambulance he’s a big boy this guy right and he goes reach and grabs my gun from my holster so now it’s like an arm wrestle for the gun between me him and paulie saracena and during this arm wrestle necessary force was used and the necessary force was used until he dropped the gun or he got the gun from him. Goes to the hospital. He has a Derringer behind his belt buckle and he has police handcuff key. [15:38] These guys are the real deal. Yeah, that’s a real deal. They train for this stuff. They associate but others that train they shoot you know what i mean so it’s just uncanny that rocko was my friend and he was murdered in a double police homicide and then a few years later i lock up a guy from the same team that killed two of my friends you know it was a nightmare and then we went to trial and that’s how i met mike and it’s a very. [16:09] It’s pressing on your brain. Yeah. Something like this happens. And then, and I don’t have to tell you, Gary, but then you get other cases. So you’re making more gun arrests, but you still have this. You know what I mean? It’s, it’s tough. It’s tough. But it was. I just want to interrupt for one second. One of the, Jimmy mentioned her. They brought a witness back to the scene to identify the, the bad guy. And, uh, and she was a great witness. She was there when the shooting occurred. She was actually moving into the building that the shooting happened in front of. And so the case was, we had a couple of, she was the best eyewitness to the case. And as Jimmy and Tony Martin, the detective who were assigned together after the actual arrest, because we had, they had to get the case together and look for more witnesses, et cetera. [16:58] They went one day to see this particular young woman to talk to her and see what was, if everything was still good, if she was okay. Turns out she was in the hospital nobody knew this she had gone into the hospital we were told because she had a cold she died in the hospital gary from a cold which is what we thought turns out she had encephalitis but the thing was at the time we said who goes into a hospital number one with a cold and who dies from a cold so we at that point not me but i wasn’t on the case yet, but others. And then when Jimmy told me this later on, I said to myself. [17:42] It’s got to be some connection to the bad guys. Maybe they poisoned her. Maybe they did something and we looked into it. It turned out, Jimmy, what was the disease that she had? I think she had herpes viral encephalitis in the brain. It’s a possibility that it can be induced. Yeah. So that’s what we looked at. And the medical examiner at the time of the death never really looked. The DA who had the case at the time thought, ah, this is a slam dunk. We had this witness, that witness. Jimmy arrests the guy and he’s got the bullet, which another thing happened. He wouldn’t allow the medical people to take the bullet out of his leg. It was the cop’s bullet. Yeah. So we wouldn’t, he wouldn’t let him do it. So we had to go with a, an x-ray of the bullet at the trial instead of the bullet itself. But it was, it’s a case with, as I said before, excuse me, many twists and turns. And it’s the whole story is in the book. And I don’t want to take away from Jimmy’s story here, but I have a legal question. You couldn’t get a search warrant to take the bullet out of a person. Is that? [18:51] We tried, and you know what the judge said? No. Uh-huh, okay. I just, I never ran into that. I’ve heard that before where the bullet stays inside and you can’t get it. I just. [19:03] I tried. The judge wouldn’t give us the search, the ability to search, quote unquote, which meant taking the bullet out of his leg. Anyway, so that’s where we, that’s where we met. And it was, it was quite a case. And Jimmy, I understand you, you go through your career and you see all these horrible things and you’re harding yourself. And you know, the title of your book, hard girls, hard boys, hard men cry. I don’t know why I got hard guys cry. I don’t know why I can’t remember. I should remember from Norman Mailer’s tough guys don’t dance, but hard guys cry. And so you harden yourself all those years, but then something happened in your life. Apparently that changed, changed that. I know after I retired, partly what happened to me is I became a lawyer and I started dealing with people from not particularly criminals, but many times relatives of people who had gone to jail. And I worked for public defenders and really got to know people on the other side and realize that we’re just two sides of the same coin many times trying to get along and trying to get by. So what happened in your life that changed that, your attitude? [20:11] When I retired, there was an old man who was a farmer, and it was like a late-year-type situation. This farmhouse was falling apart. The second floor was owned by raccoons. He had electricity in one room and no running water, but he was the calmest, nicest, most spiritual guy you ever wanted to meet. Almost no teeth. He had one tooth. And there was Louis Adamski. We used to call him Louis the farmer. So I used to take care of Louis. was taking over my house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, driving down this long driveway, see how he’s doing. And I didn’t see him for a while. So I drove down the driveway one particular day and I said, Louie, I haven’t seen you. You haven’t called. He said, he had bladder cancer. I said, really? I said, wow. He said, you had two surgeries. I said, you’re going for follow-up treatment? And he said, I’m supposed to go every 90 days, but he had no insurance, zero, no Social services, nothing. And the doctors were suing him. And they wanted his farm. He owned one-tenth of his farm. It had about 80 acres. But it was heirs. Everybody in his family had passed away. I said, Louie, you got to get follow-up treatment. So there was a city that’s not about a half hour away called Newburgh, New York. And there was a urologist I was familiar with. So I told him the story. This guy has nothing. He said to me, if you will drive him, I will treat him like the president of the United States. [21:40] So for two and a half years, just about every month, sometimes twice a week, it all depends when his visits were, I would drive Louie. So it was like an all day affair almost because I have my own business, so I don’t show up for work. What do I care? So I take care of Louie all this time and my friends are patting me on the back saying, oh, you’re Louie’s angel. So one particular day we go in and… [22:03] He, if Louis checker, he calls me into the, uh, his consultation room and he says, so your friend’s cancer is back. She got to be kidding me. He said, yeah, I feel it on his prostate. He said, he has someone for biopsy Friday. This was on a Wednesday. I said, I don’t know how he’s going to get there. It’s an old day. I said, doc, listen, I’m married to this guy for two and a half years. I said, I’ll take him. He said, you sure? It was an old day. I said, doc, I don’t care. He said, all right. He said, I’ll tell you what, as long as you’re going to take them, your PSA is just borderline high. He said, I feel there’s nothing on your prostate, but if you’re going to take it, let me give you a biopsy too. I said, fine, I don’t care. So I take, we both get the biopsy. The next Wednesday, he calls them both of us in. I have cancer as well, worse than his, right? So he got radiation. I went out to New York City. There was a top flight surgeon in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. And I told him the story like I’m telling you now. So he said, you got to cut that out of there. You don’t want it in there. So they cut me a half. They took it out. And in the recovery room, he comes in and he says to me, you weren’t Louis’ angel. Louis was your angel. He said, you had a C-grade cancer. It was starting to spread, but I got everything. [23:15] So he said, you would have been dead about a year and a half. He said, because you had no signs, no symptoms. By the time you had the symptoms, it would be all over. Yeah. So it changes the way you think that I was invited to go on to this, a religious retreat weekend, a Cresillo weekend. I didn’t want to go. I’m not a holy roller. It’s not my cup of tea, but I socially boxed in like friends. So then your wife has to go too. So my wife, Noraline said, oh, I’ll go. And I said, oh, yeah, now I got to go. So I go on this week. it’s it’s thursday friday saturday sunday you can’t bring a watch you didn’t have cell phones then right so you’re stuck there so i went and i hooked up for a couple of other ex-marines and this actor mike was poorly he was on the sopranos so i sit in the back like we’re just going to ride this one out oh we can write it out it turns out that it was very moving, it’s very moving and people spoke that thought they were like punks i knew them indirectly they had quite a story to tell and then, weekend was over and on the way back it was November and I was telling Mike I rolled the windows down it was like spring, spring in my mind you see things differently like these computer generated pictures you see what it is but if you stare at it long enough another picture comes out within the picture and kind of life came out of life for me I saw things differently, Then these guys asked me to go into the prison. [24:42] Listen, I say, listen, you’re a carpenter. You’re a plumber. You don’t know what these guys are. I’ve thrown these guys down stamps and shot a guy at my house. Crazy. Again, I’m socially boxed in. So we go up to the prison. It was 41 of us, 41 of us. It’s called the Kairos. It’s an interdenominational… [25:01] Prison ministry. So I sit in a big circle, piece of paper, it passes around. When you get it, you have to say who you are, where you’re from. So I get it. I said, my name’s Jimmy Danity. I live in Orange County, New York. I’m married. I have two children, and I retired from the Oak City Police Department. They booed me. I told Mike, it was like an old dog growling. Yeah. Yeah. I said, what am I doing here? So the next day, because you had to sleep up in the prison too, The next day, you’re at a table. So you have an inmate on either side. So there’s like maybe nine people at the table. And there’s three of us, six of them. And don’t ask them what they did. Never referred them as a prisoner, as a resident. They were like, guys, I grew up with their neighbor. I said, what did you do? You stupid. So it becomes, it was a religious weekend. But also, it’s practical life. And you guys were good. You know what I mean? I got along well with them. So we did every day and it was friday saturday sunday they finished and that’s it i’m done i’m done with this i said i’d do it and i’m saying i wonder if any of my guys would show up to a wednesday night they have a wednesday night follow-up at this organization i wonder if any of my guys would be there so you know what let me show let me go to one wednesday right all my guys. [26:22] Oh, my gosh. And that was the only, Gary, that was the only table where all of them showed up again. So that’s why he knew that this was the right thing for him. I’m sorry, Jim. I just want to know. And so this was still in the prison. Yeah. Back up the prison. Yeah. And they invited these guys. If you want, you can come to this follow up. At that time, every Wednesday at six o’clock, they could go into the chapel to this particular group meeting. So I just want to see if any of my guys are going to show up. They all showed up and then the volunteers drop off and then i said let me do another wednesday, and another wednesday and it comes like everybody wants to talk to you it’s like when you go into the pet store where puppies say they want you to pick them like pick me and it you get you wind up with a group i tell mike they’re my guys and then you wind up it’s a spiritual thing no question about it right it’s brand involved and everything but you go through life with these guys and a lot them have a lot of crazy situations yeah and one guy is a mafia guy and i think frankie and he wants to say jimmy this new guy he wants to talk to your jug it’s all right so he takes me behind this little interdenomination altar they got there right so i said hey don’t you he says remember me i said no he said you should you broke my nose so i said when did i break your nose He said. [27:46] Yeah, in the park on 53rd Street where we used to play hockey. He said, your brother, I remember you. I mentioned his name, his last name. I said, you were messing with the park attendant. I slammed a basketball in his face. You know what I mean? He never forgot it. They told Frankie, yeah, he was crazy before he went to the Marine Corps. I’d make guys in there. [28:04] I worked. Yeah. The drug cases that they had. [28:09] You know, I knew who their bosses were. I testified in Philadelphia against one of these guys’ big bosses. And it’s just, it was like almost an inside straight. It was like meant to be. It was meant to be. And then my parish priest, so then I started, I was in the denominational night. The Catholic guys had nothing. I started a Catholic night with a few other good guys, my friend Brian and a few other guys, right, on Thursday. So now I’m going there Wednesday and Thursday. So my parish priest said, the state maximum security doesn’t have anything like this. Let’s start one there. So I’m going Wednesday, the federal prison, Thursday to the state max. You know, and it, I did it for 25 years, two days a week. Wow. And if the guys in Brooklyn, where I was a cop, knew I was doing this, they say, wrong guy, definitely. Somebody else, you got the wrong guy. Yeah. It’s the way the good Lord leads you. Now, something changed in your life and it’s not like you had any control of it. It just, it changed. You opened yourself up. It seems to me like it. And you just didn’t have any choice but to go down this path. And you know what it is also, Gary, it’s also like you’re preventing crime. You’re doing the same thing only from the inside. From the inside, you want to change the way they think, the way they act. And there’s a million things I could tell you how I was able to change things in a prison. They’re going to stab somebody. The guy who was a rat. [29:32] And they didn’t like him. I didn’t like him. And I told him, listen, I like the guy. He said, you like the guy? Don’t get involved in this. I said, do what you want to do. I like the guy. They never touch the guy. Because if they do something like that, then they’re going to hurt you. [29:46] Gary, I think Jimmy should tell you, he’s talking about the effect he had on these guys. What really was the point of the prison ministry was to essentially make these guys, I think, better people and to change their lives. I think you should tell him, ask Jimmy, tell him the story of the Boston mobster because this one, this story has, it really hits home as to exactly what effect he had on someone who was one of guys that you might have on your show. someday. This guy was a really bad guy. And he was up there with Whitey Bulger, et cetera, in Boston. So I think it’s worthwhile to tell the story. And it really hits home in terms of how effective Jimmy was after being effective on the street, locking up these guys, what he did with the prison. So if you have a bit of time, I think it’s worthwhile to hear the story. Yeah, let’s hear it. I always want to hear stories about mobsters, anyhow. Yep. Go ahead, Jim. We were up at the federal prison, and it was during the holiday season, right? And the volunteer chaplain was Father Paul Papara, and he was giving a talk on forgiveness. So we had all these wise guys. It was a mess. They had all different guys. This particular time, a couple of wise guys, they had their arms folded, and they said, Father, you want me to forgive the guy that ratted me out? [31:05] He’s home with his family, and I’m here doing X amount of years left on my bid. So I raised my hand. so I said listen if this guy is lying and put you in prison for no reason shame on him he should rot in hell but if he just exposed what you did anyway you know you did it if you did it the good lord see you live in a fishbowl the guy just exposed you for what you did that’s, You have no bitch here, pal. Jimmy, this guy Jimmy, he’s a different name than him. Jimmy stands up and he says, listen, I’ve been in jail. I’ve killed people. I don’t want to, I forgive anybody. I want forgiveness. I’ll forgive anybody. So that was it. Eventually, Jimmy, a couple years later, goes home. So he called me at my office a couple years later and he wanted me to write a letter of reference to work at the docks with Homeland Security. I said, I don’t know how to write it. Put down that I was a prisoner and just what you thought of me. No problem. So I met him in the prison, stuff like that, right? [32:03] About a year after that or so, I get a call from him again. He says, hey, Jimmy, you got time? Hey, Jimmy. I said, good. I got all the time in the world for you. He said, what’s up, pal? He said, I was on a train platform. He says, and I see this guy. Him and his associate tried to kill me. They had stabbed me 13 times. He said, I already took care of his friend. And I walked up to him like a face-to-face with him. Then he recognized me the guy turned white and urinated all over himself because he knows he’s there jimmy says to me i put my finger on his face and i told him you know that thing you’re worried about right get out of here i forgive you i get the fuck out of here now and he says to me jimmy it would have been easier for me to clip this guy and to forgive the guy but i forgave him, And I’m saying, Jimmy, I’m so proud of you, I can’t, just, and he, for him to call me to tell me how he responded to that situation, you know, which was completely out of character to the old guy, the old Jim. He was very proud of himself, and I was very proud of him. [33:09] So that’s the story Mike has told. It was the story, quite frankly, Gary. Didn’t he have one of the Westies in there with him? They were some particularly brutal crew in New York City. Yeah, yeah, he did. [33:25] We had a few of them up there. We had Jimmy Coonan, who started the Westies. Oh, okay. Jimmy was there, and I was friendly with Jimmy because I knew guys that he knew. The guys at Otisville Prison is a high medium. [33:38] Lewisburg is a max so when guys behave even a max they could come down to the media so when he came down he never came to the services and stuff we were talking all the way on the side but another fellow was a Westie a tough guy you know what I mean they would, drive through jewelry stores, 50 miles an hour go inside and rob everything but they would go in there before with their girlfriends looking good dressed nice they knew where this stuff was and they would take everything and he wound up getting locked up for almost like a Lufthansa type thing at the airport only they got caught so he was at my first weekend in the prison and we became very close friends and I tried to help him and he responded very positively, and he’s sitting in a circle there’s a cross, whoever has the cross has the microphone, nobody interrupts when you’re done, the next guy talks, he was talking and we finished, the Spanish kid so the Spanish kid is talking and he’s talking, so I told him what are you talking for Rich he can’t be talking like that the kid’s talking so he didn’t come for a few months then he comes back right and we’re sitting there talking and then he has a cross and he puts his head down. [34:54] And he starts talking and he says, you know, something happened to me. You can’t explain it. You had a Spanish kid in the next cell, right? It was a new guy. They robbed the sneakers and the kid had no sneakers. I know he’s got his head down. Now I’m thinking maybe he robbed the kid’s sneakers, right? He says, I gave him my sneakers because I had an extra pair. And as he’s telling the story, his head is down. The floor is gray, but getting darker, the teardrops. He’s telling the story he’s crying and then he says maybe I’m not all bad after all yeah I said how can you think of yourself like that he eventually goes home so, we my wife Norley and I get invited to his wedding which is a no-no but the guy was home so and the wedding is on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. [35:46] Yeah so we go down at the wedding and we’re like the oddball there but He could introduce us to enough people, you know, and if you see change in people, it’s wonderful. If on the street, if you go to these religious retreats, people go jumping out like a gazelle. But in prison, if an elephant jumps in it, it’s a miracle. Yeah. I mean, if you see somebody that thinks that they’re ugly, they’re not ugly inside. So I found it very rewarding. And. They, I didn’t think they’d respond to retired law enforcement, but they responded well. Yeah. Because I spoke their language. Yeah. So it lasted 25 years, Gary. Yeah. I’ve got a couple of guys here in Kansas city that it’s not a spiritual kind of a thing, but I’ve become friends with them. And one guy told me, he’s fine. He said, he said, I can talk to you and you understand what I’m talking about. He said, all the rest of the people in my life anymore, cause he’s out of the life. He said, they don’t understand what I’m talking about. He said, I don’t have to get back into life, but I can talk to you and you know, you know, the people I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about. I said, yeah, I do. [36:56] So obviously in case it was pretty obvious that we were, when we started to hear all these stories, when he told, told Jerry and I the story of the, the mobster who was crying because given the sneaker, that’s where the books, the title of the book comes from, art guys cry. But there’s one other guy in there that you should ask him about. And that is we had this, I don’t even know what to call him. He was really an oddball guy, a criminal in New York. He was a rich guy who owned a lot of, he ran art galleries and collected art galleries and collected paintings and got into the art world and was advising rich people as to what art they were buying. And it turns out he was basically a sadist. And he had another guy with him who he and the other guy wound up, he didn’t get charged with this, his partner did, wound up killing somebody. And when they found the body buried laying in the woods in upstate New York, he had one of those. [38:02] Sadomasochistic masks on him, his black mask. And this individual was one of Jimmy’s guys and he was a hardcore, am I right, Jimmy, in terms of not wanting help at all. He was just the kind of guy who, you know, if you help them, it was going to be a miracle. And he did. He helped them and it’s a miracle. And it’s worthwhile to tell the story about this guy. His name was Andrew Crispo. He’s no longer alive. And he was all over the newspapers here in New York City because of the whole masochistic, the sadomasochist activity that he was involved in. And that the picture of the dead body with that black mask on was all over the newspapers. And this guy, we have his picture in the book. If you see him, it’s butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He looked like the nicest guy in the world. Businessman. Turns out he was really one of the worst guys in terms of how he treated people. And Jimmy finally got to him. It was, to me, one of the more miraculous transformations when I heard all of the stories was this one because of what he was on the outside and what he became after Jimmy had him and he got out. He did not repeat his life the way that he was before here. Chris Bowe was a tough guy, right, Jimmy, in terms of getting to him? [39:28] Andrew, Sky Andre brought him down to one of our groups. And he asked me if he could bring his friend down the shirt. Everybody’s welcome, of course. And you’ve been around tough guys your whole life. Everybody’s a tough guy. You’re a tough guy. Everybody’s a tough guy. This guy had no muscle tone. He was like ashing in color. He looked like a raccoon. He had like rings around his eyes. And he was like creepy, creepy. So he came. And then he came for about seven years all the time. You get to know him, right? And he got grabbed for that sero-masochistic murder, but they couldn’t prove it. He got locked up, attempted kidnapping, the three-year-old daughter of the federal trustee. That’s why he was in jail now federal jail but he if you make a long story short he, doesn’t know who his parents are right and i’m not bleeding on i’m just telling you the way it is, he was dropped off at an orphanage as an infant and i was there for sentencing and this is what the judge said mr crispo he said before i sentence you i’d like you to know that i researched your history as a newborn you were dropped off in an orphanage right you remain there for 18 years where you were repeatedly beaten up and raped and. [40:47] But after leaving there, you managed to raise yourself up to get on the top of the art world, even owning a world-renowned art gallery in New York City. He said, for that, he said, I give you credit. However, then he banged him for seven years on the other thing. But he came down, and he had nothing spiritually. And if you sit with him and you talk with him, he kind of listened. He came around. [41:13] Like I told Mike, there was another guy. colombian guy his wife used to bring his daughter to work all the time so he came into the group a little late and he’s crying and then i said what’s the matter he said he said i’m not gonna see my daughter for two weeks i said well the comment told me once there’s a price for loving the price for loving is the absence of love you have to experience the love to miss it mr andrew who was sitting on our group andrew could you tell him a little bit about yourself oh yeah he said see the visiting room that you were in with your wife and the child, I’ve never been in there, and I’ll never be in there. And they said, there’s nothing worse than being alone, than being alone and no one cares. [41:56] And he came, and the rings went from his eyes, and then he became involved in all this other stuff. And he actually became a kind guy. He got involved with the church and things like that. And then he eventually went home. I’ll tell you the money he had. You need the money for an appeal? He sold one painting for $2.46 million. Oh wow the attorney’s fee that’s just one thing he had money but he had nothing yeah he had nothing and then when he went home he used to correspond you know and he’d write beautiful things thanks for the prayers thanks for your wife how’s your dog it’s not the same guy but he wasn’t like like what he’s tattooed tough guys he was like creepy tough and at the end when he left my opinion He was not. So if you can help somebody, it’s nice to help somebody if you can. Yeah. That’s interesting. That’s a true shift in the personality and to give somebody some spiritual hope in their life that they can, from what you’re describing to what he was to what he left when he left. That’s amazing. Exactly. That’s an amazing story. [43:01] There it is. Cry, The Journey of a Tough Cop from the Mean Streets to a Prison Ministry, Jimmy Dennedy and Michael Vecchione. Jimmy and Michael, I appreciate you guys so much for coming on and telling these stories. And guys, there’s a lot more stories just like this and better in the book. I’ll have links to get it down in the show notes. [43:22] And guys, you got anything last words you want to say? Anything you left out? [43:28] Gary, listen, keep getting those pension checks. [43:33] Yes, I will. I told my wife, Nora, put my feet in potting soil. If my toenail grows, that’s a sign of life. Keep getting that check. Really? [43:44] Thanks so much, Jimmy. All right. I just want to thank you. You’ve been terrific. And I hope that, I really mean this when I say this, people who get this book and read it or listen to it or however they want to get it into their, their mind, they’re going to love it because this guy’s story is just fantastic. And we touched on a few things, but we didn’t really touch, we didn’t get into the real meat that that’s there. And it’s, it was a, again, a pleasure to do this. So I’ve got one guy, I got one guy I talked to that has prison stories. I tell you what guys, there are so many great stories that come out of the penitentiary. It’s just, it’s amazing. I think part of these people don’t have much else current to talk about, so they tell stories from their past, and you get some great stories coming out of the prisons. Thanks a lot, guys. Gary. Thank you. God bless my friend.

Marine Recon veteran Rob Blanton sits down with Urban Valor to share one of the wildest, funniest, and most honest Marine Corps stories we've ever had on the channel. From growing up in Santa Rosa, California, to joining the United States Marine Corps almost by accident, to becoming a Force Recon Marine.Rob served in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 2014, retiring as a Master Sergeant. In this interview, he walks us through the chaos of joining the Marines on the buddy program, getting stuck on open contract, becoming an 0311 infantryman, earning his way into Force Recon, and eventually deploying into some of the most intense moments of modern military history.

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). How do veterans grapple with the emotional weight of Memorial Day? Join us for a deeply moving Memorial Day episode of the Mankind Podcast, where we revisit a conversation from our Masks Off Monday series. Featuring a heartfelt panel discussion with five veterans, including Dean Ray, a former Marine Corps helicopter crew chief, who shares a poignant piece he wrote. This episode dives into their personal stories of loss, survival, and the importance of keeping the memories of their fallen comrades alive.From the harrowing experiences of deployment to the unyielding bonds forged in the battlefield, our veterans offer an unfiltered glimpse into their lives. Hear the raw emotions tied to events such as funerals, helicopter crashes, and the impact of IEDs. Learn how communal respect and acts of kindness play crucial roles in honoring their sacrifices and providing solace to those left behind. This episode also explores how staying connected with loved ones evolves over time and the heavy burden of survivor's guilt.This episode is a profound tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to carry the scars of their service. Discover how civilians can support veterans, honor their sacrifices, and embody the admirable traits of those we've lost. Whether you're a veteran, a family member, or someone eager to understand and support those who have served, this conversation offers invaluable insights and a heartfelt tribute to our heroes. BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #AdSupport the show

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Freeman — licensed marriage and family therapist, Marine Corps veteran, and organizational development consultant known by many as “The People's Therapist.” Based in Montana, Jake brings a unique blend of military leadership, systems thinking, and clinical insight into the therapy room. After serving over a decade as a Marine Corps officer in Civil Affairs, legal, and HR roles, he transitioned into mental health with a mission: to create the kind of therapist he himself could never find. Through his practice, CareerFlex, Jake works with high-performing couples, executives, and men who often feel disconnected from traditional therapy models. His approach is direct, relational, and grounded in accountability — focusing not just on insight, but on meaningful transformation. In this conversation, we explore: Why many men feel therapy is “too soft” or disconnected from their reality Jake's personal journey from the Marine Corps into therapy The importance of pattern recognition and relational accountability Why understanding systems is essential for rebuilding relationships and personal stability What modern therapy often gets wrong about men, leadership, and change This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, responsibility, and creating spaces where people can engage honestly without performance or pretense.   Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. To take your Free Mental Health screening visit https://walkthetalkamerica.org/ or click the following link.  TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH TEST We hope you enjoy this episode. Today's show is brought to you by Audible and Zephyr Wellness. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to www.audibletrial.com/9WOGmy and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening.. If you have any questions or request send us a message at info@nogginnotes.com / info@zephyrwellness.org Hope you enjoy the podcast and please go ahead subscribe and give us a review of our show. You can write a review on iTunes. 

Marine Corps veteran Will Thompson joins us to provide his perspective on our military policy questions, including about U.S. military bases abroad, deploying during peacetimes and wartimes, serving under different administrations, and the military budget.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - send me a text hereBob Dole finishes the 1942-1943 school year at Kansas University and is almost immediately called up for active duty. His training timeline is changed multiple times - as does the military job he is training for - but once the Allies successfully land at Normandy on D-Day, he know that his time is coming. After being afraid that the war would end before he got into it, he is now sure he will be heading to the European Theater of Operation. 

Tonight's guest is Devon, calling from Indiana, and he recounts a series of strange experiences spanning decades, beginning with a vivid childhood encounter that left him waking with unexplained injuries after what felt more like contact than a dream. Years later, while serving in the Marine Corps and stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan, Devon noticed a strange cloud formation hovering above Mount Fuji that appeared solid and unnatural. Weeks later, during a quiet night in the nearby town of Gotemba, he and a fellow Marine came face-to-face with a towering humanoid figure with enormous eyes, gray-green skin, and features that Devon says were impossible to mistake for anything ordinary.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/2026-2/If you enjoy this podcast, please support the show with a virtual coffee:https://ko-fi.com/ufochroniclespodcastFollow and Subscribe on X to get ad-free episodesX: https://x.com/UFOchronpodcast/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastAll Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

MOPs & MOEs is proudly sponsored by Teamworks — the performance operations platform trusted by elite military units and professional sports organizations worldwide. Teamworks brings your scheduling, communications, athlete monitoring, and readiness data into one unified system — so your leaders stay informed, your people stay connected, and your unit stays ready. No more scattered spreadsheets or missed messages. Just one platform built for organizations where performance is the mission. Learn more at teamworkstactical.comWe are also supported by TrainHeroic — the coaching and programming platform built for strength and conditioning coaches who train serious athletes. Whether you're programming for a military unit, a tactical team, or individual athletes, TrainHeroic gives you the tools to build and deliver professional training programs, track athlete progress, and communicate directly with your people — all through one app. Your athletes get world-class programming on their phone; you get the visibility to actually coach them. Start your free trial at trainheroic.comFit at 50 and Back in the Teams — Jamie Monroe ReturnsJamie Monroe commissioned as a Navy SEAL ensign at 50 years old. That sentence alone is worth an episode. But what Drew and Alex actually get into is bigger than the headline — it's about the lies we tell ourselves about aging, what it really takes to stay ready across decades, and why identity might be the most underrated performance variable in the building.Drew and Alex also open with results from a poll that surprised everyone — including them.What we get into:How a poll asking which soldier is more operationally effective — perfect fitness score with bad sleep and stress, or minimum passing score with great relationships and recovery — came back 90% in favor of option two. And what that says about what the military actually measures versus what it probably should.Jamie's road back in — the heart murmur that got him medically declined years ago, the DCO process, three interviews, a full MEPS physical, the SEAL Physical Screening Test, and finally commissioning in front of 70 friends and family at 50 years old.Why identity is the most underrated longevity tool — Jamie has never called himself old and broken, and he credits that framing as much as any training protocol for why he's still in the game.The simple running framework that actually works — two easy runs, one tempo, one long run, 15 to 20 miles a week. No pose method required. Just run.What fitness culture looks like inside the SEAL teams now versus two decades ago — less about getting jacked, more about the HYROX athlete profile. Strong runners who can also move weight. And pull-ups that actually count.A full breakdown of every major service fitness test — what Jamie likes, what he'd cut, and why the Marine Corps three-mile run might be the most honest single measure of fitness across any branch.The FAT — Drew and Alex's Fitness Aptitude Test — one rep max deadlift, AMRAP pull-ups, five-mile run. Jamie grades it live, makes some edits, and floats a Cooper Test–style 20-minute max distance format that might actually be the move.Old generation versus new generation — who's actually fitter? Jamie gives a straight answer.Mentioned in this episode:ReadyFit — Jamie's AI-powered military fitness testing app using computer vision to automatically score reps, currently in testing with units at Holloman AFBEasy Day Sports — Jamie's event production company, including a recent 5K for the Dallas Cowboys over Draft WeekendThe Red Bull Catcher Race — the only race where the finish line chases youDSI Human Performance & Biosystems Summit — DC, coming up soon. Alex will be there Thursday.Long and Strong — the Mops and Moes training program on TrainHeroic →Want to help get Bryson DeChambeau on the show? Jamie's working on it.Views expressed are those of the speakers and do not represent any official organization.

Tonight's guest is Devon, calling from Indiana, and he recounts a series of strange experiences spanning decades, beginning with a vivid childhood encounter that left him waking with unexplained injuries after what felt more like contact than a dream. Years later, while serving in the Marine Corps and stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan, Devon noticed a strange cloud formation hovering above Mount Fuji that appeared solid and unnatural. Weeks later, during a quiet night in the nearby town of Gotemba, he and a fellow Marine came face-to-face with a towering humanoid figure with enormous eyes, gray-green skin, and features that Devon says were impossible to mistake for anything ordinary.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/2026-2/If you enjoy this podcast, please support the show with a virtual coffee:https://ko-fi.com/ufochroniclespodcastFollow and Subscribe on X to get ad-free episodesX: https://x.com/UFOchronpodcast/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastAll Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

When no other treatment made a meaningful difference for his severe PTSD, Marine Corps veteran Scott Rush turned to a promising, yet unconventional, option: MDMA-assisted therapy. We first spoke with him five years ago after he took part in a study using the psychedelic drug, so on this Memorial Day weekend, we're checking back in to hear how he's doing now, and why he says that experience changed the course of his life. Then, we talked with Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, the lead scientist from that same study, about where the science stands today, what concerns remain, and what to make of new efforts to speed up the research.   Learn more about our guest(s): https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/shownotes Join us again for our 10-minute daily news roundups every Mon-Fri!  Become an INSIDER and get ad-free episodes here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider Get The NewsWorthy MERCH here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/merch Sponsors: Head to Greenchef.com/50NEWSWORTHY and use code 50NEWSWORTHY to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months. Get Hiya's best-selling children's vitamins! Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/NEWSWORTHY. To advertise on our podcast, please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

Presented by TwinSpires Donna Brothers looks back on her brilliant 26-year broadcasting career with NBC Sports, trainer Ian Wilkes discusses his latest turf star Burnham Square, breeder John Gunther of Glenwood Farm talks about Preakness winner Napoleon Solo, and Santa Anita handicapper George Ortuzar looks ahead to a full slate of weekend stakes. Plus, a Memorial Day tribute with Marine Corps veteran and trainer Jeff Hiles, Kevin Kilroy gives you three races to watch in this week's 'TwinSpires Triple Play', Kurt Becker takes you on a weekly 'Stroll Through Racing History' presented by Keeneland and Dale Romans & Tim Wilkin debate racing's hottest storylines on 'I Ask, They Answer' presented by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program in the College of Business.

CannCon and Alpha Warrior throw out the usual format and turn the show over to the audience for a Memorial Day special. Before the lines open, the guys go round and round on whether stolen elections are best called fake or fraudulent, with Alpha holding the line on stolen and gay over fake and gay. They cover Johnny Joey Jones reenlisting in the Marine Corps at 40 with no legs, what that signals about the civilian military force the CIA quietly admitted exists, and CannCon's own story of getting forced out by Obama-era downsizing after a shoulder reconstruction. Then the calls start rolling in. Kairos reads her original poem "Hey, Ron" written for her Vietnam vet neighbor. Claire Cat honors her dad, two uncles, and British father-in-law who served from Iwo Jima to the Battle of the Bulge to pulling pilots out of London's fields. Smay calls in from the regular Army era of 1970s pay. Space Monkey shares twenty nine Palms memories. Lion AZ tells the story of her granddaughter discovering she had a relative who served. Pan Blanco, age 84, remembers his recon Marine brother G. Edward Dyer. CannCon closes with a plug for the Mighty Oaks Warrior Program.

Grant Broggi, Jeff Buege, and Trey Gottlich dive into Marine Corps-style “staff brief” chaos, Cajun Sergeant Major impressions, training while sick, squat programming for busy dads, and surprise guest Matios crashing the show out of nowhere. The guys also talk Texas towns, lifting consistency, deadlifting at 11 years old, Bitcoin, soccer, and the reality of getting back into training after weeks off from illness. Podcast Hosts:Grant Broggi: Marine Veteran, Owner of The Strength Co. and Starting Strength Coach.Jeff Buege: Marine Veteran, Outdoorsman, Football Fan and LifterTres Gottlich: Marine Veteran, Texan, Fisherman, Crazy College Football Fan and LifterJoin the Slack and Use code OKAY:⁠https://buy.stripe.com/dR6dT4aDcfuBdyw5ks⁠Check out BW Tax: ⁠https://www.bwtaxllc.com⁠BUY A FOOTBALL HELMET:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thestrength.co/mrhelmet/?utm_source=The+Okay+Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Okay_Pod⁠Timestamps:00:00 - Intro09:26 - Staff Brief16:12 - Surprise Matios Side Bar!31:23 - Staff Brief (cont.)39:28 - Squat Volume vs Intensity For Dads01:04:40 - Stuck Bench Press Tips01:13:25 - 50 Cal Challenge01:29:58 - 250th Birthday Strength Co. Plates01:40:01 - 5 Below01:45:06 - Arsenal01:50:19 - New T Shirt01:54:18 - Pizza Hut Classic01:56:58 - Insane Bowling Story02:04:52 - Sign Off

Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Fidelity Charitable has released an interesting study.  Among the findings: “Most pre-retiree and retiree givers (ages 50-80) are committed to giving and avidly supporting their favorite causes. Of the donors surveyed, over half of pre-retirees (56%) and retirees (59%) gave $1,000 or more—and 17% of all donors gave $5,000 or more—to IRS-qualified charities in 2023.” Christina Fidelity Charitable may think that level of support is “avid,” but it sounds pretty anemic to me. Warren It is. Retirees and so-called “pre-retirees” both give far less than the biblical tithe, or 10 percent of their income, taken in the aggregate. That said, working people in their 50s and 60s are often in their peak earning years, and often have their home paid for and their kids through school, so there is some evidence that they are giving more, just not a lot more relative to their income. Christina Any other interesting findings in this study? Warren The Fidelity study found that “more than three-quarters of these pre-retirees and retirees (78%) say that charitable giving plays a significant or pretty important role in their lives” and “almost one-quarter of pre-retirees and retirees (24%) say charitable giving is much more important than other financial priorities.” Christina Retirees are also spending more time as volunteers. Warren “In the last year, over two-thirds of pre-retirees (71%) and over half of retirees (55%) volunteered,” the report said. “Nearly 9 in 10 retired respondents who currently volunteer agree that volunteering is a way to remain active (88%) and connected (91%).” Christina Let's shift gears. The Anglican Church in North America has been in the news lately because of its chaplain corps. There was an ugly split a few months ago. But today, some good news. Warren Rear Admiral Carey H. Cash, an ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) chaplain, is the new Chief of Chaplains for the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. Rear Admiral Cash will provide spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel and their families, strengthening spiritual readiness, moral resilience, and compassionate care in the midst of the unique challenges and demands of military service. Christina Warren, I already know that you are sucker for data and lists. Forbes magazine has a new list out, its annual list of billionaires. What can that list say, and what does it mean? Warren The new annual list from Forbes says there are now 3,428 billionaires on Earth. In 1987, the year Forbes started keeping track, the list had 140 names. The list included more than 400 new entries to the list. The growth of rich and super-rich motivated Washington Governor Bob Ferguson to sign into law the state's first income tax of any kind — a 9.9% “millionaires' tax” on income over $1 million. Christina And even some Christian groups are chiming in the subject. Warren The Christian online journal Mere Orthodoxy has an interesting analysis of the list. Its conclusion: the current wealth inequality is unjust. Christina But you disagree with most of the conclusions of this article. Warren I do. Most of the billionaires are rich because of their ownership in companies that create tens of millions of jobs. And there is that most important and overlooked fact of all in this conversation, and that is that we all die, and none of us take it with us. Most if not all the billionaires on the Forbes list got there because they built companies and stewarded them over time. Their personal wealth is usually incidental to the wealth they have created for others. Now, don't get me wrong. I think – as the Bible teaches – that those with wealth have much greater responsibilities. To whom much is given, much is expected. And the Bible has special condemnation for those of us who have wealth and yet ignore the poor, or structural injustices. But to make a blanket statement about the inherent injustice of wealth are painting with too broad a brush, and are ignoring many wealthy yet honorable people of the Bible. But, in a spirit of equanimity, here is the article. You can decide for yourself if its arguments hold water. Christina I also know you cover the world of journalism. And there have been some changes in the conservative journalism space. Warren The Daily Wire, after having its day in the sun, appears to be on the decline. The online magazine Puck recently reported a “sudden, precipitous decline of Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire,” with “sweeping layoffs and a steep drop-off in audience.” Christina On the other hand, the more even-handed Dispatch seems to be thriving. Warren I was particularly pleased to hear that The Dispatch had promoted my friend Michael Reneau to Executive Editor. According to a statement from The Dispatch, “Michael got his start in local journalism in East Tennessee, rising through the ranks to serve as editor of The Greeneville Sun before moving to national journalism, and eventually serving as editor of WORLD Magazine.” Christina You wrapped up your Signs and Wonders column this week with a few statistics from THINQ. Warren I was stopped in my tracks by some recent factoids from my friends at THINQ, the Nashville-based ministry led by Gabe Lyons. Among their gleanings: 23.7% of all Christian clergy in the U.S. are women, up from 2.3% in 1960. (Axios). And almost a quarter of American women aged 60 and over (24.3%) are on antidepressants. (CDC) You can sign up for THINQ's email bulletins here. Christina You're recording today from Dallas. That's the latest stop in what seems to be a lot of travel this spring. Warren I have had a lot of travel, but I'm not suffering. It has been tiring, but a lot of fun. It was a delight to meet with about 25 MinistryWatch supporters in Dallas this week. It is always fun to tell our story, but to tell it to such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience is even more fun. We will be doing similar events in upcoming weeks in Knoxville, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

Leadership is not loudest when it gives orders. Sometimes, it sounds like a mayor sitting in a neighborhood meeting, listening long enough to hear what the city actually needs. Katherine sits down with Greg Ballard, author, businessman, former Marine, and the 48th mayor of Indianapolis, to explore the leadership habits that shaped his journey from the Marine Corps to city hall. Greg shares why clarity, collaboration, sincerity, and listening are not just communication skills, they are the foundation of trust. From grassroots campaigning to leading a major metropolitan city, Greg offers a grounded reminder for every people-first leader: you do not need to have every answer, but you do need the humility to listen, the courage to decide, and the consistency to do the right thing for the right reasons.   Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Leadership is influence, not authority. Listening builds credibility before words do. Strong teams challenge your thinking. Start with yes, then solve. Trust grows through consistency and sincerity.  

In this episode of The Last 10%, Dallas Burnett interviews Jeff “Bones” Bonner, a former Marine Corps combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, current airline captain, Harvard-trained performance strategist, and creator of the Debrief Advantage system. Bonner shares how childhood inspiration and a non-linear path led him to aviation, combat missions after 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the mindset shift sparked by the question, “What if I'm not good enough?” He explains how fighter aviation's structured debrief culture focuses on “be better tomorrow,” emphasizing that perspective precedes performance and improvement follows adjustment. Bonner outlines his five-step GREAT debrief model and stresses keeping debriefs simple, timely, and repeatable to build habits and drive 1% daily gains.Learn more at www.debriefadvantage.com/start

In today's special episode, filmed at Escoffier's Boulder campus, we sit down with Asia Geeslin, Escoffier student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.Asia shares the journey that brought her here, from serving five years as a Cyber Intelligence Analyst in the Marine Corps to working in cybersecurity at Lockheed Martin, and later exploring more creative paths through youth programs and styling. Each chapter reflects a willingness to evolve, ultimately leading her to pursue her long-time goal of attending culinary school.This conversation is about following curiosity, embracing change, and building a path that feels true to who you are.

AJ Pasciuti grew up in Sunnyvale, California, the son of Italian and Argentine immigrants. After 9/11 reshaped his sense of purpose, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division — one of the most storied units in the Corps — where he served as a rifleman and team leader. Over twenty-one years of service, he deployed three times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the Battle of Fallujah. He led a Scout Sniper team that tracked and killed the most lethal enemy sniper in Iraq — a figure known as "Juba" — and recovered a stolen Marine sniper rifle in what was the first mission of its kind by an American service member since Vietnam. He went on to serve with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, deploying to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom and later with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. As an instructor, he taught at the Scout Sniper School at Camp Pendleton, created the Recon Team Leaders Course, and helped develop the Infantry Marine Course at School of Infantry–West, modernizing foundational training for enlisted Marines. Selected for the highly competitive Marine Gunner program, he became an Infantry Weapons Officer and rose to Chief Warrant Officer 3 before retiring from the Marine Corps in 2023. He holds a Master of Business for Veterans from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. He is the host of the Combat Story podcast and the author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, releasing May 19, 2026. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Go to https://helixsleep.com/SRS for 27% Off Sitewide Find candidates who really want YOUR job on ZipRecruiter. Try it FOR FREE at https://ziprecruiter.com/SRS Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/srs #Harryspod For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com New customers can save 35% on your first month of Dose for Cholesterol by going to https://dosedaily.co/SRS or entering SRS at checkout. Go to https://meetfabric.com/SHAWN and apply today, risk-free. AJ Pasciuti Links: WEB - https://ajpasciuti.com/about IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leadership is often viewed through the lens of decisiveness. Direct orders and quick thinking. But the most impactful modern leaders are those who prioritize collaboration, and remain present in their leadership roles.I've been thinking about the future, and today's junior Marines are different: researchers, thinkers, and seekers of authenticity. They aren't afraid to ask the hard questions. In this candid conversation, Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz and I explore why leaders must shift from issuing orders to showing genuine interest and investing in an individual Marine's life through the "one Marine" theory: how a single individual can turn an entire battalion around.Whether discussing the evolution of "field day" or the weight of addressing mental health and fitness, Carlos emphasizes that the Marine Corps is a tribe that must constantly be taught its ethics, its culture, and its worth. We talked about executive presence, senior enlisted slating, and the "Message to Garcia" mindset. Today's leadership has a mandate to ensure every Marine whether staying in or transitioning out is prepared for the life that follows their service. Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ip9JCSQ7x5U

RUN THAT EPISODE BACK! Today we are running an old favorite episode of mine!For 15 years in the Marine Corps, I believed the best Marines were always the ones in the trenches — the ones in the fire, making the play when the chaos hit. But what happens when the organization pulls you out of the fire? Does that make you less of a Marine, or is it actually the thing that saves you?In this episode of the Talkin' Crazy Podcast, I break down the mindset of top performers who sacrifice everything — family, balance, even their health — for the mission. I share the story of being sent to SACO when I was a Sergeant, how I thought it was punishment, and how that moment actually gave me the space to reset, write my book, and build Meech Speaks.This episode is for the Marines and leaders who pride themselves on grinding nonstop, but need to hear the truth: sometimes getting repositioned isn't punishment, it's preparation. Sometimes stepping out of the spotlight is exactly what you need to grow.

Who are you when everything you've built your identity on gets taken away?For Dennis Connors, that question wasn't hypothetical. A teenage USA rock climber turned Marine Corps intelligence operator, he served three combat tours in Iraq supporting Tier 1 Special Operations, ran 250 interrogations, and came home with multiple undiagnosed TBIs, severe PTSD, and two strokes — the second partially paralyzed his left side. In March 2018, his call sign was still Villain and he had a plan to end his life the next day. What happened on the other side of that moment took him to the Paris 2024 Paralympic podium as a Silver Medalist and to a TED stage where he made 4,000 people cry.IN THIS EPISODE:Why Dennis stood at the dark edge in March 2018 — and the single moment that stopped himHow undiagnosed TBIs compounded PTSD for years — and why he toughed them both outVulnerability reframed: not disclosing weakness — opening a conversational gateSelf-worth tied to results vs. self-love that doesn't collapse under pressureWhy community with shared passion goes deeper than shared service aloneThe four pillars of perseverance: vulnerability, self-love, disciplined action, communityRELATED EPISODES:Ep. 123 — Bipolar General: Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin's Forever War with Mental IllnessEp. 106 — Transcending Trauma with Dr. Frank AndersonEp. 135 — The Lie of Self-Sufficiency: Jon Macaskill on Why Men Carry Too Much AloneFOLLOW DENNIS CONNORS:Website: dennisconnorsusa.comLinkedIn: Dennis ConnorsGET MORE FROM MTM:Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletterSubscribe & All Episodes: mentalkingmindfulness.comFNT Website: focusnowtraining.comA2A COURSE:12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Self-paced. Built for people who hate the word mindfulness.focusnowtraining.com/a2a→ This conversation maps directly to Module 3 of A2A: Building Unshakeable Self-Awareness Under PressureBRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:Custom attention, resilience & leadership training. In-person or online.focusnowtraining.com/contactHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by the remarkable Rand R. Timmerman, a retired attorney and author who embarked on an extraordinary journey at the age of 72. Alongside his brother, Rand hiked the Appalachian Trail, a feat that not only tested their physical limits but also served as a profound exploration of resilience and recovery.Rand shares his compelling life story, from his humble beginnings in upstate New York to serving as a JAG officer in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. He candidly discusses his battle with alcoholism and the transformative power of sobriety, achieved through a 12-step program that helped him connect with a higher power and reclaim his life.Listeners will be captivated by Rand's tales of hiking the Appalachian Trail, where he faced both physical challenges and spiritual revelations. He reflects on the bond he shares with his brother, the beauty of the trail, and the lessons learned along the way. His memoir, *A Spiritual Passage*, captures not only the adventure of their hike but also the deeper emotional journey of healing and hope.Join us for a heartfelt conversation that encourages listeners to embrace life's challenges and seek inspiration in the extraordinary. Rand's story is a testament to the idea that it's never too late to pursue your dreams and find joy in the journey.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The significance of hiking the Appalachian Trail at an older age- Insights into Rand's journey of recovery from alcoholism- The bond between siblings and the shared experience of adventure- How spirituality played a role in Rand's transformation- The importance of taking life one step at a timeFor more information on Rand Timmerman and his work, visit www.randtimmerman.com and explore his latest book, *A Spiritual Passage*. Don't miss out on this uplifting episode that will inspire you to live your dreams, no matter your age.Support the show

Text the Show or Leave a VoicemailWhen a cop tries to go to counseling, the counselor typically gets one chance to make a good impression.  Either this is going to go fairly well and the cop will come back again or it won't go well and the cop will swear he'll never go to another counselor the rest of his life!  A growing number of second-career, cops-turned-counselors are determined to make a meaningful connection on that first attempt.  Today's guest is Ian Hobbs.  Ian is a former homicide detective and a Marine Corps veteran who is now starting a second career as a clinician.  Ian is going to describe what he saw in the military and in law enforcement that made him want to change careers and help in a more direct way.Music is by TrackTribeHey Chaplain Podcast Episode 141Tags:Police, Career, Counseling, Crimes Against Children, Detectives, Education, Homicide, Mental Health, Stress, Suicide, USMC, Kansas City, Kansas, Missouri, IraqSupport the showThanks for Listening!  And, as always, pray for peace in our city.Subscribe/Follow here:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-chaplain/id1570155168Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CGK9A3BmbFEUEnx3fYZOYEmail us at: heychaplain44@gmail.comYou can help keep the show ad-free by buying me a virtual coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/heychaplain

Send us Fan MailMost people chase performance by pushing harder, grinding longer, and hoping willpower holds up. That works until life gets loud, stress stacks up, and your “discipline” disappears at the exact moment you need it most.I'm joined by John Neyer, an executive leadership coach and consultant, and Troy Black, a retired U.S. Marine whose career reached the most senior enlisted leadership levels in the Marine Corps and at the joint force. Together we unpack what elite leadership looks like when the stakes are real, and why the best lessons translate cleanly into business leadership, team culture, and everyday family life. We talk about holistic human performance, the mind body spirit connection, and why purpose is not your job title, it's your anchor when conditions are imperfect.You'll hear practical tools you can use immediately, including the “Freeze” exercise to check what you're thinking, feeling, and doing, plus a clear framework for building habits that last. We get honest about willpower vs systems, discipline vs atomic habits, and why doing hard things on purpose can train you for chaos without burning you out. If you care about peak performance, leadership development, resilience, perseverance, and becoming your best self without sacrificing your relationships or health, this conversation is for you.Subscribe, share this with three people who need it, and leave a review so more of the Bamboo Pack can find the message. What's one habit you're ready to build next?Support the showhttps://bamboolab3.com/

All active-duty Marines and reservists must complete a new Basic AI Course before the end of the calendar year, according to a new directive. The announcement comes amid a broader push by the Marine Corps, and the Defense Department writ large, to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence capabilities for warfighting and back-office functions. One of the strategic goals outlined in the Corps' AI implementation plan, released last year, is to develop an “AI competent workforce.” “Emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) offer the potential for Marines to gain a decisive advantage but also create the possibility of an adversary exploiting these technologies more effectively. Among these EDTs, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as the first among equals, demanding our immediate and focused attention,” officials wrote in the new MARADMIN message, which was approved by Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, deputy commandant for training and education. The Corps is now implementing a “broad educational framework” with a goal of ensuring that “AI-trained Marines are supported by informed peers and leaders” across the service, according to the announcement. The Basic AI Course, which officials estimate will take 45 minutes for service members to complete after logging into the MCELE system, is designed to give troops a “foundational understanding” of artificial intelligence, including key concepts and use cases, such as how AI can support decision-making. Sean Plankey, most recently the nominee for director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, is joining defense technology company UFORCE as its U.S. chief executive officer. The London-based company created out of nine Ukrainian-based firms announced Plankey's move Monday less than a month after he withdrew his nomination amid difficulties overcoming objections from senators who had placed a hold on it. Plankey's a cyber veteran of the first Trump administration but also had been serving as senior adviser on the Coast Guard at the Homeland Security Department, retiring from the Coast Guard this year. UFORCE makes combat drones for air, land and sea and plans to have its first U.S.-made unmanned surface vessels hitting the water by this summer. The startup reportedly brought its valuation to $1 billion earlier this year. “The United States and its allies are looking for defense technology partners that can move quickly, innovate continuously and deliver systems already proven across theaters of combat,” Plankey said in a statement. “UFORCE is uniquely positioned to meet that demand and we will do that by manufacturing these capabilities in America.” CISA has gone without a permanent director for the entirety of the second Trump administration, and the president has yet to put forward a nominee for the position since Plankey's withdrawal last month.

Our beloved interloper Dan returns to join us for a conversation about the Korean War and how it influenced later conflicts and the role of the military in political affairs. He also shares his thoughts on Lewis "Chesty" Puller and comments on the Marine Corps' role in the American military. You won't want to miss it!

In this episode of Winners Find A Way, Trent Clark sits down with former combat fighter pilot, airline captain, keynote speaker, and author Jeff "Bones" Bonner to unpack one of the most powerful habits behind elite performance — the art of the debrief. Drawing from years in Marine Corps fighter aviation, combat missions, leadership training, and high-performance team culture, Jeff shares how structured reflection helps individuals and teams improve faster, adapt under pressure, and consistently perform at a high level. This conversation dives deep into continuous improvement, leadership, mindset, gratitude, elite team culture, and why experience alone does not create growth. Whether you're a business owner, athlete, leader, entrepreneur, coach, or someone simply trying to become better every day — this episode delivers practical lessons you can apply immediately. Episode Highlights Why fighter pilots debrief every mission — even successful ones The hidden danger of "experience without reflection" How elite teams create a culture of continuous improvement Why gratitude is the foundation of high performance The difference between reviewing failures vs reviewing wins How daily habits shape long-term success Why adversity creates stronger leaders and performers The connection between perspective and performance Applying the debrief method to leadership, parenting, marriage, health, and business The power of 1% daily improvement Powerful Quotes From The Episode "Experience alone doesn't lead to improvement." — Jeff Bonner "Perspective precedes performance." — Jeff Bonner "We're not assigning blame. We're just trying to be better tomorrow." — Jeff Bonner "Championship teams are hard. You have to continuously improve to stay there." — Trent Clark "If we can improve just 1% every day, we'll be in a completely different place 365 days from now." — Jeff Bonner About Jeff "Bones" Bonner Jeff "Bones" Bonner is a keynote speaker, former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, current airline captain, and Harvard-trained performance strategist. He is the creator of The Debrief Advantage™ System and author of The Daily Debrief™, a practical framework designed to help individuals and teams turn experience into continuous improvement. Jeff helps leaders, organizations, athletes, and teams build high-performance cultures through structured reflection, accountability, and elite-level habits developed from aviation and military leadership. Get Jeff's Free Daily Debrief Framework Jeff is offering listeners access to his free 5-step Daily Debrief framework and 30-Day Challenge.

You can find more from Mike here:Upcoming book, What If Anger Is the Answer?https://www.whatifangeristheanswer.com/A non-profit I am building to help Marines transition from the service to civilian lifehttps://www.marinesnextchapter.org/What does it take to go from leading Marines in combat to building humanoid robots for the Department of Defense—and what does that journey teach about confidence, leadership, and unshakeable self-worth? In this powerful episode of The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset, we sit down with Mike LeBlanc, Marine Corps major, entrepreneur, Harvard Business School graduate, and founder of Foundation Future Industries, to explore his remarkable transition from 14 years in the Marines to creating robotics companies and pathways for veterans into startup and technology careers.Mike shares leadership lessons from the Marine Corps, how military discipline builds authentic confidence and self-esteem, the challenges of transitioning from service to entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build cutting-edge technology—including humanoid robots for the United States Department of War and industrial applications. His story reveals how purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and veteran mindset create unshakeable confidence in business and life.You can find more from Mike here:Upcoming book, What If Anger Is the Answer?⁠https://www.whatifangeristheanswer.com/⁠A non-profit I am building to help Marines transition from the service to civilian life⁠https://www.marinesnextchapter.org/⁠

Systems over Sweat: Engineering Real Estate Automation with Keith GillispieIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Keith Gillispie, the Co-Founder of REI Automated, to break down how busy professionals can build a thriving real estate portfolio without sacrificing their primary careers. As a Marine Corps veteran and systems engineer, Keith managed to scale a real estate operation spanning 34 states while on active duty in Hawaii, leveraging strict discipline and hyper-efficient operational design. This conversation provides an essential, systems-driven blueprint for high-earning W-2 employees and executives who face severe time constraints but want to transition into asset-backed financial freedom using residential real estate.The Architecture of Leverage: Out-Benching Time Constraints through Automated PipelinesScaling a business with only one hour of available downtime per day requires a radical departure from traditional, hands-on real estate practices. Keith Gillispie explains that instead of relying on manual prospecting or local networking, busy professionals must adopt a systems-engineering mindset to turn fractional daily efforts into continuous operational results. By creating strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and deploying centralized CRM platforms, investors can confidently delegate repetitive tasks to global virtual assistants, ensuring that deal flow, lead management, and property analysis move forward automatically. This operational leverage completely detaches an investor's physical location and immediate schedule from their revenue-generating capacity, transforming a lack of time from an excuse into a catalyst for extreme operational efficiency.The macroeconomic landscape has fundamentally shifted, making passive buy-and-hold rental portfolios significantly more stable than highly volatile fixing-and-flipping or wholesaling models. Rapidly changing state legislation and regional market swings mean that holding residential real estate—specifically single-family homes and small multi-family units under four doors—offers the most predictable path to sustainable cash flow and capital preservation. Rather than chasing short-term transactional profits that expose the owner to massive tax liabilities and overhead risk, modern investors utilize tech-driven infrastructure to source and hold income-producing assets. This thesis-driven approach protects capital against inflation and provides a secure, predictable margin that traditional paper assets rarely replicate.Building an enterprise that operates seamlessly in the background also requires a deep commitment to personal balance and accountability. High-achievers frequently succumb to executive burnout by neglecting personal routines or failing to involve their families in their long-term entrepreneurial visions. Keith shares that true success is found when operational discipline is paired with intentional boundaries, allowing founders to step completely out of the "tactical firefighting" trap. By leveraging a comprehensive ecosystem that synthesizes specialized software, continuous education, and outside coaching, professionals can achieve a rare level of lifestyle freedom. This ensures that the ultimate reward of business optimization is not just increased profitability, but the reclamation of one's personal time and autonomy.About Keith GillispieKeith Gillispie is the Co-Founder of REI Automated and a decorated Marine Corps veteran with a specialized background in systems engineering. After successfully building his own nationwide real estate portfolio during his limited active-duty lunch breaks, Keith turned his proprietary frameworks into a scalable training and software ecosystem. He is a dedicated mentor who specializes in helping high-earning professionals replace administrative debt with automated real estate systems that drive long-term time and financial freedom.About REI AutomatedREI Automated is an all-in-one real estate investment infrastructure provider that combines advanced automation software, specialized marketing education, and elite coaching. Designed specifically for busy corporate professionals and W-2 employees, the platform provides custom-built CRMs, operational playbooks, and virtual assistant frameworks to streamline acquisitions. With over 570 clients and an unmatched success rate, REI Automated enables individuals to build scalable, passive residential rental portfolios across the United States.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeREI Automated Official Website: reiautomated.ioKeith Gillispie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keithgreiKey Episode HighlightsThe Lunch-Hour Leverage System: How to maximize single hours of daily productivity using automation to achieve full-time real estate results.Why Rentals Beat Flipping: Navigating current market volatility and shifting state legislation by prioritizing long-term buy-and-hold cash flow.The Three Pillars of Automation: Integrating dedicated CRMs, documented SOPs, and global virtual assistants to eliminate operational bottlenecks.The High-Earner W-2 Playbook: Tailoring real estate investment structures specifically to fit the constraints of demanding corporate careers.Military-Grade Operational Discipline: Applying systems engineering principles and rigorous routine management to ensure predictable business growth.ConclusionThe conversation with Keith Gillispie proves that a lack of time is never a barrier to entry when a business is backed by the right structural architecture. By implementing automated workflows and focusing strictly on high-yield cash-flowing residential rentals, busy professionals can systematically build an independent path to generational wealth.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

In this episode, Alexis welcomes Sweet Karma Baby, also known as Karma Sutra, one of Chaturbate's rising cam stars. Karma shares her journey from serving in the Marine Corps during COVID to building a successful cam career on her own terms. They talk about growing up in a strict household, discovering her sexuality, navigating the cam world, and setting boundaries while building a business in the adult industry. Expect an honest, funny, and unfiltered conversation about sex, independence, and owning your path.

A Marine intelligence collector walked through rocket blasts, absorbed traumatic brain injuries he never reported, and came home to hallucinations so severe he planned to end his own life. Dennis Connors, a Marine Corps veteran, human intelligence operator for a tier-one unit, Paralympic silver medalist, and world champion cyclist, sits down with Joe De Sena to break apart the moment grit stops working and what has to replace it.   Dennis lays out his four pillars of perseverance: vulnerability, self-love, disciplined action, and community. He explains why toughness without honesty becomes a death sentence, why identity tied to achievement collapses under pressure, and how cycling gave him both a recovery tool and a tribe that pushed him toward the help he refused to ask for.   Things You Will Learn: When grit becomes a liability and what structured perseverance looks like before breakdown hits. The four pillars that replaced white-knuckling it and why each one matters in sequence. Why identity tied to achievement collapses under pressure, and what to anchor self-worth to instead.   Tools & Frameworks Covered: Four Pillars of Perseverance: Vulnerability, self-love, disciplined action, and community. A structured framework for long-term recovery and sustained performance. Grit vs. Perseverance Distinction: Grit handles short-term strain. Perseverance handles the years. Know which mode you are in before it fails. Identity Separation Protocol: Detach identity from a single role so transitions do not destroy self-worth.   If this episode moved you, do not just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Dennis Connors is a U.S. Marine Corps intelligence veteran whose path changed after traumatic brain injuries and a stroke forced him to rebuild his life through adaptive sport. He went on to become a Paralympic silver medalist and world champion, continuing to chase challenge through paracycling and paraclimbing, embodying resilience, reinvention, and purpose through adversity.   Connect to Dennis:  Website: https://dennisconnorsusa.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dc_rides_trikes/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcridestrikes   We gave you the tools, now use them during your next SPARTAN RACE! Use codeword PODCAST on checkout for 10% your next race.  

Joseph Adams Jr. is a Marine Corps veteran who used to grind 10-hour shifts at Microsoft.Today -- after quitting the IT corporate world -- he's a full-time house flipper in Jacksonville, Florida, with six rehabs behind him, his biggest purchase yet under contract, and a $100K private money raise that closed in under 24 hours off a single text!In this episode, Joseph sits down with Adam Whitney to break down how he went from "I don't know anyone with money" to having lenders text back "how soon do you need it?" — all while building a business his own mom is now investing alongside.He covers:The very first deal that funded everything after it — a $10K family property he resold for $60K (and how he wholesaled it without realizing that's what he was doing)The two-contractor disaster that cost him $30K and four months on his second flip — and the exact moment he should have fired the first guy three weeks earlierAdam's "115% rule" for raising capital that most new flippers get wrong — and why it's the difference between $100K in the account on Monday and $15 on TuesdayThe mindset shift from doing tasks that save money to doing tasks that make money — and the hands-on jobs Joseph had to stop doing himself to actually growHis goal-reset moment: going from "20 deals this year" to "20 deals this summer" — and the three conversations he's having right now to make it happenHow to turn cash flow problems upside down.... and more!What changed for him was getting handed a real playbook for raising capital, plus walking into a room of operators who actually answer the phone when a deal needs a second set of eyes.That room is called 7F Runway. An action-oriented mastermind built for early-stage flippers who are tired of duct-taping deals together one at a time and ready to build a business that pays them consistently.See if it's a fit for where you are: https://www.7figureflipping.com/runwayIf you want to connect with Joseph, reach out to him on Facebook or click this link for Joseph's CalendlyLINKS & RESOURCES1,000 FREE Seller LeadsGet your first 1,000 seller leads FREE from our partner BatchLeads and start closing deals immediately. CLICK HERE: http://leads.getbatch.co/mztQkMr7 Figure Flipping UndergroundIf you want to learn how to make money flipping and wholesaling houses without risking your life savings or "working weekends" forever... this book is for YOU. It'll take you from "complete beginner" to closing your first deal or even your next 10 deals without the bumps and bruises most people pick up along the way. If you've never flipped a house before, you'll find step-by-step instructions on everything you need to know to get started. If you're already flipping or wholesaling houses, you'll find fast-track secrets that will cut years off your learning curve and let you streamline your operations, maximize profit, do MORE deals, and work LESS. CLICK HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q01ggDSh0 7 Figure RunwayFollow a proven 5-step formula to create consistent monthly income flipping and wholesaling houses, then turn your active income into passive cash flow and create a life of freedom. 7 Figure Runway is an intensive, nothing-held-back mentoring group for real estate investors who want to build a "scalable" business and start "stacking" assets to build long-term wealth. Get off-market deal sourcing strategies that work, plus 100% purchase and renovation financing through our built-in funding partners, a community of active investors who will support and encourage you, weekly accountability sessions to keep you on track, 1-on-1 coaching, and more. CLICK HERE: https://www.7figureflipping.com/runway Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram: @7figureflipping Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.