Season 1 Interviews

Interview 1- Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Altieri United States Navy

This episode- it’s my first ever interview! I interviewed a gentleman who joined the Navy in 1980 did a total of 24 years 10 years active and the rest in the reserves achieved Petty Officer 1st class and was a Quarter Master. Great story’s and experiences you’re not going to want to miss.

Interview 2- SSgt Meath United States Marine Corps

Come check out this interview with SSgt Robert Meath of The United States Marine Corps and take a trip down memory lane of his time of service from 1992-2012. He shares some great story’s and experiences you’re not going to want to miss it.

Interview 3- Jason Rhodes US Navy 98-04. Renovet.org

This is a great interview for a great cause. Come listen to Jason’s story as he embarks on his journey and hikes 1,384 miles from Sanford N.C. to Austin Texas hiking about 22 miles a day to raise awareness for PTSD and help with renovations and repairs for veterans and first responders as well as their families. Not going to want to miss this one!!

Interview 4- Tim Sears United States Marines 07-11

Come listen to Tim talk about his experiences in the Marines during 07-11. Hear about how he was a tank mechanic gone postal in order for him to be sent over to Iraq in 2009. He also tells his story of getting NJP’d and being busted down from Corporal his last year of enlistment. Great interview and great story’s come laugh with us!

Interview 5- SSgt Cruz Currently Serving in the United States Marines

This interview is with SSgt Cruz who is currently serving in the United States Marines. He tells some great stories and experiences of when he was a Drill Instructor at MCRD San Diego. He also gives us an inside look of how the Marine recruit training is as well as the direction the future Marines are heading in. This is a great one!!!

Interview 6- Jay Manley SSgt in the Marines and Sgt. In the National Guard

Come check out this great interview with Jay as he talks about his experiences in the Marines and how he took some time off and then went National guard to retire and had the opportunity to pin his son. Great episode!

Interview 7- Marine 1169 USMC Retired Veteran Gamer

In this episode I interview Marine 1169 a Marine Corps Veteran who retired from the Marine Corps after serving 20 years and is now a partner with Facebook gaming and streams some of the top video games on console/ PC. Come listen or watch Marine 1169 AKA Gunny tell his stories and experiences as a veteran and a gamer. This is a great interview you’re not going to want to miss it.

Interview 8- SSgt Cruz, Active Duty, U.S.M.C- Round 2

On this episode I catch up with SSgt Cruz an active-duty Marine for a round 2 interview. He spent 3 years as a drill instructor and talks about his story and experiences in drill instructor school and the challenges he faced. This is a great episode you won’t want to miss.

Interview 9- Reggie Villanueva- USMC Veteran

Come watch or listen and meet Reggie Villanueva a United States Marine Veteran who spent 10 1/2 active duty as a Military Police and he also was Drill Instructor. When he got out, he became a Police Officer, SWAT, FBI and then had some real adversity and spent 3 years homeless on the Las Vegas streets. He has a real inspirational story as well as he is on the rise to success. This is a great interview with a great man!

Interview 10- Shawn Laurie- Army Veteran 2004-2012

Come meet Shawn Laurie an Army Veteran 2004-2012, 22 a Day Activist, Speaker, Coach, Influencer as well as Author of a Book. Shawn is a combat Veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan. He suffered an injury halfway through his second deployment in Afghanistan and was sent by Medivac to Quatar for diagnosis and to figure steps out. Come see how this leads to Shawn getting out of the Army, becoming hooked on pills and a road to recovery and a major advocate to the veteran community.

Interview 11- Joe Marshall USMC Veteran 2008-2016

Come meet Joe Marshall a United States Marine Veteran who served his country proud from 2008-2016 in the Artillery dropping war heads on foreheads to pursuing his career in acting. Come listen to his stories and experiences while serving in the Marines and how he ended up in the Movie/ T.V. Industry. Great Interview with a great guy not going to want to miss it

Interview 12- Jeff Frazier Retired US Army Veteran 1998-2021

Come meet Jeff Frazier who spent a little over 20 years in the United States Army. He started off as Fueler and then spent the last part of his career as a Recruiter. Since retiring from the Army, he started a clothing company called Apex Predator Outfitters. Come listen in on his stories and experiences! Great Interview!

Interview 13- Captain Nick Romer-Active Duty USMC

Come meet Captain Romer an active-duty Marine who graduated bootcamp September 2001 which was a crazy time for the U.S. with the attacking of the U.S. Trade Centers. Captain Romer started his Marine career on the enlisted side making it all the way to Master Sgt. before being commissioned to 2nd Lt. in 2017. He is a highly decorated Marine who plans on retiring as a Marine. Come listen in on his stories and experiences.

Interview 14- Retired USMC Captain 1993-2013- Dean Krom

Come meet Dean Krom a United States Marine who retired as a Captain. He served from 1993-2013, he started his career off as an enlisted Marine and then became an officer. His job while enlisted was a jet engine mechanic and when he became an officer, he became a Pilot on the aircraft he once worked on. Now he’s forming and teaching future leaders in high school JROTC. Great interview!!

Interview 15- Chelsea, USMC Veteran 2004-2012

Come meet my first lady guest Chelsea a United States Marine Veteran who served her country proud from 2004-2012, she reached Corporal before getting out. She was a 3533 LVS Operator (Logistics Vehicle System) and had to man .50 cal. on convoys while on deployments to the Middle East. She tells some great stories and experiences!

Interview 16- Navy Veteran 1980-86 Tim French- I Walk 4 Them

Come meet Tim French a Navy Veteran who honorably served from 1980-86. He had been struggling with health issues for the past couple of years and decided to start walking to lose weight back in May 14th 2019. Well it went from walking to lose weight to walking to honor fallen hero’s. He lost over 60llbs on this journey and has got to learn a lot and share the stories of people who lost their life doing something honorable.

Interview 17 Jason Steiner USMC Veteran, CEO/Founder of Herostock

Come meet Jason Steiner who served his country proud from 1996-2000. He started off as an Amphibious Assault Driver and ended up being a Marine Marksmen Shooting Instructor Teaching Marines and Sailors how to shoot. Now he’s a major name in the Veteran community being the founder/CEO of Herostock. Their mission provides support and pays tribute to the hero’s of our community and country by organizing an annual event in their honor complete with food, music and comradery

Interview 18- Reggie Villanueva USMC Veteran - Round 2

Come listen in for a Round 2 with Reggie. He is a Marine Corps Veteran who served his country proudly for 10 years and got out and became involved in Law Enforcement after facing adversity he lost everything that he once had. He has a very inspirational story and has really gone through some extremely tough times and found himself hitting rock bottom. Now Reggie is a life coach and is involved in becoming a positive influence in the world.

Interview 19- Sugar Rose, Moto. Speaker, Singer, Song Writer

Come meet Sugar Rose a Motivational Speaker, Singer/Songwriter advocate for PTSD and mental health awareness. With history as a Family Readiness leader for the National Guard supporting and helping Veterans, soldiers and their families. She has made it her mission to make a difference one person at a time.

Interview 20 - Derek & TJ USMC Veteran's from Shadow Mark

Come meet Derek and TJ both Marine Veterans who served their country proud. As fate would have it, while on Deployment the two Marines met and that’s where a friendship started and has maintained through the years now, they’re back it together not sharing MRE’s Playboys or crayons anymore now they’re sharing screens on a Podcast show called Shadow Mark.

Interview 21- Scotty Hasting Army Vet, Singer & Songwriter

Come meet Scotty Hasting! He is an inspirational gentleman who served his country proud in the United States Army as 11 Bravo aka Infantryman. While on deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 he faced death in the eyes being shot 10 times, but he decided that life wasn’t going to be over for him. After years of recovery, he started archery and eventually picked up a guitar and has become a music singer songwriter with an amazing voice.

Interview 22- Retired USMC, Robert A. Stambovsky "Stambo"

Come meet Robert A. Stambovsky “Stambo” my first local in person interview. Robert served his country proud for 39 1/2 years in the United States Marines. After returning home from Vietnam in 1967, Robert decided to go back to school, and while going to school he wanted to go back to the military, so he joined the Marines. Eventually he would go Active Duty and spend 39 1/2 years active duty before being forced to retire due to military age requirements in 2004. Since retiring he also retired from NASA as an Engineer and his now flying and instructing out of Fox Airfield, Lancaster, California. Please come listen in!

Interview 23- Retired US Army, Founder/CEO of Ruck-it Up 4Warriors, Scott Fredenburg

Come meet Retired US Army, Founder/CEO of Ruck- it Up 4Warriors, Scott Fredenburg. He served his country proud for 24 years before retiring. He was a crane operator and military police during his time in service. Once he retired he wanted to be involved and do more for the veteran community, so he started a nonprofit and is now the founder/CEO of Ruck- it Up 4Warriors. Come listen in!!

Interview 24- Retired Army, Donald Dunn, Host of Two Drunk Dudes in a Gun Room and Gun Room Radio

Come meet Retired Army, Donald Dunn, Host of Two Drunk Dudes in a Gun Room and Gun Room Radio. He served his country proud for 20 years and had several combat deployments. Since he’s been out he’s been working hard at providing a place for Veteran’s voices to be heard by starting a podcast show called Two Drunks in a Gun Room and recently released a Radio Station called Gun Room Radio where you can listen to Veteran Musicians and Podcasters.

Interview 25- Retired U.S. Army, Damon Darakjy 1992-2021

Come meet Retired U.S. Army, Damon Darakjy. He served his country proud for over 25 years. He started off as A Marine Reservist and then ended up going in the National Guard and then decided to go Active Duty in the United States Army from 2000 – 2021 and retired. He shares some great stories and experiences you’re not going to want to miss it.

Interview 26- Retired US Army, Robert Chop AKA Dr. Harley

Come meet Retired US Army, Robert Chop AKA Dr. Harley he served his country proud for 21 years and then retired from the Army. He deployed 3 times to the combat zone during his time in service. He honorably retired Feb 2020.

Interview 27- Brian Tally USMC Veteran, Speaker, Author & Advocate

Come meet Brian Tally, a former Sergeant in the USMC, Brians life forever changed when he was nearly killed after falling victim to VA medical malpractice and gross negligence in 2016. Not wanting another Veteran to experience his nightmare, he spent 5 years working on a Bill called Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act. He also started a podcast show called Today with Tally giving people a voice

Interview 28- Active Duty USMC Gunnery Sgt. 2005 to 2024

Come meet WorldsokayestGunny who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps, He joined in 2005 and has had several combat deployments. He talks about some of his deployments, losing friends, dealing with PTSD and how he is currently fighting to save his career and his retirement. This is an episode you’re not going to want to miss, Gunny tells a lot that needs to be heard.

Interview 29- Makayla, my daughter who attends UC San Diego

Come meet my daughter Makayla who just completed here first year in college at UC San Diego, she talks about her experiences with college as well as how it was having a Marine as a dad. We also talked about our relationship and how far it has come. This was an awesome episode sitting down with my beautiful daughter, not going to want to miss this.

Interview 30- Chris Kniss AKA "Preach"- Doose Outfitters Ministry

Come meet Chris Kniss AKA Preach. He joined the U.S. Airforce right out of high school in 1986, after some medical issues were identified while he was in basic, he would then be medically discharged and then headed down to Texas working with some big-name ranches. After a couple years of doing that, he headed out to Wyoming where he would become a part of the Sherriff’s department working in the gang task force and would find himself tired of the politics after 7 years, he then headed back to Nebraska, where he is a preacher and runs a nonprofit organization called Doose Outfitters Ministry where they heal the real heroes through the message of the cross and hunting.

Episode 31- USMC Veteran Erik Browning

Come meet Erik Browning a United States Marine Veteran who joined when he was 18 in 2005. He went to boot camp in Paris Island. After his schooling in Pensacola and Lemoore he was stationed at Miramar San Diego California, to the F18 squadron that was moved to Japan after a year of him being there but he would stay and be attached to another squadron called VMFAT101. Just like most Marines when getting out, he was faced with all the challenges Veterans have, having to adapt to civilian life, having a family and trying to get a job. He had to relocate to Arizona for a job opportunity in which would separate him from his child and set him into a state of depression. Eventually he would turn things around and make the best of his situation learning about investing, started to work out and make visitations to his child. Now he’s in a better place in his life and is now helping out fellow Veterans and Active Duty with Home loans and other veteran support groups

Interview 32- Army #National Guard, Airforce Veteran & Singer Song Writer Steve D Wilson

Come meet Steve D. Wilson an Army Combat, National guard and Airforce, Veteran who served his country proud. He has always had a passion for music and was in a band prior to joining in the Army having to put his music on hold due to duty calls, but eventually would find himself circling back to music after getting out of the Air Force and attending college. He is making some great music.

Interview 33- USMC Veteran, Author, Chris Whittemore

Come meet Chris Whittemore, he served his country proud in the United States Marine Corps. He was a scout sniper with combat deployments and decided to write a book about his experiences while being in the combat zone in Iraq and how life has been since being retired from the Marines called Terror to Triumph.

Interview 34 Army Vet, VP Wheels 4 Warriors USA

My next guest served his country proud in the United States Army for 8 years. He did 2 combat tours to Iraq and is now the Vice President of a nonprofit organization called Wheels 4 Warriors USA helping Vets two wheels at a time. Let’s meet our next hero, Jesse Cunningham!

Interview 35- 22 Mohawks Dave and Stacey

My next guest’s are from a nonprofit organization called 22 Mohawks, their nonprofit is dedicated to being the first point of contact for service members when they return home from duty. Their goal is to provide the physical, mental, and financial support veterans need while bringing together their loved ones and communities. They also connect vets with emotional support dogs, gym memberships, mental health awareness classes and much more to empower them to overcome the many obstacles they face each day. Let’s meet our next heroes Dave and Stacey

Interview 36- Army and Marine Vet, Jack Blaise, Soldiers Songs & Voices

Come meet Jack Blaise he served his country proud in the United States Marines Corps and Army retired firefighter paramedic and is part of a nonprofit called Soldier Songs & Voices in which gives free instruments and song writing workshops for Veterans. Let’s meet another real hero Jack Blaise.

Interview 37- Let's Talk Herostock 2023!!

In this we episode we talk about what you can expect from Herostock 2023. 

Interview 38- USMC Veteran and Singer Song Writer, Barbara Sim

Come meet Barabara Sim she served her country proud in the United States Marines and is currently traveling and making music! Great episode you’re not going to want to miss

Interview 39- USAF Veteran and Host of a Podcast show, Brandi Pett

Brandi Pett served her country proud in the United States Airforce and she has a podcast show called “Yes I am the Veteran Podcast”, she shares some great stories and experiences you’re not going to want to miss it.

Interview 40- US Army Veteran, Police Officer & Host of Everlasting Veteran, Ryan Landry

Come meet Ryan Landry he served his country proud for 8 years in the United States Army. And now he’s quite the busy guy, He is currently a police officer for a little over a decade, owns 2 businesses, a real estate agent and has a podcast show called The Everlasting Veteran Podcast which is a vessel for messages and conversations for the company and its supporters to help others through struggles and transition out of the military

Interview 41- US Army Veteran and Author Betsy Ross

Come meet Betsy Ross an Army veteran that served her country proud and continues to help veterans through her passion to help those in need. Through the FIGHT series, she speaks out about the mental health crisis within the veteran community. However, besides being an author, she is also a medical lab tech, mother of 3, and helps run a Longhorn ranch and snake farm with her husband.

Interview 42- U.S. Navy Veteran, Singer and Songwriter, Shannon Book

Come meet Shannon Book a U.S. Navy Veteran who served his country proud for 17 years before being Medically retired. He was a corpsmen aka Devil Doc, he spent a large portion of his career with Marines, he has now dedicated his life singing and writing songs. He even gives a live performance!

Interview 43- US Navy LCDR and Nurse Kristin Leone

Come meet LCDR Kristin Leone a nurse of 25 years and is currently in the US Navy Reserve Nurse Corps. She earned her bachelor’s degree from DeSales University and a Master’s from Drexel University. Her nursing experience includes adult and pediatric critical care, home care and nursing education/instruction. She was an ICU nurse on the frontlines during the Covid pandemic. Her past 10 years in the Navy include a Deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2015. She keeps herself busy and advocates for homeless female veterans.

Interview 44- US Navy Veteran and Author, Jenna Carlton

Come meet Jenna Carlton, she served her country proud in the US Navy, is the writer of The Veteran Workbook, and has a support group for younger veterans and transitioning service members called The Millennial Veterans.

Interview 45-US Army Veteran & Founder of Veterans Canna Coalition, T.J. Durkin

Come meet T.J Durkin a U.S. Army Veteran and founder of Veterans Canna Coalition, his mission is to help educate fellow veterans how to grow, what’s best to use and many other helpful ways to help Veterans use alternative methods for medications

Interview 46- US Army Veteran, Jonathan Crochet

Come meet Jonathan Crochet an Army Veteran 2002-2006, who has discovered podcasting and how it has changed his life, come listen in as he tells his stories and experiences

Interview 47- US Army Retired Maj. General & Author of Bipolar General

My next guest served his country proud for 36 years reaching the rank of Major General in the United States Army before retiring May 2015, He is a combat veteran, Bipolar survivor, airborne ranger engineer qualified soldier, and Army Strategist. He also is the writer of new book called Bipolar General

Interview 48- US Coast Guard Retired, Lance Buchanan

Come meet Lance Buchanan he served his country proud for 20 years in the United States Coast Guard retiring September 1st, 2022. He was born in Portland Maine, and his father was in the Army which had him move around quite a bit as a kid, him and his brother both joined the Coast Guard, he decided to make a career of it while his brother did 4 years then got out became a police officer.

Interview 49- USMC Veteran, Miss America Select Veteran, Karalyn Martin

Come meet Karalyn (Kara) Martin she served her country proud in the United States Marine Corps. She from Texas and enlisted in the Marines at age 17. She was an Aviation Hydraulic Structural Mechanic, served 5-1/2 years, one forward deployment to Iwakuni, Japan, and one combat deployment – Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011 and overcame many obstacles while in the military and upon her honorable discharge, she obtained a cosmetology license, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in social work, concentrating on veterans’ services and mental health issues. She serves on the South Mountain Vet US board and is an ambassador for Air Power Foundation and Holidays & Heroes. She’s also active in many other veteran non-profits throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and our nation. She also volunteered as a coach for youth baseball with a local nonprofit recreational league for six seasons. Karalyn is currently Miss America’s Select Veteran 2023-2024. She is a wife, a mother of Irish twins, and a great mom to her two dogs. Helping her fellow Veterans is truly her passion in life

Interview 50- US Army Veteran, Singer Songwriter, Schaefer Mueller

Come meet Schaefer Mueller he is an Army combat Veteran who served his country proud, through his experiences he has become a very talented singer song writer having the opportunity to open for country icons like Chris Young and Granger Smith, he traveled across the country even stopping in Alaska playing his music from coast to coast.