Also, on this Veteran's episode joining in on the interview is Retired Marine LtCol David Sanford. Ryan starts with: He was at work just having a coffee. Then all hell broke out. He was shot 6 times in a terrorist attack on US soil aboard NAS Pensacola, FL. Hear what he was hearing, feeling and thinking while someone was trying to kill him. Minute by minute account of the 27minutes. He helped fellow service members escape, helped a responding officer that had been shot while not knowing how many times he was shot himself. Hear about the phone call he made to his wife and asking her to call his mother. Hear about the phone call he made to his Capt. the call that stay connected. He received a Purple Heart and Navy Marine Medal- the highest non-combat medal given. He shares how his background as a State Champion and NCAA All-star wrestler helped him and how his training just kicked in. He tells us what he's doing now and how after multiple major surgeries, he just completed a Triathlon, opened his own gym and started his Ryan Blackwell Foundation. Visit his Gym's website: Well-Trained in Gulf Breeze FL.
Dean Wegner is an Army Veteran, West Point Graduate, finished Flight School & Ranger School. He is the Founder and CEO of Authentically American based out of Nashville, TN.He’s been featured multiple times on Fox News, MSNBC, Forbes Magazine and more. Authentically American was the Winner of the 2024 Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year in Tennessee!! His strategic and sharpened business background also comes from working at Mars Corporation and Proctor and Gamble after his military service. He serves on multiple non-profit boards, all his products are American made, he donates 10% of profits to Veteran and First Responder charities and partners with non-profits to give back to the community. Visit his website to learn more about him! www.AuthenticallyAmerican.us
Jett Bowling is a Formula Race car driver with the Kiwi Sports Team. He has the perfect Name and the perfect Look!He sits down to discuss what it takes to be a driver: physical fitness, nutrition, endurance, concentration and mental toughness. He has had a super busy 2024-2025 season so far and has taken Podium 6 out of 9 races and definitely one to watch and remember his name!We get his take on the new Formula movie. Follow his social media- IG @JettBowlingRacing and all his races streaming!
Rosabel Zohfeld came to America with a dream, with her persistence and determination she made it happen.After the death of her mother at 17 years old and then becoming homeless, she moved from Columbia to America, learning a new culture and language, and put herself through nursing school then advancing her career to a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Neurology.Hear her story of overcoming obstacles and challenges to succeed.She’s an Army Spouse and author of a new book: “The Courage to Succeed”.www.rosabelzohfeld.com
Dr. Amanda Zeine, Army Flight Surgeon, deployed twice, sustained a TBI in 2018 that took her away from medical practiceHer first book, "Hot Mess to Wellness" tackles her mental health journey having to transition away from medicine to achieving optimal wellness.Hear her inspirational story that takes her from being the Chief of Pediatrics to discovering new ways to help kids through common difficult issues. She has written multiple books making an impact with teaching all children healthy ways to cope. Her book Cul-De-Sac kid was the Winner of the Global Book Award, which deals with kids having military parents and the special challenges of odd work hours, deployments, frequent moves, divorces and more. www.alzeinebooks.com
My 100th Episode with my 2 very special guests!My Niece and Nephew--- both brand New Medical Doctors, tell us about their experiences over the past 4 years of Med School. Dr. Bryce Webb, graduate from Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa. He has been a part of several research projects across orthopedics, spine, ER, Hematology/Oncology, resulting in peer reviewed publications, oral presentations, poster sessions at conferences and volunteering at the Bridge Clinic. He will be pursuing Vascular surgery specialty. Dr. Maria Kerrigan Haupt graduate from The LSU School of Medicine and joining the Texas A&M Family Medicine residency program. She is the Co-Founder of The MeSCO Free Community Clinic, a mobile outreach clinic. She received a grant from the American Academy of FAMILY PHYSICIANS for 25k for the clinic. She also is involved in advocacy at a policy level with the American Medical Association House of Delegates as the State Chair of LA State Medical Society already authoring several resolutions to increase access and state funding for free and charitable clinics. She is currently a committee member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.We discussed: Why they chose medicine, was it what you expected, what advice would they give to new Med Students, their vision of medicine, accessibility, affordability, and recruitment into medicine, workforce, primary, specialty.
KATHY MORROW— a military spouse, entrepreneur, Director of Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization and President of 2Morrow Communications.She started a military owned business and became the expert of giving the words to inspire and impact your business. Her expertise is collaborating with businesses to help design, build, customizing websites, blogs and optimizing marketing strategies. ECPRO stretches from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and she has served every position on the Board at the Organization since 1997. She is the one to call if you need help with communications, public relations, marketing, She tells us about how she writes 20 BLOGS for businesses!We discussed the power of AI, CHAPT GPT and Social Media influence on marketing strategies. ECPRO meets at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce where they hear from speakers in PR/marketing fields while networking and having access to tools, resources and professional development. ECPRO.org
Pensacola NAS Base Commander Capt. Chandra Newman in her first ever Podcast interview!It was an absolute honor to sit with her and learn more about her. We started with young, 4H, Chandra growing up on a farm raising pigs, her favorite sports, her role models, why she joined the Navy and how she got her call sign. We also discussed her leadership roles, the challenges, or surprises, of running one of the largest military installations, and keeping the base mission ready. She gives updates on base priorities, Family Readiness, the Blue Angels, Infrastructure, hangars, the Museum, the National Flight Academy, and Barrancas. Enlisted in the Navy 2001, Commissioned OCS 2002, Wings of Gold 2004- Whiting Field. Naval War College, Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Executive Education.Decades of experience on multiple Carriers, aviation battalions, commands—XO of Joint Cyber Center and provided Presidential support at Camp David, Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow with Raytheon Intelligence & Space in Arlington and so much more! Now command of NAS Pensacola.
Rounding out Nurses Week with two very popular, Autonomous Nurse Practitioners and Entrepreneurs.They talk us through everything it takes to open a clinical practice in Florida, describe the challenges and pitfalls to avoid, when it became profitable, what they offer in their primary clinics and their advice to new NPs or NPs coming from another state--what to know! Billy Kimbrell, MSN-FNP-BC, Autonomous practice in Florida, has been in healthcare for 25 years. He has been an EMT, Paramedic, critical care educator, and critical care flight Nurse Practitioner with the University of Florida Shands Hospital helicopter transport service.He started EliteRx, a family medicine clinic that fuses patient-centered care, clinical weight loss, and bioidentical hormone optimization, fitness training and nutrition strategies.Dr. Tavaris BROOKS, DNP, Dual Board Certified in Acute Care and Family Practice and Autonomous Practice licensed in the state of FL. A former Law Enforcement Officer with a clinical background in critical care inpatient Cardiology and Hospitalist.He opened his own practice, Peak Life Medical Group offering primary, family care. He is also very involved in youth community outreach, professional nursing organizations and also a resource for education and presentations at NP conferences.They were both among the first NPs in the state to file for Autonomous practice and opening their own practices and share their experience.
Goldie Lahr is a singer/songwriter, plays multiple instruments, is a headliner and performer at arts and music festivals and private events. She is also the Founder of very popular festivals, showcases, and Pensacola Unplugged-- featuring rising stars to music legends. She is also the Founder of The Blue Anchor Belles, a 40-50s decade inspired, pin-up style, boogie-woogie, patriotic, singing group, made up of military spouses. Just coming off the sold-out, fundraising, festival "Pickin in the Pines" that featured grammy award winning artists. Check out her site for upcoming events.sites.google.com/view/pensacola-unpluggedDaughter of a Naval pilot and wife of a Naval pilot, both now retired in Pensacola, FL.
Dr. Viet Le, a PA--Physician Associate with his Doctorate in Health Professions Education and certified in Heart Failure and Preventative Cardiology. He is an Associate Professor of Research and Preventive Cardiology PA at Intermountain Medical Center and is a Principal, Sub-Investigator on cardiovascular clinical trials.Past president of the Academy of PAs in Cardiology, past co-chair of the American College of Cardiology PA Work Group and the current President of the Utah Academy of PAs and a former Compensation and Pension examiner for the VA.We discuss managing Cholesterol, labs to check, "good & bad cholesterol", blood pressure monitoring, activity levels and compare evidenced based diets to manage Heart Health!
Mr. Andrew McKay: The #1 Talk show, Morning show, News Radio host in Pensacola, FL! Covering local and national topics.Multiple Awards for his News and Reporting, including the coveted Marconi Award for Station of the Year, 3-time Edward R. Murrow Awards and the National Association of Broadcasters Service to America Award. Well respected, trusted source that makes him the go-to for true journalistic reporting. We discuss how he got into radio/media, the responsibility of the media today, polarizing issues, and of course his favorite story he's ever covered. Find him on air, or online, every morning Mon-Fri 5am-9am at 92.3 FM. https://www.newsradio923.com
PART TWO: 2024 Veterans Day episodes Please go back and listen to part one if you missed it. This episode goes into some of the Commercial Airlines Stories. 2 Naval Aviators and an Intel Marine sit down for some fun stories and then it gets real, really quick! Paul Entrekin retired Marine Aviator, World Famous Blue Angels Air Boss, Defense Intelligence Agency covert operator, captured and detained in Syria, then retired from Delta Airlines after 30 years, owner of his own Russian MIG and author-- we hear about it all! David Van Der Like, Retired Navy Commander, Advanced Jet Flight Instructor, started with American Airlines and then retired from Delta Air Lines, now owner of Hellcat Hangar and Hellcat Productions, a full production studio in Pensacola, FL. They have known each other for 40 years, so I wanted them on the show together. They are both very active on the Veteran's Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, FL and so many more events for Veterans. Co-Host Retired Marine LtCol David Sanford. https://hellcathangar.com https://paulentrekin.com
Rachel Rodriguez started singing with her father at a young age, and now she has an entire festival named after her and an album that made it to the first-round consideration of the Grammys! She is taking over Nashville with her attitude, soulful vocals, buffet of sounds & fusion of Latino, Tejano, Country & Mariachi style! She is enjoying her season of overflowing recognition in the music industry and still looking forward to what's ahead. She is giving back to the community, inspiring and teaching young artists and encourages their expression and creativity to stay connected to their culture. She has her new album coming out in 2026 and two singles have been released, and she tells us the funny story behind the hits.Check out all her social media pages and her album "Mi Vida"!
Niels Andersen is a US Navy Corpsman, President and CEO KA Med Data, Vet CV Foundation and Mission Next. He spent 35 years in the tech development industry focusing on Veterans, and healthcare organizations and systems. He designs and develops software and assist, commercial and government, providers with their practices. He assists organizations in solving recruitment, acquisition, retention, benchmarking and metrics. He has built VETCV, the digital platform for Veterans to access all their records from their smart phone app. He is a resource in the industry, a sought-after speaker, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and has been on the Inc Magazine 5000 Fastest Growing Companies to watch and the 2010 fastest growing healthcarecompanies in the US. He is now focused on his Congressional support for his initiatives for Veteran's local resource center. The Mission Next Center is a Vet resource center and is set to open this month. He also is planning his annual VETCV Foundation Dinner in Pensacola, FL. Check out his website for information on everything he is doing!www.vetcvfoundation.org missionnext.vetcvfoundation.org
The Brett Boyer Foundation is a 501c3 that was co-founded by Ellen Boyer, her husband Bo, sister-in-law Caroline and brother-in-law Luke Bryan. It was created in memory Ellen and Bo's daughter, Sadie Brett Boyer who was diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect (CHD). In her short 7 months she spent most of that time at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and inspired the entire movement and purpose to help others. The Foundation's mission is to fund congenital heart disease research, data, give support and resources to patients, families and providers and to celebrate the Down Syndrome community. They provide financial support, clothing, meals, therapy sessions, mental health support, and groundbreaking trials. Their work has helped support and save 100s of babies. Tune in to this powerful episode. Please check out their site and how you can help:www.TheBrettBoyerFoundation.org
This week on the mic is Dr. Monica Sanford, DNP and retired Marine LtCol David Sanford discussing how to prepare for your C & P VA Disability exams. Monica has been evaluating Veterans for disability claims for over 3 years and was a speaker at the Military Influencer Conference in ATL 2025. I discuss how to empower yourself and what to expect, from the provider standpoint and prepare for the interview and exam. David was prior enlisted and retired as the G2 of 2ndMarDiv and offers his perspective and thoughts on service-related claims and preparing early for your exams. We discuss the service-related claims, the challenges, the misconceptions and more!Any questions after listening--please email me--- mmmsanford@hotmail.com
State Representative Jody Barrett from the 69th District of TN, Candidate for US Congress District 7, Attorney, a small business owner and was graded the most conservative legislator in Tennessee history joins us in studio! After Rep Mark Green resigned from his seat there was a scramble for a special election, polling and fundraising show Rep Barrett consistently as one of the top two to beat. We sat down and discussed everything and anything!Why and how he got started in politics and what separates him from the rest of the pack! Jam packed show covering all the Hot Topics!Veteran's issues, Healthcare, Borders, Federal officers in Memphis, Big Beautiful Bill, DOGE, Tariffs, Vaccines, why some call him a RINO Republican and more!Of course we had to discuss some fun stuff, from his high school band days to his high-profile endorsement.
Denise LaGrange is one of the top selling agents with Sotheby's International Real Estate in Nashville, TN. After a long career in healthcare, pharmaceutical sales and training she moved to Nashville and started diving into the booming Real Estate market and the community. She is very involved with initiatives at the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank and sponsors a local Bands in a Barn featuring local country artists. Her commitment to the community has been recognized as the 2025 winner of the Community Connector Award by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. She is an expert on re-location to the Nashville area—Middle TN area. She told us about the real estate market in Nashville,how many people a day are moving here, why they are moving here and where are they looking to live! We also discussed the huge Veteran population and how she helps them use their VA loan to get into their dream home!
Diane Canda is the founder of Lady Up America, a national speaker, sought out political commentator on Fox News, News Max, and a business consultant focusing on women owned businesses. She served on the Mayor's Minority and Business Advisory Council in Nashville, 2-time award winning Extraordinary Citizen award from the TN State Legislature, author and podcaster.She hosts training workshops for women on how to handle crucial conversations in a civil manner, and remain ladylike, when other's voice an opposing view. Coaching on handling difficult discussions delicately.We discussed her past run for State Representative in TN after she lost her Marine Corps brother to mental health issues after his return from combat and she wanted to help the state with Veteran's issues. She is also the campaign manager and advisor for a current US Congressional candidate, Purple Heart Marine, Joe Leurs and he jumped on the mic for a hot mic minute!