The Truths We Hide

The incredible journey of the Honorable Cheryl L. Mason began amidst the picturesque foothills of Appalachia, in Portsmouth, Ohio. From a tender age, she learned invaluable lesson that life presents us with opportunities to overcome obstacles and leave a lasting imprint on others. Known for her tenacious spirit, Cheryl triumphed over discrimination and exclusion, defying all odds to become the first woman and military spouse Chairman of the VA Board of Veterans' Appeals. In that role, she transformed a struggling organization into a high functioning organization by putting her people first and empowering them to deliver record breaking results to veterans and their families. As a speaker and author, she inspires and encourages people through her fierce perseverance and caring leadership style in overcoming obstacles. Her story stands as a testament to resilience and the profound impact one can make on others. In her upcoming book, "Dare To Relate: Leading with a Fierce Heart," she unveils how her journey as a military spouse uniquely empowered her to embrace her unconventional leadership. Ms. Mason received her B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Ohio Northern University and her J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. She is the spouse of a USAF veteran and daughter of a WWII Navy veteran. She actively supports the veteran and military communities speaking on subjects of leadership, transition, and suicide awareness and prevention, to name a few. For more information visit https://www.catalystleadershipmgmt.com/

In this episode, we will be speaking with Jazz Canon, the co-founder of Legend Group an Afghanistan Humanitarian Evacuation Group that is highly involved in the Afghanistan disaster. She helps American families and those who are on the run, to escape certain death from terrorism.  This message needs to get out as fast as possible and they are always in need of donations or resources to continue their mission. The Legend Group Foundation has started a new initiative project to assist in sponsoring a child. It is now ready to launch! For more information on how to become a sponsor please go to: https://www.legendgroupfoundation.org

Jazz Cannon is a co-founder of Legend Group, an Afghanistan Humanitarian Evacuation Group that saves trapped Americans, Afghan Allies, Christians and other Minorities from the Taliban. Her goal is to restore America’s Honor in Afghanistan. For Jazz, the fight is personal. She was persecuted by the Taliban and Al Qaeda and had to flee from Afghanistan with her family at a young age. Surviving as a refugee, she settled in the United States, and found her true calling in helping people just like her. Jazz has served as an Immigration Resettlement Consultant, providing support to organizations that need to implement societal integration and cultural programs. She also has provided supportive coaching and referral to therapeutic counseling for young women having difficulties coping in the western culture and overcoming culture shock. Her goal has been to equip women with the necessary tools and knowledge to help them better respond to their integration challenges and chart a path to a happy and fulfilling life on purpose. For more information go to legend.ngo

Not only will we be digger deeper Into Domestic Violence with Erin Michelle, we will also have a special guest from our local news station here In Central Texas 25 News KXXV, Trent Hooker.  Trenton Hooker Executive Producer, 25 News KXXV Trenton is an executive producer at 25 News and helps lead a team of diverse multiskilled journalists in Central Texas and the Brazos Valley. 25 News recently produced an entire half-hour program focusing on abuse called, "Domestic Violence: A Crisis in Central Texas." Come join us on 14 April at 3pm CST for real stories and an opportunity for live questions and answers. Link to his news story - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trentonhooker_domesticviolence-journalismmatters-activity-6915159274776084480-NsWm?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

BRIAN BIGCOUNTRY CONWELL is a retired Army SGT who llost his left leg on Ft. Riley KS, on January 7th 2014. His right leg contains 30 screws 4 plates and a 10 in rod. SGT BIGCOUNTRY is a Pro Athlete that competes all over the USA and other Countries! He has founded the first ever Tattoo therapy program, Branded Warriors Inc, The Dangerous Grounds Network, where he has vets own their own radio show. Now he runs #Motivatingamerica.com. He is also a Motivational speaker and helps with suicide prevention and talk downs. You can follow him at the following links. www.Motivatingamerica.com Instagram.com/sgtbigcountry https://www.teambigcountrysports.org/

Frank upon graduating Union Local High School just six day later he entered Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, SC and is now a Veterans of the United States Marine Corps. He obtained the rank of Sergeant while on active duty and was honorably discharged after 7 1/2 years. After the Marines Frank returned to his home state of Ohio where he held multiple titles at a few of the major automotive retail and commercial companies he was even an armed security guard and a Private Investigator. He was also a volunteer firefighter serving his local community. Frank is a self taught Web designer by learning HTML where he started his own web design company in Ohio because he wanted to be his own boss and because of a computer class in high school it peaked his interest as the world was evolving. Growing up in the backwoods of Ohio he learned what hard work and dedication meant while working on the farms. It was on the farms that his love of making things started. It continued in scouting with the Boy Scouts of American, and why he took woodshop class in high school. So being disciplined and attention to detail isn’t new to him. It was when he decided to move out of Ohio in 2013 as a single father of 2 kids and move to California. After learning that all companies wanted a certification for a web designer to get a job and the industry was changing to not using only HTML but a new CSS code. He didn't want to go to college in his mid 30's. So he went back into the automotive industry where he became a Store Manager in 2 1/2 years after being with the company. When his kids' school needed parent volunteers for the programs his kids attend, he stepped up. His kids came first. It was there that he learned that the music department needed props built for half time shows and competitions. While he was helping make props, his join of woodworking came back to life. In 2017 he left corporate America he started Kamikaze Wood Werks as the Owner and Craftsman. When Frank was working on a project for the High School Color Guard team is when he finally figured out the recent joke of calling Marines crayon eaters just maybe true. He just learned about that nickname because of social media. Now when he was in the Marine he nor any other marine was called a crayon eater. There were called Devil Dogs, Jarheads, Grunts, Leathernecks, and bullet sponges. So when he was using crayons to finish the details by coloring it with crayons, he changed colors and put one in his mouth and started gnawing on it.  That is when it hit him is there truly an edible crayon out on the market. He learned it had to be made out of chocolate. He knew nothing about making things from chocolates, just that it tasted good. In Oct 2017 he reached out to a former team member Cassandra, he remembered she went to school to be a pasty chief and asked her if she knew how to make chocolate write? She said no but she would try to figure it out and she did. The journey started in September of 2017 and the birth of Crayons Ready-to-Eat LLC was born.  Frank is the CEO / Co-Founding Crayon Eater™ behind Crayons Ready-to-Eat™ LLC AKA "The CRE™ ".  He did it all with a PHD that didn’t exceed 13 years. Website-https://crayonsreadytoeat.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=crayons%20ready-to-eat

Erin Michelle who been through hell and back yet still keeps smiling and has a heart of gold. Why has she decided to share her story even amidst off all her heartache? " I want to help women and men understand and process what they may be going through and encourage the healing journey by sharing my story. Provide that hope that their is a happy and healthy and to share resources." She shares her story of alcoholism, drug addiction and domestic violence. How did she come out of it ? How is she finding peace?  Listen here to find out more. 

Jennifer Hobbs. is a combat veteran, wife of a combat veteran, and mother on a mission to follow my purpose to change the world, helping one person at a time. She shares her story of growing up in a single parent family home that came with challenges of its own to joining the military at 17 years old. Jennifer talks about being deployed, losing Soldiers and how her husband survived a roadside bomb. Writing a dual memoir, both her and her husband share experiences about military life all after a hard transition from a combat zone and learning how to live again. Find her book Calmed; Growth after Trauma here : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096HLWZQ9/ref=nodl_ And Find her at the following links : Email: jennifer@thejenniferhobbs.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/author_jennifer_hobbs/ Website: https://www.thejenniferhobbs.com/ Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/authorjenniferhobbs Contact Jennifer at www.thejenniferhobbs.com

Keith McKeever was raised around the real estate industry. His parents sold log homes, were both Realtors, and held rental property as well as fix and flip homes. After losing his father to cancer at the age of sixteen Keith felt lost. It wasn't until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces member that he honed his leadership skills and found his passion for volunteering that gave him a direction and passion in life of serving others. In 2013 he joined his mother in the real estate industry and immediately got involved in serving his local association. During the COVID Pandemic, while also pursuing his Bachelor's degree, Keith founded the Battle Buddy Podcast as a way to help others share their stories to give other veterans the inspiration and actionable steps to better their lives. https://www.facebook.com/battlebuddypodcast

Avery Stenstrom is an 18-year-old high school senior who began her writing journey at the age of 14 one summer day while spending time with family on vacation in West Virginia. Avery's journey into writing came as she struggled to come to terms with her early childhood trauma and her struggles with her ADHD, Dyslexia, and anxiety. Heart of the Beast was created out of her pain, an escape from the chaos both internal and external. She vibrantly builds on her experience through sharing her struggles with each character representing the challenges between anger and joy, hatred and forgiveness, reluctance and determination. Avery graduates from The Lab School of Washington in 2022 and is planning to enter Hofstra University in the coming fall. As she begins this next phase of her life, one thing is for certain, Avery sees the power of expression through word and/or art as the foundation to whatever journey unfolds before her. Link to purchase her book "Heart of the Beast"  https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Beast-P-Stenstrom/dp/0578366088/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BCNIIPBP34UU&keywords=A.P.+Stenstrom&qid=1644536552&sprefix=a.p.+stenstrom%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1

Shaniqua Dupree is a Business Consultant and Income Strategist at Launching With Purpose, a mom of three, a United States Navy Veteran with 11 years of service. But most importantly she is a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. It’s because of her faith in Him that she decided to write her first book, I AM PROFITABLE. Her profound understanding of purpose and profit was the intent of its creation. When she began the journey of discovering who she was created to be and what she was created to do in the world, she realized that she was born to impact. And not only her, but everyone was created to impact. She began to understand that the biggest thing stopping people from being impactful and doing what they were created to do, was money, time, and the understanding of life’s purpose. In her book, she set out to help people realize that because of their experience alone, they are purposeful and they are profitable. To learn more about working with Shaniqua or how to invite her to speak at your next event, go to www.LaunchingWithPurpose.com. You can also follow her @LaunchingWithPurpose

Born into wedlock to Darlene Carden & Calvin Barksdale. Shawn was born April 19, 1976. Shawn was caught in a vicious cycle when his father was incarcerated while he was only 4yrs old. Although Shawn had gained a foundation of respect and a hard work ethic from his grandparents and great grandparents. The absence of his father led him down a dark path. Ultimately being incarcerated himself at the age of 24. While confined Shawn began to educate himself gaining his GED, college courses, and a host of trades. His heart gravitated towards Graphics Communication. Learning everything he could about the printing industry, at the same time he was becoming a parent at visiting room tables and through phone conversations. Today Shawn has been free for 5yrs and fathered two more children. He owns and operates his own printing company Press 4 Time Tees LLC. While still on a journey to find out what a real man is he poses the question what is your TEN MINUTES OF TRUTH.

Ericka E. Kelly is professional speaker, executive coach and trainer. In this position, she is a global professional where her leadership skills are utilized to add value and to develop companies in their effectiveness and production goals. She helps thousands of leaders to become better communicators, to establish trust, and credibility with others. Her coaching skills and mentorship allow individuals to realize their own potential and to achieve greater goals for themselves and the companies/organizations they work for. E. Kelly was also the 17th Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air Force Reserve Command and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve. Under her role as a Command Chief, E. Kelly represented the highest enlisted executive level of leadership in the military. She advised the Commander on all issues regarding the readiness, training, welfare, morale, and proper utilization and progress of more than 74,000 civilians/enlisted/officer active duty and Reserve Citizen Airmen serving at more than 60 military bases worldwide. She also provided direction to the Reserve Forces and represented their interests at all levels of government, other military branches and in joint strategic and operational war-fighting environments. In addition to her personal business and military service, E. Kelly has more than 27 years of government management and law enforcement experience. She served as a Criminal Investigator for the Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection in the Office of Professional Responsibility. In this position, this position, E. Kelly was responsible for building relationships with local, state, and other federal agencies in order to manage criminal and administrative investigations. Background Information: A native of Guatemala and resident of California, she was 12 years old when she arrived to the United States from extreme poverty to a new successful future. E. Kelly earned a Master of Business Administration, Military Studies, Trident University;a Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice |Foreign Languages (Spa and Fr), University of Nevada;an Associate of Applied Science, Allied Health Sciences, Air Force Community College. She also holds the following accreditations: Professional Manager Certification (PMC);International John Maxwell Certification (JMT);and Licensed Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator. Among many acknowledgments, E. Kelly has received national recognition from the United States Congress. Some distinguish factors included: Exceptional leadership skills;public;community service;speaking/mentorship/training abilities;language (Spanish) expertise;physical fitness;and for being an outstanding performer in stressful military/civilian situations. Ericka E. Kelly can be found on: Twitter, @E_K_Enterprises;LinkedIn/Ericka-Kelly-Enterprises;Facebook.com/Ericka Kelly Enterprises;and erickakellyenterprises.com

Rob Garcia's last interview saw him returning from a Middle East deployment, losing his mother to cancer and living with his sister in his hometown as he figured out his next steps. A nervous breakdown would follow, culminating in him quitting his job and committing to entrepreneurship full time.  A failed marriage proposal, a huge new advisory position, a business award.. welcome to Rob the Warrior Strategist's life in 2022. Contact Rob at www.yournextlevelofsuccess.com

In this Episode my daughter, Haeli and I dig deep into what life is like as a military child and having a parent who struggles with mental health. Haeli talks about what she saw and how that changed her way of life.  This is a never before talked about episode in which we see through the child's eyes.  Listen as we dig into: - life with with dual military parents - growing up watching your mother suffer from her mental health struggles - using that trauma as lessons learned  and so much more. 

Theresa Carpenter is an active duty naval officer and storyteller with 25 years of service. She overcame decades of trauma and self sabotaging behavior through acts of service and is committed to paying that journey forward. Her podcast S.O.S. Stories of Service features people from all walks of life who show up in service to their respective communities. Follow the link below to find out more about Theresa and her work.  https://beacons.page/theresacarpenter

In this episode, Steve Sims shares why he chose to focus on small businesses and new entrepreneurs. He also shares how he started his Speakeasy events. They are exclusive and no one is the same. Listen here for more.  You can find more on Steve Sims in the May podcast guide at www.awildridecalledlife.com/podcast-guide

"As an emotional trauma healer I help others heal anxiety, anger and depression from the ground up through healing the emotional traumas that take place in our homes such as intergenerational and childhood traumas. I have written two books about this and I have had my practice Heal From the Ground Up for 11 years. I am one of the highest-rated mental health professionals on Yelp in California." To learn more about Michael please refer to the May Podcast Guide at www.awildridecalledlife.com/podcast-guide

Her Story: I began my formal education at the National Louis University in Washington, DC, where I concentrated on graphic design, website design, and photography. After that, my enthusiasm for photography had grown and I believe that my passion for the art shows in the quality of my work. I currently offer both in-studio portrait photography and outside portrait photography. I continued my education with the New York Institute of Photography, focusing in Professional Photography. I have active memberships to Professional Photographers of America, the American Society of Media Photographers, and the American Society of Picture Professionals. In 2011, I collaborated with Freedom Crossing on Fort Bliss and expanded my commercial event coverage. Since then, I have worked with TAPS, USO, Operation: Love ReUnited, Operation Homefront, Wounded Warrior Wives, Homes for our Troops and other similar businesses. I have photographed some amazing professional talent like Chris Daughtry, the Eli Young Band, Pat Green, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gym Class Heroes and many more. Find our more about Tara in the May Podcast guide at www.awildridecalledlife.com/podcast-guide

Her Story: I come from a family of all sisters, the youngest of 3! I had a semi-rough childhood, poverty and drug-ridden but my sisters were my constant. we had some undiagnosed mental health issues at home and For a long time I lived a life of fear. First a staturatory rape marriage then a domestic violence marriage and for as long as I can recall - I have been an overcome, wanting more, never satisfied. well FFW and I join the army served 12 years, 8 of which as a single mom. Advanced from E3 to O3 in 6 years. and I did a lot of different jobs. i found Jesus in 2009 and since then have cleaned up my life a lot. I walk in faith, and I have tackeld my own demons of mental health and insecurities and struggles. I have been dealing with depression and ptsd a lot longer than I have found the hope in Jesus. as a part of the whole process and becoming a podcaster, I shared my testimony first time ever about mental health in sept 2019, one day before i started recording for the podcast. there was breakthrough in my heart but i still suffered, one day i FROZE on the edge of my carpet in the closet and for 45 minutes literally couldn't move. I knew i needed more help. pills didn't work, stress and fighting wasn't working etc. so i came across a therapy called TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation and i began that journey. I have never felt better and more clear minded let alone feel anger in a healthy way. I am not perfect, but this therapy changed my life. I suffer from PTS, severe depression, the frozen episode wasn't the first and it is call psychosis paralysis. For more on Kerri please go to the May podcast guide at www.awildridecalledlife.com/podcast-guide