The World With Nate

Despite growing up in a city of almost 400,000 people, Paul Lee never felt as though his childhood took place within the metropolis that is St. Louis, Missouri. Paul’s parents intentionally surrounded him with a church community, extended family, and countless friends who showed him the power of community early on. Paul fully understands that he was beyond fortunate to have parents who constantly put others before themselves.

Upon graduation from Lindenwood University, in St. Charles, MO, with BAs in both Non-profit Management and Public Administration, Paul leaned into his faith and followed his calling which led him to the University of Northern Iowa. As they say, “the rest is history.” Paul discovered a community wherein he could thrive inside of the Cedar Valley, met his wife, and started a family. 

Hear why Paul is so adamant about his role as Director of Campus Ministry at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center—and how he welcomes every student where they’re at, with empathy and respect. Paul’s gratitude toward his blessings in life has allowed him to use his strengths to give back to our community in numerous profound ways. Listen as we chat, too, about his time in the Knights of Columbus, Boys Scouts of America, and a plethora of other community-focused initiatives.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!  

Athletics had always been a part of Luke Schuver’s life, as he stayed extremely active throughout his childhood. With his competitive spirit and innate athletic ability, Luke experienced great success early on.

Once his season of puberty began, Luke had envisioned his body growing into manhood along the traditional trajectory. In reality, Luke’s coming of age meant he would develop scoliosis of the spine. Tragically, puberty brought him a host of problems—along with a slowly depleting body racked with pain.

Having witnessed his own mother struggle with a life of pain, Luke knew he needed to alter his future; consequently, he jumped into everything health and fitness related. From successfully earning a degree from the University of Northern Iowa in kinesiology and exercise science, to instructing fitness classes, personal training, and everything in between.

Listen to us chat about how Luke transformed his body to improve his gait, build muscle, bulletproof his joints, and build impeccable posture. Notably, Luke has taken his education and experience to new heights by helping others fix their own issues through functional movement patterns—which ultimately helps them to, like Luke, attain the life they have always desired.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚! 

Family First w/ Anna & Katherine AllisonWhat started as a normal day of going to visit my side of the family, at the picturesque U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed Coralville Lake, resulted in the most stressful situation I’ve ever been a part of. I’d ultimately wonder if we’d all walk away from this near-death experience.

Tapping off the cruise control, I blacked out—going 70 miles per hour down Interstate 380 around 09:00 hours. The family van loaded with our four children careened off of a gravel shoulder and down into an overgrown embankment, and then it crashed into a giant oak tree. Waking to screams, I feared for the very worst.

Listen to our chat about the horrific accident, and hear how our family was saved by a legion of angels. This is the uncut story of a dreadfully traumatic event that befell our family; moreover, it is a story that has resulted in the reaffirmation of faith for an entire community.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚! 

His traditional Bosnian upbringing showed Armin Muzafirović the importance of hard work, determination, and having an unrelenting drive. These qualities would prepare Armin for the future fight of his life.At just sixteen-years old, Armin was diagnosed with a failing heart that would ultimately require constant medical attention.

At only seventeen, Armin would have a pacemaker implanted into his chest. Just two years later, Armin had yet another surgery to receive an internal defibrillator, also known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). 

Additionally, he had a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) installed. These devices pump blood from one’s right and left ventricle, respectively, into one’s pulmonary artery and to the lungs.

All of the aforementioned steps were crucial in keeping Armin alive while his heart continued to deteriorate. With an ejection fraction of only fifteen percent, and forty pounds of gained fluid around his heart, Armin was ultimately admitted to the hospital with a nonfunctional heart. He drifted in and out of consciousness over and over again. 

Hear as we speak on the long and tenuous months that followed his admission to the hospital. Then, experience his elation upon finally receiving the call he’d been waiting for. Some kind, dearly departed soul had chosen to give Armin his heart.

Having received the ultimate gift of life, Armin now advocates and raises awareness regarding organ donation in every way imaginable, including the Iowa Donor Network. Armin co-founded and served as President of the Student Organ Donation Advocates Chapter (SODA) at the University of Northern Iowa, the very first SODA Chapter in the state of Iowa.

Having since graduated from UNI, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry, Armin plans to attend medical school with aspirations of becoming a surgeon.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚! 

Growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska in a one-room cabin with picturesque mountain ranges, abundant flora and fauna, and vast wilderness led Christi Marie to become an adventurous, powerful, and determined woman. But, it wasn’t without hardship that most cannot fathom.

Having overcome a cultish nightmare of a childhood, Christi explains how the ideals and beliefs of that cultic lifestyle deviate from the mainstream way of life. We explore how the relative isolation of an Alaskan existence led to the indoctrination of her family to the group’s controlling beliefs.

Moreover, after having naively married an abusive spouse, we explore how Christi discovered the strength to escape her living hell. Having cut ties with most of her family and friends, Christi ultimately escaped to the Midwest to start over.

Hear about the strength it took to begin fresh and establish a new life with her children in tow. Christi explains that despite the hardships you endure, you are always in control of your destiny. Christi has gone on to reinvent herself on numerous levels, and has competed on multiple seasons of American Ninja Warrior, all while raising her children and pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Carson Parker has had a love for basketball since very early childhood. His father was involved with school sports, and he gave Carson the opportunity to be drawn into basketball from an early age.

Playing basketball throughout high school and dealing with different injuries appeared to limit his chances at a career at the next level. Hear how an opportunity developed into a college basketball career and how that experience lended itself to Carson’s current occupation.

Listen to how Carson followed his passion and with the help of his network, is now managing Shoot360, a state-of-the-art basketball training facility, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚! 

Blake Renaud was on vacation in New York when the seed was planted. Blake and her husband, Alex, had been traveling and wanted to stay active while away from home. As avid basketball players and fans of the sport, the couple found iconic Rucker Park. But, it was only after endless run-arounds on the internet and crucial vacation time wasted. 

Thus, the idea for an app was born. Having a passion to lead healthy lifestyles, the couple had been immediately drawn to the sport of pickleball. While the sport originated back in 1965, it has experienced a meteoric rise to fame in recent years. Just as the goal had been in its inception, pickleball founders Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum wanted to come up with a sport that could keep the entire family busy. 

Flashforward nearly sixty years, and the Renaud’s, too, wanted a sport for all members of the family; moreover, they wanted the flexibility to play with others who were adulting with kids in tow. They now had three children. With the idea to create a community for people who love pickleball, and to ease the access to an app to schedule one’s game, PicklePlay was born. Having established itself in the early years of pickleball’s insurgence, PicklePlay is now the most comprehensive sports app available. It suits the needs of every age range of player and all skill levels. 

Hear how plans changed when baby number four arrived; furthermore, hear how Blake continues to tackle the difficult role of entrepreneurship, all while raising her family. As founder and CEO of PicklePlay, Blake is transparent about the risk, uncertainty, and effort that it takes to chase one’s dreams in this inside story of starting an app from scratch.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!  

Mitch Peyton emulated the wrestlers from West Delaware High School from a very early age, and he knew exactly who he wanted to be when he grew up. The ferocious type of wrestler Mitch wanted to become was only matched by a chivalrous attitude off of the mat and away from the intense competition. Hear how Mitch’s wrestling legacy almost ended after high school, until a simple question from legendary two-time NCAA national champion, world gold medalist, and Olympic gold medalist, Dan Gable persuaded Mitch to attend the University of Iowa to pursue a career in a black and gold singlet. Life in the sport of wrestling didn’t close with a picture-perfect fairytale ending, but the lessons learned and growth received from his journey propelled Mitch, giving him the confidence to chase any dream. Find out how Mitch used that confidence and turned his experience into a new venture wherein children not raised on a farm can have the experience of owning and showing cattle via his Legacy Cattle Company. Peyton, who is now an assistant wrestling coach at West Delaware, suggests there are analogies between the sport of wrestling and showing cattle; moreover, he suggests that these similarities have tremendous value for young people.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!  

Nick Wallace is on a mission to connect local family farmers, through a regional food network, to hungry people who want locally sourced, sustainable food.

Nick has a single goal: To work with one biological farmer in every one of the ninety-nine counties in Iowa. Biological farmers are unique in that they work with nature by balancing minerals, nourishing soil vivacity, and cultivating earth with a purpose. Nick’s determined dream has grown into a conglomeration of farmers practicing regenerative agriculture across Iowa and Minnesota; moreover, he’s currently, partnering with nearly twenty family farms and five local meat-processing plants.

The need for a transparent and trusted source of food has never been higher. Seeing this great need among the people of Iowa’s ninety-nine counties, Nick believes that by supporting farmers of regenerative agriculture we can combat climate change; re-build depleted farm town communities; and heal the lives of a myriad of people across the land, by offering them the highest-quality foods available.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Cameron (Cam) Luhring’s most vivid memory from childhood involves a tennis racket in his hand. Having two older siblings involved in the sport meant that Cam would be acquainted with a tennis lifestyle from an early age.

The University of Nebraska Omaha offered him a tennis scholarship, and that seemed like the route to take until Cam’s plans were derailed when his father received a stage-four cancer diagnosis. Feeling the need to be closer to home due to these circumstances, Cam left the Maverick’s tennis team after only a year and enrolled in classes closer to home, at the University of Northern Iowa. Devastated by the news of his father’s cancer diagnosis, Cam’s love for tennis gradually subsided. It was only by chance that he found pickleball.

After only a year of competition, Cam is ranked nationally; furthermore, he has acquired sponsorships from two pickleball companies. He is now playing in tournaments nationwide in hopes of making pickleball a career. Listen to this interview, and you’ll understand why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the USA.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Marissa Abbott’s dream of becoming a law enforcement officer started early on with a profound admiration for her uncle. Marissa’s uncle shared his vast knowledge and job experiences with her over ride-a-longs, and those experiences solidified her decision to study criminal justice during her college career.

In this episode, we uncover what gives Marissa the desire to protect, and we hear why she believes it’s so essential to becoming a member of the community you protect. We touch on the academy, the training it took to become an officer and the many aspects of policing today.

Hear how a few years of experience in the force have shown Marissa the power of compassion and empathy; furthermore, hear us discuss how when responding to crisis, so often individuals just need someone to listen and love.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

What started in the backyard as a way to encourage, educate, and engage kids, has blossomed into an online community with two brick-and-mortar locales.

Ninja U is the creative ambition of Scott Behrends. After seeing the benefits within his own family, Scott knew he needed to dream large and bring his dream to the Cedar Valley. Starting with obstacles in the backyard, the vision has grown with locations in Cedar Falls and Ankeny, Iowa.

Listen in to hear how a movement is happening right here in our community. Unheard of just a few years ago, Ninja U now has thirteen athletes on their roster who’ve tested their skills in the prime-time NBC show American Ninja Warrior. You’ll be quick to understand where all the success comes from after hearing this story.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Mike Jensen, Professor of Vocal Music at Wartburg College, was an extremely active man in his late-thirties when a tonic-clonic seizure, formerly known as a grand mal seizure, struck out of nowhere—leaving him and his wife, Jennifer, searching for answers. Raising kids, in the midst of a demanding career, and with a high-deductible insurance policy, Mike pushed off the doctor’s visit, and chalked it up to an isolated event.

Months later, the diagnosis of brain cancer seemed absurd when the family received the news. Having the support of their entire community, the Jensen family vowed to never give up, and they planned to defeat the brain cancer. Mike Jensen ultimately lost his battle with brain cancer, and he was called Home on Friday, September 30, 2022, after a courageous 10-year battle with cancer.

Hear the extreme strength it took to never give up, despite the grim conditions. As we reveal that no matter the circumstances we’re dealt, we still have the ability to write our own fairytale ending.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Horses were a part of Georgette Roseke’s life for as long as she can remember, for her early love of the magnificent animals had been continually fostered by her mother. This early juncture solidified Georgette’s need for a life intertwined with the equestrian world.

Factory work paved the way for Georgette’s entrance into the horse world. Working to save enough money to attend Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School while continuing to chase the clock, barrel race with the rodeo, and raise a son, pushed Georgette and showed her the hardships she’d be willing to endure to accomplish her dreams.

Hear Georgette reveal that the definition of a cowgirl has less to do with rodeos and horses, and more to do with tenacity and grit to persevere through every challenge one may face in life.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Sound advice and wisdom from his father allowed Josh to navigate his entry into the United States Army. Always having confidence in his athletic abilities and physical fitness, Josh enlisted as an 11B - Infantryman as part of the Iowa National Guard.

Following graduation from basic training and advanced individual training, Josh was sent back to Iowa to start school at the University of Northern Iowa pursuing a degree in elementary education.

With a deployment to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and 15 months to the Anbar Province of Iraq, Josh’s life changed forever. Listen to how the drudgery of war still remains present in Josh’s life today and how we must continue to pick ourselves up and fight another day.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Inspired by the hard work and the dedication it takes to achieve a remarkable physique, Summer Mast decided she wanted to do it for herself and entered a World Beauty Fitness and Fashion contest. Placing second in the “bikini” class sparked a fire for the sport and she was instantly hooked on competition.

Summer developed a deep admiration for the fitness, nutrition, craft, and posing that accompany the sport; consequently, it has filtered into every aspect of her life—from lunch-break workouts, to sweat sessions with the kids!

Hear how society’s view has the ability to render an impact, but Summer remained resilient to make it through the difficult moments in life and achieve her goals!

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Not one, but two horrific accidents during her adolescence left, Rachel Mueller, with lifelong complications. Despite this, hear how Rachel’s strength, resilience, and resolve prevailed; additionally, hear how she built the life she had always dreamed of having!

We speak on the highs and lows of being a stay-at-home parent in such a universal way that everyone can relate. Rachel loves having the ability to do so, but it doesn’t come without sacrifices.

Hear what Rachel does to remain balanced, despite the chaos of this world; furthermore, hear how she provides immeasurable value to the world, despite the world’s flawed definition of success.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

A brain tumor diagnosis for her father, just months after her younger brother's passing from a heart attack, is what spurred Laura Hand to learn more about the benefits of medical marijuana.

This life-changing experience caused her family to seek out alternative methods of pain management, and Laura began her journey with cannabis.

After her father's passing, Laura committed to learning everything she could about the plant. Ultimately, Laura left her job as the Vice-President of a successful company to dedicate her life to serving those who are using this healing plant to help others.

Listen to this episode as we are going to make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about cannabis and its use to treat everyday medical conditions, such as headaches and menstrual cramps, to the treatment of cancer and so much more!

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Graduation from college presented challenges for Scotty Russell when it came time to find a full-time job. After a number of different gigs, Scotty got hired at what he thought was going to be his lifelong career.

“There is no such thing as a safe day job.” Seeing the effects of this firsthand when his corporation downsized, Scotty bet big on himself and it has paid off! He now enjoys a career that feeds his passions and helps other creatives realize their true potential.

Hear how he took his side hustle to full time; furthermore, how he’s teaching others how to do the same via personal development and creative craft honing. Scotty also gives us a breakdown on why he believes in his non-fungible token (NFT) art, and he takes a crack at the future of cryptocurrencies.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

It started out like any other summer day for then-16-year-old, Jaxon Hansen. Hanging out with friends, enjoying the sunshine, and having a good time—when the group decided to take a dip in the freshly dug pond.

“I’d been diving in, probably, a hundred times” when the unthinkable happened. Launching himself from a trampoline into the pond, Jaxon disappeared, submerged underneath the water for minutes before being rescued by a friend.

The trampoline jump and ensuing dive into the pond resulted in a fractured orbital bone, a basilar skull fracture, and a fractured C5 vertebra. Jaxon chronicles waking up to the removal of his breathing tube, to his current fight to regain the function of his legs. Catch his determination to walk again—in this inspirational story of strength, resilience, and faith in God.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Growing up as a self-described “Tom Boy,” Hillary Meyer had always dreamed of being a firefighter. Although it didn’t go as planned, Hillary never let go of that dream.

Hear how her mother’s tragic overdose solidified Hillary’s decision to chase her dream and become a firefighter at Waterloo Fire Rescue. Listen to how she handles the extreme stressors of the occupation and what Hillary does to stay balanced. We also chat about the day-to-day as a firefighter and how Hillary found the camaraderie she so badly craved.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

The parallels that run between the generations can show us that despite any generational differences, or our contrast in age, we can sit down and find commonality. Not just commonality, but a better understanding for the way forward.

Upon graduating from the University of Central Missouri in the early 1980s, Jim Wheelan encountered a stagnant work market; therefore, he made the decision to move his family to Iowa in search of stable employment.

Marriage, a couple of career switches, three boys later, and a Masters of Education from the University of Arizona in 2011, Mr. Wheelan is now returning as a 3rd- and 4th-grade teacher at St. Patrick Catholic School in Cedar Falls, Iowa!

Listen to our chat about everything from the toils of “online learning on ol’ Mr. Wheelan,” to the fact that, “Love can overcome an awful lot of problems.”

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚!

Not everyone needs a life coach, but we all benefit from self-empowered, confident individuals, who know what they want out of life.

Shifting your language will change your mindset and dramatically improve your future. We cover the simple things you can do to make this a reality! No life-altering courses or gurus, just don’t use any more soft talk!

If you want to transform your own life, but you’re not sure how…this is the first step toward your better future!

When a rare, cancer-like condition gripped young James Hall’s life the strength of the entire community needed to prevail. Ashley’s family would lean on that strength and solidarity during this extremely difficult time over the next year. Through Ashley’s past relationship and the support of their entire family, they will overcome the difficult road ahead.

Hear how, in the short span of the last year, this family dealt with a Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) diagnosis in their toddler son, the birth of another baby boy, and an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with the new baby; moreover, hear how they have dealt with their eldest son’s recent alopecia diagnosis.

It seems like a lot for anyone, but find out how this family keeps the hope alive and how they continue to move forward. This episode is packed with human resolve, which will prepare you to conquer any day!

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“We Wave” is a brand-new tradition, that gained National exposure and propelled the lore and compassion of a community onto the world stage.

With a name like Dalles Jacobus, one could assume he would have been destined to country music superstardom. With music concerts countrywide on the horizon, we dove into how it all got started. We chatted about Dalle’s experience as a player and lifelong fan of the Iowa Hawkeye football dynasty.

Hear how a fishing trip with a buddy, turned into a ballad that has ignited the Black and Gold faithful at Kinnick Stadium and earned Dalles a record deal. Listen in and hear how Dalles’ song “We Wave” gained him the opportunity of a lifetime and how he is working towards the release of his first EP!

The rolling plains and farmland of Iowa have grown littered with dilapidated and decomposing barns. Once barns were property centerpieces, and fixtures of a farm—but the poignant processes of the passage of time, entropy, and modern farming practices have almost made them a thing of the past.

What began as a way to source lumber for woodworking projects, quickly exploded into a barn deconstruction business. Ezrah Szczyrbak and Elias Nissen have built a business out of a deep desire to repurpose the ageless beauty and strength of these now-forgotten relics of Midwestern history.

Listen to hear how these former Northern Iowa Panthers football teammates almost quit on their true passion. See how their faith—and a little bit of fate—solidified their decision to continue. You’ll learn how 3:10 Timber Company repurposes these barns and preserves some of our Midwestern history in the process; likewise, you’ll catch their unrelenting hope of utilizing their talents to bring glory to God!

They say that fortune favors the brave. The risk-takers, the entrepreneurs, the envelope pushers all share it in common: the ability to take a chance on a dream regardless of the fear of failure.

Jon Ramaekers knew he wanted to become a farmer, but without a land inheritance, he realized it would be almost impossible. Jon’s family tree was lined with farmers, but the occupation skipped a generation with Jon’s father. Knowing what he desired, Jon dug his boots in and worked as hard as he could to learn everything about the agricultural trade.

The opportunity came knocking in the way of retirement plans for Tom and Diane Decker, previous owners of Farmers Best Popcorn. In the retirement stage of life, the couple knew they wanted to pass the torch of business ownership; subsequently, they found the future of their company in Jon Ramaekers, and the rest is history.

Listen in to hear how never giving up on a dream, led to an opportunity of a lifetime! Jon Ramaekers now owns a premium white popcorn farm located in the rolling hills and premium fertile soil of Worthington, Iowa. Producing the finest, family-grown popcorn to be found in the Midwest, or anywhere in the USA.

Learn more about Farmers Best Popcorn ⬇️

Married with kids, trapped in the daily grind called “life”, at a job you despise, scraping by for your reprieve of the weekend. Sound familiar?

Ashley Noethe never knew what she wanted to be when she grew up, but she refused to let life decide for her. When she grew discontent with her college major in Northern Iowa, she changed it. When she lost enthusiasm for her teaching career, she reignited the spark by earning her master’s degree in the field. When Ashley knew she needed a change, she acquired a new skill and sought change.

Creating Almond Tree Properties with her husband, Justin is the outcome of years of growth and a beautiful new beginning for their family. The current project works to bring old properties from darkness of distress to new potential. Just like the California almond tree beginning to blossom in the dead of winter, ATP’s goal is to bring new life to the world of real estate.

Michelle’s extreme anxiety began interfering with her everyday life. It had developed into something so all-consuming that it had rendered her unable to function as she once had. It had become impossible to control her own feelings, and years’ worth of needless worry and excessive rumination had compounded into the perfect storm. At the height of her anxiety, Michelle Stricker received an inspirational card from a complete stranger. That simple message changed the trajectory of Michelle’s future forever.

Hear how a random act of kindness inspired an idea to create S.M.A.C.K. Learn how the pandemic provided a positive push toward a passion that has brought hope to our world. The acronym S.M.A.C.K. stands for: spreading messages of affirmation, compassion, and kindness. It has done just that through packs of 100, hand-written messages printed on 4x4 cards for easy dissemination. Launching in March of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, S.M.A.C.K. is now represented in all 50 states!

Michelle transcended the tough times in her life, and by doing so, she gained experience that has prepared her to reach her current goals. The effort she has put into herself is evident through the hope she is able to provide for others now. But, the work isn't over and the anxiety is never gone. Michelle’s profound ability to navigate her life with anxiety is something everyone can draw inspiration from.

Temesgen (Teme) and his family were banished from his father’s home. In Ethiopia, Africa, some cultures consider it acceptable to take more than one wife. Teme’s mother was not his father’s first wife; consequently, when things soured she was dispelled and unequipped to adequately provide for her family.

The fire that swallowed his family’s makeshift hut also maimed Teme, rendering his left leg useless. Begging became the means to feed his family, and Teme spent the next years crawling from town to town asking strangers for spare coins and scraps of food. The struggles that ensued would have led most to abandon hope, but the kindness of a stranger caused Teme to yearn for more!

Propelled by his newfound craving for kindness, Teme never gave up! As a result, his ability to overcome whatever life throws his way will lead us to a greater understanding of what we, too, can accomplish when we never lose hope.

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Joe Granville, Earl’s twin brother, had always had aspirations of becoming a soldier. Once Joe took his oath, it was only right for Earl to do the same. The twins would become Infantrymen together in the Army National Guard and be assigned to the 109th Infantry Regiment out of Pennsylvania.

Joining during a time of peace, the brothers’ first taste of adventure landed them in Bosnia as part of the NATO mission, Operation Joint Forge, to bring peace to the region after years of conflict. This gave them both a chance to see the world and experience a new culture. The brothers quickly fell in love with the military way of life, and they knew they wanted to make it a career. As the PA Army National Guard (PAARNG) Unit left Bosnia, mid-March of 2003, President George W. Bush addressed the world and announced that the United States of America would be invading Iraq.

An Iraq combat deployment was a sure bet, due, in part, to the nature of the Infantryman’s job. But, eager to fulfill his service obligation, Joe Granville, volunteered to deploy to Iraq. Feeling the pressure of his brother’s decision, Earl decided to volunteer as well. He felt compelled to join his brother in Operation Iraqi Freedom; furthermore, he just couldn’t allow him to go alone. Both men thrived in their careers, and despite the hardships of combat they knew the military was their “calling”….They both re-enlisted prior to returning home.

Once he returned home from combat, Joe got married and landed a great job as a correctional officer at SCI Waymart, a state correctional institution. Later, he was attached to the Pennsylvania National Guard A1-109th Infantry in Honesdale as a Training NCO. Earl returned to community college and earned his associate degree. The men were progressing in their lives, respectively, and all was right.

The opportunity to deploy to Afghanistan presented itself to the brothers in 2008, Joe wasn’t ready to go back to war. Joe had a young family, a good job, and he thought his best option was to wait for the deployment orders to drop. On the other hand, Earl felt as though the deployment had come at the exact right moment and he took it!

“Who the fuck is watering their grass in Afghanistan??”

BLACKNESS

“When I came to…big beautiful sky...my feet are backwards, and I’m full of blood. The Humvee to my left is completely destroyed.  We just hit a roadside bomb.”

Listen to the episode to hear how SSG (Ret.) Earl Granville, US Army Infantryman, overcame this horrific attack, how he honors the brothers he lost, and what he is doing to change the future! Currently, he is travelling the nation telling his hard truths and inspiring other Veterans to do the same!

This episode is in loving memory of: Staff Sgt. Joseph Granville (1983-2010).

TOGETHER WE ARE THE STRONGEST.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, please seek help and share the resources below.

Together we will beat this!

Confidential Military Crisis Line:

1 800 273 8255 Option 1 or text 838255

Military One Sources:

1 800 342 9647

Get in contact with SSG (Ret.) Earl Granville here: