Aired Out

Josiah McKeon of Sweethearts & Heroes unpacks his concept creep of what bullying really is compared to what it has become. From there, the conversation goes much deeper, looking within ourselves, keeping ourselves in check, and what it means to lead a healthier life mentally. Powerful messages centered around self awareness, personal responsibility, and the relationships that connect us to one another. Brace yourself. Profound content here.

Josh Miller of Vermont Fatherhood talks about the expansion of the organization in Barre, its 24/7 curriculum based programs, getting out into the community, and connecting with dads every Tuesday night.Josh also talks about something that deserves more attention, more and more dads are recognizing the importance of keeping their mental health in check, asking for help, building connections, and knowing they do not have to go through it alone.Vermont Fatherhood is creating a place where dads can connect, learn, talk, and become better fathers, partners, and members of their communities.Reach out. Learn more. Stop in any morning at 9am for free coffee and conversation, and be part of the momentum Vermont Fatherhood is building right here in Central Vermont.

If Vermont law restricts local automated license-plate surveillance, do you believe obtaining Flock data from cameras in another state through NESPIN is consistent with the intent of that law? Barre City Police Chief Brad Vail gives a full hour to address what is and what is not happening in the city. And would could be potentially changing soon ...

First responders.
Military.
Hospital staff.
All front-line workers, and frankly ANYONE ... this morning was one not to miss. I was joined by Mike Starner, Director of Outside Line Safety for the National Electrical Contractors Association.

We talked about something that goes beyond simply knowing there is risk in your career. Awareness is one thing, but awareness without action doesn't really change anything. Mike believes the conversation needs to go deeper than another meeting where everybody checks the boxes and moves on. It's about human connection, understanding the people behind the statistics and making safety personal.

We also talked about why employers needed to get off the sidelines and take a much more active role in creating a culture where people looked out for one another.

Looking for another typical pep talk about worker safety and mental health? This is NOT your show. Interested in having a real conversation - outside of your comfort zone - about finding real solutions and changing the way we approach employee needs? Here it is in this episode.

When it comes to mental health, turning awareness into action is the difficult part. Share this one.

Chad Althiser knows that his identity and worth extend far beyond the uniform, medals, combat experience and leadership titles. Sweethearts and Heroes describes Chad as a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major and three-time combat veteran who now brings his human-performance experience to work with young people, educators and high-risk professions. Today on Aired Out, Chad Althiser of Sweethearts & Heroes joined me for what may be one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on this podcast.

Chad took us inside his “Human Factor” presentation with a circle of Marines in Jacksonville, North Carolina, but what happened during our conversation went far beyond the presentation.

He opened the door to parts of his own life that aren't usually found on a résumé.

The loss of his younger brother.

Three combat tours.

Afghanistan.

Ramadi.

The weight carried home from experiences most of us will never understand.

And then came the question that seemed to sit at the center of everything Chad was telling me:

Are we ever enough?

Because for Chad, “being enough” has little to do with the rank of Major, the Marine Corps uniform, the medals, the accomplishments or the titles.

It's about being human.

It's about what happens when the uniform comes off.

It's about vulnerability.

It's about grief.

It's about connection.

It's about what we carry silently.

And ultimately, it's about recognizing that our value isn't determined by what we've accomplished or what we've survived.

Rex Thompson from DonnyBrooke Fight Promotions joined me this morning with an important update for fight fans across Vermont. The highly anticipated KINGDOM COME event, originally scheduled for September 5th at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington, is being rescheduled for October 10th. Rex explained what led to the change, what fans can expect moving forward, and a fight card that will be much larger. October 10th promises to be a major night of MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing. Hope to see you there and then. All tickets purchased for the 9/5 event will be honored.

Hannah & Logan Haskins -American Cornhole League



The American Cornhole League organizes professional and amateur tournaments across the country. Players compete in different divisions based on skill level, with competitors working their way through regional and national events, earning points and chasing championships and prize money.

And Vermont has two young players making some serious history.

Logan Haskins is Vermont’s first Junior Pro in the American Cornhole League, while his sister Hannah is Vermont’s first female Pro. That makes the Haskins family a pretty unique part of the Vermont cornhole story.

Thank you Hannah and Logan Haskins for joining Aired Out this morning and introducing us to the fast-growing world of competitive cornhole - another reminder that if you think cornhole is just something you play in the backyard at a summer cookout, you might want to think again.

This morning also serves as a reminder of why I love podcasting so much. The story. And what makes their story so cool is that they’re doing it together. Brother and sister - competing, traveling, practicing and continuing to raise the profile of a sport that has exploded well beyond the backyard.

Congratulations to both of them, and we’ll be following their progress as they continue making history, one bag at a time.

Pastor Rae

Today on Aired Out, Sweethearts & Heroes welcomes Melissa Caress of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, LIVE from Alaska. Melissa serves as the Statewide Training Director for the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Trust, where she plays a key role in developing the next generation of skilled electrical workers through apprenticeship and workforce training.


The program provides training for wiremen, linemen, telecommunications workers and line-clearance tree trimmers, combining classroom education with hands-on experience and career opportunities.


Melissa’s message of leadership, connection, mental health and looking out for the people beside you is profound at the very least. She has been involved in conversations around The 5th Wire Program, an initiative focused on strengthening peer support and the human connection among electrical and utility crews, recognizing that sometimes the most important connection on the job is the one between people.


Today’s conversation gives us a chance to hear from someone on the front lines of apprenticeship development, workforce preparation and leadership, while also exploring what it means to build stronger, more connected teams and communities. #sweetheartsandheroes 

Randy Henry, Linda Mercy & Mike Woodard Talk Travis Mercy Skatepark Fundraiser THIS SATURDAY

The fundraiser is happening Saturday, August 22, at the Barre Town Recreation Picnic Shelter, with an 80-mile poker run sponsored by the Freedom Vermont V-Twin Cruisers Motorcycle Club.

The Travis Mercy Memorial Skatepark has been supported for years through the dedication of the Mercy family, the Barre Town Thunder Chickens and countless friends and community members. The annual fundraiser helps provide maintenance and improvements to keep this special community skatepark going for the next generation.

Randy, Linda and Mike will talk about the history behind the event, what people can expect this Saturday, and why keeping Travis Mercy’s memory and the skatepark alive means so much to the community.

Join us for this Central Vermont tradition, now 25 years strong. To donate to the silent auction, call Linda Mercy at 802-279-7515