Battle Ready (Audio)

On Battle Ready, host Rickey Chavez speaks with William Conn about applying lessons from law enforcement and SWAT leadership to business, building mission-driven teams, and leading through trust and accountability. They also discuss purposeful financial planning, defining how much is “enough,” balancing savings with meaningful experiences, and viewing health, time, and relationships as essential forms of wealth.

Host Rickey Chavez sits down with James Rosone, Iraq War veteran, former military interrogator, and bestselling author, to discuss how military service and intelligence experience shaped his career as a writer. Their conversation explores military leadership, interrogation, research, modern warfare, AI and autonomous technologies, and the process of creating realistic military thrillers. James also shares how writing became a path forward after leaving military service and the importance of finding purpose beyond the battlefield.

In this inspiring episode of Battle Ready, host Rickey Chavez sits down with Mark Parrish, a U.S. Army combat veteran, McDonald's franchise owner, and leadership expert, to explore how military discipline, resilience, and personal growth can shape extraordinary business success. Mark shares his journey from serving in Iraq to leading 22 McDonald's restaurants with more than 1,200 employees, revealing how leadership begins with leading yourself first.

Together, they discuss the importance of personal vision, lifelong learning, building strong organizational culture, embracing discomfort as a path to growth, and creating systems that develop future leaders. Mark also explains how the same principles that build successful businesses can strengthen families, inspire communities, and create a lasting legacy through intentional leadership and continuous self-improvement.

In this episode of Battle Ready, host Rickey Chavez sits down with Jason Volkert, Vice President of Insurance Sales at the Gibraltar Group and a U.S. Navy veteran, to discuss how military service shaped his approach to leadership, discipline, and business success.

Jason shares his journey from joining the Navy after college to building a nearly 30-year career in the insurance industry. Together, they explore the lasting impact of military values, the importance of trust in leadership, and how serving others remains at the core of both military and civilian life.

The conversation also dives into practical insurance advice, including how families can better protect their financial future, why reviewing policies regularly is essential, and the importance of building long-term relationships through honesty, transparency, and service. Jason also reflects on mentoring teams, leading with empathy instead of authority, balancing career and family, and preparing for a new chapter as an empty nester.

On this episode of Battle Ready, host Rickey Chavez sits down with Kelly Coughlin, CEO of Everyday CPA, to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of business success: financial readiness. Together, they explore the critical difference between bookkeeping and financial clarity, why many entrepreneurs struggle with taxes and cash flow despite strong revenues, and how business owners can make better decisions by truly understanding their numbers.

Kelly shares practical insights on tax planning, financial reporting, retirement strategies, business succession planning, and the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when relying on incomplete financial information. The conversation also examines how artificial intelligence is transforming accounting and financial management, helping small business owners streamline processes, reduce costs, and gain greater visibility into their operations.

In this episode of Battle Ready, host J. Rickey Chavez welcomes Jasmine Davis, Founder and CEO of Pretty Talk LLC, for an engaging conversation about youth leadership, character development, and the power of communication. Jasmine shares how her experiences working in juvenile justice inspired her mission to help young people build confidence, accountability, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills before entering adulthood and the workforce.

Throughout the discussion, Jasmine explores the challenges facing today’s youth, including communication gaps, social media pressures, self-confidence issues, and the importance of developing strong character as a foundation for success. She also discusses her entrepreneurial journey, the impact of mentorship, and how meaningful conversations can bridge generational divides between young people and adults.

In this episode of Battle Ready, host Rickey Chavez sits down with Vanessa Angulo, Senior Director of Field Talent Acquisition at Sysco, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Vanessa shares her remarkable journey from recruiter to executive leader, discussing the lessons she learned through professional challenges, family hardships, and life-changing experiences.

Together, they explore the importance of authentic leadership, creating inclusive workplace cultures, developing future leaders, and overcoming self-doubt. Vanessa also opens up about how personal adversity strengthened her commitment to supporting others, building high-performing teams, and fostering environments where people can thrive.

On this episode of Battle Ready, Ricky Chavez sits down with Shore Danny, founder and CEO of Community Now, for a powerful conversation about resilience, trauma-informed leadership, mental wellness, and community healing. Shore shares her personal journey through adversity and explains how self-awareness, emotional support, and strong community systems help people move from survival mode into healing and purpose.

The discussion explores leadership under pressure, workplace wellness, violence prevention, hope as a strategy for change, and practical ways individuals and organizations can build healthier, more resilient communities. From trauma recovery to coaching for cultural success, this episode delivers valuable insights for leaders, professionals, veterans, educators, and anyone seeking personal growth and emotional strength.

In this episode of Battle Ready, Ricky Chavez sits down with CPA and entrepreneur Keisha Rodino to break down the true meaning of financial leadership and discipline in business. This conversation goes beyond accounting—exploring how entrepreneurs can gain clarity, build systems, and make smarter decisions to grow and scale successfully.

From tax strategies and cash flow management to the dangers of DIY finances and relying on tools like ChatGPT without proper guidance, Keisha shares real-world insights every business owner needs. Learn why having the right financial team, asking the right questions, and staying proactive can make or break your success.

In this powerful episode of Battle Ready (aired 04-23-26), host Ruki Chavez sits down with Ryan Conn to break down the truth about leadership, discipline, and performing under pressure. From real-life SWAT experiences to high-level business leadership, this conversation reveals why training alone doesn’t prepare you for real-world challenges.

Discover the difference between being trained and truly being ready, how “fail forward” thinking accelerates growth, and why situational awareness and self-discipline are critical in both life and business. Ryan shares intense frontline stories, leadership lessons, and actionable strategies to help you lead with conviction—not just credentials.

If you want to build resilience, improve leadership skills, and learn how to act when it matters most, this episode delivers raw insight and real-world wisdom.