Join Bryan and Marie on Coffee Talk as they sit down with Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Schroader Sr., founder of the Price of Freedom Foundation. Born into a military family in 1956, Dennis built a remarkable 24‑year career in the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after decades of leadership and service.

After his military retirement, Dennis continued to lead in the private sector, holding management roles with AmerAssist and Chamberlain University. Today, he channels his lifelong dedication to service through the Price of Freedom Foundation — an organization committed to preserving the stories and sacrifices of America’s heroes.

In this episode, Dennis shares:

• His journey from Army ROTC to Lieutenant Colonel

• The mission and impact of the Price of Freedom Foundation

• Insights on leadership, legacy, and honoring those who served

• Reflections on family, faith, and building a lasting home in Tennessee

Dennis and his wife Penny have made White House, Tennessee, their home since 2016, surrounded by five adult children and ten grandchildren. With degrees in psychology and education, Dennis continues to inspire through his work and his unwavering belief in the power of remembrance.

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about service, purpose, and the enduring price of freedom.

Join Bryan and Marie on this powerful episode of Coffee Talk as they sit down with Brian Townsend — a retired Supervisory Special Agent and Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With 28 years in law enforcement, including 23 years with the DEA, Brian brings unmatched insight into drug trafficking, leadership development, and the evolving opioid crisis.

Brian served in multiple leadership roles across Corpus Christi, Little Rock, and Springfield, managing teams, operations, and major investigations. His work at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico helped shape the agency’s leadership development programs, which continue to train more than 10,000 personnel today.

Now serving as a Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for MOCIC and founder of Eagle 6 Training, Brian provides world‑class instruction on leadership, cryptocurrency investigations, dark web threats, and organizational readiness. He also leads Only 2mg Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to fentanyl awareness and education, speaking nationwide about the opioid epidemic and its devastating impact.

Brian sits on the Board of Directors for the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) and is frequently featured by major news outlets including FOX and CNN.

This episode dives deep into:

• Brian’s 28‑year law enforcement journey

• The realities of drug trafficking and fentanyl’s rise

• Leadership inside one of the nation’s most demanding federal agencies

• How digital crime, cryptocurrency, and the dark web are reshaping investigations

• His mission to educate communities and save lives

A must‑listen for anyone passionate about public safety, leadership, and the fight against the opioid crisis.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan & Marie, we sit down with EJ “Skullcrusher” Snyder — one of the world’s top survival experts and a 25‑year Army combat veteran. From his days as an Airborne Ranger and Infantry Sergeant Major to earning two Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit, and the Order of Saint Maurice, EJ’s story embodies grit, leadership, and an unbreakable will.

After retiring from the military, EJ became a breakout star on Discovery’s Naked and Afraid, surviving six brutal challenges with a combined 206 days in the wild — and zero taps, even after a near‑fatal injury. He’s since hosted Dual Survival, appeared in 72 Hours, Mountain Masters, First Man Out, and more, proving that his “lead from the front” mindset transcends the battlefield.

EJ now runs Skullcrusher Outdoors, co‑owns ventures like Armed Forces Brewing Company, Freedom Pickles, and Hard Working Sauce Co., and continues to give back through veteran outreach, suicide prevention, and disaster relief. His mission: live with intensity, passion, and purpose — and never quit.

🎵 Veteran Showcase: This week features powerful music from Marine the Rapper, and Air Force Veterans Topher and D. Cure — artists using their voices to inspire strength, unity, and pride across the veteran community.

A raw, motivating conversation about survival, service, and the mindset that keeps warriors moving forward.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan and Marie, the conversation turns inward — toward healing, honesty, and creating a space where every voice can be heard. Bryan and Marie talk about opening up the show to those who may not feel comfortable on camera or in person, offering the option to join audio‑only or even submit their story by email to be read on air.

They dive into the importance of continuing to strengthen your mental health, even when you think you’re “fully healed,” because life has a way of testing you when you least expect it. Growth is daily, intentional, and necessary.

This week’s Veteran Showcase features music from Army Veteran Michael Allen, along with several other meaningful topics that remind us why community, vulnerability, and resilience matter.

A grounded, heartfelt episode built for anyone walking their own healing journey — and ready to share it when they’re ready.

To schedule or contact go to sliderbabe.com

Marie and Bryan go live on Facebook and YouTube for a powerful Memorial Day episode of Coffee Talk. They open up about what this day truly means for many veterans, families, and Gold Star communities, while also shining a light on the mental health struggles that often surface during this time of remembrance. Join them for an honest, heartfelt conversation about honoring the fallen, supporting the living, and standing together as a community that refuses to let anyone carry their burdens alone.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan and Marie, we sit down with David Shoup — a United States Marine Corps combat veteran who served as an infantry rifleman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, along with multiple Special Operations–related assignments across various locations. After leaving active duty, David faced a brutal internal war: nightmares, rage, anxiety, isolation, and the emotional chaos of PTSD.

Refusing to accept the belief that “this is just how life is now,” David launched a personal mission to destroy PTSD and reclaim the life he was meant to live. Through years of intensive study, high‑level coaching, and mission‑driven discipline, he developed a proven system grounded in psychological science, cutting‑edge neurological strategies, and battlefield‑tested principles.

Today, David leads a national movement to eliminate PTSD from the lives of combat veterans and active‑duty service members — permanently. As a coach, speaker, author, and fellow warrior, he provides an operational manual for complete freedom, empowering those who feel lost or stuck in survival mode to fight back with clarity, purpose, and power.

Connect with David and learn more about his work on social media at @Mission.Freedom.0311.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan and Marie, we sit down with a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Air Defense Artillery, working with the PATRIOT Missile system and deploying in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home, he spent years self‑medicating with alcohol — a struggle that nearly cost him everything.

Now over three years sober, he’s on a mission to normalize sobriety within the Veteran community, especially for those using substances as a form of silent self‑medication. His platform, This Sober Vet Podcast, available on all major streaming services, is dedicated to honest conversations about addiction, recovery, and the path back to purpose.

This conversation is raw, real, and deeply needed — a look at the battles Veterans fight long after the uniform comes off, and the hope that comes from choosing a different road.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan and Marie, we sit down with Erin Schalk — a writer, editor, and interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges storytelling, visual art, and education. With an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Erin has built a career centered on voice, accessibility, and the human experience. Her writing appears in respected literary journals, her artwork has been exhibited internationally, and her teaching spans more than a decade of developing inclusive, art‑driven programs.

Married to a retired veteran, Erin brings a unique perspective on resilience, creativity, and the power of expression. She works closely with writers to strengthen narrative structure, emotional depth, and authenticity, while also designing workshops that blend art, writing, and inclusive practices for diverse communities. This conversation explores the craft, the heart, and the purpose behind Erin’s work — and how creativity becomes a bridge between lived experience and meaningful connection.

https://www.erinschalk.com/about

On this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan and Marie, we sit down with Dan Conley — a medically retired Army veteran and disabled combat veteran whose story is all about resilience, reinvention, and purpose. After completing his MBA, Dan turned to woodworking as a way to stay active, focused, and grounded. What started as a personal outlet slowly evolved into Tilted Knot Woodworks, a full creative venture where Dan builds handcrafted pieces while adapting to physical limitations.

Dan also shares how he documents his process on YouTube, using his platform to show other veterans and makers that creativity, craftsmanship, and community are still possible no matter the obstacles. This conversation is real, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that healing can take many forms — sometimes even in the shape of sawdust and hand‑built art.

In this episode of Coffee Talk with Bryan & Marie, we sit down with Brian — a Navy Commander whose career spans shipboard leadership, university instruction, strategic planning, and financial expertise. Brian graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with a degree in Political Science and was commissioned into the United States Navy the same day. Over ten years on active duty, he served aboard three different classes of ships, deploying twice to the Persian Gulf and once to Southeast Asia. His roles included First Lieutenant on USS Gettysburg (CG‑64), Operations Officer on USS Defender (MCM‑2), and Operations Officer on USS Arleigh Burke (DDG‑51).

Brian later joined the faculty at Villanova University as an Instructor of Naval Science, earning a nomination for Naval Service Training Command’s Instructor of the Year and becoming the only non‑PhD to win Villanova’s prestigious “Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.” He also completed his Master of Arts in Political Science during his time there.

After transitioning to the Navy Reserve in 2015, Brian entered the financial world as a planner with Pultro Financial Management, earning advanced certifications including AIF, BFA, RFC, and the IARFC “Ethics Certified” designation. The Navy recalled him to active duty in 2018, where he served as a Strategic Planner in the Iran Branch at U.S. Central Command. Today, he continues to serve as a Commander and Staff Officer at Carrier Strike Group Four.

Outside of uniform, Brian is deeply committed to family, community, and service. He spends his free time with his wife, three sons, and two golden retriever rescues, and serves on the boards of the Auburn University Alumni Association, the Villanova University Alumni Association, and the LPL Financial Government Relations Advisory Council.

Join Bryan and Marie for a thoughtful, wide‑ranging conversation about leadership, service, transition, teaching, financial ethics, and the evolving mission of today’s Navy.