Freedom’s Pulse

Sharlene's father's job had his family living all over South America during Sharlene's youth.  This time allowed her to appreciate America and all of our freedoms and blessings.

Sharlene attended BYU, where unexpectedly, she found herself not only competing in Miss America, but also winning the crown.  More than gowns and traveling the country, Sharlene endured intense scrutiny the first six months of her title.  She learned to focus her attention on others, lessening the anxiety Sharlene felt about herself.

Sharlene was a broadcaster at ESPN.  Sharlene gave up her job to raise her young family.

Even at a young age, Sharlene was humbled and proud to be an American.  This feeling continued into her adulthood.  Sharlene was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Armed Forces in 2015.  

Sharlene was a pivotal part of the https://www.remembermyservice.com/

an organization that has published historical commemoratives for more than half a million veterans and military service members.

Sharlene's mission continues to be sharing her passion for America with her children and grandchildren.

https://www.facebook.com/swells64  (Sharlene Wells Facebook)

"There is nothing like living on the verge of death to realize you are alive."   

Like other veterans and first responders, Sean knows this feeling.  It can be addictive, a feeling you long to have even though danger is always close.

This is Sean Welch's story.  Sean and Tina have a deep discussion about his PTS (D omitted on purpose.) and the day he lost his good friend while on deployment.  

Sean watched his friend die; survivors guilt consumed Sean.  The nightmares and PTS are part of his life every single day. Sleep avails Sean. He is triggered by certain smells. 

Sean is not alone; PTS affects so many of our veterans and first reponders.  They see the worst of humanity, but the calling to help others outweighs the horrors.

Sean is a proud veteran, and a dedicated police officer. One year ago Sean achieved his dream of becoming a k-9 police officer.  Sean and his faithful partner, Fero, patrol together everyday.

He uses his voice to help all Americans understand the strength and plight of our nation's heroes. 

Sean is an advocate for mental health.  He is an Operation Enduring Warrior honoree, an organization that mentally and physically supports veterans and first responders.

https://www.tiktok.com/@k9fero_and_sean

https://www.instagram.com/officialk9fero/

https://www.enduringwarrior.org/

https://hiddenbattlesfoundation.org/

Andrae Griffin was the victim of mental, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of those who should have been her protectors.  Andrae's parents made her life a living hell.  Andrae's only refuge was school.  

Andrae reached out to other adults, but help did not come. Her parents threatened Andrae with her very life if she continued to plead to those outside the family.

Andrae left home as a teenager.  She bought a plane ticket, and made the decision to fend for herself.

Andrae's behavior kept her in a dangerous place.  She lived with strangers, drank alcohol, and was involved in unhealthy relationships.  

Andrae considered herself unworthy of goodness or unconditional love.  It was her future husband, Ray, who patiently waited for Andrae to trust he was there for good.

This is the story of Andrae Griffin.  She is candid about her abuse, poor life choices, and, finally, how the freedoms in America allowed her (and anyone willing to work hard) to beat poverty and abuse; living a life she is proud to pronounce as her own.

Andrae and her husband, Ray, are fierce American patriots, instilling the love of country to their children.  Andrae has supported Ray through his tenure in the Utah Army Reserve, often times raising the children on her own while Ray protects and serves in far off places.  She and Ray are also owners of the Griffin Jiu Jitsu Academy, taking special pride in classes they offer for women's safety.

Andrae is a contributor to the Utah Patriot Camp, teaching children about the constitution and our great American republic.

Stormy King grew up in a world of chaos.  Both parents were part of the notorius Hells' Angels motorcycle club.  She bounced around foster care homes; her nickname was "the throwaway child."  

Finally adopted in her early teens, Stormy ran away and took care of herself through those tumultous years.

When Stormy's 1st husband joined the military and left home, she dealt with abandonment issues from childhood.  The marriage fell apart.

It was after the disolvency of her marriage, Stormy realized she had to change.  

Stormy's mission is to help others with trauma, anxiety, and ptsd as a life coach.

Stormy has plans to help homeless veterans by funding tiny homes.

https://www.facebook.com/stormyrking/

https://www.instagram.com/influencingdestiny/

https://twitter.com/stormyr59537439

In my two years of doing this podcast, I have had the immense opportunity to speak with many veterans.  These are the men and women who were willing to give all for America and her people.  They came home with scars, inside and out...but they still have a profound love for this great country.

In every episode I ask my guests, "What does America mean to you?"  These are their responses.

Bric Simpson is a military leader, 20-year combat veteran, inventor, public speaker, and entrepreneur.   He has served several stateside humanitarian mobilizations and an overseas deployment from 2005-2006 in Ramadi Iraq with the 222nd Field Artillery out of Utah.

Bric is passionate about changing veteran lives through technology and community-building, and the Forge Forward Project is his life’s work. As early as 2016, he had plans to develop a business that would allow him to give back to the veteran community. In 2018, he developed a line of lifestyle apparel and men’s care products as a way to raise funds to help his fellow vets in need.

Bric and Forge Forward are developing a virtual reality program, available to all veterans across the country.  Through this program, veterans can connect with other veterans and therapists without ever leaving their home, broadening the scope of mental health to more of our brave men and women who selflessly defended, protected, and gave aid to Americans at home and abroad.

“Adversity doesn’t define you, it refines you–if you let it."  Bric Simpson

https://forgeforwardproject.org/bric-the-king-simpson/  Forge Forward Project Website

https://www.instagram.com/forgeforwardproject/  Forge Forward Project Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/forgeforwardproject Forge Forward Project Facebook

My name is Justin Lane, aka JP Lane. Many people have their own reasoning for joining the military, mine is probably similar to most my age, in 2001, watching the twin towers fall. I was reminded of that feeling when I was old enough to sign up. At the age of 20, In 2008, I joined the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer. I was deployed, in 2010, to Afghanistan to search for IED’s (Improvised Explosive Device). I was blown up 3 separate times, and the 3rd one got me. July 2nd, 2011, I was blown up by a 200lb IED while on mission. It was the first IED to penetrate an RG31 truck.

The blast resulted in putting me in a coma for 6 weeks. I lost both my legs, right arm snapped in half, lost my four front teeth, pelvis snapped in half, spine dislocated from my pelvis, and everything in my torso was destroyed by shrapnel except for my heart and left lung. In total, I received 26 injuries, and had 28 surgeries, this completely changed my life. Doctors said I wasn’t going to be able to do many things, like, use prosthetics because my legs were so badly damaged. Also, that I wouldn’t be able to speak properly or sing ever again because of a tracheotomy.

With each day, I am proving them wrong. I am one of the few double amputee recording artist. God wasn’t finish with me yet. Since I got my prosthetics, I have performed for 2 Presidential Inaugurations, Presidents, Obama and Trump. I have performed with Lee Greenwood, Neil McCoy, Aaron Tippin, Jason Castro, and more. I have performed for non-profit organizations such as Adapt-a-Vet, Helping a Hero, which are in support of our military. Also, performed for organizations that support the local community, like, Taking it to the Streets, who feed the homeless, and G.A.N.G Outreach in Colorado, that provides positive/encouraging sport camps for underprivileged kids. I signed the dotted line, when I joined the Army, to SERVE and protect the American people, and since I am still alive, by the grace of God, I will still serve. Retirement is just a word! I also do motivational speaking to share my story and give hope to those who need it. I let people know to “Never Give Up, Never Surrender.”

I have also been able to perform and inspire thousands in Brazil and Mexico. My goal is to impact the world with more than just music. Changing hearts and minds one at a time.

In a situation like mine, most people would look in the mirror and feel that no one would want them. But, I was blessed to have found someone who not only loves me for me, but also supports my career and my passion of singing. Crystal, now my beautiful bride as of Feb. 2018, has been a huge support for me and given my life more purpose. We now work together inspiring couples around us, telling them the amazing story of what brought us together.

April 1st thru the 9th, I went back to AFGHANISTAN to have a “proper exit.” I was able to visit the hospital I was first recovering at after being blown up. Since I was in a coma, I did not remember much of the hospitals, and traveling I did during that time. As I visited different bases around Afghanistan, I was welcomed back with open arms from thousands of troops. I was proud to walk down the welcome ceremonial row, holding my “NICE TRY TAILBAN” shirt. One of the most amazing feelings was getting to wear the U.S. Army uniform once again, but nothing compared to the feeling of getting to leave the country on my own two feet, prosthetic feet, with my head held high!

Upon returning from Afghanistan, it seemed like my story was about to end. Crystal and I were in a serious car accident that rolled our jeep and destroyed our car. Airbags went off in every direction, and glass shattered with every turn of our vehicle. Thank God we were wearing our seat belts, otherwise the damage we received would have been worse. Most of the damage was psychological, bringing back horrible dreams of the accident on a nightly basis, and having brought fear to Crystal with sitting in the passenger seat each day. But as a part of the strong and determined Lane family, we will overcome. Nothing in this world will defeat us or bring us down!

You can find JP at the following

JP's Journey https://jpsjourney.com/

Instagram-JP Lane Official https://www.instagram.com/jplaneofficial/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JPAmpMusic

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jplaneofficial

Kim was born in Idaho and lived there 6 weeks and then traveled with her mother and older brother to Missouri to join her father who was attending dental school.

At the age of 4, the family moved to Orem, Utah where Kim attended elementary, Jr. High and High School.

Kim was a very shy and rather socially awkward young lady and

Kim married her high school sweetheart and they moved to SLC where he was enrolled in Pre Med. By the time they were expecting their second child; Kim’s husband hadfound interest in another woman and left the family.

Kim was incredibly fortunate to be accepted into LPN school just 6 weeks after her little girl was born. One year later, she graduated from LPN school as the valedictorian of her class.

Over the next 30 years, she worked for a physician, in the hospital setting and finally in running the largest hospice company in Utah.

She was nominated as the Utah Hospice and Palliative Care President twice and served as President when Utah hosted

She also received an award from the UHPCO which states, “In

A second marriage brought forth three more beautiful babies while the family lived in Riverdale, Utah. A tragic automobile accident took the lives of her sweet 4 year old baby boy Nathan and her 36 year old Husband.

Kim’s youngest child of 21 months was also in the accident and was not breathing and was without a heartbeat when the first

Several years later, Kim married for yes a third time. We combined our families under one roof and stared our life with 8 children between the ages of 3 and 15 th . It was like

Nigel was always fascinated with the military and read every military history book he could find.  He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol

Nigel's company was deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2009. His billet was intelligence and recon. He entered buildings to find weapons and the Taliban.

Nigel was killed by an IED on March 4, 2010 while escorting a captured Taliban prisoner back to his vehicle.

After Nigel’s death, Kim volunteered for the Red Cross for several years and received “The Lifetime Hero Award” for her service to the military.

Kim has served as President of the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division as well as several positions in the health care arena.

Kim also started her non-profit company called Gold Star Stars.

She has been married to Todd Olsen for 35 years and they currently reside in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Over the last 12 years Kim has been speaking to schools, church and civic groups about faith, freedom and her great love for all those who serve in our military.

She currently runs the Gold Star Families of Utah closed face book page where all our Utah fallen heroes are remembered.

Post 4918 is a local VFW post located in American Fork where she currently serves as the Auxiliary President.

She is on a committee that is bringing a Gold Star Families Monument to Sandy City. The groundbreaking was on July 29 th of this year and the dedication will be held on September 24 th at Sandy City Hall.

Last but not least, she and her husband are serving as Senior Service Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Her husband Todd has been diagnosed with terminal cancer so they are going to enjoy every minute they have together.

This is the story of two marines, Andrew Turner and Matthew Gardner.  The two men met in the corps, and their friendship has sustained them through life's twists and turns, on and off the battlefield.

Matt and Andrew talk about the day that forever changed them, the day they were sent to a helicopter crash site to collect the remains of fellow marines.

These men deal with PTSD.  It can be a dark and scary place when you are in the depths of despair.  Matt and Andrew are candid as they discuss the fears and anxiety that can plague their souls.

They have cemented their friendship with one common goal, to help others dealing with PTSD, a condition not limited to military personnel.

Matt and Andrew are hosts of the Disarranged Talk Show where they share one person's story each week, complex stories of growth and resiliency.

And finally, PTSD may be shrouded in darkness, but American hope and triumph remains ever bright.

TikTok Disarranged Talk Show https://www.tiktok.com/@disarrangedtalkshow

YouTube Disarranged Talk Show https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZBtupRnehZp8S47xjyfOmw

Instagram Disarranged Talk Show https://www.instagram.com/disarrangedtalkshow/

Facebook Disarranged Talk Show https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077760498418