Oliver Bardwell Podcast

In this powerful and moving episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with John Thompson, President and Co-founder of Salute to the Fallen, a veteran-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health support, and honoring the legacy of those who served. John shares his deeply personal journey from enlisting in the military at 17, surviving combat injuries, and overcoming his own battles with PTSD and substance abuse, to founding an organization that saves lives and provides critical resources to veterans and their families.

We discuss Salute to the Fallen's groundbreaking vision for a first-of-its-kind veteran rehabilitation facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—a 50-acre haven featuring on-site counseling, hyperbaric chambers, EMDR therapy, and 100 tiny homes offering a nine-month program to help veterans transition back into civilian life. John offers eye-opening statistics on veteran suicide and homelessness, shedding light on the urgent need for better mental health resources and community support.

John also opens up about the challenges veterans face when returning home, the gaps in support from institutions like the VA, and the life-saving interventions he and his team undertake through their crisis response program. He emphasizes the importance of faith, purpose, and brotherhood in the healing process, and how Salute to the Fallen is working to build bridges between military personnel, veterans, and civilians.

This episode is not only a call to action but a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of community. Whether you're a veteran, a family member, or simply someone who cares about supporting those who served, this conversation will inspire you to get involved and make a difference.

Support Salute to the Fallen:salutetothefallen.org

Follow John and his team on Facebook: Salute to the Fallen Foundation

If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out. There is help. There is hope.

Chapters

00:00 Building a Veteran Rehabilitation Facility02:59 Addressing Veteran Homelessness and Mental Health05:47 Salute to the Fallen: A Nonprofit for Veterans12:04 Personal Struggles and the Path to Recovery18:07 The Importance of Community and Support24:08 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life30:07 Advocacy and Political Engagement for Veterans35:07 Political Landscape and Election Dynamics39:28 Controversial Campaigns and Identity Politics44:30 Masculinity and Family Dynamics49:40 Mental Health Initiatives and Veteran Support01:03:12 Funding and Community Engagement for Veterans

"It's through intelligent and respectful dialogue that we create positive change." - Oliver Bardwell

https://www.oliverbardwell.com/

In this episode ofThe Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Jose Reyes, a dedicated advocate for Iowa’s Latino community and a passionate conservative voice in politics. Jose shares his journey—from arriving in the U.S. as a child under DACA to navigating the challenges of legal status, cultural identity, and political engagement.

We dive into the complexities of immigration, the misconceptions surrounding DACA recipients, and the importance of conservative values in the Hispanic community. Jose opens up about his deep love for America, his unwavering support for the flag, and his belief that hard-working immigrants deserve acknowledgment and a pathway to citizenship.

We also discuss:
✔️ The Perry Project and engaging Latino voters
✔️ The need for representation in Iowa politics
✔️ The impact of recent immigration policies
✔️ Finding common ground in the political landscape

Jose’s story is one of resilience, faith, and an unshakable commitment to the American dream. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

📌Chapters:
00:00Introduction to DACA and Personal Background
18:40Cultural Identity and Community Engagement
22:09Political Perspectives and Immigration Policy
24:04The Perry Project: Bridging Gaps in Representation
27:12Engaging the Latino Community: Opportunities and Challenges
30:25A Call for Acknowledgment: The Need for Representation
33:06Navigating Immigration: Perspectives on DACA and Citizenship
37:10The Role of the Latino Community in Education
40:36Finding Common Ground: Republican Values and Community Involvement
45:28Building Bridges: The Importance of Dialogue and Respect
50:41The Emotional Journey: What Citizenship Means to Us

🔗Listen now and join the conversation:www.oliverbardwell.com

Please Remember, that It's through intelligent and resprectful dialogue that we create positive change. - Oliver Bardwell

#Immigration #DACA #AmericanDream #LatinoConservatives #TheOliverBardwellPodcast

In this special episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, we sit down with Iowa House Representative Dan Gehlbach for a conversation as rich and layered as the bourbon we're sipping. Together, we explore:

Dan’s passion for serving Iowans shines in this wide-ranging discussion, offering unique insights into the legislative process and the drive to create a better future for the state.

Chapters
00:00 Bourbon Beginnings: A Toast to New Traditions
03:01 Legislative Landscape: Navigating Iowa's Bourbon Laws
05:51 Personal Milestones: Celebrating 19 Years of Marriage
09:11 Political Shifts: The Rise of Republican Supermajority
12:00 Inauguration Insights: Anticipating Trump's Return
15:10 Community Engagement: The Drive to Serve in Politics
18:04 Property Tax Challenges: Addressing Local Government Spending
20:55 Legislative Process: Understanding Subcommittees and Bills
24:13 Mental Health in Schools: The Role of Chaplains
37:01 Navigating Legislative Challenges
40:22 Education and Mental Health Initiatives
43:33 Revamping Math Education
44:51 Streamlining State Government
49:32 Addressing Property Taxes and Education Standards
51:56 Expanding School Choice
54:51 Funding and Support for Charter Schools
57:40 Teacher Shortages and Alternative Licensure
01:00:34 Revitalizing Trade Education
01:03:52 Community Colleges and Workforce Development
01:05:35 AI in Education and State Efficiency
01:07:55 Balancing Legislative and Personal Life
01:11:16 Faith and Public Service

Tune in for a heartfelt, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversation that’s sure to leave you informed and inspired!

Connect with Representative Dan Gehlbach:

https://www.facebook.com/dan4iowa

https://dan4iowa.com/

Support your local Distillery: www.reveltondistillery.com

Don't keep us a secret. https://www.oliverbardwell.com/

In episode #71 of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Chris Hagenow, former Iowa Representative and founder of Iowans for Tax Relief, to discuss the big issues shaping Iowa and beyond. We cover everything from tax reform and local government accountability to broader discussions about the future of leadership and innovation.

Key Topics Include:

Chris shares actionable insights on how citizens can get involved in local politics, hold their leaders accountable, and drive meaningful change in their communities. This episode is packed with ideas that go far beyond taxes!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:52 Transition to Iowans for Tax Relief
05:55 Property Tax Challenges in Iowa
09:04 Understanding Property Tax Structure
11:49 Public Sentiment on Property Taxes
15:03 Local Government Spending and Accountability
17:57 Engaging Citizens in Local Politics
20:50 Ideal Tax System and Future Directions
29:15 Community Engagement and Public Projects
32:45 The Philosophy of Taxation
35:38 Government Services and Responsibilities
37:28 The Role of Influential Figures in Politics
42:18 Trump's Political Legacy and Future
47:37 Tax Relief Initiatives and Local Government Accountability

For more information, visit Iowans for Tax Relief and explore their tools like ITR Local to see where your tax dollars are going.

Don’t keep this conversation a secret!
Please like, subscribe, and share this episode to spread these important discussions far and wide. Together, we can inspire action and create positive change!

https://www.oliverbardwell.com/

In this compelling episode, Oliver Bardwell sits down with Laura Becker, a courageous detransitioner and advocate for truth in the gender ideology debate.

Laura shares her powerful journey from transitioning to detransitioning, the challenges of overcoming trauma, and her mission to protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful practices that are being called "gender-affirming care."

Discover how she’s turning personal pain into a call for systemic change, her upcoming memoir Surviving the Trans Myth, and her thoughts on the new Daily Wire documentary Identity Crisis. Which is temporarily available for free on X here:

Connect with Laura:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@laurabeckerreal?si=2aXS8mv_oHDP1Qj3

Don't keep this podcast a secret.. Like, subscribe, share and all that - Follow me on X for episode updates: https://x.com/oliverbwell

Summary

In this conversation, Oliver Bardwell and Walt Rogers discuss the importance of family, education, and political advocacy in shaping the future of educational freedom.

Walt shares his personal journey from youth ministry to politics, emphasizing the role of parents in education and the need for cultural change. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on parental involvement in education, the challenges posed by a secular education system, and the initiatives being pursued to restore parental control and improve educational outcomes.

The conversation highlights the significance of organizations like Inspired Life in advocating for educational reform and the importance of bridging gaps in teacher accreditation to enhance the quality of education.

In this conversation, Walt Rogers and Oliver Bardwell discuss various political themes, focusing on the influence of key figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump, the inefficiencies of the Department of Education, and the need for a smaller, smarter government.

They critique the current state of the Democratic Party and its disconnect with moderate voters, particularly on issues related to child welfare and gender identity.

The discussion also touches on the importance of energy independence for economic recovery and the potential for educational reform that empowers parents and diversifies schooling options.

Links

Connect with Walt: https://www.inspired-life.org/

[email protected]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BqSAmxoR6GEOgSA3xVGBj?si=e0a6465532784d8a

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oliverbardwell

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oliver-bardwell-podcast/id1605254814

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliverbwell/

Linked In:

X: https://x.com/oliverbwell

00:00 Family Foundations and Personal Backgrounds

03:00 Political Journey and Educational Advocacy

06:09 The Role of Inspired Life in Education

08:59 Cultural Influence on Education

12:02 Challenges in the Current Education System

14:57 Parental Control and Educational Freedom

17:48 The Shift from Parental Involvement to Secular Education

20:55 Restoring Morality in Education

24:09 Future Initiatives for Educational Reform

26:57 Bridging the Gap in Teacher Accreditation

29:55 Looking Ahead: Leadership Changes and Their Impact

31:07 Education Department and Bureaucracy Critique

33:19 Smaller, Smarter Government

34:37 Trump's Appointments and Media Influence

36:52 Democratic Party Dynamics

39:07 Child Welfare and Gender Issues

41:14 Medical Ethics and Gender Affirmation

42:45 Government Surveillance and Public Trust

46:35 Energy Independence and Economic Recovery

49:07 Education Reform and Parental Control

Remember:

"It's through intelligent and repspectful dialogue that we create positive change." - Oliver Bardwell

Join me as I sit down with Iowa House Representative Samantha Fett for an engaging conversation covering her journey to the legislature, the challenges she faced during her campaign, and how the experience strengthened her family bonds. We tackle important topics like the truth behind the "book ban" narrative, school choice, the AEA bill, and improving education in Iowa.

We also explore some unexpected and thought-provoking subjects, including the presence of a trans person now serving in the Iowa House and the ongoing discussions about bathroom policies. To lighten things up, we even delve into a

Connect with Representative Samantha Fett on Facebook to follow her journey and stay updated on her work for Iowa families. https://www.facebook.com/fettforhouse

To connect further with me and dive deeper into these conversations, check out these additional links:

https://www.iowans4freedom.com

https://www.oliverbardwell.com/

https://x.com/oliverbwell

https://www.youtube.com/@oliverbardwell

And remember: "It's through intelligent and respectful dialogue that we create positive change."

Don’t forget to share this episode with your friends and network.

Warmest Regards,

Oliver

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James to share her incredible story of courage, compassion, and perseverance. From rushing to North Carolina with a team to aid hurricane victims, to battling government interference and misinformation, Dr. James takes us behind the scenes of her mission to bring hope and healing where it’s needed most.

We talk about how she built a mobile medical operation from scratch, the miracles she witnessed, and the powerful lessons learned about community, preparedness, and resilience. She even draws thought-provoking parallels to the challenges faced during COVID-19, and how we can do better moving forward.

This conversation is filled with inspiration, practical insights, and a call to action. Whether you’re looking to help, learn, or simply be moved by a story of humanity at its best, this episode is for you.

👉 Support her nonprofit: Starlight Initiative
👉 Learn more about her work: James Clinic
👉 Follow Dr. James on Twitter: @molsjames
👉 Connect with me: OliverBardwell.com
👉 Follow me on Twitter: @oliverbwell

It's through intelligent and respectful dialogue that we create positive change.