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🔥 Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Fire Forged Leader Podcast, Steve Baumgartner confronts one of the greatest threats to modern masculinity: emotional chaos. Drawing from personal experience as a high-performing leader who looked successful on the outside but was crumbling on the inside, Steve unpacks what it means to master your emotions instead of being mastered by them.

He introduces a battle-tested framework — Recognize. Regulate. Reframe. — to help men take full ownership of their internal world so they can lead with clarity, discipline, and impact. With a raw story of disconnection, pressure, and the turning point that changed everything, this episode equips men to stop complaining, reject victimhood, and become kings over their emotions.

If you're a man who's tired of numbing out, lashing out, or burning out — this one’s for you.

💥 What You’ll Learn:

• Why emotional chaos is the silent killer of leadership and marriage
• The 3R Framework: how to Recognize, Regulate, and Reframe emotions
• Why complaining is a form of victimhood — and how to stop
• How emotional intelligence builds strength, not softness
• Real strategies for mastering anger, pressure, and emotional triggers
• How to shift your mindset from “Why me?” to “What is this building in me?”
• The exact moment Steve took a leap instead of staying stuck
• Why strong men seek community and never lead alone

🛠 Key Takeaways:

• Emotional chaos can destroy everything you've built
• Complaining makes you a victim — ownership makes you a leader
• Emotions are data, not directives
• Regulating your emotions is discipline, not weakness
• Reframing pain into purpose is how warriors grow
• You either leave it, change it, or accept it — all else is madness
• Brotherhood is essential for becoming the man you’re called to be
• Emotional intelligence is not optional — it’s required for leadership

⏱ Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Understanding Emotional Chaos
01:20 – The Journey of Leadership
05:30 – Mastering Emotions: The Framework
09:25 – Recognizing Emotions
10:09 – Regulating Emotions
12:19 – Reframing Emotions
17:32 – Taking Action and Building Community

⚔️ Quote of the Episode:

“When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation, change the situation, or accept it — all else is madness.”

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

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Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

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🔥 How Changing Spaces—Internally and Externally—Can Break Cycles of Abuse
Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

What if healing could start with a tattoo machine—or a redesigned bedroom?

In Week 5 of the Step Into the Fray Human Exploitation/Trafficking Series, we featured two powerful voices who are changing lives by transforming environments—both internal and external—for survivors of trauma.

💥 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

✅ A recap of Jessica’s mission to erase the marks of exploitation through tattoo removal and transformation
✅ The national impact of her network of tattoo artists & removal specialists helping survivors, former gang members, and those overcoming self-harm
✅ Jessica’s insight into trafficking iconography and tattoo symbolism, plus her work as an expert witness and peer support counselor
✅ A look at Susie Vybiral’s Room Redux, which transforms bedrooms for children who have endured sexual and/or physical abuse—in just one day
✅ The emotional and psychological power of environmental healing to change the trajectory of a child’s life
✅ How both women are breaking generational cycles through creativity, compassion, and community

“Tattoos once marked people as property. We help rewrite their story.” – Jessica“Change the room, and you change the life.” – Susie Vybiral

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms

🔥 Coming Up in Week 6:

We go even deeper into digital warfare, rescue operations, and what’s next in the fight against exploitation. Don’t miss it.

🔗 Stay Connected with the Mission:

• Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

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🔥 From Survivor to National Advocate—How Ink Became a Weapon for Healing
Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

How do you help someone reclaim their identity after exploitation?

You remove the marks of their past.

In this episode, Jessica, a nationally recognized survivor leader and founder of a nationwide network of tattoo artists and removal specialists, shares her mission to help survivors of trafficking, addiction, gang violence, and self-harm remove or transform the tattoos that once defined them.

💥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ How Jessica built a national movement around tattoo cover-ups and removals for survivors
✅ The history and iconography of human trafficking tattoos
✅ Her role as a peer support counselor and art therapy provider
✅ How she serves as an expert witness in trafficking cases
✅ The importance of lived experience in advocacy and criminal justice reform
✅ What it means to use art as a tool of transformation, healing, and empowerment

“These tattoos once marked them as property. Now, we help mark them with purpose.” – Jessica

Jessica’s work is not just art—it’s activism. It’s healing. It’s redemption.

🏆 Awards & Recognition:

• 2019 & 2020 Atlanta Non-Profit of the Year
• 2021 Georgia Trend’s Top 40 Under 40
• 2022 Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Leading Social Entrepreneur
• 2022 Top 40 Georgia Innovators
• 2023 Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making A Mark

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms

🔗 Stay Connected with the Mission:

• Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

🎁 Need Powerful, Purpose-Driven Gifts?
Explore laser engraving, cutting, sublimation, and more at the Baumgartner family’s shop:
👉 www.2ndChapterCreatives.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

Send us a text

🔥 From Surviving to Thriving: Room Redux and the Power of Environment
Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

What if healing from trauma could begin with a safe, beautiful space?
 In this episode, Susie Vybiral, Founder and CEO of Room Redux, shares how a single day—and a single room—can radically shift the future for a child who has faced physical or sexual abuse.

Room Redux doesn’t just change rooms.
 They change lives.

💥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ How Room Redux transforms rooms anonymously in one day for child abuse survivors
✅ The science behind changing environments to impact healing
✅ How Susie’s work is breaking generational cycles of abuse
✅ What it’s like to collaborate with FBI, HSI, CPS, and NCMEC
✅ Susie’s journey from founder to international trauma-informed leader
✅ Why Room Transformations = Life Transformations

"The space around a child affects the world inside them. When we change that space—we give them a new beginning." – Susie Vybiral

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms

🔗 Stay Connected with the Mission:

• Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

Send us a text

🎙️ Step Into the Fray: Week 4 Recap | What We’re Learning in the Fight Against Human Trafficking 🔥

🚨 Lived Experience. Real-World Solutions. Unfiltered Truth.
Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

Week 4 of the Step Into the Fray series continues to deliver powerful stories and strategic insights from those on the front lines of the human trafficking crisis. From survivors to warriors, healers to tech innovators—this is the information you need to hear.

If you’ve been following this journey, this episode connects the dots and brings forward the biggest lessons yet.

💥 In This Episode:

✅ Recap of the courageous voices from Week 4
✅ Key takeaways from each guest’s unique perspective
✅ The impact of technology in trafficking prevention
✅ Insight into how survivors are leading the way in advocacy
✅ A preview of the incredible guest lineup for Week 5

“Every week, we get closer to the truth—and closer to the solution.” – Steve Baumgartner

If you care about freedom, justice, and protecting the vulnerable, this episode is your call to action.

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms

🔗 Stay Connected with the Mission:

• Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

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🚨 650+ Sex Buyers Arrested. 280 Victims Recovered. This Is How the Fight Gets Won.
Fire Forged Leader Podcast | Hosted by Steve Baumgartner

He’s one of the most respected human trafficking investigators in the U.S.—and he’s just getting started.

In this episode, Detective Joseph Scaramucci shares the real-world tactics, policies, and operations that are actively dismantling human trafficking networks across the country and beyond. From boots-on-the-ground sting operations to testifying in legislative chambers, Scaramucci is fighting on every front.

💥 Inside This Episode:

✅ How Scaramucci helped build one of the most successful Human Trafficking Units in Texas
✅ The real numbers: 650+ sex buyers and 159 traffickers arrested
✅ What it takes to identify and rescue over 280 victims
✅ Why legislation matters—and how he’s influencing change at the Capitol
✅ The behind-the-scenes work of consulting with DOJ task forces & law enforcement in 12 countries
✅ His nationwide training impact—over 596 agencies trained across 44 states

“We can’t arrest our way out of this. But we can train, equip, and collaborate to beat it.” – Detective Joseph Scaramucci

This is one of the most tactical, experienced-based episodes to date. Whether you're in law enforcement, policy, advocacy, or just a citizen who wants to make a difference—this episode is your playbook.

🎧 LISTEN NOW on the Fire Forged Leader Podcast
📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more

🔗 Stay Connected with the Mission:

• Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

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​In this compelling episode of the Fire Forged Leader Podcast, host Steve Baumgartner engages in a profound conversation with Ben Owen, co-founder of We Fight Monsters. Ben's journey from battling personal demons to becoming a beacon of hope exemplifies the transformative power of resilience and purpose.​

Who Is Ben Owen?

Ben Owen is a father of eight (sometimes ten), a humanitarian, and a relentless advocate against addiction and human trafficking. His past struggles with addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness have fueled his passion to assist others facing similar challenges. As an Army Infantry Veteran and serial entrepreneur, Ben's mission is to return to the depths he once knew and guide others toward a path of recovery and hope. ​

About We Fight Monsters

Founded by Ben and his wife, Jessica, We Fight Monsters is dedicated to combating opiate and fentanyl addiction and sex trafficking, particularly in the mid-south region. The organization comprises a diverse team, including former special operators, law enforcement professionals, and recovery champions, all united to confront and eradicate human and narcotics trafficking. ​

Key Discussion Points in This Episode:

• Personal Transformation: Ben shares his journey from addiction and homelessness to founding a nonprofit that revitalizes communities and supports recovery.​
• Community Revitalization: Insights into how We Fight Monsters transforms former drug houses into safe, supportive homes for individuals and families seeking a new beginning.​
  https://www.actionnews5.com
• Collaborative Efforts: The importance of uniting various community stakeholders, including former gang members and law enforcement, to create a collective force against trafficking and addiction.​
• Innovative Approaches: How leveraging personal experiences and entrepreneurial skills can lead to effective strategies in combating societal issues.​

Support the Fire Forged Leader Podcast:

• Website: www.fireforgedleader.com
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter: @Steve.FFL
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

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🚨 STEP INTO THE FRAY: WEEK 3 RECAP | HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERIES 🚨
🔥 Fighting Exploitation with Experts, Survivors & Frontline Warriors | Fire Forged Leader Podcast 🔥

The fight against human trafficking requires ALL of us. Are you ready to step into the fray?

🚀 In Week 3 of our "Step Into the Fray" series, we featured:
✅ Lived Experience Experts—Survivors exposing the truth about trafficking
✅ Parents of Survivors—Their heartbreaking yet powerful journeys
✅ Frontline Fighters—Law enforcement, rescue teams, and activists
✅ Healing Experts—How trauma recovery changes lives
✅ Tech Innovators—The digital battle against exploitation

💪 In this episode, I break down:
🔹 The key lessons and insights from Week 3’s guests
🔹 Must-know facts about human trafficking in today’s world
🔹 A sneak peek at the powerful guests lined up for Week 4

🚨 Every voice matters. Every action makes a difference. Will you step into the fight?

🎧 LISTEN NOW on Fire Forged Leader Podcast!

🔗 Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
📲 Follow Steve Baumgartner on Socials:

• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

Send us a text

🚨 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP: KEVIN METCALF ON FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING 🚨
🔥 How Law Enforcement & Stakeholders Can Win This Battle | Fire Forged Leader Podcast 🔥

💡 Meet Kevin Metcalf—a man whose expertise, connections, and mission-driven passion have transformed the fight against human trafficking. He’s the reason this entire series came to life, and his influence has shaped critical collaborations in the war against exploitation.

💪 In this episode, Kevin shares:
✅ Why human trafficking is a public health epidemic
✅ The role of technology in modern exploitation
✅ How law enforcement alone cannot solve this crisis
✅ The power of organizations like the Sentinel Foundation
✅ How collaboration between experts, tech, and law enforcement is the ONLY way forward

🚨 "Traffickers prey on vulnerability. With the right tools, training, and partnerships, we can stop them." – Kevin Metcalf

🔥 This conversation is essential for law enforcement, policymakers, tech innovators, and EVERYONE who wants to take action against modern-day slavery.

🎧 LISTEN NOW on Fire Forged Leader Podcast!

🔗 Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
📲 Follow Steve Baumgartner on Socials:

• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen

Send us a text

🚨 INSIDE THE FIGHT: HEIDI CHANCE ON COMBATING SEX TRAFFICKING 🚨
🔥 A Law Enforcement Expert Exposes the Truth | Fire Forged Leader Podcast 🔥

For over 25 years, Heidi Chance has been on the front lines of law enforcement—taking down traffickers, rescuing victims, and bringing the hard truth to the public.

💡 As a former undercover officer and Expert Witness in sex trafficking trials, Heidi brings real-world experience, powerful case studies, and hard-hitting truths to her coaching, training, and speaking engagements.

💪 In this episode, Heidi shares:
✅ What REALLY happens in sex trafficking investigations
✅ The tactics traffickers use—and how to stop them
✅ How she trains both law enforcement & the public
✅ Case study insights from real undercover operations
✅ Why EVERYONE has a role in fighting human trafficking

🚨 "Sex trafficking is happening in YOUR community. The more you know, the better you can protect your family and take action." – Heidi Chance

🔥 This is a must-listen for law enforcement officers, parents, educators, and anyone serious about making a difference.

🎧 LISTEN NOW on Fire Forged Leader Podcast!

🔗 Website: www.FireForgedLeader.com
📲 Follow Steve Baumgartner on Socials:

• Instagram: @FireForgedLeader
• Facebook: @FireForgedLeader
• Twitter/X: @Steve.FFL
• LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
• YouTube: Fire Forged Leader

⚠️ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast and on www.fireforgedleader.com are solely those of the presenter and guests and do not reflect the views of Steve Baumgartner’s employer.

Support the show

🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?

🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook

You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.

---------

🔗 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen