The 10 Ninety Podcast

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason welcomes Anna as she shares the story of her younger brother, Alex Calvo. This episode is a little different, as it covers a topic rarely discussed but one that weighs heavily on many hearts and minds: suicide.

Anna lost her little brother, Alex Calvo, at just 33 years old. She received the call no one ever wants to get, from the county sheriff's department. That moment is etched vividly in her memory; those words are scarred into her heart. She then had to deliver the devastating news to her parents.

Alex struggled with mental illness, something he hid incredibly well. On August 31, 2024, he lost his battle. He was found lifeless in a hotel room. Anna has wrestled with the loss of her brother, left with countless questions and very few answers.

He was the youngest of five siblings, a certified electrician, and a dog lover. His loss has deeply shaken their entire family. There were no signs, no red flags, no warnings. He functioned as if everything was perfectly normal. Overnight, Anna's world changed.

In this episode, Anna opens up about a topic many keep private in order to preserve the image of their loved ones. She steps out of the shadows surrounding suicide in hopes of making a difference in the life of someone who may be struggling or grieving a similar loss. Anna speaks to the stigma surrounding suicide and shares her experience with honesty and vulnerability. This conversation comes from the heart -- raw, real, and genuine.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Matt Fielding about his stage four cancer diagnosis, the slow loss that came with it, and the brutal honesty that living with death forces on a person.

Matt was handed a prescription for hospice the day he was diagnosed. Since then, he's been fighting through constant pain, rounds of chemo, blood clots, and the weight of knowing his time is limited. He opens up about what it's like to be treated like you're already gone, how cancer isolated him from friends and family, and the mental toll of living minute to minute.

This conversation isn't about a silver lining. It's about the truth. Matt talks openly about fear, anger, God, love, and the one regret he has before he dies. It's hard, honest, and human—exactly what this podcast is about.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Tyson Ballard about losing his dad at 11, his brother at 17, and his sister in his mid-30s. Tyson shares how those losses shaped his life, from feeling pressure to stay strong to realizing there was never a safe space to talk about it. They talk about how funerals feel like the only time it's okay to grieve, how quickly people move on, and how therapy helped Tyson finally stop and process decades of loss. A real conversation about grief, identity, and learning how to actually live again.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, for a raw conversation on mental toughness, grief, and the illusion of control. They reflect on Viktor Frankl's philosophy, the spiritual fallout of tragedy, and the struggle to find meaning after unimaginable loss. Mason opens up about life after losing his wife, kids, brother, and nephew, and how helping others, talking honestly, and embracing vulnerability has been key to survival. This is a deeply emotional and unfiltered episode about suffering, acceptance, and showing up for the life that's still here.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of Mountain Tough, about mindset, mental toughness, and the idea of false finishes—those moments in life when you think you've made it through, only to find out there's more ahead. They talk about the challenges of grief, the value of long-form conversations, and why building resilience starts with doing hard things consistently. Dustin also shares lessons from his time in Uganda, the shift from corporate life to purpose-driven work, and why simplifying life can lead to more meaning and fulfillment.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Haley Garrison about the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Ellie, and the emotional rollercoaster of 41 days in the NICU. As a school psychologist, Haley opens up about the internal conflict of knowing coping tools but struggling to use them, and what it's like to grieve while raising another child. This episode explores medical trauma, gut-wrenching decisions, and the power of raw honesty in the aftermath of loss.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason talks with Brittainy Moala about her daughter Revie and the gut instinct that told her something was wrong—even when doctors said otherwise. What followed was years of misdiagnosis, hospital stays, and learning how to advocate in a system that often dismisses the parents of medically complex kids. Brittainy shares the weight of that fight, how it's changed her family, and the grace she's found in the middle of it all.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Weston Brandon, whose wife Lauren died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism just days after giving birth to their son at 26 weeks. Weston shares raw memories of performing CPR, holding his newborn son alone in the NICU, and how he found love again while carrying deep grief. This conversation covers trauma, healing, remarriage, and choosing to keep moving forward when life shatters. It's about honoring the past without being trapped by it—and learning to live with both heartbreak and hope.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason sits down with Phil Lewis, a retired police officer and current detective, to talk about life in law enforcement, grief, and healing after loss. They kick things off with lighthearted conversation about speeding tickets, favorite cop movies, and stories from Phil's early career.

The episode then shifts as Phil shares the story of his son Hunter, who passed away at age 15 after a car accident. He opens up about the hospital stay, the decision to remove life support, and the emotional weight that followed. Mason and Phil talk about what grief has looked like for them — the anger, the guilt, the support they've received, and how it's shaped their relationships and outlook on life.

It's an honest conversation between two dads who know what it's like to carry heavy loss and still keep showing up.

In this episode of The 10 Ninety Podcast, Mason, Matt, and Keisha talk about the upcoming July 25th memorial event honoring Kortni, Riggins, Franki, Race, and Ryder. Held at West Jordan High—the site of their funeral—the event blends storytelling, IFS therapy, and a healing yoga session. The team opens up about grief, identity, and how moving toward pain is the only way through it. All proceeds go to families in need through The 10 Ninety Foundation.