The Birmz Show

In this episode we sit down with Will Highland, owner of "Caritas Apparel". We discuss the mission of company and the impact he hopes to make within the veteran community through donations. Will talks about the staggering statistics surrounding veteran homelessness, suicide, and ptsd. Through donating 20% of proceeds to veteran charities, Will is hoping to improve the lives of veterans. We discuss some of the obstacles that face many veterans and how the lack of resources often lead to the hardships faced. This is a great episode!

In this episode, we sit down with UFC Legend and Hall of Famer, Tito Ortiz. We discuss the value of hard-work and how it is required to be successful. Tito dives into his childhood and how a broken home and drugs nearly derailed his life. We touch on the overall lack of awareness in our society today and how we are losing the core values that once bonded families together. Tito describes how the media has impacted his life specifically in regards to his city council victory and how being labeled a "patriot" now has a negative narrative attached to it. This episode is a great listen and Tito is a true ambassador for freedom, justice, and the American way, a real Patriot!

In the episode, we chat with Army Veteran and Founder of, Left Foot, Right Foot, Mark Stepanishen. Mark shares his motivations behind joining the Army via West Point and leading 35 men through combat in Afghanistan. We discuss the importance of mental health and potential tools that may help others. Mark stresses the fact that trauma, ptsd, and various other forms of stress are universal and not only found within the veteran community. We also dive into his non-profit company which donates 100% of its profits to these charities, Wounded Warrior Project, National Alliance to End Veteran Suicide, The Trauma Survivors Foundation and National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

In this episode we sit down with Army Veteran James Espinoza. We dive deep in depression, mental-illness, and ways to help combat both. James shares his experience with suicide in the loss of his older brother, a retired Army Officer, and how it mentally challenged him. We discuss the importance of finding your purpose and the dangers of holding your demons too close to the chest. James stresses the importance of being open with yourself and finding comfort in those around you. 

In the episode, we sit down with Air Force Veteran Shannon Smith Davila. We discuss the reason behind her joining the Air Force and experiences she had while enlisted. Shannon shares what motivated her when she first decided to enlist and how that motivation turned into a career in nursing once she left the Air Force. She dives into her scary cancer diagnosis that she received just 3 years ago and how she refused to let it slow her down. We also discuss the current state of nursing and potential issues that field is facing. Shannon speaks to her advocacy of veteran women and breast cancer and spreading awareness to this issue. This is a GREAT episode! Enjoy!

In the episode, we sit down with Army Veteran Austin Joiner. We start off by discussing what influenced our decision to join the military. Austin shares stories about the physical riggers of being in the Army, self-expectations, anxiety, and addiction. He also talks about how one major car accident changed the course of his career. We dive into his new business, Spot Lock Baits, and his love for fishing. Enjoy!

In this episode, we sit down with Marine, veteran Adam Nance. We discuss the reason he joined the Marines as well as his expectations. Adam describes his experience as a Motor-T and time in Iraq dealing with enemy fire. We dive into his life as a veteran and how Brazilian Ju-Jitsu became his outlet. We discuss topics around veteran suicide, lack of resources/access, and how a community is so vital for veterans. 

In this episode, we sit down with fellow Vet and USS Nimitz Alum, Bryan Oliveira. This episode is a wild one! We discuss life in the military and life after. Bryan shares some intense stories of his time in the Navy as well as, the many struggles he faced afterwards. We dive into what serving in Navy meant to us and why we decided to enlist. With veteran suicides increasing, we discuss reasons why that can happen and lack of help for those who desperately need it. This is episode is a fun, wild, and straight to the point type conversation. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, Ernie and talk about the Will Smith situation and our thoughts on it. We hit on the NBA, NFL, and how bad we are at baseball. Our conversation takes us down a path of underage drinking and partying with my older brother. Come take a stroll down memory lane.