John David Mann, Writer and Co-author of "Steel Fear"
On this week's podcast episode SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts sits down and talks with best-selling writer and Steel Fear co-author John David Mann.John Mann is a very prolific writer having penned 28 books on business and leadership. He is also a close collaborator of SOFREP founder Brandon Webb. Starting in 2012 with Red Circle, John and Brandon have worked together on six books.John talks about their latest book, Steel Fear. The book was inspired by a series of molestation incidents, which took place on board the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, during the early days of female sailors being allowed to serve on board U.S. Navy ships. The serial molester was never caught. This gave the idea to Brandon of creating a book about a serial killer on board an aircraft carrier.To accurately represent and convey the image and feel of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the average reader, John, with the help of Sean, had to extensively research aircraft carriers for a number of years. And thanks to Sean's help he also got to visit the USS Lincoln where he received a great welcome.Further, John talks about the creative challenge of giving enough information to the reader while not giving away too much. Fans of mysteries and thrillers will know that this is a difficult balance to strike.Join us for another entertaining episode of SOFREP Radio as we delve into the backstage of a military thriller's creation.If you are interested you can purchase Steel Fear here. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Jul 202137min
Ramon Castro Continues His Fight
On this week's episode, SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri catches up with Marine Corps veteran and founder of American Veterans Homefront Initiative Ramon Castro in his journey along the southern U.S. border.Ramon is walking the length of the U.S.-Mexico border to raise attention to the very important issue of foreign-born American military veterans being deported after their service comes to an end.Many of these veterans suffer from PTSD or combat-related injuries. Nevertheless, they have no access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare services. As a result, their suffering intensifies.American Veterans Homefront Initiative calculates that thousands of foreign-born veterans have been deported since 1996 when legislation changed. The issue hasn't been addressed by any of the administrations since.As Ramon specifies, this isn't a political issue but an American one.By some estimates, the number of green card holders in the U.S. military could be as high as 90,000-100,000. These men and women face the prospect of deportation after their green card expires.President Biden has said that the issue is a priority for him. His administration has issued a statement saying that they will look into the problem, yet, so far, nothing has happened and the deportations continue.You can find more about the cause and ways to contribute by visiting American Veterans Homefront Initiative's website at https://www.americanveteranshomefrontinitiative.com/. SOFREP will continue to be in touch with Ramon as he brings awareness to this very important issue. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Jul 202130min
Mindy Kotler Smith, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society
On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Mindy Kotler Smith of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society.Steve and Mindy talk about the Prisoner of War (POW) experience and the ordeals POWs underwent in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.Perhaps the most well-known is the Bataan Death March. The Death March has gone down infamously in history for the cruelty of the Japanese captors and the resilience of the American and Filipino captives. Nevertheless, there were many other lesser-known similar events such as Corregidor and Palawan Massacre.As Mindy Kotler Smith says, death marches and cruelty by the Japanese in the Pacific were systemic, and contrary to later Japanese claims, they were not isolated incidents. The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society was founded in 1946 by Sam Moody.Moody was a POW who had survived the Bataan Death March and then had to endure slave labor in mainland Japan. Moody understood that the only ones who could really connect to other POWs were POWs themselves as they had undergone the same hardships. Tune in to a somber and revelatory SOFREP episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jul 202155min
Ramon Castro, President of American Veterans Homefront Initiative
On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Marine Corps veteran and founder of American Veterans Homefront Initiative Ramon Castro.Ramon is walking the length of the U.S.-Mexico border to raise attention to the very important issue of foreign-born American military veterans being deported after their service comes to an end.American Veterans Homefront Initiative calculates that thousands of foreign-born veterans have been deported since 1996 when legislation changed. The issue hasn't been addressed by any of the administrations since.Ramon Castro also discusses his motivation for tackling this problem, which, for too long, has not received the attention it should have. Fortunately, Ramon's walk has drawn the attention of politicians at the local level.President Biden has said that the issue is a priority for him. His administration has issued a statement saying that they will look into the problem, yet, so far, nothing has happened.Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio and help bring to light an issue that casts shame on America. The veterans who have served the United States should be naturalized and not brushed under the carpet.You can find more about the cause and ways to contribute by visiting American Veterans Homefront Initiative's website at https://www.americanveteranshomefrontinitiative.com/. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Jul 202118min
A Double Dose of SOFREP, July 4, Prizes and More Prizes, and Free Fox Nation!
On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri is joined by SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts and they bring you a plethora of goodies.July 4 is upon us. Steve and Sean recount memorable July 4 celebrations they've had around the world and how their British friends treat the day. But we want to make this July 4 especially memorable for our veteran and active-duty friends. So, in celebration of July 4, SOFREP has partnered with Fox Nation bringing you one year of Fox Nation for free! Fox Nation has a very strong patriotic programming that will appeal to anyone from the history buff to the wilderness enthusiast. Scroll to the end to find more information and sign up.But there is more. Join SOFREP between July 1 and September 30 and get the chance to win fantastic prizes including an iPhone 12 Pro, a Galaxy S21 Ultra, and two must-have everyday carry items, the Emerson Commander knife, and Surefire's E2D Defender Ultra flashlight. You can find more information here and here. Tune in to a celebratory episode of SOFREP Radio. This July 4, SOFREP has partnered with Fox Nation. From July 1 to July 4, if you are a veteran or on active duty, you can get an entire year of Fox Nation for free! Yes, you heard that right. One year. For free. Just click on the link below to sign up.Sign Up Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Jul 20211h 13min
Spencer Coursen, Author of "Safety Trap" and Professional Security Expert
On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Spencer Coursen author of the Safety Trap and professional security expert.The two discuss personal security and safety and how we can achieve them in our everyday lives. After all, an informed society is a safe society.Spencer highlights the important difference between safety and security and how a wrong perception of the former may lead to a compromise of the latter. He points out that probably the most dangerous time during a security event is not at its beginning but at its end. This is because as an event unfolds the window of opportunity to escape gets smaller while the confidence of the attacker increases.Further, Spencer explains how regardless of circumstances, the number-one factor of target selection by a perpetrator is the likelihood of success. Perpetrators will go after the weakest. Therefore, the more you're promoting your protective posture the least likely you'll be made a target.The pair talks about the five Ds of home security: Deter, Detect, Deny, Delay, DefendImportantly, Spencer explains why "sheltering in place" and "run-hide-fight" approaches in many cases don't make sense.Nevertheless, his message isn't that we should live in constant fear, but that we should be vigilant and aware.SOFREP recently reviewed The Safety Trap and highly recommends it to our audience. You can purchase the book here or at your favorite bookstore.Tune in to a very informative and eye-opening episode of SOFREP Radio. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 Jun 202159min
Dan Schilling, Author and Air Force Special Operations Veteran
On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Dan Schilling Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) veteran, author, and holder of the Guinness World Record for the most base jumps in 24 hours with 201 jumps.Dan talks about his unlikely path from an Infantry grunt to becoming an Air Force Combat Controller and about his unit's unique characteristics. In his words, Combat Controllers don't only kill bad guys but also save good ones. A prime example of this took place following the devastating Haiti earthquake of 2010 when Air Force Combat Controllers increased the capacity of Haiti International Airport by 1,400 percent thus allowing for a tremendous increase in incoming aid. Dan highlights the traits of social adaptability and malleability that characterize the unit.The two also talk about Steve's work with CTT in Latin America and the famous jumping incident involving a pair of cowboy boots and a gold motorcycle helmet.Dan also talks about his new book The Power of Awareness. The book aims at helping people with no military background avoid dangerous situations and protect themselves. It teaches what situational awareness is and how people can get back in touch with their intuition — which can save their life in a hairy situation. For the book, Dan interviewed CIA officers, police detectives, and operators and incorporated their knowledge.Click here to learn more about The Power of Awareness and download Dan's situational awareness exercises. You can purchase the book here or at your favorite bookstore.Don't miss another informative episode of SOFREP Radio. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Jun 202145min
Special Forces Colonel Mark Rosengard, Director of Task Force Dagger
On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Green Beret and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Mark Rosengard. Among other commanding roles, Colonel Rosengard served as the director of Task Force Dagger, the Special Forces unit and first American element in Afghanistan after 9/11. Colonel Rosengard was also the group deputy commander for 10th SFG and served in a number of countries. He finished his military career as chief of staff of SOCCENT. Colonel Rosengard talks about the first days in Afghanistan post-9/11 and how, despite a multitude of challenges, Task Force Dagger succeeded in its mission. He discusses the efforts to gain the trust of local warlords against the Taliban and how the American Special Forces had to negotiate and tread the differing and shifting allegiances of local and regional groups. All the while Task Force Dagger was hampered by a lack of intelligence and the technological limitations of the era, but received the support of a number of Afghans.Finally, Colonel Rosengard explains the difference between federal security and local autonomy and how the U.S. failed in understanding the importance of the latter for the Afghans. A better understanding of local autonomy could possibly have led to a stabler and safer Afghanistan both for the locals and the U.S.Tune in to another episode of SOFREP Radio and discover what America's finest faced to protect our way of life immediately after 9/11. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Mai 20211h 4min
