Of all the episodes I have been able to record, these episodes with my father stand out as some of my favorites. I never thought I would be able to record conversations about our family history, values, beliefs, and what makes us who we are. I love that they will live forever, far beyond both of us, and can hopefully have great meaning to future generations later in their lives.

Finishing off 2022 with the final Q and A episode of the year. 1. 2022 - year in review 2. Finding balance in training 3. Advice for raising kids for couples who have opposing viewpoints on important topics 4. Religion and spirituality 5. How can I approach my small school district to make them take active shooter training and drilling seriously Enjoy

As an Operative who served as a Country Chief for a Special Unit within the CIA, Nic witnessed not only the epidemic of child trafficking within illicit markets but also the unrealized opportunity to apply his understanding and training to influence this global crisis. As Nic began to work with experts to better understand the problem in the United States, he found it impossible to turn a blind eye. As a result, DeliverFund was officially established as a 501c3 in October 2014 and our counter-human trafficking organization focused on ending sex slavery in the United States got to work. Nic spent 11 years in US Special Operations as an Air Force Pararescueman prior to being recruited to the Central Intelligence Agency. Due to his highly specialized training and experience in both special and intelligence operations, Nic has a firm understanding of these illicit, illegal markets and has the highest levels of training to effectively combat them.

Rapid Fire Q and A to finish off the week: 1. Porn - thoughts on the ease of accessibility, and impact on young adults 2. I got hurt by the black belt coach at my gym, when is it time to start looking for somewhere else to train 3. Western big game packing and loadout considerations Enjoy

Josh grew up in Lincoln, Montana on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. At the age of 11 Josh’s baseball coach, Rick Dunkerley began teaching him how to make knives. About a year later, Josh began putting a shop together at his home, and at the age of 12 he joined the American Bladesmith Society. Over the next few years, Josh began forging and honing his craft. At 15 years old, Josh passed the Journeyman bladesmith test in Atlanta, Georgia at the Blade Show. Josh became the youngest bladesmith to ever pass this test. The Journeyman test is a two-part process. A test blade must be forged and heat treated with the capabilities to chop a 1” rope in half, 2- 2x4’s in half, and then still shave hair. Once the cutting tests are done the blade must be able to bend 90 degrees in a vise without breaking. After passing the performance test the maker must present 5 knives to a panel of Mastersmith Judges. Each knife is examined closely to ensure the knife is made to the highest standard of craftsmanship. Josh continued to work on his craft and at the age of 19 he earned his Master Smith rating from the American Bladesmith Society. Josh was the youngest bladesmith to ever pass the Master Smith test. In 2002 Josh moved to Frenchtown, Montana where he now calls home. Josh and his wife Jessica live on a beautiful piece of property near the Clark Fork River where they own and operate the Montana Knife Company.

Most Fridays I dedicate to Q and A, but not this Friday.  I was recently in Tampa for the premiere of Legacy Productions 1st documentary "Dropzone Everest," which follows Mike and a small group of civilian skydivers as they train for, then execute an expedition to skydive into the basecamp and surrounding areas of Mount Everest.  Since we were both together, and we leave for the 777 Expedition in two weeks, a podcast was of course in order.  We will do our best to send "dispatches" from the road, but until then, this episode should serve as an update on what we have accomplished so far, and what we hope to complete on the expedition.  Enjoy

Lt. Col. Slade has held command positions in the Army and the Air Force and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and fourteen combat air medals. He attended Utah State, where he earned a BA and was commissioned as an Army Aviation second lieutenant. He's also earned an MA in aviation instruction. Brian currently serves as a lieutenant colonel for Air Force Combat Search and Rescue. He is the author of "Cleared Hot," Lessons Learned about Life, Love, and Leadership While Flying the Apache Gunship in Afghanistan, which is now available.

Rapid Fire Q and A from the tropical paradise of Costa Rice with Henry Akins Jiu Jitsu black belt Dan Hart. 1. Misconceptions about having a black belt 2. Why does BJJ cost so much 3. Advice for someone just starting 4. I have a wrestling background, should I shelve my experience or build my game around it 5. Competitions...Necessary, required, avoid at older ages.... Enjoy

As a young immigrant to the US, Akshay overcame drug addiction, PTSD from fighting in Iraq with the Marines, depression and alcoholism that pushed him to the brink of suicide.   By falling in love with his demons, he has since:   - Run 167 miles across post-war Liberia to build a school.   - Despite 4 biological defects including a blood disorder that 2 doctors said would kill him in boot camp, he is now a sponsored athlete and have run many ultra marathons, including an 80 mile run around a 0.2 mile loop and a 50 miler around a cul-de-sac during the quarantine.   - Spent 7 days in darkness, isolation and silence where he experienced DMT-induced, psychedelic hallucinations.   - Based on his life experience and years of research in neuroscience, psychology and spirituality, written the book Fearvana, about which the Dalai Lama said “Fearvana inspires us to look beyond our own agonizing experiences and find the positive side of our lives.” All the profits from the book are being donated to charity.   - Explored the most hostile environments on the planet, from mountains to underwater caves to polar icecaps - where he spent one month dragging a 190 pound sled 350 miles in temperatures as low as -40 degrees.   - Volunteered in leper colonies, worked with victims of sex trafficking, taught Fearvana to former child soldiers, done humanitarian work in post-conflict zones and worked with those in extreme poverty.

Rapid Fire Q and A to finish off the week: 1. Do lightbulbs suck darkness or give off light 2. Finding your purpose and direction regardless of the opinions of those around you 3. Family drama - Is it best to intervene, or be more like Switzerland Enjoy