This week on the @about_violence Podcast, we are joined by Vincent Rocco Vargas (@vincent.rocco.vargas). VINCENT VARGAS served 4 years of active duty in the United States Army, including 3 combat deployments with the 2nd Battalion of the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. In 2009, he became a Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security and served as a Medic with the Special Operations Group. Vargas is a successful entrepreneur, actor, writer, producer and motivational speaker. Vincent Vargas is happily married with eight kids and resides in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I never imagined being in the position to share this story. However, as border security continually makes headlines across the country, it seems more important then ever to shed light on the reality of the Border Patrol and the complexities of immigration. Drawing from my personal experiences as a combat veteran, Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security, and third-generation Mexican American, I felt it was crucial to offer an unbiased perspective. Officers on the border often face contraints when expressing their views on controversia topics, including the challenges they encounter in the field. The media also tends to manipulate thoese narratives to serve their own agendas, influencing public opinion in different ways. In Borderline, my goal is to take you, and readers everywhere, on an enlightening journey, unraveling the inticacies and challenges of a frequently misunderstood profession. I want to shed light on the flaws within our current immigration system, which requires significant transformation, while also shedding light on the Border Patrol's elite special operations teams and the value they bring to our borders. My sincere hope is that, as you delve deeper into this story, you develop deeper respect for those who safeguard our nation, while comprehending and empathizing with the motivations of immigrants drawn to the luminous opportunities the United States provides. By exploring our nation's immigration policy, I believe we can equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge to spark the crucial changes this system needs. Through eeducation and understanding, we can transcend the role of passive observers and become active catalysts for a fair and compassionate society. Let us know what else you'd like to hear us talk about! Follow us on Instagram: @about_violence
This week on the @about_violence Podcast, we are joined by Josh Smith (@joshsmithknives) Master Bladesmith and founder of @montanaknifecompany . 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. In the very beginning, Josh would go to Rick’s shop where he learned to remove stock blades under the guidance of Rick. About a year later, Josh began putting a shop together at his home. Josh’s Dad gave him room to work in his equipment shop, and at the age of 12 Josh joined the American Bladesmith Society. Over the next few years Josh began forging and honing his craft. Josh turned 14 at the Eugene Oregon knife show where he met other incredible knife makers, all too willing to share their talents and knowledge with Josh. 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. At the Journeyman level a maker is not expected to show perfection but is expected to show a sufficient level of craftsmanship expected from a professional bladesmith. 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. They have 3 daughters and 1 son that are active in sports. Josh coaches the youth tackle football team and a youth girls basketball team. The Smith kids raise cattle and hogs in 4H in addition to their sports. Jessica is the customer service and fulfillment manager for MKC. Let us know what else you'd like to hear us talk about! Follow us on Instagram: @about_violence
This week on the @about_violence Podcast, we are joined by Brandon Shake & Peter S Ford. Representing DefenseScripts, Brandon Shake combines military discipline with deep expertise in the technological sphere. With seven years in cybersecurity and 15 years of business continuity under his belt, his experiences complement those of the other leaders of this group and position DefenseScripts at the forefront of innovation for cyber defense and emerging technology solutions. Together, we drive a group of founders with an innate ability to navigate challenges, ensuring that individuals and businesses remain resilient and forward-focused in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Peter S Ford Head of Federal Operations QuSecure Pete “Shadow” Ford, is the Head of Federal Operations at QuSecure. He is a retired Air Force single seat fighter pilot with multiple combat tours and commands. His specialty is pioneering innovative technology to meet our Nation's hardest problems. He is an accomplished technical leader who initiates sound defense/national intelligence programs, has strong credibility in multiple green door environments and has a proven track record of creating profitable impacts across the nation’s hardest technological problem sets. His last assignment in the military was as a Visiting Scientist/Professional at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. He came to QuSecure after two previous terms as an executive at Northrop Grumman and Raytheon working advanced technology development. He is a published author on several technical subjects (nuclear counter-proliferation, quantum computing and classified topics), a US patent holder and still a devout knuckle dragger working to help warfighters fight for freedom. Let us know what else you'd like to hear us talk about! Follow us on Instagram: @about_violence
This week on the @about_violence Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Beau Hightower. @dr.beauhightower Dr. Beau Hightower earned the first of three Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology from the University of New Mexico. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy, followed by a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Wellness. Dr. Hightower graduated with honors from Parker University where he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. His Sports Medicine Internship was completed in Bogota, Colombia where he treated the country’s Olympic athletes at the Coldeportes training facility. He has practiced and held licenses in Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, New Mexico, Nevada, and Florida. Dr. Hightower graduated with the highest honors from California University with a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences. He possesses over 400 hours of post-doctoral education in physical rehabilitation and functional neurology where he received his Diploma in Neuroscience and is Board Eligible from the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. Dr H has also achieved the prestigious credential of Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. He earned his second Doctorate in Naprapathy where he graduated with the highest honors. Dr. H is currently licensed by the New Mexico Medical Board and is on the Board of Advisors for Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine. He has taught doctoral students as a clinical professor at SUNM since 2014. He is currently pursuing his third doctorate degree in medicine with a special interest in Neurology and Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Dr. Hightower has been recognized as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the Commission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a Board Certified Exercise Physiologist. He is a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is also a Certified Independence Chiropractic Examiner by the American Board of Independent Examiners. “Dr. H” has successfully treated multiple Super Bowl Winners, World Series Champions, more than 10 Gold medal winning Olympic athletes, NBA all stars , and more than a dozen WWE Hall of Famers. Elite-OSM is the preferred provider for Jackson’s MMA and Extreme Couture MMA. He founded Elite-OSM which now has 5 therapy clinics that's provide jobs for 20 therapists and has accumulates nearly 5 million followers across social media. Dr H is a member for several "High IQ" societies including Mensa, The Top One Percent Society, and Intertel. Dr. Hightower is vocal in the support of his alma mater at the University of New Mexico, where he was a linebacker for the Lobos. He previously served as Vice President the Parker University Alumni Association and is a member of the University of New Mexico Alumni Letterman’s Association. Dr. H has served on numerous occasions at the Roundhouse in New Mexico, treating state senators and representatives and has previously on the medical staff for USA Track and Field’s National Indoor Championships and as a ringside doctor for Bellator, UFC, and Legacy FC Let us know what else you'd like to hear us talk about! Follow us on Instagram: @about_violence
This week on the @about_violence Podcast, we are joined by Austin von Letkemann. Known as @MandatoryFunDay across every major social media platform, Austin von Letkemann is one of the fastest-growing and most widely viewed content creators in the military and veteran community. Averaging 120 million views per month across his platforms, he has over 700 million views total. Austin posts daily content that reflects the humor in military and veteran life. His goal is to promote healthy leadership behaviors throughout the United States Armed Forces. He has been recognized as a positive influence on the Department of defense by senior military leadership. Let us know what else you'd like to hear us talk about! Follow us on Instagram: @about_violence