Award-winning author Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke has built a loyal following with his gripping Jake Fortina series—known for its razor-sharp realism, believable dialogue, and pulse-pounding plots. With three acclaimed novels already out and his fourth, Vital Mission, set to launch this August, Steinke is redefining the military thriller genre for today’s world.

In this conversation, Rick takes us inside his creative process—how he balances authenticity with drama, crafts morally complex characters, and brings global flashpoints to life with startling realism. We also explore why military thrillers matter now more than ever, and how fiction can illuminate truths in an age of uncertainty. If you’re a fan of high-stakes storytelling, unforgettable characters, and thrillers that keep you up at night, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Learn more about Rick and his work at ricksteinke.com

Ralph r. “Rick” Steinke is the author of the Jake Fortna novel series, including Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy, Grand Prize Winner, Global Thriller category, Chanticleer International Book Awards (2023), and Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat, a semi-finalist in the 2022 Global Thriller category for the Chanticleer International Book Awards. His third book in the series, Change of Mission, also won several awards. Vital Mission releases this August.

In 2019, he also published Next Mission: US Defense Attaché to France, a memoir (currently out of print, to be republished in 2025 or 2026).

Since Steinke's commissioning from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Steinke has served a lifetime of US national security roles, including 28 years in the US Army and 14 in the Department of Defense. Official duties have taken him to over thirty countries in Europe and Asia, including Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Personal awards and military badges bestowed upon him include:

• US Legion of Merit
• Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Civilian Service
• French National Order of Merit (Commander)
• US State Department Meritorious Service Award (Afghanistan)
• US Army Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge; Italian Army Parachutist Badge; and other awards and badges.

He holds Master’s degrees in West European studies and diplomacy from Indiana and Norwich Universities, respectively, as well as post-graduation certificates in national and international security affairs from Harvard and Stanford universities.

His passions include faith, family, fly fishing, and travel.

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Are we chasing happiness the wrong way? Best-selling author Pastor Mike Hayes, known for his million-copy book God’s Law of First Things, and Dr. Jeffrey Garner, pastor, community leader, and spiritual director, join us to unpack their new book Real Happy: Jesus’ Surprising Path to Genuine Joy. Together, they dive into the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, reframing them as “happy oracles” that reveal joy is not found in material gain but in spiritual depth. In this inspiring conversation, Mike and Jeffrey share powerful personal stories and timeless truths that challenge cultural myths about happiness and guide us toward a deeper, more lasting joy.

Get the book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRVSZH34?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_19ZJS3JFJP441WC3PX7R_1&bestFormat=true

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Best friends, moms, and fearless flippers Kristy Etheredge and Rebecca Franchione join us to talk about their brand new A&E series The Mother Flip, premiering August 16th on A&E’s HomeMade Nation. From risky all-cash deals to turning junkyard houses into jaw-dropping showpieces, these two prove that hustle, heart, and a little bit of Hill Country grit can turn even the roughest property into real estate gold.

About the Show – The Mother Flip In The Mother Flip, best friends and fellow moms Kristy Etheredge and Rebecca Franchione—alongside contractor Roy Salinas—take on Texas Hill Country’s worst homes and flip them into stunning, high-value properties. With all-cash buys, bold renovation plans, and a fearless attitude, they turn neglected, rundown houses into sophisticated showstoppers, splitting the profits three ways.

The series kicks off with "Junkyard Gem", where a promising unlisted property in a prime Austin neighborhood turns out to be a nightmare—think junk piles, overgrown yards, and major repairs needed. But Kristy and Rebecca aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, transforming the disaster into a luxurious, modern home that could fetch a big payday.

Kristy Etheredge – Bio Kristy Etheredge is a Texas Hill Country local with a career spanning over 25 years in marketing, sales, event design, and management. She’s worked with powerhouse brands like the PGA TOUR, NHL, NFL, and SXSW, where she mastered the art of executing high-pressure projects with creativity and precision. Today, Kristy brings that same energy into flipping homes—managing budgets, sourcing salvaged materials, and crafting beautiful, cost-effective designs. A wife and mom of two teenage athletes, Kristy thrives on big challenges and always finds efficient solutions to make visions come to life.

Rebecca Franchione – Bio Rebecca Franchione’s flipping career is fueled by guts, grit, and a sharp eye for deals. After 25 years of moving around the country as the wife of a college football coach, Rebecca embraced a new chapter—divorced, raising three teenagers, and flipping houses at a rapid pace. In just the past year, she’s completed 18 flips, always chasing the thrill of transforming overlooked properties into profitable investments. A published author and community-minded entrepreneur, Rebecca’s hustle is matched only by her fearless approach to design and negotiation. She lives in the Texas Hill Country across the street from Kristy, proving that sometimes your best business partner is also your next-door neighbor.

https://www.aetv.com/shows/the-mother-flip

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