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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Bestselling author and Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow joins us to discuss his latest book, Breaking the Law. In this in-depth conversation, Marlow explains his research into high-profile legal cases, the concept of “lawfare,” and how he believes political and legal systems intersect in today’s America. We explore historical context, recent events, and potential reforms — all with a focus on understanding where the country’s legal landscape might be headed.

ABOUT BREAKING THE LAW

Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief of Breitbart News and two-time New York Times bestselling author of Breaking the News and Breaking Biden, returns with his third book: BREAKING THE LAW: EXPOSING THE WEAPONIZATION OF AMERICA'S LEGAL SYSTEM AGAINST DONALD TRUMP (Threshold Editions; Hardcover; On-sale August 5, 2025), a fearless and thoroughly researched exposé on the new political battleground: the American legal system. In this urgent and gripping book, Marlow turns his sharp investigative lens to the legal cases targeting President Donald Trump-and what they mean for the future of the conservative movement and the rule of law in America. BREAKING THE LAW reveals how legal institutions are being repurposed as political weapons. Marlow not only exposes the players and tactics behind this unprecedented campaign but also makes bold predictions about where this trend is heading-and what conservatives must do to fight back. Hailed "a must read" by President Trump, Marlow's book is both timely and timeless. It's the first major retrospective on the 2024 election and how the legal war on Trump influenced voters, media narratives, and the conservative base. This is Alex Marlow at his most uncompromising and clear-eyed. With the same meticulous reporting and narrative drive that defined his previous works, BREAKING THE LAW offers a provocative and authoritative response to one of the most consequential legal and political stories of our time.

ABOUT ALEX MARLOW

Alexander Marlow is the New York Times bestselling author of BREAKING THE NEWS and BREAKING BIDEN. He serves as editor in chief of Breitbart News Network, where he started as Andrew Breitbart's first employee at the age of twenty-one. He is also a national talk radio host and podcaster. Alex has been on the cover of Time and Newsweek, named in Forbes's 30 Under 30, and called "perhaps the most significant media figure in America."

Get the book: https://a.co/d/1G5ohEP

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Born into British nobility as the future 3rd Viscount Rochdale, Jonathan Kemp appeared to have it all—prestige, education, and a successful career in law enforcement and entrepreneurship. But behind the titles, he battled undiagnosed bipolar disorder, depression, and dyslexia for decades. At 39, a long-overdue diagnosis changed everything.

In this candid conversation, Jonathan shares the unseen battles high-functioning people face, the turning point that led him to seek help, and how self-awareness became his greatest asset. He reveals the 14 personal foundations for resilience, his mental health emergency plan, and the creation of SmartWisdom—a scientifically validated note-taking system now used by top firms and universities.

We explore why he’s decided to give away 20 years of SmartWisdom training for free, the cost of untreated mental illness, and how to recognize the invisible struggles in those around you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, misunderstood, or afraid to ask for help, Jonathan’s story is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your life.

https://www.viscountrochdale.com/

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What if the patterns you’ve been stuck in for years could be dissolved—in minutes? In this transformative episode, author and founder of Cognomovement, Bill McKenna, shares how a near-death skydiving accident led to his own awakening and the creation of a revolutionary mind-body system that helps people rewire their nervous systems, release trauma, and break free from self-limiting cycles. Bill explains what’s really happening in the brain when we’re trapped in anxiety, looping thoughts, or old emotional wounds—and how eye position, physical movement, and sensory input can create rapid, lasting change. You’ll learn why “suffering can be optional,” the science behind energetic releases, and a simple technique you can try right now to calm your mind or stop a craving. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The hidden link between the nervous system, trauma, and behavior patterns
• How movement and sensory shifts create neuroplasticity
• Why talk therapy alone often isn’t enough to create lasting change
• A real-time exercise to reset your emotional state

Bill’s work has been featured on Gaia TV, Coast to Coast AM, and The Shift Network—and now he’s here to give you the tools to step out of the loop and into a new reality.

https://www.cognomovement.com/free-resources

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From making history at 23 to standing at the center of one of Florida’s most talked-about elections, Andrew Gillum has lived a life of purpose, pressure, and public service. In this powerful conversation, Gillum sits down with Shemaiah Reed to talk about the weight of leadership, the power of local governance, and the journey to reclaiming one’s voice—and one’s space.

We dive into the highs, the heartbreaks, and the healing. Gillum opens up about his past, his passion for justice, and his newest venture—the Native Land Pod alongside Angela Rye and Tiffany Cross—a movement reclaiming narrative, culture, and truth.

ABOUT NATIVE LAND POD

In the spirit of the last stanza of the Black National Anthem, we rise from the past, rooted deeply in the soil of ancestral struggles, to build a home, to claim our space. On Native Land Pod, Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, and Andrew Gillum guide us through the political landscape, wielding insights and unapologetic analysis, unraveling the threads that connect Black Americans and marginalized communities to a place they courageously call home.

In each episode, Angela, Tiffany and Andrew embark on a journey of reflection, taking stock of the news of the week and the country's road to the polls.

Join us each week as we navigate the dance between past and present, weaving a narrative of hope, empowerment, and the unyielding strength that defines the journey to reclaim 'Native Land.' This isn't just news analysis; it's a movement, a conversation, and a testament to the power of those who dare to rebuild and redefine the meaning of home.

EPISODES AVAILABLE HERE:

Https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-native-land-pod-137190860/

ANDREW GILLUM BIO

Andrew Gillum made history at 23 as the youngest person elected to the Tallahassee City Commission and went on to serve as Mayor, where he championed early education, restorative justice, and sustainability initiatives, including building a 20-megawatt solar farm. Under his leadership, Tallahassee earned national recognition as an All-America City, a top city for entrepreneurs, and a TechHire city. A longtime advocate for local governance, Gillum launched the Campaign to Defend Local Solutions after successfully challenging the gun lobby in court. In 2018, he became the first African American major-party nominee for Florida governor, forcing a historic recount after a narrow loss in a record-turnout election. Gillum also spent 15 years at People for the American Way Foundation, where he co-founded Young People For and the Young Elected Officials Network, supporting over 1,000 progressive leaders nationwide. He's been honored by *EBONY*, served as a Harvard Kennedy School Fellow, and contributed to CNN as a political commentator. He now leads a consultancy based in Tallahassee, where he lives with his wife and three children.

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On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we dive deep with Leisa Peterson—certified financial planner, visionary founder of Wealth Clinic®, and the author behind The Mindful Millionaire. She’s on a mission to help millions elevate their financial consciousness by stripping away money fears and scarcity stories, and replacing them with confidence, clarity, and real abundance. Leisa delivers a unique blend of soul and strategy—grounded financial wisdom married with mindfulness tools designed to heal money trauma and unlock next‑level prosperity In this episode, we breakdown:

• How early experiences leave invisible money wounds—and how to heal them
• The 8 Catalyst framework she uses to level up financial self-worth
• Why reframing scarcity is not about positive thinking—it’s about inner realignment
• Practical tools: budgeting with mindfulness, mindset shifts, and wealth routines
• How to rewrite your destiny by coaching yourself daily on purpose-filled prosperity

If you’ve been hustling hard but still feeling stuck in survival mode, this episode will disrupt your beliefs and empower you to lead with abundance—not anxiety.

🔗 Learn more about Leisa and her work at WealthClinic.com

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