Step Up To Challenges Podcast

We're Back! It has been almost two years since our last Podcast Episode and in that time the world has in utter turmoil!  Life has been extremely challenging with crime, poverty inflation, prices and more all going through the roof!  The feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless is felt by many of you.  Today we touch on the latest life issues facing all of us and how we all need to be the solutio...

We will be relaunching our Step Up To Challenges Podcast soon.  Look for our relaunch episode in the third week of May 2024!

A special clip from  "Episode 22  – Chris Phillips - Operation Desert Storm Veteran". Chris shares with us getting shot at, coming face to face with enemy tank & Republican Guard during the war. TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE  & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe button go ahead and leave a review while you are listening! You can find us on the following:...

A special clip from "Episode 22  – Chris Phillips - Operation Desert Storm Veteran". Chris shares with us his scariest moment leading up to the War. TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE  & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe button go ahead and leave a review while you are listening! You can find us on the following: iTunes Google Play Spotify Stitcher Visit us...

A special clip from "Episode 22  – Chris Phillips - Operation Desert Storm Veteran – War – US Army in Germany & Korea – Life Struggles – Brothers 4 Life" TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe button go ahead and leave a review while you are listening! You can find us on the following: iTunes Google Play Spotify Stitcher Visit...

In this episode Edward Leon and I will be discussing how the practice of Extreme Ownership can help today's family and why many families of today are fractured and not living in harmony.  Many families also lack leadership and direction and how the phrase "There are no such things as bad teams, only bad leaders" can be applied to the family by saying "There are not such things as bad families, onl...

In this episode we sit down with John Lillis the owner of Lifeboat Coffee.  We will discuss the expansion and growth he is experiencing now at Lifeboat Coffee as well as the challenges and success he is experiencing during his expansion and growth.  We'll talk coffee, business, entrepreneurship and much more!    Enjoy! 0:00 – Beginning / Introduction 03:00 – Origins of Lifeboat Coffee 11:00 – Expa...

In this episode we honor and remember a hero.....a World War II Combat Infantryman who fought with the 8th Infantry Division in Germany.  Jesus Antonio Armendariz Sr was a special man who recently passed away.  We'll share some of his experiences and thoughts during the war, his early life before being drafted and his post war life as well.  Enjoy! 0:00 – Beginning / Introduction 01:22 - War, loss...

A special sit down with Chris Phillips who is Operation Desert Storm War Veteran.  We will cover Chris's early life and challenges he faced growing up, through High School, playing HS Football, enlisting in the Army, going to Korea, being stationed in Germany & San Antonio and his War experience in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and his life post military . Enjoy!    0:00 – Beginnin...

Here we take a deep drive into Eduardo being awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in Iraq and his struggle with PTSD, depression and addition and how he lost everything to his climb back up the mountain of life. 0:00 – Beginning / Introduction 2:10 – Bronze Star Award 6:00 – Introduce Edward Leon 10:00 – US Army Bronze Star not Air Force 16:00 – Family didn't know anything about the Bronze Star...

Part 2 of our special sit down with John Lillis who is the Owner/Skipper of Lifeboat Coffee Co located in Phoenix Arizona (Lifeboatcoffee.com)  .  If you haven't listened to Part 1 please do so first and then listen to Part 2!  In Part 2 of Episode 20 we will talk about John's days in the US Coast Guard,  moving & working around the country, building Christian Radio Stations & Starting Lifeboat Co...

A special sit down with John Lillis who is the Owner/Skipper of Lifeboat Coffee Co located in Phoenix Arizona (Lifeboatcoffee.com)  .  John was a classmate and teammate of Rich and a Veteran.  We'll talk about John being abandoned at birth, growing up in San Francisco, Football at City College of San Francisco and more.  This is Part 1 of 2 with our sit down with John.  Enjoy!  Visit Lifeboatcoffe...

Iraq war veteran Eduardo Leon joins us today to talk about his early life growing up poor and in a traditional Mexican family,  multiple deployments,  getting IED, his post military struggles with depression, anxiety and substance abuse and how he pulled himself out from the darkness. 0:00 – Beginning / Introduction 6:42 – Eduardo Leon – Air Force Veteran 9:04 – Born in Hayward CA and early life....

For Veterans and War Fighters....War is Hell.....but so is coming home and trying to fit back into society after being away at way.  Our current War Fighters & Veterans have been at War for the past 20 years!  Today, Sept 11, 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of the attacks on this county on Sept 11, 2001.  At what cost and price did those War Fighters & Veterans pay for this 20 year war that ended...

WELCOME BACK! The world has been and still is CRAZY and all of our lives have been and continue to be turned upside down!  Covid, Politics, Fires, Afghanistan.....and more.  We at SUTC got blindsided by all of this and we let it get to us like many of you.  We didn't Step Up To Challenges and power though it........we were off the air for over a year but we are back!  In this Episode we talk about...

Special Education & Special Need Students during the Shelter In Place......what should parents do and expect during these uncertain times regarding school, services etc...... Rich Fernandez talks with Special Education Teacher & Administrator Herman Wilson where the discuss and share some guidelines and ideas. List of Companies Offering Helpful Learning Services: https://docs.google.com/spreadshee...

In Episode 15 we breakdown who you can trust in Special Education.  You have to education yourself and prepare for one of the toughest battles you're going to face!  We'll give you information and share with you our own personal experiences so you can prepare yourself to be an advocate for your child!    TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitti...

When did you know you were an advocate? In this clip from Episode 13 - Having Siblings with Autism & Special Needs  -  We ask our daughter when she realized she was an Advocate for her brother! TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe button go ahead and leave a review while you are listening! You can find us on the following: i...

In Episode 14 my wife Lydia joins me for a discussion on what's it like being parents of a special needs child.  We share some insight into how we handled the diagnosis and how we strengthened our determination and resolve over the years in making our son one of our top priorities.   TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe butt...

What is it like to have a younger or older sibling who has Autism and Special Needs?  If you have ever thought about how different their lives are and what sorts of challenges they face then this is an episode you should not miss.  Here my wife Lydia interviews our daughter Jasmine and together they peel back the layers on what it is to have a sibling with Autism & Special Needs! TAKE ACTION.....S...

Soccer, Futbol or  Fußball....It is the most popular sport in the world and followed and played religiously in Europe, South & Central America and everywhere in between.  Even in the US the popularity has caught on like wildfire, but why is it we are seeing a decline in Youth Soccer Participation?  Also are the best players actually playing at the Collegiate, Professional and National Team levels...

Today on Friday Follow Up I answer and follow up on a question as to how we integrated and got our son to be able to go out in public, travel and fly long distances on an airplane without any major meltdowns or problems. TAKE ACTION.....STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE & subscribe to the show and while you are there hitting the subscribe button go ahead and leave a review while you are listening! You can...

Having a Special Needs Child is a life long challenges.  As a parent you must devise plans and constantly work hard to ensure you cover all the needs of your child, but what happens if you don't plan and you or your spouse passes away?  Today I am gong to discuss what could happen and why it is important for you to have a plan and to take action now for your child once you are gone! TAKE ACTION......

I recently had a reflective trip to Germany to not only visit family but to mentally and physically go to places in Germany where historical events took place and well know figures once stood.  In this episode I'll share with you where I went, the profound impact it had on me and the importance to never forget our history, learn from it and how one needs to TAKE ACTION & STEP UP TO CHALLENGES in o...

In life we need to stop making excuses and TAKE ACTION!  Join the Pack and Take Action in your life by Stepping Up To Challenges in your life! Don't forget to subscribe to the show and please leave a review while you are listening! You can find us on the following: iTunes Google Play Spotify Stitcher Visit us at our website:   www.stepuptochallenges.com Thanks and continue to Step Up To Challenges...