The Echo Review

The Echo Review is going on a short mid-season break as we source more guests and begin planning for the next season. Before we dip, we wanted to share a short bonus episode with Elsie Alburquerque in which she discusses the setbacks she overcame while at basic training. As you would imagine, it involves injuries, The Forge and ibuprofen . It's a great anecdote about pushing yourself and findi...

He's back! For those that have never listened to his story, I highly recommend listening to my first interview with him here . TLDL; here's a YouTube Short that explains his story in a nutshell ( LINK ). Bobby is one of the most unconventional SMs I've ever spoken to. First he became a Marine at age 30, which is by no means old, but for USMC standards, you will undoubtedly have to get...

Just a heads up, while this conversation is very personal and dear, there is some discussion of violence which some may find uncomfortable, so listener discretion is advised. I've known Mitzy Bello (pronounced be-yo ), for over 15 years. We met in school and went separate paths but kept in touch intermittently during the period after. In the last 4 years, her and I have spoken a lot more. The...

I mention Snow a lot. He was in this season's trailer and last season's trailer . We met randomly through a mutual friend and not unlike myself, wanted to pursue uniformed service later in life. He faced one particular setback from achieving this; he had to leave Marine Corps OCS due to an injury. After a few years he's bounced back and is pursuing a career in the Air National Guard. T...

Enlisting at age 40 is rare. Enlisting at age 40 and going through military police training is even rarer. Elsie Alburquerque is both of these things, making her a unicorn among unicorns. Like many in the Guard that joined later in life, she had a multitude of experiences before taking the oath. No matter what was thrown at her, be it a lengthy waiver process or an injury, she continued to bounce...

SSG Jessie is a combat medic, runner and mother. When you hear the phrase “she can do both,” I like to think she can do more than both — she can do a lot! Aside from those three things, she’s also had a career in accounting before she joined the military in her early 30’s. She also explains how preparing for the military cultivated her interest in distance running which led to her competing in mar...

This season we’re focusing on service members who entered the military later in life. I wanted to kick things off with a friend of mine from basic training who fit this profile, SPC Francis. She went from vice principal to enlisted Army National Guard soldier. Not only is her journey to BCT unique, she also had a very, ahem, expedited recruiting process. Check out her story.  2:08 … Who is SPC Fra...

Ok let's try this again. Special thanks to Hannah, Hensley, Yung Snow God, the homies in the group chat, the battle buddies trying to improve their running time and anyone that joined the service over the age of 27. Let's get it season. Trailer edited by Hannah Sunday.

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's some honest conversation about policing from a police officer's perspective. Listener discretion is recommended. As mentioned in our last episode, this is part of our multi-part mid-season look at policing. This episode, with Officer Julio, was recorded in early January, so the references might be a little dated...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's some honest conversation about policing from a police officer's perspective. Listener discretion is recommended. When we initially planned this episode, it was back in late December. We were interested in capturing the thoughts and feelings  the police community during the holiday break and began reaching ou...

Neir's Tavern is one of the oldest bars in the United States, yet you probably haven't heard of it. It's owned and operated by Loycent , a firefighter and community leader, who has withstood the challenges that come along with overseeing a small business throughout the pandemic. As an immigrant who has achieved the American Dream, Loycent believes in service and giving back. From the island of Jam...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's also a little bit of crude language. Listener discretion is recommended. This episode is dedicated to the part-time hitters and oper8ors; Guards and Reservists who put that work in. On this Veteran's Day, I landed an interview with meme gawd The Fratty Guard, who is legendary for making funny and insightful posts...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There’s some frank discussion about sex work in the episode, so listener discretion is advised. Also, this episode does not serve as an endorsement of anyone's political affiliations. 2:55...Itkis' thoughts on the current war in Ukraine 5:36...On not being married, not having kids and not being cellibate 7:20...Does marr...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There’s some frank discussion about sex work in the episode, so listener discretion is advised. Also, this episode does not serve as an endorsement of anyone's political affiliations. I learned about Congressional Candidate Mike Itkis the same way most of us did: through military memes. Namely, their source was from Mili...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. Someone very special to me recommended that I interview DJ Cilla BK for this season. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I heard she was a firefighter turned DJ and LGBTQ activist, I was hooked. Judging by the conversation, she was always a DJ at heart and we had an enlightening discussion about what it means to be a...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. Season 2 is here! We're kicking off season 2 with a conversation I had with actor and USMC veteran Diego Aguirre. Before he was an actor, he was like anybody else struggling to get a leg up in American life. As luck would have it that struggle led him to enlist as an 0311 in the Corps -- an experience which still influen...

Season 2 of The Echo Review is here! This seasons theme is a resiliency and we'll be speaking with a variety of guests about what resiliency means to them. Hit the subscribe button and take listen to the podcast about uniformed members of service that do unconventional things.

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. In the season finale, we have an honest discussion with Jadyn Ortiz, a sailor and exotic dancer who has a unique perspective on nightlife and military life. Having generated over 300,000 followers on TikTok, one might say she's a viral internet sensation. However, there's friction between her two professions and we break...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of those that produce and edit the series. Also this , this episode includes an honest discussion on mental health and includes mention of topics such as suicide and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Also, if you or anyone you know has had talks of suicide we recommend...

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of those that produce and edit the series. Also this, this episode includes an honest discussion on mental health and includes mention of topics such as suicide and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Also, if you or anyone you know has had talks of suicide we recommend y...

When you hear motorcycle club it conjures up the outlaw image made popular by the likes of the Hell's Angels. However, there's another subculture that may look similar but is bound by a different set of ethics: law enforcement motorcycle clubs. Yes, similar kuttes , but a much different way of life. On this episode we got a chance to chat with Patron, founder and international president of the Kni...

We're taking a break from Marines with Only Fans appearances on this episode. This episode we're introducing a very cerebral and honorable police officer by the name of Officer G who was happy to speak with us about current issues connected to law enforcement.  4:20...What exactly is a buff? 8:31...Officer G gives his perspective on what has given rise to crime in NYC 9:41...Who does the blam...

Since speaking to Bobby Justice, The Echo Review has met more Marines who have made appearances on Only Fans.  Introducing Virgil (follow @virgil.1629 ) and Chris (follow @fitnessdegand ) 00:15...Follow our beat, Marines on Only Fans 00:26...Meet Virgil and learn about his "guest" appearance 1:44...Meet Chris 2:16...Why did Chris join the Marines? 7:30...Chris' transition into fitness 10:45.....

Do you have a side hustle? You probably do. Whether it's a hobby/passion that you eventually want to make into something profitable or it's a craft that you're still fine-tuning so you can make that pivot, side hustles come in a multitude of forms. Meet Bobby Justice, an active duty US Marine Corps infantryman who has done everything from nude shoots to Only Fans, all while serving his countr...

Tulsi Gabbard is somewhat of a contrarian. She's a Democratic politician who ran for president in 2020, openly criticizes other members of her party and frequently appears on Fox News. Is she really a Democrat-In-Name-Only or is she tapping into something that others do not fully understand? The Echo Review spoke with two individuals who gave their take on her brand of politics.  Conversation...