Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian

In this episode of Down & Dirty with Michael Julian, we sit down with Joseph “Joey” Pena for one of the most raw and unfiltered conversations we’ve had. Joey opens up about surviving severe childhood abuse, growing up as a preacher’s kid, and how early trauma shaped his identity long before he ever joined the military. From the 82nd Airborne to deployments in Iraq and responding to Hurricane K...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Joseph “Joey” Pena, the discussion moves from early trauma to operational reality. Joey shares what it was like being among the first boots on the ground in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, operating under martial law, and navigating a city where law enforcement had been compromised and order had collapsed. He recounts: • Taking back the French Quarter • Rule...

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca LaFosse, a former law enforcement officer who transitioned to a successful career in corporate security. Rebecca shares her journey from a sheltered upbringing to becoming a narcotics detective, including harrowing experiences on the job and challenges she faced as a female officer. She opens up about the trauma and toxicity she encountered in policing, an...

Welcome to another compelling episode of "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian," where we delve into inspiring stories of resilience and triumph over adversity. In this episode, we sit down with Liz Florek, a remarkable guest whose life was profoundly impacted by the tragic events at the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas. Liz shares her harrowing experience of surviving the horrific mass shooting...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." In today's episode, we sit down with the remarkable D'Leene DeBoer, an accomplished writer, registered nurse, and professional dancer. D'Leene takes us on an emotional yet empowering journey through her life, starting with a tumultuous childhood marked by her parents' abuse and an arduous path through personal trauma a...

Welcome to another compelling episode of Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian. Today, we are honored to have a conversation with the formidable Solbjørg Engstrøm. Originally from Norway, Sola’s journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In this deeply moving episode, Sola shares her personal and professional odyssey, from the tranquil landscapes of h...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian. Today, we sit down with our guest Josh Tempco. Josh's life is a tapestry of diverse experiences, rooted in the Midwest and extending to the extreme reaches of the Arctic. Born just on the Indiana side of the Illinois-Indiana border, Josh’s early life was grounded in the heartland of America. However, his adventures would t...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian. Today, we delve into the compelling life and career of Eric Curran, a figure renowned for his expertise in the automotive industry and his championship-winning prowess on the racetrack. In this episode, Eric shares his journey from humble beginnings in a small-town Volvo dealership to becoming a formidable presence in the...

Seven years ago, on Oct. 1, 2017, thousands of concert-goers were having the time of their lives at the Route 91 Country Music Harvest Festival, a country music event on The Strip in Las Vegas, when suddenly bullets began spraying everywhere. An active assailant had opened fire on the crowd of 22,000 from the Mandalay Bay hotel.  That fateful night hundreds were injured and 60 people lost the...

Welcome to another compelling episode of "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." On today's show, we are honored to have Jerry Heying, CPP, PPS, CST , as our guest—a luminary in the realm of executive protection. Jerry has not only built an exemplary career but has also profoundly influenced the industry through his leadership of the Executive Protection Institute (EPI). Throughout this episode, we d...

🎙️Today’s guest, Bob Fininis, brings a profound story of resilience and success that began in the challenging environment of Lake Elsinore, California. Raised in a tumultuous household, Bob’s journey is marked by early hardships, a transformative experience in the Navy, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth and gratitude. In this episode, we explore Bob's extensive career, from successfu...

Our guest today is the remarkable Thomas Slaughter, founder of SRCG IT Solutions, whose journey is nothing short of inspirational. Thomas shares his candid experiences of growing up amidst frequent school changes, racial challenges, and exposure to violence, all of which shaped his resilient character. Despite the odds, Thomas found discipline and purpose in boxing, thanks to the mentorship of a t...

Our Special Guest today, is Caleb Gilbert. Caleb is the President of White Glove Protection Group and brings with him over two decades of full-time experience in Executive Protection. Caleb is currently a member of the IPSB Board of Directors and his global expertise spans over 51 countries and nearly every region of the United States. Caleb's career has been marked by highly demanding assignments...

Welcome back to "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." In today's compelling episode, we're joined by my friend and industry colleague, Eric Utsch. Eric is an experienced, well-rounded and extensively trained martial artist with four World Championship titles in Kickboxing and Muay Thai. He has twenty-five years of international travel and fighting. He has personal protection and security clients in...

Welcome to another episode of "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." In this week's engaging conversation, co-hosts Michael Julian and Elizabeth Forester dive deep into the complexities of teamwork, the significance of complementary strengths within a team, and the challenges of integrating diverse personalities. Elizabeth shares insights from her extensive background in sports, military teams, and...

Our Special Guest today, is Jared Van Driessche. Jared grew up in a tumultuous environment deeply scarred by the presence of an abusive and manipulative father who was later revealed to be a pedophile, rapist, sociopath, and narcissist. Despite the facade his father maintained, Jared understood the dark reality of his behavior. This shocking revelation and subsequent trauma drove Jared's determina...

Welcome to another transformative episode of "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." In Episode 5, we sit down with the remarkable Beth Pope, whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Beth's life story takes us from her early years of abandonment and adoption to her family's relocation to France, where she navigated a new culture and found solace in skiing the Swiss Alps. Despite facing signif...

Welcome to another episode of Down and Dirty with Michael Julian. Today, we're getting raw and real with my good friend Christian West. Christian is a true icon in the executive protection industry. The Danish native shares his fascinating journey - from working as a bouncer and DJ in Copenhagen, to making the bold move to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in entertainment security. He opens up...

Today, we have a real treat as we sit down with my good friend and esteemed executive protection professional, Joseph LaSorsa Jr. from LaSorsa Associates and Executive Support Logistics. While Joe keeps a relatively low profile in the industry, he opens up about his life's journey and the core values that drive him both professionally and personally. In this candid conversation, Joe shares insight...

Welcome back to "Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian." In today's compelling episode, we're joined by the remarkable Sifu Alan Baker for a deep dive into resilience, mentorship, and personal growth. Michael and Alan are tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time, from the perceived decline in mental and physical resilience among today's youth to the essential role of mentors in guiding pe...

Today, we have a special treat as Michael sits down with his close friend and esteemed insurance broker, Nick Langer, who works with TSIB. Nick dives into his world of insurance and risk management, particularly within the construction and private security sectors, and shares his mission to help businesses stay compliant and out of legal trouble. In this episode, Michael and Nick explore the evolv...

Down 'n Dirty with Michael Julian takes you behind the scenes with fascinating people from all walks of life. Your host, Michael Julian, digs deep with his guests, learning about the experiences and challenges that have shaped them into the remarkable individuals they are today. Whether it's overcoming childhood traumas, mental health struggles or other life challenges, this podcast shines a light...