Heroes Have Wings

Season 1 brought together some of the most powerful stories of courage, trauma, leadership, and brotherhood ever shared on this podcast. Now, for the first time, we reunite four warriors from Season 1 and bring them back into one room to reflect on the battles that shaped them, the bonds that saved them, and the lessons they carry long after the uniform came off. In this reunion, we dive deep into...

S3, EP6 - From the strict confines of a small household in Western Washington to the unforgiving crucible of Special Forces training, Nick O’Kelly forged a path few dare to walk. A Green Beret, a 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment pilot, and now the author of Stigma: Break the Silence, Redefine Strength, Nick embodies resilience and purpose. Thirteen years in the Army taught him discipline...

From a tough upbringing in California to saving lives on the battlefield, Carlos Morales is the definition of grit, growth, and grace under fire. He didn’t just serve, he transformed into a warrior of compassion, becoming a flight medic with the power to bring soldiers home alive. With over 11 years in the Army, deployments that hardened his spirit, and a rack of medals that reflect his relentless...

Michael Connelly was born into the Army life an Army brat with Superman as his hero and the world as his backyard. But his path to the cockpit wasn’t easy. He survived a helicopter crash in flight school, then went on to earn the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroics in combat. He’s commanded two companies, faced the brutal physical and mental toll of war, and still stands tall as a full-time dad...

Today, we’re honored to feature Andrew Six, a soldier whose journey from a humble upbringing as one of nine siblings to becoming a distinguished Army flight medic is nothing short of inspiring. From surviving a life-altering attack in Afghanistan to earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Andrew’s dedication to service and saving lives is a testament to resilience and faith. Now a Senior Medical A...

From the wild outdoors of Montana to commanding troops in the most dangerous corners of the world, LTC (Ret.) Ryan Travis is a warrior forged by combat and driven by faith, family, and country. Over a 22-year Army career, spanning from engineer to aviator, combat commander to West Point regimental XO, Ryan led from the front, never backing down from the chaos or the cost. He’s faced down war, buil...

From a tiny town in Kansas to the frontlines of global conflict, Joie Bier shattered every expectation put in front of her. She didn’t just join the Army, she kicked down doors in a male-dominated world, rising from an Apache Helicopter Crew Chief to a Combat Company Commander with 22 years of service under her belt. When life tried to box her in, she redefined the standard. She led jump FARPs in...

Today’s guest is a quiet giant, one of those warriors who didn’t ask for recognition, but earned it every damn day. James Tully served 22 years in the U.S. Army, rising from the ground up, PV1 to Master Sergeant, holding the line with unwavering discipline, humility, and grit. A leader in the 160th SOAR, he didn’t just maintain aircraft, he upheld the standard for warriors who fly into the storm....

From the cold streets of upstate New York to the unforgiving terrain of combat zones, Elizabeth Bradley has walked through the fire and never flinched. She didn’t just serve, she commanded respect, honor, and impact with every mission. As a combat medic and logistics soldier, Elizabeth carried the weight of life and death on her back, all while dealing with the scars left by war, loss, and the uns...

Today’s guest is living proof that where you start doesn't define where you're going. Marcus “Stephen” Barton grew up in the chaos, abuse, addiction, broken homes, and the kind of pain most people don’t make it through. But instead of becoming a product of his environment, he became a soldier, a MedEvac warrior, and a man of purpose. He went from nearly destroying himself to flying into combat zon...

Today’s guest is proof that the road to becoming a warrior isn’t always straight, and that’s exactly what makes his story powerful. Joe Wonacott grew up in small-town Paradise, California, the black sheep in a blue-collar family. But when most would settle, he decided to rise. He became a paratrooper, a Night Stalker, and eventually earned the title he always dreamed of...an Army pilot. He served...

Today’s guest is a warrior of the highest order, not just for what she did in uniform, but for what she’s endured outside of it. Audrey Ramos served over 20 years in the U.S. Army, standing tall through the chaos of combat, deployments, and personal storms that would’ve broken most people in half. She’s lived the battlefield. She’s carried the weight of leadership. And she’s faced life-altering mo...

Today’s guest is a warrior built from resilience, sharpened by adversity, and driven by one mission, to never quit. From growing up in the grind of Chicago, bouncing between six schools, to 22 years of elite military service, Phil Calcese has worn many uniforms, but he's always shown up, no matter the battlefield. He’s a Purple Heart recipient, a special operations aviator, and now, a relentless a...

Today, we’re bringing on a man who’s lived it, bled it, and damn sure earned the right to speak on it. Justin Horton grew up chasing dreams most kids couldn’t imagine until he put on the uniform and answered the call. From Fort Rucker to the sands of Afghanistan, Justin carried more than gear… he carried the weight of leadership, sacrifice, and dedication that followed him home. From leading fligh...

Welcome back to Heroes Have Wings, where real warriors share their battles, victories, and the lessons that shape them. Today’s guest, Adam Montavon, is a man who’s lived through the fire, served with honor, and fought his own wars both on and off the battlefield. From a small-town upbringing in Sterling, Illinois, to serving over 10 years in the U.S. Army, Adam became a flight medic, a crew chief...

Welcome back to Heroes Have Wings, where we bring you the raw and real stories of warriors who’ve given everything to serve, protect, and lead. Today, we sit down with Ervin Bier, a man who’s lived a life of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. From growing up in Wisconsin and Oklahoma to serving in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, Ervin’s journey took him from the battlefield to the s...

Welcome to another epic episode of Heroes Have Wings, where we honor the extraordinary lives of those who’ve gone above and beyond. Today’s guest, Johnny Keutmann, has a story that’ll leave you inspired. Born in Germany, Johnny’s journey took him across continents, Texas, England, Vegas, before he found his true calling in the U.S. Army as a MEDEVAC pilot. Over his 10 years of service in the Medic...

Ladies and gentlemen, today’s guest is the definition of resilience, grit, and compassion. She grew up in a small Wisconsin farm town, walking miles through fields just to wash dishes as a kid, proving early on that life was never going to outwork her. From those humble beginnings, Jessica Brewington rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3, serving 21.5 years in the U.S. Army, because in her w...

Welcome back to Heroes Have Wings, where we bring you the raw, unfiltered stories of warriors who’ve given everything for something bigger than themselves. Today’s guest, Dereck Bible, is no exception. Raised in small-town Texas, he grew up in a time before cell phones and social media, where life was about grit, adventure, and pushing limits. That mindset carried him into the U.S. Army, where he...

Welcome to Heroes Have Wings, where we bring you the raw, unfiltered stories of those who’ve walked through fire and lived to tell the tale. Today, we’ve got a guest who defines resilience, adaptability, and straight-up grit, Matt Cole. From growing up as the oldest of eight in Lima, Ohio, to serving 20 years across the Navy and Army, Matt’s journey is nothing short of legendary. He’s flown helico...

Welcome back to Heroes Have Wings, where the stories of warriors, leaders, and relentless fighters take flight. Today’s guest, Sean Jones, is the definition of resilience, a Jack of All Trades who’s walked the path of grit, loyalty, and service. Growing up in Zion, Illinois, Sean took on high school football, NJROTC, and the grind of working from an early age. In 2006, he answered the call and bec...

Welcome back to Heroes Have Wings, where we bring you the stories of warriors who’ve dedicated their lives to service, sacrifice, and resilience. Today’s guest, Jimmy Shields, is no exception. A man forged in discipline, he grew up as the oldest of six in the MDW area, mastering the art of control, leadership, and perseverance early on. A lifelong outdoorsman and martial artist, Jimmy took that sa...

Welcome to Heroes Have Wings, where we uncover the untold stories of those who’ve led with grit and heart. Today’s guest, John Thomas, is a testament to resilience, leadership, and never backing down from a challenge. Born in small-town Kentucky, John grew up in tough conditions, but he rose above to serve 22 incredible years in the Army, from Ft. Lewis to Ft. Campbell, earning his stripes as a 1s...

Welcome to Heroes Have Wings, where we showcase stories of resilience, leadership, and determination. Today’s guest, Jon King, is a force to be reckoned with, a man who’s rewritten the rulebook of what’s possible. From growing up in a small two-bedroom house in Arkansas to serving in both the Air Force and the Army, Jon’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Over two decades, he mastered the...

Welcome to Heroes Have Wings, where extraordinary stories soar. Today’s guest, Jack Dingus, is the epitome of dedication, resilience, and perspective. Born in Southern West Virginia as the youngest of five, Jack grew up mastering outdoor sports before embarking on an illustrious career spanning over two decades in the U.S. Army. From Desert Storm to Bagram and Kandahar, Jack served with grit and i...