PICK UP THE SIX® Productions

This episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast is brought to you by our friends at the First There Foundation. On March 4, 2002 John Chapman made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. During an operation to retrieve fallen Navy SEAL Neil Roberts, Chapman, an Air Force Combat Controller, and a team of Navy SEALs came under fire. Chapman would get isolated from the group and have to fight until the very e...

At 0400, while on watch, Captain JC Soto received an interesting call. His helicopter crew, stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, was needed to rescue a 62-year old man stuck in his snow-bound hunting cabin. Soto and his team sprung into action for an incredible story about picking up the six, and he joins us on this show to share that story.

Guantanamo Bay. Better known as GITMO. It was home to some of the world’s most dangerous and sought after terrorists. During part of his time in the Army, it was home for Montgomery Granger, as he served as the ranking Army medical department officer in a joint military operation like no other. On this episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast, we talk about what it’s like to take care of terrorists and...

Darrell Utt joins the show today to share with us the story of the Medal of Honor Museum, which is set to open in 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Darrell has an incredible background as a Senior Operations Manage for the 10th Special Forces Group. He’s a Green Beret who is continuing his service before self at the construction site of the new museum. I’m Brian Jodice and this is PICK UP THE SIX Podcast.

Yo, PICK UP THE SIX family! We have a special episode that we just wrapped up with Adam Cooper aka NeverQuitFitDad22 on Instagram, and long-time friend of the show (and former Green Beret) Lowell Koppert. Adam will be in Aiken, SC on March 1 - March 2 working out for 22 straight hours to raise awareness for Veterans and mental health. We're pumped to be part of it and share with you the details on...

Our guest today has been sketching for years, and in doing so has helped solve some of the most important, high profile cases in recent years for the NYPD. He’s a veteran, who continues to live his service and purpose together. Plus, he’s a huge Star Wars fan (that comes through in his art) and we get to geek out a little talking “The Wars.” Let’s meet Matt Rendar of Battle Tribe on this episode o...

Last week we heard from an OG in the Air Force Combat Controller world, Tim Brown. We’re back again, thanks to our friends with the 1st There Foundation (https://www.1stthere.org), talking to another member of the Special Forces community. Johnny Fast joins us on today’s show. Helluva name, and an incredible guy who just three weeks after the towers fell on 9/11, was over in the desert hunting dow...

This episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast is brought to you by the First There Foundation. We met First There through friend of the show Eric Hohman, an Air Force Combat Controller, and a helluva guy. The mission of First There is to ensure all Combat Controllers have a teammate to reach out to when life becomes difficult. They know first-hand what it feels to be forgotten, lost, and or have lost a...

#135: Jon Rennie, You Have the Watch by PICK UP THE SIX

Our guest today is Jeff “Vader” Brandon. Jeff is an Air Force fighter pilot, having spent time in the cockpit of the F-15C and F-16. Along with other guys in flight suits, Jeff launched the Kodiak Shack Podcast, where they are connecting the frontline warfighter with those that innovate. This is PICK UP THE SIX Podcast. -- More about Jeff and the Kodiak Shack Podcast here: https://www.kodiakshack....

The one and only Tommy Chong (yes, that Tommy Chong). We have a conversation that's a bit different than most of our podcasts here at PICK UP THE SIX. Tommy has lived an incredible life including being born on a homestead in Canada during the depression. Sit back and enjoy our last show of the year with Tommy Chong, because like he says, "life is a haircut."

We first met Eric Hohman on Episode 81 when he was running for Congress in Texas. Eric was an Air Force Combat Controller, and even though he didn’t win this round in the political arena, that’s not stopping him from find ways to stay in the fight. We’re talking about his dedication to the Special Forces community through the First There Foundation, on this episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast.

In January of 2018, a South Carolina community mourned after a local police officer was killed in the line of duty. Amanda Riggan wanted to do something, so she turned to serving through food, and with that Hungry Heroes BBQ was born. Since that point, she’s been serving up BBQ across her community and beyond; her journey’s have taken her across the country. We’re talking 'Que, service and faith o...

The fate of the game could be in the balance, and without you the play never starts. That’s the life of a football long snapper. Our guest today has trained some of the best and he’s helped develop over 1,000 high school and junior college snappers, sending many to play college football and then on to the pros. We’re putting the pads on with Chris Rubio on this episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast....

Welcome to another episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast, and today is Veterans Day. A Happy Veterans to all who have served, and a sincere Thank You from PICK UP THE SIX! Our guest today is John Davis, he’s the author of Combat to College: Applying the Military Mentality as a Student Veteran. John was an infantry squad leader in the 101st Airborne. He also taught English in Thailand, and history to...

Kevin Palmieri was in his mid-20’s and off to the races in his career. And, there he sat the end of hotel bed, thinking about ending it all. He made a call that day, and it started a turn around for him. The key, as he tells us on this episode of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast, is that the turnaround started with him.

Our guest today wants to help you Elevate Your Leadership. His name is Robert Pizzini and he’s the CEO of iFLY Virginia Beach, an indoor skydiving facility. He’s also a 26-year Navy Veteran and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician with multiple deployments and a bronze star. We have a great conversation, so let’s get into it with Robert Pizzini.

After her firefighter husband suffers after a life-changing blaze, trauma therapist Karen Williams discovers the limits of her professional experience and must face her own fears while trying to save her marriage. That’s the story of a new film called First Responders. The film’s writer and producer, Rick Eldridge joins the show to talk about the project, and how they’ve created a movie dedicated...

Edgar Mills of Osprey Shooting Solutions joins the show to talk about his service in the 10th Special Forces Group, and how he’s building on his experience leading the SOCOM Marksmanship Program to help equip everyone from new shooters and firearm owners to seasoned professionals to become safer and more competent and confident shooters. We really enjoyed this conversation, because we get to talk...

On May 11, 2005 Josh Appel graduated from medical school. One month later, he was in Afghanistan and by June 28th he was part of the now infamous rescue of the Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell. We revisit Operation Red Wings, from Josh’s perspective, Including incredible acts of service before self along the way. And, he talks about his connection to the Memorial Day Murph, a tradition that unites th...

Dom Teich knows what it’s like to make split-second decisions at 800 miles per hour. It’s that Single Seat Mindset that serves him well while in the cockpit of an F-16, and he’s aiming to deliver that mindset through a book and growing community that guides those looking to define or redefine their purpose in this life by compiling short, punchy, and impactful stories from America's warriors in th...

"If something happens to me, you should be sad, but not forever." That’s what Clint Ruiz told his wife Kira before a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. Clint did not survive that deployment. Through those words, and his mission as a soldier, Kira and her family are keeping his legacy alive today. She joins us to share her story, and how Tunnel to Towers stepped into that story. This is PICK UP THE...

There is hope after trauma. Some of us can recall the exact moment our lives changed forever. The horrific accident. The miscarriage. The day they walked out. The moment our innocence was taken. Others of us can't remember a time when our lives weren't marked by trauma, abuse, or neglect. What happened to you was wrong and it hurt you, but it doesn't have to define you. You may be wounded, but you...

We are back with a special edition of PICK UP THE SIX Podcast, as we take time this weekend, and specifically this Sunday, to remember the events oF September the 11th, 2001. You don't need a reminder of what happened to our nation on that fateful day. As we have done in years past, we set aside some intentional time to honor those who lost their lives on that day. Our national and our world chang...

Jon Cox and his girlfriend Becca were staring at a bunch of race cancelations in early 2020. You remember that time, right? They had cleared a 1-mile trail segment on some property in Franklin, Tennessee and thought, why not put on an event for our friends. Just like that the Midstate Mile was born. Three years later and it’s grown ever year, including some epic battles lasting well over 30-hours....