Strength From Service

The hosts have an conversation with each other a day after the election and results. Topics include everything from hunting, to the conspiracy theories surrounding the JFK assassination, to whether or not the United States would do better if professionals dressed up in suits for work. Included in the conversation is the role of local media within our and many other communities and what plans every...

On top of being a lawyer, an endurance bike rider, and professor, John Baker is a Retired Marine Gunny that thrives in helping his fellow Veteran. He has helped with Veteran Homes, set up and trained for Veterans court, and has successfully defended Veterans with his Hamline Law degree. John and the guys talk about what got him into The Corps nearly 45 years ago, and he and Mike talk about a lot o...

World War II Veteran Dennis Boldt landed on Utah Beach during in the invasion on Normandy, or as many of us know it, D-Day. Dennis joins our hosts and talks about his upbringing, what influenced him to join the Army, his time in the military, and some of the past 80 years since D-Day. He shares some stories on his training as an anti-aircraft gunner, and he tells some stories of his ironically nam...

Join us as the guys get back together after having a few weeks off. Jack is back after a long hunting trip in South Africa and he shares stories and photos with the Mike and Jake of his bounty. Find out what his favorite meal was, his most memorable hunt, how an antenna almost spoiled a hunt, and the premise for a new book. The guys discuss what it means to live every day with no regrets.

You may recognize Eric Anderson from his days as a financial planner, or you may know him as the former Mayor of Mankato. Join Eric as he talks with a two-man crew of Jack and Jake about all things Mayor, including how fast pitch softball helped him connect with small towns across the state and earned him accolades as he departed his office. The guys talk about the demolition of two iconic Mankato...

If you've ever seen Caddyshack, then you might think you know what Fred Taylor went through to become the Superintendent of the Mankato Golf Club for 43 years. While growing up on a former golf course in Mankato, Fred chased striped squirrels instead of gophers and shares his stories of learning about grass, trees, and all things horticulture. Fred speaks amorously about how his daughters caug...

Jake, Jack, and Mike take this episode to explore more of the Nielsen Blacktopping Studios and end up in a comfy corner provided by Rooms and Rest in Mankato. The Veterans on the couch test the civilian's knowledge on military acronyms. Each host catches the listeners up on goings on outside of the studio including Warfare Motorsports, "The BBQ Show", and a look into what it took to...

When your brother calls you and says he needs a change and a move out of Phoenix, you do what you can to help him. Jack answered that call for Miles Hurley. People that haven't served may not know the bond that is shared between brothers in arms. Miles and Jack are brothers in every way, except blood. Having served together in the 101st in Afghanistan, these two recount their time together and...

Shortly after his graduation from a Christian College, James Chally surprised his family and friends by joining the Army. Although he didn't know it when he enlisted, he was continuing on a family legacy that had started with his grandfather during Pearl Harbor. After his first deployment as counter intelligence, he was left wanting more and decided to take on the Special Forces Qualifications...

Dr. Ethan Brinkman took his opportunities from childhood ailments to fuel an interest in overcoming injuries as an adult. He joins the Strength from Service guys to talk about he went from breakdancing for the Timberwolves to a passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has brought him from being a student to growing his BJJ community from 30 to 150 as an owner. These days, Dr. Brinkman focuses on teaching a...

Scott Wolfe joins Mike, Jack, and Jake to talk about his journey from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division out of high school, to becoming a local Police Officer and Sheriff's Deputy at the same time, all the way to the peak of his career, graduating Jack from DARE in grade school. Scott talks about how his and his families story has seen it's share of adversity and loss over the course of his life....

Jack and Mike sit down with Matt Little, who you might say was integral in connecting the two Veterans. Matt showed his appreciation for Veterans in his community through his restaurant in Mankato, Minnesota, Buster's. Even though Buster's is gone today, the legacy of what it was for for those that served the community still lives on. Mike and Jack recall how Buster's was where they would frequent...

Franz Marti joins Strength from Service to share his story. From growing up in small town Minnesota, to being a member of the second oldest brewery family in the nation, Franz has had a unique path to get to where he's at now. After leaving culinary school and deciding to follow in his older brother's path of enlisting, he joined the National Guard. Shortly after joining, he knew he wanted...

Former guest Brandon Macemon brings his daughter Bella to Strength From Servcie to chat about how life was like for her as an "Army Brat". She recounts her upbringing from being born in Mankato all the way to completing her fist year at Gustavus Adolphus College, along with stops in Colorado, Washington, and Germany along the way. Bella shares a story on why she never cares to visit Mona...

Steve Romnes has a passion for helping children. Through his involvement with Young Life as well as MN Adult and Teen Challenge, he continues to give back to the local youth of Southern Minnesota. Steve joins Strength from Service and shares his successes in business as well as how he uses his own stories to connect with a younger generation.

Jared Sasen and Jesus Pereira are two of the three co-hosts of the local radio show and national podcast, "VSO Talk Radio". On their show with co-host Eric Segundo, they connect Veterans, Active-Duty Military, National Guard, family members, and spouses with information and services available to them on the State and Federal level. Jared and Jesus sat down with Mike and Jack as they cros...

Jenna Schmidtke knew what she wanted to do when she enlisted in the Army in 2006; help others. As an Army Combat Medic Vet, she served with and treated her fellow soldiers over two deployments in Kuwait and Iraq. Jenna shares her story of professional and personal adversity along her journey to becoming the County Veteran’s Service Officer for Faribault County, Minnesota. She also speaks on how he...

Mike and Jack have had a long hiatus but it hasn't been without some work being put in behind the scenes. They touch on what they've been up to, what they've been working on, and they share some exciting new news regarding the Strength from Service Podcast.

Trent Nielsen is a native to the St. Peter, Mankato area.  A high school wrestler, United States Marine Corp Reserve Vet, husband, father of 3, youth wrestling coach and local business owner.  Trent continues to serve and grow as a person and business owner.  From humble beginning to his new journey of sobriety and continuing to grow the family business… there is no slowdown in sight for Trent Nie...

Brandon Macemon Husband – Father -Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Operations Manager - Retired Green Beret – and all-around good guy who continues to use the skills he learned on his way to becoming a Special Forces Master Sergeant to serve his community. Enjoy our chat with Brandon Macemon.

As the founding member of Carlson Partners, Ted charts the course for the company. Ted is constantly going, moving, doing, seeking – working towards something more. He brings his innate leadership skills and passion for creating winning strategies to meet clients’ real estate needs, while delivering a high level of service. Having completed work in nearly all 50 states and with an aggregate value...

Logan Sheppard grew up quick in the Mankato area, built a family and now a successful business.  Logan has been serving his community as a youth coach, mentor, and now employer.  His story is a good one, his drive and dtermination is an inspiration.

John M. Kriesel is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represented District 57A, which includes portions of Dakota and Washington counties in the southeastern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.  Kriesel served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1998 to 2008, rising to the level of staff sergeant . He was stationed in Kosovo in 2004...

Sherriff Jeff Wersal grew up in law enforcement, with a father that served.  From city patrol officer, to head of the River Valley Task Force, to now serving as Sherriff of Blue Earth County - Sherriff Jeff Wersal talks about the ups, downs, and frustrations of serving at a time when police are not always seen as the "good guys".

Chris Hinton, a Navy Vet that served in the Gulf immediately after 9-11, came back to Minnesota to continue to serve.  Studying law enforcement, and working corrections, to serving on Veterans Court, now Waseca County Veterans Service Officer, as well as the current President of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.  Chris is married with 5 kids and continues to serve.