The Outranked Podcast

Wick is BACK —and the OutRanked crew is complete again. In this unscripted reunion,  Rafael Rhodes ,  Steve Lewis , and  Wick  talk real life: leadership, ego checks, concealed carry season, football trash talk, and what it really takes to lead—whether you’re in uniform or not. 🔥 Topics include: Transitioning from military to law enforcement The importance of  followership  in the field Chain of...

It’s Steve’s birthday, but this episode isn’t just about cake—it’s about  clarity . In this unfiltered sit-down,  Rafael Rhodes  and  Steve Lewis  go completely off script to talk about the  real  experience of life after service. From the loss of structure and financial stability to the search for purpose and peace, the two Out Ranked hosts reflect on their personal journeys, missteps, and mindse...

Join host Rafael "Bobby" Rhodes and co-host Steve Lewis on the Outrank Podcast as they welcome former Air Force Security Forces member and Military Training Instructor (MTI), Dale Wilson. In this candid episode, Dale shares his journey from a reserved, band-loving kid in Dallas, Texas, to a high-speed NCO who served at Lackland, Creech, and Fort Bliss. Dale dives into his unexpected path...

Join host Rafael "Bobby" Rhodes for a heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Outrank Podcast , featuring his former Air Force brother-in-arms, Jason Utley. Recorded in two parts due to technical hiccups, this episode dives deep into Jason’s journey from a restless kid in Mississippi to an Air Force Security Forces veteran, and now an electrical engineer. The duo, who deployed together in...

Join hosts Wick and Rafael "Bobby" Rhodes for an impromptu, laid-back episode of the Outrank Podcast ! With Steve Lewis out handling domestic duties, the duo dives into a candid "shoot the shit" session, reflecting on life, retirement, and the military experience. Wick shares his journey 33 days into retirement, discussing the mental shift from a solitary final year in the Air...

Join hosts Rafael Rhodes and Steve Lewis in Episode 13 of the Outranked Podcast as they sit down with Vern Lieb, a Navy veteran turned franchise owner of GameDay Men's Health. In this engaging episode, Vern shares his journey from growing up in the Mojave Desert, navigating a challenging transition to Utah, and finding his calling in the Navy. Despite a recruiter mishap steering him away from...

Dive into Episode 12 of the Outrank Podcast with hosts Steve Lewis, Rafael Rhodes, and Steve Nowicki as they reconnect with Marcus Kenney, a 14-year Air Force veteran turned personal fitness trainer. Marcus shares his wild ride from a tough upbringing in Atlanta to surviving the freezing missile fields of Minot, North Dakota, and deployments to Al Udeid and Dubai. Hear hilarious stories of Humvee...

Join Steve Lewis, Rafael Rhodes, and Steve Nowicki on the Outrank Podcast for a hilarious and unfiltered conversation with retired Air Force veteran Nicholas Weiss. Nick, a 20-year security forces vet, shares his journey from a small-town Philly kid to surviving chaotic deployments in Syria and beyond. With stories ranging from a rogue NFL combine attempt in Seattle (spoiler: he’s still a “free ag...

Join Steve Nowicki, Rafael Rhodes, and Steve Lewis on the Outrank Podcast for a heartfelt and hilarious sit-down with Amber Rhodes, former police officer and military spouse. Amber dives into her journey from patrolling busy streets and working the gang task force to balancing life as a mom in a high-stakes career. She gets real about the challenges of being a female officer, the mental toll of po...

Join hosts Rafael Rhodes and Steve Lewis on the Outrank Podcast as they sit down with Josh Melching, a retired Air Force Special Warfare TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) member. In this episode, Josh shares his incredible journey from growing up in Northern Michigan to serving 20 years in the Air Force, starting as a maintainer and later transitioning to the high-stakes role of a TACP, calling in...

In this raw and relatable episode of the Outranked Podcast , hosts Rafael Rhodes, Steve Lewis, and new co-host Steve “Wick” Nowicki sit down with Joseph Brush, a Security Forces veteran from Hendersonville, Tennessee. Joe shares his 10-year Air Force journey, from a rough start in Minot, North Dakota, to finding his stride in San Diego’s brig doing prison security and extradition work. With humor...

In this lively episode of the Outranked Podcast , hosts Rafael Rhodes and Steve Lewis welcome Steve “Wick” Nowicki, a newly retired Air Force Security Forces veteran who hung up his uniform just 48 hours before recording. Hailing from Terre Haute, Indiana, Wick shares his 21-year journey from a high school athlete to a seasoned Master Sergeant who served everywhere from Dyess AFB to Guam, Lackland...

Join hosts Rafael Rhodes and Steve Lewis on the Outranked Podcast as they sit down with Roderick Simms, a former Air Force Security Forces member, for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. In this episode, Roderick shares his journey from growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, to serving in high-stakes deployments in Afghanistan. With humor and humility, he reflects on his 14-year military career...

In this episode of  Outranked , Carlos Ramos joins Rafael and Steve to talk about what 21 years of military service really looks like — and what happens after. From growing up in Los Angeles during the riots to joining the Air Force without telling his mom, Carlos shares his story of struggle, success, heartbreak, and healing. We cover everything from sniper school to divorce, identity loss to red...

Episode 4: Mentorship, Discipline & Military-Style Lessons When our guest had to cancel, we pivoted to a topic that hits home—mentorship and discipline after service. From hilarious military punishments (think 300 numbered rocks) to what real leadership looks like outside the uniform, Rafael and Steve dive into how these values show up in everyday life. Whether you served, still serve, or supp...

Summary In this episode, hosts Steve Lewis and Rafael Rhodes discuss their experiences and reflections on Father's Day, the differences in how it is celebrated compared to Mother's Day, and share personal anecdotes about their childhoods, sports, and education. Rafael shares his journey from growing up in Florida to his college experience, highlighting the challenges he faced and how his i...

Summary In this episode of Outranked, host Raphael Rhodes interviews Steve Lewis, who shares his journey from a childhood in San Antonio, Texas, to a 20-year career in the United States Air Force. Steve discusses his early life, academic achievements, and athletic involvement, which shaped his adaptability and resilience. He reflects on his aspirations for a career in law enforcement and how the e...

The Outranked Podcast, hosted by Rafael Rhodes and Steve Lewis, aims to create a platform for military veterans and first responders to share their stories. With a combined experience of over 30 years in service, the hosts discuss the importance of storytelling, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the need for better preparation for service members leaving the military. They emph...