American Snippets

Patrick Bet-David is the kind of person people envy, respect, or both. He's at the top of his industry in the worlds of finance, insurance, and social media, and people from all over the world flock to his events and seek his mentorship.His rags-to-riches story began in Iran, grew in a refugee camp, and took off on a wild ride of hairpin turns, exhilarating highs, and crushing lows as he navigated his challenges and learned to overcome them.Listen in as Patrick Bet-David shares his experiences that lead him to where his is today, his thoughts on faith, mentorship, and sex, and how all those things play a role in a balanced life.Watch The Full Interview With Patrick Bet-David On YouTubeFollow us on Instagram:@americansnippets@barballenspeaks@davebrownlivewww.americansnippets.com

Amy Lyle is an author, comedian, and regular guest on Atlanta and Company. In this episode, Amy shares her story of how a girl from rural Appalachia is making a place for herself in the world of comedy, and offers valuable insight for others who are ready to chase a dream.  Listen in as she cracks us up and lifts us up with her infectious laugh and hilarious outlook on life all while reminding us how to find the humor in the everyday grind. Learn more about Amy Lyle here

Patricia Knudson broke through age and gender barriers to earn the Point Position on a Phoenix SWAT Team. She was living her dream in one of the most dangerous jobs out there until the day she was shot on duty. Having overcome trauma and challenges from the time she was a little girl, Trish tapped into her hard-earned resiliency skills to rebuild her life yet again, when she could no longer continue in the career she loved. Trish's story is not only compelling, but it also offers lessons and insight for anyone feeling overwhelmed with pain, grief, and odds that are stacked against you. Click here to learn more about Trish and her amazing story

{Recast} Dr. Sean Stephenson was predicted not to survive at birth because of a rare bone disorder that stunted his growth and caused his bones to be extremely fragile (fracturing over 200 times by the age of 18). Despite his challenges, he took a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. Since 1994, his powerful message has been heard at live events in nearly all 50 states and in 16 countries. Sean has presented at hospitals, universities, prisons, and to companies such as Nike, Whole Foods, Zappos, Walmart, and Sharp Healthcare. He’s shared the stage with U.S. Presidents, billionaire business moguls, celebrities, and his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Sean has appeared on everything from The Oprah Show to Jimmy Kimmel, in addition to online videos with tens of millions of views. The Biography Channel produced an hour-long feature on his life called, Three Foot Giant. Learn more about Dr. Sean Stephenson Here

{Recast} In January of 2014, after retiring from the NFL and overcoming an addiction to pain medication, David Vobora, a 5-year veteran of the NFL, met US Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, a quadruple amputee. That's when everything changed for David. David Vobora opened up his personal gym to Travis, offering his training expertise. The pair started working out together, customizing and adapting to the unique challenges posed by Travis’ injuries. Through working with Travis and engaging the veteran community, David found his true path and developed a passion for helping those with life-altering injuries find fulfillment again through his adaptive training programs. Today, David Vobora has painstakingly built a business and a dream around training adaptive athletes, many of them wounded veterans. Learn more about David Vobora here

It's easy to have a dream but it takes true grit to turn that dream into a reality. Most people who take the leap give up on it when they hit true challenges. But when you believe so much in your dream that you are willing to endure and overcome those struggles, you can indeed make that dream come true. Amanda and Christopher Baity are excellent examples of this. Christoper is a Marine Corps veteran who knew he was meant to continue his work with canines. He and Amanda went all-in on the dream to establish a non-profit offering trained canine companions to veterans. Even when times got tough, the Baitys endured temporary time on public assistance as they grew their family and their dream. Today Semper K9 assists dozens of veterans by rescuing dogs and training them to be service dogs. Listen in as Amanda Baity shares their story of turning their dream into a reality, and the insight she offers others seeking to do the same. Learn more about Semper K9 here

Jason Schechterle knew he wanted to be a police officer just like his brother. If he'd given up when he failed the first two times, he would never have lived his dream. If he'd walked away from his dream when it cost him his home he would have regretted it forever - even when it almost killed him. Jason was burned alive when his police cruiser exploded in flames. First people thought he was dead. Then they believed he would die any minute, and then they prayed he would die, to avoid the immense pain he would be in. But Jason not only lived, he rose from his hospital bed, forever changed but stronger for his pain. Today he is inspiring people all over the world with his story and his message, "The full strength of the human spirit often lies in hiding until presented with something monumental." Learn more about Jason Schechterle here

If there's an upside to adversity it's the growth that comes with it. Barb Allen has had her share of adversity - so much that she almost gave up more than once when she felt outgunned in life. But as she shares in her keynotes and our own events, it was only when she felt the most defeated that she decided to do whatever it took to take her life back. Listen in as Barb explains the lessons she's learned not only from her own life but from the hundreds of people she's interviewed, counseled, studied and befriended, the five Zones of Balance between Expectation and Reality. Barb explains how every decision made reflects the mindset of that zone we are dwelling in at that time, and how to progress from the lowest to the highest level in life.

Amanda Boleyn knows all about making big moves. She knows even more about making moves that are right, even if the rest of the world thinks she’s crazy. Amanda settled into success early in life. She was still in her twenties when she earned a high paid, high potential corporate position. Everyone thought she would be a star in the corporate world- Amanda included. But it wasn’t long before her restless spirit clashed with the rigid lifestyle she’d signed onto, and a decision had to be made. Amanda decided to do life her way, and made a move that shocked everyone. Listen in as she tells her story of an early rise to success and the bold move she made that changed her life. Amanda shares the lessons learned from that decision and creating an even bigger success story after it. Watch the full video with Amanda Boleyn and more here

Micah Fink is a former Navy Seal and total badass, who found a piece himself through horses and an aptitude for the cowboy life on a trip to Montana. There, he was introduced to the idea of how horses could help heal people, and Heroes and Horses was born. In this throwback episode of American Snippets, Micah talks about how he started Heroes and Horses as a way to give back and help other veterans overcome their struggles of PTSD and all the other demons they faced after war and combat.   Micah has an amazing mindset and in this episode, he not only offers some great insight but shares some valuable lessons on how to overcome struggles and how to use those challenges…we all face as a catalyst for growth and change.   Learn more about Micah and Heroes and Horses

Bras and tampons are not our normal topics. This episode, though, shines a spotlight on this basic human necessity and comfort most women take for granted and most men try not to think much about at all. Dana Marlowe was out on a rare shopping trip when she heard four words that launched her into action. She had no idea so many women in this country and others are faced with no access to basic products for feminine menstrual hygiene, or even something as simple as a bra. All it took was one look into that world, and she knew she had to do her part to help these women alleviate some stress and restore some dignity to their lives in the midst of troubled times. Today, Dana's organization I Support the Girls has sent over 2.5 million menstrual products and 500,000 bras to areas decimated by natural disasters, to shelters for homeless women or domestic violence survivors, and where the need is present, that she can meet. Listen in as this vibrant, dedicated mother, entrepreneur, and advocate shares this little kn

Fahim Fazli spent the bulk of his childhood in his native land of Afghanistan. His family is of royal lineage, and his parents held prestigious jobs. Still, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, his family's life was shattered. Fahim's family was separated. He was threatened with being sent to Siberia, made a dangerous escape on foot through the mountains, and spent 2 years in a Pakistani refugee camp before his family was reunited in America. Today he is an actor and a consultant who works alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names. But it's his service as a combat linguist with the United States Marines that he's especially proud of. In this episode, Fahim shares the emotional story of his childhood, his dangerous journey to America, and his unbridled love for the country he feels indebted to. Learn more, watch the interview, and follow Fahim Fazli here

If living quietly and within the confines of a strict budget sounds like your dream plan, you probably don't want to listen to this episode. But if you want to learn more about how to live your own version of your dream life - even if you don't start until you are almost 60 years old- you want to hear Ross Stryker's story.   Ross is living proof that in this country you can have more than one version of your dream life, and live those dreams fully throughout your life.    Listen in as Ross Stryker talks about how he learned to make his money work for him, and how he's living his new purpose by helping others do the same. He shares how he made bold moves to live bigger and increase his impact on others, instead of fading into retirement, and how you can set yourself up to do the same.    Whether you are just starting out in business, or approaching retirement, or living off savings, Ross Stryker's story has lessons you can apply to build your own success at any age. Learn more, watch the interview, and follow

Living your own American Dream is not dictated by a fixed set of rules or standards. We are all different and so are our dreams and aspirations. Living the American Dream is all about YOU and your right to live freely and pursue happiness.

The sooner you understand this the sooner you can start creating the dream life you want for yourself. Get clear on YOU and what makes you happy. Take stock of your life and define those things that matter the most to you. Then prioritize your actions and efforts into those things that will draw you closer to living your dream and reaching your goals. The American Dream should not be viewed as a fixed universal concept but should be judged based on your individual preferences, passions, capabilities, and goals. I hope our guests today and their definition of what the American Dream means to them can give you the inspiration and insight you need to start your living yours. Listen in as Steve Sims, Laurie Watkins, Mark L. Rockefeller, Elena Cardone, and Tim Jenson share what

Tyler Merritt is the founder of Nine Line Apparel, the relentlessly patriotic company that thrives on starting conversations between those who serve this country, and those who enjoy the benefits of that service. While Tyler admits he knows nothing about apparel, he does know his way around business and in this episode, he shares how he made all the pieces of the entrepreneurial puzzle fit. Listen in as Tyler talks about his inspiration for his company, his principle for management that has grown Nine Line to massive success, and his new initiative to end veteran homelessness. Learn more, watch the interview, and follow Tyler Merritt here

Mark L Rockefeller is the CEO of StreetShares, the company with a mission to bring trusted digital finance to America's heroes. Lending money to the military community of entrepreneurs at a faster speed, a lower rate, and a more supportive manner than any bank offers, StreetShares has helped tens of thousands of veterans launch and expand businesses. Listen in as Mark shares his story of risking his own family's financial security to pursue his belief that he could be the solution to a serious problem facing veterans today. He also offers insight into how to get your business funded, and how to prepare yourself to take your own entrepreneurial leap. Read the full article, watch the interview, and more here

The American Dream is available to anyone willing to work for it, and Larry Broughton is a perfect example. Larry left home as a teenager and pursued his passion for martial arts. That passion lead him to the military, where he served as a Green Beret. Like so many veterans or really anyone who lives a purpose intensely, losing that purpose sent him towards a dangerous path of depression and self-destructive behavior.Larry openly shares his story of falling into dark places and his very difficult crawl out of them, to the top of several industries. He is a leading hotelier, a sought after speaker and strategist, and an accomplished author - but the role he most loves is that of being a father.Listen in as Larry offers some real-life lessons on being intentional with life, and how you can build your own American Dream.Read the full article, watch the interview, and more here

Tim "TK" Klund is the CEO of VERVE Systems, the still-secret corporation set to announce its new product lines later this year. He's the man who died four times after a car accident and owes his life to people who didn't give up on him. Making everything he can of his second chance at life, TK took a leap in his career and nearly lost everything. But with faith in God and his own hard work, he rebuilt his personal and professional lives. He's the Go-To guy for celebrity sports endorsements and he gives back to the veteran community he is a part of. In this episode, TK talks about the power of relationships and the importance of faith when building or rebuilding your life. Read the full article, watch the interview, and more here <<

You may have caught Mike Rowe's show, Returning the Favor, where he introduced us to army veteran Dan Berei. Dan is one of the thousands of young veterans who felt disconnected from life around him after his service. He was missing the sense of purpose he'd felt in the military, and at risk of withdrawing completely into himself. But, instead, Dan found a way to unleash his patriotism and pride in service through a new purpose - Combat Flags. In this episode, Dan shares his experience and insight for anyone struggling to find an outlet for their own passion and purpose and talks about how he is able to continue supporting veterans through his work. Read the full article, watch the interview, and more here...

Robert O’Neill is one of the most decorated combat veterans of our generation. He is a former Navy SEAL, speaker, and the author of The New York Times best-selling memoir, "The Operator: Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden" and "My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior"Few Americans are unfamiliar with the story of killing Osama Bin Laden. What most people don’t know, though, is the real-life story of the man who fired those three shots.We were grateful to have Robert O'Neill on a Facebook LIVE for an interview and the only thing better than interviewing Robert O'Neill is interviewing Rob with his brother Tom. In between the jokes and the sarcastic comments, Robert shared his thoughts on the power of a positive mindset, the challenges faced by veterans and the value they bring to the workforce.Oh, yeah - we also talked with Rob O'Neill about rescuing Captain Phillips and shooting Bin Laden.Robert's brother Tom jumped right in and shared childhood stories, memories of visiting his brother, and some family joke