American Snippets

The Orphaned Wildlife Center has appeared in news stories and online feeds across the country and around the world. Videos of their bears have gone viral and hundreds of thousands of people regularly stay up to date on the center’s happenings. Yet, one young girl has taken this interest a step further and is now an inspiration not only to the people at the center but to other kids across the country. Listen in to today’s episode to hear how Quinn Medina turned her inspiration into action, and how her example has inspired so many others to do the same. Along the way, you’ll also hear from the Orphaned Wildlife Center’s founders as they share what it’s like to navigate the world of wildlife rescue, what it’s like to have a real bear hug and the incredible highs and lows that are a part of this work. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more here.

Cassaundra Melgar-C’De Baca knows the value of our military better than most people. Raised in a military family, she went on to serve in the Air Force before she became a military spouse. Her extensive and diverse roles within the military and veteran community qualify her as an expert on the highs and lows of that life. Her drive, business experience, entrepreneurial spirit and fierce commitment to continuing to serve have made her a presidentially recognized Champion of Change, and in this episode Cassaundra tells us about the personal and professional side of service. She also shares the story of selling her business and creating her own non-profit to better serve the people who need it. Listen in to hear about the exceptional work of the F7Group and how it is impacting lives across the world. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at americansnippets.com/018

It’s easy to be inspired by our active duty and veteran community. Our military personnel have been engaged in over a decade of war, often with multiple deployments. They sacrifice time with their families and place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may pursue our own paths, secure in the knowledge that they are on the job. It’s easy to feel upset or angry when we learn of casualties, when we see grieving families, or when we see the visible wounds left by war. What’s harder to do is to see the invisible wounds our veterans may be bearing such as the stress and anguish they experience upon their return from combat. Some people smack a bumper sticker on their car, or change a social media profile picture, or comment on an article, and for them, that is their way of addressing this issue and showing support. But Killian and Sean Duclay take it to a whole new level. Our guests on this episode never served in the military- they’re barely old enough to vote. But what they have done to fight the unsee

From EMT to SWAT operator, to multi-certification holder in CrossFit, Law Enforcement. Krav Maga, Fight Club and MMA, Eric Basek is a walking lethal weapon with a black belt and an Expert title. Yet he harnesses his skills to pursue his passion, impacting the lives of people all over the country. American Snippets interviewed Eric along with his good friend Mike Gallardo, a combat veteran with his own incredible story of courage and resilience. Mike overcame a series of hard times before enlisting with the United States Army. Then, on a battalion-sized mission in Iraq, Mike was in a vehicle that purposely drove over an IED, in order to deflect the blast from those behind them. His selfless actions lead to him losing part of his leg. What Mike has done with his life since is nothing short of amazing. Rather than allowing himself to give up, he turned his struggles into victories and is an inspiration to others. Today, Mike is an award-winning adaptive athlete. He has won an Emmy for his work with Major League

Mia Dede doesn’t look like a typical warrior. This beautiful young girl with a huge smile and endearing shyness does not look like she was ever anything but happy. She was just two years old when her mother rushed her to the emergency room. It was Mother’s Day, and Cynthia Diaz should have been simply enjoying the day, but Mia “could barely stand still without falling” and Cynthia knew there was something seriously wrong with her daughter. Mia was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma a Brain tumor. She lived in a hospital for 7 months undergoing 6 cycles of high dose chemotherapy and finally recovered from the final stage in her treatment - a stem cell transplant. Today, Mia is a healthy 10 year-old girl that is lucky to never have had to spend another night in the hospital since treatment ended. Now, this young cancer survivor is making sure other kids like her find some brightness in their darkest days. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at americansnippets.com/015

The Battle of Iwo Jima is most well known for the iconic image of brave Marines raising the flag after a hard-fought victory. Thousands of men lost their lives in that battle. We'll never know all the stories of heroism that day, but we do know one. Herschel "Woody" Williams is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from that famous battle. Decades later he is still passionate about his patriotism, and now he focuses his fight on supporting and honoring the families of fallen service members. Woody sat down with American Snippets while at one such event, and you can listen in to his story on this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at americansnippets.com/014

After losing his brother to suicide and seeing a close friend struggle with the aftermath of combat, David Lionheart was determined to do his part to break the cycle of suicide before anyone else suffered its devastation. So David took matters into his own hands and now he has his own army of supporters, volunteers, and grateful military families invested in Play For Your Freedom. Listen in to today's episode to hear how David is helping veterans and their families across the country in an innovative and impactful way. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article and more inspiring stories.

In this episode, we are left nearly speechless by the story Carmen Tarleton so gracefully shares with us. She was asleep in her own home when she was violently awakened by her ex-husband. She was beaten and assaulted in front of her two daughters before her assailant took it to unimaginable levels by dousing her with industrial strength lye. Carmen clung to life for months in a medically induced coma while her doctors and her body valiantly fought for her survival. When she awoke, it was to a new and shocking reality. Carmen was severely disfigured from third-degree burns over 80% of her body. She was blind and had lost an ear, as well as a substantial portion of her face, to the burns. The challenges she has faced in the years since are nothing short of immense and the will with which she commits to overcoming each one is positively inspirational. Listen in to hear her tell her story on this episode of American Snippets. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at american

True talent matched with pure passion, steadfast commitment, upstanding values, and downright good looks seems like too many qualities for one person to possess, but Matt Snook has got them all. His love for his family, his country, and his music pours forth in every note he sings. Matt's determination to reach his goals landed him a coveted spot on The Voice when Blake Shelton turned around for him. He has travelled overseas to perform for our deployed troops. He's sung for families of our fallen soldiers, performed for George Strait, and carries his guitar into darkened hospital rooms to bring some light and hope to critically ill or injured patients and their families. We sat down with Matt in the middle of an event where he was singing for families of fallen soldiers. Listen in to his interview to hear him talk about why he does what he does, what success truly means, and how he manages to keep doing what he does best with such grace. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and

It was love at first sight on the blind date that changed Greg Herlean’s life, but not in the usual way. As the son of an Air Force officer, Greg moved ten times in 14 years. He was raised to embrace change and opportunity wherever he went, so he was fearless in following the path that opened up to him on that date. Today he is a highly sought after speaker on topics of estate planning, capital development and investment through use of self directed IRA vehicles. He is the author of two books on these topics, and has managed over a billion dollars in real estate investments. Listen in to this episode of American Snippets to hear about how Greg Herlean is helping people take control of their financial futures while never forgetting the importance of giving back to others. Best of all, he has made an incredibly gracious offer to military families, which always warms our hearts. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at americansnippets.com/010

Hundreds of thousands of children across this country are in the foster care system. Whether these children have been removed from abusive homes or lost their only family to tragedy, or any of the other reasons they find themselves dependent upon the state for care, all of these children deserve to find someone to love, care for, and cherish them. The luckiest of these children do, but too many others do not. This can be especially true for children with debilitating or life-limiting, terminal diseases. Fortunately for some of these children, people like Cori and Mark Salchert are stepping in. On this episode of American Snippets, we introduce you to a family who is dedicated to caring for children with a serious and sometimes terminal diagnosis. How they and their own children wrap their arms around these children is nothing short of extraordinary, and what they have to teach all of us in the process is equally so. Listen in to hear about a baby once wheeled into a corner and left to die, who found love in t

She’s a deceivingly genteel southerner with a sharp wit and a will of steel. Cilla McCain has taken it upon herself to fight alongside families of this nation’s fallen when they are faced with loss that does not fit the conventional manner of death. Pictures of widows, children, and parents receiving folded flags at graveside ceremonies abound as military honors are offered. But not every folded flag is followed up with the same respect. For families of soldiers whose deaths are unconventional – at the hands of fellow soldiers through willful or negligent actions - that folded flag is often the last time they are treated with respect. These families are often shunned, ignored, and shut down when they attempt to clarify cloudy circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one. It is an overwhelming battle for anyone to fight, let alone grieving family members unaccustomed to the government’s ways. This is where Cilla McCain steps in. Listen in to this episode to hear about how Cilla has taken on the mission o

If anyone is qualified to speak on the perils of good fortune, it’s Kent Clothier. He was running a multi-million dollar business in high school and a multi-billion dollar business after that. He would have been set for life, had he not fallen prey to the perils of that success. The fall from glory was brutal, and Kent was faced with challenges greater than he’d ever imagined he’d face. With a renewed commitment to himself and those he loves, Kent doubled down on life and business, rebuilding not just a financial fortune but his own vision of happiness. Just when he thought he’d fully recovered, a brush with tragedy taught him even more about what’s most important in life. Now he helps others find the same personal and professional clarity he’s found, having learned from his failures as well as his success. Listen in to hear his inspirational story. Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

He took a beating on the field and off, but David Vobora fought back every time. First, he attacked his title of “Mr. Irrelevant” by becoming a superstar on the football field. Next, he attacked his addiction to pain medication, healing both from that and the severe injuries he sustained in his career.Then he got started on his true path; helping civilians and combat veterans become battle buddies in their own missions to overcome their injuries. You may have seen him on Ellen, and now you can catch him again right here on American Snippets.Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

Have people ever told you your dream is impossible? Have you ever let yourself believe the naysayers?Trevor Mauch has an important lesson for all of us who are tempted to give in to doubt. Listen in as one of this country’s leading Entrepreneurs shares his story of dismissing doubt and realizing his own American Dream by helping others realize theirs.Shaken by his friend’s death, Trevor turned his grief into action. He looked deep within himself to determine his core values and committed to making his life matter.Now he runs his multi 7 figure SaaS company with an infectious passion and is an inspiration in both business and life.Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

What happens when art meets altruism? You get Dave Santia! He’s not just an artist. He’s an upside down, speed-painting artist who has donated over $600,000 to various charities. It’s hard to say what’s bigger: Dave’s talent or his heart.Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

He may have left the battlefield, but this Navy Seal has never stopped fighting. Micah Fink first waged his own inner battle to adjust to civilian life after combat, then turned his sights to helping others.Who doesn’t love cowboys? What’s not to love about wild horses?Listen in as Micah explains how wild mustangs become battle buddies for combat veterans in the vast Montana wilderness.This is Heroes and Horses.Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

He’s a Pulitzer nominee who found even greater success after he left his writing career. Paul Von Zielbauer went from writing about movers and shakers to becoming one in a bold move. He’s found the greatest comfort far outside of his comfort zone, and now he’s helping others do the same.Listen in to hear all about his adventure philanthropy company, Roadmonkey, and how it is impacting lives all around the world.Hear about his decision to take that leap, and what it takes to find your own true path in life.Read the full article, watch the video, and more here

He’s an entrepreneur who used his setbacks as steps forward, and she’s a military widow whose greatest heartaches have led to her greatest insights. Dave Brown’s true passion is his family. He’s worked hard to find success in business on his own schedule, so he can spend more time with the people he loves. Barb Allen’s tumultuous path has beaten her down a time or two, but introduced her to the very core of all that is good within our country. She is the exhausted but proud mother of four boys she has raised on her own. Together, Dave and Barb are living, defending, and promoting the American Dream. Now they are sharing stories of people all over this great country who are inspiring and helping others by fulfilling their own dreams. Find out more about the co-founders of American Snippets, and what listeners can look forward to. www.americansnippets.com