Kurt DeGroot Returns: Project Fire Buddies & C6 Corvette Sweepstakes | BTD Ep. 71

Growing up in Chicago, serving in the Marine Corps, and building a community through jiu-jitsu—Marcos Estrada Sr. joins us to share the experiences that shaped his life. Marcos opens up about his childhood, what he and his brother faced growing up around gangs, and the impact of an absent father who later returned to their lives. We talk about the challenges his family navigated, his military career, and the path that eventually led him to co-found Valor Jiu-Jitsu in Orland Park, Illinois. It’s an honest conversation about family, service, and finding direction—and how Marcos now brings his experience to the mats, helping others build confidence, discipline, and community through Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Valor Jiu-Jitsu in Orland Park:https://www.valorjj.com/🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

Kurt DeGroot from Project Fire Buddies returns to Beyond the Dispatch for Episode 71! We talk about the C6 Corvette sweepstakes, the gala, and some of the incredible connections and events that came out of his first appearance on Episode 21.It’s a short episode packed with good stories and updates from an organization helping bring hope and joy to children battling critical illnesses and their families.Learn more about Project Fire Buddies and find sweepstakes information:https://projectfirebuddies.orgShop PFB gear:https://PFBswag.com🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

Episode 70 Beyond The Dispatch.Mike and Kevin Xu return to Beyond the Dispatch to catch up on what they have been up to and talk leadership, mental health, military experience, and law enforcement. We also take a few lighter detours into some conspiracy-theory rabbit holes along the wayMike: Part 1 :https://youtu.be/lYtwNRsr6IoPart 2: https://youtu.be/uWnF3DgH1mwKevin:https://youtu.be/9jDzNl3io8o🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

PAWS on the Ground:https://www.instagram.com/potgdogtraining?cplk=OTQ0cjB3YWZhYXAxIn this episode, I sit down with my friend Kenzi Mozik, a Coast Guard veteran, former MK3, single mom, and co-owner of Paws on the Ground Dog Training.We talk about loss, major life challenges, mental health, resilience, and what it was like for her to process my shooting as a close friend.Kenzi also shares how she and Kellen are building Paws on the Ground Dog Training in the Tampa Bay area.🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

What does it take to lead in law enforcement without losing the human side of the job?In this episode, I sit down with Sgt. Patrick Jones, a 25-year veteran of the Will County Sheriff’s Office and candidate for Will County Sheriff. We talk about his journey through the department, his vision for its future, mental-health support for first responders, leadership, accountability, and why treating people like human beings still matters in this profession.This is a real conversation about service, the weight of the badge, building trust, and leading from experience.🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

Andrew Kolodziej is back on the podcast for a conversation about law enforcement, leadership, wellness, and the importance of intentionally building a healthy, fulfilling life beyond the badge.We talk about the recent classes we have had the opportunity to teach together, how our collaboration came about, and why creating space for these conversations is so important for those in public safety.Andrew and I dive into developing a positive mindset, practicing self-leadership, protecting your physical and mental health, and being intentional about the person you want to be—not only on the job, but also as a spouse, parent, friend, teammate, and leader.This career can bring challenges you cannot always predict or control. What you can control is how you prepare for them, how you respond, and how you take care of yourself throughout the process.We still have spots open for our October 2 class. For additional details or registration information, reach out to Andrew at Turtle Hustle.🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

On episode 66 of Beyond the Dispatch. Psychic medium Catie Tinney joins the podcast to share how her abilities first began in childhood. She talks about the challenges of growing up with this gift, the impact it had on her mental health, and why she initially kept this part of herself private out of fear of being judged.Catie explains how her mediumship grew stronger after the birth of her child, her first experiences giving readings, and how she uses her gift to bring people comfort, peace, and guidance through life’s difficult moments. We also discuss spirituality, angels, spirit guides, past lives, and reincarnation.We sit down for a live reading with my wife and me. During the reading, Catie shares what she felt regarding the night I was shot and the divine presence she believes was there during that experience.If you enjoy conversations about spirituality, intuition, and healing. Check Catie out at: https://www.instagram.com/chicagopsychicmedium?stkn=MXJlemNyemN5d2p2Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qrchicagopsychicmedium.com.🤙🏻Still Here. 🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

Episode 65 is here, and we’re kicking off the first trip in the At Ease and Beyond the Dispatch series. We break down our experience working with the Double Rafter Ranch crew at their remote drop camp high in the mountains at 10,000 feet, assisting with high-altitude cattle vaccinations.From the demands of mountain ranch work to the lessons learned while operating a horse in rugged country, this trip gave us a firsthand look at the grit, teamwork, and commitment it takes to get the job done.We also had a surprise guest join us: Lori Chapman Longfritz. Her appearance made this episode even more meaningful as we shared stories, reflected on service and purpose, and talked about life experiences and much more.Tune in for the first adventure in the At Ease and Beyond the Dispatch series, real ranch work, high elevation, good people, breath taking views and a trip we won’t forgetJohn Longfritz:⁠https://music.apple.com/us/album/takur-ghar-hero/6802381089?i=6802381210⁠⁠🤙🏻Still Here.🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.

Joe Phalen shares his journey from battling alcohol to finding purpose as an owner of Gregory Boxing in Addison, Illinois. He talks mental health, the power of boxing, and the community it creates for first responders, veterans, and clients—including those fighting Parkinson’s.Joe also highlights the America Remembers First Responders Amateur Boxing Showcase, honoring the heroes in and out of the ring on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The event brings first responders from Chicago and New York together at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, with a portion of proceeds benefiting a first-responder organization.EMWQ Widows & Children's Fund of the Chicago Fire Departmenthttps://widowsandchildren.org/Bank the Blue - Chicago - Illinoishttps://banktheblue.com/Still Here 🤙🏻🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends

Tony Cap, host of Dive Behind the Lines, joins Beyond The Dispatch to discuss his journey as a full-time firefighter and Air Force Reservist, the realities of balancing two careers rooted in service, and why he created a platform to tell the stories behind the badge and uniformStill Here 🤙🏻🌐 Website: www.BeyondtheDispatch.com🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2jRR6F6...⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes that bring you inside the minds of America’s warriors, after the fight ends.