Those Who Do: Army Ranger Part II w/ Tom Flaherty

Kevin Liang is a first generation Taiwanese American that eschewed cultural norms to go to film school and become a producer (General Education) and P.A. Kevin tells us about his moral struggles with the entertainment industry and the inner battle he fought and won.  Later, he would discover an aptitude and appreciation for firearms and become a tactical firearms instructor with the hope of changing the relationship people have with the tools and a focus on education, responsibility and safety. Kevin is one of the nicest humans in the world, and I challenge you to dislike him...it's impossible. This is Those Who Do: Gunslinger in L.A. w/ Kevin Liang! Video Version available on YouTube!

Before there was Those Who Do, there was Those Who Did.  Prior to beginning Those Who Do: The Podcast, Zac and his buddy Eric traveled to comic book conventions in the hopes of talking to convention goers and industry professionals alike to find out why they did...what they did.  In this episode from the archives, Zac and Eric talk to Chad Lindberg (Supernatural, Fast and the Furious, Sons of Anarchy) about his first Wizard World (Now Fanexpo) convention and why he has enjoyed his time there so thus far.  They also meet friend of the show James C. Burns for the first time (2011) and hold on for the ride then as they do now as James talks about his love for his fans and Michael Bay.  Zac and Eric also chat with two fantastic cosplayers about the inspiration for their characters and...why they did...what they did.  Please enjoy this vault episode of Those Who Did: Wizard World Comic Con w/ Chad Lindberg & James C. Burns!

Dr. Lily Erdahl is a loving single mother of two children originally from Iowa City, Iowa.  She's also an accomplished surgeon, educator, and podcast host.  In this episode, Lily discusses her voyage from Iowa State University as a wide eyed undergrad through her medical training in Pennsylvania and Minnesota to her current position at the acclaimed University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics back in her home town.  She discusses the rigors of working in the medical profession and the challenges of balancing her very important work as a breast surgeon with her equally important work as a mother raising smart and healthy children while sharing her emotional health with both patients and her kids.  Lily talks about how divorced homes can still remain a family, the science of breast cancer, her Lazarus like pet cat, and much much more!  This is Those Who Do: Surgeon w/ Lily Erdahl M.D. 

James C. Burns is an actor (Michael Bay’s Transformers), musician, and voice artist (Sergeant Frank Woods – Call of Duty Black Ops).  Most importantly, he’s a master raconteur.  I’ve known James for over 10 years and he was the first entertainment industry interview back when I was just a podcasting baby.  You don’t interview James.  He’s a force of nature and you just hold on for the ride.  James drops by Zac’s hotel in Burbank so we can discuss politics, gun ownership, philosophy, gender roles, the economy…maybe it would be easier to list what we didn’t discuss.  Penguins never came up.  Please enjoy Those Who Do:  Renaissance Man w/James C. Burns  Available wherever you get your pods casted!                 

David Greenspan is an editor and director known for Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19.  He’s originally from Long Island, NY and followed a somewhat unconventional route from Long Island, through an education in finance and time studying abroad in Japan to finally land on a successful career in the entertainment industry.  David shares his story through thoughtful introspection and levity to explain the duties and responsibilities of both editors and directors revealing that you might not really know what it is that…he does.  This is Those Who Do: Editing/Directing for Television w/David Greenspan. Please stick around following the end of the show as Zac shares his thoughts and emotions following Tony’s Celebration of Life. Those Who Do: The Podcast is available WHEREVER you get your pods casted.

Kedo Osmancevic is a husband and father.  He's also a first generation Bosnian American.  In this episode, Kedo tells how his family emigrated from Bosnia during the war and what led them to eventually settle in Waterloo, IA.  He explains how his culture is important to him and how it shaped his past, present, and future.  Kedo's stories of the clash of cultures are hilarious and heartfelt.  This is Those Who Do:  First Generation American w/Kedo Osmancevic. Available wherever you get your pods casted.  

David Byrd is an award winning photographer and Photoshop artist.  He’s a husband and devoted father to two very young children.  David has mastered many genres of photography and in this episode he shares how he is using those skills and experience to open a Boudoir photography studio in Denver, Colorado – Legend by David Byrd.  From his roots as a young child with a love for living in his imagination to owning several creatively successful photography businesses in three states, David takes us on a journey explaining how his roots in theatre have helped him not only to photograph, but tell layered stories with his images.  His unique ability to convey his vision to the models and artistic crafting that utilizes performance to influence the story telling of his final artwork truly make him one of a kind in a very saturated market of photographers.  David shares his fears and anxieties about fatherhood as well as the massive setbacks he’s faced in the world of photography and what those setbacks have taught him about the profession…and himself.  This is Those Who Do: Boudoir Photography w/David Byrd. Legend by David Byrd -  https://bethelegend.com/ Also Available Wherever You Get Your Pods Casted!

Cassy Lensing is a tattooed, dyed haired former wild child.  She’s also a devoted mother and board certified Psych Nurse Practitioner.  In this episode, Cassy talks about how getting pregnant at 19 completely changed the course of her life for the better.  She shares her journey from life in small town Iowa working at her dad’s gas station to Nurse Practitioner focusing on treating the person instead of just the mental illness.  Cassy explains why the people usually considered society’s lost are the most fulfilling folks to treat and how having her own successful practice has allowed her to most effectively help people in her own style and in a less clinical setting.  Cassy is also at the forefront of treatment.  She explains the process of a new treatment that uses extremely controlled Ketamine administration to help clients suffering from chronic treatment resistant depression or acute suicidality that are not responsive to other medications and treatments.  Cassy also takes the time to delve into how grief can be processed in a healthy and personal way.  This episode is extremely informative, personal, and fun.  This is Those Who Do:  Psych Nurse Practitioner w/Cassy Lensing.         Also Available Anywhere You Get Your Pods Casted!

Ernesto De La O is a husband and father born and raised in California.  He’s just like you and me.  He takes his kids to football games, has slip and slide parties in the back yard, and hosts sleep overs for his children’s friends.  It also just so happens he’s an editor for reality television shows.  Which ones you ask?  The answer is yes.  Ernesto’s resume of reality television is ridiculously long.  Among his credits are: The Challenge, Shark Week, Total Bellas, Total Divas, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Tori & Dean: Inn Love, and The Amazing Race…just to name a few.  Ernesto has gone from being nameless, faceless data logger to now supervising teams of editors on assignments, sometimes in multiple countries at the same time.  He talks with us about his early career in terrestrial radio and explains how editing has changed throughout the years from being an on site, locked in a room pursuit, to something people are doing in a table in their kitchen all over the world.  Besides being an accomplished and respected editor in the entertainment industry, Ernesto is a warm, welcoming and open guy.  He spends a ton of time with his family and was incredibly gracious and generous with his time.  This is Those Who Do: Creating Reality w/ Ernesto De La O

This is the conclusion of our conversation with Tom Flaherty about his time as an Army Ranger, military instructor and special operations helicopter pilot.  We pick up as Tom recounts his part in the famous military operation that rescued young solider Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital after she was taken prisoner of war as well as the subsequent retrieval of the remains of the American National Guard soldiers from her unit that were killed in Iraq so that no soldiers were left behind.  Tom also fills us in on what led to his transition to instructor, then helicopter pilot and what was in store for him once he retired and came home to Iowa.  Vulnerable, funny, and incredibly eye opening.   This is Those Who Do: Army Ranger Part II w/ Tom Flaherty!