Franz Marti joins Strength from Service to share his story. From growing up in small town Minnesota, to being a member of the second oldest brewery family in the nation, Franz has had a unique path to get to where he's at now. After leaving culinary school and deciding to follow in his older brother's path of enlisting, he joined the National Guard. Shortly after joining, he knew he wanted to join an infantry squad. Marti recalls an emotional story from Afghanistan that led to loss, his own battle injuries, recovery, and reuniting with his guys. Jack has Franz explain Bockfest and why everyone should try a bock style beer with a red hot poker shoved in it.

Former guest Brandon Macemon brings his daughter Bella to Strength From Servcie to chat about how life was like for her as an "Army Brat". She recounts her upbringing from being born in Mankato all the way to completing her fist year at Gustavus Adolphus College, along with stops in Colorado, Washington, and Germany along the way. Bella shares a story on why she never cares to visit Monaco again.

Steve Romnes has a passion for helping children. Through his involvement with Young Life as well as MN Adult and Teen Challenge, he continues to give back to the local youth of Southern Minnesota. Steve joins Strength from Service and shares his successes in business as well as how he uses his own stories to connect with a younger generation.

Jared Sasen and Jesus Pereira are two of the three co-hosts of the local radio show and national podcast, "VSO Talk Radio". On their show with co-host Eric Segundo, they connect Veterans, Active-Duty Military, National Guard, family members, and spouses with information and services available to them on the State and Federal level.

Jared and Jesus sat down with Mike and Jack as they crossed paths in Denver to share their stories and what their mission is with VSO Talk Radio.

Jenna Schmidtke knew what she wanted to do when she enlisted in the Army in 2006; help others. As an Army Combat Medic Vet, she served with and treated her fellow soldiers over two deployments in Kuwait and Iraq. Jenna shares her story of professional and personal adversity along her journey to becoming the County Veteran’s Service Officer for Faribault County, Minnesota. She also speaks on how helping other women officers as the National Women’s Veterans Representative for all VSOs continues to fulfill her passion to help others.

Mike and Jack have had a long hiatus but it hasn't been without some work being put in behind the scenes. They touch on what they've been up to, what they've been working on, and they share some exciting new news regarding the Strength from Service Podcast.

Trent Nielsen is a native to the St. Peter, Mankato area. A high school wrestler, United States Marine Corp Reserve Vet, husband, father of 3, youth wrestling coach and local business owner. Trent continues to serve and grow as a person and business owner. From humble beginning to his new journey of sobriety and continuing to grow the family business… there is no slowdown in sight for Trent Nielsen.

Brandon Macemon
Husband – Father -Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Operations Manager - Retired Green Beret – and all-around good guy who continues to use the skills he learned on his way to becoming a Special Forces Master Sergeant to serve his community.

Enjoy our chat with Brandon Macemon.