On this episode of Battle Ready, Ricky Chavez sits down with Shore Danny, founder and CEO of Community Now, for a powerful conversation about resilience, trauma-informed leadership, mental wellness, and community healing. Shore shares her personal journey through adversity and explains how self-awareness, emotional support, and strong community systems help people move from survival mode into healing and purpose.

The discussion explores leadership under pressure, workplace wellness, violence prevention, hope as a strategy for change, and practical ways individuals and organizations can build healthier, more resilient communities. From trauma recovery to coaching for cultural success, this episode delivers valuable insights for leaders, professionals, veterans, educators, and anyone seeking personal growth and emotional strength.

• (00:00:00) - Celebrating Resilience with SH Danny
• (00:01:07) - Understanding the power of resilience
• (00:04:55) - How to Build Resilience from Pain
• (00:10:32) - Avoidance and the Anxiety
• (00:11:53) - What is the first step to building resilience?
• (00:12:52) - Battle Ready: How to Handle Trauma in the Workplace
• (00:15:13) - What mistakes do leaders make when they ignore emotional and psychological realities?
• (00:22:28) - Violence Resilience and Community Inclusion
• (00:24:36) - Violence prevention and its causes
• (00:26:10) - Build a Plan: Your Real Estate Systems
• (00:26:39) - On the Need for Racial Justice
• (00:29:52) - Healthcare Programs and Trust Relationships
• (00:31:39) - Building a Safer, More Resistant Community
• (00:33:18) - Battle Ready
• (00:34:01) - Healing Purpose 6: Hope in Leadership
• (00:36:18) - What Does It Look Like to Heal From Survival Mode?
• (00:36:57) - Culture and the future
• (00:38:19) - Mental Wellbeing: The key to a sustainable future
• (00:41:27) - Self-inventory and Cultural Coaching

In this episode of Battle Ready, Ricky Chavez sits down with CPA and entrepreneur Keisha Rodino to break down the true meaning of financial leadership and discipline in business. This conversation goes beyond accounting—exploring how entrepreneurs can gain clarity, build systems, and make smarter decisions to grow and scale successfully.

From tax strategies and cash flow management to the dangers of DIY finances and relying on tools like ChatGPT without proper guidance, Keisha shares real-world insights every business owner needs. Learn why having the right financial team, asking the right questions, and staying proactive can make or break your success.

• (00:00:00) - Lead With Strength, Discipline
• (00:01:00) - How an Accountant Helped Small Businesses
• (00:03:45) - Financial Discipline and Leadership
• (00:12:08) - Battle Ready
• (00:12:44) - Ask The CPA
• (00:20:51) - How to Prepare for the IRS Tax Season
• (00:24:12) - Starting a Business
• (00:34:22) - Tax Strategy
• (00:36:30) - Starting a Business
• (00:39:53) - How to Plan for Retirement as a Business Owner
• (00:42:26) - How to Balance Ambition and Discipline needed to grow your business
• (00:45:14) - Getting Everything Together for Starting a Business
• (00:46:07) - Becoming More Battle Ready financially

In this powerful episode of Battle Ready (aired 04-23-26), host Ruki Chavez sits down with Ryan Conn to break down the truth about leadership, discipline, and performing under pressure. From real-life SWAT experiences to high-level business leadership, this conversation reveals why training alone doesn’t prepare you for real-world challenges.

Discover the difference between being trained and truly being ready, how “fail forward” thinking accelerates growth, and why situational awareness and self-discipline are critical in both life and business. Ryan shares intense frontline stories, leadership lessons, and actionable strategies to help you lead with conviction—not just credentials.

If you want to build resilience, improve leadership skills, and learn how to act when it matters most, this episode delivers raw insight and real-world wisdom.

• (00:00:00) - Battle Ready: The Secret to Leading When Things Are Hard
• (00:00:52) - Ryan on Being Ready for the Day
• (00:04:44) - Was There a Moment early in your career when you realized credentials alone
• (00:10:39) - The Importance of Leadership
• (00:13:32) - Battle Ready: Fail Forward with Fear
• (00:19:13) - How to Be More Approachable and Coachable
• (00:19:43) - Ryan Khan: On the Growth Mindset
• (00:23:24) - Why Avoidance is So Expensive in Leadership and Business Growth
• (00:25:17) - In the Elevator With Ryan Kahn
• (00:25:57) - What is Situational Awareness?
• (00:27:15) - What Would You Do If You Were a Cop?
• (00:32:37) - The Secret to Talking To Others
• (00:33:06) - Pivoting Back to Leadership
• (00:36:01) - 5 Talents
• (00:37:20) - What is the Difference Between Positional Leadership vs Personal Power
• (00:40:08) - The Art of De- delegating
• (00:43:28) - Real Estate Coach: The Best Use of Your Time
• (00:47:55) - Ryan on Becoming Real Estate Battle Ready

In this episode of Battle Ready, host Ricky Chavez sits down with presentation expert Jeff Brandeis to break down the secrets behind high-impact communication. Learn why most presentations fail within the first 7 minutes and how leaders can capture attention, build authority, and drive real results. Jeff shares his proven ENGAGE framework—designed to transform boring presentations into powerful, conversion-driven experiences. From overcoming “death by PowerPoint” to using interactive techniques that keep audiences locked in, this episode delivers practical strategies you can apply immediately. Whether you're leading a team, pitching a product, or speaking on stage, discover how to connect, influence, and inspire action. Don’t miss these battle-tested tools to elevate your communication skills and stand out in today’s distracted world.

In this powerful episode of Battle Ready (aired 04-09-26), host Ricky Chavez sits down with retired Command Sergeant Major Alan Cheeseman to explore leadership under pressure, life after the military, and the journey of personal reinvention. From 25 years in the U.S. Army to becoming a science fiction author, Cheeseman shares how discipline, mindset, and resilience shape success beyond uniform.

Discover insights on motivating teams, transitioning to civilian life, overcoming disability, and building purpose through creativity. This episode dives deep into mental strength, veteran support networks, and the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and growth.

Discover how modern leaders can thrive in the age of AI in Battle Ready (aired 03-26-26). In this powerful episode, Cynthia Vasquez—AI leadership strategist and founder of Lead with Impact—shares how to move from fear and confusion to confident execution. Learn why emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and human connection matter more than ever as AI reshapes industries.

This conversation explores practical strategies for leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams to leverage AI as a force multiplier—not a threat. From building AI readiness to creating a culture of trust and innovation, you’ll gain actionable insights to stay competitive without losing your identity.

• (00:00:00) - Battle Ready: The AI Leadership Challenge
• (00:01:17) - Are You Scared of AI?
• (00:04:45) - Lead with Impact
• (00:06:19) - How to Get the Team to Aha About AI
• (00:11:33) - What Should Leaders Protect and Amplify in the AI Era?
• (00:12:26) - Battle Ready: Why Business Leaders Ignore Risk
• (00:12:58) - Cynthia on Her Career Path
• (00:18:51) - How to Get to That Level of Automation
• (00:20:57) - How to Get More Out of Life?
• (00:23:34) - How to Prepare your Organization for AI
• (00:27:19) - AI as a Force multiplier
• (00:27:43) - Bill Maher on The Power of AI
• (00:32:00) - A Personal Schedule for Me
• (00:38:11) - Battle Ready: AI in Your Future
• (00:38:40) - How to Get the Company Excited about AI
• (00:40:16) - Imagine If Agents Could Record Interviews
• (00:41:28) - The challenge of AI in the Latino community
• (00:44:34) - How to Connect with LinkedIn Lead with Impact
• (00:46:08) - AI Is Here

In this episode of Battle Ready (aired 03-19-26), host Ricky Chavez sits down with Dr. Michael Schwartz to break down the real causes of chronic fatigue, burnout, and low energy. Discover why pushing through exhaustion can damage your health and how stress, poor nutrition, and lifestyle habits impact your body’s performance.

Learn practical strategies to improve energy, build resilience, and take control of your health before a crisis hits. This episode explores the powerful connection between mental, emotional, and physical health, along with simple steps you can start today—like improving your diet, managing stress, and recognizing early warning signs your body is sending.

In this episode of Battle Ready, aired 03-12-26, host Ricky Chavez sits down with Aliyah Zada, founder of the UP and Adam Foundation, to talk about leadership burnout, PTSD recovery, trauma, resilience, and mental wellness. Aliyah shares how high performers and leaders can mistake constant pressure for strength, and why true resilience comes from honesty, regulation, recovery, and community support.

The conversation explores the warning signs of burnout, sustainable leadership habits, emotional regulation, team culture, and how creativity, science, and connection can help people heal from stress and isolation. Aliyah also discusses her vision for the Spokane Inner Peace Park, a community space designed to support mental health through curiosity, play, and connection.

Watch this powerful Battle Ready interview for insights on leadership development, burnout prevention, trauma recovery, emotional wellness, and building resilience in work and life.