This is Part 2 of Mike’s story. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, start there — it’s one of the most powerful interviews we’ve ever released.

Mike’s journey continues as he returns home from war and trades one uniform for another — stepping into the world of law enforcement alongside his twin brother. But the battle didn’t end overseas. In this episode, Mike opens up about FTO trauma, burnout, panic attacks, and the mental toll of life behind the badge.

From SWAT team camaraderie to therapy breakthroughs, this is a brutally honest look at the cost of service — and the road to healing.

🎧 Follow, rate, and share if this story moved you.
📲 Find more at beyondthedispatch.com or on all social platforms.

Episode 15: From Abandonment to Afghanistan – Mike’s Story (Part 1)
Mike’s journey begins in China, where he and his twin brother were abandoned at age 4 when their mother emigrated to the U.S. Reunited years later, they came to America at 11 and would go on to serve together in the Marine Corps during the deadliest year in Afghanistan.

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, Mike shares the raw truth about loss, brotherhood, and war—from the frontlines of Helmand Province to moments of dark humor that helped them survive. After leaving the Marines, both brothers planned to return as officers... but life had other plans.

Next week: Part 2 – Their life on the force, and the war that followed them home.

Follow, share, and leave a review if Mike’s story moves you.

Eric Tung, police commander and host of Blue Grit Radio, joins us to share his powerful journey through the front lines of law enforcement. From K9 units to critical incident response, Eric opens up about leadership, loss, and the mission to reshape wellness culture in policing. This is a must-hear conversation for officers, families, and anyone who believes we can build better protectors by protecting those who serve.
🎙️ Learn more at bluegritwellness.com

Before Paws on the Ground became a mission, it was a lifeline.

In Episode 13, we sit down with Kellen Zanandrie — a veteran Coast Guardsman, Pinellas County K9 Deputy, and loyal brother in arms — to talk about the moments that changed everything. From narrowly missing tragedy with a fellow deputy, to speaking with Dom just minutes before his shooting, to facing down an armed suspect while realizing the cost his family might bear — Kellen opens up about the unseen toll of service.

This isn’t just a story about law enforcement. It's about loyalty, survival, knowing when you’ve given all you can, and finding a new purpose beyond the badge.

Kellen's path led him from the chaos of the streets to building trust between dogs and their handlers through Paws on the Ground — a company born out of hard lessons, deep scars, and a relentless will to keep serving in a different way.

Raw, real, and unforgettable — this is Kellen's story.

“Seawolf flight, be advised — no friendlies in the sector. You’re cleared hot. Happy huntin’. Out.”

John “Elvis” Lynn isn’t just a Navy veteran—he’s a living, breathing chapter of U.S. military history.

In this episode of Beyond the Dispatch, we sit down with John to hear his unbelievable journey from flying door gunner missions in Vietnam to becoming a small-town Police Chief back home. But this isn’t just another war story—it’s the story of a man who kept showing up, in every chapter of life, when others might have walked away.

John volunteered for HA(L)-3, the legendary Seawolves—an experimental helicopter attack unit that would go on to become the most decorated squadron in U.S. Navy history. From 1969 to 1972, John flew treetop-level missions aboard Hueys over the Mekong Delta, providing close air support to Navy SEALs, PBR boats, and riverine forces in some of the most hostile terrain on Earth.

The Seawolves flew hard, fast, and low. They weren’t just support—they were the cavalry. And they were sent where no one else wanted to go. John embraced that chaos. His stories from those days are raw, wild, and sometimes even hilarious—like the time he stepped out onto the helicopter skids mid-flight to snap a photo of the pilot, then tapped him on the shoulder just to say cheese.

After the Seawolves disbanded and handed their operations to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF), John couldn’t shake the call to serve. He later re-enlisted during the Gulf War, but found peacetime military life too tame after Vietnam.

So he brought his discipline and grit home—joining law enforcement and eventually becoming the Chief of Police in Willow Springs, Illinois. In the jungles of Vietnam, John protected his brothers. On the streets of Illinois, he protected his community. In both, he led from the front.

Episode 012: Happy Huntin’ is more than a war story. It’s a tribute to the kind of man who doesn’t just survive the storm—he flies straight into it.

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Dispatch, we sit down with a remarkable guest—a former U.S. Army intelligence specialist and current Denver Police Officer—whose life changed in an instant.

While on duty, she was hit in her patrol vehicle, suffering a catastrophic DAI Grade 3 brain injury—one of the most severe forms of traumatic brain trauma. Her journey from military service to the frontlines of policing was already impressive… but what followed was a battle few could imagine.

We talk about the quiet world of military intelligence, the transition to civilian law enforcement, and the brutal aftermath of her on-duty crash. Despite memory loss, physical setbacks, and a long road to recovery, her resilience shines.

This is a raw, honest, and at times emotional conversation—but like every episode, we still find time to share laughs and human moments along the way.

If you or someone you know has ever questioned their strength in the face of trauma—this one is for you.

In this gripping episode of Beyond the Dispatch, we sit down with Phil, a former Army CID (Criminal Investigation Division) agent, Pentagon-connected investigator, and personal security detail for a U.S. Army General.

After a high-stakes military career — including classified investigations and VIP protection — he transitioned into civilian law enforcement, joining the Police Department/ SWAT team and facing a whole new battlefield.

From the Pentagon halls to the front lines of American streets. This raw conversation explores the emotional and psychological aftermath of a lifetime spent protecting others.

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Dispatch, we sit down with an Air Force veteran who served as a JSTARS "dot watcher" during multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. After his military career was cut short by a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, he faced chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and a battle with depression.

He openly shares how, at one point, he almost became one of the tragic "22 a day" veteran suicide statistics. But through his journey of struggle and resilience, he found strength in fitness, and today he’s a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness. As an ambassador for Team Red, White & Blue, he now uses his story to inspire others, showing that there’s always a path forward—even in the darkest moments.

This episode is a raw and inspiring look at how one man’s courage and determination helped him reclaim his life. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the hardest times, hope and strength can be found.

Tune in for an unforgettable story of survival, recovery, and the power of resilience.