Ian endured a level of trauma in his youth that few survive. A childhood marked by suffering propelled him onto the streets, where violence, chaos, and the instinct to survive became his daily reality. His formative years were shaped by juvenile detention centers, fire camps, lockdowns, and a gang mentality—along with the relentless shadow of PTSD.

He believed his future was destined for a prison cell, convinced that his story had already been written.

Then, life intervened, and he realized that true survival required transformation. Ian turned away from a life of crime and found purpose in service as a firefighter. The same determination that had kept him alive on the streets he now applied to rising above his circumstances. Over time, he earned the rank of captain in Cal Fire.

Yet the cumulative toll of first-responder trauma, coupled with the scars of his past, eventually caught up with him. Through counseling, faith in Christ, and resilience, Ian discovered healing, renewed purpose, and a voice. Today, he hopes to use it to inspire and support others navigating trauma, new recruits and anyone who will listen.

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In this episode we sit down with renowned traditional tattoo artist Derek Billingsley. We discuss how he was brought up, family difficulties and how life’s struggles help shape him into the man he is today. If you know Derek you know we had to also get into art, tattooing traditions and why they are needed, social issues and how his life was marked by faith.

If you’ve ever seen Training Day, you’ve only caught a glimpse of what real-life corruption can look like. In this raw and unfiltered episode, we sit down with former LAPD officer Ruben Palomares — once a decorated cop who crossed the line and became the very thing he swore to fight.

Ruben takes us deep into his world — from growing up in the rough streets of Los Angeles, to the adrenaline-fueled days in uniform, to living the double life that eventually came crashing down. His story reads like a Hollywood script: power, money, betrayal, and the inevitable fall. But this isn’t fiction — this is real life.

After years in federal prison, Ruben found something the streets and the badge could never give him — peace through Christ. His journey from a rogue cop to a redeemed man of faith is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for God’s grace.

This episode isn’t just about crime and corruption — it’s about redemption, repentance, and rebirth. All this and more in a powerful and unforgettable episode.