Josh Brolin is an actor, former firefighter and the author of "From Under the Truck". In this third conversation, we discuss the Palisades Fire's impact of his community, catharsis through writing, the ripple effect of generational trauma, addiction, the hope of post traumatic growth and so much more.

“Josh Brolin’s out to catch his breath between the slant-eyed suggestions and irrefutable evidence of his past. He hears voices, and he listens, reminding us with brutal honesty that our surroundings were never there to be carried, rather woven into the fabric of the freedom to be who we are.”—Matthew McConaughey

From Josh Brolin, a unique and decidedly un-celebrity memoir, by turns affecting, funny, uncanny, and unforgettable.

Weaving a latticework of different strands, moving back and forth through time, Josh Brolin captures a life marked by curiosity, pain, devotion, kindness, humor. He recounts an unconventional childhood far from Hollywood. Raised on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, he was surrounded as a child by the wolves, cougars, and other wild animals gathered by his fearless and explosive mother, Jane Agee Brolin. Her tragic, early death haunts this book, and the force of her unforgettable personality is felt throughout. Brolin also brings to life his career in the film industry—from his breakout role in The Goonies to the set of No Country for Old Men—and the professional and personal ups and downs in between and since. With unflinching honesty but also great humor, he shares insights into relationships, addiction, love, and fatherhood, while letting the white space in between words speak for itself. Grappling with the mysteries of life and death in a way that will catch readers by surprise, From Under the Truck is an audacious and riveting memoir from a born writer.

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/from-under-the-truck-josh-brolin?variant=41584155426850

Evan Birch is a Canadian ultra runner, coach, partner, father, mental health advocate, motivational speaker and former emergency services professional.

Runner’s-high courses through Evan Birch’s veins. Through a series of life events after a two decade career in emergency services, he confronted his struggles with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Through intensive therapy and countless miles on the trail he began isolating his driving force for the ultra journey while running towards the storms instead of away.

Whether he is out on the trails to connect with his friends and athletes, clear his mind, or push his edges. Evan harnesses the power of unwavering tenacity, mental strength and a promise to always say, “Yes” to the people, places and runs that light him up.”

He is now running forward, while summoning joy in the pursuit. Showing others that there’s always a path forward through the darkness.

The process of healing mentally while training for the physically challenging world of ultra running has created the perfect storm of mental resilience and physical grit that he exudes through his running, coaching and speaking.

https://ultrabirch.com/

Jason Ramos spent over three decades as a wildland firefighter, Ramos has fought firesfrom Alaska to Florida and nearly everywhere between. In this second conversation, we discuss proactive mitigation factors for wildfires, water supply, fire modeling, goats, technology, climate change and so much more.

Jason currently serves as a first responder with Washington State Search & Rescue. He is the lead drone pilot for Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington. Jason brings decades of experience to the UAS Center at SBD with his extensive background in fire, aviation, and search and rescue. Jason flies drones weekly and regularly consults with drone manufacturers and software providers. His breadth of knowledge spans the broad array of drone technology, including various RC/drone platforms, fixed wing micro to large scale, STOL, powered gliders, 3D, FPV and various types of multirotor drones.

Prior to retiring from the US Forest Service, Jason served as a wildland firefighter for over three decades. He began his career at age seventeen in California with the Riverside County Fire Department. He then went on to become an aerial-delivered firefighter in 1993 with a helitack crew, and in 1999 became a smokejumper. As an aerial-delivered firefighter, Jason has fought fires in Alaska, Florida and nearly everywhere in between. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST). He is author of the book Smokejumper and is a featured speaker on TedTalks. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST).

https://smokejumperbook.com/

Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb has served the FDNY since 1992. The Chief of Safety for the FDNY’s 17,000 employees. Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from SUNY Empire State and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). He has served as an advisory panel member for UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) “Study of Coordinated Attack in Acquired Structures” and chair of the FRCE cancer advisory committee. Frank is also a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees 420, 1585, and 1710 and was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 a presenter at the U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control in 2022 and 2023. He is the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership - On and Off the Fireground.

DENA ALI is a Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department where she has worked her way up the ranks. She previously served as a police officer for five years. Ali has a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. As a graduate student, she was awarded the 2018 MPA student of the year. She has also received several awards throughout her career. One that she is most proud of is the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor award that she earned for her steadfast effort to bring awareness to firefighter mental health through her vulnerability. Dena has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy where she assisted in curriculum review for their health and wellness curriculum. Dena is the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support where she helped to develop their statewide curriculum. She is also the author of the soon to be released book "Hope out of Darkness a Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness" which will be published by Fire Engineering.

https://firstrespondercenter.org/

John Wayne Walding was born on the 4th of July. He spent almost 12 years in the US Army, including seven in the prestigious 3rd Special Forces Group.

John has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During the battle of Shok Valley, John lost his right leg to sniper fire. He continued to fight alongside his brothers while wounded for four more hours. (The incredible story of that six-hour fight is detailed in the book “No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan” by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer.)

For his bravery in battle, John received the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Purple Heart. He was also awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, an Airborne Tab, Air Assault Tab, and Special Forces Tab.

John has never let his injuries slow him down. He attended Special Forces Sniper School and was the first amputee to become a Green Beret sniper. John also competed in the 2009 Boston Marathon; where he finished fourth in the hand crank division, and the 2010 New York Marathon, where he finished in the top 10. He also ran the 2010 Army 10 Miler, the 2016 Dallas Half Marathon, and one of the hardest marathon routes in the world, the Bataan Death March (which also required him to carry a 45-pound rucksack).

Along the way, Sentinels of Freedom (SOF) provided mentoring, networking, and financial assistance to help John reach his goals. SOF also helped John create a business plan for the first company he started, 5 Toes Custom, a Dallas-based company that makes custom firearms. John recently launched a new company, Gallantry Global Logistics.

Today, John and his wife, Amy, live in Texas with their four children. John also travels the country to speak about leadership, excellence, and overcoming adversity. All along the way John sticks to the motto he lives by: “Lean Forward, Fight Hard.”

Sentinels of Freedom continues to mentor and work with John.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwaynewalding-ba1a48b4/

Gina Rollo White, MA Mindfulness Studies, is the founder and director of Mindful Junkie Outreach. A mind body teacher, educator, and author of thesis Mindfulness and Law Enforcement, An Effective Approach to Implementing Mindfulness for First Responders, she has spent over fifteen years teaching mind body interventions. Gina has spent the last four years developing and leading mindfulness workshops for first responders (law enforcement, correctional, fire, etc.).

Gina received a Masters Degree in Mindfulness from Lesley University, the nation's only university that offers graduate programs in mindfulness. While in university, Gina conducted studies on the benefits of mindfulness for first responders. Her research found that mindfulness can measurably reduce stress and increase wellness for this population.

Gina has worked with leadership from police departments (CA: Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, VA; Alexandria PD, Alexandria Sheriff’s Alexandria), fire departments (CA: El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, San Gabriel, Torrance), and special task force detectives (VA), delivering curriculum specifically tailored to those working in high trauma environments. The Criminal Justice Mindfulness Training Curriculum authored by Gina Rollo White was DCJS approved and has been used as the backbone for all the mindfulness workshops for first responders.

Gina is also an experienced Pilates instructor. Gina has been training with techniques passed down from Joseph Pilates for over 10 years. She believes in the mind body connection, and she felt a strong pull to incorporate training the mind as part of her physical training efforts. Gina believes that for optimum health, it is important to train your body and mind together.

https://www.mindfuljunkie.com/

Danny Alvarez is an Army veteran, lawyer and State Representative. We discuss first responder mental health, the recruitment crisis, immigration, the American dream and so much more.

Danny attended the University of Florida as a second generation Gator and received his Bachelor’s of science in Journalism. While there, he was the Captain of the UF Club Lacrosse Team and the Cadet R.O.T.C. Battalion Commander. During his tenure in Gainesville, Danny served in the Florida National Guard with the 124th Infantry Regiment in Leesburg, Florida.Upon graduation, Danny was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army. During his time in the military, Danny was deployed to South Korea as a line platoon leader and later assigned to various leadership positions within the US Army Airborne School. While there, he was a jumping member of the historic Fort Benning Command Exhibition Parachute Team, “The Silver Wings.”

Before he separated from the service, he earned a Masters of Science degree in Education from Troy State University in Alabama.Danny attended Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. After passing the Florida Bar exam, he attended University of Miami School of Law LL.M program in Estate Planning.Wanting to practice and help clients on a day-to-day basis, Danny later joined the Sanchez Law Offices in South Tampa. Danny lead the Firm’s Litigation and Estate Planning Group.

In May of 2011, Danny formed The Alvarez Legal Group to help individuals whose voices are often drowned out in the legal system. While the Firm specializes in Personal Injury and General Civil/Commercial Litigation a strong focus remains on Estate Planning and Entertainment Law.Danny is a Business Law Professor at the University of Tampa. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is a member of the Hillsborough Bar Association Leadership Institute. In 2010, Danny was appointed by the Hillsborough County Commission to a four-year term on the Hillsborough Children’s Services Advisory Board. He is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielalvarezsr/

Ian has 23 years of international professional experience in health, safety and business improvement within military, mining, rail, oil and gas, utilities and elite athletes. Combining scientific research and operational leadership, he supports organisations in reducing risk, lowering cost, and optimising productivity and performance. Ian applies Lean/Six Sigma and other scientific methodologies in significant projects to drive step-change improvement in performance while ensuring sustainability through associated culture change.

In the mining, oil, and gas sectors, he has worked internationally as an advisor to major companies including Rio Tinto, Woodside, BHP, Anglo Gold Ashanti, South 32, Karara Mining, Peabody and Goldcorp. Other sectors include agriculture with CBH group and rail with Metro Trains Melbourne. He has been responsible for the development of global practices, integration, and project management across multiple product groups. This has entailed the quantification, analysis, and interpretation of multiple data streams to support health, safety, financial strength, and productivity. Within elite athletic groups, he has worked with the Australian Institute of Sport, West Australian Institute of Sport, Super Rugby, Australian Rules Football and Formula 1 to optimise human performance in preparation for international competition and the Olympics.

Ian is a regular speaker/chair at universities and international conferences in mining, transport, sports performance and physiology. He regularly contributes articles to media outlets such as the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Men’s Fitness, Blitz Martial Arts, BJJ Scout and Huffington Post. He has spoken on the Health Report on ABC radio in Australia, ABC radio national and numerous podcasts. In addition, he has appeared on ABC television, Channel 7, 9 and 10 in Australia, and was a TEDx Perth speaker in 2017. He is author and co-author of numerous technical reports, scientific articles, and industry guidelines, and a regular reviewer for scientific peer-reviewed journals.

An active athlete, I have completed over 20 ultramarathons to date, including the Ultra-Trail Australia 100km (7 times), Leadville 100 miler, numerous marathons and trail running events. My current focus is on improving my swimming to undertake long-distance open water swimming events (10-20km).