Herostock Nation Podcast

Ep 43 Army Veteran, Firefighter & Artist Robert "Shrek" Harrell | His Story & Artwork | Part 1

What shapes a lifetime of service—and what happens when the weight of that service becomes too much to carry? In Part 1 of this two-part episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones welcome Army veteran, retired firefighter, paramedic, Choctaw artist, and storyteller Robert "Shrek" Harrell. Shrek shares his journey from growing up in rural Oklahoma and caring for his disabled mother to serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and Army firefighter. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his life, the unseen burdens carried by veterans and first responders, and the artistic gift that has remained a constant throughout his journey. Throughout the conversation, Shrek also shares several of his original paintings and the stories and emotions behind them. In Part 2, Shrek demonstrates his creative process by painting live in the studio while discussing how art became a powerful part of his healing journey. If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. www.herostock.org [http://HEROSTOCK.org]

Ep 42 The Roundtable Live Songwriters Showcase

Get to know the voices behind The Roundtable Live before they take the stage at HEROSTOCK '26. This special preview introduces four outstanding singer-songwriters—Derek Thompson, Matthew Jones, D.J. Bridwell, and Anthony Segovia—through highlights from their conversations on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, along with acoustic performances from their podcast appearances. Each artist brings a unique journey, a different perspective, and a passion for sharing stories through music. From military service and first responder experiences to award-winning songwriting and building communities through music, these conversations remind us that every song has a story—and every story has the power to connect us. Join us on August 15 at the Country Drive Golf Course in Ashland, Nebraska, as these four artists come together for the inaugural HEROSTOCK '26 Writers Round: The Roundtable Live. 🎟️ Tickets & Information: www.herostock.org [http://www.herostock.org] Keep the conversation going, and keep honoring our heroes.

Ep 41 From Marine to Musician: Cook McKoy’s Journey from the USMC to Dinnerbell Road

YouTube Description (7 Lines) Join us on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk as we sit down with Cook McKoy, USMC veteran, songwriter, guitarist, and frontman of Dinnerbell Road. Cook shares stories from his youth in a coal-mining community and the path that led him to enlist in the Marine Corps. We discuss boot camp, brotherhood, military service, and the life lessons he still carries today. He reflects on how music entered his life, learning guitar, and finding his voice as a songwriter. Cook also shares the inspiration behind his Marine Corps-inspired song, “Yellow Footprints.” From service to storytelling, this is an honest conversation about purpose, authenticity, and the power of music. Listen in and discover why real stories still matter. Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. www.herostock.org

Ep 40 The Broken Mirror | William “Stevo” Stephens | Live Readings & Real Stories

On this episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, we sit down with six-time award-winning author William “Stevo” Stephens for a deeply personal conversation about storytelling, pain, resilience, reflection, and the experiences that shaped The Reflection Series, including The Broken Mirror. Throughout the episode, Stevo shares LIVE readings from his books while discussing the real-life moments behind the writing — from relationships and personal loss to mental health struggles, creativity, healing, and finding purpose through storytelling. The conversation explores: • the origins of The Broken Mirror • dark therapeutic poetry and emotional writing • writing as reflection and coping • the impact his books have had on readers • the power of honest storytelling • resilience, growth, and human connection Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. www.herostock.org

Ep 39 Chad Madsen Talks Songwriting, Veterans & Live Music | Full Interview

Singer-songwriter Chad Madsen joins us on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk for a powerful conversation about music, faith, storytelling, family, and the winding road that led him from praise bands to becoming the frontman of Lost Keys. Raised in South Dakota and inspired by his mother’s songwriting, Chad opens up about discovering his voice later in life, writing songs rooted in real experiences, and the emotional connection between music and storytelling. We also talk about his family’s deep military ties, his support for veterans and HEROSTOCK, and the meaning behind his belief: “Love our warriors, even if you hate the war.” Plus, Chad performs three live acoustic songs during the episode. If you love Americana, folk music, honest songwriting, and meaningful conversations, this is an interview you won’t want to miss. Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. Chad's Social Media Sites: * www.facebook.com/lostkeysSD * www.tiktok.com/@chad.madsen8