008: Freedom Isn't Free - Its Chosen

010: The War After the War

What happens when the mission ends… but your mind never fully leaves the battlefield? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with former Marine infantryman Mike Francis — known online as “Dirty Mike” — for a raw conversation about military service, identity, trauma, purpose, and the invisible war many veterans face after coming home. Mike served in both Iraq and Afghanistan after joining the Marines shortly after 9/11. But while combat changed him, the hardest battle wasn’t overseas. It was figuring out who he was once the uniform came off. This conversation explores: * The emotional reality of life after military service * Why veterans struggle with civilian life * Brotherhood, belonging, and identity * PTSD, isolation, and rebuilding purpose * The hidden mental health crisis affecting veterans * Why “The Virtual Barracks” became a lifeline * The surprising truth about what makes the Marine Corps powerful At one point, Mike describes the true superpower of the Marines as love — not violence, toughness, or intimidation. This isn’t just a story about war. It’s about what happens after. Because sometimes the hardest fight begins the moment you come home. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________ CONTACT Mike Francis talesfromthecorpspodcast@gmail.com [talesfromthecorpspodcast@gmail.com] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/talesfromthecorps [https://linktr.ee/talesfromthecorps] _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com [misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com] Find us everywhere: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MisfitsAmongUsPodcast [http://www.youtube.com/@MisfitsAmongUsPodcast] Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505] Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba [http://open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba] TikTok: tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast [http://tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast] Instagram: instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast [http://instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast]

009: How the System Actually Works

What if everything you think you know about politics… is incomplete? In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with Steven Woodrow—lawyer and member of the Colorado House of Representatives—to break down what the system actually looks like from the inside. This isn’t theory. This isn’t headlines. This is how decisions are really made. From corporate influence and class action lawsuits to the realities of state vs. federal power, Steven shares what most people misunderstand about politics—and why so many people feel disconnected from it. This conversation explores: * Why local and state politics matter more than you think * The real reason nothing seems to get done * How misinformation and technology are reshaping truth * Why people stop trusting the system—and what that creates * What actually drives policy behind the scenes * The impact of apathy, division, and disengagement One of the biggest takeaways? If you’re not paying attention… someone else is deciding for you. As Steven puts it, showing up matters more than people realize—and most people don’t realize it until it’s too late.   This isn’t about picking a side. It’s about understanding the system you’re already part of. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________       CONTACT Steve Woodrow   Website: ·       https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/steven-woodrow [https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/steven-woodrow] ·       https://edelson.com/staff/steven-l-woodrow/ [https://edelson.com/staff/steven-l-woodrow/] Instagram: ·       https://www.instagram.com/steven_woodrow/ [https://www.instagram.com/steven_woodrow/] Linkedin: ·       https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenlezell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenlezell/] _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com [misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com] Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505] Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba [http://open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba] TikTok: tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast [http://tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast] Instagram: instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast [http://instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast]

008: Freedom Isn't Free - Its Chosen

What would make someone walk away from a full scholarship to medical school? For Zolal Habibi, the answer was freedom. Born and raised in the United States, Zolal could have pursued a comfortable life. Instead, she chose to dedicate herself to the Iranian resistance movement after witnessing the human cost of tyranny firsthand. Her father, a human rights activist, was murdered by the Iranian regime when she was just seven years old. Most people would have tried to move on. Zolal chose to fight. In this episode of Misfits Among Us, Joey Marcus sits down with Zolal to explore her extraordinary journey—from growing up in a family of activists to becoming a global advocate for democracy and human rights in Iran. This conversation is about far more than politics. It is about sacrifice | Identity | Faith | Truth. And what it means to devote your life to something larger than yourself. _____________________________ Zolal Habibi: Facebook: ·       https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/ [https://www.facebook.com/IranNCR/] Websites: ·       https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/ [https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/] YouTube: ·       https://www.youtube.com/ncriran [https://www.youtube.com/ncriran] Instagram: ·       https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/ [https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/] Linkedin: ·       https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zolalhabibi/] X (Twitter) ·       https://x.com/Ashrafi4ever [https://x.com/Ashrafi4ever] _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com [misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com] Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505] Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba [http://open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba] TikTok: https://www. [https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/]tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast [http://tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast] Instagram: https://www. [https://www.instagram.com/ashrafi4ever/]instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast [http://instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast]

007: Building in the Noise - Leading with Signal

What happens when the thing you built… isn’t what people actually need anymore? Joey Marcus sits down with Erin Schirack, founder of High Society, to unpack what it takes to build, pivot, and lead in a world full of noise. From her early days as a fitness instructor to launching a digital platform during COVID, Erin found success quickly. But instead of holding onto what was working, she made a harder decision—she evolved. This conversation dives into: • Why businesses miss the moment to pivot • The shift from access → connection → trust • What brands get wrong about “wellness” • Building a business that aligns with how you operate This isn’t just about fitness or entrepreneurship. It’s about recognizing the signal… before it’s too late. Because the misfits aren’t rare… They’re among us. _____________________________ CONTACT Erin Schirack Email: ·                Erin@wearehighsociety.com [Erin@wearehighsociety.com] Website: ·                https://www.wearehighsociety.com [https://www.wearehighsociety.com] Instagram: ·                https://www.instagram.com/erinschirack/ [https://www.instagram.com/erinschirack/] ·                https://www.instagram.com/wearehighsociety/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearehighsociety/] Linkedin: ·                https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-schirack-17b90416/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-schirack-17b90416/] _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com [misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com] Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast ·       podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505] Spotify ·       open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba [http://open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba] TikTok ·       tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast [http://tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast] Instagram ·       instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast [http://instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast]

006: Raised to be Perfect, Left to figure it out Alone

What happens when your life looks perfect from the outside… but no one is actually there for you? In this episode, Joey Marcus sits down with CJ to unpack a story that challenges what we assume about wealth, family, and stability. CJ grew up in a world that looked ideal—money, travel, opportunity. But behind it was silence, emotional isolation, and a lack of support. From being labeled and misunderstood to navigating abuse, betrayal, and a devastating loss, her story isn’t about falling apart—it’s about what comes after. It explores what happens when no one advocates for you… when you’re forced to figure life out alone… and how identity is built when everything you believed about yourself turns out to be wrong. CJ shares: • Growing up in a family that doesn’t communicate • The impact of emotional neglect • Losing her son after 46 hours of labor—and the emotions that followed • Why she felt relief—and how she made sense of it • The years-long “fog” after loss • Walking away from expectations and rebuilding from nothing • Why being “homeless and unemployed” became a turning point • How human connection changed everything This isn’t a clean, inspirational story. It’s messy. It’s real. And it asks a question most people avoid: Because sometimes… that’s where everything begins. _____________________________ CONTACT CJ ·       Email: cj.louise.contact@gmail.com [cj.louise.contact@gmail.com] ·       TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cj_louise [https://www.tiktok.com/@cj_louise] ·       Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CJ_Louise [https://www.youtube.com/@CJ_Louise] _____________________________ ABOUT MISFITS AMONG US: Misfits Among Us is a conversation-driven podcast exploring how people develop their beliefs, identities, and worldviews through life experiences. Each episode focuses on real conversations about identity, reinvention, trauma, success, and personal growth. No talking points. No safe lanes. No topics off limits. Because the misfits aren’t rare. They’re among us. If you are if you know someone who has a great story and lived a great life, please reach out. Misfits would love to chat! ·       misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com [misfitsamonguspodcast@gmail.com] Find us everywhere: Apple Podcast ·       podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/misfits-among-us/id1874680505] Spotify ·       open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba [http://open.spotify.com/show/3pn5swLhuTnRDL4TeiPXq3?si=03bed449dc2547ba] TikTok ·       tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast [http://tiktok.com/@misfitsamonguspodcast] Instagram ·       instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast [http://instagram.com/misfitsamonguspodcast]