Serving Kids Through Stories: Veteran Mark McCraw on Literacy, Legacy & Healing

Serving Kids Through Stories: Veteran Mark McCraw on Literacy, Legacy & Healing

📚 Serving Through Stories From the Air Force to the classroom—and now to the pages of children’s books. In this week’s episode of the Called 2 Serve Podcast, host Reggie Hubbard sits down with Mark McCraw, a proud Air Force veteran, educator, and prolific children’s book author. Mark shares how his journey from military service to storytelling has been fueled by a passion for: ✏️ Literacy 👦🏽 Empowering military-dependent kids 💪 Addressing real issues like bullying 📖 Leaving a legacy through education and imagination His words are shaping the next generation—and his mission to serve is far from over. #Called2Serve #VeteranAuthor #MarkMcCraw #ChildrensBooks #MilitaryFamily #LiteracyMatters #LegacyThroughStorytelling 📝 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:51 Meet Mark McCraw: Educator, Author, and Veteran 01:32 Mark's Journey to Becoming an Author 04:06 Writing Military Dependent Books 09:31 Challenges and Triumphs as a Disabled Veteran 17:05 Mark's Writing Process and Inspirations 18:59 Literacy, Learning, and Legacy 25:30 Advice for Veterans and Final Thoughts 30:13 Closing Remarks and Appreciation 🎧 Listen on the Go: 👉 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk] 👉 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680] 📻 Now airing on Wreaths Across America Radio! Catch Called 2 Serve Podcast every Sunday at 7 AM EST 🔗 Listen live here: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio [https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio] 📲 Follow & Connect: 🌐 Facebook: @Called2ServePodcast 📸 Instagram: @called2servepodcast 💥 Subscribe for more real stories of purpose, healing, and leadership. 🙌 Drop a comment if you believe mental health should never be a disqualifier. 🔁 Share this. Let’s amplify the voices that need to be heard.

From Combat to the Paralympics — and Still Serving Others | Joel Hunt

🇺🇸 From Combat to the Paralympics — and Still Serving Others This week on the Called 2 Serve Podcast, host Reggie Hubbard sits down with Joel Hunt, a resilient Army veteran, Paralympian, and founder of Military Broadcast Radio. Joel shares his powerful journey through: ⚔️ 3 military deployments 🧠 Life with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 🎿 Representing Team USA at the Sochi Paralympics 🎙️ And his mission to save veteran lives through media, gaming, and mentorship This episode is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and service after the uniform. #VeteranVoices #Paralympics #TBIRecovery #Called2Serve #JoelHunt #MilitaryBroadcastRadio #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness 🎧 Listen on the Go: 👉 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk] 👉 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680] 📻 Now airing on Wreaths Across America Radio! Catch Called 2 Serve Podcast every Sunday at 7 AM EST 🔗 Listen live here: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio [https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio] 📲 Follow & Connect: 🌐 Facebook: @Called2ServePodcast 📸 Instagram: @called2servepodcast 💥 Subscribe for more real stories of purpose, healing, and leadership. 🙌 Drop a comment if you believe mental health should never be a disqualifier. 🔁 Share this. Let’s amplify the voices that need to be heard.

🔥 From Foster Youth to Mentor. From Pain to Purpose. Called 2 Serve Podcast Episode 33 - Ron Jenkins

🔥 From Foster Youth to Mentor. From Pain to Purpose. This week on the Called 2 Serve Podcast, host Reggie Hubbard sits down with Ron Jenkins, whose life journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 💔 From enduring abuse as a foster youth ⚖️ To working 31 years as a youth corrections counselor 🏈 To mentoring young men as a football coach 🙏 And using faith and mentorship to turn trauma into transformation Ron shares how he’s avenging his brothers’ deaths—not through revenge—but by saving lives. This episode is a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring look at resilience, redemption, and the power of serving others with everything you've got. #FosterYouth #MentorshipMatters #TraumaToTriumph #RonJenkins #YouthMentor #Called2Serve #FaithInAction 📝 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:43 Introducing the Special Guest: Ron Jenkins 01:54 Ron Jenkins' Early Life and Challenges 05:17 Turning Points and Finding Faith 06:29 Positive Influences and Mentorship 18:49 Overcoming Adversity Through Sports 20:45 Career in Youth Corrections and Mentorship 24:12 Coaching and Continuing to Inspire 29:51 Connecting with Traumatized Youth 32:45 Avenge by Saving Lives 34:53 The Consequences of Revenge 36:57 Institutionalization and Its Effects 44:22 The Importance of Mentorship 48:13 Overcoming Personal Trauma 54:08 The Power of Therapy 57:41 Final Thoughts and Farewell 🎧 Listen on the Go: 👉 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk] 👉 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680] 📻 Now airing on Wreaths Across America Radio! Catch Called 2 Serve Podcast every Sunday at 7 AM EST 🔗 Listen live here: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio [https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio] 📲 Follow & Connect: 🌐 Facebook: @Called2ServePodcast 📸 Instagram: @called2servepodcast 💥 Subscribe for more real stories of purpose, healing, and leadership. 🙌 Drop a comment if you believe mental health should never be a disqualifier. 🔁 Share this. Let’s amplify the voices that need to be heard.

🎖️ Infantryman. Sniper. Army Basketball Player. Coach. Podcaster. Called 2 Serve Podcast EP 32 - Tim "Birdman" Simpson

🎖️ Infantryman. Sniper. Army Basketball Player. Coach. Podcaster. Meet Tim Simpson, a man of many talents—and even greater purpose. In this week’s episode of the Called 2 Serve Podcast, Tim joins host Reggie Hubbard to share his incredible journeyfrom 10 years of military service to coaching, mentoring, and using his voice to serve others. 💥 Hear how he overcame physical and mental battles 🧠 Why mental health and patience are crucial for veterans 🏀 How he now coaches and mentors young athletes 🍳 And yes—his passion for cooking too! This episode is a raw, uplifting reminder that the mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it just transforms. 📝 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates 00:51 Introducing Tim Simpson 02:00 Tim's Military Journey Begins 11:45 Challenges of Military Service 19:58 Sniper Training Insights 23:42 The Mental Challenge of Patience 24:53 Coaching and Life Lessons 25:49 Clarifying DOPE and Personal Struggles 26:50 A Difficult Military Experience 35:22 Finding Strength in Family 37:28 Encouraging Veterans to Seek Help 38:07 Defining Purpose After Service 42:55 Surprising Facts and Closing Remarks #VeteranVoices #MentalHealthMatters #Leadership #Resilience #Called2Serve #TimSimpson #MilitaryToMentor #Podcast 🎧 Listen on the Go: 👉 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk] 👉 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680] 📻 Now airing on Wreaths Across America Radio! Catch Called 2 Serve Podcast every Sunday at 7 AM EST 🔗 Listen live here: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio [https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio] 📲 Follow & Connect: 🌐 Facebook: @Called2ServePodcast 📸 Instagram: @called2servepodcast 💥 Subscribe for more real stories of purpose, healing, and leadership. 🙌 Drop a comment if you believe mental health should never be a disqualifier. 🔁 Share this. Let’s amplify the voices that need to be heard.

Enrique Acosta Gonzalez: Serving Through Leadership and Impact - Called 2 Serve Podcast EP 31

🇺🇸 From Puerto Rico to the Pentagon—Legacy in Action On this week’s Called 2 Serve Podcast, Reggie Hubbard sits down with Enrique Acosta Gonzalez—a 26-year Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and international best-selling author. From humble beginnings in Puerto Rico and the Bronx to becoming a highly respected leader in business and podcasting, Enrique drops pure gold on: 🔹 Applying military principles to business 🔹 Building Triad Leadership Solutions 🔹 Leaving a legacy that outlives you 🔹 The truth every leader must face 🎙️ This episode is packed with wisdom, truth, and motivation for anyone called to serve and lead. Don’t miss it. #ServiceAndLegacy #VeteranLeadership #Called2Serve #EnriqueAcostaGonzalez #LeadershipMatters #LeaveALegacy #VeteranVoices 🎧 Listen on the Go: 👉 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QI4k5GtEdp6AXBmdEj8yk] 👉 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-2-serve-podcast/id1785553680] 📻 Now airing on Wreaths Across America Radio! Catch Called 2 Serve Podcast every Sunday at 7 AM EST 🔗 Listen live here: @ 📲 Follow & Connect: 🌐 Facebook: @Called2ServePodcast 📸 Instagram: @called2servepodcast 💥 Subscribe for more real stories of purpose, healing, and leadership. 🙌 Drop a comment if you believe mental health should never be a disqualifier. 🔁 Share this. Let’s amplify the voices that need to be heard.