May 14, 2025 • 45 mins
What happens when awareness isn’t enough to save lives? In this powerful episode of HIListically Speaking, Hilary sits down with Adam Bird. Adam is not only military veteran, he’s an entrepreneur, CEO of Heroes Media Group and has a passion for amplifying the voices of Veterans, First Responders, and Community Heroes. We dig into the silent struggles facing our military veterans, from PTSD and suicide to the battle for purpose after service. Together, we expose what’s not working and why and call for real, actionable change that goes beyond hashtags and headlines. If you care about veteran mental health, meaningful support, and using your platform for good, this is the conversation that needs to be heard.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Adam Bird (00:00):
And I will do this as long as God allows me
to wake up and draw breath.
If I live, god willing, if I live to, you
know, 70, 80, 90, I'll still be doing this
and still be a big smart ass like I am I
mean, it's just you know and I will find
ways to make people smile.
That's my purpose in life is to help other
(00:20):
people get to where they want to go and
achieve the things that they want to
achieve in life.
Hilary Russo (00:26):
When was the last time you thanked a
veteran, not just for their service, but
for their sacrifice, their strength, their
unseen battles that many of them are still
fighting Every day in the US?
And this statistic, it goes, can go this
(00:46):
way, it can go that way, but around 17
veterans lose their lives to suicide and
thousands more navigate the silent
struggles of PTSD, anxiety, trauma, you
name it.
And while more are reaching out for help,
many still face those barriers like the
stigma, isolation, lack of access to care,
(01:14):
and that's why these conversations need to
happen.
You know, that's why we're having this
conversation today, because more voices
need to be amplified.
For those who serve, who are on that
mission, it's not just a mission, actually,
it's a responsibility.
And it's not just awareness, it's about
taking action.
Adam Bird, you are on that mission every
day.
You are a military veteran who has turned
(01:35):
media visionary.
You're CEO of Heroes Media Group, where you
use the power of podcasting to elevate the
stories of veterans, first responders and
even community heroes, and I'd love to say
that I can also call you a friend, so I'm
so glad that you are here on HIListically
Speaking, to share more about how we can
(01:57):
create more awareness and take action from
that and really, you know, just have a real
conversation about the problems that the
veterans are facing.
So I'm so glad you're here, it's so good to
see you as well.
Adam Bird (02:11):
It's always good talking to you and I
appreciate this opportunity.
Hilary Russo (02:15):
First, I want to say thank you for having
me on the decision hour.
That's your podcast and that was just a
really wonderful conversation.
We're going to share more about that, but
this is my offer to you to give you the
space, because I know that, like you
mentioned and we've had this conversation
before you're the black sheep on a lot of
these statistics that are shared or the
(02:38):
things that are put out there that are said
about veterans and their mental health, and
let's get real here, like let's get real.
Adam Bird (02:47):
Yeah, it's, it's.
You know, when it comes to the numbers or
the statistics that are out there, it's,
it's over the last decade you've seen, like
22 has been the big, a big number, and then
you've seen it go down to 17.
I've seen it, in some places, higher than
22.
Um, and, and you know, for the longest time
and I'm kind of dating back to like the
(03:11):
2000, we'll say 12, 13 timeframe where
there was like different things going
around like hey, let's, let's bring
awareness to this, let's bring awareness to
this, let's bring awareness to this, when
do we stop with bringing awareness to
something that we already know is a problem
and when do we start taking action on it?
That's what gets to be frustrating is we're
(03:33):
highlighting.
Let's bring awareness, let's start
highlighting.
You know there are organizations out there
that that are taking action, but you don't
hear anything about it.
And and I blame the media, I blame
mainstream media for that, and and I, you
know we'll take the blame for it ourselves
because we need to be more.
We got to voice that more like hey, you
(03:54):
need help brother, you need help sister.
You know, we used to say back in the day,
like bridging the gap between the veteran
military veteran community and the civilian
population.
It's like you know when, when a veteran
transitions out of the military and it goes
back into you know, everyday society.
It's how do you bridge that gap?
You know, how do you get you know, and
that's just a matter of training them.
(04:15):
You know, we train, we've spent all the the
US government spends millions of dollars to
train this person, the soldier, airman,
marine, you know this person to do their
job in the military.
Then let's, let's give them some tools so
they can be successful in their next
venture as well.
Hilary Russo (04:34):
And how do you see that as giving them
tools?
Because you and I have had a number of
conversations about this from the first
time.
We met at a podcasting conference where we
sat down in the middle of the atrium and
talked about mental health and even, you
know, you tried Havening techniques in that
moment, in Havening, which is, you know, my
(04:57):
passion for wanting to help our veterans
and those who have served and continue to.
But how do you see that?
Because having tools can be very vague and,
like I even mentioned before, you know
there's a stigma that comes with being of
service and this is kind of similar to what
(05:19):
I have seen and heard, even with the first
responders and those who are working in the
trauma space, that I don't want to seem
like I have a problem or they're going to
pull me out.
Adam Bird (05:30):
Yeah, I think that's a mindset.
I was just reading an article.
The military went in and they're pulling
some programs from some of the smaller
bases I think it's called the TAPS program
is what they're calling it now and the
military and the soon to be veteran has a
responsibility to get themselves ready.
Like, if you know you're going to ETS in 18
(05:51):
months, that you're getting out of the
military, then you need to start getting
your affairs in order.
So when you get out, you either have a job
lined up or you know where you're going, at
least and and and.
Then it's.
You know.
There's who do you get in touch with.
Military is like we're too busy training
other people for our job.
We don't.
You're getting out, so you're kind of
(06:13):
pushed, pushed off to the side.
Give them the tools, give them the
resources.
There's, there's thousands and thousands of
non nonprofit organizations that are out
there that are doing great things for our
veterans as they transition.
There are thousands and thousands and
thousands of civilian businesses and
(06:36):
resources that are out there that want to
help these veterans as they transition out.
The problem is is nobody's communicating
and nobody's working together.
How about we pulled together some resources
and then let's start talking about it and
then let's get with the military personnel.
Let's get with the pentagon and just be
(06:56):
like hey, here is a directory of
organizations that want to help with this
transition.
How, how can we get into?
You know they have transition unit.
I'll use the army as an example.
There's transitioning units that they that
they go to sign off on this, this and this,
I took this class, whatever, and a lot of
the times, you know, the military person is
(07:16):
just like I just want to get this crap over
with.
So I can.
So right, and it's totally understandable.
Um, but you know what?
What do you do?
Where?
Where does the responsibility lie?
The majority of the responsibility lies on
(07:36):
the troop themselves.
They have to take initiative to to do this,
but at the same time, the military should
be training them to be like hey, you're
taking off this uniform, let's help you get
your next uniform ready yeah.
Hilary Russo (07:51):
Do you think that that fear or uncertainty?
Because when you've been in the service for
whether it's four years or 20 plus, there's
a feeling of stability that comes with that
job.
You know what to expect day in and day out
for the most part.
But when you're leaving something that felt
(08:12):
so safe in many ways as far as security of
a job and benefits and I know I can expect
this to help me live and survive when you
leave that, do you think that's the big
part of where the concern comes with mental
(08:33):
health?
Because now we're facing uncertainty.
How am I going to live my life?
Is this security?
I'm not around the same people I was with
that.
I built relationships with.
You know it's a different phase.
Adam Bird (08:45):
And that's what it is.
It's a phase right.
I know guys that got out of the military
and they it was like cut it off.
They want nothing to do with veteran
organizations, they don't want to talk to
anybody that they served with, they just
want to go about their lives and live in
the woods and you know that that kind of a
thing and that works for some.
(09:07):
But I can count on maybe two fingers out of
the.
You know two, three dozen that I know that
have tried that where it's actually worked.
You know the other people it's you go
through trying to transition and you're
just like like little things get to be
annoying, like I got to pay bills, I got to
do this and it's like the stuff that you
(09:28):
did in the military.
But it was so much different because now
it's like I'm working a nine to five.
I went from, let's say you retired out of
the military 20 plus years.
You worked your way up fairly high in the
rankings, whether you're an officer or an
enlisted personnel, and you're starting at
the bottom of the totem pole a lot of the
times or you're starting in an entry-level
positions.
(09:48):
For some of these people not always the
case.
Not always the case, but I've seen where it
happened and you're just like I'm working
this nine to five.
This sucks.
Why am I here?
I have no purpose.
Have a purpose find your purpose.
That's the biggest thing I tell people as
they're getting ready to transition out
what is your purpose, what do you want to
do?
Because on average it takes about three
(10:09):
years and several jobs before the vet finds
out what it is they really want to do.
It's on average don't quote me on the years
but it's like three to five years before
they really kind of figure out like, okay,
this is what I really want to do.
And I tell people people like hey, if, if
you suffer from ptsd and you may not know
(10:29):
it a lot of people the pride gets in the
way and they don't want to talk about stuff.
So I tell people get involved.
It doesn't have to be a veteran-based
organization, get involved with a
community-based organization.
You know, do something, stay involved, get
involved.
The worst thing you want to do is isolate
(10:50):
yourself and start thinking nobody
understands me, nobody can help me, nobody
knows what I'm going through, because that
is bs.
Because there's plenty of people out there
that know what you've gone through, maybe
not your specific event or what have you,
(11:12):
but they've gone through similar events and
and there's people out there that want to
help.
And you and I have talked about this, I
think offline once and one of the things
that I've really start pushing on people.
I'd say pushing on people, but one of the
things I tell people is you know, how
selfish do you have to be to not let
somebody help you?
Because there's somebody out there in life
(11:33):
that their main purpose in life is to help
other people and they want to help you.
So how selfish are you by denying that
person to live their purpose?
Hilary Russo (11:45):
What an interesting way to look at that,
and we did talk about that and I remember
that because it's that feeling of and I
don't want to say victim, but when we are
in the trenches of our crap, really, and
we're feeling our feels, that's's where
we're gonna go, that's where the brain
(12:06):
takes us, that feels safe too sometimes you
don't want to project all your problems or
anything like that, because like who who
really wants to listen right, and and a lot
of us feel that way like, so, the best
thing to do is just bundle it up and and
put it in that back room in the back of
your mind and and you and you know I got
mixed feelings about this, quite frankly,
(12:27):
there.
Adam Bird (12:27):
There are times where I've I honestly feel
that there are certain things that have
gone on in life where it's better to just
keep it in the closet and that small box
and just hope to God it never shows its
face again and just leave it back there.
And then there are other times where it's
like you know what you got to face this
(12:49):
it's the only way I'm going to be, if I, if
I, if I face this, that will allow me to
move forward and accomplish the things that
I want to do in life.
But but this is the thing that's kind of
holding me back.
It's kind of a repetitive thing.
So if I can get rid of this, then it'll
allow me to move forward.
Hilary Russo (13:08):
And a lot of that's based on uncertainty.
You know, when you're standing in the
tension that not having the answer, when
you're so used to structure, when you're so
used to having a system, and then the
system gets like you know, suddenly you're
like how the hell do I deal with this?
So that's part of that you know, you know
(13:29):
how.
Adam Bird (13:29):
You just said how do you deal with this?
Here's the thing about military personnel
we didn't train to, you know?
Oh, I got a payroll.
I got 10 people that work for me and I got
to pay all their stuff and I got to take it.
It's it's just a different.
It's a different shift because if you're a
platoon sergeant, you still have to take
(13:50):
care of your platoon and you got you take
care of your squad leaders.
Squad leaders take care of the rest of the
squad and the troops.
It's just a matter of how you look at it
(14:11):
that impact your family too.
Hilary Russo (14:12):
You know, if you're coming out of the
service or you're making a change, even if
you're still in and you're looking at
different ways to transition not
necessarily leaving how is that going to
affect your family, cause it's not just
about you, you know.
Adam Bird (14:22):
You know there's so many great resources,
like I said, especially when it comes to
the families, and I oftentimes, you know,
there's events for spouses and stuff like
that and there's even a.
There's a great nonprofit that I've worked
with for years that focus on the children
military trials.
(14:43):
We often forget, like, what the kids go
through because they didn't sign up for
this Right, and a lot of the times I think
like if you're active duty, you know, I
think the average now is like three years,
you PCS to a different base or something
like that, no different than your PCS, and
you're just doing another PCS is just to a
permanent location.
Hilary Russo (15:01):
Right, and for those who are not involved
in the military in any way, pcs is
permanent change of station, just so people
know yeah it's about.
I recall that even when I was a dependent
and we were moving around depending on the
job, but that's the average and you know,
picking up and moving and what do they say,
and I think it's pretty much the same with
(15:21):
most of the different branches the Air
Force, your family's, where the Air Force
sends you, or the Army sends you or
whatever that becomes like a term.
But you know, for the kids it's hard to
pick up and leave unless you're possibly
seeing friends from another base you are
stationed at.
It's really about taking care of your own
mind first and your mindset, like you said.
(15:42):
Going back to that, do you think where do
you think this could be different?
You said there's a lot of services and I
don't remember those being around really
when I was a dependent.
But then again I wasn't really in this line
of work and I was in my own job.
But I will say even now, what do you think
(16:03):
is lacking with how there is help?
Where could help be better?
Adam Bird (16:10):
basically, Hmm, that's a great question.
Yeah, I, I would just say communication,
and that's very broad and I'll try to break
it down a little bit.
You know, 2007 there wasn't a lot of
(16:34):
organizations out there.
I started seeing some in like 2012.
And you definitely see more and more
different types of stuff, like whether
they're taking veterans on hunting trips or
fishing trips, or going to do a retreat
(16:56):
where you're learning how to journal and
dissect things, or stuff that you do
yourself.
There's so many different things that are
out there.
Some are going to work for some and others
won't.
Going to work for some and others won't,
you know, and it's really kind of finding
(17:17):
what works for you, meaning the veteran,
but there's a lack of communication with
the transitioning units and preparing the
veteran that's getting ready to transition
out of the military.
It's gotten.
Has it gotten better since 2007?
It's gotten a little better, but then again,
(17:38):
this was just in the news that they're
taking taps out of some of the smaller and
putting them.
I think they're putting a bigger station
down at Fort Knox for this transition stuff,
but every base should have a transitioning
unit.
Hilary Russo (17:55):
Every base doesn't have a transitioning
unit.
I don't think every base does.
It could.
Adam Bird (18:01):
If they do, that's news to me.
But I would say what are you offering them?
And let's bring some of these organizations
in on the basis to talk about what they can
do to help these service members getting
ready to get out there's.
I know there's certainly not enough of that
going on.
I've just talked to a friend of mine
earlier this weekend.
It was just like yeah, they don't, it's the
(18:23):
same stuff.
Here's your piece of paper.
Go sign this stuff off that you've taken
this, this and this.
Hilary Russo (18:28):
That can leave somebody feeling very alone
Right.
Adam Bird (18:33):
But here's the other thing let's focus on
the individual.
Let's be honest.
That's where the responsibility comes.
It's your life.
You're getting ready to transition out and
you're like I'm leaving in six months Great.
So where are you going?
I'm not really sure, man, you were so far
behind the power curve at that.
Well, would you have a job lined up?
(18:54):
No, I'll figure it out when I get out.
That's a wrong answer too.
That's not the type of mindset that you
should be in.
At a minimum, 18 months, you should be
starting to plan what your exit strategy is,
talking with people on LinkedIn and finding
out what type of job you want to do, where
(19:15):
do you want to go, and then kind of move
from there.
That's not to say that that's going to be
the job you do.
You may get to that job and hate it.
I've realized later on in life that I'm not
good at taking orders, so I I say that kind
of jokingly but, it's a you know, start a
(19:39):
business, which you did.
Hilary Russo (19:41):
And that and that's that's something I'd
love to mention too.
Um, that you have.
You know, you have this amazing podcasting
network, which is just a variety.
It's not only people that are service-based
or veterans.
You have this really wonderful heroes media
group, but you also have another side to
(20:03):
your business, which is the HMG Beverage,
and you are co-founder of JB Audio
Clothiers, and these are things that you've
created and developed and put your heart
and that whole hustle into things Right.
So, even with this military mindset, you
learned tools and techniques that have
(20:24):
helped you after life in the military.
And let's go back, like back then there
wasn't really much LinkedIn and things like
that were still growing.
I think there's more possibilities now for
people to connect and well, that's the key
word connection, right, like building
relationships.
So was it hard for you when you got out to
(20:48):
create what you have today?
Adam Bird (20:50):
I was bitter when I got out.
I was a single father at the time and I had
planned on staying in.
It just wasn't in the cards and I was in
the guard at the time.
So I had a civilian job at the time and I
was going to school full time and being a
single parent.
(21:11):
You know, I blame my son, kind of jokingly
Like I became an entrepreneur because of my
kid.
I wasn't going to let somebody tell me I
can't go to his football game or his after
school program because it's at four o'clock
and I work till six.
Well, you're not getting the last two hours
out of me because I'm going to go see my
kids thing.
(21:32):
And that's when I realized it was like,
okay, I need to find a different means of
making money because I'm not.
When it came to my son, I didn't care about
anything else or anybody else.
It was, he was my motivation in life and
that was it.
There wasn't anything anybody was going to
(21:53):
say or do that was going to prevent me from
doing stuff with him.
Hilary Russo (21:58):
I'm sure a lot of other military members
that are making that transition are in that
place, because I remember even hearing the
statistics about divorce in the military
even hearing the statistics about divorce
in the military.
Adam Bird (22:11):
It's not easy.
It certainly wasn't easy.
I took the leap of faith and that's exactly
what it was.
I had no money in the account.
I had a mortgage, a car payment and I was a
single parent with no help and I was just
like put it in God's hands, jump and let's
just, let's, let's see what happens.
That was April 1st of 2013, was when I quit
(22:31):
my corporate job.
So I'd like to think of you know, and and
and.
Now you fast forward, you know, next month.
You know that that same kid that I had
raised um graduates college in a month
Amazing, I think it did.
I think I made the right decision.
I think I made the right decision.
Hilary Russo (22:50):
You done good as they say yeah, and like
you've been able to build a really tight,
like very close relationship with your son
too, which I love hearing about that.
So there's, there's, there is a place for
possibilities, but it does go back to the
(23:12):
military member having that responsibility.
We're in this polarized climate.
There's a lot of people blaming outside of
self and, I get it, there's unrest.
So in this climate we're living in, where
you know, a lot of times the government is
being seen as public enemy number one and
(23:33):
things are being threatened to be ripped
from them.
How do you deal with that?
Adam Bird (23:38):
adding that on top of the anxiety and
concern, oh, boy, I think it depends on
where you're getting your information from.
First and foremost, we carry around these
pocket computers right, and we consume so
(24:01):
much negativity that's in the world.
And you look at media as a whole and you
said media, so that's what we're going to
use, whether it's mainstream media or
social media, there is a narrative that
those organizations are fixated on, and I
(24:23):
called it in another interview earlier this
week.
I said mainstream media is nothing more
than a propaganda machine.
And I might have.
No, I didn't outspoke, I meant what I said
when I said it.
That's what it is.
We live in a world where it doesn't matter
I can report on something, you and I could
be doing a story.
(24:43):
You know you've got a big media bag.
Hilary Russo (24:44):
We could do the same story and have two
different outcomes.
Adam Bird (24:48):
We're looking at the same thing and you're
like sky is blue and I'm like it's green.
And we're standing in the same spot,
shoulder to shoulder.
Hilary Russo (24:57):
And it's like who are you going to believe
While she's?
Adam Bird (24:59):
flying.
It's green?
Well, it's because you're colorblind.
I mean, it's all about breaking the story
first.
Now.
It's not about what's the truth or whatnot.
It's like here.
This is the narrative that we need to push,
so this is how this is going to go and this
is how you're going to push it.
Hilary Russo (25:16):
Yeah.
Adam Bird (25:17):
And that's with everything.
Hilary Russo (25:19):
Yeah, I mean, the one thing that I've been
talking about and I had a conversation on
another podcast this week was all about
polarization.
It's like us versus them.
Polarization, you know, it's like us versus
them, hatfields versus the McCoys right,
wrong it, you know.
(25:43):
Republican Democrat, there's there's no
good bad, you know there's.
There's no meet me in the middle anymore.
And it's unfortunate because I feel and
yeah, you know what this goes back to our
responsibility as well Right, but it does
make it more difficult when we are
constantly fed content.
Right.
Adam Bird (26:00):
And that.
And that's the thing here.
And I think if you were to look the, the U
S population as a whole and most people
would agree that there's a big divide right
now, left versus right, whatever far left,
far right.
But if you look at the heart of America
right now and you put all those people
(26:22):
together, you would see that the far left
and the far right are so slim in numbers
compared to this mixing pot that we have in
the middle.
And if you look at the middle, I'm not
saying that the middle is everybody's all
hunky-dory and they agree on every kumbaya.
I'm not saying that they have their
disagreements, and they have, but they're.
(26:43):
So.
Those disagreements that they have might be
just a one-off and like on one topic, but
they agree on everything else.
And this is where it's more civil.
But the, the media, the perception that we
are fed through these pocket computers
every day is everybody's either over here
or everybody is over here.
(27:05):
There's nothing here.
It's like no man's land here in the middle.
That's the perception that they want to
give you and that's where the
responsibility comes is like hey, if you're
consuming this stuff and I say this on my
morning show on Fridays is don't believe
what I'm telling you.
Don't take my word for it.
Look this stuff up and come up with your
own conclusion.
I said protect your mind and come up with
(27:27):
your own conclusion.
Hilary Russo (27:29):
Yeah, makes a big difference, but it's
easier to just buy into and come up with
their own conclusion.
Yeah, makes a big difference?
Adam Bird (27:32):
Oh, absolutely.
Hilary Russo (27:32):
But it's easier to just buy into something
right, it's easier, it's lazy.
Adam Bird (27:37):
I was just going to say we've become such a
lazy society.
It's very sad.
Hilary Russo (27:41):
Oh my God, there's a remote for everything.
You know what I learned the other day these
new refrigerators have Wi-Fi.
I'm like what the hell do you need a
refrigerator with Wi-Fi?
Is that how lazy we've become?
We've become a very lazy society where we
can get answers at the touch of a button,
you know, and there is benefit to having
(28:02):
the access of the internet, but there's a
responsibility that comes with it and it
could be as easy as, like you know, ai and
chat, gpt and all these things.
You can plug something in, get a bunch of
facts, but if you're not going back and
checking the resources and the sources
where it comes from, come on now and look,
that's the media side of me talking.
(28:23):
It took me a long time even to warm up to
use chat GPT.
It's a tool.
It's a tool, just like this pocket computer
you talk about.
It's a tool.
It's a tool, just like this pocket computer
you talk about.
It's a tool.
So, yeah, that's a whole other conversation,
adam, that we can go down that rabbit hole.
But I do want to mention folks, if you
(28:44):
missed it a little earlier, that I'm
talking with Adam Bird.
He is a military veteran, by the way.
Thank you for your service.
I did not say that at the beginning.
You're a true visionary.
You're CEO of Heroes Media Group, which is
an unbelievable podcasting network.
I've been very fortunate to be on your show
called the Decision Hour.
You are also an advocate for helping
(29:06):
veterans and first responders and community
heroes really find their way.
Veterans and first responders and community
heroes really find their way and I am so
grateful to you because I remember that
first conversation we had, which was at the
podcasting conference down in Florida, and
I walked up to you and it was like instant,
like we just knew that there would be more
happening here.
(29:26):
And I don't just mean being on each other's
podcasts, I mean turning that awareness
into action.
Adam Bird (29:31):
Yeah.
Hilary Russo (29:32):
Right, like, let's do it.
Let's do it, dude, that's so.
It's about finding the right people and I'm
saying this to everyone that's tuning in.
And if this conversation resonates with you,
you know, share it with somebody else.
If you know someone that's about to
transition, or you are a veteran yourself,
or you have a family member or a friend
that's in the service, or this is just an
(29:52):
area that that touches you deeply helping
our veterans pay it forward, share this
episode because there's going to be good
resources here that you can share.
But you know what?
What is the true mission Like?
Where are you hoping that all this time and
sweat and tears that you've put into
building the heroes media group and your
(30:15):
work helping veterans like?
What would you like to see happen?
world domination I think madonna said that
when she was asked by dick cl what do you
want?
She's like I want to rule the world.
Adam Bird (30:33):
Honestly, you know, the dream from a
business side would be like I'd love for us
to be a household name, you know.
And when, people, when I started this, I
knew where we were in the world at that
time, that all of my life we've been filled
(30:54):
with lies and other stuff.
And it's people, it's a mindset, right.
So when I started this grand old venture of
mine, I thought I'm in this because I enjoy
this and I want to change people's mindset
to be positive and look at more of the
positive things in life.
And it's easy to look at the negative
(31:15):
because that's I was by.
I was told by a potential investor one time
who I told kindly to find a different
direction and go that way.
I'll just put it that way, that's a nice
way of putting it.
He said positivity isn't sexy, it doesn't
sell, you'll never get anywhere because
because you're, you're wanting to be
(31:36):
positive and that's just not sexy.
People don't want that and I'm just like
I'm the a-hole.
That's going to prove you wrong.
But here's the thing I'm not.
I didn't start this business to a lot of
people like I'm gonna start a business
working for five, ten years and then sell
it.
I just turned 47 years old and I will do
(31:56):
this as long as God allows me to wake up
and draw breath.
If I live, god willing, if I live to, you
know, 70, 80, 90 years, I'll still be doing
this and still be a big smart ass like I am.
I mean, it's just you know, and I and I
will find ways to make people smile.
That's my purpose in life is to help other
(32:16):
people get to where they want to go and
achieve the things that they want to
achieve in life, help other people help
themselves.
Hilary Russo (32:24):
That's why we're on the same page and I
think we got.
We knew that from day one.
You know that definitely it's.
It's not about and I get this a lot too
like, oh, you're healing people or you're
curing people, which I'm doing.
Neither I'm helping you to heal yourself,
I'm a guide on your side.
You've got to do the work.
You know it's like you're the detective in
(32:46):
your own case.
I can never solve your case, but I can be
there as an assistant to like, maybe take
some notes, throw some things back at you
and, um, let you take the lead on that
there's.
Adam Bird (32:58):
There's no better feeling for me is to see
somebody else succeed and and and.
Then for them to tell you like, oh yeah,
and I'm the type person where somebody says,
oh, thank you, I got to where I want to be.
You like, oh, yeah, and I'm the type of
person where somebody says, oh, thank you,
I got to where I want to be because of your
advice.
And like, no, you got to where you want to
be because of your actions.
I was like I just kind of gave you an idea
(33:19):
and you ran with it.
It still makes me feel good.
There's like I had a small fraction in
their success.
But I don't, you know, and that's the
biggest compliment in the world to me and
it makes it that's like even just talking
to you right now, like my chest gets warm.
I feel warm about being able to do that for
other people.
(33:39):
That's what life is about.
We think life is about you know how many
big houses and cars you own and all the
materialistic, you know bull crap that you
can achieve in life.
Nobody, I don't, you can't take any of that
crap with you.
You know, I'm not, I'm guilty, I I.
When I was in my twenties I wanted the big
house and the jets and all, and I still
(34:01):
want a jet.
But I, you know, I'll move some right and
and now it's like, put me in a shanty out
in the woods, get me near a creek where I
can fish and let me help people.
You know you got a problem.
Come talk to the old man down on the corner.
He'll, you know, adam will sit there and
he'll talk your ear off and we'll dissect
what you want to do and we'll come up with
(34:22):
a game plan that you can do and he'll push
you forward.
Hilary Russo (34:26):
I love that and, look, some of my best
conversations with people are those that
get that, that are living that.
You know, one of my, one of the
conversations I had that I actually am
sharing in my book is and I've never really
talked about it is this guy, bobby, on the
bench, that I met when I was in New York
(34:48):
City and I was kind of like, where am I
moving?
La, new York?
I was not living in this area at the time
and I met this guy on the bench in Central
Park.
He was probably like 60, I don't know, he
might have been younger, but he looked
weathered and we didn't really talk too
much about his life, except that he did
(35:08):
share some personal things that I'll keep
personal and he helped me to make that
decision.
He was the assistant detective on my case
that I was the detective of, of what was
next, and he had nothing to do with my life
except to share space with me in that
moment and connect.
(35:29):
And I've had many experiences like that, as
I'm sure you have too, and, yeah, that is
the goal.
Going back to what you just said about, you
can't take it with you.
You don't want to be the richest person in
the cemetery?
Who cares how big your mausoleum is?
Who cares?
It's about what you're doing between the
(35:49):
bookends?
that matters yeah, very much so and when
you say that the mission is to help, you're
talking about heroes media group or is?
Does it go beyond that?
Adam Bird (36:00):
it's.
It's so far beyond that.
Yeah, media group is the company you know.
There's services that we offer for
podcasters.
I mean anything and everything that's
podcast related.
We, we do yeah same thing with authors.
If you're an author and you want to turn
your manuscript into an audiobook, that's
you know we do that as well.
(36:21):
Um, but it's, that's just that's.
Those are the services that we, that we
offer.
You know, the big thing is we're a platform,
so you can be heard.
I'm a big cheerleader.
I'm not really a cheerleader, I don't know.
Sorry for that image.
(36:43):
I like helping people, you know.
Give them a platform.
Hilary Russo (36:46):
I didn't have that image in my head until
you said sorry for the image and then
suddenly you're a spartan cheerleader and
I'm like, okay, let me, let me sit on this
one for a moment, as we're having like a
deep thought moment it's really where it's,
it's um.
Adam Bird (37:02):
I like helping the underdogs there's so
many people out there that a lot to say and
great stuff to say that can help other
people, but they don't have a platform to
do it or they don't, you know, because a
lot of these corporate sides it's always
like it's not, and I've always said this
and I'm a firm believer that it's not
always what you know but who you know.
That doesn't always help the little guy.
Yeah, you know these small businesses and
(37:25):
stuff like that.
I, I love helping out the underdogs.
I'm a huge underdog.
Hilary Russo (37:30):
I'm an underdog.
I feel like I'm an underdog myself
sometimes, and I still want to help the
underdog.
I'm the one that will adopt the runt of the
litter just because I know nobody's going
to adopt the runt.
Adam Bird (37:43):
It's almost like a challenge, yeah.
It's just like.
This is my project.
I'm going to mold this and sculpt this into
something that you present to the world and
then that goes out in just 10 times more
everything that you could possibly fathom
and it's like that's cool.
I did something right and I did something
(38:05):
to help somebody else.
That's helping more people than I could
even imagine.
Hilary Russo (38:10):
Amazing.
What are you hoping to do next, like what's
on the plate now, in this moment?
Adam Bird (38:16):
I know you're traveling like a maniac, but
Business wise, you know, just to continue
to grow the network.
We're still growing the network.
We just added three new shows recently onto
the network.
So that's going to you know, doing that,
working on a book project right now.
That's all I can say.
I can't go into super details with that.
(38:37):
I'll be more on that later this fall.
And then I got a couple of potential
speaking engagements that I'm working on
later this year, the media stuff.
And then, you know, I got my other
businesses and stuff and that I'll figure
out along the way with the travel and stuff
(38:58):
like that.
Hilary Russo (38:58):
I have to.
Adam Bird (38:59):
I have to stay busy.
I can't, I can't sit still, you will.
You will definitely see me on the go, go,
go, and and that's you know.
Some people say you live a very chaotic
life.
No, I, I'm, I live a blessed life.
Hilary Russo (39:12):
Yeah, you were on the go Even when we were
down in Florida.
I just.
I trying to.
I was like come on, man, like texting you
like crazy.
I'm like when are we meeting?
When are we meeting?
Adam Bird (39:23):
Actually, this is the first month that I've
been home.
And then, the only month that I'm home,
because starting next month until Christmas,
I'm on the road.
Hilary Russo (39:34):
But you're enjoying what you do.
That's what matters.
Adam Bird (39:38):
I would not.
I don't think I'd change a thing.
Quite honestly, sometimes it gets a little
tiring, but when you've been given a
purpose, you know.
Sometimes it can, it can be a little
daunting, but it you know the the it's, you
focus on the outcome of it and then, and
then you know everything is worth it.
Hilary Russo (39:57):
Love this, love our conversations I always
do.
But before I let you go, I want to play a
little game with you that I do on the show,
and this is what I call brain candy.
It's the brain candy game.
This is basically like word association.
What I'm going to do is I'm going to throw
out a word that you've said during this
(40:17):
episode and this conversation and I want
you to come back with one word, so word
association.
You ready?
Put your thinking cap on.
I know I can just see you're like oh boy,
don't worry, I won't throw you too many
zingers, you ready.
Adam Bird (40:36):
Yeah.
Hilary Russo (40:37):
Here we go, okay, podcasting.
Adam Bird (40:41):
Awesome.
Hilary Russo (40:43):
Honor.
Adam Bird (40:44):
Gift.
Hilary Russo (40:46):
Veterans.
Adam Bird (40:48):
Family.
Hilary Russo (40:49):
Responsibility Veterans.
Adam Bird (40:51):
Family Responsibility Duty.
Hilary Russo (40:53):
Dad.
Adam Bird (40:55):
Blessing.
Father oh God, seriously yeah Joy.
Hilary Russo (41:04):
Yeah, it's different.
Help Hard Military.
Adam Bird (41:06):
That's different.
Help Hard.
Hilary Russo (41:08):
Military.
Adam Bird (41:11):
That's a hard one, military Honor.
Hilary Russo (41:16):
Okay Service.
Adam Bird (41:22):
Responsibility.
Hilary Russo (41:24):
Blessed.
Adam Bird (41:27):
God.
Hilary Russo (41:28):
This is two words mental health mindset and
purpose gift yeah, some good ones there.
Huh makes you think yeah, yeah pay
attention.
Adam Bird (41:48):
I'm not surprised.
Hilary Russo (41:52):
That was great.
Adam Loved it.
Just so enjoy always being in the space
with you.
Adam Bird (41:57):
I love chatting with you yeah.
Hilary Russo (42:00):
One of many conversations, but I'm so glad
that I could hold the space for you and let
people learn more about who you are and how
you're serving, and you know I want to give
you a moment to just if you would like to
just share some takeaway that you'd like to
leave with folks that are tuning in.
Adam Bird (42:19):
First off, let me say thank you again for
this opportunity.
As far as takeaway, let me I would say
here's something to give you, those of you
that are out there that are struggling you
can't be afraid to ask for help.
You never get anywhere in life without some
type of help at some point in your life.
(42:42):
So don't be afraid to ask for it, because
there's people out there that care and want
to see you succeed.
Because there's people out there that care
and want to see you succeed, and if you're
on the fence about something in life, maybe
you you keep.
I'll use the analogy of like dipping your
toe in the water Stop, jump, just jump,
(43:07):
because what you don't want is to be on
your deathbed later on in life and be like
I wish I would have done this Jump Just
jump.
Hilary Russo (43:14):
That's great.
That reminds me so much of what I share a
lot with people about being in the
overwhelm is that overwhelm is a wave,
right, and you have a number of choices.
When you're standing in front of that wave,
at the edge of the beach, you can retreat,
but nothing changes.
If nothing changes, you could try to go
(43:35):
around the wave.
But where does a wave ever end that you can
really go around it?
You could try to go over it, but a lot of
times you stumble and maybe get hurt or
worse.
Or you can put your hands together like an
arrow and dive straight through.
That's the hardest part.
But then on the other side, usually those
waters are pretty calm, you know.
(43:55):
So I agree, jump, jump in.
You know, take a risk, it's okay.
Yeah, good stuff.
Thanks so much for being here.
So, so elated that I caught you in that one
month at your home.
But you were quick to respond and you said
hey, when I come back.
Adam Bird (44:17):
It was you and I appreciate you and
everything that you do, so thank you again.
Hilary Russo (44:23):
We will share a stage together.
I know it.
Adam Bird (44:26):
Oh yeah.
Hilary Russo (44:26):
Oh yeah, many, I have no doubt so good
stuff.
Oh yeah, oh yeah, many.
I have no doubt so good stuff.
Thanks, adam, thank you.
Okay, my friend, if you are interested in
turning that awareness into action, get in
touch with Adam.
He is such a great resource.
I shared all those links in the notes of
(44:46):
this podcast episode, so I want you to do
your part, take action and add him to your
list.
You will not be disappointed, and you can
also reach out to me.
You know that one of my missions is helping
our servicemen and women, our veterans, our
first responders, to learn how to hug it
out with themselves.
Be kind to their minds.
You'll find more ways that you can connect
(45:08):
with me in the notes of this podcast
episode as well.
HIListically, speaking is edited by Two
Market Media with music by Lipbone Redding
and supported by you.
So thank you for choosing to join this
conversation, this one specifically, but
the conversations we have week after week
and never forget that you have a
responsibility to yourself and it is up to
(45:29):
you to do the work you know.
But you don't have to do it alone and know
I love you, I'm leaving you, I'm sending
hugs your way, be well.
And I will do this as long as God allows me
to wake up and draw breath.
If I live, god willing, if I live to, you
know, 70, 80, 90, I'll still be doing this
and still be a big smart ass like I am I
mean, it's just you know and I will find
ways to make people smile.
That's my purpose in life is to help other
(00:20):
people get to where they want to go and
achieve the things that they want to
achieve in life.
Hilary Russo (00:26):
When was the last time you thanked a
veteran, not just for their service, but
for their sacrifice, their strength, their
unseen battles that many of them are still
fighting Every day in the US?
And this statistic, it goes, can go this
(00:46):
way, it can go that way, but around 17
veterans lose their lives to suicide and
thousands more navigate the silent
struggles of PTSD, anxiety, trauma, you
name it.
And while more are reaching out for help,
many still face those barriers like the
stigma, isolation, lack of access to care,
(01:14):
and that's why these conversations need to
happen.
You know, that's why we're having this
conversation today, because more voices
need to be amplified.
For those who serve, who are on that
mission, it's not just a mission, actually,
it's a responsibility.
And it's not just awareness, it's about
taking action.
Adam Bird, you are on that mission every
day.
You are a military veteran who has turned
(01:35):
media visionary.
You're CEO of Heroes Media Group, where you
use the power of podcasting to elevate the
stories of veterans, first responders and
even community heroes, and I'd love to say
that I can also call you a friend, so I'm
so glad that you are here on HIListically
Speaking, to share more about how we can
(01:57):
create more awareness and take action from
that and really, you know, just have a real
conversation about the problems that the
veterans are facing.
So I'm so glad you're here, it's so good to
see you as well.
Adam Bird (02:11):
It's always good talking to you and I
appreciate this opportunity.
Hilary Russo (02:15):
First, I want to say thank you for having
me on the decision hour.
That's your podcast and that was just a
really wonderful conversation.
We're going to share more about that, but
this is my offer to you to give you the
space, because I know that, like you
mentioned and we've had this conversation
before you're the black sheep on a lot of
these statistics that are shared or the
(02:38):
things that are put out there that are said
about veterans and their mental health, and
let's get real here, like let's get real.
Adam Bird (02:47):
Yeah, it's, it's.
You know, when it comes to the numbers or
the statistics that are out there, it's,
it's over the last decade you've seen, like
22 has been the big, a big number, and then
you've seen it go down to 17.
I've seen it, in some places, higher than
22.
Um, and, and you know, for the longest time
and I'm kind of dating back to like the
(03:11):
2000, we'll say 12, 13 timeframe where
there was like different things going
around like hey, let's, let's bring
awareness to this, let's bring awareness to
this, let's bring awareness to this, when
do we stop with bringing awareness to
something that we already know is a problem
and when do we start taking action on it?
That's what gets to be frustrating is we're
(03:33):
highlighting.
Let's bring awareness, let's start
highlighting.
You know there are organizations out there
that that are taking action, but you don't
hear anything about it.
And and I blame the media, I blame
mainstream media for that, and and I, you
know we'll take the blame for it ourselves
because we need to be more.
We got to voice that more like hey, you
(03:54):
need help brother, you need help sister.
You know, we used to say back in the day,
like bridging the gap between the veteran
military veteran community and the civilian
population.
It's like you know when, when a veteran
transitions out of the military and it goes
back into you know, everyday society.
It's how do you bridge that gap?
You know, how do you get you know, and
that's just a matter of training them.
(04:15):
You know, we train, we've spent all the the
US government spends millions of dollars to
train this person, the soldier, airman,
marine, you know this person to do their
job in the military.
Then let's, let's give them some tools so
they can be successful in their next
venture as well.
Hilary Russo (04:34):
And how do you see that as giving them
tools?
Because you and I have had a number of
conversations about this from the first
time.
We met at a podcasting conference where we
sat down in the middle of the atrium and
talked about mental health and even, you
know, you tried Havening techniques in that
moment, in Havening, which is, you know, my
(04:57):
passion for wanting to help our veterans
and those who have served and continue to.
But how do you see that?
Because having tools can be very vague and,
like I even mentioned before, you know
there's a stigma that comes with being of
service and this is kind of similar to what
(05:19):
I have seen and heard, even with the first
responders and those who are working in the
trauma space, that I don't want to seem
like I have a problem or they're going to
pull me out.
Adam Bird (05:30):
Yeah, I think that's a mindset.
I was just reading an article.
The military went in and they're pulling
some programs from some of the smaller
bases I think it's called the TAPS program
is what they're calling it now and the
military and the soon to be veteran has a
responsibility to get themselves ready.
Like, if you know you're going to ETS in 18
(05:51):
months, that you're getting out of the
military, then you need to start getting
your affairs in order.
So when you get out, you either have a job
lined up or you know where you're going, at
least and and and.
Then it's.
You know.
There's who do you get in touch with.
Military is like we're too busy training
other people for our job.
We don't.
You're getting out, so you're kind of
(06:13):
pushed, pushed off to the side.
Give them the tools, give them the
resources.
There's, there's thousands and thousands of
non nonprofit organizations that are out
there that are doing great things for our
veterans as they transition.
There are thousands and thousands and
thousands of civilian businesses and
(06:36):
resources that are out there that want to
help these veterans as they transition out.
The problem is is nobody's communicating
and nobody's working together.
How about we pulled together some resources
and then let's start talking about it and
then let's get with the military personnel.
Let's get with the pentagon and just be
(06:56):
like hey, here is a directory of
organizations that want to help with this
transition.
How, how can we get into?
You know they have transition unit.
I'll use the army as an example.
There's transitioning units that they that
they go to sign off on this, this and this,
I took this class, whatever, and a lot of
the times, you know, the military person is
(07:16):
just like I just want to get this crap over
with.
So I can.
So right, and it's totally understandable.
Um, but you know what?
What do you do?
Where?
Where does the responsibility lie?
The majority of the responsibility lies on
(07:36):
the troop themselves.
They have to take initiative to to do this,
but at the same time, the military should
be training them to be like hey, you're
taking off this uniform, let's help you get
your next uniform ready yeah.
Hilary Russo (07:51):
Do you think that that fear or uncertainty?
Because when you've been in the service for
whether it's four years or 20 plus, there's
a feeling of stability that comes with that
job.
You know what to expect day in and day out
for the most part.
But when you're leaving something that felt
(08:12):
so safe in many ways as far as security of
a job and benefits and I know I can expect
this to help me live and survive when you
leave that, do you think that's the big
part of where the concern comes with mental
(08:33):
health?
Because now we're facing uncertainty.
How am I going to live my life?
Is this security?
I'm not around the same people I was with
that.
I built relationships with.
You know it's a different phase.
Adam Bird (08:45):
And that's what it is.
It's a phase right.
I know guys that got out of the military
and they it was like cut it off.
They want nothing to do with veteran
organizations, they don't want to talk to
anybody that they served with, they just
want to go about their lives and live in
the woods and you know that that kind of a
thing and that works for some.
(09:07):
But I can count on maybe two fingers out of
the.
You know two, three dozen that I know that
have tried that where it's actually worked.
You know the other people it's you go
through trying to transition and you're
just like like little things get to be
annoying, like I got to pay bills, I got to
do this and it's like the stuff that you
(09:28):
did in the military.
But it was so much different because now
it's like I'm working a nine to five.
I went from, let's say you retired out of
the military 20 plus years.
You worked your way up fairly high in the
rankings, whether you're an officer or an
enlisted personnel, and you're starting at
the bottom of the totem pole a lot of the
times or you're starting in an entry-level
positions.
(09:48):
For some of these people not always the
case.
Not always the case, but I've seen where it
happened and you're just like I'm working
this nine to five.
This sucks.
Why am I here?
I have no purpose.
Have a purpose find your purpose.
That's the biggest thing I tell people as
they're getting ready to transition out
what is your purpose, what do you want to
do?
Because on average it takes about three
(10:09):
years and several jobs before the vet finds
out what it is they really want to do.
It's on average don't quote me on the years
but it's like three to five years before
they really kind of figure out like, okay,
this is what I really want to do.
And I tell people people like hey, if, if
you suffer from ptsd and you may not know
(10:29):
it a lot of people the pride gets in the
way and they don't want to talk about stuff.
So I tell people get involved.
It doesn't have to be a veteran-based
organization, get involved with a
community-based organization.
You know, do something, stay involved, get
involved.
The worst thing you want to do is isolate
(10:50):
yourself and start thinking nobody
understands me, nobody can help me, nobody
knows what I'm going through, because that
is bs.
Because there's plenty of people out there
that know what you've gone through, maybe
not your specific event or what have you,
(11:12):
but they've gone through similar events and
and there's people out there that want to
help.
And you and I have talked about this, I
think offline once and one of the things
that I've really start pushing on people.
I'd say pushing on people, but one of the
things I tell people is you know, how
selfish do you have to be to not let
somebody help you?
Because there's somebody out there in life
(11:33):
that their main purpose in life is to help
other people and they want to help you.
So how selfish are you by denying that
person to live their purpose?
Hilary Russo (11:45):
What an interesting way to look at that,
and we did talk about that and I remember
that because it's that feeling of and I
don't want to say victim, but when we are
in the trenches of our crap, really, and
we're feeling our feels, that's's where
we're gonna go, that's where the brain
(12:06):
takes us, that feels safe too sometimes you
don't want to project all your problems or
anything like that, because like who who
really wants to listen right, and and a lot
of us feel that way like, so, the best
thing to do is just bundle it up and and
put it in that back room in the back of
your mind and and you and you know I got
mixed feelings about this, quite frankly,
(12:27):
there.
Adam Bird (12:27):
There are times where I've I honestly feel
that there are certain things that have
gone on in life where it's better to just
keep it in the closet and that small box
and just hope to God it never shows its
face again and just leave it back there.
And then there are other times where it's
like you know what you got to face this
(12:49):
it's the only way I'm going to be, if I, if
I, if I face this, that will allow me to
move forward and accomplish the things that
I want to do in life.
But but this is the thing that's kind of
holding me back.
It's kind of a repetitive thing.
So if I can get rid of this, then it'll
allow me to move forward.
Hilary Russo (13:08):
And a lot of that's based on uncertainty.
You know, when you're standing in the
tension that not having the answer, when
you're so used to structure, when you're so
used to having a system, and then the
system gets like you know, suddenly you're
like how the hell do I deal with this?
So that's part of that you know, you know
(13:29):
how.
Adam Bird (13:29):
You just said how do you deal with this?
Here's the thing about military personnel
we didn't train to, you know?
Oh, I got a payroll.
I got 10 people that work for me and I got
to pay all their stuff and I got to take it.
It's it's just a different.
It's a different shift because if you're a
platoon sergeant, you still have to take
(13:50):
care of your platoon and you got you take
care of your squad leaders.
Squad leaders take care of the rest of the
squad and the troops.
It's just a matter of how you look at it
(14:11):
that impact your family too.
Hilary Russo (14:12):
You know, if you're coming out of the
service or you're making a change, even if
you're still in and you're looking at
different ways to transition not
necessarily leaving how is that going to
affect your family, cause it's not just
about you, you know.
Adam Bird (14:22):
You know there's so many great resources,
like I said, especially when it comes to
the families, and I oftentimes, you know,
there's events for spouses and stuff like
that and there's even a.
There's a great nonprofit that I've worked
with for years that focus on the children
military trials.
(14:43):
We often forget, like, what the kids go
through because they didn't sign up for
this Right, and a lot of the times I think
like if you're active duty, you know, I
think the average now is like three years,
you PCS to a different base or something
like that, no different than your PCS, and
you're just doing another PCS is just to a
permanent location.
Hilary Russo (15:01):
Right, and for those who are not involved
in the military in any way, pcs is
permanent change of station, just so people
know yeah it's about.
I recall that even when I was a dependent
and we were moving around depending on the
job, but that's the average and you know,
picking up and moving and what do they say,
and I think it's pretty much the same with
(15:21):
most of the different branches the Air
Force, your family's, where the Air Force
sends you, or the Army sends you or
whatever that becomes like a term.
But you know, for the kids it's hard to
pick up and leave unless you're possibly
seeing friends from another base you are
stationed at.
It's really about taking care of your own
mind first and your mindset, like you said.
(15:42):
Going back to that, do you think where do
you think this could be different?
You said there's a lot of services and I
don't remember those being around really
when I was a dependent.
But then again I wasn't really in this line
of work and I was in my own job.
But I will say even now, what do you think
(16:03):
is lacking with how there is help?
Where could help be better?
Adam Bird (16:10):
basically, Hmm, that's a great question.
Yeah, I, I would just say communication,
and that's very broad and I'll try to break
it down a little bit.
You know, 2007 there wasn't a lot of
(16:34):
organizations out there.
I started seeing some in like 2012.
And you definitely see more and more
different types of stuff, like whether
they're taking veterans on hunting trips or
fishing trips, or going to do a retreat
(16:56):
where you're learning how to journal and
dissect things, or stuff that you do
yourself.
There's so many different things that are
out there.
Some are going to work for some and others
won't.
Going to work for some and others won't,
you know, and it's really kind of finding
(17:17):
what works for you, meaning the veteran,
but there's a lack of communication with
the transitioning units and preparing the
veteran that's getting ready to transition
out of the military.
It's gotten.
Has it gotten better since 2007?
It's gotten a little better, but then again,
(17:38):
this was just in the news that they're
taking taps out of some of the smaller and
putting them.
I think they're putting a bigger station
down at Fort Knox for this transition stuff,
but every base should have a transitioning
unit.
Hilary Russo (17:55):
Every base doesn't have a transitioning
unit.
I don't think every base does.
It could.
Adam Bird (18:01):
If they do, that's news to me.
But I would say what are you offering them?
And let's bring some of these organizations
in on the basis to talk about what they can
do to help these service members getting
ready to get out there's.
I know there's certainly not enough of that
going on.
I've just talked to a friend of mine
earlier this weekend.
It was just like yeah, they don't, it's the
(18:23):
same stuff.
Here's your piece of paper.
Go sign this stuff off that you've taken
this, this and this.
Hilary Russo (18:28):
That can leave somebody feeling very alone
Right.
Adam Bird (18:33):
But here's the other thing let's focus on
the individual.
Let's be honest.
That's where the responsibility comes.
It's your life.
You're getting ready to transition out and
you're like I'm leaving in six months Great.
So where are you going?
I'm not really sure, man, you were so far
behind the power curve at that.
Well, would you have a job lined up?
(18:54):
No, I'll figure it out when I get out.
That's a wrong answer too.
That's not the type of mindset that you
should be in.
At a minimum, 18 months, you should be
starting to plan what your exit strategy is,
talking with people on LinkedIn and finding
out what type of job you want to do, where
(19:15):
do you want to go, and then kind of move
from there.
That's not to say that that's going to be
the job you do.
You may get to that job and hate it.
I've realized later on in life that I'm not
good at taking orders, so I I say that kind
of jokingly but, it's a you know, start a
(19:39):
business, which you did.
Hilary Russo (19:41):
And that and that's that's something I'd
love to mention too.
Um, that you have.
You know, you have this amazing podcasting
network, which is just a variety.
It's not only people that are service-based
or veterans.
You have this really wonderful heroes media
group, but you also have another side to
(20:03):
your business, which is the HMG Beverage,
and you are co-founder of JB Audio
Clothiers, and these are things that you've
created and developed and put your heart
and that whole hustle into things Right.
So, even with this military mindset, you
learned tools and techniques that have
(20:24):
helped you after life in the military.
And let's go back, like back then there
wasn't really much LinkedIn and things like
that were still growing.
I think there's more possibilities now for
people to connect and well, that's the key
word connection, right, like building
relationships.
So was it hard for you when you got out to
(20:48):
create what you have today?
Adam Bird (20:50):
I was bitter when I got out.
I was a single father at the time and I had
planned on staying in.
It just wasn't in the cards and I was in
the guard at the time.
So I had a civilian job at the time and I
was going to school full time and being a
single parent.
(21:11):
You know, I blame my son, kind of jokingly
Like I became an entrepreneur because of my
kid.
I wasn't going to let somebody tell me I
can't go to his football game or his after
school program because it's at four o'clock
and I work till six.
Well, you're not getting the last two hours
out of me because I'm going to go see my
kids thing.
(21:32):
And that's when I realized it was like,
okay, I need to find a different means of
making money because I'm not.
When it came to my son, I didn't care about
anything else or anybody else.
It was, he was my motivation in life and
that was it.
There wasn't anything anybody was going to
(21:53):
say or do that was going to prevent me from
doing stuff with him.
Hilary Russo (21:58):
I'm sure a lot of other military members
that are making that transition are in that
place, because I remember even hearing the
statistics about divorce in the military
even hearing the statistics about divorce
in the military.
Adam Bird (22:11):
It's not easy.
It certainly wasn't easy.
I took the leap of faith and that's exactly
what it was.
I had no money in the account.
I had a mortgage, a car payment and I was a
single parent with no help and I was just
like put it in God's hands, jump and let's
just, let's, let's see what happens.
That was April 1st of 2013, was when I quit
(22:31):
my corporate job.
So I'd like to think of you know, and and
and.
Now you fast forward, you know, next month.
You know that that same kid that I had
raised um graduates college in a month
Amazing, I think it did.
I think I made the right decision.
I think I made the right decision.
Hilary Russo (22:50):
You done good as they say yeah, and like
you've been able to build a really tight,
like very close relationship with your son
too, which I love hearing about that.
So there's, there's, there is a place for
possibilities, but it does go back to the
(23:12):
military member having that responsibility.
We're in this polarized climate.
There's a lot of people blaming outside of
self and, I get it, there's unrest.
So in this climate we're living in, where
you know, a lot of times the government is
being seen as public enemy number one and
(23:33):
things are being threatened to be ripped
from them.
How do you deal with that?
Adam Bird (23:38):
adding that on top of the anxiety and
concern, oh, boy, I think it depends on
where you're getting your information from.
First and foremost, we carry around these
pocket computers right, and we consume so
(24:01):
much negativity that's in the world.
And you look at media as a whole and you
said media, so that's what we're going to
use, whether it's mainstream media or
social media, there is a narrative that
those organizations are fixated on, and I
(24:23):
called it in another interview earlier this
week.
I said mainstream media is nothing more
than a propaganda machine.
And I might have.
No, I didn't outspoke, I meant what I said
when I said it.
That's what it is.
We live in a world where it doesn't matter
I can report on something, you and I could
be doing a story.
(24:43):
You know you've got a big media bag.
Hilary Russo (24:44):
We could do the same story and have two
different outcomes.
Adam Bird (24:48):
We're looking at the same thing and you're
like sky is blue and I'm like it's green.
And we're standing in the same spot,
shoulder to shoulder.
Hilary Russo (24:57):
And it's like who are you going to believe
While she's?
Adam Bird (24:59):
flying.
It's green?
Well, it's because you're colorblind.
I mean, it's all about breaking the story
first.
Now.
It's not about what's the truth or whatnot.
It's like here.
This is the narrative that we need to push,
so this is how this is going to go and this
is how you're going to push it.
Hilary Russo (25:16):
Yeah.
Adam Bird (25:17):
And that's with everything.
Hilary Russo (25:19):
Yeah, I mean, the one thing that I've been
talking about and I had a conversation on
another podcast this week was all about
polarization.
It's like us versus them.
Polarization, you know, it's like us versus
them, hatfields versus the McCoys right,
wrong it, you know.
(25:43):
Republican Democrat, there's there's no
good bad, you know there's.
There's no meet me in the middle anymore.
And it's unfortunate because I feel and
yeah, you know what this goes back to our
responsibility as well Right, but it does
make it more difficult when we are
constantly fed content.
Right.
Adam Bird (26:00):
And that.
And that's the thing here.
And I think if you were to look the, the U
S population as a whole and most people
would agree that there's a big divide right
now, left versus right, whatever far left,
far right.
But if you look at the heart of America
right now and you put all those people
(26:22):
together, you would see that the far left
and the far right are so slim in numbers
compared to this mixing pot that we have in
the middle.
And if you look at the middle, I'm not
saying that the middle is everybody's all
hunky-dory and they agree on every kumbaya.
I'm not saying that they have their
disagreements, and they have, but they're.
(26:43):
So.
Those disagreements that they have might be
just a one-off and like on one topic, but
they agree on everything else.
And this is where it's more civil.
But the, the media, the perception that we
are fed through these pocket computers
every day is everybody's either over here
or everybody is over here.
(27:05):
There's nothing here.
It's like no man's land here in the middle.
That's the perception that they want to
give you and that's where the
responsibility comes is like hey, if you're
consuming this stuff and I say this on my
morning show on Fridays is don't believe
what I'm telling you.
Don't take my word for it.
Look this stuff up and come up with your
own conclusion.
I said protect your mind and come up with
(27:27):
your own conclusion.
Hilary Russo (27:29):
Yeah, makes a big difference, but it's
easier to just buy into and come up with
their own conclusion.
Yeah, makes a big difference?
Adam Bird (27:32):
Oh, absolutely.
Hilary Russo (27:32):
But it's easier to just buy into something
right, it's easier, it's lazy.
Adam Bird (27:37):
I was just going to say we've become such a
lazy society.
It's very sad.
Hilary Russo (27:41):
Oh my God, there's a remote for everything.
You know what I learned the other day these
new refrigerators have Wi-Fi.
I'm like what the hell do you need a
refrigerator with Wi-Fi?
Is that how lazy we've become?
We've become a very lazy society where we
can get answers at the touch of a button,
you know, and there is benefit to having
(28:02):
the access of the internet, but there's a
responsibility that comes with it and it
could be as easy as, like you know, ai and
chat, gpt and all these things.
You can plug something in, get a bunch of
facts, but if you're not going back and
checking the resources and the sources
where it comes from, come on now and look,
that's the media side of me talking.
(28:23):
It took me a long time even to warm up to
use chat GPT.
It's a tool.
It's a tool, just like this pocket computer
you talk about.
It's a tool.
It's a tool, just like this pocket computer
you talk about.
It's a tool.
So, yeah, that's a whole other conversation,
adam, that we can go down that rabbit hole.
But I do want to mention folks, if you
(28:44):
missed it a little earlier, that I'm
talking with Adam Bird.
He is a military veteran, by the way.
Thank you for your service.
I did not say that at the beginning.
You're a true visionary.
You're CEO of Heroes Media Group, which is
an unbelievable podcasting network.
I've been very fortunate to be on your show
called the Decision Hour.
You are also an advocate for helping
(29:06):
veterans and first responders and community
heroes really find their way.
Veterans and first responders and community
heroes really find their way and I am so
grateful to you because I remember that
first conversation we had, which was at the
podcasting conference down in Florida, and
I walked up to you and it was like instant,
like we just knew that there would be more
happening here.
(29:26):
And I don't just mean being on each other's
podcasts, I mean turning that awareness
into action.
Adam Bird (29:31):
Yeah.
Hilary Russo (29:32):
Right, like, let's do it.
Let's do it, dude, that's so.
It's about finding the right people and I'm
saying this to everyone that's tuning in.
And if this conversation resonates with you,
you know, share it with somebody else.
If you know someone that's about to
transition, or you are a veteran yourself,
or you have a family member or a friend
that's in the service, or this is just an
(29:52):
area that that touches you deeply helping
our veterans pay it forward, share this
episode because there's going to be good
resources here that you can share.
But you know what?
What is the true mission Like?
Where are you hoping that all this time and
sweat and tears that you've put into
building the heroes media group and your
(30:15):
work helping veterans like?
What would you like to see happen?
world domination I think madonna said that
when she was asked by dick cl what do you
want?
She's like I want to rule the world.
Adam Bird (30:33):
Honestly, you know, the dream from a
business side would be like I'd love for us
to be a household name, you know.
And when, people, when I started this, I
knew where we were in the world at that
time, that all of my life we've been filled
(30:54):
with lies and other stuff.
And it's people, it's a mindset, right.
So when I started this grand old venture of
mine, I thought I'm in this because I enjoy
this and I want to change people's mindset
to be positive and look at more of the
positive things in life.
And it's easy to look at the negative
(31:15):
because that's I was by.
I was told by a potential investor one time
who I told kindly to find a different
direction and go that way.
I'll just put it that way, that's a nice
way of putting it.
He said positivity isn't sexy, it doesn't
sell, you'll never get anywhere because
because you're, you're wanting to be
(31:36):
positive and that's just not sexy.
People don't want that and I'm just like
I'm the a-hole.
That's going to prove you wrong.
But here's the thing I'm not.
I didn't start this business to a lot of
people like I'm gonna start a business
working for five, ten years and then sell
it.
I just turned 47 years old and I will do
(31:56):
this as long as God allows me to wake up
and draw breath.
If I live, god willing, if I live to, you
know, 70, 80, 90 years, I'll still be doing
this and still be a big smart ass like I am.
I mean, it's just you know, and I and I
will find ways to make people smile.
That's my purpose in life is to help other
(32:16):
people get to where they want to go and
achieve the things that they want to
achieve in life, help other people help
themselves.
Hilary Russo (32:24):
That's why we're on the same page and I
think we got.
We knew that from day one.
You know that definitely it's.
It's not about and I get this a lot too
like, oh, you're healing people or you're
curing people, which I'm doing.
Neither I'm helping you to heal yourself,
I'm a guide on your side.
You've got to do the work.
You know it's like you're the detective in
(32:46):
your own case.
I can never solve your case, but I can be
there as an assistant to like, maybe take
some notes, throw some things back at you
and, um, let you take the lead on that
there's.
Adam Bird (32:58):
There's no better feeling for me is to see
somebody else succeed and and and.
Then for them to tell you like, oh yeah,
and I'm the type person where somebody says,
oh, thank you, I got to where I want to be.
You like, oh, yeah, and I'm the type of
person where somebody says, oh, thank you,
I got to where I want to be because of your
advice.
And like, no, you got to where you want to
be because of your actions.
I was like I just kind of gave you an idea
(33:19):
and you ran with it.
It still makes me feel good.
There's like I had a small fraction in
their success.
But I don't, you know, and that's the
biggest compliment in the world to me and
it makes it that's like even just talking
to you right now, like my chest gets warm.
I feel warm about being able to do that for
other people.
(33:39):
That's what life is about.
We think life is about you know how many
big houses and cars you own and all the
materialistic, you know bull crap that you
can achieve in life.
Nobody, I don't, you can't take any of that
crap with you.
You know, I'm not, I'm guilty, I I.
When I was in my twenties I wanted the big
house and the jets and all, and I still
(34:01):
want a jet.
But I, you know, I'll move some right and
and now it's like, put me in a shanty out
in the woods, get me near a creek where I
can fish and let me help people.
You know you got a problem.
Come talk to the old man down on the corner.
He'll, you know, adam will sit there and
he'll talk your ear off and we'll dissect
what you want to do and we'll come up with
(34:22):
a game plan that you can do and he'll push
you forward.
Hilary Russo (34:26):
I love that and, look, some of my best
conversations with people are those that
get that, that are living that.
You know, one of my, one of the
conversations I had that I actually am
sharing in my book is and I've never really
talked about it is this guy, bobby, on the
bench, that I met when I was in New York
(34:48):
City and I was kind of like, where am I
moving?
La, new York?
I was not living in this area at the time
and I met this guy on the bench in Central
Park.
He was probably like 60, I don't know, he
might have been younger, but he looked
weathered and we didn't really talk too
much about his life, except that he did
(35:08):
share some personal things that I'll keep
personal and he helped me to make that
decision.
He was the assistant detective on my case
that I was the detective of, of what was
next, and he had nothing to do with my life
except to share space with me in that
moment and connect.
(35:29):
And I've had many experiences like that, as
I'm sure you have too, and, yeah, that is
the goal.
Going back to what you just said about, you
can't take it with you.
You don't want to be the richest person in
the cemetery?
Who cares how big your mausoleum is?
Who cares?
It's about what you're doing between the
(35:49):
bookends?
that matters yeah, very much so and when
you say that the mission is to help, you're
talking about heroes media group or is?
Does it go beyond that?
Adam Bird (36:00):
it's.
It's so far beyond that.
Yeah, media group is the company you know.
There's services that we offer for
podcasters.
I mean anything and everything that's
podcast related.
We, we do yeah same thing with authors.
If you're an author and you want to turn
your manuscript into an audiobook, that's
you know we do that as well.
(36:21):
Um, but it's, that's just that's.
Those are the services that we, that we
offer.
You know, the big thing is we're a platform,
so you can be heard.
I'm a big cheerleader.
I'm not really a cheerleader, I don't know.
Sorry for that image.
(36:43):
I like helping people, you know.
Give them a platform.
Hilary Russo (36:46):
I didn't have that image in my head until
you said sorry for the image and then
suddenly you're a spartan cheerleader and
I'm like, okay, let me, let me sit on this
one for a moment, as we're having like a
deep thought moment it's really where it's,
it's um.
Adam Bird (37:02):
I like helping the underdogs there's so
many people out there that a lot to say and
great stuff to say that can help other
people, but they don't have a platform to
do it or they don't, you know, because a
lot of these corporate sides it's always
like it's not, and I've always said this
and I'm a firm believer that it's not
always what you know but who you know.
That doesn't always help the little guy.
Yeah, you know these small businesses and
(37:25):
stuff like that.
I, I love helping out the underdogs.
I'm a huge underdog.
Hilary Russo (37:30):
I'm an underdog.
I feel like I'm an underdog myself
sometimes, and I still want to help the
underdog.
I'm the one that will adopt the runt of the
litter just because I know nobody's going
to adopt the runt.
Adam Bird (37:43):
It's almost like a challenge, yeah.
It's just like.
This is my project.
I'm going to mold this and sculpt this into
something that you present to the world and
then that goes out in just 10 times more
everything that you could possibly fathom
and it's like that's cool.
I did something right and I did something
(38:05):
to help somebody else.
That's helping more people than I could
even imagine.
Hilary Russo (38:10):
Amazing.
What are you hoping to do next, like what's
on the plate now, in this moment?
Adam Bird (38:16):
I know you're traveling like a maniac, but
Business wise, you know, just to continue
to grow the network.
We're still growing the network.
We just added three new shows recently onto
the network.
So that's going to you know, doing that,
working on a book project right now.
That's all I can say.
I can't go into super details with that.
(38:37):
I'll be more on that later this fall.
And then I got a couple of potential
speaking engagements that I'm working on
later this year, the media stuff.
And then, you know, I got my other
businesses and stuff and that I'll figure
out along the way with the travel and stuff
(38:58):
like that.
Hilary Russo (38:58):
I have to.
Adam Bird (38:59):
I have to stay busy.
I can't, I can't sit still, you will.
You will definitely see me on the go, go,
go, and and that's you know.
Some people say you live a very chaotic
life.
No, I, I'm, I live a blessed life.
Hilary Russo (39:12):
Yeah, you were on the go Even when we were
down in Florida.
I just.
I trying to.
I was like come on, man, like texting you
like crazy.
I'm like when are we meeting?
When are we meeting?
Adam Bird (39:23):
Actually, this is the first month that I've
been home.
And then, the only month that I'm home,
because starting next month until Christmas,
I'm on the road.
Hilary Russo (39:34):
But you're enjoying what you do.
That's what matters.
Adam Bird (39:38):
I would not.
I don't think I'd change a thing.
Quite honestly, sometimes it gets a little
tiring, but when you've been given a
purpose, you know.
Sometimes it can, it can be a little
daunting, but it you know the the it's, you
focus on the outcome of it and then, and
then you know everything is worth it.
Hilary Russo (39:57):
Love this, love our conversations I always
do.
But before I let you go, I want to play a
little game with you that I do on the show,
and this is what I call brain candy.
It's the brain candy game.
This is basically like word association.
What I'm going to do is I'm going to throw
out a word that you've said during this
(40:17):
episode and this conversation and I want
you to come back with one word, so word
association.
You ready?
Put your thinking cap on.
I know I can just see you're like oh boy,
don't worry, I won't throw you too many
zingers, you ready.
Adam Bird (40:36):
Yeah.
Hilary Russo (40:37):
Here we go, okay, podcasting.
Adam Bird (40:41):
Awesome.
Hilary Russo (40:43):
Honor.
Adam Bird (40:44):
Gift.
Hilary Russo (40:46):
Veterans.
Adam Bird (40:48):
Family.
Hilary Russo (40:49):
Responsibility Veterans.
Adam Bird (40:51):
Family Responsibility Duty.
Hilary Russo (40:53):
Dad.
Adam Bird (40:55):
Blessing.
Father oh God, seriously yeah Joy.
Hilary Russo (41:04):
Yeah, it's different.
Help Hard Military.
Adam Bird (41:06):
That's different.
Help Hard.
Hilary Russo (41:08):
Military.
Adam Bird (41:11):
That's a hard one, military Honor.
Hilary Russo (41:16):
Okay Service.
Adam Bird (41:22):
Responsibility.
Hilary Russo (41:24):
Blessed.
Adam Bird (41:27):
God.
Hilary Russo (41:28):
This is two words mental health mindset and
purpose gift yeah, some good ones there.
Huh makes you think yeah, yeah pay
attention.
Adam Bird (41:48):
I'm not surprised.
Hilary Russo (41:52):
That was great.
Adam Loved it.
Just so enjoy always being in the space
with you.
Adam Bird (41:57):
I love chatting with you yeah.
Hilary Russo (42:00):
One of many conversations, but I'm so glad
that I could hold the space for you and let
people learn more about who you are and how
you're serving, and you know I want to give
you a moment to just if you would like to
just share some takeaway that you'd like to
leave with folks that are tuning in.
Adam Bird (42:19):
First off, let me say thank you again for
this opportunity.
As far as takeaway, let me I would say
here's something to give you, those of you
that are out there that are struggling you
can't be afraid to ask for help.
You never get anywhere in life without some
type of help at some point in your life.
(42:42):
So don't be afraid to ask for it, because
there's people out there that care and want
to see you succeed.
Because there's people out there that care
and want to see you succeed, and if you're
on the fence about something in life, maybe
you you keep.
I'll use the analogy of like dipping your
toe in the water Stop, jump, just jump,
(43:07):
because what you don't want is to be on
your deathbed later on in life and be like
I wish I would have done this Jump Just
jump.
Hilary Russo (43:14):
That's great.
That reminds me so much of what I share a
lot with people about being in the
overwhelm is that overwhelm is a wave,
right, and you have a number of choices.
When you're standing in front of that wave,
at the edge of the beach, you can retreat,
but nothing changes.
If nothing changes, you could try to go
(43:35):
around the wave.
But where does a wave ever end that you can
really go around it?
You could try to go over it, but a lot of
times you stumble and maybe get hurt or
worse.
Or you can put your hands together like an
arrow and dive straight through.
That's the hardest part.
But then on the other side, usually those
waters are pretty calm, you know.
(43:55):
So I agree, jump, jump in.
You know, take a risk, it's okay.
Yeah, good stuff.
Thanks so much for being here.
So, so elated that I caught you in that one
month at your home.
But you were quick to respond and you said
hey, when I come back.
Adam Bird (44:17):
It was you and I appreciate you and
everything that you do, so thank you again.
Hilary Russo (44:23):
We will share a stage together.
I know it.
Adam Bird (44:26):
Oh yeah.
Hilary Russo (44:26):
Oh yeah, many, I have no doubt so good
stuff.
Oh yeah, oh yeah, many.
I have no doubt so good stuff.
Thanks, adam, thank you.
Okay, my friend, if you are interested in
turning that awareness into action, get in
touch with Adam.
He is such a great resource.
I shared all those links in the notes of
(44:46):
this podcast episode, so I want you to do
your part, take action and add him to your
list.
You will not be disappointed, and you can
also reach out to me.
You know that one of my missions is helping
our servicemen and women, our veterans, our
first responders, to learn how to hug it
out with themselves.
Be kind to their minds.
You'll find more ways that you can connect
(45:08):
with me in the notes of this podcast
episode as well.
HIListically, speaking is edited by Two
Market Media with music by Lipbone Redding
and supported by you.
So thank you for choosing to join this
conversation, this one specifically, but
the conversations we have week after week
and never forget that you have a
responsibility to yourself and it is up to
(45:29):
you to do the work you know.
But you don't have to do it alone and know
I love you, I'm leaving you, I'm sending
hugs your way, be well.
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