Strength From Service

In the first-ever Service Announcement episode, Jack, Mike, and Jake sit down for an unfiltered conversation about the hardest moments they’ve faced—and the lessons that came out of them. This is real talk from three guys who’ve seen life hit hard and still chose to fight forward. From grief and grit to rebuilding purpose and connection, we open up about how we made it through, what we leaned on, and why we keep showing up.

Whether ...

Ryan Frank’s story is one of service—start to finish.

He shares how he joined the Army, deployed to Afghanistan, and was wounded in action. But that wasn’t the end of his mission.

Today, he continues to serve as a Veterans Service Officer in Nicollet County, helping other warriors navigate life after the uniform.

And now—he’s a dad again, with a new baby and a new chapter.

From the battlefield to fatherhood, Ryan’s journey is all heart...

On this Memorial Day episode of Strength From Service, Jack and Mike sit down to talk about what this day really means—far beyond the BBQs and long weekends. They walk through the true cost of war, the staggering numbers behind America’s fallen, and the deep, personal ripples that loss leaves behind.

From the black granite of the Vietnam Wall to the thunder of motorcycles in D.C., they reflect on the traditions, monuments, and m...

Pastor Matt Sims joins Strength from Service after finding the studio and meeting the hosts one evening as he walked by. Pastor Matt shares his story of how he found his calling to the faith and how that led him from Bible College, to moving to Mankato to start Canvas Church, an Assemblies of God congregation, at 25 years of age. Jack asks some questions from a warrior or soldier’s mind and recants how prayer helped him survive his...

Jack, Mike, and Jake all sit down in the Nielsen Blacktopping studio to chat about Jack's new book, "Beyond Five Minutes, Lessons From a Wounded Warrior's Life Outdoors". This book is the companion and continuation book to Jack's first penned work, "Five Minutes, 300 Seconds That Changed My Life". The men cover some of the themes and stories from the latest book and discuss how lifelong bonds are for...

James Chally, DMSc, P.A.-C is back in the Nielsen Blacktopping studio as it's first repeat guest. He visits to give a bit of an update including his new endeavor of writing a children's book about the camp dog that he and his unit had in Afghanistan. "HALO" is the true story of how the camp dog made it's way from Afghanistan to the home of one of soldiers that grew to love her on deployment. The story touches ...

When Jack Zimmerman was a lane-clearing St. Clair Clipper basketball player, he had to face Coach Tim Anderson across the court. Jack and Jake talk with Coach Anderson about each of their small town roots and how that shaped each of them as adults. Coach Anderson shares his many stories from being a player that didn't see the court and how it evolved to his passion for coaching and teaching. These days Tim goes by "Referee Anderson...

Kyle Mrozek understands the value of hard work and how that work can help you create lasting relationships, great memories, and community growth. Kyle's work with the Mankato Kiwanis Club and Mankato Moondogs and Mashers has served our community for over 20 years and has helped countless other people and organizations. Kyle joins Jack and Jake to discuss what the Kiwanis Club is, how you can join, and how Kiwanis makes an impact no...

Mike Richman joins the guys a few weeks before his upcoming Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Light Heavyweight Championship fight on December 21st at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood Florida.

McLaughlin and Richman recount their story of first crossing paths in infantry training after enlisting in the Marines. Richman shares his story of growing up through adversity at a young age and how that adversity shaped up who he b...

Senator Nick Frentz (DFL) is a member of the Minnesota Senate from the 19th District and he joins Mike and Jake to share his story from being born in California to his journey back to Mankato where his families roots began. Senator Frentz talks about his education at William Mitchell (or "Billy Mitch" if you're in the know), about how he took the bar then lost a football game, and how some great pieces of advice from his father bro...

The hosts have an conversation with each other a day after the election and results. Topics include everything from hunting, to the conspiracy theories surrounding the JFK assassination, to whether or not the United States would do better if professionals dressed up in suits for work. Included in the conversation is the role of local media within our and many other communities and what plans everyone has for Veteran's Day. Each hos...

On top of being a lawyer, an endurance bike rider, and professor, John Baker is a Retired Marine Gunny that thrives in helping his fellow Veteran. He has helped with Veteran Homes, set up and trained for Veterans court, and has successfully defended Veterans with his Hamline Law degree. John and the guys talk about what got him into The Corps nearly 45 years ago, and he and Mike talk about a lot of recent Military history. John sha...

World War II Veteran Dennis Boldt landed on Utah Beach during in the invasion on Normandy, or as many of us know it, D-Day. Dennis joins our hosts and talks about his upbringing, what influenced him to join the Army, his time in the military, and some of the past 80 years since D-Day. He shares some stories on his training as an anti-aircraft gunner, and he tells some stories of his ironically named French dog, Herman the German, i...

You may recognize Eric Anderson from his days as a financial planner, or you may know him as the former Mayor of Mankato. Join Eric as he talks with a two-man crew of Jack and Jake about all things Mayor, including how fast pitch softball helped him connect with small towns across the state and earned him accolades as he departed his office. The guys talk about the demolition of two iconic Mankato structures; Gage dorms and Tornado...

If you've ever seen Caddyshack, then you might think you know what Fred Taylor went through to become the Superintendent of the Mankato Golf Club for 43 years. While growing up on a former golf course in Mankato, Fred chased striped squirrels instead of gophers and shares his stories of learning about grass, trees, and all things horticulture. Fred speaks amorously about how his daughters caught the volleyball bug from him and ...

Jake, Jack, and Mike take this episode to explore more of the Nielsen Blacktopping Studios and end up in a comfy corner provided by Rooms and Rest in Mankato. The Veterans on the couch test the civilian's knowledge on military acronyms. Each host catches the listeners up on goings on outside of the studio including Warfare Motorsports, "The BBQ Show", and a look into what it took to get elected as a City Council membe...

When your brother calls you and says he needs a change and a move out of Phoenix, you do what you can to help him. Jack answered that call for Miles Hurley. People that haven't served may not know the bond that is shared between brothers in arms. Miles and Jack are brothers in every way, except blood. Having served together in the 101st in Afghanistan, these two recount their time together and share many laughs reminiscing abou...

Shortly after his graduation from a Christian College, James Chally surprised his family and friends by joining the Army. Although he didn't know it when he enlisted, he was continuing on a family legacy that had started with his grandfather during Pearl Harbor. After his first deployment as counter intelligence, he was left wanting more and decided to take on the Special Forces Qualifications Course. There he was selected, gra...