Birds in the Sky

Birds in the Sky - The Art of Transition: Veterans and Storytelling with Ben Davis

In this episode, Host Matthew Crane speaks with Benjamin Davis, a Navy SEAL veteran, Writer and executive director of Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group.
Matt and Ben discuss the challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life, the importance of sharing all veterans' stories, and how writing has become a vital outlet for Ben. He reflects on the need for a deeper understanding of the veteran experience beyond just vocational transition, emphasizing the role of storytelling in healing and connection. The conversation also touches on the influence of poetry on writing and the importance of carving out time for creative pursuits.
In this conversation, Ben discusses the intricacies of writing, emphasizing the importance of engaging the reader and providing enjoyable content. He highlights the necessity of honest feedback in the writing process and shares his experiences with emotional writing, particularly in relation to his personal history.
Ben also talks about his upcoming novel, which explores themes of Southern life and military experiences, and advocates for the healing power of art and writing, especially within the veteran community.
Find Ben's work over on Substack: https://bldavis3.substack.com
Read: "A Man in a field, We Did Not Kill" : https://bldavis3.substack.com/p/the-man-in-the-field-we-did-not-kill
Links to Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group:
https://www.voag.org
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of Suicide, please reach out to the 24 hour hotline at 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org
Credits: Theme Music: "Good Times" by Matt Crane featuring Gantzer ©
Host  @matthewcranestudios 
Visit the Studio: www.matthewcranestudios.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthewcranestudios/ Blog: https://substack.com/@matthewcranestudios?utm_source=profile-page FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553739994552

Birds in the Sky - Taking the Initial Steps to Reach Out with Lindsey Chudzik

Lindsey Chudzik (LCSW, MSW, C-IMHP) is the owner of Jade & Sage Holistic Therapy, LLC in the Fort Myers area. 
Lindsey's passion is helping people who suffer from trauma and emotional distress find healing and growth. Lindsay is a champion of those looking to build a better life and understands that it begins with a solid relationship to ourselves, our self worth and our habits. 
In this episode we discuss her experience in the field of mental health, and the different methods and modalities used for treating PTSD, anxiety, trauma or navigating challenging relationships. WE also chat about her experiences workin with the Veteran and First Responder communities. 
Find Lindsey's work below
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jadeandsageholistictherapy?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Resources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lindsey-chudzik-fort-myers-fl/764947
ART: https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/what-is-art/
Find more of Matt:
Visit the Studio: www.matthewcranestudios.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthewcranestudios/
Blog: https://substack.com/@matthewcranestudios?utm_source=profile-page
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553739994552

Birds in the Sky - Chasing theater through addiction and recovery with Aleks Malejs

"Feel the fear, and do it anyway" - Actor Aleks Malejs can sum up her acting career in two distinct timelines: Early in her acting career, there was a cycle of addiction and crisis that seemed to hold her back on stage. However, once Aleks worked to reclaim her sobriety, she found her self having a greater range and depth of emotions to tap into while performing.
Aleks also walks us through how she is able to release and process her own emotions through other characters on stage - and how those choices impact the audience and production as a whole. These choices turn her pain, regrets, joys, fears, hope and triumphs into memorable and relatable theatrical experiences for theater patrons.  
Find more about Aleks here: 
https://aleksmalejs.com/
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of Suicide, please reach out to the 24 hour hotline at 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org
Credits: Host: Matthew Crane
Edited: Brandon Barry
Theme Song: "Good Times" by Matt Crane featuring Gantzer ©
Visit the Studio: www.matthewcranestudios.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthewcranestudios/
Blog: https://substack.com/@matthewcranestudios?utm_source=profile-page
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553739994552
 

Birds in the Sky - Music educator Melanie Stang shares the importance of pursuing a creative lifestyle

Music educator and actor Melanie Stang shares the importance of pursuing a creative lifestyle. Mel's story is one of perseverance and determination. 
Melanie is an advocate for peace and equal rights. 
To see Melanie on stage in Buffalo, NY click here:
https://theatreofyouth.org/the-hobbit/
 

Birds in the Sky - Finding Your Truth by Making Art with Bryce Hansen, Retired US Army Green Beret

Warriors often benefit from deep emotional suppression in order to be effective on the battle field. It's a critical skill required for navigating the hellscape and atrocities of war and chaos - but this skill can be detrimental in our personal relationships, families and our communities. Retired Green Beret and West Point graduate, Bryce Hansen talks about his path to finding art and painting, after his military career. We discuss what it means to create honest art, the lack of purity in the "business" of art, how art has the power to and so much more.
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of Suicide, please reach out to the 24 hour hotline at 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org
For more on Bryce and his work please visit:
https://brycenhansen.wixsite.com/artportfolio
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bryce.n.hansen?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Credits: Host: Matthew Crane Theme Song: "Good Times" by Matt Crane featuring Gantzer ©
Visit the Studio: www.matthewcranestudios.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthewcranestudios/
Blog: https://substack.com/@matthewcranestudios?utm_source=profile-page
 

Birds in the Sky - Lyrical Photography: Brendan Bannon's proven methodology for teaching

Brendan Bannon is a photographer and teacher from Buffalo, NY. His work behind the camera has led him all over the world telling intensely challenging stories and teaching photography. From HIV encampments in Uganda to Syrian refugees, Brenden has worked, lived and experienced life in remote, austere places. Along the way, Brendan was slowly developing his innovative teaching style and artistic voice. It was this work that made Brendan uniquely qualified for his next adventure - Teaching combat veterans how to heal through the language of art and photography.  This was where our journeys crossed. I took Brendans 12 week workshop called "The Odyssey Project" and it was sensational. I learned a great deal about myself, but also my fellow veterans. Most importantly, that we are not alone in our thoughts and feelings. We were able to find community, and friendships that we did not have previously. Connection to other veterans is vital. His work is enormously valuable in the community.
Please enjoy our conversation and find more here: https://www.mostimportantpicture.org/odyssey

Birds in the Sky - It's OK to reach out: Wisdom from a MARINE scout sniper turned photographer with Julian Chinana

At first, Julian chose photography to learn more about something he loved as a kid. Soon enough though, his studies would lead him to personal discoveries about friendships and brotherhood, memories, complexities of war, and the endless cycle of emotions he could examine through his camera lens. "I didn't expect what I found" says Julian, regarding his expectation vs his experience of studying art. Please enjoy this conversation of the Birds in the Sky podcast. If you or a loved one are having thoughts of Suicide, please reach out to the 24 hour hotline at www.988lifeline.org

Birds in the Sky - Zack Garner: Music in combat and the importance of creative process

Birds in the Sky 
Zack Garner served in the US Army as a Special Forces team member in the Green Berets. He served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Zack also served as an instructor for the DOD and as a Government Contractor. Our discussion covers the various challenges in his life and how music and art helped him keep his mental state in check - especially during the times where physical training was not an option. Zack's path to music and art is a wild journey - one that begins in childhood and stays with him to this day. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Birds in the Sky - Melissa Amacher used photography to confront 16 years of repressed wartime trauma

Birds in the Sky Podcast 
Melissa Amacher served over a decade in the US Air Force reserves, including a combat deployment in 2003 to Iraq. Melissa treated many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians during this deployment early in the Iraq war.
In this episode, we discuss memorable patients and how photography helped her begin to confront her experiences and emotions that had been bottled up since her tour in Iraq 16 years previously. As a civilian, Melissa took a photography workshop with a group of other veterans to learn how to tell her story of transitioning from service to civilian. This environment offered Melissa a supportive place for her to begin to share and process her war related traumas with other Veterans. Please enjoy this honest reflection and conversation.
For more information on the Odyssey Project pease visit: https://www.mostimportantpicture.org/odyssey
 
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of Suicide, please reach out to the 24 hour hotline at www.988lifeline.org
Host: Matthew Crane Theme Song: "Good Times" by Matt Crane featuring Gantzer ©

Birds in the Sky - Kegan Gill's Aftermath of Naval aviations Fastest Survived Ejection

Birds in the Sky Podcast
Kegan served in the US Navy as an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter pilot. On Jan. 15, 2014 LT Kegan "SMURF"Gill survived an unimaginable emergency ejection from his aircraft at the speed of sound, just 2 seconds before impacting the ocean. He recently published a memoir about his experience in the accident, resulting trauma, and his incredible road to recovery. The book is called "Phoenix Revival: The Aftermath of Naval Aviation's Fastest Survived Ejection" Buy it now on Amazon. Kegan's story uncovers an archaic Veterans medical system, a pharmaceuticals first approach to medicine, and an enormous lack of empathy in every corner of the VA medical system. A revival was necessary. Kegan's story really begins with his transformation from powerless patient, to endurance athlete and veteran advocate. He found new healing in honest food and nutrition, human performance endurance training, and plant medicines. His new memoir lays out a framework for those seeking alternatives to the modern westernized medical systems. If you've reached your limits with your diagnosis, Kegans story ensures us that hope and healing is out there for us. We must take back control of our health. Please enjoy our conversation, like the video, share and subscribe. If you have thoughts of suicide please call 988 immediately.