Birds in the Sky

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.

Birds in the Sky - Brandon Barry's songwriting process and the magic of making art

Birds in the Sky Podcast 
Brandon Barry is a songwriter, musician and actor from Buffalo, NY. 
Brandon fronted the indie rock band The Albrights from 2009-2015, writing many of their hits including "Hard Times", "Washing Town", "Over and Over", and "Goodbye, Adeline". 
We discuss Brandon's writing process, how he started down a life-long journey into the arts, and his songwriting process. 
Even though I've known Brandon almost 20 years and spent much of that time as his bandmate, I still learned a few things from our discussion. 
Enjoy! 

Birds in the Sky - Navy Veteran Paul Hogan's unique lens on service and mental health in America

Birds in the Sky Podcast
Paul Hogan is a US Navy Veteran, writer, musician and retired Non-Profit administrator.
Paul served the US Navy honorably during the Vietnam war era. However, his participation in conflict was actually centered around the 1973 Israel-Palestine War. Paul Hogan has a unique lens on service and mental health. 
Join me with my discussion with Paul, and his perspective on the growth of the metal health narratives in America.

Birds in the Sky - Photography as a means to reflect and explore intense wartime experiences with Steve Siulc

Birds in the Sky podcast
Steve Siulc is a US Army veteran, volunteer, father, and artist.
Steve served honorably in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since his discharge, he's been working at the Department of Veteran Affairs, and serving in a leadership role at V.F.W.. Steve's career and volunteer efforts are focused on ensuring our Veterans receive all the care and benefits they so rightfully deserve.
Steve uses photography as a means to reflect and explore his intense wartime experiences in a safe, healthy manner. In this episode we discuss his experiences, and the path he took to finding his voice in the arts.
 
Credits:
Host: Matthew Crane
Video/Editing: Dustin Herzberger
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
 
Music:
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matt-crane/1583245047
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hM9Fu5fHYoQoWH6990vCN?si=KMrTthiPQpu58yeSIW9d6Q