Brew And Chew Podcast

Jim Ryan
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  • Personal Journals

What started as a local gathering has now grown into something more. Back in December 2020, Jim Ryan—Navy veteran and owner of Right at Home in Rock Hill, South Carolina—launched a simple idea: bring veterans together over coffee, conversation, and camaraderie.

  1. Weezy Talks: Sharing Stories, Building Connections

    May 14

    Weezy Talks: Sharing Stories, Building Connections

    Weezy encourages everyone—especially veterans and families—to record and preserve their life stories now so future generations can hear their voice and understand their experiences. She explains she captures stories virtually (often via Zoom) or through simple phone audio/video, and shares a personal example: her husband was abruptly laid off after 21 years with little gratitude, echoing how many Vietnam-era veterans returned without appreciation. Weezy notes her video and podcast work, including Life Mosaic and a forthcoming show, The Decision Line, and mentions she’s moving to Jonesborough, Tennessee. Attendees share brief testimonials about her past veteran-related recordings. Navy Week guests then speak, including a Navy chaplain who describes his duties of caring for service members, advising command, conducting faith-based services, and facilitating support across different beliefs, and a mass communication specialist who documents Navy Week events and explains his media role. 00:00 Weezy Takes the Mic 00:23 Why Stories Matter 02:10 Barry Laid Off Suddenly 06:10 No Thanks for Service 08:23 Record Your Legacy Now 09:22 Sponsor Farewell and Links 10:27 New Podcast The Decision Line 11:43 Q&A Weezy Origin Story 15:59 Veterans Appreciate the Mission 18:43 Testimonials and Lasting Impact 21:11 Moving to Tennessee History 24:48 Brandon Honors Family Service 26:57 Navy Chaplain Shares His Journey 33:47 Mass Comm Specialist Behind Camera 36:41 Where to Find Navy Visuals 37:03 Closing Thanks   Podcast Sponsors Right At Home Care Patrol Weezy Inc

    46 min

  2. Apr 16

    Building New Foundations: Veterans and Community Support"

    Rick Hannon’s work with homeless veterans and Veterans Bridge Home, Rick shares his background as an Army combat veteran with two Iraq deployments, a son of a Vietnam veteran, and a Gold Star brother whose Marine sibling was killed in Fallujah. He describes his own difficult transition, work in adaptive sports, and five years as a Mecklenburg County VSO helping veterans with claims and VA housing programs. Rick explains Veterans Bridge Home as a local, community-based connector across the Charlotte metro region (including nearby South Carolina), helping veterans navigate VA healthcare, benefits, housing, food support, peer support, and suicide prevention through the Staff Sergeant Gordon Fox grant, plus community events like Veterans Coffee and disc golf. The discussion covers mentorship, TAP program gaps, employer partnerships and career workshops, newsletters and events, replacing lost DD214s via archives/VSOs, survivor benefits and end-of-life planning, and life insurance options. 00:00 Welcome And Intro 01:48 Rick Takes The Stage 02:35 Gold Star Brother Story 03:39 Leaving Army To College 05:36 VSO Work And Homeless Aid 07:51 What Veterans Bridge Home Does 09:43 Local Resource Navigation 11:42 Gordon Fox Grant And Suicide 13:26 Veterans Coffee And Outreach 15:07 Events And Getting Connected 16:27 Service Area And Mission 85 17:49 Benefits Questions And Widows 20:12 Community Support And Volunteering 22:49 Mentoring Veterans Forward 23:21 TAP Program Gaps 24:35 DD214 Tips and Records 26:07 Veterans Bridge Home Impact 27:15 Employment Pipeline Explained 30:02 Newsletter and Community Events 31:10 Recovering Lost Vietnam Records 35:53 End of Life Planning 36:30 Insurance Options Q&A 37:57 File Your Own Claim 40:09 Closing, Thanks, and Wrap   Veterans Bridge Home More Information   Brew and Chew Sponsors: Right At Home     Care Patrol Weezy Inc

    45 min

  3. Mar 12

    Taylor Thomas on Pathways - Community Collaboration

    In this episode, we hear from Taylor Thomas Bennett of Pathways, a collaborative organization in York County that helps connect people experiencing homelessness and poverty with the resources they need to move forward. Pasted text Taylor explains how Pathways was created after local faith leaders recognized a serious gap: resources existed, but for many people, they were scattered, difficult to reach, and hard to navigate. In response, Pathways developed a one-stop model where 16 partner agencies work together under one roof, offering access to shelter support, identification assistance, mental health services, food resources, recovery support, employment pathways, and more.

    30 min

  4. Feb 12

    Transformational Growth and Future Plans for Rock Hill: y Mayor John Gettys

    In this episode, Mayor John Gettys delivers a comprehensive update on the significant progress and future plans for the City of Rock Hill. He discusses the impressive economic growth, highlighting a remarkable decrease in unemployment and poverty rates, alongside notable increases in market value and per capita income. Mayor Gettys also sheds light on key infrastructure developments, including the Palmetto Research Park, aimed at attracting high-wage jobs in the life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors. He emphasizes the city's investment in utilities and sports tourism, which have contributed to sustainable improvements in the community. Engage with this informative session to learn about Rock Hill's exciting transformation and what's on the horizon.   Power Point Photos-  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pGVVEf2BtfBvbSyNFW5GCiTd0XeOKhns?usp=sharing

    53 min

  5. Jan 15

    A Day to Remember: Celebrating Vets with Honor Flights

    In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the Honor Flights program with special guest Darrell Rockwell. Darrell, a veteran himself, shares his personal journey from never considering himself a vet to becoming heavily involved in veteran activities. He sheds light on the incredible experience of Honor Flights—a program designed to honor veterans by taking them on unforgettable trips to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their service. Darrell shares moving stories of camaraderie and appreciation, discusses the logistical aspects of the program, and highlights the immense emotional impact these trips have on veterans. Join us as we honor our heroes and learn more about this noble initiative. To view the videos Daryl mentions in his presentation, see below Queen City video can be found on their website WWII Vets with Honor Flight spontaneously cheered by travelers at Reagan National

    34 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    A Year End Potluck

    In this episode, we bring you a potluck of compelling stories and important conversations.

    54 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    The Real Talk Veterans Need — Inside the VA with Matt Webb

    This episode of  Brew & Chew episode, host Jim Ryan welcomes Matt Webb, York County’s Veteran Service Officer, for an honest conversation about navigating the VA system, understanding eligibility vs. entitlement, and finding the right support for veterans and their families. Matt shares what really happens behind the scenes at the county level—from connecting vets with healthcare and disability benefits to tackling myths, fraud concerns, and those frustrating “gray areas” in the process. He also reminds us why local connection and camaraderie—like the Brew & Chew gatherings—matter just as much as the benefits themselves. Whether you’re a veteran, caregiver, or supporter, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a few laughs along the way. Brew and Chew is sponsored by  Right at Home  Care Patrol Weezy Media Productions: This podcast is produced by Weezy Media Productions

    58 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    Capturing Memories and Building Legacies: A Conversation with Weezy

    Join Weezy, the passionate owner of Weezy Media Productions and founder of the Living Legacy Program, as she delves into the importance of storytelling and preserving memories for future generations. Host: Jim Ryan Producer: Weezy at Weezy Media Productions Sponsored by: Right At Home                         Care Patrol of Charlotte                          Weezy Media Production   Guest information: Living Legacy With Weezy Social Media: Instagram @Lights_Camera_Weezy                       Facebook, YouTube, Substak: @LightsCameraWeezy

    26 min
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About

What started as a local gathering has now grown into something more. Back in December 2020, Jim Ryan—Navy veteran and owner of Right at Home in Rock Hill, South Carolina—launched a simple idea: bring veterans together over coffee, conversation, and camaraderie.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Ryan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Brew And Chew Podcast