Prepared Service

Dr. Gregory Davenport and Jamie Anne Gustafson, PhD
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Philosophy
  • Weekly

Prepare. Connect. Serve We sit down and talk with medical professionals, hometown heroes, and others who have served in real life. Find out more at preparedservice.com.

  1. Nov 3

    Bob Svetich: Chasing Dreams, Finding Purpose, and Helping Others

    Bob Svetich spent his childhood working toward one goal: playing professional baseball alongside his identical twin brother, Ron. But signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization was only one chapter in a life shaped by determination, unexpected challenges, and a willingness to help. In this episode, Greg Davenport reconnects with Bob for a heartfelt conversation about their friendship and the experiences that shaped Bob’s life. They explore his upbringing in Gary, Indiana, the shooting that nearly took his brother’s life, and the challenge of finding a new identity after baseball. Bob also shares how his love of hunting and fishing became an entrepreneurial career, creating outdoor experiences with well-known athletes and entertainers. Yet some of his most meaningful contributions happened far from the spotlight: volunteering, donating food, and being present when someone needed a friend. At the center of this conversation is service—not as a grand gesture, but as a choice available to each of us. Growing up as an identical twin and pursuing a shared baseball dreamTurning doubt into motivation while putting in the workFacing a life-threatening family crisisFinding purpose when a familiar chapter endsBuilding a business around a lifelong passionDrawing strength from faith and friendshipRecognizing opportunities to help close to home “Wherever you can help and whenever you can help, help.” — Bob Svetich Follow the show for more conversations about the remarkable lives and quiet contributions of the people around us. Content note: This episode includes discussion of gun violence, grief, and suicidal thoughts.

    Bob Svetich: Chasing Dreams, Finding Purpose, and Helping Others

  2. Oct 20

    44 Years of SERE: Al Bobst’s Life of Survival and Service

    Chief Master Sergeant Al “Big Al” Bobst spent 27 years on active duty and another 17 years serving the Department of Defense, building a remarkable career in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. In this conversation with Dr. Gregory Davenport, Al reflects on the experiences that shaped him—from a small-town Ohio childhood and demanding survival training to Arctic instruction, Desert Storm, personnel recovery, humanitarian response, and decades of community service. The discussion also explores the personal side of service: helping families find closure, listening to patients, mentoring younger generations, and continuing to serve long after retirement. Al’s story offers a simple but demanding lesson—work hard, pay attention, use common sense, pursue excellence, and develop passion for the mission in front of you.

    44 Years of SERE: Al Bobst’s Life of Survival and Service

  3. Sep 24

    The 13-Year-Old Carrying His Grandfather's Legacy — One Cast at a Time

    What does service look like at 13 years old? Meet Gavin Terry — the youngest guest ever featured on Hero Next Door, and a young man already living with purpose. Gavin's grandfather, Air Force SERE specialist and CIA operative Gary Herman, taught him to fish before passing away when Gavin was just a small child. That memory became the seed for True Faith Fishing, a faith-driven apparel brand Gavin launched at 13, with proceeds from select products supporting Project Healing Waters, a charity that takes injured veterans fishing. In this episode, Gavin opens up about legacy, faith, and quietly doing good, even when no one's watching. He also shares his dreams of joining the Air Force's Combat Control field and one day running his own deep-sea charter business. This isn't a story about decades of service. It's about where service begins.

    The 13-Year-Old Carrying His Grandfather's Legacy — One Cast at a Time

  4. Sep 12

    Bryn Kroto: How a Firefighter Paramedic Became a Global Medical Missionary

    What does it take to walk beside a mass grave in Ukraine, treat a dying child in Uganda, and still show up quietly in your own neighborhood, unrecognized? Dr. Bryn Kroto's story starts with tragedy: the sudden death of her best friend at 21 sent her searching for purpose, and she found it in service. From EMT to firefighter paramedic to physician assistant, Bryn has spent decades on the front lines of emergency medicine, but her calling didn't stop at the clinic doors. In this episode, Bryn shares her humanitarian work across Ukraine, Uganda, Guatemala, Panama, and the U.S. border, including the moment she helped save a boy suffering from osteomyelitis and the haunting image of a mother pushing a stroller past a mass grave. She opens up about faith-driven motivation, mentoring the next generation of medical students through global health missions, and why true service can never be self-seeking. Bryn is one of countless everyday heroes living among us, neighbors whose extraordinary sacrifices often go unnoticed. Tune in to hear her remarkable journey and be reminded that heroism doesn't always come with recognition. Get in touch with Red Shot Medical. Bryn L Kroto — bryn@redshotmedical.com Red Shot Medical, a Christian healthcare community founded in 2024 by Bryn Kroto, DMSc, PA-C. Red Shot Medical connects prayer, ministry, and faith with medical practice to support healthcare professionals through community, coaching, education, and medical missions. Core Offerings & Information Core Services: Individualized healthcare career coaching, medical mission planning and advising, and Christian whole-person coaching led by Bryn Kroto. Resources & Education: Curated resources for faith, emergency and crisis medicine, clinical research, professional growth, and global health, alongside webinars like Faith at the Bedside. Medical Missions: Global health opportunities through partnerships such as Global Health Impact, including an upcoming June 2027 trip to Zambia's Copperbelt Province. Speaking & Consulting: Workshops and speaking topics covering faith in healthcare, personnel management, emergency management, crisis leadership, and medical missions. #HeroesNextDoor #GlobalHealth #MedicalMissions #ParamedicToPA #FaithAndService #EverydayHeroes

    Bryn Kroto: How a Firefighter Paramedic Became a Global Medical Missionary

  5. Aug 4

    The Estrada Story : Protecting Those Who Respond

    Discover the significance of mental health and psychosocial support in global health and humanitarian emergencies. Learn how it impacts communities and individuals in crisis. In the face of humanitarian crises, one aspect often overlooked is the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needed by affected individuals. Why is this crucial? We explore the multifaceted role of MHPSS in humanitarian situations and how it impacts recovery and resilience. As a humanitarian with extensive experience in remote high-threat settings, I’ve seen firsthand how addressing mental health needs can amplify recovery efforts and promote community well-being. Understanding MHPSS and Its Components MHPSS stands for mental health and psychosocial support. It’s an essential framework in humanitarian aid that addresses not only individuals' psychological well-being but also their social context. Here are the core components: The Pyramid of Support • Basic Needs: Ensuring access to food, shelter, and safety. • Community Reconnection: Helping people regain a sense of community after disaster. • Peer Support: Providing platforms for individuals to share experiences. • Specialized Care: Offering psychological first aid and psychiatric support when necessary. MHPSS aims to provide a holistic approach that considers the various factors affecting mental health, especially in crisis situations.

    The Estrada Story : Protecting Those Who Respond

  6. Jul 8

    The Paramedic at the End of the Road: Kaitlyn Hildenbrand on Service in Skamania County

    In this episode of the Prepared Service podcast, Greg Davenport sits down with Kaitlyn Hildenbrand, a paramedic serving one of the most remote and rugged counties in Washington. From Alaska roots and Fairbanks winters to wilderness rescues in Skamania County and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Kaitlyn shares what it’s really like to practice rural EMS when help is hours away and the terrain never stops testing you. You’ll hear about four‑hour transports to the nearest hospital, working alongside volunteer fire districts and search-and-rescue teams, training for swift water, ice, and rope rescue, and the emotional weight of caring for patients and families in truly isolated settings. Kaitlyn also talks about how personal loss shaped her empathy, why she still chooses to stay, and what “hero next door” means in a place where many services only exist because someone volunteers. Perfect for listeners interested in rural healthcare, emergency services, wilderness rescue, or stories of quiet courage from the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

    The Paramedic at the End of the Road: Kaitlyn Hildenbrand on Service in Skamania County

  7. Jun 23

    How Personal Tragedy Transformed a Nurse into the Local Hero Next Door

    Most of us underestimate the heroism happening right next door. Bethany, a nurse, mom, and community volunteer from a tiny town of 400, shares how a series of life-changing events, her father's early death, her mother’s addiction, and her own frontline work during COVID, shaped her relentless dedication. In a story filled with resilience, she reveals the raw realities of rural emergency response, from handling high-stakes rescues to managing burnout while serving her neighbors with unwavering care. You'll discover how Bethany navigates the emotional toll of traumatic calls, like attending to a drowning victim, and how those moments deepen her compassion and resolve. We break down the systemic challenges facing rural healthcare, such as long wait times, staffing shortages, and the push for policy reform, and why community-centered solutions are so critical. Her insights into the evolving role of nurses, the importance of embracing new technologies like AI, and her passionate advocacy for common-sense healthcare inspire a new perspective on heroism in everyday life. This episode isn't just about Bethany’s story; it’s a reminder that heroism is accessible and vital, often quiet, but always powerful. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the headlines or doubting their own ability to make a difference, this conversation underscores the profound impact one individual can have when driven by purpose, passion, and a sense of community. Real, raw, and deeply inspiring, this is the hero next door you need to hear. Tune in to see how heroism lives in your neighborhood and why recognizing it might just transform how you see the world around you.

    How Personal Tragedy Transformed a Nurse into the Local Hero Next Door

  8. Jun 13

    Fire, Faith, and the Front Yard: LJay Geist, the Hero Next Door

    In this episode of the JGD Prepared Service podcast, Greg Davenport sits down with western Kansas firefighter LJay Geist to talk about what real service and preparedness look like long before the sirens start. From a “Leave It to Beaver” childhood to years of volunteer and career fire service, LJay shares how faith, family, and small-town values shaped his commitment to love people and show up when it counts. Together they explore what it’s like to fight wildfires across the Midwest, the hidden cost responders carry home, and why mentorship in the firehouse may be the most important work he does. LJay opens up about mental health, bad advice he received when he was suicidal, and the difference it makes to find someone who truly understands. He also talks about knowing your neighbors, raising a blended family, and why he’d rather be called a warrior than a hero—even as he quietly lives out what “hero next door” really means. If you care about community, crisis response, or simply becoming the kind of neighbor people can count on, this conversation will encourage and challenge you. #firefighter, #ruralcommunity, #mentorship, #mental health, #volunteer #fireservice, #wildfires, #faith, #family, #heronextdoor, #preparedness, #Kansas, #emergencyservices

    Fire, Faith, and the Front Yard: LJay Geist, the Hero Next Door
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Prepare. Connect. Serve We sit down and talk with medical professionals, hometown heroes, and others who have served in real life. Find out more at preparedservice.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Gregory Davenport and Jamie Anne Gustafson, PhD
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Gregory Davenport and Jamie Anne Gustafson, PhD
  • Show Website
    Prepared Service