The Matt and Monica Podcast

Matt And Monica Spellicy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Relationships
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On this podcast, we're embarking on a journey of self-discovery, vulnerability, and courage. We're stepping outside of our comfort zone, sharing real, genuine stories, and inviting you to join us. Here, we'll explore the unknown, challenge our fears, and celebrate our successes. We'll create a space where everyone feels welcome, supported, and inspired. If you're yearning to break free from your comfort zone and live your best life, this podcast is for you. Together, we can create a community of brave souls who are committed to reaching their full potential. #vulnerabilityisstrength

  1. Sep 21

    From Mayor to the NY Senate: Joe Griffo on Upstate Resilience, AI, and Standing by First Responders

    In Episode 67 of The Matt & Monica Podcast, we sit down with longtime New York State Senator Joe Griffo for a wide-ranging, candid conversation on community resilience, public service, and navigating grief. Before discussing policy, we talk about the Sylvan Beach Memorial Run dedicated to Matt's late children, law enforcement, and first responders. Senator Griffo shares his perspective on the quiet strength of Gold Star families, the weight first responders carry on the job, and why turning tragedy into community impact is one of the most powerful things a person can do.From there, we dive into Joe’s decades in Central New York public service—from becoming the youngest mayor in Rome’s history and spearheading the economic recovery that brought Woodstock ’99 to Griffiss Air Force Base, to serving as County Executive and now representing Upstate in the State Senate. Joe pulls no punches on what Albany and Washington get wrong: ignoring front-line workers when making criminal justice policy, starving school districts through broken funding formulas, and pushing knee-jerk moratoriums on emerging technologies like AI.Finally, at 70 years old, Joe breaks down the single most valuable piece of life advice he has learned over four decades in public life.Subscribe to the channel for more authentic, unfiltered conversations:https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattAndMonicaPodcastTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction & Sylvan Beach Memorial Run02:15 - Honoring First Responders, Veterans & Gold Star Families04:45 - The Philosophy of "Do Hard Things" & Gaining Perspective08:10 - How Joe Griffo Got Started in Rome Politics12:35 - Revitalizing Rome & Bringing Woodstock ’99 to Griffiss AFB15:50 - Transitioning to Oneida County Executive & the State Senate18:20 - Representing Upstate NY: Majority vs. Minority in Albany21:30 - The Crisis in NY Schools: Budgets, Foundation Aid & Discipline26:15 - Cell Phones in Schools: State Bans vs. Local Control29:40 - Why Albany Fails to Listen to People on the Ground33:10 - Artificial Intelligence: Data Centers, Energy Grids & Moon Tech37:25 - Autonomous Vehicles & the Future of Daily Life41:10 - 70 Years of Perspective: The Best Advice Joe Griffo Ever ReceivedConnect with us:Website: https://themattandmonicapodcast.com/Instagram: @themattandmonicapodcast#TheMattAndMonicaPodcast #JoeGriffo #NYSenate #CentralNY #Woodstock99 #FirstResponders #RomeNY #UpstateNY

  2. Sep 21

    3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Interview: The Real Cost of War | Dereck Bohner

    Episode 65Late one night at the Arete Path Retreat, under a dark pavilion outside, we sat down for an uninterrupted, intensely raw conversation with Dereck Bonner from the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. What followed wasn't a standard military interview highlighting accolades; it was a transparent dive into the rucksack of a warrior processing the true weight of combat, loss, and the silent inner wars fought long after the uniform comes off.From growing up as a tall Asian kid with an identity crisis in rural Iowa, to surviving multiple vehicle rollovers and an intense 18-hour firefight in Mosul, Dereck shares his trajectory through the Ranger Regiment—an elite community he calls a collective of "lost boys and broken toys" who found brotherhood in suffering. Dereck opens up completely about the dangerous euphoria of combat, the bitter animosity of military politics, and the devastating weight of losing multiple close brothers-in-arms on the battlefield. He honestly addresses his subsequent downward spiral into alcoholism, survivors' guilt, and the 10-year emotional roller coaster it took to finally shelf his ego, return to his faith, and let the Holy Spirit guide him back to his family.Today, Dereck is focused on breaking the cycle of trauma, learning to "breach his own house with happiness and kindness," and showing up as a present, loving father and husband. If you are navigating your own adversity, dealing with hidden scars, or trying to find purpose in the aftermath of trauma, Dereck's hard-won perspective will completely shift how you view the rain in your life.Timestamps & Key Moments00:00 – Rolling live from the Arete Path Retreat02:00 – Growing up an anomaly: Identity crises in rural Iowa05:15 – Enlisting at 19: The Ranger Regiment as a home for "broken toys"08:30 – First night on the ground in Mosul & the immediate reality of loss11:45 – The Climb Squad: Changing tactics from the rooftops down15:20 – The 18-hour Christmas Eve firefight & escaping a lazed roof21:10 – The bitter pill of Delta Company and standing up a new unit24:45 – Chasing the High: Getting addicted to the euphoria of combat27:15 – Thick as Thieves: Facing the ultimate weight of a teammate's final words33:30 – Standing in the gap: Volunteering for a brother's funeral detail37:50 – Escaping Regiment to South Beach Miami: Modeling, bartending, and masking PTSD42:15 – The screaming cry for help: Bar fights, heavy drinking, and a 15-mile forced ruck48:40 – A message to his kids: Documenting the past to build a better future53:10 – Breaching the house with love: Embracing the emotional work of fatherhoodConnect & SupportHosted at The Arete Path RetreatSpecial thanks to Kevin Stark for creating the environment that allows veterans and high-performers to shed their armor and do the hard emotional work.Website: https://www.thearetepath.comConnect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-stark-arete/Proudly Sponsored by Consequence of HabitEmpowering individuals to swap out destructive habits for daily routines that build mental hygiene, resilience, and true purpose.Website: https://www.consequenceofhabit.orgInstagram: @consequenceofhabitHashtags#DereckBonner #3rdBattalion #75thRangerRegiment #AretePath #ConsequenceOfHabit #MentalHygiene #VeteransPTSD #WarriorMindset #FaithAndFamily #MattAndMonicaPodcast

  3. Sep 8

    102 Years of Grit, WWII & Building Sylvan Beach with Captain John DePerno

    At 102 years old, Captain John DePerno has lived a life most people only read about in history books. In this episode of The Matt & Monica Podcast, Captain John sits down with us at Captain John’s Restaurant & Tiki Bar to share over a century of unforgettable stories.From growing up in Utica and shining shoes during the Great Depression to the heartbreaking day Pearl Harbor was bombed and his mother passed away in his arms, John’s early years were forged in pure resilience. He takes us through his service in World War II carrying a 35-pound machine gun through Europe, the bizarre twist of fate that led him to become a personal typist for his childhood hero Charles Lindbergh, and how he returned home to marry the love of his life.John also pulls back the curtain on how he helped build Sylvan Beach into the destination it is today. Hear the untold story of how he fought town politics to incorporate the Village of Sylvan Beach, introduced classic lakeside attractions like Dunk the Dolly, transformed the historic Forest Home Hotel, and secured critical infrastructure for the community.

  4. Jun 18

    The Absurdity of Grief, Faith, & Marriage: A Deep Dive with Rodney & Teresa Norman

    What happens when you sit down with a philosopher, a marine, and a comedian to talk about the things that truly break us? Two years after our first conversation, we drove four hours to sit down with Rodney and Teresa Norman for an episode that went deeper than we ever could have anticipated. This isn’t a typical podcast episode; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at marriage, unimaginable family tragedy, and how to keep choosing joy when the universe drops a rainstorm on your life.In this episode, Matt, Monica, Rodney, and Teresa peel back the layers on the realities of life that social media filters try to hide. From dealing with public judgment to the heartbreakingly relatable timeline of navigating a child's terminal illness and sudden loss, this conversation is a masterclass in shifting your perspective from bitterness to gratitude.We discuss why grief helps you relive love, why doctors are wrong more often than we think, the spiritual necessity of "tender mercies," and how to reframe your threshold for adversity. Plus, we dive into Rodney's upcoming independent buddy-film project featuring Bigfoot, the flaws of the public education system, and why keeping a sense of humor is the ultimate survival tool.If you are currently navigating your own personal storm or trying to figure out how to find a silver lining in a heavy situation, this episode was meant for you."Don't waste your time on things you have no control over. All you have is your thoughts and the way you handle the world." — Rodney NormanSupport Rodney & Teresa Norman:Official Website / Tour Dates: https://www.rodneynorman.comYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RodneyDouglasNormanFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rodneydnormanFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneydnormanFollow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodneydouglasnormanShop Merch & Teresa's Tallow Cream: https://www.rodneynorman.com/shop#RodneyNorman #EnjoyYourStupidLife #MattAndMonicaPodcast #GriefAndJoy #deepconversations

  5. Jun 2

    How AI “Employees” Are Replacing 95% of Admin Work | Jeff Knauss

    Are we ready for a world where your coworker is an AI agent, your child’s best friend is a chatbot, and data centers are being built on the moon? In Episode 62 of The Matt & Monica Podcast, we sit down inside the beautiful Inspire building in Syracuse with Jeff Knauss, the co-founder of Arcovo AI and former CEO of the eight-figure agency Digital Hive. Jeff shares his incredible journey from being adopted from South Korea into a lower-income rural community to finding massive financial freedom by age 35—only to realize that true happiness comes from chasing fulfillment, not escaping work. But the core of today’s conversation is a deep, sometimes frightening, and incredibly authentic look into the reality of Artificial Intelligence. We move past simple ChatGPT queries and dive straight into the Agentic Era—where AI employees are systematically automating 95% of human administrative workflows. We dive deep into: -The Blueprint of AI Employees: How training digital agents mimics training human staff. -The Sovereign Compute Crisis: Why tech giants are planning data centers on the moon to solve the massive energy crisis. -The Death of Friction & The "IKEA Effect": What happens to the human spirit when technology removes all adversity from our lives? -Digital Twins & Grief: The heavy moral implications of "reanimating" deceased loved ones using text files and voice cloning. -Parenting Digital Natives: How Jeff’s kids use AI safely, and the terrifying reality of chatbots stepping into the void of human loneliness. Whether you are a business owner trying to survive the upcoming workforce reduction or a parent trying to understand the world your kids are inheriting, Jeff’s insights offer a masterclass in staying ahead of the curve. Connect with Jeff:Website: Arcovo.ai LinkedIn: Jeff Knauss CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction & The Inspire Building 01:38 - From South Korea to an 8-Figure Agency Sale 07:12 - Why Retirement Bored Me: Chasing Fulfillment Over Money 09:32 - The Shift to Agentic AI & Arcovo 12:10 - How to Train an "AI Employee" 14:55 - Who is Held Accountable When AI Makes a Mistake?19:57 - Will AI Cause Mass Workforce Reductions? 24:24 - The Threat of Removing Human Adversity (The IKEA Effect) 26:34 - 2028 Knowledge Worker Crisis & Universal Basic Income 29:32 - The AI Music Novelty vs. Human Authenticity 32:42 - Why Data Centers Are Moving to the Moon 36:49 - The Matchstick Factory (The Threat of AI Misalignment) 39:18 - Digital Twins: Reanimating the Deceased via AI 48:45 - Cyber Security & The Mythos Vulnerability 51:40 - Neuralink, Wearables, and the Future of Bionic Humanity 56:10 - How AI Will Disrupt the Bureaucratic Education System02: 00:10 - AI Companionship, Loneliness, and Teenage 02:04:15 - Parenting in the AI Era: Phishing Schemes & Child Creativity Tragedy#MattAndMonica #JeffKnauss #ArcovoAI #FutureOfAI #ArtificialIntelligence

  6. Jun 2

    Eric McCormack: Rebuilding Armor and Mindset Through Adversity | Ep. 61

    Optimized Title IdeasThe Ultimate Blueprint for Overcoming Trauma | Eric McCormack & The Matt and Monica Podcast (High Search Volume)From Homeless & Broken to Training David Goggins: The Eric McCormack Story (Click-Through Rate Focus)Always Grateful, Never Satisfied: Overcoming Adversity with Eric McCormack (Brand Focus)Why Comfort is Killing You: Rebuilding After Unimaginable Loss (Mindset Focus)Hook-Driven Episode DescriptionWhat happens when you are given every single excuse to crumble, but you choose to build armor instead?In Episode 61 of The Matt & Monica Podcast, we sit down with a man who truly embodies the concept of relentless mental fortitude: Eric McCormack.Eric is fmr law enforcement officer and former Defensive Tactics Academy instructor who took intense operational experience and turned it into a blueprint for human optimization. When the world’s most savage athletes—including David Goggins, UFC champion Colby Covington, and ultra-marathon bowhunter Cameron Hanes—need to unlock another gear of physical and mental performance, Eric is the man they call. In fact, Eric is the exact voice you hear spotting and firing up David Goggins in his viral, legendary "Who's gonna carry the boats?!" training video.But Eric’s authority wasn't built in a comfortable gym. It was forged in the darkest seasons of life. In this deeply moving episode, Eric opens up about surviving childhood domestic abuse, facing homelessness on his own during his junior year of high school, and navigating the crippling trauma of losing his fiancée to a sudden accident while serving as a police officer.Matt, Monica, and Eric draw powerful parallels on navigating unimaginable grief and PTSD, breaking down why true strength requires a balance of hard armor and an open heart.We dive deep into the pillars that define his lifestyle and coaching:Outlaw Strength: His premier coaching program for physical transformations and ultra-endurance conditioning.AG/NS (Always Grateful, Never Satisfied): The mental framework required to stay deeply humble and appreciative of your blessings while maintaining an insatiable hunger to conquer the next mountain.MTN OPS: His critical role on their Advisory Board, helping fuel and train high-performers worldwide.This isn't just a fitness podcast; it’s a masterclass in survival, faith, and intentional recovery. If you are currently standing at rock bottom or struggling to find purpose in your suffering, let this conversation be your turning point.Connect with Eric McCormackInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/outlaw_strength/Website: https://outlawstrength.net/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@outlawstrength5454Learn more about MTN OPS: https://mtnops.com/SEO-Optimized Timestamps & Chapters01:00:03 – "Who's Gonna Carry the Boat?" | The Reality Behind the Viral David Goggins Clip01:00:33 – The Definition of AG/NS: Always Grateful, Never Satisfied01:01:34 – Forged in Adversity: Surviving Childhood Abuse and Teenage Homelessness01:02:03 – From Survival to Service: Entering Law Enforcement & Becoming a Defensive Tactics Instructor01:03:15 – Processing the Unthinkable: Navigating the Sudden Loss of a Fiancée01:03:48 – Training the Icons: Working with Cameron Hanes, Joe Rogan, and Colby Covington01:05:43 – Practical Advice for Anyone Trapped in Darkness or Trauma01:06:54 – Leading by Example: Faith, Strength, and Emotion as a Father01:08:54 – Routine-Based Healing: Why Routine Prevents Complacency01:10:16 – Handling Adversity Publicly: Matt and Monica Reflect on Their Own Unimaginable Loss01:12:33 – Intentional Rest: Using Comfort as a Purposeful Recharge Station01:13:59 – Grounding and Disconnecting from the Noise of Modern Society#TheMattAndMonicaPodcast #OutlawStrength #AGNS #MtnOps #DavidGoggins #CamHanes #ColbyCovington #MentalFortitude #OvercomingGrief #TacticalFitness #KeepHammering #DisciplineOverMotivation

  7. May 6

    Eddie Pinero: Finding Purpose in Adversity | Ep. 60

    After following Eddie Pinero for over two years, we traveled to his home in Arizona to sit down for a conversation that we will never forget. Eddie’s work with Your World Within was a lifeline for me during the darkest moments of this past year. To finally sit across from him and talk about the "Always Grateful, Never Satisfied" (AG/NS) mindset was an absolute honor. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on: Navigating Tragedy: Finding the "armor" to move forward after the unthinkable loss of my children. Monica’s Story: Sharing for the first time the courage it takes to walk away from an abusive past and start over. The Power of the Inner Circle: Why who you surround yourself with dictates your ceiling. Viktor Frankl & Jim Rohn: The timeless philosophies that help us find meaning in suffering. The Future of Art: Why human connection is the only thing that can’t be replaced by AI. This isn't just a "motivation" podcast—this is a raw look at what it takes to stay standing when life tries to knock you down. Connect with Eddie Pinero:Instagram: @eddiepineroWeb: yourworldwithin.com Connect with Matt & Monica:Instagram: @themattandmonicapodcast

  8. Apr 26

    The Matt and Monica Podcast Episode 59 - Caitlyn and Brendan Schuler

    We took the podcast on the road to Grace Haven Farms for an unfiltered, almost three-hour conversation with Caitlyn and Brendan Schuler.This wasn’t your typical interview. Sitting in their home, we stripped away the social media filters to talk about what it actually looks like to navigate life’s hardest seasons. From the deep-seated struggles within a relationship to the grit required to push through hardship, we covered everything in between.If you’ve ever felt like you’re struggling in the "trenches" of life or marriage, this conversation is for you. It’s long, it’s honest, and it’s exactly the kind of conversation we need more of.Check out Grace Haven Farms LLC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585649957306 #MattAndMonica #GraceHavenFarms #CaitlynAndBrendanSchuler #RelationshipAdvice #MarriageStruggles #NavigatingHardship #Podcast

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About

On this podcast, we're embarking on a journey of self-discovery, vulnerability, and courage. We're stepping outside of our comfort zone, sharing real, genuine stories, and inviting you to join us. Here, we'll explore the unknown, challenge our fears, and celebrate our successes. We'll create a space where everyone feels welcome, supported, and inspired. If you're yearning to break free from your comfort zone and live your best life, this podcast is for you. Together, we can create a community of brave souls who are committed to reaching their full potential. #vulnerabilityisstrength

Information

  • Creator
    Matt And Monica Spellicy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt And Monica Spellicy
  • Show Website
    The Matt and Monica Podcast

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