Brew And Chew Podcast

Jim Ryan

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. Aug 13

    Ralph Norman: Advocacy, Challenges, and the Path Forward

    Welcome to Brew and Chew.   Let's start off with an introduction of our guest. U.S. Representative Ralph Norman serves South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and has represented the district in Congress since 2017. A lifelong South Carolinian and Rock Hill native, Norman graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in business before building a career in commercial real estate and development. Before being elected to Congress, he served for 11 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In Washington, he currently serves on the House Financial Services, Budget, and Rules Committees. A familiar face to the Brew and Chew community, Congressman Norman returns regularly to visit with the group and share updates and perspectives from Washington and South Carolina. Congressman Ralph Norman returns to Brew & Chew for a candid conversation with local veterans about South Carolina, Washington, and the issues he believes will shape the months ahead. He shares his thoughts on his run for the U.S. Senate, election integrity, government spending, immigration, and the direction of the country. Veteran advocacy is also an important part of the conversation, as members discuss their experiences with VA benefits and health care and Norman talks about how his office can help veterans navigate problems and get answers. He also reflects on public service, protecting freedom, and the importance of citizens staying engaged in their communities and government. As a longtime supporter and familiar guest of Brew & Chew, Norman closes his visit by taking questions and hearing directly from the veterans in the room. Sponsors For Brew and Chew Right At Home Care Patrol  Weezy Inc Brew and Chew Host is Jim Ryan Produced by Weezy Inc

    Ralph Norman: Advocacy, Challenges, and the Path Forward
  2. 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

    Weezy Talks: Sharing Stories, Building Connections
  3. 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

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.