The Echo Review is going on a short mid-season break as we source more guests and begin planning for the next season. Before we dip, we wanted to share a short bonus episode with Elsie Alburquerque in which she discusses the setbacks she overcame while at basic training. As you would imagine, it involves injuries, The Forge and ibuprofen . It's a great anecdote about pushing yourself and finding your inner strength. In the last few weeks she's also launched her own in-person fitness coaching ser...
Oct 24, 2023•9 min
He's back! For those that have never listened to his story, I highly recommend listening to my first interview with him here . TLDL; here's a YouTube Short that explains his story in a nutshell ( LINK ). Bobby is one of the most unconventional SMs I've ever spoken to. First he became a Marine at age 30, which is by no means old, but for USMC standards, you will undoubtedly have to get a waiver. Second, he dealt with many highs and lows in his young adult life and has worked a variety of jobs (fr...
Oct 24, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Just a heads up, while this conversation is very personal and dear, there is some discussion of violence which some may find uncomfortable, so listener discretion is advised. I've known Mitzy Bello (pronounced be-yo ), for over 15 years. We met in school and went separate paths but kept in touch intermittently during the period after. In the last 4 years, her and I have spoken a lot more. The catalyst was seeing a pic of her raising her right hand and taking the oath and learning that she was jo...
Oct 10, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 4
I mention Snow a lot. He was in this season's trailer and last season's trailer . We met randomly through a mutual friend and not unlike myself, wanted to pursue uniformed service later in life. He faced one particular setback from achieving this; he had to leave Marine Corps OCS due to an injury. After a few years he's bounced back and is pursuing a career in the Air National Guard. Take a listen to my conversation with him before he shipped out to BMT. For full context here's my first intervie...
Oct 03, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Enlisting at age 40 is rare. Enlisting at age 40 and going through military police training is even rarer. Elsie Alburquerque is both of these things, making her a unicorn among unicorns. Like many in the Guard that joined later in life, she had a multitude of experiences before taking the oath. No matter what was thrown at her, be it a lengthy waiver process or an injury, she continued to bounce back and take the setbacks in stride. Listen to her story of reinvention and resiliency right here. ...
Sep 26, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 3
SSG Jessie is a combat medic, runner and mother. When you hear the phrase “she can do both,” I like to think she can do more than both — she can do a lot! Aside from those three things, she’s also had a career in accounting before she joined the military in her early 30’s. She also explains how preparing for the military cultivated her interest in distance running which led to her competing in marathons. 1:22…Meet Staff Sergeant Jessie 3:02 …”Do it now before it’s too late” 4:00 … Preparing for ...
Sep 25, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This season we’re focusing on service members who entered the military later in life. I wanted to kick things off with a friend of mine from basic training who fit this profile, SPC Francis. She went from vice principal to enlisted Army National Guard soldier. Not only is her journey to BCT unique, she also had a very, ahem, expedited recruiting process. Check out her story. 2:08 … Who is SPC Francis? 2:50 … Teacher to Troop: Francis Begins 3:06 … how COVID-19 had impact on Francis’ life 5:00 … ...
Sep 12, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Ok let's try this again. Special thanks to Hannah, Hensley, Yung Snow God, the homies in the group chat, the battle buddies trying to improve their running time and anyone that joined the service over the age of 27. Let's get it season. Trailer edited by Hannah Sunday.
Sep 06, 2023•1 min
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's some honest conversation about policing from a police officer's perspective. Listener discretion is recommended. As mentioned in our last episode, this is part of our multi-part mid-season look at policing. This episode, with Officer Julio, was recorded in early January, so the references might be a little dated but nonetheless very relevant. Julio is a detective with over a decade on the force; he's also a mem...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's some honest conversation about policing from a police officer's perspective. Listener discretion is recommended. When we initially planned this episode, it was back in late December. We were interested in capturing the thoughts and feelings the police community during the holiday break and began reaching out to individual officers. The recent news that has unfolded is disheartening, however, we do want to shine...
Jan 30, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Neir's Tavern is one of the oldest bars in the United States, yet you probably haven't heard of it. It's owned and operated by Loycent , a firefighter and community leader, who has withstood the challenges that come along with overseeing a small business throughout the pandemic. As an immigrant who has achieved the American Dream, Loycent believes in service and giving back. From the island of Jamaica, to DJ'ing, to the New York Fire Department to becoming a restauranteur, listen to his incredib...
Nov 16, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There's also a little bit of crude language. Listener discretion is recommended. This episode is dedicated to the part-time hitters and oper8ors; Guards and Reservists who put that work in. On this Veteran's Day, I landed an interview with meme gawd The Fratty Guard, who is legendary for making funny and insightful posts related to life in the National Guard. I got him to open up about military meme culture and his tho...
Nov 11, 2022•17 min
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There’s some frank discussion about sex work in the episode, so listener discretion is advised. Also, this episode does not serve as an endorsement of anyone's political affiliations. 2:55...Itkis' thoughts on the current war in Ukraine 5:36...On not being married, not having kids and not being cellibate 7:20...Does marriage not work for some adults? 7:55...Itkis' take on legacy laws that encourage marriage 12:27..."At...
Nov 07, 2022•36 min
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. There’s some frank discussion about sex work in the episode, so listener discretion is advised. Also, this episode does not serve as an endorsement of anyone's political affiliations. I learned about Congressional Candidate Mike Itkis the same way most of us did: through military memes. Namely, their source was from Military.com . However, I decided to take a look at Itkis' background and found him to be intriguing. An...
Nov 03, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. Someone very special to me recommended that I interview DJ Cilla BK for this season. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I heard she was a firefighter turned DJ and LGBTQ activist, I was hooked. Judging by the conversation, she was always a DJ at heart and we had an enlightening discussion about what it means to be a creative at heart. 1:54…Who is DJ Cilla BK and how did she get into deejaying? 4:37…DJ Cilla BK brea...
Nov 01, 2022•15 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. Season 2 is here! We're kicking off season 2 with a conversation I had with actor and USMC veteran Diego Aguirre. Before he was an actor, he was like anybody else struggling to get a leg up in American life. As luck would have it that struggle led him to enlist as an 0311 in the Corps -- an experience which still influences him and the roles which he is drawn to. 4:30…Method acting vs Meisner acting 8:15…How being an i...
Oct 26, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Season 2 of The Echo Review is here! This seasons theme is a resiliency and we'll be speaking with a variety of guests about what resiliency means to them. Hit the subscribe button and take listen to the podcast about uniformed members of service that do unconventional things.
Oct 25, 2022•3 min
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series are their own. In the season finale, we have an honest discussion with Jadyn Ortiz, a sailor and exotic dancer who has a unique perspective on nightlife and military life. Having generated over 300,000 followers on TikTok, one might say she's a viral internet sensation. However, there's friction between her two professions and we break down why, and most importantly why there shouldn't be. 00:59...What is #MilTok ? 1:20...What is Tik...
Aug 22, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of those that produce and edit the series. Also this , this episode includes an honest discussion on mental health and includes mention of topics such as suicide and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Also, if you or anyone you know has had talks of suicide we recommend you reach out to the national suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255 . UPDATE: You can now dial ...
Jul 23, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of those that produce and edit the series. Also this, this episode includes an honest discussion on mental health and includes mention of topics such as suicide and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Also, if you or anyone you know has had talks of suicide we recommend you reach out to the national suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255 . UPDATE: You can now dial 9...
Jul 22, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8
When you hear motorcycle club it conjures up the outlaw image made popular by the likes of the Hell's Angels. However, there's another subculture that may look similar but is bound by a different set of ethics: law enforcement motorcycle clubs. Yes, similar kuttes , but a much different way of life. On this episode we got a chance to chat with Patron, founder and international president of the Knights Order LEMC . He explained who he was, what the club represents, and its history. 3:06...Who is ...
Jun 24, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 7
We're taking a break from Marines with Only Fans appearances on this episode. This episode we're introducing a very cerebral and honorable police officer by the name of Officer G who was happy to speak with us about current issues connected to law enforcement. 4:20...What exactly is a buff? 8:31...Officer G gives his perspective on what has given rise to crime in NYC 9:41...Who does the blame fall on? 11:16...Officer G's feelings about the Defund the Police movement 13:25...Who should be sent to...
Jun 15, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Since speaking to Bobby Justice, The Echo Review has met more Marines who have made appearances on Only Fans. Introducing Virgil (follow @virgil.1629 ) and Chris (follow @fitnessdegand ) 00:15...Follow our beat, Marines on Only Fans 00:26...Meet Virgil and learn about his "guest" appearance 1:44...Meet Chris 2:16...Why did Chris join the Marines? 7:30...Chris' transition into fitness 10:45...From leg extension recommendations to acai bowls 12:00...What's an acai bowl ? 12:30...From acai bowls to...
Jun 13, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Do you have a side hustle? You probably do. Whether it's a hobby/passion that you eventually want to make into something profitable or it's a craft that you're still fine-tuning so you can make that pivot, side hustles come in a multitude of forms. Meet Bobby Justice, an active duty US Marine Corps infantryman who has done everything from nude shoots to Only Fans, all while serving his country. Introducing Bobby Justice (Follow @thesilentreal ) 2:06...Who is Bobby Justice? 3:43...Bobby believes ...
May 23, 2022•19 min
Tulsi Gabbard is somewhat of a contrarian. She's a Democratic politician who ran for president in 2020, openly criticizes other members of her party and frequently appears on Fox News. Is she really a Democrat-In-Name-Only or is she tapping into something that others do not fully understand? The Echo Review spoke with two individuals who gave their take on her brand of politics. Conversations are with... Jonathan Ortiz of Still a Knicks Fan Podcast 2:40...Who is Jonathan Ortiz? 3:50...Why does h...
May 17, 2022•22 min
Does America have a misinformation problem? The Echo Review wanted to get opinions from both sides of the political spectrum to answer this question. Joining us on this episode was $now and Spider-Man 29 (not his real name). Each gave their take on misinformation in the news. Conversations are with... $now ... 00:35 ...$now on conspiracy theories and anti-vaxxers Spider-Man 29 4:55 ...Introducing Spider-Man 29 - soldier, conservative and Kendrick Lamar fan 8:36 ..."I see social change as degener...
May 12, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 2
For the premiere episode, The Echo Review gets in contact with $now and Elt. $now discusses his thoughts on music and today's current affairs and introduces us to Elt who is living through an international crisis. Conversations are with... $now ...1:30 $now is an emcee, corporate employee, one-time aspiring hoopster and current aspiring Marine Corps officer. Elt is a Ukrainian citizen and music producer sharing his take on what’s going on in Ukraine, while living through it. 2:10 ...$now explain...
Apr 29, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to The Echo Review, a citizen journalism podcast about society and culture. Each episode we talk to people about a topic whether it’s news, current events, politics, media, sports, film or race to hear how they feel about it. Sometimes these viewpoints may not align but we’re here to review the discourse. Join us for the ride. Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions of the guests on this series do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of those that produce and edit the series....
Apr 27, 2022•4 min
