The Wild Chaos Podcast

• #73 - Catching A Ride With Drug Smugglers to Ex-Cons: The Truth About Hitchhiking America w/Luke Whyte

  What happens when you put your thumb out and trust America? Luke Whyte is finding out as he hitchhikes across the country, documenting conversations with strangers in an ambitious project to bridge our growing cultural divides.With years of hitchhiking experience spanning multiple continents, Luke brings a unique perspective to understanding human connection. His current journey is motivated by a troubling observation: Americans increasingly live in digital bubbles that amplify our differences while obscuring our shared humanity. By hitchhiking between rides with strangers from all walks of life, he creates a space for genuine connection that transcends political boundaries.The stories Luke shares during our conversation are both harrowing and profound. From nearly being murdered by a meth-addicted ex-convict to accidentally joining a drug smuggling operation in Central America, his adventures reveal the extraordinary situations that arise when you open yourself to the unknown. Yet despite occasional danger, Luke's experiences overwhelmingly demonstrate people's fundamental decency.Perhaps most surprising are Luke's insights about who stops to help strangers. Middle-class Americans prove most likely to offer rides, while both the extremely wealthy and those in severe poverty tend to pass him by—though for very different reasons. These patterns reveal deeper truths about trust, empathy, and community across American society.Luke's journey isn't just outward exploration but also personal healing. He candidly discusses his struggles with substance abuse, which developed while working remotely for a high-pressure tech startup. His current project provides space for reflection while creating meaningful connections that counteract the isolation of modern life.Follow Luke's ongoing adventures through "American Awe" on Youtube and social media and witness firsthand how hitchhiking might help heal a divided nation—one ride at a time.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukewhyte/#TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanaweYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@american-aweSend us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

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• #72 - Beyond the Edge: How One Man Defied Death Multiple Times and Lived to Tell About It w/Jonathan Daige

  When JD answered the call to serve his country after 9/11, he couldn't have imagined the battles that lay ahead, not just in Iraq's dangerous terrain but within his own body. This extraordinary conversation takes us through his journey as an Army soldier driving fuel trucks through the early chaos of the Iraq War, his transition to law enforcement where he dangled off a six-story building to save a suicidal man, and his most personal fight: battling stage 4 cancer that attacked his testicle, lungs, and brain.The conversation reveals not just survival, but transformation. JD's cancer battle inspired him to create Thin Blue Ride, a nonprofit that is doing the Lord's work for veterans and first responders battling cancer. His achievements defy medical expectations, from competing in grueling physical competitions to trekking to Everest Base Camp with compromised lung function.Perhaps most powerful are the practical insights JD offers for anyone facing cancer or supporting someone who is. He discusses the importance of early detection, knowing your body, being your own medical advocate, and finding purpose through hardship. His recently published book "Beyond Survival" chronicles this remarkable journey.JD's story forces us to confront uncomfortable statistics, 5,600 Americans diagnosed with cancer daily and over half a million Global War on Terror veterans now living with cancer, while providing resources that could save lives. For veterans, first responders, cancer patients, or anyone seeking inspiration, this episode demonstrates how our greatest challenges can become our most meaningful contributions to others.Visit thinblueride.org to learn more about JD's organization, Thin Blue Ride, or to contact him directly if you're battling cancer or know someone who is. As he reminds us, sometimes the most healing thing we can do is share our story. To donate to our veterans and first responders battling cancer, please CLICK HERE!To follow along on JD's incredible journey visit:Thin Blue Ride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinblueride/Thin Blue Ride Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinblueride/To purchase a copy of his incredible book, "Beyond Survival" CLICK HEREJD's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daige22/Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

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• #71 - Mold, Mice, & Retaliation in Boise School District - Fighting For The Kids Pt.2 w/Michelle Chung

  When culinary arts teacher Michelle Chung first reported mice in her classroom, she never imagined it would lead to a parasite infection, major surgery, and a battle against a school district determined to silence her at all costs. In this powerful follow-up episode, Michelle reveals shocking new developments in her fight for classroom safety and accountability.The situation has escalated dramatically since her first appearance. After paying her own money for a professional inspection that confirmed hazardous conditions, Michelle discovered the district had covered her classroom in bleach to hide evidence of mouse urine and droppings, creating a toxic environment that even hazmat-suited inspectors couldn't safely remain in. Rather than addressing the dangers, administrators emptied her classroom while she was on medical leave, removed her nameplate, and incredibly, threatened students with detention for mentioning her name.This isn't just about one classroom, it's a window into systemic failures that prioritize institutional reputation over health and safety. As Michelle fights not just for her career but for student wellbeing, her story raises urgent questions about accountability in our educational system and what happens when dedicated teachers stand alone against administrative corruption.If you missed Part 1 of the story, you can download and listen here! For KTVB7 News coverage on the case click here!Disclaimer: Always do your due diligence as a parent and/or faculty.Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

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• #70 - Three Shots Fired. One Brotherhood Shattered: Surviving The Unthinkable w/Ruben Delvalle

  From the moment a suspect fired three shots at him in a Chicago alley, Ruben's life transformed forever. In this powerful conversation, Ruben takes us through his journey from Marine infantryman to Chicago police officer, building to the harrowing day when he and his partner Jeff were both shot while on duty.With remarkable candor, Ruben describes his upbringing in Chicago, his time in the Marine Corps including deployment to Iraq, and his transition to law enforcement. The conversation builds toward the fateful encounter that left him wounded and his partner with a bullet permanently lodged in his skull – a moment that altered both their lives permanently.Beyond the shooting itself, Ruben shares the psychological aftermath, their return to duty, and their assignment to the prestigious Fugitive Task Force hunting dangerous criminals.The episode offers rare insights into police work's realities – from street-level interactions to departmental politics and the challenges officers face daily. Ruben reflects on how policing has changed, discussing both the community aspects and controversies surrounding modern law enforcement.Finally, Ruben shares his journey founding Platoon Cigars during the pandemic, creating something positive from his experiences. This conversation beautifully captures the complexities of service, sacrifice, brotherhood, and rebuilding life after trauma. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, military service, or human resilience, this episode delivers powerful perspective from someone who's lived through extraordinary circumstances.Go support Ruben and check out Platoon Cigars and you can follow him at:Instagram: @PlatoonCigars and @robustocloudThanks for following along and see you next week!Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

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• #69 - Stabbings, Cartels, & Trophy Hunts: The Wildest Guide You’ve Never Heard Of w/Hagan Ekker

  From the remote plains of South Central Utah to the cartel-controlled territories of Mexico, Hagan's journey as a hunting guide reads like an adventure novel that couldn't possibly be true, except every word of it is. Growing up in a town of barely 120 people shaped his self-reliance in ways that modern suburban life simply cannot replicate. When the orthodontist arrives in a mobile bus once a month and the nearest gas station is 20 miles away, you learn to plan ahead and make do.The contrast between Hagan's childhood freedom and today's digitally tethered youth is stark. He recalls riding four-wheelers with guns as a kid, fishing miles from home without supervision, and the resistance he felt when finally forced to get a cell phone, it meant his parents could actually track him down. These formative experiences built character and capabilities that he sees lacking in many young people entering the workforce today. "They don't know how to run a dang shovel," he laments, noting how many can't retain instructions from one day to the next.His journey from college wrestling scholarship to oil field work to becoming a respected hunting guide reveals a man constantly adapting to challenge and opportunity. The stories from his guiding career range from hilarious to harrowing, clients obsessing over an eighth-inch difference in antler measurement, brothers stabbing each other while field dressing an elk, and narrowly avoiding cartel violence in Mexico. Each tale offers a glimpse into the beautiful, brutal reality of a life lived close to nature and far from comfort.Perhaps most compelling is Hagan's evolution as a hunter himself. While once focused on trophy animals and personal achievements, he now finds the greatest satisfaction in creating experiences for others, watching a child's face light up with their first successful hunt or seeing a veteran overcome with emotion after harvesting an elk. In a world increasingly disconnected from natural processes and authentic experiences, his story reminds us what we stand to lose if we forget the lessons only wilderness can teach.Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

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