Providing discussion, insight and wisdom where Grit and Faith meet and striving to equip you with tools to help you conquer the day. Listen in for interviews with some high caliber people that have been forged into more gritty and spiritual beings.
Happy 99th Birthday Leo Martin Season 2 Episode 2 Birds Words Podcast
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of the Birds Words Podcast and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our guest Leo Martin who turned 99 TODAY. He wrapped up WW2 and ventured into police work in Detroit Michigan. He climbed the ranks from patrol, to detective, Sergeant, lieutenant and resigned as Inspector. He worked for the CIB on the Jimmy Hoffa case and witnessed history as one of the toughest riots in American history unfolded. Whether delivering a baby on duty, arresting a fugitive with a murder warrant or swimming to save a suicidal person with ice floating…hear his story where grit and faith meet.
7 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
History Preserved: WWII: 1st Person Account--Birds Words Podcast Season 2 Ep 1 with Guest Leo Martin
Welcome our guest Leo Martin: Christian, married 78 years and counting, family man, member of the greatest generation, felt the effects of the Great Depression, World War II Veteran -- 8th Amphibious, former Detroit Police Inspector, skilled artist and more.
3 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
"N1HMK" Birds Words Podcast Episode 6 Part 3 Guest David Williams
David Williams recounts experiences from his teaching career and explains the meaning of "N1HMK" in this interview with John Birdwell.
17 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Thanksgiving in Jail w/Guest David Williams--Birds Words Podcast: Grit + Faith Ep 6 Pt 2
Guest David Williams shares humorous anecdotes and life lessons from his experiences, including a memorable Thanksgiving in jail, in this interview with host John Birdwell.
3 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
The Beginnings...Guest David Williams Ep. 6 Pt. 1 Birds Words Podcast Grit + Faith with John Birdwell
David Williams shares stories from his 50 years of teaching and life lessons with John Birdwell, setting the stage for future discussions in this interview.
27 Aug 2025
Strengthening the Family Unit with Guest Dereck Beukes - Birds Words Podcast with John Birdwell Episode 5 Part 2; Grit + Faith
Marriage counselor Dereck Beukes discusses strengthening family units and building deeper relationships with host John Birdwell, offering actionable advice for thriving in modern family life in this interview.
20 Aug 2025
A South African Story of Enduring Faith: Counseling Across Cultures, Global Grit and Lessons in Christianity Ep. 5 Part 1 with Dereck Beukes
Dereck Beukes shares his South African story of faith, family, and ministry, revealing how Christianity and connectedness with God bring transformation amidst real-world challenges in this interview with John Birdwell.
29 Jun 2025
Past is Prelude - Rob Gray - Episode 4 Part 4
Host John Birdwell and Rob Gray conclude their discussion on pursuing faith amidst brokenness, addressing career transition, depression, divorce, and veteran issues, ultimately finding hope through faith in this interview.
28 Jun 2025
7 Years - Rob Gray - Episode 4 Part 3
Host John Birdwell interviews Rob Gray, who shares his experiences with career transition, depression, suicidal ideation, divorce, domestic violence, and hope through faith.
18 Feb 2025
The War Years - Episode 4 Part 2- Rob Gray
Rob Gray recounts his experiences as a Special Forces Green Beret and retired Lieutenant Colonel, discussing the internal and external battles he faced during his 23 years in the U.S. Army in an interview with John Birdwell.
11 Feb 2025
Rob Gray--Prelude--Episode 4 Part 1
John Birdwell interviews Rob Gray, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Special Forces Green Beret, about his life, faith, and experiences in the U.S. Army.
11 Dec 2024
"Make It Count" Ep 3 Pt 2 Joey Barrier
We navigate a few people in discussion who tremendously impacted the world and the Barrier Family Mission Team. Whether its a gun in the face, navigating anti-conversion laws, surviving a near execution, simply picking up a child or standing in front of a General in order to get Bible Schools signed back in operation, you'll find it here...where Grit and Faith meet on the Birds Words Podcast with our Guest of this episode: Joey Barrier. Joey is a Missionary, Teacher, Varsity Soccer Coach, Shepherd, wood chopping enthusiast and Youth Minister.
4 Dec 2024
Ep. 3 Pt. 1 Joey Barrier -High Stakes Missions
From early impressions tagging along and watching his Father conduct Bible studies, Joey was impacted by the Gospel. He is later introduced to a world of Missions. While trying to keep a low profile in China during a baptism, he observes three baptisms by a man in a Speedo and learns of the danger of a picture. The Mission Mindset is discussed and how we can failingly compartmentalize our faith at times. Part 1 jumps into Joey's background and sets the stage before escalating to Part 2.
20 Nov 2024
Ep. 2 Pt. 2 Jerry Crawford: Faith and Firefights
Fighting back from a multiple day ambush with a "Puff the Magic Dragon" Gunship providing some relief, Jerry was tested in many ways. He recounts his time in Vietnam, reading his Bible on uneven ammo cans, later getting thrown off his APC by a bomb, being awarded his Purple Heart and re-integrating into society as a civilian.
20 Nov 2024
Ep. 2 Pt 1: Jerry Crawford: Bible in a Combat Zone
Jerry was raised in the church and went to Vietnam as a 11 Delta 40 with the Blackhorse Regiment. Whether he's teaching about Bird Dogs, holding fast to his Bible or fighting off ambushes, Jerry shares some critical lessons on his journey through the years.
20 Nov 2024
Ep. 1 Pt 2 Adam Parker: Jesus and Justice
What's it like living as a missionary in Asia, sharing the Gospel and partnering with Law Enforcement to fight human trafficking? Adam shares some insight as he's running surveillance involving a young girl who is a victim of sex trafficking and realizes some serious challenges he was facing; he speaks on how he's helping to change the culture and make the world a better place through his organization: Blue Anvil.
20 Nov 2024
Ep 1 Pt 1 Adam Parker: Pursuing Jesus and Justice
We hear about the complexities of a walk with Christ and embarking on a relational and transformative journey with Jesus. Whether cruising the streets as a Metro Nashville Police Sergeant, attending house church or embarking to Asia to combat human trafficking and build a nonprofit, we learn about the incredibleness of God and the pursuit of Jesus and Justice.
Inside a recent episode
Happy 99th Birthday Leo Martin Season 2 Episode 2 Birds Words Podcast
Published 21 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Okay. You go to roll call at the beginning of your shift. Right. How did you communicate with each other? really compact radios. We had a call box on the corner. We didn't have walkie talkies, we didn't have little phones that you could call in and all that stuff. So you go to roll call, and I was looking at your commission cards, and you went from patrol to detective? Detective. Sergeant. Sergeant. Lieutenant. All the way up to inspector. Inspector. And you said vice, license... Liquor license, I licensed all the liquor places in the town. We investigated the backgrounds on the people and that. […]
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