M&M The Matt and Monica Podcast

About M&M The Matt and Monica Podcast

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

Publisher

Matt And Monica Spellicy

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Nov 2023

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

66 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   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. 

   21 Sept 2026

   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. 

   8 Sept 2026

   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.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,032,475

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 74 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

71

Contact M&M The Matt and Monica Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.