What's going on everyone, Welcome to another edition of Confessions of a Native Son, I'm your host Mike Steadman. I'm a Marine Corps Veteran, Entrepreneur, and Aspiring author, who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging dialogue about race, culture, and business.

In this episode, I chop it up with my brother from another mother, Ian Kilo. Ian and I served together in 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, where we deployed to Okinawa Japan back in 2014. As a white Marine Officer from Little Rock, Arkansas, Ian brings a unique perspective on race and culture, particularly with regard to race relations between blacks and whites in the Deep South. His family has a long lineage of service with the Confederate Army in the Civil War, hence the unique perspective. Ian listens to all my podcasts and was one of the first people to donate to THRIVE, the small business incubator I launched for youth and young adults in Newark, NJ. I reached out to Ian last week and asked if he'd be willing to come on my show, and he agreed. We discuss various topics ranging from our military service, Arkansas in the George Floyd Era, and the future of American race relations. Ian even took this opportunity to flip the mic towards me and ask me a few questions. We have a great conversation as only brothers can do, and I truly appreciate for coming on my platform. As always, I want to personally thank you for sharing your time with me and I hope you enjoy today's show.