Show notes
This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we're joined by powerhouse voices from Utah's political leadership. Congressman Mike Kennedy—a practicing physician, licensed attorney, and business owner—discusses his recent visit to El Salvador's high-security prison, his legislation to strengthen Medicaid integrity, and efforts to crack down on repeat felons who reenter the U.S. illegally. Then, Marine Corps veteran and VetComm CEO Kate Monroe shares her plan to combat veteran homelessness through transitional basecamps and weighs in on President Trump's proposal to establish a national center for homeless vets. Finally, U.S. Senator John Curtis reflects on the importance of listening in his maiden Senate floor speech, highlights Utah's leadership in energy innovation, and discusses his bipartisan forest management bill. Plus, don't miss Kiley's Corner, where she dives into the wild story of international gamblers who bought 25 million lottery tickets and won $95 million in Texas. It's an episode you won't want to miss!
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About our guest:
Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D., represents Utah's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected in November 2024, he assumed office in January 2025. Kennedy brings a diverse professional background as a practicing family physician, licensed attorney, and experienced legislator.Kennedy has practiced as a family physician in Lindon, Utah, with Premier Family Medical Group. He has also volunteered at the Provo Volunteer Care Clinic, providing free medical care to uninsured Utah residents.Kennedy's political journey began in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served from 2013 to 2019. He then served in the Utah State Senate from 2021 to 2025. In 2018, he ran for the U.S. Senate, winning the Utah Republican Party's convention vote but losing the primary to Mitt Romney.In 2024, Kennedy won the Republican nomination for Utah's 3rd Congressional District and subsequently defeated his Democratic opponent in the general election. He was sworn into Congress in January 2025.In Congress, Kennedy serves on several key committees, including the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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Kate Monroe was born in Northern California. After High School, she attended Corban University. She decided fairly quickly that she needed a bigger challenge. This need for a challenge led her to pursue going into the military.
She made the tough choice to go into the Marine Corps. While serving her country she was injured many times and is a 90% disabled veteran. Kate says the "Marine Corps set her up for a successful life and career."
She says that when people speak with her especially in business, when she says she was a Marine, she can leverage that and it changes the minds of those that she deals with.
The entrepreneurial spirit that Kate possesses she would say she got from her father. She has owned many businesses in various vertical market areas from lending, to sales coaching, her own car dealership, and real estate coaching.
Kate Had a long tenure in the Automotive business. She climbed up to the GM level and had success in both sales management and the financial aspects of the auto industry. She then became a licensed realtor in the state of Ca, so that she could switch lanes and try her hand in Time Share sales.
She was the Rookie of the year for the world for Wyndham. She was then the fastest promoted Director of Sales in the history of the company. She was a strong leader in that industry as well. She learned how to motivate, train and lead others in a high stress high volume sales environment.
This year alone Kate is launching two major ventures. The first is to help veterans get the disability rating they deserve. She has a mission to get a million rated. Next is her Realtor Rehab coaching course and reality TV show set for production in June 2021.
Bottomline, Kate is a fierce woman with a drive to help others succeed as she has! Her mission is to ensure that she can impart her success onto you. If you need a coach to take your idea or career to the next level, she is your best choice.
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In the United States Senate, John R. Curtis proudly represents the citizens of Utah, embodying the pioneer values that shaped the state into an extraordinary place to live, work, and thrive.
For Senator Curtis, results matter. Guided by America's founding principles, he tackles tough issues with innovative approaches, inviting all to the higher ground of common ground. He believes that big ideas, innovation, and consensus can drive transformational change. Senator Curtis is dedicated to crafting principle-centered policies and achieving real results for Utah and America. He leads critical conversations, convenes thoughtful leaders, fosters inclusive collaboration, develops sustainable solutions, and provides a vision of what is possible.During his seven years representing Utah's Third Congressional District, then-Representative Curtis passed 28 pieces of legislation into law. His accomplishments include better public land management, combating human trafficking, reducing burdensome regulations on small businesses, and more. He founded the Conservative Climate Caucus and was ranked by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking as the 5th most effective Republican member of Congress. In 2023, his office earned recognition as the best in Congress for constituent accountability and accessibility.Senator Curtis has built an international reputation for advancing American energy solutions that unleash U.S. clean fuels, strengthen the economy, enhance national security, ensure energy independence, and reduce global emissions simultaneously. He believes America must not only achieve energy independence but lead as an energy-dominant nation. Beyond energy, the Senator prioritizes strategic policies addressing China, fiscal responsibility, and solutions for broken social programs.Before his time in Congress, Senator Curtis was a small business owner and a proven problem solver. He served as Mayor of Provo City for eight years, earning a 94% approval rating and being named the "Top Elected Official on Social Media" in 2015. His leadership was recognized with awards such as the Silicon Slopes Community Hero, UVU's Civic Innovator Award, and Utah Valley Magazine's Person of the Year.Senator Curtis has been married to his wife, Sue, for 42 years. Together, they have six children and 17 grandchildren. Their family motto, "In Unity There is Strength," continues to guide how he serves, works, and lives.
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