On 5 Minute Salute, our host Morgan Allen talks to veterans making a difference in their communities. Today, Morgan has the honor to speak with Lee Palmer of Self Made Taste Better Productions.
Lee Palmer
Owner of Self Made Taste Better Productions
Website Address: www.instagram.com/theweather.man69
What’s one thing we should know that makes your company unique?
We love to film real life stories regarding the struggle with veterans.
What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in your business?
My biggest obstacle was getting veterans to trust me when they are telling their stories.
How do you define success?
Success is me seeing other individuals succeed.
How did you get started in your field of work?
I have always been aware that veterans have struggles, and I wanted to be a voice to bring awareness on a national level.
Transcript:
Morgan:
Welcome back to another episode of Five Minute Salute, sponsored by MAVD: Military Affair and Veterans Department in Jacksonville. I’m Morgan Allen, joined today by Leander Palmer with Self Made Taste Better Productions. Leander, thank you for being here.
Leander:
Hello. Yes, yes.
Morgan:
So you have created a movie that’s on Tubi. Tell us about it.
Leander:
It’s a movie that is titled Echo of 22. And approximately 22 veterans commit suicide a day, and a lot of individuals are not aware of that. And the reason why I put the title echo on it is because veterans give clues and they are silent about it and they are just doing it. And that’s a high number. And I wanted to bring awareness of the veterans that’s committing suicide and have some mental health challenges in life. And kind of touch my heart that that happens. And I’m sure you’re aware of that. A lot of veterans are homeless also and grow and go through a lot of things. And I just wanted to bring awareness in is on Tubi is being shown worldwide all over the United States, overseas and everything. And I’m actually working on part two because their response is so good.
Morgan:
Oh, yes. And I showed someone a little clip of part two that’s in production and I started crying. Yes. Congratulations.
Leander:
Thank you very much.
Morgan:
So what are some of those silent cues that we could pick up?
Leander:
A lot of veterans are mostly quiet when they’re dealing with mental health. I had an episode when I was dealing with some PTSD. I went to the VA and I was laughed at. Yes, it’s a true story. Oh my goodness. And in my film, I showed actual footage when I went to my storage and found the paperwork that I was not lying. The lady almost had me thinking I was actually lying. It was like reverse psychology. I started believing it. And when I went to my storage, I got the papers out and said, yes, here to go. And that’s one of the things that veterans that’s their challenge with that they don’t trust anyone because a lot of veterans get laughed at is like, who do you trust? One thing about a veteran that’s dealing with mental health. If you tell one person they’re business, they’ll never talk to you again the rest of their life.
Morgan:
Oh, wow. Yes. Because you’re trained to be so strong. Yes. And then when you show up and you’re vulnerable, it makes you feel weak. And then the other person may not be able to read. If it’s real or not real. But the VA of all should be your advocate.
Leander:
That’s correct.
Morgan:
So tell me more about this movie. Tell me like when did you get this vision for creating the movie. How did it come into fruition?
Leander:
That’s a good question. In 2025, it came to me because I had a lot of conversations with other veterans, especially the Vietnam veterans who were in the jungles. And God gave it to me. I don’t write any scripts. When you see the movie, everything come from my head that I do, everything that the characters say. And I started putting it together and I was selected in a film festival 2025, in Jamaica already. Oh my goodness. Yes, for the film. And that’s why I have to do part two because part one wasn’t enough. And when I was seeing the the response from people looking at part one, and it was almost to the brink of crying and that made me want to do it. And that’s how I came into fruition. And I just want to make a difference and talk about it because it’s kind of quiet. That’s why it’s called echo of 22. Because of the silence.
Morgan:
Yeah. Wow. That is incredible. So how long is the movie altogether?
Leander:
Part one is only like about 19-20 minutes. It was a short film. Yeah. But I think I’m going to have to extend it to about 40 minutes because when part two comes on. Oh, man. You’re going to probably start crying from the get go.
Morgan:
Oh I have I brought it.
Leander:
Yes, you brought it. I brought it this time.
Morgan:
Oh that’s called a mic drop.
Leander:
Yes.
Morgan:
Yeah. You said these people, we got to echo these emotions.
Leander:
Yes. I love that.
Morgan:
So what is your vision for how this is going to change the world?
Leander:
I wanted to get to the VA, but they can do a better job and listen to the veterans. And we are real people, too, because most people think that veterans with PTSD, we are crazy. But civilians have mental health also, like I call it road rage. I mentioned that in part one. When you have road rage, it’s a little bit of mental health, but that’s accepted. But when we have it, it’s a double standard. And I just want to become, you know, an advocate for it. And that’s my goal. We’re nationwide everywhere. And I am a voice to help. Yeah. And go from there.
Morgan:
Beautiful. Well, it’s very exciting. And when does part two launch? Do we have one?
Leander:
I should be done with it in June. Hopefully by July. It takes a couple months. I’m. I’m very, I’m very stickler that I told the actors. I’m not satisfied. We’re going to do a reshoot.
Morgan:
Yes. Wow. Because it has to be authentic.
Leander:
Yes. Yes. Yes. I will tell you if I don’t feel it, I’m not going to put it. I have to feel it in my navel. He. He already knows that about me.
Morgan:
Right. And is your background in production?
Leander:
No. We’ve done this for a while. I’m a graduate of Full Sail University and I have a degree in cinematography, and it just came to me and everything started flowing and I learned how to put it together.
Morgan:
You’re just a natural.
Leander:
Thank you. Yes. I will just try my best.
Morgan:
Yes. I love it. Well, I’m so excited to watch your film. And let’s get this out there and let’s get people watching and understanding and change what the VA is doing and who’s showing up. I appreciate you.
Leander:
Yeah. Thank you.
Morgan:
Lee. Yeah. And viewers, thank you for tuning in to another episode. If you want more. Definitely go watch this on to be Echo 22, Echo of 22, Echo of 22 on Tubi. You can watch it there. And if you want more about all of the great things that he is doing, head on over to DailyNewsNetwork.com and we have it right there. We’ll see you in the next episode of Five Minute Salute.
